Koopa (species)

Not to be confused with Koopa Troopa.

Koopas represent a consistent group of turtle-like creatures. There are many different types of Koopas, the best-known of which are the Koopa Troopas.

Most Koopas seem to operate in a hierarchy-based grouping system. Bowser is the leader of the Koopa Troop, which has invaded Mushroom Kingdom many times and has control over most of the Koopas in the Mario series. Many of these same Koopas are members of ths Koopa Troop and have different tasks in the organization based on the abilities of their particular class. For example, Koopa Troopas tend to be assigned as basic foot soldiers alongside Goombas due to their lack of special abilities, while 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.

Species

Boom Boom

Boom Boom in Super Mario 3D Land

Main article: Boom Boom (species)

Boom Booms are a Koopa species similar to Bowser's. Booms Booms are very large 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. Members of this species include Boom Boom and a female Boom Boom named Pom Pom. They appear in boss battles in games like Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario 3D Land, New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Luigi U and Super Mario 3D World.

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. The unique feature of this species is that the belly is covered by peculiar plates not connected to their shells, that are spiked and cover only their backs and not the whole body. Like the very similar Boom Booms, members of this species of Koopa stand upright, and are typically 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.. However, Lemmy Koopa is actually almost as small as Toad while his younger brother Larry is bigger in size, showing that some variability in size exists among Koopas belonging to Bowser's species. These Koopas are known for their strength, sometimes the ability to breathe out flames, and durability, even as children, as well as magical powers; they typically are the leaders of the Koopa race. Unlike Koopa Troopas, Koopas belonging to Bowser's species do not have a beak.

Buzzy Beetle

File:BuzzybeetleNSMBU.png

Main article: Buzzy Beetle

Buzzy Beetles are found generally in caves and other dark areas. They are known to be immune to fireballs, and they can climb on walls and ceilings, and they can drop from ceilings if Mario or others approach them closely enough. As with Koopa Troopas, Buzzy Beetles hide inside their shell if Mario or others stomp on them, letting their shells be used.

Other Buzzy Beetle species

• Big Buzzy Beetle
  • Big Bony Beetle
• Bony Beetle
  • Big Bony Beetle
• Buster Beetle
• Buzz-Bomb
• Magmite
  • Magmus
• Noko Bombette
• Para-Beetle
  • Heavy Para-Beetle
• Parabuzzy
  • Spiky Parabuzzy
• Spike Top
  • Dark Spike Top
  • Mad Mecha-Spike Top
  • Red Spike Top
  • Spiky Parabuzzy
• Shiny Buzzy Beetle
  • Spiky Parabuzzy
• Stone Buzzy
  • Dark Stone Buzzy

Chargin' Chuck

Chargin' Chucks with and without helmets in Super Mario 3D World

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.

Electro-Koopa

File:Electrokoopa.jpg

A blue 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.

Electro-Koopa species

• Blue Electro-Koopa
• Red Electro-Koopa
• Green Electro-Koopa

Hammer Bro

Main article: Hammer Bro

File:Hammer Bro-NSMBU.png

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.

Other Hammer Bro. species

• Amazing Flyin' Hammer Brother
  • Calm Amazing Flyin' Hammer Brother
• Boomerang Bro
  • Boomerang Bro (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga)
  • Dark Boomerang Bro
  • Goomerang Brother
  • Shiny Boomerang Bro
• Business Bro
• Calm Hammer Bro
• Chomp Bro
• Dark Hammer Bro
• Fire Bro
  • Dark Fire Bro
  • Shiny Fire Bro
• Ice Bro
• Limbo Bro
• Shiny Hammer Bro
• Sledge Bro
• Sumo Bro
• Yo Bro

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 quadrupedal 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 in numerous spin-offs and the first two Paper Mario games.

Other Koopa Troopa species

• Ankoopa
• Beach Koopa
• Big Koopa Troopa
  • Big Dry Bones
  • Colossal Koopa Paratroopa
• Bombshell Koopa
• Climbing Koopa
• Dark Koopa
• Dry Bones
  • Big Dry Bones
  • Dark Bones
  • Dry Bones (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga)
  • Dull Bones
    • Dark Dull Bones
  • Parabones
  • Red Bones
  • Sad Dry Bones
  • Shiny Dry Bones
  • Vomer
• Glad Red Koopa
• Kamikaze Koopa
• Koopa Paratroopa
  • Colossal Koopa Paratroopa
  • Dark Paratroopa
  • Dreamy Paratroopa
  • Glad Red Paratroopa
  • Heavy Troopa
  • KP Paratroopa
  • Mad Green Paratroopa
  • Malakoopa
  • Paratroopea
  • Scaratroopea
  • Shady Paratroopa
  • Shiny Koopa Paratroopa
  • Tub-O-Troopa
  • Z Koopa
  • Parabones
• Koopatrol
  • Dark Koopatrol
• KP Koopa
  • KP Paratroopa
• Mad Green Koopa
• Mask Koopa
• Mural Koopa
• Shady Koopa
  • Shady Paratroopa
• Space Troopa
• Spike Koopa
• State Troopa
• Stormtroopa
• Super Koopa
• Super Troopa
  • Robot Monster Troopa
• Terrapin
  • Terra Cotta
• Troopea
  • Elite Troopea
  • Paratroopea
  • Scaratroopea
• Wereturtle

Koopeleon

Main article: Koopeleon

Koopeleons are a rare and unique variant 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.

Other Koopeleon species

• Gold Koopeleon

Lakitu

File:Lakitu-NSMBU.png

A Lakitu as seen in New Super Mario Bros. U

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.

Other Lakitu species

• Aqua Lakitu
• Calm Lakitu
• Commander Lakitu
• Dark Lakitu
• Fishin' Lakitu
  • Fishin' Boo
    • Calm Fishin' Boo
• Glam Lakitu
• Lakipea
• Lakitu King
• Lakitu R
• Lakitu in a Pipe
• Lakitufo
• Thunder Lakitu
• Wall Lakitu

Magikoopa

A Magikoopa as seen in Super Mario 3D World

Main article: Magikoopa

Magikoopas (referred to as Koopa Wizards in the Super Mario World television series) 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. Aside from their heads, which have slightly larger beaks than those of their normal counterparts, little is known about the Magikoopa's external structure due to their robes

Other Magikoopa species

• Dark Magikoopa
• Gray Magikoopa
• Green Magikoopa
• Magifoofa
• Purple Magikoopa
• Red Magikoopa
• Toady
  • Solo Toady
• White Magikoopa
• Yellow Magikoopa

Mechakoopa

Main article: Mechakoopa

Mechakoopas are mechanical enemies that bear a slight resemblance to Bowser. They can breathe small fire and walk with a wind-up mechanism. They follow Mario and others, unlike other enemies, and Mario and others stun them by jumping on them. There, Mechakoopas can be held and thrown, but they eventually recover and move again.

Rocky Wrench

Rocky Wrenches' Koopa-like appearance in Super Mario Bros. 3.

Main article: Rocky Wrench

Rocky Wrenches are enemies and pop out of manhole covers on airships at random. They were initially a type of Koopa during Super Mario Bros. 3, but they have been portrayed as a related species of Monty Moles as of New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Shellcreeper

Main article: Shellcreeper

Shellcreepers are the predecessors of Koopas who first appeared in Mario Bros.. Mario and Luigi can defeat them by flipping them from below and then running into them. If left flipped for a while, however, they can turn purple and resume to their walking state, but at a faster pace. Red is their third and fastest color.

Snooze-A-Koopa

Main article: Snooze-A-Koopa

File:Snooze-A-Koopa.jpg

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

A Spike in Super Mario 3D World

Main article: Spike

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. More specialized variants, such as Snow Spikes and Stone Spikes, also exist and throw their namesake projectiles instead of spiked balls.

Other Spike species

• Clubba
  • Dark Clubba
  • White Clubba
• Mad Spike
• Shiny Spike
• Snow Spike
• Stone Spike

Spiny

A Spiny in New Super Mario Bros. 2

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, another Koopa variant which throw Spiny Eggs at their opponents.

Other Spiny species

• Big Spiny
• Dark Spiny
• Ice Spiny
• Sad Spiny
• Sharpea
• Shiny Spiny
• Sky-Blue Spiny
• Spike Blop
• Spikey
  • Oerlikon
  • Spikester
• Spiny Egg
• Spiny R
• Spiny Shroopa
• Thorny