Tail Bowser

A Tail Bowser is a fake Bowser powered by a Super Leaf. They first appear in Super Mario 3D Land as bosses.

Super Mario 3D Land
In Super Mario 3D Land, much like fake Bowsers from Super Mario Bros., Tail Bowsers are fought on bridges at the end of castle levels and attack by breathing giant fireballs and jumping around the stage, though they do not throw hammers. Only two Tail Bowsers appear: one in and the other in ; the latter also swings its spiky striped tail to attack and destroy columns. Additionally, they are immune to projectiles. In order to defeat a Tail Bowser, Mario or Luigi has to press the switch at the end of the bridge to make it collapse and send it into the lava. After falling into the lava, Tail Bowsers bounce upwards and show their true forms (a Goomba in World 1, and a Magikoopa in World 5) with a Super Leaf beside the body.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
A Tail Bowser appears as a boss in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, specifically in Mario's Figure Skating Spectacular. The appearances of the stage and its boss are based off Super Mario 3D Land. It chases the team across a giant collapsing bridge, spitting fireballs at them. The team must hit four buttons at the same time to cause the Tail Bowser to fall into lava, where it turns into a Goomba and a Super Leaf.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
While a Tail Bowser never appears physically in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, one appears on a Battle Card, taking its design from Super Mario 3D Land.

Trivia

 * Tail Bowser's Super Mario 3D Land artwork is in almost the exact same pose as Dry Bowser's artwork for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games and Mario Kart Wii.