Bowser's Brother: Difference between revisions

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{{character infobox
{{about|the blue-colored Bowser, who appears in the [[Family Computer Disk System]] version of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''|the Bowser's minions transformed into fake versions of him and of Bowser|[[Fake Bowser]]}}
|image=[[File:SMB LL Bowser's Brother Artwork.png|250px]]<br>Artwork of Bowser's Brother from ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''
{{character-infobox
|species=[[Koopa (Bowser's species)|Koopa]]
|image=[[File:SMBTLL Blue Bowser.png|250px]]<br>Artwork of '''Blue Bowser''' from ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''.
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'' ([[List of games by date#1986|1986]])
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#1986|1986]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#2020|2020]])
|species=[[Koopa (species)#Bowser's species|Bowser's species]]
}}
}}
'''Blue Bowser''' (direct translation from the Japanese 「クッパ・アオ」) is a [[Koopa (species)#Bowser's species|member of Bowser's species]] who looks very similar to [[Bowser]], except for the brown and blue color of his skin and shell. He appears exclusively in the [[Family Computer Disk System]] version of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. While considered to be [[Bowser]]'s brother before the release of ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'',<ref name="SMCE" /><ref name="CSMGE" /> after his replacement with other characters indistinguishable from Bowser in said game the depiction of his identity changed over time, being first considered like a [[Fake Bowser]],<ref name="PEGMCE" /><ref name="Smash" /> then a blue-bodied Bowser whose identity is unknown.<ref name="ESMB" />
'''Bowser's Brother''',<ref name=PG>{{cite|page={{file link|Bowser's Brother Source.jpg|62}}|title=''Super Mario All-Stars'' Player's Guide|date=1993|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|quote='''BOWSER'S BROTHER''' ''You're in for a surprise. Bowser's got a twin.''}}</ref> also referred to as '''Fake Bowser (Blue)''',<ref name=EPortal>{{cite|language=en|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2/?lang=en|title=English ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' entry on the official Mario Portal|publisher=nintendo.co.jp|accessdate=June 5, 2024|archive=archive.today/2022.08.13-143518/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2/?lang=en}}</ref> is a character similar to [[Bowser]] who appears in ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. His [[#Identity|identity]] varies in supplemental material, which describes him either as Bowser's twin or a [[Impostor Bowser|fake Bowser]]. His most consistent characteristic is his bluish color, but this was removed in ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]''.<ref name=PEGMCE>{{cite|page={{file link|PEGMCE page 65.png|65}}|title=「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」(''Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten''|date=1994|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|quote=A fake Bowser appears in the Famicom version of Super Mario. Since his color is blue, you can tell at a glance that he's a fake, but unfortunately in Mario Collection he became the same green.}} while the two captions state "''Obviously fake blue Bowser.''" and "''He can't be distinguished from the real thing.''"</ref>
==History==
===''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''===
[[File:BowserBrotherSMBTLL.png|frame|left]]
Bowser's Brother makes his first appearance in the [[Family Computer Disk System]] version of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. There, he appears before the fight with Bowser in [[World 8-4 (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World 8-4]], where he tries to stop [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] by throwing [[hammer]]s at them and [[Bowser's Flame|breathing fire]]. He reappears alone in [[World 9-3 (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World 9-3]], but does not breathe fire.
 
While distinguished from [[Bowser]] by the color of his skin and shell (brown and deep cyan, respectively), defeating him with [[fireball]]s does not reveal him as one of Bowser's minions, making him distinct from the [[Impostor Bowser|fake Bowsers]]. In [[World D-4]], however, a fake version of him appears that only breathes fire, being revealed as a [[Spiny]] when defeated with fireballs.
 
''[[All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros.]]'' reuses World 8-4 and World D-4 from ''The Lost Levels'', so Bowser's Brother and his impostor also return.
 
Bowser's Brother returns in the ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' remake of ''The Lost Levels'', where he is colored identically to Bowser, though an unused color palette shows him with his blue color scheme, as well as magenta hair.<ref>TCRF. [[tcrf:Super Mario All-Stars#Unused Palettes|Super Mario All-Stars § Unused Palettes]]. ''The Cutting Room Floor''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> In World D-4, he replaces his impostor but does not breathe fire.
 
===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=horizontal
|footer=The eighth recolors of [[Bowser]], claimed to be Bowser's Brother
|image1=Bowser SSB4 Artwork - Blue.jpg
|alt1=
|width1=200
|caption1=''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''
|image2=Bowser Blue SSBU.png
|alt2=
|width2=200
|caption2=''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
}}
 
In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', the eighth costume of [[Bowser]] is said to be Bowser's Brother, referred to as a '''Bowser Impostor''',<ref name=Impostor/> in the tips. It replaces a similar-looking costume from previous games that has yellow hair and green limbs, likely based on Bowser's original artwork (though with the shell and skin colors swapped). If [[Princess Peach|Peach]]'s Classic Mode route in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', "No Damsel in Distress", is played with two players, the penultimate battle with Bowser has him accompanied by another Bowser using the eighth costume as a partner.
{{br}}
 
==Blue-colored versions of Bowser distinct from Bowser’s Brother==
Even though these blue-colored versions of [[Bowser]] likely affected the depiction of Bowser's Brother, they are not stated to be him.
 
