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{{articleabout|the final boss from ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''|the enemy from ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''|[[Shadoo|here]]}}
{{Distinguish|Black Bowser|Darkmess Bowser|Fury Bowser}}
{{bisenemy
{{about|the final boss from ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''|the boss from ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''|[[Shadoo]]}}
|title='''''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story|Bowser's Inside Story]]'' Enemy'''
{{character infobox
|image=[[File:DarkBowserAni.gif]]
|image=[[File:MLBISBJJDarkBowser.png]]<br>Sprite of Dark Bowser from ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey''
|location=[[Princess Peach's Castle|Peach's Castle]]
|species=[[Koopa (Bowser's species)|Koopa]]/[[Star (species)|Star]]
|hp=1,000
|first_appearance=''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' ([[List of games by date#2009|2009]])
|power=344
|latest_appearance=''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey]]'' ([[List of games by date#2018|2018]])
|defense=187
|latest_portrayal=[[Kenneth W. James|Kenny James]] ([[List of games by date#2009|2009]]–present)
|speed=37
|experience=0
|coins=0
|items=None
|gear=None
|related=[[Dark Star]], [[Dark Fawful]], [[Bowser]], [[Dark Star Core]]
}}
}}
{{quote|Soon [[Mushroom Kingdom|this kingdom]] will vanish along with all who dwell within. And [[Bowser|you]], too, will sleep eternally in the dark power's embrace!|Dark Bowser|Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story}}  
{{quote|Soon [[Mushroom Kingdom|this kingdom]] will vanish along with all who dwell within. And [[Bowser|you]], too, will sleep eternally in the dark power's embrace!|Dark Bowser|Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story}}
'''Dark Bowser''' is the form the [[Dark Star]] takes after absorbing enough of [[Bowser]]'s DNA, who acts as Bowser's final boss in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' and its remake, ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey]]''. His voice is a slowed-down version of Bowser's, and he has all the powers the original has, along with many dark variations as well. He is fought alongside [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]]'s final boss, the [[Dark Star Core]].


'''Dark Bowser''' is [[Bowser]]'s final boss in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''. He has all the powers Bowser has, along with many dark powers. He is far more evil than the original Bowser; while Bowser simply desires to take over the [[Mushroom Kingdom]], Dark Bowser wants to destroy it outright.
==History==
[[File:Dark Bowser Pieces.PNG|thumb|left|200px|The pieces of Dark Bowser]]
While the [[Dark Star]] was gathering DNA from the [[Airway (Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story)|Airway]] inside [[Bowser's body]], [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] pursue it to try to stop it before it could complete a profile of Bowser's body. It manages to get his [[Punch]], [[Fire Breath]], [[Body Slam (Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story)|Body Slam]], and presumably even more moves before Mario and Luigi could fight it.
 
The brothers battle the Dark Star and manage to defeat it, but at this point, the Dark Star has absorbed every piece of DNA that it needed, so it leaves Bowser's body and transforms into Dark Bowser, albeit in a ghost-like state because the Dark Star was missing DNA from Bowser's legs. After trying to absorb dark power by inhaling an unconscious [[Princess Peach]], to no avail, Dark Bowser searches [[Peach's Castle|her castle]] for dark power to complete the missing info. He finds [[Dark Fawful]] searching for the half of the Dark Star's power he had not absorbed. After Bowser defeats Fawful (which results in him devolving into a bug-like form), Dark Bowser inhales him, thus completing himself, and becoming solid in the process.
 
The newly completed Dark Bowser leaves the room, in the process opening the way to the secret tower of Peach's Castle. Bowser pursues him, and when he confronts his dark form, the two Bowsers both execute flame breath attacks that clash with each other, initiating the prologue to the final battle. Bowser eventually overwhelms Dark Bowser, who retreats higher into the tower in his inflammed [[spike ball (move)|spike ball]], forcing Bowser into the same position in the process. Bowser, with the help of Mario and Luigi in the [[Chest Station]], is able to defeat his dark form in a shell collision match, but the dark being manages to retreat again.
 
Just above the arena is the roof of the tower. Bowser follows a path to an arena, where Dark Bowser waits with a still unconscious Peach (who is now inexplicably outside of him). Dark Bowser, commenting on the dark power needing to be freed, unleashes a dark hurricane over the Mushroom Kingdom. In the original version, [[Broque Monsieur]], the [[Koopa Paratroopa Trio]] and some [[Toad (species)|Toad]]s and [[Goomba]]s trapped in bubbles are shown circling around the arena. [[Starlow]] attempts to encourage Bowser and reveal Mario and Luigi and her true identity, but the windstorm is too loud for him to hear her. Dark Bowser and Bowser then fire their Flame Breath at each other, initiating the final battle.
 
Once Mario and Luigi defeat the [[Dark Star Core]] inside Bowser, Dark Bowser becomes unstable. This allows Bowser to finish him off with a "KO [[punch]]". Dark Bowser, after saying his last words to Bowser, explodes, releasing the dying Dark Star, which flies above [[Peach's Castle]] and explodes, reverting the kingdom back to normal.
{{br|left}}
 
==General information==
===Physical description===
Dark Bowser has all of the original Bowser's physique and build, but is detailed very differently. All of his scales and shell are colored dark blue, and his snout, plastron/underbelly, horns and spikes are noticeably paler than Bowser's. His eyes are identical to the [[Dark Star]]'s own, but he seems to entirely lack Bowser's eyebrows. The rings around his spikes and horns are colored black, and the most noticeable difference between Bowser and Dark Bowser is that Dark Bowser has a black mohawk in place of Bowser's hair. His sprites also have dark orbs float across his body.
 
