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{{character infobox
{{character infobox
|image=[[File:SMB LL Bowser's Brother Artwork.png|250px]]<br>Artwork of Bowser's Brother from ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''
|image=[[File:SMB LL Bowser's Brother Artwork.png|250px]]<br>Artwork of Bowser's Brother from ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''
|species=[[Koopa (species)#Bowser's species|Bowser's species]]
|species=[[Koopa (Bowser's species)|Koopa]]
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'' ([[List of games by date#1986|1986]])
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'' ([[List of games by date#1986|1986]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#2020|2020]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#2020|2020]])
}}
}}
'''Bowser's Brother''',<ref name=PG>{{media link|Bowser's Brother Source.jpg|Page 62}} of the ''Super Mario All-Stars'' Player's Guide has the heading "'''''BOWSER'S BROTHER'''''" and states "''You're in for a surprise. Bowser's got a twin.''"</ref> also referred to as '''Fake Bowser (Blue)'''<ref name=EPortal>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2/?lang=en English ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' entry on the official Mario Portal]. ''nintendo.co.jp''. Retrieved August 13, 2022. ([https://archive.ph/w5yRK Archived] August 13, 2022 14:35:18 UTC via archive.today.)</ref> (apparently a mistranslation of the Japanese name "'''Kuppa (Blue)'''" from the original page),<ref name=EPortalOriginal>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2/ Original ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' entry on the official Mario Portal]. ''nintendo.co.jp''. Retrieved May 1, 2023. ([https://archive.is/lNpzo Archived] 21 Jul 2021 09:21:01 UTC via archive.today.)</ref> is a character similar to [[Bowser]] who appears in ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. His [[#Identity|identity]] varies in supplemental material, with his most consistent characteristic being his bluish color that was removed in ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]''.<ref name=PEGMCE>{{media link|PEGMCE page 65.png|Page 65}} of「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」(''Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten'', or "''Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia''"). The text states "''A fake Bowser appears in the Famicom version of Super Mario. Since his color is blue, you can tell at a glance that he's a fake, but unfortunately in Mario Collection he became the same green.''" while the two captions state "''Obviously fake blue Bowser.''" and "''He can't be distinguished from the real thing.''"</ref>
'''Bowser's Brother''',<ref name=PG>{{media link|Bowser's Brother Source.jpg|Page 62}} of the ''Super Mario All-Stars'' Player's Guide has the heading "'''''BOWSER'S BROTHER'''''" and states "''You're in for a surprise. Bowser's got a twin.''"</ref> also referred to as '''Fake Bowser (Blue)'''<ref name=EPortal>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2/?lang=en English ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' entry on the official Mario Portal]. ''nintendo.co.jp''. Retrieved August 13, 2022. ([https://archive.ph/w5yRK Archived] August 13, 2022 14:35:18 UTC via archive.today.)</ref> (apparently derived from the Japanese name "'''Kuppa (Blue)'''" from the original page)<ref name=EPortalOriginal>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2/ Original ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'' entry on the official Mario Portal]. ''nintendo.co.jp''. Retrieved May 1, 2023. ([https://archive.is/lNpzo Archived] 21 Jul 2021 09:21:01 UTC via archive.today.)</ref> and a '''Bowser Impostor''',<ref name=Impostor/> is a character similar to [[Bowser]] who appears in ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''. His [[#Identity|identity]] varies in supplemental material, with his most consistent characteristic being his bluish color that was removed in ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]''.<ref name=PEGMCE>{{media link|PEGMCE page 65.png|Page 65}} of「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」(''Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten'', or "''Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia''"). The text states "''A fake Bowser appears in the Famicom version of Super Mario. Since his color is blue, you can tell at a glance that he's a fake, but unfortunately in Mario Collection he became the same green.''" while the two captions state "''Obviously fake blue Bowser.''" and "''He can't be distinguished from the real thing.''"</ref>
==History==
==History==
===''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''===
===''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''===
Line 50: Line 50:


