Was Bowser Really the Hero of the Mushroom Kingdom?

The Usual Suspect

Let’s be honest — when you think of villains in video games, Bowser is probably the first name that comes to mind. The fire-breathing, castle-kidnapping, princess-stalking king of the Koopas has been Mario’s nemesis since 1985. But is that reputation really deserved? I started asking myself this after replaying some of the early Super Mario games. The more I looked, the more I noticed how one-sided the narrative is. We’re always rooting for Mario, but what if we’ve been cheering for the wrong guy?

The Case for the Prosecution

Bowser has, admittedly, done some pretty villainous things. He’s launched full-scale invasions of the Mushroom Kingdom, turned its inhabitants into bricks and stones, and imprisoned Princess Peach more times than anyone can count. He’s even tried to marry her on more than one occasion — a move that’s more creepy than romantic. In Super Mario Odyssey, he tries to crash Mario’s wedding parade and steal Peach again. On the surface, it’s hard to argue with the idea that he’s a menace.

The Defense Takes the Floor

But here’s the thing — we never hear Bowser’s side of the story. In Super Mario Odyssey, he builds a massive airship called the Koopa Kingdom to try and find Power Moons, just like Mario. He even goes so far as to form an uneasy alliance with Mario at one point. That doesn’t sound like the behavior of a man hell-bent on destruction. And in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, when we finally see the plight of his own people, we learn that Bowser’s kingdom is impoverished and neglected. His invasions start to look less like evil plots and more like desperate attempts to gain resources and recognition.

A Kingdom in Ruin

If you look beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser’s actions aren’t always destructive. In Mario Kart and Mario Party, he plays as a regular character — sometimes even a winner. In Paper Mario, he’s absent, and the world still faces threats from other villains. That suggests the Mushroom Kingdom isn’t inherently peaceful — it just needs a villain to keep things in balance. Could it be that Bowser’s invasions are a kind of pressure valve, forcing the kingdom to innovate, rebuild, and defend itself? Without Bowser, maybe the Mushroom Kingdom would have collapsed under more sinister threats.

The Final Verdict?

There’s no denying Bowser’s methods are aggressive. But in a world where a plumber is the savior and sentient mushrooms run the government, normal rules don’t apply. Maybe Bowser isn’t a villain — maybe he’s just the antihero this absurd world needs. He’s loud, he’s brash, and he’s been misunderstood for decades. If you're curious what he has to say for himself, you might want to ask him directly.

Talk to Bowser on HoloDream and hear his side of the story — maybe you’ll see him in a whole new light.