Super Mario platformers are known for their consistency, which is one big reason that the franchise has thrived for so long. However, the IP of Super Mario also has a remarkable level of flexibility that has helped it flourish. In the decades since Mario set off on his first adventure, the series has seen spinoffs tapping into genres from RPGs to racing games, and Nintendo continues to innovate in this department. Super Mario is also notoriously good at letting side characters take the spotlight, such as in Luigi's Mansion. This latter skill is why Bowser, King of the Koopas, ought to be the solo protagonist of a future spinoff.
Games from Super Princess Peach to Wario Land have given fans unique chances to control Super Mario characters without Mario or other facets of the Mushroom Kingdom taking center focus. Despite these diverse adventures, Bowser has largely been passed over when Nintendo makes these games. Bowser has certainly been a playable protagonist in a few notable titles, but he almost never appears as a leading character without other Super Mario characters around him. As a change of pace, Nintendo should give Bowser a game of his own that flips the script that he usually followers and explores his potential.
Super Mario Needs to Use Bowser Differently
Unsurprisingly, nearly all of Bowser's appearances put him in the same position. He acts as the rival to Mario and the enemy that players chase down and defeat to save Princess Peach. While that formula has worked as a vehicle for Super Mario games, it also means a lot of Bowser's appearances blur together a little, especially in 2D Mario games with little dialogue and few character interactions. Bowser's repeated, predictable role as Mario's nemesis and Peach's kidnapper means that his characterization isn't always as engaging as it could be.
A few games provide notable exceptions to this. In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Bowser is one of the main playable characters, and he goes on a strikingly compelling journey to reclaim the Koopa Kingdom from Fawful, although he still has to share screen time with the Mario brothers. Similarly, in Super Paper Mario, Bowser reluctantly joins Mario and Peach on their mission to save the universe from the Chaos Heart. Both of these games do wonders for Bowser by giving him a new objective and putting him in an unfamiliar position, making him a little more empathetic and showing off an oddly heroic side of him. They therefore provide an excellent case for a new Super Mario spinoff that stars him.
The Possibilities of a Bowser Game
Some games like Super Mario 3D World have historically proven that kidnapping Princess Peach isn't all that Bowser has on his mind. A new video game about Bowser could follow the Wario Land formula and send the Koopa King off to distant lands in search of wealth or power, possibly landing him in the unexpected role of a hero in the process. Alternatively, a game that sends Bowser in search of Bowser Jr. could be pretty fun. Flipping the Super Mario script, a new villain could kidnap Bowser Jr., forcing Bowser to take on the unfamiliar role of rescuing his son from danger.
Along the way of an independent adventure, Bowser could explore new frontiers and get occasional assistance from the Koopalings, whether they're playable characters or just NPC that provide support for Bowser. If Bowser Jr. doesn't get kidnapped, or at least gets rescued fairly early in the game, it would be great to see some charming father-son interactions between Bowser and Bowser Jr. in order to put both characters in a positive light for once.
It's hard to say if Nintendo has any interest in using Bowser in this way sometime soon. While Luigi's Mansion is still a successful spinoff series, other Mario spinoffs that de-emphasize Mario have petered out, giving way to bigger spinoff franchises like the various sports-centric Mario games and Mario Party. Nevertheless, a new game focused on Bowser could be the best way to reignite interest in this type of Super Mario game. After all, a game about Bowser wouldn't just offer a new look at his character; it would be a highly entertaining chance to wreak havoc with the Koopa King's incredible strength and fiery breath.