Bowser - STILL Gaming's GREATEST Villain!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 พ.ค. 2024
- Designing For is a series which looks at one specific level, character, or idea in gaming and breaks down the central theme to that element to figure out what it's, well, designing for! In this episode, we extensively break down the history of perhaps the most famous baddie in all of video games, King Bowser Koopa. We tackle all of his appearances, from platformers to RPG's to spin-offs to adaptations, and see how his hundreds of appearances have contributed to the aura of one of gaming's most truly iconic characters, as well as put forth an argument for how that ends up making him the greatest villain the medium's ever had. There may be better-written characters than Bowser, but none of them are written to care about being a villain quite like the Koopa King!
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Patreon: / designingfor
Twitter: / designing4games
Discord: / discord
Director/Writer/Voice Over/Footage: Tommy Eyler/Pyrrhickong ( / pyrrhickong )
Video Editing/Additional Direction/Script Editing:@TarvouldsQuest & @TheDukeofDorks
Intro Animation By: @TarvouldsQuest
Intro Theme By: / tracks
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0:00 Yowzer It's Bowser
5:03 Super Mario Bros - Your Immovable Obstacle
8:07 Mario Platformers - Your Eternal Adversary
11:30 The Terror of the Koopa King
15:24 Becoming His Biggest, Baddest Self - Super Mario RPG
22:57 King Koopa's Kool Kontinuity - Mario RPG's to 2009
28:39 SHOWTIME
32:03 The Modern Monster - Bowser Post-Inside Story
35:20 Playable Spin-Off Bowser - Feel The Power!
37:33 A Bowser Revolution - Mario Party
40:22 LIGHTING IN A BOTTLE ROUND
41:17 The Greatest Villain - Long Live The King - เกม
Bowser is essentially a saturday morning cartoon villain - except he not only *knows it*, he does it on *purpose*.
Because what is a villain without presentation?
Certainly not a super one.
Classy
Tighten
That's a damn neat way to slick in a Megamind ref
I love how they develop Bowser's focus presentation, especially in Wonder
I disagree on Bowser is the dumbest in Bowser's Inside Story. If anything, it showed he was actually very intelligent. He came up with very clever strategies in it. Straight forward, sure, but clever. He may not be the best at underhanded tactics. But straight forward ones? He's surprisingly clever with those.
When there's a straighforward option that will work, he sees it and takes it instead of overthinking and looking for solutions that _might_ be more effective, but far more complex.
Agreed. He can be surprisingly creative, but he's very much the straight forward type of thinker. @@CoralCopperHead
@@CoralCopperHeadsidestepping complexity addiction is something that few scheming villains do. i honestly really appreciate this aspect of bowser. his plans are often quite effective but rarely complicated. i mean, in mario 64, he would have won if it weren’t for peach having happened to have just sent mario a letter. the plan? just make peach castle his own and keep peach there. simple. he even tries it again to slightly lesser effect in NSMBU
In Bowsers inside story, he is the dumbest character at the beginning but as the game goes on he gets smarter and smarter as the game goes on
A note on his role in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team - that game was Bowser at his most competent as a villain in the RPG games. He not only manages to stay one step ahead of the plumbers at almost every turn like he did in Odyssey, but - to use his own words - played Antasma like a fiddle, using the wicked dream fiend for his own ends without being used himself.
Why did he suddenly become so competent?
Because in Bowser's Inside Story, the Koopa King saw what it meant to be on the hero's side while keeping a villain's mindset, and LEARNED FROM IT.
The greatest plans comes from not only understanding your perspective but also your enemy’s perspective
One of the main takeways from the video is that Super Mario RPG is great for many reasons.
@@breadandcircuses8127Wario already filled in the anti hero and rival spot and fits him better
And this comment isn’t even TALKING ABOUT BOWSER
Super Mario Rpg IS great for many reasons! Solid takeaway, I would say! ;)
@@trufreedom why is it a takeaway? I thought takeaways are detrimental.
Gameplay not being one of them
Exactly, spread the words of truth more
Bowser is basically an inverse Stockholm syndrome... Instead of falling in love with the captor, he's the captor that ended up falling in love with the one he kidnapped.
That's called Lima Syndrome
@@BJGvideos Ah neat. I figured that was _probably_ an actual thing, but didn't have any idea what it was called.
@@lasercraft32Yeah it isn't as discussed
That’s a stalker
...aww?
Bowser: you may be a villain, just not a super one.
Every over villain: what’s the difference?!
Bowser: *laughing while breathing fire on his airship* PRESENTATION!
AND VERITY!!!
I think my favorite portrayal of Bowser is still probably Mario RPG, there’s just something so great about how comically serious about how much Bowser treasures his rivalry with Mario and his unconditional love for Peach.
I feel Mario and Peach would want Bowser to change and would definitely support him, the problem is how Bowser was brought up as a kid he just thinks that he deserves everything because well that’s what happened considering Yoshi’s island. Dude is just really stubborn and it’ll be a long and hard process for him to change (But I feel he can do it, only to show Mario that he can change as a flex.)
Really gotta give the guy a break. He was raised by freakin' Kamek, after all.
