Koopalings

The (also known as in Japan and Europe or in Japan) are a fictional group of seven childlike characters in the ''Mario'' video game franchise by Nintendo. Their individual names are Larry Koopa, Morton Koopa Jr., Wendy O. Koopa, Iggy Koopa, Roy Koopa, Lemmy Koopa, and Ludwig von Koopa. Originally depicted as the children of the series antagonist Bowser, they first appeared in 1988 game '' Super Mario Bros. 3''. They have since appeared in subsequent ''Super Mario'' games and spin-off games.

They have made several appearances in other media, most notably in the animated series '' The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3'', which features entirely different names for the Koopalings (referred to as Koopa Kids) due to them not having had official names at the time of its production phase.

Concept and creation

The Koopalings first appeared on a sketch by Yoichi Kotabe and Takashi Tezuka whose aim was finding a definitive redesign of Bowser for the Family Computer Disk System version of '' Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''. Most of the Koopalings are distinguished by their wild punk hairstyles. The first names of the Koopalings would later be adapted for the Japanese version of ''Super Mario World'', which was released a few months after the North American release of ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. However, the Koopalings received a set of different names in the DiC-produced '' The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3'' animated series, as they were still unnamed when the show was in production.

The Koopalings were originally intended to be Bowser's children, as was mentioned in Japanese ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' instruction books as well as early materials. Subsequent official sources also confirmed that they were his offspring. This portrayal was generally accepted by both Japanese and western gamers and media for a long time. After Bowser Jr. was introduced, the Koopalings went on a six-year hiatus after '' Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'', only to return in '' New Super Mario Bros. Wii''. Contrary to early commentary, Shigeru Miyamoto later stated in 2012 that "our current story is that the seven Koopalings are not Bowser's children. Bowser's only child is Bowser Jr., and we do not know who the mother is." According to the North American website for '' New Super Mario Bros. U'', the Koopalings are also siblings.

Most of the Koopalings were named by Dayvv Brooks, then-translator at Nintendo of America, after celebrities, mainly musicians, save for Larry who was so named because, according to Brooks, "He just looked like a Larry... There's no real-world equivalent—he's not Larry Mullen Jr. from U2 or Larry King", contrary to popular belief.

Appearances

''Super Mario'' series

The Koopalings appear in the ''Super Mario'' series. In each game, the Koopalings each serve as the main boss character fought by Mario or Luigi at the end of each individual world. Their first appearance was in '' Super Mario Bros. 3'', released in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, where they each conquer one of seven kingdoms by stealing its king's magical wand and using it to transform him into an animal or plant. The Koopalings then appeared in the 1990 Super Nintendo Entertainment System game ''Super Mario World'' holding Yoshis captive in eggs at each of their respective castles in Dinosaur Land.

The Koopalings were absent from subsequent ''Super Mario'' games until the release of '' New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' for the Wii in 2009, which marks their 3D debut, and most of them having slight design changes from their original appearances. They appear again in '' New Super Mario Bros. 2'' for the Nintendo 3DS and '' New Super Mario Bros. U'' for the Wii U, along with its DLC '' New Super Luigi U'', both released in 2012. The Koopalings returned in the combined remake of ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' and ''New Super Luigi U'', titled '' New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe'' for the Nintendo Switch. All seven appear in the version 3.0 update of '' Super Mario Maker 2'', each with their own attack style. They can be used in all game styles except for ''Super Mario 3D World''.

Spin-off games

The Koopalings have appeared as boss characters in the spin-off ''Mario'' games '' Yoshi's Safari'', ''Mario Is Missing!'', and ''Hotel Mario'', released from 1992 to 1994 on various platforms. In the 2003 Game Boy Advance video game '' Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'' and its 3DS remake, the Koopalings serve as bosses in Bowser's Castle, the last area of the game. In ''Mario Kart 8'' for the Wii U in 2014, the Koopalings made their debut as playable characters for the first time, continuing their playable appearances in '' Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' for the Nintendo Switch and in '' Mario Kart Tour'' on mobile. In '' Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U'' and '' Super Smash Bros Ultimate'', each of Bowser Jr.'s seven alternate costumes replace him with one of the Koopalings, with each one fighting from atop the Junior Clown Car. They appear once again in '' Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam'', released in 2015 for the Nintendo 3DS, in which they all once again carry out roles as bosses. In '' Paper Mario: Color Splash'', the Koopalings appear for the first time in a ''Paper Mario'' game; each one must be defeated at the end of a world, while Roy is fought early in the game's final level. The Koopalings also appeared in '' Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey'' as playable characters in Bowser Jr.'s Journey mode.

