10 Greatest Heels In Video Game History
7. Bowser - Mario
Mario's Bowser gets a lot of points for his dogged, unrelenting commitment to the bit. For an entire 40 years, Bowser has run himself ragged kidnapping Princess Peach, attempting to control the Mushroom Kingdom, and just all-around trolling Mario.
It truly feels like Bowser and Mario are destined to be diametrically opposed forces forever, and if Nintendo ever opted to retire Bowser, there would be huge outcry from fans.
Even though each game ends with Bowser's plan reliably failing, his larger-than-life presence throughout the series and hilariously outlandish theatrics make him one of gaming's enduring villainous icons.
His design is absolutely perfect, and though he has occasionally been lent a greater degree of character nuance, for the most part casual players can jump into any Mario game and know what they're going to get from the big guy.
There are many villains written with more depth and mechanical complexity, but few who are as instantly recognisable or endearing to so many. Here's to you, Bowser, and your diligent adherence to mischief for almost an entire half-century.