Character of the Week #32

Metal Mario · 02-20-2010, 01:07 PM

Kamek

First Appearance: SMW 2: Yoshi's Island (Super NES, 1995)
Latest Appearance: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii, 2009)

The Magikoopa Kamek was apparently Bowser's primary guardian and caregiver when the Koopa King was just a young'un. He first appeared as such in SMW 2: Yoshi's Island, which takes place in the Mario Universe's distant past. Foreseeing great disaster to befall the Koopas if the infant Mario Bros. were allowed to grow up, Kamek attempted to interfere with their delivery to their parents by the stork. He only captured Baby Luigi, however; Baby Mario ended up on Yoshi's Island, whose dinosaur-like inhabitants proved only too happy to help reunite the future heroes and get them back on track to their proper destiny.

After Yoshi's Island, Kamek went on to appear as an assistant to both Baby Bowser and adult Bowser in a number of games, including Tetris Attack, Yoshi Touch & Go, Super Princess Peach, Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time, Yoshi's Island DS (in which he actually travels back in time to kidnap Baby Bowser from his younger self), and, of course, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, in which he not only uses his magic to power up the Koopalings, but also appears as a boss character.

A Magikoopa brainwashed by Smithy appears as a boss character in Bowser's Keep in Super Mario RPG. While this Magikoopa is not named expressly as Kamek (he's just called "Magikoopa"), the character is likely intended to be Kamek; if the player uses Mallow's Psychopath ability to read the Magikoopa's mind, the Magikoopa will be seen to be thinking, "That's...my child?" This can only be a nod to the role Kamek played as Bowser's guardian in the previous year's Yoshi's Island.

Kamek also plays a significant role in many of the Mario Party games.

Addendum: In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, an eccentric Magikoopa hypnotist called Psycho Kamek inhabits Little Fungitown. This is probably not the same Kamek, however, as this Magikoopa seems to have no ties to Bowser. Moreover, as the similar-sounding kamekku is the Japanese name for Magikoopa, this commonality in names can probably be chalked up to localization issues.

Dizzy · 02-20-2010, 01:11 PM

Luigiman7 · 02-20-2010, 02:28 PM

Kammy > Kamek.

Robotazy · 02-20-2010, 05:25 PM

Sometimes, I wonder if there is no Kamek and if he just wasn't made by English dubs.

This may also have to do with how there is no difference between Kamek and a normal Magikoopa, so it's probably just me.

Metal Man · 02-20-2010, 09:32 PM

Kamek does get named separately, but usually only when Baby Bowser is involved.

I have the suspicion 'Kamek the Elder' died somewhere before Bowser grew up, otherwise his lack of presence during the games where Kammy is around would be equal to desertion.

Stanley the Bugman · 02-21-2010, 05:58 AM

Kamek was always one of my favorite villlains. Just something about him I don't know....

....Of course! The shades!!

Mario271 · 02-27-2010, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal M-Word

Kammy > Kamek.

Seconded.

Never really was a fan of Kamek...probably one of the most annoying enemies in World.

(also...WIZARDHEIMER!!)

FlipSwitch · 02-27-2010, 08:34 AM

Kamek is okay. He has appeared in his good share of games.

The Flattest Pancake · 02-27-2010, 09:23 AM

Yes.

I like Kamek. He also appeared as a boss in Mario Party DS.

02-20-2010, 01:07 PM	#1
Metal Mario Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Gender: Posts: 16,435 Thanks: 72 Thanked 190 Times in 127 Posts	Character of the Week #32 Kamek First Appearance: SMW 2: Yoshi's Island (Super NES, 1995) Latest Appearance: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii, 2009) The Magikoopa Kamek was apparently Bowser's primary guardian and caregiver when the Koopa King was just a young'un. He first appeared as such in SMW 2: Yoshi's Island, which takes place in the Mario Universe's distant past. Foreseeing great disaster to befall the Koopas if the infant Mario Bros. were allowed to grow up, Kamek attempted to interfere with their delivery to their parents by the stork. He only captured Baby Luigi, however; Baby Mario ended up on Yoshi's Island, whose dinosaur-like inhabitants proved only too happy to help reunite the future heroes and get them back on track to their proper destiny. After Yoshi's Island, Kamek went on to appear as an assistant to both Baby Bowser and adult Bowser in a number of games, including Tetris Attack, Yoshi Touch & Go, Super Princess Peach, Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time, Yoshi's Island DS (in which he actually travels back in time to kidnap Baby Bowser from his younger self), and, of course, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, in which he not only uses his magic to power up the Koopalings, but also appears as a boss character. A Magikoopa brainwashed by Smithy appears as a boss character in Bowser's Keep in Super Mario RPG. While this Magikoopa is not named expressly as Kamek (he's just called "Magikoopa"), the character is likely intended to be Kamek; if the player uses Mallow's Psychopath ability to read the Magikoopa's mind, the Magikoopa will be seen to be thinking, "That's...my child?" This can only be a nod to the role Kamek played as Bowser's guardian in the previous year's Yoshi's Island. Kamek also plays a significant role in many of the Mario Party games. Addendum: In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, an eccentric Magikoopa hypnotist called Psycho Kamek inhabits Little Fungitown. This is probably not the same Kamek, however, as this Magikoopa seems to have no ties to Bowser. Moreover, as the similar-sounding kamekku is the Japanese name for Magikoopa, this commonality in names can probably be chalked up to localization issues.

02-20-2010, 01:11 PM	#2
Dizzy Podiaphobe Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Posts: 19,359 Thanks: 1,764 Thanked 1,162 Times in 805 Posts Blog Entries: 116	Yes.

02-20-2010, 02:28 PM	#3
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	Kammy > Kamek. __________________ ／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼ＷＯＮ’Ｔ　ＹＯＵ　ＢＥＣＯＭＥ　Ａ　ＭＡＧＩＣＡＬ　ＧＩＲＬ？

02-20-2010, 05:25 PM	#4
Robotazy PRESS ANY KEY TO PANIC! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: A Tiny Shed Gender: Posts: 16,483 Thanks: 529 Thanked 1,254 Times in 897 Posts Blog Entries: 46	Sometimes, I wonder if there is no Kamek and if he just wasn't made by English dubs. This may also have to do with how there is no difference between Kamek and a normal Magikoopa, so it's probably just me.

02-20-2010, 09:32 PM	#5
Metal Man Fairy-Slaying Maniac Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: 1592 Miles Away From Here Gender: Posts: 18,062 Thanks: 148 Thanked 683 Times in 482 Posts	Kamek does get named separately, but usually only when Baby Bowser is involved. I have the suspicion 'Kamek the Elder' died somewhere before Bowser grew up, otherwise his lack of presence during the games where Kammy is around would be equal to desertion.

02-21-2010, 05:58 AM	#6
Stanley the Bugman Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: A Greenhouse Gender: Posts: 1,656 Thanks: 19 Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts	Kamek was always one of my favorite villlains. Just something about him I don't know.... ....Of course! The shades!!

02-27-2010, 08:34 AM	#8
FlipSwitch Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Looking forward. Gender: Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 20 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts Blog Entries: 12	Kamek is okay. He has appeared in his good share of games.

02-27-2010, 09:23 AM	#9
The Flattest Pancake Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: (insert something witty here) Gender: Posts: 1,391 Thanks: 97 Thanked 25 Times in 23 Posts Blog Entries: 8	Yes. I like Kamek. He also appeared as a boss in Mario Party DS.