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{{species-infobox
{{species infobox
|image=[[Image:Shellcreeper.png]]''
|image=[[File:Shellcreeper MB.png]]
|caption=Shellcreeper as seen in ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]''
|caption=Shellcreeper as seen in ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]''
|parent_species=[[Koopa (species)|Koopa]]
|first_appearance=''[[Mario Bros. (game)| Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#1983|1983]])
|first_appearance=''[[Mario Bros. (game)| Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#1983|1983]])
|latest_appearance=''[[WarioWare: Move It!]]'' ([[List of games by date#2023|2023]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario Maker]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#2015|2015]])
|variants=[[Koopa (species)|Koopa]]
|relatives=[[Koopa Troopa]]
}}
}}
'''Shellcreepers''' are green-shelled turtles that first appeared in the ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' arcade game. They are the first turtle enemies to appear in a ''Mario'' game, making them the conceptual ancestors of the [[Koopa Troopa]]s, which appeared two years later in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''. It is also shown that Shellcreepers wear undershirts and shorts when outside of their shells; Koopa Troopas first appeared out of their shells in ''[[Super Mario World]]'' wearing a shirt, and in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' wearing shorts.
'''Shellcreepers''', sometimes referred to as simply '''turtles''', are green-shelled turtles that first appeared in the ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' arcade game. They are the first turtle enemies to appear in a ''Super Mario'' game, making them the conceptual ancestors of the [[Koopa (species)|Koopa]]s, which appeared two years later in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' It is also shown that Shellcreepers wear undershirts and shorts when outside of their shells; [[Unshelled Koopa Troopa]]s first appeared in ''[[Super Mario World]]'' wearing a shirt, and in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' wearing shorts. Several sources such as the trophy descriptions in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' indicate that [[Koopa Troopa]]s apparently evolved from Shellcreepers.
 
[[Gunpei Yokoi]] created the Shellcreeper after being inspired from watching a cartoon turtle remove its shell. He wanted to create an entire game that focused on removing shells from turtles. That concept eventually developed into the ''Mario Bros.'' arcade game.<ref>[https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/column01/180619#i-4 『パックマン』にはじまり『スーパーマリオ』でひとつの完成形に達した“キャラクターの身体機能”「なんでゲームは面白い？」第11回]. Retrieved June 10, 2023. (Contains quote from Yokoi found in 「横井軍平ゲーム館」.)</ref> However, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] states that they came up with using turtles during development.<ref>[https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/nsmb/0/1/ Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii Vol. 1 Ch. 2]. Retrieved June 10, 2023.</ref>


==History==
==History==
===''Mario Bros.''===
===''Mario Bros.'' series===
[[Image:ShellCreeperArcade.JPG|thumb|left|[[Mario]] jumping over a Shellcreeper in ''Mario Bros.''.]]
====''Mario Bros.''====
The Shellcreeper is the first enemy to appear in ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]''. They walk out of the [[Warp Pipe]]s at the top of the screen and walk towards the pipes at the bottom of the screen. The player must hit it from below to flip it over and run into it to defeat it. If the player does not run into it, the Shellcreeper jumps out of its shell (revealing that it wears a white shirt and shorts), flips its shell over, changes color from green to purple and continues moving faster than before. If it flips its shell again, it will turn red, its fastest state. If a Shellcreeper is the last target for the phase, it will automatically turn red. Unlike the similar [[Koopa Troopa]], jumping on Shellcreeper will cause [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] to lose a life.
{{multiple image
|align=left
|direction=horizontal
|footer=Shellcreepers as they appear in the original game, NES version, and Atari 2600, 5200, and 7800 versions
|image1=MB Arcade Green Shellcreeper Sprite.gif
|alt1=
|width1=16
|caption1=
|image2=MB NES Shellcreeper Sprite.gif
|alt2=
|width2=12
|caption2=
|image3=MB2600ShellcreeperSprite.gif
|alt3=
|width3=16
|caption3=
|image4=MB5200Shellcreeper.png
|alt4=
|width4=24
|caption4=
|image5=MB7800Shellcreeper.png
|alt5=
|width5=12
|caption5=
}}
[[File:MBShellcreeperIntro.png|thumb|Shellcreeper introduction screen in the arcade version]]
The Shellcreeper is the first enemy to appear in ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' They are the only enemies to appear before the first bonus round. They walk out of the [[Warp Pipe|pipe]]s at the top of the screen and walk towards the pipes at the bottom of the screen. The player must hit it from below through the [[floor (Mario Bros.)|floor]] to flip it over and then run into it to defeat it. If the player does not run into it, the Shellcreeper jumps out of its shell (revealing that it wears a white shirt and shorts), flips its shell over, changes color from green to purple and continues moving faster than before. If it flips its shell again, it will turn red, its fastest state. If a Shellcreeper is the last target for the phase, it will automatically turn red. Unlike the similar [[Koopa Troopa]], jumping on Shellcreeper will cause [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] to lose a [[extra life|life]]. Also, Shellcreepers can attack by biting Mario or Luigi with their teeth.
 
