Koopa Shell

Koopa Shell
Artwork from Mario Party: Star Rush
First appearance	Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Latest appearance	Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition (2024)

Koopa Shells (alternatively Koopa shells), also known as Koopa Troopa Shells (alternatively Koopa Troopa shells) or simply shells, are the shells of Koopa Troopas that appear as items in many games in the Super Mario franchise. Regardless of whether or not the Koopa Troopa is still inside the Koopa Shell, the shell can be kicked, carried, or thrown around, which can defeat enemies and destroy certain obstacles. Koopa Shells generally do not lose speed when rebounding. Similar behavior is given to shells of other Koopa species, such as Buzzy Shells, Spiny Shells, and Bowser's Shell.

In many games, Koopa Shells appear in different colors, most commonly green and red. In a few games, notably in the Mario Kart series, the different colors have different properties.

History

Super Mario series

Super Mario Bros. / Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

Koopa Shells first appear in Super Mario Bros., reappearing in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. After a Koopa Troopa is hit by a jump attack, it will retreat into its shell, leaving it for Mario to use. Upon contact, the shell is launched, defeating every enemy in its way. However, this can also backfire when the shell rebounds from any obstacle. A shell in motion can be stopped by stomping on it. The Koopa Troopa will stay in the shell for only a limited amount of time. After a while, the Koopa Troopa will get out of its shell and resume its business. Koopa shells can only be destroyed by a fireball shot by Fire Mario or being hit by Invincible Mario. The green-colored shells appear teal underground and in castles and gray underwater, as is the case with all other green objects in the game, while the red ones have a consistent coloration throughout.

Super Mario Bros. 2

Turtle Shells, also named shells or Koopa Shells, reappear in Super Mario Bros. 2, where they are always red and replace the big-lipped black head-like objects known as "Big Face" (ビッグフェイス) from Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic. They are plucked from the grass and can be thrown - the Shell will slide forward, defeating most enemies it hits, until it makes contact with a wall and disappears. With some difficulty, it is possible to actually get on top of the shells and ride them. These shells cannot hurt Mario and his gang in this game.

In Super Mario Advance, Shells function more akin to how they do in standard games of the Super Mario franchise, as now rebounding off of walls instead of disappearing and can now hurt the player if they touch the shell's sides. A heart also appears for each enemy it defeats. It is also larger and so takes extra time to pluck it out of the ground.

Super Mario Bros. 3

Koopa Shells return in Super Mario Bros. 3 and serve the same purpose as in the first game. The Shells can now also be grabbed and carried around before they are thrown. They can be used to hit blocks on their sides. Giant sized Koopa Shells also appear in World 4.

Super Mario World

Koopa Shells appear in Super Mario World. However, instead of the Koopa Troopa retracting back into its shell when attacked from above, it will slide out of its shell, becoming an unshelled Koopa. If the unshelled Koopa finds its shell again, it will go back inside it. Attacking them from the side and underneath, however, keeps them in the shell, in addition to flipping them upside-down, but they leave when they come to rather than keeping them on. This is the first game where the different shell colors have different behaviors independent of the Koopa Troopa itself; in this case, it changes how Yoshi reacts to eating them:

• Green Shells do not give Yoshis who eat them any additional abilities, unlike the other shells.
• Red Shells allow Yoshis to breathe a single blast of horizontally moving fireballs.
• Yellow Shells cause the Yoshi to make sand clouds whenever it lands.
• Blue Shells turn the Yoshi into a Winged Yoshi for a brief period.

Additionally, a Yoshi of colors other than green will be given the respective-colored shell's powers in addition to the kind the Yoshi eats.

A flashing Shell is produced when a yellow unshelled Koopa finds an unoccupied shell, causing it to invincibly pursue Mario while rapidly changing color. If a Yoshi eats this kind of shell, they gain all four powers at once.

