Editing Bowser (SSBB)

{{ArticleIcons|ssbb=y}}
{{disambig2|Bowser's appearance in ''Brawl''|other uses|Bowser}}
{{Infobox Character
|name = Bowser
|image = [[File:Bowser SSBB.jpg|250px]]
|game = SSBB
|ssbgame1 = SSBM
|ssbgame2 = SSB4
|ssbgame3 = SSBU
|availability = [[Starter character|Starter]]
|tier = F
|ranking = 33
}}
'''Bowser''' ({{ja|クッパ|Kuppa}}, ''Koopa'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''. Confirmed on the [[Smash Bros. DOJO!!]] website on July 3, 2007, he returns from his ''{{b|Super Smash Bros.|series}}'' series debut in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''.

Rather than use his stock roars from ''Mario Kart 64'' (like in ''Melee'') or portrayals by Kenny James or Scott Burns, his most recent voice actors at the time, Bowser now uses modified stock pig sounds taken from the Serafine L2 Sound Library, with his star KO scream including an elk bugle. The same stock sound effects are also used for [[Ridley]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', though with considerably less modification.

Bowser ranks 33rd out of 38 on the [[tier list]], putting him in the F tier, a slight improvement from his last place ranking in ''Melee''. Bowser is one of the strongest characters in ''Brawl'', possessing a moveset full of potential finishers, several of which can even reliably KO under 100%. Along with his trademark power, Bowser holds distinction as the heaviest character, with strong [[momentum cancelling]] to complement it, giving Bowser some of the best endurance in ''Brawl''. Additionally, Bowser has gained an excellent aerial grab in [[Flying Slam]], which also gives him access to the [[Koopa hopping]] technique to improve his mobility and approach. Bowser also has great [[reach]] throughout his moveset, a 10-frame advantage on [[grab release]]s, and a powerful [[out of shield]] option in [[Whirling Fortress]]. 

Bowser, however, possesses an easily [[gimp]]able recovery that barely gains any height, greatly hindering his would-be incredible endurance. Despite having serviceable dash and air speeds, Bowser is still one of the overall slowest characters in ''Brawl'', possessing the slowest [[initial dash]], bad frame data, and a very long [[jumpsquat]]. He is also one of the largest characters, which combines with his massive weight to make him extremely susceptible to [[combo]]s and [[chain throw]]s, some of which are [[zero-to-death]]s or even [[infinite]]s (most notoriously from {{SSBB|King Dedede}}). The amount of lag on many of his moves exacerbates this to a great extent by making him easy to grab in the first place. What's more, his sluggish nature, immense [[hurtbox]], and lack of an effective [[projectile]] makes approaching zoners a very tall order. Finally, and most importantly, many of Bowser's worst [[matchups]] are against meta-defining fighters who can easily prey on his vulnerability to chain-grabs and camping.

Overall, Bowser's crushing weaknesses invalidate his strengths, resulting in bad matchups, miniscule representation, and some of the worst tournament results of any character. Bowser has, however, secured a respectable [[tournament]] run thanks to the efforts of {{Sm|KENT}}.

==Attributes==
Bowser is the largest and heaviest character in ''Brawl''. This grants him high durability, yet makes him easier to hit due to his large [[hurtbox]]. His dodging abilities are among the worst relative to the rest of the cast in having the second slowest roll and slowest spot dodge. He also has the ability to [[crawl]], but due to his large size, it is ineffective at avoiding incoming projectiles or other attacks. As with other large characters, Bowser's strengths lie in his KO ability and not his speed. He sports a wide variety of powerful attacks both in the air and on the ground. For example, Bowser's forward smash is the most damaging smash attack in ''Brawl''. However, this KO ability comes at the price of high startup lag and [[ending lag]]. Due to his average speed and reliance on powerful KO moves, Bowser can struggle somewhat in the low [[damage]] game, as he lacks diverse ways of racking up damage on the opponent. The one possible exception is his [[neutral special]] [[Fire Breath]], which can help set up pseudo-chaingrabs or combos into his strongest attacks. He also notably has an effective [[grab release]], due to its animation being shorter than any other character. Out of a ground release, Bowser can hit his opponent with a jab, tilt or he can regrab them (except {{SSBB|Donkey Kong}}, because of his unusually short ground release animation). An aerial release can lead into a forward aerial against multiple characters, as well as a smash attack against {{SSBB|Wario}} or an up aerial against {{SSBB|Jigglypuff}}. Fire Breath serves multiple roles for Bowser, such as racking up damage on the opponent as well as preventing an opponent's approach; it also serves as a functional edge guarding attack. Bowser also has a potent [[sacrificial KO]] in [[Flying Slam]]. This move allows Bowser to grab an opponent, then leap into the air and fall back to the ground with Bowser on top of them. Thus, the opponent will always be KOed first if they go down offstage. It is also useful in [[Classic Mode (SSBB)|Classic]] and [[All-Star Mode|All-Star]] modes, making for an easy KO when only one opponent is left. Given Bowser's difficulty racking up damage, this can be a useful move when the opponent is far ahead of Bowser in the damage count. However, opponents can control Flying Slam when Bowser is at higher or even equal damage, preventing [[Bowsercide]], or forcing it if up in stock. Bowser's standard attack can cancel out incoming projectiles, including Samus' and Lucario's standard specials. This is effective, as it allows the player to conserve Bowser's shield, as well as provide quicker reaction times after blocking enemy projectiles without experiencing [[shieldstun]].

However, given Bowser's extreme heavy weight, large size and high gravity, it makes him vulnerable for infinite [[chain grabs]] like Wario's and {{SSBB|King Dedede}}'s, and other combos in general. In addition, his primary recovery, [[Whirling Fortress]], is worse than Donkey Kong's [[Spinning Kong]] and gives poor vertical and horizontal distance, although it is a very good out-of-shield move. His poor mobility also severely hinders his approach and allows many characters to easily [[camp]] him and rack up damage. He also lacks an effective aerial game due to a combination of low jumps and having mostly laggy or easily avoidable aerial attacks. All of his aerials have high landing lag and all of them except for forward aerial are incapable of [[auto-cancel]]ling in a short hop, resulting in Bowser's aerials being extremely ineffective for approaching and spacing, except for forward aerial.

Overall, Bowser can dish out large amounts of damage to opponents in minimal hits, complemented with a useful [[sacrificial KO]] and a strong OoS game due to his Whirling Fortress and high weight. This often allows him to not be KO'd until late percentages. However, most of his stats work against him; he is extremely vulnerable to chain grabs due to his large size, high weight and gravity, and his primary recovery [[Whirling Fortress]] can easily be [[gimp]]ed. Without committal reads, Bowser’s lack of speed means he will usually be unable to break the opposition between him and his foe, meaning he can be overwhelmed with fast attacks and/or mobility, or he will be forced to play in a disadvantageous situation throughout a game.