==Identity==
==Identity==
He is initially mentioned as the first/fake<ref>{{media link|FCCVD 7 page 50.png|Page 50}} of「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑦スーパーマリオブラザーズ2」(''Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2'', or "''Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2''") refers to the blue Bowser as「1{{ruby|匹|ぴき}}めのクッパ」(''the first Bowser''), also noting that he isn't the real Bowser:「こいつ{{ruby|真|しん}}のクッパではない。」</ref> or first/blue<ref>{{media link|FCCVD 11 page 62.png|Page 62}} of「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑪スーパーマリオブラザーズ1&2神わざ大全集」(''Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Kami Waza Taizenshū'', or "''Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Great Complete Work on Miracles/Glitches''").「1{{ruby|匹|ぴき}}めのクッパはむりして{{ruby|倒|たお}}さなくていいよ!ワールド8-4と{{ruby|D|ディー}}-4には、クッパが2{{ruby|匹出|ひきで}}てする。そのうちの1{{ruby|匹|ぴき}}めは,{{ruby|青|あお}}いクッパなんだけど」(''It's ok if you try hard but don't defeat the first Bowser. In Worlds 8-4 and D-4, Bowser appears twice. The first of those is the blue Bowser''...)</ref> [[Bowser]] in the Japanese guides of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'', which do not specify his relationship to Bowser besides one suggesting that he is not his twin.<ref name=UT>{{media link|SMB2GCWST pages 88 89.png|Page 89}} of「スーパマリオブラザーズ2<裏ワザ大全集>」(''Super Mario Bros. 2 < Urawaza Taizenshū >'', or "''Super Mario Bros. 2 Great Complete Work on Secret Tricks''") has the paragraph:「おお一つと！またグッバがいた。ということは、{{ruby|大魔王|だいまおう}}クッパはふたごだったのか、なんちゃって。アホ。」(''Oh! Bowser is here again. That is to say, the Great Demon King Bowser is actually a TWIN, not! Idiot.'') Note that the author is mocking the reader for believing that Bowser has a twin.</ref> In the character books of the '90s released before the release of ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'', the blue Bowser is described as being either Bowser's first<ref>{{media link|CSMGE page 155.png|Page 155}} of「全スーパーマリオ大百科」(''Zen Super Mario Ōhyakka'', or "''Complete Super Mario Great Encyclopedia''") states of the blue Bowser:「クッパ{{ruby|兄弟|きょうだい}}の1{{ruby|匹目|ぴきめ}}はよけろ!」(''The first of the Bowser brothers!'')</ref> or younger<ref name=SMCE>{{media link|SMCE pages 144 145.png|Page 144}} of「スーパーマリオ{{ruby|全百科|オールひゃっか}}」(''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', or "''Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia''"). The blue Bowser is referred to as「クッパブラザーズの{{ruby|弟|おとうと}}」(''the younger of the Bowser brothers''). The page also states「クッパの{{ruby|弟|おとうと}}だ」(''He's Bowser's younger brother'').</ref><ref>On {{media link|SMBD page 36.png|page 36}} of「スーパーマリオ{{ruby|大図鑑|だいずかん}}」(''Super Mario Bros. Daizukan'', or "''Super Mario Great Picture Book''") [[Dr. Mario]] states:「『マリオ２』ではクッパの{{ruby|弟|おとうと}}が{{ruby|影武者|かげむしゃ}}だったクッパとおなじ{{ruby|力|ちから}}をもった{{ruby|強敵|きょうてき}}だったぞ！」(''In "Mario 2", Bowser's little brother was a strong enemy who had the same strength as Bowser's body doubles.'')</ref> brother. ''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', a book written in collaboration with [[Nintendo]], describes him as part of the「{{ruby|王族|おうぞく}}」(''Ō-zoku'', literally "King Tribe") and thus a leader of the [[Koopa Troop]] and member of Bowser's royal family, along with the [[Koopalings]] and Bowser himself.<ref name=SMCE/><ref>On {{media link|SMCE pages 88 89.png|page 89}} of「スーパーマリオ{{ruby|全百科|オールひゃっか}}」(''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', or "''Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia''") the「{{ruby|王族|おうぞく}}」term, meaning ''King Tribe'', is given the following explanation:「クッパ{{ruby|軍団|ぐんだん}}を{{ruby|統率|とうそつ}}する{{ruby|王家|おうけ}}の{{ruby|面々|めんめん}}。クッパ、コクッパがこれにあたる。」(''Every member of the royal family that leads the Bowser army corps. Bowser and the Koopalings apply here.'')</ref> Due to his recoloring from blue to green in ''Super Mario All-Stars'', he is not considered a distinct character from [[fake Bowser]]s in the Japanese official guide book.<ref>On {{media link|SMC NOG page 92.png|page 92}} of the ''Nintendo Official Guidebook'' of ''Super Mario Collection'', the blue Bowser is referred to as「ニセクッパ」(''Fake Bowser'').</ref> Contradicting one of the original Japanese guides for ''The Lost Levels'' (which suggested that he was not a twin),<ref name=UT/> when "Bowser's Brother" is described in [[Nintendo Power]]'s guide for ''Super Mario All-Stars'' it states "Bowser's got a twin".<ref name=PG/> After the release of ''Super Mario All-Stars'', he was referred to as a fake Bowser,<ref name=PEGMCE/> with the exception being the [[Prima Games]] guide for ''[[Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]]'', where he is again considered Bowser's brother.<ref>Cain, Christine. ''Super Mario Bros. Deluxe'' Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 71. "''Look out! Bowser has a Hammer-throwing brother, and he’s here to stop you from getting to the end. If you’ve got fireballs, use ʻem. Otherwise ...''"</ref> In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', the English text suggests the blue Bowser is a fake<ref>"''A Bowser Impostor?!　In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!''" - ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' Tips.</ref> while the Japanese version leaves his nature ambiguous.<ref>「にせクッパ!? 『スーパーマリオブラザーズ2』には、青いクッパが登場する。倒すとその先にいつもの緑のクッパがいる。『スマブラ』では8Pカラーで青いクッパになる。」(''Fake Bowser!?　In Super Mario Bros. 2, a blue Bowser appears. Defeat him and beyond is the usual green Bowser. In Smash Bros., the 8P color is the blue-colored Bowser.'') - ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' Tips.</ref> ''Super Mario Pia'', a memorial book also written in collaboration with Nintendo, depicts the blue Bowser as a particular fake Bowser.<ref name=SMP>On {{media link|SMP Blue Bowser.png|page 22}} of「スーパーマリオぴあ」(''Super Mario Pia''), the blue Bowser is labeled as「ニセクッパ」(''Fake Bowser'') while still stressing his body being blue.</ref> ''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros.]]'', which was released around the same time, distinguishes him from fake Bowsers<ref name=ESMBdesc>{{media link|ESMB page 27.png|Page 27}} of「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」(''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book'', or "''Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book''")</ref> but states that his identity is unknown.<ref>Page 30 of「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」(''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book'', or "''Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book''").「謎の青いクッパ! W8-4でクツパと対決する直前、体の青いクッパと戦うことになる。クッパと同等の能力を持つが、その正体は不明。W9-3とWD-4にも登場する。」(''Mysterious Blue Bowser! In W8-4 just before confronting Bowser, a blue-bodied Bowser must be fought. He has the same abilities as Bowser, but his true identity is unknown. He also appears in W9-3 and WD-4.'')</ref> The Japanese Mario Portal website similarly lists him as a blue Bowser,<ref name=JPortal>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2/ Japanese ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' entry on the official Mario Portal]. ''nintendo.co.jp''. Retrieved February 19, 2022. ([https://archive.ph/lNpzo Archived] July 21, 2021 09:21:01 UTC via archive.today.)</ref> while the English version lists him as a blue fake Bowser.<ref name=EPortal/>
