Bowser

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Bowser
Bowser Tokyo 2020 artwork.png
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 artwork of Bowser playing Discus Throw
Franchise Mario
First appearance Super Mario Bros. (1985, overall)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) (2007)
Latest appearance Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (2022, overall)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (2019, Sonic the Hedgehog-related media)
Full name King Bowser Koopa
Species Koopa

Bowser is main antagonist of the Mario franchise as well as the main arch-nemesis of Mario and Luigi. Bowser often has the role of kidnapping Princess Peach, namely in the Super Mario series, and leads an army called the Koopa Troop to help him with this task and to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser has a son named Bowser Jr. and a group of seven minions named the Koopalings. Bowser made his first overall appearance in the Nintendo Entertainment System game Super Mario Bros., and his first appearance in Sega-related media is Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for the Wii.

History[edit]

Mario & Sonic series[edit]

Bowser is a playable character of the Power type in every Mario & Sonic series installment.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii)[edit]

Artwork of Bowser doing the Hammer Throw event in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Emblem

In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Bowser has the highest power stat, combined with a high level of stamina. Bowser's high strength allows him to perform better in certain events, such as Hammer Throw. His swim stroke is the breaststroke.

In Mission Mode, Bowser has a set of six missions, the last one being unlockable, and each having their own specific objective:

  1. Pole Vault - Bowser must clear the bar set at 5.70 meters twice
  2. Javelin Throw - Bowser must throw the javelin between 50 and 55 meters
  3. 400m Hurdles - Bowser must not knock over a single hurdle and finish with a time between 45 and 53 seconds
  4. Hammer Throw- Like Javelin Throw, Bowser must throw the hammer between 50 and 55 meters
  5. Singles - Bowser must win by scoring 7 points with smash shots
  6. Dream Fencing - Bowser must win by knocking his opponent out of the ring twice

Once the player has cleared all six of Bowser's missions, they unlock the Bowser Emblem. Additionally, the player can earn the Bowser Crown by acquiring all gold and 1st medals with Bowser.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nintendo DS)[edit]

In the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Bowser retains his stats from the Wii version. Both the Bowser Emblem and the Bowser Crown return as unlockables, having the same criteria to unlock, although Bowser has a different set of missions in Mission Mode:

  1. Individual epée - Bowser must parry five of his opponent's attacks and win
  2. Hammer Throw - Bowser must throw three times in a row for a total of at least 220m
  3. 400m - Bowser must overcome a 1-second handicap to win
  4. Archery - Bowser must get ten points three times in a row!
  5. Dream Table Tennis - Bowser must earn at least 20 points in a single rally
  6. Dream Fencing - Bowser must defeat Vector

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)[edit]

Artwork of Bowser snowboarding in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

Bowser appears as a playable character in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games for the Wii. He is once again a power character, having high power and speed stats, along with average acceleration and skill stats. His special skill is Spinning Shell, which he can use in certain events to gain a burst of speed.

A Mii outfit based on Bowser can be unlocked after winning five gold or/and 1st place medals in any Olympic event or Dream Event with Bowser and then buying the costume in the boutique for 300 Star Tokens.

Most of Bowser's voice clips were reused from Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Nintendo DS)[edit]

Bowser and Dr. Eggman, the two main antagonists of Adventure Tours in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games's Nintendo DS version

In the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, as a playable character, Bowser has high speed, power, and stamina, but below average technique and jumping. He instead has the Flame Dash as his Special Skill.

Bowser is one of the two main antagonists of Adventure Tours, the other being Dr. Eggman. The two of them team up to stop the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and host their own games. In order to achieve this, Bowser uses his fire to melt all the snow, and Eggman captures the six Snow spirits; however, one manages to escape, but Bowser and Eggman disregard this, believing that the five they have can produce all the snow they need.

Upon hearing about the predicament from the one snow spirit, Frosty, Mario and Sonic set out to stop Bowser and Eggman and rescue the other five spirits. They defeat Bowser and Eggman's henchmen and save the snow spirits, then confront Dr. Eggman and Bowser right after saving Frosty from Dry Bowser at Blizland. The two challenge them first to Blazing Bobsleigh, then to Fever Hockey, and finally to Extreme Snowboarding. Once their rivals defeat them, they are disappointed that they lost, but are then angered about it and escape.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii)[edit]

Artwork of Bowser doing Javelin Throw in Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games

Bowser appears as a power type character in the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He has high speed, stamina, and power, but low acceleration and technique. He retains the Spinning Shell as his Special Skill.

