Cuphead Wiki
Advertisement

"You thought you were top dog, but you never had a sniff."
Pilot Bulldog, Death Screen

The Pilot Bulldog (whose name is believed to be Hugo from the writing in his hat) is a pilot for the Howling Aces, and the first mini-boss faced by the player in Doggone Dogfight.

Appearance[]

The Fighter Pilot Bulldog wears a sleeveless top, brown open finger gloves, trousers and a red beret, and his arms have two bone tattoos on his left arm that creates a cross. He has a bandage on his chin.

Intro[]

In the background, Pilot Bulldog flies up from behind in a fighter, flying over the player(s) and then flies up. Pilot Bulldog comes back down above the screen and the fight begins.

Battle[]

Death card mugshot dogfight ph1

Pilot Bulldog has two attacks that he performs by first jumping off the fighter:

  • Pilot Bulldog dons a jetpack, and holds a cat in one arm like a rocket launcher. He squeezes the cat in his arm to make them fire three yarn balls that can be dashed over, or ducked under. In Simple Mode, the yarn balls are slower. In Expert Mode, they are faster.
  • Pilot Bulldog slowly descends with his hat acting as a parachute. He flexes three times, shooting the bone tattoo on his arm each time, and then flies back up through a sudden updraft. The bones fly towards the player, wait on the other side, and then back in reverse order. The tattoos have a chance to be pink. In Simple Mode, they almost immediate returns. In Expert Mode, the middle tattoo flies back first, and then bottom and top one in quick succession.

On the fighter itself, the Yankee Yippers inside the four hatches can come up and throw three tennis balls up, and they fall down on the player. In Simple Mode, they attack less often. In Expert Mode, they attack much quicker.

After a certain amount of health is depleted, the Dog Chinook flies in the background on the left, and starts firing fire hydrant missiles from random locations to support Pilot Bulldog. The fire hydrants are basic projectiles that follow the player, and can be destroyed. In Expert Mode, they are fired more often and reaches the threshold quicker.

After Pilot Bulldog is defeated, the fighter he is in sputters and shakes as Pilot Bulldog is frightened. The four Yankee Yippers inside the plane fly out with jetpacks, as the fighter explodes, and Pilot Bulldog rolls off into the background. Hitpoints = 660/532/608

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • The cat that Pilot Bulldog pulls out in the first phase greatly resembles Katzenwagen. It's unknown if it is Katzenwagen, or said cat was Katzenwagen's inspiration.
  • The name "Hugo" can be seen inside his beret during his bone tattoo attack.

Inspirations and Similarities[]

  • The usage of bulldogs may be inspired by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who lead Great Britain during World War II and came to have the nickname of the "British Bulldog" due to his appearance similar to the canine, thus becoming a symbol for the nation during this time of crisis.
  • Pilot Bulldog's attire was based on Rolento. His death screen poses are also inspired by him, Pilot Bulldog holding both arms up and looking back.
  • Pliot Bulldog's design seems to be inspired from Spike from Tom and Jerry.
    • The cat that Pilot Bulldog pulls out is similar to Tom.
      • Due to his usage to shoot projectiles, it may be a pun on the Tommy Gun.
  • Pilot Bulldog may be influenced by Butch, Pluto's bulldog rival in several shorts.
Bosses
Inkwell Isle One
The Root Pack (Sal SpudderOllie BulbHorace RadicheChauncey Chantenay) • Goopy Le GrandeHilda BergCagney CarnationRibby and Croaks
Inkwell Isle Two
Baroness Von Bon Bon (Lord Gob PackerKernel Von PopMuffsky ChernikovSargent Gumbo GumbullSir Waffington III) • Beppi The ClownDjimmi The Great (Cuppet) • Grim MatchstickWally Warbles (Willy Warbles)
Inkwell Isle Three
Rumor Honeybottoms (Security Bee) • Captain Brineybeard (The Ship) • Sally Stageplay (Sally's Husband) • Werner Werman (Katzenwagen) • Dr. Kahl's RobotCala MariaPhantom Express (Blind SpecterConductorLollipop GhoulsHead of the Train)
Inkwell Hell
King Dice (Tipsy TroopChips BettiganMr. WheezyPip and DotHopus PocusPhear LapPiroulettaMangosteenMr. Chimes) The Devil
Inkwell Isle Four
Glumstone The GiantMoonshine Mob (Charlie Left LegsLight BugAnteaterAnnouncer Snail) • The Howling Aces (Pilot BulldogYankee YippersSergeant O'Fera) • Mortimer FreezeEsther WinchesterChef SaltbakerAngel and Demon
The King's Leap
The PawnsThe KnightThe BishopThe RookThe Queen
Advertisement