In the NES version, Shellcreepers lack an animation for changing shell colors, and the colors now go from green to red to pink, the last of which also has blue skin. Additionally, in the initial NES release they are smaller than in the original arcade version, though this is no longer the case in later editions.
 
Starting with the [[Mario Bros. (Super Mario Bros. 3)|''Mario Bros.''-style battle mode]] in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', Shellcreepers have been replaced by [[Spiny|Spinies]] in all subsequent versions, so they would not be mistaken for Koopa Troopas, which can be jumped on. Despite this, a lone Shellcreeper still makes a cameo alongside a [[Sidestepper]] and [[Fighter Fly]] on the title screen of the [[Mario Bros. (Game Boy Advance)|Game Boy Advance remakes]] of ''Mario Bros.'' In ''[[Mario Clash]]'', Koopa Troopas are given a similar sprite design to Shellcreepers, and even do the same tooth-baring pose.
 
====''Mario Bros. Special''====
In [[Hudson Soft]]'s 1984 sequel of sorts to ''Mario Bros.'', ''[[Mario Bros. Special]]'', Shellcreepers make a return appearance as enemies, though this time they cannot be stunned by hitting them from below; instead, they can be stunned by jumping on a trampoline that they are on (second stage), jumping on a conveyor belt that they are on (third stage), or killed instantly by jumping over or next to them and hitting a platform, though they will respawn if killed this way. They do not change color or move faster after recovering from a stun.
 
====''Punch Ball Mario Bros.''====
Shellcreepers appear as an enemy yet again in Hudson Soft's semi sequel to ''Mario Bros.'', ''[[Punch Ball Mario Bros.]]'' The game is much closer to the ''Mario Bros.'', and thus Shellcreepers play a much more similar role as they did in that game. The only differences are that they cannot be stunned from below and are instead stunned by [[Punch Balls]] or the [[POW Block]]. If they get back up after being stunned or are the last enemy on screen, they turn red and speed up.


Following the ''Mario Bros.''-style [[minigame]] in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', Shellcreeper has been replaced by [[Spiny]] in all subsequent versions, so they would not be mistaken for a Koopa Troopa, which is safe to jump on. Despite this, a lone Shellcreeper still makes a cameo alongside a [[Sidestepper]] and [[Fighter Fly]] on the [[Game Boy Advance]] ''Mario Bros.'' title screen.
===''Mario Power Tennis'' / ''New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis''===
[[File:MPTGIMMICKretro.jpg|thumb|Shellcreepers in ''Mario Power Tennis'']]
Shellcreepers, along with the other ''Mario Bros.'' enemies, appear in the background of the [[Mario Classic Court]] in ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]'', where they use their NES sprites. The game's data includes an unused [[:File:MPTShellcreeperModel.png|3D depiction of a Shellcreeper]], showing it as a small, quadrupedal Koopa Troopa with clawed flat feet.


===''Mario Power Tennis''===
===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
Shellcreepers, along with the other ''Mario Bros.'' enemies, appear in the background of the [[Mario Classic Court]] in ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]''.
{{main-wiki|SmashWiki|Shellcreeper}}
{{br}}
In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', Shellcreepers appear on the [[Mario Bros. (stage)|Mario Bros. stage]]. They walk out from the pipes at the top of the stage. If knocked over by hitting them from below or from an attack, they can be picked up and thrown at opponents, making them fly sideways off the screen. The Shellcreepers also have their own trophy in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''.
===''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''===
 