In the game's opening, Bowser appears alongside all of the other athletes at the start, as well as later competing in Canoe Sprint 1000m and Football.

A Mii costume based on Bowser can be unlocked either by winning it through a Scratch Card or paying ten blank cards.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS)[edit]

Bowser and Dr. Eggman in the lab in Big Ben in the The Night Before episode in the Nintendo 3DS version

In the Nintendo 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Bowser is included in the Wild Ones category, meaning that he is only playable in certain Events.

In the Story Mode, Bowser first appears in the opening with Dr. Eggman, revealing and beginning their plan to cover London in the Phantasmal Fog to prevent the games from happening as revenge for not being invited, with Bowser planning to protect the Fog machines using his minions. The other characters come to the conclusion that Bowser is responsible for the fog when they find the minions guarding sites around London with the fog. Bowser then appears in Corner the Koopa King!, where he attacks Sonic after evading Knuckles and Vector, who then defeat him in an Olympic event before interrogating him. In Clear Skies Again, it is revealed that the Bowser Knuckles and Vector had found was actually a hologram, and the real Bowser had been in Big Ben the whole time, who then helps Dr. Eggman start covering the city in fog again. Bowser next appears in The Grand Showdown, in which he and Dr. Eggman challenge Mario and Sonic to an Olympic event after being powered up by the Phantasmal Fog. After being defeated, Bowser reveals the reasons why they had covered London in fog, and Toad invites them to come to the Main Stadium to sign up for the games. Bowser is then seen at the opening ceremony for the games. In the Challengers bonus episodes, Bowser Jr. aims to impress Bowser and frequently mentions him, asking various characters to tell Bowser about how well he's been doing. Bowser also appears in the Wild Ones bonus episodes, in which he is first seen getting annoyed with Goomba, Lakitu and Magikoopa as they give him an inaccurate tour of London. The minions believe that something is upsetting him and set up a challenge for him with Donkey Kong to cheer him up. After he defeats Donkey Kong, the minions set up a challenge for him to beat Knuckles and Vector, and later another one against a Goomba disguised as Mario. This, along with the arrival of Bower Jr., cheers Bowser up, who reveals he has been trying to cover up a bad case of toothache. Bowser's final appearance is in The Real Beginning, in which he and Dr. Eggman arrive in Hyde Park to collect their invitations to the Olympic Games, and after being defeated by Peach and Amy, wait for their invitations. Bowser and Dr. Eggman find two Toads who were heading off to deliver the invitations and scare them, causing them to drop their invitations. The pair find the invitations but mistake them for love letters and decide to head off sightseeing instead.

A badge of Bowser can be obtained from the badge machine.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games[edit]

An E3 2013 pre-release screenshot of Bowser competing in the Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom event in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games

In Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Bowser returns as a playable character, once again retaining his status of being a Power-type character. Bowser still has the Spinning Shell as his Special Skill.

In Legends Showdown, Bowser is on the fifth team, along with Bowser Jr., Dr. Eggman and Metal Sonic.

A Mii costume based on Bowser can be unlocked by finishing first in Winter Sports Champion Race after switching to all four sets of gear.

Mario and Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Wii U)[edit]

In the Wii U version of Mario and Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Bowser is a character available from the start, once again retaining his high power-related stats, and is playable in all events.

A Mii costume set based on Bowser can be unlocked by completing Bowser's Carnival Challenge, although it must be collected in two separate parts, each with their own stat changes.

Mario and Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS)[edit]

In the Nintendo 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Bowser is only playable in Golf and Boxing.

In Road to Rio mode, Bowser and Dr. Eggman teamed up once again. This time, they stole the Olympic medals and framed both Mario Gym and Sonic Gym for the theft. Mario and Sonic, with the help of the player's Mii, were able to put a stop to them.

