Koopa Paratroopa
- "Paratroopa" redirects here. For the microgame in WarioWare: D.I.Y., see Paratroopa (microgame).
- Not to be confused with Paratroopea.
| Koopa Paratroopa | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Artwork from Super Mario Run | |||
| First appearance | Super Mario Bros. (1985) | ||
| Latest appearance | The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) | ||
| Variant of | Koopa Troopa | ||
| |||
- “Shell Shock Three, weapons free. Let's light him up. Over.”
- —Paratroopa, Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Koopa Paratroopas (also formatted as Koopa Para-Troopas and also known as Para-Koopas, Sky Troopas in the original Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Koopa Flying Troopers,[1] or commonly casually shortened to Paratroopas, also formatted as Para-Troopas) are enemies introduced in Super Mario Bros. They are Koopa Troopas with a pair of wings. Koopa Paratroopa commonly appear in two varieties: Red Koopa Paratroopas usually fly up and down in a set path, while Green Koopa Paratroopas often bounce in the player's general direction or fly back and forth. Koopa Paratroopas lose their wings if stomped, turning them into regular Koopa Troopas. Koopa Paratroopas are playable in various spin-off games, most of them wearing a red shell.
General information[edit]
Physical description[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas have an identical appearance to Koopa Troopa, save for the pair of wings with white feathers they wear on their shells. They are designed after tortoises, and were originally designed being a quadruped. Starting from Super Mario World, they have been given shoes to designate their new bipedal appearance, just as regular Koopa Troopas have gotten. Most artwork of Paratroopas have colored their shells red to further distinguish from regular Koopa Troopa, though multiple artwork of green-shelled Paratroopas exist. All playable appearances of a Koopa Paratroopa have been red-shelled, with some exceptions including the Super Mario Stadium games giving players the choice to choose different colors for the Paratroopa. The most common color for a Koopa Paratroopa's shell is red, with green being the second. However, there have also been less common colors such as blue, yellow, light-blue, light-green, orange, purple, black, and, on rare occasions, gold.
The most distinguishing feature of Paratroopas are their wings, which enable them to fly. These wings are not firmly attached to the Paratroopa's shells, with usually a single stomp getting rid of their wings and turning them into normal Koopa Troopas; this is further exemplified by the ability of simply adding wings to multiple objects in Super Mario Maker, Koopa Troopas included. The P-Wing's name Japanese name implies the item is a wing of a Koopa Paratroopa.
The shell color of the Paratroopa is additionally used to separate behavioral differences: green-shelled Paratroopas typically bounce around or fly left and right while red-shelled Paratroopas fly up and down; many exceptions are made to this rule, however. The Paratroopa's wing length differs from game to game, with Paratroopas in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Paper Mario, Yoshi's Island DS, and Super Princess Peach having very long wings, though the normal length for most games of the wings is rather short.
Color variations[edit]
Below is a list of Koopa Paratroopa colors and their first appearances.
| Image | Body color | Shell color | First appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Yellow / orange | Red | Super Mario Bros. |
|
Yellow / orange | Green | Super Mario Bros. |
|
Yellow / orange | Yellow | Super Mario World |
|
Yellow / orange | Gray | Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (as Sergeant Flutter) |
|
Yellow / orange | Cyan | Paper Mario (as Parakarry) |
|
Gray | Light blue | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (as Shady Paratroopa) |
|
Yellow / orange | Purple | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (as Dark Paratroopa) |
|
Yellow / orange | Blue | Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (as Koopa Paratroopa Trio) |
|
Yellow / orange | Gold | New Super Mario Bros. 2 (as Gold Koopa Paratroopa) |
Speech[edit]
In games where Paratroopas have a voice, Paratroopas mostly borrow their voice clips from Koopa Troopa's electronic ones. Initially, Paratroopa sounds identically to Koopa Troopa beginning with Mario Tennis for the Nintendo 64; Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is the first game to increase the pitch of its voice clips to distinguish from Koopa Troopa and has been the norm for Paratroopa ever since, with a few exceptions.
History[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario Bros.[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas appear in Super Mario Bros. They are depicted in green and red varieties, the former appearing teal in underground and castle levels. Red Koopa Paratroopas that always move vertically are first encountered in World 1-3, while the green type is first encountered in World 2-1. These ones either bounce around or fly in a horizontal direction.
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas return in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. They are depicted in the same varieties as before. Green Koopa Paratroopas are first encountered in World 1-1, while the red type debuts in World 1-3. Koopa Paratroopas are encountered in some of the underwater levels, with the green type appearing gray in the Family Computer Disk System release due to the hardware palette. Koopa Paratroopas are also in levels where jumping from them is required to make it across pits.
