Koopa (species)

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Not to be confused with Koopa Troopa.

Koopa (species)
A common Koopa.
General information
Variant of	Shellcreeper
Appearances
First appearance	Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Latest appearance	Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023)
Similar entities
Variants Ankoopa Beach Koopa Boom Boom Boomerang Bro Bowser's species Buzzy Beetle Chargin' Chuck Dry Bones Dull Bones Electrokoopa Fire Bro Hammer Bro Ice Bro Koopa Paratroopa Koopa Striker Koopa Troopa Koopatrol Lakitu Mad Koopa Magikoopa Rocky Wrench (formerly) Shellcreeper Shova Snooze-A-Koopa Spike Spike Koopa Spiny Sumo Bro Super Koopa Terrapin
Notable members Bowser Bowser Jr. Koopalings

“Yoshi-dear, that baby is going to cause disaster to befall the Koopas. So give him here before you accidentally get hurt!”

—Kamek, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

Koopas are a race of turtle-like creatures. There are many different types of Koopas, with Koopa Troopas being their main and titular variant. As a species, Koopas first appear in Super Mario Bros. as the successor of Shellcreepers, their older relatives from Mario Bros..

They seem to operate in a hierarchy based grouping system. Bowser is the leader of the militaristic Koopa Troop, an organization that has attempted to conquer the peaceful Mushroom Kingdom many times. Many Koopas are soldiers in this army, and have different tasks in the organization based on the abilities of their particular class. For example, as Koopa Troopas have no special attributes, they are often assigned as the basic foot soldiers of the Koopa Troop alongside Goombas. On the other hand, Magikoopas are often given advisory roles due to their magical abilities and gift of foresight.

However, not all Koopas are allied with Bowser. Some Koopas, such as the Koopa Troopas of Koopa Village, live peacefully inside the borders of the Mushroom Kingdom, while others, such as Koopa the Quick in Super Mario 64, simply hold no allegiance and operate independently.

Similar to real life turtles, they possess shells as a means of defense. Unlike turtles, however, the shells are not integrated into their body and more-or-less act as wearable armor/clothing, as evidenced by Super Mario World and Paper Mario.

Species

Ankoopa

Main article: Ankoopa

Ankoopas are big, fat, pudgy Koopa Troopas that only appear in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. They block off places and act as guards. They were replaced with Gargantua Koopa Troopas in the remake.

Beach Koopa

Main article: Beach Koopa

Beach Koopas are shell-less Koopas. They either wear a shirt or boxer shorts. Usually, Beach Koopas search for their shell, even if Mario destroyed it.

Bombshell Koopa

Main article: Bombshell Koopa

Bombshell Koopas are Koopas who live in Sarasaland in Super Mario Land. They are under Tatanga's command. They attack by leaving behind their Shell to leave it explode.

Boom Boom

Main article: Boom Boom (species)

Boom Booms are a Koopa species loyal to Bowser. They are similar to Bowser's species. Booms Booms are very large in size and most have spikes on the back of their shells. Their most notable traits are their huge arms, which they use to attack by flailing them around. Members of this species include Boom Boom and a female Boom Boom named Pom Pom.

Bowser's species

Main article: Bowser

Not much is known about the species of Koopa to which Bowser belongs. The only members appear to be Bowser, Bowser Jr., the Koopalings, and the Koopa Kids. Their most notable feature is their spiked shells, similar to a Spiny. Unlike a Spiny however, members of this species of Koopa stand upright, and are much larger than most types of Koopas upon reaching adulthood. Even as a child, Bowser Jr. is almost as tall as a full-grown Koopa Troopa. Another unique feature of this species is that their shells don't entirely cover their whole body. Instead, their shells only cover their backs while only having a padded stomach in the front. These Koopas are known for their strength, sometimes the ability to breathe out flames, and durability, even as children, as well as magical powers.

Chargin' Chuck

Main article: Chargin' Chuck

Chargin' Chucks (sometimes referred to as Koopa Quarterbacks or Koopa Football Players) are a type of Koopa who wear American football gear. They have a variety of attacks and sports based weaponry, such as damaging baseballs and footballs. Chargin' Chucks first appeared in Super Mario World. Like the Hammer Bros. and their variations, Chargin' Chucks often appear as duos, or sometimes even larger groups.

Dark Koopa

Main article: Dark Koopa

Dark Koopas are Koopa Troopas with purple shells that only live in underground places, for example, the Toad Town Tunnels. They are only seen in the games Paper Mario and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

Dark Paratroopa

Main article: Dark Paratroopa

Dark Paratroopas are flying versions of Dark Koopas. They were cut out from Paper Mario, but appeared in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

Dry Bones

Main article: Dry Bones

Dry Bones (also known as Skeleton Koopas) are skeletal versions of Koopa Troopas introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3. These undead Koopas will often collapse when attacked, but they can reassemble themselves after a short while and continue to battle their opponents. A rarer, larger version exists: the Super Dry Bones.

