Editing Bowser's Brother

|image=[[File:SMB LL Bowser's Brother Artwork.png|250px]]<br>Artwork of Bowser's Brother from ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''

|species=[[Koopa (species)#Bowser's species|Bowser's species]]

'''Bowser's Brother'''<ref name=PG>{{media link|Bowser's Brother Source.jpg|Page 62}} of the ''Super Mario All-Stars'' Player's Guide has the heading "'''''BOWSER'S BROTHER'''''" and states "''You're in for a surprise. Bowser's got a twin.''"</ref> is a character similar to [[Bowser]] who appears in ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. His [[#Identity|identity]] varies in supplemental material, with his most consistent characteristic being his bluish color that was removed in ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]''.<ref name=PEGMCE>{{media link|PEGMCE page 65.png|Page 65}} of 「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」 (''Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten'', or "''Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia''"). The text states "''A fake Bowser appears in the Famicom version of Super Mario. Since his color is blue, you can tell at a glance that he's a fake, but unfortunately in Mario Collection he became the same green.''" while the two captions state "''Obviously fake blue Bowser.''" and "''He can't be distinguished from the real thing.''"</ref>

 

Bowser's Brother makes his first appearance in the [[Family Computer Disk System]] version of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. There, he debuts in [[World 8-4 (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World 8-4]] where he tries to stop [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] both by throwing [[hammer]]s at them and by [[Fire Breath|breathing fire]]. He throws only hammers when he reappears in [[World 9-3 (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World 9-3]].  

While distinguished from [[Bowser]] through the color of his skin and shell (brown and deep cyan, respectively), when defeated with [[fireball]]s, he does not turn into one of Bowser's minions, revealing him to be distinct from the [[fake Bowser]]s. In [[World D-4]], a fake version of him appears that only breathes fire and, when defeated with fireballs, is revealed to be a [[Spiny]]. Bowser's Brother and his imposter are never located on a bridge with an [[axe]]. They can be skipped entirely if the player is unable to use fireballs.

Due to ''[[All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.]]''{{'}}s versions of World 8-4 and World D-4 being reused from ''The Lost Levels'', Bowser's Brother and his imposter also return in that game.  

In the ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' version, Bowser's Brother is recolored to look identical to Bowser and also appears in D-4 in place of the fake version of him. The one in D-4 throws only hammers. However, there is an unused palette swap in the game's data meant for him. His hair is also redder than Bowser's.<ref>[[tcrf:Super_Mario_All-Stars#Unused_Palettes|The Cutting Room Floor's page on ''Super Mario All-Stars'']]</ref>

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|footer=The eighth recolors of [[Bowser]], claimed to be Bowser's Brother

 

|caption1=''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''

 

|image2=Bowser Blue SSBU.png

|caption2=''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''

 

In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', the eighth recolor of [[Bowser]] is said to be him in the tips. It replaces a similar-looking recolor from previous games that had yellow hair and green limbs, likely based off Bowser's original artwork (though with the shell and skin colors swapped).

 

Even though these blue-colored versions of [[Bowser]] likely affected the depiction of Bowser’s Brother, they are not stated to be him.

In the original ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', the palette used for castle sections before the final boss battle causes an unintended consequence in which [[Bowser]] has the same blue coloration of Bowser's Brother. This is due to color of Bowser's skin and shell being obtained through a palette swap commonly used in castle sections of the game, except for the parts in which the boss is fought. Because of this, standing near the end of a castle in a way so that Bowser is barely seen on the right-hand side of the screen causes him to appear dark shades of teal, but he will revert back to his correct colors if Mario or Luigi advances any further. The same graphical oversight can be seen in ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. Additionally, defeating a fake Bowser before his color change will result in the enemy acting as his true form to retain this color scheme (such as [[World 5-4 (Super Mario Bros.)|World 5-4]]'s fake Bowser becoming a [[Lakitu]] using the underground/castle color scheme).

[[File:Mgbowser.png|thumb|left|200px|The different colorings of [[Bowser]] in ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]''.]]

The second palette swap of [[Bowser]] in the Nintendo 64 version of ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]'' features a blue skin and a blue shell. Contrary to what would happen in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', the shell and head have a lighter blue color than the skin.