Super Mario Bros. 3 / Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas return in Super Mario Bros. 3. They are depicted in green and red varieties. Koopa Paratroopas are first encountered in World 1-1. They are have little difference from before. The game adds large variants, Colossal Koopa Paratroopas, and the P-Wing, a wing of a Koopa Paratroopa that fills the Power Meter for one level.
Super Mario World / Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas, also named Winged Koopa Troopas[2][3] or Flying Koopa Troopas,[4] return in Super Mario World and its reissue. They are depicted with the same two varieties plus a yellow variety, though there is no blue type corresponding to the blue Koopa Troopas; every Koopa Paratroopa is upright instead of quadrupedal, like Koopa Troopas. Koopa Paratroopas all wear Mario Bros. masks[5] during Fall, like with Koopa Troopas. Koopa Paratroopas are first encountered in Yoshi's Island 3. Green Koopa Paratroopas either jump in a horizontal direction, at varying heights, or fly in a direction. Red-shelled Koopa Paratroopas have a few more actions, sometimes now flying in a programmed left to right pattern or continuously in either direction. Yellow Koopa Paratroopas walk like Koopa Troopas while jumping over shells in front and chasing the player character. Jumping on them gets rid of their wings and turn them into regular yellow-shelled Koopas. Any Koopa Paratroopa is defeated instantly if stomped by Yoshi.
| Green | Red | Yellow |
|---|---|---|
|
|
New Super Mario Bros.[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas return in New Super Mario Bros. They appear in green and red varieties. Koopa Paratroopas are first encountered in World 1-4. Both types can bounce towards players and fly. Koopa Paratroopas are unresponsive to bah sounds.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas return in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. They appear in green and red varieties. Koopa Paratroopas are first encountered in World 1-4. They can sometimes appear in the boss fight against Magikoopa hitting platform units with his magic. Koopa Paratroopas are now responsive to the background music. Besides player characters, Koopa Paratroopa also loses its wings if stomped by Yoshi, unlike Super Mario World. A Koopa Paratroopa is defeated from a Ground Pound instantly.
New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]
Paratroopas return in New Super Mario Bros. 2. They appear in green and red varieties. Paratroopas are first encountered in World 1-3. Green Paratroopas have the ability to move in circles.
New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U[edit]
Paratroopas return in New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Luigi U, and their port. They appear in green and red varieties. Paratroopas are first encountered in Stone-Eye Zone of New Super Mario Bros. U and Dancing Blocks, Poison Swamp of New Super Luigi U. Paratroopas behave no differently than before.
Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[edit]
- Main article: Parabones
Paratroopas do not appear in Super Mario 3D World nor Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, though a skeletal variety, Parabones, was added.
Super Mario Maker series[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas are course elements in Super Mario Maker, its port, and Super Mario Maker 2. They appear in green and red varieties. Koopa Paratroopas are created by combining a Koopa Troopa with a pair of wings. Both variants behave similar to how they did in Super Mario Bros., with green Paratroopas leaping endlessly in a zig-zag pattern, and the red type flying up and down. Koopa Paratroopas become Big Koopa Paratroopas if given a Super Mushroom.
In Super Mario Maker 2, Koopa Paratroopas can be given a parachute; stomping on one will get rid of both the parachute and the wings at once. If a red Paratroopa with a parachute lands on ground, it will fly upwards slightly lower than Paratroopas placed on that same elevation. Because most enemies can still be given wings in the Super Mario 3D World style, Paratroopas can be placed there, with green ones in particular getting determined looks on their faces and shown to be scuttling their feet while jumping.
Super Mario Run[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas are enemies in Super Mario Run. They fly in either fixed horizontal or vertical directions. They only appear with red shells in this game. Stomping on one kicks the shell immediately, instead of only removing the wings and leaving it a Red Koopa Troopa as in other games. They first appear in Paratroopas in Mushroom Valley.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder[edit]
Both red and green varieties of Koopa Paratroopas return in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. They function the same as in previous games.
Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen![edit]
Paratroopas appear in Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!. Several of them fly out of a television screen while Mario plays the Family Computer. A colossal-sized Paratroopa also appears.
DIC cartoons[edit]
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show![edit]
- “I knew I shoulda joined the Paratroopas. They get parachutes.”
- —Koopa Troopa, "Flatbush Koopa"
Koopa Paratroopas only appear in the episodes "King Mario of Cramalot" and "Princess, I Shrunk the Mario Brothers" of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! In "King Mario of Cramalot," they drop a net on top of Mario, Luigi, Toad, Princess Toadstool and Mervin. The Koopa Paratroopas are based off the show's Koopa Troopa design, except that they are depicted in shades of red while having wings similar to a bee's, rather than their usual feathered ones. Much like the Koopa Troopas that appeared in that same episode, the Koopa Paratroopas are dressed up as knights to fit the medieval setting of Cramalot. In "Princess, I Shrunk the Mario Brothers," when the Koopa Troopas are shrunk, one that is jumping is a Koopa Paratroopa.
