Bowser



"I'm the biggest, baddest brute around, and don't you forget it."

- Bowser

Bowser Koopa (sometimes known as King Bowser or King Koopa) is the supreme leader of the Koopa Troop, king of the Koopas, and the arch-nemesis of Mario and Luigi. Repeatedly, he tries to kidnap Princess Peach and take over the Mushroom Kingdom. Occasionally, the Koopa King has attempted to conquer the entire Mushroom World.

Super Mario Bros.
Bowser first appeared in Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System. In his debut, Bowser conquered the Mushroom Kingdom and kidnaped Princess Toadstool, taking her to the kingdom's eighth castle. He then distributed seven Bowser Clones to the other seven castles and put them in harge of guarding the Princess's seven stewards. When battling Bowser or one of his clones, Mario had two options: He could throw Fireballs at him, or he could grab an axe and cut the rope the held the bridge in place. This would destroy the bridge, sending Bowser into the lava.

Super Mario Bros. 3
Bowser's second appearance was in Super Mario Bros. 3. This game was notable in that it introduced Bowser's seven children, the Koopalings: Ludwig Von Koopa, Lemmy Koopa, Roy Koopa, Iggy Koopa, Wendy O. Koopa, Morton Koopa Jr. and Larry Koopa. Each Koopaling conquered one of the kingdoms of the greater Mushroom World by transforming the king of each land into an animal. Mario had to defeat each Koopaling individually in order to obtain the Magic Scepter that could return the Mushroom Kings to their normal state.

While Mario saved the Mushroom World, Bowser kidnaped the princess, and Mario rescued her again.

Super Mario World
Bowser and the Koopalings reappeared in Super Mario World. Bowser kidnaped Princess Toadstool yet again, and he also kidnaped several Yoshis. Mario, Luigi, and a few heroic Yoshis saved the princess and the captured Yoshis by defeating the Koopalings and King Bowser.

The boss fight to this game was unique in that Bowser and Mario battled on the roof of Bowser's castle while Bowser fought in his Koopa Clown Car, throwing Mecha Koopas and Big Steelies at him. Mario could use the Mecha Koopas to his advantage by tossing them back at Bowser. After two hits, Bowser disappeared for a while, casting flames at Mario. Princess Toadstool would then throw Mario a Mushroom, in an attempt to help him. After all this, Bowser would return and attempt to ram into Mario with his Koopa Clown Car. The cycle of attacks would then repeat. After this happened three times, Bowser was defeated, the princess was rescued.

Super Mario RPG
Bowser actually served as Mario's ally in Super Mario RPG. He used Chain Chomps and his claws to attack, and his special moves often involved summoning his minions to attack.

During the events of the game, Bowser kidnaped Princess Toadstool as she was picking flowers at Mario's Pad. He flew her to his castle, Bowser's Keep, in his Koopa Clown Car. However, Mario was on his tail. The plumber burst into Bowser's throne room and fought him atop Bowser's chandeliers. But Bowser seemed to be unbeatable. Attacking with claws and spikes, Bowser was determined not to lose to Mario again. However, with some advice from the princess, Mario attacked the Kinklink chain holding up the chandelier. The chandelier and Bowser were sent plummeting to the ground below. However, Bowser threw Hammers at Mario's chain, sending him falling as well. On the ground, Mario Jumped on top of Bowser, giving him a boost up to the princess.

After the battle, a huge sword named Exor crashed into Bowser's Keep, sending Mario, Toadstool, and Bowser flying in different directions, scattering them across the world. Bowser's Keep was taken over by Exor and Smithy's gang. Bowser ended up near Rose Way. Once there, he decided to join Mario, at least until he could reclaim his castle.

Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS
In both of these games, Bowser did not technically "kidnap" the princess, but invaded her castle and trapped the princess, along with many Toads in the paintings of the castle. In this game, Mario defeated Bowser by grabbing his tail and throwing him into one of several bombs surrounding the battle arena. Mario had to fight him thrice in order to save the princess.