===''Super Mario Bros.''===
In the original ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', the palette used for castle sections before the final boss battle causes an unintended consequence in which Bowser has the same blue coloration of Bowser's Brother. This is due to color of Bowser's skin and shell being obtained through a palette swap commonly used in castle sections of the game, except for the part where the [[axe]] is loaded. Because of this, standing near the end of a castle in a way so that Bowser is barely seen on the right-hand side of the screen causes him to appear dark shades of teal, but he will revert back to his correct colors if Mario or Luigi advances any further. The same graphical oversight can be seen in ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. Additionally, defeating a fake Bowser before his color change will result in the enemy acting as his true form to retain this color scheme (such as [[World 5-4 (Super Mario Bros.)|World 5-4]]'s fake Bowser becoming a [[Lakitu]] using the underground/castle color scheme). Similarly, in the Disk System version of the [[Minus World]], due to that level using the underwater color palette, causing all green enemies to turn gray, including the "green" [[Cheep Cheep|Cheep-cheep]]s, Bowser appears gray in his appearance in that version of World -1, based on [[World 1-3 (Super Mario Bros.)|World 1-3]].
 
===''Yoshi's Cookie'' (SNES)===
[[File:YCSNES-2PBowserVs.png|frame]]
In the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] release of ''[[Yoshi's Cookie]]'', Bowser takes on a blue-and-red palette as player two if Bowser is already player one.


==History==
===''Mario Golf'' (Nintendo 64)===
===''Super Mario'' series===
[[File:Mgbowser.png|thumb|200px|left|The different colorings of [[Bowser]] in ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]'']]
====''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''====
The second palette swap of [[Bowser]] in the [[Nintendo 64]] version of ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]'' features a blue skin and a blue shell. Contrary to what would happen in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', the shell and head have a lighter blue color than the skin.
[[File:SMBTLL Mario 8 4 Blue Bowser.png|thumb|[[Mario]] facing Blue Bowser in [[World 8 (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World 8-4]] of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''.]]
The only game so far that actually features Blue Bowser is the [[Family Computer Disk System]] version of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. There, he appears in both World 8-4 and World 9-3. He tries to stop [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] both by throwing hammers at them and by breathing fire.
[[File:SMBLL World D-4 Bowser Imposter.png|thumb|left|[[Mario]] facing the fake Blue Bowser in [[World D (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World D-4]] of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''.]]
While distinguished from [[Bowser]] through the color of his skin and shell, when defeated with fireballs he does not turn into one of Bowser's minions, revealing his actual identity as a [[Koopa (species)#Bowser's species|member of Bowser's species]], distinct from that of the [[Fake Bowser]]s.<ref>NitnendoComplete (September 1, 2013). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj-U1ggYRKw Super Mario Bros. 2 (The Lost Levels) Famicom Playthrough - NintendoComplete]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved March 24, 2017. Blue Bowser is defeated with fireballs both in the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj-U1ggYRKw?t=2813 fight on World 8-4] and in the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj-U1ggYRKw?t=3291 fight in World 9-3].</ref> On World D-4, a fake version of him appears that only breathes fire and, when defeated with fireballs, is revealed to be a [[Spiny]].<ref>World of Longplays (November 17, 2010). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5apu4ML9Wto?t=5792 NES Longplay <nowiki>[</nowiki>070<nowiki>]</nowiki> Super Mario Bros. 2 (Japan)]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved March 24, 2017.</ref>


[[File:World 9-3.PNG|thumb|The character replacing Blue Bowser in [[World 9 (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World 9-3]] of the ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' version of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''.]]
===''Mario Tennis'' (Nintendo 64)===
The color of his skin and shell are actually obtained through a palette swap commonly used in castle sections of the game, except for the parts in which the boss is fought. In the ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' version of the game, on the other hand, Blue Bowser is not featured and only characters who look identical to Bowser appear in World 8-4, 9-3, and also D-4.<ref>MasterOfHyrule (June 2, 2013). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQWywR3Oce8 Unmasking The Fake Bowsers in Super Mario Bros 2 / The Lost Levels (Super Mario All Stars on SNES)]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved March 24, 2017.</ref>
[[File:Bowser Colors.png|thumb|200px|The second color of [[Bowser]] in ''[[Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)|Mario Tennis]]'']]
In the Nintendo 64 version of ''[[Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)|Mario Tennis]]'', one of [[Bowser]]'s palette swaps features the same blue colors seen in ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]''.
{{br|left}}
{{br|left}}