Bowser is great in every rpg he speaks in.
@@FelisImpurrator Honestly he is trying to be a better father than Kamek so that’s good at least.
I can totally see Mario and friends accepting Bowser even after everything he's done. Mario even consoles Bowser on their shared rejection showing he doesn't feel soley negative towards the turtle. The real problem with Bowser is definitely how he was brought up. Kamek was less of a father and more of a servant. Sure he raised Bowser but Bowser also got everything he wanted, instilling in him that what he wants, he will get and what he doesn't get, he's strong enough to take by force. Plus, I think Bowser has just fell in love with being the bad guy. Sure he's a good father but he also on multiple occassions has taken great pleasure in terrorizing others and being evil as well as waiting for the day he'll finally beat Mario. I don't think anything will change how stubbornly bad Bowser is, even if good people will welcome him.
@@castform7618 Getting what you want isn't bad. Being taught to be entitled to what you want is. There's a very large difference.
He was pretty much raised to be an evil overlord. Being told you're entitled to rule the world is very different from having a regular kid's wants indulged. The latter is fine - unless it's truly unreasonably impractical, then you should ease a kid into understanding why they can't have something. But being told you're supposed to be the boss of everyone from childhood will mess anyone up.
As a child, the final boss fight against Bowser in Yoshi's Island was genuinely terrifying
It still is for me
Terrifying music for a boss fight against a giant that was a literal baby just seconds before, set in a firey hellscape. You know, for kids!
@@CoralCopperHead He Was One Of The First Final Bosses I Beat,Yoshi's Island On The GBA!If You Let Him Get Too Close,You DIE!That Was What I Feared The Most!
Legit the only part of the game I worked up to that I would hand the controller off to my dad. 5 year old me could not handle that. LOL
24:30 I just wanna take a moment to say, Bowser's a catch actually. He's royalty, loves and is loved by his subjects, wonderful father, absolute unit, has sensitive side; once you look past the kidnapping hobby he's got alot going for him
Been thirsting for the big man too I see?
Honestly, the spiked collar drip is real nice too.
The kidnapping thing is a plus for some people too
Big himbo energy.
He turned everyone into bricks or plants and left the koopalings to die.
@@Bacxaber He actively goes out of his way to help his army.
...I admit I don't have a response to the "Toads To Bricks" trick he pulled in the first game.
One thing you didn't mention about the Mario & Luigi series and that's extremely important :
Bowser being Mario's main rival always gets to fight the bros at one point using the gimmick of the current game.
In superstar saga, he gets duo boss battles and bros attacks, the foundation of the series.
In partners in time, he gets to cooperate with his younger self, just like the bros.
In bowser's inside story, he gets to use all the attacks the player got to be familiar with up until that point
In dream team, he gets to be buffed by a dream world being, antasma, just like Mario gets buffed by dreamy Luigi
In paper jam, he gets to team up with his paper self and use paperization attacks, just like the playable trio.
It's amazing that out of every character it could have been, Bowser always fills that role of turning game mechanics against the player.
Also, the side stories in the remakes (minion quest and bowser jr's journey) really show how respected and loved he is, even when he's not around.
Bowser always feels like he's at his best when he's playing villain protagonist.
Like, Bowser's Inside Story...it does not get enough praise for how fucking stellar Bowser is.
If he was an actor, hed get an Academy Award lol
@@Echostooge234dude does not deserve an academy award.
He at least deserves an Oscar.
The sheer fact that Super Mario RPGs characterization of Bowser managed to make its way into a feature length multibilliom dollar movie almost 30 years later, is a testament to how important that game really was. It's a relatively obscure RPG game from the mid 90s yet it is the start of the core characterization for he most recognizable franchise in the world. And It wasn't even made by Nintendo.
I totally missed that "high energy" kid line in Origami King. That's hilarious!
Bowser has always been one of my favorites. Super Paper Mario was what really stuck his character to me with that "Grade A Certified Final Boss" line.
At the end of the day, Bowser isn't a villain because he has to be, or because he hates the hero, or because he was wronged in some way, or to gain anything, or even just for the fun of it.
Bowser takes being a villain as an *art form.* And he's always looking for a new canvas. Improving for the sake of improving.
He is an actor just like Mario is.
Another thing that makes Bowser awesome is that the games don't seem to start until Bowser has achieved, or is close to achieving his goal.
Most of the games, he ALREADY has the princess and the Mushroom Kingdom under his control.
In Paper Mario, he ALREADY has the Star Rod and imprisoned the Elders
In Sunshine, Junior has ALREADY tarnished Mario's name
In both Galaxy games, he ALREADY has a universe-spanning empire
Hell, in Odyssey, he starts off beating Mario to mush!
In short, each game starts of with him WINNING before anyone even knows he had a plan to begin with. All we do as players is just knock him down a bunch of pegs.
He is by far, the MOST SUCCESSFUL villain in fiction!
I agree with you in everything except the last part.
Look up Ozymandias from Watchmen
The only difference between Bowser and Ozymandias is that we don't get to see the fall of Ozymandias's system, that we know is coming because of Rorschach's journal.