Once Fall is unlocked by beating Funky in the original game, or by clearing all 96 exits in Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, all Koopa Shells become Mario masks but otherwise function the same; many instances of Green and Red Shells and Koopa Troopas are also replaced with Yellow and Blue Shells and Mask Koopas, respectively though green and red variants of each can still be found.

Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins

In Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins Koopa Shells act as they do in the original Super Mario Bros., though they are slightly smaller.

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS

Luigi riding on a Koopa Shell in Super Mario 64 DS

Koopa Shells, also referred to as shiny shells (or Shiny Shells), are rare objects in Super Mario 64. They only appear in green and can be obtained by hitting some yellow blocks or attacking a Koopa Troopa to get it out of its shell. When Mario jumps on a Koopa Shell, he can travel at fast speed and ram into enemies to defeat them instantly. Riding a shell also allows Mario to navigate over lava or water. Additionally, if Mario grabs a Koopa Shell while underwater, he can hold the shell in front of him and use it to swim faster in water for a short period of time. When he rides on a Koopa Shell, the theme that plays is the one used for the Wing Cap and Vanish Cap. Unused alternate models for both green and red shells exist in the game's data.

Koopa Shells make a return in Super Mario 64 DS, where they can be ridden on (and used underwater) once again. Additionally, they may appear behind some brick blocks as well. Yoshi can eat Koopa Shells and spit them out, although they disappear upon hitting a wall. Some minigames found in Super Mario 64 DS require use of a Koopa Shell, such as Shuffle Shell.

In the original version, when the player hits the yellow blocks for Koopa Shells, the boxes do not respawn, but shells do not disappear until Mario hitches a ride on one. In the DS version, ! Blocks have the ability to respawn and, unless they were stolen from Koopa Troopas, shells now disappear if not used for a while.

New Super Mario Bros.

Koopa Shells return in New Super Mario Bros., in which they can be obtained after stomping on a Koopa Troopa. Just like in Super Mario Bros., the Koopa Troopa will retract into his shell so Mario can grab the shell and throw it then. Aside from the design change, the Koopa Shell had little change in its function. Performing a Ground Pound on a Koopa Troopa or Paratroopa will kick its shell forwards without having to pick it up. Blue Shells also return in this game as power-ups that let Mario slide across levels like a kicked shell; in the single-player mode, these only appear from blocks, rarely, though they can be obtained from blue Koopa Troopas in the VS. mode.

In addition, Bowser Jr. throws green Koopa Shells during certain boss fights (specifically when his bandanna is on). The player must step on the Koopa Shell, pick it up, and throw it back at Bowser Jr. to stun him. Once stunned, the player can attack Bowser Jr. by either jumping on him or Ground Pounding him.

Super Mario Galaxy

Koopa Shells reappear in Super Mario Galaxy as an offensive weapon, using behavior based on the Mario Kart games. Many Koopa Shells in the game will be found independently (usually underwater), though occasionally they will still be attached to the back of a Koopa Troopa. The player must spin the Koopa Troopa or jump on its back to get it to retreat into its shell, after which it can be picked up and used normally. Unlike Super Mario 64, Mario can only hold the Koopa Shell, not surf around on it. Mario can throw the shell by spinning in a straight direction until it hits another object. Koopa Shells can be used to break open Treasure Chests and hit far-off enemies.

Like in Super Mario 64, Green Shells can be found underwater. Underwater shells can be grabbed by Mario and allow him to swim faster. The shell can also be thrown at underwater creatures to defeat them. The shells also produce light underwater, so the player can destroy underwater Boos and point at enemies before throwing the shell. There are three colors of shells with different properties in this game:

• Green Shells act as a straight-moving projectile when thrown and give a small speed boost in the water. They are also summoned as a weapon by Kamella, where they bounce around the walls while sliding across the floor.
• Red Shells home in on enemies when thrown and give a moderate speed boost in the water.
• Gold Shells home in on enemies when thrown, can break open golden Treasure Chests, and give a large speed boost in the water.