===''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''===
==Identity==
[[File:Bowser SSB4 Artwork - Blue.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The eighth recolor of [[Bowser]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''.]]
The character was initially mentioned as the first/fake<ref>{{file link|FCCVD 7 page 50.png|Page 50}} of「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑦スーパーマリオブラザーズ2」(''Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2'', or "''Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2''") refers to the blue Bowser as「1{{ruby|匹|ぴき}}めのクッパ」(''the first Bowser''), also noting that he isn't the real Bowser:「こいつ{{ruby|真|しん}}のクッパではない。」</ref> or first/blue<ref>{{file link|FCCVD 11 page 62.png|Page 62}} of「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑪スーパーマリオブラザーズ1&2神わざ大全集」(''Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Kami Waza Taizenshū'', or "''Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Great Complete Work on Miracles/Glitches''").「1{{ruby|匹|ぴき}}めのクッパはむりして{{ruby|倒|たお}}さなくていいよ!ワールド8-4と{{ruby|D|ディー}}-4には、クッパが2{{ruby|匹出|ひきで}}てする。そのうちの1{{ruby|匹|ぴき}}めは,{{ruby|青|あお}}いクッパなんだけど」(''It's ok if you try hard but don't defeat the first Bowser. In Worlds 8-4 and D-4, Bowser appears twice. The first of those is the blue Bowser''...)</ref> [[Bowser]] in the Japanese guides for ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'', which do not specify his relationship to Bowser besides one suggesting that he is not his twin.<ref name=UT>{{file link|SMB2GCWST pages 88 89.png|Page 89}} of「スーパマリオブラザーズ2<裏ワザ大全集>」(''Super Mario Bros. 2 < Urawaza Taizenshū >'', or "''Super Mario Bros. 2 Great Complete Work on Secret Tricks''") has the paragraph:「おお一つと!またグッバがいた。ということは、{{ruby|大魔王|だいまおう}}クッパはふたごだったのか、なんちゃって。アホ。」(''Oh! Bowser is here again. That is to say, the Great Demon King Bowser is actually a TWIN, not! Idiot.'') Note that the author is mocking the reader for believing that Bowser has a twin.</ref> In the character books released in the 1990s before ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'', the blue Bowser is described as being either Bowser's first<ref>{{file link|CSMGE page 155.png|Page 155}} of「全スーパーマリオ大百科」(''Zen Super Mario Ōhyakka'', or "''Complete Super Mario Great Encyclopedia''") states of the blue Bowser:「クッパ{{ruby|兄弟|きょうだい}}の1{{ruby|匹目|ぴきめ}}はよけろ!」(''The first of the Bowser brothers!'')</ref> or younger<ref name=SMCE>{{file link|SMCE pages 144 145.png|Page 144}} of「スーパーマリオ{{ruby|全百科|オールひゃっか}}」(''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', or "''Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia''"). The blue Bowser is referred to as「クッパブラザーズの{{ruby|弟|おとうと}}」(''the younger of the Bowser brothers''). The page also states「クッパの{{ruby|弟|おとうと}}だ」(''He's Bowser's younger brother'').</ref><ref>On {{file link|SMBD page 36.png|page 36}} of「スーパーマリオ{{ruby|大図鑑|だいずかん}}」(''Super Mario Bros. Daizukan'', or "''Super Mario Great Picture Book''") [[Dr. Mario]] states:「『マリオ2』ではクッパの{{ruby|弟|おとうと}}が{{ruby|影武者|かげむしゃ}}だったクッパとおなじ{{ruby|力|ちから}}をもった{{ruby|強敵|きょうてき}}だったぞ!」(''In "Mario 2", Bowser's little brother was a strong enemy who had the same strength as Bowser's body doubles.'')</ref> brother. ''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', a book written in collaboration with [[Nintendo]], describes him as part of the「{{ruby|王族|おうぞく}}」(''Ō-zoku'', literally "King Tribe") and thus a leader of [[Bowser's Minions]] and member of Bowser's royal family, along with the [[Koopalings]] and Bowser himself.<ref name=SMCE/><ref>On {{file link|SMCE pages 88 89.png|page 89}} of「スーパーマリオ{{ruby|全百科|オールひゃっか}}」(''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', or "''Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia''") the「{{ruby|王族|おうぞく}}」term, meaning ''King Tribe'', is given the following explanation:「クッパ{{ruby|軍団|ぐんだん}}を{{ruby|統率|とうそつ}}する{{ruby|王家|おうけ}}の{{ruby|面々|めんめん}}。クッパ、コクッパがこれにあたる。」(''Every member of the royal family that leads the Bowser army corps. Bowser and the Koopalings apply here.'')</ref> Due to his recoloring from blue to green in ''Super Mario All-Stars'', he is not considered a distinct character from [[Impostor Bowser|fake Bowsers]] in the Japanese official guide book.<ref>On {{file link|SMC NOG page 92.png|page 92}} of the ''Nintendo Official Guidebook'' of ''Super Mario Collection'', the blue Bowser is referred to as「ニセクッパ」(''Fake Bowser'').</ref> Contradicting one of the original Japanese guides for ''The Lost Levels'' (which suggested that he was not a twin),<ref name=UT/> the ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' guide for ''Super Mario All-Stars'' refers to him as "Bowser's Brother" and states "Bowser's got a twin" in reference to him.<ref name=PG/> After the release of ''Super Mario All-Stars'', he was referred to as a fake Bowser,<ref name=PEGMCE/> except in the [[Prima Games]] guide for ''[[Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]]'', where he is again considered Bowser's brother.<ref>{{cite|language=en-us|author=Cain, Christine|title=''Super Mario Bros. Deluxe'' Prima's Official Strategy Guide|page=71|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|date=1999|isbn=0-7615-2190-9|quote=Look out! Bowser has a Hammer-throwing brother, and he’s here to stop you from getting to the end. If you’ve got fireballs, use ʻem. Otherwise ...}}</ref> In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', a tip suggests that the blue Bowser is a fake in both the Japanese and English versions.<ref>「にせクッパ!? 『スーパーマリオブラザーズ2』には、青いクッパが登場する。倒すとその先にいつもの緑のクッパがいる。『スマブラ』では8Pカラーで青いクッパになる。」(''Fake Bowser!? In Super Mario Bros. 2, a blue Bowser appears. Defeat him and beyond is the usual green Bowser. In Smash Bros., the 8P color is the blue-colored Bowser.'') - ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' Tips.</ref><ref name=Impostor>{{cite|quote=A Bowser Impostor?! In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!|title=''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''|author=[[smashwiki:Tips|Tips]]}}</ref> ''Super Mario Pia'', a memorial book also written in collaboration with Nintendo, depicts the blue Bowser as a particular fake Bowser.<ref name=SMP>On {{file link|SMP Blue Bowser.png|page 22}} of「スーパーマリオぴあ」(''Super Mario Pia''), the blue Bowser is labeled as「ニセクッパ」(''Fake Bowser'') while still stressing his body being blue.</ref> ''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros.]]'', which was released around the same time, distinguishes him from fake Bowsers<ref name=ESMBdesc>Page 27 of「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」(''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book'', or "''Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book''")</ref> but states that his identity is unknown.<ref>Page 30 of「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」(''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book'', or "''Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book''").「謎の青いクッパ! W8-4でクツパと対決する直前、体の青いクッパと戦うことになる。クッパと同等の能力を持つが、その正体は不明。W9-3とWD-4にも登場する。」(''Mysterious Blue Bowser! In W8-4 just before confronting Bowser, a blue-bodied Bowser must be fought. He has the same abilities as Bowser, but his true identity is unknown. He also appears in W9-3 and WD-4.'')</ref> His name on the Japanese Mario Portal website similarly identifies him as a blue Bowser,<ref name=EPortalOriginal>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2|title=Original ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' entry on the official Mario Portal|publisher=nintendo.co.jp|language=ja|accessdate=June 5, 2024|archive=archive.today/2021.07.21-092101/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2/}}</ref> while the English version names him as a blue fake Bowser.<ref name=EPortal/>
While ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' does not actually feature Blue Bowser, the eighth recolor of Bowser is said to be inspired by him.<ref name=Smash>"''A Bowser Impostor?! In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!''" - ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' Tips</ref>
 
