EUR46,90
Nintendo Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Switch, DE
Super Mario Wonder: Bowser wants Peach – but does she feel the same?
1.11.2023
Translation: Katherine Martin
Bowser has been locking Princess Peach in his dungeon for more than 30 years. In the new game, however, things couldn’t be more different. Allow me to dish a little gossip on perhaps the wackiest love story in the Nintendo world.
Life is like an acid trip sometimes – especially when I’m playing the new Super Mario Wonder. Pipes morph into caterpillars, Yoshis ride Yoshis and piranha plants burst into song. But the colourfully creative gameplay isn’t the only thing bringing a smile to gamers’ faces. Nintendo has decided to continue the love story between Bowser and Peach. Starting with the giant turtle crooning his heart out in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the story is cranked up a notch in the new game.
Mario’s out of the race
The days of plumber Mario having to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches are over. Since the movie’s release, fans have known Peach can save herself. And she’s great at it, too. She tackles the obstacle course like a pro (better than Mario!) and at the end of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, she stuffs a shrinking mushroom into Bowser’s mouth, banishing him into a jam jar.
Source: Universal Pictures Germany
What does Mario make of this strong-independent-woman version of Peach? The jury’s still out on that. Bowser, on the other hand, is pretty smitten – as demonstrated by my next point.
Bowser loves Peach – even when she beats him up
When you play the final level of Super Mario Wonder with the princess, final boss Bowser is happy as a clam to see her. Although it’s clear that Peach wants to beat him up, he greets her in the intro with a cheery «My beloved!» At this point, Peach just stammers, «What?!», momentarily speechless before flattening him and saving the Flower Kingdom.
Source: Anika Schulz
Bowser likes curvy ladies
Shortly before the launch of Super Mario Wonder, Nintendo released all sorts of teasers to promote the game, including this one:
In the video, we see Peach transform into her elephant alter ego. Right after, Bowser’s jaw drops and he conjures a big bouquet of flowers from behind his spiky back. The comments under the video speak for themselves. «Bowser likes curves», «He’s a big turtle, so he needs a big girlfriend,» the fans say with an air of speculation. User mamamimikyu6455 hits the nail on the head: «Come on, Peach. Bowser’s the best partner you could find. He’s devoted, caring and isn’t bothered about what you look like. If that doesn’t scream 'love' to you, then I don’t know what will.»
Surprisingly few voices critical of the romance between Bowser and Peach can be found online. However, if you ask me, the princess has plenty of reason to give the giant Koopa the cold shoulder.
Not only has Bowser been kidnapping Peach for three decades, but he’s also subjugated her beloved Mushroom Kingdom and sent his Turtle-and-Goomba army rampaging through the land. Lest we forget that he blackmailed her into marrying him in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Peach may have left him at the altar at the last minute, but Bowser evidently hasn’t wrapped his head around her rebuff yet.
I don’t quite buy the «hard shell, soft heart» shtick. Especially since Bowser being the villain is the whole point of the Mario games. If he isn’t, the whole storyline goes to pot. But maybe Nintendo could still surprise me…
What do you think? How will the tale of Bowser and Peach turn out? And what could it mean for the Super Mario games? Let me know in the comments.
Anika Schulz
Teamleader Editorial
Anika.Schulz@galaxus.deAs a child, I was socialised with Mario Kart on SNES before ending up in journalism after graduating from high school. As a team leader at Galaxus, I'm responsible for news. I'm also a trekkie and an engineer.