Mario or Luigi has to fight seven of them (one in each castle). If Mario or Luigi shoot fireballs at them, it will reveal the enemies from their disguises, but if they hit the axe then the imposter will simply fall into the lava. The real Bowser is found in World 8.
A Fake Tail Bowser makes an appearance in Super Mario 3D Land. Once Mario hits the button at the end of the bridge, Fake tail Bowser gets dunked into the lava and transforms back into an enemy with a Tanooki Tail. Fake Tail Bowsers are almost identical to the normal Bowser, but in Super Mario 3D Land, they can be identified by their Tanooki Tails, which is evidence they used the Tanooki Leaf power-up. A Goomba is the Fake Bowser in World 1, a Magikoopa in World 5 before the real bowser finally reveals himself in World 8.
In Shadow-Play Alley, Captain Toad is cowering before the shadow of what appears to be Bowser. When a player investigates further, they will find a cut-out that is making the shadow. Knock it down for a green star.
In Worlds 1, 3 and 5, a Fake Bowser acts as the boss in the fortresses. In World 1, a Goomba is the boss. World 3, a Koopa Troopa. And in World 5, a Buzzy Beetle.
In Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels, blue versions of Bowser appear in various fortresses. These are not the real Bowser and are not the bosses of the level. In fact, in some levels you can even skip them entirely.
Go, Goomba, Go! • This Beans War • For the Love of Hammers • Winged Traitors • The Hoohoo Melee Brigade • The Great Hammer Barrage • Don't Fear Flying Foes • Goombas vs. Goombas • The Amnesiac Koopa King • Goombas Galore
Turnip Tantrum • Minions vs. Minions • Hunger Pains • A War of Shy Guys and Flybys • Battle Tail • Beanbean Crossfire • The Rival Trio • Larry's Fortress • Captain Shy Guy Trial • Professor E. Gadd's Research • Oh, Hi, Shy Guy! • Shell Brigade, Move Out!
The Sweet Smell of Soda • Deep Trouble • Forest Masquerade • Reclaim the Red Goblet! • Gold Beanie Appears • Invisible Leaderership • Ice Guys Finish Last • The Tough-As-Nails Squad • Forest Fight • Popple's Partner • Captain Goomba Trial (Gold) • Shy Guy Goes Overboard • King of the Boos
A Dry Bone to Pick • The Trouble with Toads • Flying Beans in the Desert • Find the Invincibility Mushroom! • Gold Beanie Spotted! • Silly Ol' Goomp • Ice Bros. Feel the Heat • The Lonely Koopa Troopa • Toad Rescue • Captain Koopa Troopa Trial • Popple's Partner, Part 2 • A Goomba Tail • A Muster of Masks
Goombas Unite • Gather the Cruiser Parts! • Power Play • Spear Party on Ice • Monochrome Explosion • Gold Beanie Fights Back! • Return of the Koopa Cruiser • The Trio's Last Stand • Captain Boo Trial (Gold) • Boo Party! • Shy Guy Barrage
Fireball and Boomerang Crossfire • Chain Chomp and Spike Stomp • A Tale of Tails • Double Trouble Koopaling Caper • Pokey Panic • Rumble in the Castle! • Gold Beanie's Final Stand • Goomba's Worth • Showdown Time!! • Believe in Bowser • Captain Boo Trial • The Mightiest Minions • The Beastly Bean Battalion
• ⋆-Enemy, boss, or stat exclusive to the main game. • ⋆⋆-Enemy, boss, or stat exclusive to Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser. • ⋆⋆⋆-Enemy variants differ in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions.
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