Bowser's Castle
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A proposal has decided that this article is to be split into Bowser's Castle, Bowser's Castle (Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story). (discuss) |
- This article is about the recurring location in the Super Mario franchise. For other uses, see Bowser's Castle (disambiguation).
- "Koopa Castle" redirects here. For the musical theme from Mario Kart 64 also known as "Koopa Castle", see Bowser's Castle (Mario Kart 64 theme).
- Not to be confused with Castle Bowser or Neo Bowser Castle.
- “Gee, it's only the best castle ever made! Take a look from a distance! Powerful and awe-inspiring design choices slap your face! It's like looking at me!”
- —Bowser, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Bowser's Castle (or simply Bowser Castle) is a recurring location in the Super Mario franchise. It is the domicile of the Koopa villain Bowser and the base of operations for his army. The castle's name, design, and greater location vary from game to game, but the castle is usually a Western-themed castle and situated in a volcanic wasteland, and it is characteristically an important base from which Bowser formulates his plans and summons his minions to take over the Mushroom Kingdom and carry out the capture of Princess Peach. Bowser's Castle is usually the final area that Mario and his friends visit to defeat Bowser and rescue Peach and is usually guarded by Bowser's most powerful minions. The castle has been repurposed into different locations for spinoff appearances, including a go-kart course, a tennis court, a baseball stadium, etc., depending on the sport on which the game is based.
History[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario Bros. / Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels[edit]
Bowser's Castle is the setting of World 8-4 in Super Mario Bros. Prior to this, in World 8-3, Mario battles Bowser's forces outside of the castle. At the end of the castle, Mario defeats Bowser and saves Princess Toadstool. Bowser's Castle similarly serves as the setting of World 8-4 in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, although within the sky in World 8-3. Bowser's Castle also appears in World D-3 and D-4, on the ground. In both games' remakes in Super Mario All-Stars, Bowser's Castle differs from other castles by having thunder and lightning flashes in the background.
Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]
- Main article: World 8-Bowser's Castle (Super Mario Bros. 3)
Bowser's Castle is the final level of Super Mario Bros. 3. It appears at the end of Dark Land (also titled "Bowser's Castle" in later remakes). and is the only actual level to take place inside of a castle. It features a battle against Bowser at the end, and upon defeating him, the player character can rescue Princess Toadstool afterward.
Super Mario World[edit]
- Main article: Front Door
- Main article: Back Door
Bowser's Castle is located in the Valley of Bowser in Super Mario World. The castle can be entered in two ways, and there are several methods to reaching the end of the level. There are two main corridors where Mario or Luigi will have to choose one of four possible doors. Bowser's Castle can also be reached from the Star Road, which leads to the front gate, bypassing the rest of the Valley of Bowser. Meanwhile, the back gate can be accessed after completing Valley Fortress and leads directly to Back Door, skipping most of the level. The castle has a neon sign with Bowser's name spelled out. A silhouette of Bowser flying the Koopa Clown Car appears in the background during occasional thunderclaps and with eyes glowing in the darkness. In the remake, Bowser is absent entirely after completing the level and a white flag is erected on top of it, like with the other castles and fortresses after they are destroyed.
New Super Mario Bros.[edit]
- Main article: World 8-Bowser's Castle (New Super Mario Bros.)
In New Super Mario Bros., Bowser's Castle is found rising out of a lake of lava, appearing at the end of World 8. The castle features Thwomps, Dry Bones and Podoboos as common enemies. The ? Switches in the castle uniquely invert the floor and ceiling, including all objects except burners. The second part of the castle features lots of lava, a Podoboo, and a Fire Bar, and loops like World 4-4 and World 7-4 of Super Mario Bros. After accessing the boss door at the end, the player character has to battle both Bowser Jr. and Bowser to rescue Princess Peach.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]
- Main article: World 8-Bowser's Castle (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)
Bowser is fought again in his castle in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, at the end of World 8. The castle is not seen at first, due to a rock wall obscuring its location, but after Peach reunites with the player characters at the end of World 8-
Airship briefly, she is taken by Kamek to Bowser's Castle, which is now revealed behind the rock wall. Bowser's laugh is heard as Kamek swoops down into the castle with the princess. The castle features three parts: the first is a side-scrolling area with lava, Lava Bubbles and Fire Bars; the second is a vertical area with lava moving downward slowly, as well as more Fire Bars and some Dry Bones; and lastly the lair where Bowser is fought. During the final battle, Kamek casts a spell to make Bowser grow massive, and Bowser chases the player characters through the castle.
