Koopas are a species of turtles that is a very common sight. Most Koopas used to walk around on all four legs way back when, but after a bit almost all Koopas walk on 2 legs. In the past they were known as Shell Creepers.
Most Koopas are part of the Turtle Tribe, a tribe that has had beef with the Mushroom Kingdom for a long time. The Koopa Troopas all adore their leader Bowser.
Side note Koopas also can have hair, but Bowser makes his Troopas shave.
These melee units of the Koopa Troop may look innocent, and some are also timid. But they are not to be underestimated, Koopas use a variety of methods to hurt their opponents. Koopas will the bite their opponents, bunting them, charge into & hurt them with chest bump, and even hurl themselves using power or dizzy shell to harm their opponents.
However, the downsides include being rather slow as they are weighed down by their shells. Most Koopas retract into their shells when stomped on to protect themselves, some are flipped on their back and struggle to get up, others end up being kicked of their shells and try to immediately reenter it. Now it's unknown why the latter happens sometimes, but it is believe it has to do with the type of shell.
Koopa Shells are manufactured, likely produced by the same people that make the Strike Equipment Shells for Mario Kart. Custom-made Koopa Shells can be ordered by Koopas, in order that they may have a shell that better fits them.
Koopa Shells depending on the model and color can serve as pseudo power-ups. This is some like the Blue Shell are power-ups, and others such as the ones used in Bowser's invasion of Dinosaur Land gave the Yoshis status effects. Some shell can also be ridden on, or even in by others and will even change color to suit the wearer.
Speaking of colors, Koopa shells come in a variety of colors with the most common being red and green. Other colors a shell can come in is a dark greenish-blue, dark blue, golden, purple, black, light blue, and magenta. There is also the most rare color changing shell of the Invincible Koopa, by far the most powerful of the Koopa shells. A small note is those who wear Red shells constantly wander and are considered the weakest of the Troopas.
Koopas themselves are almost universally yellow in scale color with few exceptions. Some are occasionally light, blue, reddish orange, and pink.
One final thing on shells is Koopas are also known to polish and wax their shells.
While many Koopas march around looking for trouble, not all Koopas are evil or are aligned with Bowser overall. You have the Koopas of Koopa Village like Kolorado and Kooper who are subjects of Peach, you have the Koopas of Rogueport, Koopa the Quick, the Roving Racers, Kylie Koopa, Koopa who is friends with Toad, and the Koopas form Mario Land.
Some more things to note is Goombas have a long-held fear of Koopa Troopas, and Koopas are rumored to know the Para-Biddybud's weakness. Also, the Koopa Troopa Shoe Shop is a place where Koopas buy their shoes.
Now it's a commonly held belief Koopas are the same species as Bowser, and other turtles like Lakitus and Hammer Bros. are Koopas. This is not the case, the likes of Lakitus, Spinys, Hammer Bros., and other turtles are not Koopas or a species of Koopa. Bowser himself is also not a Koopa, but a different species of turtles. Koopas are their own thing, but they do have some close relatives. These include the Eggshell Koopa, the Nokobon, and the Snortoise.
Outside of that, there is some variants of the Koopas.
Koopa Paratroopas are a variant of the Koopas with a harmony of a heavy shell and light wings. Green Shell Parakoopas are more aimlessly than their Red Shell counterparts, and are actually a bit weaker than them. But they make up for that by being pretty quick flyers.
As flying units of the Koopa Troop they have more aerial based methods of attack. This include a cranium crush attack, and a ramming attack which they don't like the impact sound of as it reverberates inside their shells. Outside of that they all have the same shell colors can capabilities of your standard Koopa.
Of course a single good stomp on them will cause them to loose their wings, and drop to the ground becoming a normal Koopa.
Also, they are know to be strong against Spear Guys and other enemies that wield spears.
Troopeas strongly resemble and are likely a close relative of the Koopa Troopas. Troopeas overall are from the Beanbean Kingdom, and have a bean sprout coming out of their head which differentiates them from Koopas. The leaves on their heads are apparently good luck. Troopeas have blue shells and their para counterpart is the Paratroopea. The Elite Troopeas have a red shell and are a bit stronger than the blue shell ones, and they are very proud of the vibrant color of their shells. Their para counterparts are the Scaratroopeas.
Big Koopas are simply Koopas that have been made big either through magic or eating a Super Mushroom. Others from simply eating a lot, which apparently results in them becoming shell-wax models. The most well known big Koopa is actually Hookbill Koopa.
On a power-up related note, Cat Koopas are simply Koopas who have used a Cat Bell to power up.
Dry Bones are the mummified skeletal remains of Koopas, which is animated by their own spirit. Their bony bodies are calcium deficient, which results in them easily falling apart when jumped on. However, they can rise back up soon afterwards with ease.
They are very resistant to fire, however if hit by hot enough flames they won't rise again. The same goes for a well done explosion.
Dry Bones normally attack out right, or throw bones at their opponents. Them throwing bones is why they are classified as ranged units within the Koopa Troop. These undead Koopas can also learn some magic and send out curses.
Dull, Red, and Dark Bones are all variants of Dry Bones that don't have any real difference outside of their different strengths.
Dry Bones are also known for creating more friends to aid them in they feel out numbered, or in their allies fall in battle.
Dry Bones don't like falling apart, and they hate loosing to Koopa Troops. They also have a bit of a dislike towards fire.
The Koopatrol are Koopas within Bowser's army which are the highest ranked guards of Bowser's Castle. They wear heavy spiked metal armor to protect themselves, from anyone who thinks about jumping on them. Said spikes they sharpen every day. The only major downside to this armor is it makes them not well suited for aquatic missions.
They are known to rush and tackle their opponents, and overall usually feel no remorse.
Most Koopa Troopas dream of one day becoming a Koopatrol.
Dark Koopatrols are tougher than the standard Koopatrol minion, and they give out more devastating blows when attacking.
Written by Eris the Lorekeeper
