Concept artwork for Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-.
Few know that this reclusive desert-dwelling creature lashes together individual needles for its 1000 Needle attack, a fact which suggests that Cactuars are in fact intelligent enough for tool use.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy CollectaCard description.
Cactuar (サボテンダー, Sabotendā? or カクター, Kakutā?), also known as the Cactrot, Cactuer, Cactoid, or Sabotender, is a recurring creature in the Final Fantasy series and one of the series' mascot creatures. It has appeared as both an enemy and a summon. Known for their evasiveness and signature 1000 Needles, Cactuars are nonetheless rewarding enemies to defeat.
Profile[]
Final Fantasy VIII Cactuar artwork by Tetsuya Nomura.
Cactuars were designed by Tetsuya Nomura. They are depicted as small cacti, typically having stiff arms and legs, three black holes for their faces (representing two eyes and an oblong mouth), and three reddish quills at the top of their heads. This appearance would become standard, while Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XII each introduced a more unique design.
In their original appearance in Final Fantasy VI, Cactuars were known as Cactrots. In Final Fantasy VII, they were renamed to Cactuer, while the "fake Cactuer" was named Cactuar. In later games, "Cactuar" became the standard name for the regular Cactuar. The name "Cactuer" was likely formed from "cactus" and "pretender", with "Cactuar" chosen as a similarly looking and sounding name. The latter may also be a portmanteau of "cactus" and "liar". Other languages have referred to Cactuars as "Pampa", "Kyactus", and "Cactilio".
The Japanese name of the creature, "Sabotender", has also been used in some entries starting with Final Fantasy XI, due to the title being translated in tangent with the Japanese version, though Cactuar is also used for some enemies. Sabotender (サボテンダー, Sabotendā?) is derived from mixing the Japanese word for cactus (サボテン, saboten?) and the English word "pretender" (プリテンダー, puritendā?). As XI and later Final Fantasy XIV feature both the Cactuar and the Sabotender as enemies, the Japanese name カクター (Kakutā?) was introduced for the Cactuar to differentiate between the two.
In some titles, Cactuars have their own language, mostly consisting of variations of the word "ge-ka", which resemble squeaks and warbles. Cactuars in Final Fantasy X appear to speak Al Bhed.
Battle[]
- See Cactuar's summon sequences here.
A cactuar hiding in battle in Final Fantasy IX.
Cactuars are fast and tough to hit. Their HP is usually low, but their defenses and evasiveness are high and they often yield large amounts of gil and EXP. Often, they counter most attacks with 1000 Needles, which always deals 1000 HP of unblockable damage that ignores Defense. 1000 Needles can often be learned as Blue Magic and is the main ability used by Cactuar as a summon, while some games have stronger versions of this attack, such as 10,000 Needles. Cactuars are often weak to Water.
Appearances[]
Final Fantasy VI[]
Cactuar makes its series debut as an enemy found in a small desert near Maranda in the World of Ruin. Cactuars leave behind 10,000 Gil and 10 Magic Points, the most of any common enemy.
A Gigantuar can be fought in the Advance and following versions after the player defeats ten Cactuars. Defeating it yields the Cactuar magicite. When summoned, Cactuar randomly uses "1000 Needles" on all enemies, or an attack called "10,000 Needles?" that does 9,999 damage. When equipped the magicite also teaches Teleport, Vanish, and Hastega and grants +2 Speed on level up.
Final Fantasy VII[]
The Cactuer is an enemy encountered in the desert areas on Cactus Island and the North Corel Area. Cactuers can be morphed into Tetra Elementals, an accessory that absorbs fire, ice, lightning, and earth damage. A Cactuer can also be made to appear in the Snow Game at Gold Saucer, as an extra figure to race the player during Time Attack mode.
The enemy localized as "Cactuar" is, in fact, originally the Kactuar enemy, a recurring variant.
Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-[]
This section about an enemy in Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII- is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-[]
Cactuars appear during Chapters 6 and 10. They will not attack during these chapters, but will when encountered in extra missions.
Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-[]
A cactuar appears as a summon using the Digital Mind Wave in Chocobo Mode, though it is unknown whether this is the actual Cactuar or a "fake" Kactuar as only its 1000 Needles attack is named. Only Kactuar and variants thereof appear as enemies otherwise.
Final Fantasy VII Remake[]
Cactuar appears as an enemy summoned during the Fat Chocobo fight in Chadley's combat simulator. In addition, 
Cactuar Materia was obtained as a preorder bonus from the Deluxe Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and the 1st Class Editions of the game. In the PC version, it is available by default alongside all other special edition items. It attacks enemies with 1,000 Needles.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth[]
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier[]
Cactuar (25th)
The Cactuar appears as an enemy. It has three versions, the "Cactuar", "Cactuar (Bunny Ears)", and "Cactuar (25th)". The bunny ears version is exclusive to Egg Hunter event, and the 25th is exclusive to 25th Anniversary collaboration, being in the style of PS1 graphics. They all attempt to flee battle, have medium defense, are weak to melee and fire, and resist gunfire.
Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis[]
Cactuars of several varieties may appear at random during Solo and Co-op item quests. When they do, their wave will be added separately from others in the quest. After firing their 1,000 Needles, all Cactuars must be interrupted, else they flee and void the wave. Successfully downing a Cactuar will cause all item drops to repeat; as they are not true doublers, the types and quantities of items dropped can vary even with Cactuars on the field.
Final Fantasy VIII[]
While Cactuars commonly appear in Kashkabald Desert, they are far more prevalent on Cactuar Island southeast of it. Normal Cactuars yield very little (around 2 to 3) EXP, but do yield 20 AP, the most of any regular enemy and even some bosses. After defeating the Jumbo Cactuar optional boss on the Cactuar Island, the Cactuar can be obtained as a Guardian Force.
The Cactuar Guardian Force uses its signature 1,000 Needles move whose damage is calculated by the first digit in Cactuar's level times 100. As a late-game GF, it learns the rare Evasion and Luck junctions and support abilities that enhance these stats. It learns a command ability that nullifies all physical damage while the user is defending, and is the only GF to naturally learn Kamikaze, wwhich deals immense damage that breaks the damage limit at the cost of sacrificing said character. The Cactuar's unique feature is that it learns all support abilities that give permanent stat boosts upon level up; players who want to min-max avoid leveling up until they gain Cactuar and then equip these abilities for grinding sessions. Cactuar doesn't learn any refine abilities.
Chocobo World[]
Cactuar is one of Boko's's friends and assists him on his quest to find MiniMog, and later on in his quest to save Koko. He helps by finding items for them to use throughout the game. The player can transfer the items from Chocobo World to Final Fantasy VIII. Chocobo World is not available for Final Fantasy VIII Remastered.
Final Fantasy IX[]
Cactuars appear in the desert areas on the Outer Continent and Forgotten Continent. They usually hide underground and counter any attack with 1000 Needles. They can cast Confuse and use a turn to emerge aboveground and stop using their counterattack, instead simply hiding again after being attacked. The Cactuar is the only enemy Quina can eat to learn its signature 1000 Needles move.
Final Fantasy X[]
The cactuars are native to the deserts of Bikanel Island. A sidequest involves Ten Cactuar Gatekeepers guarding the entrance to the Valley of the Cactuars in the Sanubia Sands. The player can obtain special spheres for locating each cactuar, which leads the player to the Mercury Sigil (item for Rikku's Celestial Weapon).
Twelve of Lulu's dolls are based on the cactuar. They may increase AP, reduce MP cost, give counter abilities, preemptive abilities, Magic Booster or the Sensor ability.
Final Fantasy X-2[]
The cactuars of the Cactuar Nation return under the guidance of their leader, Marnela. Their life-cycle involves starting off as cacti before becoming mobile and later returning to a cacti state, though there are rogue cactuars who refused to abide by it and were thus sealed off. These cactuars can enlarge monsters with their needles. A young Al Bhed boy named Benzo is able to communicate with the cactuars.
