Koopas

Koopas (once "the Koopa") are a category of turtle-like creatures, most of which form the Turtle Tribe or Koopa clan. There are many different types of Koopas, the most common being Koopa Troopas. Most Koopas operate in a hierarchy-based grouping system. Bowser is the leader of the Koopa Troop, which has invaded Mushroom Kingdom many times and has control over most of the Koopas in the Mario franchise, beginning in Super Mario Bros. where, according to an interpretation of the story of the Japanese game's manual during the English localization that saw Koopa (クッパ) as the name of the group of turtles instead of the name of Bowser, they were known for their "black magic." Said interpretation has since been rectified, with Koopa being acknowledged to be the Japanese name of Bowser, but the concept of Koopas as a group of turtles in the West remains, while Nintendo in Japan consistently refers to Koopa as the name of Bowser and to the Turtle Tribe (カメ族) as the group to which the various turtles belong. Many of these same Koopas are members of the Koopa Troop and have different tasks in the organization based on the abilities of their particular class. For example, Koopa Troopas tend to be assigned as basic foot soldiers alongside Goombas due to their lack of specialized offensive capabilities, while Magikoopas are often given advisory roles due to their magical abilities and gift of foresight.

However, not all Koopas are allied with Bowser. Some Koopas, such as the Koopa Troopas of Koopa Village, live peacefully inside the borders of the Mushroom Kingdom, while others, such as Koopa the Quick in Super Mario 64 and the Roving Racers in Super Mario Odyssey, simply hold no allegiance and operate independently.

Koopas in general are based on the Shellcreepers from Mario Bros., as evident by various enemies being tentatively named and designed after Shellcreepers in development documents of Super Mario Bros. Mario Mania indicates that Koopa Troopas and Koopa Paratroopas were previously Shellcreepers. At least one source, Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten, lists Shellcreepers among the Turtle Tribe while simultaneously stating that they are the roots originating the whole Turtle Tribe. Additionally, English versions of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U state that Koopas are apparently evolved from Shellcreepers, while the Japanese text exclusively mentions Koopa Troopas.

Mortal Kombat: Shinnok's Uprising[]

When Kung Lao questioned Aiko as to how she was "resistant" to the gem of Tetsurri, Zaterra's valuable treasure, she mentioned there were some Koopas assisting the heroes, from one of the realms that became anomalies by the rips in Earth's dimensional fabric; she remembered them vividly when she was younger. They chased after a portal to the Caribbean rainforest where the team met a fugitive boy escaping from Outworld! The kids got in trouble, and she pulled one out of a thornbush, thus never making contact with the gem, the boy's gift; this was like deja vu involving the attack on the Edenian Palace! Nightwolf destroyed the heart and that was the heroes' first encounter!