He is initially mentioned as the first/fake<ref>{{media link|FCCVD 7 page 50.png|Page 50}} of「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑦スーパーマリオブラザーズ2」(''Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2'', or "''Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2''") refers to the blue Bowser as「1{{ruby|匹|ぴき}}めのクッパ」(''the first Bowser''), also noting that he isn't the real Bowser:「こいつ{{ruby|真|しん}}のクッパではない。」</ref> or first/blue<ref>{{media link|FCCVD 11 page 62.png|Page 62}} of「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑪スーパーマリオブラザーズ1&2神わざ大全集」(''Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Kami Waza Taizenshū'', or "''Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Great Complete Work on Miracles/Glitches''").「1{{ruby|匹|ぴき}}めのクッパはむりして{{ruby|倒|たお}}さなくていいよ!ワールド8-4と{{ruby|D|ディー}}-4には、クッパが2{{ruby|匹出|ひきで}}てする。そのうちの1{{ruby|匹|ぴき}}めは,{{ruby|青|あお}}いクッパなんだけど」(''It's ok if you try hard but don't defeat the first Bowser. In Worlds 8-4 and D-4, Bowser appears twice. The first of those is the blue Bowser''...)</ref> [[Bowser]] in the Japanese guides of ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'', which do not specify his relationship to Bowser besides one suggesting that he is not his twin.<ref name=UT>{{media link|SMB2GCWST pages 88 89.png|Page 89}} of「スーパマリオブラザーズ2<裏ワザ大全集>」(''Super Mario Bros. 2 < Urawaza Taizenshū >'', or "''Super Mario Bros. 2 Great Complete Work on Secret Tricks''") has the paragraph:「おお一つと！またグッバがいた。ということは、{{ruby|大魔王|だいまおう}}クッパはふたごだったのか、なんちゃって。アホ。」(''Oh! Bowser is here again. That is to say, the Great Demon King Bowser is actually a TWIN, not! Idiot.'') Note that the author is mocking the reader for believing that Bowser has a twin.</ref> In the character books of the '90s released before the release of ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'', the blue Bowser is described as being either Bowser's first<ref>{{media link|CSMGE page 155.png|Page 155}} of「全スーパーマリオ大百科」(''Zen Super Mario Ōhyakka'', or "''Complete Super Mario Great Encyclopedia''") states of the blue Bowser:「クッパ{{ruby|兄弟|きょうだい}}の1{{ruby|匹目|ぴきめ}}はよけろ!」(''The first of the Bowser brothers!'')</ref> or younger<ref name=SMCE>{{media link|SMCE pages 144 145.png|Page 144}} of「スーパーマリオ{{ruby|全百科|オールひゃっか}}」(''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', or "''Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia''"). The blue Bowser is referred to as「クッパブラザーズの{{ruby|弟|おとうと}}」(''the younger of the Bowser brothers''). The page also states「クッパの{{ruby|弟|おとうと}}だ」(''He's Bowser's younger brother'').</ref><ref>On {{media link|SMBD page 36.png|page 36}} of「スーパーマリオ{{ruby|大図鑑|だいずかん}}」(''Super Mario Bros. Daizukan'', or "''Super Mario Great Picture Book''") [[Dr. Mario]] states:「『マリオ２』ではクッパの{{ruby|弟|おとうと}}が{{ruby|影武者|かげむしゃ}}だったクッパとおなじ{{ruby|力|ちから}}をもった{{ruby|強敵|きょうてき}}だったぞ！」(''In "Mario 2", Bowser's little brother was a strong enemy who had the same strength as Bowser's body doubles.'')</ref> brother. ''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', a book written in collaboration with [[Nintendo]], describes him as part of the「{{ruby|王族|おうぞく}}」(''Ō-zoku'', literally "King Tribe") and thus a leader of the [[Koopa Troop]] and member of Bowser's royal family, along with the [[Koopalings]] and Bowser himself.<ref name=SMCE/><ref>On {{media link|SMCE pages 88 89.png|page 89}} of「スーパーマリオ{{ruby|全百科|オールひゃっか}}」(''Super Mario Zen Hyakka'', or "''Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia''") the「{{ruby|王族|おうぞく}}」term, meaning ''King Tribe'', is given the following explanation:「クッパ{{ruby|軍団|ぐんだん}}を{{ruby|統率|とうそつ}}する{{ruby|王家|おうけ}}の{{ruby|面々|めんめん}}。クッパ、コクッパがこれにあたる。」(''Every member of the royal family that leads the Bowser army corps. Bowser and the Koopalings apply here.'')</ref> Due to his recoloring from blue to green in ''Super Mario All-Stars'', he is not considered a distinct character from [[fake Bowser]]s in the Japanese official guide book.<ref>On {{media link|SMC NOG page 92.png|page 92}} of the ''Nintendo Official Guidebook'' of ''Super Mario Collection'', the blue Bowser is referred to as「ニセクッパ」(''Fake Bowser'').</ref> Contradicting one of the original Japanese guides for ''The Lost Levels'' (which suggested that he was not a twin),<ref name=UT/> when "Bowser's Brother" is described in [[Nintendo Power]]'s guide for ''Super Mario All-Stars'' it states "Bowser's got a twin".<ref name=PG/> After the release of ''Super Mario All-Stars'', he was referred to as a fake Bowser,<ref name=PEGMCE/> with the exception being the [[Prima Games]] guide for ''[[Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]]'', where he is again considered Bowser's brother.<ref>Cain, Christine. ''Super Mario Bros. Deluxe'' Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 71. "''Look out! Bowser has a Hammer-throwing brother, and he’s here to stop you from getting to the end. If you’ve got fireballs, use ʻem. Otherwise ...''"</ref> In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', the English text suggests the blue Bowser is a fake<ref name=Impostor>"''A Bowser Impostor?!　In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!''" - ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' Tips.</ref> while the Japanese version leaves his nature ambiguous.<ref>「にせクッパ!? 『スーパーマリオブラザーズ2』には、青いクッパが登場する。倒すとその先にいつもの緑のクッパがいる。『スマブラ』では8Pカラーで青いクッパになる。」(''Fake Bowser!?　In Super Mario Bros. 2, a blue Bowser appears. Defeat him and beyond is the usual green Bowser. In Smash Bros., the 8P color is the blue-colored Bowser.'') - ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' Tips.</ref> ''Super Mario Pia'', a memorial book also written in collaboration with Nintendo, depicts the blue Bowser as a particular fake Bowser.<ref name=SMP>On {{media link|SMP Blue Bowser.png|page 22}} of「スーパーマリオぴあ」(''Super Mario Pia''), the blue Bowser is labeled as「ニセクッパ」(''Fake Bowser'') while still stressing his body being blue.</ref> ''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros.]]'', which was released around the same time, distinguishes him from fake Bowsers<ref name=ESMBdesc>{{media link|ESMB page 27.png|Page 27}} of「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」(''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book'', or "''Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book''")</ref> but states that his identity is unknown.<ref>Page 30 of「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」(''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book'', or "''Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book''").「謎の青いクッパ! W8-4でクツパと対決する直前、体の青いクッパと戦うことになる。クッパと同等の能力を持つが、その正体は不明。W9-3とWD-4にも登場する。」(''Mysterious Blue Bowser! In W8-4 just before confronting Bowser, a blue-bodied Bowser must be fought. He has the same abilities as Bowser, but his true identity is unknown. He also appears in W9-3 and WD-4.'')</ref> The Japanese Mario Portal website similarly lists him as a blue Bowser,<ref name=JPortal>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/smb2/ Japanese ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' entry on the official Mario Portal]. ''nintendo.co.jp''. Retrieved February 19, 2022. ([https://archive.ph/lNpzo Archived] July 21, 2021 09:21:01 UTC via archive.today.)</ref> while the English version lists him as a blue fake Bowser.<ref name=EPortal/>