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Arcade Edition[edit]

In Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Arcade Edition, Bowser is among the Power-type playable characters. Both his Power and Speed are higher than in Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for the Wii U, though his Technique was slightly lowered. Bowser's Power stat is at a maximum number of 10, while his Speed and Technique are at 4.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020[edit]

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, is a Power-type character who is playable in both the Tokyo 2020 and the Tokyo 1964 events, the latter in which uses his sprite design from Super Mario Bros., like the other Mario characters.

A screenshot of Bowser complaining that he and Dr. Eggman were also drawn into the Tokyo '64 gaming system in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020's Story Mode

In Story Mode, both Bowser and Dr. Eggman once again return as the main antagonists. They teamed up to trap Sonic and Mario inside Eggman's Tokyo '64 gaming system, which contained a digital recreation of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Using a spell from one of Bowser's Magikoopas, Eggman designed the Tokyo '64 to emit a beam of light that would trap anyone touched by the light inside the device. Bowser and Eggman then sent the game to Sonic and Mario. However, while the villains hid to watch the results, Bowser got impatient and butted in to make them turn on the Tokyo '64, which led to Bowser, Eggman, Sonic, Mario and Toad all getting sucked into the Tokyo '64. Inside the heavily pixelated world of the Tokyo '64, Bowser and Bowser's plot was realized by the heroes, who asked for a way out. Eggman, however, claimed there was no way back to the real world. Bowser was then encouraged by Eggman to compete with him in the Olympic Games featured inside the Tokyo '64 so they could win gold medals. However, the villains soon found themselves facing Sonic and Mario, who had decided to compete as well. After Eggman lost the gold medal to Sonic, Bowser tried to take on Mario, but lost as well. Bowser was then pulled to the sidelines by Eggman, who tried telling Bowser in secret that the medals were needed to escape the Tokyo '64, and that his earlier claim about there being no escape was a lie to hide the truth from Sonic and Mario. However, the two soon saw that Toad had been listening. Bowser and Eggman proceeded to sneak away before Sonic and Mario could confront them. Bowser himself tried to escape in a boat on Sumida River, but was intercepted and cornered by Mario and Toad. Fortunately, the heroes soon got distracted, which Bowser used as an opportunity to escape.

Bowser and Eggman later met up in the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. However, their plan to get medals unopposed were foiled when Sonic and Mario showed up. With Eggman forced to admit by Toad that there was a way out of the Tokyo '64, the heroes refused to let the villains get the medals. What followed next was a match between Eggman and Mario, where Mario won the gold medal. Bowser then began to belittle Eggman, but Eggman refuted that the heroes would not know what to do with the medals, much to Bowser's joy. As Bowser and Eggman later tried discussing what the medals were used for, they noticed Sonic nearby. After Eggman made up a lie, Bowser left with him. Later, in Nippon Budokan with Eggman, Bowser prepared himself for the Judo event, only for Sonic and Mario to show up. Bowser subsequently took on Sonic, but lost the medal to him. Bowser was then convinced by Eggman to split up for now and devise a new plan somewhere else. Bowser later met up with Eggman at the Olympic Cauldron in the National Stadium. There, Bowser learned from Eggman that by inserting fourteen gold medals into fourteen keyholes underneath the Olympic Cauldron, one would be able to escape the Tokyo '64. However, the villains soon discovered that Sonic, Mario and Toad had been snooping on their conversation. Accepting that the secret was out, Bowser followed Eggman to another venue to get more gold medals. However, the heroes followed them to the National Gymnasium, where Eggman lost a gold medal to Sonic. Soon after though, a screen that eventually said that "Power-up Items" from Eggman Nega were on the way appeared.

As mysterious items fell all over the digital world, Bowser and Eggman hurried out to get them and use them to win medals. Arriving at Lake Sagamim, Bowser got a hold of a few "Miracle Roll" power-up which he used to amplify his skills. When he tried to eat a third one however, a bird snatched it from him. Confronted by Sonic and Mario immediately after, Bowser faced Sonic in a Kayak event, only to be defeated. Afterward, Bowser left to find Eggman to check up on his progress. Bowser eventually found Eggman in the National Stadium where they discussed their status until Sonic and Mario came. There, Bowser stood on the sidelines while Eggman faced Mario in an event and lost. Regardless, Eggman was sure that he could just call Eggman Nega for more power-ups. When he did however, everything around them began flickering, which was a sign that the Tokyo '64 was running out of battery. Bowser thought this meant they would get stuck inside the Tokyo '64 forever, but Eggman corrected him by revealing that they would all vanish instead. This prompted the villains to challenge the heroes to another event to get the medals needed to escape to the real world. With the heroes accepting the challenge, the group went to the Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground. There, Eggman lost to Sonic in Volleyball. Regardless, Bowser assured Eggman that they still had the final event left and that they could just take Sonic and Mario's medals if needed.

