Character of the Week #20

Metal Mario · 11-29-2009, 06:30 AM

Ludwig Von Koopa

First Appearance: Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1990)
Latest Appearance: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii, 2009)

Ludwig Von Koopa (named after classical composer Ludwig Van Beethoven) is King Bowser's eldest child. According to expositional narrative in Super Mario World, he enjoys composing "Koopa symphonies". In episodes of the TV shows based on SMB 3 and SMW, he is called Kooky Von Koopa, and is portrayed as a sort of mad scientist who takes delight in creating monstrous machines and diabolical devices to make life harder for Mario and friends.

Ludwig and his six fellow Koopalings made their debut in SMB 3, and returned for SMW (in these games, Ludwig was the boss of Pipe Land and the Twin Bridges Area, respectively). After this, Ludwig would appear as a boss character alongside his siblings in Mario Is Missing!, Yoshi's Safari, and Hotel Mario before fading away into obscurity for several years. Ludwig and the other Koopalings were completely absent from the Mario adventures that followed, and Nintendo's introduction of Bowser Jr. in 2002's Super Mario Sunshine only seemed to hammer home the idea that they were gone for good. Fans of the Koopalings received a surprise with 2003's Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, however, in which Ludwig and the other Koopalings resurfaced (after a nine-year absence) as boss characters. If fans had hoped this would lead to a Koopaling renaissance, though, they were to be disappointed, as Nintendo seemed to put the classic kids back in mothballs after this and continue to rely heavily on Bowser Jr.

Then, another six years later, New Super Mario Bros. Wii came out, with Ludwig and the other Koopalings restored to prominent roles. This brings us up to the present, and an uncertain future. Will we be seeing more of Ludwig and his classic siblings from here on out, or will Nintendo be putting them back on ice for another decade? I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Click to view video.

Dark Seraphim · 11-29-2009, 02:37 PM

Out of all the kids, I think Ludwig and Wendy were the most recognizable, I'd have trouble sometimes with remembering the others. I know I mentioned it before, but I was shocked at Nintendo's choice of voice acting for Ludwig in the new Wii game, since it was so deep and manly compared to the girlish and crazy voice Kooky had in the animated series, maybe they wanted to distance Ludwig from Kooky's concept in the show?

I'm sort of on the fence whether its a good thing they shelve the Koopa Kids after each appearance or not. Yes, on the one hand when they disappear for awhile we all wonder where they go, why weren't they in the new game, is Nintendo going to scrap them? But then Nintendo brings them back some 7-9 years later and suddenly its like "OMG! KOOPA KIDS! MUST PLAY NEW GAME!" Personally I think Nintendo does it on purpose, and maybe rightfully so. If the Koopa Kids were in every single game, we'd get sick of them as bosses, and to be honest, except for Bowser himself and maybe Petey Piranha the Koopa Kids have been featured bosses more than I think any other boss regularly, and certainly not in such large numbers. By shelving them it helps keep them fresh and keeps us from getting tired of them, making every time they pop up again an event to talk about.

One unfortunate thing, however, is the fact Ludwig is only part of the "Koopalings" and will probabaly always be. As a result the 7 children will probabaly always have to share the same spotlight that Bowser Jr. is lucky enough to sometimes hold alone. Its kinda hard to think of Ludwig by himself, and even harder to imagine him have a feature villain spot without his broythers and sister there to share it with him. But hey, I guess that's what you get when you're introduced at the same time as your 6 siblings, at least he gets to be the oldest.

Metal Mario · 11-29-2009, 03:22 PM

Incidentally, is the second video working okay for y'all? Because, strangely, it's not playing for me.

PK FIRE! · 11-29-2009, 04:15 PM

It's not playing for me either.

I really liked Ludwig's new voice while his SMB3/SMW cartoon voice earns points for being nostalgic I think the new one fits him better. Also I wonder where he learned how to do that flutter jump of his? My pointless fan theaory is that he learned it by whatching Yoshi, Luigi and Bowser jump and training himself from there. I added Bowser to the list because the hight he gets is rather reminisent of the fight with Bowser from SMB3.

- You stupid dog.

Dizzy · 11-29-2009, 04:44 PM

I approve of this topic.

Metal Mario · 11-29-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PK FIRE!

It's not playing for me either.

Strange and vexing. Ah well. I guess I'll just remove it then.

Dark Seraphim · 11-29-2009, 06:00 PM

^ Could always just post a hyperlink to it?

BTW, I am surprised you didn't include Ludwig Von Koopa's Wii art.

Metal Mario · 11-29-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Seraphim

^ Could always just post a hyperlink to it?

Good idea! Here ya go!

Luigiman7 · 11-29-2009, 06:50 PM

i like his one tooth

MeowMan · 11-29-2009, 07:23 PM

Have the Koopalings ever been in spin-offs?

**Valigarmander** · 11-29-2009, 07:26 PM

^ Yoshi's Safari, Mario is Missing.

I think Lemmy made a cameo appearance in Super Scope 6.

Dark Seraphim · 11-29-2009, 07:28 PM

As I said earlier, the biggest problem is, Ludwig is part of a set, he's one of the Koopalings so unless there's something that can fit all 7 of them into it, its hard to feature them. For situations where you only one one Koopa Kid, that's why Nintendo created Bowser Jr.

Metal Mario I do like that one comic in that video.

Ludwig: "Its MY castle I'll sharpen my knives where I want."