In his incomplete state, he retains his details, but appears as a ghostly figure with a purple coloration (without his eyes), whilst pulsating a brighter purple. His animations are also distinctive in that his idle sprite has misplaced pixels to give an effect resembling video noise, and his talking animations have a noticeable jitter to them. He also entirely lacks legs and a tail until he is fully complete.
 
===Speech===
While Dark Bowser is incomplete, his speech is halted and can only speak one sentence at a time. However, upon his completion, he starts to speak fully and does not use contractions.
 
In the Japanese version, his speech is halted and written entirely in katakana while he is incomplete. When Dark Bowser inhales Dark Fawful and is completed, he begins to speak in more natural Japanese, with kanji and no pauses.
 
Aside from text dialogue, Dark Bowser's roars and grunts are provided by [[Kenneth W. James|Kenny James]], who also voices the original Bowser.


==History==
===Powers & abilities===
===''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story===  
[[File:Dark Bowser Fire.png|thumb|Dark Bowser breathing fire at Bowser.]]
[[File:ShadowBowser.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Bowser]] battling '''Dark Bowser''', who's fully powered by [[Dark Fawful]].]]
While incomplete, the only powers Dark Bowser is shown to possess are floating, punching and inhaling. Once he inhales Dark Fawful after he is reduced to a bug-like form and turns complete, Dark Bowser showcases even more powers that are similar to the original Bowser's; exhaling/shooting fire out of his mouth, curling up into a [[spike ball (move)|spike ball]], etc. Dark Bowser also has the ability of spreading darkness throughout large areas of land, seen before the final boss fight with him, which also traps any residents inside dark bubbles.
[[File:DBowser Battle.png|frame|right|Dark Bowser's battle pose]]
 
While the evil [[Dark Star]] was gathering DNA from [[Bowser's body]], [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] tried to stop it before it succeeded. The brothers manage to defeat it, but it seems that it had already got every piece of DNA that it needs. The only parts missing were the legs, which it gathers by inhaling [[Dark Fawful]], thus creating a dark version of Bowser. He flees from Bowser, but when Bowser finds him in the secret tower, they both breathe fire at the same time, starting a duel. Bowser overwhelms him, then they both curl up into a spike ball and the fight commences. Bowser again overwhelms his dark form, who then covers the whole Mushroom Kingdom in darkness, with Bowser being the only one who could defeat him. Eventually, sick of the battle of the titans, Bowser charges up his fists and gives the dark version the final blow.
During the final battle, Dark Bowser has the ability to create boulders, cages and energy balls as the means to attack Bowser. With the help of Dark Fawful, who is inside him, Dark Bowser can recover any and all damages given to him, seen once Bowser reduces his HP to zero, and even grow larger (with his belly being his only weak spot, which makes him cough up Dark Fawful and revert him back to normal size). Also, Dark Bowser makes use of dark variations of Bowser's own minions, sending them after Bowser when he turns giant.
 
However, if the Dark Star Core takes too much damage, Dark Bowser will become weakened and unstable, which is what ultimately allowed Bowser to finish him off during their fight.
 
==Battle==
[[File:ShadowBowser.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Bowser]] battling Dark Bowser, who is fully powered by [[Dark Fawful]]]]
 
Dark Bowser has three attacks that he can use while in his regular form.
 
* His first attack involves tossing a giant boulder into the air and blasting it to pieces with a fireball. The pieces will then begin to rain down from the sky around Bowser, and he must use his [[shell defense]] to avoid taking damage. At the same time, Dark Bowser will be charging up a blast of dark fire breath, and Bowser must find an opportunity to punch one of the falling rocks that land in front of him at Dark Bowser before he finishes charging up. When the rock lands in his mouth, the attack's energy recoils and he inflicts damage on himself from the inside. If Bowser fails to punch a rock back at Dark Bowser, he will take damage from the flames.
 
* Dark Bowser can also repeatedly punch Bowser. Bowser must counter with his own punch, making their fists clash and negating any intended damage. Countering a punch will cause Dark Bowser to curl up into a [[spike ball (move)|spike ball]] and try and crush Bowser from above, which can be blocked with shell defense. When Dark Bowser lands on the ground, there is a brief window to counter with a punch before he returns to his spot.
 
* Another attack traps Bowser in a cage and raises it into the sky. Dark Bowser will then charge up an energy ball to launch at Bowser, who must repeatedly punch the cage with 14 punches to destroy the lock before the energy ball hits him. Bowser has just enough time to free himself and drop back to the ground before the energy ball strikes. Alternatively, Bowser can also use his shell defense to cause the cage to swing, and he must time his crouches at the peak of the swing to increase the swing intensity. Eventually, the wire will snap and Bowser lands on top of Dark Bowser's head, dealing some damage. In the remake, punching the cage now causes it to swing and land on Dark Bowser after it breaks.
 
{{multiframe
|[[File:Darkminions.png]]<br>[[File:MLBISBJJDarkMinions.png]]
|The "Dark Minions" seen in the Dark Bowser fight in between versions.
|align=right
|size=240
}}
After taking enough damage, Dark Bowser will fall to the ground; he is then fully healed by the ingested Dark Fawful and will grow larger. In this giant form, his only move is tossing a mixed ball of dark versions of Bowser's minions ([[Goomba]]s, [[Koopa Troopa]]s, [[Thwomp]]s, [[Bob-omb]]s, and [[Bullet Bill]]s) at him. The ball pushes Bowser back several meters, after which he must walk back through the minions while dodging or countering their attacks (punching the Goombas, Koopa Troopas, Bob-ombs and low-altitude Bullet Bills, and ducking under the high-altitude Bullet Bills and Thwomps). When near to the battlefield, Dark Bowser again curls up into a spike ball and tries to slam into him from above. Bowser must defend with his shell, then do it again as Dark Bowser prepares the next spike ball slam (if quick enough, the second slam can be avoided by simply walking).


