Bowser (Japanese: クッパ, Hepburn: Kuppa; "Koopa"), also known as King Koopa, Lord Bowser, King Bowser, or King of the Koopas, is a character and the main antagonist of Nintendo's Mario franchise.[12] In Japan, the character bears the title of Daimaō (大魔王; "Great Demon King").[13] He is the arch-nemesis of Mario and the leader of the turtle-like Koopa race. Depicted as a fire-breathing monster with tyrannical ambitions, Bowser repeatedly kidnaps Princess Peach in an effort to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom.[14]

Bowser debuted in the 1985 platform game Super Mario Bros.[15] Creator Shigeru Miyamoto originally envisioned him as an ox inspired by the Ox-King from the Toei Animation film Alakazam the Great (1960). After Takashi Tezuka noted that the character fit better as a turtle, illustrator Yōichi Kotabe redesigned Bowser as the commander of the Koopa Troopas, modeling his traits after the Chinese softshell turtle.[16][17] Since 2005, Bowser has been primarily voiced in video games by Kenny James.[4][5]

Beyond the mainline platformers, Bowser appears across the franchise's spin-offs. He occasionally joins forces with Mario in role-playing games such as Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996) and Super Paper Mario (2007),[18][19] and competes in sports titles such as Mario Kart and Mario Tennis, as well as the Super Smash Bros. crossover fighting series.[20] Outside of video games, he was voiced by Harvey Atkin in three animated series produced by DIC Entertainment, portrayed in live-action by Dennis Hopper in the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film, and voiced by Jack Black in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026).[4][21][22]

Bowser has received widespread acclaim from critics and players as one of the most iconic and recognizable video game villains.[12][23] He was ranked the greatest video game villain of all time by the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition.[24]

Concept and creation

Early concept sketch of "Boss Creeper" drawn by Shigeru Miyamoto for Super Mario Bros.
Shigeru Miyamoto (right) and Takashi Tezuka collaborated with illustrator Yōichi Kotabe to establish Bowser's finalized turtle-like appearance.[16]

Bowser was created by Nintendo designer and producer Shigeru Miyamoto for Super Mario Bros. (1985), the character's debut. In early design sketches, Miyamoto tentatively named the character "Boss Creeper" (ボス クリーパー, Bosu Kurīpā), after the Shellcreeper turtle enemies from the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros.[25] Miyamoto had first envisioned Bowser as an ox, based on the depiction of the ox-like Gyū-Maō (called "King Gruesome" in the English localization) in the 1960 Toei Animation film Alakazam the Great,[16][26] an adaptation of the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West. Miyamoto contemplated commissioning a manga artist or professional illustrator to produce the game's packaging art, but due to time constraints, he drew the original Super Mario Bros. box art himself. Consequently, Miyamoto's original package artwork features a design that differs from later renditions, closely resembling his concept of an ox with a gray-blue complexion and no horns.[16]

Shortly afterward, animator and illustrator Yōichi Kotabe, who had previously worked at Toei Animation, joined Nintendo to refine and standardize the Super Mario character designs. Having only the original box art for reference, Kotabe thought Miyamoto's initial drawing of Bowser looked like a hippopotamus,[17] while Nintendo designer Takashi Tezuka pointed out that the character was meant to be a turtle rather than an ox. Through discussions with Miyamoto and Tezuka, Kotabe redesigned Bowser to reflect the leader of the turtle-like Koopa Troopas.[16] Kotabe modeled Bowser's finalized design after the Chinese softshell turtle, an aggressive species that suited Bowser's volatile temperament.[17] Seeing Kotabe's completed design, Miyamoto remarked that he could finally make Bowser "look cool now." Kotabe's design became the basis for Bowser's subsequent appearances across video game graphics and promotional artwork.[16]

Naming and voice portrayal

Miyamoto named the character Daimaō Kuppa (大魔王クッパ; "Great Demon King Koopa") for the Japanese release.[13] The name Kuppa came from the Japanese pronunciation of gukbap (국밥), a Korean dish. Miyamoto also considered the names Yukke (ユッケ) and Bibinba (ビビンバ), the Japanese names for the Korean dishes yukhoe (육회) and bibimbap (비빔밥), respectively.[27] He later explained in Nintendo Dream that he had mistakenly thought kuppa referred to Korean grilled meat (bulgogi), which sounded powerful to him, before learning it was a soup with rice.[28] The name was romanized as "Kuppa" rather than "Koopa" in the English-language end credits of Japanese releases up until Super Mario World (1990).[29][30] His Korean name is not Gukbap, but Kupa (쿠파), a phonetic round-trip translation.[31]