In a cutscene after the final battle, when six of the Koopalings flip Bowser on his belly, the castle begins to collapse before crashing down on them.
Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]
- Main article: Breaking into Bowser's Castle
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, a rendition of Bowser's Castle appears in the mission Breaking into Bowser's Castle.
Super Mario 3D Land[edit]
- Main article: World 8-Bowser: Part 1
- Main article: World 8-Bowser: Part 2
Bowser has two castles in Super Mario 3D Land, both located in World 8. The first castle is the World 8 Castle, which resembles earlier castles. Mario battles Bowser and defeats him by pressing the switch at the end of the bridge, causing Bowser to sink in the lava below. After Mario goes to Peach, only to find it is a cardboard cutout of her, Bowser shows up with the real Peach and leaves to his larger castle.
Much of the second Bowser's Castle is spent riding Bone Roller Coasters. Mario uses two cannons to get on to Bowser's tower and enters a large red door to find Peach tied up to the flagpole. Just as Mario is about to rescue Peach, Bowser crashes down from above, causing the floor to collapse and the final battle to start. As Mario goes up the castle, he avoids fireballs, barrels, and spiked balls from Bowser until making it to the second bridge. When Mario presses the second switch, the bridge collapses and causes Bowser to fall. As Mario continues up the castle, Bowser suddenly returns and attacks by breathing rapid, large purple flames. When Mario reaches the final switch, after crossing the bridge, the bridge collapses, and Bowser falls into the lava below, finally defeated. Mario rescues Peach and they return to Peach's Castle.
After completing the Special Worlds, Bowser kidnaps Peach again and Mario must return to his castle to defeat him and save Peach once again.
New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]
- Main article: World 6-Bowser's Castle
Bowser's Castle reappears in World 6 of New Super Mario Bros. 2. The castle resembles its appearance in New Super Mario Bros. but features two phases of a battle against Bowser at the end, like in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
New Super Mario Bros. U[edit]
- Main article: Peach's Castle (world)
Although Bowser's Castle itself does not appear in New Super Mario Bros. U, Bowser conquers Peach's at the start and begins to renovate it to better resemble his own castle, completing the process by the time Mario fights Bowser Jr. for the last time at the end of World 7. After Bowser is defeated, Peach's Castle returns to normal.
Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[edit]
- Main article: World Castle
- Main article: The Great Tower of Bowser Land
Bowser's Castle is featured in Super Mario 3D World as the seventh world, titled World Castle. The castle appears float high above the Sprixie Kingdom, the game's setting. A second castle appears in the last world, World Bowser, and it is themed after an amusement park.
Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS[edit]
- Main article: World 18-8
In Super Mario Maker, Bowser's Castle appears at the end of the 10 Mario Challenge and the 100 Mario Challenge, as the final course of both challenges. On the map, its icon has the spiky shell traditional to depictions of Bowser's Castle, but the shell occasionally flips open to reveal Bowser. He pops up, breathes fire, then sinks back into the castle before the shell closes again. The modes' opening cutscenes have two Goombas take Peach from her castle to Bowser's Castle. After Peach is brought to Bowser's Castle, she is held on the left pillar and occasionally shouts "Help!" written fully capitalized. When the player enters the level represented by Bowser's Castle, the splash screen showing the player's lives displays Mario in front of a door with spikes sticking out from it.
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS does not have 10 Mario Challenge, but Bowser's Castle is additionally World 18-8 of the Super Mario Challenge. The opening cutscene for the Super Mario Challenge is very similar to that of the 10 Mario Challenge and the 100 Mario Challenge. The splash screen showing the player's lives in the Super Mario Challenge does not have a corresponding door.