Koopa Kid

A separate character also called "Koopa Kid", but not part of the "Koopalings", appeared in the first seven ''Mario Party'' games, and was playable in ''Mario Party 4'', ''5'' and ''6''. This character was previously known as "Baby Bowser" in earlier ''Mario Party'' games, and as "Mini Bowser" in PAL regions. In ''Mario Party 5'', there were a trio of Koopa Kids.

In other media

The Koopalings made their first animated appearance in the '' Amada Anime Series: Super Mario Bros.'' OVA series, released in 1989. In the animated cartoon series '' The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3'' produced by DIC Entertainment, the Koopa Kids were given different names based on their given personalities. From oldest to youngest, they are Bully Koopa (Roy), Big Mouth Koopa (Morton), Kooky von Koopa (Ludwig), Cheatsy Koopa (Larry), Kootie Pie Koopa (Wendy), and Hip and Hop Koopa (Lemmy and Iggy respectively). After this, they appear in another animated cartoon series ''Super Mario World'' with the same names, though they more closely resemble their portrayals in the video games. Aside from their names and personalities, they look slightly different and serve their father King Koopa (as Bowser was called in the series) differently compared to their video game counterparts. Instead of their subordinate role, they act directly as his children, as they refer to him as "King Dad", and do things such as seek his attention, and even plot against him. They would also appear in the Nintendo Adventure Books and comic books, wherein they use their official names and designs closer to the games. In the ''Super Mario Bros.'' film (1993), a character named after Iggy Koopa appears as one of King Koopa's henchman and cousins.

Reception

Since their appearance in '' Super Mario Bros. 3'', the Koopalings have had mixed reception. Their popularity amongst fans led to them being reused for the Super NES sequel, ''Super Mario World''. Nintendo Power listed each Koopaling as one of the reasons to love Nintendo, describing them as some of Nintendo's most beloved villains. They cited their eccentric designs for the quality of their personalities. The Koopalings were named the 19th best Mario villains by GameDaily. GamesRadar editor Henry Gilbert described the battle at the end of each world in ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' as a "special affair"; he also praised them for adding variety to the series compared to '' Super Mario Bros.'', which featured Bowser as the last boss of each castle. IGN editor Lucas M. Thomas echoed these sentiments, stating that the Koopalings brought their own looks, mannerisms, and methods of attack. Specifically, he described the battle with Lemmy Koopa in ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' as unique and memorable, while also describing Ludwig von Koopa's battle in ''Super Mario World'' as distinct from the others. In another article he listed the Koopalings as one of the characters he wants in ''Mario Kart 7'', especially Wendy O. Koopa. Fellow IGN editor Jesse Schedeen featured the Koopalings in the "Big Boss of the Day" feature, describing them as popular bosses in video games.

Joystiq editor James Ransom-Wiley called their reappearance in '' New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' a welcome addition, stating that it should boost the quality of the bosses. Fellow Joystiq editor JC Fletcher described them as a draw for ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' for some fans, also praising the three-dimensional designs of the Koopalings. During an interview with ''Super Mario Galaxy'' director Yoshiaki Koizumi, Electronic Gaming Monthly noted that they were hoping for the Koopalings to return in it. Destructoid editor Conrad Zimmerman stated that the Koopalings were his favorite characters from ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', and added that with regard to the musical references in the Koopalings' names, he doubted that anything similar would be seen in this day and age. GameSpy editor Ryan Scott listed the Koopalings as one of the reasons why ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' and ''Super Mario World'' were quality video games. He also praised ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' for the inclusion of the Koopalings. The GameSpy staff listed the Koopalings as some of their favorite bosses, stating that they have much more charm than their "dopey successor", Bowser Jr.

References

{{Super Smash Bros. series

Anthropomorphic video game characters
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