==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''==
Bowser is considered to be buffed overall from ''Melee'' due to his increased speed, both in overall mobility, and to a lesser extent, frame data. Bowser's ground speed has slightly improved, and his air speed has been greatly improved, significantly improving his recovery. A variety of his moves have decreased startup lag, and his claw attacks have increased range. His new side special, [[Flying Slam]], has significantly higher utility than [[Koopa Klaw]], and his [[grab release]] game is overall more consistent due to the introduction of [[buffer]]ing; additionally, the general changes to aerial grab releases also improve his grab release game. Lastly, the introduction of [[hitstun canceling]] benefits him as it makes him less vulnerable to combos, aids his endurance via [[momentum canceling]], and does not have a huge impact on him due to his lack of combo potential.

However, he has also seen some nerfs, mainly to his power. His power is slightly toned down (although he still is one of the strongest characters in the game), with many of his attacks dealing less damage and knockback, making it more difficult for Bowser to KO his opponents. Two of Bowser's most versatile attacks have also seen significant nerfs: his fast [[edge attack]] has much less [[intangibility]] and a shorter duration, making it a significantly less effective tool, while his grounded [[Whirling Fortress]] is slightly slower and weaker, though it is still a very strong [[OOS]] option. Finally, the removal of [[L-cancelling]] has crippled his already poor aerial game by rendering his already slow aerials even slower and consequently making them even more unsafe.

Overall, while Bowser is better than he previously was, his tournament results and representation have not significantly improved, due to most of his severe flaws still remaining intact and some of them being exacerbated (most notably his aerials being much more unsafe on landing due to the loss of L-cancelling.) As such, he still remains as a bottom tier character with a multitude of poor matchups and extremely scarce tournament representation.

===Aesthetics===
*{{change|As with all characters, Bowser has received a boost in texture quality and now more closely resembles his design from ''Super Mario Sunshine'' onwards, such as yellower skin, being more scaly, and his arms and legs being less muscular.}}
*{{change|Bowser has two new [[alternate costume]]s, a grey skin and a brown skin.}}
*{{change|As on-screen appearances were not present in ''Melee'', Bowser now receives one}}.
*{{change|Bowser no longer uses his [[stun]] voice clip when waking out of [[asleep|sleep]] status.}}

===Attributes===
*{{change|Bowser is slightly heavier (117 → 120).}}
*{{change|Bowser is bigger. This improves his range, but makes him easier to hit.}}
*{{buff|Bowser [[dash]] is slightly faster (1.5 → 1.527), going from the 15th fastest out of 26 characters to the 16th fastest out of 39.}}
*{{buff|Bowser [[walk]]s faster (0.65 → 0.8), no longer having the slowest walking speed of the entire cast.}}
*{{buff|Bowser's [[air speed]] is drastically faster (0.8 → 1.034), going from tied for 5th worst to tied for 11th best, significantly improving his aerial approach and recovery.}}
*{{change|Bowser's additional [[air acceleration]] is higher (0.03 → 0.04). However, his base air acceleration is lower to compensate (0.02 → 0.01).}}
*{{change|Bowser's [[traction]] is slightly lower (0.06 → 0.0577), going from the 11th lowest to the 19th lowest. Relative to returning veterans, however, Bowser's traction is slightly higher, making it slightly easier for him to punish out of shield.}}
*{{change|As with the returning veterans, Bowser's [[falling speed]] is slower (1.9 → 1.39). Compared to the returning veterans, however, Bowser's falling speed is slightly slower. As with most fighters, this extends his recovery and makes it harder to combo him, but also makes him easier to juggle, and worsens his vertical endurance, actually dying earlier off the top than in ''Melee'' despite being slightly heavier.}}
*{{change|Bowser's [[gravity]] is lower (0.13 → 0.1027).}}
*{{buff|Bowser's [[jumping]] height has been increased.}}
*{{buff|Bowser's arms are longer, which results in his arm based attacks having better reach.}}
*{{nerf|The removal of [[L-canceling]] has adversely affected Bowser more than any other character in the game other than {{SSBB|Ganondorf}} and {{SSBB|Link}}, with his aerials now being very unsafe and punishable on landing due to their extreme landing lag, and now having no ways to reduce it.}}
*{{nerf|The general changes to [[lock]]ing hinder Bowser more than any other veteran, as his large size and high weight make him one of (if not) the most vulnerable characters to locks, while he himself lacks any locking options outside of very low percents, and even then, his locking options are very difficult to land.}}
*{{change|Bowser can now [[crawl]], though since Bowser's crouch barely reduces his height, its function is largely limited, except for its use in [[crouch cancel]]ling (which is far less useful than in ''Melee'').}}
*{{nerf|[[Roll]]s (frame 4 → 5) and air dodge (frame 3 → 4) have more startup lag.}}
*{{buff|[[Spot dodge]] has decreased startup with a slightly longer duration (frames 4-24 → 3-24), and less ending lag (FAF 43 → 33), although it is still the longest spot dodge in the game.}}
*{{bugfix|Giant hand glitch that was caused by air dodging while holding an item has been fixed.}}
*{{buff|Bowser disproportionally benefits from the introduction of hitstun cancelling, as it considerably reduces his susceptibility to combos, a major weakness of his in ''Melee'', while not dramatically affecting his ability to combo others, since his combo potential was weak to begin with.}}
*{{nerf|As with several other veterans returning from ''Melee'', the introduction of a much wider variety of [[chain grab]]s makes Bowser significantly more vulnerable to it than in ''Melee'', hindering his endurance against several characters.}}