[[File:Shellcreeper-SSBBrawl.png|thumb|200px|right|A '''Shellcreeper''', as it appears in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''.]]
===''Super Mario'' series===
In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', Shellcreepers appear on the [[Mario Bros. (stage)#Super Smash Bros. Brawl|Mario Bros. stage]]. They walk out from the pipes at the top of the stage. If knocked over by hitting them from below or from an attack, they can be picked up and thrown at opponents, making them fly sideways off the screen. The Shellcreepers also have their own trophy.
====''Super Mario 3D World'' / ''Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury''====
Shellcreepers appear in ''[[Luigi Bros.]]'', an additional game featured in ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' and [[Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury|its Nintendo Switch port]]. Like the other enemies in ''Luigi Bros.'', Shellcreepers behave in the same way as ''Mario Bros.'', which this game is based on.
 
====''Super Mario Maker''====
[[File:SMM Shellcreeper Costume Mario Koopa Troopa.jpg|thumb|A Shellcreeper (left) and a [[Koopa Troopa]] (right) in ''Super Mario Maker'']]
In ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'', one of the unlockable playable [[Costume Mario|costumes]] is a Shellcreeper, using a modified version of its sprite in ''[[Kaettekita Mario Bros.]]'' It can be unlocked at random after clearing the 100 Mario Challenge on Expert setting or harder. If the player holds {{button|wiiu|Padup}} on the [[Wii U#Wii U GamePad|GamePad]] while wearing the costume, the Shellcreeper makes a grimace. While the player runs as the Shellcreeper, its shell turns red.


===''Super Mario 3D World''===
===Other appearances===
Shellcreepers appear in ''Luigi Bros.'', an additional game featured in ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]''. Like the other enemies in ''Luigi Bros.'', Shellcreepers behave in the same way as ''Mario Bros.'', which this game is based on.
In the [[Family BASIC]] accessory to the [[Family Computer]], Shellcreepers are programmable sprites. They also make a cameo in the Message Board.


===''NES Remix''===
Shellcreepers appear in ''[[NES Remix]]'' in the challenges and remixes based on ''Mario Bros.''
Shellcreepers appear in ''[[NES Remix]]'' in the challenges and remixes based on ''Mario Bros.''
{{br}}


===''Super Mario Maker''===
==List of appearances==
In ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'', a green-colored Shellcreeper is present as an unlockable playable [[Costume Mario|costume]]. Its look is based on that from ''Mario Bros.'', and its movements as well. Whilst the player presses {{button|wii|Padup}} on the [[Wii U#Wii U GamePad|GamePad]], the Shellcreeper shows off his teeth in a menacing yet comical way; likewise, if the player dashes with the character, its shell will turn red.
{|class="wikitable sortable" width=100%
 
==Game appearances==
{| class=sortable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 border=1 align=center width=100% style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial"
|-
|-
!width=50%| Title
!width=35%|Title
!width=20%| Description
!width=25%|Description
!width=20%| Release date
!width=15%|Release date
!width=10%| System/format
!width=25%|System/format
|-
|-
|''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]
|''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]
|Enemy
|Enemy
|1983
|1983
|[[NES]]/Arcade
|Arcade
|-
|[[Family BASIC]]
|Cameo on the Message Board, programmable sprite
|1984
|[[Family Computer]]
|-
|-
|''[[Mario Bros. Special]]
|''[[Mario Bros. Special]]
|Enemy
|Enemy
|1984
|1984
|PC-8801
|PC-8801, PC-6001mkII/PC-6601, PC-9801, FM-7, Sharp X1, Sharp MZ-1500, Sharp MZ-2200, Hitachi S1
|-
|-
|''[[Punch Ball Mario Bros.]]
|''[[Punch Ball Mario Bros.]]
|Enemy
|Enemy
|1984
|1984
|PC-8801
|PC-8801, PC-6001mkII/PC-6601, FM-7, Sharp X1, Sharp MZ-1500
|-
|-
|''[[Kaettekita Mario Bros.]]
|''[[Kaettekita Mario Bros.]]
|Enemy
|Enemy, Notices explainer
|1988
|1988
|[[Famicom Disk System]]
|[[Family Computer Disk System]]
|-
|-
|''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]
|''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]
Line 72: Line 120:
|Enemy
|Enemy
|2004
|2004
|[[Game Boy Advance]]
|Game Boy Advance
|-
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]
|Cameo as enemy found on the Mario Bros. stage
|Stage hazard, [[Trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophy]]
|2008
|2008
|[[Wii]]
|[[Wii]]
|-
|-
|''[[Mario Power Tennis#"New Play Control!" Series|New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis]]
|''[[Mario Power Tennis#"New Play Control!" series|New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis]]
|Cameo as enemy on [[Mario Classic Court]]
|Cameo as enemy on Mario Classic Court
|2009
|2009
|[[Wii]]
|Wii
|-
|-
|''[[Super Mario 3D World]]
|''[[Super Mario 3D World]]
|Enemy in ''Luigi Bros.''
|Enemy in ''[[Luigi Bros.]]''
|2013
|2013
|[[Wii U]]
|[[Wii U]]
Line 92: Line 140:
|Enemy/objective in Mario Bros. challenges and remixes.
|Enemy/objective in Mario Bros. challenges and remixes.
|2013
|2013
|[[Wii U]]
|Wii U
|-
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''
|''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''
|Cameo as a [[trophy]].
|Cameo as a trophy
|2014
|2014
|[[Wii U]]
|Wii U
|-
|-
|''[[Super Mario Maker]]''
|''[[Super Mario Maker]]''
|Unlockable playable character.
|[[Costume Mario]] outfit
|2015
|2015
|[[Wii U]]
|Wii U
|}
 