The Ten Cactuar Gatekeepers are again gathered from across Spira to save the Cactuar Nation from their mortal enemy, Angra Mainyu. Marnela sacrifices her life to protect the Cactuar Nation until they are gathered. If a cactuar is the last enemy and it runs away while a party member is trying to attack, the attacker will run off screen in pursuit, but will be visible when everyone does their victory pose. It takes 15 kills to Oversoul a cactuar-type enemy.
Final Fantasy X-2: Last Mission[]
Cactuars appear on floors 15–19, 27–30, and 75–77. They have high Evasion and are difficult to hit with physical attacks. They cannot attack from a distance and can only attack when adjacent to the player, but their "X-Needles" attack never misses and can destroy one's primary dressphere in one hit. Cactuars are not hostile unless provoked, and are only a problem when encountered in hallways and block the way past. It is recommended to attack them from a distance if battling is necessary.
A Black Mage's magic can kill it in one hit from a distance, provided one has high Magic. A Dark Knight's Doom ability will kill the Cactuar after five turns, and a Lady Luck's MP Dice can deplete the Cactuar's MP (depleting 14 MP in total will render it unable to cast "X-Needles").
Final Fantasy XI[]
Sabotenders are an enemy family found primary in the Eastern and Western Altepa Desert and surrounding regions. Both the common Sabotender and common Cactuar are members of this family, with Sabotenders being found in the Eastern desert and Cactuars in the Western. Cactuar is also the name of a cross-shaped constellation in the middle of the stellar map. At one time, a group of meteors observed falling from the location of the central star and was dubbed the "Thousand Needles Shooting Star".
Final Fantasy XI marked the first appearance of カクター (Kakutā?) as the Japanese name for Cactuar, while the traditional サボテンダー (Sabotendā?) was instead used for Sabotender. More specifically, カクター was used for the Cactuar beta server, but has not been used for any other instances of Cactuar in the game. As enemy names are presented in English in all localizations with few exceptions, it is unknown what the intended Japanese name was for the Cactuar enemy, while other instances of the Cactuar name, such as items and the aforementioned constellation, use サボテンダー (Sabotendā?).
Final Fantasy XII[]
While Cactuars do not appear, the Cactus genus of enemies shares many traits with the creature, mainly being mobile cactus beings with the Flowering Cactoid capable of using 1000 Needles.
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings[]
The Cactoid appears as the Rank I Earth Ranged Yarhi, and unlike its Final Fantasy XII counterpart is an actual Cactuar, using the サボテンダー (Sabotendā?) name in Japanese. It attacks with 1000 Needles to deal minor damage.
Final Fantasy XIII[]
Cactuars are rare enemies in Gran Pulse's Archylte Steppe. They have 777,777 HP and use Kick as their attack. If not attacked in the beginning of a battle, the Cactuar will transform into a stronger version.
Final Fantasy XIII-2[]
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Retro-spective trailer.
The Cactuar reappears in the Archylte Steppe, and can be recruited for use in the Paradigm Pack as a Commando. A 16-bit version of the Cactuar appears in Serah and Noel's party in the Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Retro-spective trailer during the battle against Jet Bahamut.
In Final Fantasy XIII-2 Fragments Before and Fragments After, Snow befriends an amnesiac fal'Cie Cactuar that otherwise resembles a normal cactuar. When Snow witnesses Serah's death in a temperal distortion, he requests that Cactuar brand him as a l'Cie once more so he could fight alongside her in her fated battle.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII[]
Cactuar statue in Yusnaan.
Cactuars appear as enemies in the Dead Dunes. A cactuar statue is also placed prominently in the town of Yusnaan where Snow rules as patron, referencing his bond with the Cactuar fal'Cie. Lightning can also obtain cactuar-related adornments: Cactuar Figurine and Cute Cactuar Figurine.
Final Fantasy XIV[]
A Sabotender (left) and a Cactuar (right).
