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Swoopers (バサバサ, Basabasa), also named Swoops, are a recurring bat-like species in the Mario franchise. They first appear in Super Mario World.

Profile[]

Physical description[]

Swoopers typically have a blue body, purple wings, and yellow feet. In Super Mario World, Swoopers have a light green body with red wings and red feet, although this

In Super Mario 64, Swoopers had a black nose, rhombus-shaped ears, fully blue wings, and a small fang sticking out in Super Mario 64 DS, their nose was changed to red, their ears pointed out, their fang no longer sticks out, and they also have a purple coloration on their wings.

Behavior[]

In most games including Super Mario World, Super Mario 64, Super Mario 64 DS, New Super Mario Bros., Super Paper Mario, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, New Super Mario Bros. 2, New Super Mario Bros. U, and various other games, they hang idly on the ceiling and when the player's character comes near, they fall and fly towards the player, hurting the heroes on contact. However, Swoopers are commonly not that menacing or aggressive and can be defeated with any attack.

Habitats[]

Swoopers are mainly seen residing in caves or other dark/haunted areas.

In Super Mario series[]

Super Mario World[]

Green Swoopers

Swoopers as they appear in Super Mario World

Swoopers make their debut in Super Mario World, here, the Swoopers hang from the ceilings of caves upside down, waiting for Mario or Luigi to approach. When they come near, the Swoopers fly down and try to hurt Mario and/or Luigi. They can easily be defeated by with a stomp and basically any other attack. They can also be defeated by Fire Mario, Cape Mario, and being eaten by Yoshi. Defeating a Swooper earns the player 200 points. They are mainly found in Vanilla Dome, though they first appear in Donut Plains 2.

Swoopers were originally going to be blue in this game, but they became green in the final version. However, their blue color scheme would later carry over to all other Mario games after this game.

Super Mario 64/Super Mario 64 DS[]

Swooper 64

A Swooper in Super Mario 64

Swooper DS

Swoopers as seen in Super Mario 64 DS.

Swoopers also appear in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. In this game, they are found only in Hazy Maze Cave, in this game, the Swoopers are recolored from green with brown wings to blue with purple wings, which would go on to be their color scheme in future appearances. Like in Super Mario World, they hang still on the ceiling waiting for Mario to come, then fall off the ceiling and flutter in place briefly before dashing towards its victim. Swoopers can be defeated with any attack, defeating a Swooper will cause it to drop a Coin.

In Super Mario 64 DS, Swoopers behave as they did in the original however their appearance has been updated to be more modernized. Additionally, Yoshi can defeat a Swooper by swallowing one. Yoshi cannot transform Swoopers into eggs instead he is immediately awarded with a Coin.

New Super Mario Bros.[]

Swooping Swooper

A Swooper as seen in New Super Mario Bros.

Like in Super Mario 64 DS, Swoopers are enemies that hang from the ceiling, waiting to attack. A single one appears in World 2-3 whereas the other 12 appear in World 5-2. They are blue and have purple wings which mostly resembles their design in Super Mario 64 DS. Swoopers can be defeated with stomps or the effects of a Fire Flower, Blue Shell, Mega Mushroom, or a Starman. Like in Super Mario World, a Swooper is worth 200 points upon being defeated.

Larger Swoopers are also seen in the game's files but were never used in any levels of the game's final build. The larger Swoopers were going to behave identically to their smaller counterparts but were much slower.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii[]

Swooper NSMBW

Swoopers from New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Swoopers return as enemies, retaining both their design and behavior from New Super Mario Bros.. They appear in World 5-2 and World 6-6. In this game, their eyes also glow in the dark giving you a bit of a hint as to where they are in darker caverns. Swoopers can be defeated with stomps or the effects of a Fire Flower or Starman. Swoopers can also be frozen with the effects of an Ice Flower or Penguin Suit to be used as icy platforms to reach higher ledges. Swoopers can also be trampled by Mega Wigglers.

New Super Mario Bros. 2[]

Swooper Haunted House

A Swooper from New Super Mario Bros. 2.

Swoopers reappear in New Super Mario Bros. 2 behaving exactly as they did in the previous games. They only appear in World 5-Ghost House. They once again attack by darting at Mario (or Luigi) whenever they approach and can be defeated with either stomps or the effects of a Fire Flower, Super Leaf, Starman, Gold Flower, or an Invincibility Leaf. Swoopers are also slightly slower in this game.

New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe[]

Swooper Shifting Cave

A Swooper flying off as seen in New Super Mario Bros. U.

