TheSuper Marioseries is famous for producing some ofthe greatest 2D platformers ever. The plumber’s side-scrolling adventures are iconic pieces of video game history, thanks to their masterful level designs and legendary boss fights.
Nintendo’smascot has gone toe-to-toe with many quirky villains, and the 2D games have some of the most memorable and fun bosses in the series. Whether you’re playing a classic title on the SNES orSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, the best 2D Mario bosses showcase the immense creativity and uniqueness that makes the series so magical.
Level
Fluff-Puff Peaks Palace
Bowser Jr. is the boss ofevery palace level in Super Mario Wonder, but the best fight against the spoiled tyrant is in world two. Throughout the battle, Bowser Jr. uses a Wonder Flower to transform the boss arena. He turns the floor into ice during the second phase, forcing Mario to slip and slide while dodging the little brat’s attacks.
Things get more intense when Bowser Jr. hinders Mario’s speed and jumps by changing the floor into sticky honey. Everything comes together in the final phase, where the ground constantly switches between ice and honey, forcing you to adapt to the physics changes until you put the Koopa kid down for his nap.
Chapter 4-4
If you need proof that thePaper Marioseries is delightfully weird, look no further than Brobot. This boss fight sees Mario fly into Outer Space to battle a brainwashed Luigi, who has become a masked supervillain with a giant robot replica of his face. If that wasn’t enough, this boss is also a side-scrolling shoot-em-up.
The fight against Luigi (known here as Mr. L) pays homage to arcade side-scrolling shooters. Mario must shoot Brobot while dodging missiles, lasers, and a giant vacuum. you may even collect power-ups to upgrade your bullets and gain additional weapons. It’s the most bizarre 2D Mario boss, but that makes it one of the best.
Slide Lift Tower
Kamek, also known as Magikoopa, has many devilish tricks up his sleeves. He starts by creating floating blocks with enemies trapped inside. The battle becomes a race against time since you must jump across the flying platforms to hit Kamek before the enemies escape and attack you.
The heat cranks up when Kamek teleports rapidly around the room, making it tricky to hit him. To make things worse, the wicked Koopa transforms parts of the ground into collapsing floors, meaning you can’t stand in one place for too long. The many twists and fiendish mechanics make this the most interesting fight in the game and a thrill to replay.
Bowser’s Castle
The final boss against Bowser puts your platforming skills to the ultimate test. Bowser emerges from a pool of lava as a colossal monster and relentlessly chases you throughout the castle. A fiery death lingers below as you jump from platform to platform while dodging Bowser’s massive flames.
As if you don’t have enough on your hands, the game throws a dead end at you now and then. If you want to survive, you must lure Bowser over and trick him into destroying the wall to create a path forward. It’s surprisingly intense for a Mario level, ensuring Bowser remains one ofgaming’s greatest villains.
Stage 9-9
Mario facesmany villains besides Bowser, but none compare to his rivalry with Donkey Kong. After eating a concerning amount of Super Mushrooms, DK transforms into a giant akin to King Kong and tries to crush the pesky plumber once and for all.
This boss lets Mario turn the tables by using Donkey Kong’s barrels against him. The massive DK shakes the ground with his devastating punches while Mario runs to the nearest barrel and chucks it at the towering ape. It’s an epic way to end an extremely underrated gem in the Mario series.
The Final Battle
What’s better than one Koopa? Two, of course! This boss is an intense two-on-one battle against the father and son duo. It begins with a gigantic Bowser spewing huge fireballs while Bowser Jr. soars through the air in his Clown Copter, waiting for the opportunity to swoop down and crush Mario. That’s when the fun happens.
In full-on Grand Theft Auto fashion, Mario rips Bowser Jr. out of the Clown Copter, hijacks it, and crashes it right into the Koopa King’s face. Who knew Mario could be so brutal? Stealing Bowser Jr.’s copter is a satisfying twist, cementing this fight as one of the best 2D Mario bosses.
Donut Secret House
Super Mario World isa must-play SNES game, largely thanks to its incredible secrets like the Big Boo boss fight. The floor is made of blocks, which you must pick up and throw at the vicious ghost. This creates a risk-versus-reward system where every attempt to hit the boss results in less space to run.
Big Boo isn’t the hardest fight in the game, but he’s certainly the most unique. He’s the only boss who appears outside a castle or fortress, and you need to find three secret exits across three levels just to attempt this fight. Plus, beating him gives you access to Star Road, adding even more value to this memorable battle.
Wario’s Castle
Wario’sfirst appearance shines due to this fierce boss fight and its shocking twist. After completing one ofthe hardest levels in Mario’s history, Wario towers before you with a cocky smirk on his face. The whole room shakes as he tries to stomp you, causing the chandeliers to crash onto the ground.
Things get even more heated when the greedy tyrant steals your power-ups and uses them against you. You must dodge his attacks as he swoops through the air with the bunny ears and shoots massive flames with the fire flower. This twist is rarely used in the Mario series, ensuring this fight remains unique decades later.
King Bowser’s Castle
Don’t let his cute appearance fool you; this toddler is a horrifying ball of rage. The fight starts with Baby Bowser emerging as a giant from the ruins of his destroyed castle. The monstrous titan lingers on the horizon with the last remains of the dying sunset surrounding him in an ominous shadow. That’s when the intensity cranks up to eleven.
The towering Koopa King charges at the screen while massive boulders rain from the sky and destroy chunks of the ground. Yoshi’s only hope for survival is to launch giant eggs at the beast to knock him back before he gets too close. The fast-paced rock music only heightens the sense of urgency, cementing this fight as one of the most iconic Mario bosses.
The Final Battle! Bowser’s Rage Stage
Super Mario Wonder offers endless creativity, but the final boss against Castle Bowser is the most memorable part of the game. The fight takes place on a concert stage, allowing Bowser to show off his funky dance moves while he attacks. Eat your heart out, Dance Dance Revolution.
This is the only mainline Mario boss that requires you to jam out since the floor launches you into the air to the beat of the music, allowing you to give the Koopa King a taste of his own medicine. This fight is not only the most creative in Super Mario Wonder; it’s the best 2D Mario boss ever.