[[File:Darkbowserfire.JPG|250px|thumb|left|Dark Bowser breathing fire at Bowser.]]
When it is his turn, Bowser has to attack his stomach so that he spits up the [[Dark Star Core]] and causing Dark Bowser to shrink back to normal size. Bowser must then inhale Dark Fawful; Dark Bowser will try to counteract with his own inhaling technique. If he fails to inhale the core, Bowser will have to drain his HP all over again. Once he has successfully inhaled Dark Fawful, the Mario Brothers must fight the dark being inside his body. If Mario and Luigi fail to defeat Dark Fawful and Dark Star Core within several turns, it will escape and return back into Dark Bowser's body, forcing the process to be repeated. Only upon Dark Fawful's defeat can Bowser give his shadowy doppelganger the final blows. Once defeated, Dark Bowser dissolves, leaving only the Dark Star, which rises into the air and explodes, restoring the Mushroom Kingdom to normal.
One of Dark Bowser's attacks is throwing a boulder into the air and blasting it apart, causing rocks to fall out of the sky. Bowser must use his shell to avoid taking damage. However, he must also punch one of the rocks at Dark Bowser, who is charging an attack. When the rock lands in his mouth, it plugs him up and causes his attack to damage himself from the inside. If Bowser does not, he is blasted by dark fire.


Another attack involves him [[punch]]ing Bowser repeatedly. Bowser must counter with his own punch, making their fists clash. The two giant blows meet and throw the titans back, creating a shock wave. Then Dark Bowser will jump into the air as a spiked ball and tries to land on Bowser. Bowser must retract into his shell to avoid taking damage. He can then counterattack by quickly throwing a punch at Dark Bowser. Another attack traps Bowser in a cage and raises it into the sky. He will then charge up an energy ball. Bowser must try and destroy the cage's lock before he gets hit by the energy ball. He can also swing the cage off its hinges with shell defense to damage Dark Bowser.
If Bowser does not attack Dark Bowser's stomach within 2 turns after he turns giant, he will shrink back to normal and the process must be repeated. Similarly, If Bowser defeats Dark Bowser while he's giant, or defeats Dark Bowser when Dark Fawful is outside his body, Dark Fawful will still heal him and the process will also repeat. When the Dark Star Core has lost enough HP, Dark Bowser will start attacking more times in a single turn.
                                                                                     
After taking enough damage, Dark Bowser will fall to the ground; he is then healed by the ingested Dark Fawful and will grow larger. He will always follow this up by tossing a mixed ball of "Dark Minions" at Bowser, including [[Goomba]]s, [[Koopa Troopa]], [[Thwomp]]s, [[Bob-omb]]s, and [[Bullet Bill]]s. The ball pushes Bowser back several feet, after which he must then walk back through the "Dark Minions" while dodging or countering their attacks. When he catches up, Dark Bowser again curls up into a spike ball and tries to body slam him. Bowser must curl up into his shell, then do it again as Dark Bowser prepares the next body slam.  


Bowser has to punch him in the stomach so that he spits up [[Fawful]] and then inhales him, which Dark Bowser will try to do as well. Successfully inhaling Fawful pulls him into Bowser, where the Mario Brothers must fight Dark Fawful. Only upon Dark Fawful's defeat can Bowser give his shadowy doppelganger the final blow.                    
In the [[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey|remake]], Dark Bowser's health increased slightly from 1000 to 1260. For his cage attack, punching the cage now causes it to swing, and upon punching the cage enough times will break the lock, causing Bowser to land on Dark Bowser's head. He is now able to use 2 attacks in a turn from the very start of the battle.
{{br}}


Once defeated, Dark Bowser dissolved, leaving only the Dark Star, which rose into the air and exploded, restoring the Mushroom Kingdom to normal.
==Statistics==
===''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story''===
{{:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story bestiary|transcludesection=Dark Bowser|align=horizontal|image=[[File:DarkBowserAni.gif]]}}
{{:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story bestiary|transcludesection=Belly|align=horizontal|}}


While Dark Bowser is incomplete, he speaks extremely slowly. However, as he becomes complete, he starts to speak fully. In the Japanese version, his speech is halted and written completely in katakana while he is incomplete. When Dark Bowser inhales Dark Fawful and is completed, he begins to speak in more natural Japanese, with kanji and no pauses.
===''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey''===
{{:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey bestiary|transcludesection=Dark Bowser|align=horizontal|image=[[File:Dark Bowser DX.gif]]}}
{{:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey bestiary|transcludesection=Belly|align=horizontal|image=[[File:Giant Dark Bowser.gif]]}}


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
{{main|List of Quotes in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story#Dark Bowser}}
*"''[[Bowser|Your]] body, I have copied... Your power, I have copied...''"
*"''Not enough... Not enough...power...''"
*"''Not enough dark power... Power has been drained...''"
*"''I am not complete...''"
*"''Who... Who will give...the dark power... Her... No...''"
*"''That voice... Yes... I know that voice... That is [[Fawful|the being]] who drained me of my power...''"
*"''Where... Dark power... Being who drains... Where... Where...''"
*"''There...''"
*"''FWAHAHAHA! Awake at last! The dark power is complete!''"
*"''I have copied all that is you. You are no longer necessary.''"
*"''The [[Dark Star|dark power]] slept so long, and now it wakes... It must be freed... BEHOLD!''"
*"''Still here? Has the dark power not yet crushed your puny hopes? Soon [[Mushroom Kingdom|this kingdom]] will vanish along with all who dwell within. And [[Bowser|you]], too, will sleep eternally in the dark power's embrace!''"
*"''Huuh huuh huuh... Haah haah haargh... I have fallen...To come so far...so far...to lose...''"
*"''Dark...Even with the dark power completed...The unthinkable happened...''"