Swoopers reappear in New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, behaving exactly as they did in the previous New Super Mario Bros. games. Just like in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, their eyes also glow in the dark. They appear in four levels: Perilous Pokey Cave, Light Blocks, Dark Tower, Thrilling Spine Coaster and Shifting Floor Cave. Once again Swoopers can be defeated with stomps or the effects or a Fire Flower or Starman and they can be frozen with the effects of an Ice Flower or Penguin Suit. Swoopers do not appear in New Super Luigi U however.

Super Mario Run[]

Swooper Caves

A Swooper from SMR.

Swoopers also appear in Super Mario Run as enemies commonly found in caves such as Treasure-Hoarding Swoops, they behave as they did in previous games and can be defeated with stomps or the effects of a Starman. Swoopers are commonly required for reaching higher platforms or any high-up Pink Coins Purple Coins, or Black Coins, but due to the auto-running feature, this requires accurate timing.

In Paper Mario series[]

Paper Mario[]

Paper Swooper Old

A Swooper

This is the first appearance of Swoopers in a role-playing game. They are commonly found in Dry Dry Ruins. In battle, they often hang on to ceilings, like they do in Super Mario World. Mario will need to use Parakarry's Sky Dive ability, a Quake Hammer, or a Dusty Hammer in order to get them down from the ceiling to fight them normally, Swoopers primarily attack by flying at Mario and can only be attacked with air-based attacks, ground based attacks such as Hammers won't work due to them being flying enemies. A stronger varitey of the Swooper called the Swoopula appears on Crystal Palace, these guys are much stronger and can suck out HP.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[]

Paper Swooper Classic

The Swooper Tattle

Swoopers reappear in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, in this game, they appear in the Creepy Steeple and retain their behaviors from before hanging from the ceiling and flying at Mario or his partner, Swoopers can be pulled down from the ceiling by using Vivian's Shade Fist, Yoshi Kid's Mini-Eggs, or by using a Quake Hammer. A Swooper by the name of Sir Swoop also appears in the Glitz Pit as a new fighter replacing King K., he is apart of the team Wings of Night where he is joined by two other Swoopers, Sir Swoop and his comrades are fought like a regular Swooper.

Two stronger varieties of Swoopers also appear in this game, the first being the Swoopula which is found in the Palace of Shadow and the Pit of 100 Trials and the second being the Swampire which is found in the lowest floors of the Pit of 100 Trials. Both varities behave similarly to regular Swoopers but also have the ability to suck out HP as well which makes them far more lethal, regular Swoopers are among one of the few enemies to not appear in the Pit of 100 Trials.

Super Paper Mario[]

Swooper Card

The Swooper Card

Swoopers return in Super Paper Mario, in this game, they can be found in Merlee's Basement and attack the heroes by dropping from the ceiling and swooping them over the head retaining their behavior from Super Mario World. Swoopers can be beaten with any attack most notably stomps. Swoopers are one of the few enemies in the game to not have a dark counterpart seen in the Flopside Pit of 100 Trials.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star[]

Paper Swooper New

A Swooper

Swoopers appear again in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, in this game, they appear in the caves of Drybake Desert, Yoshi Sphinx, and Sandshifter Ruins. They also have a chance of appearing during the first phase of Bowser's fight in Bowser's Sky Castle. Swoopers primarily attack by Swooping at Mario, these attacks can be countered if Mario wears a Spike Helmet, any Jump-based Sticker is useful for bringing down a Swooper and unlike past Paper Mario games, Swoopers aren't seen roosting on the ceilings in-battle. Swoopers were one of the few enemies in the game to retain their overall appearance from the earlier Paper Mario games rather than changing to their usual blue color seen in the mainstream Mario games. Swoopers are referred to as Swoops in the European version of this game which would later be retained in all English regions of future games in the Paper Mario series.

Paper Mario: Color Splash[]

Paper Swooper

A Swooper in battle.

Swoopers reappear in Paper Mario: Color Splash, in this game, they appear in the Indigo Underground, Kiwano Temple, and Vortex Island. Swoopers retain their abilities from the previous games (flying at Mario), Swoopers aren't that threatening and can be easily beaten with any Jump-based attacks. Swoopers also appear as opponents in the Roshambo Temple. Swoopers can also appear in Stacks as well, Hopslippers are useful for bringing down the Swooper Stacks.

Paper Mario: The Origami King[]

Although regular Swoopers are absent from Paper Mario: The Origami King, Origami Swoopers make an appearance. Origami Swoopers are regular Swoopers that have been folded into Folded Soldiers by King Olly and his team.

