Bowser Roars Over His Lava Castle

About this drawing

Bowser fire castle levels have been the toughest part of Mario's adventures since 1985. In that first game every world ended in a fortress full of lava pits, fireballs and spinning bars of flame that players had to time perfectly.

At the end of each castle Bowser waited on a bridge hanging over lava. Mario could toss fireballs at him, but the best-known trick was to slip past the Koopa King and grab the axe at the far end. One touch and the bridge collapsed, sending Bowser tumbling into the lava below.

Since then his castles have only grown wilder. There are flying fortresses, castles in outer space and towers stuffed with cannons, sinking platforms and tricky traps. Some are decorated with giant statues of Bowser himself, because he loves to show off.

Even with all that, Bowser is not always the bad guy. He races karts, plays sports and joins party games alongside Mario, and in a few adventures he has even teamed up with the plumber against a bigger threat. Still, when it is time to save the princess, his castle is always waiting with fresh traps and a fiery welcome.

• bowser
• castle
• lava
• fire
• video games