==''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' trophy==
{| border=1 cellpadding=1 cellspacing=0 width=100%
|-
|-
!width=100px | Name !! width=100px | Image !! width=200px | Game !! | Description
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
|Stage hazard
|2018
|[[Nintendo Switch]]
|-
|-
!rowspan=2| Shellcreepers
|''[[Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury]]''
|rowspan=2| [[File:BrawlTrophy538.png|100px]]
|Enemy in ''Luigi Bros.''
|align=center| '''NES''' ''Mario Bros.''
|2021
|rowspan=2| ''Shelled enemies Mario and Luigi faced back when they were plumbers. They had to be bumped from below to flip them over and then kicked off the stage. The last one on a stage turned from green to red and raced really fast. If one got flipped but not sent off, it would eventually right itself and move at high speeds. They were simply called "turtles" in Japan.''
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|-
|align=center| '''GBA''' ''Super Mario Advance''
|''[[WarioWare: Move It!]]''
|Cameo in microgame
|2023
|Nintendo Switch
|}
|}


==''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' trophy==
==Profiles and statistics==
{| class=sortable align=center width=100% cellspacing=0 border=1 cellpadding=3 style="text-align:center; border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial;"
===''[[Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten]]''===
|-
{{PBMCD profile
!width=''6%''|Name
|name=カメさん (JP) / Shellcreeper (EN)
!width="12%"|Image
|artwork=[[File:Shellcreeper Perfect.png|100px]]
!width="21%"|Appears In
|shuzoku=カメ族
!width="50%"|NTSC-U Description
|seikaku=さびしがりや
!align-left|PAL Description
|tojo_gemu=ブラザー
|-
|desc='''<big>カメ{{ruby|族|ぞく}}のルーツはこのキャラ</big>'''<br>
|Shellcreepers
すべてのカメ{{ruby|族|ぞく}}の{{ruby|元祖|がんそ}}。ノコノコなどと{{ruby|違|ちが}}い、<span class="explain" title="ふ">踏</span>んでもやっつけられない。{{ruby|床下|ゆかした}}からひっくり{{ruby|返|かえ}}し、キックでやっつけよう。{{ruby|最後|さいご}}</span>の一{{ruby|匹|ぴき}}は、スピードアップするので{{ruby|注意|ちゅうい}}。<ref name=Daijiten>''Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten''. [https://imgur.com/a/UvABP Page 55.]</ref>
|[[File:SSB4TrophyShellcreepers.png|100px]]
|tribe=Turtle clan
|'''ARCADE''' Mario Bros. <br>'''GBA''' Super Mario Advance  
|disposition=Lonely person
|align=left|With a name that implies silently sneaking up on its prey, the Shellcreeper might be considered cooler than your average turtle. The Koopa is apparently an evolved form of this veteran of Mario Bros. We'd recommend not jumping on this one like you would a Koopa, though...
|game_appearances=Bros.
|align=left|With a name that implies silently sneaking up on its prey, the Shellcreeper might be considered cooler than your average turtle. A true veteran from way back in Mario Bros., this guy even predates Koopas, which apparently it evolved into. We wouldn't recommend jumping on this one like you'd jump on a Koopa, though...
|eng_desc='''''<big>The Turtle Tribe's roots are in this character!</big>'''''<br>
|-
''It's the originator of the whole Turtle Tribe. Unlike Koopa Troopa, it can't be beaten even if stepped on. Turn it over from under the floor, then kick to beat it. Careful, the last one will speed up.''
|}
}}
 