===Ground attacks===
*{{buff|Neutral attack and all tilts grant [[intangibility]] on Bowser's arms while their hitboxes are active, improving their safety.}}
*[[Neutral attack]]:
**{{buff|Both hits have less startup (frame 7/9 → 6/8) and ending lag (FAF 25/31 → 21/26). The first hit also has higher [[set knockback]] (20 → 45/30/18), different angles (83° → 30°/50°/85°), and transitions into the second hit faster (frame 14 → 11), allowing it to connect better.}}
**{{buff|Both hits have bigger hitboxes (3.9u/3.9u/1.95u → 5u/4.5u/4u (hit 1), 4.3u/3.9u/1.95u → 6u/5.5u/5u (hit 2)). Combined with Bowser's longer arms, this noticeably increases its range.}}
**{{nerf|The second hit of deals less damage (6% → 5%), although its knockback has been mostly compensated (30 (base)/110 (scaling) → 50/100).}}
*[[Forward tilt]]:
**{{buff|Forward tilt now has about twice the reach, having increased hitbox sizes overall (3.2u/6u/4.8u → 4u/5u/5.7u). It also has less startup (frame 12 → 10), and has gained a [[trip]] chance of 40% when angled down.}}
**{{nerf|It deals less damage (15%/13% (up), 14%/12%/13% (non-angled), 13%/11% (down) → 11% (all)) along with less knockback (29/25/31 (base)/100 (scaling) → 45/83), drastically reducing its KO potential, and no longer being the strongest forward tilt in the game. It also has more ending lag (FAF 37 → 38). Despite having more reach, it is less disjointed by comparison due to Bowser's hand being larger, but having a slightly smaller hitbox (6u → 5.7u).}}
*[[Up tilt]]:
**{{buff|Up tilt has a longer duration (frames 7-10 → 8-13), with Bowser swiping his arm at a slower speed overhead.}}
**{{nerf|It deals less damage (13% → 12%) and knockback (40 (base)/120 (scaling) → 55/97), hindering its KO potential, though it is still one of the strongest up tilts in the game. It also has more startup (frame 7 → 8), leaving it unable to hit opponents directly in front of Bowser, with its total duration increased as well (FAF 50 → 51).}}
*[[Down tilt]]:
**{{buff|Both hits have less startup (frame 14/27 → 10/20). The move also has drastically less ending lag, especially when shielding and walking due to changes to IASA mechanics (FAF 60 (shield/walk)/55 (other actions) → 46).}}
**{{buff|Both hits deal more damage (13%/10% → 14%/11%), with the first hit having more base knockback as well (15 → 20), allowing it to KO reliably around 125%. Both hits have gained a trip chance of 30% as well.}}
**{{nerf|Its range is slightly shorter, with the hitboxes no longer covering his claws and being smaller overall (5.6u/4.8u → 5u/5u/4.5u/4u).}}
*[[Dash attack]]:
**{{buff|The late hit has a longer duration (frames 14-17 → 14-19).}}
**{{change|The clean hit has larger hitboxes (6.25u/6.25u → 7u/7u), but the late hit has smaller hitboxes (6.25u/6.25u → 6u/5u).}}
*[[Forward smash]]:
**{{buff|Forward smash now has 2 hits, with the first hit coming out faster (frame 29 → 26) and increasing its maximum damage (24% → 33%), making it the most damaging forward smash in the game. The second hit also comes out 1 frame faster than the only hit in ''Melee''.}}
**{{nerf|Its second hit has smaller hitboxes (8u/6.4u → 7.3u/6.3u), and deals less damage (24% → 23%/21%) and knockback (30 (base)/100 (scaling) → 25/22 (base)/81 (scaling)), no longer being the most powerful smash attack in the game, especially when landing the new sourspot. Additionally, the first hit of the move can hit opponents away from the second hit at high percents due to it not having set knockback (30 (base)/130 (scaling)), while KOing even later standalone.}}
*[[Up smash]]:
**{{buff|Up smash's hitboxes cover more of Bowser's shell, increasing its vertical reach.}}
**{{nerf|It now has two sourspots instead of one, which cover Bowser's respective sides, deal less damage (17% → 15%), launch at less vertical angles (90° → 70°/120°), and both them and the sweetspot deal less knockback (40 (base)/86 (scaling) → 23 (base)/80/90 (scaling)), hindering the move's KO potential. The landing hit has also received sourspots that deal less damage (12% → 10%).}}
**{{nerf|Bowser's shell is supposed to be invincible from frames 14 to 27, but due to a programming error, the invincibility does not work properly, leaving Bowser with no protection whatsoever.}}
*[[Down smash]]:
**{{buff|Down smash has less ending lag (FAF 68 → 67), and deals more total damage (20.2% → 21%) due to the changes to [[stale-move negation]], despite the last hit dealing less damage (10% → 9%).}}
**{{nerf|Its last hit launches at a less vertical angle (90° → 65°), which along with its lower damage output hinders its KO potential.}}

===Aerial attacks===
*{{change|Neutral, forward and up aerials have decreased landing lag (30/15 frames → 24 (neutral, forward), 30/15 frames → 28 (up)). Due to the removal of L-canceling, however, their landing lag is not properly compensated.}}
*[[Neutral aerial]]:
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has a smaller hitbox (10u → 8u), and now possesses a late hit (frames 8-23 → 8-13 (clean)/14-23 (late)) that deals less damage (13% → 9%).}}
*[[Forward aerial]]:
**{{buff|Due to Bowser's slower falling speed, [[forward aerial]] can now [[autocancel]] in a short hop.}}
**{{nerf|It has less base knockback (50 → 40), and its sweetspot deals less damage (14% → 13%), hindering its KO potential.}}
**{{change|Forward aerial now has a [[slash]] effect instead of a normal effect.}}
**{{change|The 11% hitbox was moved over from Bowser's right shoulder to his left shoulder.}}
*[[Back aerial]]:
**{{buff|Back aerial's clean hit deals more damage (13% → 15%) with more knockback scaling (80 → 83), making it a reliable KO move. It also lasts longer (frames 9-10 → 9-11).}}
**{{buff|The clean hit also has a bigger main hitbox (8.6u → 9u), and has gained a small hitbox inside Bowser to cover a potential blindspot.}}
**{{nerf|Like his up smash, Bowser's back aerial is supposed to have [[invincibility]] from frame 3 to when the hitboxes disappear. However, due to to a programming error, the invincibility does not work properly, leaving Bowser without any protection.}}
**{{nerf|The late hit has a shorter duration (frames 11-17 → 12-15), and its clean hit no longer semi-spikes as effectively (24° → 35°). Its late hit also has a smaller hitbox (8.6u → 8u), and deals less damage (9% → 7%), albeit with knockback compensated (25 (base)/80 (scaling) → 35/100).}}
*[[Up aerial]]:
**{{buff|Up aerial has less startup with a longer duration (frame 22-25 → 16-20), and now grants intangibility on Bowser's head (frames 10-20), improving its safety.}}
**{{nerf|It has a smaller hitbox (8.6u → 7u) and reduced knockback (50 (base)/100 (scaling) → 35/93), no longer being the most powerful up aerial in the game.}}
*[[Down aerial]]:
**{{buff|Down aerial deals more total damage (26.66% → 29%) due to the changes to stale-move negation. Additionally, its last hit is now a [[meteor smash]] (80° → 270°) without set knockback (10 (set)/0 (base)/100 (scaling) → 0/10/100), granting it [[edgeguarding]] potential, while its landing hit has slightly more base knockback (58 → 60) and much  larger hitboxes (7.8u → 9.6u).}}
**{{nerf|The aerial hits now use two much smaller hitboxes rather than one large hitbox (9.37u → 4u). While they cover roughly the same range below Bowser, they now only really cover the base of his shell, rather than his entire body as before. Its last hit also has a shorter duration (frames 38-39 → 38).}}

===Throws/other attacks===
*[[Grab]]s:
**{{buff|Standing and dash grab have longer range (4.8u/3.6u/2.8u → 5.5u/4.3u/3.3u).}}
**{{nerf|Dash grab has a shorter duration (frames 10-12 → 10-11).}}
**{{buff|The introduction of [[buffer]]ing makes Bowser's 10 frame advantage on [[grab release]] viably usable now, giving him effective grounded grab release followups on the entire cast (combined with grounded grab release animations being 1 frame longer across the board) except {{SSBB|Donkey Kong}}. The general changes to aerial grab releases also benefit him, as he now has a 31-frame advantage, giving him inescapable followups against various characters.}}
*[[Up throw]]:
**{{buff|Up throw deals more total damage (9.37% → 10%) due to the changes to stale-move negation.}}
**{{nerf|Due to the generally slower falling speeds in ''Brawl'', up throw can no longer [[chain grab]] fast-fallers, and the introduction of hitstun cancelling completely removes its combo potential.}}
**{{change|Bowser now retreats into his shell during up throw.}}
*[[Down throw]]
**{{buff|Down throw's animation speed is no longer weight-dependent, and thus the first hit can no longer miss characters depending on their weight, which previously would result in it dealing no damage whatsoever.}}
*[[Edge attack]]s:
**{{buff|Both edge attacks have more set knockback (90 → 110).}}
**{{nerf|Fast edge attack grants drastically less intangibility (frames 1-34 → 1-4), and has slightly more startup with a much shorter duration (frames 7-34 → 8-17) and covers much less distance, significantly weakening its ability to intercept high recoveries and beat out opposing attacks, although it remains one of the best edge attacks in the game.}}