==Profiles==
===''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' / ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' tip===
*"'''''A Bowser Impostor?!''' – In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!''"
 
==List of appearances==
{{appearances list
|title1=''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''
|role1=Secondary antagonist, mini-boss
|release1=1986
|format1=[[Family Computer Disk System]]
|title2=''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]''
|role2=Mini-boss in ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' remake
|release2=1993
|format2=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]
|title3=''[[Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World]]''
|role3=Mini-boss in ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' remake
|release3=1994
|format3=SNES
|title4=''[[Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]]''
|role4=Mini-boss in ''Super Mario Bros. for Super Players''
|release4=1999
|format4=[[Game Boy Color]]
|title5=''[[Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition]]''
|role5=Mini-boss in ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' remake
|release5=2010
|format5=[[Wii]]
|title6=''[[Super Smash Bros. for 3DS]]''
|role6=Costume
|release6=2014
|format6=[[Nintendo 3DS]]
|title7=''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''
|role7=Costume
|release7=2014
|format7=[[Wii U]]
|title8=''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
|role8=Costume
|release8=2018
|format8=[[Nintendo Switch]]
|title9=''[[Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.]]''
|role9=Mini-boss in ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' port
|release9=2020
|format9=[[Game & Watch]]
}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
NES LL 8-4 Bowser's Brother Screenshot.png|[[Fire Mario]] facing Bowser's Brother in [[World 8-4 (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World 8-4]] of ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''
SMBLL World 9-3 Bowser's Brother.png|Bowser's Brother in [[World 9-3 (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World 9-3]] of ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''
SMBLL World D-4 Bowser Imposter.png|[[Impostor Bowser|Fake]] Bowser's Brother in [[World D-4]] of ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''. It is revealed to be a Spiny if defeated with fireballs.
SMBDX Blue Bowser.png|Luigi facing Bowser's Brother in the ''[[Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]]'' version of ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' (referred to in this game as "''Super Mario Bros. For Super Players''")
SMAS SMBTLL Blue Bowser.png|Fire Mario facing the recolored Bowser's Brother in the ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' version of ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''
SMAS Bowser's Brother.gif|Unused palette in ''Super Mario All-Stars''
</gallery>
 