===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
====''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''====
{{SSBB trophy
|name=Shellcreepers
|image=[[File:BrawlTrophy538.png|100px]]
|appears_in='''NES''' ''Mario Bros.''<br>'''GBA''' ''Super Mario Advance''
|unlock=Random
|desc=Shelled enemies Mario and Luigi faced back when they were plumbers. They had to be bumped from below to flip them over and then kicked off the stage. The last one on a stage changed colors and raced really fast. If one got flipped but not sent off, it would eventually right itself and move at high speed. They were simply called "turtles" in Japan.
}}
 
====''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''====
{{SSB4 trophy
|name=Shellcreepers
|image=[[File:SSB4TrophyShellcreepers.png|100px]]
|category=Series Related
|appears_in='''ARCADE''' Mario Bros. <br>'''GBA''' Super Mario Advance  
|trophy_box=6: Mario Bros.
|unlock=Random
|desc=With a name that implies silently sneaking up on its prey, the Shellcreeper might be considered cooler than your average turtle. The Koopa is apparently an evolved form of this veteran of Mario Bros. We'd recommend not jumping on this one like you would a Koopa, though...  
|desc2=With a name that implies silently sneaking up on its prey, the Shellcreeper might be considered cooler than your average turtle. A true veteran from way back in Mario Bros., this guy even predates Koopas, which apparently it evolved into. We wouldn't recommend jumping on this one like you'd jump on a Koopa, though...
}}
 
==Gallery==
{{Main-gallery}}
<gallery>
Shellcreeper.png|''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]''
Shellcreeper 2.png|''Mario Bros.''
Shellcreeper 3.jpg|''Mario Bros.''
MarioBrosFlyerPromotional4.png|''Mario Bros.''
AngryShellcreeperSprite.png|''Mario Bros.''
MB Arcade Shellcreeper Flipped.png|''Mario Bros.''
</gallery>


==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
{{Foreignname
{{foreign names
|Jap=カメさん<br />''Kame-San''<br />シェルクリーパー<br />''Sherukurīpā
|Jap=シェルクリーパー
|JapM=Mr. Turtle<br><br>Shellcreeper<br>
|JapR=Sherukurīpā
|Fra=Carapeur
|JapM=Shellcreeper
|FraM=Pun on ''carapace'' (the upper shell of turtles) and ''peur'' (fear)
|Jap2=カメさん
|Jap2R=Kame-san
|Jap2M=Turtle{{wp|Japanese honorifics#San|-san}}
|ChiT=烏龜<ref>[https://www.nintendo.com.hk/topics/article/01yxPpYd5fhMx51VI9ique 介紹在《超級舞動 瓦利歐製造》裡以任天堂的遊戲為題設計的小遊戲。] ''Nintendo''. Retrieved December 28, 2023.</ref>
|ChiTR=Wūguī
|ChiTM=Turtle
|Fre=Carapeur
|FreM=Portmanteau of "carapace" and ''peur'' ("fear")
|Ger=Schildkröte
|Ger=Schildkröte
|GerM=Turtle
|GerM=Turtle
|Spa=Tortuga
|SpaM=Turtle
|Ita=Tartaruga
|Ita=Tartaruga
|ItaM=Turtle}}
|ItaM=Turtle
{{BoxTop}}
|Kor=거북님
{{MB}}
|KorR=Geobuk-Nim
|KorM=Translation of Japanese name
|Por=Tartaruga
|PorM=Turtle
|Rus=Черепашкин
|RusR=Cherepashkin
|RusM=From ''черепаха'' (''cherepakha'', "turtle") with Russian surname ending ''-ин'' (''-in'')
|SpaA=Trotatuga
|SpaAM=From ''trotar'' ("trot") and ''tortuga'' ("turtle")
|SpaE=Tortuga
|SpaEM=Turtle
}}


