Raphael the Raven

"Raphael Raven here - Caww!"

- Raphael the Raven

Raphael the Raven (also known by the shorter name, Raphael Raven) is the leader of the Ravens and first appeared as the boss of the fifth world in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Initially, he is an ordinary Raven, but is magically enlarged by Kamek to fight the Yoshis. Even after he is defeated, he remained huge.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
When Blue Yoshi first meets Raphael, he is an ordinary Raven. However, Kamek appears and magically enhances him, greatly increasing his size and strength. Then, Raphael slams into Blue Yoshi, sending it and Baby Mario flying to a small moon. Additionally, the force of the attack makes the Yoshi lose all its eggs. Raphael then launches himself to the moon and prepares for battle.

Raphael fights by chasing and ramming into Blue Yoshi around the moon to send Baby Mario flying. He also attacks by jumping into the air and slamming the ground, creating shockwaves that circle the satellite. The two stakes stick out of the ground on the small moon have to be Ground Pounded while Raphael Raven is on the other side of the small moon. The stake pops out on the other side, jabbing into him. After three successful hits, Blue Yoshi defeats Raphael, and Raphael becomes a constellation in the sky.

The Raphael Raven boss battle is the only place where Baby Mario does not cry when he falls off of Yoshi's back, but he can still be taken away by the Toadies.

''Yoshi's Island DS
Although Raphael the Raven did not appear as a boss in Yoshi's Island DS, he still makes a cameo. In the intro, one part shows a group of bosses from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, including Raphael.

''Tetris Attack
Raphael the Raven returns in the game Tetris Attack, allied with the Shy Guys. In this game, Raphael is not considered an enemy. He is also a playable character, replacing the moon fairy Seren from the original Japanese version. He is in the eighth level and is the last character to be saved from Bowser.

''Paper Mario
Raphael the Raven reappears in Paper Mario. In this game, Raphael is the leader of a tribe of reformed Ravens that live in peace with the Yoshis of Lavalava Island. He lives in nest in a tree high above the island and has become a legend to the Yoshis (as no one except the Village Leader can remember actually seeing him). He has the ability to communicate with both Mario and his Ravens. Raphael helps Mario by ordering his Ravens to build a device to take Mario and his allies to Mount Lavalava, site of the fifth Star Spirit and the Lava Piranha. He also gives Mario the Ultra Stone, an item that allows Mario's party members to become even more powerful.

Super Smash Bros. series
Raphael the Raven makes a cameo in Super Smash Bros. Melee as a trophy. The information states that he is the biggest Raven, although it is Kamek who enlarged him. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, he appears as a sticker.

Trivia

 * The moon where Raphael is fought in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island can be seen in the stage, Yoshi's Island from Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
 * Digga-Leg from Super Mario Galaxy 2 has a similar battle style to Raphael in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Coincidentally both are fought in space.