Electro-Koopa

Main article: Electro-Koopa

Electro-Koopas are Koopas found in Super Mario Sunshine. There are three kinds of Electro-Koopas, all of which walk on all fours and have electrical shells which they can throw like boomerangs. From what has been seen in the series so far, Electro-Koopas are native to Isle Delfino.

Gargantua Koopa Troopa

Main article: Gargantua Koopa Troopa

Gargantua Koopa Troopas are a type of Koopa Troopa native to Big Island and the level Jungle of the Giants, as depicted in Super Mario Bros. 3 and New Super Mario Bros. U, respectively. Like many creatures found on Big Island, Gargantua Koopa Troopas are enormous versions of their counterparts in the rest of the world. These gigantic Koopas are also found in Super Mario Galaxy 2's Supermassive Galaxy.

Hammer Bro.

Main article: Hammer Bro.

Hammer Bros. (or Hammer Brothers) are a type of Koopa that stand upright, wear helmets and throw hammers at passerby. There are various similar Koopas who throw other objects at their opponents, such as the Boomerang Bros. and the Fire Bros., the latter of which spits its projectiles from its mouth, instead of pulling them from thin air. All of these Koopas have similar shell patterns, and beaks that are lighter in color than the rest of their face, both of which sets them apart from Koopa Troopas, which are also slightly smaller in size.

Koopa Kid

Main article: Koopa Kid

Koopa Kids (also referred to as Mini-Bowsers) are a species of small Koopas that look similar to Bowser and work for him. They have appeared in every Mario Party game except Mario Party DS, Mario Party 8, and Mario Party 9. In those games, they were replaced by Bowser Jr.. They come in 3 colors: Red, Blue, and Green (green is the one that is most commonly seen). In earlier games they were referred to as Baby Bowsers, which may mean that they are Bowser's sons (especially as they are seen calling him "Dad"), but in all of the installments for the Nintendo GameCube they've also referred to Bowser as Mr. Bowser, which may also mean they are just another minion, but it has never been confirmed.

Koopa Troopa

Main article: Koopa Troopa

Koopa Troopas (often shortened to plain Koopas and occasionally to Troopas, Japanese ノコノコ Nokonoko) are common enemies in the Mario series. While some are peaceful, Koopa Troopas are usually displayed as foot soldiers of the Koopa Troop under the direct leadership of Bowser. They are considered to be the archetypal Koopas, as they have no special abilities like Hammer Bros. or Lakitu. Throughout the Mario series, Koopa Troopas have appeared as both quadrapedal creatures (four legged) and bipedal (walking on two legs). Since their debut in Super Mario Bros., Koopa Troopas have appeared in almost every game, usually as enemies, but also as playable characters or party members.

Koopatrol

Main article: Koopatrol

Koopatrols are armored Koopas with spikes and appear to be Bowser's main guards. They first appear in Paper Mario.

Koopeleon

Main article: Koopeleon

Koopeleons are a rare and unique sub-species of Koopas that live in the Toadwood Forest in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. A Koopeleon resembles a Koopa and chameleon hybrid with a blue shell, green skin, large eyes, and a long curled tail. Koopeleons have the ability to turn invisible, a survival mechanism that allows them to hunt unsuspecting prey. Gold Koopaleons are practically the same thing, but live inside Thwomp Volcano and have an extremely high defense.

KP Koopa

Main article: KP Koopa

KP Koopas are Koopa Troopas who have dyed their shells gold. They only appear in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

Lakitu

Main article: Lakitu

Lakitus are bespectacled Koopas who ride clouds through the skies, and which can occasionally be found snorkeling in water and hiding behind walls or in pipes. Unlike most Koopa species, they do not have snouts or beaks, but flat faces; their shells are also unique in their circular patterning. To attack, Lakitus typically throw unlimited numbers of Spiny Eggs at their opponents, and some will also dangle 1-Up Mushrooms from fishing poles to lure their targets closer.

Magikoopa

Main article: Magikoopa

Magikoopas (referred to as Koopa Wizards in the Super Mario World television series) are group of Koopas that can cast spells and fly on broomsticks. They are generally considered to be high-ranking members of the Koopa Troop. They wear glasses and wizard's garb; typically blue robes and hats, though Magikoopas specializing in different forms of magic sport different colors. Superficially, Magikoopas look very similar to Koopa Troopas, however their beaks are slightly different and their tails appear to be larger, though the exact appearance of their bodies has never been revealed, although in Mario Party 9, a small bit of Kamek's underside is shown when he jumps up after winning a a minigame..