[[Category:Reptiles and Amphibians]]
==References==
[[Category:Species]]
{{NIWA|SmashWiki=1}}
[[Category:Enemies]]
<references/>
[[Category:Mario Power Tennis Species]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Enemies]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Species]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Trophies]]


{{Misc Koopas}}
{{MB}}
[[Category:Koopas]]
[[Category:Mario Bros. enemies]]
[[Category:Mario Power Tennis enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario Maker costumes]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Brawl trophies]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. for Wii U trophies]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. series enemies]]
[[de:Schildkröte]]
[[de:Schildkröte]]

Latest revision as of 19:53, October 7, 2024

Shellcreeper
Shellcreeper
First appearance Mario Bros. (1983)
Latest appearance WarioWare: Move It! (2023)
Variants
Relatives

Shellcreepers, sometimes referred to as simply turtles, are green-shelled turtles that first appeared in the Mario Bros. arcade game. They are the first turtle enemies to appear in a Super Mario game, making them the conceptual ancestors of the Koopas, which appeared two years later in Super Mario Bros. It is also shown that Shellcreepers wear undershirts and shorts when outside of their shells; Unshelled Koopa Troopas first appeared in Super Mario World wearing a shirt, and in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island wearing shorts. Several sources such as the trophy descriptions in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U indicate that Koopa Troopas apparently evolved from Shellcreepers.

Gunpei Yokoi created the Shellcreeper after being inspired from watching a cartoon turtle remove its shell. He wanted to create an entire game that focused on removing shells from turtles. That concept eventually developed into the Mario Bros. arcade game.[1] However, Shigeru Miyamoto states that they came up with using turtles during development.[2]

History[edit]

Mario Bros. series[edit]

Mario Bros.[edit]

Sprite of a Shellcreeper from Mario Bros.
Sprite of a turtle from the NES port of Mario Bros.
Sprite of a Shellcreeper in the Atari 2600 port of Mario Bros.
Sprite of a Shellcreeper from the Atari 5200 port of Mario Bros.
Sprite of a Shellcreeper from the Atari 7800 port of Mario Bros.
Shellcreepers as they appear in the original game, NES version, and Atari 2600, 5200, and 7800 versions
Shellcreeper introduction screen in the arcade version

The Shellcreeper is the first enemy to appear in Mario Bros. They are the only enemies to appear before the first bonus round. They walk out of the pipes at the top of the screen and walk towards the pipes at the bottom of the screen. The player must hit it from below through the floor to flip it over and then run into it to defeat it. If the player does not run into it, the Shellcreeper jumps out of its shell (revealing that it wears a white shirt and shorts), flips its shell over, changes color from green to purple and continues moving faster than before. If it flips its shell again, it will turn red, its fastest state. If a Shellcreeper is the last target for the phase, it will automatically turn red. Unlike the similar Koopa Troopa, jumping on Shellcreeper will cause Mario or Luigi to lose a life. Also, Shellcreepers can attack by biting Mario or Luigi with their teeth.

In the NES version, Shellcreepers lack an animation for changing shell colors, and the colors now go from green to red to pink, the last of which also has blue skin. Additionally, in the initial NES release they are smaller than in the original arcade version, though this is no longer the case in later editions.

Starting with the Mario Bros.-style battle mode in Super Mario Bros. 3, Shellcreepers have been replaced by Spinies in all subsequent versions, so they would not be mistaken for Koopa Troopas, which can be jumped on. Despite this, a lone Shellcreeper still makes a cameo alongside a Sidestepper and Fighter Fly on the title screen of the Game Boy Advance remakes of Mario Bros. In Mario Clash, Koopa Troopas are given a similar sprite design to Shellcreepers, and even do the same tooth-baring pose.

Mario Bros. Special[edit]

In Hudson Soft's 1984 sequel of sorts to Mario Bros., Mario Bros. Special, Shellcreepers make a return appearance as enemies, though this time they cannot be stunned by hitting them from below; instead, they can be stunned by jumping on a trampoline that they are on (second stage), jumping on a conveyor belt that they are on (third stage), or killed instantly by jumping over or next to them and hitting a platform, though they will respawn if killed this way. They do not change color or move faster after recovering from a stun.

