Giant Bowser
- Not to be confused with Giant Bowser.
Super Bowser[1][2] is an enormous form Bowser takes in the New Super Mario Bros. series. He is the final boss of every game in the series except for the original New Super Mario Bros. (though he did appear slightly larger during the aforementioned game's final battle). The form comes about when either Kamek or the Koopalings use their magic wands to resurrect a defeated Bowser.
Super Bowser should not be confused with other occasions outside the New Super Mario Bros. series in which Bowser's size increases.
History
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 lava and cause Super Bowser to fall, thus defeating him and completing the game.
In the post-credits epilogue, Bowser is seen returned to normal size, being helped by the Koopalings, only for the castle to fall on them all.
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.
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."
