Black Bowser

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Not to be confused with Dark Bowser.

“I have harnessed the power of the black paint! Nothing can stop me now!”

—Black Bowser, Paper Mario: Color Splash

Black Bowser (simply referred to in-game as Bowser) is the form Bowser took when he was possessed by Black Paint in Paper Mario: Color Splash. He acts as the final boss of the game.

History

At Port Prisma on Prism Island, various Toads were enjoying playing with the various colors of paint available. Bowser, who was looking from above, jumped into the rainbow-painted area in the middle of the Big Paint Stars with the intent of giving his shell a rainbow hue. However, his jumping around the paint caused him to inadvertently create black paint, which proceeded to possess Bowser (turning him into Black Bowser) into stealing the Big Paint Stars and ordering his minions to drain the island and its inhabitants of their color. As Black Bowser, he is far more malevolent and mean-spirited than normal, willing even to hurt Princess Peach out of annoyance.

After Mario and Huey retrieve the first Big Paint Star from Morton Koopa Jr. and return it to Port Prisma, Black Bowser appears and kidnaps Princess Peach, taking her to his castle on an airship.

Following the collection of the remaining Big Paint Stars, Mario and Huey go to Black Bowser's Castle via a kart ride from Luigi. Here, after overcoming some tribulations (including fighting Roy Koopa), Mario and Huey confront and eventually defeat Black Bowser, ridding him of the black paint and returning him to his normal self.

Battle Strategy

“Well, well, well. Mario! I must admit - I didn't think you'd make it this far.”

—Black Bowser, Paper Mario: Color Splash

Phase 1

In the first phase of the battle, Black Bowser's attacks against Mario involve breathing fire, jumping on Mario, and spinning inside his shell at Mario. All of these attacks can be blocked in order to decrease damage sustained with correct timing. As Mario attacks Black Bowser, the black paint will fall from him onto the ground, which can form into Black Lava Bubbles. If Mario fails to defeat them within one attack turn, they return to Black Bowser, restoring some of his HP. The first phase of the battle is completed when the black paint is completely removed from Bowser's head, temporarily reverting him back to his senses.

Phase 2

In the second phase of the battle, the black paint returns to Bowser and increases his size, making him more powerful. When Mario starts attacking him, Huey notices that the black paint just comes back to him. As a result, Huey turns himself into a card, allowing Mario to revert him to his 3D form. After this happens, Huey can contain the black paint blocked by Mario. In this phase of the battle, Black Bowser has a few extra attacks. He can now hit Mario with a giant black mallet and can throw a giant ball of black paint at Mario. When he loses enough HP, he initiates his final, most powerful attack. In so doing, he uses up all his black paint and his own paint to fire a massive black paint ball at Mario. If Mario is knocked out by the attack, he takes 120 damage and Bowser restores almost half of his HP. If Mario is not knocked out by the attack, Bowser is left on his shell, helpless. Mario can then hit him with any attack to end the battle and emerge victorious.