==Profiles==
==Profiles==
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[[File:Bowser and Peach original SMB.png|thumb|Bowser art for ''Super Mario Bros.'']]
[[File:Bowser and Peach original SMB.png|thumb|Bowser art for ''Super Mario Bros.'']]
*Due to his bluish coloration, Bowser's Brother resembles [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]'s original blue depiction of Bowser in artwork for ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', prior to the character's redesign in artwork for ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''.
*Due to his bluish coloration, Bowser's Brother resembles [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]'s original blue depiction of Bowser in artwork for ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', prior to the character's redesign in artwork for ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''.
*An event in the now-defunct mobile game ''{{wp|Miitomo}}'' to celebrate the launch of ''[[Super Mario Run]]'' featured a Miitomo Drop minigame known as "Super Mario Run! Princess Peach & Bowser Style", with one of the prizes being a Bowser costume for [[Mii]]s to wear that has the color scheme of Bowser's Brother.
**Additionally, if [[Princess Peach|Peach]]'s Classic Mode route in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', "No Damsel in Distress", is played cooperatively with two players, the penultimate battle with Bowser will add his eight costume as a partner to reference Bowser's Brother in ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''.
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Latest revision as of 06:47, January 31, 2024

Bowser's Brother
Artwork of Bowser's Brother from the Family Computer Disk System version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.
Artwork of Bowser's Brother from Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Species Koopa
First appearance Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986)
Latest appearance Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. (2020)