Super Mario Run[edit]
- Main article: Bowser's Bob-ombing Run
- Main article: VS Bowser
In Super Mario Run, there are two different courses serving as Bowser's Castle. Both of their icons use the color scheme of Bowser's Castle seen in earlier games, but scale the structure down such that it has the design and proportions of a regular castle. The icon also has the spikes from prior Bowser's Castles. Bowser's Bob-ombing Run is the course in World Tour mode, while the Area 30 version of VS Bowser is the course in the Remix 10 mode. Both courses are fully dedicated to boss battles against Bowser, with Bowser's Bob-ombing Run being a looping course involving a unique encounter where Bowser uses the Koopa Clown Car. Completing each course for the first time unlocks Princess Peach and Daisy as playable characters, respectively.
Super Mario Odyssey[edit]
- Main article: Bowser's Kingdom
In Super Mario Odyssey, Bowser's Castle was constructed specifically for Bowser's wedding with Peach,[1] and it is located in Bowser's Kingdom. Unlike most games, which give the castle a Western design, this castle has a traditional Japanese design, with several walls and baileys, a traditional garden and tea house, and a central keep. Its moats are filled with poison, not lava.
Super Mario Maker 2[edit]
Bowser's Castle is displayed in the background of castle-themed Super Mario 3D World courses in Super Mario Maker 2, with a similar design to its New Super Mario Bros. iterations, albeit with a grayer color on its spires and shell. In the version 3.0.0 update, it is also a world part for World Maker.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder[edit]
The location itself does not appear in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, though Bowser merges with his Koopa Clown Car and Prince Florian's castle using the Wonder Flower's power to make a mobile fortress titled Castle Bowser[2] before taking over parts of the Flower Kingdom.
Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen![edit]
In the anime movie Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!, Bowser turns Peach's Castle into his own after kidnapping Princess Peach and conquering the Mushroom Kingdom. While under his control, the building is situated on a tall mountain and is furnished to Bowser's liking, among other things featuring catacombs filled with traps to stop Mario and Luigi. The castle is destroyed after Luigi accidentally floods it while mining for coins; once Bowser is defeated, his spell on the Mushroom Kingdom is broken, restoring Peach's Castle to its original form.
DIC cartoons[edit]
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show![edit]
In The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, King Koopa owns a wide range of castles, ranging from fortresses, towers and even an ice palace; most often at the end of an episode, the featured castle of King Koopa would be destroyed and if not, would likely not be seen again. Unlike the games, the various castles seen in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! lack the abundance of traps that would normally appear in a castle owned by Bowser.
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 migrates away from the concept of King Koopa owning several castles and, instead, he only owns one castle, located in Dark Land. This castle is interchangeably referred to by the names "Kastle Koopa" and "Koopa Kastle". Kastle Koopa largely resembles its video game counterpart, with Bowser's image engraved on it, although it is blue in color and lacks the towers. Kastle Koopa also possesses a large hall filled with portraits, as well as bedrooms for the Koopalings and a laboratory most often used by Kooky von Koopa.
Super Mario World television series[edit]
In the Super Mario World cartoon produced by DIC Entertainment and Nintendo, the main base and home for Bowser and the Koopalings is called King Koopa's Neon Castle. Apparently located in a lava filled wasteland, Neon Castle lacks the amount of towers its game counterpart possesses, only having one; Neon Castle also possesses a rectangular shape and, like the Japanese version of the game, has "KOOPA" flashing in neon lights on its front, instead of "BOWSER". The castle carries over many of its game counterpart's traps, like Ball 'N' Chains, lava, fire-breathing statues and various kinds of minions. In the episode "Mama Luigi," Mario refers to it as King Koopa's "Coney Island Disco Palace," possibly based on the final section of Bowser's Castle in that game, which featured a "disco ball" that illuminated it.
