Red Shell

"Throw a red shell, and it will zero in on the enemy!"

- Penguin

Red Shells are red Koopa Troopa shells that frequently appear in various Mario games. They are the second most common shell, after Green Shells.

Super Mario Bros. / Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
The Red Shell's first appearance was in Super Mario Bros., where they are worn by Koopa Troopas. Red-shelled Koopa Troopas first appear in World 1-3; unlike the green-shelled Koopa Troopas, they do not fall off cliffs and simply turn around when reaching a ledge. Red Shells act in the same manner as Green Shells once kicked - they slide across the ground, defeating any enemies in their path until they are jumped on, travel far enough off-screen or fall down a pit. The player will take damage if they are hit by the moving shell.

In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Red Shells retain their previous behaviors.

Super Mario Bros. 2
Turtle Shells, also named shells or Koopa Shells, are the only type of shells found in Super Mario Bros. 2, where they replace the head-like objects known as "Big Face" (ビッグフェイス ) from Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic. They are plucked from the grass and can be thrown - the Shell will slide forward, defeating most enemies it hits, until it makes contact with a wall and disappears. With some difficulty, it is possible to actually get on top of the shells and ride them.

Super Mario Advance makes them larger (and thus take longer to pluck). They are also more similar to regular Koopa Shells, as they rebound off walls instead of disappearing, and hurt the player if they touch the shell's sides; a heart also appears for each enemy it defeats.

Super Mario Bros. 3
Red Shells returned in Super Mario Bros. 3. They function the same as in Super Mario Bros., but can now be carried and thrown, rather than just kicked. Super Mario Bros. 3 also introduces Giant Red Shells, worn by Red Giant Koopas.

Super Mario World
In Super Mario World, if Yoshi eats a Red Shell, he will spit out a trio of fireballs instead of the shell; Red Yoshi can use this ability from any shell color. Also, all Koopa shells can appear by themselves, including the Red Shell; stomping a Red Koopa Troopa out of its shell renders it a red Beach Koopa. A red or green Beach Koopa that enters a Red Shell becomes a Red Koopa Troopa.

Once Fall is unlocked by beating Funky in the original game, or by clearing all 96 exits in Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, all Red Shells become red-colored Mario masks, but otherwise function the same; many instances of Red Shells and Koopa Troopas are also replaced with Blue Shells and Blue Mask Koopas, though red variants of each can still be found.

New Super Mario Bros.
Red Shells appear once again in New Super Mario Bros.; as in Super Mario Bros. 3, they can be carried and kicked around as usual after stomping the Red Koopa Troopa into retreating inside it.

Super Mario Galaxy
Red Shells reappear in Super Mario Galaxy as an offensive weapon. Like the Green Shells in the game, Mario can only hold the Red Shell, not ride it. If Mario throws a Red Shell near an enemy, it will home in on that enemy until it hits something. Underwater, it allows Mario to swim faster and with greater ease, and can also be thrown at underwater creatures to home in on them as well. Gold Shells also appear in this game, and act like Red Shells when thrown.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Red Shells reappear in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, where they act the same as in New Super Mario Bros.

New Super Mario Bros. 2
Red Shells reappear again in New Super Mario Bros. 2, where they retain their behavior from the previous game. If the player runs through a Gold Ring with a Red Koopa Troopa nearby, they will turn Golden; stomping them into their shell and kicking or throwing it produces a trail of coins behind the shell.

New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Red Shells appear again in New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, where they retain their behavior from previous entries. Giant Red Shells also reappear.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
In Super Mario 3D World and its Nintendo Switch port Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, the standard green Koopa Shell turns red when Mario is inside it. Actual Red Shells appear in the second Boom Boom battle, where Boom Boom summons them to attack Mario and company while he uses his spin attack.

Mario Kart series
In the Mario Kart series, Red Shells (or Torpedo Shells ) are items that make their first appearance in Super Mario Kart. They have the ability to home in on the opponent in front on the user.

