InSuper Mario’sMushroom Kingdom, it’s undeniable that the biggest bad guy to threaten Princess Peach and her citizens is the Koopa King, Bowser. However, he’s not the only villain threatening the safety of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Ever since his first appearance in Luigi’s Mansion for the Nintendo GameCube, King Boo has become a reoccurring boss. Sometimes you play as him, and sometimes he helps you steal coins and stars from your friends. Most of the time, he’s here to cause trouble for the Mario brothers and their friends; no matter where the spectral king appears, you can always be sure he’s up to no good.
SeveralMario Kartgames let you choose King Boo asyour champion of choice. He first made his Mario Kart debut as Petey Piranha’s partner in Double Dash but has since chosen to drive alone. Some games keep his main series appearance, while other games let you don his more menacing Luigi’s Mansion look.
This heavy-tier racer may be choosing not to cause Luigi and his friends too much trouble for now, but there’s no telling when the king of the Boos will choose villainy over go-karting next.
WhenHorror Landwas originally released inMario Party2, the tombstone in the top right corner of the map belonged to Big Boo. WhenMario Party Superstarschose to reuse this board, Big Boo was replaced by King Boo instead.
In this game, King Boo is on your side - for a price. If you reach him with the help of a Skeleton Key, King Boo will offer to steal coins or stars for triple the cost of a normal Boo. This is because the ghostly king takes either coins or stars from all your opponents, instead of just one of your choice. He can be integral to turning the tide in a game if you have enough coins to pay for his services.
King Boo makes a reappearance inSuper Mario Bros. Wonderin two stages - Light-Switch Mansion and The Final Battle! Bowser’s Rage Stage. In these stages, the spectral king chases your hero of choice while singing in an operatic baritone. If he loses his crown, he shrinks to the size of a normal Boo.
Just like typical Boos, King Boo hates to be looked at. If you choose to stop running and face him instead, he’ll cover his face and his singing voice will grow distorted. Who knew such a menacing foe could be shy?
Technically, the King Boo fromSuper Mario Sunshineisn’t King Boo at all. He’s a Big Boo created with the use of Bowser Jr.’s magic paintbrush created by E. Gadd. However, many still consider Sunshine one of the king’s many appearances.
This Boo appears in Sirena Beach’s fifth level, leading the Boos who were terrorizing Hotel Delfino. If you manage to access him through the basement casino, a boss battle begins where you have to throw a spicy pepper into his mouth, allowing you to hurt the ghost. Once defeated, he explodes into paint-like goop, rewarding you with a Shine Sprite for your victory.
King Boo is back to no good in theMario & LuigiandPaper Mariocrossover, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam. When the trio split up in Gloomy Woods, King Boo kidnaps both Mario and Paper Mario, leaving Luigi on his own to find the two. Luigi finds Mario and the two search for Paper Mario. J
Just when they think they’ve found him, King Boo reveals that it was a disguise to get the better of the two brothers. During the battle, King Boo summons a Paper Boo, holding the real Paper Mario, who the brothers can finally rescue. With the help of Paper Mario, the brothers are able to defeat King Boo once again.
Luigi’s Mansion was the first true appearance of King Boo, where he tricked Luigi into thinking he won a mansion in a sweepstakes the brother in green never actually entered. Thinking things were suspicious, which he had every right to, Mario goes to the mansion first, only to discover it’s full of ghosts. King Boo captures the older Mario brother and seals him in a painting.
King Boo does his best to capture Luigi as well, but the newly ghost-busting brother turns the tide in battle, even when King Boo dons a Bowser suit to attack. In the end, Luigi emerges victorious and seals King Boo in a painting once again.
King Boo reappears inLuigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, eager for revenge. Having escaped from his painting, King Boo shatters the Dark Moon with a magic bolt from his crown, turningthe ghosts of Evershade Valleyinto chaotic, hostile beings who serve only him.
By the end of the game, King Boo has once again trapped Mario in a painting. He plans to do the same to Luigi, E. Gadd, and the rest of their friends but never gets his chance. Despite his efforts, Luigi collects all six pieces of the Dark Moon and engages King Boo in a final battle, finally sucking the ghostly king into the Poltergust 5000. Luigi then restores the Dark Moon, returning the ghosts of Evershade Valley to their original friendly but mischievous state.
King Boo is at his best and most terrifying inLuigi’s Mansion 3, where he uses Hellen Graveley to lure Mario, Luigi, Peach, and several Toads to a huge resort. The resort is a trap, operated and filled with ghosts loyal to Hellen and, by extension, King Boo; he manages to seal Mario, Peach, and the Toads in paintings before going after Luigi, but the cowardly plumber manages to escape.
Slowly, floor by floor, Luigi defeats Hellen Gravely’s ghostly subjects, giving him more access to the hotel, until he ultimatelyfaces off against King Boo. The king of the Boos is willing to go so far as to destroy the hotel if it means he’ll emerge victorious but, ultimately, the king is sucked up by Luigi’s Poltergust and placed in a containment jar, alongside Hellen Gravely. This plan may have failed, but we’re eager to see what evil scheme King Boo tries next.
