Depicted as a fire-breathing monster with a tyrannical personality, Bowser's ultimate goals are to kidnap Princess Peach and conquer the Mushroom Kingdom.

[10] However, Takashi Tezuka remarked that the character resembled a turtle more than an ox, leading them to redesign Bowser as the leader of the turtle-like Koopas.

Miyamoto had first envisioned Bowser as an ox, based on the ox-like King Gruesome from the Toei Animation film Alakazam the Great.

[26] For the later North American release of the game, which also introduced the anglicized spelling "Koopa", the character was named Bowser.

Another theory still relates to the origins of the surname "Bowser", derived from a Norman greeting meaning "good sir", and that it may be used ironically for the character given his diabolical nature.

He is accomplished in black magic for teleportation, summoning objects, flying, generating electricity, telekinesis, or metamorphosis.

His personality is generally menacing and sinister, but he sometimes displays a more comical side as a blustering, buffoonish bully with some emotional vulnerability.

[55] Bowser is also a Dark attribute character who appears as the main opponent in Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros.

All of the original cast members are replaced except Mr. Time, with characters from the Mario and Yoshi series, with Bowser taking on the role of Corderia as final boss.

This incarnation is almost entirely human in appearance, with blonde hair he gels in a crown-like shape, and he frequently wears a black business suit and necktie.

[66] Bowser is one of the gaming villains attending a "Bad-Anon" support group in the 2012 animated film Wreck-It Ralph.

[67] The writers had early on envisioned the Bad-anon meeting with Bowser as a major character within the scene; according to film director Rich Moore, Nintendo was very positive towards this use, stating in Moore's own words, "If there is a group that is dedicated to helping the bad guy characters in video games then Bowser must be in that group!

His plans are ultimately foiled by Mario and Luigi, who retrieve the Super Star from Bowser, and defeat him in a final battle taking place in Brooklyn.

This has also made Bowser the subject of an Internet meme with the song "Peaches", written and performed in character by Black.

[71] Bowser appears as the primary antagonist in Nintendo Power's comic series Super Mario Adventures.

[73] Due largely to the success of the Mario franchise, Bowser has become one of the most iconic and easily recognizable video game antagonists of all time.

[81] In 2011, Empire ranked him as the 23rd-greatest video game character[82] while Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2013 featured Bowser first in their list of top 50 Villains.

Eurogamer editor Margaret Robertson commented that after years of being a "comedy villain", Galaxy put him back at his "scaly, scabrous best".

[85] PALGN editor Chris Sell called him the best boss in Mario Galaxy, stating that it wasn't just because of the battles with him being "superb, screen filling affairs", but also because he is "back to being mean again".

[86] Nintendo World Report editor Aaron Kaluszka commented that battling Bowser has never been "this intense and engaging".

[87] IGN editor Cam Shea praised his physical appearance in Super Mario Galaxy, describing him as "imposing and weighty".

[88] Another IGN editor, Matt Casamassina, praised the visual quality of the characters, citing Bowser in particular and mentioning how his "funky red fur waggles in the wind".

[93] Nintendo World Report editor Pedro Hernandez commented that the plot and humor of the game make iconic characters "more enduring, including Bowser".

[97] Kombo editor commented that he became a more sympathetic character as the game progresses, adding that his "massive ego pushes him towards heroism".

[98] Wired editor Chris Kohler called Bowser awesome, adding that his segments are funnier than Mario and Luigi's.

[99] Giant Bomb editor Brad Shoemaker states that Bowser steals the show, commenting that playing as him gives players an inside glimpse of his ego and megalomania.

[103] GameSpy editor Phil Theobald called him the breakout star of the game, stating that "the gruff, quick-to-anger pro/antagonist is a treat to watch as he continuously becomes infuriated with the incompetence of his minions.