The Koopa Troop, also referred to as the Koop Troop, Turtle Tribe, the Koopa Clan, or Bowser's Minions, is a military dictatorship led by Bowser and serves as the main antagonistic faction in the Super Mario franchise. Bowser wants them to help him take over the world and the Mushroom Kingdom. They are quite large in numbers, which many different species make up. The Koopa Troop fought on land, and had a small amount of ships to fight in water, and they also had an armada of Airships, which, shown in Super Mario Galaxy, could also function in space conditions of different galaxies.
Bowser has launched multiple attacks on the Mushroom Kingdom and other surrounding lands in hopes of conquering them.
Super Mario Bros.[]
In Super Mario Bros., the Koopa Troop army invaded the Mushroom Kingdom and succeeded in kidnapping Princess Peach, until the Mario Bros. attacked Bowser's castle in World 8.
Super Mario Bros. 3[]
Bowser and his children led the Koopa Troop into battle in a full scale attack on the Mushroom World continent. This time, the Koopa Troop transformed the local kings into animals to prevent them from fighting back. The Koopalings, commanders of the Koopa Troop then brought in an airship fleet to stop Mario.
Super Mario World[]
After that battle, the Koopa Troop established a base, as well as a series of castles across Dinosaur Land. The Koopa Troop also captured the island's Yoshi population, with the exception of one who ends up joining Mario on his quest.
Super Mario 64[]
Bowser's next attack was Princess Peach's Castle. The Koopa Troop captured Princess Peach as well as several Toads and sealed them inside the castle walls. Bowser set up a series of locked doors that would prevent Mario from challenging him directly. Mario and Bowser dueled three times before the Koopa Troop surrendered.
Paper Mario[]
The Koopa Troop attacked Princess Peach's castle again, this time from below. Bowser's castle lifted into the sky where it couldn't be accessed easily. Prior to the game, the Koopa Troop attacked the Star Sprits and imprisoned them in cards that were entrusted into the newly hired commanders of the Koopa Troop.
In this game, the Koopa Troop played a much more minor role than the previous game. Bowser lead his forces to Rogueport after hearing from Kammy Koopa that someone kidnapped Princess Peach and Mario is collecting mysterious objects known as the Crystal Stars. During the visit to Twilight Town, Bowser and Kammy Koopa assembled the Koopa Troop to do battle against Lord Crump and his horde of X-Nauts. However, the confrontation ended after Bowser accidentally set off a Superbombomb knocking away both sides. As of Chapter 6, members of the Koopa Troop such as Magikoopas and Hammer Bros. can be found in Rogueport Sewers replacing the weaker Goomba species down there.
Bowser assembled a crew of the Koopa Troop to head to the Beanbean Kingdom along with Mario to get back Peach's voice. Bowser's troop doesn't assemble at first and even thinks that Luigi wanted to join the Koopa Troop. Luigi tried to get away but Bowser caught him and forced him onto his Koopa Cruiser. At one point, Bowser's body was taken over by Cackletta and the newly formed Bowletta took control of the Koopa Troop. Her reign will eventually end after Mario and Luigi defeat Cackletta for good. In this game, the Koopa Troop are referred to as the Bowser Baddies by Bowser.
Other media[]
Bowser (under the name King Koopa) and the Koopa Troop return as the primary antagonists of the Super Mario Bros. television series. In allthreeseries, the Koopa Troop is referred to as the Koopa Pack by King Koopa.