Koopa Troopa

A Koopa Troopa (ノコノコ) is a creature of the fictional turtle species in the Mario video game series. Koopa Troopas (also sometimes just called "Koopas". ) are collectively one of the most well-known Mario enemies, and have appeared in nearly every game. Perhaps even more ubiquitous are their turtle shells, which are a staple weapon of the series. Beyond their enemy status, Koopa Troopas have also appeared as playable and supporting characters in several titles, including Super Mario Kart, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Paper Mario, and more.

The Koopa Troopa is the common classification of Koopa, meaning they have no special abilities or characteristics. Koopa Troopas are the standard troopers of the Koopa Troop who work for Bowser, King of the Koopas. Alongside Goombas, Bullet Bills, and Piranha Plants, they are the most common enemies featured in the series.

Koopa is derived from Kappa, a devious creature in Japanese folklore.

Design
Turtle enemies similar to Koopa Troopas first appear in the arcade game Mario Bros. under the name Shellcreepers. Unlike Koopa Troopas, a Shellcreeper can't be jumped on before it has been flipped over. In later versions of the game, the Shellcreeper is replaced with a Spiny beetle. Koopa Troopas make their official debut in Super Mario Bros. as green or red quadrupedal turtles. Starting with Super Mario World, they become bipedal and are depicted wearing shoes, as well as a t-shirt or a tank top under their shell.

In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, green Koopas are called Terrapin and red ones Terra Cotta. Winged Troopas called Koopa Paratroopas first appear in Super Mario Bros., while undead, skeleton Troopas called Dry Bones first appear in Super Mario Bros. 3. In the Paper Mario series, Troopas wear sunglasses and spiked collars to distinguish themselves from friendly common Koopa Troopas. Troopas and Paratroopas, and their stronger versions, Elite Troopas and Scaratroopeas, respectively, relatives of Troopas that are part plant and part turtle appear in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, and an electrifying species of Koopa appears in Super Mario Sunshine.

Characteristics
Green Koopa Troopas always march or fly in a straight line (even if this means falling into a pit), while Red ones march or fly back and forth in a fixed area. Jumping on a Koopa Paratroopa turns it into a regular Koopa Troopa, and jumping on a regular one makes it hide in its shell for a brief moment; and a second touch kicks the shell away, battering anything it touches out of the way. Starting with Super Mario Bros. 3, Mario can carry Koopa Troopa shells around and throw them away. Starting with Super Mario World, stomping on a Koopa Troopa ejects it from its shells rather than causing it to hide.

In the Mario Party series, Koopa Troopas appear as non-enemy characters. Like Toad, they are generally helpful towards the players, usually providing them with rewards or running mini-games. As such, they work independently from Bowser and the Koopa Kids, and tend to be fearful of them. In the second, third, and fifth installment, they run the Koopa Bank. In the fourth, a green Koopa Troopa hosts the "Koopa's Seaside Soiree" board, while the "Beach Volley Folly" mini-game features a playable green Koopa Troopa.

Koopa Troopas generally walk upright. However, there have been a few exceptions, like in Super Mario Galaxy, where, when observed from a distance, Koopas walk on four legs, but as soon as the Koopa spots Mario it quickly changes to its traditional bipedal posture and commences pursuit.

Shell properties
In Super Mario World, yellow, blue, and flashing Koopa Troopas are featured. Yoshi can acquire special powers if he holds a colored Koopa shell in his mouth. These powers include spitting out green shells; spitting out fire (red shell); causing earthquake by jumping (yellow shell); growing wings and flying (blue shell); or having all of these powers at the same time (flashing shell). A blue koopa made an appearance in New Super Mario Bros. but only one koopa was shown on the Mario vs Luigi (multi-player) ice world.

Koopa Troopas appear infrequently in a couple of areas in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. In this installement, they run from Mario on sight rather than attack him. Mario can ride on a Troopa's shell, allowing them to plow over enemies and glide around easily unless they hit a solid object.

In the Super Smash Bros. series, there are red and green Koopa shells. The green shell can be thrown directly at a player, and continues on a straight path while the red shell is like a heat seeker, attacking all characters in its path on a certain area.

Playable characters
A generic Koopa Troopa is a playable character in the racing game Super Mario Kart. It has excellent traction, average acceleration, but a low top speed. As a computer opponent, it has the ability to throw unlimited turtle shells at other players' karts. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, a green-shelled Koopa Troopa and its partner, a red-shelled Koopa Paratroopa, are both light racers, and the only characters able to regularly get sets of triple green or red shells. The green Koopa Troopa has also been a playable character in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Mario Power Tennis, Mario Superstar Baseball, Super Mario Strikers, Mario Strikers Charged and Mario's Tennis for Virtual Boy.

Paper Mario allows a Koopa Troopa by the name of Kooper to be controlled during battle. Likewise, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door features a party member named Koops.

Other media
Bipedal, green-skinned Koopa Troopas sporting turtlenecks are the most regularly-seen minions of Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, and are voiced by John Stocker. They often wear themed costumes to go with which disguise Bowser wear in each episode, appearing as such things as cowboys, knights and Imperial stormtroopers. Occasionally, a single, unnamed Koopa Troopa is shown working with Mouser and Tryclyde from Super Mario Bros. 2 as a member of the Koopa Pack. In the spinoffs The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World Koopa Troopas appeared only once in these two series, but are depicted closer in appearance to their video game counterparts.

They are regular minions in the Super Mario comic book stories featured in the Nintendo Comics System and were featured with some prominence in Nintendo Power's Super Mario Adventures and Mario vs. Wario comic serials.

Though Koopa Troopas are absent from the Super Mario Bros. live-action movie, early concept art showed that the Goombas in it were originally going to be known as "Koopa's Troopas" and certain other "Goombas" bear a striking resemblance to Koopa Troopas.

A variety of Mario-related merchandise depicting Koopa Troopas have been produced over the years by Nintendo; this merchandise includes plush dolls, mini figures, bottlecaps and plush keychains. The various merchandise given out on King Koopa's Kool Kartoons was often adorned with the name Koopa Troopa as well.

Notes and references
Koopa Koopa Troopa Koopa Troopa ノコノコ Koopa Troopa Koopa Troopa Koopa Troopa Koopa Troopa