Giant mosquito
- This article is about the species of giant mosquitoes in Rayman's universe. For the boss in the original Rayman game, see Moskito. For other mosquitoes, see Mosquito.
Giant mosquitoes, also known as Moskitoes, are a species of giant flying insect encountered frequently throughout the Rayman series. They are characterised by their huge, round eyes and prominent proboscises. Notable giant mosquitoes include Bzzit and Moskito.
| Giant mosquito | |
|---|---|
| |
| Alignment | Good |
| Appears in | Rayman, Rayman 2, Rayman Revolution, Rayman 3, Rayman Origins, Rayman Legends, Rayman: The Board Game |
| Sex | Male |
In Rayman
In the original Rayman game, Rayman first encounters Bzzit, a pink giant mosquito, in Anguish Lagoon. He overcomes him in a brief boss battle (which is also the very first boss battle of the series), after which Bzzit becomes upset and starts to cry. Rayman takes pity on him and cheers him up, thus the two become friends. Bzzit then allows Rayman to ride on his back during the next phase of the level. Afterwards he is not seen again, but in the Atari Jaguar version he can be seen at the end of the game (after the credits) in an artwork depicting Rayman and his friends at a party celebrating the defeat of Mr Dark, drinking what appears to be honey.
In a later level, Moskito's Nest, Rayman encounters Moskito, a purple, more powerful version of Bzzit. Moskito chases Rayman through the third phase of the level while carrying a gigantic prickly fruit. Rayman and Moskito soon go head-to-head; Moskito's attacks include Bzzit's darting and stinging movements, but Moskito incorporates a variety of prickly fruit-related attacks into his strategy. At the end of the fight, Moskito is knocked unconscious and is not seen again.
In Rayman 2
In Rayman 2, a few giant mosquitoes can be seen hovering quietly by themselves in the Woods of Light. They serve no purpose, other than as an Easter egg or continuity nod to the previous game. In the Dreamcast version of the game, these appearances are expanded greatly: in addition to the Woods of Light, giant mosquitoes now appear in the Fairy Glade, the Marshes of Awakening, the Bayou and the Sanctuary of Rock and Lava. However, neither Bzzit nor Moskito make an appearance.
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A giant mosquito in the Fairy Glade, as seen in the Dreamcast version of Rayman 2.
In Rayman Revolution
In Rayman Revolution, the expanded PlayStation 2 version of Rayman 2, the giant mosquito Bzzit returns and plays a role in the plot: Rayman's visit to the Bayou is now a mission to rescue Bzzit, who has been captured by the pirates and held there. Bzzit must be rescued, as he is the only one who can take Rayman to the Lost Island, which is the location of the Sanctuary of Water and Ice in this version. Once rescued, Bzzit can be found at a small boat by the Pier; in a 'ferryman'-like role reminiscent of that which he played in the first game, Bzzit brings the boat and Rayman to the Lost Island. Revolution also gives Bzzit dialogue for the first time; his voice is whiny and high-pitched. Some more light is also shed on Bzzit's personality; he is shown to be the friend of a baby Globox.
In Rayman 3
In Rayman 3, several giant mosquitoes appear in 2D Madness, a minigame which acts mainly as a tribute to the original Rayman game. These giant mosquitoes are obstacles within the level, and fly back and forth while wielding prickly fruits. None of them appear to be Bzzit or Moskito.
In Rayman Origins
It's good to have a gigantic stinging insect on your side! The bug-eyed Moskito is a friend in battle. Take a wild ride with him and shoot through the Moody Clouds, where massive machines manufacture the weather. Bombard the enemy or suck them up and spit 'em back out at other bad guys.—Official site, Rayman Origins
HI-HO MOSKITO, AWAY! A moskito's nose knows... don't think! Just go-go-go! Saddle-up and enjoy the ride... Don't you find racy pink divine? Oh, and don't forget to FIIIIRE!—Description of the 10th issue, The Daily Bubble
Giant mosquitoes return in Rayman Origins, where they are now referred to as Moskitoes. They now possess visible mouths, hands, and feet and are colored purple and pink as opposed to yellow and grey. They usually appear in the last levels of each world (minus the revisted worlds and Mystical Pique) where they will offer Rayman and his friends rides to the next world. Their primary weapon is their proboscises which they can either shoot out of (similar to Bzzit in the Atari Jaguar version of the original Rayman) or use to inhale enemies then shoot them out. If the player is using Globox, Glombrox or Red Globox, a smaller Moskito carries him as opposed to letting him ride on his back due his weight, temporarily enabling Globox to shoot out of his mouth and inhale enemies. They sometimes appear in hidden rooms with Electoon cages as well. The Moskitoes in Rayman Origins are referred to as males.
A smaller, blue variety of mosquitoes appears in the artbook The Art of Rayman Origins and in a mosaic in the PlayStation Vita version of Rayman Origins. According to these two sources, as well as Red Globox's description in Rayman Mini, it is this type of mosquito that turned Globox blue. However, the manual for Rayman Origins presents this story as only one possible explanation as to why Globox became blue, one told by the Red Wizards, and states that the Teensies favor a different story involving the drinking of plum juice.
At one point, an enemy known as the unibrow steppe moskito was considered, but it was not included in the final game.
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Raybox riding on a Moskito in Rayman Origins. -
Concept art of the Moskito from Rayman Origins.
In Rayman Legends
In Rayman Legends, Moskitoes appear in levels from the Back to Origins painting in this game. They behave the same as they do in Rayman Origins.
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A Moskito in Hi-Ho Moskito! from Back to Origins.
In Rayman: The Board Game
A giant mosquito is set to appear in Rayman: The Board Game as a Kickstarter-exclusive figure alongside Rayman, who is riding the mosquito. The figure was unveiled as the first lucky ticket and is included with all pledges that have a copy of the base game.
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Rayman riding a giant mosquito, as it appears in Rayman: The Board Game.
Other appearances
The giant mosquitoes also make a cameo appearance in Beyond Good & Evil, another Ubisoft game designed by Michel Ancel, the creator of Rayman. In the game, a pink giant mosquito can be seen on the nose of a dead cow in a factory. If the player takes a photograph of the giant mosquito, the name of its species is revealed as Aedes Raymanis, meaning "fly from Rayman".
A giant mosquito makes a cameo as a plushie in Gribouillages, the fourth volume of the Rabbids comic book series.
Two giant mosquitoes appear as blasters for Globox in the fighting game Brawlhalla.
A plushie of a giant mosquito appears in the background of Black Birdy's Music mode level selection screen in Rayman Mini.
Rayman's Blaster weapon seen in Rayman in the Phantom Show, the third DLC in Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, uses a giant mosquito-inspired design for its standard skin.
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A giant mosquito makes a cameo appearance in Michel Ancel's Beyond Good & Evil -
A giant mosquito plushie in Gribouillages -
Detailed view of the Moskitoes in Brawlhalla -
A giant mosquito plushie on the drums of Black Birdy's background -
Names in other languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Giant mosquito |
| Chinese (simplified) | 巨型蚊子 |
| Chinese (traditional) | 巨蚊 |
| French | Moustique géant |
| German | Riesenmücke |
| Hebrew | יתוש ענקי Yatosh anki |
| Italian | Zanzara gigante |
| Japanese | 巨大な蚊 |
| Korean | 모기 |
| Spanish | Mosquito gigante |