I think the line that defines him the most is "Your saying this kingdom will vanish not today THIS KINGDOM IS ALL MINE SO YOU VANISH" his only reaction to an actual god threatening to end the world is just "nuh uh"
In a tone that KNOWS he can back up that denial.
Actual dark God: This world will be destroyed. Your hopes are nothing. Your death will be in vain. You have already lost.
No one:
No person in this world:
Literally no one ever:
Bowser: no u
So I'm playing through Inside Story for the first time and I just wanna say I get why Bowser brute forces his way through everything. Because he makes it so fun. Punching and breathing fire on anything who dares to challenge the king. There will be nothing more satisfying than getting an Excellent on Bowser's punch, him reeling back to really sell the clobbering and finally decking whatever shnozz in front of him so hard they fly back. I rely on it more than my minions which is about as stupid as Bowser is this game but I don't care. I feel like this bruiser who may make dumb decisions but has the power to take on the world by myself and win. I feel like a boss. I feel like Bowser.
Honestly, if it's just more fun, it might be like Luffy; he could easily make himself smart, sure, but it's more fun to take the direct route.
This comment makes me wish I tried pushing the one rock to the left rather than constantly trying to push it to the right years ago in a room inside of Bowser. I never got past that point and it pisses me off because I don't have a working DS anymore.
If only Nintendo were to port the game to the switch.
I don't know how exactly, but I just wish they did. One way or another.
I've always seen Bowser as the Mario equivalent of Dr. Doom or Skeletor. He's not the most evil, powerful, or imposing villain in the Rogues Gallery, but he's a certified badass, and will always finds his way back in the position of top dog of villainy.
Bowser is such an interesting case to study. He balances being a tyranical monster who wants his influence known across kingdoms or even entire galaxies and being a goofy meathead that loves his son and really wants the pretty princess to like him near perfectly. What I love about Bowser is how he just seems to relish in his villainy. To himself, he is the biggest threat around, even after he loses. He fully acknowledges being the bad, loving it and being dedicated to it. Every loss to Mario is actually just a small setback and will definitely win next time. He doesn't "team up with people to fight a bigger threat" he makes people honourary minions to help him prove to others why he's on top. And to top it all off, he is the king of presentation. Not just with his massive castles either. How about a giant theme park with a giant tower he scales up with the powers of a cat. Or a wedding on the moon with supplies he got from terrorizing others. Or how about turning himself into a castle and using Wonder power to [redacted so that no one angry I spoiled but if you know you know]. All these add to the charisma that allows him to be so malleable. Why does Bowser want to go golfing. To beat Mario by any means necessary. Whether or not he's imposing, no one can deny that whatever Bowser does is exactly what Bowser would do.
I think one of my favorite bits of characterization for Bowser is in Dream Team when he throws Antasma to the curb, since he might have a better chance of beating Mario with Antasma backing him up, but there's absolutely no way he's ever sharing the spotlight with _anyone_ when he beats Mario.
Bowser is probably the most determined character in all of fiction with how he doesn't just try time and time again to beat Mario, but he also specifically wants to beat Mario _himself_ with no third party butting in.
It's also fun how sometimes Mario and the gang don't seem to _hate_ Bowser as much as they just find him a nuisance. Like they know he's capable of good things, but he's too preoccupied with his obsession of beating Mario.
This was so fun to work on, truly an honor. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to be a part of something so special. I think you should be VERY proud of this one. Nailed it my friend.
LONG LIVE THE KING.
One of the hardest things about commenting on your videos is trying to come up with something you didn't already say better than I ever could have. Your commitment to being a thorough as possible and covering every single last corner of the subject material you talk about it truly and utterly unrivaled and that is demonstrated better than anything else by the fact that you STILL are out here making references to the Mario Superstar Baseball community of all things. Just 1 small and niche community, normally otherwise eclipsed by so many other communities that have so much more to say, yet you still find the time to bring up the fucking BASEBALL META.
As always, incredible job. I knew this was gonna be a treat the moment I saw the musical sync right at the beginning of the video
Bro I see you fucking EVERYWHERE!! You always have something cool or insightful to say 😎
I don't think there's ever been a channel that can consistently give me chills as much as you can
One of my favorite gaming moments and best Mario moment is in new super Mario bros wii, I was playing 2p with my late brother-in law during family game night and we were powering through the final world then finally "Beating" bowser only for Kamek to fly in work thier magic and gigantify Bowser and the sheer panic set in, we had never made it that far, had no idea what to expect and we ran, jumped, bubbled, bounced off each other and somehow working on instinct alone all actions working in sync, using each other but never getting in each other's way we raced to the end without a death. It's one of my fondest memories with a great man gone too soon
Bowser is a fun villain, but he is at his best when he reluctantly teams up with Mario to take down a bigger bad to prove he is the better bad guy. Take no substitutes.