==Names in Other Languages==
==Gallery==
{{foreignname
<gallery>
SMKun 41 Dark Bowser.jpg|''[[Super Mario-kun]]'' Volume 41 page 69
SMK 41 Page 86.jpg|''Super Mario-kun'' Volume 41 page 86
</gallery>
 
==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=ダーククッパ
|Jap=ダーククッパ
|JapR=Dāku Kuppa
|JapR=Dāku Kuppa
|JapM=Dark Koopa; "Koopa" being Bowser's Japanese name.
|JapM=Dark Bowser
|Spa=Bowser Oscuro
|Spa=Bowser Oscuro
|SpaM=Dark Bowser
|SpaM=Dark Bowser
|Ita=Bowser Oscuro
|Ita=Bowser Oscuro
|ItaM=Dark Bowser
|ItaM=Dark Bowser
|FraE=Bowser Noir
|FreE=Bowser Noir
|FraEM=Dark Bowser
|FreEM=Black Bowser
|FraA=Bowser Sombre
|FreA=Bowser Obscur
|FraAM=Dark Bowser
|FreAM=Dark Bowser
|Ger=Finster-Bowser
|Ger=Finster-Bowser
|GerM=Dark Bowser
|GerM=Dark Bowser
|Kor=다크쿠파
|KorR=Dakeu Kupa
|KorM=Dark Bowser
}}
}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Dark Bowser is the third final boss that Bowser has a direct hand in defeating, after [[Smithy]] and [[Super Dimentio]] from ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' and ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', respectively (although using Bowser for either of these battles was optional). The Mario Bros. also defeated [[Elder Princess Shroob]], from ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'', by deflecting Bowser's [[fireball]]s up at her (Bowser was unknowingly possessed by the alien princess and she was using him to try and defeat the Mario Bros.).
*Dark Bowser is the third final boss in the [[Mario & Luigi (series)|''Mario & Luigi'' series]] that is a different form of Bowser, the first two being [[Bowletta]] and [[Shrowser]], and the fourth and fifth being [[Dreamy Bowser]] and [[Shiny RoboBowser]]. However, he is the only one who is not actually Bowser, instead being the Dark Star taking on the appearance of Bowser, due to Bowser himself being playable in the game.
*Bowser's fight with Dark Bowser is reminiscent of the final battle in ''[[Paper Mario]]'', as both take place on a large circular arena above [[Princess Peach]]'s castle.
*In unused text relating to his defeat, Dark Bowser repeats variations on the phrase "I concede this time…", possibly indicating that at an earlier time in development, the Dark Star would not have been completely destroyed.<ref>https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nae6szIGGbLlbO8nA7xgUfyBKr9cgl6ADIqp09MmMZY/edit</ref>
*In the North American version, while Dark Bowser is plugged up, he will grow and shake, whereas in the Japanese version, he just grows.
 
*Like [[Chakron]], when Dark Bowser is defeated, he offers no [[Experience Point|EXP]].
==References==
*Dark Bowser, along with the [[Dark Star Core]], is the only boss that can be fought multiple times on the same save file. There is no [[Save Block]] after defeating Dark Bowser, so the [[player]] can commence the battle over and over again.
<references/>
<br clear=all>
 
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[[Category:Mario & Luigi Series Bosses]]
[[Category:Bowser lookalikes]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]
[[Category:Clones]]
[[Category:Clones]]
[[Category:RPG Bosses]]
[[Category:Final bosses]]
[[Category:Final Bosses]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story bosses]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story characters]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Bosses]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey characters]]
[[Category:One time villains]]
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[[Category:RPG Characters]]
[[it:Bowser Oscuro]]

Latest revision as of 20:02, September 26, 2024

Not to be confused with Black Bowser, Darkmess Bowser, or Fury Bowser.
This article is about the final boss from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. For the boss from Super Paper Mario, see Shadoo.
Dark Bowser
Sprite of Dark Bowser from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
Sprite of Dark Bowser from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
Species Koopa/Star
First appearance Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (2009)
Latest appearance Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey (2018)
Latest portrayal Kenny James (2009–present)
“Soon this kingdom will vanish along with all who dwell within. And you, too, will sleep eternally in the dark power's embrace!”
—Dark Bowser, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

Dark Bowser is the form the Dark Star takes after absorbing enough of Bowser's DNA, who acts as Bowser's final boss in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and its remake, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey. His voice is a slowed-down version of Bowser's, and he has all the powers the original has, along with many dark variations as well. He is fought alongside Mario and Luigi's final boss, the Dark Star Core.

History[edit]

The Dark Star split into Dark Bowser's pieces.
The pieces of Dark Bowser

While the Dark Star was gathering DNA from the Airway inside Bowser's body, Mario and Luigi pursue it to try to stop it before it could complete a profile of Bowser's body. It manages to get his Punch, Fire Breath, Body Slam, and presumably even more moves before Mario and Luigi could fight it.

The brothers battle the Dark Star and manage to defeat it, but at this point, the Dark Star has absorbed every piece of DNA that it needed, so it leaves Bowser's body and transforms into Dark Bowser, albeit in a ghost-like state because the Dark Star was missing DNA from Bowser's legs. After trying to absorb dark power by inhaling an unconscious Princess Peach, to no avail, Dark Bowser searches her castle for dark power to complete the missing info. He finds Dark Fawful searching for the half of the Dark Star's power he had not absorbed. After Bowser defeats Fawful (which results in him devolving into a bug-like form), Dark Bowser inhales him, thus completing himself, and becoming solid in the process.

The newly completed Dark Bowser leaves the room, in the process opening the way to the secret tower of Peach's Castle. Bowser pursues him, and when he confronts his dark form, the two Bowsers both execute flame breath attacks that clash with each other, initiating the prologue to the final battle. Bowser eventually overwhelms Dark Bowser, who retreats higher into the tower in his inflammed spike ball, forcing Bowser into the same position in the process. Bowser, with the help of Mario and Luigi in the Chest Station, is able to defeat his dark form in a shell collision match, but the dark being manages to retreat again.

