Beyond my control: Koopa Troopa

There are a few times in my life where I want something really really baldy (thank you, iPhone auto-correct). Like, practically obsessionally. As though, somehow, if it happened, it would make my life better. Unfortunately, these are sometimes things that I have no control over whatsoever.

I become fixated on the oddest things, it seems, and in this (theoretically) recurring theme, I'll address some of those obsessions. So far, I have been fairly luckless in my dreaming, but nothing is impossible, and all going well, most of these things may occur before I'm done.

To get started, I look at one of my first bits of wishful thinking. It's a little strange, but still, it gave me fits. Mild little fits, but fits all the same. You see, ever since Super Mario Kart in 1992, I have been a great big fan of the Koopa Troopa. The reason why is fairly simple; I, like any other gaming kid of the early 90s, loved Yoshi. He was one of the coolest additions in Super Mario World, and though his popularity has dipped significantly since Yoshi Story's introduction of the goofy, squeaky voice, back in SMK, he was hot property. Kids wanted to play as Yoshi.

My older sister was quick on the draw however, and was always able to snag the green guy first. So naturally, I would evolve and adapt, and select the most 'Yoshi-like' of the remaining roster. In this case, it was Koopa Troopa. And, as a result, I would grow to love the little gaffer. He quickly became my favourite Mario character, and over time, would take the title of favourite gaming character of all (other faves include Falco Lombardi and Sonic the Hedgehog).

So you can imagine my shock and disdain when Mario Kart 64 hit the shelves, and was distinctly lacking in Koopa Troopa. Wow. In only five short years, I had already been dealt my first roster-based blow. To some, the exclusion of a hot rookie in a new sport game would dampen their experience. For me, it was the absence of a cute turtle. To each his own, really.

And unfortunately for me, the Nintendo 64 era would be a dark age to be a Koopa Troopa fan. Routinely, Mario games would come out, and you could select your Luigi or your Yoshi or your Wario... But, more often than not, there would be no Koopa. I could reel them off: Mario Party, Mario Golf, Super Smash Bros... There was no Koopa lovin'. And I felt so damned gypped. He was foot soldier numero uno, how was he not worth inclusion?

Finally, in 2000, the draught was ended, when Koopa Paratroopa was made playable for Mario Tennis. And, lo and behold, a Koopa named Kooper was one of the selectable sidekicks for Paper Mario. From there, Koopa would enter a renaissance of playability that has proven ongoing: if it's a Mario game, then chances are good that you can play as the Koopa Troopa. He still hasn't hit the mack daddy: the Smash Bros series. But this year, at long last, he became a part of the Mushroom Kingdom box social, Mario Party 9. I have waited so damned long to be able to use Koopa in a Mario Party game, and I honestly admit that 80% of the reason I bought it was simply so I could use him.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. So I shall raise my glass, celebrating 20 years of avid Koopa fandom. Here's to 20 more years of turtle power, be it in the driver's seat, on the soccer pitch, or in the courtroom (Super Mario Lawyer: BELIEVE).