What makes bowser the best villain is that hes not necessarily completely evil. He looks menacing and scary, but hes just a little guy who has problems with feelings. Often portrayed as a joke villain, whos just “oh no bowser kidnap da princess, go save her”
Rarely is bowser ever portrayed as scary, hes just a funny and incredible character. And whenever bowser talks, it is amazing dialogue and is also sometimes being made a complete joke out of. Or hell, to even becoming allies with his greatest enemy. Granted its for his own benefit he could care less about actually helping mario. But whenever somethings really that serious and something happens to bowser, he will always end up on marios team if they were to cross. Theres even some times where bowser genuinely does care for mario. Like in super mario rpg for example he says to leave mario out of it and instead threatens the manager by saying that he is the real threat to the manager. Bowser is also caring for peach, I mean he really just wants hers but like she loves peach and even more when she becomes an elephant. Honestly huge respect. If I was peach id accept. Bowser is also a great father, caring about Jr. Calling him in mario rabbids to ask to make sure he did his homework, took out the trash and that he isnt throwing a party. And thats what makes bowser so great, a lovable doofus who tries to be a menacing villain. Is he as evil as say Sephiroth, Ganondorf, Albert Wesker, or even Mr Jefferson from Life is Strange? No, not at all, not even close. But you dont need a villain to be completely evil to be the best.
@breadandcircuses8127yeah that proves my statement
@breadandcircuses8127I wouldn’t completely rule out the possibility of Bowser redeeming himself to some extent in the movies when we inevitably get the 2nd and 3rd Mario movies, after all I’m sure they won’t make Bowser the villain for all 3 movies, although the chances of this might appear slim I could imagine a villain like Dimentio being the final villain for the 3rd Mario movie and just like what happened in Super Paper Mario, Bowser will join Mario, Luigi & Peach, and we’ll also no doubt get to see Bowser’s fatherly side when Bowser Jr. & the Koopalings are introduced in probably the 2nd movie, and with more development by the 3rd movie, I personally think they should end it with 3 Mario movies, all I’m hoping is that they add Rosalina, Wario, Waluigi, Daisy, Bowser Jr. & the Koopalings, certain basic enemies & and also bosses like Petey Piranha, Count Bleck & Tippi & Dimentio to the sequels. As well as the Donkey Kong spin-off movie where we get to see all of the Kongs and I hope King K. Rool & the Kremlings appear in the movie.
IMO, Bowser’s best role as a villain was in Dream Team.
The whole game, Antasma was being hyped up by everyone. And when they teamed up, it seemed like it’d be the Bowser usual where he gets betrayed/possessed and loses the title of final boss. But instead, Bowser was the one in charge. Every action by the duo was successful because of Bowser, and in the final part of the game, Bowser actually backstabs first. Unceremoniously chucking aside the Nightmare King, and leaving with the Mcguffin. That moment stuck with me.
What I really love about Bowser is hard to describe. He's a true villian, but not a complete monster. He has his doubts and insecurities, flaws and strengths, he has more layers than a planet sized cake. Bowser is a hopeless romantic, hammy supervillian, yet a father to his men and a wonderful parent. And yet he's perfectly fine to get together with his arch nemesis casually from time to time as a breather and for fun. He's basically a punch-clock villian. And despite all of his evil deeds, he's never done anything that crosses the line that'd make him unforgiveable (minus the movie, but that's a different canon). The only person he tries killing is the one that foils his plans and he's still willing to kart with him on weekends. His kidnapping is basically the worst he does and it's not even that bad. Peach is given comfort typically. It's basically just routine for everyone. He's capable of doing so much and is so gargantuan I'm not entirely sure if I can do him justice.
Bowser is Bowser. He's awesome. That's all you need to know.
I don't know why minus the movie part when movie bowser didn't even do anything worse then regular bowser
@@aaronjones6299 tbf he was going to sacrifice a bunch of kidnapped civilians in honor of Peach at the wedding.
I consider the Movie to be a separate continuity
There's also Bowser's time as a Skylander; in the special comic to promote him and Donkey Kong as Nintendo exclusives, he agreed to a temporary truce and even accepting that he has to be a hero to keep other worlds safe since whatever evil is afoot will most likely come for his. I remember reading somewhere that Bowser even stood in as leader of the Superchargers in the event their main leader was away on a mission.
something special is how he can maintain his intimidating threatening presence despite losing over and over, he doesn't let that turn him into a running joke, he doesn't let that define him as a loser or hurt him, he just gets back up and keeps being the biggest and baddest because he's fully convinced he's that guy, the games might use him for some jokes but he isn't the joke
5:31: Not only was Bowser modeled after the Bull Demon King, Bowser’s design is compared to Lóngguī the Chinese Dragon Turtle, a hybrid creature which has more notable design features, specifically hair and horns on the head, a pronounced muzzle, and having his body inside a turtle shell… Bowser’s also got a dash of Alligator Snapping Turtle for the spikes, which I can’t quite explain.
It was a tumultuous ride getting here, but I'm beaming with pride over how the final product turned out. I still remember us talking... I think it was 2 years ago?About the best written Nintendo characters and you brought up that Bowser was #1. Surprised me at first, but its true! He's a stellar character, and its been a delight to see that viewpoint grow and evolve into what this video became, as well as a sheer delight to help get it finished!
Long Live the King!!!
Considering we visit Bowser's homeland in Mario Odyssey, it really puts his upbringing in perspective. He's part of a dynasty of Japan-styled warlords, and it's pretty clear that being a bully and a conqueror is downright expected of him by his people.