Just above the arena is the roof of the tower. Bowser follows a path to an arena, where Dark Bowser waits with a still unconscious Peach (who is now inexplicably outside of him). Dark Bowser, commenting on the dark power needing to be freed, unleashes a dark hurricane over the Mushroom Kingdom. In the original version, Broque Monsieur, the Koopa Paratroopa Trio and some Toads and Goombas trapped in bubbles are shown circling around the arena. Starlow attempts to encourage Bowser and reveal Mario and Luigi and her true identity, but the windstorm is too loud for him to hear her. Dark Bowser and Bowser then fire their Flame Breath at each other, initiating the final battle.

Once Mario and Luigi defeat the Dark Star Core inside Bowser, Dark Bowser becomes unstable. This allows Bowser to finish him off with a "KO punch". Dark Bowser, after saying his last words to Bowser, explodes, releasing the dying Dark Star, which flies above Peach's Castle and explodes, reverting the kingdom back to normal.

General information[edit]

Physical description[edit]

Dark Bowser has all of the original Bowser's physique and build, but is detailed very differently. All of his scales and shell are colored dark blue, and his snout, plastron/underbelly, horns and spikes are noticeably paler than Bowser's. His eyes are identical to the Dark Star's own, but he seems to entirely lack Bowser's eyebrows. The rings around his spikes and horns are colored black, and the most noticeable difference between Bowser and Dark Bowser is that Dark Bowser has a black mohawk in place of Bowser's hair. His sprites also have dark orbs float across his body.

In his incomplete state, he retains his details, but appears as a ghostly figure with a purple coloration (without his eyes), whilst pulsating a brighter purple. His animations are also distinctive in that his idle sprite has misplaced pixels to give an effect resembling video noise, and his talking animations have a noticeable jitter to them. He also entirely lacks legs and a tail until he is fully complete.

Speech[edit]

While Dark Bowser is incomplete, his speech is halted and can only speak one sentence at a time. However, upon his completion, he starts to speak fully and does not use contractions.

In the Japanese version, his speech is halted and written entirely in katakana while he is incomplete. When Dark Bowser inhales Dark Fawful and is completed, he begins to speak in more natural Japanese, with kanji and no pauses.

Aside from text dialogue, Dark Bowser's roars and grunts are provided by Kenny James, who also voices the original Bowser.

Powers & abilities[edit]

Dark Bowser breathing fire at Bowser at the top of Peach's Castle
Dark Bowser breathing fire at Bowser.

While incomplete, the only powers Dark Bowser is shown to possess are floating, punching and inhaling. Once he inhales Dark Fawful after he is reduced to a bug-like form and turns complete, Dark Bowser showcases even more powers that are similar to the original Bowser's; exhaling/shooting fire out of his mouth, curling up into a spike ball, etc. Dark Bowser also has the ability of spreading darkness throughout large areas of land, seen before the final boss fight with him, which also traps any residents inside dark bubbles.

During the final battle, Dark Bowser has the ability to create boulders, cages and energy balls as the means to attack Bowser. With the help of Dark Fawful, who is inside him, Dark Bowser can recover any and all damages given to him, seen once Bowser reduces his HP to zero, and even grow larger (with his belly being his only weak spot, which makes him cough up Dark Fawful and revert him back to normal size). Also, Dark Bowser makes use of dark variations of Bowser's own minions, sending them after Bowser when he turns giant.

However, if the Dark Star Core takes too much damage, Dark Bowser will become weakened and unstable, which is what ultimately allowed Bowser to finish him off during their fight.

Battle[edit]

Bowser versus the final boss, Dark Bowser.
Bowser battling Dark Bowser, who is fully powered by Dark Fawful

Dark Bowser has three attacks that he can use while in his regular form.

  • His first attack involves tossing a giant boulder into the air and blasting it to pieces with a fireball. The pieces will then begin to rain down from the sky around Bowser, and he must use his shell defense to avoid taking damage. At the same time, Dark Bowser will be charging up a blast of dark fire breath, and Bowser must find an opportunity to punch one of the falling rocks that land in front of him at Dark Bowser before he finishes charging up. When the rock lands in his mouth, the attack's energy recoils and he inflicts damage on himself from the inside. If Bowser fails to punch a rock back at Dark Bowser, he will take damage from the flames.
  • Dark Bowser can also repeatedly punch Bowser. Bowser must counter with his own punch, making their fists clash and negating any intended damage. Countering a punch will cause Dark Bowser to curl up into a spike ball and try and crush Bowser from above, which can be blocked with shell defense. When Dark Bowser lands on the ground, there is a brief window to counter with a punch before he returns to his spot.
  • Another attack traps Bowser in a cage and raises it into the sky. Dark Bowser will then charge up an energy ball to launch at Bowser, who must repeatedly punch the cage with 14 punches to destroy the lock before the energy ball hits him. Bowser has just enough time to free himself and drop back to the ground before the energy ball strikes. Alternatively, Bowser can also use his shell defense to cause the cage to swing, and he must time his crouches at the peak of the swing to increase the swing intensity. Eventually, the wire will snap and Bowser lands on top of Dark Bowser's head, dealing some damage. In the remake, punching the cage now causes it to swing and land on Dark Bowser after it breaks.
Darkminions.png
Dark Bowser's minions from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey.
The "Dark Minions" seen in the Dark Bowser fight in between versions.