Additionally, in "Flatbush Koopa," after falling off a roller coaster and into Lower New York Bay, a Koopa Troopa mutters that he wishes that he had joined the Paratroopas, claiming that they have received parachutes.
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas are background characters in the episode "Do the Koopa" of The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3. They resemble their in-game design more closely than in the previous show. The Koopa Paratroopas dance in the Doomship's cargo hold.
Super Mario World: Mario to Yoshi no Bōken Land[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas are summoned with Monty Moles by Iggy in Super Mario World: Mario to Yoshi no Bōken Land. They are defeated from Yoshi's Fire Breath.
Club Nintendo[edit]
A Koopa Paratroopa is a minor character in the story "Marios Rückkehr" of Club Nintendo. It turns Raccoon Mario into regular Mario after crashing into him.
Nintendo Adventure Books[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas are enemies in Koopa Capers. Some of them can be fought by Luigi while ascending stairs leading to Wendy's secret camp.
Super Mario Adventures[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas are antagonists in Super Mario Adventures. They appear in red and green varieties. Koopa Paratroopas appear during the onslaught at the start. Some Koopa Paratroopas (incorrectly identified by Luigi as Mecha-Koopas) are sent out by King Koopa to attack the Mario Bros. The Paratroopas are fought off by Mario while Yoshi eats them.
Yoshi franchise[edit]
Yoshi's Safari[edit]
Koopa Para Troopas[6] are enemies in Yoshi's Safari. They appear in four aesthetic varieties: green, yellow, blue, and pink. There is a discrepancy on the box art, where they are depicted as barefooted, but have shoes in-game. Koopa Para Troopas hover up and down slightly while approaching the screen. They are defeated from a single shot from the Super Scope.
Yoshi series[edit]
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island / Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3[edit]
Para-Koopas[7] are enemies in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and its reissue. They are first encountered in Visit Koopa And Para-Koopa, along with Koopa Troopas, and both are common enemies. Para-Koopas appear in their green and red varieties. They can be inserted into a Yoshi's mouth, in which case they lose their wings and become Koopas, but not eaten. Green Para-Koopas hop and the red type travels back and forth. In the Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 Player's Guide's Enemy Encyclopedia section, Para-Koopas are listed under the "Harrassimentia Phlyoverus" subheader.[8]
Yoshi's Island DS[edit]
Para-Koopas[9] return in Yoshi's Island DS. Both the green and red varieties return, and they were given a larger body and a much lighter outline. Para-Koopas are first encountered in Rock 'n' Fall, and are part of the Ground Exhibit of the Island Museum.
Yoshi’s New Island[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas return in Yoshi's New Island. They are first encountered in Koopa Canyon. Koopa Paratroopas are no different than before.
Yoshi's Woolly World / Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas reappear in Yoshi's Woolly World and its port Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World. Due to the game depicting the characters, locations, items as being made of yarn, hence the title, their wings become outlines of yarn, and the beige part of their shells is replaced with a white button. When they are hit by a yarn ball, they become Koopa Troopas just as in previous games; they first appear in Knot-Wing the Koopa's Fort. Knot-Wing the Koopa is a boss which appears several times throughout Yoshi's Woolly World. Knot-Wing has the appearance of a large Koopa Paratroopa—however, he has the ability to regain his wings after losing them.
Hotel Mario[edit]
Flying Koopas[10] are enemies in Hotel Mario. Flying Koopas are depicted in only the green variety. They are first encountered in Lemmy's High-ate Regency Hotel. They travel in a diagonal motion. The game adds a stronger variant named Z Koopas.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[edit]
Paratroopas, named Sky Troopas in the original, are enemies in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and its remake. They are encountered in Mushroom Way, Bandit's Way, and Booster Pass. Paratroopas are all depicted wearing red shells. They do not lose their wings when hit. Pararoopas attack by ramming their opponent while hiding in their shell.
In Mushroom Way, some Paratroopas guard treasure boxes while others actively pursue Mario. One Paratroopa even kidnaps Toad. In battle, Paratroopas either fight alone or in pairs. At Mushroom Way and in Booster Pass, Paratroopas also aid Spikeys in battle if the Spikeys are attacked. Four Paratroopas can be fought in Bandit's Way while Mario chases Croco through the last area of the level. They fly high in the sky and do not actively pursue Mario, therefore he has to jump if he wants to fight them. After Croco is defeated, these Paratroopas disappear and do not return for the rest of the game.
