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{{about|King Bowser Koopa, the main antagonist of the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]]|Bowser as a baby|[[Baby Bowser]]|the president of [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]|[[Doug Bowser]]}}
{{articleabout|King Bowser Koopa, the main antagonist from the [[Mario (series)|''Mario'' series]]|King Bowser from the [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|''Super Mario Bros.'' film]]|[[Mushroom King#Film|here]]}}
{{redirect|King Koopa|the kart from [[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]] with a similar name|[[Koopa King]]}}
{{redirectshere|King Koopa|the kart|[[Koopa King|here]]}}
{{redirect|Lord Bowser|the sponsor and team of the same name|[[List of sponsors debuting in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe#Lord Bowser|List of sponsors debuting in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe § Lord Bowser]]}}
{{character-infobox
{{redirect|King Bowser|the character from the [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros. Film]] whose full name is "King Bowser"|[[King (film character)]]}}
|image=[[File:BowserNSMBWii.png|230px]]<br>'''Bowser''', as he appears in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''.
{{character infobox
|full_name=King Bowser Koopa
|image=[[File:SMBW Bowser Artwork.png|300px]]<br>Artwork of Bowser from ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]''
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[1985]])
|full_name=King Bowser Koopa<ref>[[The Legend]], ''[[Nintendo Comics System]]''</ref>
|species=[[Koopa (species)|Koopa]]
|species=[[Koopa (Bowser's species)|Koopa]]
|affiliation=[[Koopa Troop]], [[Bowser Jr.]], [[Koopalings]], [[Mario]] (occasionally)
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#1985|1985]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Fortune Street]]'' / ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' ([[2011]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Mario & Luigi: Brothership]]'' ([[List of games by date#2024|2024]])
|latest_portrayal=[[Kenny James]] ([[2007]]-present)
|latest_portrayal=[[Kenneth W. James]] ([[List of games by date#2005|2005]], [[List of games by date#2007|2007]]–present)
}}
}}
{{quote|[[Count Bleck]], [[Floro Sapien]]s, whatever... Stomping fools is my business! Show me a fool, I'll stomp it! I don't even need a reason!|Bowser|Super Paper Mario}}
{{quote|Hear this! I will kidnap [[Princess Peach|Peach]] OVER and OVER until I pull it off! And no one can stop me! Losing is not an option! And neither is giving up!|Bowser|Mario & Luigi: Dream Team}}
 
'''Bowser''', sometimes known as '''King Koopa''' or '''King Bowser''', is the main antagonist of the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]]. He is a large, powerful, fire-breathing [[Koopa (Bowser's species)|Koopa]] who leads a large army of [[Bowser's Minions|minions]], and has been the arch-nemesis of [[Mario]] since his debut in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' He has repeatedly kidnapped or attempted to kidnap [[Princess Peach]] with the ultimate goal of defeating Mario and taking over the [[Mushroom Kingdom]].
'''King Bowser Koopa''' (Japanese 大魔王クッパ ''Daimaō Kuppa'' "Great Demon King Koopa", in English also '''Lord Bowser''', '''King Koopa''' commonly in other media) is the main antagonist of the [[Mario (series)|''Mario'' series]], the supreme leader of the [[Koopa Troop]], King of the [[Koopa (species)|Koopas]], and the arch-nemesis of [[Mario]]. He has repeatedly kidnapped or attempted to kidnap [[Princess Peach]] and take over the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. He has on other occasions attempted to conquer the entire [[Mushroom World]], as well as the [[Mushroom Universe|entire universe]].
 
Since his debut, Bowser has been in nearly every ''Mario'' game, including the main series, spin-offs, and crossovers. Besides being a primary villain, Bowser has at times played an anti-villain in all of the ''Mario'' RPGs, with the exception of ''[[Paper Mario]]''.


==Creation==
==Creation==
[[File:Bowser and Peach original SMB.png|thumb|right|Bowser as drawn by Shigeru Miyamoto for the box art of ''Super Mario Bros.'']]
[[File:Bowser earliest concept art.jpg|thumb|left|Earliest known concept artwork for "Boss Creeper"]]
Bowser was created by [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] as the villain of ''Super Mario Bros.'' Miyamoto stated that they considered naming him either ''[[wikipedia:Guk#Gukbap|Kuppa]]'', ''[[wikipedia:Yukhoe|Yukke]]'', or ''[[wikipedia:Bibimbap|Bibinba]]'', which are all Korean dishes as they are known in Japanese. At the end, Kuppa was chosen<ref>[http://www.famitsu.com/game/extra/special/2000/zelda/zelda04.html ''The Legend of Zelda'' interview with Shigeru Miyamoto from 2000 at Famitsu.com (Japanese)]</ref>. For the later North American release of the game, which also introduced the anglicized spelling Koopa, the character was renamed Bowser.
[[File:King Gruesome.png|thumb|King Gruesome in ''{{wp|Alakazam the Great}}''. Bowser's original sprite greatly resembles him in this image, with similar features and stance.]]
 
Bowser was created by [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] as the villain of ''Super Mario Bros.'' In concept art, he tentatively had the name 「ボス クリーパー」 (''Bosu Kurīpā'', Boss Creeper), based on [[Shellcreeper]].<ref>{{cite|language=en-us|author=Nintendo|date=September 14, 2015|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=C73f618-3pk&t=2517s|title=Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2015|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=October 18, 2021}}</ref> Miyamoto stated that they considered naming him either ''{{wp|Gukbap|kuppa}}'' (국밥) (soup with rice), ''{{wp|Yukhoe|yukke}}'' (육회) (raw meat marinated with raw egg), or ''{{wp|Bibimbap|bibinba}}'' (비빔밥) (mixed rice), which are all Korean dishes as they are known in Japanese. In the end, "Kuppa" was chosen.<ref>{{cite|language=ja|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20001010214429/http://www.famitsu.com/game/extra/special/2000/zelda/zelda04.html|title=ファミ通.com ゲーム/スペシャル|publisher=Famitsu|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref> Miyamoto mistakenly thought ''kuppa'' was grilled meat, or ''{{wp|bulgogi}}'' (불고기), and that made it sound powerful and cool, but later learned that it was a rice soup.<ref>{{cite|language=ja|url=www.ndw.jp/mario-220913-2|title=宮本茂さんに聞く“マリオたちの名前の由来”|date=September 13, 2022|accessdate=April 20, 2023|publisher=[[Nintendo DREAM]]}}</ref> For the later North American release of the game, which also introduced the anglicized spelling Koopa, the character was named "Bowser".
During the development of ''Super Mario Bros.'', Miyamoto considered asking a manga artist or illustrator to do the art for the game. However, time was running short, so he drew the game's original box-art himself. This artwork included Bowser (whom Miyamoto depicted notably different from later designs), with gray-blue skin and lacking horns. For the character's appearance, Miyamoto drew inspiration from an anime film adaptation of the Chinese novel ''[[wikipedia:Journey to the West|Journey to the West]]'', renamed ''[[wikipedia:Alakazam the Great|Alakazam the Great]]'' during the film's American localization. He liked the film's main antagonist Gyū-Maō (lit. "Ox Demon King") (King Gruesome in the dub), so loosely based Bowser on an ox as an homage.<ref name="iwata_asks">[http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/systems/volume_8_14207.html Iwata Asks: Nintendo DSi, Volume 8 - Flipnote Studio - An Animation Class (part 4) at Nintendo.co.uk]</ref>
 
[[Yoichi Kotabe]], an animation artist, later joined Nintendo and was asked to do new illustrations for the ''Mario'' series. His only reference was the package illustration for ''Super Mario Bros.'', so Kotabe asked Miyamoto many questions on how to draw the characters. However, designing Bowser caused problems, since Miyamoto hadn't drawn him often. He brought up that he liked the Ox King from the film, and this was how he imagined Bowser, but Nintendo designer [[Takashi Tezuka]] pointed out that Bowser should be a turtle. Through their discussions, Bowser's appearance gradually came together. Since he was now in the turtle family with the [[Koopa Troopa]]s, they partly based Bowser's new appearance on them. Finally, the new design was created, and Miyamoto congratulated himself by saying "Wow, I can really make Bowser look cool now!"<ref name="iwata_asks"/>
 
==History==
===Background===
{{main|Baby Bowser}}
[[File:180px-Babybowser.png|thumb|150px|left|Baby Bowser in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''.]]
Bowser's first chronological appearance in-universe is as Baby Bowser in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''. At this age, he was shown to have similar powers as when an adult.
 
When Baby Mario enters his room in his castle, Baby Bowser awakens from his nap, sees [[Yoshi]], and decides he wants to ride the "green donkey." However, he notices [[Baby Mario]] is riding Yoshi so he attacks them to get Baby Mario off. Yoshi ends up defeating Baby Bowser, even when [[Kamek]] turns him into a giant. ''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island'' was also his first meeting with [[Mario]]. Baby Bowser later stole the [[Super Happy Tree]] from the [[Yoshis]] and turned [[Yoshi's Island (place)|Yoshi's Island]] into a pop-up book in ''[[Yoshi's Story]]'', but was defeated again by a newborn Yoshi. Both incidents quickly define the young Bowser as a selfish character lacking empathy.
 
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario Bros.====
[[File:Bowser333.png|right|200px|thumb|The first appearance of Bowser in the original ''Super Mario Bros.''.]]
Bowser's first appearance (release-wise) is in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' In this game, Bowser and his [[Koopa Troop]] take over the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] by turning many of the Kingdom's defenders into inanimate objects and kidnapping the seven [[Mushroom Retainer]]s, as well as the only person who can undo his black magic: [[Princess Peach|Princess Toadstool]]. He then turns seven of his minions into [[False Bowser]]s and sends them to guard the Retainers in seven different castles while he personally keeps Toadstool captive in an eighth castle.
 
Fortunately for the Mushroom Kingdom, [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] unexpectedly appear and immediately set out to end Bowser's reign of terror. Mario and Luigi traverse the Mushroom Kingdom, freeing the Mushroom Retainers and eventually reaching the eighth castle and fighting Bowser himself. The Koopa King waits for them on a bridge, attacking by spitting [[Fireball]]s and throwing [[Hammer]]s. But he is sent careening into the lava below when one of the brothers destroys the platform with an [[Ax]] placed at the far end of the bridge. Toadstool is liberated and her kingdom restored.
 
====''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels====
[[File:Bowser in lost levels.gif|200px|left|thumb|The return of Bowser in the ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' remake of ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''.]]
Undeterred by this defeat, Bowser repeats his plan in ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. Without any delay after he is defeated by Mario and Luigi, Bowser reuses his black magic, kidnaps Princess Toadstool again and takes her to his castle, and begins sending more and more soldiers of the Koopa Troop all over the Mushroom Kingdom, with an increased number of False Bowsers imprisoning the Mushroom Retainers in other castles.  


Despite Bowser's entirely similar but improved plan, Mario and Luigi traverse through the new lands of the Mushroom Kingdom, fight the Koopa Troop, free the Toads from the False Bowsers, and eventually reach the eighth castle to fight Bowser himself. He is defeated by the brothers again, but he must be fought again so Mario and Luigi can save the real Princess Toadstool in the fifteenth castle. In the end, Bowser is finally defeated, the Mushroom Kingdom is completely safe and Princess Toadstool is rescued by the Mario Bros. in the same way as the predecessor.
[[File:Bowser and Peach original SMB.png|thumb|Bowser as drawn by Shigeru Miyamoto for the box art of ''Super Mario Bros.'' Kotabe compared this design to a hippo.]]
The earliest known design for what would become Bowser depicted him as resembling an upright Koopa Troopa with spines on his back, and fangs.<ref>{{cite|language=en|publisher=Supper Mario Broth|date=April 21, 2017|url=www.suppermariobroth.com/post/159838163530/concept-art-of-bowser-for-super-mario-bros-drawn Concept art of Bowser for Super Mario Bros., drawn by Shigeru Miyamoto. This is the earliest known drawing of Bowser, possibly the first ever made.] ''SupperMarioBroth''.}}</ref> During the development of ''Super Mario Bros.'', Miyamoto considered asking a manga artist or illustrator to do the art for the game. However, time was running short, so he drew the game's original box art himself. This artwork included a depiction of Bowser that is significantly different than later designs, the most obvious anomalies being his gray-blue skin and lack of horns. For the character's appearance, Miyamoto drew inspiration from an anime film adaptation of the Chinese novel ''{{wp|Journey to the West}}'', renamed ''{{wp|Alakazam the Great}}'' during the film's American localization. He liked the film's main antagonist Gyū-Maō (lit. "Ox Demon King," King Gruesome in the dub), so he loosely based Bowser on an ox as a homage.<ref name="iwata_asks">{{cite|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo.com|url=iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ds/dsi/7/3|title=Iwata Asks: Nintendo DSi, Volume 8 - Flipnote Studio - An Animation Class (part 4)|accessdate=April 30, 2023}}</ref>


====''Super Mario Bros. 3====
[[Yoichi Kotabe]], an animation artist, later joined Nintendo and was asked to do new illustrations for the ''Super Mario'' franchise. His only reference was the package illustration for ''Super Mario Bros.'', so Kotabe asked Miyamoto many questions on how to draw the characters. However, designing Bowser caused problems, since Miyamoto had not drawn him often. He brought up that he liked the Ox King from the film, and this was how he imagined Bowser, but Kotabe thought Bowser's original design looked like a hippo<ref name="LeMonde">{{cite|author=Andureau, William|date=December 6, 2018|url=www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2018/12/06/les-confidences-du-dessinateur-historique-des-personnages-nintendo_5393660_4408996.html|title=Les confidences du dessinateur historique des personnages Nintendo|publisher=Le Monde|accessdate=December 14, 2018}}</ref> and Nintendo designer [[Takashi Tezuka]] pointed out that Bowser should be a turtle. Through their discussions, Bowser's appearance gradually came together. Since he was in the same turtle family as the [[Koopa Troopa]]s, they partly based Bowser's new appearance on them. Finally, the new design was created, and Miyamoto congratulated himself by saying "Wow, I can really make Bowser look cool now!"<ref name="iwata_asks"/>
[[File:SMB3 Bowsa Battle.jpg|thumb|right|Bowser as the final boss of ''Super Mario Bros. 3''.]]
After his hiatus during the events of [[Subcon]] in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', Bowser returns for one more invasion with his henchman [[Boom Boom]] and his children, the [[Koopalings]], composed of [[Larry Koopa|Larry]], [[Morton Koopa Jr.|Morton]], [[Wendy O. Koopa|Wendy]], [[Iggy Koopa|Iggy]], [[Roy Koopa|Roy]], [[Lemmy Koopa|Lemmy]] and [[Ludwig von Koopa|Ludwig]] in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''. Each of the Koopalings conquer a different land in the [[Mushroom World]] and turn the King of their respective lands into a generic enemy while Bowser resides in his home territory of [[Dark Land]]. Mario and Luigi set out to free the kingdoms, all while receiving helpful letters from Princess Toadstool throughout their journey.


After freeing the seventh land, the brothers receive a letter from Bowser, informing them that he had kidnapped the Princess while they were saving the kingdoms. The Mario Bros. boldly fight their way towards [[Bowser's Castle]] for the final showdown, defeating him once again and saving the Princess. To defeat him the bros. have to avoid his attacks and wait for him to [[Ground Pound]] the blocks underneath him to eventually make him fall in the [[Pit (obstacle)|bottomless pit]] below.
For Bowser's finalized design, Yoichi Kotabe took inspiration from the {{wp|Chinese softshell turtle}}, which he knew to be a particularly aggressive species of turtles, fitting of Bowser's fearsome nature.<ref name="LeMonde"/>
 
====''Super Mario World====
[[File:SMWBowser.jpg|thumb|150px|left|[[Mario]] facing Bowser and his [[Mecha-Koopa]]s in ''Super Mario World''.]]
Bowser and the Koopalings reappear in ''[[Super Mario World]]'', in which he kidnaps Princess Toadstool while she is on vacation in [[Dinosaur Land]] with the Mario bros. He also captures several of the native [[Yoshi (species)|Yoshis]], trapping them in eggs and giving each one to one of the Koopalings to guard in the seven castles scattered around the continent. Predictably, Mario, Luigi, and a particularly heroic Yoshi save the Princess and the imprisoned Yoshis by defeating the Koopalings and their father.
 
The boss-fight in ''Super Mario World'' has Bowser and Mario battle on the roof of Bowser's castle while Bowser flies his [[Koopa Clown Car]], throwing [[Mecha-Koopa]]s and [[Big Steely|Big Steelies]] at the hero. Mario can use the Mecha-Koopas to his advantage by tossing them back at Bowser. After two hits, Bowser disappears for a while, casting flames at Mario. However, his attack is countered by Princess Peach, who throws a [[Super Mushroom]] to Mario or Luigi. After all this, Bowser returns and attempt to ram into Mario with his Koopa Clown Car before resting to throw two Mecha-Koopas. Eventually, he loses control of the Clown Car, allowing Peach to float down to the roof and her rescuers while Bowser himself spirals away into the distance.
 
While his art is similar to his normal appearance, his in-game appearance is different. He is primarily green, being more similar to his cartoon appearance.
 
====''Super Mario 64/Super Mario 64 DS====
[[File:Marioburntbutt64.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Bowser attacking Mario in ''Super Mario 64''.]]
In ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and its remake, ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'', Bowser invades [[Princess Peach's Castle]] and steals the [[Power Star]]s, and uses them to create worlds inside many of the paintings and walls of the castle. Peach is then stolen, and the Toads are held hostage inside the castle. To ensure that Mario did not disrupt his plans again, Bowser seals off the doors in the castle with the stars and even creates doors that will only open with his keys. Unfortunately for Bowser, he did not lock one door, leading to his undoing, as Mario is able to collect stars from the painting beyond that door. Using the stars collected from that painting, he is able to open the other doors and systematically sweep through the castle towards Bowser.
 
In the remake, Bowser steals the stars, hides them in paintings, kidnaps the princess, and seals everyone in the castle. Mario, as well as Luigi, and Wario, having heard that she baked a cake for Mario, head inside the castle and chase after Bowser, leaping into a [[Bob-omb Battlefield|painting with a Bob-omb on it]]. However, the trio are ambushed, and Bowser's minions throw them into locked doors. He then locks the door to the castle, the key in the hands of a [[rabbit]]. Afterward, Yoshi is able to enter the castle and, using the one room Bowser did not seal, collects Power Stars from the painting in that room, and uses those stars to unlock more doors and collect more stars, as well as free Mario, Luigi, and Wario.
 
[[File:BowserintheDarkWorldFight.png|thumb|200px|left|Mario fighting Bowser in the Dark World.]]
In these games, Bowser is battled three times: once in the [[Bowser in the Dark World|Dark World]], once in the [[Bowser in the Fire Sea|Fire Sea]] and once in [[Bowser in the Sky|the Sky]]. Every single time, Mario defeats Bowser by grabbing his tail and throwing him into one of several spiked-bombs surrounding the battle arena. During the Fire Sea battle, Bowser also warps from one section of the platform to another, and pounds the platform to make it go off balance. In the third and final battle, Mario has to throw Bowser into a spiked-bomb three times before he is defeated. Bowser even manages to double Mario's load by breaking apart the vast platform they are on into the shape of a star, making tossing him a difficult venture. He also attacks Mario by chasing him. In the end, Bowser surrenders to Mario, and hands him the [[Giant Power Star]] before fleeing.
 
In ''Super Mario 64'', Bowser is solely defeated by the efforts of Mario. However, the remake ''Super Mario 64 DS'' differs in that the player is required to be both Yoshi and Mario to prove victorious. [[Luigi]] and [[Wario]] are available to be unlocked in [[Big Boo's Haunt]] and [[Chief Chilly Challenge]] respectively, but, keeping true to his rivalry with the red-clad plumber, Bowser will not accept any challengers but Mario himself for the final battle.
 
====''Super Mario Sunshine====
[[File:Bowsersunshine65.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Mario]] facing Bowser in ''Super Mario Sunshine''.]]
In ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', Bowser's eighth child, [[Bowser Jr.]], is introduced. Bowser tells his son that Peach is his mother and that Mario has kidnapped her. Bowser Jr. takes on the disguise of [[Shadow Mario]] and vandalizes [[Isle Delfino]] with Graffiti, framing Mario as a graffiti criminal. Mario, determined to prove his innocence, begins to clean the mess with the aid of [[F.L.U.D.D.]], a water pump he finds on the airstrip.
 
While Mario is busy cleaning the island, Bowser Jr. kidnaps Peach, using a Bowser-shaped boat to flee to [[Pinna Park|Pinna Island]]. After defeating [[Mecha Bowser]], Bowser Jr. reveals himself to be Shadow Mario, but he uses Mecha Bowser's head to escape to [[Corona Mountain]].
 
Bowser and his son are relaxing in a floating, sun-shaped, slime-filled bathtub just above the peak of Corona Mountain before Mario arrives. Bowser then tries to kill him by breathing enormous gusts of flame and splashing [[Graffiti|slime]] at him, while Bowser Jr. assaults him with [[Bullet Bill]]s. Mario uses F.L.U.D.D.'s [[Rocket Nozzle]] to produce a few massive [[Ground Pound]]s to the edges of the tub that tip the bowl over, sending the Koopas to fall onto the flipped tub, which lands in the ocean near Isle Delfino. While out at sea, Bowser confesses to his son that he had used him as a pawn, but Bowser Jr. then reveals to his father that he knew all along that Peach is not his mother, and that he is eager to challenge Mario again sometime in the future, which fills Bowser with pride. They then decide to continue their vacation together.
 
====''New Super Mario Bros.====
[[File:World8-CastleNSMB.png|thumb|left|[[Dry Bowser]] in ''New Super Mario Bros.''.]]
In ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', Bowser and Bowser Jr. distract Mario by sending a thunder cloud to strike Peach's castle with lightning. While Mario is checking on the castle, Bowser Jr. makes off with the Princess.
 
When Mario reaches the end of the first castle, Bowser is the boss, the fight being similar to the ones from ''Super Mario Bros.'' Shockingly, Bowser perishes in the first world when he falls into the lava, becoming an undead monster with an appearance similar to that of a [[Dry Bones]]. Bowser Jr. runs from Mario's pursuit for the rest of the game.
 
[[Dry Bowser]], Bowser's undead form, is the first boss of [[World 8 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 8]]. At the end of the game, Bowser Jr. revives his father by throwing his bones into in a giant pot of magic potion, and the duo fight Mario one last time. During this battle, Bowser eventually starts to shoot out multiple barrages of blue fire, making it harder for Mario to dodge. Despite this, Mario triggers a [[Skull Switch]], sending both of his enemies into a pit. In addition to the normal way of defeating him, Bowser can also be thrown into the lava if the player knocks into him with a Blue Shell while in [[Shell Mario]] form, or if they use enough fireballs as [[Fire Mario]]. The player can also keep a Mega Mushroom in his item dock and use it in the battles to easily defeat him. Bowser will still do his defeat animation, but Mario will not do a victory pose until he presses the switch.
 
After the credits, Bowser Jr. is seen dragging his unconscious father away.
 
====''Super Mario Galaxy====
{{multiple image
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|image1=Galaxy Artwork BowserBb.jpg
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Prior to the events of ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', Bowser attacks [[Comet Observatory|Rosalina's observatory]] and steals all the Power Stars, as well as the Seven [[Grand Star]]s that power the observatory. Bowser uses these incredible stars to bring his entire fleet to the cosmos and takes over many galaxies, planning to construct a [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor|galaxy reactor]] powered by the Grand Stars from which he will create his own galaxy at the center of the universe. Using this galaxy, he will then proceed to conquer the entire [[Mushroom Universe|universe]], establishing a Galactic Empire that will last forever with Peach as Bowser's empress. He then kidnaps Peach during the [[Star Festival]], using a UFO and several airships to uproot her castle and taking it to the center of the universe, where he is overseeing the construction of his reactor. During this time, Bowser Jr. leads most of the Koopa Troop to conquer several galaxies.
 
Mario, helped by Rosalina, collects many Grand and Power Stars and destroys much of the Koopa Troop, encountering and defeating Bowser twice in his attempt to rescue Peach. Regardless of these drawbacks, Bowser remains confident of his victory and the follow-through of his main goal to construct his own galaxy.
 
Mario eventually battles Bowser at the almost-completed galaxy reactor. During the final battle, Bowser Jr. holds Peach captive in an airship while Mario fought Bowser on multiple planets. Despite his efforts, Mario defeats Bowser and sends him into the magma of his own sun. The final Grand Star is then released from the galaxy reactor. However, with nothing to stabilize the sun, it becomes a supernova, resulting in the formation of a large black hole that begins to suck up the cosmos. Bowser is not dead when he is knocked into the sun's magma, as shown before the black hole is formed, but is most likely killed when it exploded. The [[Luma (species)|Lumas]] then use their powers to reverse the black hole, creating an explosion.
 
Mario, Peach, Bowser, and Bowser Jr. then appear back at a restored [[Toad Town]]. Relieved to be alive, Bowser leaves to plan further schemes.
 
====''New Super Mario Bros. Wii====
[[File:Bow2.png|thumb|200px|left|Giant Bowser in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''.]]
Bowser appears, once again as the final boss, in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''. Here, he appears together with his eight children, the [[Koopalings]] and [[Bowser Jr.]]. In the last castle of World 8, Bowser is located in the final chamber, sending out fireballs toward Mario, similar to his appearance in the original ''Super Mario Bros.''. When Mario begins the battle, Bowser is fought in the same manner as in ''Super Mario Bros.'', as well as in the first and final castles in the original ''New Super Mario Bros.''. After Mario presses the switch that causes the bridge to collapse beneath Bowser, sending him falling into a pit once again, a victory fanfare will play and Mario rejoices, believing he is victorious. However, upon inspecting Princess Peach in the cage above, it turns out that it is, in fact, [[Kamek]], disguised as Peach. Kamek then casts a spell over the chasm that Bowser has fallen down. The area begins to rumble, and Kamek pauses to see if the spell had actually worked. To his surprise, Bowser reappears, now at a gigantic size, knocking Kamek off his broom, and proceeds to chase after Mario. Mario rushes through the area beyond the boss room, luring Bowser into launching fireballs at walls to destroy them so he can proceed. After a long and grueling chase, Mario hears Peach's voice, and sees her in a cage up ahead, over a large switch. Jumping on the switch, Mario opens a humongous chasm, right underneath Bowser that drains the lava from the room, taking the Koopa King with it, defeating him for good. He is later seen being carried by his children, having survived the drop and returned to his normal size, but then is crushed by his own castle.
 
====''Super Mario Galaxy 2''====
{{multiple image
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|caption1=Giant Bowser invading Toad Town.
|image2=Bowserbattlesmg2.jpg
|width2=180
|footer=Mario battling Giant Bowser.
}}
[[File:Bowsersmg2.png|thumb|200px|left|Bowser as he appears in ''Super Mario Galaxy 2''.]]
{{quote|I'm HUUUUGE! Even scarier up close, huh?|Bowser|Super Mario Galaxy 2}}
 
Bowser appears in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', once again as the main antagonist. He invades the Mushroom Kingdom again, along with his son, Bowser Jr., but at a gigantic size, due to the power of the [[Power Star]]s that he stole. He kidnaps Princess Peach and flees into space again, claiming that he'll build a galactic empire to suit his new size, and put it in the center of the universe.
 
Additionally, he attacks and destroys [[Lubba]]'s [[Starship Mario|starship]] prior to the game, causing the Lumas to rebuild it in Mario's image when they team up with him. Using the Starship Mario to pursue Bowser, Mario has to collect the Power Stars and save Princess Peach as he has done before. Bowser also orders a [[Magikoopa]] to get rid of [[Yoshi]], as he does not want Mario teaming up with his dinosaur friend.
 
Mario faces Bowser three times in this game. The fights take place on a spherical planetoid, where Bowser, in his gigantic size, will attempt to crush Mario with his fists, and by sending meteors crashing down. When using his fists, Bowser's hand gets stuck in the planetoid briefly, and any meteors on the battlefield will rise and turn yellow. Mario has to [[Ground Pound]] the meteors so that they hit Bowser. He'll also use his [[Fire Breath]]. At the end of each battle, Bowser coughs up a Grand Star, causing him to shrink back down to his normal size.
 
The final battle at [[Bowser's Galaxy Generator]] has two phases, with the second phase requiring Mario to send yellow meteors at Bowser before he gets close enough to punch him. After Mario defeats Bowser for the final time, Bowser is sucked into a black hole, and is not seen again until Mario, Peach, and the Toad Brigade return to Mushroom World near the end of the credits, where it is shown that he has become extremely tiny. Mario can jump on top of Bowser or spin him, causing him to become angry.
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====''Super Mario 3D Land====
==History==
[[File:3DS SuperMario 12 scrn12 E3.png|thumb|200px|right|Bowser fighting Mario in ''Super Mario 3D Land''.]]
{{main|History of Bowser}}
Bowser appears once again as the main antagonist of ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]''. He once again abducts Princess Peach, along with his henchmen, [[Boom Boom]] and [[Pom Pom]]. One day, a storm blows off all the Tanooki Leaves on a tree in the Mushroom Kingdom. When Princess Peach goes to check the tree, Bowser catches Peach off guard and grabs her along with all the [[Super Leaf|Tanooki leaves]]. He takes her to his castle while he has his minions fight Mario on his quest.
As he is the main antagonist of the franchise, Bowser's appearances spans decades of ''Super Mario''-related media, including television series and publications. Chronologically, his first appearance is in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' as [[Baby Bowser|a baby]], where his caretaker, [[Kamek]], kidnaps the [[Baby Luigi|infant Luigi]], along with his [[Stork|carrier]]. This baby version of Bowser has encountered his older self in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'' and ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]''. In his major appearances, he frequently kidnaps [[Princess Peach]], and in a few instances even forces her to marry him. However, in the sports and racing games, he is usually a playable character along with the ''Super Mario'' allies. He has also played a part in the ''Mario Party'' series as a host of the [[Bowser Space]]s, in an antagonistic role.


Peach ultimately tries to escape, but Bowser's forces overpower her. Bowser then imprisons her in a cage and keeps her next to his throne. Soon after defeating Boom Boom, Pom Pom, and the two [[False Bowser]]s, Mario reaches Bowser's castle and fights the real Bowser. Reaching the end of the bridge and pushing the switch, Mario causes Bowser to fall into the lava. However, Bowser had planned ahead; he set up a wooden cutout of Peach on the top of that tower, and, after Mario discovers this, he flees to his second castle with the real princess.
==General information==
 
===Personality===
After facing one last level, Mario is able to reach Bowser's other castle. However, rather than fight him, Mario instead has to dodge various obstacles until he reaches the switch at the end of the area. Bowser first tries to hit Mario with fireballs, then with spiked balls, and then throws barrels at him. After all this, Mario must get past Bowser in order to push the button. He does so, causing the bridge beneath him to collapse and fall into the lava below. However, he then emerges moments later and continues chasing Mario as he tries to reach a second button. In the end, he reaches it, causing Bowser to fall into the lava once more. Bowser is defeated, and Peach is returned to her castle with the help of Tanooki Mario and two Tanooki [[Toad (species)|Toad]]s. The credits show Bowser trying to reach Mario with the help of a Goomba Tower, but failing.
[[File:Bowser Artwork - Mario Party Island Tour.png|thumb|upright=1.4|Bowser's most visible trait is his aggressive, imposing nature.]]
 
In most of his appearances, Bowser is a persistent, threatening, and imposing villain who kidnaps Princess Peach, desires to defeat Mario and his friends, and runs an army to invade and take over the Mushroom Kingdom. Generally, he also revels in causing disorder and intimidating his enemies, such as in ''Mario Party'' and in various sports games. His portrayals in the RPGs range from starring villain to a minor comic relief villain who gets sidelined by the starring villain to a playable anti-hero.
After rescuing Luigi from Dry Bowser, it is revealed that Bowser has once again captured Peach. Mario (or Luigi) must then go to Bowser's Castle and save her once again.
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===''Game & Watch'' series===
Bowser's appearances in the ''[[Game & Watch]]'' games are very minor compared to his roles in other titles. His only appearances are in ports in the four ''Game & Watch Gallery'' games.
 
''[[Game & Watch Gallery]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s modern version of ''[[Oil Panic]]'' features Bowser dropping oil from the top of a tower. Below, Mario must try to catch the oil and hand the buckets to Yoshi for disposal. Occasionally, Yoshi can knock Bowser from his spot.
 
The modern version of ''[[Ball]]'' from ''[[Game & Watch Gallery 2]]'' features Bowser as one of the four playable characters; the objective of the game is to control him as he attempts to juggle a Goomba, a Boo, and a Koopa Shell, as well as collecting coins and avoiding Bob-ombs.
 
He also appears in the modern port of ''[[Mario Bros. (Game & Watch)|Mario Bros.]]'' in ''[[Game & Watch Gallery 3]]'' and ''[[Game & Watch Gallery Advance]]''. His role in this game is to hinder the brothers progress by switching the directions the conveyer belts they are working on; the brothers can switch the direction back to normal by flipping a switch.
 
''Game & Watch Gallery Advance'' also has Bowser in the modern ''[[Rain Shower]]''. Here, he is seen in a tree, trying to throw balloons filled with paint at Mario's friends, who are relaxing on various things attached to the ropes. Mario is able to help his friends by having them avoid the balloons.
 
===''Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!===
Bowser is featured as the main villain in the Japan-exclusive video ''[[Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!]]''. The plot of the film is similar to that of ''Super Mario Bros.'' in that Bowser is trying to conquer the kingdom, turning its inhabitants into inanimate objects; he even turns Princess Peach's fiance, [[Prince Haru]], into a dog going by the name Kibidango. He is also trying to marry Peach, making this film the first time Bowser has shown a love interest in her. He is introduced in the movie after Peach emerges from Mario's television, having been attacked by various enemies from the ''Mario'' series. Mario and Bowser have a brief confrontation, ending with him knocking Mario through the floor, grabbing Peach, and walking back through the TV.
 
While she is at Bowser's castle, staying in one of the many rooms in the castle, Bowser attempts to convince Peach to love him. However, Peach uses this as an opportunity to trap him, stating that she would like him if he were cute. He then transforms himself into a scarecrow, a dancer, and then a teddy bear. While in this form, Peach takes him and locks him in a box, which he escapes by transforming to his normal form. He then walks out and locks Peach in her room.
 
Later, Bowser commences his wedding with Peach. However, Peach still refuses to be married to Bowser, and he is surprised to hear that she loves Mario; at that moment, the brothers and Kibidango arrive on a flying ship they found earlier. Angered upon learning that the brothers have arrived, he demands that they destroy the brothers. He then grabs Peach and escapes with the [[priest]]. Thinking that the brothers and Kibidango are now dead, Bowser and the priest continue the ceremony, but she once again refuses; she even cries upon hearing Bowser explicitly state that the brothers are dead. However, the castle then falls apart on top of them.
 
Upon emerging from the rubble, Mario and Bowser begin their second fight, but Bowser is once again easily beating Mario. He attempts to use the power-ups, but before he can eat the star, he drops it. He then continues to beat up Mario with Peach begging him to stop, stating that she will marry him if he spares his life. Luigi then appears, having dug up the starman, but before Mario can eat it this time, Bowser stomps him. However, Mario, having been able to eat the item, then lifts Bowser's foot off of him and uses his super strength to beat him up, taking Bowser by the tail and flinging him far away.
 
The ending of the movie shows Bowser and several members of the Koopa Troop working at [[Mario Bros. Grocery]], appearing to be happy with their current job.
 
===''Super Mario'' anime series===
[[File:AnimeLuigiTwo.jpg|thumb|right|[[Luigi]] attacking Bowser in the ''Mario'' anime series.]]
Bowser is also featured as the main villain in all three shorts in the [[Super Mario (anime)|''Super Mario'' anime series]], which had him taking on the guise of various fairy tale villains. In the first story, ''[[Super Mario Momotarō|Momotarō]]'', Bowser acts as an ogre that steals rare treasures from other areas of the galaxy. He hears of the beauty of Princess Peach, and, with the help of his henchmen, the Koopalings, she is kidnapped. Peach's grandparents try to stop him, but fail. During the time that the princess is kidnapped, Bowser attempts to propose to her, but she refuses. Afterward, he holds Peach prisoner in a cave until she accepts. Bowser is eventually defeated and Princess Peach is rescued by Mario with help from his allies.
 
The second story, ''[[Super Mario Issun-bōshi|Issun-bōshi]]'', features Bowser with a somewhat minimal role, as a bully to both Princess Peach and Mario. While harassing Princess Peach, Mario tries to stand up for her, but tries stomping him, which later leads to him eating Mario. However, Mario then begins to slash and stab at his insides with the makeshift sword he was given. This causes Bowser to experience a horrific stomachache and regurgitate Mario, falling unconscious. However, when Bowser wakes up, Mario is still on his head, but cuts off his horns and eyebrows. Embarrassed, Bowser runs away from the two.
 
The final story, ''[[Super Mario Shirayuki-hime|Shirayuki-hime]]'' (''[[wikipedia:Snow White|Snow White]]''), has Bowser playing the role of the Wicked Queen. He is a selfish tyrant, who often asks his mirror who is the most beautiful in the land, and the response from the mirror is an image of himself. However, one day, when asking the same thing, Bowser is shocked to see the image of Peach has appeared on the mirror. He cannot even sleep because of his anger over the situation. He has four of his Koopalings attack her, but she is saved by Mario, who defeats the Koopalings. However, thinking his minions had succeeded, he asks the mirror his question again, but the response is still the image of Peach. Using various chemicals in a laboratory, Bowser then creates a poison, which he injects into an apple. While both the Toads and Mario were gone from their house, Bowser, disguising himself using a robe, gives Peach a poisoned apple, which causes her to fall into a coma-like state, and flies back to his castle.
 
Once Mario, Peach, and the Toads arrive at Bowser's castle, he has his Koopalings attack Mario. They succeed with their attack, but the Toads combine with Mario, increasing his strength and allowing him to once again defeat them. Bowser uses this opportunity to escape, but Mario chases after him. However, Mario stops in his tracks when he sees Bowser holding a knife at Peach. At that moment, Luigi unexpectedly enters the scene with a hammer and defeats Bowser. The brothers then take Bowser and throw him face first into his mirror, truly defeating him.
 
===DIC Cartoons===
Bowser, though most commonly referred to by the name of King Koopa, is featured as the main antagonist of all three of [[DIC Entertainment]]'s ''Super Mario'' cartoons, ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'', ''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' and [[Super Mario World (television series)|''Super Mario World'']]. He later gets his own show in ''[[King Koopa's Kool Kartoons]]'', a live-action DIC production. Bowser's appearance in the shows is based on [[Wart]] from ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' and his in-game sprite from the original ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
 
====''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!====
{{Quote|Koopa Pack, attack!|Bowser|The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!}}
 
In ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'', Bowser often takes on various aliases and costumes and try to enact a dastardly plot of some sort, most commonly trying to conquer a kingdom or steal an ancient treasure and/or artifact; aiding Bowser in these plots are his [[Koopa Troop|Koopa Pack]] and a sidekick of sorts, most commonly [[Mouser (character)|Mouser]]. In several episodes, Bowser captures Princess Toadstool and attempts to blackmail her into giving him the Mushroom Kingdom, although some other episodes imply that he already has some measure of control over the kingdom.
 
====''King Koopa's Kool Kartoons====
[[File:Koopakartoonactor.JPG|thumb|King Koopa's appearance during the show's run.]]
After ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'', Bowser recieved his first live-action appearance in ''[[King Koopa's Kool Kartoons]]'', a show starring Bowser that only aired for one season between 1989 and 1990. During the show, Bower hosts a quiz, to which any viewer can send their answers through the mail, and answers fan mail. He then shows public-domain cartoons unrelated to the ''Mario'' series. At the end of each episode, Koopa gives away Nintendo merchandise to the child-exclusive studio audience.
 
====''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3====
[[File:TAoSMB3Bowser.jpg|thumb|left|King Koopa as he appears in ''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3''.]]
In ''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3'', Bowser, having seemingly been banished from the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] sometime after the events of ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'', returns to it to cause havoc, with the aid of his seven [[Koopalings]]. In ''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3'', Bowser stops his use of aliases and costumes and his plans became somewhat odd in nature, such as turning his children into giant, ninja warriors for the sole purpose of kidnapping [[Prince Hugo]], only to end up transforming him into a poodle.
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====''Super Mario World'' television series====
In [[Super Mario World (television series)|''Super Mario World'' television series]], Bowser makes somewhat infrequent appearances. He was, as revealed in the episode "[[Mama Luigi]]", once again banished from the Mushroom Kingdom, which results in him moving to Dinosaur Land, where he, along with his Koopalings, cause trouble. Bowser's fate at the end of the cartoons is never actually disclosed, as his final appearance shows him trapped in his bedroom, which is rapidly filling with [[lava]].
 
===''Super Mario Bros.'' film===
[[File:Koopamovie.jpg|250px|thumb|President Koopa as he appears in ''Super Mario Bros.'']]
In the [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|''Super Mario Bros.'' film]], Bowser, here named President Koopa, is the ruler of [[Dinohattan]]. Sixty-five million years ago, a meteorite crashed onto earth, somehow isolating a population of dinosaurs in a dimension parallel to Earth, where some eventually evolved into a human form. Koopa is one such humanoid dinosaur, having descended from ''Tyrannosaurus rex''.
 