After taking enough damage, Dark Bowser will fall to the ground; he is then fully healed by the ingested Dark Fawful and will grow larger. In this giant form, his only move is tossing a mixed ball of dark versions of Bowser's minions (Goombas, Koopa Troopas, Thwomps, Bob-ombs, and Bullet Bills) at him. The ball pushes Bowser back several meters, after which he must walk back through the minions while dodging or countering their attacks (punching the Goombas, Koopa Troopas, Bob-ombs and low-altitude Bullet Bills, and ducking under the high-altitude Bullet Bills and Thwomps). When near to the battlefield, Dark Bowser again curls up into a spike ball and tries to slam into him from above. Bowser must defend with his shell, then do it again as Dark Bowser prepares the next spike ball slam (if quick enough, the second slam can be avoided by simply walking).

When it is his turn, Bowser has to attack his stomach so that he spits up the Dark Star Core and causing Dark Bowser to shrink back to normal size. Bowser must then inhale Dark Fawful; Dark Bowser will try to counteract with his own inhaling technique. If he fails to inhale the core, Bowser will have to drain his HP all over again. Once he has successfully inhaled Dark Fawful, the Mario Brothers must fight the dark being inside his body. If Mario and Luigi fail to defeat Dark Fawful and Dark Star Core within several turns, it will escape and return back into Dark Bowser's body, forcing the process to be repeated. Only upon Dark Fawful's defeat can Bowser give his shadowy doppelganger the final blows. Once defeated, Dark Bowser dissolves, leaving only the Dark Star, which rises into the air and explodes, restoring the Mushroom Kingdom to normal.

If Bowser does not attack Dark Bowser's stomach within 2 turns after he turns giant, he will shrink back to normal and the process must be repeated. Similarly, If Bowser defeats Dark Bowser while he's giant, or defeats Dark Bowser when Dark Fawful is outside his body, Dark Fawful will still heal him and the process will also repeat. When the Dark Star Core has lost enough HP, Dark Bowser will start attacking more times in a single turn.

In the remake, Dark Bowser's health increased slightly from 1000 to 1260. For his cage attack, punching the cage now causes it to swing, and upon punching the cage enough times will break the lock, causing Bowser to land on Dark Bowser's head. He is now able to use 2 attacks in a turn from the very start of the battle.

Statistics[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story enemy
Dark Bowser
Dark Bowser HP 1,000 (1,500) POW 344 (860) DEF 187 (281) SPEED 37 (56)
Coins 0 (0) Level 35 Fire Normal Burn? Immune
Role Boss Battled by Bowser Location(s) Peach's Castle Dizzy? Immune
Stat down? Half KO? Immune Experience 0 Item drop
Notice: The second set of numbers next to the enemy's HP, POW, DEF, SPEED and Coins are stat increases from the Challenge Medal accessory; a 50% increase for HP, DEF, SPEED and Coins earned, and a 150% increase for POW.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story enemy
Belly
Dark Bowser's giant form, in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. HP 1 (2) POW 999 (999) DEF 999 (999) SPEED 999 (999)
Coins 0 (0) Level 35 Fire Normal Burn? Immune
Role Support Battled by Bowser Location(s) Peach's Castle Dizzy? Immune
Stat down? Half KO? Immune Experience 0 Item drop
Notice: The second set of numbers next to the enemy's HP, POW, DEF, SPEED and Coins are stat increases from the Challenge Medal accessory; a 50% increase for HP, DEF, SPEED and Coins earned, and a 150% increase for POW.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey enemy
Dark Bowser
Dark Bowser Remake HP 1260 POW 360 DEF 380 SPEED 37 Experience 0
Fire Normal Jump Normal Hammer Normal Battled by Bowser Coins 0
Burn Immune Dizzy Immune Stat down 0,5x Speed down 0,5x Item drop None - 0%
None - 0%
Level           32 Location(s) Peach's Castle
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey enemy
Belly
Dark Bowser Remake HP 1 POW 999 DEF 999 SPEED 999 Experience 0
Fire Normal Jump Normal Hammer Normal Battled by Bowser Coins 0
Burn Immune Dizzy Immune Stat down 0,5x Speed down 0,5x Item drop None - 0%
None - 0%
Level           32 Location(s) Peach's Castle

Quotes[edit]

  • "Your body, I have copied... Your power, I have copied..."
  • "Not enough... Not enough...power..."
  • "Not enough dark power... Power has been drained..."
  • "I am not complete..."
  • "Who... Who will give...the dark power... Her... No..."
  • "That voice... Yes... I know that voice... That is the being who drained me of my power..."
  • "Where... Dark power... Being who drains... Where... Where..."
  • "There..."
  • "FWAHAHAHA! Awake at last! The dark power is complete!"
  • "I have copied all that is you. You are no longer necessary."
  • "The dark power slept so long, and now it wakes... It must be freed... BEHOLD!"
  • "Still here? Has the dark power not yet crushed your puny hopes? Soon this kingdom will vanish along with all who dwell within. And you, too, will sleep eternally in the dark power's embrace!"
  • "Huuh huuh huuh... Haah haah haargh... I have fallen...To come so far...so far...to lose..."
  • "Dark...Even with the dark power completed...The unthinkable happened..."

