Mario vs Bowser

Bowser Matchup (Mario)

Mario vs Bowser

Mario vs Bowser is most stable when you stop playing directly into Bowser's Neutral B and Side B, punish Jab 1 and Jab 2, and take the landing or ledge route first.

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ChatGPT Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)

Mario wants to stop Bowser’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Forward Tilt with Up B (3f), OOS Nair (6f), OOS Uair (7f), and OOS Dair (8f), then force Bowser back outside Neutral B and Side B to keep stage control.
In Mario vs Bowser, the stable plan is to avoid playing directly into Bowser’s Neutral B and Side B and take the landing or ledge route before Bowser can reset.
The table shows that Bowser’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Forward Tilt can be answered by Mario’s Up B (3f), OOS Nair (6f), OOS Uair (7f), and OOS Dair (8f), so those overcommitments should be cashed out immediately.
For Mario, Bowser’s Neutral B and Side B are still hard to hit immediately out of shield, so reading the landing spot or ledge route matters more than forcing an early swing.

Full Move Frame Quick Reference

Opponent MoveStartupOn ShieldMario OOS Candidate MovesBarely Missed Moves
Jab 17-13
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
Jab 29-9
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (+1)
Forward Tilt10-15
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
Up Tilt11-19
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Fair (19f)
Down Tilt10/15-22
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Fair (19f)
Dash Attack11-33
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Fair (19f)
Forward Smash22-32
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Fair (19f)
Up Smash16/37-27/-30/-12
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
Down Smash12/28-49/-34
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Fair (19f)
Neutral Air8/14/18/**-12
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
Forward Air11-9/-10
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (+1)
Back Air9-17
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Fair (+2)
Up Air9-12
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
Down Air17-30
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Fair (19f)
Neutral B23/30/37/44…
Side B6
Up B (1)6…-36
  • Up B (3f)
  • OOS Nair (6f)
  • OOS Uair (7f)
  • OOS Dair (8f)
  • OOS Bair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Fair (19f)
Up B (2)6…
Down B (1)11/37…/1
Down B (2)31…/1
Grab8
Dash Grab11
Pivot Grab12

Win Condition Checklist

  • Mario should not play directly into Bowser’s Neutral B and Side B; wait for Bowser’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Forward Tilt and answer with Up B (3f), OOS Nair (6f), OOS Uair (7f), and OOS Dair (8f).
  • After Mario blocks Bowser’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Forward Tilt, pick the reachable option from Up B (3f), OOS Nair (6f), OOS Uair (7f), and OOS Dair (8f) immediately.
  • Mario should not mash after Bowser’s Neutral B and Side B; take the landing route, escape route, or ledge route first.
  • Mario should finish stocks by breaking Bowser’s landing and recovery routes so Neutral B and Side B does not get more neutral reps.

Actions to Avoid

  • Letting Bowser start the exchange on Neutral B and Side B terms and giving Mario’s stage control away for free.
  • Having Mario block Bowser’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Forward Tilt but never answer with Up B (3f), OOS Nair (6f), OOS Uair (7f), and OOS Dair (8f).
  • Sending Mario too deep after Bowser’s Neutral B and Side B and letting the reset punish the chase back.
  • Panicking at the ledge as Mario and simplifying Bowser’s Neutral B and Side B-driven advantage sequence.

Reference Links

Related Pages