===Special Moves===
*[[Fire Breath]]:
**{{buff|Fire Breath can be [[angle]]d up and down while it is active.}}
**{{buff|Fire Breath is significantly faster, making it much less risky to use.}}
**{{nerf|Bowser can no longer perform [[flame cancelling]].}}
**{{nerf|Fire Breath has less horizontal range, making it slightly harder to hit.}}
*[[Flying Slam]]:
**{{change|Bowser has a new side special: Flying Slam. It functions as a command grab like [[Koopa Klaw]], but instead of Bowser biting opponents and having the ability to throw them forward or backward, he somersaults high into the air with them, while having the ability to move horizontally, then plummets down to slam them into the ground.}}
**{{buff|Flying Slam has much less startup on the ground (frame 16 → 8), less ending lag when missed (frame 60 → 43 (grounded)/50 (aerial)), and autocancels throughout its entire duration, allowing for more versatile movement (particularly giving Bowser access to [[Koopa hopping]]). It can also be used to perform [[sacrificial KO]]s.}}
**{{nerf|Flying Slam only has one throw triggered by landing on the stage, which has different knockback values (140 (base)/15 (scaling) (forward), 60/100 (back) → 80/50) and a different angle (80° (forward)/361° (back) → 60°), leaving it unable to set up follow-ups as well as Koopa Klaw's forward throw or KO as effectively as its back throw. It also has more startup in the air (frame 16 → 17), and deals less damage overall due to lacking a [[pummel]], despite the throw itself being more damaging than the previous throws alone (15% (forward)/11% (back) → 18%). Lastly, the initial swipe no longer has hitboxes placed farther away from the grab-boxes, reducing its effective range.}}
*[[Whirling Fortress]]:
**{{nerf|Whirling Fortress has more startup lag (frame 5 → 6).}}
***{{buff|However, the grounded version also has one more frame of intangibility (frames 1-4 → 1-5).}}
***{{buff|Additionally, with it now being possible to perform Whirling Fortress on the first frame of a jumpsquat, the move is not only the same speed [[out of shield]] but Bowser can now become intangible on frame 1 OoS rather than on frame 2 which along with its greater range, makes it a more versatile out of shield option overall.}}
**{{nerf|Whirling Fortress has drastically higher landing lag (10 frames → 50) and it now suffers from [[RCO lag]] (although Bowser only gains an additional 4 frames of hard landing lag with RCO).}}
**{{buff|The grounded version has larger hitboxes (7.812u/7.812 → 9.5u/9.5u (hit 1), 4.687u/4.687u → 5.8u/5.8u (hit 2)) which are positioned further away from Bowser (z offset: {{rollover|-2.695|-3.906 x 0.69)|y}}/{{rollover|5.39|7.812 x 0.69)|y}} → -4/8), improving its range.}}
**{{change|The grounded version is more reliant on momentum. If the player lets go of the control stick for example, Bowser will continue to move at close to full speed rather than halting to a stop.}}
**{{nerf|The grounded version's first hit deals less damage (13% → 11%) and has less base knockback (90 → 70), significantly hindering its KO potential.}}
**{{nerf|The grounded version's second hit has a shorter duration (frames 7-26 (clean)/27-46 (late) → 8-23/24-39).}}
**{{buff|The aerial version grants slightly more height (1.78 → 1.85).}}
**{{buff|Bowser can grab ledges from the front while using Whirling Fortress much sooner (frame 36 → 8).}}
**{{buff|The aerial version has a longer animation before Bowser enters free fall (49 frames → 79). Considering that the move transitions to the grounded animation when Bowser lands and considering its much higher landing lag, this benefits the move overall.}}
**{{buff|The aerial version deals more total damage due to the changes to stale-move negation (32.75% → 35%).}}
**{{buff|The aerial version has larger hitboxes (8.984u (hit 1)/7.812u (hits 2-11) → 10u (hit 1)/9u (hits 2-6)/8.2u (hits 7-11)).}}
**{{nerf|Bowser cannot grab ledges from behind while using Whirling Fortress as early (frame 36 → 48).}}
***{{nerf|Additionally, the move now uses a fixed value for when Bowser can grab the ledge, rather than only depending on Bowser falling. This greatly increases the amount of time Bowser cannot grab the ledge while sliding off of a platform, heavily limiting Bowser's ability to perform [[Fortress Hogging]] when facing away from the ledge.}}
*[[Bowser Bomb]]:
**{{buff|Grounded Bowser Bomb produces a hitbox when Bowser jumps that leads into the drop, allowing it to deal more total damage (21% → 24%) and significantly decreasing its startup (frame 42 → 11 (jump), 36 (drop)). The move's landing hitbox also deals more damage (8% → 11%).}}
**{{nerf|The drop deals less damage (21% → 20%), although its KO ability is compensated by its higher knockback scaling (72 → 75) and the generally slower falling speeds.}}
*[[Final Smash]]:
**{{change|Bowser now has a Final Smash: [[Giga Bowser]]. Upon activating the Final Smash, Bowser transforms into the gigantic, powered-up version of himself that originally debuted in ''Melee''. Giga Bowser keeps the same moveset and attributes as regular Bowser, but his moves have more damage and knockback, he has immunity to knockback, and some of his moves have different elemental effects, such as [[darkness]] and [[freezing]]. After 11 seconds, Bowser will power down and change back to his normal form.}}