One prominent Paratroopa featured in the game is Sergeant Flutter, a reformed Koopa who leads a large squad of friendly Paratroopas. These Paratroopas help out Mario in his quest for the Star Pieces at the behest of Monstermama, the leader of Monstro Town. These Paratroopas assist Mario in ascending the steep cliff located at the end of Land's End, allowing him to reach Bean Valley and eventually Nimbus Land. Mario accomplishes this by jumping from Paratroopa to Paratroopa, each Paratroopa carrying Mario higher into the air and closer to the next Paratroopa. If Mario scales the cliff quickly by bypassing the normal sequence of Paratroopa hops, he is rewarded with prizes.
The Paratroopa has a bulky relative called a Big Troopa, which in turn are related to the Grand Troopas. Paratroopas also have stronger relatives called Malakoopas. These Paratroopas have a green shell instead of a red shell. Standard Koopa Troopas are absent from the game.
The original localized name of the Paratroopas was reused in the Nintendo Switch version as a wrong answer to one of Dr. Topper's quiz questions.
Game & Watch Gallery series[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas are enemies in some of the Modern versions of Game & Watch games in Game & Watch Gallery 2 (where they are called Para Troopas in the cast roll). A Para Troopa in Helmet throws obstacles in the first area, including Spiked Balls, Podoboos, and hammers. Para Troopas are amongst the enemies to defend the Yoshi Eggs from in Vermin. Para Troopas appear in the Modern Donkey Kong in both Game & Watch Gallery titles. They later cameo as background elements in the modern version of Fire in Game & Watch Gallery 4.
Mario Golf series[edit]
- “One of the three sacred trees on the course is in trouble. Sounds like a lightning strike split it right down the middle! Wow, imagine being out there when it happened. I don't think I'd ever golf again!”
- —Koopa Paratroopa, Mario Golf: Super Rush
Paratroopas mostly have minor roles in the Mario Golf series. Paratroopa's name occasionally appears on the score card in Mario Golf. A red Paratroopa waves the O.B. flag in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour. Koopa Paratroopas are non-playable characters in the Golf Adventure mode of Mario Golf: Super Rush, being encountered in Bonny Greens and Ridgerock Lake.
A Paratroopa is an unlockable playable character in Mario Golf: World Tour. It has a straight trajectory at 207 yards. Paratroopa has higher control and sweet spot stats, and it hits the ball at the middle height. Paratroopa has a slightly higher drive than Peach. Paratroopa is unlocked by collecting 50 Star Coins in Challenge Mode. A green Paratroopa is one of the enemies hit by Mario and Gold Mario during their animation from earning an eagle or a higher rating.
Mario Tennis series[edit]
Mario Tennis[edit]
A red-shelled Paratroopa is a playable character for the first time in Mario Tennis. Paratroopa is first seen in the intro, losing a tournament match to Luigi. It is billed a Tricky character, having a high spin and curve to its shots whilst having a low reach.
Mario Power Tennis[edit]
Paratroopa is an unlockable playable character in Mario Power Tennis. It is depicted wearing a red shell. Paratroopa is billed a technique player. Paratroopa has the longest lunge whilst still having the lowest reach. Its Offensive Power Shot is Energy Ball, which conjures a tornado to spin out the opponents, and its Defensive Power Shot is Sky Dive, where Paratroopa dives to the ball. Paratroopa is unlocked after clearing every World Open cup in Doubles. Paratroopa appears in the singles tournament ceremony, attempting to retrieve a trophy from Waluigi, but his shell is attached to a fishing pole by Wario. Paratroopa inadvertently rams into Waluigi, after Toad had cut the fishing line, and catches the trophy. Paratroopa appears in a blooper reel, wandering on the scene accidentally and being stared at by Wario, Waluigi, and Bowser before the three of them laugh.
Mario Tennis Aces[edit]
Koopa Paratroopas are audience members in the base game of Mario Tennis Aces and a playable character since the version 2.0.0 update. Prior to being announced, Koopa Paratroopa's emblem had been seen on a bag available as a preorder bonus in Japan.[11] The playable Paratroopa wears a red shell like before. It was originally unlockable from completing the November 2018 online tournament but became available later when the tournament ended.[12] Koopa Paratroopa is billed as a Technical character. He has a strong curve on his slice moves.[13] Koopa Paratroopa has a sideways Trick Shot named Koopa Boost, which resembling his lunge from Mario Power Tennis, and a forward Trick Shot named Roll Call. Paratroopa's Special Shot is the Spiral Special, in which he and two