Bowser's Castle

This article is about the location. For other subjects of the same name, see Bowser's Castle (disambiguation).

Bowser's Castle
Mario looking at Bowser's Keep from Vista Hill in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Franchise	Mario
First appearance	Super Mario Bros. (1985, overall) Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996, Square Enix-related media)
Latest appearance	Mario Golf: Super Rush (2021, overall) Fortune Street (2011, Square Enix-related media)
Inhabitants	Bowser, Koopalings, Bowser Jr., Koopa Troop
Ruler	Bowser

Bowser's Castle (or simply Bowser Castle) is a recurring location in the Mario franchise. It is the domicile of Bowser and the base of operations for his army, the Koopa Troop. The castle's name, design, and greater location can differ between its appearances, but the castle is usually situated in a volcanic world. It is characteristically an important base from which Bowser formulates his plans and summons the Koopa Troop to take over the Mushroom Kingdom and kidnap Princess Peach. Many Super Mario series titles feature Bowser's Castle as the final location that Mario and his friends must visit to defeat Bowser and rescue Peach.

Bowser's Castle made its first overall appearance in Super Mario Bros., and its first Square Enix-related appearance is in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, with the name Bowser's Keep. In Mario spinoff titles and crossover appearances, Bowser's Castle usually serves a purpose relating to the sport or theme of that game, such as a race course in the Mario Kart series.

History

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

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In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Bowser's Keep is isolated on a mountain of red, jagged rocks, where is sits atop the largest rock, which resembles Bowser himself. Bowser's Keep can only be accessed by a long bridge that connects to the faraway Vista Hill. The halls of Bowser's Keep are lined with statues of an unidentified Koopa species. The castle is originally guarded by Terrapin soldiers. At the very beginning of the game during a standard princess-rescue, Mario goes through an entry room, a heavily guarded hallway, and a lava-filled room with bridges (the second of which collapses, being later replaced with Donut Lifts, before battling Bowser atop a chandelier in a large room.

The rescue is interrupted by the gigantic sword Exor crashing into the keep, scattering everyone inside. Exor destroys the bridge and proclaims the keep the new base of the Smithy Gang in Mario's world. Since Exor is the gateway to Smithy's dimension, the soldiers of the Smithy Gang have an easy time taking control of the castle. In fact, many of Bowser's soldiers defect or run away instead of fighting.

Eventually, Mario and company make it back to the keep using the Royal Bus from Nimbus Land. After traveling through the original rooms, now full of stronger versions of early-game enemies, such as Terra Cottas, Gu Goombas, and Malakoopas, intermixed with some larger enemies. After passing through the room where Mario and Bowser fought in the beginning, they travel through a dark, twisted hall and meet up with the thief Croco, who offers to sell them items. Following this is a challenge of six doors known as the Trial Course. After four of the six are completed, they fall from a doorway into a tall room and get into a battle against the brainwashed Magikoopa. After being defeated and freed from his mind control, Magikoopa creates a magic treasure box and offers free healing, while a nearby Croco sells better items than before. The next room is a long hall filled with Thwomps (including a large one), while Blazers are shot from off-screen and lead to battle against Big Berthas if touched. The final room is a copy of the Bowser fight room, and is held by Boomer. Once Boomer is defeated, the group is taken to the roof, where they battle Exor.

In the epilogue, the castle is shown being repaired by the reestablished Koopa Troop.

Mario Hoops 3-on-3

Main article: Bowser's Castle (Mario Hoops 3-on-3)

Bowser's Castle appears as a basketball court in Mario Hoops 3-on-3. The court has many gimmicks, including Thwomps, Lava Bubbles, and Bombs.

Fortune Street series

Main article: Bowser's Castle (board)

Bowser's Castle in Fortune Street

Bowser's Castle also appears as a game board both in Itadaki Street DS and Fortune Street, based on the castle settings from New Super Mario Bros. and New Super Mario Bros Wii, respectively.

Mario Sports Mix

Main article: Bowser's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)

Bowser's Castle is one of the fourteen courts of Mario Sports Mix. It can host any of the available sports for characters to compete in.

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Bowser's Sky Castle in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, a stage based on Bowser's Sky Castle from Paper Mario: Sticker Star appears in the Paper Mario stage. At certain intervals, the castle's eyes may light up and the castle entrance (modeled after Bowser's head) may turn or close its mouth, heavily damaging any character inside.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Molten Fortress sub-area of World of Light is modeled after Bowser's Castle. The Paper Mario stage also returns, with Bowser's Sky Castle having the same role in it.

Enemies

These are the enemies featured in Bowser's Keep in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.

First visit

• Terrapin
• Bowser (boss)
  • Kinklink

Second visit, prior to The Trial Course

• Terra Cotta
• Forkies
• Gu Goomba
• Star Cruster
• Malakoopa
• Tub-O-Troopa

Second visit, after The Trial Course

• Magikoopa (boss)
  • Bahamutt
  • Jinx Clone
  • King Bomb
• Thwomp (obstacle)
• Blazer (overworld)
• Big Bertha
• Big Thwomp (obstacle)
• Boomer (boss)
• Exor (boss)

Additionally, Sparkys make a cameo in the background during the first visit, and Chandeli-hos make a cameo during the second visit, after the Trial Course.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	クッパ城 Kuppa Jō	Bowser's Castle
Chinese (Simplified)	酷霸王城堡 Kùbàwáng Chéngbǎo	Bowser Castle
Chinese (Traditional)	庫巴城堡 Kùbā Chéngbǎo	Bowser Castle
Dutch	Bowsers Kasteel	Bowser's Castle
French	Château de Bowser	Bowser's Castle
German	Bowsers Festung	Bowser's Fortress
Italian	Castello di Bowser	Bowser's Castle
Korean	쿠파 성 Kupa Seong	Bowser Castle
Portuguese	Castelo do Bowser	Bowser's Castle
Russian	Замок Боузера Zamok Bouzera	Bowser's Castle
Spanish	Castillo de Bowser	Bowser's Castle