==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=クッパ・アオ<ref name=SMCE/>
|JapR=Kuppa Ao
|JapM=Blue Bowser
|Jap2=ニセクッパ<ref name=SMP/>
|Jap2R=Nise Kuppa
|Jap2M=Fake Bowser
|Jap3=クッパ(青)<ref name=ESMBdesc/><ref name=EPortalOriginal/>
|Jap3R=Kuppa (Ao)
|Jap3M=Bowser (Blue)
|Ger=Bowser (blau)<ref>{{cite|page=27|title=''Super Mario Encyclopedia – Die ersten 30 Jahre''}}</ref>
|GerM=Bowser (blue)
|Spa=Bowser azul<ref>{{cite|page=27|title=''Enciclopedia Super Mario Bros 30ª Aniversario''}}</ref>
|SpaM=Blue Bowser
|Ita=Bowser Blu<ref>{{cite|date=November 15, 2018|title=''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia]]''|publisher=Magazzini Salani|language=it|isbn=889367436X|page=27}}</ref>
|ItaM=Blue Bowser
}}
 
==Trivia==
[[File:Bowser and Peach original SMB.png|thumb|Bowser art for ''Super Mario Bros.'']]
*Due to his bluish coloration, Bowser's Brother resembles [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]'s original blue depiction of Bowser in artwork for ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', prior to the character's redesign in artwork for ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''.
*An event in the now-defunct mobile game ''[[miiwiki:Miitomo|Miitomo]]'' to celebrate the launch of ''[[Super Mario Run]]'' featured a Miitomo Drop minigame known as "Super Mario Run! Princess Peach & Bowser Style", with one of the prizes being a Bowser costume for [[Mii]]s to wear that has the color scheme of Bowser's Brother.
*Bowser's Brother was available as a purchasable icon for 10 Platinum Points in the Nintendo Switch Online app from July 1, 2024, to August 5, 2024, for players who played ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' on [[Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online]].<ref>[https://x.com/IconsNSO/status/1807945782827315531 ''NSO Icons Alert'']. ''X.com'' Retrieved August 11, 2024.</ref>
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{{br}}
==Family relationship==
Before the release of ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'', books related to ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'' described Blue Bowser as being [[Bowser]]'s brother,<ref name="SMCE">{{media link|SMCE pages 144 145.png|Page 144 of the ''Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia'' (「スーパーマリオ<span class=explain title="オールひゃっか">全百科</span>」)}}.</ref><ref name="CSMGE">{{media link|CSMGE page 155.png|Page 155 of the ''Complete Super Mario Great Encyclopedia'' (「全スーパーマリオ大百科」)}}.</ref> with the ''Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia'' specifically indicating him as Bowser's younger brother and a member of his ''Royal Family'', along with the [[Koopalings]] and Bowser himself.<ref name="SMCE" /> After the release of ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' and his replacement with characters who look identical to Bowser, he started being considered akin to a [[Fake Bowser]]<ref name="PEGMCE">{{media link|PEGMCE pages 64 65.jpg|Page 65 of the ''Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia'' (「マリオキャラクター大事典 パーフェクト版」)}}.</ref> and no longer a member of Bowser's Royal Family.<ref name="SMGPB">{{media link|SMBD pages 34 35.png|An excerpt of pages 34 and 35 of the ''Super Mario Great Picture Book'' (「スーパーマリオ<span class=explain title="だいずかん">大図鑑</span>」)}}.</ref> This depiction is confirmed as well in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''.<ref name="Smash">"''A Bowser Impostor?! In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!''" - ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' Tips</ref> Importantly, due to his absence from ''Super Mario All-Stars'', no Japanese ''Nintendo Official Guidebook'' ever mentioned him until the release of the ''[[Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros.]]''. There, he is clearly distinguished from Fake Bowsers,<ref>Page 27 of the ''[[Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros.]]''.</ref> but his identity is stated to be unknown, leaving his current relationship with Bowser unexplained.<ref name="ESMB">Page 30 of the ''[[Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros.]]'' states 「謎の青いクッパ! W8-4でクツパと対決する直前、体の青いクッパと戦うことになる。クッパと同等の能力を持つが、その正体は不明。W9-3とWD-4にも登場する。」, which translates to ''Mysterious Blue Bowser! In W8-4 just before confronting Bowser, a blue-bodied Bowser must be fought. He has the same abilities as Bowser, but his true identity is unknown. He also appears in W9-3 and WD-4.''.</ref>


==References==
==References==
<references />
<references/>


{{Bowser's family}}
{{Koopas}}
{{SMB}}
{{SMB}}
{{Koopas}}
[[Category:Koopas]]
[[Category:Bowser Doppelgängers]]
[[Category:Bowser lookalikes]]
[[Category:Fire creatures]]
[[Category:Bosses]]
[[Category:Bosses]]
[[Category:Clones]]
[[Category:Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels enemies]]
[[Category:Fire Creatures]]
[[it:Bowser Blu]]
[[Category:Koopa Troop]]
[[Category:Reptiles and Amphibians]]
[[Category:Super Mario Bros. Enemies]]
[[Category:Villains]]

Latest revision as of 11:47, November 2, 2024

Bowser's Brother
Artwork of Bowser's Brother from the Family Computer Disk System version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.
Artwork of Bowser's Brother from Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Species Koopa
First appearance Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986)
Latest appearance Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. (2020)

Bowser's Brother,[1] also referred to as Fake Bowser (Blue),[2] is a character similar to Bowser who appears in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. His identity varies in supplemental material, which describes him either as Bowser's twin or a fake Bowser. His most consistent characteristic is his bluish color, but this was removed in Super Mario All-Stars.[3]

History[edit]

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels[edit]

BowserBrotherSMBTLL.png

Bowser's Brother makes his first appearance in the Family Computer Disk System version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. There, he appears before the fight with Bowser in World 8-4, where he tries to stop Mario or Luigi by throwing hammers at them and breathing fire. He reappears alone in World 9-3, but does not breathe fire.

While distinguished from Bowser by the color of his skin and shell (brown and deep cyan, respectively), defeating him with fireballs does not reveal him as one of Bowser's minions, making him distinct from the fake Bowsers. In World D-4, however, a fake version of him appears that only breathes fire, being revealed as a Spiny when defeated with fireballs.

All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros. reuses World 8-4 and World D-4 from The Lost Levels, so Bowser's Brother and his impostor also return.

Bowser's Brother returns in the Super Mario All-Stars remake of The Lost Levels, where he is colored identically to Bowser, though an unused color palette shows him with his blue color scheme, as well as magenta hair.[4] In World D-4, he replaces his impostor but does not breathe fire.

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

The eighth recolors of Bowser, claimed to be Bowser's Brother

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the eighth costume of Bowser is said to be Bowser's Brother, referred to as a Bowser Impostor,[5] in the tips. It replaces a similar-looking costume from previous games that has yellow hair and green limbs, likely based on Bowser's original artwork (though with the shell and skin colors swapped). If Peach's Classic Mode route in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, "No Damsel in Distress", is played with two players, the penultimate battle with Bowser has him accompanied by another Bowser using the eighth costume as a partner.

Blue-colored versions of Bowser distinct from Bowser’s Brother[edit]

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

Super Mario Bros.[edit]

In the original Super Mario Bros., the palette used for castle sections before the final boss battle causes an unintended consequence in which Bowser has the same blue coloration of Bowser's Brother. This is due to color of Bowser's skin and shell being obtained through a palette swap commonly used in castle sections of the game, except for the part where the axe is loaded. Because of this, standing near the end of a castle in a way so that Bowser is barely seen on the right-hand side of the screen causes him to appear dark shades of teal, but he will revert back to his correct colors if Mario or Luigi advances any further. The same graphical oversight can be seen in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Additionally, defeating a fake Bowser before his color change will result in the enemy acting as his true form to retain this color scheme (such as World 5-4's fake Bowser becoming a Lakitu using the underground/castle color scheme). Similarly, in the Disk System version of the Minus World, due to that level using the underwater color palette, causing all green enemies to turn gray, including the "green" Cheep-cheeps, Bowser appears gray in his appearance in that version of World -1, based on World 1-3.

Yoshi's Cookie (SNES)[edit]

Sprite of Bowser's alternate costume in Versus Mode, from the SNES version of Yoshi's Cookie.

In the Super Nintendo Entertainment System release of Yoshi's Cookie, Bowser takes on a blue-and-red palette as player two if Bowser is already player one.

Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)[edit]

The different colorings of Bowser in Mario Golf

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

Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)[edit]

Bowser and his alternate costume from Mario Tennis in the Tiebreaker mode.
The second color of Bowser in Mario Tennis

In the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis, one of Bowser's palette swaps features the same blue colors seen in Mario Golf.