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ダーククッパ[?]
Dāku Kuppa 		Dark Bowser
French (NOA) Bowser Obscur[?] Dark Bowser
French (NOE) Bowser Noir[?] Black Bowser
German Finster-Bowser[?] Dark Bowser
Italian Bowser Oscuro[?] Dark Bowser
Korean 다크쿠파[?]
Dakeu Kupa 		Dark Bowser
Spanish Bowser Oscuro[?] Dark Bowser

Trivia[edit]

  • Dark Bowser is the third final boss in the Mario & Luigi series that is a different form of Bowser, the first two being Bowletta and Shrowser, and the fourth and fifth being Dreamy Bowser and Shiny RoboBowser. However, he is the only one who is not actually Bowser, instead being the Dark Star taking on the appearance of Bowser, due to Bowser himself being playable in the game.
  • In unused text relating to his defeat, Dark Bowser repeats variations on the phrase "I concede this time…", possibly indicating that at an earlier time in development, the Dark Star would not have been completely destroyed.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nae6szIGGbLlbO8nA7xgUfyBKr9cgl6ADIqp09MmMZY/edit
[Edit]
Koopas
Characters Bowser, forms, and counterparts Alarm Koopa • Baby Bowser (Mega Baby Bowser) • Black Bowser • Blockhead Bowser • Bowcien • Bowser • Bowletta • Castle Bowser • Dreamy Bowser • Dry Bowser • Fury Bowser • Giant Bowser • Giga Bowser • Golf Daiō • King Koopa's alter egos • King Tetris • Koopa 3 • MegaDragonBowser • Meowser • Molten Bowser • Paper Bowser • Qix Daiō • Shiny RoboBowser • Shrowser • Torino Daiō
Bowser's current game relatives Dry Bowser • Bowser Jr. • Paper Bowser Jr.
Bowser's former game relatives Bowser's Brother • Koopa Kid • Koopalings (Iggy Koopa · Larry Koopa · Lemmy Koopa · Ludwig von Koopa · Morton Koopa Jr. · Roy Koopa · Wendy O. Koopa)
Bowser's adaptation relatives Bowser's father • Bowser's mother • Bowser's sister • Enma Daiō • King Koopa's great-great grandkoop • Poopa La Koopa
Other Bowser X • C. Everett Koopa • Dark Bowser • Darkmess Bowser • Francis Ford Koopola • Gary Koopa • James Fennimore Koopa
Species Impostor Bowser • Koopa Kid • Koopa Zombie • Tail Bowser
Facsimiles and other constructs Robots Blasta Mechakoopa • Bowser??? • Bowser's mech • Flying Mechakoopa • Mecha-Bowser • Mecha Hand • Mechakoopa • Mega Mechakoopa • Mekakuppa • Mini Bowser • Mini Bowser Jr. • Rabbid Mechakoopa • Robo-suit • The Great King Bowser • Zappa Mechakoopa
Statues Abominable Snowkoopa • Bowser Monument • Bowser Snow Statue • Bowser Statue • Bowser Stunner • Guard Door • Koopa no Yukidaruma • Papercraft Bowser • Papercraft Bowser Jr.
Buildings Bowser's Castle • Bowser's Galaxy Generator • Koopamart • Temple of Koopa
Vehicles Bone Rattler • Flame Runner • Gilded King • Holiday King • Koopa Cruiser • Koopa King • Silver King
Related items Bowser Bomb • Bowser Candy • Bowser Capsule • Bowser Suit • Bowser's Shell • Grand Spiky Shell • Koopa Kid Orb • Spiky Shell
[Edit]
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story / Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
Characters (Bowser's Inside Story) Protagonists Bowser • Luigi • Mario
Antagonists Dark Star (Dark Bowser) • Fawful • Midbus
Supporting characters Broggy • Broque Madame • Broque Monsieur • Chakron • Corporal Paraplonk • Dr. Toadley • Dr. Toadley's intern • Fawful • Giant Sockop • Guardian • Hide-and-seek Toad • Jerry • Kamek • Koopa Paratroopa Trio • Kuribo • Kuzzle • Monty Bros. • PR Toad • Princess Lipid • Princess Peach • Private Goomp • Sergeant Guy • Starlow • Toadbert • Toadsworth • Yikk
Species Bee • Blitty • Bob-omb • Brock • Emoglobin • Evoglobin • Goomba • Magikoopa • Malodorous Fibbian# • Nutsoglobin • Shy Guy • Totemglobin • Toad • Virus
Characters (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) Protagonists# Bowser Jr. • Iggy Koopa • Larry Koopa • Lemmy Koopa • Ludwig von Koopa • Morton Koopa Jr. • Roy Koopa • Wendy O. Koopa
Antagonists# Best Fitness Friends (Beef · Dieter · Kaley)
Supporting characters# Dry Bowser
Special Attacks Bowser Bob-omb Blitz • Broggy Bonker • Goomba Storm • Koopa Corps • Magikoopa Mob • Shy Guy Squad
Mario and Luigi Falling Star • Fire Flower • Green Shell • Jump Helmet • Magic Window • Mighty Meteor • Snack Basket • Spin Pipe • Super Bouncer • Yoo Who Cannon
Bosses Giant bosses Bowser's Castle • Fawful Express • Fawful Mountain • Super Peach's Castle of Fury • Tower of Yikk
Bosses Alpha and Beta Kretin • Biffidus • Blizzard Midbus • Bowser • Bowser Memory M and Bowser Memory L • Chakron • Dark Bowser • Dark Fawful • Dark Satellmite • Dark Star • Dark Star Core • Durmite • Junker • Junker Can • Leaf Guy • Midbus • Scutlet • Sea Pipe Statue • Shroob • Snawful • Vacuum Helmet • Wiggler • Wisdurm
X bosses Alpha and Beta Kretin X • Biffidus X • Bowser X • Bowser Memory MLX • Dark Satellmite X • Dark Star X • Durmite X • Junker X • Junker Can X • Wisdurm X
Bowser Jr.'s Journey# Beef • Kaley • Dieter • King Bob-Omb • Best Fitness Friends
