Koopa clan

Koopa clan
	; ; ; ; Collage showing the diversity of Koopas
First appearance	Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Latest appearance	Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (2026)
Variant of	Shellcreeper
Variants
	Boom Boom; Buzzy Beetle; Chargin' Chuck; Hammer Bro; Koopa (Bowser's species); Koopa Striker; Koopa Troopa; Lakitu; Magikoopa; Rocky Wrench (origin); Shova; Spike; Spiny; Sumo Bro
Relatives
	Yoshi
Notable members
	Jr. Troopa; Kuppaemon; Motley Bossblob

Not to be confused with Koopa Troop.

"Koopa (species)" redirects here. For other uses of the word "Koopa", see Koopa.

“Yoshi-dear, that baby is going to cause disaster to befall the Koopas. So give him here before you accidentally get hurt!”

—Kamek, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

The Koopa clan (also known as the Turtle Tribe or Koopa tribe) is a classification of turtle-like creatures known as Koopas (once "the Koopa"^[1] and once lowercased as koopas^[2]). There are many different types of Koopas, the most common being Koopa Troopas.

Most Koopas operate in a hierarchy-based grouping system. Bowser is the leader of a large army of minions, which has invaded the Mushroom Kingdom many times and has control over most of the Koopas in the Super Mario franchise, beginning in Super Mario Bros. Many of these same Koopas are members of Bowser's Minions 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 specialized offensive capabilities, 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 and the Roving Racers in Super Mario Odyssey, simply hold no allegiance and operate independently.

Name[edit]

Koopas are named from the species that Bowser belongs to due to an inconsistency in localization. According to an interpretation of the story of the original game's Japanese manual^[3] during the English localization that saw Koopa (クッパ) as the name of the group of turtles instead of the name of Bowser, they were known for their "black magic."^[4] Said interpretation has since been rectified, with Koopa being acknowledged to be the Japanese name of Bowser,^[5] but the concept of Koopas as a group of turtles in the West remains,^[6] while Nintendo of Japan consistently refers to Koopa as the name of Bowser and to the Turtle Tribe (カメ族ぞく) as the group to which the various turtles belong.^[7] This inconsistency has also led to Koopa Troopas commonly being called "Koopas" for short in many Western releases, despite its established wider application and it instead being Bowser's name in Japan.

Origin[edit]

A Shellcreeper, the predecessors to Koopas

Main article: Shellcreeper

Koopas in general are based on the Shellcreepers from Mario Bros., as evident by various enemies being tentatively named and designed after Shellcreepers in development documents of Super Mario Bros.^[8] Mario Mania indicates that Koopa Troopas and Koopa Paratroopas were previously Shellcreepers.^[9] At least one source, Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten, lists Shellcreepers among the Turtle Tribe while simultaneously stating that they are the roots originating the whole Turtle Tribe.^[10] Additionally, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U states that Koopa Troopas (referred to simply as "Koopas" in English versions) are apparently evolved from Shellcreepers.^[11]^[12]^[13]

Species[edit]

Koopa Troopa[edit]

Main article: Koopa Troopa

Debut: Super Mario Bros.

Koopa Troopas (often shortened to plain Koopas and occasionally to Troopas) are common enemies in the Super Mario franchise. Koopa Troopas are usually displayed as foot soldiers of Bowser's Minions under his direct leadership. They typically have no special offensive abilities, rather simply walking forwards slowly. Usually, jumping on them causes them to retreat into their shells, though sometimes they may be removed from their shells instead. Either way, shells can be kicked, causing them to slide along the ground and bounce off walls, or carried around for use elsewhere. Throughout the Super Mario franchise, Koopa Troopas have walked on four legs or two legs. Since their debut in Super Mario Bros., Koopa Troopas have appeared in almost every game in the franchise, usually as enemies, but also as playable characters in numerous spin-offs.