Giant Bowser
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- This article is about Bowser's giant form. For Bowser's inconsistent size across games, see Bowser § Size.
Super Bowser[1][2] is an enormous form Bowser takes in many games in the Mario franchise. He often serves as the final boss of a game.
Though Super Bowser's size has stayed roughly the same across the franchise, the method used to enlarge him is inconsistent, though it almost always occurs with outside help and when Bowser is in a life-threatening situation. For example, in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Kamek enlarges Bowser after he falls into lava.
History
Super Mario series
Super Mario Sunshine
- “Mario! How dare you disturb my family vacation?!”
- —Super Bowser, Super Mario Sunshine
Super Bowser appears as the final boss of Super Mario Sunshine alongside Bowser Jr.. Super Bowser is first seen sitting an enormous hot tub full of green goop with Bowser Jr. and Princess Peach. Mario appears and is shocked to see Bowser so much larger than normal. Bowser then roars at Mario for ruining his "family vacation" and the battle begins.
Super Bowser attacks by breathing streams of purple fire and shaking the hot tub to splash slime at Mario. Bowser Jr. assists by shooting Bullet Bills from his ship. To defeat them, Mario must use F.L.U.D.D.'s rocket nozzle to ground pound all five points of the star-shaped tub. Each time he does so, the point will fall apart and Mario must use the debris to make it back up to the tub's rim. After all five points are hit, the tub flips over, dumping everyone in it out.
Bowser is later seen returned to normal size sitting on top of the upside-down tub next to Bowser Jr. Guiltily, he starts to tell him that he lied about Peach being Junior's mother, but discovers that his son already knows. Junior then tells his father that he wants to fight Mario again one day, which improves Bowser's mood. He comments that the royal Koopaline is still strong, but suggests that they both rest a bit.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
At the end of World 8-
Bowser's Castle in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Mario encounters Bowser on a bridge. Mario gets past Bowser and hits a switch that destroys the bridge, sending Bowser plummeting into the lava below. Mario then turns his attention to what appears to be Princess Peach in a cage above. The "princess", however, reveals "herself" to be Kamek in disguise. The Magikoopa proceeds to spread magic dust into the lava, which begins to rumble and boil. When nothing happens, Kamek looks quizzically at the lava, when Super Bowser bursts out of the pool, knocking Kamek away, and roars at Mario, initiating the final boss battle.
In order to defeat Super Bowser, Mario must make his way through a labyrinth, allowing Super Bowser's fireballs and claw swipes to destroy structures blocking his path. Some ? Blocks, Coins and Goombas appear in this section. Eventually, Mario will reach a new section composed of floating platform. A Propeller Mushroom may be collected at the beginning of the section. Bowser will use a new attack here, pounding the lava to send waves at Mario. Mario will soon reach another, larger switch, which sits below the real Princess Peach's cage. Hitting the switch will destroy the floor and cause Super Bowser to fall, thus defeating him and completing the game.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
- “I'm HUUUUGE! Even scarier up close, huh?”
- —Super Bowser, Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Bowser appears as the main antagonist of Super Mario Galaxy 2, in which he grows by means of eating Grand Stars. At the beginning of the game, he terrorizes Toad Town and kidnaps Princess Peach, taunts Mario by saying that he will have Peach bake him a huge cake, then flies into space to create his own galaxy at the center of the universe.
Super Bowser is fought three times throughout the game. The first fight takes place in Bowser's Lava Lair, in the mission Bowser's Big Lava Power Party. Bowser is seen sitting on a large throne before he pulls Mario to a planetoid to fight. In battle, Super Bowser will attempt to punch Mario, with the spot his fist will land marked by a light. Each time he punches, his fist will get temporarily stuck in the planet. He will also summon meteorites to smash into the planetoid. To defeat him, Mario must wait or Bowser to punch, causing any meteorites to rise and glow yellow. Mario can then jump onto one and ground pound it at Super Bowser. After this is done twice, Bowser will get angry. The battle continues as before, but Super Bowser now uses a new attack, breathing fire around the planet. After he is hit twice more, for a total of four hits, Super Bowser coughs up a Grand Star and shrinks down to normal size. Bowser allows a few moments to taunt Mario before teleporting away.
The second fight is in Bowser's Gravity Gauntlet in the mission Breaking into Bowser's Castle. At first, Bowser is nowhere to be seen, but surprises Mario and starts the battle. The fight is mostly the same, but there are new effects to each of Super Bowser's attacks. His punches and meteor strikes create purple shockwaves, while his fire leaves a trail of flame. He is defeated in the same manner as before, once again shrinking and leaving behind a Grand Star.
