10 Video Games That Reused Bosses (And Made Them BETTER)
3. Bowser (Super Mario Bros.)
Now here’s a classic to consider - the original NES/Famicom Mario game. Way before Bowser had a real personality or was voiced by Jack Black. In the first stage he just hops a little bit on a bridge and spits fireballs at you.
In subsequent castles he becomes a little more interesting - jumping higher and more often, spitting more constant fireballs, and even throwing multitudes of hammers at you. In some castles there might be a platform hovering over his head.
Each new feature gave you something different to contend with and there were multiple ways to beat him. You could just overwhelm him with fireballs or you could survive his onslaught and jump over him to hit an axe that switched open the bridge he was standing on. Either way, by the time you get to the eighth castle - by teleporting or not - it’s a totally different Bowser than you fight in the first zone of levels.
And just look at that grin - he's sooo happy to see you each time as well!