Originally serving as a top general, Koopa eventually seized control of Dinohatten from [[Mushroom King|Daisy's father]], whom he turned into fungus, with plans to use a shard of the meteorite to reunite the dimensions and allow him to take over Earth as well. However, [[Princess Daisy (film character)|Daisy]]'s mother manages to take the princess and the shard through a portal to Earth, leaving them at the entrance to a cathedral before trying to return to Dinohatten, only to be captured by Koopa. In the ensuing struggle, Koopa accidentally knocks over a support beam and the tunnel collapses, crushing Daisy's mother and blocking off the portal.
 
Some time after, Koopa assigns his cousins [[Iggy (film character)|Iggy]] and [[Spike (film character)|Spike]], who are also his minions, to retrieve Princess Daisy so he can use the meteorite shard she carries for his master plan. However, his bumbling cousins continuously deliver him the wrong girls, until finally succeeding in kidnapping Daisy. They barge into a mud bath shared by Koopa and his lover [[Lena]] (who are discussing how much better Earth is compared to their barren dimension) to announce the good news, however it turns out that they lost the shard to Mario and Luigi in the process of capturing Daisy.
 
Later, after Mario and Luigi are arrested, they are taken to see their lawyer, who is actually Koopa under an alias. He tries to trick the brothers into handing over the necklace, which has the shard on it and which they don't have anymore, eventually reaching the point where he physically assaults the brothers and orders them and Toad to be de-evolved. In the de-evolution chamber, Koopa witnesses as Toad is turned from a human like state to a Goomba, a strong, large, and stupid being loyal to Koopa. He then orders the brothers to tell him where the necklace is, or face de-evolution. However, the brothers escape, pushing Koopa into the de-evolution device, defeating all of his minions, and setting the machine for the Jurassic period. While the de-evolution ends prematurely and Koopa remains in his human-like form, his eye briefly becoming more reptilian hints that he had in fact been affected by the machine.
 
Iggy and Spike later break in on another of Koopa and Lena's mud baths, reporting that Mario and Luigi are in the [[Koopahari Desert]]. Koopa orders Lena to bring him Daisy, and has Iggy and Spike taken to the de-evolution chamber. However, instead of de-evolving them, Koopa has his cousins evolved, which results in the pair becoming smarter. He then orders the pair to capture Mario and Luigi and retrieve the shard or be killed.
 
Koopa is discussing training his Goombas with the de-evolution gun when Lena arrives, telling him that Daisy is ready. He is then finally introduced to Daisy, who is in another room with Yoshi, a ''Velociraptor''-like creature. He surprises Daisy by entering the room and telling her Yoshi is a dinosaur. Ignoring her pleas for the whereabouts of her father, Koopa tells her that she also descended from dinosaurs, and, afterward, his head begins to show dinosaur-like traits. A frightened Daisy then runs away, but is caught by a Goomba, whom Koopa demands to take Daisy away.
 
At another point, he enters Devo 4, the holding chamber for Daisy's father, where he engages in small-talk with the fungus. He eventually states that his rebellion will have been in vain after the dimensions have been united.
 
Lena later enters Koopa's quarters, secretly possessing the meteorite shard, with Iggy and Spike as her prisoners. She convinces Koopa that they were now against him, and he orders them to be killed. He then walks off with Lena, who tries to reveal that she has the shard, only to be ignored. She bemoans the fact that Koopa only cares about Daisy now, while he states that he only cares for the future of their species and leaves, whereupon Lena decides to take action on her own.
 
Koopa is later told by the police chief that the army was ready for the invasion of earth. Alarmed by this, Koopa demands to know who gave the order, to which the chief states that he did, according to Lena. Koopa then figures out that she has the shard, and demands her arrest. He, along with a Goomba entourage, later run into Luigi and Daisy and capture the duo. Afterward, he orders the preparation for the invasion of earth. Eventually, the police chief captures Lena and delivers the shard to Koopa, and he then orders to prepare for the invasion.
 
Outside, Koopa and a small group of Goombas are distracted as Mario, as well as the missing girls from Brooklyn, fly out of a ventilation shaft on a mattress, allowing Luigi and Daisy to rejoin Mario. However, Koopa then approaches the brothers with a flamethrower, declaring he had won, and gives several commands through a communicator. The distracted Koopa does not notice as Luigi grabing a [[Banzai Bill]] from a local shop, which Mario loads into a [[Thwomp Stomper]] and activates it. The stomper knocks Koopa into an empty vat above streets. Mario, using some fungus as a vine, leaps onto the bottom of the vat, climbs on top of it, and hits Koopa, knocking the shard out of his teeth. Not being able to locate the shard, Mario is able to trick Koopa into thinking he has it.
 
They continue the fight on a catwalk, Mario pulling out the [[Bob-omb]] the brothers retrieved earlier and winds it, though the bomb falls through a hole. Unaware that the Bob-omb is still on its trek, the two dimensions begin merging before their eyes. Mario, Koopa, and his legion of Goombas appear at the excavation site after Koopa's tower merges with the World Trade Center. Casting aside the flamethrower, Koopa takes a de-evolution gun from a Goomba, which he fires at Mario, though he dodges the blast, which accidentally hits [[Anthony Scapelli]], a business owner, and turns him into a monkey. He tries firing at him again, but Mario pulls out a mushroom the brothers found earlier to absorb the blast. The mushroom starts to grow, eventually becoming really large, and Mario uses it to hit Koopa, knocking the gun out of his hand.


Thanks to the efforts of Luigi and Daisy, the dimensions are split again, and Mario is joined by Luigi, who hands him a de-evolution gun. The brothers then fire the guns at him, just as the Bob-omb arrives right beneath Koopa and explodes, sending him flying into the empty vat. After a moment of silence, he emerges from the vat, having de-evolved into a tyrannosaurus. The brothers then blast Koopa again until he finally devolves into primordial ooze.
Bowser is arrogant and selfish, boasting when he is successful and focusing only on self-preservation when he fails. In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', his only regret is his failure to create his own realm, and in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'', he is dismayed at having to damage his own captured castle while trying to reclaim it from [[Fawful]]. In ''[[Mario Party 4]]'', Bowser grudgingly gives the player a present and wishes them a happy birthday as he leaves in shame, moving one of the Koopa Kids to wonder if there might be more to Bowser than he leads others to believe, as Bowser had claimed to be somewhat happy. In ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'', he resents having to ask nicely for help from [[Starlow]]. Though he believes himself superior, Bowser occasionally compliments his foes for their tenacity against him in fierce battles or competitive events, even engaging in casual banter. In ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', despite planning his forced wedding with Peach extensively, he makes a comment on Mario's costume before their final battle, ranging from an uncharacteristically scared response to a genuine compliment on his fashion sense depending on the clothing, before noting that Mario was not invited regardless.


===Nintendo Comics System===
Despite Bowser's role as an intimidating authority figure in the Koopa Troop, he can be quite amiable sometimes, particularly towards [[Bowser Jr.]], to whom he behaves as a loving father figure. His harsh and raging demeanor occasionally softens somewhat towards his loyal minions, with the description of his [[List of constellations in Mario Party 9|constellation]] in ''[[Mario Party 9]]'' stating he is considerate of their well-being. He shows genuine affection and pride for his son and can be protective of him when Mario defeats him in battle. In certain games such as ''[[Mario Tennis]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Party]]'', he and his minions crash the events simply to engage in friendly competition.
In the ''Mario'' portions of [[Valiant Comics]]' [[Nintendo Comics System]], Bowser is once again featured as the main enemy of the Mushroom Kingdom, which he continues to try and cause chaos in.


===''Super Mario Adventures===
While Bowser is usually regarded as a respectable leader by his troops and as a fearsome invader by his enemies, Bowser's usual brashness and short-temper often lead him to not think his actions through or be willing to compromise, such as in ''Bowser's Inside Story'' when he flies into a rage upon discovering that Mario and Luigi had been aiding him the entire time while inside his body, causing him to attack them mere moments after the three of them had saved the world.
Bowser appears as the primary antagonist in [[Nintendo Power]]'s comic series ''[[Super Mario Adventures]]''. Some time prior to the events of the comics, he has hundreds of Yoshi's captured and enslaved. Yoshi tries to go after them, but he is trapped in an egg and left in the forest. Later, pipes begin to pop out of the princess's castle grounds, and several of Bowser's minions emerge from them. Bowser and his children, in his Koopa Clown Car, later appear out of a massive warp pipe. Bowser explains to Princess Toadstool that he wanted to conquer the kingdom, and that he could only do so by marrying her. Toadstool declines his proposal, but Bowser states that he would return for a final answer. He then heads back down the pipe, with the princess and several Toads in pursuit, to, hopefully, compromise with him.


Several of Bowser's Lakitus later captured Toadstool, and Bowser places her in the custody of his kids, telling them to keep a video line between his castle and theirs open. She is kept in a jail cell inside their castle. After interrupting them playing a video game, he begins to tell his kids that he proposed to Toadstool, but is interrupted by a Magikoopa, telling him that the model of his cake is finished. Bowser is shown the model, but wants it bigger, and has to interrupt his children's video game again to tell them to keep Toadstool inside the castle.
In some games, Bowser will act jealous and angry when he learns of another villain committing an evil action instead of himself, such as Cackletta stealing Peach's voice in ''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'', or Peach getting kidnapped by the X-Nauts in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.


After the princess escapes, Bowser is furious at his kids for loosing his "bride," but the Koopalings show him that they have captured Mario. Bowser then sends two Mecha-Koopas across the moat dividing the mainland from the castle, to tell Luigi that, if he wants Mario back, he must give him Princess Toadstool or Mario will be killed. Luigi tricks Bowser and the Koopalings by sending himself in as the princess, and actually says yes to Bowser's proposal when he arrives.
For all of his pleasure in villainy, Bowser sometimes remarks there are lines he would not cross. He appears to be as horrified as the rest of the party when witnessing the [[Sammer's Kingdom]]'s destruction by the [[Void]] in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', and when in ''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]'', [[King Olly]] revealed his end goal to be the eradication of all Toads, Bowser vehemently called such a plan mad, making clear that even he would never attempt to outright exterminate the Toads.


Luigi then convinces the Koopalings to order pizza, which turns out to be from Yoshi and Toad, with the actual princess and [[Friendly Floyd]] in the boxes with several bombs; they ask for Mario to be freed, or they will blow up the castle. After much chaos ensues, Mario is freed and the group escapes.
In Japanese material from ''[[Super Mario RPG]]'' onward, such as ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and his message in Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge in [[Super Nintendo World]], Bowser refers to himself using the first-person pronoun "''wagahai''" (ワガハイ), an archaic term associated with nobility that is popularly used to convey self-aggrandizement.<ref>{{cite|author=Mandelin, Clyde|date=June 1, 2019|url=legendsoflocalization.com/personal-pronouns-in-japanese/|title=Tricky Translations #4: "I" & "Me" in Japanese|publisher=Legends of Localization|language=en|archive=web.archive.org/web/20240528221521/https://legendsoflocalization.com/personal-pronouns-in-japanese/|accessdate=May 28, 2024}}</ref>


After flying through the warp pipe to send for a rescue party, Toad was captured by Bowser and his minions. He and several Koopas then disguised themselves as Toads and helped the princess and the bros by sending a ladder. However, Bowser then took out a knife and sliced the ladder, separating himself and the princess from Mario and Luigi. He then revealed himself and the ladder was pulled back up the pipe, revealed to be a small airship. Bowser then unleashes his Paratroopas upon the bros.
President Koopa from the 1993 ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' film has a similar personality to that of his game counterpart, Bowser. However, he also is shown to have an understandable motive in regards to remerging both dimensions, citing that he intends to use Daisy to merge them for the future of his species, especially since his species has to go through several hardships that stem from the parallel world being a near-complete wasteland. Despite this, Koopa still sees himself as an evil person; while pretending to be a lawyer for Mario and Luigi, he tells them that he "is one evil, egg-sucking son of a snake," and does not deny this after his true identity is revealed. Koopa is also shown to be very ruthless in the pursuit of his goals, as after "evolving" his cousins Iggy and Spike, he threatened to personally execute them if they fail to retrieve both the Mario Bros. and the meteorite, with Iggy and Spike earlier implying when trying to locate Daisy that, should they abduct the wrong girl yet again, Koopa may end up doing far worse to them than simply have them executed. Likewise, he also immediately ordered for Lena's arrest after deducing from her giving an order in his name to start the invasion without his knowledge that she had retrieved the meteorite and kept it for herself.


Having defeated the Koopas, the brothers find a house in the middle of the forest, unaware that Bowser and the Koopalings are watching them and that the house is one of his traps. Bowser prematurely thinks that the brothers will enter the house, but when they don't, he pushes a button, causing the scent of cheese to emanate from the house. The smell convinces Luigi to head inside, and Mario rushes inside to find him. With the Mario bros. out of the way, Bowser returns to planning his wedding.
===Physical appearance===
 
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On the date of the wedding, Bowser witnesses a Magikoopa command several hundred enslaved Yoshis to drag the enormus cake into the courtyard. He then watches as they are commanded to enter a special room, where they enter a machine that places them in eggs. As he is preparing for the wedding, he learns that the princess is still resisting. However, he has the Magikoopa hypnotize her into loving him. Just as the ceremony is taking place, Mario interrupts. Bowser then has his minions charge after Mario, subduing him. As he is about to continue with their marriage, a gigantic pack of Yoshis charges in, instantly defeating all of Bowser's minions. After the Magikoopa is defeated, the princess regains her senses. Bowser tries to escape in his Koopa Clown Car, but Mario lassos the car, causing Bowser to fall out of it and into the cake, which the Yoshis start to consume. Bowser then tries to continue the wedding, but the cake collapses, with him still on it.
|[[File:Bowser and Peach original SMB.png|200px]][[File:CapeBowserSMB3.png|200px]][[File:SMBTLL-Bowser Art.png|200px]][[File:Bowser artwork02.png|200px]]
 
|The two main color patterns during the development of Bowser's design. Top: Bowser with yellow hair, black eyebrows in ''Super Mario Bros.'' (left) and ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' (right); bottom: Bowser with red hair and eyebrows in ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' (left) and ''Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros.'' (right).
===''Club Nintendo'' comics===
|size=400
Bowser is one of the many characters that appear during the ''Club Nintendo'' comics. His appearances are as an antagonist, and are mostly major. His first appearance in one is [[Wart steht unter Strom]] (''Wart is Tensed Up''). During the comic, Bowser, for some reason appearing under the name "Wart", is playing what appears to be "''{{conjecturaltext|Super Bowser Land}}''" on a Game Boy, when the batteries die. He angrily throws them out, the dead batteries landing at Mario's feet. Mario notices them and tells Bowser that they should be disposed in special containers. Even more infuriated, he attacks Mario, resulting in Bowser being electrified by the dead batteries. Afterward, a still flashing Bowser decides to finally accept Mario's advice and heads off to buy a Battery Set.
 
In Süße Weihnachten (''Sweet Christmas''), Bowser first appears outside Mario's house, while he is not at home. Bowser also takes advantage of the fact that their door is unlocked and gets inside. He notices several treats inside, and starts to eat them; afterward, however, a somewhat overweight Bowser starts feeling sick. He tries to leave, but falls over. [[Dr. Mario]], being told of Bowser's condition by a [[Dr. Toad|Toad doctor]], rushes over and, along with Nurse Toadstool, checks his condition, then gives him a prescription. He is later seen in bed, still sick, in the background while Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad sing "Silent Night".
 
Bowser's appearance in Super Mario: Mario im Wunderland (''Super Mario: Mario in Wonderland'') is minor. He, along with Wario and Donkey Kong, emerge from a bush in front of Mario, Toad, and Kirby. They claim that the group stole their cookies, and begin to fight. However, they are scared away by [[Fox McCloud]]. He also has a minor appearance in [[Super Mario: Erholung? Nein, danke!]] (''Super Mario: Recreation? No, thanks!''), where he works at the front desk of the [[Gumba Royal Hotel]].
 
In [[Die Jagd nach dem Nintendo 64: Krawall im All]] (''The Race for the Nintendo 64: Ruckus in Outer Space''), Bowser and Wario have teamed up in order to find a special spacecraft on the planet [[Earth]]; they are planning to use the spacecraft to rule the universe. Their only opposition on this quest is Mario and Luigi. Upon landing on earth, the duo notice that the Mario bros. landed first, and fly off in their para-gliders. They notice Mario and Luigi in karts, and begin to attack them. Bowser knocks Mario off the road, but he loses control of his glider. Mario, back on the road, grasps the opportunity and throws banana peels in front of him. He slips on one and collides with Wario; the villains are knocked out while the Mario brothers continue.
 
Even later, in order to reach the island containing the spacecraft, Wario and Bowser use a type of aircraft with rocket boosters. They outrace Mario and Luigi, who are using their karts converted into jet skis. However, Mario tricks them into believing flying straight is boring, and the villains begin to do various midair maneuvers until they run out of fuel and fall into water. They eventually emerge from the water and try to take the craft, shaped like a [[Nintendo 64]], from the Marios, but fail after the brothers put a flag up on top of it. Their friends congratulate them while Bowser and Wario are sulking.
 
===''Nintendo Adventure Books===
In ''[[Double Trouble]]'', Bowser intends on using [[Iggy Koopa|Iggy]]'s latest invention, a cloning machine called the [[GLOM]], to overrun the Mushroom Kingdom with duplicates made of sand. After encountering Mario in his [[Koopahari Desert]] [[Fortress]], Bowser brags about his scheme before giving chase to the plumber, though he quickly loses him. After Mario causes Fort Koopa to collapse by making the GLOM overload and blow up, he spots Bowser, Iggy and Wendy limping off after digging themselves out of the rubble.
 
Bowser has only a cameo appearance in ''[[Leaping Lizards]]'', where he threatens the orchestra performing at the International Mushroom Games (which six of his children are competing in) to play the Koopa Anthem.
 
After [[Wendy O. Koopa|Wendy]] disappears in ''[[Koopa Capers]]'', Bowser uses a [[Magic Carpet]] to abduct Luigi from [[Brooklyn]], so he can force the younger Mario Brother into searching for the wayward Koopaling after his own minions prove incapable of finding her. In the best ending, Bowser and the male Koopalings confront Wendy, who had planned on performing a coup, in her secret lair by following Luigi, but they decide to stave off punishing the treacherous Koopaling if she helps search for the hiding Luigi. If Luigi has [[Boom Boom]]'s socks, he can throw them into Wendy's simmering potion, creating fumes which will knock Bowser, his family and their minions out for at least a week.
 
In ''[[Dinosaur Dilemma]]'', Bowser has his minions begin abducting all the dinosaurs in Dinosaur Island, so he can "prove" his theory that the dinosaurs went extinct due to not looking both ways before they crossed the street; once the dinosaurs and all evidence of their existence are gone and his theory is thus "proven" true, Bowser intends to be awarded the Snowbell Prize (feeding the cooked dinosaurs to the committee awarding it) and be named curator of the Mushroom Kingdom Museum of Natural History, conveniently located across the street from Mushroom Palace. Mario and Yoshi ultimately crash Bowser's award ceremony, defeat his evil Slimosaurs, rescue the dinosaurs and the kidnapped Luigi, and humiliate the Koopa King in front of the Snowbell Prize committee and the rest of the guests, including [[Wart]].
 
In ''[[Flown the Koopa]]'', Bowser can be found hanging out in the Valley of the Koopas by Mario and Luigi; when asked about the whereabouts of Princess Toadstool and Yoshi, Bowser denies having anything to do with their disappearance, but since the Mario Bros. annoyed him he sics a quartet of Mecha-Koopas on them. In the best possible outcome, Luigi bludgeons Bowser with a [[wrench]], sending him running and causing him to drop the remote control needed to disable the Mecha-Koopas and defeat [[Magikoopa]], Bowser's cousin and the main antagonist of the book.
 
Disguised as a [[Toad (species)|Toad]] named Fungus Cap, Bowser crashes Yoshi's birthday in ''[[Unjust Desserts]]'', placing a cherry on the dinosaur's cake that, when eaten, causes Yoshi to go on an eating binge that ends when he devours Luigi. After unsuccessfully trying to dissuade Yoshi's friends from calling dinosaur physician Doc Drake, Bowser sheds his Toad disguise and escapes, but returns later after having Magikoopa shrink him and his forces so he can follow Mario (who intends to rescue Luigi) into Yoshi's body. When Yoshi and Luigi regurgitate everyone they have eaten, Bowser and his forces try to overwhelm Mario, but are defeated and forced to retreat, with the still tiny Bowser being menaced by an [[ant]].
 
===''Mario Kart'' series===
[[File:Bowser-MarioKartWii.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bowser, riding on the [[Flame Flyer]], armed with a [[Spiny Shell (Mario Kart)|Spiny Shell]] in ''Mario Kart Wii''.]]
Bowser is always a heavyweight character in the ''Mario Kart'' games, and he usually has his own course, aptly named [[Bowser's Castle#Mario Kart series|Bowser's Castle]].
 
In ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'', he and [[Donkey Kong Jr.]] have the heaviest weight and highest speed, but at the same time suffer from poor acceleration and steering. If controlled by a computer, he will sometimes throw fireballs onto the track.
 
In ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', Bowser and the other heavyweight characters have poor speed, acceleration, and steering, but can easily ram the lighter racers out of their way, making them useful for battle mode.
 
In ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', his default partner is [[Bowser Jr.]]. His special item is the [[Bowser Shell]], and his special Kart is the [[Koopa King]].
 
In ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', Bowser's [[Koopa Clown Car]] cameos as his unlockable kart, the [[Hurricane]]. His default karts are a standard kart, like the other racers, and the [[Tyrant]]. Once the game is beaten, Bowser can drive any of the thirty-six karts in the game.
 
In ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', Bowser has the highest weight bonus for his class size, which makes vehicles like the [[Offroader]] and [[Piranha Prowler]] heavier than normal. The Staff Ghosts that use Bowser are Nin*YABUKI at [[Bowser's Castle]] in the [[Piranha Prowler]], with a time of 3:04:836 with no Wii Wheel and manual drift. The expert staff ghost is Nin*Masa, with the same settings, except this time, Bowser is on the [[Bowser Bike]] with a time of 2:42:098.
 
In ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', Bowser returns as a heavy racer. He has one of the best speed and weight boosts in the game. His Koopa Clown Car also has an appearance as the [[Koopa Clown]], an unlockable kart body.
 
===''Mario is Missing!===
[[File:BeachKoopa-Bowser.jpg|thumb|left|Bowser is de-shelled in ''Mario is Missing!''.]]
Bowser causes much trouble on [[Earth]] during ''[[Mario is Missing!]]''. Bowser plans to use several hairdryers to melt [[Antarctica]], which would result in the [[Earth]] flooding. However, he cannot afford the numerous hairdryers, causing Bowser to send his Koopa Troop across the world to steal rare and valuable artifacts to sell.
 
Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi set out to stop him, but Mario is captured by Bowser. Mario's kidnapping, however, differs between the three versions. In the PC version, Luigi remains outside with Yoshi, as he is too scared to go in, so Mario enters by himself, leading to him being kidnapped; In the SNES version, Mario falls down a pit trap activated by Bowser; In the NES version, Bowser catches him in a sack. Either way, Mario is kidnapped, forcing Luigi to save Mario using skills of deduction. The Mario bros. then launch Bowser to the center of Antarctica, defeating him (or, in the case of the PC version, forcefully removing Bowser's shell, making him a beach Bowser, much to his humiliation).
 
===''Mario's Time Machine===
[[File:Bowsertimemachine.PNG|thumb|Bowser standing aloft his Timulator in ''Mario's Time Machine''.]]
In ''[[Mario's Time Machine]]'', Bowser buids the [[Timulator]], a time machine that he uses to steal valuable artifacts from Earth's past and builds a great museum, not realizing that messing with the past can drastically alter the present. Mario takes back Bowser's stolen artifacts and uses his own time machine to return them to their proper places, saving the time stream.
 
If the player fails to return all the artifacts, Bowser escapes by using the Timulator and setting it for "[[Paradise]]", forcing the player to start over. However, if the task is done, Bowser attempts to use the machine to escape, but it is overloaded, and he is teleported to the Jurassic era, where a Tyrannosaurus Rex stomps on him.
 
===''Yoshi's Safari===
Bowser and the Koopalings take over the kingdom of [[Jewelry Land]], kidnapping the rulers [[King Fret]] and [[Prince Pine]], and steal twelve magical gems in ''[[Yoshi's Safari]]''. This causes a disturbance, causing an earthquake that splits Jewelry Land into the [[Light Realm]] and the [[Dark Realm]]. Mario, riding Yoshi, heads for Jewelry Land with the [[Super Scope]] Princess Peach gave them to defeat Bowser. Mario and Yoshi end up fighting Bowser in a giant robot. Bowser fights Mario using many tricks, such as throwing bombs, but he is still defeated, ending his reign over Jewelry Land.
 
After defeating the game, a code for the hard mode is unlocked, increasing the difficulty and changing level colors. The text is changed, to make it appear as though the events of the game are repeating themselves. Mario must once again save King Fret and Prince Pine, as well as reclaim the twelve gems to save Jewelry Land.
 
===''Hotel Mario===
In ''[[Hotel Mario]]'', Bowser and the Koopalings turn the entire Mushroom Kingdom into their own personal resorts and retain Princess Toadstool as a "permanent guest" in one of the Koopa's seven hotels. Mario and Luigi destroy the hotels of each Koopaling, but Toadstool evades their possession. Mario then reaches [[Bowser's Seizures Palace Hotel]], a hotel run by Bowser himself. After defeating Iggy, who does not own a hotel but works in Bowser's, the brothers face Bowser. They manage to defeat Bowser, and the entire hotel crumbles to pieces as the bros and the princess escape.
 
===''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars===
{{smrpgenemy|
|image=[[File:Smrpg bowser.gif|200px]]
|name=Bowser
|location=[[Bowser's Castle|Bowser's Keep]] (game intro)
|hp=Infinite
|attack=1
|defense=0
|mgattack=0
|mgdefense=0
|attacks=None
|strengths=None
|weaknesses=None
|itemdropped=None
|coinsdropped=None
|expgained=None
|psychopath=Mario! It's time!
}}
{{LLQuote|I'm the biggest, baddest brute around, and don't you forget it.|Bowser|[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]}}
 
Bowser actually serves as Mario's ally in ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''. He uses variations of [[Chain Chomp]]s and his claws to attack, as well as tossing Mario at enemies, using the [[List of weapons in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars#Bowser|Hurly Gloves]] (Described as: "A classic Mario-toss attack," though when Bowser tosses Mario any other time is a mystery). His special moves often involve summoning his minions to attack.
 
At the beginning of the ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'', Bowser kidnaps Princess Toadstool as she is picking flowers at [[Mario's House|Mario's Pad]]. He flies her to his castle, [[Bowser's Castle|Bowser's Keep]], in his Koopa Clown Car. However, Mario, hearing Toadstool scream, is on his tail. The plumber bursts into Bowser's throne room and fights him atop Bowser's chandeliers. Bowser seems to be unbeatable, but with some advice from the princess, Mario attacks the [[Kinklink]] chain holding up the chandelier, sending it and Bowser plummeting to the ground below. However, Bowser throws [[Hammer]]s at Mario's chain, bringing him down as well. On the ground, Mario [[Jump]]s on top of Bowser, giving him a boost up to the Princess.
 
After the battle, a huge sword named [[Exor]] crashes into Bowser's Keep, sending Mario, Toadstool, and Bowser flying in different directions; Bowser ends up near [[Rose Way]]. While Mario and his ally [[Mallow]] are traveling down the way, Bowser, along with a small army of his minions, is attempting to reclaim his castle from the [[Smithy Gang]]. Later, at [[Moleville]], Bowser is conveniently there at the same time as Mario once again; however, the two do not notice each other, and the number of minions he had earlier has decreased.
 
By the time Bowser reaches [[Booster Tower]], all his minions are gone, and he decides to join forces with Mario, naming him, [[Geno]] and Mallow honorary members of the [[Koopa Troop]]. They then break into Booster Tower, and Bowser helps Mario free Toadstool from [[Booster]].
 
For the rest of the game, Bowser follows Mario, helping him in completing his quest of collecting the seven [[Star Piece]]s to repair the [[Star Road]]. After collecting the sixth Star Piece in [[Barrel Volcano]], it is snatched by the [[Axem Rangers]], who head to the top of the volcano and into their ship, [[Blade]]. Once Mario and the group arrive on the ship, they take down the rangers and Blade and claim the sixth Star Piece.
 
Using [[King Nimbus|King]] and [[Queen Nimbus]]' [[Royal Bus]], the group reaches Bowser's Keep. Upon reaching the same room Mario fought Bowser in at the beginning of the game, they are forced to fight the Smithy Gang's swordsman, [[Boomer (Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars)|Boomer]], on the chandeliers, held up by a pair of [[Chandeli-Ho]]s. After his defeat, the Chandeli-Ho holding up the Mario group's platform is transported to the highest tower in the castle. It is here that they are forced to fight the living sword Exor. He is shielded from attacks at first, but, after defeating his eyes, the rest of Exor can be defeated. Once that is done, Exor uses the last of his strength to inhale the group, transporting them to [[Smithy's Factory]].
 
Inside the factory, Mario's group has to face several enemies, including [[Machine Made]]s, robot enemies that resemble past bosses, [[Count Down]] and the [[Ding-A-Ling]]s, and [[Cloaker]] and [[Domino]]. Eventually, they finally reached [[Smithy]] himself, and engage him in battle. After defeating him, Smithy begins to pout, pounding the floor with his hammer. However, this causes the floor to be destroyed, plunging them into a dark area beneath the factory. Smithy then transforms into his true form, along with five other forms, and continues the fight, only to be defeated by Mario and his team in the end.
 
After collecting the seventh Star Piece, Geno wishes the group goodbye, and they all witness as the spirit possessing the Geno doll, actually named ♥♪!? but going under the name of the doll for the entire game, leaves the doll and returns to the Star Road. At the very end of the game, Bowser returns to his castle and helps in its repair.
 
In this game, whenever Bowser uses a [[Special Move]], a diamond is superimposed over his body. In the Japanese version, Bowser does a gesture similar to giving the middle finger for his victory pose<ref>[http://www.themushroomkingdom.net/smrpg_j-e.shtml The Mushroom Kingdom] (Accessed on 9-19-08)</ref>. This is changed when the game was released in America. The theme that plays during Mario's battle with him is a remix of the final battle theme in ''Super Mario Bros. 3''.
 
===''Wrecking Crew '98===
In ''[[Wrecking Crew '98]]'', Bowser starts the construction of many new fortresses, greatly deforesting the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario decides to save the environment by destroying all of Bowser's fortresses. Bowser sends many of his minions to stop the plumber, but they all fall, even Bowser's right-hand construction worker, [[Foreman Spike]]. Mario eventually destroys Bowser's final fortress, saving the environment.
 
===''Mario Party'' series===
[[File:BowzerPartyDS.png|thumb|left|Bowser in the ''Mario Party'' series.]]
Bowser appears as an enemy, and in most cases, as the primary antagonist, in the ''Mario Party'' series since the first game, causing chaos and coin-loss on the players. In every game he is given [[Bowser Space|his own space]], which when landed on by the [[player]] will cause Bowser to appear and wreak havoc. There are also multiple minigames based around Bowser, where a character's coins, items, or stars are taken if they lose (in the first game, winning the minigame will also result.) Throughout the series, Bowser has taken many forms, mostly in ''[[Mario Party 2]]''. Bowser is only playable in the [[Beach Volley Folley]] mini-game of ''[[Mario Party 4]]''. Bowser also receives his own board, which is always the final board to be unlocked.
 
====''Mario Party====
In the original ''[[Mario Party]]'', Bowser mostly appears whenever the player lands on a Bowser space. He then activates a roulette, which can trigger one of several events. Each of the events will always end with one or more players losing coins, except for "Bowser Revolution", in which he will take all the competitors' coins and distribute them evenly. Also, if a player has a star, but not coins, Bowser would take their star in exchange for ten coins. Several of the events are simply revamped minigames. If the roulette lands on one of the gold-lettered phrases, Bowser will do nothing and leave. Bowser will also appear sometimes, in an event known as "[[Bowser's Bogus Items]]," in which he gives the player completely useless items that usually cost coins. However, there are two exceptions to this; on [[Luigi's Engine Room]], he gives the player one coin at the cost of twenty, and on [[Wario's Battle Canyon]], he uses his claw to send the player to a random spot.
 
Bowser's board in this game is [[Bowser's Magma Mountain]], consisting of a volcano with one path leading up. The players must collect stars in order to defeat Bowser. Several volcano-head statues, which he speaks through, appear throughout the board. Landing on a green statue results in Bowser asking if the player wishes to take a shortcut to the top for ten coins. If the player selects yes, a roulette activates; landing on a star will allow the player to take the shortcut, and landing on Bowser's face forces the player to continue on the current path, with no refunds.
 
At the top of the volcano is a purple statue, through which Bowser will ask if the player wants to buy a star. Another roulette is then activated, and the player will receive a star from Boo if it lands on the star. Landing on Bowser will force the player to see him, and he will steal a star or coins, depending on the result from another roulette.
 
At the end of the board, the winner's stars form a larger star that destroys the part of the volcano Bowser is in. He then flies into the air and lands back on the ground, followed by the winner jumping on him.
 
====''Mario Party 2====
During ''Mario Party 2'', Bowser takes over [[Mario Land]] and its six sub-lands. The characters of the game have a contest to see who could beat Bowser the fastest in order to prove themselves the best. In [[Pirate Land]], Bowser becomes Capt. Bowser. In [[Western Land]], he becomes Bowser the Brash. In [[Mystery Land]], he becomes Bowser Sphinx. In [[Space Land]] Bowser becomes Black Hole Bowser. Bowser eventually loses control of five of his lands. Desperate to hold onto the final land, [[Bowser Land]], Bowser utilizes his [[Metal Bowser]] power-up, but the player uses the stars they obtained to defeat him.
 
During the event in which a player lands on a Bowser Space, one of many things can happen. In addition to every non-minigame event from the original, several other possible events were added: Bowser's Coin Potluck, Bowser's Multiplying Toads, and Bowser's Appearing Act. Another new option, Stars-Packed to Go, was added, but this is in gold font, and Bowser will leave like in the original if the roulette stops there.
 
====''Mario Party 3====
In ''[[Mario Party 3]]'', Bowser attempts to become a [[Super Star]] by collecting the seven [[Star Stamp]]s. However, he was always behind the player and never got any stamps. He attempts to steal the [[Mischief Star Stamp]], but realizes that Waluigi had stolen it. Bowser attacks Waluigi but is easily defeated. A weakened Bowser then begs the player to defeat Waluigi in his name.
 
For Bowser Space events, several of the options for events were carried over to this game, with several more being added. Several of the events cause hindrance to the competitors, but there are two events that help the player: Bowser Phone Giveaway and Bowser Suit Giveaway. Bowser Suit Giveaway causes Bowser to give the player a free [[Bowser Suit]], and Bowser Phone Giveaway causes Bowser to give him or her a free [[Bowser Phone]], which will cause the person using it to select someone to preform a Bowser event upon calling him.
 
====''Mario Party 4====
In ''[[Mario Party 4]]'', Bowser claims that he stole the [[player]]'s presents, and that he or she must go win his board to win them back. The final minigame, [[The Final Battle!]], involves chasing Bowser around a cube-shaped arena, until the player finally reached the actual arena. Once there, the player must press the various buttons around the arena to trigger lightning strikes that will electrocute Bowser. Upon defeat, however, Bowser admits that he didn't steal the gifts and grudgingly gives the player a Bowser gift (although all of these gifts are virtually useless). Bowser is also an unlockable character in the [[Beach Volley Folley]] minigame.
 
When players land on a Bowser space, he occasionally shows up, flattening the player who landed on his space and triggers an event. Along with Bowser Revolution, Bowser Shuffle, and Bowser Suit Giveaway, a new event was added: Bowser Mini-game, in which the player plays a minigame with Bowser.
 
====''Mario Party 5====
[[File:MP5 ScaldinCauldron1.JPG|thumb|Bowser as seen in the ''Mario Party 5'' mini-game [[Scaldin' Cauldron]].]]
In ''[[Mario Party 5]]'', Bowser attempts to take over [[Dream Depot]] and have his own dream come true. After clearing the five boards, the player must take on the sixth: [[Bowser Nightmare]]. After defeating that board, the player must defeat Bowser in his final minigame, [[Frightmare]]. During the game, Bowser will send various obstacles after the player, and will afterward take on the player himself. Upon pounding a floor tile three times, he and the player will fall onto another arena, where Bowser will drink an elixir and grow giant in size; however, he will fall through the floor and attack the player with energy orbs. Once defeated, Bowser will tell the player that his dream did come true, because his dream was to have a worthy opponent.
 
All the Bowser Space events in this game were the same in this game, with the exception of Bowser Suit Giveaway, which was replaced with Bowser Bonus. In this event, Bowser had a Ztar steal a star and give it to him. However, sometimes Donkey Kong will intervene, causing Bowser to run off with twenty of the player's coins. The [[Last Five Turns Event]] is also run by Bowser. He will give the standings, and has the last place player spin the roulette, which can cause good and bad things to happen.
 
====''Mario Party 6====
In ''[[Mario Party 6]]'', he appears as the co-host of the quiz mini-game [[Speak Up]], where he changes the rules and the scenery of the game. Bowser also appears in the mini-game [[Seer Terror]], where players can see their fortune by pulling a rope. However, many of the fortunes are spoken after an event happens, which greatly amuses him. There is one fortune in which Bowser is sucked into a black hole; getting said fortune will cause the player to "win".
 
Bowser Spaces will cause him to appear and do one of two things. The first forced the player to play a minigame, and the other involves Bowser rolling a die to determine what the player loses. Bowser Spaces can only be landed on at night, with [[DK Space]]s appearing during the day.
 
====''Mario Party 7====
In ''[[Mario Party 7]]'', [[Toadsworth]] invites Mario and co. to go on a vacation around the world. This causes Bowser to be filled with rage due to the fact that they didn't invite him. Bowser then tries to ruin everyone's fun, but in the end, the player ultimately triumphs over Bowser.
 
During a party, every five turns a special Bowser-based event occurs, named [[Bowser Time]]. This event caused Bowser to appear and trigger something that hinders the competitors. Bowser Spaces would cause the player to either play a single or multiplayer minigame, and he would take coins or stars if they lost. He also runs the final four turns event in this game. He spins a roulette, which causes one of many things to happen. The events on the roulette can bring fortune or misfortune upon the competitors.
 
====''Mario Party 8====
In ''[[Mario Party 8]]'', Bowser steals the [[Star Rod (Mario Party 8)|Star Rod]] right as it is about to rewarded to the player for defeating all of his/her rivals. Bowser goes to [[Bowser's Warped Orbit]], where he has either a [[Hammer Bro.]] or [[Blooper]] face against the player. They are defeated, but Bowser challenges the player to a battle in the mini-game [[Superstar Showdown]]. During the minigame, Bowser attacks the player with fireballs, then with Bullet Bills, and then with lasers and Bullet Bills. However, despite all his firepower, Bowser is defeated once again by the player and flees.
 
Landing on a Bowser space will cause an event based on the setting of the board to occur. On [[King Boo's Haunted Hideaway]] and [[Shy Guy's Perplex Express]], where Bowser remains until reached, he can be negated by landing on a [[DK Space]], or, in the case of King Boo's board, by shuffling the mansion. In [[DK's Treetop Temple]], Bowser moves the Star. In [[Goomba's Booty Boardwalk]], Bowser has the player dodge Podoboos; hitting them causes the player to lose ten coins. In Shy Guy's Perplex Express, he replaces the train with his [[Bad Breath Express]], which will cause the person who reaches him to lose a Star. In [[King Boo's Haunted Hideaway]], he covers the pitfalls with his platform; reaching him causes whoever does so to lose a Star. In [[Bowser's Warped Orbit]], he steals a Star from the player.
 
====''Mario Party 9====
{{Newsubject-section}}
Bowser is confirmed to be a boss at the end of one of the boards in ''[[Mario Party 9]]''.
 
====''Mario Party Advance====
In ''[[Mario Party Advance]]'', Bowser arrives while a Toad is explaining the game and scatters the numerous [[Gaddget]]s and minigames throughout [[Shroom City]]. After completing the first quest, Bowser seals off the eight pipes in the [[Bowser Pipe House|Pipe House]]. He also has a slight role on the actual game board; whenever Koopa Kid randomly shows up while traveling through Shroom City, he will use lava to fling Mario and friends somewhere else in the city. He can also appear and challenge them to rochambeau (rock, paper, scissors). If he wins, Koopa Kid can choose to block the path, which will cause Bowser to drop a statue of him similar to the ones he placed on the pipes on top of Koopa Kid, blocking that section of the board.
 
As Mario and his friends complete quests, Bowser will destroy one of the statues covering the pipes. These pipes will lead to one of the eight areas Bowser owns around the city.
 
In the [[Bowser Stadium]], Bowser challenges Mario to a game of soccer, and, after he is defeated, is forced to play [[Splatterball]]. After that game is won, the player wins the game Splatterball, to play any time in minigame mode, and the Gaddget [[Snooze Ewes]].
 
At [[Mt. Frostbite]], Bowser and Koopa Kid are freezing on the mountain top. When the player arrives, he believes that Mario and friends can warm him up by answering his jokes with the correct punchlines. After doing so, he challenges them to play [[Crushed Ice]]. After the game is won, they will win the game and the Gaddget [[Breeze Buddy]].
 
