Kooper

The only blue-shelled Koopa in Paper Mario.
Kooper
Species	Koopa Troopa
Weaponry	Blue Koopa Shell
Debut	Paper Mario

Following advice from the sage Merlon, Mario and Goombario traveled to Koopa Village on their quest to recover the Star Rod, where they were instructed to find a Koopa with a blue shell. They found Kooper, the only blue-shelled Koopa in the village, who had had his shell stolen by the Fuzzies that had recently attacked. Mario and Goombario got the shell from the Fuzzies, and Kooper showed up just in time to help them with the ensuing battle. He volunteered to join Mario's party, hoping to be a great adventurer like his role model, Kolorado. Mario could kick Kooper at far-away switches or items to trigger or grab them, and also attack enemies.

Background

Kooper admires his neighbor Kolorado, having wanted to be an adventurer since he was an egg. He is excitable, but horribly embarrassed of being seen without his shell. He is also brave and confident in his abilities.

When Mario and Kooper met Kolorado earlier in Dry Dry Desert, the two had a chat leading to Kooper joining Kolorado's team of archaeologists after the Star Rod had been saved, but not before going to the celebration at Peach's Castle.

Gameplay

Kooper uses the Shell Toss to hit a switch.

Outside of battle, Kooper can duck into his shell and be kicked by Mario to get a preemptive strike against enemies or to grab items and hit switches on the other side of impassable gaps. While his shell can defy gravity, it can't pass through walls.

In battle, Kooper has the following attacks:

• Shell Toss - Kooper spins in place, then slides into the front enemy on the ground, similar to Mario's Hammer.
• Power Shell - For 3 FP, Kooper spins in place and then hits every enemy on the ground.
• Dizzy Shell - For 4 FP, Kooper whips up a tornado that can make all ground-bound enemies dizzy for a few turns.
• Fire Shell - For 5 FP, Kooper's shell will catch fire, then blaze through all ground-bound enemies. The only attack in Paper Mario that does fire damage.

Trivia

• Kooper has a secret admirer in Toad Town, though her identity was never given.
• If Mario kicks Kooper while standing underneath the Save Block outside of the Toad House in Toad Town, their sprites will merge when Kooper returns.
• Kooper has a Catch Card in Super Paper Mario, received on the thirtieth floor of the Flopside Pit of 100 Trials. It can be sold for 329 coins.
  • #242 "This is Mario's good buddy Kooper from Paper Mario. His Power Shell move was, and is, a thing of beauty."