Locations Mushroom Kingdom Badge Shop • Blubble Lake • Bowser Path • Bowser's Castle • Broggy's Shop • Broque Monsieur's Shop • Bumpsy Plains • Cavi Cape • Conference Hall • Dimble Wood • Fawful Theater • Gear Shop • Peach's Castle • Peach's Castle Garden • Princess Peach's room • Plack Beach • Project K • Star Shop • Tea Kiosk • Toad Town • Toad Town Caves • Toad Town Mall • Toadles Boutique • Toadley Clinic • Tower of Yikk • Treasure Chamber • Tunnel
Bowser's body Airway • Arm Center • Challenge Node • Chest Station • Cholesteroad • Energy Hold • Flab Zone • Flame Pipe • Funny Bone • Gut Check • Joint Tower • Leg Outpost • Lumbar Nook • Memory Banks • Nerve Cluster • Nose Deck • Pipe Yard • Pump Works • Rump Command • The Gauntlet • Toad Square • Trash Pit
Enemies Mushroom Kingdom Alarm Bob-omb • Beehoss • Borp • Broggy • Broque Monsieur • Chain Chawful • Choomba • Chuboomba • Coalbit • Crawful • Dark Fawful Bomb • Dark Fawful Guy • Dark Mechawful • Dark Mechawful.5 • Dark Trashure • Drillbit Crab • Fawflant • Fawflopper • Fawfulcopter • Fawful Guy • Flifit • Flying Snifit • Glam Lakitu • Jailgoon • Lakitu King • Magifoofa • Mawful Mole • Mechawful • Metal Mawful Mole • Naplock • Nooz • Pendril • Scutlet • Sneed • Sniffle Thwomp • Sockop • Toothy • Trashure • Treevil
Bowser's body Airnapse • Air Cannon • Air Cheep • Bone Thwomp • Bubble Blooper • Calorite • Cholesteron • Dried Blooper • Elite Goombule • Goombule • Napse • Pep • Piranha Plorp • Protobatter • Pwallop • Spike Blop • Stonk • Tenderling
Bowser Jr.'s Journey# Alarm Bob-omb • Bandit • Beehoss • Big Boo • Big Tail Goomba • Bob-omb • Bomb Boo • Boo • Boomerang Bro • Borp • Broozer • Broque Madame • Bully • Buzzy Beetle • Captain Boo • Captain Goomba • Captain Koopa Troopa • Captain Shy Guy • Chain Chomp • Chargin' Chuck • Cheep Cheep • Choomba • Chuboomba • Crawful • Drillbit Crab • Dry Bones • Elite Captain Quartet • Fawflant • Fawful Guy • Fawfulcopter • Fire Bro • Fire Stalking Piranha Plant • Fly Guy • Goomba • Goomba Tower • Green Magikoopa • Hammer Bro • Horned Ant Trooper • Ice Bro • King Bob-omb • Koopa Paratroopa • Koopa Paratroopa Trio • Koopa Troopa • Lakitu • Lakitu King • Magifoofa • Magikoopa • Mechakoopa • Nabbit • Ninji • Oho Jee • Para-Beetle • Para-Biddybud • Parabones • Paragoomba • Pendril • Pokey • Red Magikoopa • Scutlet • Shroob • Shy Guy • Sockop • Spear Guy • Spike • Spike Top • Spiny • Swoop • Tail Boo • Toothy • Treevil • Urchin • White Magikoopa
Items Consumables 1-Up Deluxe • 1-Up Mushroom • Boo Biscuit# • Cheese# • Cheesy Drumstick# • Defense Bean# • Fiery Drumstick • Flex Bean# • Heart Bean • Hot Drumstick • Max Mushroom • Max Nut • Max Syrup Jar • Miracle Cheese# • Mushroom • Nut • Power Bean • Refreshing Herb • Refreshroom • Retry Clock* • Special Bean • Speed Bean# • Star Candy • Super Cheese# • Super Mushroom • Super Nut • Supersyrup Jar • Syrup Jar • TNT Drumstick • Ultra Cheese# • Ultra Mushroom • Ultra Nut • Ultrasyrup Jar
Key items Attack Piece • Banzai Bill • Birdley • Blitty • Blue Key • Green Key • Hammers • Miracle Cure • Mushroom Ball • Puzzle Sack • Red Key • Star Cure • Star Panel • Stingler • Vacuum Block • Vacuum Shroom
Blocks 99 Block • Attack Piece Block • Command Block • Hidden Block • L Block • M Block • Rally Block • Save Block • Shell block • Shop Block
Other 10 Coin • 50-Coin • Blorbs • Boo-ray Machine • Cake • Chakroad • Chombone • Donut • Ever Ice# • Five Coin • Giga-carrot • Launch Fit • Liftoglobin • Malatone Formula:X# • Meat • Mushroom Tea • Negative Ions • Nubbin • Omega-onion# • Poison Mushroom# • RenewaLeaf# • Scratch Card/Bonus Card • Seesaw Fit • Skeletone Formula:D# • Squid Fit • Vegetable • Whirlwind
Stats Bros. Point • Brawl Point • Defense • Experience Point • Heart Point • Power • Rank • Speed • Spirit# • Stache/Horn
Status Burn • DEF-Down • DEF-Up • Dizzy • Fury • Invisible# • KO • Poison • POW-Down • POW-Up • Prohibited Command • SPD-Down • SPD-Up • Sick • Trip
Moves Balloon Mario • Body Slam • Counterattack • Drill Bros. • Emergency Guard# • Finishing Move# • Fire Breath • Fire Mario • Flee • Hammer • Jump • Mini-Mario • Pump Mario • Punch • Shell defense • Shell Mario • Sliding haymaker • Spike Ball • Spin Jump
Other Beanhole locations (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) • Bestiary (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) • Block locations (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) • Bros. Badge • First officer# • Gallery (Bowser Jr's Journey) • Gear (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) • Glitches (Bowser Jr's Journey) • Mario & Luigi RPG: Sound Selection • Pre-release and unused content • Quotes (Bowser Jr's Journey) • Shops (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) • Sound test# • Special Skill# • Staff (Bowser Jr's Journey) • Star menu • Story summaries
* Exclusive to Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
# Exclusive to Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
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