At the [[Bowser Mansion]], Bowser is accused of stealing a painting from the museum, and the Mario gang, along with [[Shroomlock]], must prove whether Bowser is guilty or not by finding faults in his alibi. Bowser states that he stayed home all day that day, that he hadn't even seen the painting due to his hatred of Toads and twilight, and that there is now way to hide the painting in the mansion. Eventually, it is proven that Bowser did indeed steal the painting; his alibi is proven false when he said that nothing in the house is big enough to hide the painting, which he could only know if he had seen it. Bowser then states that he hid the painting somewhere outside, and, once Koopa Kid and Shroomlock leave, he forces the player to play [[Mush Rush]] Once the game is won, the prize received is the game and the Gaddget [[Lip Sync]].
 
At the [[Bowser Toy Shop]], Mario is challenged by Bowser and Koopa Kid to answer five questions about his favorite show, Toad Force V. After answering the questions correctly, he challenges them to the minigame [[Slammer]]. Once Mario and friends win, they will win the minigame.
 
In the [[Bowser Hideout]], Bowser challenges the gang to a game of luck: guessing whether the value on the upside-down card is higher or lower than the one beside it. When Mario wins that game, he is forced into playing [[Koopa Kappa]]. Victory results in receiving the minigame and two Gaddgets: [[Faux Flame]] and [[Hourglass]].
 
At the [[Bowser Pad]], Bowser wants the Mario group to get a gift according to his tastes. The gift will either be a bracelet, a ring, or a necklace, though the gift bought has to be the one Bowser really wants. He says that he likes necklaces as much as bracelets, but he likes rings more than bracelets. After retrieving the right gift and getting it to him, the gang is challenged to a game of [[Peek-N-Sneak]]. When the game is won, the prize is the minigame and the Gaddget [[Shroom Bloom]].
 
In the [[Bowser Game Hall]], Bowser challenges Mario and friends to his minigame [[Watch 'Em]], for the title King of Games and the minigame.
 
At the [[Bowser Lab]], Bowser allows the gang to select one of his monsters and duel it. Choosing the scary monster challenges [[Naval Piranha]] to the game [[Koopa Kurl]]; choosing the very scary monster only releases [[Huffin' Puffin]], embarrassing Bowser and forcing the player to leave. Once the Piranha is defeated, the minigame is won.
 
After forty-nine quests are beaten, Bowser will open the gate behind the Pipe House, revealing his secret lair. Mario will then challenge Bowser to the final minigame, [[Trap Floor]]. Once the minigame is beaten, Mario will receive it, as well as the Gaddget [[Bowser Print]].
 
Bowser also has his own mode, as a part of Challenge Land, known as Bowser Land, which he hosts. The mode involves going on a roller coaster to get to the end, playing Bowser minigames every time the player stops. Once the player reaches the end, Bowser will reward him coins for how fast he/she got there.
 
====''Mario Party DS====
In ''[[Mario Party DS]]'', Bowser shows his less goofy and more sinister side when he invites the Mario gang, Donkey Kong, and Diddy Kong to his castle for a banquet, captures Mario and his friends, and shrinks them down to the size of chess pieces with his [[Minimizer]] to get Mario's [[Sky Crystal]]. Afterward, he has Kamek throw them out.
 
Eventually, they get back to Bowser's Castle, and, after defeating his final board, Bowser wants to shrink them more. However, [[Donkey Kong]] breaks Bowser's Minimizer and the Mario gang return to normal size, and they fight Bowser. However, Bowser uses his [[Megamorph Belt]] to turn himself into [[Blockhead Bowser]]. Block Bowser has three forms (Top, Block and Snake). In each he fires fireballs and has to be hit on the golden block by Mario & co. After, Bowser and Bowser Jr. are captured and bound tightly in ropes, and he confesses that he only wants the Sky Crystals to unlock [[Triangle Twisters]], and that he got a little carried away. Mario understands, and unties Bowser and his son. In the minigame [[Hot Shots]], Bowser targets give one hundred points to the player when hit.
 
Landing on a Bowser Space in this game would result in Bowser appearing and causing havoc to the player landing on it, by choosing an event at random. If he chooses "Gimme Stars!", but the player had none, he would give them coins. If the option is "Gimme Coins!", he would steal 10 or 20 coins from the player. If he chooses "Gimme Charity!", he would force the player to give 10 coins to the others (or as many as he or she had if they don't have 30). If he decides on "Gimme Equality!", he takes all the coins and distributes them evenly. Bowser also once again runs the last five turns event, in which he helps the player by spinning a roulette. Landing on a golden-font word will cause the roulette to fly back to a random spot.
 
===''Mario Golf'' series===
{{MGCharinfo
|image=[[File:Bowsergolf.png|150px]]
|drive=280 yards
|shot=High Draw
|description=Bowser can boast the most power on the course. Just looking at his massive girth is enough to blow you away!
|getcharacter=Bowser can be unlocked by defeating him in "Get Character Mode" (N64).
}}
[[File:Bowsergolf.gif|thumb|left|Bowser, as he appears in the [[Nintendo 64]] version of ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]''.]]
Bowser is usually a default playable character in the ''Mario Golf'' games, though in ''[[Mario Golf: Advance Tour]]'', he is unlockable and can only be unlocked by transferring data to and from ''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]''. He also must be unlocked in ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]''. In ''Mario Golf: Advance Tour'', he is present to compete against the characters [[Neil]] and [[Ella]]. He is very rude towards them and almost gets into a fight with Mario. It is interrupted by Peach who reminded them of their manners. Bowser has the longest hit ratio of all characters but has low control. He hosts a tournament like Peach in ''Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour''.
 
During the opening of ''Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour'', Bowser is hit in the eye by one of Wario's golf balls. Enraged, he chases [[Wario]] and [[Waluigi]] across many golf fields. Eventually he traps them and prepares to throw a [[Bob-omb]] at them. However, one of Mario's golf shots knock the Bob-omb out of Bowser's hands and the three are caught in an explosion again.
{{br}}
 
===''Mario Tennis'' series===
[[File:Bowser MPT.jpg|thumb|160px|left|Bowser as he appeared in ''Mario Power Tennis''.]]
Bowser also appears as a playable character in almost every title in the [[Mario Tennis (series)|''Mario Tennis'' series]], (''[[Mario's Tennis]]'' for the [[Virtual Boy]] being the lone exception). He is a power character who can make service and return aces easily; he lacks speed, though. In ''[[Mario Power Tennis (Nintendo GameCube)|Mario Power Tennis]]'', Bowser uses his [[Fire Breath]] for his [[Offensive Power Shot]] and his [[Defensive Power Shot]] is [[Spinning Shell Dash]], where, he ducks into his shell and spins around to recover the ball.
 
In ''[[Mario Tennis]]'', Bowser is mistaken for causing trouble when he interrupts a tennis tournament. However, he innocently reveals he simply wants to play tennis, so Mario and the gang invite him in their new tournament. However, in ''[[Mario Power Tennis (Nintendo GameCube)|Mario Power Tennis]]'', Bowser has a more dastardly scheme. Bowser takes [[Wario]] and [[Waluigi]] under his wing after they lose in a tournament against the Mario Bros. Bowser trains the two to become better at tennis and ultimately the trio interrupt the final match of the tournament. Wario and Waluigi shoot [[Bob-omb]]s at the Mario bros., but Mario hits one back with his racket. Bowser fire a [[Bullet Bill]] from his balloon, but Mario deflects it, causing Bowser's balloon to start to crash. Seeing that his balloon is full of explosive Bob-ombs, Wario and Waluigi attempt to run away, but the balloon crashes on them, causing a massive explosion.
 
===''Paper Mario'' series===
====''Paper Mario====
{{pmenemybox
|align=right
|align=right
|image=[[File:PaperBowserStarRod.gif|125px]]
|hp=50 (round 1), 99 (rounds 2 and 3)
|atk=6/8/10
|def=1/2
|location=[[Peach's Castle]],[[Power Platform]]
|tattle=It's the Evil King Bowser!
*'''Round 1''': Finally, after all this time! He has a huge arsenal of attacks, from blowing clouds of fire to jumping on us. Fire Attack: 8, Stamp Attack/Nail Attack: 6 I'm sure he has other attacks that I don't know. Boy, does he look nasty! He's strong enough as it is, but I'm sure he can use that Star Rod to increase his power until he's nearly invincible. Princess Peach needs us! Let's take him, Mario!
*'''Round 2''': Uh... I think he got bigger. That's not a good sign... He has a huge arsenal of attacks, from blowing clouds of fire to jumping on us. Fire Attack: 10, Stamp Attack/Nail Attack: 8 I'm sure he has other attacks that I don't know. Kammy Koopa's mysterious device has somehow beefed up his power even more. That's hardly fair! You should use that Star Beam whenever he uses the Star Rod to increase his power. Oh, you already knew that?
*'''Round 3''': No more messing around! He has a huge arsenal of attacks, from blowing clouds of fire to jumping on us. Fire Attack: 10, Stamp Attack/Nail Attack: 8 I'm sure he has other attacks that I don't know. When he increases his power with the Star Rod, our attacks will be totally useless. When that happens, you must use our ultimate weapon, the Peach Beam! It has the power of everyone's wishes! This is our time, Mario! Let's take this chump! We're coming, Princess!
|moves=Magic Wave (4/6 to Mario; 3 to partner), Jump Attack (6/8), Poison Claw (6/8; Poison), Fire Blast (8/10), Lightning Storm (12), Recover (+20/+30), Star Rod (invincible, doubles attack)
}}
}}
{{quote|Mario defeated me...again... He always defeats me... This time I became invincible! And I STILL couldn't beat him!|Bowser|Paper Mario}}
Bowser is a huge, burly, green-shelled [[Koopa (species)#Bowser's species|Koopa]] with spikes, horns, and hair. His bushy eyebrows and mane are fittingly a bright, fiery red-orange and has bright red eyes. He sports two small horns, many spikes on his shell (similar to a [[Spiny]]) with brown-orange spike-rings, as well as along his tail (minus the spike-rings). He wears several spiked collars around his neck and arms. His neck collar in some games such as ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' is also implied to be part of his shell. He has three claws on each of his massive padded feet, four claw-tipped fingers including a thumb on each hand, and his arms are noticeably burly, indicating his vast physical strength. While his face and his shell are green, his plastron and muzzle are beige colored (occasionally depicted as being closer to tan or even yellow), and his tail and limbs are an orange-tinged yellow. In his artwork for ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' and the [[Paper Mario (series)|''Paper Mario'' games]], his limbs and tail are bright orange. The exact coloration of Bowser's head varies depending on the media: while official 2D artwork and most of his in-game appearances have his head and shell match in color, the majority of the official 3D artwork, trailers, merchandise as well as [[Mario & Luigi (series)|''Mario & Luigi'' games]] show him with a light green head, similar to Bowser Jr.'s appearance. In his various appearances, his red/orange hair is depicted in a loose cockscomb, the only exception to this being in ''Super Mario Odyssey'', where he instead has his hair groomed in a perm-like fashion for the wedding until he is defeated for the second time. ''[[Super Mario World]]'' reveals that his eyes present the {{wp|tapetum lucidum}}, as eyeshine can be seen when he is in the dark flying around the [[Valley of Bowser]] (excluding the occasional thunderclap briefly showing him in silhouette); this trait is also applied to [[Baby Bowser|his baby self]] in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'', as seen when he is shown in the darkness before beating up Kamek and then confronting Yoshi and Baby Mario. According to ''[[Koopa Capers]]'', Bowser has 264 teeth.<ref>{{cite|quote=Bowser smiles at Wendy O., showing all 264 of his teeth.|title=''Koopa Capers''|author=McCay, Bill|date=August 1991|publisher=Simon and Schuster|language=en-us|page=97}}</ref>


During the events of ''[[Paper Mario]]'', Bowser and his minion [[Kammy Koopa]] invade [[Star Haven]] and steal the [[Star Rod (Paper Mario)|Star Rod]], which can grant any wish of the holder. With this weapon, Bowser imprisons the Seven [[Star Spirits]] in cards and then scatters them in various strongholds and fortresses throughout the Mushroom Kingdom. The next day, Bowser uses his flying fortress to lift Peach's castle up into the sky. Mario attempts to stop him, but Bowser uses the Star Rod to make himself invincible, and defeats Mario for the first time ever. Believing his rival to be dead, Bowser throws Mario's tattered body down to the kingdom, locks the party guests in the dungeons of his castle, and puts Peach under heavy guard in her castle. Bowser then uses the Star Rod to create havoc throughout the kingdom; ravaging it with beasts and monsters loyal to him. Bowser gives each one of the Star Spirits to be guarded by his most trusted minions.
According to [[Prima Games|Prima]]'s ''Super Mario Galaxy'' guide, the appearance of Bowser and the Koopas are also based on {{wp|Kappa (folklore)|kappa}} of Japanese mythology, although this has not been officially stated by Shigeru Miyamoto.<ref>{{cite|author=Black, Fletcher|title=''Super Mario Galaxy'' PRIMA Official Game Guide|page=7|date=November 9, 2007|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|language=en-us|isbn=978-0-7615-5643-5}}</ref>


Mario eventually defeats Bowser's army and rescued the seven [[Star Spirits]]. After storming through Bowser's and Peach's castles, Mario reaches and battles Bowser again. The Star Spirits use their power to create the [[Star Beam]], making Bowser's invincibility useless. Shocked, Bowser retreats to the roof of Peach's castle. Kammy Koopa boosts Bowser's size and power with her [[Power Platform]], thus preventing the Star Beam from working against the Koopa King. However, Princess Peach and the [[Star Kid]], [[Twink]], defeat Kammy Koopa and upgrade the Star Beam to the [[Peach Beam]], which is able to make Bowser damageable once again. Bowser is defeated and the Star Rod is taken back by the heroes. After the battle, Bowser's device starts to malfunction due to the intensity of the fight and explodes, sending Bowser and Kammy flying away. The Star Rod is returned to the Star Spirits, Peach's castle is put back in place, and peace returns to Star Haven and the Mushroom Kingdom.
Bowser's appearance has evolved over time. In the box artwork for ''Super Mario Bros.'' he has an appearance similar to that of an ox in homage to ''{{wp|Journey to the West}}'' antagonist Gyū-Maō ("Ox Demon King"), with bluish face and scales, yellow hair and black eyebrows, as well as a less reptilian face. With the contribution of [[Yoichi Kotabe]], Bowser is redesigned between the release of ''Super Mario Bros.'' and the release of the Famicom version of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. During this redesign he is given blue eyes, as well as red hair and red eyebrows. Despite that, some artwork for ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', while featuring Bowser's redesigned appearance as well as the blue eyes, retains the yellow hair and black eyebrows while also showing him wearing a cape. His eyes are changed to red again in ''Super Mario World''. The brown rings around the spikes and horns are first seen in ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' and are seen again in ''Super Mario 64'', though in the latter game the horns and spikes are yellow. In ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', Bowser's appearance is very similar to the current appearance, with a few minor inconsistencies, such as his plastron traveling all the way up his neck.


During the events of the game, a [[Bowser???|robotic version of Bowser]] operated by the [[Koopa Bros.]] is fought in chapter one. However, the robot is clearly recognizable as a fake, since the voices of the Koopa Bros. can be heard inside the contraption and it bears several optical distinctions.
Bowser's appearance does not always follow the design of the time, and the same illustrations were often modified when used in subsequently released material. Two illustrations made by Yoichi Kotabe<ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20170202015743/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/_ui/images/ds/vol8/image_kuppa_illust.gif|title=Bowser's illustrations made by Yoichi Kotabe|publisher=Iwata Asks|format=GIF|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref> were slightly modified and colored with different colors. The first image is used in the manual of ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', with Bowser having red hair and eyebrows and closed eyes, but also in the [[Super Mario Bros. (pinball)|''Super Mario Bros.'' pinball machine]], with him having blue eyes, and in ''[[Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World]]'', with him having blue eyes and holding a wand. There is even a version of it in which he has red eyes. The second image is used in the promotional pamphlet of ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'', in which Bowser has yellow hair, yellow eyebrows and blue eyes, without rings around the spikes, and in other artwork related to that game, in which he has red eyes, hair and eyebrows, orange claws on the feet and with white rings around the spikes. Similarly, graphical limitations in the original ''Super Mario Bros.'' lead to Bowser not having hair. His in-game model in ''Super Mario 64'' has feet which are not padded, although in artwork for that game, he has padded feet. Similarly, in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', his feet are not padded, although in his Classic mode trophy he has padded feet. Furthermore, in the ''Paper Mario'' series and in artwork for the ''Mario & Luigi'' series, he has black eyes like the other characters, in the first three ''Mario & Luigi'' games he lacks foot pads and [[Paper Bowser]]'s spike rings are absent until ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]''.


''Paper Mario'' is significant because it reveals another of Bowser's motives for kidnapping Peach: he has a crush on her and hopes to steal her away from Mario.
In ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'', Bowser's appearance has been revamped, with a more detailed and stylized appearance. He has a slightly more muscular stature, a thicker, shorter snout, more teeth, a longer tail, a bigger shell, thinner armbands, and a smaller head. His yellow scaling gains a more greenish color in the upper part of his arms and torso. His eyes also glow whenever he is enraged.


====''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door====
[[File:KoopaDIC.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Bowser from the DiC cartoons. This design is also used in other media such as ''[[Nintendo Comics System]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up]]''.]]
{{pmenemybox
The [[DIC Entertainment|DiC]] cartoons' portrayal of King Koopa had him almost completely green in color and lacking hair, with a crown atop his head instead. His stomach was a deeper yellow than in later game depictions, and the whites of his eyes were also yellow; he also had a more crocodile/dinosaur-like snout, which was also colored green. He was also given a single pair of spiked bands on his wrists, which now match his shell's coloration.
|PM2=yes
|align=left
|image=[[File:BowserPMTTYD.png|120px]]
|hp=30/70
|atk=3/7
|def=1/2
|location=[[Glitz Pit]], [[Palace of Shadow]]
|log= - First Battle: Mario's fated enemy. Bowser the Koopa King is a foe to be feared. His typical turf is NOT Glitzville.<br> - Second Battle: Mario's sworn enemy. He's a big galoot who's come to swipe Princess Peach and the Crystal Stars.
|items=None
|moves= Jump (3/7; Lose commands), Poison Fang (3/7; Poison), Fire Blast (3/7)
|tattle= - Battle 1: That's Bowser! But what's he doing here?!? My mind just blew a fuse! He's uglier than I expected. He's got a poisonous bite, so watch out! It'll make your HP decrease gradually. Also, if he ground-pounds you, you won't be able to use one of your commands! Just focus your attention on beating him down, Mario!<br> - Battle 2: That's Bowser, genius. You've only fought this guy like, a bazillion times. He'll keep kidnapping Peach, and you'll keep fighting him, until the end of time, I think. In addition to his fire breath, he jumps on you and bites. If you get jumped on, you'll be unable to use a command for a little while. Oh, and his bite sometimes poisons you as well. I don't know what Bowser's doing here, but we gotta defeat him quick!
|before=[[Kammy Koopa|40]]
|#=41
|after=[[Gus|42]]
}}
{{LLQuote|Those Mario Bros. are the most annoying brothers of all time!|Bowser|[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]}}
Bowser also appears as a minor villain in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''. In this game, Bowser hears from [[Kammy Koopa]] that someone else kidnapped Princess Peach, and makes it his mission to rescue her and kidnap her himself. Accompanied by Kammy, Bowser appears in many cutscenes, in which he is a playable character. These scenes are often quite humorous and involved Bowser traveling through a side-scrolling world similar to the ones in ''Super Mario Bros.'' (these levels partially inspired ''Super Paper Mario''). Bowser also tried to collect the [[Crystal Stars]] before Mario, but always appeared to be one step behind his nemesis, and ultimately failed to find any of them.  


Bowser finally catches up to Mario in the [[Glitz Pit]], where the two enemies fight in front of a large audience, which can result in either Bowser's defeat or victory. He later attempts to return to [[Glitzville]] to search for one of the Crystal Stars, but refuses to take the Cheep-Cheep Blimp, and uses the Koopa Clown Car. Unfortunately for him, the airborne vehicle breaks down during the flight, sending him into the ocean below, and forcing him to swim back to [[Rogueport]]. He later appears in [[Twilight Town]] where he questions [[Lord Crump]] about the whereabouts of the Crystal Stars. The reluctant [[X-Naut]] summons his army to deal with the Koopa King, but Kammy calls the Koopa Troop to battle them. The two armies prepare to clash, but Bowser's fire breath sets off a [[Superbombomb]], forcing both armies into submission.  
''Nintendo Comics System'' used the same design as the cartoons for the ''Super Mario'' comics, and different installations in the ''[[Nintendo Adventure Books]]'' series used either it or Bowser's game depiction, interchangeably. The cartoon, ''Nintendo Comics System'', and ''Nintendo Adventure Books'' designs were later reused to a certain extent for Bowser's green palette swap in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' / ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U|Wii U]]'' (as well as being based on a palette swap for him in ''Mario Golf''). By comparison, the two ''Super Mario'' anime (the three OVAs and ''[[Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!]]'') are relatively true to the games' depiction of Bowser. Here, his eyes are blue instead of red, as in ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' and ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. Similarly, in the three OVAs he also frequently wears a cape, like he did in artwork for ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. On the other hand, in ''[[Super Mario World: Mario to Yoshi no Bōken Land]]'' he has red eyes, and his appearance on overall is similar to the appearance of Bowser in artwork for ''Super Mario World''.


After Mario opens [[the Thousand-Year Door]], Bowser and Kammy Koopa enter the [[Palace of Shadow]] to take Peach and steal the treasure that is rumored to be held behind the door. [[Sir Grodus]] threatens to murder Princess Peach after his defeat at the hands of Mario, but Bowser's weight causes him to crash through the ceiling. He lands on the X-Naut leader, crushing him into the ground. Bowser looks around and admits he has no idea what is going on, but he's going to "end it right NOW!" Bowser and Kammy battle Mario, but are defeated. They are battled before the [[player]] gets a chance to save after battling Grodus, and they are the last bosses before the final one. Mario leaves them passed out on the floor of the Palace of Shadow. When the player leaves the room and comes back, they are gone.
In the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]], he had various palette swaps (4 in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', 6 in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and 8 in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''). His red palette swap in ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', and to a certain extent ''Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'', was based on one of his palette swaps in ''Mario Golf'' (although the latter two games also had it resembling Bowser's in-game sprite from the NES version of ''[[Mario is Missing! (Nintendo Entertainment System)|Mario is Missing!]]''), while his blue palette swap was based on how he appeared on the Japanese box art for ''Super Mario Bros.'' His white appearance in ''Brawl'' and gray appearance in ''Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'' was likewise based on Morton Koopa Jr. prior to his ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' redesign. His green appearance was based on one of his palette swaps from ''Mario Golf'', his in-game sprite for ''Super Mario World'', and to a certain extent his appearance in the DiC cartoons and ''Nintendo Comics System'' and his in-game sprite from the original ''Super Mario Bros.'' game. His blue palette swap in ''Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'' was primarily based on the bluish [[Bowser's Brother]] from ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'', although it also to a certain extent resembles a palette swap of his from ''Mario Golf''.
{{br}}


====''Super Paper Mario====
As another trait exclusive to the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, Bowser's body has better defined scales and muscles; in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', he has defined biceps, and his limbs and tail are a gold-brown color. Starting from ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', Bowser is less bulky and slightly scalier, better resembling his appearance in contemporary ''Super Mario'' games. Starting from ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'', Bowser is also upright and even less detailed than before. In ''Ultimate'', Bowser retains his upright posture, though his color scheme is darker and more monotone (traits taken from ''Melee''), while his horns, spikes, hair, and scales feature simple detailing (traits taken from ''Brawl'').
{{LLQuote|Trust me, any problem comes up, I'll stomp it into next week. I'll Bowserize it!|Bowser|[[Super Paper Mario]]}}
{{Spmenemybox
|image=[[File:Pprbwsr.png|120px]]
|hp=20/80
|atk=2/8
|def=1/2
|location=[[The Bitlands]], [[Underwhere Road]]
|card type=Rare
|tattle=Mario's mean-spirited rival needs no introduction. He's not too happy about having to help out Mario.
|tippi=That's Bowser, the king of the Koopas and archenemy of Mario... Max HP is 80. Attack is 8. Defense is 2. He has spikes, so you can't stomp him. As you'd imagine, his fiery breath and stomp attack do a lot of damage. You'll need to use [[Pixl]]s and items to win this battle...
|before=[[Big Sammer Guy|216]]
|#=226
|after='''227'''
}}
Bowser joins forces with Mario in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''. During the beginning of the story, Mario and Luigi find Princess Peach missing and rush to Bowser's Castle, thinking that he is the perpetrator. Oddly, he is surprised as well, for he is only preparing to kidnap Peach and isn't ready yet. While talking to each other, a mysterious figure named [[Count Bleck]] abducts Luigi, Bowser, and his minions. He leaves Mario unconscious on the floor of Bowser's Castle, but Tippi finds Mario and takes him to Flipside. Count Bleck forces Bowser and Peach to get married in order to open [[The Void]] to end all worlds, although Bowser is unaware of his plans.


After the wedding, most of Bowser's minions are brainwashed by [[Nastasia]], Bleck's secretary. Bowser is removed from Count Bleck's Castle and wakes up in a field in [[The Bitlands]]. With a handful of his few remaining minions, Bowser establishes a stronghold in an abandoned castle and fortifies the defenses by stationing his forces throughout the area. He eventually encounters Mario and Peach, and chooses to battle Mario one-on-one. Bowser is soundly defeated by the plumber, with the help of [[Boomer]], and he learns the true purpose behind his marriage to Princess Peach. While he initially refuses to help them, Bowser realizes that he can't take over the world if it is destroyed and agrees to come with them.
Although Bowser does not generally wear clothing, there are a few instances where he does: The Japanese artwork for ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' depicts Bowser wearing a purple cape. In addition, Bowser, or, rather, King Koopa, frequently uses disguises in the DiC cartoons (mostly based on pop-culture icons), and in ''[[Mario Party 2]]'', similar to how the playable characters wore themed outfits befitting the various boards (i.e., a Pirate for [[Pirate Land]], a Cowboy in [[Western Land]], a Space Cadet in [[Space Land]], an archaeologist in [[Mystery Land]], and a Witch/Wizard in [[Horror Land]]), Bowser wore various outfits and adopted aliases befitting the themes of all the game boards except for Space Land (as he instead just pilots a space vehicle without wearing an actual costume). In addition, in a few cases when he is about to marry Peach, such as ''[[Super Mario Adventures]]'', ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', and ''Super Mario Odyssey'', he wears white Groom's outfits having each time different features such as the shoes, or lack thereof, and the bowtie. In ''[[Mario Tennis Aces]]'', Bowser receives his own tennis outfit, which is a black T-shirt with orange flame designs on it, accompanied by red kneepads. In ''Mario Kart Tour'', Bowser received a Bowser (Santa) variant as a High-End driver in the [[Winter Tour (2020)|2020 Winter Tour]]. For this variant, Bowser wears a [[Santa Claus|Santa]] hat, a red and white collar, and has Christmas lights on his shell. He also carries a red and green present and a white sack for this variant.


Later in the game, when [[Dimentio]] "kills" [[Mario]], [[Princess Peach]], and Bowser, Mario and Bowser both end up in [[the Underwhere]], while Peach goes to [[the Overthere]]. Mario and Luigi, who was also killed by Dimentio earlier, find Bowser while trying to get out of the Underwhere to find Peach. Mario and Luigi try to explain to Bowser what has happened, but Bowser immediately assumes Mario and Luigi are going to ditch him and take Peach for themselves. Bowser once again engages them in battle, but is defeated again, and rejoins Mario's party afterwords.
President Koopa from the 1993 ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' film is almost entirely human in appearance, with blonde hair he gels in the shape of a crown, and he frequently wears a black business suit and tie. Aside from this, he is also shown wearing a green military dress uniform with spikes as well as his left side featuring several ribbons in the prologue to the film, owing to how he had been a top general prior to usurping Daisy's father. Koopa constantly has his arms dangling limp at chest level in reference to his origins as a tyrannosaurus rex. However, after being briefly exposed to his own Devo machine by the Mario Bros., he started occasionally possessing some reptilian traits, such as a long, pointed tongue, slitted pupils, and in a few instances his entire face briefly morphing to become more reptilian. Near the end of the film, when Koopa is forcibly [[De-evolution|de-evolved]], he becomes a grayish-green ''Tyrannosaurus rex'', though he has a few differences when de-evolved such as having big arms instead of the small arms from the actual T-rex, though they become small before he turns into a large glob of primordial ooze.


Bowser, Mario, Peach, and Luigi travel through many dimensions to stop The Void, eventually arriving at [[Castle Bleck]]. Here, Bowser defeats [[O'Chunks]] in battle. However, the ceiling starts to fall and O'Chunks stops the ceiling from crushing the others by holding it up. Bowser helps lift the ceiling as well and he tells Mario and Luigi to take Peach to safety. However, he also attempts to get O'Chunks out of there as well, causing an argument between them as to who should leave and who should remain (with both stating they should stay and that the other should leave) resulting in apparently both getting crushed. Interestingly, this causes Bowser to be conveniently left behind during two crucial scenes. The first one being the part where [[Mimi]] disguises herself as [[Merlee]], and asks Mario and company about their weak-points. The second scene is when [[Dimentio]] asks Mario and company to join him, stating that they could rule every world with the [[Chaos Heart]] in their possession. It is later revealed that Bowser survived because he (and apparently O'Chunks as well) fell through the floor before they could be crushed. Bowser returns to help in the defeat of [[Super Dimentio]] and witnesses the marriage of Count Bleck and [[Tippi]] in order to stop The Void.
===Speech===
Bowser did not have voice acting prior to the [[Nintendo 64]] era. The manual of ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' nonetheless showed that he was able to speak. ''[[Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!]]'' gave Bowser voice acting for the first time in history, with the ''Amada Anime Mario Series'' (1987-1989) following in suite. Neither the movie nor the series were officially subtitled nor dubbed in English, thus the first time Bowser was heard speaking in English was in the 1989 DIC Entertainment ''Super Mario'' cartoon titled ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'', in which he was portrayed by [[Harvey Atkin]], giving him a Brooklyn accent. This trait was carried over in DIC's 1990 and 1991 cartoons titled ''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3'' and ''Super Mario World''. He utilizes tiger-like growls in ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'', and also has a screech that he utters when hit by one of the Mechakoopas in ''Super Mario World''. He eventually received voice acting in the PC version of ''Mario is Missing!'', although he would not receive full-fledged voice acting until a decade later. Afterwards, he received a limited degree of voice acting in the games starting with ''Super Mario 64'', although it was for the most part limited to roars and occasional laughter, with in-game text describing what he is saying to [[Mario]]. He later received full-fledged voice acting in ''Super Mario Sunshine'', where he was given a gruff, yet slightly goofy-sounding voice. In games released after this, his voice clips are generally the same mixture of both, recently being more frequently growling and roars with in-game text indicating what he is actually saying. A notable exception is the localizations of ''[[The Cat Mario Show]]'', where Bowser speaks full sentences that were localized and dubbed in all the main European languages as well. Overall, Bowser has a bass voice.


Strangely, Mario cannot jump on Bowser when battling him without getting hurt due to his horns and spikes, but he can in the previous titles. The theme that can be heard during the boss fights with Bowser is notable for being a remix of both the ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' Dark World map music and his boss theme from the first two fights with him in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.
===Powers and abilities===
[[File:Bowsersfirebreath.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Bowser is strongly associated with fire.]]
Bowser's most prominent ability is breathing fire. He can produce continuous flares or flurries of individual fireballs, and as seen in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' and ''Super Paper Mario'', he can even use his fire breath underwater. He has been shown to cause fiery rain in ''Super Mario World'' and ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'', while in ''Super Mario 64'' and ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', he can produce blue flames that home in on Mario. Bowser is very proud of his fire breath, and is immensely displeased to find himself temporarily unable to use his flames in ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story''. In the PC version of ''Mario is Missing!'', Bowser is said to be immune to fireballs, however this is not the case in most other games. Similarly, while lava defeats Bowser in many games, including the original ''Super Mario Bros.'', or ''New Super Mario Bros.'' (in which it transforms him into [[Dry Bowser]]), in other titles, he appears to be resistant to it, such as ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''.


===''Luigi's Mansion===
[[File:Bowser MPL artwork.jpg|200px|thumb|Bowser pounding the ground]]
[[File:KingBoowser.jpg|thumb|left|King Boo emerging from the Bowser pseudo-mecha's head.]]
Bowser is also portrayed with significant physical strength. Bowser is often the most powerful character in sports games, and in ''Super Paper Mario'', his attack stat as twice that of the other heroes. He can easily break through boulders and topple enemies many times his own size, and in ''Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story'', when Mario and Luigi stimulate his muscles with minigames, Bowser can move islands and lift giant stone statues, among other things. Like his fire breath, Bowser takes pride in his strength, and is quick to use punches, claw swipes, tackles, stomps, body slams, ground pounding, and other physical attacks in battle. In ''Super Mario RPG'' and ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', Bowser can attack his enemies using bites, with the latter game giving him the ability to poison others with his fangs, while the former gives him a poisonous claw attack.
In ''[[Luigi's Mansion]]'', [[King Boo]] fights Luigi in a giant Bowser mech during the final battle of the game. During battle, the robotic Bowser decoy can only be defeated after a spiked ball is thrown at the Bowser head. Once that happens, King Boo becomes exposed and Luigi can suck him up with his [[Poltergust 3000]]. When King Boo's energy gets low and retreats to the body, he screws the head on backwards. Eventually, Luigi captures King Boo, and the fake Bowser duplicate falls. It is interesting to note that, while the original Bowser is not in the events of the game, he is mentioned. He is said to have been soundly defeated at the hands of Mario by [[Madame Clairvoya]], a fortune telling ghost, though this is but a red herring on her part. His face also appears on some doorhandles.
{{br}}


===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
Unlike his strength, Bowser's speed and agility is less consistent between games. Bowser is usually slower than Mario, like in ''Super Paper Mario'', some ''Super Smash Bros.'' games and most sports titles, although despite being the slowest runner in the ''Mario & Sonic'' summer Olympics, with a 2/10 stat, in the winter games, he has an 8/10 stat. In ''Super Mario 64'' Bowser can jump incredible heights and make short charges at Mario, and while he cannot climb ladders in ''Super Paper Mario'', both this game and ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' show him to be a good swimmer, although the latter reveals that he dislikes the activity. In ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', Bowser has sluggish mobility and low jumps, but his dashing speed is exceptionally quick. In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', Bowser's mobility is faster, though still sluggish compared to the rest of the cast. Starting from ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'', Bowser is a speedy powerhouse fighter.
:''Main articles: [[SmashWiki:Bowser (SSBM)]], [[SmashWiki:Bowser (SSBB)]]
{{SSB Infobox|
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|color=blue
|emblem=Mario_Bros._Emblem.gif
|image=BrawlBowser.jpg
|games=''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''<br>''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''
|standard=[[Fire Breath]]
|side=Koopa Klaw (''SSBM''); Flying Slam (''SSBB'')
|up=Whirling Fortress
|down=Bowser Bomb
|final=[[Giga Bowser]]
|entrance=Bowser emerges from an inferno of fire.
}}
Bowser is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''. Bowser is very strong, making him a key character to deliver strong attacks. His massiveness makes him incredibly hard to launch out of the arena, though he is very slow as a result. However, his throwing ability is on par with the faster characters. He is also one of the few who can crawl and is also a good edge guarder. ''Melee'' also introduces [[Giga Bowser]], a more monstrous version of Bowser. Bowser transforms into Giga Bowser with his [[Final Smash]] in ''Brawl''.


Bowser is given a more realistic animal voice in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, with his ''Melee'' voice being similar to his voice effects from the games before ''Melee''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s release (such as ''Mario Kart 64''). Bowser's voice effects in ''Brawl'' are different than in ''Melee'', but are still more realistic than his cartoonish voice.
[[File:SMG Bowser Opening.png|200px|thumb|left|Bowser using electricity in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'']]
In the original ''Super Mario Bros.'', Bowser throws hammers at Mario, like a [[Hammer Bro]], and this ability reappears in various games, including ''[[Super Princess Peach]]'', ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' and ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]''.  and he can also duck into his spiked shell and spin or roll around to attack. Another uncommonly seen skill is Bowser's lightning power, which only appears in ''[[Hotel Mario]]'' and the opening cutscene of ''Super Mario Galaxy''. Both games also make use of Bowser's teleporting ability, as he uses it to bring Peach to his hotel in ''Hotel Mario'' and teleports away after his first two defeats in ''Super Mario Galaxy''; he also teleports across the battlefield if the player comes near him in ''Super Mario 64''.


====[[Solid Snake]] Codec Conversation====
According to the ''Super Mario Bros.'' instruction booklet, Bowser is a skilled user in dark magic, using it turn the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom into blocks and other items. While this aspect of Bowser's abilities is not seen in many other games, he makes use of similar magic, with a wand, to shrink players in ''Mario Party 4'' and turn a Koopa Troopa into a frog in ''Mario Party 2''. In ''[[Mario Party: Island Tour]]'', he uses magic to create a [[Bowser's Tower|30-floor tower]]. He also teleports himself away after being beaten at the Bowser's Star Reactor and Bowser's Dark Matter Plant in ''Super Mario Galaxy''. Bowser is also shown to be capable of flight, as seen in ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'', where he flies away after being defeated in [[World 8-Bowser: Part 1]]. Finally, Bowser can transform himself, such as turning into a giant boulder during his final fights with Mario in ''Super Mario Galaxy'', or changing into [[Giga Bowser]] in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' games, which grants him numerous new powers, such as the ability to freeze opponents. In the anime film, ''Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!'' he has the ability to shapeshift into anything he desires, and he can drastically change his size in various games.
*'''Colonel''': Careful, Snake! That's the great and terrible Bowser!
*'''Snake''': Bowser? Looks like a cheap movie monster.
*'''Colonel''': Hardly. Bowser leads an entire army of monsters. But I'd worry more about his claws and fire if I were you.
*'''Snake''': Doesn't look that tough to me. Seems kind of slow, actually.
*'''Colonel''': Well, he is the king of Koopas. It's only natural he'd be slow. But that's only because he's the heaviest fighter here--by far. He's a powerhouse of destruction. Careful he doesn't flatten you.


====The Subspace Emissary====
===Size===
[[File:SubspaceIntro-Bowser.png|thumb|200px|left|Bowser in the Subspace Emissary.]]
[[File:Mario characters group artwork.png|thumb|upright=1.1|left|Bowser is usually larger than most other main characters.]]
In the Subspace Emissary storyline of ''Brawl'', Bowser, a leader of the Subspace Emissary, orders his minions to steal [[Donkey Kong]]'s [[Banana Hoard]]. After Donkey Kong and [[Diddy Kong]] have recovered it, he faces them himself. He reveals his [[Dark Cannon]] and turns Donkey Kong into a trophy, though not before Diddy is sent to safety with Donkey's Giant Punch. He pursues Diddy and [[Fox McCloud]] with the assistance of a [[False Character|shadowy clone]], as well as capturing the princess rescued by [[Kirby]], creating a false copy of her to assist in capturing heroes. It is later shown that Bowser is working closely with [[Ganondorf]] in running the Subspace Army, though he dislikes him and prefers [[Master Hand]]. He reluctantly follows his orders, however, and retrieves the princess not rescued by Kirby from [[King Dedede's Castle]], though he is briefly attacked by Mario's team as he is returning to the [[Halberd]]. He then attacks Diddy and Fox again, this time managing to turn Diddy into a trophy and cloning him. However, his Dark Cannon is destroyed as a result of [[Falco Lombardi]]'s intervention, forcing him to retreat.
Like his speed, Bowser's size changes between games, and often varies between or during battles in single titles. In ''Super Princess Peach'', ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'', ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'', ''[[Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]]'', and various ''Mario Party'' titles, Bowser uses an assortment of magical artifacts and items to turn himself temporarily giant for his final showdowns with Mario, and starts out giant in ''Super Mario Sunshine'', shrinking back down to regular proportions after his defeat. Kamek makes Baby Bowser giant in ''Yoshi's Island'', and he and the Koopalings use spells to turn Bowser gigantic in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' and ''New Super Mario Bros. 2'', respectively. In ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'', Mario and Luigi can make Bowser temporarily [[Super Bowser|giant]] by supercharging him with adrenaline; Bowser X and Dark Bowser can become giant for a short while as well. Other games also show him to have modest increases in size from one boss battle to another, such as ''New Super Mario Bros.'' and ''Paper Mario''. In the playable ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' intermissions, eating Meat gradually increases Bowser's size. He also grows via meat in ''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'', though this was only shown to be possible in the Dream World. Like other ''Super Smash Bros.'' characters, Bowser can grow with the aid of [[Super Mushroom]]s and there are also ''Super Smash Bros.'' Events that feature Bowser as being larger than normal. While his "normal" size varies from game to game (ranging from slightly taller than Mario in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', to being roughly five times his height in ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''), usually he is about twice Mario's height, or a head taller than Peach, and is always much bulkier than the other characters. The only instances of any of his giant forms being officially named are in the [[Prima Games|Prima guides]] for ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' and ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'', where he is called [[Super Bowser]], as well as Baby Bowser's giant form, named Mega Baby Bowser in ''[[Yoshi's Woolly World]]'' and ''[[Yoshi's Crafted World]]''. Within the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, Bowser's size changes.  


