koopa

Koopa is a fictional turtle-like humanoid species in Nintendo's Mario video game franchise. Koopas are among the series' recurring antagonists, typically led by Bowser, the king of the Koopa Kingdom. The term Koopa is used for the species as a whole as well as for its common subtypes, most notably Koopa Troopa, the ground-dwelling soldier, and Koopa Paratroopa, the winged variant capable of flight.

Biology and abilities: Koopas are bipedal, reptile-like creatures with a hardened shell on their back. Color variants are common, and some individuals wear wings. They retreat into their shells when attacked, and players can use shells as weapons by striking them to send them rolling. Winged Koopas can fly and often serve as airborne obstacles.

In the series: Koopas first appeared in Super Mario Bros. (1985) and have since appeared in most mainline Mario games and many spin-offs, including Mario Kart. The two best-known subspecies are Koopa Troopa and Koopa Paratroopa; the Koopalings are a related group of Bowser's children who appear in various titles.

In other media: Bowser is depicted as the leader of the Koopa army, and the term Koopa is used to refer to the species in manga, comics, and the 2023 film The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Koopas are widely recognized as iconic elements of the franchise and of platforming video games.