==Moveset==
''For a gallery of Bowser's hitboxes, see [[Bowser (SSBB)/Hitboxes|here]].''
*Bowser can [[crawl]], although it has little practical use due to his large crouching hurtbox.
{{MovesetTable
|game=SSBB
|neutralcount=2
|neutralname=Left Scratch ({{ja|左ひっかき|Hidari Hikkaki}})<br>Right Scratch ({{ja|右ひっかき|Migi Hikkaki}})
|neutral1dmg=5%
|neutral2dmg=5%
|neutraldesc=Two quick claw swipes. Relatively safe move, as the arm Bowser is swiping with is intangible while the hitboxes are out. It has respectable jab cancelling potential, with the first hit linking into a forward tilt if the opponent does not air dodge. Decent knockback but lacks KO power.
|ftiltname=Koopa Backfist ({{ja|クッパ裏拳|Kuppa Uraken}})
|ftiltdmg=11%
|ftiltdesc=Does a backhanded punch while leaning his body forward. Can be aimed up or down. Has decent KO potential, and it can KO at 154% when angled up from the center of Final Destination. If angled down, has a decent chance of tripping. Bowser's lower arm is intangible while the hitboxes are out. However, it has poor frame data to compensate for it's strengths. The attack is based on the second hit of his [[supermariowiki:List of weapons in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars#Drill Claw|Drill Claw]] attack in ''{{s|supermariowiki|Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars}}''.
|utiltname=Ceiling Scratch ({{ja|天井ひっかき|Tenjō Hikkaki}})
|utiltdmg=12%
|utiltdesc=Swats the air above him. A decent juggling move but has high ending lag. This is also a very powerful KO move and can KO at 109% despite its surprising speed. Like his forward tilt, Bowser's lower arm cannot be hit while the hitboxes are out.
|dtiltname=Mish-Mash Scratch ({{ja|よせあつめひっかき|Yose Atsume Hikkaki}})
|dtiltdmg=14% (hit 1), 11% (hit 2)
|dtiltdesc=Claw swipes while crouched. Does two hits; unlike most multi-hit moves, the first hit is the stronger one. High knockback for its kind with speed make this another speedy KO move, KOing at 89% at the ledge, or 123% from the center of Final Destination. Like his neutral combo, the active arm cannot be hit.
|dashname=Convoy Tackle ({{ja|コンボイタックル|Konboi Takkuru}})
|dashdmg=11% (clean), 8% (late)
|dashdesc=A running headbutt. Has good vertical knockback, though it cannot KO until past 200%. This move's high ending lag makes it easily [[punish]]able if whiffed.
|fsmashname=Bull Head ({{ja|ブルヘッド|Buru Heddo}})
|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBB|10}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBB|23}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBB|21}} (hit 2)
|fsmashdesc=Rears back and then performs a very strong headbutt. This is the most damaging forward smash in the game. If used correctly, the second hit can prevent shield grabbing. Uncharged it KOs at 53% at the ledge and 81% from the center of {{SSBB|Final Destination}} if both hits connect, while fully charged it's extremely powerful, KOing at just 17% at the ledge, and 38% from the center.
|usmashname=Rising Spike ({{ja|ライジングスパイク|Raijingu Supaiku}})
|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBB|20}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBB|15}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBB|12}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBB|10}} (hit 2)
|usmashdesc=Hunkers down on all fours and jumps straight up, hitting with his shell. Hitting with the sides of the attack does less damage. Opponents who only shield his jump may be hit by his landing (this only applies to grounded opponents). Very high knockback (one of the strongest up smashes in the game), KOing at 100% when uncharged and 62% when fully charged.
|dsmashname=Buzzsaw ({{ja|バズソー|Bazusō}})
|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBB|2}} (hits 1-6), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBB|9}} (hit 7)
|dsmashdesc=Retracts into his shell and spins around. Multi-hit attack that does up to seven hits. Very high knockback, but it is possible to SDI upwards to jump out of the move. KOs at 100% when uncharged and 61% when fully charged.
|nairname=Gyroscope ({{ja|ジャイロスコープ|Jairosukōpu}})
|nairdmg=13% (clean), 9% (late)
|nairdesc=Spins around inside his shell. It has low knockback, not KOing until around 165%.
|fairname=Jump Scratch ({{ja|ジャンプひっかき|Janpu Hikkaki}})
|fairdmg=13% (hand), 12% (arm), 11% (shoulder)
|fairdesc=A quick slash forwards. Decent knockback with surprising speed, and when sweetspotted can KO at 105% from the ledge, and at 150% from the center of Final Destination.
|bairname=Spike Bomber ({{ja|スパイクボンバー|Supaiku Bonbā}})
|bairdmg=15% (clean), 7% (late)
|bairdesc=Thrusts out his shell behind him, dealing massive damage and above average knockback, which can KO at 98% at the ledge, or at 136%. Low startup, but high ending lag and landing lag if not auto-cancelled.
|uairname=Heading ({{ja|ヘディング|Hedingu}})
|uairdmg=17%
|uairdesc=Swings his head upward. Has noticeable startup, but its very high damage and knockback make it one of the strongest up aerials in the game (2nd strongest up air in the game), and can KO Mario at 92% from the ground. It is hindered, however, by its high startup and low hitbox duration.
|dairname=Scrub Brush ({{ja|スクラブブラシ|Sukurabu Burashi}})
|dairdmg=3% (hits 1-9), 2% (landing)
|dairdesc=Retracts into his shell and spins himself into the ground. Limited shockwave if it hits the ground. The last hit can meteor smash, but it's weak and not recommended overall. Often used for [[SHFF]]s, due to its high overall damage output and extra hit upon landing.
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})
|grabdesc=
|pummelname=Grab Headbutt ({{ja|つかみヘッドバット|Tsukami Heddobatto}})
|pummeldmg=3%
|pummeldesc=Hits foe with his head. Very slow pummel.
|fthrowname=Slingshot ({{ja|スリングショット|Suringushotto}})
|fthrowdmg=10%
|fthrowdesc=Launches foe forward using his head. Decent knockback, but will rarely KO, not doing so until 187% at the ledge.
|bthrowname=Back Throw ({{ja|バックスルー|Bakku Surū}})
|bthrowdmg=10%
|bthrowdesc=Almost identical to Bowser's forward throw, but has a faster execution, and the altered animation causes it to throw opponents from further out, allowing it to KO earlier at 177% from the ledge.
|uthrowname=Fresh Mixer ({{ja|フレッシュミキサー|Furesshu Mikisā}})
|uthrowdmg=1% (hits 1-8), 2% (throw)
|uthrowdesc=Tosses foe upwards, retreats into his shell, and spins, damaging the foe with his spikes. Damage also applies to bystanders. Deals decent damage overall, but the throw always deals set knockback, making it incapable of scoring KOs by itself.
|dthrowname=Heavy Press ({{ja|ヘビープレス|Hebī Puresu}})
|dthrowdmg=12% (hit 1), 0% (throw)
|dthrowdesc=Sets opponent on floor, then flings himself forward, performing a body slam on his opponent. The full damage of the attack is also applied to bystanders, but it doesn't deal much knockback at low damage percentages. The throw doesn't deal any damage, and its knockback isn't strong enough to KO, even at 999% damage, unless the grabbed fighter is tiny-sized and near a stage ledge.
|floorfname=&nbsp;
|floorfdmg=6%
|floorfdesc=Leaps forward to strike with his head, then back to kick behind, and finally up into a standing position.
|floorbname=&nbsp;
|floorbdmg=6%
|floorbdesc=Gets up while swinging his hand around.
|floortname=&nbsp;
|floortdmg=5%
|floortdesc=Gets up while facing backwards, and does a claw swipe that brings him facing forward.
|edgefname=&nbsp;
|edgefdmg=8%
|edgefdesc=Quickly spins onto the stage, then retreats back a bit.
|edgesname=&nbsp;
|edgesdmg=10%
|edgesdesc=Slowly climbs onto stage, and does a quick claw jab.
|nsname=Fire Breath
|nsdmg=2% (near), 1% (far)
|nsdesc=Takes a short breath and lets loose with a stream of fire.
|ssname=Flying Slam
|ssdmg=18% (slam), 13% (SSE slash)
|ssdesc=Snatches the opponent and does a massive flying suplex. Enemies in the [[Subspace Emissary]] are instead launched away by different hitboxes. Can be used to commit [[Bowsercide]], which under most circumstances KOs the opponent first. The slam KOs at 146%, and its angle makes DI risky.
|usname=Whirling Fortress
|usdmg=11% (ground hit 1), 5% (ground hit 2 (clean)), 3% (ground hit 2 (late))<br>10% (air hit 1), 3% (air hits 2-6), 2% (air hits 7-11)
|usdesc=Gets into his shell and spins around. One of the best [[out of shield]] moves in the game, but only deals up to two hits when used on the ground, making it unsafe to use against enemy [[shield]]s. As a recovery move, it falls subpar from others, with very little vertical distance, but it is good for recovery from a large horizontal distance. On the ground, the clean hit deals good vertical knockback, KOing at 131%.
|dsname=Bowser Bomb
|dsdmg=4% (hop), 20% (drop), 11% (landing)
|dsdesc=Leaps into the air and plummets downwards. A great KOing and punishing option. When both hits connect, it can KO Mario from ground on Final Destination at 77%. However, due to hitstun cancelling, the first hit is not a true combo into the second. The main attack does not have any [[freeze frame]]s. The move is based on the attack from his boss battle in Super Mario Bros. 3.
|fsname=Giga Bowser
|fspage=Giga Bowser (Final Smash)
|fsdmg=&mdash;
|fsdesc=Turns into Giga Bowser. During the transformation, Bowser will have [[armor]], and most of his attacks gain elemental attributes. Transformation lasts for 11 seconds.
}}