My favorite aspect of Bowser is that he manages to have a parallel against Mario while also retaining his own character. Most villains that parallel their hero, like Iron Monger and Iron Man, trying to be the best of their ideals of power vs legacy using their tech genius, typically aren’t very unique as themself, as Iron Monger’s story is built on Iron Man’s. Bowser’s story is his own, and he rivals Mario, not just as sport or love interest, but in their determination. I think the movie shows this the best, as it is structurally similar to a videogame, where Mario’s and DK’s determination allows them to conquer challenges and end up at Bowser. Bowser, as an eternal turtle, is perfectly characterized as the force that can’t be put down. In the movie, he endures the entirety of two superstars, only losing when distracted by Peach. And he shows no signs of reflection on his failure other than how to make the next attempt be more successful. As the mainline games progressed, he has less self-destructive ways of being defeated (except in NSMB series, 3D Land, 3D World, and Sunshine), and almost always gives it his all (exceptions being Sunshine and Wonder), where Mario only wins because of a surprise ally (FLUDD, Master Luma, and Cappy). His adaptability is definitely an aspect to be appreciated.
Bowser is the most badass villain and turtle throughout the entire gaming industry!
He has a lot of forms, power ups, minions, ultra forms, cool styles and a bunch of tricks up his sleeve and I'm telling you Bowser can easily take on Thanos in a heartbeat from my point of view!
Bowser is the greatest video game villain ever, long live the king!!!!
Man, I really like your essays. I clicked this without being too interested in the topic, simply because I enjoyed your previous videos so much. Then in the intro, you gripped me with the question "Why does Bowser still posture so frightfully even when he's had his ass kicked so many times?" And I was like, damn, I didn't think of it that way. Now I'm on board for the next 40 minutes. Cheers.
Bowser may not be my Personal favorite. He may not be yours. But we can all agree that Bowser is what Video game villains stride to be. Icon. Evil. Incredible bosses that improve and change each appearance. While still being the villain we know and love. So All Hail King Koopa. Ruler of the Video game Villains!
Long live the Dragon Turtle King.
Long live the Dragon Turtle King.
He is Gaming’s most iconic villain
Gosh, Bowser is so cool. He absolutely deserves his title of THE video game villain, and this is a brilliant showcase of just how and why. Long live the king, indeed.
Having a video finally go in depth on validating my opinion on why Bowser is a genuinely amazing character beyond “Gaming Icon” and “yeah he’s funny” was so euphoric. God especially the BIS portion, it completely captures what made that game so goddamn iconic and AUHH when In The Final hit I was so GUISHSJS.
I love bowser.
For as goffy as that game is
Sunshine Bowser was something else, man.
I love the idea that the only reason Bowser shows up for party ganes is just so he can prove that he's better, or just because he was bored
Or be an agent of chaos
LONG LIVE THE KING! [:
Was thinking this morning about how he'd be a fun addition to Project X Zone 3 because of the recent Source Gaming roster streams
@breadandcircuses8127 not that I'm aware of
I just think Bowser would be a good fun pick for a Unit (Paired or Solo) if Nintendo characters get to be in like PXZ2 (:
What I like most about Bowser is powerful the make him make to be. He may be a lovesick idiot sometimes but that lovesick idiot has the capabilities and wiping out everyone with a single breath.
He's managed to beat the right Pong paddle, now THAT'S impressive
he’s always so funny in the RPGs, one of my favorite characters ever lmao
Haven't watched yet, but the terrifying part about bowser is that 99% of the time, _he wins_ .
How many times do you think that mario has literally died, and only been revived because of magical mushrooms?
The bowser we see is the one who has had mario actually somehow survive, despite all his plans, and all his power
The real question is, what happens when a 1up is used? Do we jump to a different timeline, or does it literally resurrect him?
Are 1ups even canon?
I mean some of the rpgs had them. Inside story revives a brother upon consumption.
I actually like to believe that Bowser picks up mario. Puts him at a flag he placed as a checkpoint for him and leaves.
If not bowser one of the minions.
Since in the end. Mario (or the others) are the only ones brash enough to go and beat him.
And who better to have as an adversary then the one that never gives up.
Since he never does himself.
It be funny tho if thats the case. he just...Does it so he can fight them again. And again. And again.
Just a thought though.@@sythrus
Bowser is the personification of "It doesn't matter how many times you get knocked down, it's about how many times you get back up"
Mario Party Bowser has some hilarious lines.
Bowser: "Time to play a minigame called GIVE BOWSER 100 Coins and your Star"
(Later)
Bowser: "That was so fun."
Awesome video.
In super Paper Mario Bowser had to be convinced about the world and his minions, but we see that progression in Origami King where Bowser was forced to watch his minions be turned into folded soldiers, he was instantly upset and wanted revenge for them. His characterization reached its intended point on ToK especially as he respected Jr and Kamek, as well as comforting Olivia’s fear about facing her brother. It’s awesome and I look forward to seeing where his character goes in the future after the TTYD remake.
This is exactly why he is my favorite video game character of all time. Amazing video.
Thank you so much for covering the KING OF AWESOME!