Red Shells can also appear in sets of three as well, and are usually a player-exclusive item, though they can be stolen by opponents using a Boo. When used, three Red Shells rotate around the driver's kart upon usage, which can protect them from Bananas and other items (except in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!). If a driver collides with another driver while using Triple Red Shells, the other drive will be hit by one of the shells; if both drivers have a set of Triple Green Shells or Triple Red Shells, both are lost.

In Super Mario Kart, they travel straight towards the racer in front of the user, homing in on them without following the road. Unlike Green Shells, they can not be dropped behind the user and must be thrown forward.

In Mario Kart 64, single Red Shells are obtainable from 1st to 5th place. Similarly to in Super Mario Kart, Red Shells can only be thrown forward in this game, but will now follow the road to hit the target racer. In this game only, Fake Item Boxes can be used to block incoming Red Shells.

In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, single Red Shells can be laid behind the player and act as a land mine, chasing after the first kart that passes by, even the user.

In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the Triple Red Shells are a Special item exclusive to Koopa Troopa and Paratroopa (and Petey Piranha and King Boo, who can obtain any special item). Also, in Double Dash!!, the three shells are carried in their hands rather than circling around the kart. When the kart is hit by an item, they are left with a single shell.

In Mario Kart DS Red Shells may hit the target kart from the side, which prevents any items behind the kart from blocking it. Single Red Shells are obtainable from 2nd to 6th place; Triple Red Shells are excluded from the Wi-Fi mode, as items cannot be equipped in that mode.

In Mario Kart Wii, Red Shells can also hit racers from the sides, and are obtainable from 1st to 8th place; if the player they were targeting was hit by something else, they will slow down until the player is vulnerable so they can hit properly.

In Mario Kart 7, Red Shells are able to trail in the sky and enter launcher passages (such as Barrel Cannons) to pursue flying racers; in previous games, Shells would simply fall when thrown in the air, and disappeared when they entered launching areas. Red Shells are obtainable from 1st to 5th place; Triple Red Shells are still player-only items, but the AI can use them if the "Shells Only" item setting is enabled.

In Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, they retain their properties from Mario Kart 7. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, they can now appear for AI racers as well; Red Shells also travel somewhat slower when they lock onto their target, allowing players to outrun them in 200cc.

In Mario Kart Tour, Red Shells appear as an item, with only the single variant available.

The following gliders in Mario Kart Tour increase the chance of getting Red Shells and points for hitting racers with one.

Mario Tennis series
Red Shells appear in the games Mario Tennis for the Nintendo 64 and Mario Power Tennis for the Nintendo GameCube and Wii. These Shells can be used during an Item Battle match, which can be obtained when the player hits an Item Box with the ball over the net. If the player hits the ball after receiving the item, a Red Shell comes out and chases the opponent.

In Mario Tennis Open for the Nintendo 3DS, a Red Shell is the emblem for the Shell Cup and appears on its trophy. A full tennis uniform-and-racket set with a design based on this item is available for Miis to use.

Yoshi
A Red Shell makes a small appearance in the NES version of Yoshi after the player clears level 4 of the B-Type game, rewarding the player 400 points.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island / Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Red Shells appear in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, where they are worn by Red Koopa Troopas. Yoshi can stomp the Koopas out of their shell and then use his tongue to grab it and spit it out; it behaves as it does in the mainline Mario games, but cannot be eaten to make eggs.

Yoshi's Island DS
Red Shells and the Koopa Troopas that wear them reappear in Yoshi's Island DS, where they retain their behavior from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.

Super Smash Bros. series
Red Shells also appeared in the Super Smash Bros. series, and could be found in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Unlike the Green Shell, which went in a straight path until it fell off, the Red Shell will "attach" to the platform it lands on, spinning back and forth and targeting nearby fighters (including the user) before disappearing after a short time.

Red-shelled Koopa Troopas appear in The Subspace Emissary in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Smash Run in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, and will retreat into their shells if hit enough; however, their shells function the same as Green Shells when thrown.

Paper Mario series
In the Paper Mario games, Red Shells are generally worn by enemy Koopa Troopas.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Red Shells appear in Paper Mario: Sticker Star as the shiny variant of Green Shells. Also, every Paratroopa in the game has a Red Shell on its back.