Heading to the National Stadium, Bowser and Eggman met Sonic and Mario there, where Bowser were to face Mario in the final event. After Mario won the last gold medal, Bowser was reminded by Eggman to initiate their plan about stealing the medals. Knocking out Sonic and Mario, Bowser tried to take their medals, only to discover that they were gone. After Toad revealed that Sonic and Mario had given him the medals for safekeeping, Sonic and Mario reminded the villains that they did not have much time left and that they should team up to get out. Agreeing to simply have a showdown with their arch enemies once they were out, Bowser and Eggman agreed to the offer. The group thus went to the Olympic Cauldron and placed the gold medals into the keyholes. Soon after, a column of light appeared to take them back to the real world. While this was happening however, everything around them began to flicker again, signifying that the battery had run out. The group subsequently began to fade away while unable to reach the escape route. Fortunately, they were saved in the last second when Tails and Luigi replaced the battery on the Tokyo '64. Now restored, Bowser and the others reached the exit and return to the real world.

After Bowser praised Bowser Jr. for being brave to rescue him, he and Eggman confronted Sonic and Mario, ready to settle things with them. As such, Bowser and Eggman faced Sonic and Mario in a 100m event, alongside other competitors. After they lost, Bowser and Eggman got mad, but quickly got over it.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - Arcade Edition[edit]

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - Arcade Edition, Bowser is playable in both the Tokyo 2020 and Tokyo 1964 events, like in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

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Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Bowser
Bowser SSBU.png
Game appearances
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (unlockable)
Special moves
Standard:  Fire Breath
Side:  Koopa Klaw (Melee), Flying Slam (Brawl onward)
Up:  Whirling Fortress
Down:  Bowser Bomb
Final Smash:  Giga Bowser (Brawl, for 3DS / Wii U); Giga Bowser Punch (Ultimate)

In the Super Smash Bros. series, Bowser is a playable character in every game since Super Smash Bros. Melee. His stage entrance involves him emerging from a wall of flames.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

Bowser SSBB icon.png

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the first to include Sega-related content, Bowser is still among the heaviest fighters, being slightly heavier than in Super Smash Bros. Melee (weighing 120 units as opposed to 118), though he is slightly faster and weaker. He is also now one of the few characters who can crawl.

Bowser's standard special move is Fire Breath, his standard flame-spewing attack. His side special is Flying Slam, a claw swipe that grabs enemies; it replaces Koopa Klaw from Super Smash Bros. Melee. Bowser's up special is Whirling Fortress, which has him retract into his shell and spin rapidly. His down special move is Bowser Bomb, a Ground Pound move based on his attack from Super Mario Bros. 3. Bowser's forward smash was changed from Super Smash Bros. Melee in that it is no longer a single-hitting headbutt that induces an explosion but now a standard headbutt that can hit twice, resulting in a lot of damage to the target. Bowser's Final Smash transforms him into his giant counterpart, Giga Bowser, giving him from taking knockback, and gives his attacks increased power.

Bowser's voice effects are more realistic animal growls and grunts than in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary[edit]
A snapshot of Bowser in Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary

In Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary, Bowser, a leader of the Subspace Army, orders his minions to steal Donkey Kong's banana hoard. After Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong have recovered it, Bowser faces them himself. He reveals his Dark Cannon and turns Donkey Kong into a trophy, though not before Diddy is sent to safety when Giant Punch. Bowser claims Donkey Kong's trophy, then pursues Diddy, who enlisted the aid of Fox McCloud, with the assistance of a Shadow Bug clone and the Koopa Troop. After his clone is defeated by them, he attempts to blast them with the Dark Cannon, but misses and his targets flee off a cliff.

Later, he encounters the princess whom Kirby saved (either Peach or Zelda), having been left behind when Kirby heads off to check out an ominous noise. Bowser blasts her with his Dark Cannon after catching the princess by surprise, and his shadow bug clone dissolves and forms into one of the princess, while he makes off with the trophy of the real princess off-screen.

It is later shown that Bowser is working closely with Ganondorf in running the Subspace Army (along with Wario to a minor extent), though he dislikes him and prefers Master Hand. He reluctantly follows his orders, however, and heads to Castle Dedede upon receiving info from the dark ruler that Dedede has trophies he stole from Wario there. Bowser arrives at the castle by falling through the ceiling, chunks of which knocking Dedede out cold and burying him along with the Luigi and Ness trophies. However, Bowser instantly finds the trophy of the other princess, and takes it. Mario, Link, Pit, Kirby, and Yoshi catch up to him at this point, and Mario attempts to punch Bowser, but he intentionally misses when he holds up the princess trophy as a shield. Pit fires an arrow, which Bowser dodges, but falls off the cliff nearby and into his Koopa Clown Car, flying off to the Halberd.

He later appears a third time to Fox and Diddy Kong, this time turning the unsuspecting monkey into a trophy. He tries to blast Fox, but misses. Shadow Bugs then crawl over it upon his command and assume the form of Diddy. He once again attempts to blast Fox with his Dark Cannon, but cavalry arrives in the form of Falco, who kicks his weapon out of his hand and destroys it with multiple blasts from his blasters. Vexed at this, Bowser then retreats in his Koopa Clown Car, leaving the Diddy Kong clone to grow at mega proportions and deal with Falco, Fox, and the restored Diddy Kong, but it is defeated.

Bowser and Ganondorf commanding the Subspace Gunship to attack

Eventually, Bowser and Ganondorf fly a Subspace Gunship into the other world from the Subspace explosion created on the Isle of Ancients and use its massive primary cannon to bring pieces of the world into the Subspace. They see the recently liberated Halberd flying toward the ship and use the gunship's defense systems to destroy it, but are unable to hit the smaller, more maneuverable ships and aircrafts that emerge from the wreckage until the Subspace Gunship is destroyed by Kirby's Dragoon. The duo then deport into Subspace to report their failure to Master Hand, but Ganondorf betrays Bowser by blasting him from behind with a Dark Cannon and transforming him into a trophy. Master Hand then appears to them, but it is revealed that Master Hand is being controlled by the being Tabuu; Master Hand breaks free afterward, thanks to the livid Ganondorf's attempt to attack Tabuu, and attempts to attack him, but is defeated easily and left unconscious.

Upon being revived by King Dedede, Bowser awakens enraged by Ganon's treachery, and fights the hammer king out of anger, but is soundly defeated. He is turned back to normal once more, and (after Dedede humorously flicks him across the nose to calm down) learns the truth behind the Subspace mission and, upon taking in the situation, joins the heroes in the fight against Tabuu. Upon finding Ganondorf's trophy (just after Kirby's discovery of it), he furiously attacks it, as retribution for the treason of which he was victim earlier.

Eventually, Tabuu is defeated by the combined power of the heroes, and they all return to the World of Trophies. The credits depict the entire group on a cliff, looking out at sea towards a large "X" formed out of light, the location of what once was the Isle of Ancients.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[edit]

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U artwork

Bowser reappears as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and has received a number of changes. For one, Bowser's stance has been made upright, compared to his more hunched appearance in previous games, making him the largest character in the game. He has also been made faster and can jump higher in this game, and now has full armor against moves that deal minor knockback. His weight has been greatly increased, now weighing 130 units. While Bowser's special moves are unchanged, a number of his other moves in the previous games, such as his neutral attack, down tilt, forward smash, neutral and back air attacks, and dash attack, have been replaced with new attacks, while even more have been given changed or new animations; for example, he now actually runs instead of sliding across the ground when dashing, and does not retreat into his shell while double jumping, air dodging, or rolling; this also extends to his helpless and reeling animations.

In the North American flavor text for the co-op event match Princess in Peril, Bowser and Bowser Jr. threaten that anyone who "kidnaps" Peach instead of themselves will be "launched into the next dimension", alluding to a line from the Saban dub of Dragon Ball Z that was used as a euphemism for death.

