Parakoopa

Parakoopa is a winged variant of the Koopa Troopa in the Super Mario video game series. It is distinguished by a shell with attached wings, enabling the creature to fly or glide for short distances. The Parakoopa functions as an airborne enemy, often moving along platforms or drifting through the air in arcs to challenge players as they navigate levels. Its behavior varies by game, but it commonly changes from a flying phase to a grounded phase when it lands.

In combat, Parakoopas can typically be defeated by stomping them, which may cause them to retract their wings and become a normal Koopa Troopa or to retreat into a shell that can be kicked. In some titles they can be defeated or neutralized by using fire-based attacks or other projectiles. Depending on the game, their wings may also enable special attack patterns or higher platforming challenges, such as crossing gaps or threatening characters from above.

Parakoopas appear across many games in the Mario franchise, from early NES titles to later entries on modern consoles. Colors and flight patterns differ between games, with various wing colors or speeds affecting how they move and pose a threat. In some titles, the winged Koopa serves as a timed obstacle on aerial sections or on moving platforms, contributing to level variety and the platforming experience.

See also: Paratroopa, Koopa Troopa.