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the Red Shell is a Bros. Item that can be used to damage enemies. The brother that chooses the item will kick the Shell towards a foe; once it hits them and bounces off, it will slide towards the other bro, who must press their corresponding button to kick it back. Like the Green Shell Bros. Item, the Red Shell can be kicked back repeatedly, and moves faster with each kick. Unlike the Green Shell, it will automatically target a new enemy if one is defeated; it can also land more than 16 hits, and can be kicked indefinitely until one of the brothers misses or all enemies are defeated.

When the adult and baby Mario brothers fight together, the babies can sit on the shell; pressing their button upon hitting the enemy will perform a spin that increases damage for each hit.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
The Red Shell reappears as the first of Mario's Bros. Attacks in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, under the name 3D Red Shell. It costs 4 BP to use. The Attack Pieces to obtain the 3D Red Shell are found in Mushrise Park, and are required to proceed through the game. It can only target enemies on the ground like its counterpart, the 3D Green Shell, but will automatically target a new enemy if the targeted one is defeated.

Upon selecting the attack, Mario and Luigi will run into the foreground, where Mario will take out a Red Shell. Pressing has him kick it at one of the enemies; after it hits and rebounds, the player must then press  to have Luigi kick it back, and alternate between them for each kick. After the Red Shell hits nine times, Luigi will then spin the Red Shell towards Mario to blast it at their foe for the tenth and final hit; if all enemies are defeated before the attack ends, it will end prematurely.

Striking three, five, nine and ten times with the Red Shell will yield an "OK!", "Good!", "Great!" and "Excellent!" rating respectively.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
The 3D Red Shell returns in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, functioning the same as it did in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team. However, the move is now available from the beginning of the game, costs 3 BP instead of 4, and deals considerably more damages at the cost of being shortened to six hits. The speed of both the shell and the Bros. moving forward is also increased.

Striking one, three, five and six times with the Red Shell will yield an "OK!", "Good!", "Great!" and "Excellent!" rating respectively.

Mario Party 3
A Red Shell appears in Mario Party 3 in the minigame Ridiculous Relay. The first player in the group rows it using an oar.

Mario Party 9
Red Shells appear in Mario Party 9 in the Goomba Bowling minigame, where players must throw them at the Goombas.

Mario Strikers series
In the Mario Strikers series, Red Shells appear as items, and are obtainable in groups of three similar to the Mario Kart games; Giant Red Shells also appear. When thrown, Red Shells home in on a nearby opponent instead of sliding in a given direction; shells that miss their target will bounce around the stage like a Green Shell. A Giant Red Shell will home in on a target to flatten, bouncing around the stage as normal after. Red Shells are generally useful when clearing room for a Super Strike, a Mega Strike, or a Skillshot.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Red Shells appear during the Dream Race event in the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. The shells function similarly to those in the Mario Kart series, homing in on an opponent and causing them to lose speed if they are hit, although their effect can be blocked if the player is using a Shield. The shells also appear in Dream Long Jump, where they also cause the player to lose height, though they can be blocked by using a Shield or Starman. They appear in the Dream Canoe event with a similar function; the player who manages to hit another competitor with a Red Shell steals three of their coins. They come in sets of three, and can be avoided or blocked by using a Starman item.

Red Shells perform an almost identical function during the Dream Race in the Wii version, where they can be thrown forward and home in on opponents, causing them to lose speed when hit; they can be dodged using a Starman, invincibility from a Chaos Emerald or by jumping over them. Red Shells also appear as items in Dream Platform, where they will home in on an opponent and destroy any Brick Blocks between it and the target, and can be blocked by using a Barrier.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
In the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, Red Shells appear as items in Ski Cross Racing, Rocket Ski Jumping and Extreme Snowboarding, where they can be thrown forwards or backwards and will home in on the opponent closest to the player in that direction. Being hit by a Red Shell causes the character to lose speed and Rings in Ski Cross Racing, but can be blocked using a Barrier or Super Star; in Rocket Ski Jumping they will lose speed, height and energy, but can block the Red Shell using Super Stars and Barriers. In Extreme Snowboarding, the character is only knocked over when hit, but can block Red Shells using Super Stars and Barriers.

