Whirling Fortress

Whirling Fortress is a move that can only be used by Bowser in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. Bowser activates this move when a player presses Up and simultaneously. Bowser conceals himself inside his shell and spins around with it in the air. If it hits any of the other players, they take a relatively large amount of damage, depending on how long they are in contact with the spinning shell. The attack can also be used on the ground, instead of just in the air. If used in the air, it will put Bowser into a helpless state after it finishes. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Whirling Fortress can be customized into either Flying Fortress or Sliding Fortress. Flying Fortress nearly doubles the height gained, but lowers the horizontal distance and the damage, and Sliding Fortress significantly increases the horizontal distance of the move while lowering the knockback.

Bowser has never done the Whirling Fortress in any Mario game before its introduction in Super Smash Bros. Melee. In the Super Mario series, Koopas retreat into their shells when jumped on, and they slide forward upon being kicked. In Super Mario Bros. 3, the Koopalings retreat into their shells and jump into the air after being jumped on. Ludwig von Koopa does a move similar to Whirling Fortress in Super Mario World, but there was no aeriel gain. In Mario Power Tennis, Bowser uses a Special Shot similar to Whirling Fortress, known as Spinning Shell Dash. This move is inspired by the Whirling Fortress.