Bowser: Oh your Villian, schmuk! Just not a Super one!
Fawful/Dark Bowser: Oh yeah what am I missing!?
Bowser: PRESENTATION!
Bowser is mucj more than just an evil turtle dragon king.
He's a general, a cool manager, and a great father.
Like eggman, he is not always comedic all the time (for example, sonic mania and bowser fury) but is also very respectful and has a small heart of gold. He may be bad, but not heartless, he care for his minions, his son, and even princess peach. That's why i like bowser
I needed this video; almost brought a tear to my eye. I’ve loved Bowser since I was about 7 years old; my parents got me a Bowser plushie and it was my absolute favorite stuffed animal throughout my childhood. I always play as Bowser in Mario Kart, Smash, and pretty much every other game I can, and I even had a Bowser-themed birthday party when I was younger! My absolute favorite video game character ever, and easily one of, if not the greatest fictitious villain ever conceived. Long love the king! 👑
I think we take for granted how AWESOME his theme is in Mario 64.
what's awesome about this guy is that even as a baby, he's intimidating....you know you got yourself an awesome and memorable villain when even as a baby, he's terrifying.
There's a _reason_ he's got so much fanart. On a related note, I wish Nintendo would give him the chance to be buff as hell.
EDIT: Having crappy armour and bad spells made him a perfect fit for my Mario/Peach/Bowser team. Mario 'cause you can't take him out of the party, Peach to use the shared mana pool, and Bowser to say "screw that enemy in particular."
Seeing Viridi in the top tiers of writing, now i definitely want you to make a kid icarus video
Seconded about the KIU video idea.
Bowser is one of my favorite villains of all time. Sure there's fellas like... Tomura Shigaraki from My Hero Academia who has a tragic backstory to show how he became so evil, but I think Bowser's cooler and more fun. Helps that he's not all evil since there was Bowser's Inside Story where he treated his minions well, rescuing them which gave him new Brawl Attacks. In Super Mario RPG, he was fine with some of his minions quitting the army. Lastly, he was not down with what happened to the Sammer Kingdom.
I am a fan of how he didn't kidnap Peach in Super Mario Bros Wonder and 3D World. Was nice for him to change things up there.
Ahh, the love note for THE villain, while also bringing up other aspects of video game villainy (which can easily spread to other mediums)... it's a love note to villainy as well! 46 minutes of praising Bowser, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for a great year, and here's to more!
Honestly, the best way I can reason why Bowser is so timeless is because of who he was based on. Miyamoto had stated that the character borrowed heavily from The Ox King from Journey to the West, but also Bluto from the Popeye the Sailor cartoons. A magic wielder, and a rough and tough bruiser fighting the main character over a girl. And I think that balance of actual threat and goofy screwup who can be beaten if you can handle it is probably why the Koopa king has stuck in the zeitgeist when folks like Wart and Fawful haven't.
Bowser is video games' equivalent of Godzilla. Always gets beat, always comes back.
amazing essay! I never realized how much Bowser reflects the challenges inside a game, personifying the game design itself, blowing it out of proportions and making it epic, like a boss fight should do.
And he keeps doing this for everything, not only for the game's he's in, but for himself as well. Taking such a simple concept, but mastering it to a tee.
Showing yet again how good character writers can be at their craft.
And at how well essayists are at deconstructing and explaining stuff like this.
You pretty much summed up my thoughts and more about Bowser. He's funny, he's a troll, he can be a simpleton, he's great dad, he's a respectful leader, and he's an absolute powerhouse when overstepping his limits.
There are definitely some video games villains that are a lot more conniving, threatening, and interesting, but Bowser just has this iconic charm and charisma that almost no other antagonist has.
Quiet viewer here. Just had to comment your analysis might be spot-on, and I never realized the _first_ RPG was the true root of his character. That said, I'll never forget going into Super Paper or Dream Team and first realizing "Oh. The bad guy is a fully dimensional _person."_ It was awesome.
You're correct when you say he's the jack of every trade a villain has tried (and Bowser Jr malquote aside, it's a really telling look from another person about what Bowser fundamentally is).
Amazing video, the editing is impeccable, and a few moments like the long live the king at the end were very epic. great work :)
Bowser is actually my favorite character of all time, full stop. He has been ever since i played Bowser's inside story way back when. After that I just discovered more to love about him
I like the fact that Bowser being married with Peach was SO against the laws of the universe that it summoned THE DARK HEART OF CHAOS!! 😂
I love how passionate you are in your videos. Makes me feel good.
This video was incredible front to back. Your story telling ability and passion keeps the viewer engaged and wanting more. As someone who has played Nintendo for nearly 30 years, this was such a fun video to watch.
Man, this brought back a whole lot of memories. Ever since I played New Super Mario Bros Wii when it came out and watched playthroughs of Bowser's Inside Story via youtube letsplays, Bowser has been one of my favorite characters (much to my family's confusion haha). I've always thought he was so cool and that his relationship with Peach, Mario, and his kids was so interesting. All his bossfights, silly rpg appearences, and power trips in the games where he's playable have brought me so much joy over the years.