Both Bowser and Bowser Jr. also share a victory theme different from the other Mario characters: a rock cover of the standard Super Mario series fanfare.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Bowser makes an appearance as an unlockable playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Bowser's moveset and attributes remain mostly the same, though he now has greater resistance to stronger attacks such as Villager's Pocketed projectiles. Bowser also receives super armor on all of his tilts and smash attacks, making them safer to use. Additionally, Bowser's down smash is now a claw swipe that hits in front and behind himself. Bowser's forward tilt and first hit of his neutral attack are now sumo-style punches instead of backhanded punches or hooks. Bowser also hops at the end of his up throw. Bowser, like all other characters, receives improvements to his mobility, while his short hop timing is reduced; additionally, his aerials have less landing lag. Bowser can directionally air dodge once again, and can now use any ground attack out of a run and use his aerial attacks on ladders. Lastly, Bowser's weight has been further increased to 135 units, while some of his attacks deal more damage.

Bowser is unlocked by either completing Classic Mode as Donkey Kong or by playing a VS match after unlocking Ness and Zelda. His unlock match takes place on the Mushroom Kingdom U stage. In World of Light, the player can recruit Bowser by defeating him in his Giga Bowser form, which also unlocks him as a playable fighter. Bowser is the only character in World of Light to not be fought in his standard form during his recruitment battle.

In World of Light, Bowser is present when the fighters first oppose Galeem. He attempts to resist Galeem's large beam attack with his fire breath, but ultimately is consumed and used to create puppet fighters.

Bowser also has several spirits based on him, aside from his fighter spirit. One of them, based on his wedding appearance from Super Mario Odyssey, is an Ace-class Grab-type primary spirit that occupies two slots and simply raises the power of a fighter. It can be encountered on The Final Battle map of World of Light, and in its corresponding battle, the player allies with Peach to fight Bowser on the New Donk City Hall stage. Another one of Bowser's spirits is based on his paper appearance that was specifically used in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, which can be enhanced at level 99 to the form seen in Paper Mario: Sticker Star.

Classic Mode route[edit]

Bowser's Classic Mode route has him fight opponents who are clad in red, similar to - and including - his arch-nemesis, Mario. Once Bowser defeats Mario, Metal Mario appears to fight him.

The Red One. Every Red One!
Round Opponent(s) Stage Song
1 Mii Brawler ×2, Mii Gunner, Mii Swordfighter Find Mii Airship Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3
2 Ken Suzaku Castle Ken Stage
3 Samus Norfair Brinstar (Melee)
4 Giant Charizard, Giant Incineroar Pokémon Stadium 2 Victory Road - Pokémon Ruby / Pokémon Sapphire
5 Diddy Kong Kongo Jungle Stickerbush Symphony
6 Rathalos Roar/Rathalos
Final Mario
Metal Mario
New Donk City Hall (Ω) Ground Theme (Band Performance) - Super Mario Bros.
Metal Battle

General information[edit]

Physical appearance[edit]

Bowser is a huge, burly, green-shelled Koopa with spikes, horns, and hair in a loose cockscomb. His bushy eyebrows and mane are fittingly a bright, fiery red-orange and has bright red eyes. He sports two small horns, many spikes on his shell (similar to a Spiny) with brown-orange spike-rings, as well as along his tail (minus the spike-rings). He wears several spiked collars around his neck and arms. He has three claws on each of his massive padded feet, four claw-tipped fingers including a thumb on each hand, and his arms are noticeably burly, indicating his vast physical strength. While his face and his shell are green, his plastron and muzzle are beige colored (occasionally depicted as being closer to tan or even yellow), and his tail and limbs are an orange-tinged yellow.

Bowser's 8-bit sprite from Super Mario Bros., reused for the Tokyo 1964 events in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, depicts both his head and shell as green. His hair is not shown in the sprite.

