Red Shell
File:Redshell.JPG
The Red Shell artwork.
Universe Mario
Appears in SSB, Melee, Brawl (in the SSE)
Item class Throwing
Article on Super Mario Wiki Red Shell

The Red Shell is a throwing item that will actively hunt out the nearest player, even the player that activated it. Instead of sliding in the same direction it was thrown in after coming in contact with the ground like a green shell, it will start sliding from left to right, targeting the closest player. When stationary, the Red Shell will activate when jumped on or after coming in contact with a hitbox. Like the Green Shell, a sliding Red Shell will halt all movement upon being jumped on. The Red Shell does moderate set knockback and therfore cannot KO opponents at any percentage except lower handicapped opponents. When the Red Shell is reflected, its damage output is increased, but its knockback is not. A reflected Red Shell will also have much more hitlag when it hits a player.

The Red Shell does not appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but Red Koopa Shells appear in the Subspace Emissary. However, these function in the same way as a Green Shell.

Origin

File:RedShell64.jpg
Donkey Kong holding on to two red shells in Mario Kart 64.

Red Shells have appeared in every Mario game that has a Red Koopa Troopa ever since Super Mario Bros.; however, the way the Red Shell acts in Super Smash Bros. and Melee originates from its behavior in the Mario Kart series, where it homes in on other characters. Its behavior in the Smash Bros. games could also be referencing the behavior of Red Koopas, as they don't walk off of ledges like other enemies do.


 

Damage Output

Action SSB Melee
After attacked/Bounced 10% 9%
Throw 15% 14%
U-Tilt Throw 16%
D-Tilt Throw 10%
Dash Throw 19%
F-Smash Throw 19% 17%
U-Smash Throw 20%
D-Smash Throw 10%
Air Throw 17%
Air U-Tilt Throw 19%
Air D-Tilt Throw 20%
Air F-Smash Throw 19%
Air U-Smash Throw 20%
Air D-Smash Throw 20%
  • Deals 15% if dropped in Melee.

Red Koopa Shell

The Red Koopa Shell is a special item that appears in the Adventure Mode of Melee and in The Subspace Emissary of Brawl, which can only be obtained by attacking a Red Koopa Paratroopa or Red Koopa Troopa. Although similar (but not identical) in appearance to a Red Shell, it behaves like a Green Shell, and does fire damage in Melee. When compared to the Green Koopa Shell, it does even more damage and knockback. Another difference from the Red Shell is if it is left alone for a while, it will turn back into a Red Koopa Troopa.

Super Smash Bros instruction booklet description

Basically the same as the Green Shell, this shell bounces back and forth in the same area of the stage.

Trophy description

File:Red shell.jpg
The Red Shell trophy and its description.

Throw a Red Shell, and it will home in on random characters and send them flying straight up. Red Shells moving around the surface are dangerous to all players, but they may also present attack chances for players with good timing and strategy. Red Shells won't leave the platform they're on once they start moving.

Super Mario Bros. 10/85

Trivia

  • The Red Shell is the only item or projectile in Melee that doesn't deal more knockback when reflected. It does, however, deal more damage.
  • In the first stage of Melee's Adventure Mode, the player will earn the Dead-Weight KO bonus for each Yoshi they KO with the Red Koopa Shell.
  • The fact that the Red Koopa Shell won't leave the platform it's thrown on is a reference to the behavior of Red Koopa Troopas in the Mario Bros. series, who, unlike Green Koopa Troopas, will not walk off of the platform they are on.
  • In the original Super Smash Bros. training mode, if four red shells are spawned in the same spot, and if Ness uses PK Fire on them, they will do about 460% damage upon contact.

See also

Gallery