Top 10 Mario Games with the Best Final Bowser Battles
Bowser has been Mario's arch-nemesis for decades, and every major Mario game builds up to an intense final showdown with the King of the Koopas. Some of these battles stand out more than others, delivering unforgettable moments filled with dramatic music, creative mechanics, and high-stakes platforming. From classic encounters that set the standard for final boss fights to modern clashes that push the series' gameplay to new heights, there's no shortage of epic confrontations between Mario and Bowser.But which final Bowser battles are the best? That's where you come in. This list ranks the most exciting, challenging, and satisfying fights based on votes from players like you. Whether you prefer the gravity-defying duels of the Galaxy games, the cinematic spectacle of more recent titles, or the precision platforming of old-school classics, your votes help determine which battles deserve the top spots. So take a look, think about which ones left the biggest impact, and cast your votes for the most memorable final showdowns in Mario history.
Mario battles Bowser on a circular arena suspended in the sky, requiring him to grab Bowser's tail and throw him into bombs three times to win. After Bowser is defeated, he vanishes, and Mario obtains the final Power Star, unlocking Princess Peach's rescue. This game has one of the few Bowser battles that are actually hard. The first two battles aren't too bad, where you have to make him hit only one spike bomb. In the third and final battle, you have to slam him into three spike bombs, which can be pretty difficult. When swinging Bowser around, it's hard to tell where you're going to throw him unless you're close to a spike bomb.
After two hits, Bowser will make sections of the platform fall off and form the shape of a star, which makes it even more challenging. Bowser looks weird, like most other enemies in the game, and the music also sounds kind of creepy. But altogether, it's a pretty interesting Bowser battle.
Mario faces Bowser in a multi-phase battle across several small planets, using spin attacks and environmental hazards to damage him. After Bowser's defeat, the universe undergoes a collapse and rebirth, leading to the restoration of the Mushroom Kingdom. He's mean, he's green, and he knows how to make a scene. Bowser is one of my and the world's most favored video game villains of all time. Sure, Super Mario 64 was good, but Galaxy was better. The music is epic, and the battle is awesome. This does NOT mean I don't like Super Mario 64.
I really like this boss because it takes EVERYTHING you've learned throughout the game - spinning, jumping, etc. - and uses it for a final boss as amazing as ever!
Tough fight. Good music. Epic. Pretty long. Astonishingly amazing.
Bowser is fought as a giant in outer space, where Mario must use launch stars and planetoid mechanics to attack him. After taking enough damage, Bowser is finally defeated, and the Grand Star is collected to conclude the adventure. Despite being so easy, this battle is beyond amazing. You're fighting an absolutely enormous Bowser while free-falling through a black hole, pummeling meteors at him while what is possibly the greatest final boss theme of all time plays in the background.
Bowser was enormous, and the graphics were so good. This is easily the most creative boss fight in mankind, although really easy.
This is my favorite Mario game. I love that they went with a different setting instead of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Bowser is fought in a multi-stage chase sequence where Mario must dodge attacks and obstacles while reaching a switch that sends Bowser falling. After the battle, Mario rescues Peach and escapes the collapsing castle. It's a close race between Bowser, and it gets your heart pumping. You have to move fast in the end, which is both hard and fun!
The music, the special fireballs, the slow-motion death - everything was awesome.
Babe, this is the best Bowser fight on a handheld device. Just interesting and very surprising as you run from Bowser in the end.
Mario first fights Bowser in a castle, after which Bowser grows giant with Kamek's magic, leading to a second phase where Mario must activate switches to drop him into lava. Peach is then rescued, and the Mushroom Kingdom is restored to peace. Finally, the button doesn't save Mario's butt this time! Yes! Something new! Plus, you see Bowser in his shell in this game! Bowser has so many attacks!
I like that the button isn't getting all the credit for rescuing Peach.
I'm not really into how the battle plays out, but I'm definitely into that music!
Mario fights Bowser in a Koopa Clown Car above his castle, dodging Mechakoopas and fireballs while throwing the Mechakoopas back at Bowser to damage him. After Bowser's defeat, Peach emerges from the Clown Car, and the game ends with a fireworks display. This Bowser battle is well-known for introducing the Koopa Clown Car. That thing used to scare me when it got angry and started trying to crush me. This is also one of the first battles I've had with Bowser.
Mario battles Bowser in a standard fight at first, but after being hit, Bowser transforms into a giant version of himself, requiring Mario to escape through an obstacle-filled level while avoiding his attacks. Once Mario reaches the final switch and activates it, Bowser is defeated, and Peach is saved. It starts out as the classical fight in Super Mario Bros., then it turns into an escape from a gigantic Bowser! EPIC!
The same as the classics until Bowser turns into a GIGA BOWSER and crushes everything. More of a stage, but still awesome.
Classic at first, but then it becomes unique when Bowser turns really BIG! Really great battle.
Bowser uses a Super Bell to transform into Meowser and climbs a skyscraper while Mario ascends to hit the POW block that ultimately defeats him. After Bowser is knocked off the tower, the Sprixie Princesses are freed, and peace is restored. By far the best Bowser battle I have ever experienced. Everything from the concept to the intensity, the setting, and even the music was practically perfect.