The final battle is in Bowser's Galaxy Generator in the mission Bowser's Fortified Fortress. Bowser tells Mario his plan to create a new galaxy using pieces of the existing one and ruling it with Peach as his empress. He then fights Mario again. The battle is the same as the last, but Bowser's fist now releases six lasers that shoot across the planet. After he is hit four times with meteorites, he spits out his Grand Star and falls into the depths of the generator. However, just as Mario is about to collect the star, Bowser reappears, enlarged once again, and eats the Grand Star, becoming even larger than before. He then warps Mario into a planet-less area with a black hole in the background. The only thing for Mario to stand on is several meteorites. Bowser will fly closer and closer to Mario, punching him when he is close enough. Mario must launch meteorites at him when he is out of his shell. After four hits, Bowser laments his defeat and the fact that he never got to try a huge cake, before being sucked into the black hole.
During the credits, Bowser is found unconscious, much tinier than usual. Mario can attack him to make him angry, but Bowser can do nothing to Mario.
New Super Mario Bros. 2
At the end of World 6-
Bowser Castle, Mario meets Bowser and defeats him in much the same manner as the previous game. After Bowser's defeat, Princess Peach's cage, situated above the switch that destroys Bowser's bridge, is pulled up higher into the castle by its chain. Mario follows via floating platforms and encounters the Koopalings, who use their wands to enlarge Bowser in much the same manner as Kamek, even being knocked away when Super Bowser appears.
In this battle, Super Bowser attacks Mario from the background. Mario must make his way upward using floating platforms, which are initially moving upward, but then fall when he touches them. Super Bowser will destroy platforms with claw swipes. Mario must continue moving upward while dodging the swipes.
At two intervals, Mario will come to a floor where he must dodge streams of fire from Super Bowser until more platforms appear. Later in the battle, statues of Bowser's head will breathe fireballs to hinder Mario. Purple fireballs will home in on Mario. Eventually, Mario will reach a final floor where Princess Peach is found suspended over a switch that will defeat Super Bowser in the same way as the previous game.
New Super Mario Bros. U
Super Bowser appears once again as the final boss in New Super Mario Bros. U. After Bowser is defeated in the final level, Mario runs outside the castle and Bowser Jr. flies in with the Junior Clown Car, carrying an unconscious Kamek. Bowser Jr. wakes Kamek and the two have a brief argument, ending with Kamek being convinced to enlarge Bowser again.
Outside, Mario spots Princess Peach trapped in a tower room. She waves to him, but a door with Bowser Jr.'s emblem slams in her face. Bowser Jr. then appears to taunt Mario before Super Bowser leaps up and roars. During the battle, Super Bowser will breathe fireballs, which take three hits from ice balls to destroy, stomp his foot to crush Mario, and jump. Bowser Jr. fights alongside him in the Clown Car, throwing Bob-ombs and ground pounding.
To defeat Super Bowser, Mario must stomp Bowser Jr. and steal the Junior Clown Car. He must then fly directly above Super Bowser by rapidly tapping the jump button and ground pounding on his head by spinning. While Mario is in the air, Bowser will attack by breathing up to five fireballs at a time, as well as streams of fire and claw swipes. Being hit will knock Mario out of the Clown Car, but not deal damage. After each hit, Bowser will curl into his shell and spin around the battlefield, making frequent jumps. After the shell spin, Bowser will breathe lava into the air to send fireballs raining down.
After three hits, Super Bowser becomes dazed and lets out one last angry roar before going unconscious and falling off the battlefield. Bowser Jr. follows.
Mario Party 5
- “Drat! You've made it this far! I guess the only thing I've got now is this... So long, runt!”
- —Bowser, Mario Party 5
Super Bowser appears as the second stage of Bowser's boss minigame, Frightmare. After the player defeats Bowser by tricking him into ground pounding through the floor, the entire floor falls apart beneath them and they plummet to another boss stage. Bowser then drinks an elixir that transforms him into Super Bowser. Unfortunately, his weight breaks the floor underneath him and he is forced to hang on to the edge of the stage.
During the fight, Super Bowser will toss large red orbs that explode, leaving behind a smaller black orb. He will then breathe a stream of fire. The player must get him to hit an orb with his fire, turning it white. They can then pick it up and throw it at him. After the fire attack, Super Bowser tosses a purple orb that sends a shockwave across the stage, requiring the player to avoid it before they throw the white orb. Super Bowser will toss more red orbs each time he is hit. After he is hit five times, The black hole in the background sucks Bowser in.