Paratroopa

Main article: Paratroopa

Paratroopas (also known as Parakoopas, Sky Troopas in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, or even Koopa Paratroopas, in Japanese パタパタ Patapata), are Koopa Troopas with wings. They can bounce along the ground or hover back and forth with their wings, which will fall off if the Paratroopa takes damage, turning it into a normal Koopa Troopa. It is unknown if de-winged Koopas can re-grow their wings, though it appears that not all Koopa Troopas can grow wings in the first place, suggesting the Paratroopas are a distinct species. They were first introduced in the original Super Mario Bros. and have been a staple of the Mario series ever since.

Robot Monster Troopa

Main article: Robot Monster Troopa

Robot Monster Troopas are powerful robots that are similar in appearance to Koopa Troopas. They only appear in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show episode Koopenstein.

Rocky Wrench

Rocky Wrench's turtle-like appearance from Super Mario Bros. 3.

Main article: Rocky Wrench

Rocky Wrenches are mole-like enemies that are a relative to the Monty Mole species. Rocky Wrenches mainly pop out of manhole covers on airships and throw their namesake wrenches. While Rocky Wrenches were generically labeled as turtles during most media around the release of Super Mario Bros. 3, there was at least one official source that labeled Rocky Wrenches as Koopas. Despite this, Rocky Wrenches would later lose their shells in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and be redesigned to heavily resemble Monty Moles.

Shellcreeper

Shellcreepers are ancestors of Koopas that first appeared in Mario Bros. (game). They have been replaced by Spinies in virtually every remake of the game however.

Snooze-A-Koopa

Main article: Snooze-A-Koopa

Snooze-A-Koopas (also known as Snooza Koopas) are bizarre-looking Koopas encountered by Mario in the game Super Mario Sunshine. Snooze-A-Koopas have flippers instead of hands or feet and walk on all fours; they are also quite large and have a shell with a Yoshi Egg-like pattern on it. They spend much of their time sleeping, but they can be violent when provoked.

Spike

Main article: Spike (enemy)

Spikes are small Koopas who either stand still or walk around. When Mario or an ally of his comes by, however, Spikes throw spiked balls to harm the character. A subspecies that throws snowballs and another that throws rocks also exist.

Spiny

Main article: Spiny

Spinies (Japanese トゲゾー Togezō) are four-legged Koopas known for their spiked shells. They appear to have a symbiotic relationship with Lakitus, which throw Spiny Eggs at their opponents.

Spike Koopa

Main article: Spike Koopa

Spike Koopas are Koopa Troopas with Spikes on their shells. They only appear in the game Mario Party in the minigame Key-pa-Way.

Stormtroopa

Main article: Stormtroopa

Stormtroopas are Koopa Troopas dressed similarly to certain Star Wars characters (specifically Stormtroopers). They only appeared in the Super Mario Bros. Super Show episode Star Koopa.

Super Troopa

Main article: Super Troopa

Super Troopas are large and strong Koopa Troopas that are very dull and clumsy. They serve as Bowser's guards and only appear in the The Super Mario Bros. Super Show.

Super Koopa

Main article: Super Koopa (Super Mario World)

Super Koopas are shell-less Koopas that wear a cape, allowing them to fly.

Terra Cotta

Main article: Terra Cotta

Terra Cottas are advanced versions of Terrapins they are only found at Bowser's Keep in the game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Instead of having green shells like Terrapins, they have red ones.

Terrapin

Main article: Terrapin

Terrapins are armored Koopas with green shells that appear in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.

Tub-O-Troopa

Main article: Tub-O-Troopa

Tub-O-Troopas are chubby Koopa Paratroopas that are found at Bowser's Keep they only appeared in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	カメ一族 Kame-ichizoku クッパ一族 (All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.) Kuppa-ichizoku カメ族 Kame-zoku カメ Kame	Turtle Tribe Bowser Tribe Turtle Tribe Turtle
Chinese (Simplified)	喏库 Nuòkù 乌龟族 (Super Smash Bros.) Wūguī Zú 龟族 (Mario Party Superstars) Guī Zú	Derived from "喏库喏库" (Nuòkù'nuòkù, Koopa Troopa) Turtle Tribe Turtle Tribe
Chinese (Traditional)	烏龜族 (Mario Kart Wii) Wūguī Zú 庫巴一族 (Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary) Kùbā-yīzú	Turtle Tribe Bowser Tribe
French	Koopa	-
Italian	Koopa Tribù delle Tartarughe (Super Mario Bros. manual)	- Turtle Tribe
Korean	거북족 Geobukjok	Turtle Tribe
Portuguese	Koopa	-
Russian	Купа Kupa	Koopa
Spanish	Koopa (Los) Koopa	- (The) Koopa