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He is initially mentioned as the first/fake<ref>{{media link|FCCVD 7 page 50.png|Page 50}} of 「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑦スーパーマリオブラザーズ2」 (''Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2'', or "''Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2''") refers to the blue Bowser as 「1<span class="explain" title="ぴき">匹</span>めのクッパ」 (''the first Bowser''), also noting that he isn't the real Bowser: 「こいつ<span class="explain" title="しん">真</span>のクッパではない。」</ref> or first/blue<ref>{{media link|FCCVD 11 page 62.png|Page 62}} of 「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑪スーパーマリオブラザーズ1&2神わざ大全集」 (''Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Kami Waza Taizenshū'', or "''Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Great Complete Work on Miracles/Glitches''"). 「1<span class="explain" title="ぴき">匹</span>めのクッパはむりして<span class="explain" title="たお">倒</span>さなくていいよ!ワールド8-4と<span class="explain" title="ディー">D</span>-4には、クッパが2<span class="explain" title="ひきで">匹出</span>てする。そのうちの1<span class="explain" title="ぴき">匹</span>めは,<span class="explain" title="あお">青</span>いクッパなんだけど」 (''It's ok if you try hard but don't defeat the first Bowser. In Worlds 8-4 and D-4, Bowser appears twice. The first of those is the blue Bowser''...)</ref> [[Bowser]] in the Japanese guides of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'', which do not specify his relationship to Bowser besides one suggesting that he is not his twin.<ref name=UT>{{media link|SMB2GCWST pages 88 89.png|Page 89}} of 「スーパマリオブラザーズ2<裏ワザ大全集>」 (''Super Mario Bros. 2 < Urawaza Taizenshū >'', or "''Super Mario Bros. 2 Great Complete Work on Secret Tricks''") has the paragraph: 「おお一つと！またグッバがいた。ということは、<span class="explain" title="だいまおう">大魔王</span>クッパはふたごだったのか、なんちゃって。アホ。」 (''Oh! Bowser is here again. That is to say, the Great Demon King Bowser is actually a TWIN, not! Idiot.'') Note that the author is mocking the reader for believing that Bowser has a twin.</ref> In the character books of the '90s released before the release of ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'', the blue Bowser is described as being either Bowser's first<ref>{{media link|CSMGE page 155.png|Page 155}} of 「全スーパーマリオ大百科」 (''Zen Super Mario Ōhyakka'', or "''Complete Super Mario Great Encyclopedia''") states of the blue Bowser: 「クッパ<span class="explain" title="きょうだい">兄弟</span>の1<span class="explain" title="ぴきめ">匹目</span>はよけろ!」 (''The first of the Bowser brothers!'')</ref> or younger<ref name=SMCE>{{media link|SMCE pages 144 145.png|Page 144}} of 「スーパーマリオ<span class=explain title=オールひゃっか>全百科</span>」 (''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', or "''Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia''"). The blue Bowser is referred to as 「クッパブラザーズの<span class="explain" title="おとうと">弟</span>」 (''the younger of the Bowser brothers''). The page also states 「クッパの<span class="explain" title="おとうと">弟</span>だ」 (''He's Bowser's younger brother'').</ref><ref>On {{media link|SMBD page 36.png|page 36}} of 「スーパーマリオ<span class=explain title="だいずかん">大図鑑</span>」 (''Super Mario Bros. Daizukan'', or "''Super Mario Great Picture Book''") [[Dr. Mario]] states: 「『マリオ２』ではクッパの<span class="explain" title="おとうと">弟</span>が<span class="explain" title="かげむしゃ">影武者</span>だったクッパとおなじ<span class="explain" title="ちから">力</span>をもった<span class="explain" title="きょうてき">強敵</span>だったぞ！」 (''In "Mario 2", Bowser's little brother was a strong enemy who had the same strength as Bowser's body doubles.'')</ref> brother. ''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', a book written in collaboration with [[Nintendo]], describes him as part of the 「<span class=explain title="おうぞく">王族</span>」 (''Ō-zoku'', literally "King Tribe") and thus a leader of the [[Koopa Troop]] and member of Bowser's royal family, along with the [[Koopalings]] and Bowser himself.<ref name=SMCE/><ref>On {{media link|SMCE pages 88 89.png|page 89}} of 「スーパーマリオ<span class=explain title=オールひゃっか>全百科</span>」 (''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', or "''Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia''") the 「<span class=explain title="おうぞく">王族</span>」term, meaning ''King Tribe'', is given the following explanation: 「クッパ<span class=explain title="ぐんだん">軍団</span>を<span class=explain title="とうそつ">統率</span>する<span class=explain title="おうけ">王家</span>の<span class=explain title="めんめん">面々</span>。クッパ、コクッパがこれにあたる。」 (''Every member of the royal family that leads the Bowser army corps. Bowser and the Koopalings apply here.'')</ref> Due to his recoloring from blue to green in ''Super Mario All-Stars'', he is not considered a distinct character from [[fake Bowser]]s in the Japanese official guide book.<ref>On {{media link|SMC NOG page 92.png|page 92}} of the ''Nintendo Official Guidebook'' of ''Super Mario Collection'', the blue Bowser is referred to as 「ニセクッパ」 (''Fake Bowser'').</ref> Contradicting one of the original Japanese guides for ''The Lost Levels'' (which suggested that he was not a twin),<ref name=UT/> when "Bowser's Brother" is described in [[Nintendo Power]]'s guide for ''Super Mario All-Stars'' it states "Bowser's got a twin".<ref name=PG/> After the release of ''Super Mario All-Stars'', he was referred to as a fake Bowser,<ref name=PEGMCE/> with the exception being the [[Prima Games]] guide for ''[[Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]]'', where he is again considered Bowser's brother.<ref>Cain, Christine. ''Super Mario Bros. Deluxe'' Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 71. "''Look out! Bowser has a Hammer-throwing brother, and he’s here to stop you from getting to the end. If you’ve got fireballs, use ʻem. Otherwise ...''"</ref> In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', the English text suggests the blue Bowser is a fake<ref>"''A Bowser Impostor?!　In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!''" - ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' Tips.</ref> while the Japanese version leaves his nature ambiguous.<ref>「にせクッパ!? 『スーパーマリオブラザーズ2』には、青いクッパが登場する。倒すとその先にいつもの緑のクッパがいる。『スマブラ』では8Pカラーで青いクッパになる。」 (''Fake Bowser!?　In Super Mario Bros. 2, a blue Bowser appears. Defeat him and beyond is the usual green Bowser. In Smash Bros., the 8P color is the blue-colored Bowser.'') - ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' Tips.</ref> ''Super Mario Pia'', a memorial book also written in collaboration with Nintendo, depicts the blue Bowser as a particular fake Bowser.<ref name=SMP>On {{media link|SMP Blue Bowser.png|page 22}} of 「スーパーマリオぴあ」 (''Super Mario Pia''), the blue Bowser is labeled as 「ニセクッパ」 (''Fake Bowser'') while still stressing his body being blue.</ref> ''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros.]]'', which was released around the same time, distinguishes him from fake Bowsers<ref name=ESMBdesc>{{media link|ESMB page 27.png|Page 27}} of 「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book'', or "''Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book''")</ref> but states that his identity is unknown.<ref>Page 30 of 「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book'', or "''Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book''"). 「謎の青いクッパ! W8-4でクツパと対決する直前、体の青いクッパと戦うことになる。クッパと同等の能力を持つが、その正体は不明。W9-3とWD-4にも登場する。」 (''Mysterious Blue Bowser! In W8-4 just before confronting Bowser, a blue-bodied Bowser must be fought. He has the same abilities as Bowser, but his true identity is unknown. He also appears in W9-3 and WD-4.'')</ref>

*"'''''A Bowser Impostor?!''' In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!''"

NES LL 8-4 Bowser's Brother Screenshot.png|[[Fire Mario]] facing Bowser's Brother in ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''

SMAS Bowser's Brother.gif|Unused sprite in ''Super Mario All-Stars''

|Jap=クッパ・アオ<ref name=SMCE/><br>''Kuppa Ao''<br>ニセクッパ<ref name=SMP/><br>''Nise Kuppa''<br>クッパ(青)<ref name=ESMBdesc/><ref name=SMBsite>[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Japan]]. "[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2/ Official archive page of ''Super Mario Bros. 2'']".</ref><br>''Kuppa (Ao)''

|JapM=Blue Bowser<br><br>Fake Bowser<br><br>Bowser (Blue)

|Ger=Bowser (blau)<ref>Page 27 of ''Super Mario Encyclopedia – Die ersten 30 Jahre''.</ref>

|Spa=Bowser azul<ref>Page 27 of ''Enciclopedia Super Mario Bros 30ª Aniversario''.</ref>

|Ita=Bowser Blu<ref>Page 27 of ''Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia''.</ref>

*Due to his bluish coloration, Bowser's Brother resembles [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]'s original blue depiction of Bowser in artwork for ''Super Mario Bros.'', prior to the character's redesign in artwork for ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''.

{{Koopa}}