Paper Mario
Bowser, aided by Kammy Koopa, second in command of the Koopa Troop, took control of the Princess's castle by lifting it into the air with the power of the Star Rod in Paper Mario. Mario, along with his friends Goombario, Kooper, Bombette, Parakarry, Bow, Watt, Sushie and Lakilester, had to rescue the Seven Star Spirits in order to use the Star Beam, which would deactivate the Star Rod. After the initial fight against Bowser, he retreated to the roof of his castle, where Kammy Koopa boosted his size and power to ensue his victory. The Star Beam failed to work against Bowser. However, Princess Peach discovered that by wishing for Mario's strength to increase, and Twink granted her wish by giving Mario the Peach Beam.

Now that Mario was able to negate the Star Rod's effects, he had no problem taking Bowser down and returning everything to the way it once was.

Paper Mario was significant because it revealed Bowser's motives for kidnaping Peach; he has a crush on her and hopes to steal her away from Mario.

Luigi's Mansion
Bowser didn't appear in Luigi's Mansion for the Nintendo GameCube - instead, King Boo used a Bowser disguise. It is unknown if King Boo actually possessed Bowser's corpse - but Bowser was indeed "soundly defeated" before the events of Luigi's Mansion. Another possibility is that King Boo simply used a Bowser disguise. Information on this debatable subject can be found on the King Boo article.

During battle, the Bowser disguise could only be defeated after a spiked ball was thrown at the Bowser head. Once that happened, King Boo would be exposed and Luigi could suck him up with his Poltergust 3000.

Super Mario Sunshine
Bowser masterminded yet another evil plan to kidnap the princess in Super Mario Sunshine, this time stooping so low as to use his son, Bowser Jr., as a pawn. Bowser told his son that Princess Peach was his mother and that Mario was a bad man who stole her. He urged him to take Peach back. Bowser Jr. took on the disguise of Shadow Mario, filled Isle Delfino with graffiti, and framed Mario. Mario, determined to prove his innocence, cleaned up the mess. While Mario was washing away the graffiti, Bowser Jr. kidnaped the princess.

Bowser Jr. and Bowser fought together against Mario in the end, although they inevitably lost. Later, Bowser Jr. revealed to his father that he knew all along that Peach was not his mother, and that he couldn't wait for another chance to take Mario down. Bowser couldn't be more proud of his son.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga


Bowser helped Mario again in the third Mario RPG, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga - but not for long. Bowser takes the brothers on the Koopa Cruiser to Beanbean Kingdom, but the Koopa Cruiser is brought down by Fawful. Bowser ended up falling in a large cannon, and a troublemaker named Tolstar of the Beanbean Kingdom promised to embarrass Bowser by telling the humiliating incident  to the entire kingdom unless Mario and Luigi could provide him with a hundred coins. Eventually, the StarShade Bros. came along and shot Bowser out of the cannon.

Rookie
The next time the Mario Bros. see him, the great Koopa King has amnesia and is working for Popple, the Shadow Thief. While accompanying Popple, Bowser adopts the name 'Rookie'. Mario and Luigi fight Rookie and Popple twice in the game before Bowser regains his memory.

Bowletta
However, as soon as Bowser remembers who he is, Cackletta possesses his body and becomes Bowletta. Bowletta kidnaps Peach, which leaves Mario and Luigi with the task of rescuing her. Bowletta takes command of the Koopa Troop, including the Koopalings, and launches a massive military strike against the Beanbean Kingdom. After Mario and Luigi defeat Bowletta, the brothers are taken into her stomach to fight Cackletta's spirit for the final battle. When she is completely destroyed, Bowser returns to normal.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Bowser also appeared as a minor villain in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. In this game, Bowser had many cut scenes in which he was a playable character. These scenes were often quite humorous and involved Bowser traveling through a side-scrolling world similar to the ones in Super Mario Bros. Bowser tried to collect the Crystal Stars before Mario, but, ultimately, failed to find any of them.

Mario and his friends Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, a Yoshi Kid, Vivian, Bobbery and Ms. Mowz fought Bowser twice during the game; once in the Glitz Pit, and once before Sir Grodus woke the Shadow Queen in the Palace of Shadow.

Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time
In this game, Baby Bowser appears in the beginning, kidnapping Baby Peach. Baby Mario and Luigi fight and defeat him. Baby Bowser frequently returns (swallowing two Cobalt Star shards, stealing a huge pile of Yoshi Cookies, etc.). Eventually, after Princess Shroob (disguised as Princess Peach) is brought to the present, Bowser pops in, grabs Princess Shroob, and flees. However, he falls off the balcony and into a time hole, where he meets his younger self. (which he mistakes to be some bratty kid) They team up and fight Mario and Luigi inside Thwomp Volcano. When they're defeated, they all get abducted by Shroobs, but Bowser falls out and lands in a time hole back to the present. When Mario and Luigi defeat the Elder Princess Shroob, she turns into a small mushroom. Back in the present, Bowser eats it and becomes Shrowser, which fights Mario and Luigi (which doesn't allow them to attack). After this, Bowser explodes.

New Super Mario Bros.
Bowser and Bowser Jr. devised a new play to kidnap Peach in this game. First, they distracted Mario by sending a thunder cloud to strike Peach's castle with lightning. (This may have been the doing of Lakithunder.) While Mario was taking care of the castle, Bowser Jr. made off with the princess. Mario fought Bowser as the first boss. This boss fight was similar to the one in Super Mario Bros. Shockingly, Bowser died in the first world when he fell into the lava, becoming an undead monster with an appearance similar to that of a huge Dry Bones. Skeleton Bowser was the boss of the eighth world.

At the end of the game, Bowser Jr. revived his father, and the duo fought Mario one last time.

Mario Kart Series


Bowser has appeared as a playable character in virtually all of the games in the massive Mario Kart sub-series, including the original Super Mario Kart, to the more recent Mario Kart DS. In Mario Kart: Double Dash! his partner was Bowser Jr.,his special item was the Bowser Shell, and his special Kart was the Koopa King. He is always a heavyweight character, and most of the Mario Kart games give him his own course, aptly named Bowser's Castle.

Mario Party Series
Bowser has appeared as an enemy in the Mario Party series since the first game, causing chaos and coin-loss on the players. There are multiple mini-games based around Bowser, from blowing him up (and losing if you do), to a multitude of mini-games where if a character loses, Bowser takes his or her coins or a star.

Mario Golf Series
Bowser is usually a default playable character in the Mario Golf games. But in Mario Golf: Advance Tour, he is unlockable and can only be unlocked by transferring data to and from Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour.

Mario Superstar Baseball Bio
"Mario's archrival and the king of the Koopa Clan. He's challenged Mario and his friends to battles countless times, but his ambitions tend to get crushed every time. His lethal Killer Ball is powerful enough to drag anyone who catches it across the field!"

Initial Stats in Super Mario RPG

 * Level 8
 * HP: 80
 * Speed: 15
 * Attack: 85
 * Defense: 52
 * Magic Attack: 20
 * Magic Defense: 30
 * Special Attacks:
 * Terrorize
 * FP Used: 6
 * Magic Power: 10
 * Description: Bowser summons a Big Boo to frighten enemies, cutting their attack and defense in half. Rotate the Control Pad to make the attack more potent.

HP:

 * Round 1: 50
 * Rounds 2 and 3: 99

Attack:

 * Round 1: 8
 * Rounds 2 and 3: 10

Defense:

 * Round 1: 1
 * Rounds 2 and 3: 2

Attacks:
-Ring Attack: Uses the star rod to create a ring to attack Mario and his partner. Does 3 damage to Mario's partner and does 4 damage to Mario. -Claw Attack: Swipes his claw at Mario, which might poison him in the process. Does 6 damage. -Fire Breath: Breathes fire at Mario. Does 8 damage.
 * Round 1:

-Ring Attack: Uses the star rod to create a ring to attack Mario and his partner. Does 3 damage to Mario's partner and does 6 damage to Mario. -Claw Attack: Swipes his claw at Mario, which might poison him in the process. Does 8 damage. -Jump Attack: Jumps on Mario, causing him to lose one of his commands. Does 8 damage. -Fire Breath: Breathes fire at Mario. Does 10 damage. -Lightning Slam: Causes lightning to strike Mario. Does 10 damage.
 * Rounds 2 and 3:

Tattles:
It's the Evil King Bowser!
 * Round 1: Finally, after all this time! He has a huge arsenal of attacks, from blowing clouds of fire to jumping on us. Fire Attack: 8, Stamp Attack/Nail Attack: 6 I'm sure he has other attacks that I don't know. Boy, does he look nasty! He's strong enough as it is, but I'm sure he can use that Star Rod to increase his power until he's nearly invincible. Princess Peach needs us! Let's take him, Mario!
 * Round 2: Uh... I think he got bigger. That's not a good sign... He has a huge arsenal of attacks, from blowing clouds of fire to jumping on us. Fire Attack: 10, Stamp Attack/Nail Attack: 8 I'm sure he has other attacks that I don't know. Kammy Koopa's mysterious device has somehow beefed up his power even more. That's hardly fair! You should use that Star Beam whenever he uses the Star Rod to increase his power. Oh, you already knew that?
 * Round 3: No more messing around! He has a huge arsenal of attacks, from blowing clouds of fire to jumping on us. Fire Attack: 10, Stamp Attack/Nail Attack: 8 I'm sure he has other attacks that I don't know. When he increases his power with the Star Rod, our attacks will be totally useless. When that happens, you must use our ultimate weapon, the Peach Beam! It has the power of everyone's wishes! This is our time, Mario!  Let's take this chump!  We're coming, Princess!

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Stats and Tattle Information

 * Glitz Pit Stats:
 * HP: 30
 * Attack: 3
 * Defense: 1
 * Tattle Number: 41
 * Tattle Log: Mario's fated enemy. Bowser, the Koopa King is a foe to be feared. His typical turf is NOT Glitzville.
 * Tattle: That's Bowser! But what's he doing here?!?  My mind just blew a fuse! He's uglier than I expected. He's got a poisonous bite, so watch out!  It'll make your HP decrease gradually. Also, if he ground-pounds you, you won't be able to use one of your commands! Just focus your attention on beating him down, Mario!


 * Palace of Shadow Stats:
 * HP: 70
 * Attack: 7
 * Defense: 2
 * Tattle Log: Mario's sworn enemy. He's a big galoot who has come to swipe Princess Peach and the Crystal Stars.
 * Tattle: That's Bowser, genius. You've only fought this guy like, a bazillion times. He'll keep kidnapping Peach, and you'll keep fighting him, until the end of time, I think. In addition to his fire breath, he jumps on you and bites. If you get jumped on, you'll be unable to use a command for a little while. Oh, and his bite sometimes poisons you as well. I don't know what Bowser's doing here, but we gotta defeat him quick!

Regular Trophy
Description: Bowser has a long history of kidnapping Princess Peach to lure his nemesis, Mario, into traps. He leads an enormous group of mischievous creatures, not the least of which are his seven children. With outrageous strength, flammable breath, and more spikes than you can shake a Star Rod at, Bowser is a constant threat. Unlock: Beat Classic Mode as Bowser.

Smash-1 Trophy
Description: In many ways, Bowser is the toughest character around. Not only does he have near-impervious hide, but his great mass makes him almost impossible to hurl offscreen. Of course, his weight also makes him rather slow to maneuver, so when facing him in battle, it's best to press your attack and not give him a chance to counter. Unlock: Beat Adventure Mode as Bowser.

Smash-2 Trophy
Description: Bowser's Fire Breath strikes continually, but it grows gradually smaller over time until it's barely smoldering. The Koopa Klaw rakes enemies at a distance and pulls nearby foes in close for a good gnawing. Bowser's Whirling Fortress moves laterally over the ground; it works in midair as a recovery. The Bowser Bomb is powerful and paves the way for more attacks. Unlock: Beat All-Star Mode as Bowser.

Mario Hoops 3-on-3

 * Baller Name: The Big Shell
 * Type: Powerful
 * Special Shot: Bomber Dunk
 * Letter to Tap: B

Portrayals
He is voiced/portrayed by:
 * Harvey Atkin in the The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!.
 * Scott Burns in most of the video games.
 * Dennis Hopper in the Super Mario Bros. movie.

Quotes
See Bowser's Quotes Page.