GBA Bowser's Castle 1

Bowser Castle 1 is a race course in Mario Kart: Super Circuit and it is the first in a series of various Bowser Castles raced at the end of each cup except of the Lightning Cup. The course is relatively short and contains only five Thwomps, a lot of coins, and a few item boxes. The course takes place inside the castle, as can be seen by the windows and large Bowser-symboled door in the background.

Course layout
After the start, there are two turns to the left. After a long straight piece there is a turn to the right with two Thwomps, with a mud-pool after it on the right. Then there is a swing curve left-right followed with three Thwomps and a bit later two turns to the left. Then there are five gaps with Lava Bubbles jumping out. After that there's a turn to the left and a swing curve right-left to the finish line.

Mario Kart 7
Bowser Castle 1 reappears in Mario Kart 7 as the only GBA retro race course in the game, where it is in the Shell Cup. The track is virtually identical to the original course, but has the addition of 3D graphics like the other retro courses from Super Mario Kart. To make further use of this, there are some stone pillars poking out of the lava. One of the platforms in the five gap area has been removed. Also, at the first jump, the player can use the glider, however this can only be done past 36 seconds the race has begun, thereby forcing racers to use it on the second and third laps. The glider can also be used to reach a small platform within the lava to the left. There are also some added coins on the track. In addition, the flashing signs that tell which direction to go from Mario Kart: Super Circuit are now billboards attached to the track.

Update history

 * Version 1.1 (May 15, 2012)
 * Removed shortcut exploit which allowed players to skip the second 180-degree turn. The shortcut is still viable offline.

Mario Kart Tour
Bowser Castle 1 reappears once more in Mario Kart Tour, stylized as Bowser's Castle 1, first appearing in the New York Tour. It generally retains its layout from Mario Kart 7. It is a favorite of Ludwig, Bowser, Captain Toad, King Boo (Luigi's Mansion), and Dry Bones (Gold). This course is also a favorite of Wario (Hiker) if he is at level 3 and Dry Bones if he is at level 6.

Prior to the 2019 Halloween Tour, no kart or glider had Bowser's Castle 1R listed as a top-favored course. Instead, its appearance in the Dry Bowser Cup relied on the spotlight bonus to raise the Badwagon and Swooper up one level.

New York Tour
In the New York Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the first course of the Bowser Cup and the second course of the Diddy Kong Cup. Its Reverse variant appeared as the first course of the Dry Bowser Cup, while its Trick variant appeared as the third course of the Shy Guy Cup.



Halloween Tour (2019)
In the 2019 Halloween Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the third course in the Lemmy Cup, the second course in the Morton Cup, and the location of the bonus challenge in the Diddy Kong Cup. Its Reverse variant appeared as the first course in the Toadette Cup, while its Trick variant appeared as the third course in the Metal Mario Cup.



Paris Tour
In the Paris Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the first course in the Luigi Cup, the second course in the Toad Cup, and the location of the bonus challenge in the Toadette Cup. Its Reverse variant appeared as the first course in the Donkey Kong Cup, while its Trick variant appeared as the third course in the Bowser Cup and the second course in the Dry Bowser Cup.



London Tour
In the London Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the location of the bonus challenges in the Baby Mario Cup and the Wario Cup. Its Reverse/Trick variant appeared as the first course in the Waluigi Cup and the third course in the Bowser Cup.



Ice Tour
In the Ice Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the third course of the Koopa Troopa Cup, the second course of the Toadette Cup, and the location of the bonus challenge of the Baby Peach Cup. Its Reverse variant appeared as the second course of the Shy Guy Cup and the first course of the Donkey Kong Cup, while its Trick variant appeared as the second course of the Bowser Cup.



Valentine's Tour
In the Valentine's Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the third course of the Koopa Troopa Cup, the first course of the Luigi Cup, and the location of the bonus challenge of the Peachette Cup. Its Reverse variant appeared as the second course of the Diddy Kong Cup, while its Trick variant appeared as the first course of the Bowser Cup.



Hammer Bro Tour
In the Hammer Bro Tour, the Reverse/Trick variant of Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the third course in the Ice Mario Cup.



Trick Tour
In the Trick Tour, the Reverse/Trick variant of Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the second course in the Larry Cup.



Flower Tour
In the Flower Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the third course in the Lemmy Cup and the location of the bonus challenge in the Baby Daisy Cup. Its Trick variant appeared as the third course in the Dry Bones Cup, while its Reverse variant appeared as the first course in the Pauline Cup.



Pirate Tour
In the Pirate Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the first course in the Luigi Cup. Its Reverse variant appeared as the second course in the Bowser Cup and the location of the bonus challenge in the Diddy Kong Cup, while its Trick variant appeared as the first course in the Dry Bones Cup and the location of the bonus challenge in the Bowser Jr. Cup.



Summer Festival Tour
In the Summer Festival Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the location of the bonus challenge in the Monty Mole Cup. Its Reverse/Trick variant appeared as the third course in the Bowser Cup.



1st Anniversary Tour
In the 1st Anniversary Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the third course in the Peach Cup and the location of the bonus challenge in the Bowser Jr. Cup. Its Trick variant appeared as the third course in the Bowser Cup, while its Reverse variant appeared as the third course in the Shy Guy Cup.



Mario vs. Luigi Tour
In the Mario vs. Luigi Tour, Bowser's Castle 1 appeared as the location of the bonus challenge in the Hammer Bro Cup and the location of the tour's Coin Rush. Its Reverse/Trick variant appeared as the third course in the Fire Bro Cup.



Trivia

 * The music for this course (and subsequent Bowser Castle courses) has a similar bassline to that of Bowser's battle theme in Super Mario 64.