===Stats===
{{technical data|Needs short hop and double jump heights}}
{{Attributes
|cast       = 39
|weight     = 120
|rweight    = 1
|dash       = 1
|rdash      = 39
|run        = 1.527
|rrun       = 16
|walk       = 0.8
|rwalk      = 35-36
|trac       = 0.0577
|rtrac      = 19
|airfric    = 0.0075
|rairfric   = 27-31
|air        = 1.034
|rair       = 11-13
|baseaccel  = 0.04
|rbaseaccel = 7-36
|addaccel   = 0.08
|raddaccel  = 31-35
|gravity    = 0.1027
|rgravity   = 6-8
|fall       = 1.39
|rfall      = 19-20
|ff         = 1.946
|rff        = 19-20
|jumpsquat  = 8
|rjumpsquat = 38
|jumpheight = 32.87722406
|rjumpheight= 22
|shorthop   = ?
|rshorthop  = ?
|djump      = ?
|rdjump     = ?
|ellag      = 5
|rellag     = 38-39
}}

===[[Announcer]] call===
{{audio|Needs Korean announcer call.}}
<gallery>
Bowser English Announcer SSBB.wav|English
Bowser Japanese Announcer SSBB.wav|Japanese
Bowser French EU Announcer SSBB.wav|French
Bowser German Announcer SSBB.wav|German
Bowser Italian Announcer SSBB.wav|Italian
Bowser Spanish Announcer SSBB.wav|Spanish
</gallery>

===[[Wii Remote selection sound]]===
{{SelectSound|char=Bowser|desc=Bowser roars. The sound clip is taken directly from ''Melee''.}}

===[[On-screen appearance]]===
{{Appearance
|desc=Emerges from a wall of flames.
|char=Bowser
|game=SSBB}}

===[[Taunt]]s===
{{Taunt/SSBB
|char=Bowser
|desc-up=Rears his head back and roars.
|desc-side=Snaps furiously forward five times.
|desc-down=Balances precariously on one leg.}}

===[[Idle pose]]===
{{Idle
|desc-1=Leans back and exhales steam. Similar to his up taunt but he doesn't lean back as far.
|desc-2=Clenches his fists and releases steam from his nose.
|image-1=Bowser Idle Pose 1 Brawl.png
|image-2=Bowser Idle Pose 2 Brawl.png}}

===[[Crowd cheer]]===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!{{{name|}}}
!Cheer (English)
!Cheer (Japanese)
!Cheer (German)
!Cheer (Korean)
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Bowser Cheer English SSBB.ogg|center]]||[[File:Bowser Cheer Japanese SSBB.ogg|center]]||[[File:Bowser Cheer German SSBB.ogg|center]]||rowspan="4"|[[File:Bowser Cheer Korean SSBB.ogg|center]]
|-
! scope="row"|Description
|Bow - ser! || Koo - pa! || Bow - ser!
|-
!{{{name|}}}
!Cheer (French)
!Cheer (Italian)
!Cheer (Spanish)
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Bowser Cheer French SSBB.ogg|center]]||[[File:Bowser Cheer Italian SSBB.ogg|center]]||[[File:Bowser Cheer Spanish SSBB.ogg|center]]
|-
! scope="row"|Description
|Bow - ser ! || Bow - ser! || Boow - ser! || Koo - pa!
|}

===[[Victory pose]]s===
{{Victory/SSBB
|victory-theme=MarioUniverseTheme.ogg
|victory-desc=A cover of the "Level Completed" music from ''{{s|mariowiki|Super Mario Bros.}}''
|desc-up=Takes two steps forward while swiping with his claws twice.
|desc-left=Steps forward, builds up a little and roars.
|desc-right=Spins around in his shell and comes out grinning.
|char=Bowser}}

==In [[competitive play]]==
===Most historically significant players===
:''See also: [[:Category:Bowser players (SSBB)]]''
*{{Sm|KENT|Japan}} - Considered to be the best Bowser player in Japan and one of the best Bowser players in the world. Placed 13th at {{Trn|Sumabura Ranking Battle in Tokyo 1-3}} and 49th at {{Trn|Sun Rise Tournament}}; the latter stands out as the best placement of a Bowser player in a supermajor.
*{{Sm|KingKong|Canada}} - Considered to be one of the best Bowser players in the world. His 9th place at {{Trn|IMPULSE 2013}} is one of the best regional runs seen from a Bowser player, also defeating {{Sm|Chrim Foish}} in bracket. He also placed solidly at many other regionals located in Quebec, including 7th at {{Trn|Polybash XIII}}.
*{{Sm|Zigsta|USA}} - A top Bowser player in the United States. He was one of the few serious Bowser players seen in the United States and was, at one point, considered the best in North America. He often competed at regionals as solo-Bowser in both regular and low-tier brackets to moderate success.

===Tier placement and history===
Bowser was initially seen as a solid middle tier character, being ranked at 22nd on the first tier list. Bowser's speed and mobility buffs were immediately noticed, which when combined with his still great power and the slower, less combo-orientated pace of ''Brawl'', allowed Bowser to compete decently with an inexperienced playerbase that could not effectively evade him and was still discovering the potential of other characters. Bowser still had the traits of a classic low tier character, however: he was still very slow compared to the rest of the cast, very large and thus heavily vulnerable to deadly chain throws and combos, had an easily gimpable recovery that compromised his endurance potential, and was vulnerable to camping while being incapable of camping himself, with a lack of any outstanding attributes to counteract this. Thus, as the metagame progressed, Bowser steadily declined, with Bowser players finding it difficult to keep up with the quickening pace of other advancing characters and having their weaknesses (most notably to chain throws and camping) more frequently exploited, while lacking any significant developments for Bowser's metagame outside of grab release followups. Through the second to fourth tier lists, Bowser fell no more than two spots at a time, but it was not until the fifth list that he saw a significant drop, falling five spaces to 32nd and formally entering the low tiers, though many players thought of Bowser as a low tier character well before then.