This has got to be one of my favorite videos of yours. Keep up the great work dude!
This is one of the best videos I've ever watched, and reaffirms everything I believe about bowser
i've kind of held the opinion for a while now that bowser is character is best utilized whenever he's not the main antagonist. super mario rpg, super paper mario, bowsers inside story, thousand year door are all peak bowser characterization
I love the way you speak in all these videos! The way you describe the feeling of power when playing as Bowser made me feel energized 😀
Excellent essay! This was one of your best yet!
Absolutely loved the passion you had in this video! Made me smile all the way thru!
Mario Party Bowser is my favorite villain of all video games because he somehow manages to be the most chaotic and hated character while still being loved in a game where conventional antagonists just wont work
You made me realize that the first time Bowser went full Kaiju in game was in Yoshi's Island
As a toddler
What a guy
This is my new favorite Designing For video, and that's saying something with how quality your work is. If it's ok, I'd like to request a video on Plants vs. Zombies. Maybe "Designing for Escalation" on how the Zombies and Plants adapt to each others tactics in the first game. Have a Merry Christmas!
Giga Baby Bowser from Yoshi's Island is the pinnacle of atmospheric tension in a boss fight. The monstrous silhouette looming and growing in the distance, the intense fight music, it all culminates to make one of the most iconic fights in the whole series.
Seeing Kefka Palazzo, Senator Steven Armstrong, and King Bowser Koopa directly compared to one another in the same essay is honestly one of the biggest highlights of "Funny because it's true" comedy in general.
I think one of the best parts of Bowser as well.. he not only got his own characterization, but he gave Mario and Peach character as well when back then they were just rather flat. Every moment he has involving Peach ... is kidnapping yes. But games like Paper Mario where Peach is given storytime of herself. Or even Super Princess Peach where SHE was the protagonist against Bowser. Not only does it show that Bowser has the power and brains to outbest Mario, but it helped showing that Peach is a capable princess who can defend herself and isn't just some hopeless damsel. The LINE sticker set even has her just slapping Bowser when he got close to her for kidnapping. Even when being shoved flowers in her face by both her captor and even her love interest, she just rejects both of them, showcasing that she does have a tipping point where she can just be fed up with everything.
And Mario, his personality started to really shine in Super Mario Odyssey, mainly that said rejection where we just see Mario patting a sobbing Bowser's back. That imagery sits with my mind with Mario just showing he isn't a total jerk to Bowser. Bowser's Fury, Mario is just really fed up with Bowser for the 35 years of constantly fighting him and it's hilarious. Seeing Mario at the ending of the game just standing there nonchalant not moving an inch as Bowser tries to hit him but Junior held him back.
This video was a joy to watch. Bowser is one of my favorite villains ever. Always love your stuff man. I’m hoping you tackle King K. Rool more in depth some day in a video like this!
Same, and I hope he makes an in depth video on why he thinks King K. Rool is a great villain as well, same with an in depth video for Dr. Eggman, Ganondorf and Sephiroth.
I just wanted to tell you that this has become one of my favourite channels over the last couple of months.
Bowser perhaps has the best plans he ever came up with:
In Super Mario Sunshine He was going to make most dark vacation on Isle Delfino by poluting it with some colorful but dark colors, take the light of shines from the island, use the last one as a a battery for his big jakuzi, and by introducing his son, he made up a story that Peach is Bowser's wife, making a very rocking familly vacation.
In Super Mario Galaxy, he decited to literally play God by using the power of grand stars to builed and power up his own grand galaxy in the center of the known universe and rule every pitiful corner of it.
In Paper Mario he builds a castle under Peach's castle to take her by suprise.
In Super Mario Galaxy 2 he tried to play God yet again but he decited to eat Grand Stars to make him self bigger. Bigger Bowser, bigger power and bigger empire
Super Peach Princess he kidnaps Mario instead to pursuade Peach to merry him.
In Mario Party 7 He decited to make for Mario Party contestants make the worst holiday tour ever just because he wasn't invided.
In Super Mario 3D Land, he used the tanuki leafs to poup his army to make himself stronger.
In Super Mario 3D World, he created Bowser World and tried to use the faries to make some epic party cassino. Perhaps to invide Peach.
But perhaps New Super Mario Bros. U, instead of kidnaping Peach, he invaded her castle and took it over instead. Hostile takeover and makeover at the same time.
In Super Mario Odyssey, he planed to start his weding with Princess right now on the road, to make the most epic fairy-tale wedding in history, on the moon where Mario will never find him.
And in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, he was invaded every kingdom in his world in search of the super star to used as a proposal gift for Peach.
Super Mario RPG really was a treasure that treated all its characters with love.
*THANK YOU SO MUCH! THANK YOU FOR SHOWING LOVE TO THE GOAT!*
I personally think one of the reasons Bowser works so well is his sheer determination
Mario could take him down every day for a hundred years, time and time again, sometimes twice in a single game, and the MOMENT Bowser is back on his feet, he's going to try again.
No amount of failure will stop Bowser, and no amount of defeat can dull his edge. Every time Bowser comes back in the Villain Spotlight, he's going to be _at least_ as brutal as he was the last time.