Identity[edit]

The character was initially mentioned as the first/fake[6] or first/blue[7] Bowser in the Japanese guides for Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, which do not specify his relationship to Bowser besides one suggesting that he is not his twin.[8] In the character books released in the 1990s before Super Mario All-Stars, the blue Bowser is described as being either Bowser's first[9] or younger[10][11] brother. Super Mario Zen Hyakka, a book written in collaboration with Nintendo, describes him as part of the「王族おうぞく」(Ō-zoku, literally "King Tribe") and thus a leader of Bowser's Minions and member of Bowser's royal family, along with the Koopalings and Bowser himself.[10][12] Due to his recoloring from blue to green in Super Mario All-Stars, he is not considered a distinct character from fake Bowsers in the Japanese official guide book.[13] Contradicting one of the original Japanese guides for The Lost Levels (which suggested that he was not a twin),[8] the Nintendo Power guide for Super Mario All-Stars refers to him as "Bowser's Brother" and states "Bowser's got a twin" in reference to him.[1] After the release of Super Mario All-Stars, he was referred to as a fake Bowser,[3] except in the Prima Games guide for Super Mario Bros. Deluxe, where he is again considered Bowser's brother.[14] In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a tip suggests that the blue Bowser is a fake in both the Japanese and English versions.[15][5] Super Mario Pia, a memorial book also written in collaboration with Nintendo, depicts the blue Bowser as a particular fake Bowser.[16] Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros., which was released around the same time, distinguishes him from fake Bowsers[17] but states that his identity is unknown.[18] His name on the Japanese Mario Portal website similarly identifies him as a blue Bowser,[19] while the English version names him as a blue fake Bowser.[2]

Profiles[edit]

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tip[edit]

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

List of appearances[edit]

# Title Role Release date Format

1 Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Secondary antagonist, mini-boss 1986 Family Computer Disk System
2 Super Mario All-Stars Mini-boss in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels remake 1993 SNES
3 Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World Mini-boss in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels remake 1994 SNES
4 Super Mario Bros. Deluxe Mini-boss in Super Mario Bros. for Super Players 1999 Game Boy Color
5 Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition Mini-boss in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels remake 2010 Wii
6 Super Smash Bros. for 3DS Costume 2014 Nintendo 3DS
7 Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Costume 2014 Wii U
8 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Costume 2018 Nintendo Switch
9 Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. Mini-boss in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels port 2020 Game & Watch

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese クッパ・アオ[10]
Kuppa Ao
Blue Bowser
ニセクッパ[16]
Nise Kuppa
Fake Bowser
クッパ(青)[17][19]
Kuppa (Ao)
Bowser (Blue)
German Bowser (blau)[20] Bowser (blue)
Italian Bowser Blu[22] Blue Bowser
Spanish Bowser azul[21] Blue Bowser

Trivia[edit]