List of Sega-related appearances[edit]

Title Year of release Release medium
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games 2007 Wii
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games 2008 Nintendo DS
Super Smash Bros. Brawl 2008 Wii
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games 2009 Wii
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games 2009 Nintendo DS
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games 2011 Wii
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games 2012 Nintendo 3DS
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games 2013 Wii U
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS 2014 Nintendo 3DS
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 2014 Wii U
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games 2016 Nintendo 3DS
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Arcade Edition 2016 Arcade
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games 2016 Wii U
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 2018 Nintendo Switch
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 2019 Nintendo Switch
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - Arcade Edition 2020 Arcade

Profiles[edit]

Mario & Sonic series[edit]

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games[edit]

Profile[edit]

"A Koopa with big spikes, Bowser is an extremely strong competitor and will dominate the Power events with his big muscles. His nasty disposition makes him an intimidating competitor in any event that he enters, especially the hammer throw and javelin throw."

Stats[edit]
Speed
 
Power
 
Skill
 
Stamina
 

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games[edit]

Profile[edit]

"Bowser is Mario's arch-enemy and leader of the Koopa race trying to take over the Mushroom Kingdom at every opportunity. Large and strong, this towering competitor has the Spinning Shell ability on the Wii and DS and Flame Dash ability on the DS. The snow will not slow down this member of Team Mario. You can be sure Bowser believes the gold medal has his name on it!"

Stats[edit]
Wii version
Speed
 
Acceleration
 
Power
 
Skill
 
Nintendo DS version
Speed
 
Jumping
 
Power
 
Technique
 
Stamina
 

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games[edit]

Profile[edit]

"One of Mario's biggest rivals, Bowser is an extremely strong competitor and will dominate the Power events with his big muscles. His size makes him a formidable competitor in any event that he enters, especially the Hammer Throw and Javelin Throw."

Statistics[edit]
  • Acceleration: 5/10
  • Max Speed: 7/10
  • Technique: 4/10
  • Power: 9/10
  • Stamina: 8/10

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games[edit]

  • Online Profile: "The fire-breathing Bowser isn't normally someone to be trifled with, and he's just as formidable out on the ice and snow."

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Wii U)[edit]

Flag description[edit]

Bowser
The vicious and egotistical King of the Koopas! He's come to these Olympic Games with a host of seasoned minions in tow, and ordered them to win gold on penalty of fire breath - even though he plans to keep all of them for himself. It's just what any good villain would do.

Miis' dialogues[edit]
  • Bowser can breathe fire, right? Well, he should use that to light the Olympic Caldron at the Opening Ceremony! Talk about a showstopper! ...Actually, you know what? Scratch that idea. I'm not sure that angry fire breath is the best way to embody the Olympic spirit.
  • Bowser has ten spines sticking out of his shell. They're pretty sturdy looking, not to mention pokey. You wouldn't want to be on the business end of those!
  • Bowser has a son named Bowser Jr. He might be the son of the big bad Koopa himself, but since he's still a kid, he comes across as kind of adorable.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020[edit]

  • Website bio: The Koopa King's strength, fire breath, and large army of Goombas, Koopa Troopas, and more make him a constant threat to world peace.

Gallery[edit]

Artwork[edit]

Sprites[edit]

Screenshots[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese クッパ
Kuppa
"Koopa", a reference to the Korean dish gukbap, called "kuppa" in Japanese. In older media, Bowser had the alternative titles 「クッパ大王」 Kuppa-daiō and 「魔王クッパ」 Maō Kuppa, meaning "Great King Koopa" and "Demon King Koopa", respectively. In the games, his title is usually 「大魔王クッパ」 Daimaō Kuppa, meaning "Great Demon King Koopa".
Chinese (Simplified) 酷霸王
Kùbàwáng
From "酷" (, cool/cruel) and "霸王" (bàwáng, tyrant/despot/overlord). "酷霸" (Kùbà) is also transliterated from the Japanese name, and used for the surname of the Koopalings.[1]
Chinese (Traditional) 庫巴
Kùbā
Transliteration of the Japanese name
Dutch Bowser -
French Bowser
German Bowser -
Italian Bowser -
Korean 쿠파
Kupa
Transliteration of the Japanese name, although the name originates from a Korean food's name, Gukbap (국밥).
Portuguese Bowser -
Russian Боузер
Bouzer
Transliteration of the international name.
Slovenian Kralj Koopa King Koopa
Spanish Bowser -

References[edit]