In Mario & Luigi series[]

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga[]

Swooper Cave

A Swooper comes after Mario and Luigi in their Mine Carts...

Swooper Shine

...And then gets it's face shone by Mario's flashlight!

Swoopers appear in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga during the Mysterious Mine Carts minigame, in this game, they appear as a semi-common obstacle in the later levels, Swoopers are seen roosting from the ceiling but as Mario and Luigi drive by in their Mine Carts, if the Plumbers are hit by a Swooper, they will lose some speed and possibly some gems too. the Swoopers drop down and attempt to fly at the plumbers, the Swoopers can be beaten if Mario flashes his flashlight at them, once done, the Swooper will turn red and fly away. Swoopers are also purple in this game matching their look in Paper Mario.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam[]

Although regular Swoopers don't appear in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Paper Swoopers do. They can be found in the Twinsy Tropics Dungeon and can often appear in stacks.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions[]

Scary Swooper

A Swooper drops down at the tracks.

Swoopers appear again in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions once again appearing in the Mysterious Mine Carts minigame, this time, the Swoopers appear much more commonly in the later levels of the minigame however they're relatively easier to deal with than last time, just as before, being hit by a Swooper will cause the plumbers to suffer a slowdown. Swoopers can be beaten by shining the Flashlight at them which causes them to retreat, in this game, Swoopers retain their appearance from the mainstream games however their eyes are now a glowing yellow.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[]

Swooper G-Force Agent Data

A Swooper in Bowser Jr.'s Journey.

Although Swoopers are absent from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, they reappear in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey during the Bowser Jr.'s Journey side-story as recruitable allies. Swoopers are classed as flying troopers thereby making them useful against melee foes. Their special skill is Discord which causes DEF-Down on all enemies, Swoopers are very strong against Shroobs and Fawfulcopters.

In Mario Kart series[]

Mario Kart DS[]

Swooper Flock

Waluigi driving by the Swoopers.

Swoopers make their Mario Kart series debut in Mario Kart DS where they appear as obstacles in Banshee Boardwalk replacing the Bats from the Mario Kart 64 version of the course. Swoopers can be found inside the wrecked abandoned house flying out of the box as well as the wind duct in large flocks to get in the racers' way. Driving into a Swooper can bring the vehicle to a small holt unless they're under the effects of a Boo, Swoopers can be knocked aside by using a Green Shell, Red Shell, or Bob-omb or while under the effects of a Starman or Bullet Bill.

Mario Kart Wii[]

Swooper MKW

A Swooper as seen in Mario Kart Wii.

Swoopers reappear in Mario Kart Wii, in this game, they can be found in Wario's Gold Mine and Dry Dry Ruins as obstcles that fly around the caves in large flocks. In the former, Swoopers can be found flying through the cave's entrance from a large hole in the roof while in the latter, they can be seen flying across the bridge of the temple's entrance and can also be seen flying out at the temple's exit. Racers that run into Swoopers will come to a small holt, a Swooper can be disposed of by tossing a Shell or Bob-omb at them or by running into them while under the effects of a Mega Mushroom, Starman, or Bullet Bill. When a Lightning is used, all the Swoopers will fall.

Mario Kart 7[]

Swooper Colony

Mario driving amidst Swoopers.

Swoopers are back in Mario Kart 7, in this game, they can be seen in Rock Rock Mountain where they are flying from the cave sector of the course. Just as before, running into a Swooper will bring the kart to a small holt, Swoopers can be beaten with Shells, Bob-ombs, or Fireballs, by tail swinging while under the effects of a Super Leaf, or by being run into while under the effects of a Bullet Bill or Starman. A Glider based on the Swooper also appears in this game, it is also named after the Swooper.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[]

Swooper New Cave

Dry Bowser driving at the Swoopers.

Swoopers return in Mario Kart 8 as well as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe where they can be found in Mount Wario the returning Yoshi Valley course from Mario Kart 64 as well as the returning Wario's Gold Mine course from Mario Kart Wii (which appeared as DLC in the original Mario Kart 8). Just as before, Swoopers can be seen flying around or out of the caves in large flocks, slow down racers slightly upon contact, and can be beaten by tossing Green Shells, Red Shells, Bob-ombs, Fireballs, or Boomerangs at them, using a Super Horn near one, or running into one while under the effects of a Bullet Bill or Starman, Swoopers also reappear in the returning Choco Mountain course from Mario Kart 64 which reappeared in Wave 1 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC.