PK FIRE! · 11-30-2009, 02:00 AM

I still think that a koopa kid(s) uprising would make for a great Mario game plot.

- You stupid dog.

Random User · 11-30-2009, 07:04 PM

`Ello? It appears you forgot Super Princess Peach, when Ludwig and the others were planned as bosses, but were unfortunatly scrapped.

I believe he also had his own sticker in Brawl, too.

11-29-2009, 06:50 PM	#9
Luigiman7 ヽ(◔ ◡ ◔)ノ.･ﾟ*｡･+☆ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ~)´◡｀(~ Gender: Posts: 17,605 Thanks: 1,134 Thanked 1,012 Times in 713 Posts Blog Entries: 8	i like his one tooth __________________ ／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼ＷＯＮ’Ｔ　ＹＯＵ　ＢＥＣＯＭＥ　Ａ　ＭＡＧＩＣＡＬ　ＧＩＲＬ？

11-29-2009, 02:37 PM	#2
Dark Seraphim Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Gender: Posts: 431 Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Out of all the kids, I think Ludwig and Wendy were the most recognizable, I'd have trouble sometimes with remembering the others. I know I mentioned it before, but I was shocked at Nintendo's choice of voice acting for Ludwig in the new Wii game, since it was so deep and manly compared to the girlish and crazy voice Kooky had in the animated series, maybe they wanted to distance Ludwig from Kooky's concept in the show? I'm sort of on the fence whether its a good thing they shelve the Koopa Kids after each appearance or not. Yes, on the one hand when they disappear for awhile we all wonder where they go, why weren't they in the new game, is Nintendo going to scrap them? But then Nintendo brings them back some 7-9 years later and suddenly its like "OMG! KOOPA KIDS! MUST PLAY NEW GAME!" Personally I think Nintendo does it on purpose, and maybe rightfully so. If the Koopa Kids were in every single game, we'd get sick of them as bosses, and to be honest, except for Bowser himself and maybe Petey Piranha the Koopa Kids have been featured bosses more than I think any other boss regularly, and certainly not in such large numbers. By shelving them it helps keep them fresh and keeps us from getting tired of them, making every time they pop up again an event to talk about. One unfortunate thing, however, is the fact Ludwig is only part of the "Koopalings" and will probabaly always be. As a result the 7 children will probabaly always have to share the same spotlight that Bowser Jr. is lucky enough to sometimes hold alone. Its kinda hard to think of Ludwig by himself, and even harder to imagine him have a feature villain spot without his broythers and sister there to share it with him. But hey, I guess that's what you get when you're introduced at the same time as your 6 siblings, at least he gets to be the oldest.

11-29-2009, 03:22 PM	#3
Metal Mario Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Gender: Posts: 16,435 Thanks: 72 Thanked 190 Times in 127 Posts	Incidentally, is the second video working okay for y'all? Because, strangely, it's not playing for me.

11-29-2009, 04:15 PM	#4
PK FIRE! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: On the run. Gender: Posts: 9,544 Thanks: 175 Thanked 150 Times in 120 Posts	It's not playing for me either. I really liked Ludwig's new voice while his SMB3/SMW cartoon voice earns points for being nostalgic I think the new one fits him better. Also I wonder where he learned how to do that flutter jump of his? My pointless fan theaory is that he learned it by whatching Yoshi, Luigi and Bowser jump and training himself from there. I added Bowser to the list because the hight he gets is rather reminisent of the fight with Bowser from SMB3. - You stupid dog.

11-29-2009, 04:44 PM	#5
Dizzy Podiaphobe Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Posts: 19,359 Thanks: 1,764 Thanked 1,162 Times in 805 Posts Blog Entries: 116	I approve of this topic.

11-29-2009, 06:00 PM	#7
Dark Seraphim Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Gender: Posts: 431 Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	^ Could always just post a hyperlink to it? BTW, I am surprised you didn't include Ludwig Von Koopa's Wii art.

11-29-2009, 07:23 PM	#10
MeowMan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Las Pegasus Gender: Posts: 6,606 Thanks: 849 Thanked 208 Times in 132 Posts Blog Entries: 46	Have the Koopalings ever been in spin-offs?

11-29-2009, 07:26 PM	#11
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,701 Times in 2,581 Posts Blog Entries: 20	^ Yoshi's Safari, Mario is Missing. I think Lemmy made a cameo appearance in Super Scope 6.

11-29-2009, 07:28 PM	#12
Dark Seraphim Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Gender: Posts: 431 Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	As I said earlier, the biggest problem is, Ludwig is part of a set, he's one of the Koopalings so unless there's something that can fit all 7 of them into it, its hard to feature them. For situations where you only one one Koopa Kid, that's why Nintendo created Bowser Jr. Metal Mario I do like that one comic in that video. Ludwig: "Its MY castle I'll sharpen my knives where I want."

11-30-2009, 02:00 AM	#13
PK FIRE! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: On the run. Gender: Posts: 9,544 Thanks: 175 Thanked 150 Times in 120 Posts	I still think that a koopa kid(s) uprising would make for a great Mario game plot. - You stupid dog.

11-30-2009, 07:04 PM	#14
Random User Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Equestrian Republic of Spanglidesh Gender: Posts: 3,562 Thanks: 321 Thanked 195 Times in 143 Posts Blog Entries: 4	`Ello? It appears you forgot Super Princess Peach, when Ludwig and the others were planned as bosses, but were unfortunatly scrapped. I believe he also had his own sticker in Brawl, too.