Punch Ball Mario Bros.[edit]

Shellcreepers appear as an enemy yet again in Hudson Soft's semi sequel to Mario Bros., Punch Ball Mario Bros. The game is much closer to the Mario Bros., and thus Shellcreepers play a much more similar role as they did in that game. The only differences are that they cannot be stunned from below and are instead stunned by Punch Balls or the POW Block. If they get back up after being stunned or are the last enemy on screen, they turn red and speed up.

Mario Power Tennis / New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis[edit]

Shellcreepers in Mario Power Tennis

Shellcreepers, along with the other Mario Bros. enemies, appear in the background of the Mario Classic Court in Mario Power Tennis, where they use their NES sprites. The game's data includes an unused 3D depiction of a Shellcreeper, showing it as a small, quadrupedal Koopa Troopa with clawed flat feet.

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

SmashWiki article: Shellcreeper

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Shellcreepers appear on the Mario Bros. stage. They walk out from the pipes at the top of the stage. If knocked over by hitting them from below or from an attack, they can be picked up and thrown at opponents, making them fly sideways off the screen. The Shellcreepers also have their own trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[edit]

Shellcreepers appear in Luigi Bros., an additional game featured in Super Mario 3D World and its Nintendo Switch port. Like the other enemies in Luigi Bros., Shellcreepers behave in the same way as Mario Bros., which this game is based on.

Super Mario Maker[edit]

Mario disguised as a Shellcreeper, standing in front of a Koopa Troopa
A Shellcreeper (left) and a Koopa Troopa (right) in Super Mario Maker

In Super Mario Maker, one of the unlockable playable costumes is a Shellcreeper, using a modified version of its sprite in Kaettekita Mario Bros. It can be unlocked at random after clearing the 100 Mario Challenge on Expert setting or harder. If the player holds +Control Pad up on the GamePad while wearing the costume, the Shellcreeper makes a grimace. While the player runs as the Shellcreeper, its shell turns red.

Other appearances[edit]

In the Family BASIC accessory to the Family Computer, Shellcreepers are programmable sprites. They also make a cameo in the Message Board.

Shellcreepers appear in NES Remix in the challenges and remixes based on Mario Bros.

List of appearances[edit]

Title Description Release date System/format
Mario Bros. Enemy 1983 Arcade
Family BASIC Cameo on the Message Board, programmable sprite 1984 Family Computer
Mario Bros. Special Enemy 1984 PC-8801, PC-6001mkII/PC-6601, PC-9801, FM-7, Sharp X1, Sharp MZ-1500, Sharp MZ-2200, Hitachi S1
Punch Ball Mario Bros. Enemy 1984 PC-8801, PC-6001mkII/PC-6601, FM-7, Sharp X1, Sharp MZ-1500
Kaettekita Mario Bros. Enemy, Notices explainer 1988 Family Computer Disk System
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Cameo on the Mario Bros. title screen. Also in the Super Mario Advance ports. 2003 Game Boy Advance
Mario Power Tennis Cameo as enemy on Mario Classic Court 2004 Nintendo GameCube
Famicom Mini: Mario Bros. Enemy 2004 Game Boy Advance
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Stage hazard, trophy 2008 Wii
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis Cameo as enemy on Mario Classic Court 2009 Wii
Super Mario 3D World Enemy in Luigi Bros. 2013 Wii U
NES Remix Enemy/objective in Mario Bros. challenges and remixes. 2013 Wii U
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Cameo as a trophy 2014 Wii U
Super Mario Maker Costume Mario outfit 2015 Wii U
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Stage hazard 2018 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Enemy in Luigi Bros. 2021 Nintendo Switch
WarioWare: Move It! Cameo in microgame 2023 Nintendo Switch

Profiles and statistics[edit]

Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten[edit]

カメさん (JP) / Shellcreeper (EN)
Image of a Shellcreeper
Original text (Japanese) Translation
種族しゅぞく カメ族 Tribe Turtle clan
性格せいかく さびしがりや Disposition Lonely person
登場とうじょうゲーム ブラザー Game appearances Bros.
カメ族ぞくのルーツはこのキャラ

すべてのカメ族ぞくの元祖がんそ。ノコノコなどと違ちがい、踏んでもやっつけられない。床下ゆかしたからひっくり返かえし、キックでやっつけよう。最後さいごの一匹ぴきは、スピードアップするので注意ちゅうい。[3]

The Turtle Tribe's roots are in this character!