Absolutely the most awesome Bowser battle ever. For once, he's actually being smart...until he stands on the POW Block.
Bowser turns into a cat. Enough said.
Bowser attacks Mario with fireballs and a ground-pound move that breaks the floor beneath him, and Mario must trick Bowser into breaking through the ground to fall to his defeat. After Bowser is gone, Mario enters the next room to rescue Princess Peach. Easily my favorite Bowser battle from the original four. What makes this fight my favorite is the fact that he engages you in combat. It took me years to beat him!
Bowser wields the Star Rod, making himself invincible, but Mario uses the Star Beam to nullify its effects and attack him directly. After a prolonged battle, Bowser is finally defeated, Peach's castle is restored, and peace returns to the kingdom. The best final Bowser battle. Seriously. In most games, Bowser is more often than not a joke. Paper Mario shows the inner villain in him, showing what he's capable of and how deadly he can be.
The Newcomers
Bowser is fought similarly to New Super Mario Bros. U, first in a standard battle, then as a giant version empowered by Kamek's magic. Luigi ultimately defeats Bowser by activating a switch, rescuing Princess Peach.
Mario faces Bowser, who has been corrupted by black paint, requiring him to counter various attacks and use the power of color to weaken him. After Bowser is cleansed of the black paint, he regains his normal self and leaves peacefully. This is my favorite game of all time (don't hate me), and its final Bowser battle is just epic. If you think about it, you're kind of fighting to save Bowser from the black paint that's possessing him.
I also like how the music is a remix of a few songs from the game, such as Eerie Hotel, Bowser's theme, and, of course, the title theme. I haven't finished this game yet, but I know that the final battle is going to be epic.
Mario battles Bowser in a multi-phase fight where he must use Cappy to take control of Bowser's hat and attack him with punches. After Bowser is defeated, Mario possesses Bowser himself to escape a collapsing cavern with Peach. You punch him with his hat. I don't think that sentence made sense to you, but it will after you fight him.
The way you have to stomp on his head is so typical for a Super Mario game!
It is an incredible final boss fight. I do not know how Nintendo did this.
Mario and Luigi battle a giant Dark Bowser inside Bowser's body while Bowser fights him externally, requiring coordinated attacks to weaken and ultimately defeat him. Once Dark Bowser is destroyed, the Mushroom Kingdom returns to normal, and Bowser regains control of himself. There we go! This one's the best! Bowser gets to see how strong he actually is. Plus, Fawful's inside of Dark Bowser! I'm done. This battle's just lit.
Although you battle against Dark Bowser and play as the real Bowser, this battle is still cool.
Bowser is confronted in a simple bridge battle where Mario must either jump over him and hit the axe to destroy the bridge or defeat him with fireballs. Upon victory, Mario rescues Princess Peach and restores peace to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Mario fights Bowser in a multi-phase battle where he must use stickers to attack, while Bowser gains additional abilities throughout the fight. After Bowser is defeated, the Royal Stickers are restored, and Peach is rescued. No matter how much the game sucked, the final boss looked epic. You can't deny it.
Mario and Luigi battle Dreamy Bowser, an enhanced form powered by the Dream Stone, requiring strategic attacks in both turn-based combat and special sequences. After Dreamy Bowser is defeated, the Dream Stone is destroyed, restoring peace to Pi'illo Island. I'm tired of everyone whining about how Antasma wasn't the final boss. After all Bowser has been through in the previous Mario & Luigi games, I'm glad to see him finally defend his reputation as a villain. This is also one of the hardest Bowser battles we've had in a long time.
You fight Bowser when he is practically a god and can do anything he wants! The music, Adventure's End, also rivals that of In the Final, the Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story final battle music.
Atmosphere + Music + Well-balanced difficulty = Best final Bowser boss in the series.
Mario battles Bowser and Bowser Jr. in a giant hot tub floating in space, using FLUDD to ground-pound platforms and tip the tub over. After Bowser is defeated, he and Bowser Jr. retreat, and Mario rescues Peach while Delfino Island is restored. While it might have been easy, the overall concept of this battle is awesome. There is so much to avoid, from Bowser's flames to Bowser Jr.'s endless barrage of Bullet Bills to the hoop that flies everywhere. I truly love this boss.
Mario fights Bowser in a straightforward battle, followed by a chase where he must avoid a giant Bowser while progressing through an obstacle course. The battle ends when Mario activates a switch, causing Bowser to fall, allowing him to rescue Peach. The game and battle had good graphics, but they were the same as the Wii version, so it's not my favorite.
How can it be a copy if it's made by the same creators?
How is it a copy if it's made by the same creators?
Mario initially fights Bowser, who falls into lava, only to return as a giant Dry Bowser for a second phase. After Mario reaches the final switch and activates it, Bowser is defeated, and Peach is rescued. Okay, I liked the creativity of this game and the boss battles, but the final one SUCKED.
Still, great game.