Both the Cactuar (カクター, Kakutā?) and Sabotender (サボテンダー, Sabotendā?) names are used in Final Fantasy XIV. The Sabotender name appears much more commonly, but Cactuar is used as the name of the family as a whole in Encyclopædia Eorzea: The World of Final Fantasy XIV. While there is some overlap between the two, Sabotenders can usually be identified by a tuft of needles or flowers atop their heads, while Cactuars are "bald". The sabotender/cactuar is the symbol of the Gold Saucer, itself designed to look like a garguantuan cactuar while its mascot as a lalafell in a sabotender suit named Senor Sabotender.
The common Cactuar is a low-level enemy encountered in the Hammerlea region of Western Thanalan, while the common Sabotender is a mid-level enemy in the Broken Water region of Southern Thanalan. Other varieties of both Cactuar and Sabotender can be found throughout Thanalan. The weaker ones use lesser variations of their infamous technique 1000 Needles, such as 100 Needles. Stronger variants still use the full 1000 Needles, which can be learned by Blue Mages, or even greater versions such as 10,000 Needles, 100,000 Needles, and beyond.
Cactuars retain their classic pose while walking around, but adopt a more combative stance when engaged in battle. Players can also obtain a minion known as a "Cactuar Cutting" from a high-level game sidequest.
Final Fantasy XV[]
Cactuars are very rare daytime monsters appearing in parts of Duscae, Leide and Cleigne, and will only respawn after a minimum of 15 minutes. They are powerful opponents that can dodge warp-strikes and yield lots of EXP. Because Final Fantasy XV is more realistic, its developers had to think carefully how to deal with comical or cute characters. The designers paid attention to the cactuar's physical texture, and the depiction of the inside of its mouth, to make it more realistic as a wild creature.[1]
As well as their appearance as monsters, there are different colored cactuar statuettes that can be collected to complete a side quest for Talcott at Cape Caem. The Cactuar Statuette is bought from the shop at Wiz Chocobo Post. The Cactuar Model is bought from the antique shop in Lestallum market. The Cactaur Sculpture is bought from the shop outside the Leville Hotel in Altissia. The player must use Umbra or the royal vessel to return to Lucis to give it to Talcott. The Cactaur Effigy is found in Chapter 15 in Formouth Garrison, the imperial base near Hammerhead. It is behind the white building after the player has cleared the area of enemies.
Cactuar silhouettes are featured in place where human silhouettes are normally used, such as on traffic lights
and emergency exit signs
. The player can also get a Cactuar Sticker for their car, and some fishing lures are fashioned after cactuars and gigantuars.
A King's Tale: Final Fantasy XV[]
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Final Fantasy XVI[]
Cactuars do not appear, but are said to exist across the sea in an advert for Cactuar Needles found in Dalimil. "Across the sea" could refer to Ash, the outer isles, or the Outer Continent.
Final Fantasy Tactics S[]
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy Tactics S is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Final Fantasy Type-0[]
Cactuars appear as enemies in the Berith Desert and Iscah Region.
The traitor among the Four Champions of Rubrum, which included Class Zero's instructor Kurasame Susaya, was said to have owned a pet cactuar just like how Kurasame has a pet tonberry. Though the traitor perished in his attempt to kill his comrades, his cactuar still lurks in Akademeia. The player can randomly encounter it while exploring certain areas of Akademeia, including: Terrace, Chocobo Ranch, Back Garden and the Airship Landing. Sighting the cactuar for the first time has it drop a l'Cie Stone. It also drops an item needed for completing a task and couple random items, including a Crystal Shard and a Wizard's Hat.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles[]
Cactuars appear in Lynari Desert in all three cycles. They are fairly scarce regardless of Cycle.
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King[]
Cactuars appear as normal enemies in various dungeons.
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord[]
Cactuar appears as a summon, however, it cannot attack; instead, it cures its allies. Its speed is Sprightly, and it takes one slot to summon. It is obtained in Chapter 3, in Quartint Hills 3.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time[]
Cactuar makes a cameo appearance. In the desert on the overworld, casting magic on the cactuar shaped cactus will make two to four scratch cards pop out.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers[]
Cactuars appear as enemies. When a water attack is used on one, it grows to immense proportions. The player can pick up cactuars and use their special attack 1000 Needles against other enemies. It is also possible to acquire a cactuar emblem.