Eventually, Bowser and Ganondorf are able to fly a [[Subspace Gunship]] into the other world and start bringing pieces of the world into [[Subspace (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)|Subspace]]. They destroy the Halberd, but are unable to hit the smaller, more maneuverable ships until the Subspace Gunship is destroyed by Kirby's [[Dragoon]]. Bowser decides to go into Subspace to report his failure. He is then betrayed when Ganondorf goes to see Master Hand as well, who turns out to be controlled by the being [[Tabuu]]. Upon being revived by King Dedede, Bowser fights him until he learns the truth behind the Subspace mission and joins the heroes in fighting against Tabuu and, upon finding Ganondorf's trophy (just after Kirby's discovery of it), furiously attacks it, as retribution for the treason of which he was victim earlier.
In ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' and ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', Bowser is only slightly taller than Mario, rivaling the heights of Peach and Samus. In ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'', Bowser is the tallest and largest character in the game, due to both his new upright posture, as well as the general proportional differences between the characters. Bowser's height carries over in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', although he is now the second tallest fighter, as Ridley is currently the largest playable character.


====Special Moves====
===Relationships===
=====Fire Breath=====
Although technically a younger version of himself, Bowser has interacted with Baby Bowser during two occasions of time travel. In ''Yoshi's Island DS'', Baby Bowser insults his future self, who then rashly blasts him out of the castle; later, however, Bowser becomes outraged when he discovers his younger self being bested by the Yoshis. In ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'', the two Bowsers do not recognize each other and argue about the ownership of Thwomp Volcano, eventually putting their differences aside to work together to try and defeat Mario, Luigi and their own baby selves. After their defeat, Bowser's parting advice to Baby Bowser is to "Get stronger and more evil". In ''[[Yoshi's New Island]]'', he also ambushes Yoshi and Baby Mario just as they were to save the Stork and Baby Luigi again in order to avenge his younger self's defeat.
{{Main|Fire Breath}}
{{main|SmashWiki:Fire Breath}}
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|caption2='''Fire Breath''' in ''Brawl''.
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'''Fire Breath''' is one of Bowser's special moves in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl|Brawl]]''. Bowser uses this move when {{button|gcn|B}} is pressed. It is exactly the same as a [[Fire Flower]], except that the flames get smaller the more it is used. The attack is somewhat of a long-distance move, and is usually best to use when the enemy is coming in for close-range combat. However, the move will leave Bowser motionless while using the attack, and will leave his back open for attack. If [[Kirby]] copies Bowser's abilities, he will gain the Fire Breath attack.
 
=====Koopa Klaw=====
{{main|SmashWiki:Koopa Klaw}}
[[File:Melee-KoopaKlaw.png|thumb|200px|left|Bowser's '''Koopa Klaw'''.]]
'''Koopa Klaw''' is one of Bowser's special moves in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. Bowser uses this move when {{button|gcn|B}} is pressed in conjunction with either left or right on {{button|gcn|Stick}}. This move has two variations, based on Bowser's distance from his opponent. If the two are sufficiently far apart, he simply lashes out with his claws, leaving a visible trail in the air. If Bowser is near enough to his opponent, however, he will grab a hold of his foe, allowing him to either gnaw on them or execute a throw move. If Bowser grabs them, he will be able to bite them repeatedly, until they manage to escape from his grasp.


=====Flying Slam=====
Bowser's minions all hold Bowser in high regards and loyally serve him out of respect rather than fear, although many are mindful of his fiery temper. Bowser does not take betrayal well nor will he hesitate to attack deserters as enemies, although he has been shown to be forgiving at times, such as letting the trio of [[Corporal Paraplonk]], [[Private Goomp]] and [[Sergeant Guy]] return to service after they betrayed him for Fawful in ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story''. Bowser, despite repeatedly downgrading their competence and intellect, has high faith and pride in his minions. While he is harsh, he does reciprocate their loyalty, notably shown in ''Super Paper Mario'' and ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story''. The latter game's remake, or more specifically the tie-in story ''Bowser Jr.'s Journey'', further reinforces his care for his troops, as it was revealed that a large part of the reason he was outraged at not being invited to the emergency seminar over the Blorbs virus outbreak at Peach's Castle was because his own kingdom was also suffering from the outbreak. In ''Paper Mario'', while labeling the Koopa Bros. and Tutankoopa as weaklings, he acknowledged they were still loyal followers and takes their defeats as disrespect from Mario. Bowser has also been shown to treat minions in a fatherly fashion, namely towards the Koopa Kids in the [[Mario Party (series)|''Mario Party'' series]] (who, despite their similar appearances are not related to Bowser), although they treat him as a boss only. One minion who treats Bowser fairly informally at times is [[Kammy Koopa]], who loyally and tirelessly puts up with his constant stream of derision when working together during the first two ''Paper Mario'' games. In her [[tattle]], [[Goombella]] wonders whether it is harder for Bowser to put up with Kammy or vice-versa, but despite his verbal abuse, Bowser often takes Kammy's advice to heart.
{{main|SmashWiki:Flying Slam}}
[[File:Flyingslam.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Bowser's '''Flying Slam'''.]]
'''Flying Slam''' is Bowser's Side [[Special Move]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', replacing the [[#Koopa Klaw|Koopa Klaw]] from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. In essence, Flying Slam is essentially the same move as Koopa Klaw, with one fundamental difference: Bowser claws at his opponent and if he connects, he'll perform a flying suplex, rather than throw them over his shoulder as he did with the Koopa Klaw. Bowser's air movement can be controlled somewhat during this move. If connecting midair, Bowser will go down with the enemy, and can KO himself as well as the enemy. The enemy can, however, control the movement of the two, and fight back, depending on both the enemy's and Bowser's damage percentages. Bowser doesn't bite his enemy with this move, unlike with the Koopa Klaw.


=====Whirling Fortress=====
Bowser often works together with [[Dr. Eggman]] during the ''[[Mario & Sonic (series)|Mario & Sonic]]'' series, often causing trouble to disrupt the Olympics or defeat their nemeses, Mario and [[Sonic]]. Bowser and Eggman mutually treat each other as equals in their partnerships as well as friends, which is prominently shown in [[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS)|London]]. In [[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020|Tokyo]], Bowser trusts Eggman's comprehension of [[Tokyo '64]] when they end up trapped in the game so they can outwit Mario and Sonic and escape.
{{main|SmashWiki:Whirling Fortress}}
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|caption2=Bowser's '''Whirling Fortress''' in ''Brawl''.
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'''Whirling Fortress''' is a move that can only be used by Bowser in both ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and its sequel, ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''. Bowser activates this move when a player presses Up and {{button|gcn|B}} simultaneously. Bowser conceals himself inside his shell and spins around with it in the air. If it hits any of the other players, they take a relatively large amount of damage, depending on how long they are in contact with the spinning shell. The attack can also be used on the ground, instead of just in the air.


=====Bowser Bomb=====
====Family====
{{main|SmashWiki:Bowser Bomb}}
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|image1=SMSQPB2 Kuppa to koKuppa tachi transparent.png
|caption1=''Melee'' '''Bowser Bomb'''.
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|caption1=Bowser with the [[Koopalings]]
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{{quote|All right, [[Bowser Jr.|son]]... Let's see if you can stand up to your old man!|Bowser|Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey}}
'''Bowser Bomb''' is an attack that is used by Bowser in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''. It is executed by pressing down+{{button|gcn|B}}, however, there are several different control types for ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' (see [[Super Smash Bros. Brawl#Gameplay|here]]). Bowser jumps up to the right, and smashes down on the ground, damaging any players under him and launches them into the air. Like the Yoshi Bomb, this will always result in an SD if used off the edge as this attack is a stall-then-fall. It is called the Bowser Bomb because it is like a bomb coming down at a high speed, and when Bowser hits the ground, the move's power is quite explosive. This is one of the things that separates the Bowser Bomb from the [[Ground Pound]] move. [[Yoshi]] has a similar move called the Yoshi Bomb.
Both the original Japanese and English versions of the game ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' introduced Bowser's seven children, the [[Koopalings]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20091021224701/http://www.geocities.jp/frnyanko/setsumei/famicom/supermario3/supermario3.html ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' Japanese instruction booklet transcription on GeoCities.] In the story section (pg. 4), they are called「{{hover|自分|じぶん}}の{{hover|子供|こども}}コクッパ7{{hover|兄弟|きょうだい}}」, and King Koopa's line (pg. 2) reads 「ワッハハ。これから{{hover|俺様|おれさま}}の{{hover|息子達|むすこたち}}がこのゲームの{{hover|説明|せつめい}}をするぜ。{{hover|息子達|むすこたち}}の{{hover|言|い}}うことをよーく{{hover|聞|き}}いてせいぜいガンバルことだな。ワッハハ。」 Note Koopa's use of 「{{hover|俺様|おれさま}}の{{hover|息子たち|むすこ達}}」 (''ore-sama no musuko-tachi''), which equates to "my children" (or, literally, "my sons") while at the same time referring to himself in an extremely arrogant manner. The children are introduced with the phrase 「そして、これがコクッパ7{{hover|兄弟|きょうだい}}だ!!」 (pg. 3). Larry (pg. 4), Morton (pg. 8) and Lemmy (pg. 34) refer to King Koopa as 「オヤジ」 (''oyaji''), which is both a Japanese word for "father" as well as a term of endearment.</ref><ref>''Super Mario Bros. 3'' English instruction booklet. In the story section (pg. 5), they are called "Bowser's 7 kids" and "his 7 children", and Bowser's line (pg. 3) reads "Ha Ha Ha! These are my 7 children that are going to help me take over the Mushroom World!" The children are introduced with the phrase "These are Bowser's kids!!" (pg. 4). Larry (pg. 5), Morton (pg. 9) and Lemmy (pg. 34) refer to Bowser as their father or dad.</ref> They were also depicted as his children in ''[[Super Mario World]]'',<ref>{{cite|date=1991|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America|title=''Super Mario World'' instruction booklet|page={{file link|SMW NA Manual Pages 19 20.png|20}} (Mysterious Sunken Ship description)}}</ref><ref>{{file link|Kokuppa SMB4 Card.jpg|Japanese card about the Koopalings in ''Super Mario World'', in which they are referred to as 「クッパ{{hover|大魔王|だいまおう}}の7{{hover|人|にん}}の{{hover|息子|むすこ}}たち。」, meaning "The seven children of the (demon/sorcerer) king Bowser."}}. Note that their name is written with 「7兄弟」 instead of 「7人衆」.</ref> ''[[Yoshi's Safari]]'',<ref>{{file link|SnesyoshissafariBack.jpg|Back of the North American box of ''Yoshi's Safari''}}.</ref> the first trophy of Bowser in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''<ref>{{file link|JSSBM Bowser Trophy.jpg|In ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', the first trophy of Bowser in Japanese refers to him as having 「7人のこども」}}.</ref>, the DIC cartoons, and various comics released shortly after ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. However, after ''[[Hotel Mario]]'', the Koopalings went on a nine-year hiatus, and many years later, in 2002, ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' introduced [[Bowser Jr.]], Bowser's youngest child who resembles Bowser greatly. Since the Koopalings have made a return to the series following ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', Bowser Jr. is considered the [[Koopalings#Family relationship|heir to the throne and the only child]] in the current story. While the Japanese Nintendo Direct announcement for ''Mario Kart 8'' referred to them as Bowser's ''kobun'' (which can mean either underlings or adopted children), subsequent games used less ambiguous wording referring to them as minions, with ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'' and ''Ultimate'' having the Palutena's Guidance in which the Koopalings' similarity to Bowser Jr. is noted and in which it is stated that the Koopalings have a mysterious relationship to Bowser, although the Japanese version adds that it has been heard that they are minions. Something similar happened to [[Bowser's Brother]] from ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'', who was later considered to be something akin to an [[Impostor Bowser]] and eventually a character of unknown identity.


The move is a reference to one of Bowser's attacks in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', in which the Koopa King would Ground Pound where [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] is standing. In fact, the position Bowser gets into when using Bowser Bomb is even borrowed from ''Super Mario Bros. 3''.
[[File:PN Koopa Emblems.png|thumb|upright=1.1|left|The emblems of Bowser, Bowser Jr., and the Koopalings]]
Before the introduction of [[Bowser Jr.]], [[Ludwig|Ludwig von Koopa]] was once said to be Bowser's second in command in the ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' [[Nintendo Power]] Strategy Guide,<ref>{{cite|quote=Bowser’s oldest Koopaling and second in command, he’s a real monster!|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|title=''Nintendo Power'' Volume 13|page=9}}</ref> leader of the Koopalings in the Official Nintendo Guidebook of ''Super Mario Collection'' (the Japanese version of ''Super Mario All-Stars'')<ref>{{cite|title=「長いたて髮をふり乱して襲ってくる、コクッパー族のリーダー・ルドウィッグ。」''Super Mario Collection Nintendo Official Guidebook''|page=267|language=ja|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]}}</ref> and Bowser's comrade in the ''[[Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten]]''.<ref>{{cite|language=ja|publisher=Shogakukan|date=1994|title=「クッパの仲間だ」. ''Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten'' (''Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encycloepdia'')|page=232}}</ref> Bowser has always been very proud of the Koopalings' close loyalty to him, and while the dynamics between them was openly familial in the cartoons and comics, in the games the Koopalings were just main bosses and had no dialogue nor interaction with Bowser. On the other hand, in ''Super Mario Sunshine'', he first tried to use Bowser Jr. as a pawn in his schemes, even going so far as to lying that Peach was the child's mother to give him extra incentive to defeat Mario for taking her away from their "family". However, after his plan failed, in a rare moment of humility and remorse, Bowser eventually decides to tell his son the truth about Peach, but Bowser Jr. had figured it out by then, and simply wanted to fight Mario to be like his father. Bowser does indeed care about his son, who often brings out his softer side, and at times obsesses over his well-being, such as in ''Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam'', where he becomes infuriated after learning that the Mario Bros. had injured him. The two currently share closer ties than he and his Koopalings, with Bowser Jr. often acting as Bowser's default partner in sports and spin-off games. On a similar note, in the NES library portion of the Nintendo Switch Online service trailer, Bowser, while playing ''Ghosts 'n Goblins'', is shown to be ignoring his son, who has been asking to play with him, much to his disappointment. Feeling guilty seeing Bowser Jr.'s dejection, Bowser promptly offers a second Joy-Con so they can play together, and they proceed to play ''Ice Climbers''. Although genuinely caring for his son, even he has found Bowser Jr. difficult to raise largely due to the latter's hyperactivity as well as having access to his own army and flying car, admitting as much to Olivia when explaining how King Olly is trivial to him before the final battle, implying that Bowser Jr. was more difficult than King Olly ever was. As a result, he states that he tends to raise Junior with a free-range parenting style, letting him take risks and even insisting that he can handle himself while he's being overwhelmed by Paper Macho Goombas. On the Koopalings' end, the Koopalings were also shown to be extremely devoted to Bowser, with their loyalty to the Koopa King being immense enough that they are willing to serve Bowser even when the latter is not actually himself, as evidenced by their servitude to "Bowser" in ''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'' and ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'' (who had actually been [[Bowletta]] and [[Black Bowser]], forms taken when Bowser was possessed by [[Cackletta]] and corrupted by the [[black paint]], respectively). Additionally, the side story of the former game's remake shows their loyalty was immense enough that they were resistant to Fawful's mind control spray before the Beanish added a stronger dose. Nonetheless, in a flashback the Koopalings had nearing the climax of the Bowser Jr.'s Journey story arc of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, Iggy is seen speaking out of line with the other Koopalings by denying that Bowser was at all smart or wise (and even implying that Bowser was even crazier than Iggy for thinking he was such), resulting in Bowser being implied to have hit him across the room. Bowser, Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings all have personal emblems with silhouettes of their faces, the silhouette of Bowser's face used in his emblem is also present in many buldings, machines and devices that he controls.


=====Giga Bowser=====
[[File:NSMBW Kamek Artwork.png|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Kamek]], Bowser's caretaker in the [[Yoshi (franchise)|''Yoshi'' franchise]]]]
{{Main|Giga Bowser}}
''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' introduced Kamek, the Magikoopa who raised Bowser from infancy and who has been seen interacting with him the most throughout the series. As seen in subsequent ''Yoshi'' series games and ''Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time'', Kamek takes great care of Baby Bowser and worries for his safety, with his devout loyalty continuing into Bowser's adulthood where he is often seen as Bowser's right-hand. Kamek's [[Thought Peek|thought]] in ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'' even implies that he considers Bowser to be like a son to him, as despite his brain-washing by the enemies, he thinks, "That's... my child?" when faced with Bowser in battle. The only time a rift has been shown between the two is in ''[[Mario Party Advance]]''; after winning a minigame Kamek explains that he took leave of Koopa Troop when Bowser disappointed him by taking the title of "Game Master", rather than earning it, although the ending states that the two reconciled. Aside from that incident, the two get along well, and Bowser seems to show much more respect to his elderly guardian than to any other of his subordinates.
{{main|SmashWiki:Giga Bowser}}
[[File:Giga bowser brawl.jpg|thumb|200px|left|'''Giga Bowser''']]
Although not normally playable in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', Giga Bowser appears in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as Bowser's [[Final Smash]]. He still takes damage from hits but won't flinch, making him nearly impossible to KO. Because of his large size, he is able to easily attack and KO an opponent. The duration of this move is very short. While Giga Bowser is activated, Bowser's icon doesn't change. It's also noted that when Giga Bowser performs a Smash-based attack, it can turn into several Elements, such as Flame, Darkness, Ice, or Lightning.


Giga Bowser is a ''Smash Bros.''-exclusive creation, but the concept of Bowser growing in size isn't unheard of. In several games, including ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'', ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'', ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', and ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', he has changed his size at different points. The method of this, though, varies from game to game.
Various other relatives of Bowser's have been mentioned or shown in a minor capacity throughout the franchise. Bowser mentions a [[List of implied characters#Bowser's father|father]] in few issues of the [[Nintendo Comics System]] ''Super Mario Bros.'' series, with the implication being that he is a wanted criminal on the run. Bowser is first shown to have a [[Bowser's mother|mother]] in ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'' episode "[[Do You Princess Toadstool Take this Koopa...?]]", which depicts her to be a bossy and bullying woman who resented her son for remaining a bachelor. ''[[Mario's Time Machine (PC)|Mario's Time Machine Deluxe]]'' for MS-DOS, however, shows another version of Bowser's mother, who is an elderly librarian, in the included Library program. Bowser also mentions a grandfather named [[List of implied characters#Poopa La Koopa|Poopa La Koopa]] in the ''Super Show'' episode "[[Butch Mario & The Luigi Kid]]", saying his motto was "Cheat, beat, and be merry!". In the "[[Raiders of the Lost Mushroom]]", Bowser claims that his "[[List of implied characters#King Koopa's great-great grandkoop|great-great grandkoop]]" built the [[Temple of Koopa]] to hide the [[Lost Mushroom]], which he left to Bowser. In an episode of ''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', Morton brings up one of the Koopalings' great grandmothers. Bowser and the Koopalings are shown to have a pet rabbit named [[Pookie]] in the Nintendo Comics System series, which was often abused until its eventual escape in the comic "[[Bowser Knows Best]]". In the Nintendo Adventure Book ''Flown the Koopa'', a Magikoopa stated to be Bowser's third cousin twice removed is featured as the main antagonist; this character also appears in the later books ''Unjust Desserts'' and ''Brain Drain'', though he has only minor roles in both. Finally, in both an episode of the ''Super Show'' and the song "[[Ignorance is Bliss]]", Bowser mentions a [[List of implied characters#Bowser's sister|younger sister]] who is, according to him, a bookworm.


===''Mario & Luigi'' series===
====Love interests====
====''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga====
[[File:SM3DL W8.png|thumb|upright=1.1|left|Bowser holding Peach captive in ''Super Mario 3D Land'']]
[[File:Bowser MLSS.png|thumb|right|Official art of Bowser from ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''.]]
[[File:Peach Slapping Bowser - Super Mario Sticker.gif|thumb|150px|[[LINE]] sticker showcasing Peach's feelings for Bowser.]]
In ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'', Princess Peach's voice is replaced with a literally explosive vocabulary by the evil witch [[Cackletta]]. Some time after this, Bowser arrives at the castle to kidnap the princess. However, Mario arrives soon after Bowser did, and the two engage in battle. However, once the fight is over, Bowser states that this isn't the time for a battle, and a Toad tells the two that Peach's voice was removed. Realizing that, if he kidnapped Peach, her voice would destroy his castle, he and the Mario Bros. venture to the [[Beanbean Kingdom]] to recover Peach's voice on Bowser's [[Koopa Cruiser]]. On the way, that night, [[Fawful]], Cackletta's minion, and Cackletta herself show up, and she sends Fawful to destroy the group. Bowser is defeated easily, but the brothers defeat him. Despite this, Fawful uses his helmet in order to send the cruiser plummeting to the ground, specifically [[Stardust Fields]]. Bowser falls in a large cannon, where he is mocked by [[Tolstar]] and later found by Mario and Luigi. Tolstar demands 100 [[Beanbean Coins]] in order to free Bowser and keep the incident a secret. Even after the brothers, along with the [[Starshade Bros.]], gather the coins, they are attacked by Tolstar, but he is subsequently defeated. However, Bowser manages to annoy Sergeant Starshade, one of the Starshade Bros., enough to the point where he is shot out of the cannon by him. Bowser ends up in the mountains with amnesia, where he is rescued by [[Popple]], the Shadow Thief. Popple starts training Bowser to become a Shadow Thief, renaming him [[Rookie (Bowser)|Rookie]].
Bowser is typically shown as attracted to Princess Peach despite kidnapping her and showing open hostility to her kingdom and her friends. According to the manual of ''Super Mario Bros.'', Bowser initially started abducting Peach to prevent her from restoring the transformed [[Toad (species)|Toads]] back to normal. Various media depict Bowser as wanting to marry Princess Peach, being central plot points in ''Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!'', ''Super Paper Mario'', ''Super Mario Odyssey'', and ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'', the last in which Bowser expresses his love for Peach in a song called [[Peaches]]. In the same ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'' episode that featured his mother, Bowser has tried and failed to marry Peach, and his unrequited crush on her recurs in various games, starting with a diary entry he wrote in ''Paper Mario'' expressing his hopes that Peach would like him. ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'' revealed that Bowser's most carefully preserved memory was of Peach. ''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]'' further hints at his crush on Peach, as when he and Mario encounter Origami Peach for the first time, he quietly expresses embarrassment at her seeing him folded up, and when confronting King Olly just before the final battle against him, Bowser inquires of Peach's status and asks if she is safe, comfortable, and has something to read before claiming he was merely asking for a friend. In ''Super Mario Sunshine'', he told Bowser Jr. that Peach is his mother. In few cases, he can forgo abducting Princess Peach, usually if he is aiming for a more important objective. This bit is especially evident in ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'', as when Peach discovers Bowser's presence with Mario, she initially fears that he is going to abduct her again, only for Bowser to explicitly state he has no interest that time in doing so due to having "[[Smithy|bigger fish to fry]]" (with his reluctantly explaining what he meant by that after returning her to the Mushroom Kingdom).


As Rookie, Bowser fights the Mario Bros. twice, remembering nothing about them except that they enraged him for some reason. Rookie's attacks, which involve throwing hammers and breathing fire, is a reference to ''Super Mario Bros.'', where Bowser performs both of those moves during later boss battles. They are first fought at [[Château de Chucklehuck]], Popple wanting the [[Chuckola Reserve]] for himself, and later at [[Woohoo Hooniversity]], after the Beanstar randomly landed right in front of Popple.
Despite his feelings for her, Princess Peach dislikes Bowser and has resisted him, most often by helping his nemeses including, but not limited to ''Super Mario World'', ''Paper Mario'', and ''Super Mario Galaxy'', and she has fought him directly in some instances such as in ''Super Princess Peach'', ''Super Mario 3D World'', ''Super Mario Bros. Wonder'', and ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''. She is still willing to work with Bowser, however, only to help the protagonists, and will even sweet-talk, flatter or show him genuine goodwill or concern when they are acting as allies.


After the Beanstar battle, a Peach-bot head falls in front of the group, the noise it is making disturbing the Beanstar. The four grab on to it before it can fly up, and they are sent flying in different directions, followed by the star breaking into four pieces. Before all this, Rookie ends up remembering he is actually Bowser.
[[File:Clawdia.png|thumb|upright=0.85|The female Koopa from ''Koopa's High School Yearbook'']]
The Nintendo Comics System single-panel comic "[[Koopa's High School Yearbook]]" shows Bowser to have had an admirer in high school: after he asked for her sandwich, the unnamed Koopa developed a crush on Bowser, forming the one-member "Koopa Fan Club" and joining the "Future Wives of Tyrants Club". In a September 2012 interview with ''Game Informer'', Miyamoto simply stated that Bowser Jr.'s mother is unknown,<ref name="Game Informer">Ryckert, Dan (September 10, 2015). "[https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/09/10/miyamoto-tezuka-interview.aspx Mario's Creators Answer Burning Questions About The Series]". ''Game Informer''. Retrieved July 28, 2024. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150912011321/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/09/10/miyamoto-tezuka-interview.aspx Archived] September 12, 2015, 01:13:21 UTC via Wayback Machine.)</ref> which is supported by a question from the ''[[Snifit or Whiffit]]'' quiz show in ''Paper Mario: Sticker Star''.


Some time after, he is possessed by Cackletta's spirit, becoming [[Bowletta]]. Bowletta takes command of the Koopa Troop, kidnaps Princess Peach, and launches a massive military strike against the Beanbean Kingdom from Bowser's Castle. After Mario and Luigi defeat Bowletta, the brothers are taken into its stomach to fight Cackletta's spirit for the final battle. Bowletta's stomach is full of flames. When Cackletta is completely destroyed, Bowser returns to normal. Still a bit bedazzled Bowser gets no break as his castle explodes shortly afterward (literally flying toward the screen of the Game Boy Advance). Bowser falls into [[Oho Ocean]], but is rescued by [[Prince Peasley]]. He then awakens with a cold inside a present box (attached to Peach's Plane) given to Peach and the Mario Bros by Prince Peasley. He is dropped off at his castle while his minions eagerly watch.
====Foes====
{{br}}
{{quote|Not bad! I guess I chose [[Mario|the right guy]] to be my archenemy. At least you always put up a fight.|Bowser|Super Mario Galaxy}}
[[File:SM64 Mario Swings Bowser.png|thumb|left|Mario and Bowser's battle in ''Super Mario 64'']]
Mario is Bowser’s sworn enemy. He constantly defeats him, preventing him from holding Princess Peach hostage and taking over the Mushroom Kingdom and other worlds. Despite the open hostility between the two, Bowser has occasionally been seen to hold a grudging respect for Mario, such as his statement in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' that he "chose the right guy to be his archenemy" for how he puts up a good fight. Defeating Mario is Bowser's greatest wish along with kidnapping Peach and taking over the Mushroom Kingdom, enough that he intervenes when other villains threaten Mario, such as in ''Mario Super Sluggers'', where Bowser stopped an attack launched by Wario and Waluigi. Many of the RPGs involve Bowser teaming up with Mario to stop an emergent foe that poses a threat to both of them, such as Smithy, who took over Bowser's castle in ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'', or Count Bleck in ''Super Paper Mario'', whose plot to destroy all worlds ran counter to Bowser's dreams of global domination. In the case of the former game, he even went as far as to name Mario, Mallow, and Geno "honorary members" of the Koopa Troop (although it was heavily implied that he did this solely as an excuse to "join" them to avoid the humiliation of having to ask for their help). While Bowser makes a show of his reluctance to team up, Mario seems more complacent with working with Bowser despite their history, and occasionally shows him some leniency, such as letting him go after his actions in ''Mario Party DS'' merely gave Mario and the others a fun experience. Additionally, there is a brief moment in the ending for ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' shows Mario patting a devastated Bowser on the back after Peach rejects both of their proposals, before Mario jumps on Bowser to get on board the Odyssey, leaving him stuck on the moon.


====''Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time====
In addition, it is implied that, despite his animosity to Mario, he would never attempt to actually have him destroyed and actually just wants the satisfaction of defeating him; as when [[Bowletta]], while disguised as Bowser, ordered for the Koopa Troop to "destroy" Mario, [[Captain Goomba (Mario & Luigi series)|Captain Goomba]] was suspicious of him since he knows that that kind of talk was extremely harsh even with Bowser's characteristic hatred towards Mario. ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'' further cements this, as in that game, Bowser insists that he and Mario would be nothing without each other. However, in ''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'' he attempts to use the Dream Stone to make the Mario Bros. disappear, and in ''Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam'', he plans to trap Mario, Luigi, and Paper Mario in [[Paper Mario book|the empty book]], throw the book in the garbage, and then light the garbage on fire.
{{pitenemy
|image=[[File:Bowser_Idle.gif]]
|location=[[Thwomp Caverns]]
|hp=1100 (1000)
|power=120 (135)
|defense=105 (85)
|speed=30
|experience=700
|coins=300
|items=
|related=[[Baby Bowser]]
|notice=Stats in parentheses are from the Japanese and European versions of the game if they differ from the original American stats.<ref>[http://themushroomkingdom.net/mlpit_guide.shtml TMK Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time Enemy Guide]. Some stats were changed from the original American version of the game to the Japanese and European versions.</ref>
}}
Bowser appears after [[Princess Shroob]] (disguised as Princess Peach) is brought to the present. Mistaking her for Princess Peach, he grabs her, and flees. However, he falls off the balcony and into a time hole, which sends him to [[Thwomp Volcano]], where he meets his younger self (which he mistakes to be some bratty kid, not realizing who he really was). They team up and fight the Mario Bros. and their younger selves. When they are defeated, a [[Thwomp]] flings them into the air, where Bowser falls back into another time hole.  


When Mario and Luigi defeat [[Elder Princess Shroob]], she turns into a small mushroom. Back in the present, Bowser, who is unconscious in Peach's throne room, eats it and becomes [[Shrowser]], who fights Mario and Luigi (and doesn't allow them to attack). However, Mario and Luigi find a way to attack by reflecting Shrowser's own attacks and using them against Elder Princess Shroob. After this, the Elder Shroob is completely destroyed, and Bowser faints with the brothers doing a victory pose on him.
[[File:BowserhittingLuigi.PNG|thumb|upright=1.1|Bowser fighting Luigi at the end of ''Bowser's Inside Story'']]
{{br}}
Luigi often fights Bowser alongside Mario, and so Bowser also sees Luigi as another significant adversary. Like many other characters in the ''Super Mario'' franchise, Bowser is often depicted as holding Luigi in lower esteem than his brother, frequently forgetting his name and referring him as "Green Stache" in the first four instalments of the ''Mario & Luigi'' series. After his defeat in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]]'', which Luigi had played a significant part in, Bowser now sees Luigi as a more legitimate foe, at least remembering his name. Baby Bowser and Kamek have also collaborated to kidnap Baby Mario and Baby Luigi throughout the ''Yoshi's Island'' games, succeeding with Baby Luigi, and they have also tried and failed to stop the Yoshis from foiling their plans. Bowser and Yoshi also have a mutual dislike; as Baby Bowser, he enjoyed stealing [[Yoshi Cookie|cookies]] from the Yoshis and even stole their [[Super Happy Tree]] and [[Sundream Stone]] in certain games.


====''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story====
Generally speaking, Bowser's enemies usually include Mario's allies, although Bowser has come into conflict with other villains, including the aforementioned Smithy, Count Bleck, Fawful, and [[King Olly]] (most of whom he collaborated with Mario to defeat). One of Bowser's few victories actually came out of his conflict with Fawful during ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'', when the Beanish took over both Bowser and Peach's castles, brainwashed the former's minions, and kidnapped the latter. In that same game, Bowser also had an arch-rivalry with Fawful's minion [[Midbus]]. While Mario and Luigi were aiding Bowser against Fawful, he was unaware of this, instead communicating exclusively with their ally Starlow, who used the alias "Chippy". Despite their common goal, Bowser and Starlow spent the whole adventure trading barbs and occasionally refusing to cooperate, although Starlow sometimes expressed concern and sympathy for him and he eventually came to think of her as a loyal minion, and even complied to her demand to ask for her help politely at one point, only to become enraged when he learned the truth of who she really was. As of the game's two sequels, Starlow and Bowser are now complete enemies. Another "frenemy" situation is the one between Bowser and Wario, who have joined forces (along with [[Waluigi]]) against Mario in ''Mario Power Tennis'', and worked together (albeit fractiously) as babies in ''Yoshi's Island DS''. The ending of ''Mario Superstar Baseball'' shows Wario and Waluigi on Bowser's team. Most of the time they are on opposing sides, as in ''Super Mario 64 DS'' and the ''Mario Party'' series when Wario was on Mario's side. In ''Mario Super Sluggers'', Wario helps in stopping Bowser's invasion of [[Baseball Kingdom]], and in the ending, he and Waluigi are thwarted in their sneak attack on Mario by Bowser due to the latter's desire to be the one who defeats their shared adversary. In ''Paper Mario: The Origami King'', Bowser also held a grudge against King Olly for reducing him to a folded face and turning his minions into [[Folded Soldiers]], mocking the latter's hairstyle.
{{bisenemy|
|title='''''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story|Bowser's Inside Story]]'' Enemy'''
|name=Bowser
|image=[[File:BowserAnimation.gif]]
|location=[[Princess Peach's Castle|Peach's Castle]]/[[Toad Town Mall]]
|hp=1,215
|power=60
|defense=47
|speed=32
|experience=1,000
|coins=500
|items=[[Mushroom]]
|gear=[[Clothing|Shell Boots]]
|related=None
}}
{{quote|You got THAT right, buddy! I'm Bowser, the Koopa king!|Bowser|Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story}}
[[File:MLBiS Bowser.png|thumb|200px|left|Bowser as he appeared in ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story''.]]
In the newest [[Mario & Luigi (series)|''Mario and Luigi'']] game, ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'', Bowser's playability is a major plot point, and the namesake of the game. At the beginning, Bowser interrupts a conference by barging into the meeting room, to once again kidnap Peach, but fails, courtesy of Mario. Peach then forces him out of the castle, she and Starlow using their power to fling him towards [[Dimble Wood]].


He awakens in the forest, and immediately after notices a shop in the middle of the area. The [[Fawful|cloaked man running the shop]] then gives Bowser a "[[Vacuum Mushroom|Lucky Mushroom]]", claiming it can give him the power to defeat Mario. He eats it, but comes under Fawful's control. Afterwards, he breaks back into Peach's castle and inhales [[Mario]], [[Luigi]], [[Toadsworth]], [[Toadbert]], [[Princess Peach]], and several other [[Toad]]s, passing out after doing so. Fawful then has [[Midbus]] remove Bowser's body from the premises. After being woken up by Mario and Luigi, Bowser, not aware that he has living people in his [[Bowser's body|stomach]], is extremely angered by the series of events that took place. He is awakened in [[Cavi Cape Cave]], where he discovers that he has lost the ability to breathe fire. After leaving the cave, he meets Fawful, who proclaims that he is going to take over Bowser's castle and the entire Mushroom Kingdom. Before Bowser can chase after Fawful, his minion Midbus appears, and easily defeats the still weak Bowser in battle. After being defeated, Bowser awakens and sets off for his castle.
===Impersonators===
 
In several instances throughout the series, there have been characters who have imitated Bowser's appearance, generally for their own gain. There have been many impostors in some games who have tried to replicate or manifest him in varying ways, albeit perfectly or imperfectly:
When he arrives at [[Plack Beach]], Bowser meets [[Broque Monsieur]], a block collector, stuck on an island, and asks Bowser to free him in exchange for the [[Vacuum Block]], a block which can give its user the vacuum attack. Not having the strength to pull the island over to the mainland at first, the Mario brothers help him by increasing his arm muscle, which gives him enough strength to yank the entire island to the beach. Having saved Broque, he is given the block and is taught how to use the command.
{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center"width=100%
 
|-
Once Bowser reaches the northern end of the beach, he encounters the [[Sea Pipe Statue]]. Because it is not in his image, Bowser attempts to destroy it, but quickly discovers that Fawful animated the statue so it can defend itself, and the statue attacks Bowser. However, after defeating it, Bowser begins to drink from it, allowing the Mario brothers to travel through the [[Pump Works]]. In there, the brothers recover the [[Stingler]], the key to access the [[Flame Pipe]]. After the bros. discover and defeat Scutlet, who is blocking the pipe, Bowser regains his ability to breathe fire. Using this skill, he defeats Broque Monsieur's dog, [[Broggy]], and continues on his quest. After discovering Broque Monsieur's shop in the woods, Bowser is asked to bring him fifteen [[Blitty|Blitties]].
!width=150px|Impersonation
 
!Impersonator/Creator
Up ahead, Bowser notices a cage full of Goombas, trapped there by Fawful. He frees them, allowing him to preform [[Goomba Storm]]. He later runs into three more of his minions: [[Sergeant Guy]], [[Corporal Paraplonk]], and [[Private Goomp]]. The three tell him that they are attempting to recapture Bowser's castle by launching a [[Banzai Bill]] at it; they then realize that they have the [[Banzai Bill Blaster|launcher]], but no Banzai Bills. He goes out in search of one, instead finding a carrot in a Wiggler's garden that he thinks will make a good substitute. The Wiggler then emerges, angered that Bowser had plucked the carrot from the ground. He then asks if it has any Banzai Bills, to which the Wiggler replies that it does, but it will only give the bullet to Bowser if he ate the massive carrot. With help from Mario and Luigi, Bowser completes the task, but the Wiggler forgets everything that happened, and fights Bowser, now mad that he ate the carrot. Bowser emerges victorious, and the Wiggler surrenders the Banzai Bill. On the way back to his minions, however, Bowser starts feeling stomach aches. The brothers discover that this is because of [[Durmite]], running rampant inside his body, and take care of the issue.
!Appearance
 
|-
After arriving back at the site of the launcher, Bowser, Corporal Paraplonk, Private Goomp, and Sergeant Guy launch the bullet at the castle. Midbus, however, takes notice of the Banzai Bill and flies the castle into the air. He then flies it to Dimble Woods, where it lands on Bowser. In order to revive him, the Mario bros. go to [[Rump Command]], where they revive Bowser with an adrenaline boost. This also causes him to grow to a gigantic size. With his increased height, Bowser takes on his castle, damaging it to the point where Midbus flies it away. After the battle, Bowser decreases in size again, but Midbus fires a massive cannonball at Bowser. The Mario brothers once again help him by increasing his arm muscle, allowing him to throw the projectile back at the castle, permanently grounding the structure.
|[[Impostor Bowser]]
 
|Various
Once Bowser arrives in his castle, he sees that his minions were all enslaved, and that his military training facility was converted to [[Fawful Theater]]. Bowser enters the theater, and, after noticing there were no more seats, a Goomba leads him to a "VIP" chair. After Fawful introduces the show, he announces Bowser as the special guest, and the chair rockets forward, throwing him on the stage. He is then forced into battle with Midbus again. Once he wins, he is led by several Boos to a winner's feast. During the feast, however, Bowser eats so much that the falls through the floor and becomes stuck. During this time, Fawful uses a ray gun to remove Peach from Bowser's body. After getting Peach, Bowser falls through the floor and onto a treadmill brought out by Midbus, and uses it to literally burn the calories he gained. However, he then walks over to a crate of Bob-ombs, instead noticing the sign saying what room he is in, unintentionally lighting a Bob-omb. This Bob-omb leaps into a crate full of others, creating a chain reaction which blows up the other crates and sending Bowser flying to an underground tunnel. Soon after, he meets a group of Monty Moles, who he learns are building a tunnel all the way to Toad Town. With Bowser's help, the tunnel is finished, but he wanders down a path that activates a security system, knocking him unconscious.
|''Super Mario Bros.'', ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'', ''Super Mario Bros. Special'', ''Super Mario Run'', ''Super Mario Party Jamboree''
 
|-
In [[Doctor Toadley]]'s office, Bowser encounters the Mario brothers, and he battles them. After Mario and Luigi win, the doctor tells the trio that they need to find the three [[Star Cures]] to cure the [[Blorbs]] and find a way into the castle. He then tells them that the first cure is held by Durmite, located in Dimble Wood. Overhearing this, Bowser runs off toward the woods.
|[[Mechakoopa]]s
 
|
Bowser is later at Bubble Lake when the brothers loose Durmite in the [[Energy Hold]] of Bowser's body. Thanks to the Mario brothers enhancing Bowser's sneezing, he is able to cross the river and activate a propeller mechanism. This causes the entire [[Tower of Yikk]] to fly out of the lake and onto Bowser. The Mario bros. head to Rump Command again to revive him and increase his size. After defeating the tower, it is immobilized, allowing Bowser to enter. Through a holographic image inside a book, he meets [[Yikk]], who guides him through the use of the [[Boo-ray Machine]]. By using this machine, Bowser is able to help the brothers get the Star Cure from Durmite, who transforms into [[Wisdurm]], and learn the [[Body Slam]] technique, which allows him to escape the tower.
|''Super Mario World'', ''Yoshi's Safari'', ''Hotel Mario'', ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'', ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'', ''Mario Party 5'', ''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'', ''Mario Power Tennis'', ''Mario Party Advance'', ''Mario Party 7'', ''Super Mario Galaxy'', ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'', ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'', ''Mario Party 9'', ''New Super Mario Bros. U'', ''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'', ''Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'', ''Super Mario Maker 2'', ''Super Mario Bros. Wonder''
 
|-
Once outside, Bowser encounters Private Goomp and the others, and asks them if they had seen a Star Cure. They reply by saying that Bowser keeps a Star Cure like object in his vault back in his castle. He journeys there, and finds that the underground path he helped dig is now Fawful's property, and that it is in use for the [[Fawful Express]]. The express prepares to leave the castle, with Bowser on the tracks, and it eventually rams him into a rock. Mario and Luigi once again go to Rump Command, revive Bowser, and increase his size. He then proceeds to destroy the train before shrinking back to normal. Once he returns to the vault, he finds the safe, but cannot remember the code to open it. The Mario brothers then journey to Bowser's [[Memory Banks]] and, after defeating the guardian, jog Bowser's memory by reassembling the memory containing the code. He opens the safe and claims the second Star Cure, but Private Goomp, Corporal Paraplunk, and Sergeant Guy, who are now under Fawful's command, shove him into the safe. Bowser then eats the Star Cure, which is found by Mario and Luigi in his gut.
|
 
|[[Iggy|Iggy Koopa]]
Eventually, he is freed from the safe, but his back hurts after being crammed inside it for too long. Inside the [[Lumbar Nook]], Mario and Luigi eventually loosen his back, enabling Bowser to use the [[Spike Ball]] move. He then continues his search for Fawful inside Peach's castle. However, during his search, he finds two Piranha Plants, whose fireballs force Bowser to curl into a ball. The brothers travel to the [[Chest Station]] and give impulses that allow Bowser to fly into the air. After defeating the plants, Bowser notices Fawful and Midbus using Peach to awaken the [[Dark Star]]. Fawful manages to escape, and leaves Midbus, whom he transforms into [[Blizzard Midbus]], to defeat Bowser. However, once Blizzard Midbus is defeated, he is trapped in a block of ice, with cold air blowing out of his snout.
|''Hotel Mario''
 
|-
He then continues on to Fawful, who is absorbing power from the Dark Star. However, Bowser interrupts the process by punching him. The Dark Star then heads inside Bowser's body, the heat from the star inside him so intense that he uses Midbus' icy breath to cool his throat. This allows Mario and Luigi to travel to the [[Airway]]. After the bros. defeat the Dark Star in battle, it leaves Bowser's body and, having absorbed some of Bowser's DNA, transforms into [[Dark Bowser]]; however, since it only has a portion of its power at the moment, the transformation is incomplete. It then runs off, with Bowser in tow.
|[[Bowser Clone]]
 
|[[Belome]]
The Dark Star is chased by Bowser until he reaches the courtyard of Peach's Castle, where Fawful activates it. The castle becomes a robot, and stomps Bowser. The Mario bros. head to Rump Command, revive Bowser, and make him a giant once again. Bowser faces the castle in battle and wins, then heads back inside and fights Fawful, who trasforms himself into [[Dark Fawful]]. Bowser is victorious and Fawful's body is destroyed, but he survives as a mass of dark energy. Fawful is then absorbed by the Dark Star, and is able to complete its transformation into Dark Bowser, then escapes using a hidden passage.
|''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''
 
|-
After chasing Dark Bowser to a high tower above the castle, he encounters him on the opposite end, an unconscious Peach nest to him. Dark Bowser then claims that he is going to rule the world, and covers the Mushroom Kingdom in a veil of darkness, a hurricane sucking up its various inhabitants. Starlow attempts to reveal that Mario and Luigi are inside his body at this point, but Bowser cannot hear. He then engages in the final battle with Dark Bowser. During the fight, he manages to defeat Dark Bowser, but Fawful revives him and makes him giant. Bowser then knocks Fawful out of his dark half's body, and sucks him up using his vacuum ability, allowing Mario and Luigi to defeat him from the inside. After Fawful and the Dark Star Core are defeated, Bowser manages to destroy his now unstable dark half, eliminating him once and for all.
|Bowser Suit
 
|Mario and company
However, inside Bowser's body, Fawful is still alive, and, in one final attempt to defeat Mario and Luigi, self-destructs. This does not kill them, instead sending them and everyone else inside his body to the outside world once more. Bowser then slowly figures everything out, including that Starlow was the one giving him advice all this time, under the alias "Chippy". Bowser is now very angry, and, as the credits, role, engages in battle with the Mario brothers once more, loses, and is carried back to his castle.
|''Mario Party'', ''Mario Party 2'', ''Mario Party 3'', ''Mario Party 4'', ''Mario Party 8''
 
Back at the castle, an injured, bedridden Bowser is still overseeing reconstruction of his castle. Private Goomp, Corporal Paraplonk, and Sergeant Guy then enter the room, begging for their positions back. [[Birdley]], Dr. Toadley's bird, then flies in and drops a box onto Bowser's bed. Starlow emerges, wanting to check on him, fearing that he may attack Peach's castle again, though Bowser tells her that he is focusing on rebuilding his own castle at the moment, then, still angry about the truth, yells at her to leave. After she does so, he yells at the trio who previously entered, telling them to work on rebuilding the castle. Once Bowser is alone, he opens the box, revealing a cake with Bowser, Mario, Luigi, Peach, and various other decorations on it.
 
