N64 Koopa Troopa Beach

Koopa Troopa Beach (transliterated as Noko Noko Beach on a few occasions ) is the third race course of the Mushroom Cup in Mario Kart 64. It is named after a 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 of the Banana Cup. It reappears once more in Mario Kart Tour, first appearing in the New York Tour.

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 returns in Mario Kart 7 as the first race of the Banana Cup, with its title shortened to Koopa Beach in the American English version. The track has received several major changes. Players can now fully drive underwater. The start-finish line has an additional rock cropping. The two shortcuts from the original have been merged into one. The player can access a Glide Ramp on top of an underwater area which leads to the cave shortcut via a mushroom during high tide, or with a good aerial trick during low tide. Additionally, the shortcut through the rock hill has been shortened. Other changes are that the Spiny Shell item box has now been replaced with a coin, and the crabs has been replaced by Sidesteppers. All the ramps now encompass Dash Panels, and can be used to perform Tricks after jumping off them. When the player crosses the finish line to start another lap, Lakitu is shown on the right side of the player, holding the lap count signs.

Mario Kart Tour
Koopa Troopa Beach returns in Mario Kart Tour, starting with the New York Tour. It retains its appearance from Mario Kart 7 and using the musical arrangement from that game as well. The rocks on the track are now a light shade of gray, and the Koopa rock is once again made more realistic. On the Trick and Reverse/Trick variants of the course, a Noshi is found in the bay. This course is a favorite of Koopa Troopa, Mario, Green Shy Guy, Blue Koopa (Freerunning), Peach (Vacation), Rosalina (Swimwear), Mario (Sunshine), Daisy (Swimwear), Mario (Golf), Gold Koopa (Freerunning), and the Peach Mii Racing Suit. It is also a favorite of Dr. Bowser if he reaches level 3, and Toad and Hammer Bro if they reach level 6.

As with other courses in the game, Koopa Troopa Beach has a reversed variant, a trick variant, and a reversed/trick variant referred to as Koopa Troopa Beach R, Koopa Troopa Beach T, and Koopa Troopa Beach R/T respectively, with the latter being added in the Vancouver Tour.

For this course's tour appearances, see List of N64 Koopa Troopa Beach tour appearances in Mario Kart Tour.

Additionally, SNES Koopa Beach 2 was renamed to SNES Koopa Troopa Beach 2 in this game, most likely to be consistent with the name of this track.

Mario Kart 64

 * Instruction manual bio: 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!


 * Webpage bio: 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.