---

Bowser in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A Detailed Review

Bowser, the iconic villain from the Super Mario series, brings his formidable presence to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with a blend of raw power, surprising agility, and a menacing arsenal of attacks. As the heaviest character in the game, Bowser is a force to be reckoned with, offering a unique playstyle that caters to players who enjoy a combination of brute strength and solid defense.

Strengths

1. High Damage Output: Bowser boasts some of the most powerful attacks in the game. His smash attacks, especially his forward and up smashes, can KO opponents at relatively low percentages. His tilts and aerials also pack a punch, making him a threat at any range.

2. Heavyweight Tank: As the heaviest character in the game, Bowser can endure hits better than most, allowing him to survive to high percentages. This resilience makes him difficult to KO and can often frustrate opponents.

3. Fast Ground Speed: Despite his massive size, Bowser has surprisingly quick ground mobility. This allows him to close distances quickly and apply pressure on opponents effectively.

4. Versatile Recovery: Bowser's Flying Slam (side special) and Whirling Fortress (up special) provide decent recovery options. Whirling Fortress, in particular, has excellent horizontal range and can be used to edgeguard or return to the stage safely.

5. Command Grab: His Flying Slam is a powerful command grab that can KO opponents at high percentages. It also provides Bowser with a mix-up option, adding depth to his offensive strategies.

Weaknesses

1. Large Hurtbox: Bowser's size makes him an easy target for combos and projectiles. His large hurtbox means he can be juggled easily and has a harder time avoiding attacks compared to smaller characters.

2. Vulnerability to Combos: Due to his size and weight, Bowser is susceptible to long combo strings, especially from fast or combo-heavy characters. He struggles to escape once caught in a string of attacks.

3. Slow Aerial Speed: While his ground speed is impressive, Bowser's aerial mobility is relatively slow. This can make it challenging to contest aerial opponents or escape from juggle situations.

4. Limited Projectile Options: Bowser's only projectile is Fire Breath, which, while useful for edgeguarding and controlling space, does not offer the versatility of other projectile-based characters.

Effective Playstyle

Offensive Play

Bowser thrives on aggressive, in-your-face tactics. Use his quick ground speed to close in on opponents and apply pressure with powerful tilts and smash attacks. His grab game is essential; the Flying Slam can be a devastating tool, especially near the edge of the stage. Make use of his command grab to catch shielding opponents off-guard.

Defensive Play

When playing defensively, Bowser's weight and power allow him to trade hits favorably. Use his Whirling Fortress out of shield to punish unsafe attacks. His Fire Breath can be used to control space and force opponents into unfavorable positions. Remember to utilize his tilts for quick punishes and spacing.

Edgeguarding and Recovery

Bowser's edgeguarding capabilities are enhanced by his Fire Breath and aerials like forward air and back air. Whirling Fortress provides a mix of recovery options, but be mindful of opponents who can intercept with spikes or projectiles. Mixing up recovery angles and using the Flying Slam to return to the stage can keep opponents guessing.

Matchups

Favorable Matchups

• Lightweights (e.g., Jigglypuff, Pichu): Bowser can KO light characters at very low percentages, making them ideal targets for his powerful moves.
• Characters with Poor KO Power (e.g., Sheik, Villager): Bowser's heavy weight allows him to survive longer against characters with limited KO options.

Unfavorable Matchups

• Combo-heavy Characters (e.g., Pikachu, Mario): These characters can exploit Bowser's size and weight to rack up damage quickly with extended combos.
• Projectile Zoners (e.g., Samus, Link): Characters with strong zoning tools can keep Bowser at bay and exploit his limited approach options.

In conclusion, Bowser is a powerhouse that rewards players for aggressive play and smart positioning. While he has weaknesses that can be exploited, a skilled Bowser player can dominate the stage with a mix of strength, speed, and resilience. Balancing offense with cautious defense and mastering his unique tools will make Bowser a formidable opponent in any matchup.