=====Bowser X=====
{{bisenemy|
|title='''''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story|Bowser's Inside Story]]'' Enemy'''
|name=Bowser X
|image=[[File:Bowser Enemy Battle bis2.png]]
|location=[[Challenge Node]]
|hp=7,155
|power=316
|defense=194
|speed=144
|experience=0
|coins=25,000
|items=None
|gear=None
|related=None
}}
A boss called Bowser X appears in the [[Challenge Node]] in Bowser's body and can be fought by Mario and Luigi. To get to him, the player will need to beat all X bosses, and then face all the other X bosses in a row before facing Bowser X. He is, by far, the strongest boss in the game. He is also the only X boss without a color change from the original. While this is clearly not the real Bowser, such an entity existing inside of him may have been the result of the [[Emoglobin]] at the Gauntlet within creating it to challenge the Bros. further, after besting all of the other X bosses.
 
Like all the other X Bosses in the Challenge Node, Bowser X has upgraded stats and additionally, he is capable of performing all of original Bowser's attacks, plus three new ones. However, Bowser X does not use the remaining troops later on in the battle. Attacks Bowser X performs during battle include:
 
*[[Punch]] - A variant of Bowser's fist attack which is slightly faster than the original one. Mario and Luigi must jump to avoid taking damage. Every once in a while, his nostrils will smoke out. When he does this, he'll completely miss the punch and jump over the Bros. in clumsiness. Mario and Luigi should not jump during this attack.
*Flame - A fire-based combat technique. It can be avoided by grabbing onto Starlow before Bowser X launches the attack. If the player misses, the attack will deal massive damage to the Bros.
*[[Goomba Storm]] - This attack has two phases. At first, Goombas will run after Mario and Luigi, while Bowser X sets some of them on fire. After that the burning Goombas will fall from the sky and the player needs the hammer attack to hit them back. They move at a much faster speed than the original.
*[[Shy Guy Squad]] - This attack is similar to Bowser's attack. It can be countered by a timed hammer attack.
*[[Fireball]] - Bowser X will shoot a simple fireball at one of the Bros.. The attack doesn't do much damage, but he'll continue to execute this attack over and over. The Bros. must hammer the fireball back at Bowser to damage him. Doing this will cause Bowser X to curl up into a ball and head for the upper portion of the screen. There, a rain of fireballs will drop from Bowser X at random times. The Bros. must hammer the fireballs when they're above them directly. The final part of this attack is when Bowser X, still curled up, will try to ram himself onto one of the Bros. heavily damaging him.
*[[#Size|Giant Bowser X]] - Bowser X will grow in size and attack the Bros. with a barrage of fireballs. The Bros. should jump only when the fireballs head toward the Bro. directly. The Bros. shouldn't jump when the fireball passes overhead. After Bowser X finishes that, he will proceed to chase the Bros.. They must jump over the fiery obstacles and head for the two springs waiting at the end without taking major damage.
*[[Vacuum Block|Vacuum]] - A counter move used every time when the player uses a special attack. Bowser X will inhale the used move and it will be inaccessible for five turns.
 
===''Mario Pinball Land===
[[File:Mario vs Bowser.PNG|thumb|Mario battling Bowser in ''Mario Pinball Land''.]]
In the beginning of ''[[Mario Pinball Land]]'', Mario, Princess Peach, and a group of Toads go to a fair and are enjoying a day of merriment. Princess Peach ride a special ride, the Air Cannon, made by [[Professor Elvin Gadd]]. The machine turns Princess Peach into a pinball and allows her to play a special pinball game. Two of Bowser's Goombas take advantage of her pinball state, changing the direction of the cannon and shooting her to Bowser's Castle. Mario uses the machine to become a pinball and follows Bowser through five different worlds with some Toads trailing behind. Mario has to use the power of the Power Stars to pass each world.
 
When Mario finally gets to battle Bowser, the plumber has to drop [[Thwomp]]s on him to cause Bowser to lose balance. After three hits, Bowser rolls into a giant-sized pinball and is used to break a hole in the castle wall. Mario then continues on to save Princess Peach.
 
===''Yoshi'' series===
====''Tetris Attack====
[[File:Bowser-StageClear-TetrisAttack.png|frame|right]]
Bowser also appears in ''[[Tetris Attack]]'', a game that is based on the Japanese ''[[Panel de Pon]]''. The remake replaces several characters of the game with characters from the ''Mario'' series and the ''Yoshi'' series. Bowser takes the role of Cordelia, as the game’s final boss. During the VS. Mode, Bowser has Kamek cast a spell over the inhabitants of [[Yoshi's Island (place)|Yoshi's Island]], brainwashing them into working for him and his Koopa Troop.
 
====''Yoshi's Universal Gravitation====
Yoshi's Island has once again become the target of an adult Bowser's conquests during the events of ''[[Yoshi's Universal Gravitation]]''. The Koopa King and his forces attack the island, causing chaos and disorder. A spirit named [[Hongo]] encases the entire island in a storybook to contain Bowser and his armies, mirroring what Bowser did to Yoshi's Island as a baby. Fortunately, Yoshi manages to convince the powerful spirit to restore Yoshi's Island if the green dinosaur could personally trap Bowser. If the threat of Bowser is contained, there would be no need to keep the island as an isolated storybook. As such, Yoshi set off through the chapters of the storybook version on Yoshi's Island.
 
Each course is controlled by a different spirit, and each demands that the green dinosaur fulfill a specific task before he or she would allow Yoshi to move on. Ultimately, after satisfying the task of every spirit, Yoshi is allowed to confront King Bowser. Of course, he emerged victorious in the end and Bowser is once again defeated. With the threat of Bowser eliminated, the spirit Hongo releases Yoshi's Island, restoring it to its natural state.
 
====''Yoshi's Island DS====
[[File:Yoshibowser.png|thumb|200px|left|Bowser as he appears in ''Yoshi's Island DS''.]]
In ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]'', Bowser travels to the past to find the [[Star Children]], which are said to have the power necessary for Bowser to conquer the universe. Among the many children he took or attempted to kidnap were [[Baby Mario]], [[Baby Luigi]], [[Baby Peach]], [[Baby Donkey Kong]], [[Baby Wario]], and even Baby Bowser. Bowser from the future uses a scepter to bring him back to the past and invade Baby Bowser's Castle. Later Bowser kicks Baby Bowser out of the castle when he insults him.
 
Baby Bowser teams up with Baby Mario, Baby Wario, Baby Donkey Kong, Baby Peach, and [[Yoshi]] to save [[Baby Luigi]] and the other babies from the future Bowser out of revenge, since his future self had betrayed him. Near the end of the game, when they reach Baby Bowser's Castle, Baby Bowser turns on his team because he thought they'd come to try and steal his treasure. Outnumbered, Baby Bowser is defeated. The future Bowser then shows up and attacks them for being rude to his past self (even though he'd booted him out of his castle earlier), but is defeated also. [[Kamek]] then enchants the future Bowser to become a giant in the final battle against Baby Mario, Baby Donkey Kong, and Baby Wario. During the battle with the giant Bowser, the [[Yoshi (species)|Yoshis]] throws [[Giant Yoshi Egg]]s in such a way that they all collide and explode in front of Bowser's face. In the end, Bowser is defeated, and it turns out that the heroic babies were six of the Star Children, as well as a [[Baby Yoshi]] that is born soon after Bowser left the past.
 
===''Mario Baseball'' series===
[[File:Mss hrc bowser.png|thumb|250px|right|Bowser saves [[Mario]] from an incoming [[Bullet Bill]] in ''Mario Super Sluggers''.]]
Bowser is a playable character in ''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]'' and its sequel, ''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]''. Bowser is a team captain and a very powerful batter.
 
In ''Mario Super Sluggers'', Bowser Jr. is jealous that Mario and his friends have their own baseball stadium so he takes over the stadiums in [[Baseball Kingdom]]. After Bowser Jr. is beaten by Mario's team, Bowser faces Mario in a baseball game. Mario's team emerges victorious and celebrates. Bowser and Bowser Jr. are invited to the celebration out of pity. Bowser refuses but goes anyways since Bowser Jr. wants to have fun, so [[Princess Daisy|Daisy]] leads them to the table. To the dismay of Bowser and Bowser Jr., they only get a small portion of food. Wario and Waluigi attempt to take Mario out with a sneaked Bullet Bill in the Bob-omb Derby during the celebration, but Bowser jumps in front and deflects it back at them. The reason Bowser did this is unknown, though it is likely that either if it hit Mario, he would have no archrival, or that he thinks it is his job to take Mario out.
 
In ''Mario Superstar Baseball'', Bowser is one of the best batters and pitchers, but his fielding and running skills are very bad. His special move is the [[Killer Ball]], where he hits or pitches a [[Bullet Bill]].
 
In ''Mario Super Sluggers'', Bowser is still a very powerful batter (tied with [[Petey Piranha]] and [[King K. Rool]]), but his pitching skills are weaker than in the prequel. His fielding and running abilities are slightly better than in the prequel, but he is still pretty weak in those categories. While Bowser's Star Pitch remains the same, his Star Swing is changed to the [[Breath Swing]], in which he uses his fire breath on the bat to hit the ball.
 
===''Super Princess Peach===
In ''[[Super Princess Peach]]'', Bowser builds [[Bowser's Villa|a villa]] on [[Vibe Island]]. There, his troops find the mysterious [[Vibe Scepter]], which Bowser uses to capture Mario, Luigi, and [[Toad]]. Princess Peach is out on a walk, and when she learns of the situation, she goes on a quest to rescue them. Bowser sends many of his minions to capture Peach, sure that she would be easy to capture with the Mario Bros. out of the picture. Peach surprises everyone when she defeated Bowser's generals and rescued Luigi and Toad. Peach defeats Bowser when she reaches his villa, but he grows bigger and attempts to crush her. However, Peach uses the power of her vibes to eliminate Bowser again and rescue Mario.
 
===''Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix===
In this game, Bowser is not the main antagonist, but he is the final boss. Once Mario and Toad regain all four [[Music Keys]] and return them to [[Truffle Tower]], Bowser arrives and steals them all. Mario and Toad, in the [[S.S. Brass]], follow him, dodging Bowser's Bullet Bills. After arriving at his castle, Bowser challenges Mario to a dance-off. During the battle, Mario activates a rocket, which sends Bowser into the sky. Defeated, the Koopa King admits that he only wanted the keys to cure his tone-deafness. Mario then turns the castle into a large stadium, and the trio begins to dance.
 
===''Mario Football'' series===
[[File:BowserStrikersj.png|thumb|left|Bowser in ''Mario Strikers Charged Football''.]]
Bowser makes brief appearances in ''[[Mario Smash Football]]'' as a hazard who interrupts gameplay by tilting the field or attacking the players. During the game he attempts to have his own robotic [[Super Team]] win a soccer tournament, but they are defeated. Bowser reappears in ''[[Mario Strikers Charged Football]]'' as a power type character who can tackle hard and make goals easily. His special ability is the [[Fire Storm!]]. When performing his mega shot, Bowser turns into a fiery monster and then hurls the ball at the goalie. Bowser wears metal claws to help him manage the ball, as well as to make himself look more fierce.
 
===''Mario Hoops 3-on-3===
[[File:MH3on3 Bowser1.png|thumb|right|Bowser, as he appears in ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3''.]]
Bowser appears in ''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]'' as an unlockable character. In this game, he is classified as a powerful character. The only other powerful characters are [[Donkey Kong]] and [[Wario]]. Bowser's special shot is the [[Bomber Dunk]], which can be performed if the player taps a ''B''-like shape on the touch screen. Bowser is also the only unlockable ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]'' character with a baller name.
{{br}}
 
===''Mario & Sonic'' series===
====''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games====
[[File:Bowser Hammer.png|130px|thumb|Bowser doing the Hammer Throw event in ''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games''.]]
Bowser appears in ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'' as a power type character. He is the strongest character with a high level of stamina. Bowser does excellently in events such as the Hammer Throw or any events dealing with strength. Out of ten, his stats are: Power-10/10, Speed-2/10, Skill-3/10, and Stamina-9/10. His swim stroke is breaststroke and his six missions are:
#[[Pole Vault]] - Clear the bar twice, it is set at 5.70m.
#[[Javelin Throw]] - Throw the Javelin between 50m and 55m.
#[[400m Hurdles]] - Knock over 0 hurdles, finish with a time between 45 and 53 seconds.
#[[Hammer Throw (Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games)|Hammer Throw]] - Throw the hammer between 50m and 55m.
#[[Singles]] - Win, scoring 7 points with blast-shots.
#[[Dream Fencing]] - Win, force your opponent out of bounds twice.
 
====''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games====
[[File:Bowsah.png|thumb|130px|right|Bowser [[Snowboard Cross|snowboarding]] in ''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games''.]]
Bowser appears as a playable character in ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]''. He is given a high power stat, and his speed stat is also quite high as well. In the DS version of the game, in the Adventure Tour mode, Bowser is one of the two main antagonists. He, along with [[Dr. Eggman]] try to stop the 2010 Olympic Winter Games by capturing all the [[Snow Spirit]]s.
 
====''Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games====
Bowser returns as a Power type character in ''[[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games]]''. A Bowser suit is also an unlockable costume for the player's [[Mii]] to wear.
 
===''Mario Sports Mix===
Bowser appears in ''[[Mario Sports Mix]]'' as a powerful-type character. His power stat is very high, but his technique is weak, and he has a very low speed stat. Bowser is capable of hitting pucks and balls real hard, which can make them push back weaker characters with ease. In Dodgeball, Bowser can repel dodgeball attacks by spinning inside his shell. However, this move is rendered useless when the dodgeball is equipped with an item. Bowser's special shot involves him spitting a fireball onto the court, and then throwing the sports object to the goal. Anyone caught in the fireball blast will be burned, and will have a harder time stopping Bowser's shot, or evading it in Dodgeball.
 
===''Itadaki Street'' series===
Bowser appears as a playable character in the game ''[[Itadaki Street DS]]''. He later returns as a playable character in the game's follow-up, ''[[Fortune Street]]''.
 
===Cameos===
====''The Legend of Zelda'' series====
[[File:TLoF-OoT Mario3.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Talon wearing his Bowser broach in ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time''.]]
While Bowser himself does not appear in ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', a portrait of him can be found by [[Young Link]], hanging on a wall in [[Hyrule Castle]]. Later, at the Lon Lon Ranch, the characters Malon and Talon both wear broaches of Bowser's face, which is ironic because Talon bears a great resemblance to Mario.
 
When Link travels to the world of Termina in ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask]]'', he meets a pair of sisters named Romani and Cremia, who also wear Bowser broaches. This is due to them sharing the same character models as Malon's child and adult forms, respectively.
 
====''SimCity====
[[File:BowserSC.png|frame|right]]
Bowser makes a cameo in the SNES version of ''SimCity''. He appears during one of the natural disasters featured in the game, which includes a giant-sized Bowser trampling through and destroying the city that is built by the player, which is probably a reference to the Godzilla movies.
 
====''Pikmin 2====
In ''[[pikipedia:Pikmin 2|Pikmin 2]]'', a matchbox with Bowser's face on it appears as a treasure.
{{br}}
 
==General Information==
===Personality===
====Different Characterizations====
[[File:MP4 Bowser.png|thumb|250px|Bowser's personality varies from game to game but it always contains a high amount of negative traits.]]
When Bowser was developed, he was a typical villain of pure evil with immense hatred and anger. Cruel and ruthless, he is typically portrayed as a power-hungry tyrant who leads violent attacks that threatened the lives of hundreds. Bowser's ultimate goal is to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom, and eventually, the entire universe. His infamous plans and numerous crimes, ranging from simply kidnapping Princess Peach to acts of terrorism, have earned him a reputation feared by the entire Mushroom World. While this status of evil is still very prevalent in the series, Bowser has recently had a humorous tone added to his personality and is shown to be more complex in terms of his relationship with his rivals.
 
Most games tend to focus on a single characterization, which suggests the direction that game takes in story. Some games only focus on his comical aspects, while others focus on a much more sinister side. The games that mainly focus on his comical aspects are the RPGs, where his overall character has a very amusing personality. Bowser has also been known to break the [[fourth wall]] to remind players that he's still evil despite his current actions. In fact, whenever he joins forces with Mario to face a greater common foe, Bowser's typical motivations for doing so are selfish in nature: for example, in ''Super Mario RPG'', he agreed to help Mario fight the [[Smithy Gang]] simply because he wanted to get [[Bowser's Castle|his castle]] back from them, and in ''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'', Bowser only agreed to help Mario and Luigi regain Peach's voice because he wanted to kidnap her again, but couldn't because her "explosive vocabulary" would wreck his castle.
 
While Bowser is primarily more comical in RPGs, ''Paper Mario'' has him considerably more evil due to his focus as the main villain. Though Bowser still has a humorous tone, he is also shown to be very cruel and sinister in certain scenes. Outside the RPG series, Bowser is usually not as comical, and in many instances show him to be pure evil. The ''Mario Party'' series has also depicted Bowser as more serious-driven and angry. ''New Super Mario Bros.'', and ''Super Mario Galaxy'' remove Bowser's usual comical undertones completely and make him a much more sinister villain than he is found typically in the RPGs.
 
Although he usually plans to rule the Mushroom Kingdom, and at some points, the entire universe, he also crosses the line at destroying the Universe, or destroying things thereof. This is especially evident when Bowser became enraged when he learned that Count Bleck's destruction of existence meant he wouldn't have anything to rule over, and after witnessing what happened to Sammer Kingdom when it was consumed by the void, he was legitimately horrified at what happened. When it also became apparent that his planned galaxy, as well as the entire universe was going to be vaporized after his plans of Universal conquest failed, he also lamented at the loss.
 
In the film adaptation, Koopa has a similar personality to that in the games at the time. However, he also was shown to have an understandable motive in regards to remerging the human dimension and the other dimensions, citing that he intends to use Daisy to merge them for the future of his species, especially when his species had to go through several hardships that stemmed from his world being almost a complete wasteland.
 
====Common Sense====
While Bowser has shown intellect and a sarcastic wit in many of the games, he has also acted with incompetence. The RPGs primarily depict him with an almost comical lack of common-sense. Two prime examples are when he breaths fire on a [[Superbombomb]] in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' when it doesn't explode, and in ''Super Paper Mario'', he does not realize that he cannot rule the world if the world is destroyed until Mario explicitly tells him so.
 
While his lack of apparent common-sense is widely evident, Bowser has also been shown on many occasions to be highly intelligent. Many of his plans often make use of high-tech equipment and complicated machinery, designed and built by himself. He has also shown himself to be quite adept at use of various magics, both innate and talisman-based. He often develops strategies in his conquest of the Mushroom Kingdom as well as defense against Mario, as evidenced by his division of power among his children and generals to act as governors over conquered lands, which is a sign of an intelligent and compromising leader.
 
====Emotions====
[[File:Bowser SM64DS.png|thumb|200px|left|Bowser is usually portrayed as angry and remorseless.]]
Bowser's temperament has been depicted varying from pure, driven evil to a comical child-like villain. Despite this widely-opposing personality, any emotions other than anger or hatred have rarely been shown. Bowser has never been seen acting remorseful for his numerous atrocities and destruction to both the localized Mushroom Kingdom and the outer reaches of the universe. He also seems to lack a sense of empathy, which results in a disregard for any other life. In ''Paper Mario'', Mario's defeat at the hands of Bowser, to which Bowser simply mockingly laughed at, was essentially murder before Mario was revived by the combined energy of the Star Spirits. Perhaps Bowser's most extreme disregard for other life was in ''Super Mario Galaxy'', where his plot consisted of wiping out entire galaxies to create a cosmos he can control.
 
Despite all this, a more humane side of Bowser has sometimes been seen for brief moments. In ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'', Bowser can be seen crying for the loss of his home and Koopa Troop to [[Smithy]] and [[Smithy Gang|his underlings]] in front of [[Booster Tower]]. He also appears to be just as saddened as Mario, [[Mallow]], and Peach when [[Geno]]'s body broke down.
 
In ''Mario Party 4'', Bowser was shown to be extremely upset when he was defeated and grudgingly gives the player a gift for their birthday. He then leaves in shame, at which one of the [[Koopa Kid]]s suggests that maybe Bowser has more affection than others are led to believe, a statement which he quickly retracts. Bowser is shown walking in the darkness, alone and miserable, but indeed wishes the player a happy birthday. The most recent occasion where Bowser shows emotion is in ''Super Mario Sunshine'' when he tells his son, Bowser Jr., in sadness that Princess Peach is not his mother and appears guilty for lying to him.
 
In sharp contrast to his usual disregard for other life and that throughout the game his intent was to save the world only so he could rule it himself, Bowser did seemingly sacrifice himself to save Princess Peach, Mario, Luigi, and even [[Count Bleck]]'s henchman [[O'Chunks]] during ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' in Castle Bleck when the ceiling was falling, during which he was arguing with O'Chunks and telling him to get to safety before both were seemingly crushed (it is later revealed that they survived).
 
===Physical Appearance===
Bowser is a huge, burly, green-shelled [[Koopa]] with spikes, horns, and hair. His bushy eyebrows and mane are fittingly a bright, fiery orange and has bright red eyes. He sports two small horns, many spikes on his shell (similar to a [[Spiny]]), as well as along his tail. He wears several spiked collars around his neck and arms. He has three claws on each of his massive feet, which support his impressive girth. He has three claw-tipped fingers and a thumb on each hand, and his arms are noticeably burly, indicating his vast physical strength. While his face and his shell are green, his underbelly and snout are flesh-colored (occasionally depicted as being closer to tan or even yellow), and his tail and limbs are an orange-tinged yellow.
 
Bowser's appearance is based upon a combination of the many species of Koopa, including Koopa Troopas, Spinies, and Hammer Bros. According to Prima's ''Super Mario Galaxy'' guide, Bowser and the Koopas are also based on the [[Wikipedia:Kappa (mythology)|kappa]] of Japanese mythology, although this has not been stated by Shigeru Miyamoto.<ref>As told in Prima's official ''Super Mario Galaxy'' guide.</ref>
 
Bowser's appearance is not always the same. Graphical limitations in the original ''Super Mario Bros.'' meant Bowser could not have hair; artwork for ''Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels'' depicted him with yellow hair, and his iconic red hair was finally seen in-game in ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. The original ''Super Mario Bros.'' also depicted Bowser as being completely green, rather than having yellow body scales. The creators of the ''Mario'' cartoons wished to follow the graphic design of ''Super Mario Bros.'', and so their portrayal of King Koopa had him almost completely green in colour and lacking hair, with a crown atop his head instead. His stomach was a deeper yellow than in later game depictions, and the whites of his eyes were also yellow; he also had a more crocodile-like snout. The Nintendo Comics System used the same design as the cartoons, and different installations in the [[Nintendo Adventure Books]] used either it or Bowser's game depiction, interchangeably. By comparison, the two ''Mario'' anime (the [[Super Mario (anime)|three OVAs]] and the [[Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!|movie]]) are relatively true to the games' depiction of Bowser, except for the fact that his eyes are blue instead of red.
 
The ''Super Mario Bros.'' film is often cited as having the most drastic change to Koopa's physical appearance. This version of him is almost entirely [[human]] in appearance, though possessing some reptilian traits, such as a long, pointed tongue and slitted pupils. Near the end of the film, Koopa is forcibly [[De-Evolution|de-evolved]] into a snarling green ''Tyrannosaurus Rex'', then into a large glob of primordial ooze.
 
===Powers and Abilities===
[[File:Bowsersfirebreath.png|thumb|200px|Bowser is strongly associated with fire.]]
Since Bowser is the King of Koopas, he possesses the powers of many of the Koopa species, such as a [[Fire Bro.]]'s fire breath, a [[Spiny]]'s shell spikes, and a [[Hammer Bro.]]'s flurry of hammers. Bowser's signature ability is breathing fire. He can choose to either breathe a long breath of flame or shoot many fireballs. Bowser is quite advanced in his fire-breathing, he can shoot blue flames that follow Mario in ''Super Mario 64'' and ''New Super Mario Bros.'' and can even breathe fire underwater in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' and ''Super Paper Mario''. Another one of Bowser's most-often used abilities is his power and durability, something that Bowser prides himself in. Bowser is often the most powerful character in sports games. He can also create shockwaves by doing a simple ground pound in several games. Bowser's durable nature is evident seeing that he has fallen into lava, been blown up, etc., but has managed to survive all this many times. Bowser is also shown to have an extremely loud and powerful roar that often sends weak enemies running away before a battle even begins. In ''Super Mario Bros.'', Bowser also threw hammers like a [[Hammer Bro.]] but has rarely used the technique since, only to be used once again in ''[[Super Princess Peach]]'' and by his alter-ego Rookie in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''. He briefly used it in ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'' when after battling him at the beginning, he throws a hammer at Mario's Kinklink.
 
====Speed and Agility====
[[File:DancingBowser.jpg|thumb|left|Bowser's agility varies from game to game.]]
Bowser's speed and agility are very inconsistent and they greatly vary from game to game. In some games Bowser is actually faster and more agile than Mario is, such as in ''Super Mario 64'' where Bowser can jump high in the air if Mario tosses him off the platform. In that game he can also run faster than Mario for short distances. Despite his size, Bowser has demonstrated the ability to pull off a move similar to Mario's [[Spin]]ning during a boss fight in ''Super Mario Galaxy''. However, Bowser is usually slower than Mario in playable appearances and sports games. In ''Super Paper Mario'', Bowser is the slowest usable character and can't climb ladders, unlike ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' in which he ''can'' climb them. In ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', Bowser is shown to have good swimming abilities, just like Mario, though he reportedly hates swimming (though this may derive from the fact that his Koopa Clown Car crash-landed in the sea and he was forced to swim back to Rogueport). Another example is in the ''Mario & Sonic at the Olympics'' series. In the summer games he is the slowest runner with a 2/10 stat, while in the winter games he has an 8/10 stat; most power characters have a good speed stat in that game, though their speed is still inferior to [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]]'s, and they lacked accelerating abilities.
 
====Magic====
According to the ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' instruction booklet, Bowser is a skilled user in dark magic, although he is not shown to use these skills very often. One of the few times Bowser does use magic is in ''Hotel Mario'', where he uses it to summon lightning bolts. Bowser's lightning ability is shown again in the beginning of ''Super Mario Galaxy'' when he uses it to summon a spaceship to lift Peach's Castle into space. Another magical ability Bowser uses is teleportation in ''Super Mario 64''. If the player came too close to him, Bowser would disappear and reappear somewhere else, making it hard to get close to his tail. Bowser also teleported to escape after Mario defeats him in their first two battles in ''Super Mario Galaxy''. Bowser can also turn into many square stones in ''Mario Party DS'' and shrink players in ''[[Mario Party 4]]''. Bowser has also shown the ability to turn people into [[Frog]]s which is shown in ''[[Mario Party 2]]'' when he turns a [[Koopa Troopa]] into one.
 
In both ''Super Mario Galaxy'' and ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'', Bowser used the powers of the Grand Stars to aid him in his fight with Mario. In the first game, he would attack Mario by spinning, with what appeared to be dark matter coming out of his fingers and in the second game, he used the power of the Grand Stars to make himself enormous, rivaling the size of Princess Peach's Castle. Another magical ability Bowser uses is to transform himself into a giant boulder during his final fights with Mario in ''Super Mario Galaxy''.
 
====Size====
[[File:Sppgiantbowser.PNG|thumb|160px|Bowser often grows giant for his final battles.]]
Like his speed, Bowser's size changes between games and he has also been shown to grow much larger sizes with a variety of methods. In ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' intermissions, eating [[Meat]] gradually increases Bowser's size until he is large enough to smash straight through anything in his path; this is mimicked by the effects of the [[Mega Star]] in ''Super Paper Mario''. In ''Super Princess Peach'', Bowser uses the [[Vibe Scepter]] to become gigantic, and in ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'', he uses the Grand Stars. Kamek makes Bowser giant in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' after he is initially defeated and falls down a pit. In ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'', Mario and Luigi can make Bowser temporarily giant by [[Rump Command|supercharging him]] with adrenaline; [[#Bowser X|Bowser X]] and [[Dark Bowser]] can become giant for a short while as well. Bowser starts out giant in ''Super Mario Sunshine'' but shrinks after he is defeated. Other games also show him to have modest increases in size from one boss battle to another, such as ''New Super Mario Bros.'' and ''Paper Mario''. Like all playable characters, [[Super Mushroom]]s make Bowser grow larger in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' and ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''. In ''Melee'', a larger-than-normal Bowser is the final boss of the [[Adventure Mode]], and Events 25 and 42 both feature Bowser as being larger than he is when he has consumed a Mushroom. This so-called '''Giant Bowser''' also appears in Event 27 in ''Brawl''.
 
====Transformation====
[[File:Bowser Screenshot6.jpg|thumb|160px|left|Bowser transforming.]]
{{main|Giga Bowser}}
 
In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', Bowser has the ability to transform into a powerful version of himself called Giga Bowser for his Final Smash. Giga Bowser does not flinch, even from the strongest attacks; his own attacks are more powerful and he is much larger in size than his opponents. Giga Bowser also appears as a boss in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''.
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===Family===
[[File:NSMBwii koopalings.png|thumb|250px|right|The [[Koopalings]], Bowser's seven children.]]
The game ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' introduces the first seven of Bowser's eight children, the [[Koopalings]]; who, after their first appearance in ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', would go on to appear in several other games with their father, as well as in various other Mario-related medias, such as cartoons and publications. The game ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' introduces [[Bowser Jr.]], Bowser's eighth and youngest child who, unlike the Koopalings, resembles him greatly. Bowser Jr. has been featured in many games such as ''New Super Mario Bros.'' and ''Super Mario Galaxy'' and is often Bowser's partner in sports games. The [[Mario Party (series)|''Mario Party'' series]] also introduces [[Koopa Kid]]s (aka Baby/Mini Bowsers) who, despite having an uncanny resemblance to Bowser, seem unrelated to him; though Bowser acts somewhat like a father to the Koopa Kids, doing things such as  banning them from playing with their [[Mini-Mario (toy)|toys]] when they fail.
 
[[File:NSMB BowserJr.png|thumb|200px|left|Bowser's youngest son; [[Bowser Jr.]]]]
''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' introduces [[Kamek]], a [[Magikoopa]] who is the caretaker and possible adoptive father of [[Baby Bowser]]. Kamek is shown to take great care of Baby Bowser and worries about him often. Besides Kamek, [[List of Implied Characters#Bowser's Father|another father]] is mentioned by Bowser in a few issues of [[Nintendo Comics System]]. This father is heavily implied to be a criminal currently being chased by the authorities. Bowser and his children were also shown to have a pet rabbit named [[Pookie]] in the Nintendo Comics System; he was often abused, until his eventual escape from [[Bowser's Castle]] in the comic "[[Bowser Knows Best]]".
 
[[File:KamekNSMBW.png|thumb|200px|right|[[Kamek]], Bowser's caretaker.]]
The first family member of Bowser's ever seen was not in the ''Mario'' video games, instead, it was in ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'' episode "[[Do You Princess Toadstool Take This Koopa...?]]", which introduces [[King Koopa's mother|his mother]], who was a bossy and bullying woman. Additionally, King Koopa also mentioned a grandfather named [[List of Implied Characters#Poopa La Koopa|Poopa La Koopa]] in the episode "[[Butch Mario & the Luigi Kid]]", saying his motto was "Cheat, beat, and be merry!" In the song "[[Ignorance is Bliss]]" and an episode of ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'', Bowser mentions a [[List of Implied Characters#Bowser's sister|younger sister]] who is a bookworm.
 
In the [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|''Super Mario Bros.'']] movie, two idiotic cousins of Koopa, named [[Iggy (film character)|Iggy]] and [[Spike (film character)|Spike]], are introduced. Also, Koopa's second-in-command in the ''Super Mario Bros.'' movie, [[Lena]], is implied to have some sort of relationship with him. Yoshi was also portrayed as Koopa's pet, although like Pookie, he is not treated well, and is considered to be a contemptible "throwback" by Koopa.
 
[[File:Clawdia.png|thumb|left|The female Koopa from ''Koopa's High School Yearbook''.]]
The UK [[Nintendo Power]] once said that Bowser had a wife named [[List of Implied Characters#Clawdia Koopa|Clawdia Koopa]]; however, as Clawdia is never referenced to again, neither in any games or later issues of Nintendo Power UK, it is often believed that she was simply a joke. In ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', Bowser and Princess Peach are forcibly wedded by the sinister [[Count Bleck]] and [[Nastasia]]. Though Bowser regards this wedding as official and calls Peach his wife throughout the game, she refutes his claims and considers the wedding to be a sham. Koopa's High School Yearbook depicted an unnamed female Koopa who had a crush on Bowser despite the fact that they only talked once (he asked for her sandwich); she founded the one-member "Koopa Fan Club" and was also in the "Future Wives of Tyrants Club", but nothing else is known about her.
 
In the [[Nintendo Adventure Book]] ''[[Flown the Koopa]]'', an unnamed [[Magikoopa]] stated to be Bowser's third cousin twice removed is featured as the main antagonist; this character also appears in the later books ''[[Unjust Desserts]]'' and ''[[Brain Drain]]'', though has only a minor role in both. While Bowser appears in both ''Flown the Koopa'' and ''Unjust Desserts'', he is never shown directly interacting with his cousin.
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==Relationships with Other Characters==
===Mario===
[[File:Mariobowser.png|thumb|Mario pulls Bowser's tail to throw him away.]]
{{main|Mario}}
While Bowser has many enemies, no one has caused him more anger than Mario himself. Bowser has a deep-rooted hatred for Mario because he continuously disrupts his plans and has won the heart of Princess Peach. Though Bowser despises Mario with a passion, he has a grudging respect for him and sees him as a worthy opponent, although he's tried to hide this reluctant respect. This is shown most strongly in ''Super Mario Galaxy'', where Bowser says that he picked the right guy to be his archenemy since Mario always puts up a fight, and even more strongly in ''Mario Super Sluggers'' where Bowser saved Mario from being hit with a Bullet Bill sent from [[Wario]] and [[Waluigi]]. Of course, Bowser only saved Mario so that he could destroy him himself. Mario himself seems to have some sort of sympathy for the villain, going as far as even letting Bowser go in ''Mario Party DS''. Though this is most likely due to the fact that Bowser's scheme unintentionally led Mario and his friends to have fun and that his plans weren't nearly as brutal as past ones. Although it should also be noted that Mario celebrated after viewing Bowser's seemingly permanent destruction in ''New Super Mario Bros.'', although he did eventually return. In the first two ''Paper Mario'' games, Bowser tries to defeat Mario once and for all using new strategies; stealing the [[Star Rod (Paper Mario)|Star Rod]] to become invincible in the [[Paper Mario|first]] (though he is defeated the second and third times he is fought) and attacking him twice, each directly after a previous battle (which may leave Mario worn out before he fights Bowser), in the [[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door|second]]. Their battle seems to be an eternal one as Bowser has survived numerous situations and even came back from the dead.
 
In spite of their rivalry, twice Bowser joins forces with Mario to defeat a greater foe who also poses a more immediate threat to him: In the first, ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'', he and Mario both wanted [[Smithy]] defeated, in Bowser's case so he could get his castle back, and viewed it more as Mario helping him than the other way around, and went back to his evil ways once Smithy was destroyed; second, in ''Super Paper Mario'', he is extremely reluctant, but only joins Mario's team when he realizes he can't rule the world if [[Count Bleck]] destroys it. He plays a slightly similar role during Mario's quest to get Peach's voice back (to prevent her explosive vocabulary replacement from destroying his castle if he kidnaps her) at the beginning of ''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'', but is attacked by [[Fawful]] shortly after. In ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'', however, despite the fact that both he and Mario are trying to defeat Fawful, and that Mario and Luigi are helping him from within, Bowser never joins forces with them, fighting them all three times he encounters them.
 
Overall, Mario has always been Bowser's number one enemy, and this fact will never change no matter how many times Mario and Bowser team up together to save the world. Mario is also part of the three main heroes who Bowser despises the most, with the other two characters being Luigi and Yoshi.
 
===Princess Peach===
{{main|Princess Peach}}
[[File:SM3DL W8.JPG|thumb|Bowser holding Peach captive in ''Super Mario 3D Land''.]]
{{LLQuote|I think you are the most evil, despicable reptilian individual I've ever known!|[[Princess Peach]]|"[[The Great Gladiator Gig]]"}}
 
While Bowser has much hatred for the Mushroom Kingdom's residents, this hatred apparently does not apply to Princess Peach. One of the most complex aspects of Bowser is his relationship with Peach. It at first seemed that he only abducted her for control of the kingdom and to use her as bait to lure Mario into danger. However, it is later revealed that Bowser is attracted to Peach and lusts for her. While he has harmed her in many ways, including trying to blow fire on her when [[Starlow]] tells him he cannot stay in Peach's castle for the conference on the [[Blorbs]], Bowser will never go as far as killing her and treats her fairly nicely. Even though Bowser has an attraction to Peach, he in no way cares for perspective. He has ruthlessly attacked her kingdom, caused much destruction, and forced her to watch him nearly kill Mario, the person she truly loves, while tied up. It seems that Bowser's attraction for Peach is mainly physical, but Peach is the only one in the whole series, other than his children, capable of showing that Bowser has affection somewhere deep in his seemingly cold heart. Peach herself is able to recognize Bowser's softer side towards her and often flirts with him to agree to help Mario, to which Bowser reluctantly agrees. It can be assumed that Bowser does not care for anybody or anything other than Princess Peach, his own children, his army, and himself.
 