Bowser with captured Princess Toadstool, as they were originally depicted. A Koopa Paratroopa and two mushroom retainers are also seen.
Bowser art for Super Mario Bros.
  • Due to his bluish coloration, Bowser's Brother resembles Shigeru Miyamoto's original blue depiction of Bowser in artwork for Super Mario Bros., prior to the character's redesign in artwork for Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.
  • An event in the now-defunct mobile game Miitomo to celebrate the launch of Super Mario Run featured a Miitomo Drop minigame known as "Super Mario Run! Princess Peach & Bowser Style", with one of the prizes being a Bowser costume for Miis to wear that has the color scheme of Bowser's Brother.
  • Bowser's Brother was available as a purchasable icon for 10 Platinum Points in the Nintendo Switch Online app from July 1, 2024, to August 5, 2024, for players who played Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels on Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online.[23]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "BOWSER'S BROTHER You're in for a surprise. Bowser's got a twin." – 1993. Super Mario All-Stars Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 62Media:Bowser's Brother Source.jpg.
  2. ^ a b English Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels entry on the official Mario Portal. nintendo.co.jp (English). Retrieved June 5, 2024. (Archived August 13, 2022, 14:35:18 UTC via archive.today.)
  3. ^ a b "A fake Bowser appears in the Famicom version of Super Mario. Since his color is blue, you can tell at a glance that he's a fake, but unfortunately in Mario Collection he became the same green." – 1994. 「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」(Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten. Shogakukan. Page 65Media:PEGMCE page 65.png. while the two captions state "Obviously fake blue Bowser." and "He can't be distinguished from the real thing."
  4. ^ TCRF. Super Mario All-Stars § Unused Palettes. The Cutting Room Floor. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "A Bowser Impostor?! In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!" – Tips. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
  6. ^ Page 50Media:FCCVD 7 page 50.png of「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑦スーパーマリオブラザーズ2」(Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2, or "Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2") refers to the blue Bowser as「1ぴきめのクッパ」(the first Bowser), also noting that he isn't the real Bowser:「こいつしんのクッパではない。」
  7. ^ Page 62Media:FCCVD 11 page 62.png of「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑪スーパーマリオブラザーズ1&2神わざ大全集」(Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Kami Waza Taizenshū, or "Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Great Complete Work on Miracles/Glitches").「1ぴきめのクッパはむりしてたおさなくていいよ!ワールド8-4とDディー-4には、クッパが2匹出ひきでてする。そのうちの1ぴきめは,あおいクッパなんだけど」(It's ok if you try hard but don't defeat the first Bowser. In Worlds 8-4 and D-4, Bowser appears twice. The first of those is the blue Bowser...)
  8. ^ a b Page 89Media:SMB2GCWST pages 88 89.png of「スーパマリオブラザーズ2<裏ワザ大全集>」(Super Mario Bros. 2 < Urawaza Taizenshū >, or "Super Mario Bros. 2 Great Complete Work on Secret Tricks") has the paragraph:「おお一つと!またグッバがいた。ということは、大魔王だいまおうクッパはふたごだったのか、なんちゃって。アホ。」(Oh! Bowser is here again. That is to say, the Great Demon King Bowser is actually a TWIN, not! Idiot.) Note that the author is mocking the reader for believing that Bowser has a twin.
  9. ^ Page 155Media:CSMGE page 155.png of「全スーパーマリオ大百科」(Zen Super Mario Ōhyakka, or "Complete Super Mario Great Encyclopedia") states of the blue Bowser:「クッパ兄弟きょうだいの1匹目ぴきめはよけろ!」(The first of the Bowser brothers!)
  10. ^ a b c Page 144Media:SMCE pages 144 145.png of「スーパーマリオ全百科オールひゃっか」(Super Mario Zen Hyakka, or "Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia"). The blue Bowser is referred to as「クッパブラザーズのおとうと」(the younger of the Bowser brothers). The page also states「クッパのおとうとだ」(He's Bowser's younger brother).
  11. ^ On page 36Media:SMBD page 36.png of「スーパーマリオ大図鑑だいずかん」(Super Mario Bros. Daizukan, or "Super Mario Great Picture Book") Dr. Mario states:「『マリオ2』ではクッパのおとうと影武者かげむしゃだったクッパとおなじちからをもった強敵きょうてきだったぞ!」(In "Mario 2", Bowser's little brother was a strong enemy who had the same strength as Bowser's body doubles.)
  12. ^ On page 89Media:SMCE pages 88 89.png of「スーパーマリオ全百科オールひゃっか」(Super Mario Zen Hyakka, or "Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia") the「王族おうぞく」term, meaning King Tribe, is given the following explanation:「クッパ軍団ぐんだん統率とうそつする王家おうけ面々めんめん。クッパ、コクッパがこれにあたる。」(Every member of the royal family that leads the Bowser army corps. Bowser and the Koopalings apply here.)
  13. ^ On page 92Media:SMC NOG page 92.png of the Nintendo Official Guidebook of Super Mario Collection, the blue Bowser is referred to as「ニセクッパ」(Fake Bowser).
  14. ^ "Look out! Bowser has a Hammer-throwing brother, and he’s here to stop you from getting to the end. If you’ve got fireballs, use ʻem. Otherwise ..." – Cain, Christine (1999). Super Mario Bros. Deluxe Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 0-7615-2190-9. Page 71.
  15. ^ 「にせクッパ!? 『スーパーマリオブラザーズ2』には、青いクッパが登場する。倒すとその先にいつもの緑のクッパがいる。『スマブラ』では8Pカラーで青いクッパになる。」(Fake Bowser!? In Super Mario Bros. 2, a blue Bowser appears. Defeat him and beyond is the usual green Bowser. In Smash Bros., the 8P color is the blue-colored Bowser.) - Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Tips.
  16. ^ a b On page 22Media:SMP Blue Bowser.png of「スーパーマリオぴあ」(Super Mario Pia), the blue Bowser is labeled as「ニセクッパ」(Fake Bowser) while still stressing his body being blue.
  17. ^ a b Page 27 of「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」(Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book, or "Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book")
  18. ^ Page 30 of「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」(Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book, or "Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book").「謎の青いクッパ! W8-4でクツパと対決する直前、体の青いクッパと戦うことになる。クッパと同等の能力を持つが、その正体は不明。W9-3とWD-4にも登場する。」(Mysterious Blue Bowser! In W8-4 just before confronting Bowser, a blue-bodied Bowser must be fought. He has the same abilities as Bowser, but his true identity is unknown. He also appears in W9-3 and WD-4.)
  19. ^ a b Original Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels entry on the official Mario Portal. nintendo.co.jp (Japanese). Retrieved June 5, 2024. (Archived July 21, 2021, 09:21:01 UTC via archive.today.)
  20. ^ Super Mario Encyclopedia – Die ersten 30 Jahre. Page 27.
  21. ^ Enciclopedia Super Mario Bros 30ª Aniversario. Page 27.
  22. ^ November 15, 2018. Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia. Magazzini Salani (Italian). ISBN 889367436X. Page 27.
  23. ^ NSO Icons Alert. X.com Retrieved August 11, 2024.