Additionally, Cosmic Mario gains a blue-colored shell when he grabs a Koopa Shell to swim underwater with.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Koopa Shells make an appearance in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. They have the same function as in New Super Mario Bros., although there are a few differences. Ground Pounding a Koopa Troopa or shell now instantly defeats it rather than sending the shell careening, while holding the / and shaking allows players to carry it over their head, which can then be thrown in the same way as holding and throwing it normally. If Ice Mario attacks a Koopa Troopa after stomping on it, the Koopa Troopa will remain frozen within his shell in an Ice Block. Mario can then use the Ice Block like a platform or lift it up to throw the block and destroy the shell. Also, larger green shells appear in World 5. Mario can enter these larger shells and find hidden items.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

Luigi near a Green Shell in the Slimy Spring Galaxy

Koopa Shells reappear in Super Mario Galaxy 2, with the same function as in the predecessor. However, in this game, only Green Shells appear, and Red Shells and Gold Shells do not. In this game, they are mostly found in galaxies such as the Cosmic Cove Galaxy and Slimy Spring Galaxy.

Super Mario 3D Land

Koopa Shells reappear in Super Mario 3D Land with the same function as in other games; however, only green-colored shells appear again, and characters can only kick shells and not throw them. If Mario or Luigi shoot fireballs or tail whip a Koopa Shell, it bounces slightly and a jingle plays. If this is done five times without the Koopa Shell touching the ground, it breaks and produces a 1-Up Mushroom.

New Super Mario Bros. 2

Koopa Shells reappear in New Super Mario Bros. 2 with the same function as in the past New Super Mario Bros. installments. However, if Mario passes through a Gold Ring, any Koopa Troopas in the area turn Golden, and so do their shells. If thrown, they produce a trail of coins behind them.

New Super Mario Bros. U

Koopa Shells reappear in New Super Mario Bros. U with the same function as in the past installments. The giant shells from Super Mario Bros. 3 also reappear, now able to bust straight through Brick Blocks without needing to rebound.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Koopa Shells reappear in Super Mario 3D World, generally acting as they do in Super Mario 3D Land, though a character must bounce one eight times rather than five to obtain a 1-Up Mushroom. Similarly to Super Mario World and Super Mario 64, jumping on a Koopa Troopa kicks it out of its shell, allowing a character to hold it. While carrying a shell and running, characters can enter it by crouching. In this state, they slide across the ground and the surface of water while moving, similarly to Shell Mario, and most enemies they contact are defeated. Each character has a different shell color in this state: Mario's shell becomes red, Toad's shell becomes blue, Peach's shell becomes pink, Rosalina's shell becomes cyan, and Luigi's shell remains the same green color. After being in a Koopa Shell for a certain amount of time, characters automatically exit the shell and become dizzy. Characters can also climb into the shell while stationary; pressing the jump button in this state makes the shell jump and spin in place for the time the character is in the shell. If this occurs, the character cannot be forced out of the shell. Characters that touch the Goal Pole while moving in a Koopa Shell are rewarded with an extra life.

In Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, Koopa Shells act near-identically to the original game, and identically across both campaigns. Hower, in contrast to the original game, Koopa Shells can no longer be occupied idly, as the shell always slides in the direction a character is facing when it is entered; the touch cursor can be used to stop them, though. In the Bowser's Fury campaign, Bowser Jr. can also use his magic brush to bounce a Koopa Shell, and bouncing it eight times produces a Lucky Bell rather than a 1-Up Mushroom, as lives are absent. Kittens may also juggle a Koopa Shell automatically if they claw into it repeatedly against a wall. Some interactions can be observed exclusively in the Bowser's Fury campaign. Unlike in Super Mario Maker 2, Koopa Shells can destroy Rock Blocks if thrown. Seagulls fly away if a Koopa Shell is kicked or thrown near them. If a Koopa Shell is kicked or thrown onto the water surrounding an island of Lake Lapcat, it will continue moving in the water until it is a certain distance away from Mario, upon which it becomes unloaded and stops moving until Mario comes close enough for it to be visible again. By riding Plessie, the player can also deflect Koopa Shells that are moving on the water's surface.

Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS

In Super Mario Maker, Koopa Shells appear in red and green across the game's styles. They mostly act as they do in the originals, but red ones no longer grant fire powers to Yoshi in the Super Mario World style.

Super Mario Run

In Super Mario Run, Koopa Shells (and equivalent Buzzy Shells) have a number of behavior changes exclusive to this game. The Vaulting Jump is an alternate means to kick the shell of an enemy, but an shell without an enemy or a shell that is already spinning cannot be vaulted over at all. Shells do not move as fast, allowing the player to land on a shell moving away from them. Landing on a moving shell does not stop it, instead kicking the shell a second time. If the player is not defeated by a moving shell, then touching it kicks that shell in the other direction while making the player bounce upward a little. Aside from these, Koopa Shells retain most elements from New Super Mario Bros. U.

Super Mario Odyssey

In Super Mario Odyssey, Koopa Shells appear during 8-bit segments, acting as they do in the original Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Maker 2

In Super Mario Maker 2, Koopa Shells act the same as they do in the predecessor. Unlike Buzzy Shells and Spiny Shells, they cannot be used as a helmet. A Dry Bones Shell is introduced, functioning primarily as a lava raft.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Koopa Shells act as they do in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Yoshi can now carry them both in his mouth and in his arms.

Mario Kart series

Main articles: Green Shell, Red Shell, Black Shell

Throughout the Mario Kart series, Koopa Shells have appeared in different colors with different behaviors, but are always items that are used as projectile weapons.

• Green Shells move in straight lines when thrown and ricochet off walls. Triple Green Shells also appear starting with Mario Kart 64.
• Red Shells home in on opponents. Triple Red Shells also appear starting with Mario Kart 64.
• Black Shells explode when they make contact with anything other than the ground. They only appear in Mario Kart Arcade GP and its successors alongside Triple Black Shells.

Additionally, Mario Kart 64 introduces a blue type of Spiny Shell that homes in on the leader, while Mario Kart: Double Dash introduces Bowser's Shell as a powered-up counterpart to Green Shells. Starting with Mario Kart DS, the Shell Cup appears, using a Green Shell as its symbol.

Mario's Time Machine

Koopa Shells also appear in the NES version of Mario's Time Machine, appearing in yellow and red depending on the location. Getting hit by the shell simply stuns Mario temporarily, rather than damaging him.

Yoshi (NES)

A red Koopa Shell makes a small appearance in the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Yoshi after the player clears level 4 of the B-Type game, rewarding the player 400 points.

Yoshi's Cookie

A green Koopa Shell appears as one of the cookies in Yoshi's Cookie when playing Rounds 11-99. Since there is only one per level, this makes for a more challenging experience as the only way to get rid of the Green Shell cookie is to pair it up with a Yoshi Cookie, which is further complicated by the placement of the other cookies.

Mario Bros. series

Battle Game (Super Mario All-Stars)

In the Super Mario All-Stars version of Mario Bros., Koopa Shells appear from defeated Koopa Troopas and can be used to defeat the opposing player, unlike the shells of Shellcreepers in the original game.

Mario Clash

In Mario Clash, Koopa Shells are the only way to defeat the various target enemies. They can be thrown to the sides, forward, or backward.

Mario Bros. (Game Boy Advance)

Yellow-colored Koopa Shells appear in the Game Boy Advance version of Mario Bros. included with the Super Mario Advance series and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. They are random items a player can find from within a garbage can. Once they are thrown, they slide across the ground, damaging any player or defeating any enemy they touch except for Bowser. When they collide with Bowser, they spin in place until Bowser walks through them. They can also slide into the bottom Warp Pipes and will launch from the other Warp Pipe above. Standalone Koopa Shells are sometimes randomly launched from the Warp Pipes above.

