Koopa the Quick

"Well, if it isn't Mario! Long time no see. You've put on a few pounds since I last saw you. Too much pasta and lounging, huh?"

- Koopa the Quick

Koopa the Quick is a giant Koopa Troopa that Mario can race twice for Power Stars in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. According to what he says, his home, which fits his size, is Tiny-Huge Island. After beating him in a race, he will be on that course somewhere, and then it will be possible to find him, jump on him, steal his blue coin, and then ride around on the Koopa shell that he drops. The secret to his speed in Tiny-Huge Island is his Koopa Mach 1 Sprint shoes, and in Super Mario 64 DS, they are Supa Troopa Koopa sneakers (from the Shells Inc. co.), which he spent all his cash on.

Il Piantissimo, a foot-racer in Super Mario Sunshine, later plays a similar role to Koopa the Quick. Later still in Super Mario Galaxy, the Spooky Speedster, and Cosmic Mario both act as racers like Koopa the Quick and Il Piantissimo.

Stages Where He Can Be Raced

 * Bob-omb Battlefield
 * Tiny-Huge Island

Trivia

 * In Bob-omb Battlefield, if Mario uses a cannon and/or flies to the goal, Koopa the Quick will tell him to not be cheating. As a result, Mario would automatically lose the race, but he doesn't lose a life for losing in Super Mario 64, nor its remake but in Super Mario 64 DS, the player can use the flying cap if he gets it before starting the race. Also, in Bob-omb Battlefield, he can use the warp spots.
 * Because Koopa the Quick is enthusiastic to race Mario in Super Mario 64 DS, he will not accept challenges from Yoshi, Luigi, or Wario, unless they disguise themselves first. If one of the aforementioned characters drop their hats and finish the race, Koopa the Quick will claim he is the winner, even though the player beat him.
 * Out of the three main races in the platformer games (these three being Koopa the Quick, Il Piantissimo, and Cosmic Mario), the Koopa the Quick race is the only one that does not force Mario to lose a life if he loses.
 * In Tiny-Huge Island, the player can squish Koopa the Quick if they are on the tiny side. He gives a Blue Coin.