===Children===
[[File:KoopalingsSMW.PNG|thumb|One of the only times Bowser and the Koopalings are seen together in the games; they mostly interact in other media.]]
{{main|Koopalings}}
{{main|Bowser Jr.}}
Even though Bowser has shown less sinister aspects on rare occasions, he is still an evil villain with a lust for power. He does however care very deeply for his 8 [[Koopalings|children]] and is very proud of them for their loyalty towards him and the Koopa Troop. Even though he cares for his children, he sometimes uses them as pawns and can treat them as simply minions rather than family. This is shown most strongly when Bowser lied to [[Bowser Jr.]] to give him motivation to embark on a scheme to abduct the princess and destroy Mario, although it is not known if Jr. needed that much motivation anyway. It should also be noted that in ''Super Mario Galaxy'', Bowser grieved over the impending destruction of his galaxy rather than the welfare of his own son. It can be surmised that while Bowser does care for his children, he seems to care for his plans and himself just as much and this care may even overshadow his children. His children never show signs of betraying him despite his actions.
 
===Luigi===
[[File:SPP Luigi.png|thumb|One of Bowser's minions, a [[Hammer Bro.]], capturing [[Luigi]] in the game ''[[Super Princess Peach]]''.]]
{{main|Luigi}}
Another one of Bowser's odd, if not comical, interactions with other characters are his ones with Luigi. While Luigi has often helped Mario disrupt the Koopa King's plans, Bowser briefly forgets who Luigi is in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' and ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'', where he calls Luigi 'Green Stache', showing how little Bowser thinks about Luigi. When Bowser kidnapped Mario in ''[[Mario is Missing!]]'' he thought he was unstoppable until Luigi stopped him. Since then, it seems he has realized Luigi's potential threat level, Bowser had Luigi captured in ''Super Princess Peach'' and in ''Super Mario Galaxy'', Bowser apparently saw Luigi as so much of a threat that he placed him under heavy guard in a haunted mansion guarded by Boos. Even though he sees Luigi as a threat, Bowser holds Luigi in low esteem; he is shocked and disgusted at himself when he believes that he even lost to Luigi in getting a Crystal Star in ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''. On many occasions though, Bowser seems to hate Luigi mostly for the simple fact that he is related to the man who has caused so much harm to the king and his Koopa Troop. Regardless, Bowser and Luigi are considered enemies, but can get along when the situation calls for it such as in ''Super Paper Mario''. However, Luigi is still part of the three main heroes who Bowser hates the most, with Mario and Yoshi being the other two characters.
 
===Toad===
{{main|Toad}}
{{main|Toad (species)}}
In general, Bowser despises the Mushroom People and often uses a variety of plans to eliminate them. One such way was in ''Super Mario Bros.'', where Bowser had used his magic to turn the Toads into various inanimate objects so that they did not get into the way during his kidnapping of the Princess. In games such as ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and its [[Super Mario 64 DS|remake]], Bowser imprisoned Toad and the rest of his species behind the castle walls. In ''[[Super Princess Peach]]'', Bowser had his minions not only kidnap the two Mario brothers, but Toad himself. The fact that Bowser often captures Toad may be due to the fact that he sees Toad as a threat just like the Mario Bros. (as a result of his heroic works and his assistance to the Mario Bros. in their adventures). In ''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]'', both Bowser and Toad shares a bad chemistry with each other. However, in ''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]'', only Toad continues sharing a bad chemistry with Bowser.
 
===Yoshi===
{{main|Yoshi}}
{{main|Yoshi (species)}}
Yoshi and Bowser have crossed paths numerous times ever since Bowser was an infant. He first encountered Yoshi when [[Kamek]] kidnapped [[Baby Luigi]], and Yoshi came to rescue him alongside [[Baby Mario]]. While Bowser hardly thinks about those who help Mario in his journey, it is clear that he sees Yoshi as a threat, as he encased [[Yoshi (species)|his kind]] into [[Yoshi Egg]]s in order to keep them from ruining his plans. Later, in ''Super Mario 64 DS'', Bowser imprisoned Mario, Luigi, and Wario inside Princess Peach's Castle Walls, leaving Yoshi to jump into action and stop Bowser. Despite all these events, Bowser still overlooks Yoshi as an actual fatal flaw in a few of his plans, although Yoshi is still part of the top three heroes Bowser coldly despises, with Mario and Luigi being the other two.
 
Strangely enough, despite of their negative relationship, in ''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]'', their chemistry is neutral.
 
===Wario===
{{main|Wario}}
Wario, despite being the opposite of his arch-nemesis Mario, is not in good terms with the Koopa King. The only exception of the relationship is demonstrated in the opening of ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]'' where Wario and Waluigi team up with Bowser to attempt to destroy Mario and Luigi. However, most of the time, Wario and Bowser are usually pitted against each other throughout the games, such as ''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]'', where they mercilessly taunt each other, or ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'', where Wario helps Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi obtain the [[Power Star]]s and defeat Bowser. In ''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]'' during the opening, Bowser chases Wario and Waluigi, who unintentionally hit him in the eye with a golf ball. Also, in ''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]'', when Wario fired a Bullet Bill towards Mario, Bowser protected Mario by deflecting the attack back. As babies, they also get into fights in ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]''.
 
===Koopa Troop===
[[File:Twilight town.JPEG|thumb|Bowser and the Koopa Troop in a confrontation against [[Lord Crump]] and the [[Secret Society of X-Nauts]].]]
{{main|Koopa Troop}}
Bowser’s relations with his army and underlings are usually held in good regards. Bowser has respect for all his underlings, but cares very little for them if they fail him. He seems to somehow bring some of his defeated minions in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' back to life to give them another shot at beating Mario. If they betray him however, Bowser sees them as enemies and will not hesitate to eliminate them. His minions also, surprisingly, hold Bowser in extremely high regard and serve him out of respect more than in fear. While many do fear his wrath, his minions believe Bowser to be the strongest and best suited to run the army. Nearly every single one of his henchmen, while failing numerous times, is a hundred percent loyal to their king and serves him faithfully. Kammy Koopa and Kamek are prime examples as they treat Bowser as a god and never complain about him, even when he's not around. This applies to most of his other troops with the only complaint being that Bowser may be overly nervous about Peach escaping, though this nervousness is rational.
 
====Kamek====
{{main|Kamek}}
Bowser has known Kamek since he was an infant, having been raised by the [[Magikoopa]]. He has been known to do whatever Bowser assigns him to do without complaint, and is one of the better-treated members of the Koopa Troop, but Bowser has been known to attack him when annoyed. He has also interacted with Bowser more than any other characters.
 
====Kammy Koopa====
{{main|Kammy Koopa}}
Bowser has been known to utterly despise Kammy, despite the fact that she is completely loyal to him. A [[tattle]] from ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' states that it is unknown whether it is harder for Bowser to put up with her or vice versa. However, he is willing to listen to Kammy when the situation is deemed dire enough, as evidenced by him listening to Kammy and considering her suggestion of evacuating from the self-destructing castle and platform he is on in the ending of [[Paper Mario]]. In addition, he also gets angered whenever she somehow harms him, regardless of whether it was accidential or not. This is especially evident in the ending, when Kammy Koopa was fighting Jr. Troopa, and both their spells accidentially hit Bowser in the face, prompting an enraged Bowser to pursue them before he blasts them with his fire breath attack offscreen.
 
===Baby Bowser===
{{Main|Baby Bowser}}
Although technically a younger version of himself, he has interacted with him a few times. During these few times, notably ''[[Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time]]'' and ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]'', Bowser is unaware of his past connection to him, referring to him as "Some bratty kid" in the former, and kicking him out of the castle, not realizing that he's a star child, respectively.
 
===Fawful===
{{Main|Fawful}}
Fawful, a recurring villain in the ''Mario & Luigi'' series, is a very common enemy of Bowser. Of all the other villains who get in Bowser's way, Fawful is the most persistent. Bowser has an instant disliking for Fawful when he injures him during their first encounter in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''. Bowser is also a protagonist (with the Mario Bros. as the other two) in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'', where after Fawful tricks him with a vacuum shroom and tries to take over the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser sets out to defeat Fawful (so he can kidnap Peach and take over the Mushroom Kingdom himself). While he does fight the Mario Bros. every time he sees them, he spends the entire game chasing down Fawful and fighting his minions. Bowser defeats Fawful in battle shortly before he is consumed by the [[Dark Star]], which is later defeated by Bowser. Fawful would be considered as a very big enemy of Bowser, but after the battle against Fawful (in [[Dark Fawful|his dark form]]), Bowser claims he is far too weak to even call his enemy, despite all the trouble Fawful had caused him.
 
===Starlow===
{{Main|Starlow}}
Bowser met Starlow in ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'' whan he crashed a conference on the Blorbs in Peach's castle. They immediately became enemies when Starlow tells Bowser he was not invited to the conference and cannot stay, and she helps Mario fight Bowser to get him out of the castle. However, after Bowser accidentally swallows Starlow, Princess Peach, The Mario Bros., and several Toads, under the guise "Chippy", Starlow and the Bros. help Bowser from inside his body and Bowser on several occasions asks "Chippy" to be one of his minions. Starlow declines all these offers though. After Fawful's last ditch effort to explode the Mario Bros. fails and sends everyone inside Bowser's body out of Bowser's body, Bowser becomes extremely enraged at the fact that Starlow and the Mario Bros. were inside his body, and a fight between the four ensues during the end credits of the game.
 
==Impersonators==
As feared as Bowser is throughout the Mushroom Kingdom and the rest of the Mario universe, there are others who try to imitate his ways in order to get their own gain. There have been many imposters in some games who have tried to replicate or manifest him in varying ways, either perfectly or imperfectly:
 
*Bowser "mech" (King Boo, ''Luigi's Mansion'')
*[[Bowser Suit]] (Mario and his friends, ''Mario Party 3'')
*[[False_Character#False_Bowser|False Bowser]] (Shadows Bugs, ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'')
*[[False Bowser]] (Various beings, ''Super Mario Bros.'')
*[[Dark Bowser]] (Dark Star, ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'')
*Bowser X (Gauntlet Emoglobin, ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'')
*[[Bowser???]] (Koopa Bros., ''Paper Mario'')
 
==Official Profiles and Statistics==
===[[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' (series)]]===
====''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]====
*'''Speed:''' *
*'''Weight:''' *****
*'''Bio:''' ''With road rage pumping through his veins, Bowser is the biggest brute on the track. It's impossible to push him around, but his weighty shell makes his acceleration suffer.''
 
====''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]====
*'''Kart:''' [[Koopa King]]
*'''Partner:''' [[Bowser Jr.]]
*'''Class:''' Heavy
*'''Special Item:''' [[Bowser's Shell]]
*'''Bio:''' ''Naturally, Bowser gives new meaning to the term road rage. His massive girth is matched only by his fierce temper.''
 
====''[[Mario Kart DS]]====
*'''Karts:'''
**Standard
**[[Tyrant]]
**[[Hurricane]]
 
====''[[Mario Kart Wii]]====
[[File:BowserVehicleAll-MKWii.png|thumb|300px|right|Bowser's complete vehicle roster.]]
*'''Size:''' Large
*Actual Bonuses
**'''Speed:''' +2
**'''Weight:''' +5
**'''Drift:''' +3
 
====''Mario Kart 7''====
*'''Class''': Heavy
*'''Stat Boosts'''
**'''Speed''': 4
**'''Acceleration''': 2
**'''Weight''': 4.25
**'''Handling''': 2.5
**'''Off-Road''': 3.5
*'''Site Bio''':
**[[File:Flag of USA.png|22px]] ''"Mario's scaly nemesis is a turbo beast in any race, but he takes a while to reach top speed."''
**[[File:Flag of Europe.png|22px]] ''"Bowser is a real heavyweight, and while his acceleration leaves a lot to be desired, his top speed is top class."''
 
===''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]===
*'''Baller Name:''' The Big Shell
*'''Type:''' Powerful
*'''Special Shot:''' [[Bomber Dunk]]
*'''Letter to Tap:''' B
 
===[[Mario Baseball|''Mario Baseball'' series]]===
====''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]====
*'''Team Captain:''' Yes
*'''Player Type:''' Power
*'''Home Court:''' [[Bowser Castle (Mario Superstar Baseball)|Bowser Castle]]
*'''Star Swing:''' [[Killer Ball]]
*'''Star Pitch:''' [[Killer Ball]]
*'''Special Skill:''' Laser Beam, Body Check
 
*'''Good Chemistry'''
**[[Koopa Troopa]]
**[[Koopa Paratroopa]]
**[[Dry Bones]]
**[[Bowser Jr.]]
**[[Hammer Bro.]]
 
*'''Bad Chemistry'''
**[[Mario]]
**[[Daisy]]
**[[Toad]]
**[[Peach]]
**[[Toadsworth]]
**[[Baby Mario]]
**[[Baby Luigi]]
**[[Toadette]]
 
*Stats
**'''Batting:''' 9
**'''Pitching:''' 9
**'''Fielding:''' 1
**'''Running:''' 1
 
*Bio
:"Mario's arch rival and the king of the Koopa Clan. He's challenged Mario and his friends to battles countless times, but his ambitions tend to get crushed every time. His lethal Killer Ball is powerful enough to drag anyone who catches it across the field!"
 
====''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]====
{{sluggers
|bg=orangered
|captain=Bowser
|image=[[File:Bowser MSS.jpg|120px|center]]
|bio=''His strength and stamina baffles batters!
|team=Bowser Monsters
|stadium=Bowser's Castle
|star pitch=Killer Ball
|star swing=Breath Swing
|fd=Spin Attack
|btgl=Left/Right
|pitch=5/10
|bat=10/10
|field=3/10
|run=3/10
}}
 
{| border=1 cellpadding=1 cellspacing=0 style="text-align:center" width=100%
|-
|-
! width=20% | Character !! width=40% | Good Chemistry !! width=40% | Bad Chemistry
|[[Bowser???]]
|[[Koopa Bros.]]
|''Paper Mario''
|-
|-
! Bowser
|
| Koopa Troopa, Koopa Paratroopa, Dry Bones, Bowser Jr., Hammer Bro, Magikoopa
|Koopa Kid
| Mario, [[King K. Rool]]
|''Mario Party 3''
|-
|-
|}
===''[[Mario Strikers Charged Football]]===
*'''Type:''' Power
*'''[[Super Ability]]:''' [[Fire Storm!]]
*'''[[Deke]]:''' Hides in his shell to repel opponents.
*Stats
**'''Movement:''' 3
**'''Shooting:''' 10
**'''Passing:''' 3
**'''Defense:''' 10
===''Mario & Sonic'' series===
====''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]====
====Profile====
''"A Koopa with big spikes, Bowser is an extremely strong competitor and will dominate the Power events with his big muscles. His nasty disposition makes him an intimidating competitor in any event that he enters, especially the hammer throw and javelin throw."''
====Stats====
{{M&Sstat
|character=Bowser
|image=MyS_emblem_Bowser.png
|speed=20
|power=100
|skill=30
|stamina=90
}}
{{br}}
====''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]====
====Profile====
''"Bowser is Mario's arch-enemy and leader of the Koopa race trying to take over the Mushroom Kingdom at every opportunity. Large and strong, this towering competitor has the Spinning Shell ability on the Wii and DS and Flame Dash ability on the DS. The snow will not slow down this member of Team Mario. You can be sure Bowser believes the gold medal has his name on it!"''
====Wii Stats====
{|
|
|
{{WinterGames-WiiStat
|King Boo
|character=Bowser
|''Luigi's Mansion''
|ability=Spinning Shell
|-
|image=Bowser_Emblem_Winter_Games.jpg
|[[Mecha-Bowser]]
|speed=95
|Bowser Jr.
|acceleration=60
|''Super Mario Sunshine'', ''Mario Party 5'', ''Mario Power Tennis'', ''Mario Kart Arcade GP'', ''Mario Party 7'', ''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2'', ''Super Mario Galaxy'', ''Mario Party 9''
|power=100
|-
|skill=55
|[[Shadoo|Dark Bowser]]
}}
|Shadoo
|}
|''Super Paper Mario''
 
|-
====DS Stats====
|[[False Character#False Bowser|False Bowser]]
{|
|[[Shadow Bug]]s
|''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''
|-
|[[Dark Bowser]]
|Dark Star
|''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story''
|-
|[[Bowser X]]
|
|
{{WinterGames-DSStat
|''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'', ''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team''
|character=Bowser
|-
|image=Bowser_Emblem_Winter_Games.jpg
|[[Tail Bowser]]
|speed=80
|Impostor Bowser
|jumping=30
|''Super Mario 3D Land'', ''Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games''
|power=90
|technique=40
|stamina=90
}}
|}
|}
{{br}}


====''[[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games]]====
===Nicknames and aliases===
====Profile====
{{see also|King Koopa's alter egos}}
''"One of Mario's biggest rivals, Bowser is an extremely strong competitor and will dominate the Power events with his big muscles. His size makes him a formidable competitor in any event that he enters, especially the Hammer Throw and Javelin Throw."''
In several of his appearances, Bowser has been known to use aliases, or is referred to through a self-given nickname or a nickname given by others. ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show'' and ''Mario Party 2'' mostly show him under an alias matching the theme of each location explored.
*King of the Koopa / King of the Koopas / Koopa King (various)
*King Koopa (Japanese name and other media such as cartoons)
*Koopa (Japanese name and other media such as cartoons)
*King Bowser (various)
*Lord Bowser (''Paper Mario'' series, ''Super Mario Bros.'' [[Virtual Console]] digital manual, ''Mario Kart 8'', and ''[[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games]]'')
*Master Bowser (''Mario Party 4'' and ''Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam'')
*Big dude ([[Baby Bowser]])
*Cap'n Bowser
*Bowser the Brash
*Wizard Bowser
*Bowser Sphinx
*Black Hole Bowser
*The King of Awesome
*Mr. Bowser ([[Merlon]], [[Koopa Kid]], [[Wendy|Wendy O. Koopa]])
*The Boss of Bwahaha ([[Nintendo]])
*King Dad ([[Koopalings]])
*Pop (Koopalings, Bowser Jr.)
*Big B ([[Iggy|Iggy Koopa]])
*Daddykins ([[Wendy O. Koopa|Kootie Pie]])
*Large Bowser ([[Morton|Morton Koopa Jr.]])
*Papa ([[Bowser Jr.]])
*Dad (Bowser Jr., Koopalings)
*Koopums ([[Bowser's mother|His mother]])
*Rookie ([[Popple]])
*Monsieur Turtle Bits ([[Broque Monsieur]])
*Monster ([[Lubba]], [[Rosalina]], [[Luma]]s)
*Sire (''Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games'')
*Father of Name Withheld (''Super Mario Maker 2'', as evidenced by the adversity against Mario and speech manner present in his Story Mode level descriptions; "Name Withheld" refers to Bowser Jr.)


===''Super Smash Bros.'' Information===
==Profiles and statistics==
{{main|List of Bowser profiles and statistics}}
Bowser's profiles usually discuss his antagonistic history with Mario, Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom, with his evilness, bad temper and impressive strength and power often being mentioned. In ''Mario Kart'' games, he is always among the heaviest players and in other sports games, he is a power player. His speed is highly variable, although when the stat is applicable, his acceleration is usually low. His HP and attack skills vary depending on when he is battled in the RPGs, and as a playable character, he is the powerhouse of the roster.


====''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' Instruction Booklet''====
==Portrayals==
''"A mighty foe that trades speed for pure power."''
Over the years, Bowser has been voiced by several people, both in the games and in other media. They include:
 
{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center" width=100%
====''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' Trophies====
|-
{| class=sortable align=center width=100% cellspacing=0 border=1 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial;"
!width=150px|Actor!!|Appearance
|-
|{{wp|Akiko Wada}}
|''[[Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!]]''
|-
|{{wp|Masaharu Satō}}
|''[[Amada Anime Series: Super Mario Bros.]]''
|-
|[[Jean-Claude Donda]]
|''[[Super Mario Bros.: Trapped in the Perilous Pit]]'' (French dub)
|-
|[[Harvey Atkin]]
|''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'', ''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', ''[[Super Mario World (television series)|Super Mario World]]''
|-
|[[Christopher Collins]]
|rowspan=2 |''[[King Koopa's Kool Kartoons]]''
|-
|[[Patrick Pinney]]
|-
|{{wp|Christopher Hewett}}
|''[[Mario Ice Capades]]''
|-
|Rob Wallace
|''[[Mario is Missing! (PC)|Mario is Missing!]]''
|-
|[[Dennis Hopper]]
|[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|''Super Mario Bros.'' film]]
|-
|[[Marc Graue]]
|''[[Hotel Mario]]''
|-
|-
! width="1%" |#
|[[Scott Burns]]
! width="13%" |Name
|''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', ''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]'', ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'', ''[[Mario Golf: Advance Tour]]'', ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', ''[[Mario Party 6]]'' (uncredited), ''[[Yakuman DS]]'', ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]'', ''[[Mario Party 7]]'' (uncredited), ''[[Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix]]'', ''[[Mario Tennis: Power Tour]]'', ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', ''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]'', ''[[Mario Party 8]]'', ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'', ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]'', ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', ''[[Mario Tennis Open]]'', ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]'', ''[[Mario Sports Superstars]]'', ''[[Mario Tennis Aces]]'' 
! width="15%" |Image
! width="21%" |First Game / Move
! width="50%" |Description
|-
|-
|align=center | 31
|[[Eric Newsome]]
| align=center | Bowser <br>(Classic)
|''[[Super Paper Mario]]''
| align=center | [[File:Trophy31.PNG|150px]]
| align=center | [[Super Mario Bros.]]<br>10/85
|''Bowser has a long history of kidnapping Princess Peach to lure his nemesis, Mario, into traps. He leads an enormous group of mischievous creatures, not the least of which are his seven children. With outrageous strength, flammable breath, and more spikes than you can shake a Star Rod at, Bowser is a constant threat.
|-
|-
| align=center | 32
|[[Kenny James]]
| align=center | Bowser [Smash]<br>(Adventure)
|''[[Super Mario Strikers]]''; ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' onwards
| align=center | [[File:Trophy32.PNG|150px]]
| align=center |{{button|gcn|B}}: Fire Breath <br>Smash {{button|gcn|B}}: Koopa Klaw
|''In many ways, Bowser is the toughest character around. Not only does he have near-impervious hide, but his great mass makes him almost impossible to hurl offscreen. Of course, his weight also makes him rather slow to maneuver, so when facing him in battle, it's best to press your attack and not give him a chance to counter.
|-
|-
| align=center | 33
|[[Jack Black]]
| align=center | Bowser [Smash]<br>(All-Star)
|''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]''
| align=center | [[File:Trophy33.PNG|150px]]
| align=center |Up & {{button|gcn|B}}: Whirling Fortress<br> Down & {{button|gcn|B}}: Bowser Bomb
|''Bowser's Fire Breath strikes continually, but it grows gradually smaller over time until it's barely smoldering. The Koopa Klaw rakes enemies at a distance and pulls nearby foes in close for a good gnawing. Bowser's Whirling Fortress moves laterally over the ground; it works in midair as a recovery. The Bowser Bomb is powerful and paves the way for more attacks.
|}
|}
 
In addition, a number of stock sounds and voices have been used for Bowser:
====''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' Trophies====
{|class=wikitable border=1 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=auto
{| class=sortable align=center width=100% cellspacing=0 border=1 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial;"
|-
!width=auto|Sound!!|Notes
|-
|{{fandom|soundeffects|Sound Ideas, HUMAN, LAUGH - COMICAL LAUGH: MALE|HUMAN, LAUGH - COMICAL LAUGH: MALE}}
|Pitched down for Bowser. Originated from ''The General Series 6000 Sound Effects Library'' and performed by [[Charles Martinet]].<ref name="Martinet">{{file link|Charles Martinet and the Comical Laugh Pt 2.png}}</ref> First used in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' as Bowser's laugh.
|-
|-
! width="1%" |#
|{{fandom|soundeffects|Sound Ideas, ANIMAL, CREATURE - LARGE ANIMAL GROWL 04|ANIMAL, CREATURE - LARGE ANIMAL GROWL 04}}
! width="13%" |Name
|Originated from ''The General Series 6000 Sound Effects Library''. First used in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' for Bowser's fire breath.
! width="15%" |Image
! width="21%" |Appearance(s)
! width="50%" |Description
|-
|-
| align=center |17
|{{fandom|soundeffects|Sound Ideas, COUGAR - GROWL, ANIMAL, MOUNTAIN LION, CAT 01|COUGAR - GROWL, ANIMAL, MOUNTAIN LION, CAT 01}}
| align=center |Bowser
|Originated from ''Major Records - Sound Effects Volume 14''. First used in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' as one of Bowser's roars. Also used for the [[Koopa Kid]]s in ''Mario Party'' 1-7.
| align=center | [[File:BrawlTrophy017.png|100px]]
| align=center |'''NES''' [[Super Mario Bros.]]<br>'''GCN''' [[Super Mario Sunshine]]
|''The king of the Koopas and Mario's eternal rival. He breathes fire, hurls hammers, attacks from vehicles like the Koopa Clown Car, and uses all sorts of weapons in hopes of taking out Mario. As his size suggests, he's immensely powerful. His son Bowser Jr. is a chip off the old block who spends his time creating trouble for Mario.
|-
|-
|align=center |18
|{{fandom|soundeffects|Sound Ideas, ANIMAL, CREATURE - LARGE ANIMAL DEATH SCREAM|ANIMAL, CREATURE - LARGE ANIMAL DEATH SCREAM}}
| align=center | [[Giga Bowser]]
|Originated from ''The General Series 6000 Sound Effects Library''. First used in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' as Bowser's defeat roar. Used for others in ''[[Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2]]'' ([[Iggy|Iggy Koopa]], [[Larry|Larry Koopa]], [[Lemmy|Lemmy Koopa]], [[Wendy|Wendy O. Koopa]] (when defeated)).
| align=center | [[File:BrawlTrophy018.png|100px]]
| align=center |'''WII''' [[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]
|''Bowser, transformed into the terrible and brutal form first seen in Super Smash Bros. Melee. While in this form, he's invulnerable--he takes no damage and cannot be budged. His appearance is so fierce, it's as if he doesn't even belong in the Smash Bros. universe. He cannot maintain this form for long, so dealing out damage efficiently is key.
|-
|-
|align=center |150
|{{fandom|soundeffects|Sound Ideas, MONSTER - ROAR, ANIMAL 03|MONSTER - ROAR, ANIMAL 03}}
| align=center | Paper Bowser
|Originated from the film ''{{wp|The Land Unknown}}'' (1957). First used in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' as one of Bowser's roars. Used for others in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' ([[Bowletta]], [[Cackletta]], [[Chuckolator]], [[Dragohoho]], [[Queen Bean]]).
| align=center | [[File:BrawlTrophy150.png|100px]]
| align=center |'''WII''' [[Super Paper Mario]]
|''The great king of the Koopas who plots to rule the land with a firm fist. In a change of events, Bowser goes from being Mario's rival to adventuring side by side with him. Bowser's special skill is breathing fire and he has nearly twice the attack power of Mario or Peach, which allows him to take out foes from a distance or multiple enemies with a single blow.
|-
|-
| align=center |152
|{{fandom|soundeffects|Sound Ideas, MONSTER - ROAR, ANIMAL 05|MONSTER - ROAR, ANIMAL 05}}
| align=center | Wedding Bowser
|Originated from the film ''{{wp|The Land Unknown}}'' (1957). First used in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' as one of Bowser's roars. Used for others in ''[[Yoshi's Story]]'' ([[Baby Bowser]], [[Blargg]], [[Bone Dragon]], and [[Dragon]]).
| align=center | [[File:BrawlTrophy152.png|100px]]
|align=center |'''WII''' Super Paper Mario
|''The great Koopa king in a sharp, white tuxedo. Bowser is forced into marriage with Princess Peach by Count Bleck, who plots to wipe out the universe with the Chaos Heart. Although it's all part of Count Bleck's plan, Bowser doesn't seem to be displeased with the prospect. This might just be the last time we ever see Bowser in a tuxedo.
|}
|}


====Sticker Information====
==List of appearances by date==
{| border=1 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 style="text-align:center" width=100%
{|class=wikitable
|-
!width=30%|Title
!width=20%|Description
!width=10%|Year
!width=20%|System
|-
|''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1985
|[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]
|-
|''[[VS. Super Mario Bros.]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1986
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1986
|[[Family Computer Disk System|Famicom Disk System]]
|-
|''[[Super Mario Bros. Special]]''
| Main antagonist, final boss
|1986
|{{wp|PC-8800 series|NEC PC-88}}, X1
|-
|''[[All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros.]]''
| Main antagonist, final boss
|1986
|Famicom Disk System
|-
|''[[Super Mario Bros. (Game & Watch)|Super Mario Bros.]]
| Main antagonist, Boss
|1986
|[[Game & Watch]]
|-
|''[[I am a teacher: Super Mario Sweater]]''
| Cameo on graphics
|1986
|Famicom Disk System
|-
|''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1988
|NES
|-
|''[[Super Mario Bros. (Nelsonic Game Watch)|Super Mario Bros.]]''
|Boss
|1989
|[[Nelsonic Game Watch]]
|-
|''[[Super Mario World]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1990
|[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]
|-
|''[[Super Mario Bros. 3 (Nelsonic Game Watch)|Super Mario Bros. 3]]''
| Boss
|1990
|Nelsonic Game Watch
|-
|''[[Super Mario World (Nelsonic Game Watch)|Super Mario World]]''
| Boss
|1991
|Nelsonic Game Watch
|-
|''[[Mario Roulette]]''
| Cameo as icon
|1991
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Mario Teaches Typing]]''
| Cameo in images
|1991
|[[MS-DOS]]
|-
|-
! width=100px | Image !! | Game !! | Effect
|''[[Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up]]''
| Cameo in images
|1991
|MS-DOS
|-
|-
|[[File:DancingBowser.jpg|100x100px]]
|''[[Super Mario Kart]]''
|''Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
|Playable character
|[Throwing] - Attack +20<br>'''Usable by:''' Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser
|1991
|SNES
|-
|-
|[[File:Bowser MK64 Sticker.png|100x100px]]
|''[[Mario is Missing! (PC)|Mario is Missing!]]''
|''Mario Kart 64''
| Main antagonist, final boss
|[Weapon] - Attack +13<br>'''Usable by:''' Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser
|1992
|MS-DOS
|-
|-
|[[File:Bowser MPT.jpg|100x100px]]
|''[[Mario is Missing! (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)|Mario is Missing!]]''
|''Mario Power Tennis
| Main antagonist, final boss
|[Darkness] - Attack +21<br>'''Usable by:''' Ganondorf
|1993
|SNES
|-
|-
|[[File:Pprbwsr.png|100x100px]]
|''[[Mario is Missing! (Nintendo Entertainment System)|Mario is Missing!]]''
|''Super Paper Mario
| Main antagonist, final boss
|[Arm] - Attack +23<br>'''Usable by:''' Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser
|1993
|NES
|-
|-
|}
|''[[Mario Undōkai]]''
 
| Opponent
====''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' Prima Rating====
|1993
*'''Offense''': 7
|Arcade
*'''Defense''': 5
|-
*'''Projectile''': 3
|''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]''
*'''Final Smash''': 7
|Main antagonist and Final boss in all games
*'''Throwing Ability''': 8
|1993
*'''Speed''': 1
|SNES
*'''Overall''': 7
|-
 
|''[[Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World]]''
===''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'' Alter Egos===
|Main antagonist and final boss in all games
{{main|King Koopa's alter egos}}
|1993
On ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'', King Koopa would often don a unique title and costume to go along with the setting of many of the episodes. For instance, in a western-themed episode, he dressed up as a cowboy and took on the name of [[Kid Koopa]]. Whereas in a gangster-themed episode, he took on the role of [[Al Koopone]].
|SNES
 
|-
===''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3'' Writers Bible Bio===
|''[[Yoshi's Safari]]''
''"Despite every devious and dastardly plot he hatches, Koopa has a certain Rodney Dangerfield-like vulnerability which makes him as loveable as he is hateable. Koopa is pure id. Unmitigated selfishness running rampant in an ugly green body. He will capture, trick, bribe, threaten, attack, cast evil spells, hurl malicious insults, throw temper tantrums and do anything else despicable and nasty to defeat the Super Marios. And he has so much fun doing it; we always want to see him try again. In ''Super Mario 3'', Koopa fans can enjoy his humorous rantings and funny frustrations even more as he contends with his seven black sheep Koopalings. If reptiles had hair, Koopa would've pulled all his out by now."''
|Main antagonist, final boss
 
|1993
===''[[Mario Sports Mix]]===
|SNES
{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=100% style="border-collapse:collapse"
|-
!Character Name
|''[[Mario's Time Machine (PC)|Mario's Time Machine]]''
!Character Type
|Main antagonist, final boss
!Home Court
|1993
!Power Statistic
|MS-DOS
!Speed Statistic
|-
!Technique Statistic
|''[[Mario's Time Machine (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)|Mario's Time Machine]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1993
|SNES
|-
|''[[Mario's Time Machine (Nintendo Entertainment System)|Mario's Time Machine]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1994
|NES
|-
|''[[Mario's Early Years! Fun with Numbers]]''
|Cameo on images
|1994
|SNES, MS-DOS
|-
|''[[Mario's Early Years! Fun with Letters]]''
|Cameo on images
|1994
|SNES, MS-DOS
|-
|''[[Mario's Early Years! Preschool Fun]]''
|Cameo on images
|1994
|SNES, MS-DOS
|-
|''[[Hotel Mario]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1994
|[[Philips CD-i]]
|-
|''[[Mario's FUNdamentals|Mario's Game Gallery]]''
|Cameo on card designs
|1995
|MS-DOS
|-
|''[[Mario Clash]]''
|Cameo as a border design
|1995
|[[Virtual Boy]]
|-
|''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''
|Playable character/boss
|1996
|SNES
|-
|''[[Super Mario 64]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1996
|[[Nintendo 64]]
|-
|''[[Mario Teaches Typing 2]]''
|Cameo in graphics
|1996
|MS-DOS
|-
|''[[Mario Kart 64]]''
|Playable character
|1996
|Nintendo 64
|-
|''[[Mario Net Quest]]''
|Enemy
|1997
|Browser
|-
|''[[Wrecking Crew '98]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1998
|Super Famicom
|-
|''[[Mario's FUNdamentals]]''
|Cameo in card designs
|1998
|MS-DOS
|-
|''[[Mario Party]]''
|Non-playable character
|1998
|Nintendo 64
|-
|''[[Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|1999
|[[Game Boy Color]]
|-
|''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]''
|Playable Character
|1999
|Nintendo 64
|-
|''[[Mario Golf (Game Boy Color)|Mario Golf]]''
|Non-playable character
|1999
|Game Boy Color
|-
|''[[Mario Party 2]]''
|Non-playable character
|1999
|Nintendo 64
|-
|''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]''
|Cameo as stamp design
|1999
|[[Nintendo 64DD]]
|-
|''[[Paper Mario]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2000
|Nintendo 64
|-
|''[[Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)|Mario Tennis]]''
|Playable character
|2000
|Nintendo 64
|-
|''[[Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)|Mario Tennis]]''
|Unlockable playable character
|2000
|Game Boy Color
|-
|''[[Mario Party 3]]''
|Non-playable character
|2000
|Nintendo 64
|-
|''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''
|Playable character
|2001
|[[Game Boy Advance]]
|-
|''[[Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2000
|Game Boy Advance
|-
|''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''
|Overarching antagonist, final boss
|2002
|[[Nintendo GameCube]]
|-
|''[[Mario Party 4]]''
|Main antagonist, non-playable character, final boss
|2002
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Mario Party-e]]''
|Cameo on card designs and minigames
|2003
|[[e-Reader]]
|-
|''[[Super Mario Fushigi no Janjan Land]]''
|
|2003
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Nintendo Puzzle Collection]]''
|Main antagonist/Final boss in ''Yoshi's Cookie'' remake
|2003
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2003
|Game Boy Advance
|-
|''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]''
|Playable character
|2003
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''
|Playable character
|2003
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Mario Party 5]]''
|Main antagonist, non-playable character, final boss
|2003
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''
|Boss
|2003
|Game Boy Advance
|-
|''[[Mario Golf: Advance Tour]]''
|Unlockable playable character
|2004
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''
|Minor antagonist, Playable character, boss
|2004
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Mario Pinball Land]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2004
|Game Boy Advance
|-
|''[[Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3]]''
|Final boss
|2003
|Game Boy Advance
|-
|''[[Super Mario Fushigi no Korokoro Party]]''
|
|2004
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Mario Power Tennis]]''
|Playable character
|2004
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Mario Party 6]]''
|Non-playable character
|2004
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2004
|[[Nintendo DS]]
|-
|''[[Mario Party Advance]]''
|Main antagonist, non-playable character
|2005
|Game Boy Advance
|-
|''[[Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix]]''
|Final boss/opponent
|2005
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Mario Tennis: Power Tour]]''
|Playable character
|2005
|Game Boy Advance
|-
|''[[Super Mario Fushigi no Korokoro Party 2]]''
|
|2005
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP]]''
|Playable character/boss
|2005
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Super Princess Peach]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2005
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[Mario Party 7]]''
|Main antagonist, non-playable character, final boss
|2005
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]''
|Playable character
|2005
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Mario Kart DS]]''
|Playable character
|2005
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[Super Mario Strikers]]''
|Non-playable character
|2005
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]''
|Boss
|2005
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]''
|Overaching antagonist, final boss
|2006
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]''
|Unlockable playable character
|2006
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]''
|Playable character/boss
|2007
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Super Paper Mario]]''
|Playable character/boss
|2007
|[[Wii]]
|-
|''[[Mario Strikers Charged]]''
|Playable character
|2007
|Wii
|-
|''[[Mario Party 8]]''
|Non-playable character, final boss
|2007
|Wii
|-
|''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2007
|Wii
|-
|''[[Mario Party DS]]''
|Main antagonist, non-playable character, final boss
|2007
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii)|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]''
|Playable character
|2007
|Wii
|-
|''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nintendo DS)|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]''
|Playable character
|2008
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''
|Playable character
|2008
|Wii
|-
|''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]''
|Playable character
|2008
|Wii
|-
|''[[Mario Power Tennis|New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis]]''
|Playable character
|2009
|Wii
|-
|''[[Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher]]''
|
|2009
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''
|Playable character/boss
|2009
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]''
|Playable character
|2009
|Wii, Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''
|Final boss
|2009
|Wii
|-
|''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''
|Main antagonist/final boss
|2010
|Wii
|-
|''[[Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition]]''
|Main antagonist and final boss in all games
|2010
|Wii
|-
|''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2011
|[[Nintendo 3DS]]
|-
|''[[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii)|Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games]]''
|Playable character
|2011
|Wii
|-
|''[[Mario Kart 7]]''
|Playable character
|2011
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS)|Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games]]''
|Playable character
|2012
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Mario Party 9]]''
|Main antagonist, non-playable character, final boss
|2012
|Wii
|-
|''[[Mario Tennis Open]]''
|Playable character
|2012
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]''
|Final boss
|2012
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2012
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2012
|[[Wii U]]
|-
|''[[New Super Luigi U]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2013
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]]''
|True main antagonist, final boss
|2013
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]''
|Playable character
|2013
|Arcade
|-
|''[[New Super Mario Bros. U + New Super Luigi U]]''
|Main antagonist and final boss in both games
|2013
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games]]''
|Playable character
|2013
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Super Mario 3D World]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2013
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Mario Party: Island Tour]]''
|Main antagonist, Non-playable character, final boss
|2013
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Yoshi's New Island]]''
|Hidden final boss
|2014
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Mario Golf: World Tour]]''
|Playable character
|2014
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Mario Kart 8]]''
|Playable character
|2014
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]''
|Playable character
|2014
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''
|Playable character
|2014
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Mario Party 10]]''
|Playable character in Bowser Party mode, final boss in Mario Party mode
|2015
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2015
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Super Mario Maker]]''
|Enemy
|2015
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash]]''
|Playable character
|2015
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam]]''
|Co-main antagonist, final boss
|2015
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games]]''
|Playable character
|2016
|Nintendo 3DS, Arcade, Wii U
|-
|''[[Minecraft|Minecraft: Wii U Edition]]''
|Skin
|2016
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2016
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Mario Party: Star Rush]]''
|Main antagonist, non-playable character, boss
|2016
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS]]''
|Enemy
|2016
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Super Mario Run]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2016
|iOS, Android
|-
|''[[Mario Sports Superstars]]''
|Playable character
|2017
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''
|Playable character
|2017
|[[Nintendo Switch]]
|-
|''[[Minecraft|Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition]]''
|Skin
|2017
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]''
|Final boss
|2017
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions]]''
|Boss
|2017
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2017
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario Party: The Top 100]]''
|Non-playable character
|2017
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Minecraft|Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition]]''
|Skin
|2018
|New Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Minecraft|Minecraft: Bedrock Edition]]''
|Skin
|2018
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario Tennis Aces]]''
|Playable character
|2018
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Super Mario Party]]''
|Playable character
|2018
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
|Playable character
|2018
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey]]''
|Playable character/boss
|2018
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2019
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]''
|Enemy
|2019
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Dr. Mario World]]''
|Playable character
|2019
|iOS, Android
|-
|''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''
|Playable character
|2019
|iOS, Android
|-
|''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020]]''
|Playable character
|2019
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]''
|Ally
|2020
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Tetris 99]]''
|Cameo
|2020 (15th Maximus Cup)
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]''
|Main antagonist and final boss in all games
|2020
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2021
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario Golf: Super Rush]]''
|Playable character
|2021
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope]]''
|Playable character
|2022
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]''
|Main antagonist, final boss
|2023
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)|Super Mario RPG]]''
|Playable character, boss
|2023
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|-
|<center>Bowser</center>
|''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch)|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''
|<center>Powerful</center>
|Minor antagonist, Playable character, boss
|<center>[[Bowser's Castle#Mario Sports Mix|Bowser's Castle]]</center>
|2024
|<center>5/5</center>
|Nintendo Switch
|<center>1/5</center>
|<center>2/5</center>
|}
|}
===''[[Fortune Street]]===
*'''Bio''': ''Head of the Koopa Troop, whose sole aim seems to be disturbing the peace in Mushroom Kingdom. He's a dangerous business rival, who won't hesistate to buy your property from under you.''
{{br}}
==Portrayals==
Over the years, Bowser has been voiced by several people, both in the games and in other media. They are:
*[[Akiko Wada]] - ''[[Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!]]''
*[[Christopher Hewett]] - ''[[Mario Ice Capades]]''
*[[Harvey Atkin]] - ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'', ''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', ''[[Super Mario World (television series)|Super Mario World]]''
*[[Christopher Collins]] - ''[[King Koopa's Kool Kartoons]]''
*[[Pat Pinney]] - ''King Koopa's Kool Kartoons''
*[[Dennis Hopper]] - [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|''Super Mario Bros.'' film]]
*[[Isaac Marshall]] - ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''
*[[Scott Burns]] - ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', ''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]'', ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]''
*[[Eric Newsome]] - ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', ''[[Mario Party 8]]''
*[[Kenny James]] - ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'', ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', ''[[Mario Sports Mix]] and [[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games]]


