Bosses & castle encounters
All nine main boss characters, from Bowser Jr. to Dry Bowser.
Original New Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo DS (2006). Later Wii, Nintendo 3DS and Wii U sequels are separate games.
9 characters · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.
Boss gallery
Bowser
The first world’s castle boss and the main threat at the end of the adventure. His skeletal Dry Bowser form also appears in World 8.
Bowser Jr.
Peach’s kidnapper and a recurring tower boss. His fights change as the adventure progresses, including encounters in which his raised bandanna signals a different defensive approach.
Cheepskipper
World 3 castle boss: a giant Cheep Cheep that leaps out of the water at Mario.
Dry Bowser
Bowser's skeletal form after he falls into the lava in World 1; fought again in the World 8 castle.
Lakithunder
World 7 castle boss: a black-shelled Lakitu riding a dark storm cloud.
Mega Goomba
World 4 castle boss: a Goomba that grows giant. Raise yourself on the switch platforms or wall-jump, then ground-pound it.
Monty Tank
World 6 castle boss: a Monty Mole in a tank that fires Bullet Bills. Stomp Monty's head three times when it pops out.
Mummipokey
World 2 castle boss: a mummified Pokey that pops out of the sand. Beat it as Mini Mario to unlock World 4.
Petey Piranha
World 5 castle boss who flies into the air and slams down. Beat him as Mini Mario to unlock World 7.
Quick notes
- World boss route. World 1: Bowser.
- Optional world routes. Defeat Mummipokey in Mini form to reach World 4, and Petey Piranha in Mini form to reach World 7.