For the North American release of Super Mario Bros., which introduced the anglicized spelling "Koopa" for his turtle subjects, the character was named "Bowser, King of the Koopas."[13][32] It remains unconfirmed how he received the English name "Bowser", though Matthew Byrd of Den of Geek noted competing theories: that "Bowser" was a popular American name for large dogs at the time, that Miyamoto favored it because both "Bowser" and Bibinba begin with the letter B, or that it was an ironic play on the Norman surname "Bowser" ("good sir").[13] Thecharacter's surname is coincidentally shared with Doug Bowser, who served as president of Nintendo of America from 2019 to 2025.[33]

After being represented primarily through synthesized roars and stock sound effects in 1990s titles, Bowser received full English voice acting in a mainline game from Scott Burns in Super Mario Sunshine (2002).[34] Kenny James subsequently assumed the role as Bowser's primary voice actor for subsequent releases,[34] continuing to voice the character in modern titles such as Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023).[5]

Characteristics

Bowser is the King of the Koopas, a turtle-like species that inhabits the world of the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser differs physically from the rest of the Koopa clan, which consists mainly of bipedal tortoises. He possesses a large spiked turtle shell, horns, a draconic muzzle with fangs, taloned fingers, three clawed toes on each padded foot, spiked cuffs, red eyes, and a mane of bright red hair.[35][15] He has immense physical strength, is nearly indestructible, can breathe fire, and can leap high despite his bulk.[35][36] He is also accomplished in dark magic, using it for teleportation, summoning objects, generating electricity, or metamorphosis.[35][18]

Bowser's physical size varies across games; while he stands roughly eye-to-eye with Mario in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, he towers over him in 3D installments such as Super Mario 64, and grows to gigantic proportions at will or through sorcery in games including Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and Bowser's Fury.[35][37][38] His signature aerial hovercraft, the Koopa Clown Car, was introduced in Super Mario World (1990).[18][36]

Bowser aspires to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom and routinely kidnaps Princess Peach.[18][36] In several entries he attempts to force Peach into marriage, such as in Super Paper Mario (2007)[19] and Super Mario Odyssey (2017).[18] Although he is a menacing antagonist in the mainline platformers, in the Mario role-playing games he frequently exhibits a comical, blustering personality and rallies his minions while allying with the heroes.[35][18]

Originally in Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988), the seven Koopalings were introduced as Bowser's children.[15][18] Bowser Jr. was later introduced as Bowser's son in Super Mario Sunshine (2002), while the Koopalings were subsequently recharacterized as a gang of Bowser's minions.[18] In a 2012 interview with Game Informer, Miyamoto stated, "Our current story is that the seven Koopalings are not Bowser's children. Bowser's only child is Bowser Jr., and we do not know who the mother is."[39] Since infancy, Bowser has been raised and attended to by the elderly Magikoopa Kamek, who serves as his caretaker and advisor.[18][40]

Appearances

Super Mario series

Bowser debuted in Super Mario Bros. (1985) and returned in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986), where he waits at the end of each castle over a pit of lava until Mario drops him into the molten pit below.[15][18][36] After being absent from Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988) and Super Mario Land (1989), Bowser returned in Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988) as the ruler of Dark Land, commanding an army of wooden tanks and propeller airships alongside the Koopalings as a diversion to kidnap Princess Peach.[15][18] In Super Mario World (1990), he utilizes mechanized enemies and pilots his airborne Koopa Clown Car.[18]

In the 3D platformer Super Mario 64 (1996), Bowser invades Peach's castle and uses dark magic to trap its residents inside the castle's walls and paintings.[18][37] In Super Mario Sunshine (2002), Bowser is depicted with a more comedic, fully voice-acted personality alongside the debuting Bowser Jr., who frames Mario and kidnaps Peach after being told she is his mother.[15][18] New Super Mario Bros. (2006) marked the debut of Dry Bowser, an undead skeletal form of Bowser resulting from his skin and scales being burned off in lava during the first world's boss fight; though Bowser reverts to his regular form by the end of the game, Dry Bowser subsequently became a recurring standalone boss and playable character across the franchise.[41][42]