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
:''For a full list of quotes, see [[:Category:Quotes]].''
{{main|List of Bowser quotes}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{morepic}}
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
BowserSMBart.png|''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
SMBLL Front Facing Bowser Artwork.png|''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''
Bowsersm642.jpg|''[[Super Mario 64]]''
BowserPM64.png|''[[Paper Mario]]''
Bowserstrikers.png|''[[Super Mario Strikers]]''
NSMBW Bowser Artwork.png|''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''
MLBiS Bowser.png|''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''
MKT Bowser artwork.png|''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''
Bowser render (TSMBM).png|''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]''
</gallery>
 
==Audio samples==
===Voice===
{{media table
|file1=SM64 Bowser's Laugh.oga
|title1=''[[Super Mario 64]]'' / ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''
|description1=Bowser's laugh ("Comical Laugh" stock sound by Charles Martinet, pitched-down)<ref name="Martinet"/>
|file2=Bowser Scott Burns and King Kong Roar 2002.oga
|title2=''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''
|description2=''"MARIO! How dare you disturb my family vacation!? (roars)"'' (Scott Burns, stock roar)
|file3=Mparty8 bowser 01.oga
|title3=''[[Mario Party 8]]''
|description3=Bowser's laugh (Scott Burns)
|file4=SMG Bowser Laugh.oga
|title4=''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
|description4=Bowser's laugh (Kenny James)
}}


==Names==
===Themes===
===Names in Other Languages===
{{media table
{{Foreignname
|file1=Bowser Battle Theme Super Mario Bros 3.oga
|Jap=クッパ
|title1=King Bowser
|JapR=Kuppa
|description1=Bowser's battle theme in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''
|JapM="Koopa", a reference to the Korean dish [[wikipedia:Guk#Gukbap|gukbap]], called "''kuppa''" in Japanese. In older media, Bowser had the alternative titles 「クッパ大王」 ''Kuppa Daiō'' and 「魔王クッパ」 ''Maō Kuppa,'' meaning "Great King Koopa" and "Demon King Koopa", respectively. In the games, his title is usually 「大魔王クッパ」 ''Daimaō Kuppa,'' meaning "Great Demon King Koopa".
|file2=SMW The Evil King Koopa BGM.oga
|Fra=Bowser
|title2=The Evil King Bowser
|FraM=-
|description2=Bowser's battle theme in ''[[Super Mario World]]''
|Ger=Bowser
|file3=SMAS SMB Last King Koopa.oga
|GerM=-
|title3=Last King Koopa
|Spa=Bowser
|description3=Bowser's battle theme in ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' (''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'')
|SpaM=-
|file4=SMAS SMB3 The Evil King Koopa.oga
|Ita=Bowser<br>Attila (TV series only)
|title4=King Bowser
|ItaM=-<br>From [[wikipedia:Attila|Attila the Hun]]
|description4=Bowser's battle theme in ''Super Mario All-Stars'' (''Super Mario Bros. 3'')
|Por=Bowser
|file5=SMRPG Fight against Koopa.oga
|PorM=Bowser
|title5=Battling Bowser
|Kor=쿠파
|description5=Bowser's battle theme in ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''
|KorR=Kupa
|file6=SMRPG Koopa Castle Theme 2.oga
|KorM=Transliteration of the Japanese name, although the name originates from Korean food's name, Gukbap(국밥).
|title6=Bowser's Keep (Second Visit)
|Chi=庫巴(Traditional)<br>库巴(Simplified)
|description6=[[Bowser's Castle]]'s second theme in ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'', which is an arrangement of "King Bowser" from ''Super Mario Bros. 3''
|ChiR=Kùbā
|file13=SPM Evil King Bowser Here.oga
|ChiM=Transliteration of the Japanese name
|title13=Evil King Bowser Here
|Dut=Bowser
|description13=An arrangement of "The Evil King Bowser" from ''Super Mario World'', used in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''
|DutM=-
|file12=SPM Bowser Battle.oga
|Rus=Боузер
|title12=Bowser Battle
|RusM=Transliteration of the international name}}
|description12=An arrangement of "Dark Land" from ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', used in ''Super Paper Mario''
|file7=King Bowser Super Mario Galaxy.oga
|title7=King Bowser
|description7=Bowser's battle theme in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
|file8=Final Battle with Bowser Super Mario Galaxy.oga
|title8=Final Battle with Bowser
|description8=Bowser's final battle theme in ''Super Mario Galaxy''
|file9=Fortune Street- The Evil King Bowser.oga
|title9=The Evil King Bowser
|description9=An arrangement of "The Evil King Bowser" from ''Super Mario World'', used in ''[[Fortune Street]]''
|file10=OST Bowser Battle 1 Super Mario Odyssey.oga
|title10=Bowser Battle 1
|description10=Bowser's battle theme in ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
|file11=Bowser Theme (SSBU).oga
|title11=King Bowser
|description11=An arrangement of "King Bowser" from ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', used in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
}}


===Nicknames and Aliases===
==Names in other languages==
*Big dude ([[Baby Bowser]])
<!--To edit this table, access the "List of Bowser names in other languages" page and go to the "Bowser" section.-->
*King Bowser
{{main|List of Bowser names in other languages}}
*Lord Bowser
{{:List of Bowser names in other languages|transcludesection=Bowser}}
*Darth Koopa
*Mr. Bowser ([[Merlon]], [[Koopa Kid]])
*The Great Bowser
*King Koopa (Cartoons)
*Koopa (Cartoons)
*His/Your Queasiness ([[Kamek]])
*His/Your Grouchiness ([[Kammy Koopa]])
*His/Your Gnarliness (Kammy Koopa)
*His/Your Filthiness (Kammy Koopa)
*His/Your Rancidness (Kammy Koopa)
*His/Your Awfulness (Kammy Koopa)
*His/Your Massiveness (Kammy Koopa)
*His/Your Chunkyness (Kammy Koopa)
*His/Your Ghastlyness (Kammy Koopa)
*Your Sogginess (Kammy Koopa)
*Your Ungratefulness (Kamek)
*The Boss of Bwahaha ([[Nintendo]])
*King Dad ([[Koopalings]])
*Pop (Koopalings)
*Daddykins ([[Wendy O. Koopa|Kootie Pie]])
*Papa ([[Bowser Jr.]])
*Koopa Stoopa ([[Toad]] and [[Princess Peach|Princess Toadstool]])
*Koopums (by [[King Koopa's mother|his mother]])
*His Touchiness (Kamek)
*Rookie ([[Popple]])
*Monsieur Turtle Bits ([[Broque Monsieur]])
*Monster ([[Lubba]])
*His Groomness ([[Johnson (Koopa)|Johnson]])


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*All 8-bit sprites have only three colors, but Bowser's original sprite from ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' appears to have four. This is because the black background is what gives Bowser his black spiked collars around his wrists. Due to this, using cheat codes so Bowser appears in a non-castle level will look like his hands are separated from his arms.
*An officially licensed 3D magnet of Bowser from 1997 erroneously refers to him as "Bouser".<ref>{{cite|author=wholesale_gaming_store|date=April 25, 2023|title=Official Nintendo 64 3D Magnet Bouser Vintage (1997) New Sealed Look 👀|publisher=eBay|language=en|accessdate=May 21, 2023|archive=web.archive.org/web/20230521211438/https://www.ebay.com/itm/266073355296}}</ref>
*While King Koopa is not normally referred to as Bowser Koopa in Japan, there are occasions where it is alluded to. For example, in the Japanese version of ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', his [[Bowser Bike]] is known as the Super Bowser. In addition, he still says the "royal Koopa line" in ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', meaning that Koopa is also his family name in Japan.
*In the "[[How to Draw Nintendo Heroes and Villains]]" book, Bowser is listed as '''Kerog'''. While it is unknown how this mistake was made, it should be noted that ''Kero'' is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a frog's croaking, and Nintendo has used the name Kerog before (as the Japanese name of ''[[Mega Man]] 2''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[wikia:c:megaman:Croaker|Croaker]] enemies).
*Though his first actual appearance in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' has him throwing hammers as one of his main attacks (it is only five of the seven fakes who do not), he is only seen throwing hammers on three other occasions; once is after his defeat in ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'', another is during his fight in ''[[Super Princess Peach]]'', and several times in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' as [[Rookie (Bowser)|Rookie]].
*Although Bowser does not make an appearance in [[Nintendo Monopoly]] outside of being on the boxart, there is a [[? Block]] card that charges the player $15 for "Bowser Tax".
*In ''[[Super Princess Peach]]'', Bowser uses all four of the [[vibe]]s in his fight against Peach; three of them on the first part, and only the Calm Vibe on the second.
*During the ending of ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', Bowser is shown to be tiny, which may be a side effect of using the [[Grand Star]]s to make himself colossal.
*Ironically, he can be safely stomped in most RPG games, despite not being able to in other games and his spiky horns and shell. Note that in most of these games, Mario has only his jump attack during the first fight with him. In ''Super Paper Mario'', however, this does not happen.


==References==
==References==
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[[de:Bowser]]
[[it:Bowser]]

Latest revision as of 22:52, November 10, 2024

Not to be confused with Bowyer.
This article is about King Bowser Koopa, the main antagonist of the Super Mario franchise. For Bowser as a baby, see Baby Bowser. For the president of Nintendo of America, see Doug Bowser.
"King Koopa" redirects here. For the kart from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! with a similar name, see Koopa King.
"Lord Bowser" redirects here. For the sponsor and team of the same name, see List of sponsors debuting in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe § Lord Bowser.
"King Bowser" redirects here. For the character from the Super Mario Bros. Film whose full name is "King Bowser", see King (film character).
Bowser
Artwork of Bowser from Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Artwork of Bowser from Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Full name King Bowser Koopa[1]
Species Koopa
First appearance Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Latest appearance Mario & Luigi: Brothership (2024)
Latest portrayal Kenneth W. James (2005, 2007–present)
“Hear this! I will kidnap Peach OVER and OVER until I pull it off! And no one can stop me! Losing is not an option! And neither is giving up!”
Bowser, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

Bowser, sometimes known as King Koopa or King Bowser, is the main antagonist of the Super Mario franchise. He is a large, powerful, fire-breathing Koopa who leads a large army of minions, and has been the arch-nemesis of Mario since his debut in Super Mario Bros. He has repeatedly kidnapped or attempted to kidnap Princess Peach with the ultimate goal of defeating Mario and taking over the Mushroom Kingdom.

Creation

Very early concept artwork for Bowser.
Earliest known concept artwork for "Boss Creeper"
The Ox King (localized as "King Gruesome") in Alakazam the Great, the direct inspiration for Bowser.
King Gruesome in Alakazam the Great. Bowser's original sprite greatly resembles him in this image, with similar features and stance.

Bowser was created by Shigeru Miyamoto as the villain of Super Mario Bros. In concept art, he tentatively had the name 「ボス クリーパー」 (Bosu Kurīpā, Boss Creeper), based on Shellcreeper.[2] Miyamoto stated that they considered naming him either kuppa (국밥) (soup with rice), yukke (육회) (raw meat marinated with raw egg), or bibinba (비빔밥) (mixed rice), which are all Korean dishes as they are known in Japanese. In the end, "Kuppa" was chosen.[3] Miyamoto mistakenly thought kuppa was grilled meat, or bulgogi (불고기), and that made it sound powerful and cool, but later learned that it was a rice soup.[4] For the later North American release of the game, which also introduced the anglicized spelling Koopa, the character was named "Bowser".

Bowser with captured Princess Toadstool, as they were originally depicted. A Koopa Paratroopa and two mushroom retainers are also seen.
Bowser as drawn by Shigeru Miyamoto for the box art of Super Mario Bros. Kotabe compared this design to a hippo.

The earliest known design for what would become Bowser depicted him as resembling an upright Koopa Troopa with spines on his back, and fangs.[5] During the development of Super Mario Bros., Miyamoto considered asking a manga artist or illustrator to do the art for the game. However, time was running short, so he drew the game's original box art himself. This artwork included a depiction of Bowser that is significantly different than later designs, the most obvious anomalies being his gray-blue skin and lack of horns. For the character's appearance, Miyamoto drew inspiration from an anime film adaptation of the Chinese novel Journey to the West, renamed Alakazam the Great during the film's American localization. He liked the film's main antagonist Gyū-Maō (lit. "Ox Demon King," King Gruesome in the dub), so he loosely based Bowser on an ox as a homage.[6]

Yoichi Kotabe, an animation artist, later joined Nintendo and was asked to do new illustrations for the Super Mario franchise. His only reference was the package illustration for Super Mario Bros., so Kotabe asked Miyamoto many questions on how to draw the characters. However, designing Bowser caused problems, since Miyamoto had not drawn him often. He brought up that he liked the Ox King from the film, and this was how he imagined Bowser, but Kotabe thought Bowser's original design looked like a hippo[7] and Nintendo designer Takashi Tezuka pointed out that Bowser should be a turtle. Through their discussions, Bowser's appearance gradually came together. Since he was in the same turtle family as the Koopa Troopas, they partly based Bowser's new appearance on them. Finally, the new design was created, and Miyamoto congratulated himself by saying "Wow, I can really make Bowser look cool now!"[6]

For Bowser's finalized design, Yoichi Kotabe took inspiration from the Chinese softshell turtle, which he knew to be a particularly aggressive species of turtles, fitting of Bowser's fearsome nature.[7]

History

Main article: History of Bowser

As he is the main antagonist of the franchise, Bowser's appearances spans decades of Super Mario-related media, including television series and publications. Chronologically, his first appearance is in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island as a baby, where his caretaker, Kamek, kidnaps the infant Luigi, along with his carrier. This baby version of Bowser has encountered his older self in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time and Yoshi's Island DS. In his major appearances, he frequently kidnaps Princess Peach, and in a few instances even forces her to marry him. However, in the sports and racing games, he is usually a playable character along with the Super Mario allies. He has also played a part in the Mario Party series as a host of the Bowser Spaces, in an antagonistic role.

General information

Personality

Artwork of Bowser, from Mario Party: Island Tour.
Bowser's most visible trait is his aggressive, imposing nature.

In most of his appearances, Bowser is a persistent, threatening, and imposing villain who kidnaps Princess Peach, desires to defeat Mario and his friends, and runs an army to invade and take over the Mushroom Kingdom. Generally, he also revels in causing disorder and intimidating his enemies, such as in Mario Party and in various sports games. His portrayals in the RPGs range from starring villain to a minor comic relief villain who gets sidelined by the starring villain to a playable anti-hero.

Bowser is arrogant and selfish, boasting when he is successful and focusing only on self-preservation when he fails. In Super Mario Galaxy, his only regret is his failure to create his own realm, and in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, he is dismayed at having to damage his own captured castle while trying to reclaim it from Fawful. In Mario Party 4, Bowser grudgingly gives the player a present and wishes them a happy birthday as he leaves in shame, moving one of the Koopa Kids to wonder if there might be more to Bowser than he leads others to believe, as Bowser had claimed to be somewhat happy. In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, he resents having to ask nicely for help from Starlow. Though he believes himself superior, Bowser occasionally compliments his foes for their tenacity against him in fierce battles or competitive events, even engaging in casual banter. In Super Mario Odyssey, despite planning his forced wedding with Peach extensively, he makes a comment on Mario's costume before their final battle, ranging from an uncharacteristically scared response to a genuine compliment on his fashion sense depending on the clothing, before noting that Mario was not invited regardless.

Despite Bowser's role as an intimidating authority figure in the Koopa Troop, he can be quite amiable sometimes, particularly towards Bowser Jr., to whom he behaves as a loving father figure. His harsh and raging demeanor occasionally softens somewhat towards his loyal minions, with the description of his constellation in Mario Party 9 stating he is considerate of their well-being. He shows genuine affection and pride for his son and can be protective of him when Mario defeats him in battle. In certain games such as Mario Tennis and Super Mario Party, he and his minions crash the events simply to engage in friendly competition.

While Bowser is usually regarded as a respectable leader by his troops and as a fearsome invader by his enemies, Bowser's usual brashness and short-temper often lead him to not think his actions through or be willing to compromise, such as in Bowser's Inside Story when he flies into a rage upon discovering that Mario and Luigi had been aiding him the entire time while inside his body, causing him to attack them mere moments after the three of them had saved the world.

In some games, Bowser will act jealous and angry when he learns of another villain committing an evil action instead of himself, such as Cackletta stealing Peach's voice in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, or Peach getting kidnapped by the X-Nauts in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

For all of his pleasure in villainy, Bowser sometimes remarks there are lines he would not cross. He appears to be as horrified as the rest of the party when witnessing the Sammer's Kingdom's destruction by the Void in Super Paper Mario, and when in Paper Mario: The Origami King, King Olly revealed his end goal to be the eradication of all Toads, Bowser vehemently called such a plan mad, making clear that even he would never attempt to outright exterminate the Toads.

In Japanese material from Super Mario RPG onward, such as Super Mario 64 and his message in Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge in Super Nintendo World, Bowser refers to himself using the first-person pronoun "wagahai" (ワガハイ), an archaic term associated with nobility that is popularly used to convey self-aggrandizement.[8]

President Koopa from the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film has a similar personality to that of his game counterpart, Bowser. However, he also is shown to have an understandable motive in regards to remerging both dimensions, citing that he intends to use Daisy to merge them for the future of his species, especially since his species has to go through several hardships that stem from the parallel world being a near-complete wasteland. Despite this, Koopa still sees himself as an evil person; while pretending to be a lawyer for Mario and Luigi, he tells them that he "is one evil, egg-sucking son of a snake," and does not deny this after his true identity is revealed. Koopa is also shown to be very ruthless in the pursuit of his goals, as after "evolving" his cousins Iggy and Spike, he threatened to personally execute them if they fail to retrieve both the Mario Bros. and the meteorite, with Iggy and Spike earlier implying when trying to locate Daisy that, should they abduct the wrong girl yet again, Koopa may end up doing far worse to them than simply have them executed. Likewise, he also immediately ordered for Lena's arrest after deducing from her giving an order in his name to start the invasion without his knowledge that she had retrieved the meteorite and kept it for herself.

Physical appearance

Bowser with captured Princess Toadstool, as they were originally depicted. A Koopa Paratroopa and two mushroom retainers are also seen.Early artwork of Bowser for Super Mario Bros. 3.Artwork of Bowser from Super Mario Bros.: The Lost LevelsBowser artwork02.png
The two main color patterns during the development of Bowser's design. Top: Bowser with yellow hair, black eyebrows in Super Mario Bros. (left) and Super Mario Bros. 3 (right); bottom: Bowser with red hair and eyebrows in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (left) and Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros. (right).

Bowser is a huge, burly, green-shelled Koopa with spikes, horns, and hair. His bushy eyebrows and mane are fittingly a bright, fiery red-orange and has bright red eyes. He sports two small horns, many spikes on his shell (similar to a Spiny) with brown-orange spike-rings, as well as along his tail (minus the spike-rings). He wears several spiked collars around his neck and arms. His neck collar in some games such as Mario Kart Tour is also implied to be part of his shell. He has three claws on each of his massive padded feet, four claw-tipped fingers including a thumb on each hand, and his arms are noticeably burly, indicating his vast physical strength. While his face and his shell are green, his plastron and muzzle are beige colored (occasionally depicted as being closer to tan or even yellow), and his tail and limbs are an orange-tinged yellow. In his artwork for Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart: Super Circuit and the Paper Mario games, his limbs and tail are bright orange. The exact coloration of Bowser's head varies depending on the media: while official 2D artwork and most of his in-game appearances have his head and shell match in color, the majority of the official 3D artwork, trailers, merchandise as well as Mario & Luigi games show him with a light green head, similar to Bowser Jr.'s appearance. In his various appearances, his red/orange hair is depicted in a loose cockscomb, the only exception to this being in Super Mario Odyssey, where he instead has his hair groomed in a perm-like fashion for the wedding until he is defeated for the second time. Super Mario World reveals that his eyes present the tapetum lucidum, as eyeshine can be seen when he is in the dark flying around the Valley of Bowser (excluding the occasional thunderclap briefly showing him in silhouette); this trait is also applied to his baby self in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, as seen when he is shown in the darkness before beating up Kamek and then confronting Yoshi and Baby Mario. According to Koopa Capers, Bowser has 264 teeth.[9]

According to Prima's Super Mario Galaxy guide, the appearance of Bowser and the Koopas are also based on kappa of Japanese mythology, although this has not been officially stated by Shigeru Miyamoto.[10]

Bowser's appearance has evolved over time. In the box artwork for Super Mario Bros. he has an appearance similar to that of an ox in homage to Journey to the West antagonist Gyū-Maō ("Ox Demon King"), with bluish face and scales, yellow hair and black eyebrows, as well as a less reptilian face. With the contribution of Yoichi Kotabe, Bowser is redesigned between the release of Super Mario Bros. and the release of the Famicom version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. During this redesign he is given blue eyes, as well as red hair and red eyebrows. Despite that, some artwork for Super Mario Bros. 3, while featuring Bowser's redesigned appearance as well as the blue eyes, retains the yellow hair and black eyebrows while also showing him wearing a cape. His eyes are changed to red again in Super Mario World. The brown rings around the spikes and horns are first seen in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and are seen again in Super Mario 64, though in the latter game the horns and spikes are yellow. In Super Mario Sunshine, Bowser's appearance is very similar to the current appearance, with a few minor inconsistencies, such as his plastron traveling all the way up his neck.

Bowser's appearance does not always follow the design of the time, and the same illustrations were often modified when used in subsequently released material. Two illustrations made by Yoichi Kotabe[11] were slightly modified and colored with different colors. The first image is used in the manual of Super Mario Bros. 3, with Bowser having red hair and eyebrows and closed eyes, but also in the Super Mario Bros. pinball machine, with him having blue eyes, and in Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World, with him having blue eyes and holding a wand. There is even a version of it in which he has red eyes. The second image is used in the promotional pamphlet of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, in which Bowser has yellow hair, yellow eyebrows and blue eyes, without rings around the spikes, and in other artwork related to that game, in which he has red eyes, hair and eyebrows, orange claws on the feet and with white rings around the spikes. Similarly, graphical limitations in the original Super Mario Bros. lead to Bowser not having hair. His in-game model in Super Mario 64 has feet which are not padded, although in artwork for that game, he has padded feet. Similarly, in Super Smash Bros. Melee, his feet are not padded, although in his Classic mode trophy he has padded feet. Furthermore, in the Paper Mario series and in artwork for the Mario & Luigi series, he has black eyes like the other characters, in the first three Mario & Luigi games he lacks foot pads and Paper Bowser's spike rings are absent until Paper Mario: Sticker Star.

In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Bowser's appearance has been revamped, with a more detailed and stylized appearance. He has a slightly more muscular stature, a thicker, shorter snout, more teeth, a longer tail, a bigger shell, thinner armbands, and a smaller head. His yellow scaling gains a more greenish color in the upper part of his arms and torso. His eyes also glow whenever he is enraged.

King Koopa in the Super Mario DIC cartoons.
Bowser from the DiC cartoons. This design is also used in other media such as Nintendo Comics System and Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up.

The DiC cartoons' portrayal of King Koopa had him almost completely green in color and lacking hair, with a crown atop his head instead. His stomach was a deeper yellow than in later game depictions, and the whites of his eyes were also yellow; he also had a more crocodile/dinosaur-like snout, which was also colored green. He was also given a single pair of spiked bands on his wrists, which now match his shell's coloration.

Nintendo Comics System used the same design as the cartoons for the Super Mario comics, and different installations in the Nintendo Adventure Books series used either it or Bowser's game depiction, interchangeably. The cartoon, Nintendo Comics System, and Nintendo Adventure Books designs were later reused to a certain extent for Bowser's green palette swap in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U (as well as being based on a palette swap for him in Mario Golf). By comparison, the two Super Mario anime (the three OVAs and Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!) are relatively true to the games' depiction of Bowser. Here, his eyes are blue instead of red, as in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels and Super Mario Bros. 3. Similarly, in the three OVAs he also frequently wears a cape, like he did in artwork for Super Mario Bros. 3. On the other hand, in Super Mario World: Mario to Yoshi no Bōken Land he has red eyes, and his appearance on overall is similar to the appearance of Bowser in artwork for Super Mario World.

In the Super Smash Bros. series, he had various palette swaps (4 in Super Smash Bros. Melee, 6 in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and 8 in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). His red palette swap in Melee and Brawl, and to a certain extent Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, was based on one of his palette swaps in Mario Golf (although the latter two games also had it resembling Bowser's in-game sprite from the NES version of Mario is Missing!), while his blue palette swap was based on how he appeared on the Japanese box art for Super Mario Bros. His white appearance in Brawl and gray appearance in Nintendo 3DS / Wii U was likewise based on Morton Koopa Jr. prior to his New Super Mario Bros. Wii redesign. His green appearance was based on one of his palette swaps from Mario Golf, his in-game sprite for Super Mario World, and to a certain extent his appearance in the DiC cartoons and Nintendo Comics System and his in-game sprite from the original Super Mario Bros. game. His blue palette swap in Nintendo 3DS / Wii U was primarily based on the bluish Bowser's Brother from Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, although it also to a certain extent resembles a palette swap of his from Mario Golf.

As another trait exclusive to the Super Smash Bros. series, Bowser's body has better defined scales and muscles; in Super Smash Bros. Melee, he has defined biceps, and his limbs and tail are a gold-brown color. Starting from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Bowser is less bulky and slightly scalier, better resembling his appearance in contemporary Super Mario games. Starting from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Bowser is also upright and even less detailed than before. In Ultimate, Bowser retains his upright posture, though his color scheme is darker and more monotone (traits taken from Melee), while his horns, spikes, hair, and scales feature simple detailing (traits taken from Brawl).

Although Bowser does not generally wear clothing, there are a few instances where he does: The Japanese artwork for Super Mario Bros. 3 depicts Bowser wearing a purple cape. In addition, Bowser, or, rather, King Koopa, frequently uses disguises in the DiC cartoons (mostly based on pop-culture icons), and in Mario Party 2, similar to how the playable characters wore themed outfits befitting the various boards (i.e., a Pirate for Pirate Land, a Cowboy in Western Land, a Space Cadet in Space Land, an archaeologist in Mystery Land, and a Witch/Wizard in Horror Land), Bowser wore various outfits and adopted aliases befitting the themes of all the game boards except for Space Land (as he instead just pilots a space vehicle without wearing an actual costume). In addition, in a few cases when he is about to marry Peach, such as Super Mario Adventures, Super Paper Mario, and Super Mario Odyssey, he wears white Groom's outfits having each time different features such as the shoes, or lack thereof, and the bowtie. In Mario Tennis Aces, Bowser receives his own tennis outfit, which is a black T-shirt with orange flame designs on it, accompanied by red kneepads. In Mario Kart Tour, Bowser received a Bowser (Santa) variant as a High-End driver in the 2020 Winter Tour. For this variant, Bowser wears a Santa hat, a red and white collar, and has Christmas lights on his shell. He also carries a red and green present and a white sack for this variant.

President Koopa from the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film is almost entirely human in appearance, with blonde hair he gels in the shape of a crown, and he frequently wears a black business suit and tie. Aside from this, he is also shown wearing a green military dress uniform with spikes as well as his left side featuring several ribbons in the prologue to the film, owing to how he had been a top general prior to usurping Daisy's father. Koopa constantly has his arms dangling limp at chest level in reference to his origins as a tyrannosaurus rex. However, after being briefly exposed to his own Devo machine by the Mario Bros., he started occasionally possessing some reptilian traits, such as a long, pointed tongue, slitted pupils, and in a few instances his entire face briefly morphing to become more reptilian. Near the end of the film, when Koopa is forcibly de-evolved, he becomes a grayish-green Tyrannosaurus rex, though he has a few differences when de-evolved such as having big arms instead of the small arms from the actual T-rex, though they become small before he turns into a large glob of primordial ooze.

Speech

Bowser did not have voice acting prior to the Nintendo 64 era. The manual of Super Mario Bros. 3 nonetheless showed that he was able to speak. Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen! gave Bowser voice acting for the first time in history, with the Amada Anime Mario Series (1987-1989) following in suite. Neither the movie nor the series were officially subtitled nor dubbed in English, thus the first time Bowser was heard speaking in English was in the 1989 DIC Entertainment Super Mario cartoon titled The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, in which he was portrayed by Harvey Atkin, giving him a Brooklyn accent. This trait was carried over in DIC's 1990 and 1991 cartoons titled The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World. He utilizes tiger-like growls in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, and also has a screech that he utters when hit by one of the Mechakoopas in Super Mario World. He eventually received voice acting in the PC version of Mario is Missing!, although he would not receive full-fledged voice acting until a decade later. Afterwards, he received a limited degree of voice acting in the games starting with Super Mario 64, although it was for the most part limited to roars and occasional laughter, with in-game text describing what he is saying to Mario. He later received full-fledged voice acting in Super Mario Sunshine, where he was given a gruff, yet slightly goofy-sounding voice. In games released after this, his voice clips are generally the same mixture of both, recently being more frequently growling and roars with in-game text indicating what he is actually saying. A notable exception is the localizations of The Cat Mario Show, where Bowser speaks full sentences that were localized and dubbed in all the main European languages as well. Overall, Bowser has a bass voice.

Powers and abilities

Bowser is strongly associated with fire.

Bowser's most prominent ability is breathing fire. He can produce continuous flares or flurries of individual fireballs, and as seen in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Super Paper Mario, he can even use his fire breath underwater. He has been shown to cause fiery rain in Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros. U, while in Super Mario 64 and New Super Mario Bros., he can produce blue flames that home in on Mario. Bowser is very proud of his fire breath, and is immensely displeased to find himself temporarily unable to use his flames in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. In the PC version of Mario is Missing!, Bowser is said to be immune to fireballs, however this is not the case in most other games. Similarly, while lava defeats Bowser in many games, including the original Super Mario Bros., or New Super Mario Bros. (in which it transforms him into Dry Bowser), in other titles, he appears to be resistant to it, such as New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Artwork of Bowser from Mario Pinball Land
Bowser pounding the ground

Bowser is also portrayed with significant physical strength. Bowser is often the most powerful character in sports games, and in Super Paper Mario, his attack stat as twice that of the other heroes. He can easily break through boulders and topple enemies many times his own size, and in Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story, when Mario and Luigi stimulate his muscles with minigames, Bowser can move islands and lift giant stone statues, among other things. Like his fire breath, Bowser takes pride in his strength, and is quick to use punches, claw swipes, tackles, stomps, body slams, ground pounding, and other physical attacks in battle. In Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Bowser can attack his enemies using bites, with the latter game giving him the ability to poison others with his fangs, while the former gives him a poisonous claw attack.

Unlike his strength, Bowser's speed and agility is less consistent between games. Bowser is usually slower than Mario, like in Super Paper Mario, some Super Smash Bros. games and most sports titles, although despite being the slowest runner in the Mario & Sonic summer Olympics, with a 2/10 stat, in the winter games, he has an 8/10 stat. In Super Mario 64 Bowser can jump incredible heights and make short charges at Mario, and while he cannot climb ladders in Super Paper Mario, both this game and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door show him to be a good swimmer, although the latter reveals that he dislikes the activity. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Bowser has sluggish mobility and low jumps, but his dashing speed is exceptionally quick. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Bowser's mobility is faster, though still sluggish compared to the rest of the cast. Starting from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Bowser is a speedy powerhouse fighter.

Bowser using electricity in Super Mario Galaxy

In the original Super Mario Bros., Bowser throws hammers at Mario, like a Hammer Bro, and this ability reappears in various games, including Super Princess Peach, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and New Super Mario Bros. 2. and he can also duck into his spiked shell and spin or roll around to attack. Another uncommonly seen skill is Bowser's lightning power, which only appears in Hotel Mario and the opening cutscene of Super Mario Galaxy. Both games also make use of Bowser's teleporting ability, as he uses it to bring Peach to his hotel in Hotel Mario and teleports away after his first two defeats in Super Mario Galaxy; he also teleports across the battlefield if the player comes near him in Super Mario 64.

According to the Super Mario Bros. instruction booklet, Bowser is a skilled user in dark magic, using it turn the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom into blocks and other items. While this aspect of Bowser's abilities is not seen in many other games, he makes use of similar magic, with a wand, to shrink players in Mario Party 4 and turn a Koopa Troopa into a frog in Mario Party 2. In Mario Party: Island Tour, he uses magic to create a 30-floor tower. He also teleports himself away after being beaten at the Bowser's Star Reactor and Bowser's Dark Matter Plant in Super Mario Galaxy. Bowser is also shown to be capable of flight, as seen in Super Mario 3D Land, where he flies away after being defeated in World 8-Bowser: Part 1. Finally, Bowser can transform himself, such as turning into a giant boulder during his final fights with Mario in Super Mario Galaxy, or changing into Giga Bowser in the Super Smash Bros. games, which grants him numerous new powers, such as the ability to freeze opponents. In the anime film, Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen! he has the ability to shapeshift into anything he desires, and he can drastically change his size in various games.

Size

Bowser is usually larger than most other main characters.

Like his speed, Bowser's size changes between games, and often varies between or during battles in single titles. In Super Princess Peach, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, and various Mario Party titles, Bowser uses an assortment of magical artifacts and items to turn himself temporarily giant for his final showdowns with Mario, and starts out giant in Super Mario Sunshine, shrinking back down to regular proportions after his defeat. Kamek makes Baby Bowser giant in Yoshi's Island, and he and the Koopalings use spells to turn Bowser gigantic in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and New Super Mario Bros. 2, respectively. In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Mario and Luigi can make Bowser temporarily giant by supercharging him with adrenaline; Bowser X and Dark Bowser can become giant for a short while as well. Other games also show him to have modest increases in size from one boss battle to another, such as New Super Mario Bros. and Paper Mario. In the playable Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door intermissions, eating Meat gradually increases Bowser's size. He also grows via meat in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, though this was only shown to be possible in the Dream World. Like other Super Smash Bros. characters, Bowser can grow with the aid of Super Mushrooms and there are also Super Smash Bros. Events that feature Bowser as being larger than normal. While his "normal" size varies from game to game (ranging from slightly taller than Mario in Super Mario Bros., to being roughly five times his height in Super Mario Odyssey), usually he is about twice Mario's height, or a head taller than Peach, and is always much bulkier than the other characters. The only instances of any of his giant forms being officially named are in the Prima guides for New Super Mario Bros. Wii and New Super Mario Bros. U, where he is called Super Bowser, as well as Baby Bowser's giant form, named Mega Baby Bowser in Yoshi's Woolly World and Yoshi's Crafted World. Within the Super Smash Bros. series, Bowser's size changes.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Bowser is only slightly taller than Mario, rivaling the heights of Peach and Samus. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Bowser is the tallest and largest character in the game, due to both his new upright posture, as well as the general proportional differences between the characters. Bowser's height carries over in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, although he is now the second tallest fighter, as Ridley is currently the largest playable character.

Relationships

Although technically a younger version of himself, Bowser has interacted with Baby Bowser during two occasions of time travel. In Yoshi's Island DS, Baby Bowser insults his future self, who then rashly blasts him out of the castle; later, however, Bowser becomes outraged when he discovers his younger self being bested by the Yoshis. In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the two Bowsers do not recognize each other and argue about the ownership of Thwomp Volcano, eventually putting their differences aside to work together to try and defeat Mario, Luigi and their own baby selves. After their defeat, Bowser's parting advice to Baby Bowser is to "Get stronger and more evil". In Yoshi's New Island, he also ambushes Yoshi and Baby Mario just as they were to save the Stork and Baby Luigi again in order to avenge his younger self's defeat.

Bowser's minions all hold Bowser in high regards and loyally serve him out of respect rather than fear, although many are mindful of his fiery temper. Bowser does not take betrayal well nor will he hesitate to attack deserters as enemies, although he has been shown to be forgiving at times, such as letting the trio of Corporal Paraplonk, Private Goomp and Sergeant Guy return to service after they betrayed him for Fawful in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. Bowser, despite repeatedly downgrading their competence and intellect, has high faith and pride in his minions. While he is harsh, he does reciprocate their loyalty, notably shown in Super Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. The latter game's remake, or more specifically the tie-in story Bowser Jr.'s Journey, further reinforces his care for his troops, as it was revealed that a large part of the reason he was outraged at not being invited to the emergency seminar over the Blorbs virus outbreak at Peach's Castle was because his own kingdom was also suffering from the outbreak. In Paper Mario, while labeling the Koopa Bros. and Tutankoopa as weaklings, he acknowledged they were still loyal followers and takes their defeats as disrespect from Mario. Bowser has also been shown to treat minions in a fatherly fashion, namely towards the Koopa Kids in the Mario Party series (who, despite their similar appearances are not related to Bowser), although they treat him as a boss only. One minion who treats Bowser fairly informally at times is Kammy Koopa, who loyally and tirelessly puts up with his constant stream of derision when working together during the first two Paper Mario games. In her tattle, Goombella wonders whether it is harder for Bowser to put up with Kammy or vice-versa, but despite his verbal abuse, Bowser often takes Kammy's advice to heart.

Bowser often works together with Dr. Eggman during the Mario & Sonic series, often causing trouble to disrupt the Olympics or defeat their nemeses, Mario and Sonic. Bowser and Eggman mutually treat each other as equals in their partnerships as well as friends, which is prominently shown in London. In Tokyo, Bowser trusts Eggman's comprehension of Tokyo '64 when they end up trapped in the game so they can outwit Mario and Sonic and escape.

Family

Bowser and the Koopalings introducing themselves to Mario and Yoshi in Super Mario Story Quiz Picture Book 2: Mario's Sports Day (「スーパーマリオおはなしクイズえほん 2 マリオの うんどうかい」).
Bowser with the Koopalings
Bowser and Bowser Jr. playing with the Nintendo Switch.
Bowser with Bowser Jr.
“All right, son... Let's see if you can stand up to your old man!”
Bowser, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey

Both the original Japanese and English versions of the game Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced Bowser's seven children, the Koopalings.[12][13] They were also depicted as his children in Super Mario World,[14][15] Yoshi's Safari,[16] the first trophy of Bowser in Super Smash Bros. Melee[17], the DIC cartoons, and various comics released shortly after Super Mario Bros. 3. However, after Hotel Mario, the Koopalings went on a nine-year hiatus, and many years later, in 2002, Super Mario Sunshine introduced Bowser Jr., Bowser's youngest child who resembles Bowser greatly. Since the Koopalings have made a return to the series following New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Bowser Jr. is considered the heir to the throne and the only child in the current story. While the Japanese Nintendo Direct announcement for Mario Kart 8 referred to them as Bowser's kobun (which can mean either underlings or adopted children), subsequent games used less ambiguous wording referring to them as minions, with Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Ultimate having the Palutena's Guidance in which the Koopalings' similarity to Bowser Jr. is noted and in which it is stated that the Koopalings have a mysterious relationship to Bowser, although the Japanese version adds that it has been heard that they are minions. Something similar happened to Bowser's Brother from Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, who was later considered to be something akin to an Impostor Bowser and eventually a character of unknown identity.