It's the originator of the whole Turtle Tribe. Unlike Koopa Troopa, it can't be beaten even if stepped on. Turn it over from under the floor, then kick to beat it. Careful, the last one will speed up.

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

Trophy
Shellcreepers
BrawlTrophy538.png
Appears in:
NES Mario Bros.
GBA Super Mario Advance
How to unlock: Random
Shelled enemies Mario and Luigi faced back when they were plumbers. They had to be bumped from below to flip them over and then kicked off the stage. The last one on a stage changed colors and raced really fast. If one got flipped but not sent off, it would eventually right itself and move at high speed. They were simply called "turtles" in Japan.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]

Trophy
Shellcreepers
Shellcreepers trophy from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Category: Series Related
(Applies only to the Wii U version) Appears in:
ARCADE Mario Bros.
GBA Super Mario Advance
(Applies only to the Wii U version) Trophy Box: 6: Mario Bros.
How to unlock:
Random
With a name that implies silently sneaking up on its prey, the Shellcreeper might be considered cooler than your average turtle. The Koopa is apparently an evolved form of this veteran of Mario Bros. We'd recommend not jumping on this one like you would a Koopa, though... (American English)
With a name that implies silently sneaking up on its prey, the Shellcreeper might be considered cooler than your average turtle. A true veteran from way back in Mario Bros., this guy even predates Koopas, which apparently it evolved into. We wouldn't recommend jumping on this one like you'd jump on a Koopa, though... (British English)

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Shellcreeper.
  • Mario Bros.

    Mario Bros.

  • Mario Bros.

    Mario Bros.

  • Mario Bros.

    Mario Bros.

  • Mario Bros.

    Mario Bros.

  • Mario Bros.

    Mario Bros.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese シェルクリーパー[?]
Sherukurīpā 		Shellcreeper
カメさん[?]
Kame-san 		Turtle-san
Chinese (traditional) 烏龜[4]
Wūguī 		Turtle
French Carapeur[?] Portmanteau of "carapace" and peur ("fear")
German Schildkröte[?] Turtle
Italian Tartaruga[?] Turtle
Korean 거북님[?]
Geobuk-Nim 		Translation of Japanese name
Portuguese Tartaruga[?] Turtle
Russian Черепашкин[?]
Cherepashkin 		From черепаха (cherepakha, "turtle") with Russian surname ending -ин (-in)
Spanish (NOA) Trotatuga[?] From trotar ("trot") and tortuga ("turtle")
Spanish (NOE) Tortuga[?] Turtle

References[edit]

Shellcreeper coverage on other NIWA wikis:
  1. ^ 『パックマン』にはじまり『スーパーマリオ』でひとつの完成形に達した“キャラクターの身体機能”「なんでゲームは面白い？」第11回. Retrieved June 10, 2023. (Contains quote from Yokoi found in 「横井軍平ゲーム館」.)
  2. ^ Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii Vol. 1 Ch. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten. Page 55.
  4. ^ 介紹在《超級舞動 瓦利歐製造》裡以任天堂的遊戲為題設計的小遊戲。 Nintendo. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
[Edit]
Miscellaneous Koopas
Characters Boom Boom • Boss Sumo Bro • Gattai monster • Motley Bossblob • Pom Pom • Tutankoopa
Species Boom Boom • Chargin' Chuck • Dark Striker • Koopa Striker • Shova • Soopa Striker • Sumo Bro • Toopa Striker
Relatives Conkdor • Rocky Wrench • Shellcreeper • Skedaddler • Yoshi
Subfamilies
Buzzy Beetles • Hammer Bros. • Koopas • Koopa Troopas (Koopa Paratroopas · Dry Bones) • Lakitus • Magikoopas • Spikes • Spinies
[Edit]
Mario Bros.
Characters Mario • Luigi
Items and objects ? Blockb • ? Kinokoc • Cardb • Coin • Eggd • Fish Skeletond • Floor • Garbage cand • Heartd • Koopa Shelld • Ladderb • POW Block • Starmand • Super Mushroomc • Wafera
Enemies Booc • Bowserd • Fighter Fly • Fireball • Icicle • Koopac • Shellcreeper • Sidestepper • Slipice • Spinybcd
Other Gallery • Staff
a Atari 2600 port
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