In Super Mario Galaxy (2007), Bowser steals Peach's castle and utilizes spacefaring technology and dark-matter physics across the universe.[18][43] In Super Mario Odyssey (2017), he conducts a series of global heists to steal items for a forced wedding with Peach on the Moon.[18] In the Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (2021) expansion, Mario teams up with Bowser Jr. across the open world of Lake Lapcat to contend with a gigantic, rampaging version of Bowser.[38] In Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), Bowser uses the power of a Wonder Flower in the Flower Kingdom to merge with Prince Florian's castle, transforming into a giant flying fortress.[44]

Role-playing games

Bowser appears in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996), where Mario defeats him in an opening battle atop a pair of chandeliers, immediately after which a giant sentient sword crashes through the roof of his keep; Bowser later joins Mario's party as a playable character to reclaim his castle.[18][45] In the Paper Mario series, he steals the magical Star Rod to make himself invincible and kidnap Peach as the main villain of Paper Mario (2000),[46] serves as a comical playable character in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004) in intermission segments where he mismanages his army,[47] and joins Mario, Peach, and Luigi as a playable hero against Count Bleck after a forced wedding in Super Paper Mario (2007).[19] After serving as the antagonist who shatters the Sticker Comet in Paper Mario: Sticker Star (2012)[48] and steals the Big Paint Stars in Paper Mario: Color Splash (2016),[49] a folded Bowser allies with Mario in Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020) after King Olly turns Bowser's minions into origami Folded Soldiers.[50][51][52]

In the Mario & Luigi series, Bowser reluctantly allies with the brothers in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003) to recover Princess Peach's stolen voice from the witch Cackletta so he can kidnap her safely, before Cackletta later merges with him to form the boss "Bowletta".[53][54] In the time-travel sequel Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (2005), his infant counterpart Baby Bowser serves as an early antagonist who attempts to kidnap Peach.[55] Bowser stars as the lead playable character of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (2009), in which the villain Fawful tricks him into inhaling Mario, Luigi, and the inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom; the brothers navigate Bowser's insides to assist him as he battles Fawful.[56][57]

Other Mario games

Bowser has appeared in nearly all of the Mario spin-off games, including the Mario Kart[33] and Mario Party series.[58] He is a playable character in multiple Mario sports games, such as Mario Tennis,[42] Mario Golf,[59] Super Mario Strikers,[60] and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games.[61]

Bowser serves as the antagonist of Mario's Time Machine (1993), in which Mario travels through time to return historical artifacts that Bowser has stolen.[62] He is also the antagonist of Hotel Mario (1994), in which Mario and Luigi make their way through hotels run by Bowser's underlings to save Princess Toadstool.[63] Other spinoffs where Bowser is the main antagonist include Mario Pinball Land (2004),[64] and Super Princess Peach (2005), where his army captures Mario and Luigi before Princess Peach defeats him.[65] Bowser appears as a playable character in Itadaki Street DS (2007) and its Wii sequel Fortune Street (2011),[66] as the main opponent in Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition (2015),[67] as "Dr. Bowser" in Dr. Mario World (2019),[68] and in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (2017) and its sequel Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (2022).[69][70]

Non-Mario games

In the Yoshi series, Bowser is the main antagonist of Yoshi's Safari (1993)[71] In later games, Bowser frequently appears as his infant counterpart, Baby Bowser, debuting as the final boss of the prequel Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995),[40] returning as the main villain who steals the Super Happy Tree in Yoshi's Story (1997),[72] and appearing as both a playable infant who breathes fireballs and a boss alongside his adult self in Yoshi's Island DS (2006).[73] Bowser is also the main villain in Yoshi Topsy-Turvy (2004).[71]

Bowser has been a playable fighter in every installment of the Super Smash Bros. series since Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001).[74][75][76][77] In Melee, a larger, monstrous form of him known as Giga Bowser appears as the hidden final boss of the game's Adventure Mode.[74][75] Beginning with Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008), Bowser transforms into Giga Bowser as his Final Smash, a powerful special attack that lets the player control the creature for a short time.[75] Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) reworked the move so that Bowser grows to an enormous size in the stage's background and the player aims his punch.[77]