The emblems of Bowser, Bowser Jr., and the Koopalings.
The emblems of Bowser, Bowser Jr., and the Koopalings

Before the introduction of Bowser Jr., Ludwig von Koopa was once said to be Bowser's second in command in the Super Mario Bros. 3 Nintendo Power Strategy Guide,[18] leader of the Koopalings in the Official Nintendo Guidebook of Super Mario Collection (the Japanese version of Super Mario All-Stars)[19] and Bowser's comrade in the Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten.[20] Bowser has always been very proud of the Koopalings' close loyalty to him, and while the dynamics between them was openly familial in the cartoons and comics, in the games the Koopalings were just main bosses and had no dialogue nor interaction with Bowser. On the other hand, in Super Mario Sunshine, he first tried to use Bowser Jr. as a pawn in his schemes, even going so far as to lying that Peach was the child's mother to give him extra incentive to defeat Mario for taking her away from their "family". However, after his plan failed, in a rare moment of humility and remorse, Bowser eventually decides to tell his son the truth about Peach, but Bowser Jr. had figured it out by then, and simply wanted to fight Mario to be like his father. Bowser does indeed care about his son, who often brings out his softer side, and at times obsesses over his well-being, such as in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, where he becomes infuriated after learning that the Mario Bros. had injured him. The two currently share closer ties than he and his Koopalings, with Bowser Jr. often acting as Bowser's default partner in sports and spin-off games. On a similar note, in the NES library portion of the Nintendo Switch Online service trailer, Bowser, while playing Ghosts 'n Goblins, is shown to be ignoring his son, who has been asking to play with him, much to his disappointment. Feeling guilty seeing Bowser Jr.'s dejection, Bowser promptly offers a second Joy-Con so they can play together, and they proceed to play Ice Climbers. Although genuinely caring for his son, even he has found Bowser Jr. difficult to raise largely due to the latter's hyperactivity as well as having access to his own army and flying car, admitting as much to Olivia when explaining how King Olly is trivial to him before the final battle, implying that Bowser Jr. was more difficult than King Olly ever was. As a result, he states that he tends to raise Junior with a free-range parenting style, letting him take risks and even insisting that he can handle himself while he's being overwhelmed by Paper Macho Goombas. On the Koopalings' end, the Koopalings were also shown to be extremely devoted to Bowser, with their loyalty to the Koopa King being immense enough that they are willing to serve Bowser even when the latter is not actually himself, as evidenced by their servitude to "Bowser" in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Paper Mario: Color Splash (who had actually been Bowletta and Black Bowser, forms taken when Bowser was possessed by Cackletta and corrupted by the black paint, respectively). Additionally, the side story of the former game's remake shows their loyalty was immense enough that they were resistant to Fawful's mind control spray before the Beanish added a stronger dose. Nonetheless, in a flashback the Koopalings had nearing the climax of the Bowser Jr.'s Journey story arc of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, Iggy is seen speaking out of line with the other Koopalings by denying that Bowser was at all smart or wise (and even implying that Bowser was even crazier than Iggy for thinking he was such), resulting in Bowser being implied to have hit him across the room. Bowser, Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings all have personal emblems with silhouettes of their faces, the silhouette of Bowser's face used in his emblem is also present in many buldings, machines and devices that he controls.

Kamek artwork
Kamek, Bowser's caretaker in the Yoshi franchise

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island introduced Kamek, the Magikoopa who raised Bowser from infancy and who has been seen interacting with him the most throughout the series. As seen in subsequent Yoshi series games and Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Kamek takes great care of Baby Bowser and worries for his safety, with his devout loyalty continuing into Bowser's adulthood where he is often seen as Bowser's right-hand. Kamek's thought in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars even implies that he considers Bowser to be like a son to him, as despite his brain-washing by the enemies, he thinks, "That's... my child?" when faced with Bowser in battle. The only time a rift has been shown between the two is in Mario Party Advance; after winning a minigame Kamek explains that he took leave of Koopa Troop when Bowser disappointed him by taking the title of "Game Master", rather than earning it, although the ending states that the two reconciled. Aside from that incident, the two get along well, and Bowser seems to show much more respect to his elderly guardian than to any other of his subordinates.

Various other relatives of Bowser's have been mentioned or shown in a minor capacity throughout the franchise. Bowser mentions a father in few issues of the Nintendo Comics System Super Mario Bros. series, with the implication being that he is a wanted criminal on the run. Bowser is first shown to have a mother in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! episode "Do You Princess Toadstool Take this Koopa...?", which depicts her to be a bossy and bullying woman who resented her son for remaining a bachelor. Mario's Time Machine Deluxe for MS-DOS, however, shows another version of Bowser's mother, who is an elderly librarian, in the included Library program. Bowser also mentions a grandfather named Poopa La Koopa in the Super Show episode "Butch Mario & The Luigi Kid", saying his motto was "Cheat, beat, and be merry!". In the "Raiders of the Lost Mushroom", Bowser claims that his "great-great grandkoop" built the Temple of Koopa to hide the Lost Mushroom, which he left to Bowser. In an episode of The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, Morton brings up one of the Koopalings' great grandmothers. Bowser and the Koopalings are shown to have a pet rabbit named Pookie in the Nintendo Comics System series, which was often abused until its eventual escape in the comic "Bowser Knows Best". In the Nintendo Adventure Book Flown the Koopa, a Magikoopa stated to be Bowser's third cousin twice removed is featured as the main antagonist; this character also appears in the later books Unjust Desserts and Brain Drain, though he has only minor roles in both. Finally, in both an episode of the Super Show and the song "Ignorance is Bliss", Bowser mentions a younger sister who is, according to him, a bookworm.

Love interests

Bowser holding Peach captive in Super Mario 3D Land
A self-defensive Princess Peach slapping Bowser, stopping one of his attempts to kidnap her
LINE sticker showcasing Peach's feelings for Bowser.

Bowser is typically shown as attracted to Princess Peach despite kidnapping her and showing open hostility to her kingdom and her friends. According to the manual of Super Mario Bros., Bowser initially started abducting Peach to prevent her from restoring the transformed Toads back to normal. Various media depict Bowser as wanting to marry Princess Peach, being central plot points in Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!, Super Paper Mario, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the last in which Bowser expresses his love for Peach in a song called Peaches. In the same The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! episode that featured his mother, Bowser has tried and failed to marry Peach, and his unrequited crush on her recurs in various games, starting with a diary entry he wrote in Paper Mario expressing his hopes that Peach would like him. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story revealed that Bowser's most carefully preserved memory was of Peach. Paper Mario: The Origami King further hints at his crush on Peach, as when he and Mario encounter Origami Peach for the first time, he quietly expresses embarrassment at her seeing him folded up, and when confronting King Olly just before the final battle against him, Bowser inquires of Peach's status and asks if she is safe, comfortable, and has something to read before claiming he was merely asking for a friend. In Super Mario Sunshine, he told Bowser Jr. that Peach is his mother. In few cases, he can forgo abducting Princess Peach, usually if he is aiming for a more important objective. This bit is especially evident in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, as when Peach discovers Bowser's presence with Mario, she initially fears that he is going to abduct her again, only for Bowser to explicitly state he has no interest that time in doing so due to having "bigger fish to fry" (with his reluctantly explaining what he meant by that after returning her to the Mushroom Kingdom).

Despite his feelings for her, Princess Peach dislikes Bowser and has resisted him, most often by helping his nemeses including, but not limited to Super Mario World, Paper Mario, and Super Mario Galaxy, and she has fought him directly in some instances such as in Super Princess Peach, Super Mario 3D World, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. She is still willing to work with Bowser, however, only to help the protagonists, and will even sweet-talk, flatter or show him genuine goodwill or concern when they are acting as allies.

Cropped scan of the Koopa's High School Yearbook comic highlighting the unnamed female Koopa. It was shared on the Internet as an image of Clawdia Koopa.
The female Koopa from Koopa's High School Yearbook

The Nintendo Comics System single-panel comic "Koopa's High School Yearbook" shows Bowser to have had an admirer in high school: after he asked for her sandwich, the unnamed Koopa developed a crush on Bowser, forming the one-member "Koopa Fan Club" and joining the "Future Wives of Tyrants Club". In a September 2012 interview with Game Informer, Miyamoto simply stated that Bowser Jr.'s mother is unknown,[21] which is supported by a question from the Snifit or Whiffit quiz show in Paper Mario: Sticker Star.

Foes

“Not bad! I guess I chose the right guy to be my archenemy. At least you always put up a fight.”
Bowser, Super Mario Galaxy
Artwork of Mario swinging Bowser by the tail in Super Mario 64.
Mario and Bowser's battle in Super Mario 64

Mario is Bowser’s sworn enemy. He constantly defeats him, preventing him from holding Princess Peach hostage and taking over the Mushroom Kingdom and other worlds. Despite the open hostility between the two, Bowser has occasionally been seen to hold a grudging respect for Mario, such as his statement in Super Mario Galaxy that he "chose the right guy to be his archenemy" for how he puts up a good fight. Defeating Mario is Bowser's greatest wish along with kidnapping Peach and taking over the Mushroom Kingdom, enough that he intervenes when other villains threaten Mario, such as in Mario Super Sluggers, where Bowser stopped an attack launched by Wario and Waluigi. Many of the RPGs involve Bowser teaming up with Mario to stop an emergent foe that poses a threat to both of them, such as Smithy, who took over Bowser's castle in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, or Count Bleck in Super Paper Mario, whose plot to destroy all worlds ran counter to Bowser's dreams of global domination. In the case of the former game, he even went as far as to name Mario, Mallow, and Geno "honorary members" of the Koopa Troop (although it was heavily implied that he did this solely as an excuse to "join" them to avoid the humiliation of having to ask for their help). While Bowser makes a show of his reluctance to team up, Mario seems more complacent with working with Bowser despite their history, and occasionally shows him some leniency, such as letting him go after his actions in Mario Party DS merely gave Mario and the others a fun experience. Additionally, there is a brief moment in the ending for Super Mario Odyssey shows Mario patting a devastated Bowser on the back after Peach rejects both of their proposals, before Mario jumps on Bowser to get on board the Odyssey, leaving him stuck on the moon.

In addition, it is implied that, despite his animosity to Mario, he would never attempt to actually have him destroyed and actually just wants the satisfaction of defeating him; as when Bowletta, while disguised as Bowser, ordered for the Koopa Troop to "destroy" Mario, Captain Goomba was suspicious of him since he knows that that kind of talk was extremely harsh even with Bowser's characteristic hatred towards Mario. Paper Mario: The Origami King further cements this, as in that game, Bowser insists that he and Mario would be nothing without each other. However, in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team he attempts to use the Dream Stone to make the Mario Bros. disappear, and in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, he plans to trap Mario, Luigi, and Paper Mario in the empty book, throw the book in the garbage, and then light the garbage on fire.

Luigi and Bowser in ending credits.
Bowser fighting Luigi at the end of Bowser's Inside Story

Luigi often fights Bowser alongside Mario, and so Bowser also sees Luigi as another significant adversary. Like many other characters in the Super Mario franchise, Bowser is often depicted as holding Luigi in lower esteem than his brother, frequently forgetting his name and referring him as "Green Stache" in the first four instalments of the Mario & Luigi series. After his defeat in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, which Luigi had played a significant part in, Bowser now sees Luigi as a more legitimate foe, at least remembering his name. Baby Bowser and Kamek have also collaborated to kidnap Baby Mario and Baby Luigi throughout the Yoshi's Island games, succeeding with Baby Luigi, and they have also tried and failed to stop the Yoshis from foiling their plans. Bowser and Yoshi also have a mutual dislike; as Baby Bowser, he enjoyed stealing cookies from the Yoshis and even stole their Super Happy Tree and Sundream Stone in certain games.

Generally speaking, Bowser's enemies usually include Mario's allies, although Bowser has come into conflict with other villains, including the aforementioned Smithy, Count Bleck, Fawful, and King Olly (most of whom he collaborated with Mario to defeat). One of Bowser's few victories actually came out of his conflict with Fawful during Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, when the Beanish took over both Bowser and Peach's castles, brainwashed the former's minions, and kidnapped the latter. In that same game, Bowser also had an arch-rivalry with Fawful's minion Midbus. While Mario and Luigi were aiding Bowser against Fawful, he was unaware of this, instead communicating exclusively with their ally Starlow, who used the alias "Chippy". Despite their common goal, Bowser and Starlow spent the whole adventure trading barbs and occasionally refusing to cooperate, although Starlow sometimes expressed concern and sympathy for him and he eventually came to think of her as a loyal minion, and even complied to her demand to ask for her help politely at one point, only to become enraged when he learned the truth of who she really was. As of the game's two sequels, Starlow and Bowser are now complete enemies. Another "frenemy" situation is the one between Bowser and Wario, who have joined forces (along with Waluigi) against Mario in Mario Power Tennis, and worked together (albeit fractiously) as babies in Yoshi's Island DS. The ending of Mario Superstar Baseball shows Wario and Waluigi on Bowser's team. Most of the time they are on opposing sides, as in Super Mario 64 DS and the Mario Party series when Wario was on Mario's side. In Mario Super Sluggers, Wario helps in stopping Bowser's invasion of Baseball Kingdom, and in the ending, he and Waluigi are thwarted in their sneak attack on Mario by Bowser due to the latter's desire to be the one who defeats their shared adversary. In Paper Mario: The Origami King, Bowser also held a grudge against King Olly for reducing him to a folded face and turning his minions into Folded Soldiers, mocking the latter's hairstyle.

Impersonators

In several instances throughout the series, there have been characters who have imitated Bowser's appearance, generally for their own gain. There have been many impostors in some games who have tried to replicate or manifest him in varying ways, albeit perfectly or imperfectly:

Impersonation Impersonator/Creator Appearance
Impostor Bowser Various Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. Special, Super Mario Run, Super Mario Party Jamboree
Mechakoopas Super Mario World, Yoshi's Safari, Hotel Mario, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Party 5, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario Power Tennis, Mario Party Advance, Mario Party 7, Super Mario Galaxy, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Mario Party 9, New Super Mario Bros. U, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Super Mario Maker 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Iggy Koopa Hotel Mario
Bowser Clone Belome Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Bowser Suit Mario and company Mario Party, Mario Party 2, Mario Party 3, Mario Party 4, Mario Party 8
Bowser??? Koopa Bros. Paper Mario
Koopa Kid Mario Party 3
King Boo Luigi's Mansion
Mecha-Bowser Bowser Jr. Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Party 5, Mario Power Tennis, Mario Kart Arcade GP, Mario Party 7, Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Party 9
Dark Bowser Shadoo Super Paper Mario
False Bowser Shadow Bugs Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Dark Bowser Dark Star Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Bowser X Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Tail Bowser Impostor Bowser Super Mario 3D Land, Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games

Nicknames and aliases

See also: King Koopa's alter egos

In several of his appearances, Bowser has been known to use aliases, or is referred to through a self-given nickname or a nickname given by others. The Super Mario Bros. Super Show and Mario Party 2 mostly show him under an alias matching the theme of each location explored.

  • King of the Koopa / King of the Koopas / Koopa King (various)
  • King Koopa (Japanese name and other media such as cartoons)
  • Koopa (Japanese name and other media such as cartoons)
  • King Bowser (various)
  • Lord Bowser (Paper Mario series, Super Mario Bros. Virtual Console digital manual, Mario Kart 8, and Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games)
  • Master Bowser (Mario Party 4 and Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam)
  • Big dude (Baby Bowser)
  • Cap'n Bowser
  • Bowser the Brash
  • Wizard Bowser
  • Bowser Sphinx
  • Black Hole Bowser
  • The King of Awesome
  • Mr. Bowser (Merlon, Koopa Kid, Wendy O. Koopa)
  • The Boss of Bwahaha (Nintendo)
  • King Dad (Koopalings)
  • Pop (Koopalings, Bowser Jr.)
  • Big B (Iggy Koopa)
  • Daddykins (Kootie Pie)
  • Large Bowser (Morton Koopa Jr.)
  • Papa (Bowser Jr.)
  • Dad (Bowser Jr., Koopalings)
  • Koopums (His mother)
  • Rookie (Popple)
  • Monsieur Turtle Bits (Broque Monsieur)
  • Monster (Lubba, Rosalina, Lumas)
  • Sire (Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games)
  • Father of Name Withheld (Super Mario Maker 2, as evidenced by the adversity against Mario and speech manner present in his Story Mode level descriptions; "Name Withheld" refers to Bowser Jr.)

Profiles and statistics

Main article: List of Bowser profiles and statistics

Bowser's profiles usually discuss his antagonistic history with Mario, Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom, with his evilness, bad temper and impressive strength and power often being mentioned. In Mario Kart games, he is always among the heaviest players and in other sports games, he is a power player. His speed is highly variable, although when the stat is applicable, his acceleration is usually low. His HP and attack skills vary depending on when he is battled in the RPGs, and as a playable character, he is the powerhouse of the roster.

Portrayals

Over the years, Bowser has been voiced by several people, both in the games and in other media. They include:

Actor Appearance
Akiko Wada Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!
Masaharu Satō Amada Anime Series: Super Mario Bros.
Jean-Claude Donda Super Mario Bros.: Trapped in the Perilous Pit (French dub)
Harvey Atkin The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World
Christopher Collins King Koopa's Kool Kartoons
Patrick Pinney
Christopher Hewett Mario Ice Capades
Rob Wallace Mario is Missing!
Dennis Hopper Super Mario Bros. film
Marc Graue Hotel Mario
Scott Burns Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario Golf: Advance Tour, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Mario Party 6 (uncredited), Yakuman DS, Mario Power Tennis, Mario Party 7 (uncredited), Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix, Mario Tennis: Power Tour, Mario Kart DS, Mario Super Sluggers, Mario Party 8, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Mario Tennis Open, Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, Mario Sports Superstars, Mario Tennis Aces
Eric Newsome Super Paper Mario
Kenny James Super Mario Strikers; Super Mario Galaxy onwards
Jack Black The Super Mario Bros. Movie

In addition, a number of stock sounds and voices have been used for Bowser:

Sound Notes
HUMAN, LAUGH - COMICAL LAUGH: MALE Pitched down for Bowser. Originated from The General Series 6000 Sound Effects Library and performed by Charles Martinet.[22] First used in Super Mario 64 as Bowser's laugh.
ANIMAL, CREATURE - LARGE ANIMAL GROWL 04 Originated from The General Series 6000 Sound Effects Library. First used in Super Mario 64 for Bowser's fire breath.
COUGAR - GROWL, ANIMAL, MOUNTAIN LION, CAT 01 Originated from Major Records - Sound Effects Volume 14. First used in Super Mario 64 as one of Bowser's roars. Also used for the Koopa Kids in Mario Party 1-7.
ANIMAL, CREATURE - LARGE ANIMAL DEATH SCREAM Originated from The General Series 6000 Sound Effects Library. First used in Super Mario 64 as Bowser's defeat roar. Used for others in Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (Iggy Koopa, Larry Koopa, Lemmy Koopa, Wendy O. Koopa (when defeated)).
MONSTER - ROAR, ANIMAL 03 Originated from the film The Land Unknown (1957). First used in Mario Kart 64 as one of Bowser's roars. Used for others in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Bowletta, Cackletta, Chuckolator, Dragohoho, Queen Bean).
MONSTER - ROAR, ANIMAL 05 Originated from the film The Land Unknown (1957). First used in Mario Kart 64 as one of Bowser's roars. Used for others in Yoshi's Story (Baby Bowser, Blargg, Bone Dragon, and Dragon).

List of appearances by date

Title Description Year System
Super Mario Bros. Main antagonist, final boss 1985 NES
VS. Super Mario Bros. Main antagonist, final boss 1986 Arcade
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Main antagonist, final boss 1986 Famicom Disk System
Super Mario Bros. Special Main antagonist, final boss 1986 NEC PC-88, X1
All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros. Main antagonist, final boss 1986 Famicom Disk System
Super Mario Bros. Main antagonist, Boss 1986 Game & Watch
I am a teacher: Super Mario Sweater Cameo on graphics 1986 Famicom Disk System
Super Mario Bros. 3 Main antagonist, final boss 1988 NES
Super Mario Bros. Boss 1989 Nelsonic Game Watch
Super Mario World Main antagonist, final boss 1990 SNES
Super Mario Bros. 3 Boss 1990 Nelsonic Game Watch
Super Mario World Boss 1991 Nelsonic Game Watch
Mario Roulette Cameo as icon 1991 Arcade
Mario Teaches Typing Cameo in images 1991 MS-DOS
Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up Cameo in images 1991 MS-DOS
Super Mario Kart Playable character 1991 SNES
Mario is Missing! Main antagonist, final boss 1992 MS-DOS
Mario is Missing! Main antagonist, final boss 1993 SNES
Mario is Missing! Main antagonist, final boss 1993 NES
Mario Undōkai Opponent 1993 Arcade
Super Mario All-Stars Main antagonist and Final boss in all games 1993 SNES
Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World Main antagonist and final boss in all games 1993 SNES
Yoshi's Safari Main antagonist, final boss 1993 SNES
Mario's Time Machine Main antagonist, final boss 1993 MS-DOS
Mario's Time Machine Main antagonist, final boss 1993 SNES
Mario's Time Machine Main antagonist, final boss 1994 NES
Mario's Early Years! Fun with Numbers Cameo on images 1994 SNES, MS-DOS
Mario's Early Years! Fun with Letters Cameo on images 1994 SNES, MS-DOS
Mario's Early Years! Preschool Fun Cameo on images 1994 SNES, MS-DOS
Hotel Mario Main antagonist, final boss 1994 Philips CD-i
Mario's Game Gallery Cameo on card designs 1995 MS-DOS
Mario Clash Cameo as a border design 1995 Virtual Boy
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Playable character/boss 1996 SNES
Super Mario 64 Main antagonist, final boss 1996 Nintendo 64
Mario Teaches Typing 2 Cameo in graphics 1996 MS-DOS
Mario Kart 64 Playable character 1996 Nintendo 64
Mario Net Quest Enemy 1997 Browser
Wrecking Crew '98 Main antagonist, final boss 1998 Super Famicom
Mario's FUNdamentals Cameo in card designs 1998 MS-DOS
Mario Party Non-playable character 1998 Nintendo 64
Super Mario Bros. Deluxe Main antagonist, final boss 1999 Game Boy Color
Mario Golf Playable Character 1999 Nintendo 64
Mario Golf Non-playable character 1999 Game Boy Color
Mario Party 2 Non-playable character 1999 Nintendo 64
Mario Artist: Paint Studio Cameo as stamp design 1999 Nintendo 64DD
Paper Mario Main antagonist, final boss 2000 Nintendo 64
Mario Tennis Playable character 2000 Nintendo 64
Mario Tennis Unlockable playable character 2000 Game Boy Color
Mario Party 3 Non-playable character 2000 Nintendo 64
Mario Kart: Super Circuit Playable character 2001 Game Boy Advance
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 Main antagonist, final boss 2000 Game Boy Advance
Super Mario Sunshine Overarching antagonist, final boss 2002 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Party 4 Main antagonist, non-playable character, final boss 2002 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Party-e Cameo on card designs and minigames 2003 e-Reader
Super Mario Fushigi no Janjan Land 2003 Arcade
Nintendo Puzzle Collection Main antagonist/Final boss in Yoshi's Cookie remake 2003 Nintendo GameCube
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 Main antagonist, final boss 2003 Game Boy Advance
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour Playable character 2003 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Playable character 2003 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Party 5 Main antagonist, non-playable character, final boss 2003 Nintendo GameCube
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Boss 2003 Game Boy Advance
Mario Golf: Advance Tour Unlockable playable character 2004 Nintendo GameCube
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Minor antagonist, Playable character, boss 2004 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Pinball Land Main antagonist, final boss 2004 Game Boy Advance
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 Final boss 2003 Game Boy Advance
Super Mario Fushigi no Korokoro Party 2004 Arcade
Mario Power Tennis Playable character 2004 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Party 6 Non-playable character 2004 Nintendo GameCube
Super Mario 64 DS Main antagonist, final boss 2004 Nintendo DS
Mario Party Advance Main antagonist, non-playable character 2005 Game Boy Advance
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix Final boss/opponent 2005 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Tennis: Power Tour Playable character 2005 Game Boy Advance
Super Mario Fushigi no Korokoro Party 2 2005 Arcade
Mario Kart Arcade GP Playable character/boss 2005 Arcade
Super Princess Peach Main antagonist, final boss 2005 Nintendo DS
Mario Party 7 Main antagonist, non-playable character, final boss 2005 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Superstar Baseball Playable character 2005 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Kart DS Playable character 2005 Nintendo DS
Super Mario Strikers Non-playable character 2005 Nintendo GameCube
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time Boss 2005 Nintendo DS
New Super Mario Bros. Overaching antagonist, final boss 2006 Nintendo DS
Mario Hoops 3-on-3 Unlockable playable character 2006 Nintendo DS
Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 Playable character/boss 2007 Arcade
Super Paper Mario Playable character/boss 2007 Wii
Mario Strikers Charged Playable character 2007 Wii
Mario Party 8 Non-playable character, final boss 2007 Wii
Super Mario Galaxy Main antagonist, final boss 2007 Wii
Mario Party DS Main antagonist, non-playable character, final boss 2007 Nintendo DS
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Playable character 2007 Wii
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Playable character 2008 Nintendo DS
Mario Kart Wii Playable character 2008 Wii
Mario Super Sluggers Playable character 2008 Wii
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis Playable character 2009 Wii
Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher 2009 Arcade
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Playable character/boss 2009 Nintendo DS
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games Playable character 2009 Wii, Nintendo DS
New Super Mario Bros. Wii Final boss 2009 Wii
Super Mario Galaxy 2 Main antagonist/final boss 2010 Wii
Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition Main antagonist and final boss in all games 2010 Wii
Super Mario 3D Land Main antagonist, final boss 2011 Nintendo 3DS
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games Playable character 2011 Wii
Mario Kart 7 Playable character 2011 Nintendo 3DS
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games Playable character 2012 Nintendo 3DS
Mario Party 9 Main antagonist, non-playable character, final boss 2012 Wii
Mario Tennis Open Playable character 2012 Nintendo 3DS
New Super Mario Bros. 2 Final boss 2012 Nintendo 3DS
Paper Mario: Sticker Star Main antagonist, final boss 2012 Nintendo 3DS
New Super Mario Bros. U Main antagonist, final boss 2012 Wii U
New Super Luigi U Main antagonist, final boss 2013 Wii U
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team True main antagonist, final boss 2013 Nintendo 3DS
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX Playable character 2013 Arcade
New Super Mario Bros. U + New Super Luigi U Main antagonist and final boss in both games 2013 Wii U
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games Playable character 2013 Wii U
Super Mario 3D World Main antagonist, final boss 2013 Wii U
Mario Party: Island Tour Main antagonist, Non-playable character, final boss 2013 Nintendo 3DS
Yoshi's New Island Hidden final boss 2014 Nintendo 3DS
Mario Golf: World Tour Playable character 2014 Nintendo 3DS
Mario Kart 8 Playable character 2014 Wii U
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Playable character 2014 Nintendo 3DS
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Playable character 2014 Wii U
Mario Party 10 Playable character in Bowser Party mode, final boss in Mario Party mode 2015 Wii U
Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition Main antagonist, final boss 2015 Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Maker Enemy 2015 Wii U
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash Playable character 2015 Wii U
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Co-main antagonist, final boss 2015 Nintendo 3DS
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Playable character 2016 Nintendo 3DS, Arcade, Wii U
Minecraft: Wii U Edition Skin 2016 Wii U
Paper Mario: Color Splash Main antagonist, final boss 2016 Wii U
Mario Party: Star Rush Main antagonist, non-playable character, boss 2016 Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS Enemy 2016 Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Run Main antagonist, final boss 2016 iOS, Android
Mario Sports Superstars Playable character 2017 Nintendo 3DS
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Playable character 2017 Nintendo Switch
Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition Skin 2017 Nintendo Switch
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Final boss 2017 Nintendo Switch
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions Boss 2017 Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Odyssey Main antagonist, final boss 2017 Nintendo Switch
Mario Party: The Top 100 Non-playable character 2017 Nintendo 3DS
Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Skin 2018 New Nintendo 3DS
Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Skin 2018 Nintendo Switch
Mario Tennis Aces Playable character 2018 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Party Playable character 2018 Nintendo Switch
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Playable character 2018 Nintendo Switch
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey Playable character/boss 2018 Nintendo 3DS
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Main antagonist, final boss 2019 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Maker 2 Enemy 2019 Nintendo Switch
Dr. Mario World Playable character 2019 iOS, Android
Mario Kart Tour Playable character 2019 iOS, Android
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Playable character 2019 Nintendo Switch
Paper Mario: The Origami King Ally 2020 Nintendo Switch
Tetris 99 Cameo 2020 (15th Maximus Cup) Nintendo Switch
Super Mario 3D All-Stars Main antagonist and final boss in all games 2020 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Main antagonist, final boss 2021 Nintendo Switch
Mario Golf: Super Rush Playable character 2021 Nintendo Switch
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Playable character 2022 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Main antagonist, final boss 2023 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario RPG Playable character, boss 2023 Nintendo Switch
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Minor antagonist, Playable character, boss 2024 Nintendo Switch

Quotes

Main article: List of Bowser quotes

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Bowser.

Audio samples

Voice

Audio.svg Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS - Bowser's laugh ("Comical Laugh" stock sound by Charles Martinet, pitched-down)[22]
File infoMedia:SM64 Bowser's Laugh.oga
Audio.svg Super Mario Sunshine - "MARIO! How dare you disturb my family vacation!? (roars)" (Scott Burns, stock roar)
File infoMedia:Bowser Scott Burns and King Kong Roar 2002.oga
Audio.svg Mario Party 8 - Bowser's laugh (Scott Burns)
File infoMedia:Mparty8 bowser 01.oga
Audio.svg Super Mario Galaxy - Bowser's laugh (Kenny James)
File infoMedia:SMG Bowser Laugh.oga
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Themes

Audio.svg King Bowser - Bowser's battle theme in Super Mario Bros. 3
File infoMedia:Bowser Battle Theme Super Mario Bros 3.oga
Audio.svg The Evil King Bowser - Bowser's battle theme in Super Mario World
File infoMedia:SMW The Evil King Koopa BGM.oga
Audio.svg Last King Koopa - Bowser's battle theme in Super Mario All-Stars (Super Mario Bros.)
File infoMedia:SMAS SMB Last King Koopa.oga
Audio.svg King Bowser - Bowser's battle theme in Super Mario All-Stars (Super Mario Bros. 3)
File infoMedia:SMAS SMB3 The Evil King Koopa.oga
Audio.svg Battling Bowser - Bowser's battle theme in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
File infoMedia:SMRPG Fight against Koopa.oga
Audio.svg Bowser's Keep (Second Visit) - Bowser's Castle's second theme in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, which is an arrangement of "King Bowser" from Super Mario Bros. 3
File infoMedia:SMRPG Koopa Castle Theme 2.oga
Audio.svg Evil King Bowser Here - An arrangement of "The Evil King Bowser" from Super Mario World, used in Super Paper Mario
File infoMedia:SPM Evil King Bowser Here.oga
Audio.svg Bowser Battle - An arrangement of "Dark Land" from Super Mario Bros. 3, used in Super Paper Mario
File infoMedia:SPM Bowser Battle.oga
Audio.svg King Bowser - Bowser's battle theme in Super Mario Galaxy
File infoMedia:King Bowser Super Mario Galaxy.oga
Audio.svg Final Battle with Bowser - Bowser's final battle theme in Super Mario Galaxy
File infoMedia:Final Battle with Bowser Super Mario Galaxy.oga
Audio.svg The Evil King Bowser - An arrangement of "The Evil King Bowser" from Super Mario World, used in Fortune Street
File infoMedia:Fortune Street- The Evil King Bowser.oga
Audio.svg Bowser Battle 1 - Bowser's battle theme in Super Mario Odyssey
File infoMedia:OST Bowser Battle 1 Super Mario Odyssey.oga
Audio.svg King Bowser - An arrangement of "King Bowser" from Super Mario Bros. 3, used in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
File infoMedia:Bowser Theme (SSBU).oga
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Names in other languages

Main article: List of Bowser names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese クッパ[?]
Kuppa
"Koopa", originated from the Japanese reading of "국밥" (gukbap). In older media, Bowser had the alternative titles「クッパ大王」(Kuppa-daiō, "Great-king Koopa") and「魔王クッパ」(Maō Kuppa,, "Demon-king Koopa"). In the games, his title is usually「大魔王クッパ」(Daimaō Kuppa, "Great Demon-king Koopa")
The English name "Bowser" is occasionally transcribed as「バウザー」(Bauzā)
Catalan Bowser[?] - The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Chinese (simplified) 酷霸王[?]
Kùbàwáng
From "酷" (, "cool"/"cruel") and "霸王" (bàwáng, "tyrant"/"despot"/"overlord"). "酷霸" (Kùbà) is also transliterated from the Japanese name, and used for the surname of the Koopalings[23]
酷霸[?]
Kùbà
since The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Chinese (traditional) 庫巴[?]
Kùbā
Transliteration of the Japanese name
Croatian Kralj Koopa[24] King Koopa cartoon series
Danish Konge Koopa[25] King Koopa cartoon series
Dutch Bowser[?] -
Koning Koopa[26] King Koopa cartoon series
French Bowser[?] -
Roi Koopa[27] cartoon series
German Bowser[28] -
König Koopa[29] King Koopa cartoon series
Greek Μπάουζερ[?]
Báouzer
Transliteration of the international name
Hebrew המלך קופה[30]
HaMelekh Kupa
King Koopa The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
באוזר[?]
Bauzer
Transliteration of the international name
Hungarian Koopa király[31] King Koopa DiC cartoons, 1993 Super Mario Bros. film
Italian Bowser[?] -
Re Attila[32] From Attila the Hun cartoon series
Korean 쿠파[?]
Kupa
Transliteration of the Japanese name
Norwegian Konge Koopa[33] King Koopa cartoon series
Polish Król Koopa[34] King Koopa cartoon series
Portuguese Bowser[35][36] -
Rei Koopa[37] King Koopa cartoon series
Romanian Regele Koopa[38] King Koopa The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World, most episodes
Regele Kooper[39] King Kooper
Bowser Koopa[40] - The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, ep. "Princess Toadstool for President"
Bowser[41] McDonald's Romania 2016 Happy Meal promotion, The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Russian Боузер[?]
Bouzer
Transliteration of the international name
Коро́ль Купа[42]
Koról' Kupa
King Koopa cartoon series
Slovenian Kralj Koopa[?] King Koopa
Spanish Bowser[?] -
Rey Koopa[43] King Koopa cartoon series
Swedish Kung Koopa[44] King Koopa cartoon series
Thai บาวเซอร์[45]
Bao-soe
Bowser

Trivia

  • An officially licensed 3D magnet of Bowser from 1997 erroneously refers to him as "Bouser".[46]

References

  1. ^ The Legend, Nintendo Comics System
  2. ^ Nintendo (September 14, 2015). Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2015. YouTube (American English). Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  3. ^ ファミ通.com ゲーム/スペシャル. Famitsu (Japanese). Archived October 10, 2000, 21:44:29 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  4. ^ September 13, 2022. 宮本茂さんに聞く“マリオたちの名前の由来”. Nintendo DREAM (Japanese). Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  5. ^ April 21, 2017. Supper Mario Broth (English).
  6. ^ a b Iwata Asks: Nintendo DSi, Volume 8 - Flipnote Studio - An Animation Class (part 4). Nintendo.com (American English). Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Andureau, William (December 6, 2018). Les confidences du dessinateur historique des personnages Nintendo. Le Monde. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  8. ^ Mandelin, Clyde (June 1, 2019). Tricky Translations #4: "I" & "Me" in Japanese. Legends of Localization (English). Retrieved May 28, 2024. (Archived May 28, 2024, 22:15:21 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  9. ^ "Bowser smiles at Wendy O., showing all 264 of his teeth." – McCay, Bill (August 1991). Koopa Capers. Simon and Schuster (American English). Page 97.
  10. ^ Black, Fletcher (November 9, 2007). Super Mario Galaxy PRIMA Official Game Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 978-0-7615-5643-5. Page 7.
  11. ^ Bowser's illustrations made by Yoichi Kotabe (GIF). Iwata Asks. Archived February 2, 2017, 01:57:43 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  12. ^ Super Mario Bros. 3 Japanese instruction booklet transcription on GeoCities. In the story section (pg. 4), they are called「自分子供コクッパ7兄弟」, and King Koopa's line (pg. 2) reads 「ワッハハ。これから俺様息子達がこのゲームの説明をするぜ。息子達うことをよーくいてせいぜいガンバルことだな。ワッハハ。」 Note Koopa's use of 「俺様息子たち」 (ore-sama no musuko-tachi), which equates to "my children" (or, literally, "my sons") while at the same time referring to himself in an extremely arrogant manner. The children are introduced with the phrase 「そして、これがコクッパ7兄弟だ!!」 (pg. 3). Larry (pg. 4), Morton (pg. 8) and Lemmy (pg. 34) refer to King Koopa as 「オヤジ」 (oyaji), which is both a Japanese word for "father" as well as a term of endearment.
  13. ^ Super Mario Bros. 3 English instruction booklet. In the story section (pg. 5), they are called "Bowser's 7 kids" and "his 7 children", and Bowser's line (pg. 3) reads "Ha Ha Ha! These are my 7 children that are going to help me take over the Mushroom World!" The children are introduced with the phrase "These are Bowser's kids!!" (pg. 4). Larry (pg. 5), Morton (pg. 9) and Lemmy (pg. 34) refer to Bowser as their father or dad.
  14. ^ 1991. Super Mario World instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 20Media:SMW NA Manual Pages 19 20.png (Mysterious Sunken Ship description).
  15. ^ Japanese card about the Koopalings in Super Mario World, in which they are referred to as 「クッパ大魔王の7息子たち。」, meaning "The seven children of the (demon/sorcerer) king Bowser."Media:Kokuppa SMB4 Card.jpg. Note that their name is written with 「7兄弟」 instead of 「7人衆」.
  16. ^ Back of the North American box of Yoshi's SafariMedia:SnesyoshissafariBack.jpg.
  17. ^ In Super Smash Bros. Melee, the first trophy of Bowser in Japanese refers to him as having 「7人のこども」Media:JSSBM Bowser Trophy.jpg.
  18. ^ "Bowser’s oldest Koopaling and second in command, he’s a real monster!" – Nintendo Power Volume 13. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 9.
  19. ^ 「長いたて髮をふり乱して襲ってくる、コクッパー族のリーダー・ルドウィッグ。」Super Mario Collection Nintendo Official Guidebook. Shogakukan (Japanese). Page 267.
  20. ^ 1994. 「クッパの仲間だ」. Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten (Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encycloepdia). Shogakukan (Japanese). Page 232.
  21. ^ Ryckert, Dan (September 10, 2015). "Mario's Creators Answer Burning Questions About The Series". Game Informer. Retrieved July 28, 2024. (Archived September 12, 2015, 01:13:21 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  22. ^ a b File:Charles Martinet and the Comical Laugh Pt 2.pngMedia:Charles Martinet and the Comical Laugh Pt 2.png
  23. ^ 无敌阿尔宙斯 (August 28, 2013). iQue's localization of Super Mario Advance 2. Baidu Tieba. (Archived December 4, 2020, 16:26:28 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  24. ^ Super Mario Bros 3 - Epizoda 6 - Nikada ne kupujte Koopa
  25. ^ The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (EP1 - Dansk - Den nærsynede fugl)
  26. ^ The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 Dutch Dub - Bedonder nooit een Koopa DVD (Part 1)
  27. ^ SUPER MARIO, LA SÉRIE ANIMÉE / Vive la propreté, Un coup de chaleur
  28. ^ Menold, Marcus, Claude M. Moyse, and Andreas G. Kämmerer, editors (1993). Der offizielle Nintendo Spieleberater "Super Mario World". Großostheim: Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). Page 20.
  29. ^ The Super Mario Bros Super Show! Folge 1 Sauberkeit ist alles / Der Vogel! Der Vogel!
  30. ^ האחים סופר מריו חלק 1
  31. ^ Super Mario kalandjai 1990 VHSRip
  32. ^ Super Mario bros super show ita 1x01 Vola!Vola!
  33. ^ The Super Mario Bros Super Show S01E01 - The Bird! The Bird!/Neatness Counts (Norsk Fox Kids)
  34. ^ Nowe Przygody Braci Mario Odcinek 01 - Wielkie podliwe i klamliwe Koopa Ninja
  35. ^ SUPER MARIO BROS - O FILME | Trailer Oficial (Universal Pictures) HD
  36. ^ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7PZmKYBMDs "SUPER MARIO BROS. O FILME" Trailer Oficial Dobrado 2 (Universal Pictures Portugal)
  37. ^ Super Mario Bros. Super Show! - Apresentação Conta / O Pássaro, O Pássaro! (Alta Qualidade)
  38. ^ KidsCo TV (December 10, 2017). Aventurile Fraților Super Mario | Episodul1- Ninja Koopa Uriași, Ticăloși, Vicleni Și Trișori. YouTube. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  39. ^ KidsCo (December 4, 2017). KidsCo promo for the DiC Super Mario cartoons. YouTube. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  40. ^ May 20, 2015. "Princess Toadstool for President", dubbed in Romanian by KidsCo. Odnoklassniki (OK.ru). Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  41. ^ McDonald's Romania 2016 Happy Meal promotionMedia:McDonaldsRomania2016Banner.jpg
  42. ^ Супершоу супербратьев Марио - 1 серия
  43. ^ Super Mario Brothers Super Show in Spanish / En Español- ¡El pájaro! ¡El pájaro! - Episode 1
  44. ^ Super Mario Bros Super Show - Episode 1 - Swedish
  45. ^ UIP Thailand (November 30, 2022). Thai version of the official trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie. YouTube. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  46. ^ wholesale_gaming_store (April 25, 2023). Official Nintendo 64 3D Magnet Bouser Vintage (1997) New Sealed Look 👀. eBay (English). Retrieved May 21, 2023. (Archived May 21, 2023, 21:14:38 UTC via Wayback Machine.)