Koopa Troopa

Enemy turtle transformed from Bowser's subordinate

A green bipedal turtle appearing in the Super Mario series. Appears in large numbers as a general soldier of the Koopa Troop, with shell color variations of red, green, yellow, and blue. While an enemy, it also shows ally-like aspects depending on the series.

Quotes

  • I'm Koopa Troopa! A serious soldier of the Koopa Troop.
  • Personality differs by shell color.
  • Even if stepped on, I'll come back!
  • Racing and tennis are a piece of cake.
  • Facing off against Mario, can I win?

Trivia

  • Koopa Troopa's name comes from 'nokonoko aruku'.
  • Was once a quadrupedal turtle, but bipedal is now mainstream.
  • Blue shell allows transformation to Shell Mario when stepped on.
  • In Mario Kart series, easy character for beginners.
  • Variant 'Bare Koopa Troopa' is the shell-removed form.
  • In Mario Party, gets along with both Mario and Bowser.

Alternate names

Koopa Troopa Kame-san Shellcreeper Bare Koopa Troopa

Tags

Profile

Species
Turtle
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
A turtle with a green shell, wearing boots and walking on two legs, about the size of a Toad. Depending on the work, red, yellow, and blue shells exist. It can enter a bare turtle state by removing its shell.
Height
Approximately 90cm (similar to Toad)
Weight
Secret
Eye color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Multiple shell colors exist (red, green, yellow, blue)
  • Bipedal and wears boots
  • Has a bare turtle state without shell
  • Small and stocky build
Iconic items
  • Green Shell
  • Red Shell
  • Yellow Shell
  • Blue Shell
  • Bare Turtle Form
  • Boots (color matches shell)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Serious
Detailed personality
Often serious and gentlemanly as a soldier in the Koopa Troop. Depending on the work, some become allies or live normally as citizens. Uses 'watashi' (I) as first-person pronoun.
Keywords
  • Serious
  • Gentlemanly
  • Brave (green shell)
  • Restless (red shell)
  • Team player support
Talents
  • Shell-based attacks
  • Bipedal walking
  • Agile movements
  • Drift driving (Mario Kart)
  • Sports skills (tennis, baseball)
Skills
  • Returns quickly even when shell is stepped on
  • Kicks shell to attack
  • Revival and regeneration ability
  • Excellent handling in Mario Kart
  • Team coordination in Mario Party
Motivation
Accomplishing Koopa Troop missions and victory in battles against Mario and others. Sometimes cooperates as an ally to support Mushroom Kingdom peace.
Habits
When stepped on by the player, hides in shell and stands up again after a certain time. Red shell has habit of turning back at platform edges.
Favorite foods
Mushroom, Bowser's favorite
Hobbies
Racing, Tennis, Baseball, Dancing (to BGM)

History

Backstory
Originally a quadrupedal turtle (Kame-san), but bipedal style established since Super Mario World. Belongs to Bowser's army and appears as enemy, but sometimes as ally or citizen depending on the work. Name derived from 'nokonoko aruku' (walking slowly).
Debut date
September 13, 1985
Work title
Super Mario Bros.
Media type
Game

First Appearance

Significant event
First Appearance
Description
Debuted in 1985's Super Mario Bros. as enemy character with shell color variations. Established as Koopa Troop soldier.

Shift to Bipedal Form

Significant event
Shift to Bipedal Form
Description
From 1990's Super Mario World onward, shifted from quadrupedal to bipedal, becoming mainstream in subsequent works. Shell colors also increased.

Participation in Mario Kart Series

Significant event
Participation in Mario Kart Series
Description
From 1992's Super Mario Kart, appears as racer; lightweight class easy for beginners.

Appearance as Ally Character

Significant event
Appearance as Ally Character
Description
Active as ally in Mario Party series and Mario Tennis series, becoming character with both enemy and ally aspects.

Appearance of Variants

Significant event
Appearance of Variants
Description
Multiple variants such as red Koopa Troopa, blue Koopa Troopa, yellow Koopa Troopa, bare Koopa Troopa have appeared with the expansion of the game series.

Relationships

Bowser

Troop's boss. Koopa Troopa pledges loyalty as subordinate.

Mario

Rival

Often confronts as enemy in games, but teams up in Mario Party and sports works.

Paratroopa

Teammate

Forms combos in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and others.

Koopa Troop

Koopa Troop: soldier

Media appearances

Super Mario Bros.

Game / Supporting

1985

Super Mario World

Game / Supporting

1990

Mario Kart series

Game / Protagonist

1992 onwards

Mario Party series

Game / Supporting

New Super Mario Bros.

Game / Supporting

2006

Super Mario Maker 2

Game / Supporting

2019

Voice cast and creators

Shigeru Miyamoto

Creator name
Shigeru Miyamoto
Role
Original author

Nintendo

Creator name
Nintendo
Role
Publisher

Related goods

Koopa Troopa Figure

Item name
Koopa Troopa Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Super Mario Kart Red-Green Shell Figure Set

Item name
Super Mario Kart Red-Green Shell Figure Set
Category
Figure
Availability
Limited

Koopa Troopa Goods Set

Item name
Koopa Troopa Goods Set
Category
Stationery
Availability
Regular