The world of Nintendo villains typically presents challenges that, while formidable, are ultimately surmountable. However, a boss encounter in the looter shooter Splatoon Raiders has emerged as one of Nintendo's most demanding to date. The Pudyin Den, a late-game Salmonid Den, features a single, diminutive enemy known as the Smallfry, which has proven to be an exceptionally difficult foe for players, even after extensive playtime and grinding.
Unlike most Salmonid Dens that require players to collect a set number of Power Eggs within a time limit from a horde of enemies, Pudyin Den tasks players with defeating a lone Smallfry and collecting just 10 Power Eggs. This seemingly simple objective is complicated by the Smallfry's disproportionately high health and its ability to defeat players in a single hit. While beating the boss on standard difficulty is achievable with sufficient grinding, the challenge escalates dramatically on Ultra Spicy difficulty, set at Salmonid Level 76. The Smallfry's erratic movement patterns make it difficult to land consistent hits, and the 50-second time limit adds further pressure.
The fight's design actively works against typical combat instincts. The presence of numerous active gadgets can obscure the Smallfry, hindering players' ability to target it. Attempting the encounter with a squad also proves problematic, as the Smallfry gains a health boost in multiplayer, making it even harder to defeat. Players are often left to rely solely on their individual skills or significantly boost their weapon power.
Despite the frustration, the formidable Smallfry has become a celebrated meme within the Splatoon Raiders community. Players on forums and social media have affectionately nicknamed the boss 'John Smallfry,' sharing their struggles and seeking advice. One particularly viral exchange involved a player lamenting their difficulty, to which a commenter responded, "Super spicy? You’re cooked bro."
This formidable challenge, however, is fostering community ingenuity. Players are sharing successful strategies, including the use of mods that freeze enemies combined with weapons that deal increased damage to frozen targets. This approach highlights Splatoon Raiders' design philosophy, which encourages players to develop creative solutions to difficult problems rather than relying on brute force.
Mastering the Pudyin Den on Ultra Spicy difficulty is seen as a true mark of skill in Splatoon Raiders, pushing players to refine their builds and strategies in pursuit of overcoming this tiny, yet incredibly powerful, foe.