Final Fantasy Dimensions[]
The Cactuar appears as an enemy in the Coliseum area. Additionally, the Super Cactuar (ザ・サボテンダー, Za Sabotendā?, lit. The Sabotender) appears on an island northwest of Gardenia. All cactuars variants use the same sprite, with the Gigantuar sprite just being an upscaled version.
Final Fantasy Dimensions II[]
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy Dimensions II is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)[]
Cactuar appears as summon that uses 1,000 Needles on the opponent's Bravery, reducing it by 1,000 points. This can be a reliable way to inflict break once the enemy's Bravery is below 1,000. Cactuar can be obtained as a Stage Bonus on the Destiny Odyssey IX storyline.
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy[]
Cactuar returns as a summonstone with the same function as in the first Dissidia. It can be purchased from certain Moogle Shops for 60 KP.
Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia[]
Cactuar appears as an enemy in crystal cycle quests, repeatable quests that grant a large amount of crystals. Cactuars appear on the final wave of each quest, and grant the greatest rewards of all the enemies which appear. Rarely, a Cactuar may be replaced with a Flowering Cactuar that grants even greater rewards.
A set of Cactuar stickers for co-op multiplayer was available during A Kactuer Konundrum. During this event, Cactuars seized the in-game news feed and replaced text with five-point stars (☆★) to make the text near-indecipherable.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy[]
Cactuars appear as enemies during Battle Music Sequences (BMS).
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call[]
Cactuars appear as enemies in Battle Music Sequences.
Pictlogica Final Fantasy[]
Cactuar appears as an enemy and playable character.
This section in Pictlogica Final Fantasy is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Final Fantasy All the Bravest[]
The Cactuar appears as an enemy inside the Fabul Waterways. It uses 1,000 Needles and drops the Kotetsu.
Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]
Cactuar species most frequently appear as bonus targets during certain Special Events. Appearing in singles, they can sometimes drop Orbs that are one or two levels above those that would drop from a more common foe. As a standard enemy, they are found within the intermediate to advanced Records of Final Fantasy VI and in the Monday Daily Dungeon, the latter basing itself on Final Fantasy VI for the enemies drawn. Cactuar can also be obtained as a summon.
Final Fantasy Explorers[]
This section in Final Fantasy Explorers is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]
The Cactuar appears as an enemy in the Zadehl Wester- and Southersands, the Barren Wastelands, the Floating Sands, and the Colosseum, as well as during several events.
Mobius Final Fantasy[]
Cactuars appeared as enemies in the Shrine of Trials and during special events. As enemies, they had low HP, but would need to be broken with a random element to be defeated quickly. If hit with an element that they weren't weak against the attack would do little damage. Their main purpose was defeating them for Cactuar Material Cards, which could be fused with other cards to greatly increase their Skillseed level.
World of Final Fantasy[]
Cactuar is a Mirage encountered in the Phantom Sands, Castle Exnine, Nine Wood Hills, Murkrift, the Coliseum, and the Hidden Dungeon. A cactuar also appears as a minor character. The Cactuar Conductor runs the trains. He is an energetic middle-aged cactuar (saying that he is over 50 years old) who likes to play pranks on people and other Mirages. He is the first cactuar in the series able to communicate with the main characters in their own language.
Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon and Chocobo's Dungeon 2[]
The Cactuar is both an enemy class and a specific enemy. They attack primarily with Gil Toss, though some types can use Poison Needle. They drop a large amount of gil upon defeat.
Chocobo Racing[]
The Cactuar is a secret character unlocked by beating the Story Mode six times and holding 
while the cursor is over Squall. The cactuar does not use a vehicle to race, and rather runs around the track. Cactaur is one of the slowest racers and has bad acceleration to boot but give it Charge and it becomes more of a force on the race track. As a CPU opponent, it uses every stone it gets unless it gets one in 5th or 6th which is extremely likely.
Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon[]
Cactuars are fairly enigmatic enemies, as their movement speed doesn't work like that of most enemies. They technically have the same movement speed as Chocobo, but are allowed to move two grids or attack once each turn, making them hard to fight. They have long-range skills, such as Gil Toss and 1000 Needles. They also appear as a Dry Cactuar variant in the Guardian of the Light dungeon.
Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales[]
Cactuar appears as six earth-elemental cards.
This section about an ability in Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Dice de Chocobo[]
This section about an enemy in Dice de Chocobo is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy: Unlimited[]
Cactuars used to live in a peaceful desert until they were attacked by the Wandering Ocean, which destroyed their home and forced them to hide underground. Thanks to the Comodeen and Kaze, the cactuars gain the courage to use their own lifeforce to create a whirlwind that destroys the Wandering Ocean. Everyone mourns the deaths of their fallen comrades, until it is revealed the cactuars could be revived with sunlight. Fungo is the only one of the heroes to translate the cactuar language.
Herba uses a similar group of cactus creatures as servants, referred by her as her "Cactibabies", last seen in "Fungus: Eternal Life" obtaining an Omega crystal and almost all of them were destroyed by Omega's aura in the process.
The cactuar were all voiced by Etsuko Kozakura in the Japanese version.
Final Fantasy Trading Card Game[]
![Cactuar [5-058U] Chapter series card.](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/e/e9/Cactuar_TCG.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/81?cb=20170524214830)
![Cactuaroni [11-046C] Chapter series card.](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/1/16/Cactuaroni_TCG.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/81?cb=20180321093634)
![Cactuar [13-114U] Chapter series card.](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/5/52/Cactuar2_TCG.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/81?cb=20181015123330)
![Cactuar [4-058C] Opus series card.](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/f/f9/Cactuar_4-058C_from_FFTCG_Opus.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/81?cb=20210302125801)
![Cactuar [6-074C] Opus series card.](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/4/44/Cactuar_6-074C_from_FFTCG_Opus.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/81?cb=20210405133018)
Cactuars appear as Wind-elemental Monster cards and as Earth-elemental Summon cards.
Final Fantasy Portal App[]
Cactuar and Sabotender from Final Fantasy VIII, XIV, and Crisis Core appear as Triple Card cards.
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Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances[]
Assassin's Creed: Origins[]
Cactuar statuette in Assassin's Creed: Origins.
A cactuar statuette can be found on a desk next to Layla Hassan's computer in her base during the present day scenarios.
Itadaki Street series[]
Cactuar in Itadaki Street Portable (left) and Special (right).
Cactuars appear in Itadaki Street Portable and Itadaki Street Special.
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Dragon Quest series[]
Cactuar pose.
In Dragon Quest X, Cactuars along with Mandragoras appeared as monsters during the Final Fantasy-Dragon Quest crossover events. Also, characters can be dressed with cactuar robes and the iconic cactuar pose can also be staged.
In Dragon Quest Tact, a cactuar can be scouted to the player's party during a collaboration event with War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. One of its abilities is 1000 Needles.
Mario Hoops 3-on-3[]
Cactuar is a secret character along with a Moogle, a Ninja, a White Mage and a Black Mage. Cactuar's special shot is 1000 Needles. Cactuar is unlocked by first unlocking Glare Desert, which is unlocked by scoring 800 points in Jr. Street, playing in the Star Cup. Once Glare Desert is unlocked, Cactuar's head appears in the sand. Dribbling the ball on it causes it to move. After dribbling on it a few times, it will run away. Winning the match afterward unlocks Cactuar.
Unique to its design in this game and the Nintendo Wii spiritual sequel, Mario Sports Mix, in which it was also an unlockable character, the cactuar's design incorporates segmented limbs, giving the arms and legs a jointed appearance, which may have been intended to make it look flexible enough to play basketball. It is the fastest player in the game.
