Day 6: Bowser (Super Mario 3D World)
On rare occasions the game's main villain will rear his/her ugly mug as the game's first boss. Bowser is one of these types of villains. Whether it be an illusion like in Super Mario 3D Land or the original Super Mario Bros., a forced loss battle like in Paper Mario 64, or we fight the real deal like in New Super Mario Bros. DS, Bowser has had his share of moments as the game's first boss.
(In the case of Paper Mario 64, if you count the forced loss battle as a boss battle...I don't)
But the Bowser battle I personally think of when it comes to instances of him being the first boss is his battle in Super Mario 3D World.
The battle starts with Bowser pulling up his car, the Koopa Chase, which looks like it would be right at home in a game like Motortoon Grand Prix (Does anyone remember that game?) and so the fight begins.
You must chase Bowser down the highway, making sure to avoid his fire breath attack and any Goombas that cross your path. Eventually Bowser will start throwing his soccer bombs at you, and you need to kick them back at him to do damage. Hitting the Koopa Chase three times with the bombs will be enough to move on to the next phase, but with a power up like the Super Bell, you can launch one of the bombs at Bowser and move on to the next phase immediately, so there's motivation in making sure you not only keep the power ups you have, but there's also a reason for you to have it: make the fight go faster.
After 3-9 hits, Bowser will be defeated, and you win.
This fight is yet another easy first boss, but also really fun and creative. Gotta say I never thought we'd get a Bowser fight where we'd be fighting him on a glorified convertible. Also, this fight does get a better version later in the game where the road is now littered with spike traps and lava spouts, and Bowser shoots his fireballs much more often.
However, as the fight stands right now, it's easy but fun and interesting enough to keep my attention.
Good show, King Koopa.