Swoopers are replaced by Keese in the Hyrule Circuit course. Keese behave very similarly to Swoopers and can be dealt with in the same ways however they come in smaller colonies.

Mario Kart Tour[]

Swooper Tour

A Swooper flying through the Choco Mountain Caves.

Swoopers are seen again in Mario Kart Tour this time appearing in several courses such as Choco Mountain retaining their behaviors from before, they once again fly around the caves in flocks and slow down any racers, they can easily be disposed of by tossing Shells, Fireballs, Bob-ombs, and Iceballs at them, using a Super Horn on them or running into them while under the effects of a Starman, Mega Mushroom, or Bullet Bill. The Swooper Glider from Mario Kart 7 also returns in this game alongside a new variety making it's debut, the Gold Swooper.

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis[]

Swooper Toys

Two Swoopers guard DK from the Minis.

Swoopers appear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, in this game, they can be found in Spooky Attic during the battle with Donkey Kong as an additional obstacle to avoid while aiming at DK, during the battle, two Swoopers are seen roosting on the background ceiling at the battle's start, one of the Swoopers will emerge and fly around, when your Cannon ends up underneath a Swooper, it will descend down and try to hit the Mini-Mario so be sure to move out of the way quickly, the Swoopers periodically emerge and rest after DK receives his first hit so from there, the second Swooper will emerge and join the first but as time goes by, one may stop for a rest leaving the other for some time. The Swoopers stop attacking after DK has been beaten.

In Mario Party series[]

Mario Party 8[]

Vampire Candy

A Swooper seen on the Vampire Candy.

Swoopers make their first Mario Party series appearance in Mario Party 8, in this game, a Swooper appears on the wrapper of the Vampire Candy, when a Vampire Candy is used, the using player will grain the wings of a Swooper as well as red eyes to boot.

Mario Party 9[]

Swooper Background

Swoopers flying in the background.

Swoopers appear again in Mario Party 9, in this game, they can be seen flying around Boo's Horror Castle usually appearing around the tower's, Swoopers can also be seen in the background of the Chain Event minigame where they can be seen flying around as the players descend down their chains, they don't have a major role in the game however aside from being in the background, Swoopers also have their own constellation in the sky referred to as "Drop Bat".

Mario Party: Island Tour[]

Swooper Shining

The Swooper celebrates his measly reward.

Swoopers are seen again in Mario Party: Island Tour, in this game, they appear in the Star-Crossed Skyway board on the first and third Star Stages, on both Star Stages, the Swooper holds two Mini Stars and the player that reaches the Star Stage with the Swooper up front will be awarded with two Mini Stars, the Swooper appears at the back of the first Star Stage making it the worst result to get while on the third Star Stage, the Swooper is the best result due to the other results possessing Mini Ztars. Swoopers are also seen in the minigames Match Faker and Tap Dash.

Mario Party 10[]

Pipe Sniper

Swoopers flying in the background.

Swoopers also appear in Mario Party 10, in this game, they can be seen flying around the Haunted Trail board alongside other spooky enemies, Swoopers also appear in the Pipe Sniper minigame where they can be seen flying around the caves as an additional target alongside the Piranha Plants and Gold Piranha Plants, hitting a Swooper rewards five points.

Mario Party: Star Rush[]

Samurai Smackdown

A Swooper jumps out at Toad.

Swoopers reappear in Mario Party: Star Rush, in this game, they appear in the minigame Samurai Smackdown. Here, they appear as one of the many enemies that come your way, the Swoopers like all other enemies can be dealt with by being smacked with the Hammer.

Mario Party Superstars[]

Swooper Summon

Three Swoopers about to send Yoshi back as ordered by Evil Woody.

Swoopers are seen yet again in Mario Party Superstars. In this game, they are seen in the dark side of Woody Woods, when players land on the Happening Space by Mean Woody and get unlucky, they will be forced to roll a Reverse Dice Block and once rolled, Mean Woody will summon three Swoopers to pull the player back the amount of spaces that was rolled on the Reverse Dice Block.

Trivia[]

  • According to their Catch Card description in Super Paper Mario, Swoopers aren't actually bad, they're just lonely and (strangely) welcome visitors by biting them.
  • Despite most enemies in Super Mario 64 being models, Swoopers were actually sprites. In Super Mario 64 DS, the Swooper designs were later changed to models like most other enemies.

Gallery[]

Hat mario To view Swooper's
image gallery, click here.


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