Mario Sports Mix[]
Cactuar reappears alongside the same four unlockable Final Fantasy characters with which it debuted. It can be unlocked by playing 60 Matches or by completing the Cactuar Mission at Star Cup.
Monster Strike[]
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Kingdom Hearts series[]
The Cactuar Gummi Ship is a special ship. In the original Kingdom Hearts the player can unlock the blueprint by defeating 1000 Heartless and then talking to Geppetto. This can be done after locking the Monstro Keyhole. In Kingdom Hearts II, by receiving an S-Rank in Broken Highway (Mission 2), the blueprint for the Special Cactuar ship is received. It costs 1197 munny and requires 198x Material-G, 8x Fire-G and 2x Orichalcum-G gummi blocks to build.
In Kingdom Hearts III, while traversing through the Toy Box, there is a section where Sora must move blocks in order to make a path to save Buzz. This "path" ends up being a giant Cactuar, which , when put together plays the "victory fanfare". A constellation also appears in the Ocean Between, that when photographed becomes a Cactuar and unlocks a special Cactuar Gummiship.
Hanjuku Hero 4[]
Cactuars make an appearance in the ending cutscene of Hanjuku Hero 4 as drawings.
The Bouncer[]
The cactuar image on Volt's jacket.
One of the main protagonists, Volt Krueger, has three pictures of a cactuar on his jacket. As combined with a "no" sign, it is meant entirely to communicate "No Escape."
Lord of Vermilion series[]
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A cactuar appears as a card in Lord of Vermilion III and Lord of Vermilion Arena.
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Guardian Cross[]
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Roblox[]
The player can purchase a hat called "Cactrot". The hat's description, "Desert, South of Miranda. World of Ruin. Watch out for Blow Fish", alludes to Final Fantasy VI (the original term for 1000 Needles was "Blowfish"). The player can purchase it for 1000 Tix, or ROBUX, another reference to the 1000 Needles ability. It is in the form of a cactus wearing a small hat.
Rise of Mana[]
Cactuars appears as an ally.
Sword Art Online II[]
A cactuar appears as a profile picture and it wears a blackglasses while video-chatting with Death Gun.
Monster Hunter World[]
Cactuars appear as endemic life in the Wildspire Waste area as part of a crossover event with Final Fantasy XIV.
Minna to BIOHAZARD Clan Master[]
As a crossover collaboration with Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade, the Resident Evil smartphone card battle RPG Minna to BIOHAZARD Clan Master boasts joke character and beta test collision detection model Tofu as a Cactuar. This is likely in play to how in gameplay, Tofu is only equipped initially with knife weapons, and as a further play on Tofu's food in joke regarding the zombie outbreak themes of Resident Evil, has now become a cactus as a means of defense from being devoured.
Behind the scenes[]
Concept artwork for Final Fantasy VI.
According to an article in the 15 February 1997 issue of V-Jump, the cactuar was designed by Tetsuya Nomura based on a doodle he drew on a notebook when he was a high school student. They resemble Japanese "Haniwa", a type of clay figure made for ritual and funerary uses.
In the description of the cactuar in one of the Final Fantasy games on PlayStation, the monster was going to be described with the sentence "It ejaculates needles!". This was because the game was being translated by a Japanese speaker. His reviser, Alexander O. Smith, managed to change the description before the game's release, as while it is technically accurate, it carries the connotation of one particular meaning of the word "ejaculate".[2]
Merchandise[]
A figure of the Final Fantasy VIII version of the cactuar comes with the Siren action figure. A Static Arts Mini figure of the Cactuar Conductor from the World of Final Fantasy was released in May 2017. The Final Fantasy XV cactuar has been made into a plushie available as a prize from Taito crane catcher games.
Players can also buy a cactuar as a pet in the Xbox Live Avatar Shop.
References[]
- ↑ Final Fantasy XV Collector's Edition Guidebook developer interviews
- ↑ Wesley Fenton (n.d.) . GameSpite Quarterly Interview: Richard Honeywood on The Rise of Square Localization. Accessed 13 June 2021. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016.