In the Wii version, Red Shells appear as items in Dream Alpine, Dream Ski Cross, Dream Snowboard Cross, Dream Short Track and Dream Bobsleigh, where they will home in on the opponent in front of the player and slow them down if they hit, but can be defended against using Shields and Super Stars. Red Shells also appear as an item in the Individual version of Dream Ski Jumping, where they will home in on an opponent and cause them to lose height, speed, 10 points and a Bonus panel if they are hit, but can be defended against using a Barrier. Red Shells also appear as items in Dream Curling, where they turn the curling stone into a Red Shell that homes in on the pins when thrown until it comes to a standstill. In the Individual and Team versions of Dream Gliding, Red Shells home in on the nearest opposing character and will knock them out of the sky if hit.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Red Shells appear as an item in several London Party minigames.

In the Nintendo 3DS version, the Red Shell and Green Shell appear on a badge that can be obtained from the badge machine.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Red Shells appear as items in Dream Racing. Like in the Mario Kart series, they home in on the racer in front of the user and hit them, which causes them to briefly spin out of control and drop several of their Rings. Unlike in the Mario Kart games, Red Shells hover slightly above the ground when used.

Mario Sports Mix
Red Shells also appear in Mario Sports Mix. When used normally, they'll chase after an opponent and temporarily knock out anyone in their path. When combined with a ball or puck, the object will travel a curved path at high speeds that can throw off opposing players.

Appearances in other media
In Monopoly Gamer, a Red Shell face is on the "Power-Up Die". A player who rolls the Red Shell normally can force any other player on the board to drop three Coins on their current space, which can be picked up by the next player who passes over or lands on that space. Some characters have a "Power-Up Boost" that enhances or changes this power.

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Triple Red Shells appear as special furniture that can be obtained randomly from fortune cookies. When interacted with, they continuously play the Red Shell alarm from Mario Kart DS. In Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, a single Red Shell can be obtained as a reward for catching five Eep Cheeps in Fishing Tourney #12, which began on March 14, 2019 as part of the Super Mario crossover event for Mario Day.

Super Mario Bros. 2

 * Wii Virtual Console manual bio: Throw these at your enemies.

Super Mario Maker

 * Play Nintendo: Many creative course designers have made elaborate set-ups where Mario races a shell along a parallel path to the finish.

Super Mario Kart

 * Wii Virtual Console manual bio: Fire a red shell, which will home in on the kart in front of you. It will not bounce off walls.

Mario Kart: Super Circuit

 * 3DS Virtual Console manual bio: If you shoot it out ahead of you, it will chase down the kart in front of you. If it hits, it will cause the vehicle to crash.

Mario Kart 7

 * Physical game manual bio: Homes in on the closest kart in front of you and knocks it over.
 * Digital instruction manual bio: Red Shells home in on the closest kart in front of you. if they hit it, the kart will flip over. Hold or  to equip a Red Shell, and then release  or  to throw it.
 * North American website bio: Hone in on your nearest foe with this heat-seeking shell. If you're close enough, a hit is practically guaranteed.

Mario Kart 8

 * Instruction manual bio: Red Shells lock on to and pursue the vehicle in front of you, knocking over the first driver they hit.

Mario Kart Tour

 * Tips & Tricks: Homes in on a kart in front of you and crashes whatever it hits. Keep it behind your kart to protect yourself from a single attack.
 * Mario Kart Tour Twitter: Item introduction: Red Shell Hones in automatically on a kart in front of you and crashes whatever it hits. This item is great for catching up to or overtaking an opponent. On the other hand, it sure can be scary when you're the one in the crosshairs! blue

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

 * Instruction manual bio: Kick a shell back and forth off the enemy to deal damage. Kick with for Mario and  for Luigi.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

 * Instruction manual bio: The brothers take turns kicking a red shell, dealing high damage to a single enemy.