Super Bowser is notably smaller in this game than in others.
Super Princess Peach
Super Bowser appears as the last stage of the final boss battle of Super Princess Peach. After being defeated once, Bowser uses the Vibe Scepter to enlarge himself and fights Peach on what appears to be the castle roof. He attacks by slamming his hands, causing spiky balls to fall, breathing fire, and creating rings of hammers that fly outward. When he slams down both hands, several Bob-ombs will fall. Peach must pick these up and throw them at Super Bowser's face.
When Super Bowser's health is reduced to three points, he starts breathing two fireballs at once. When it drops to two, he breathes a stream of fire. When he has only one health point left, he uses the Calm vibe to restore health. Peach must attack him repeatedly to wake him up so she can deal the final blow.
Yoshi franchise
Yoshi's Island DS
Super Bowser appears as the final boss of Yoshi's Island DS. After he is defeated in the level At Last, Bowser's Castle!, Bowser is enlarged by Kamek. Four Yoshis battle him at once with the assistance of Baby Mario, Baby Peach, Baby Donkey Kong and Baby Wario.
Super Bowser attacks form the background. He will attack by breathing fireballs and dropping rocks on the Yoshis. To defeat him, the team must collect Giant Eggs from balloons floating by and throw all of them at Super Bowser at once. He is defeated after six hits. After his defeat, Bowser shrinks down to his normal size and is carried away by three Toadies, on Kamek's orders.
Mario & Luigi series
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
- “GAHAHA! See that? All Bowser, baby!”
- —Super Bowser, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Super Bowser is a playable character, used during giant battles. Bowser grows giant four times. When he is crushed, Mario and Luigi must go to the Rump Command, where they play a minigame to spike Bowser's adrenaline. Once this is done, Bowser will grow large enough to fight whatever is threatening him. The first time this happens, Bowser attempts to fire a Banzai Bill at his castle, but the castle activates rockets installed by Fawful and lands on top of Bowser. However, he grows giant and lifts the castle up. He then fights it as a boss. Later, he is exploring Blubble Lake when he comes across a large propeller, belonging to the Tower of Yikk. After he activates the propeller by sneezing, the tower comes to life and stomps on him. Bowser is enlarged once again to fight it. Later he must battle the Fawful Express at Bowser Castle and a robotic, "Fawfulized" version of Peach's Castle called Super Peach's Castle.
At a few points in the game, Bowser requests that he be enlarged, only to be reminded that it only works in mortal danger.
Attacks
During Giant Battles, the Nintendo DS is held sideways, with Bowser to the left on the Touch Screen and the boss on the other screen. All of Super Bowser's attacks are executed with the stylus or mic.
| Attack | Image | In-game Description | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punch | File:Giant Bowser Punch.PNG | Slide farther and faster to increase your punch power! | Bowser will step up to the boss and rear back. When an arrow appears, the player must slide across it as fast and hard as they can to make Bowser deliver a punch. This is Super Bowser's primary attack. |
| Flame | File:Giant Bowser Flame.PNG | Blow into the mic to release flaming breath! | Bowser will prepare to breathe fire. When the blowing symbol appears, the player must blow into the mic as hard and long as they can to unleash Super Bowser's fire breath. This attack deals minimal damage and is usually used to clear away smaller enemies, though it is critical in the battle against the Fawful Express. |
| Mushroom | File:Giant Bowser Mushroom.PNG | Restores 50% of HP. | Mushrooms can be collected from some Giant Bosses' attacks. For example, when the Tower of Yikk sends Leaf Guys carrying bombs, some will be carrying Mushrooms. Super Bowser can hold more than one at a time. When he eats one, 50% of his HP is restored. |
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
| Dream Team enemy | |
|---|---|
| Bowser (2) | |
| |
| Location(s) | Dreamy Neo Bowser Castle |
| Role | Giant boss |
| Position | Normal |
| Level | 35 |
| HP | 2800 |
| Power | 649 |
| Defense | 402 |
| Speed | 111 |
| Weakness | None |
| Experience | 0 (0) |
| Coins | 2000 (100%) (EXCELLENT) 1600 (100%) (OK) |
| Item drop | Max Candy (100%) (EXCELLENT), Max Nut (100%) (EXCELLENT), 1-Up Deluxe (100%) (EXCELLENT) Max Mushroom (100%) (OK), Max Syrup Jar (100%) (OK), Refreshing Herb (100%) (OK) Supreme Hammer (100%) |
| No Hitter | — |
| World | Dream |
- “Transforming into a giant... I invented that, pal! No way some green stache gets to bite MY style!”