Bowser's Brother,[1] also referred to as Fake Bowser (Blue)[2] (apparently derived from the Japanese name "Kuppa (Blue)" from the original page)[3] and a Bowser Impostor,[4] is a character similar to Bowser who appears in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. His identity varies in supplemental material, with his most consistent characteristic being his bluish color that was removed in Super Mario All-Stars.[5]

History[edit]

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels[edit]

BowserBrotherSMBTLL.png

Bowser's Brother makes his first appearance in the Family Computer Disk System version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. There, he appears before the fight with Bowser in World 8-4, where he tries to stop Mario or Luigi by throwing hammers at them and breathing fire. He reappears alone in World 9-3, but does not breathe fire.

While distinguished from Bowser by the color of his skin and shell (brown and deep cyan, respectively), defeating him with fireballs does not reveal him as one of Bowser's minions, making him distinct from the fake Bowsers. In World D-4, however, a fake version of him appears that only breathes fire, being revealed as a Spiny when defeated with fireballs.

All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros. reuses World 8-4 and World D-4 from The Lost Levels, so Bowser's Brother and his imposter also return.

Bowser's Brother returns in the Super Mario All-Stars remake of The Lost Levels, where he is colored identically to Bowser, though an unused color palette shows him with his blue color scheme, as well as magenta hair.[6] In World D-4, he replaces his imposter but does not breathe fire.

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

One of Bowser's several recolors artwork.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Bowser's palette swap from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The eighth recolors of Bowser, claimed to be Bowser's Brother

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the eighth costume of Bowser is said to be Bowser's Brother in the tips. It replaces a similar-looking costume from previous games that has yellow hair and green limbs, likely based on Bowser's original artwork (though with the shell and skin colors swapped).

Blue-colored versions of Bowser distinct from Bowser’s Brother[edit]

Even though these blue-colored versions of Bowser likely affected the depiction of Bowser's Brother, they are not stated to be him.

Super Mario Bros.[edit]

In the original Super Mario Bros., the palette used for castle sections before the final boss battle causes an unintended consequence in which Bowser has the same blue coloration of Bowser's Brother. This is due to color of Bowser's skin and shell being obtained through a palette swap commonly used in castle sections of the game, except for the part where the axe is loaded. Because of this, standing near the end of a castle in a way so that Bowser is barely seen on the right-hand side of the screen causes him to appear dark shades of teal, but he will revert back to his correct colors if Mario or Luigi advances any further. The same graphical oversight can be seen in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Additionally, defeating a fake Bowser before his color change will result in the enemy acting as his true form to retain this color scheme (such as World 5-4's fake Bowser becoming a Lakitu using the underground/castle color scheme). Similarly, in the Disk System version of the Minus World, due to that level using the underwater color palette, causing all green enemies to turn gray, including the "green" Cheep-cheeps, Bowser appears gray in his appearance in that version of World -1, based on World 1-3.

Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)[edit]

The different colorings of Bowser in Mario Golf.

The second palette swap of Bowser in the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Golf features a blue skin and a blue shell. Contrary to what would happen in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the shell and head have a lighter blue color than the skin.

Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)[edit]

Bowser and his alternate costume from Mario Tennis in the Tiebreaker mode.
The second color of Bowser in Mario Tennis

In the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis, one of Bowser's palette swaps features the same blue colors seen in Mario Golf.

Identity[edit]

He is initially mentioned as the first/fake[7] or first/blue[8] Bowser in the Japanese guides of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, which do not specify his relationship to Bowser besides one suggesting that he is not his twin.[9] In the character books of the '90s released before the release of Super Mario All-Stars, the blue Bowser is described as being either Bowser's first[10] or younger[11][12] brother. Super Mario Zen Hyakka, a book written in collaboration with Nintendo, describes him as part of the「王族おうぞく」(Ō-zoku, literally "King Tribe") and thus a leader of the Koopa Troop and member of Bowser's royal family, along with the Koopalings and Bowser himself.[11][13] Due to his recoloring from blue to green in Super Mario All-Stars, he is not considered a distinct character from fake Bowsers in the Japanese official guide book.[14] Contradicting one of the original Japanese guides for The Lost Levels (which suggested that he was not a twin),[9] when "Bowser's Brother" is described in Nintendo Power's guide for Super Mario All-Stars it states "Bowser's got a twin".[1] After the release of Super Mario All-Stars, he was referred to as a fake Bowser,[5] with the exception being the Prima Games guide for Super Mario Bros. Deluxe, where he is again considered Bowser's brother.[15] In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the English text suggests the blue Bowser is a fake[4] while the Japanese version leaves his nature ambiguous.[16] Super Mario Pia, a memorial book also written in collaboration with Nintendo, depicts the blue Bowser as a particular fake Bowser.[17] Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros., which was released around the same time, distinguishes him from fake Bowsers[18] but states that his identity is unknown.[19] The Japanese Mario Portal website similarly lists him as a blue Bowser,[20] while the English version lists him as a blue fake Bowser.[2]

Profiles[edit]

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tip[edit]

  • "A Bowser Impostor?! – In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!"

Gallery[edit]

  • Fire Mario facing Bowser's Brother in World 8-4 of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

    Fire Mario facing Bowser's Brother in World 8-4 of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

  • Bowser's Brother in World 9-3 of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

    Bowser's Brother in World 9-3 of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

  • Fake Bowser's Brother in World D-4 of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. It is revealed to be a Spiny if defeated with fireballs.

    Fake Bowser's Brother in World D-4 of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. It is revealed to be a Spiny if defeated with fireballs.

  • Luigi facing Bowser's Brother in the Super Mario Bros. Deluxe version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (referred to in this game as "Super Mario Bros. For Super Players")

    Luigi facing Bowser's Brother in the Super Mario Bros. Deluxe version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (referred to in this game as "Super Mario Bros. For Super Players")

  • Fire Mario facing the recolored Bowser's Brother in the Super Mario All-Stars version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

    Fire Mario facing the recolored Bowser's Brother in the Super Mario All-Stars version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

  • Unused palette in Super Mario All-Stars

    Unused palette in Super Mario All-Stars

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese クッパ・アオ[11]
Kuppa Ao
ニセクッパ[17]
Nise Kuppa
クッパ(青)[18][20]
Kuppa (Ao)
 Blue Bowser

Fake Bowser

Bowser (Blue)

German Bowser (blau)[21]
 Bowser (blue)
Italian Bowser Blu[23]
 Blue Bowser
Spanish Bowser azul[22]
 Blue Bowser

Trivia[edit]

Bowser with captured Princess Toadstool, as they were originally depicted. A Koopa Paratroopa and two mushroom retainers are also seen.
Bowser art for Super Mario Bros.
  • Due to his bluish coloration, Bowser's Brother resembles Shigeru Miyamoto's original blue depiction of Bowser in artwork for Super Mario Bros., prior to the character's redesign in artwork for Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.
  • An event in the now-defunct mobile game Miitomo to celebrate the launch of Super Mario Run featured a Miitomo Drop minigame known as "Super Mario Run! Princess Peach & Bowser Style", with one of the prizes being a Bowser costume for Miis to wear that has the color scheme of Bowser's Brother.
    • Additionally, if Peach's Classic Mode route in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, "No Damsel in Distress", is played cooperatively with two players, the penultimate battle with Bowser will add his eight costume as a partner to reference Bowser's Brother in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Page 62Media:Bowser's Brother Source.jpg of the Super Mario All-Stars Player's Guide has the heading "BOWSER'S BROTHER" and states "You're in for a surprise. Bowser's got a twin."
  2. ^ a b English Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels entry on the official Mario Portal. nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved August 13, 2022. (Archived August 13, 2022 14:35:18 UTC via archive.today.)
  3. ^ Original Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels entry on the official Mario Portal. nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved May 1, 2023. (Archived 21 Jul 2021 09:21:01 UTC via archive.today.)
  4. ^ a b "A Bowser Impostor?!　In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!" - Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Tips.
  5. ^ a b Page 65Media:PEGMCE page 65.png of「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」(Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten, or "Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia"). The text states "A fake Bowser appears in the Famicom version of Super Mario. Since his color is blue, you can tell at a glance that he's a fake, but unfortunately in Mario Collection he became the same green." while the two captions state "Obviously fake blue Bowser." and "He can't be distinguished from the real thing."
  6. ^ TCRF. Super Mario All-Stars § Unused Palettes. The Cutting Room Floor. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  7. ^ Page 50Media:FCCVD 7 page 50.png of「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑦スーパーマリオブラザーズ2」(Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2, or "Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2") refers to the blue Bowser as「1匹ぴきめのクッパ」(the first Bowser), also noting that he isn't the real Bowser:「こいつ真しんのクッパではない。」
  8. ^ Page 62Media:FCCVD 11 page 62.png of「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑪スーパーマリオブラザーズ1&2神わざ大全集」(Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Kami Waza Taizenshū, or "Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Great Complete Work on Miracles/Glitches").「1匹ぴきめのクッパはむりして倒たおさなくていいよ!ワールド8-4とDディー-4には、クッパが2匹出ひきでてする。そのうちの1匹ぴきめは,青あおいクッパなんだけど」(It's ok if you try hard but don't defeat the first Bowser. In Worlds 8-4 and D-4, Bowser appears twice. The first of those is the blue Bowser...)
  9. ^ a b Page 89Media:SMB2GCWST pages 88 89.png of「スーパマリオブラザーズ2<裏ワザ大全集>」(Super Mario Bros. 2 < Urawaza Taizenshū >, or "Super Mario Bros. 2 Great Complete Work on Secret Tricks") has the paragraph:「おお一つと！またグッバがいた。ということは、大魔王だいまおうクッパはふたごだったのか、なんちゃって。アホ。」(Oh! Bowser is here again. That is to say, the Great Demon King Bowser is actually a TWIN, not! Idiot.) Note that the author is mocking the reader for believing that Bowser has a twin.
  10. ^ Page 155Media:CSMGE page 155.png of「全スーパーマリオ大百科」(Zen Super Mario Ōhyakka, or "Complete Super Mario Great Encyclopedia") states of the blue Bowser:「クッパ兄弟きょうだいの1匹目ぴきめはよけろ!」(The first of the Bowser brothers!)
  11. ^ a b c Page 144Media:SMCE pages 144 145.png of「スーパーマリオ全百科オールひゃっか」(Super Mario Zen Hyakka, or "Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia"). The blue Bowser is referred to as「クッパブラザーズの弟おとうと」(the younger of the Bowser brothers). The page also states「クッパの弟おとうとだ」(He's Bowser's younger brother).
  12. ^ On page 36Media:SMBD page 36.png of「スーパーマリオ大図鑑だいずかん」(Super Mario Bros. Daizukan, or "Super Mario Great Picture Book") Dr. Mario states:「『マリオ２』ではクッパの弟おとうとが影武者かげむしゃだったクッパとおなじ力ちからをもった強敵きょうてきだったぞ！」(In "Mario 2", Bowser's little brother was a strong enemy who had the same strength as Bowser's body doubles.)
  13. ^ On page 89Media:SMCE pages 88 89.png of「スーパーマリオ全百科オールひゃっか」(Super Mario Zen Hyakka, or "Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia") the「王族おうぞく」term, meaning King Tribe, is given the following explanation:「クッパ軍団ぐんだんを統率とうそつする王家おうけの面々めんめん。クッパ、コクッパがこれにあたる。」(Every member of the royal family that leads the Bowser army corps. Bowser and the Koopalings apply here.)
  14. ^ On page 92Media:SMC NOG page 92.png of the Nintendo Official Guidebook of Super Mario Collection, the blue Bowser is referred to as「ニセクッパ」(Fake Bowser).
  15. ^ Cain, Christine. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 71. "Look out! Bowser has a Hammer-throwing brother, and he’s here to stop you from getting to the end. If you’ve got fireballs, use ʻem. Otherwise ..."
  16. ^ 「にせクッパ!? 『スーパーマリオブラザーズ2』には、青いクッパが登場する。倒すとその先にいつもの緑のクッパがいる。『スマブラ』では8Pカラーで青いクッパになる。」(Fake Bowser!?　In Super Mario Bros. 2, a blue Bowser appears. Defeat him and beyond is the usual green Bowser. In Smash Bros., the 8P color is the blue-colored Bowser.) - Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Tips.
