Shell Mario
This article is titled Shell Mario, but it could be represented alternatively as Shell Luigi.
| Shell Mario | |
|---|---|
| |
| Applies to | Mario, Luigi |
| Item needed | Blue Shell |
| Power(s) given | Swim fast, dodge attacks, slide through enemies |
| First appearance | New Super Mario Bros. (2006) |
| Latest appearance | Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey (2019) |
Shell Mario (also known as Koopa Mario) is a form of Mario and Luigi that they can become in New Super Mario Bros. by touching a Blue Shell. It allows them to swim faster, and gives them the Hammer Suit-like ability to dodge the attacks of enemies when they crouch, tucking into it. If they start running for a short time or crouches while on a downward hill they will hide in the shell and the shell will slide through the world. This maneuver is called a Shell Dash. As long as they keep ducking, they'll be safely protected from most enemies. However, it won't protect them from Bob-omb explosions, spike balls, hammers thrown by Hammer Bros. or Sledge Bros., boomerangs from the Boomerang Bros., and the Raining Debris from World 8-8. Shell Mario is extremely powerful in this form as he is able to defeat enemies such as Thwomps and Boos while doing the Shell Dash. However, the shell power-up also makes it almost impossible for Mario or Luigi to Triple Jump, while Double Jumping becomes harder to perform because the player must make the second jump while running but before Mario goes into the shell to dash.
Shell Mario returns in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. The Blue Shell is an item found in the overworld. Mario can go in Blue Shells by striking Blue Shell Blocks which were spread around when Mario and Luigi hit a giant version of it, and turn into Shell Mario. Luigi can then hit Mario using his hammer, and this will make Mario go into the shell, spinning straight forward. This can be used to hit blocks in areas which Mario and Luigi can't directly go into. However, because the shell is so heavy, Mario is unable to jump in it. If he does, he loses the shell. It serves a similar purpose to the Kooper and Koops partners in the Paper Mario series. This power-up was introduced by a group of Blue Paratroopas.
In Super Mario 3D World, while the form itself doesn't appear, if a player dashes while carrying a shell, they will be able to duck into the shell and dash similar to Shell Mario.
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch | Schild Mario Schild Luigi |
Shell Mario Shell Luigi |
| French | Mario Koopa Luigi Koopa |
Koopa Mario Koopa Luigi |
| German | Panzer-Mario Panzer-Luigi |
Shell Mario Shell Luigi |
| Italian | Tarta Mario Tarta Luigi |
Turtle Mario Turtle Luigi (tarta is short for tartaruga, turtle) |
Trivia
- In any of the boss fights with Bowser Jr, Mario or Luigi can use the shell dash to knock the young koopa out, similar to what the player do in later fights, where the player needs to throw koopa shells at him before jumping on him.
- Shell Mario is also an excellent swimmer as he has better control and faster speed inside water, than any other variation of himself. This may be a reference to real-life turtles.
- Shell Mario is the only power-up from New Super Mario Bros. to not reappear in New Super Mario Bros. 2.
- Shell Mario may be slightly based on Hammer Mario, both of which let Mario duck into a shell.
