Bowser's Fury Includes A 'Gargantuan' Showdown You Won't Want To Miss
In Sept. 2020, Nintendo announced some very welcome news: Super Mario 3D World would release on the Nintendo Switch as part of the Super Mario Bros. 35th anniversary celebration, and it was bringing a friend. Nintendo was adding even more life to the title in the form of Bowser's Fury, but nobody knew quite how that extra content would function. The trailer showed a new cat-themed level of some kind, but the mystery of why Bowser was so furious remained until today.
The new Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury trailer is a stark departure from the standard 3D World fare. Instead of featuring bite-sized isometric worlds, Bowser's Fury appears to be a large, happy-go-lucky experience in the vein of Super Mario Odyssey. The expansion will feature collectable cat stars, cat-themed reskins of classic enemies, and a giant black, spiky monstrosity looming in the background. Also, Bowser Jr. tags along. What could convince him to team up with his dad's eternal rival? The monstrosity, obviously, especially when it pops.
Of course, the trailer is kind enough to show what happens when the giant pustule erupts. It's none other than Bowser himself, bigger and badder than ever, consumed by power, and devoid of all mental faculties (according to the video's description, at least). And when he shows up, that's when the action and heavy metal start. If the video is any indication, this Godzilla-sized Bowser will serve as both a stage hazard and the level's main boss. Additionally, you will fight him by grabbing a giant cat bell that turns Mario into a similarly giant cat, complete with Super Saiyan hair. The video ends before the biggest clash this side of Godzilla vs. Kong can commence, but the fight is clearly meant to serve as Bowser's Fury's crowning achievement.
Despite the hype that erupts from the trailer, many mysteries still remain. How big is the Bowser's Fury adventure? Is Bowser Jr. playable or merely an AI-controlled ally? And most important of all, what turned Bowser into a living mountain of fire and rage?
Gamers can expect the answers to (most of) these questions when Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury hits shelves Feb. 12. Depending on sales and reviews, it could serve as the template for future Super Mario titles, as well as make up for Super Mario 3D All-Stars' lackluster reception. We will just have to wait and see.