Each '''Bowser battle''' is located at the end of its respective stage: [[RTA Guide/Bowser in the Dark World|Bowser in the Dark World]], [[RTA Guide/Bowser in the Fire Sea|Bowser in the Fire Sea]], and [[RTA Guide/Bowser in the Sky|Bowser in the Sky]].
== Tips ==
== Tips ==
*Avoid letting Bowser make more than '''three full rotations''' before throwing him; afterwards, he will spin too fast and become more difficult to aim.
*Avoid letting Bowser make more than '''three full rotations''' before throwing him; otherwise, he will start spinning too fast to reliably aim.
*In order to trigger Bowser's text after defeating him, Mario must be within a short distance of him and face towards the center of his body.
*The "whoosh" sound that plays while spinning Bowser is not indicative of whether he is pointing towards a bomb; try to focus on aiming ''visually''.
*It is highly recommended that runners who play using an original Nintendo 64 controller switch to a different controller for Bowser fights, as rapidly spinning the N64 controller's stick will wear it down.
**Recommended controllers include a Hori Mini Pad, a [https://a.co/d/d72pG9Q Retro-Bit Tribute 64] or [https://a.co/d/4ZTzk7B Warrior64], or a GameCube controller via a [https://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/gc_to_n64_adapter_v3_with_builtin_controller_pak/index.php Raphnet adapter].
*In order to trigger the text after Bowser is defeated, Mario must be facing towards and be within a short distance of him.
==Tutorial==
{{#ev:youtube|yiWyG_i3pOs|||||start=23}}
*The "whoosh" sound that plays while spinning Bowser plays when he faces north, and is not indicative of whether he is pointing towards a bomb. Try to focus more on aiming visually.
*It is highly recommended that runners who play using the original Nintendo 64 controller switch to a different controller for Bowser fights, as rapidly spinning the N64 controller's stick will wear it down. Recommended controllers include the Hori Pad Mini, a Retro-Bit Tribute 64, or a GameCube controller via a Raphnet adapter.
== Bowser in the Dark World ==
== Bowser in the Dark World ==
=== Standard ===
=== Moving Bowser ===
To avoid a high throw and save time, let go of the stick right before pressing B to throw.
To avoid an air throw, let the stick go neutral right before pressing B to throw.
[[File:B1 3qtr ccw.mp4|thumb| 3/4 spin, counterclockwise ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeK0h6QaWkg Full video w/ inputs]) |class=autoplay]]
</li>
=== Bowser Dance ===
=== Bowser Dance ===
Bowser has a ~10% chance to "dance" in place at the beginning of the fight; this allows you to grab his tail earlier and thus throw him quicker.
Bowser has a ~10% chance to "dance" in place at the beginning of the fight; this allows you to grab his tail earlier and thus throw him quicker. Grabbing his tail near the tip places you closer to the bomb and can make the throw easier.
[[File:B1 dance.mp4|thumb| Bowser dance ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3eXLe60AI8 Full video w/ inputs]) |class=autoplay]]
=== Backups ===
</li>
{{#ev:youtube|b6Vw9xNr0Mw}}
== Bowser in the Fire Sea ==
== Bowser in the Fire Sea ==
In this battle, Mario cannot grab Bowser until the platform stops teetering. Avoid groundpounding during this period, otherwise Mario may clip through and fall into the lava underneath.
In this battle, Mario cannot grab Bowser until the platform stops teetering completely. Avoid groundpounding around Bowser's side of the platform during this period, otherwise Mario may clip through and fall into the lava underneath.
[[File:B2 throw.mp4|thumb| Standard throw ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfNRiAPbV8M Full video w/ inputs]) |class=autoplay]]
</li>
=== Advanced (3/4 Spin) ===
=== Advanced (3/4 Spin) ===
{{#ev:youtube|JGwHyxSNdCI}}
As shown in these examples, you can delay your dive and let Bowser rotate longer if you need more room to spin; if you can spin faster, you can dive earlier to save more time.
[[File:B2 half ccw.mp4|thumb| 1/2 spin, counterclockwise ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-QJ1HH6Iic Full video w/ inputs]) |class=autoplay]]
</li>
== Bowser in the Sky ==
== Bowser in the Sky ==
This fight requires '''three hits''' to defeat Bowser instead of one like in the first two fights.
This fight requires '''three hits''' to defeat Bowser instead of one like in the first two fights; select a bomb order that works best for you below and ''go for it every time'' for consistency.
Avoid letting Bowser make more than three full rotations before throwing him; otherwise, he will start spinning too fast to reliably aim.
In order to trigger Bowser's text after defeating him, Mario must be within a short distance of him and face towards the center of his body.
The "whoosh" sound that plays while spinning Bowser is not indicative of whether he is pointing towards a bomb; try to focus on aiming visually.
It is highly recommended that runners who play using an original Nintendo 64 controller switch to a different controller for Bowser fights, as rapidly spinning the N64 controller's stick will wear it down.
Bowser has a ~10% chance to "dance" in place at the beginning of the fight; this allows you to grab his tail earlier and thus throw him quicker. Grabbing his tail near the tip places you closer to the bomb and can make the throw easier.
In this battle, Mario cannot grab Bowser until the platform stops teetering completely. Avoid groundpounding around Bowser's side of the platform during this period, otherwise Mario may clip through and fall into the lava underneath.
As shown in these examples, you can delay your dive and let Bowser rotate longer if you need more room to spin; if you can spin faster, you can dive earlier to save more time.
This fight requires three hits to defeat Bowser instead of one like in the first two fights; select a bomb order that works best for you below and go for it every time for consistency.