Bowser's decline additionally saw his playerbase diminish, and most of his top players, notably his best player {{Sm|KingKong}}, dropped Bowser or stopped playing ''Brawl'' competitively altogether, while fewer and fewer players used Bowser overall. By the end of the game’s competitive lifespan, Bowser was one of the most unpopular characters in ''Brawl'' tournaments, having almost no established active players who use him, and being rare at even locals with casual players, which has led to his poor tournament results. As such, Bowser has never risen on any tier list. However, despite Bowser's weak representation and tournament results, the characters below him are generally considered to be even worse by a noticeable margin.

==In Solo Modes==
==={{SSBB|Classic Mode}}===
In Classic Mode, Bowser can appear as an opponent or ally in Stage 8 along with {{SSBB|Mario}}, {{SSBB|Luigi}}, and {{SSBB|Peach}} on [[Delfino Plaza]], {{SSBB|Mario Circuit}}, [[Mushroomy Kingdom]], or [[Luigi's Mansion]] (with the latter available if it has been unlocked). Bowser can also appear as an opponent in Stage 11, but only if he hasn't appeared in Stage 8.

===[[All-Star Mode]]===
In All-Star Mode, Bowser is fought in Stage 2 alongside {{SSBB|Mario}}, {{SSBB|Luigi}}, and {{SSBB|Peach}} on [[Delfino Plaza]], {{SSBB|Mario Circuit}}, [[Mushroomy Kingdom]], or [[Luigi's Mansion]] (with the latter available if it has been unlocked).

===[[Event Match]]es===
====Solo Events====
*'''[[Event 1: Two Trouble Kings]]''': As {{SSBB|Mario}}, the player must defeat Bowser and {{SSBB|King Dedede}} on [[Delfino Plaza]].
*'''[[Event 6: Super Bowser Bros.]]''': As Bowser, the player must reach the flagpole in [[Mushroomy Kingdom]] without getting KO'd by the three Marios.
*'''[[Event 27: Three-Beast Carnage]]''': As a tiny {{SSBB|R.O.B.}}, the player must defeat a giant Bowser, a giant {{SSBB|Donkey Kong}}, and a giant {{SSBB|Charizard}} on [[New Pork City]].
*'''[[Event 34: All-Star Battle Melee]]''': Bowser is one of the opponents fought in this event. All opponents are newcomers from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''.
*'''[[Event 40: The Final Battle]]''': The player selects any character and must defeat Bowser, {{SSBB|Ganondorf}} and {{SSBB|King Dedede}} on {{SSBB|Final Destination}}.

====Co-Op Events====
*'''[[Co-Op Event 8: ALL MINE!]]''': {{SSBB|Wario}} and Bowser must work together to collect 2000 coins together on [[Skyworld]] while fighting {{SSBB|Mario}} and {{SSBB|Luigi}}.
*'''[[Co-Op Event 20: The Final Battle for Two]]''': Both players select a character and must defeat Bowser, {{SSBB|Wario}}, {{SSBB|King Dedede}}, {{SSBB|Wolf}}, {{SSBB|Meta Knight}}, and {{SSBB|Ganondorf}} on {{SSBB|Final Destination}}.
*'''[[Co-Op Event 21: The True All-Star Battle]]''': Both players select a character and take on the entire roster on {{SSBB|Battlefield}}.

===[[Congratulations_screen#Super_Smash_Bros._Brawl|Congratulations Screens]]===
<center>
<gallery>
Bowser Congratulations Screen Classic Mode Brawl.png|Classic Mode
Bowser Congratulations Screen All-Star Brawl.png|All-Star Mode
</gallery>
</center>

==Role in [[The Subspace Emissary]]==
[[File:SubspaceIntro-Bowser.png|thumb|250px|Bowser in [[SSE]].]]
Bowser is one of the two secondary antagonists alongside {{SSBB|Ganondorf}} in The Subspace Emissary. He first appears  in [[The Jungle]] after {{SSBB|Donkey Kong}} and {{SSBB|Diddy Kong}} chase down his troops, who had stolen their bananas in order to lure them to him as a trap. Bowser confronts the duo and reduces DK to his [[trophy]] form with a [[Dark Cannon]], but not before DK [[Giant Punch|punches]] Diddy away. [[The Lake|Later]], Bowser soon chases him down and has a [[False character|false version of himself]] fight Diddy and {{SSBB|Fox}}. After the two defeat it, the real Bowser attempts to turn them into trophies, but they manage to dodge the shots. Although Diddy is eager to fight Bowser, Fox knows that they're no match, so he grabs Diddy and makes their escape. 

At [[the Lake Shore]], Bowser ambushes  {{SSBB|Peach}}/{{SSBB|Zelda}} and turns her into a trophy, after she was left behind by {{SSBB|Kirby}}. After having another false version of himself copy the princess's trophy, Bowser orders the princess clone to attack an unsuspecting {{SSBB|Mario}} and {{SSBB|Pit}}/{{SSBB|Link}} and {{SSBB|Yoshi}} while he takes the real princess. 

After being informed by Ganondorf that {{SSBB|King Dedede}} had stolen {{SSBB|Wario}}'s trophies, Bowser and his troops attack King Dedede's castle, where Dedede is hiding. When they break in through the roof however, a stone falls on Dedede's head, knocking him out. The debris buries Dedede along with the trophies of {{SSBB|Ness}} and {{SSBB|Luigi}}. As such, he only finds the trophy of Zelda/Peach. Bowser steals the princess's trophy, but is soon confronted at a cliff by the fighters who grouped at the Lake Shore: Mario, Pit, Link, Yoshi, and Kirby. Bowser evades Mario and Pit's attacks, but when he dodges Pit's arrow, he falls off the cliff. He is shown to be unharmed after he lands in his Koopa Clown Car. Bowser laughs maniacally as he flies up to the [[Halberd]] with the princess in tow. 

Bowser later returns to attack Fox and Diddy Kong at [[the Swamp]] and transforms Diddy into a trophy, while Fox dodges the shots. Bowser then orders some [[Shadow Bug]]s to clone Diddy's trophy. {{SSBB|Falco}} arrives and destroys his Dark Cannon, leading Bowser to order more Shadow Bugs to make the Diddy clone giant before fleeing. 

He is next seen with Ganondorf on the [[Subspace Gunship]]. They destroy the [[Halberd]], but fail to stop {{SSBB|Kirby}} from destroying the Gunship with a [[Dragoon]]. Fleeing into Subspace, Bowser is betrayed by Ganondorf and turned into a trophy by a surprise blast by a Dark Cannon. He is eventually revived by King Dedede and, after a brief battle, is revived again and notices the downed {{SSBB|Master Hand}}, ultimately deciding to help the heroes defeat [[Tabuu]]. Bowser also beats up Ganondorf's trophy for revenge. The sight of Master Hand defeated seems to trouble Bowser, probably because he was the only accomplice of the [[Subspace Army]] who was loyal to Master Hand, unlike Ganondorf (who planned to betray him to take control of it) and Wario (who did it just to enjoy himself). Bowser and the others then manage to defeat Tabuu and end the invasion.