- —Super Bowser, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Super Bowser (called simply Bowser in-game) reappears in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team as the final giant boss of the game. Super Bowser is faced in Neo Bowser Castle's dream world, where Bowser gains this form upon eating a large amount of meat from his minions. However, when he learns that there is no more meat, he flies into a rage and starts wreaking havoc. When Mario and Dreamy Luigi finally catch him, Dreamy Luigi grows into Giant Luigi to fight against Bowser. Notably, in a callback to the previous game, where Super Bowser was the fighter, the giant battles come full circle, as the two giants, both whom had been controlled by the player, start fighting. Also, Bowser says, "SHOWTIME!" before the fight begins, calling back to Bowser's Inside Story, where he did the same.
Battle
The battle with Bowser takes place on a long, metal bridge. Each turn, Airships will blast away part of the bridge behind Giant Luigi. He will take damage if they blast away the part he is standing on, so he should attack Bowser accordingly to keep moving ahead and forcing the boss back. Bowser has a wider variety of attacks compared to Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, mainly due to his boss status. He can attack by grabbing Giant Dreamy Luigi and attempt to throw him into the lava behind him. Should Dreamy Luigi counter this move, Bowser will follow by charging at him and attempting to tackle him into the lava instead. This is dodged by sliding to one side or the other. If he misses, he will fall int the lava and take damage. Another attack is to breathe a stream of fire at Giant Luigi. Giant Luigi must slide up to jump away from the flames and grab onto a nearby Airship. He will swing back and forth towards Bowser and then towards the lava. Bowser will slowly raise his head up to breathe fire up at Luigi, so he must tap the screen when he swings towards Bowser to land on his head and dodge the flames.
Bowser can also hide behind large forts while his minions attack Giant Luigi. Kamek and several Magikoopas can appear to cast magical bursts at Giant Dreamy Luigi, blocked with the hammer. Spear Guys can walk out to latch onto Giant Dreamy Luigi's legs and attack with their spears. This is countered by tapping them quickly to shake them off. Airships may fly in and fire lines of cannonballs, blocked by swinging the hammer vertically or horizontally. Bowser can use the fort to restore his health by calling out Shy Guys to feed him large chunks of meat. This is stopped by slamming down the hammer at the right moment to stun Bowser so the meat bounces off his head. Following those attacks, Bowser will jump onto the fort and try to body slam Giant Dreamy Luigi. This is dodged by sliding back at the last moment. While Bowser lies on the ground, dazed, Giant Luigi can pick him up by the tail and swing him around by sliding the stylus, reminiscent of Super Mario 64. After it is done enough, Bowser will be thrown into the fort and take damage. The ideal way to damage Bowser is by using Hammer Chop to knock him into the lava. While the hammer itself will do little damage, the lava will do considerable damage. However, Bowser may summon airships to pull up a wall on the side of the bridge, blocking him from falling into the lava. In this case, Hammer Uppercut should be used to send him back. If Bowser is standing on a grate, the Bros. can use a Jump or Drill Stomp to smash through the grate, causing Bowser to fall through.
Eventually, Bowser will be forced to the end of the bridge and jump to another, where the whole process must be repeated to force him back again. Once he is cornered again, he will jump to an circular arena. In this phase of the battle, Bowser will retreat into his shell and charge at Giant Luigi. Giant Luigi will spin around with his hammer to counter. The player must tilt the Nintendo 3DS to control Giant Luigi and knock Bowser into the lava. This stage is called "Repel the Shell". There are walls that can be broken, but will bounce back whoever hits them. Mushrooms may appear during this phase to heal Giant Luigi. After being knocked into the lava enough times, the Finishing Bros. attack can be used on him. However, Kamek will return and use his magic to make Bowser even bigger. In this phase of the battle, Bowser can use one of two attacks. He may attack with a huge fireball, which is countered by tapping it repeatedly with the hammer, or by attempting to stomp Giant Luigi, countered by lifting the foot by tapping two arrows. After an attack is countered, the Bros. can use the Star Driver, a powered up version of Finishing Bros., to finish off Super Bowser.
In Hard Mode, Giant Luigi takes more damage from attacks and no mushrooms appear during the "Repel the Shell" stage. The Airships fire more cannonballs and there are more Spear Guys.
