Inflation Nation

While many of the characters on this list have the ability to inflate themselves at will, the Lost Vikings have to rely on technology. Admittedly, the technology in question is not especially advanced. Against all odds, they can fill themselves up with air by using simple bicycle pumps! Once inflated, the Vikings can float through the air indefinitely. They’ll be defenseless while airborne, however, so they’ll have to be extra careful not to drift into any spikes. Although Eric, Baleog, and Olaf all have their own unique strengths and abilities, there’s virtually no difference when it comes to their inflation proficiencies. Moreover, they’ll all have to inflate themselves in order to complete their adventure. Since it would be unfair to single out a single Viking for this countdown, they’re being recognized as a collective group.

Fraaz is a peculiar bat-like creature who serves as the second boss in Spirit Tracks. His primary attack requires him to inhale air in order to increase in size. (In the process, he can also absorb either fire or ice powers from his surrounding environment.) If he takes in enough air, players will have to hit him multiple times in order to shrink him back down to size. In an ironic twist, his only useful move is also his Achilles’ heel. Fraaz looks more imposing when he starts to grow, but he inevitably takes things too far and ends up popping like a balloon. The entire scene is like something out of a cartoon! Even though he was prominently featured in trailers and promotional materials, Fraaz turned out to be a complete pushover. He literally goes out with a bang, however, and it can be argued that he took the inflation concept to its logical extreme.

Gaming’s biggest icon has had the opportunity to use dozens of power-ups during his adventures. The mushroom and fire flower are ubiquitous to the Mario series, while the raccoon leaf and magic cape are iconic in their own right. Some of his items are more useful than others, of course, which is where the aptly-named power balloon comes into play. The item – introduced in Super Mario World – would allow Mario and Luigi to inflate like balloons in order to float through the air. Movement was somewhat cumbersome while the power-up was active, however, so it was fortunate that it was only used in a handful of stages. The balloon wouldn’t be seen again until it was added to Super Mario Maker 2 in 2020. In this outing, players were given more control over the characters while they were in an inflated state.

Donkey Kong 64 was a product of its time, but there are a couple of reasons why the game has had a lasting impact. The introductory DK Rap has built an ironic following on the Internet, while the aptly-named Lanky Kong has gained notoriety for similar reasons. The eccentric ape lacks style and grace, and he literally looks like a clown. At the same time, his unorthodox repertoire of moves makes him stand out from the other Kongs. His handstand ability lets him climb up steep slopes, for instance, and his long arms can extend when he’s on the attack. He can also fly short distances by inflating himself up like a balloon. (Inexplicably, this move is called the “Baboon Balloon” even though he’s clearly an orangutan!) I’d like to rank Lanky higher, but he’s not even the best clown with stretchy arms on this countdown!

Klonoa was recognized elsewhere on this website for his ability to manipulate the wind. His concentrated “wind bullet” is especially noteworthy in this regard, as it allows him to inflate his enemies with air. Although this technique can be used on an assortment of enemies, Moos are being singled out because they’re the most frequent target of the attack. While they’re inflated, Moos can be used as temporary platforms or as makeshift projectiles. In this sense, the Moos actually help Klonoa progress through his adventure even though they’re supposed to be his enemies. The Moos are delightfully oblivious as they waddle to and fro, and they wear perpetual smiles on their faces even though Klonoa views them as a means to an end. The Moos lack the wherewithal to inflate themselves, but they’re still defined by their inherent inflatability.

Under the guidance of the Cloud Dragon, Gusto learned how to harness the wind. His uncovered abilities manifest themselves in many ways, and he’s able to conjure up veritable storms just by throwing his oversized boomerang. He can also inhale enormous amounts of air and release it as a powerful gust of wind. His lung capacity is so impressive that he’s able to swallow weapons as well! He can even inhale his enemies, and he has the potential to either spit them back out or turn them into extra health. Gusto has a large frame and a significant waistline by default, but his belly grows even larger after he takes in some additional air. The size increase isn’t as impressive as some of the other characters on this list, but it’s a good laugh to watch his abdomen wobble around. It reminds me of Chris Farley’s iconic Chippendale’s sketch.

Karnov has been around for longer than anyone else on this countdown. The fire-breathing strongman was the star of his own game in 1987, and he quickly became Data East’s flagship character. Although he’s sometimes depicted with bulging muscles, Fighters History Dynamite painted him with a different brush. Karnov was decidedly flabbier in this outing, and this was especially apparent during his infamous “Balloon” attack. This technique would allow Karnov to become even more spherical, and his size would increase dramatically. It looks ridiculous, but it’s one of the most useful moves in Karnov’s repertoire. The only reason why he’s not ranked higher on this list is because it’s unclear if he’s actually inflating himself. Unearthed concept art from the official soundtrack suggest that he’s actually wearing an inflatable fat suit!

Many characters on this list inflate themselves in order to fly. Lola Pop, in contrast, uses inflation as a defense mechanism. Incidentally, she can take more damage from her opponents when she’s in an inflated state. This maneuver hinders her movement and her hobbling gait borders on the ridiculous, but the tradeoff is worth it. Lola honed her skills while traveling the globe as a street performer. I wouldn’t have imagined that clowning and boxing would have so much in common, but her crowd-pleasing tricks are just as effective in a fighting arena as they would be in a circus. On that note, she has (inflated) dreams of opening up her own circus someday. To that end, she’s prepared to battle mummies, ninjas, and anyone else who stands in her way. She might look harmless when her body starts to expand, but Lola Pop isn’t clowning around!

Jigglypuff is an adorable Pokémon that mesmerizes foes with its captivating singing voice. Although the melodies are pleasant, they often induce drowsiness. When Jigglypuff isn’t lulling its enemies to sleep, it will occasionally puff itself up like a hot-air balloon. This technique is especially useful in the Super Smash Bros. series. (As an aside, Jigglypuff is one of only 12 characters to have “perfect attendance” in Smash!) Jigglypuff is remarkably agile, and it can practically dance through the air. There is a downside to being so light, however. Its normal attacks are relatively weak, for example, and the “Balloon Pokémon” can easily be knocked away by its opponents. This doesn’t mean that Jigglypuff is a pushover. If it inhales enough air, Jigglypuff can potentially grow big enough to launch any opponent into the horizon!

Kirby is one of the most endearing characters in Nintendo’s pantheon, and his likeness has been used to sell everything from plush toys to bath bombs. He’s basically a nondescript ball of happiness, so he’s largely defined by his abilities. His uncanny copy ability has already been discussed on this website, but his aptitude for inflation is perhaps even more noteworthy. At any given moment, Kirby can simply inhale the air around him in order to expand his body. This, in turn, allows him to fly through the air indefinitely. No power-ups are required, and his range isn’t artificially restricted. The little guy sounds like a vacuum cleaner when he’s taking in air, and I was surprised to learn that he wasn’t named after the Kirby brand of vacuums. In any regard, the number one spot on this countdown was never in question.