Yoshi's Safari

In Yoshi's Safari, green-colored Koopa Shells appear as common obstacles, bouncing back-and-forth across roadways until they are shot with the Super Scope.

Yoshi's Island series

In the Yoshi's Island series, Koopa Shells first appear in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, where they can be carried by Yoshi, although Yoshi cannot swallow them due to them being hard and inedible. They hurt Yoshi when a sliding shell touches him. As with Super Mario World, the Koopa is evicted from the shell when attacked. A boss, Hookbill the Koopa, bounces around in his shell to attack. Koopa Shells keep their role in Yoshi's Island DS and Yoshi's New Island.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Mario kicking the Koopa Shell in the Switch remake

A Koopa Shell, mistranslated as the NokNok Shell in the original game, appears as a weapon usable by Mario in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. It has an attack power of 20 points, with a deviation of up to 2 points above or below. The Koopa Shell can be obtained from the Mushroom man found at the bottom of the Midas River course after getting enough coins in it. It can also be bought at Seaside Town, though far more powerful weapons are available by then.

When attacking with the shell, Mario kicks it upwards and then kicks it again at a single enemy. To get a Timed Hit, the player needs to press the button as he is performing the second kick. More powerful counterparts are the Paratroopa Shell (from a Koopa Paratroopa) and the Lazy Shell (from a Big Troopa).

Super Smash Bros. series

A Green Shell in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Koopa Shells also appear in the Super Smash Bros. series. Green and Red Shells appear as standalone items with behavior based on their appearance in the Mario Kart games, with green moving in straight lines and red following opponents. However, shells that actually come from attacked Koopa Troopas act as they do in the Super Mario platformers, with no distinction from color - aside from the one from the singular red Koopa Paratroopa in Super Smash Bros. Melee dealing fire damage.

Mario Tennis series

Koopa Shells appear in green and red in Mario Tennis for the Nintendo 64, and Mario Power Tennis for the Nintendo GameCube and Wii. They can be used during an Item Battle match, and function the same as their Mario Kart counterparts, with green moving straight and red homing in. In Mario Tennis Open, the Shell Cup appears using a Red Shell as a symbol, while two sets of Mii tennis gear appear based on each color.

Mario Party series

Koopa Shells make sporadic appearances in the Mario Party series, often as an obstacle or a design for a vehicle. In Mario Party, they shuffle among each other in Shell Game. In Mario Party 3, they appear the minigame Ridiculous Relay, where first player in the group rows it using an oar. In Mario Party Advance, they appear in various colors and speeds in the minigame Shell Stack. In Mario Party 9, Koopa Troopa retreats into his shell in his last-place animation following a minigame or losing a board in Solo Mode, a shell is one of the puzzles in Jigsaw Jumble, and shells appear in the Goomba Bowling minigame, where players must throw them at the Goombas; this minigame returns in Mario Party: The Top 100. In Mario Party: Island Tour, Setback Shells are usable items on Perilous Palace Path that, when used, automatically send an opponent back two spaces.

Paper Mario series

Paper Mario

In Paper Mario, Koopa Troopas of various types use their shells to attack, using them to charge a spinning tackle. This is seen in the Koopa Troopa (red), Dark Koopa (purple), and Koopatrol (black and spiked) enemies, Mario's partner Kooper (blue), the Koopa Bros. (green, yellow, black, and red), and Kent C. Koopa (red). Kooper is able to use his shell to reach far items and switches in addition to attacking enemies.

