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. It reappears once more in several tours 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 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. 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 high tide, or by 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 Other changes are that the Spiny Shell item box has now been replaced with a coin, and the crabs has been replaced by Sidesteppers.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.

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.

Mario Kart Tour
Koopa Troopa Beach returns in Mario Kart Tour, retaining its appearance from Mario Kart 7. 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, Peach (Vacation), Rosalina (Swimwear), Mario (Sunshine), and Gold Koopa (Freerunning). It is also a favorite of Toad and Hammer Bro if they are at level 6.

New York Tour
In the New York Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the first course and location of the bonus challenge in the Koopa Troopa Cup, the third course in the Baby Peach Cup, and the location of the bonus challenge in the Bowser Cup. Its R variant appeared as the first course in the Diddy Kong Cup, and its T variant appeared as the second course in the Dry Bowser Cup.



Halloween Tour (2019)
In the 2019 Halloween Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the third course in the Luigi Cup, the second course in the Yoshi Cup, and the location of the bonus challenge in the Morton Cup. Its R variant appeared as the first course in the Mario Cup, and its T variant appeared as the second course in the Diddy Kong Cup.



Winter Tour (2019)
In the 2019 Winter Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the second course in the Koopa Troopa Cup, the third course in the Baby Peach Cup, and the location of the bonus challenge in the Daisy Cup. Its R variant appeared as the first course in the Larry Cup, and its T variant appeared as the first course in the Morton Cup.



Ice Tour
In the Ice Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the first course in the Koopa Troopa Cup and the second course in the Baby Mario Cup. Its R variant appeared as the third course in the Larry Cup, and its T variant appeared as the second course in the Yoshi Cup, the first course in the Baby Luigi Cup, and the location of the bonus challenge in the Donkey Kong Cup.



Valentine's Tour
In the Valentine's Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the second course in the Koopa Troopa Cup, the first course in the Diddy Kong Cup, and the location of the bonus challenge in the Peach Cup and the Rosalina Cup. Its R variant appeared as the first course in the Toad Cup, and its T variant appeared as the second course in the Baby Rosalina Cup.



Vancouver Tour
In the Vancouver Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach's R/T variant appeared as the second course in the Pauline Cup and the third course in the Metal Mario Cup.



Hammer Bro Tour
In the Hammer Bro Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the second course in the Hammer Bro Cup and the location of the bonus challenge in the Toadette Cup. Its T variant appeared as the third course in the Yoshi Cup, and its Reverse variant appeared as the first course in the Luigi Cup.



Yoshi Tour (2020)
In the 2020 Yoshi Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the first course in the Donkey Kong Cup. Its R variant appeared as the first course in the Birdo Cup, and its T variant appeared as the second course in the Hammer Bro Cup.



Trick Tour
In the Trick Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the location of the bonus challenge in the Toad Cup. Its R/T variant appeared as the second course in the Koopa Troopa Cup.



Flower Tour
In the Flower Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the location of the bonus challenge in the Mario Cup. Its R/T variant appeared as the second course in the Yoshi Cup and the third course in the Pauline Cup.



Peach Tour
In the Peach Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the first course in the Baby Mario Cup and the location of the bonus challenge in the Roy Cup. Its R variant appeared as the second course in the Baby Peach Cup, and its T variant appeared as the third course in the Wendy Cup.



Marine Tour
In the Marine Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the first course in the Dry Bones Cup and the location of the tour's Coin Rush. Its R variant appeared as the first course in the Hammer Bro Cup, and its T variant appeared as the third course in the Wendy Cup.



Los Angeles Tour
In the Los Angeles Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach's R/T variant appeared as the second course in the Larry Cup.



Sunset Tour
In the Sunset Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the first course in the Metal Mario Cup and the location of the bonus challenge in the Fire Bro Cup. Its R variant appeared as the first course in the Hammer Bro Cup, and its T variant appeared as the second course in the Waluigi Cup.



Mario vs. Luigi Tour
In the Mario vs. Luigi Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach's R/T variant appeared as the first course in the Ice Mario Cup.



Cat Tour
In the Cat Tour, Koopa Troopa Beach appeared as the location of the bonus challenge in the Shy Guy Cup. Its R/T variant appeared as the first course in the Toad Cup.



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 (<tt>nokonoko_course</tt>) 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.