Bowser has also made cameo appearances in other Nintendo games. In Nintendo's 1991 Super Nintendo Entertainment System version of SimCity, Bowser replaces the original computer game's generic Godzilla-style monster as the random "Monster" disaster, rampaging across the player's city and destroying infrastructure.[78] In the puzzle game Tetris Attack (1996), a Westernized adaptation of the Japanese Super Famicom game Panel de Pon featuring characters from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island,[79] Bowser places Yoshi's friends under an evil spell, forcing Yoshi to rescue them and battle Bowser's minions.[80] In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998), the ranch characters Talon and Malon wear brooches shaped like Bowser's head, and a portrait of Bowser is hidden behind a courtyard window in Hyrule Castle.[81] Under the name "Hammer Slam Bowser", he appears alongside Donkey Kong as a guest playable character and amiibo figurine in Skylanders: SuperChargers (2015).[82]

In other media

Dennis Hopper (left) portrayed Bowser (referred to as Koopa) in the 1993 live-action film Super Mario Bros.. Jack Black (right) voiced Bowser in the 2023 Super Mario Bros. animated film and the 2026 sequel.

Bowser first appeared outside of video games in the 1986 anime film Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!, based on Super Mario Bros., in which he was credited as "King Koopa" and voiced by Zainichi Korean singer and media personality Akiko Wada. In the film, he turns the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom into inanimate objects and plans to forcibly marry Peach on Friday the 13th as revenge for her rejection of his proposal; using three Power-Ups collected on their journey to his castle, Mario and Luigi defeat him and restore the Mushroom Kingdom.[7][8]

The DIC Entertainment animated television series The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989), The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 (1990), and Super Mario World (1991) feature a green, crown-wearing version of Bowser billed as "King Koopa" and voiced by Harvey Atkin.[4] This version of the character was portrayed in live-action by Christopher Hewett in a 1989 Ice Capades broadcast, and by Christopher Collins and later Patrick Pinney in the syndicated children's television series King Koopa's Kool Kartoons (1989–1990).[83][84] He also appeared as the primary antagonist in print adaptations, including the Super Mario Bros. issues of the Nintendo Comics System,[85] the Nintendo Adventure Books,[86] and Nintendo Power's 1992 comic serial Super Mario Adventures, in which he schemes to force Princess Peach to marry him while she takes up arms to resist his army.[87]

Dennis Hopper portrayed President "King" Koopa in the 1993 live-action film Super Mario Bros.[21] Reimagined from the games' giant turtle into a humanoid dictator descended from dinosaurs,[88] Koopa rules Dinohattan, a city in a parallel dimension where dinosaurs evolved into humans. He abducts Princess Daisy to recover her missing meteorite fragment in an effort to merge his dimension with the human world, before being defeated by Mario and Luigi.[88]

Bowser appears as one of the video game villains attending a "Bad-Anon" support group in the 2012 animated film Wreck-It Ralph.[89] According to director Rich Moore, the writers envisioned the Bad-Anon meeting with Bowser as a central presence early on, and Nintendo was enthusiastic toward his inclusion, stating in Moore's words, "If there is a group that is dedicated to helping the bad guy characters in video games then Bowser must be in that group!"[90]

Bowser was voiced by Jack Black in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026).[6][91] In the first film, Bowser plots to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom using a Super Star he has obtained unless Princess Peach agrees to marry him. His plans are foiled by Mario and Luigi, who use the Super Star to defeat him before Peach and Toad shrink him with a Mini Mushroom and imprison him. The film also made Bowser the subject of an Internet meme with the song "Peaches", co-written and performed in character by Black, in which Bowser professes his love for Peach.[22] In the 2026 sequel, Bowser Jr. rescues his shrunken father from the Mushroom Kingdom and convinces him to return to villainy. During the final battle, Bowser falls into a pit of lava and emerges as Dry Bowser to fight Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi alongside Bowser Jr. before the pair are defeated and taken into custody by Fox McCloud.[41]

Reception and legacy

Due largely to the success of the Mario franchise, Bowser has become one of the most iconic and recognizable video game antagonists of all time.[12][36] IGN placed him at No. 2 out of 100 on its list of greatest video game villains,[12] and GamePro placed him at No. 9 out of 47.[23] GameSpot listed him at No. 9 in its "Top 10 Video Game Villains" article, stating, "Of all the villains to make an appearance on this list, Bowser... has got to be the most interesting," adding, "While some people say Bowser's life may have gotten into a rut, the man has simply refined his game down to an everyday thing. He's focused, he's dedicated, and worst of all, he's patient."[14] Bowser ranked first on GameDaily's list of top 10 Nintendo characters that deserve their own games, which noted that if Yoshi and Wario received standalone titles, Bowser should as well.[92] GameDaily also ranked him sixth on its top 10 Smash Bros. characters list and included him among gaming's most persistent villains.[93][94] IGN editor Craig Harris described Bowser as a household name,[95] and Jesse Schedeen of IGN named him one of the "oldest villains in gaming history, not to mention one of the most iconic."[36] Empire ranked him as the 23rd-greatest video game character,[96] while Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2013 ranked Bowser first in its list of top 50 villains.[24]