===Non-playable appearances===
*[[The Jungle]]
*[[The Lake]]
*[[The Lake Shore]]
*[[The Cave]]
*[[The Swamp]]
*[[Entrance to Subspace]]
*[[Subspace (Part I)]]

===Playable appearances===
*[[The Great Maze]]

===Exclusive [[sticker]]s===
These stickers can be used by only Bowser or a select few including him:
*1-Up Mushroom: [Leg] attack +4
*Bowser (Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix): [Throwing] Power +20
*Bowser (Mario Kart 64): [Weapon] Attack +13
*Bowser (Super Paper Mario): [Arm] Attack +23
*Coin: [Specials: Indirect] Attack +4
*Dice Block: [Arm] Attack +8
*Dr. Mario: [Head] Attack +18
*Koopa: [Body, Spin] Attack +10
*Lakitu (Mario Kart: Super Circuit): [Leg] Attack +13
*Luigi & Baby Luigi: Launch Power +5
*Luigi (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga): Launch Power +23
*Mario & Luigi: [Flame] Resistance +19
*Mario & Yoshi: [Specials: Indirect] Attack +13
*Mario (Mario Kart DS): [Leg] Attack +22
*Mega Rush Badge: [Specials: Direct] Attack +8
*Mushroom: [Arm, Leg] Attack +5
*Peach (Mario Superstar Baseball): [Slash] Attack +5
*Peach (Super Mario Bros. 2): Launch Resistance +29
*Peach (Super Princess Peach): [Weapon] Attack +23
*Rawk Hawk: [Arm] Attack +5
*Red Fire: [Flame] Attack +26
*Super Mario Bros.: [Arm, Leg] Attack +15
*Waluigi (Mario Superstar Baseball): [Specials: Indirect] Attack +8
*Waluigi (Super Mario Strikers): [Slash] Attack +15
*Yoshi (Mario Party 2): [Launch] Resistance +35
*Yoshi (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door): [Throwing] Power +5
*Yoshi (Yoshi Touch & Go): [Arm, Leg] Attack +8

==[[Trophies]]==
Bowser's main and [[Final Smash]] trophies can be obtained by clearing {{SSBB|Classic Mode}} and [[All-Star]] mode respectively with Bowser.

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Bowser
|image=Bowser - Brawl Trophy.png
|mode=Classic
|desc-ntsc=The king of the Koopas and Mario's eternal rival. He breathes fire, hurls hammers, attacks from vehicles like the Koopa Clown Car, and uses all sorts of weapons in hopes of taking out Mario. As his size suggests, he's immensely powerful. His son Bowser Jr. is a chip off the old block who spends his time creating trouble for Mario.
|desc-pal=The king of the Koopas and Mario's eternal rival. He breathes fire, hurls hammers, attacks from vehicles like the Koopa Clown Car, and uses all sorts of weapons in the hope of taking out Mario. As his size suggests, he's immensely powerful. His son Bowser Jr. is a chip off the old block who spends his time creating trouble for Mario.
|gamelist={{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Super Mario Bros.|console2=GCN|game2={{iw|mariowiki|Super Mario Sunshine}}}}
|game=Brawl
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Giga Bowser
|image=Giga Bowser - Brawl Trophy.png
|desc=Bowser, transformed into the terrible and brutal form first seen in Super Smash Bros. Melee. While in this form, he cannot be stunned or budged. His appearance is so fierce, it's as if he doesn't even belong in the Smash Bros. universe. He cannot maintain this form for long, so dealing out damage efficiently is key.
|gamelist={{Trophy games|console1=Wii|game1=Super Smash Bros. Brawl}}
|game=Brawl
}}
{{clrl}}

==[[Alternate costume (SSBB)#Bowser|Alternate costumes]]==
{|style="margin:1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center"
|-
|colspan=6|[[File:Bowser Palette (SSBB).png]]
|-
|{{Head|Bowser|g=SSBB|s=25px}}
|{{Head|Bowser|g=SSBB|s=25px|cl=Black}}
|{{Head|Bowser|g=SSBB|s=25px|cl=Red}}
|{{Head|Bowser|g=SSBB|s=25px|cl=Blue}}
|{{Head|Bowser|g=SSBB|s=25px|cl=White}}
|{{Head|Bowser|g=SSBB|s=25px|cl=Brown}}
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Bowser SSBB.png|Official Artwork.
FireBreath.jpg|Using [[Fire Breath]] on [[Lylat Cruise]].
SSBBDojoBowser2.jpg|Using his [[neutral attack]] on {{SSBB|Fox}} on [[Castle Siege]]. 
Bowser Whirling Fortress.png|Using [[Whirling Fortress]] next to {{SSBB|Pikachu}} on {{SSBB|Yoshi's Island}}.
SSBBDojoBowser4.jpg|Posing on [[Delfino Plaza]].
Bowserbomb.jpg|Using [[Bowser Bomb]] on {{SSBB|Donkey Kong}} on Yoshi's Island.
Flyingslam.jpg|Using [[Flying Slam]] on {{SSBB|Wario}} on Castle Siege.
Giga Bowser.jpg|Giga Bowser in ''Brawl''.
GigaBowserFtilt.jpg|Giga Bowser's forward tilt.
</gallery>

==Trivia==
[[File:Bowser four eyes.jpg|thumb|Bowser's four eyes bug]]
*Bowser's voice clip for his Wii Remote selection is one of the stock roars used for him in ''Mario Kart 64'' and ''Melee''.
*Bowser's animation for being grabbed has some placement issues. His hurtbox bends away from the grabber, and it is rather far away. {{SSBB|Samus}}' pummel will only hit the first time, and {{SSBB|Lucario}} and {{SSBB|Wolf}}'s will only hit every other time.
*If Bowser jumps with a {{b|Screw Attack|item}} while in possession of a [[Smash Ball]], the glow given off by the Smash Ball will glow in the areas where Bowser's head, arms, and legs would normally be.
**Additionally, if Bowser performs a backwards double jump while in possession of a Smash Ball, his "Smash Ball" eyes will be shown in the position where his head would normally be—despite both his eyes being visible inside his shell—making it will look as if he has four eyes.
*There exists a glitch on the [[Mushroomy Kingdom]] stage. If Bowser were to hit the first invisible block of the stage scrolling cycle to solidify it, jump backwards onto the stack of blocks to the right of the block, and get grabbed by {{SSBB|King Dedede}} right before he lands, he will rapidly flip between his aerial grab and grounded grab animation.
*Bowser is the only character in ''Brawl'' to not use the tweeting sound when stunned.
*Bowser is the only character whose theme in the [[Character Roll Call]] does not belong to their universe. His theme is {{SSBBMusicLink|Super Smash Bros.|Giga Bowser (Melee)}}, a theme belonging to the {{uv|Super Smash Bros.}} universe.
*Bowser and {{SSBB|Wario}} are the only characters that can live in a stamina match when at 0 HP, as both can be brought down to 0 HP while using their Final Smash.
**Unlike Wario, Bowser can still win the match when he's at 0 HP, while Wario will lose even if he takes everyone else's stocks.

==External links==
*[http://www.smashbros.com/wii/en_us/characters/bowser.html Bowser's page at Smash Bros. DOJO!!.]
*[http://www.smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=156448 Bowser character guide on SmashBoards]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkMlsPV_p-8 Bowser's hitbox size of each of his moves]

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[[Category:Bowser (SSBB)| ]]
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