  17. ^ a b On page 22Media:SMP Blue Bowser.png of「スーパーマリオぴあ」(Super Mario Pia), the blue Bowser is labeled as「ニセクッパ」(Fake Bowser) while still stressing his body being blue.
  18. ^ a b Page 27Media:ESMB page 27.png of「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」(Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book, or "Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book")
  19. ^ Page 30 of「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」(Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book, or "Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book").「謎の青いクッパ! W8-4でクツパと対決する直前、体の青いクッパと戦うことになる。クッパと同等の能力を持つが、その正体は不明。W9-3とWD-4にも登場する。」(Mysterious Blue Bowser! In W8-4 just before confronting Bowser, a blue-bodied Bowser must be fought. He has the same abilities as Bowser, but his true identity is unknown. He also appears in W9-3 and WD-4.)
  20. ^ a b Japanese Super Mario Bros. 2 entry on the official Mario Portal. nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved February 19, 2022. (Archived July 21, 2021 09:21:01 UTC via archive.today.)
  21. ^ Page 27 of Super Mario Encyclopedia – Die ersten 30 Jahre.
  22. ^ Page 27 of Enciclopedia Super Mario Bros 30ª Aniversario.
  23. ^ Page 27 of Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia.
[Edit]
Bowser's family
Forms and counterparts
Alarm Koopa • Baby Bowser (Mega Baby Bowser) • Black Bowser • Blockhead Bowser • Bowcien • Bowser • Bowletta • Castle Bowser • Dreamy Bowser • Dry Bowser • Fury Bowser • Giant Bowser • Giga Bowser • King Koopa's alter egos • King Tetris • Koopa 3 • Magma Bowser • MegaDragonBowser • Meowser • Paper Bowser • President Koopa • Shiny RoboBowser • Shrowser
Current in-game relatives
Dry Bowser • Bowser Jr. • Paper Bowser Jr.
Former in-game relatives
Bowser's Brother • Koopa Kid • Koopalings (Larry Koopa · Morton Koopa Jr. · Wendy O. Koopa · Iggy Koopa · Roy Koopa · Lemmy Koopa · Ludwig von Koopa)
Miscellaneous relatives
Bowser's cousin • Bowser's father • Bowser's mother • Bowser's sister • Enma Daiō • King Koopa's great-great grandkoop • Poopa La Koopa
Pets
Mechawiggler • Pookie • Ratso
President Koopa's relatives
Iggy • Spike
[Edit]
Koopas
Characters Bowser, forms, and counterparts Alarm Koopa • Baby Bowser (Mega Baby Bowser) • Black Bowser • Blockhead Bowser • Bowcien • Bowser • Bowletta • Castle Bowser • Dreamy Bowser • Dry Bowser • Fury Bowser • Giant Bowser • Giga Bowser • King Koopa's alter egos • King Tetris • Koopa 3 • MegaDragonBowser • Meowser • Molten Bowser • Paper Bowser • Shiny RoboBowser • Shrowser
Bowser's current game relatives Dry Bowser • Bowser Jr. • Paper Bowser Jr.
Bowser's former game relatives Bowser's Brother • Koopa Kid • Koopalings (Iggy Koopa · Larry Koopa · Lemmy Koopa · Ludwig von Koopa · Morton Koopa Jr. · Roy Koopa · Wendy O. Koopa)
Bowser's adaptation relatives Bowser's father • Bowser's mother • Bowser's sister • Enma Daiō • King Koopa's great-great grandkoop • Poopa La Koopa
Other Bowser X • C. Everett Koopa • Dark Bowser • Darkmess Bowser • Francis Ford Koopola • Gary Koopa • James Fennimore Koopa
Species Fake Bowser • Koopa Kid • Koopa Zombie • Tail Bowser
Facsimiles and other constructs Robots Blasta Mechakoopa • Bowser??? • Bowser's mech • Flying Mechakoopa • Mecha-Bowser • Mecha Hand • Mechakoopa • Mega Mechakoopa • Mekakuppa • Mini Bowser • Mini Bowser Jr. • Rabbid Mechakoopa • Robo-suit • The Great King Bowser • Zappa Mechakoopa
Statues Abominable Snowkoopa • Bowser Monument • Bowser Snow Statue • Bowser Statue • Bowser Stunner • Guard Door • Koopa no Yukidaruma • Papercraft Bowser • Papercraft Bowser Jr.
Buildings Bowser's Castle • Bowser's Galaxy Generator • Koopamart • Temple of Koopa
Vehicles Bone Rattler • Flame Runner • Gilded King • Holiday King • Koopa Cruiser • Koopa King • Silver King
Related items Bowser Bomb • Bowser Candy • Bowser Capsule • Bowser Suit • Bowser's Shell • Grand Spiky Shell • Koopa Kid Orb • Spiky Shell
[Edit]
Super Mario Bros. / Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels / Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
Playable characters Mario • Luigi
Non-playable characters Mushroom retainer • Princess Toadstool • Boo2 • Yoshi2
Super Mario Bros. worlds World 1 • World 2 • World 3 • World 4 • World 5 • World 6 • World 7 • World 8 • Hard Mode
The Lost Levels worlds World 1 • World 2 • World 3 • World 4 • World 5 • World 6 • World 7 • World 8 • World 9 • World A • World B • World C • World D
Items 1 up Mushroom • Coin • Fire Flower • Magic Mushroom • Poisonous Mushroom1,2 • Red Coin2 • Starman • Yoshi Egg2
Objects ? Block • Ax • Balance Scale • Beanstalk • Brick Block • Bridge • Coin Heaven • Coral • Fireworks • Flagpole • Flimsy Lift • Hard Block • Horsehair plant • Jumping board • Lift • Super Spring1,2 • Warp Zone • Water • Wind1
Enemies Bloober • Bowser's Brother1,2 • Bullet Bill • Buzzy Beetle • Cheep-cheep • Fire-Bar • Hammer Brother • Koopa Paratroopa • Koopa Troopa • Lakitu • Little Goomba • Piranha Plant • Podoboo • Spiny • Spiny's egg • Turtle Cannon
Bosses Bowser • Fake Bowser
Miscellaneous Gallery (The Lost Levels · Deluxe) • Glitches (The Lost Levels) • Media • Pre-release and unused content • Staff (Deluxe) • Super Mario Bros.: Mario Syndrome
Related games All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros. • Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. • Super Mario Bros. 35 • Super Mario Bros. Special • VS. Super Mario Bros.
1 Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
2 Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
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