Every hero needs a good villain, and Bowser from theSuper Marioseries is arguably the most iconic bad guy in video game history. Whether he’s trying to take over the Flower Kingdom inSuper Mario Bros. Wonderor singing Peaches inThe Super Mario Bros. Movie, the Koopa King is responsible for some of the most memorable moments and boss fights in Nintendo media.
What makes Bowser one of the best video game villains is his versatility. He’s had many forms over the years, ranging from silly comic relief to a terrifying, raging monster. But which version of Bowser is the best?
Series
Yoshi, Mario & Luigi
Behold! The most terrifying concept known to humankind: a high-maintenance child! Baby Bowser is the main villain of theYoshigames and a spoiled brat who throws tantrums until he gets what he wants. Can you see where his adult form gets it from?
Baby Bowser isone of the best final bossesin the Mario universe, thanks to his appearance in Yoshi’s Island. The tiny rascal turns into a horrifying giant and charges at the screen while intense rock music blasts through the speakers. It’s an incredible fight, but aside from that, Baby Bowser rarely appears and doesn’t have any other stand-out moments.
Mario & Luigi
Unfortunately, Dreamy Bowser isn’t called that because he’s an absolute dreamboat. He’s the final boss of Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and arguably the strongest version of Bowser. The Koopa King transforms into this colorful beast after swallowing the Dream Stone, a magical gem that grants wishes.
Dreamy Bowser can create anything simply by willing it into existence, including an entire army of minions and an endless supply of airships. He even shoots rainbow-colored fireballs. He may be trying to conquer the world, but at least he does it with style. Unfortunately, this fight is his only appearance. He’s a cool final boss — nothing more and nothing less.
Mainline, Mario Kart, Super Mario Maker
Want to know how to intimidate your enemies? Dress up as a big, fluffy cat. Don’t let his cute little whiskers fool you; this kitten has claws. The concept of a boss using your power-ups against you is rarely used in Mario games, making this fight fromSuper Mario 3D Worldstand out from the rest.
Meowser relentlessly pursues you up a tower, and right when you think you’ve escaped, he uses a Double Cherry to make several clones of himself. The result is an intense chase where Meowsers burst through walls left and right. He’s made a couple of small cameos since, but this fight shines as his only memorable appearance.
RPGs are known for epic final bosses, and Dark Bowser fits that trope to a tee. This form is a clone of Bowser created by an ancient evil entity called the Dark Star, and he’s much more than just Bowser going through a Mohawk phase.
You encounter this ferocious impostor on the roof of Peach’s castle. An adrenaline-pumping fight follows, where he creates clones of Bowser’s minions and even heals himself during combat. He may be the monster at the end of the book, but watching two Bowsers duke it out makes for one of the most thrilling boss fights in the series.
Mainline, Mario Kart, Mario Tennis, etc.
Bowser’s hatred for Mario is so intense that not even death can stop him. Dry Bowser is the most macabre character in the series since he’s the skeletal remains of Bowser’s corpse after he violently melts in a pool of lava. Ouch. He’s also a heck of a tennis player and playable inDr. Mario World, though who would want this thing operating on them is a mystery.
Dry Bowser has one of the coolest designs and scariest concepts in the series, yet he’s oftenrelegated to spin-offsand post-game boss fights. It would be nice to see Nintendo do more with the character, but in the meantime, he’s a treat for people who venture into the post-game content.
Mainline
The Mario series is at its best when it embraces its inherent weirdness. Thankfully, Super Mario Bros. Wonder introducesmany delightfully bizarre enemies, including Castle Bowser. After stealing a Wonder Flower, Bowser turns into a massive, flying castle, serving as the final world and final boss. Who knew he was such a good multitasker?
While it’s strange that running through Bowser’s castle means running across Bowser’s scalp in this game, it’s refreshing to see the series do something new with the character. He even has an incredibly memorable boss fight. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say Castle Bowser has some funky dance moves.
If you want nightmare fuel, look no further than Bowletta. This form of Bowser appears when the ghost of the wicked witch Cackletta possesses Bowser’s unconscious body, creating a bone-chilling fusion of the two. This monstrosity serves as the main villain of the second half of Mario And Luigi Superstar Saga, providing a shocking plot twist to spice things up.
Imagine all of Bowser’s powers in the hands of a sadistic, mischievous fiend like Cackletta. That’s Bowletta in a nutshell. It’s one of the creepiest things the Mario series has done, yet it’s a breath of fresh air to see Nintendo take risks and try new, creative things.
Mainline, Super Mario RPG, Mario Movie, etc.
Bowser is aniconic video game villainfor a reason. His instantly recognizable design and remarkable boss fights make each of his appearances memorable and fun. Surprisingly, Bowser shines the most outside the mainline platformers.
His personality first started shaping inSuper Mario RPG, where he’s a hot-headed, slightly dimwitted comedic villain. This depiction eventually led to the silly Bowser from the Mario Movie who sings love ballads while playing piano. Bowser is at his best when he’s a lovable goofball since those interpretations of his character lead to the funniest and most iconic moments.
Is that Bowser or Godzilla? This nightmarish giant is the scariest version of Bowser and the most frightening boss in the Mario series. He slumbers in the waters of Lake Lapcat like a ticking time bomb, waiting to accumulate enough strength to awaken and unleash his unquenchable rage.
Fury Bowser appears periodically during the levels and ruthlessly attacks you while you’re platforming. Violent rain pours from the clouds, massive spikes plummet from the sky, and he blasts you with fire until you find a Cat Shine or he runs out of energy. He’s a unique mechanic and the biggest threat Bowser has ever been.
Paper Mario, Mario & Luigi
Paper Bowser fully encapsulates everything that makes the character great. He’s silly, childish, hot-tempered, and overly confident. He provides the most hilarious moments from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Super Paper Mario.
While Sticker Star and Color Splash tried to turn him into a bigger threat, Paper Bowser is most memorable when he’s a goofy villain who tries his best yet falls on his face. He’s not as menacing as other versions but makes up for it with charm and a vivid personality. All hail the king.