Like the other Giant Bosses, Super Bowser has a counterpart in the Battle Ring, called Bowser X. While his strategy is mostly unchanged, he has higher stats and moves faster.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
This section is referring to a subject in an upcoming or recently released game. When the game is released, or more information about this subject is found, this section may need major rewriting.
This notice should be removed after a month has passed since the game was first released.
Super Bowser will reappear in the remake of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Bowser Jr.'s Journey. The trailer depicts him battling Bowser Castle and Bowser Jr. watches him face the Tower of Yikk.
Quotes
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Mario Galaxy 2
- "The power of the stars is already MINE!"
- "I"m HUUUUGE! Even scarier up close, huh?"
- "Maybe I'll have Peach bake ME something for once..."
- "I sure could go for a galaxy-size slice of cake right now!"
- "I'm way too huge for this puny planet! I deserve an empire that's more ME size! And I'll put it in the center of the universe!"
- "Have fun with your stupid mushrooms!"
- "Look at you, running around like a flea on a puny planetoid. Know what isn't puny? My massive new power... The power to flatten you like a space pancake!"
- "WHAA--?! IT'S YOU?! Well I'd expect as much from my archnemesis. Your time is up, Mario/Luigi!"
- "Now it's smooshin' time... And time for my huge fist to meet your puny face!"
- "Gah! Give it up already! Why won't you stop trying to mess up my awesome master plan?!"
- "Why don't you run off and find some green pipe to hide in?"
- "I don't have time to chat, so let's cut this short... Shorty!"
- "Hey... guess what, Mario/Luigi! Breathe a sigh of relief, because it'll be your last! Know why?! Because this is finally the end! THE END OF YOU!"
- "My powers... gone... My empire... shrinking... My huge cake... never got a slice..."
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
- "Showtime!"
- "That’s an order!"
- "Leave it to me!"
- "Instead of crying, why not get big too?!"
- "The lake... Back here, too!"
- "Man, what’s this guy’s body made of?"
- "Aw, you wanna fly away?! Tough luck, sucker!"
- "Attacking this dude’s body seems useless. Maybe that head?
- "Nice! He’s sinking! Now I can whale on his head!"
- "What’s your deal?"
- "Huh? Fireworks? Real festive..."
- "Huh? Nothing! Worst fireworks ever!"
- "Weird fireworks, pal... Real weird. Well, moving on...
- "Time to deal with your ugly mug!"
- "NOOO! That thing’s sucking me in! Don’t even try it!"
- "Aw, that again?! Come ON!"
- "Please! I'll blast that thing down with a fireball!"
- "GAHAHA! See that? All Bowser, baby!"
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
- "Time to give up hope, Mario! In my dreams, I fear nothing! I can crush even you like a little red bug!"
- "Transforming into a giant... I invented that, pal!"
- "No way some green stache gets to bite MY style!"
- "Ah, time for my dream to finally come true!"
- "SHOWTIME!"
- "GWAHAHAHA! Nowhere to run!"
- "How DARE you?!"
- "Quiet, you little fluffball! Enough with the chatting!"
- "Huh?! Whah?! Nowhere to go!"
- "IT AIN'T OVER YET, CHUMPS!"
- "Cornered again!"
- "THAT'S where I'll finish you!"
- "Time to say night-night!"
- "GAAHAAHAA! I FEEL GREAT! FINISHING YOU WILL BE CAKE!"
References
- ^ New Super Mario Bros. Wii PRIMA Official Game Guide pg. 171: "When Super Bowser begins spitting fireballs, edge up against the right wall and jump over the fireballs to let them bypass you. [...] After you defeat Super Bowser, you gain access to World 9!"
- ^ New Super Mario Bros. 2 PRIMA Official Game Guide pg. 169: "After his initial defeat, Bowser emerges from the lava bigger and angrier than ever. Super Bowser lets out a thunderous roar and the room begins filling with lava. As you jump between the floating platforms to stay ahead of the lava, pay attention to this massive enemy. When Super Bowser’s eyes light up, it means he’s locked on to you. Jump away from your current platform to avoid his swiping attack."
- Bowser's Transformations
- Final Bosses
- Super Mario Sunshine Bosses
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii Bosses
- Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bosses
- New Super Mario Bros. 2 Bosses
- New Super Mario Bros. U Bosses
- Mario Party 5 Characters
- Paper Mario: Sticker Star Bosses
- Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bosses
- Super Princess Peach Bosses
- Yoshi's Island DS Bosses
- Yoshi's New Island Bosses
