Caterkiller



The Caterkiller, also spelled Catakiller and known as "Nal" (ナール Nāru) in Japan, was a first-generation Badnik created by Dr. Robotnik in the original Sonic the Hedgehog video game for the Sega Genesis and Game Gear.

This seems to be a favorite design of Eggman, since it is re-used in many other forms. For example, a modification of it, called Sandworm, appeared in Sonic & Knuckles in the first act of the Sandopolis Zone. An unnamed caterpillar robot also appears in Sonic 3D in Green Grove Zone Act 2, leaping between holes in the ground.

Appearance
The Caterkiller model is based heavily upon that of a real-life caterpillar, both in its shape and the way it moves across the ground, stretching its four segmented body parts up and down to crawl along its programmed territory. Its two antennae located at the tip of its head may help give it instructions based on the complexity of its design. An interesting feature of this Badnik is its ability to separate its four body parts if one of its 3 spiked segments are hit. As long as the head remains intact, this Badnik will continue to survive, albeit scattered throughout the area. Teeth can be seen on the front of the Caterkiller, but they have never been documented to have attacked with these. Standard colors for the Caterkiller model were a purple body shell with a gray underside, with a smattering of yellow for the antennae and spikes.

Attack Pattern
The Caterkiller's main attack pattern lies in its ability to only have one segment that can be destroyed without any injury to the attacker, making it more of a defensive Badnik than an offensive one. As stated in the Physical Appearance section above, not only will the attacker be hurt if they try to hurt the last three segments, but the segments will detach and scurry around the area, causing even more potential damage. Sonic had to be extremely careful when dispatching these enemies.

To defeat one, Sonic must roll into its head, otherwise he will take damage and will scatter the Caterkiller's segments all over the place.

Related badniks
The Caterkiller is the precursor to the third-generation Catakiller Jr. (known as Meramora in Japan), which has the added ability to hover and protects its body with an energy wave.

Sandworm from Sonic & Knuckles greatly resembles the original Caterkiller, although it is blue instead of purple. It does not crawl, instead seeming to swim through quicksand, and can even leap out of the sand to attack the play. In Japan, both Caterkiller and Sandworm are known as Nal.

Other continuities
Caterkiller badniks appeared in early issues of both Sonic the Comic and the Sonic the Hedgehog series from Archie Comics.

Trivia

 * Caterkiller was originally intended to appear in the Spring Yard Zone instead of the Marble Zone, but was switched with Spikes late in development. Caterkiller appears as a default badnik of the Spring Yard Zone in Sonic 1 ' s debug mode.
 * In Sonic the Hedgehog CD a enemy named Kemusi is similar to Caterkiller.