Bowser's Minions

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A vector graphic of two arrows, one red and one blue, pointing away from one another, with a purple and white circle in the middle. It has been suggested that this article be split into Koopa's Troopas. Reason: While the amount of information about them is really low and would make for a short article, the half-reality half-fiction/low-budget kayfabe nature of Kool Kartoons makes pinning Koopa's Troopas down as humans (therefore making "Bowser's Minions" their primary page) or Koopa Troopas (putting them under "Koopa Troopa") really awkward (discuss)
This article is about the primary antagonistic force of the Super Mario franchise. For other uses, see Bowser's Minions (disambiguation).
"Team Bowser" redirects here. For other uses, see Team Bowser (disambiguation).
"Koopa Troop" redirects here. It is not to be confused with Koopa Troopa, Koopa clan, or Koopa Corps.
Bowser's Minions
Bowser and his Minions.
Artwork from Mario Portal
First appearance Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Latest appearance Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2025)
Species Koopas (primarily)
Leader Bowser
Members
Member species
“All right, people! Form ranks! Jagger, head of the shelled warriors! Wizakoopa, master of the hooded sorcerers! And last but not least, Goomhilde, grande dame of the groundling Goombas! This is our finest moment! Bowser's Minions are invincible! We shall be victorious! The bridge is down, but we'll find a way to get back in! Move out, on the double!”
—Bowser, Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)

Bowser's Minions, also known as the Koopa Troop,[1][2][3][4] Team Bowser,[5] and originally the Turtle Empire,[6] are the primary antagonistic force of the Super Mario franchise. They are an organization of armed forces led by Bowser. The Minions repeatedly try to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom and sometimes other areas, with their goals based mainly on Bowser's own interests. Koopas, such as Koopa Troopas and Hammer Bros, serve as the majority of the army's forces, although other species such as Goombas and Shy Guys are often minions as well. According to official character books, the army is led by the Turtle Tribe, with older material indicating the members of Bowser's "royal family" as leaders. In both Super Mario Pia and Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros., the "royal family" term is missing, and in general, the organization of Bowser's army is no longer explained, with the former reconfirming that the Turtle Tribe still leads it. As shown in New Super Mario Bros., Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, when Bowser is absent, Bowser Jr. takes leadership of the Minions. It is also implied in Paper Mario: The Origami King that Bowser Jr. has his own army within the Minions.[7]

Bowser's forces differ between appearances, though Goombas and Koopa Troopas consistently appear as the most common and basic troops. More elite troops of the organization consist of Hammer Bros and Magikoopas, among others. Aside from Bowser and Bowser Jr., other particular members have been shown to hold positions of authority and leadership within the organization's hierarchy. The most prominent examples include the Koopalings (particularly common in the case of the 2D platformers) and Kamek (especially in the case of the Yoshi franchise). Other species-specific leaders, such as Goomboss, King Boo, King Bob-omb, the Whomp King, and Petey Piranha, also exist within the Minions, still acting under Bowser.

On some occasions, Bowser has teamed up with others (such as Antasma in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team) to achieve a common goal, while on other occasions, the control of the army was forcibly taken by someone else (such as King Olly in Paper Mario: The Origami King). Instances of the latter usually have Bowser temporarily team up with Mario and his friends to regain control of the Minions.

Structure[edit]

Leaders[edit]

Bowser's Minions, as the name suggests, are primarily led by Bowser[8] himself, including as Baby Bowser (in the Yoshi franchise) and Dry Bowser, although the latter has also appeared separately as a boss in Mario Party: Island Tour. As Bowser's heir, Bowser Jr. also commands the Minions.[9] Directly below them are the seven Koopalings and Kamek, who acts as Bowser's adviser[10] and Bowser Jr.'s caretaker.[11] Both the Koopalings and Kamek are referred to as First officers in Bowser Jr.'s Journey, commanding other troops in the game.

Recurring bosses[edit]

Since Super Mario Bros. 3, various bosses have been associated with Bowser's army, often fought at the end of levels, or as area bosses in series such as the Paper Mario series or the Mario & Luigi series. The most common of those are Boom Booms. Other bosses are depicted as rulers of a certain group of enemies, while still working as Bowser's Minions. These include, for example, Petey Piranha and Piranha Plants, King Boo and Boos, and King Bob-omb and Bob-ombs.