Super Mario Adventures[edit]
In Super Mario Adventures, Bowser's Castle is only seen near the end of the comic and is portrayed as a large fortress, having many spike-covered towers and a large great hall, capable of holding several hundred different creatures. Catacombs and a lava filled chamber inhabited by Blarggs are also depicted in this version of Bowser's Castle.
Mario Kart series[edit]
At least one race course set in Bowser's Castle has appeared in every Mario Kart game to date. It is one of three course settings with this property, alongside Mario Circuit and Rainbow Road. Unlike them, however, this even extends to the arcade games (although these have featured equivalents to Mario Circuit and Rainbow Road in their place). Most games in the series introduce one new Bowser's Castle course each; however, Super Mario Kart introduces three Bowser's Castle courses, while Mario Kart: Super Circuit introduces four. Mario Kart Tour does not introduce a fully original Bowser's Castle course, though it does introduce RMX Bowser's Castle 1, a remix course based on Super Circuit's versions, particularly GBA Bowser's Castle 1.
From Mario Kart: Super Circuit to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Bowser's Castle courses are the third course of the Special Cup, before Rainbow Road. They typically include hazards such as lava, Thwomps, dangerous jumps, and giant statues of Bowser attacking the racers. Though most of these courses use the name "Bowser's Castle", those from Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart DS are instead called "Bowser Castle" (a transliteration of the Japanese name); this was also true of those from Mario Kart: Super Circuit prior to their appearances in Mario Kart Tour.
| Course | Games | Description |
|---|---|---|
 Bowser Castle 1 |
Super Mario Kart Mario Kart: Super Circuit |
The first Bowser Castle of Super Mario Kart, which appears as the fourth course of the Mushroom Cup. It features several long, straight paths, as well as 90° bends, and a couple of jumps. Thwomps also appear here to hinder the racers' path. |
 Bowser Castle 2 |
Super Mario Kart Mario Kart: Super Circuit |
The second Bowser Castle of Super Mario Kart, which appears as the fourth course of the Flower Cup. Still featuring 90° bends and Thwomps, is more complicated in design, and includes a dead end that can only be passed over with a Feather. |
 Bowser Castle 3 |
Super Mario Kart Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart Tour Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Booster Course Pass) |
The final Bowser Castle of Super Mario Kart, which appears as the fourth course of the Star Cup. It features several split paths on two straightaways, the first of which being made of several differently-sized jumps. In Mario Kart Tour and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, this first path is bent upwards, which is also in anti-gravity in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. |
 Bowser's Castle |
Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart Wii |
This iteration appears in Mario Kart 64 at the end of the Star Cup. Starting outside, racers drive into the castle and traverse various rooms while avoiding Thwomps. |
 Bowser's Castle 1 |
Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart Tour |
The first Bowser's Castle of Mario Kart: Super Circuit, appearing as the final course of the Mushroom Cup. It is a short, angular course with various 90° turns and Thwomps. It features a large door with Bowser's emblem in the background. |
 Bowser's Castle 2 |
Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Tour |
The second Bowser's Castle of Mario Kart: Super Circuit, appearing as the final course of the Flower Cup. A slightly larger course with more 90° turns, as well as holes in the road. The course features a large statue of Bowser in the background, but in Mario Kart Tour, it reuses the same environment from Bowser's Castle 1 instead. |
 Bowser's Castle 3 |
Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart Tour |
The third Bowser's Castle of Mario Kart: Super Circuit, appearing as the final course of the Star Cup. The course features a variety of 90° turns. This course takes place outside with blue cobblestone roads, featuring dark clouds and purple towers in the background, but in Mario Kart Tour, it reuses the same environment from Bowser's Castle 1 instead. |
 Bowser's Castle 4 |
Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart Tour |
The final Bowser's Castle of Mario Kart: Super Circuit, appearing as the third course of the Special Cup. The course features a lot of 90° turns and holes. The course features a large statue of Bowser in the background, but in Mario Kart Tour, its environment is instead a more ruinous version of that of Bowser's Castle 1. In Mario Kart Tour, it also has a split path in the second half of the course. |
 Bowser's Castle |
