N64 Koopa Troopa Beach

Koopa Troopa Beach (known as Koopa Beach in the American English version of Mario Kart 7) is the third race course in the Mushroom Cup of Mario Kart 64. It is named after the giant Koopa Troopa rock formation seen when the race begins. The track is the first in the game Mario Kart 64 to feature an explicit shortcut available without the use of an item. The course reappears as a Retro Course in Mario Kart 7 as the first track in the Banana Cup.

Course layout
The track starts out next to water. After rounding the first corner racers will pass the giant Koopa shaped rock on one side or the other and follow the water around the next turn. After the turn players will come to the first of many ramps.

After going off the ramp the racers will pass under a rock formation to a group of ramps. On the last ramp a secret cave shortcut exists. Players need to use a Mushroom or hop to gain access to the shortcut, however some can manage to pass without a speed boost. The race track also has another minor shortcut. Before the overheard rock formation and the numerous ramps, the player can take a sharp right to find a small pathway partially submerged by water. After another turn racers will come to a big, narrow ramp which can access an Item Box on top of a large rock. This Item Box also contains only a Spiny Shell. However, racers can also just pass this rock and drive by a waterfall (the exit to the shortcut). In the final stretch, the course is almost completely submerged by water which drivers must go through. Next to the finish line are Crabs who serve as obstacles.

Mario Kart 7
Koopa Troopa Beach appears as one of the Retro Courses for Mario Kart 7 as the first track in the Banana Cup. The track has received several major changes. Players can now fully drive underwater. The start-finish line has an additional rock cropping. Also, the two shortcuts from the original have been merged into one, with the ramp containing a glider panel, and can only be accessed with a mushroom during the first and third laps, or by a good aerial trick on the second lap. Additionally, the shortcut through the rock hill has been shortened. Another change is that the Spiny Shell item box has now been replaced with a coin. All the ramps now encompass Dash Panels, and can be used to perform Tricks after jumping off them.

In the American English version of the game, the name of the track is shortened to Koopa Beach, making it the only Retro Course in the series to have a different name from the original. It is still named Koopa Troopa Beach in the British English version, however.

Official descriptions
Mario Kart 64 manual: ''This course was named for the giant rock that can be seen right after the starting line. There are jumps, a fork in the road, and even a shortcut. There is no best route; it all depends on the situation you find yourself in at the time. Watch out! If you hit one of the crabs right before the goal, you'll crash!''

Mario Kart 64 webpage: A ride on the beach with a cool shortcut.

Trivia

 * A track having the same name (nokonoko_course) was supposed to be featured in Mario Kart DS, but was removed. The track is still in the game's files, but is unplayable without an Action Replay (no textures) or ROM Hacking (with textures).
 * In Sunshine Airport from Mario Kart 8, a pair of the Koopa Troopa rock formation from this track can be seen in the background from the second glider ramp back to the airport.