Other characters shown to be in charge of groups of minions include Wizakoopa, Jagger and Goomhilde in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (and its remake), Kammy Koopa in Paper Mario and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (and its remake), Army Hammer Bro in Super Princess Peach and the Koopa General in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser, the Elite Captain Quartet act as leaders of units of minions in the field.

Other bosses
Reznors[n] • Koopa Bros.[i] • Tutankoopa[i] • Tubba Blubba[i] • Big Lantern Ghost[i] • General Guy[i] • Lava Piranha[i] • Huff N. Puff[i] • Crystal King[i] • Chief Chilly[f] • Giant Kamek[k] • Mummipokey[l] • Cheepskipper[l] • Boss Goomba[l] • Lakithunder[l] • King Kaliente[o] • Kamella[o] • King Lakitu[h] • Gobblegut[h] • Prince Pikante[h] • Boss Brolder[c] • King Ka-thunk[c] • King Hisstocrat[c] • Motley Bossblob[c] • Prince Bully[c] • Ruined Dragon[p] • Broodals[p] • Hoo[k] • Blizzaurus[k] • Madame Broode[p]
Footnotes
  1. ^ Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in fortresses in Super Mario Bros. 3
  2. ^ a b Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in airships in Super Mario 3D Land
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Super Mario 3D World
  4. ^ a b Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in New Super Mario Bros. U
  5. ^ a b Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Super Mario 64
  6. ^ a b c d e Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Super Mario 64 DS
  7. ^ a b c Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
  8. ^ a b c d Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Super Mario Galaxy 2
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Paper Mario
  10. ^ a b Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Super Mario Sunshine
  11. ^ a b c d e f Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Super Princess Peach
  12. ^ a b c d e Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in New Super Mario Bros.
  13. ^ Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Paper Mario: Sticker Star
  14. ^ Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Super Mario World
  15. ^ a b Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Super Mario Galaxy
  16. ^ a b c Appears as a boss under Bowser's command in Super Mario Odyssey

Enhanced minion bosses[edit]

Occasionally, some minions have appeared as bosses, generally after being enhanced by Kamek's magic (such as in the Yoshi franchise) or other means. These minions can sometimes look visually distinct from other minions, although often they are simply enlarged versions of them.

Enhanced minion bosses
Yoshi franchise
Burt the Bashful[a][b] • Salvo the Slime[a] • Bigger Boo[a] • Roger the Potted Ghost[a] • Naval Piranha[a][b] • Marching Milde[a] • Hookbill the Koopa[a] • Sluggy the Unshaven[a] • Raphael the Raven[a] • Tap-Tap the Red Nose[a] • Big Burt Bros.[c] • Gilbert the Gooey[c] • Big Bungee Piranha[c] • Hector the Reflector[c] • Bessie Bass[c] • Priscilla the Peckish[c] • Six-Face Sal[c] • Moltz the Very Goonie[c] • Big Beanie[d] • Count Fang[d] • King Clawdaddy[d] • Furious Fred de Fillet[d] • Punkey the Pokey Prince[d] • Big Montgomery[b] • Knot-Wing the Koopa[b] • Bunson the Hot Dog[b] • Miss Cluck the Insincere[b] • Snifberg the Unfeeling[b] • Yarrctopus[e] • Tin-Can Condor[e] • Burt the Ball[e] • Spike the Piranha[e] • Shogun of Skewers[e] • Gator Train[e] • Mr. Geary[e]
Super Mario series and Mario Party series
Mega Goomba[f][g] • Sledge Bro[f] • Mega Cheep Chomp[f] • Mega Blooper[f][g] • Mega Monty Mole[f][g] • Mega Mechakoopa[g] • Mega Dry Bones[g] • Mega Stingby[h] • Mega Rocky Wrench[h]
Footnotes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Appears in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Appears in Yoshi's Woolly World
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Appears in Yoshi's Island DS
  4. ^ a b c d e Appears in Yoshi's New Island
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Originally created from scrap material in Yoshi's Crafted World
  6. ^ a b c d e Appears in Mario Party 10
  7. ^ a b c d e Appears in Mario Party: Star Rush
  8. ^ a b Appears in Super Mario Party Jamboree

Recurring minions[edit]

The number of members in Bowser's army varies greatly between games, with many species appearing only a few times. However, there are a number of recurring minions who appear consistently throughout the franchise. These minions are often described as belonging to Bowser's army or can be found inside places directly controlled by it, such as Castles, Fortresses, Airships or similar structures.

Goombas[edit]

Related

Koopas[edit]