When Mario first enters Koopa Village, he finds that Fuzzies have stolen most of the green Koopa Troopas' shells. He is able to get them all back, but Kooper's is the only one that is required as the others will get their back off-screen if he ignores them.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Koopa Shells are again used as the Koopa Troopa family's primary attack, being used by Koopa Troopas (red), KP Koopas (yellow), Shady Koopas (cyan), Dark Koopas (purple), Mario's partner Koops (green), and his girlfriend Koopie Koo (green). Koops is able to use his shell much like Kooper, but he can also hold it in place while spinning for several moments, even while in the air. Koopley's shell (blue) was able to withstand being digested in Hooktail's belly for 10 years. An item called the Courage Shell also appears, resembling a rocky green Koopa Shell; it boosts a party member’s Defense.

Super Paper Mario

In Super Paper Mario, Koopa Shells appear in red and green from enemies, acting as they do in the Super Mario sidescrollers. Dark Koopa Troopas have solid black shells. The Koopa Striker family have Soccer Ball-patterned shells, which they both retract into when attacked, and summon an infinite number of empty ones to kick at Mario and company. In addition to the Courage Shell returning (now colored gray instead of green), there is an item called Shell Shock, a giant 8-bit green Koopa Shell (appearing in its design from Super Mario Bros.) which can be used to attack enemies the same way as a Green Shell would. However, the Shell Shock can still hit the heroes and cause damage.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star

In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Shells appear as stickers. By using the sticker, Mario summons a green Koopa Troopa, which he jumps on to send into its shell; he then kicks the shell into all ground enemies. The stronger Shiny Shell sticker summons a red Koopa Troopa to use its shell; however, the even stronger Flashy Shell instead summons a Buzzy Beetle for its shell.

Paper Mario: The Origami King

In Paper Mario: The Origami King, in the Earth Vellumental Temple, green Koopa Shells appear in battle. If Mario jumps on one, it gets launched forward, damaging the rest of the enemies in that row.

Mario & Luigi series

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga / Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions

In both Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, Koopa Shells appear when counterattacking a Troopea, Elite Troopea, or Elite Dry Bones without defeating it. The shell bounces back into another enemy, if any are present, and then moves to the other brother. By jumping on the shell each time it approaches, they can make it repeatedly bounce into enemies for even more damage.

In the remake's Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser mode, Koopa Troopas often use moves involving spinning in their shells.

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, both Green Shells and Red Shells appear as Bros. Items. They function similarly to the shell counterattacks from the previous game, but now must simply be kicked rather than jumped on. Additionally, when Kylie Koopa is ejected from inside Yoob, she careens around the room spinning in her pink shell for several moments as a nod to shell behavior in the platforming games.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story / Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey

In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, Green Shells return as the sole shell-based Bros. Attack, while the Blue Shell from New Super Mario Bros. as an overworld power-up for Mario to solve puzzles with. Additionally, one of Bowser's Brawl Attacks, Koopa Corps, involves knocking several Koopa Troopas in their shells into enemies by using Bowser's own shell as a Pong-style bumper. During the final battle against Dark Bowser, his dark versions of Bowser's Minions include dark colored Koopa Troopas that spin in their shells towards Bowser, and can be punched back through the lines of following enemies.

In the remake's Bowser Jr.'s Journey mode, Koopa Troopas again use moves involving spinning in their shells.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

In Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, the 3D Green Shell and 3D Red Shell appear as Bros. Attacks. During the final battle against Dreamy Bowser, the Dreamy Paratroopas he summons roll into their shells when the minions attack, and can be knocked back through the swarming other enemies if jumped on.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, 3D Red Shell returns as a Bros. Attack, while Koopa Troopas use their shells to attack. If the shell is jumped on during their circular attack, it is sent into another enemy. If it is hammered during their linear attack, the Koopa Troopa inside is knocked out; hitting the shell again quickly can knock it into the stunned Koopa Troopa repeatedly, with the shell returning to the brother slowly. After enough time passes or the shell hits the brother, it is sent flying away while the Koopa Troopa frantically chases it down.

Super Princess Peach

Koopa Shells also appear in Super Princess Peach. They can be obtained by knocking Koopas out of their shells, allowing Peach to throw it to attack enemies. Every consecutive enemy Peach hits with the shell can leave coins and Five Coins in their wake.

Mario Strikers series

Koopa Shells appear as offensive power-ups in the Super Mario Strikers and Mario Strikers Charged. In these games, they are normally collected in groups of three, but occasionally appear at a massive size. They come in three colors, with Green Shells moving in straight lines and rebounding off walls, Red Shells homing in on targets, and Blue Shells acting like Green Shells but having an icy effect. Spiny Shells also appear with a similar role, being a more durable counterpart to the Green Shells.

Mario & Sonic series

Main articles: Green Shell, Red Shell

In the Mario & Sonic series, Koopa Shells appear in green and red in various events. Like in the Mario Kart games, green ones move in straight lines and bounce off walls, while red ones home in on opponents. In the Nintendo 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, both colors appear on a badge that can be obtained from the badge machine.

Mario Super Sluggers

In Mario Super Sluggers, only Green Shells appear, acting as they do in the Mario Kart games.

Mario Sports Mix

In Mario Sports Mix, Koopa Shells appear in green and red again, with Green Shells bouncing off walls in straight lines and Red Shells pursuing opponents.

Dr. Mario World

A yellow Koopa Shell in Dr. Mario World

Koopa Shells reappear in Dr. Mario World in various colors, appearing as stage items in the game. They clear a row when they are matched with the corresponding capsules. Some can be trapped in ice, which require two clearings to be able to use them. Several doctors have skills revolving turning objects into shells, namely Dr. Baby Luigi and Dr. Nabbit, while the assistants that can turn objects into shells are Paragoomba, Para-Beetle, Buzzy Beetle, Boomerang Bro, and Urchin.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Koopa Shells appear when the Koopa troops are preparing to attack the Penguins in the opening. Later, empty Green Shells are used as weapons at Rainbow Road, while a Blue Shell with spikes and wings is used by the Koopa General (rather than the standard Spinies).

Other appearances and references

Link fighting three Terrorpins

A Koopa Shell is one of the collectible treasures that Kirby can find in "The Great Cave Offensive" mode of the games Kirby Super Star and Kirby Super Star Ultra. The Koopa Shell is found in the Old Tower Area of the Great Cave and worth 800 Gold. It is referred to as the "Turtle Shell" in Kirby Super Star, but correctly called the "Koopa Shell" in Kirby Super Star Ultra.

In the Animal Crossing series, Green Shells appear as furniture items. They originally use their Super Mario Bros. appearance, though they use their modern appearance in Animal Crossing: New Leaf; the latter game also includes Triple Red Shells with the same role.

Terrorpins, an enemy from the The Legend of Zelda series, appear in The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass with a riveted cyan Koopa Shell-like design, appearing as enemies in Mutoh's Temple. They can only be defeated by using the Hammer near them and flipping them over.

In Super Mario Chess, green Koopa Shells appear as pawns on Bowser's team.

If the Question Block AR Card is used in the Fishing minigame included as part of the AR Games software on the Nintendo 3DS, and the card is placed on a green surface, green Koopa Shells will rain down upon the water. The shells can also be caught by the player.

In Monopoly Gamer, there is a Green and Red Shells appear on different faces of the Power-Up Die.

In Minecraft, Turtle Shells are changed to resemble Green Shells in the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack.

Profiles

Super Mario series

Super Mario Bros. 2

• Wii Virtual Console manual bio: Throw these at your enemies.

• Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console manual description:
  • English (British):
    Throw these and they will slide across the ground, defeating any enemies they come into contact with.
  • French (Europe):
    Elles glissent sur le sol quand vous les lancez et terrassent vos ennemis sur leur passage.
  • German:
    Wenn du diese Items wirfst, rutschen sie über den Boden und schalten alle Gegner aus, die sie berühren.
  • Italian:
    Lancialo e sfreccerà sulla superficie, eliminando tutti i nemici con cui entra in contatto.
  • Spanish (Europe):
    Tíralos y se deslizarán por el suelo, llevándose por delante a todos los enemigos que encuentren.