It doesn't matter if he's fighting Mario until the heat death of the universe. Bowser knows what he wants, and not even death is going to stop him.
I mean...Death didn't stop him.
He technically died I believe at some point.
But the afterlife just sucked so he returned.
Death can't keep this ol' koopa down.
Until mario gives his final breath.
I don't think even death will take him.
@@lorenzojongste6766
Heaven won't take him, hell is afraid of him
One of the best videos I've seen all year ngl
I like how Bowser Rocks hard wean he gets a new super ability or a weapon
Bowser teaming up with Mario being something (he claims) he'll "regret later on" is something I'd like to see in another Mario game.
EDIT: (Super Mario RPG 2)
Bowser forever!
Long live the King of the Koopas!
4:50 And I'm going to dethrone this guy with my own guys.
LONG LIVE THE KING!!!!!
God tier video btw, keep up the great work man!
This was amazing, and since you mentioned that there’s villains you like more than Bowser, and you showed King K. Rool, I’d love to watch in depth video of why you think King K. Rool is a great villain, also I’d love to see an in depth video for why Dr. Eggman, Ganondorf and Sephiroth are great villains as well, it’d be fitting to make videos based on them because they’re considered the most iconic video game villains just behind Bowser, and I actually really like the longer videos because I feel like it gives the characters their due respect.
I always find it funny that bowser trys to look strong in front of mario more so than peach
You can tell that I'm on a Super Mario RPG kick right now. I can tell you with the remaster that Bowser is HEAVILY buffed. As you pointed out, Bowser has problems in the original. He barely keeps Fear and Poison infliction by spell casting uniquely to his name, with his passive offense and defense not being sufficient especially when we have things like Geno's cracked natural Physical DEF growth post-Level 20. Combine that with the competition and there's good reason why Bowser/Geno is somehow the most inept party in a world where Geno/Princess is the most adept. Just...how does that work?
And then the remaster comes in and gives ol' Armor Knight: The Super Mario RPG Character some tools he can actually work with, such that Magic Only Bowser can actually be competent. Crusher and Bowser/Mechakoopa Crush, while still not uniquely useful, get Mallow's own Magic ATK boosting to help them out. Triple Moves end up with Bowser having 3 of the 4 attacking Triple Moves, one of which (Clown Car Barrage, which I mentioned on stream) being used actively enough on speedruns. Item healing is no longer complicated by the 29 total item capacity, now using item type limitations that are far more flexible by allowing far more HP healing including from the Mini-Goombas' Mushrooms on field if desired. And there's also splash damage on physical attacks keeping in note that Bowser's Physical ATK is consistently solid.
And of course, why would I forget Bowser's own Ally Buff of boosting Physical DEF. I am not exaggerating about that. There's a surprising number of significant threats who are made as dangerous as they are by their physical attacks. And believe it or not, this includes Booster (in the main story), Jinx, Axem Rangers, Cloaker's Earth Link, and even Smithy himself to an extent. I know Axem Black especially, who was THE biggest threat of the Axem Rangers, gets hilariously defanged by the +25% Physical DEF boost as long as you maintain the Timing Chain, and it's particularly cathartic to see his Spritz Bomb that he responds to Specials with end up potentially dealing single digit damage even when it's not blocked. I will grant that all physical attacks that deal damage are now blockable and so can have the Physical DEF boost be made fully redundant, but all single-target magic attacks that deal damage are also now blockable as well, reducing the problems with Bowser's Magic DEF, and most of the latter, outside the oddball exception like Bolt, tend to have less obtuse timing than the bulk of the former. Bowser is still helping more people who don't already involve perfect play.
I'm working on my Restricted Weapons/No Deaths Run video series for the Switch version, and I can promise that Bowser's Physical DEF boost will get to shine often enough, which makes it good that I'm currently at the part where Bowser joins to provide that. Sure it will only do so much against somebody like Culex, but it will help often enough before that comes up, and it will be good at showing how games can better balance playable tanks. I'm having a part of my interest being to support remasters that show TLC so that the likes of Kid Icarus Uprising's own very likely to happen remaster would be encouraged to do the same. Considering I main Skyscraper Club in KIU, it's rather funny how things go with Bowser in the SMRPG remaster.
I think the funniest thing about Super Mario RPG remake in my mind is how Peach went from the game's best, most broken character in the original to warming the bench until you really need her heals in the remake. Bowser, while still not the best, went from benchwarmer to actively competing with Geno for the third active party slot. Being part of the best Triple Moves (w/ either Mallow or Geno) and the revamped item inventory definitely helped in that regard. Postgame, he (like Mallow and Geno) gets his own ultimate weapon that's actually in-line with the Lazy Shell and Frying Pan weapons which also helps against the number of postgame bosses (and Terrorize will even help cheese some of them there as well) and get the Smithy battle done faster so you can see the new changes to the ending when you clear the postgame quests.
Always been a great powerhouse since 1985.
Something I've always enjoyed about the Mario series is how well they sell Bowser's ridiculous power. Getting to play as him in Odyssey, for example.
I like to think of Bowser as a sort of a Megamind. He might not really even hate Mario and gang, but he'll sure fight with them.