Bowser's role in Super Mario Galaxy received significant praise. Eurogamer editor Margaret Robertson commented that after years of being a "comedy villain", Galaxy put him back at his "scaly, scabrous best".[43] PALGN editor Chris Sell called him the best boss in Mario Galaxy, stating that it was not just because the battles with him were "superb, screen filling affairs", but also because he was "back to being mean again".[97] Nintendo World Report editor Aaron Kaluszka remarked that battling Bowser had never been "this intense and engaging".[98] IGN editor Cam Shea praised his physical appearance in Super Mario Galaxy, describing him as "imposing and weighty",[99] while IGN's Matt Casamassina highlighted the visual quality of the characters, citing Bowser in particular and noting how his "funky red fur waggles in the wind".[100]

Bowser's starring role in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story also garnered acclaim. Eurogamer editor Christian Donlan commented that "After years of picking a path carefully around threats, jumping out of harm's way, and tackling challengers mostly from above, it's a pleasure to put those cares aside and relish a few hours of spiky, tortoise-shelled power."[56] Destructoid editor James Stephanie Sterling described Bowser's gameplay as "brilliant comic relief" and praised the comedic writing of his ego.[101] RPGamer editor Michael Cunningham praised Bowser for "stealing the show",[102] while Nintendo World Report editor Pedro Hernandez wrote that the plot and humor made iconic characters "more enduring, including Bowser".[103] NGamer editor Matthew Castle noted that while all Mario RPGs make good use of Bowser, Bowser's Inside Story was the first where he took center stage.[104] Wired editor Chris Kohler called Bowser's segments funnier than Mario and Luigi's,[105] and Giant Bomb's Brad Shoemaker noted that playing as him gave players an inside glimpse of his ego and megalomania.[106] IGN's Craig Harris called the game Bowser's "big break",[107] while reviewers from 1UP.com,[108] GamePro,[109] GameSpy,[110] and GamesRadar+[111] praised his characterization as a gruff, quick-tempered anti-hero.

Some Super Mario 64 fans joked that Mario supposedly shouts, "So long, gay Bowser!" when throwing him a great distance. In April 2019, Charles Martinet, Mario's voice actor, tweeted that Mario says, "So long, King-a Bowser!"[112] In the Japanese Rumble Pak-compatible version, as well as Super Mario 64 DS and Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Mario instead says "Buh-bye!",[113][114]