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! | This version of Bowser's Castle from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! starts outside and features several turns and elevations, as well as a turning, circular room with Fire Bars. As racers re-emerge outside, a moving Bowser Statue awaits them, shooting fireballs. |
 Bowser's Castle |
Mario Kart Arcade GP Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 |
The first course of the Bowser Cup in Mario Kart Arcade GP, as well as Mario Kart Arcade GP 2. Similar in style to the iteration from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, this one has racers drive through the throne rooms of Bowser and Bowser Jr. The second course in the Bowser Cup, Castle Wall, takes place on the same course, but has racers drive outside on the castle's walls instead. Mario Kart Arcade GP DX revamps this course's layout for Bowser's Factory. |
 Bowser Castle |
Mario Kart DS | The Bowser's Castle from Mario Kart DS reuses several elements from previous iterations, including a turning circular room and several 90° turns. The second half also features a turning, cylindrical bridge, and moving platforms over lava. |
 Bowser's Castle |
Mario Kart Wii | This iteration from Mario Kart Wii starts outside, like the version from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Entering the castle, racers drive into a wavy hallway in which tricks can be performed on. This course also features a long, curved Kanaami Road, where drivers can avoid fireballs from a Bowser Statue using half-pipes. |
 Bowser's Castle |
Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart Tour |
In this iteration from Mario Kart 7, drivers will start outside the castle, requiring to reach the entrance using a Glide Ramp. It also has an underwater section with lava geysers, and the second half of the course has racers drive through volcanic ground. |
 Bowser's Castle |
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX | The second course of the Bowser Cup in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. Racers drive through dungeons and glide above active volcano ground to a library owned by Kamek. It takes place in the same location as the first course of the Bowser Cup, Bowser's Factory, in which racers drive through a factory where Bob-ombs and Bullet Bills are produced. This course's layout is revamped from that of Castle Wall from Mario Kart Arcade GP and Mario Kart Arcade GP 2. |
 Bowser's Castle |
Mario Kart 8 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe |
This course, debuting in Mario Kart 8, features an anti-gravity section that leads into a split path, where a large Lava Bowser alternates between sides to punch the floor. The outside is volcanic and features rolling boulders, while the inside also features laser-shooting Bowser Statues and a Spinner. |
 Bowser's Castle |
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit | The iteration of Bowser's Castle for Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit appears as the final course of the Shell Cup. Due to the nature of Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit using a remote-controlled car and augmented reality, course layout design depends on what the player has set up. Aside from that, this version has Lava Bars implemented at the gates players have to race through, and adds a reddish tint to the screen. This version of Bowser's Castle reuses the music from Mario Kart 8's version. |
 RMX Bowser's Castle 1 |
Mario Kart Tour | Unlike other remix courses in Mario Kart Tour, RMX Bowser's Castle 1 is based on the GBA Bowser's Castles (using GBA Bowser's Castle 1's environment), rather than the SNES Bowser Castles. It is an angular course with 90° bends, featuring Thwomps and Conveyor Belts. |
 Bowser's Castle |
Mario Kart World | Located on top of a hill in the northwest of the game's map. This Bowser's Castle includes a road, near a giant fiery Bowser and falling meteors, that automatically speeds racers up. |
Outside of these courses, Bowser's Castle as it appears in Paper Mario can be seen in the background of Mario Kart: Super Circuit's Rainbow Road.
Mario Discovery Series[edit]
Mario is Missing![edit]
Bowser's Castle is located in Antarctica in Mario is Missing!. It is the hub area, featuring several doors with portals to various cities on Earth.
Mario's Time Machine[edit]
The castle is the main setting for the MS-DOS and SNES versions of Mario's Time Machine, specifically as the location of Bowser's Museum. In the NES version, Bowser's Museum is instead a separate building.
Yoshi's Safari[edit]
- Main article: Bowser's Castle (Yoshi's Safari)
Bowser's Castle is the last level in the final area in Yoshi's Safari, which is the Dark Realm of Jewelry Land. After being defeated, Bowser retreats.
Yoshi series[edit]
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island[edit]
- Main article: