Jr. Troopa

“I'm your worst nightmare! Here comes the pain!”

—Jr. Troopa, Paper Mario

Jr. Troopa (also known as Master Jr. Troopa) is a young Koopa who never left his shell after he was born. He is a bully that lives near Goomba Village who likes to pick on other kids. Jr. Troopa has his own piece of territory which he likes to call "Jr. Troopa's Playground" Jr. Troopa is very protective of his playground. Throughout the game, Jr. Troopa stalks Mario and his allies during their quest to save the Star Spirits from the clutches of the Koopa Troop. The young Koopa will arrive at the most inopportune moments and attempt to defeat Mario with new attacks. After each defeat, Jr. Troopa returns in a stronger from. After the first fight, the bully gains a harder shell, then a pair of wings, a spike on his head, and, lastly, a magic wand. In the last fight between Mario's party and Jr. Troopa (in Bowser's Castle), the young Koopa can mix and match all of his abilities and proves to be a very dangerous foe. However, like every other time before, Jr. Troopa is defeated by Mario and his friends.

The Fateful Encounter

Early in the game, the great hero Mario and the elderly Goompa travel to Jr.'s playground to find the Goomba's missing Hammer. Eventually, they find the hammer (and optionaly Goombaria's missing Peach Doll) and head back to Goomba Village. However, Jr. Troopa discovers the plumber in his territory and challenges him to a fight. Mario easily trashes the young Koopa, and then heads on his way. Humiliated, Jr. Troopa swears revenge against Mario. Thus begins the career of one of the most persistent villains in Mario's history.

Tracking Mario

After saving the first Star Spirit from the Koopa Bros., Jr. Troopa ambushes Mario on his way back to Toad Town. During this fight, Jr. Troopa hides in his shell, raising his defence. However, Mario once again beats the young Koopa.

Jr. Troopa next appears in Forever Forest. He is lost and scared, so at first he is glad to see Mario, but then, perhaps remembering what Mario did to him Jr. Troopa attacks. Jr.'s new ability is flight. Using his new bat-like wings Jr. Troopa is able to fly out of reach of Mario's hammer. Never the less, Mario is able to use his just-as-devestating jump ability to beat Jr. Troopa. Template:PM1enemy

Still following Mario, Jr. tracks Mario to Lavalava Island, swimming all the way across the ocean. However, just as Jr. Troopa arives, Mario who had finished his buisness on the island, leaves on the back of a Whale forcing Jr. Troopa to turn around and swim back across the ocean. Jr. Troopa arrives at the Harbor and challenges Mario. This time Jr. Troopa has placed a a spike on top of hus head to go with his wings. However, all the swimming lowered Jr.'s HP to twenty making it easy for Mario to beat him once again. After his defeat, Jr. Troopa realizes that if he had just flown to the island, he wouldn't have wasted his HP.

Jr. Troopa appears once again in Shiver Snowfield. Jr. has learned some magic and using a wand-like stick, is able to create balls of damaging magic. Never the less, Mario whips Jr. once again. Unfortunately for Jr. Troopa, a large block of ice forms around him before he has time to recover.

Jr. Troopa make his final appearance in Bowser's Castle. Jr. Troopa appears just as Mario is preparing to face the Koopa Bros.. Jr. Troopa easily bests the Koopa Bros. without loosing any HP a preceeds to challenge Mario. Although the fight was difficult, Mario beats the young Koopa one last time. Jr. Troopa then runs away shouting that he will never give up.

Still Searching

Jr. makes a cameo appearance in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. In the photograph included with the Zip Toad's email, Jr. Troopa can be seen flying in the background.

Trivia

• Although Jr. Troopa is a Koopa, he is not a member of the Koopa Troop. In fact, his only allegiance is to himself.
• At one point in Paper Mario, he calls himself "Jr. Koopa," as apposed to the usual Jr. Troopa. This happens just before you face him in Forever Forest.
• According to Goombario, Jr. Troopa likes to order things by mail. As such, the persistent foe may have ordered all his power-ups from a mail-order catalog.
• Jr. Troopa seems to be a rival of Kammy Koopa, as the two duke it out with magic wands during the ending sequence of Paper Mario. It is also rumored that Kammy was the one teaching him magic.