Super Mario Maker

• Play Nintendo: Many creative course designers have made elaborate set-ups where Mario races a shell along a parallel path to the finish.

Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook – Yoshi's Egg

緑
食用としてはいまひとつ栄 養価に欠けるこうらがこれ。 カルシウムばかりで食べて もたいして元気が出ない。 だが消化によく、ビールの 友、お茶うけとして人気だ。

Green
This shell lacks nutritional value as food. Even if eaten just for calcium, it doesn't seem very healthy. But it's good for digestion, and popular as a beer mug or tea snack.

赤
スパイスのたっぷり入った 辛口のこうらがこれだ。元 来草食であるヨッシーいわく「火がでるほど辛くてうみゃ一でよ（名古屋弁風）」。なお、八ヤシはない。

Red
This is a dry shell full of spice. As the primarily herbivorous Yoshi says, "It's spicy enough to make you spit fire (Nagoya dialect)." Still, that's no embellishment.

黄
ちゃんこ鍋の味がする変わり種のこうら。関取エキスを多置に含んでいるので、これを食べるとあら不思議、体重が増える。つまり黄色ヨッシーの技が使えるのだ。

Yellow
A strange kind of shell that tastes like chankonabe. It contains a large amount of sekitori extract, so if you eat this wonder, you'll gain weight. That is, you can use the yellow-colored Yoshi's skill.

青
気分爽快ミント味のこうら。のどにさわやかで、八ーブの香りがする。大都会の雑踏などでこのこうらを食べると、あまりの爽快さに空をも飛んでしまうという。

Blue
A fresh-feeling, mint-filled shell. It's refreshing in the throat, and has a herbal scent. It is said that if you eat this shell in a big city crowd, you'll fly in the sky from the sheer exhilaration.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Koopa Shell.

• 

  Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

• 

  Super Mario All-Stars (Super Mario Bros. 2)

• 

  Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

• 

  Super Mario 64

• 

  New Super Mario Bros.

• 

  The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Media

Powerful Mario - Koopa Shell's theme from Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS

File infoMedia:SM64-Wing Cap.oga 0:28

Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	こうら / 甲ら Kōra	Shell
	ノコノコこうら[?] Nokonoko Kōra	Koopa Troopa Shell
	カメのこうら Kame no Kōra	Turtle Shell
	ノコノコのこうら Nokonoko no Kōra	Koopa Troopa Shell
Chinese (simplified)	龟壳 Guīké	Shell
	慢慢龟龟壳[?] Mànman Guī Guī Ké	Koopa shell
Chinese (traditional)	慢慢龜龜殼[?] Mànman Guī Guī Ké	Koopa shell
Dutch	Koopa-schild[?]	Koopa shell
French	Carapace[?]	Shell
	Carapace de Koopa[?]	Koopa shell
	Coquillage (Super Mario Bros. 3)	Seashell
	Coquille[?]	Shell (of nuts, eggs, or molluscs)	Super Mario All-Stars instruction booklet
German	Koopa Panzer[?]	Koopa Shell
	Panzer	Shell
Italian	Guscio di tartaruga	Turtle shell
	Conchiglia Koopa	Shell
	Conchiglia	Koopa shell
	Guscio	Shell
	Guscio di Koopa[?]	Koopa shell
Korean	엉금엉금등껍질[?] Eonggeum-eonggeum Deungkkeopjil	Koopa Shell
Romanian	Carapace Koopa (McDonald's Romania 2017 promotionMedia:McDonaldsRomania2017Banner.jpg)[?]	Koopa Shell
Spanish	Carapazón Koopa[?]	Koopa Shell