In the 2018 short fan comic The Super Crown's Some Spicy New Mario Lore posted on DeviantArt and Twitter, Bowser uses a Super Crown to transform into a monstrously sinister woman resembling Peach, whom fans named Bowsette.[115] The character subsequently went viral.[116][117] In 2015, an alligator snapping turtle discovered in the Amur River became an internet sensation for its resemblance to Bowser.[118] Additionally, "Bowser Day" became a recurring social media trend on August 4.[119]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ "Mario Is Missing!". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Hotel Mario". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Mario's Time Machine Deluxe". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Seibold, Witney (October 6, 2022). "Jack Black's Bowser Voice In The Super Mario Bros. Trailer Is Not What We Expected". SlashFilm. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "Super Mario Bros. Wonder English Voice Actors Officially Announce Their Characters". Nintendo Life. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Murphy, J. Kim (September 23, 2021). "Nintendo Direct: Chris Pratt Will Voice Mario in the Super Mario Bros. Movie". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  7. 1 2 O'Neal, Chris (April 12, 2020). "Super Mario Bros. at 35: A Look Back at the Series' Anime Legacy". CBR. Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Kotzathanasis, Panos (March 20, 2021). "Music Video: Boy and Girl by Akiko Wada". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  9. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "マリオとヨッシーの冒険ランド". YouTube. January 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  10. ↑ "News Release : Nov. 30, 2022 "Illumination and Nintendo Announce Second Trailer and the Japanese voice cast for The Super Mario Bros. Movie"". Nintendo Co., Ltd. November 30, 2022. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  11. ↑ "『スーパーマリオ』新作映画、宮野真守ら声優続投！坂本真綾がロゼッタ＆山下大輝がクッパJr.で初参戦". Cinema Today (in Japanese). December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "The Top 100 Videogame Villains: Most Memorable Villains". IGN. March 7, 2006. Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Byrd, Matthew (May 25, 2022). "Super Mario: The Strange Origins of Bowser's Real Name". Den of Geek. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Staff; Cheung, James (January 21, 2000). "TenSpot: Top Ten Video Game Villains". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 29, 2007. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 McLaughlin, Rus (September 14, 2010). "IGN Presents: The History of Super Mario Bros". IGN. Archived from the original on February 14, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Iwata Asks - Volume 8: Yoichi Kotabe - Page 4". Nintendo. Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 Audureau, William (December 6, 2018). "Les confidences du dessinateur historique des personnages Nintendo". Le Monde (in French). Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Sholars, Mike (January 4, 2021). "What's Great About Bowser". Kotaku. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 Casamassina, Matt (April 9, 2007). "Super Paper Mario Review". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  20. ↑ Ashby, Matt (July 3, 2024). "Bowser Is A Good King, Despite His Evil Reputation". CBR. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  21. 1 2 Murray, Noel (December 12, 2008). "Random Roles: Dennis Hopper". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  22. 1 2 Gleiberman, Owen (April 30, 2023). "That Old Jack Black Magic: As the Villain of 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie,' the Actor Gives His Peachiest Performance in Years". Variety. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  23. 1 2 Sterbakov, Hugh (March 5, 2008). "The 47 Most Diabolical Video-Game Villains of All Time". GamePro. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  24. 1 2 Guinness World Records 2013 Gamer's Edition. Guinness World Records. 2012. p. 193. ISBN 978-1904994954.
  25. ↑ Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka (June 16, 2015). Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2015. Nintendo of America. Event occurs at 41:57. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  26. ↑ Oxford, David. "Iwata Asks: The Birth of Bowser". Kombo. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  27. ↑ Nagata, Yasuhiro (June 2000). "独占スクープ！宮本茂最新雑談" [Exclusive Scoop! Shigeru Miyamoto Latest Chat] (in Japanese). Famitsu. Archived from the original on October 10, 2000. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  28. ↑ "宮本茂さんに聞く"マリオたちの名前の由来"" [Asking Shigeru Miyamoto About the Origins of Mario Characters' Names]. Nintendo Dream (in Japanese). September 13, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023. (Originally published in the February 2010 issue of Nintendo Dream.)
  29. ↑ Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development (October 23, 1988). Super Mario Bros. 3 (Famicom) (in Japanese). Nintendo. Scene: Ending.
  30. ↑ Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development (November 21, 1990). Super Mario World (in Japanese). Nintendo. Scene: Ending.
  31. ↑ "Characters in Mario Kart DS at Nintendo of Korea's website". Nintendo. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  32. ↑ Yarwood, Jack (September 8, 2025). ""We Did Try To Keep 'Forest' In The Name" - How Mario 64's Princess Peach Helped Bring Animal Crossing To The West". Time Extension. Archived from the original on September 14, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  33. 1 2 "Random: Nintendo's Doug Bowser Introduces His Parents To Mario Kart 8 On Switch". Nintendo Life. May 16, 2021. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  34. 1 2 "Every Main Mario Character And Their Voice Actors". TheGamer. June 17, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 "Super Mario: 25 Weird Things About Bowser's Anatomy Fans Forget". TheGamer. November 10, 2018. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Schedeen, Jesse (March 9, 2010). "Big Boss of the Day: Bowser". IGN. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  37. 1 2 Mejia, Ozzie (September 29, 2021). "A New Mushroom Kingdom: 25 years of Super Mario 64". Shacknews. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  38. 1 2 Shea, Cam (February 10, 2021). "Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Review". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Mario's Creators Answer Burning Questions About The Series". Game Informer. September 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  40. 1 2 Dillard, Corbie (July 22, 2009). "Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island Review (SNES)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  41. 1 2 Shepard, Kenneth (April 2, 2026). "All The Biggest Super Mario Galaxy Movie Cameos And References". Kotaku. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  42. 1 2 Lane, Gavin (May 30, 2019). "Dry Bowser Confirmed To Be Joining Mario Tennis Aces In July". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  43. 1 2 Robertson, Margaret (November 5, 2007). "Super Mario Galaxy Review". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  44. ↑ Dinsdale, Ryan (August 31, 2023). "Nintendo Reveals a Ton of Super Mario Bros. Wonder Details". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  45. ↑ Marks, Tom (November 15, 2023). "Super Mario RPG Review". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  46. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (February 5, 2001). "Paper Mario Review". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  47. ↑ Plant, Logan (May 21, 2024). "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Review". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  48. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (November 6, 2012). "Paper Mario: Sticker Star Review". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  49. ↑ Schwartz, Terri (October 5, 2016). "Paper Mario: Color Splash Review". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  50. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (May 14, 2020). "Paper Mario: The Origami King Arriving on Nintendo Switch in July 2020". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  51. ↑ Scullion, Chris (July 15, 2020). "Paper Mario: The Origami King Review (Switch)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  52. ↑ Olney, Alex (August 14, 2020). "Soapbox: After Paper Mario: The Origami King, I Want More Comedy On Switch, Please". Nintendo Life. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  53. ↑ Harris, Craig (November 17, 2003). "Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  54. ↑ Ho Sang, Narelle (June 4, 2017). "The Little Things That Make Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga So Delightful". Kotaku. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  55. ↑ Torres, Ricardo (November 17, 2005). "Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time Hands-On". GameSpot. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  56. 1 2 Donlan, Christian (September 18, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Review". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on January 21, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  57. ↑ Harris, Craig (September 10, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Review". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Ranking Every Mario Party Character From Shit To Lit". Kotaku Australia. September 22, 2021. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  59. ↑ Newell, Jim (June 29, 2021). "The New Mario Golf Game, According to an Actual Golfer". Slate. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  60. ↑ "GameSpy: Super Mario Strikers – Page 1". GameSpy. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  61. ↑ "10 Mario Games The Movie Could Adapt". Screen Rant. October 3, 2021. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  62. ↑ Weiss, Brett Alan. "Mario's Time Machine – Overview". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  63. ↑ Fletcher, JC (August 7, 2008). "Virtually Overlooked: Hotel Mario". Joystiq. Retrieved October 19, 2026 – via Engadget.
  64. ↑ "10 First-Party Nintendo Games Everyone Forgot About". Game Rant. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  65. ↑ Davis, Ryan (February 24, 2006). "Super Princess Peach Review". GameSpot. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  66. ↑ Goodmurphy, Chad (December 5, 2011). "Invest In Fortune Street Today". We Got This Covered. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  67. ↑ "'Puzzle & Dragons Z + Super Mario Bros. Edition' struggles to make free-to-play games worth a higher price of admission". The Washington Post. June 9, 2015. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  68. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (July 28, 2021). "Nintendo gives Dr. Mario mobile game just 3 months to live". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  69. ↑ "Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Coming to Nintendo Switch on August 29 – E3 2017". UbiBlog. July 10, 2017. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  70. ↑ "Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope leaked ahead of main reveal". iMore. June 12, 2021. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  71. 1 2 Thomas, Lucas M. (May 24, 2010). "Yoshi: Evolution of a Dinosaur". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  72. ↑ Thomas, Lucas M. (September 19, 2007). "Yoshi's Story Review". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  73. ↑ Harris, Craig (November 13, 2006). "Yoshi's Island DS Review". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  74. 1 2 Pelland, Scott, ed. (2001). Super Smash Bros. Melee: Official Nintendo Player's Guide. Nintendo of America. p. 12. ISBN 1-930206-19-4.
  75. 1 2 3 "Bowser: Final Smash". Smash Bros. DOJO!!. Nintendo. July 4, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  76. ↑ "Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U: Bowser". Nintendo. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  77. 1 2 Tran, Edmond (June 13, 2018). "E3 2018: All Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Character Changes That We Know Of (So Far)". GameSpot. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  78. ↑ Cifaldi, Frank (December 25, 2018). "Recovering Nintendo's Lost SimCity for the NES". Video Game History Foundation. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  79. ↑ van Duyn, Marcel (July 15, 2022). "Pokémon Puzzle League Review (N64)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  80. ↑ Davis, Cameron (February 2, 2012). "Tetris Attack Review". GameSpot. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  81. ↑ Neltz, András (March 31, 2015). "The Best, Weirdest Mario/Zelda Crossovers". Kotaku. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  82. ↑ "Skylanders SuperChargers Introduces Donkey Kong and Bowser as Skylanders Guest Stars". Business Wire. June 16, 2015. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  83. ↑ "UCLA Library Catalog". UCLA Library. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  84. ↑ "DIC to Introduce New Syndicated Kids' Block" (PDF). Broadcasting. August 7, 1989. p. 34. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 26, 2025. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  85. ↑ Thompson, Michael (November 25, 2008). "Drawn together: The love affair between comics and games". Ars Technica. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  86. ↑ Jake (October 22, 2013). "Nintendo Adventure Books: probably not due a revival". Games Asylum. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  87. ↑ McMahon, Conor (November 26, 2016). "Book Review: Super Mario Adventures". Nintendo Life. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  88. 1 2 Parkin, Simon (March 22, 2018). "'The stench of it stays with everybody': inside the Super Mario Bros movie". The Guardian. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
  89. ↑ "Wreck-It Ralph Footage From D23 Features 8-Bit Action, Plenty Of Cameos". CinemaBlend. August 21, 2011. Archived from the original on December 29, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  90. ↑ Hilliard, Kyle (February 11, 2013). "Wreck-It Ralph's Director Answers Our Questions". Game Informer. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  91. ↑ Dunn, Jack; Moreau, Jordan (September 12, 2025). "'Super Mario Bros. 2' Officially Titled 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie'". Variety. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  92. ↑ "Top 10 Nintendo Characters That Deserve Their Own Games – Page 10". GameDaily. Archived from the original on December 13, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  93. ↑ "Top 10 Smash Bros. Characters – Page 5". GameDaily. Archived from the original on October 23, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  94. ↑ "Most Persistent Video Game Villains". GameDaily. Archived from the original on September 11, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  95. ↑ Harris, Craig (June 4, 2004). "Classic NES Series: Super Mario Bros". IGN. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  96. ↑ Dyer, James; McComb, David; Plumb, Alastair; Scarborough, David (May 26, 2010). "The 50 Greatest Video Game Characters – 23. Bowser". Empire. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  97. ↑ Sell, Chris (November 8, 2007). "Super Mario Galaxy Review". PALGN. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  98. ↑ Kaluszka, Aaron (November 12, 2007). "Super Mario Galaxy Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on October 2, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  99. ↑ Shea, Cam (November 12, 2007). "Super Mario Galaxy AU Review: The Greatest Platformer of all time? And How." IGN AU. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  100. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (November 7, 2007). "Super Mario Galaxy Review: The greatest Nintendo platformer ever made?". IGN. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  101. ↑ Sterling, Jim (September 21, 2009). "Review: Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story". Destructoid. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  102. ↑ Cunningham, Michael (September 21, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story – Staff Review". RPGamer. Archived from the original on November 22, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  103. ↑ Hernandez, Pedro (September 26, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story: Review (North American)". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  104. ↑ Castle, Matthew (October 7, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Review". CVG. Archived from the original on February 1, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  105. ↑ Kohler, Chris (October 16, 2009). "Review: Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Is the Un-RPG". Wired. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  106. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (October 16, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  107. ↑ Harris, Craig (September 10, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Review". IGN. Archived from the original on August 16, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  108. ↑ Parish, Jeremy (September 15, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Review". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  109. ↑ Ashby, Alicia (September 15, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Review". GamePro. Archived from the original on December 2, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  110. ↑ Theobald, Phil (September 11, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Review". GameSpy. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  111. ↑ Gilbert, Henry (September 11, 2009). "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Review". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  112. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (September 19, 2020). "So long, "gay Bowser" – fans lament the loss of Mario 64's most famous line in Super Mario 3D All-Stars". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  113. ↑ "Super Mario 64's Weird 'Gay Bowser' Line Isn't In Super Mario 3D All-Stars". Kotaku. September 18, 2020. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  114. ↑ Hernandez, Patricia (September 18, 2020). "Internet pours one out for Super Mario 64's 'Gay Bowser,' who is dead now". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 26, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  115. ↑ Kent, Emma (September 24, 2018). "Nintendo fans are splicing Bowser with Peach and now Bowsette is trending". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  116. ↑ Purtill, Corinne; Kopf, Dan (December 22, 2018). "The wildest internet phenomenon of 2018 was Bowsette". Quartz. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  117. ↑ Machkovech, Sam (September 28, 2018). "Nintendo reveals it invented "Bowsette" before the Internet did". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  118. ↑ Burke, Elaine (July 3, 2015). "Real-life Bowser 'dinosaur turtle' found in Russian river (video)". Silicon Republic. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  119. ↑ "Random: 'Bowser Day 2021' Trends Online As Fans Celebrate Nintendo's Iconic Villain". Nintendo Life. August 5, 2021. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowser