Kamek
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Kamekbroom.jpg
Kamek is of the Magikoopa species, an offshoot of the Koopa Troopa species that can perform advanced magic. Like most members of his species, he wears big spectacles and rides a broomstick. During the events of Yoshi's Island, Kamek attempted to block the Yoshies' progress by swelling enemies to dramatic size using magic. Unfortunately for him, the Yoshies beat all of these bosses. Kamek's minions, called Toadies (not to be confused with the friendly Toads) carry Baby Mario off to their master if Yoshi lets him float free for too long.
Kamek has made a few cameo appearances in other Mario and Mario-themed games, such as Tetris Attack and Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga. In the latter, he was referred to as "Psycho Kamek," and actually helped Luigi out by hypnotizing him into thinking he was Mario. This Kamek was originally suspected to share the name, but in Mario Party Advance it is established that Kamek is not quite as evil as his master and is even at peace with Yoshi now. It is popular fanon to apply his name to other prominent Magikoopa characters in Mario games, such as the Magikoopa bosses in Yoshi's Safari and Super Mario RPG, or the Magikoopa who was originally intended to be a playable character in Mario Kart 64 (he ended up being replaced by Donkey Kong).
Interestingly, Kamek's character may have been conceived earlier. The Super Mario World cartoon episode "Ghosts R Us" featured a Magikoopa named Wizardheimer, who claimed to be "the most dangerous Koopawizard of them all". Then the Super Mario World comic series that ran in Nintendo Power during 1992 had Bowser confiding in a Magikoopa who looks, acts, and could quite possibly be Kamek.
Kamek more recently appears as the antagonist in Yoshi Touch & Go. The game essentially follows the same storyline as Yoshi's Island, and therefore Kamek is again trying to kidnap Baby Mario and Luigi. Yoshi again blocks his progress by dodging or defeating his minions. Among those returning from Yoshi's Island are the Toadies, who now are given the job of retrieving Baby Luigi, and must be stopped by Yoshi.
Kamek's roles in Bowser's plans have dwindled, while Kammy Koopa seems to have replaced him as Bowser's personal Magikoopa. Judging from his most recent appearances, Kamek is apparently retired (though he seems to help Bowser every now and then).