LogFAQs > #979517411

Honestly, in a way, i wouldn't really be surprised if the Gamecube generation of Mario games was an attempt to smooth out the franchise lore to a degree. so the Koopalings are still around technically, just that they have to distance them from Bowser's main troop.

Bowser Jr was probably something they wanted to do to introduce a new villain to the franchise that's tangibly-related to Bowser, but isn't so out of scope for the series. like imagine if King Boo was an entirely new species for the series, or was something more drastic like the version of him from 3? at least they started off slightly-menacing with reality warping powers and a fancy crown. heck, even Princess Peach Showtime's Grape and the Sour Bunch are arguably pretty far-out as a Mario prospect, especially at this point of the franchise.

Guess they might have done the Sonic Adventure 2 thing (similar to making Robotnik a former last name in Japan. and Eggman being his known villain name. despite Eggman being visibly written a few times in older games) with Bowser's species/kingdom and just rolled the Koopa moniker towards his own tribe and army. either by kingdom or by blood. so Koopa Troopas are basic grunts, however they're still considered a Koopa turtle species (Hammer/Fire Bros, Spikes, Lakitus, Buzzy Beetles, ect) that just happens to be under his rule.

Bowser Jr's existence also simplifies the inherent personality problem the Koopalings would've bought by being in a 3D game that lacked the openendedness that a 2D game would have, like those games not having characterization/voice acting outside of peach's ransom letters. or playing the game progressively. in Mario 3, you could just skip stages or even entire worlds with a whistle or two, and you'd kind of get most of the gist. with Sunshine, there's points in the game where the world changes, so you'd probably have to fight Bowser Jr a few times before the end.

You definitely wouldn't be able to pull a similar thing with the Koopalings if they were 3D. whereas something like New Super Mario Bros is OK. i'd guess at least they can be characterized in spinoffs and the Superstar Saga remake, since Jr just gives that unique viewpoint. (barring being maybe-mind controlled by Bowletta/Cackletta). if Koopalings were in 3D, you'd have to either create 7 definite-point bosses *AND* Bowser.

Assuming that in modern times, if there's any hierarchy. Bowser would be at the top. then Junior in a slightly lesser role, and maybe a Magikoopa (or Kamek. depends on writer) just as something to shift magic powers or boss mechanics. after that it'd probably be the Koopalings, then Boom Boom/Pom Pom. Jr's involvement probably swings on if Bowser's ok with him being in immediate danger, or just currently indisposed. (like being a skeleton in NSMB for most of the game).

and as for the modern series shift. it's kind of strange that Toadsworth was shown somewhat prominently in Sunshine, and appeared in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, but then only really appeared in stuff like sports games afterwards. even Luigi's Mansion kept E. Gadd around; which for a non-Toad/Koopa character is kind of amazing. Humans are kind of a rare sight for the series if it isn't the base 3 characters, or a princess.

Weirdly there's unused koopaling sprites in Super Princess Peach. or maybe Nintendo was worried about using them again so soon, in a semi-related Mario Spinoff made by TOSE (Starfy series) that they probably didn't want to rock the boat.