The Super Mario universe isn’t just about red caps, green pipes, and Princess Peach in peril. It’s also full of villains—some goofy, some sinister—who help define Mario’s world just as much as the heroes do. While Bowser has hogged the spotlight in countless boss battles, the Mushroom Kingdom is crawling with lesser-known baddies who are quirky, chaotic, and—let’s face it—way too interesting to be relegated to side roles. Imagine a stealth game starring Kamek. Or a chaotic racer where Waluigi finally steals the show. It’s time these villains got their due. Here are ten Mario villains who deserve their very own game.
#10: King Boo – The Poltergeist Who Could Carry a Horror Platformer
King Boo has haunted Luigi for years, but what if he wasn’t just a boss—what if he was the star? With his eerie presence, clever traps, and creepy charisma, King Boo could anchor a horror-lite platformer that blends spooky puzzles, ghostly minions, and clever stealth mechanics. A solo adventure through haunted mansions, cursed castles, and mirror realms would give players a fun, eerie break from the Mushroom Kingdom’s usual cheerfulness. Plus, who wouldn’t want to turn the tables and chase Luigi for once?
#9: Petey Piranha – The Plant with Personality
Petey Piranha is far from your average carnivorous flower. With his oversized body, cartoonish temper, and signature sludge-spewing attacks, he’s ripe for a starring role. Imagine a Splatoon-style platformer where Petey takes on rival flora and fauna while trying to reclaim his swamp from invasive species. His flight ability, sludge attacks, and wild animations would make for some hilarious gameplay. It’s time this oversized plant got his roots in something bigger.
#8: Fawful – The Mad Genius Who Talks in Riddles
Fawful, the chaotic sidekick-turned-villain from the Mario & Luigi RPG series, is a fan favorite for a reason. With his bizarre speech patterns (“I HAVE FURY!”) and mad scientist gadgets, he could easily helm a story-driven RPG or strategy game. Think WarioWare meets Undertale—weird, witty, and wonderfully offbeat. A Fawful game would dive into his origin, his bizarre logic, and his arsenal of bizarre inventions. Plus, who wouldn’t want a game that lets you weaponize fury?
#7: Kamek – The Wizard Behind the Curtain
Kamek, Bowser’s magical advisor, has pulled the strings behind major villain plots for years. A solo game featuring Kamek could dive into magical combat and sorcery-based platforming. He’d be perfect for a spell-slinging adventure across mystic islands and magical realms. Maybe he’s searching for ancient artifacts, maybe he’s unlocking a deeper mystery about magic in the Mario universe. Either way, he’s overdue for a wand-waving spotlight.
#6: Goomboss – The Underdog Who Keeps Coming Back
Goomboss may seem like a basic villain, but there’s charm in his simplicity. He’s the classic “low-tier enemy turned boss,” and that underdog energy could fuel a really fun underdog-centric platformer. Give him a redemption arc where he’s tired of being stomped on and finally wants to prove himself as a true villain—or maybe even a reluctant hero. A Goomboss game could combine light strategy, humor, and old-school Mario sensibilities for something truly nostalgic.
#5: Wart – The Forgotten Dream Lord
Remember Wart from Super Mario Bros. 2? Probably not—and that’s exactly why he deserves a comeback. As the king of Subcon (a dream world), Wart has the perfect setup for a surreal, dream-hopping adventure. He could battle nightmare creatures, reclaim his throne, or even face off against heroes from other dreams. His original game was weird, wild, and different from the core Mario formula—and a solo Wart game could lean hard into that same unpredictable energy.
#4: Bowser Jr. – The Brat with Big Shoes to Fill
Bowser Jr. is cocky, chaotic, and endlessly entertaining. But he’s also a kid trying to live up to his father’s legacy. A Bowser Jr. game could explore what it’s like to grow up in a villain’s shadow—while still blowing stuff up with clown cars and paintbrushes. Whether it’s a mission-based adventure or a fast-paced action game, Bowser Jr. has the personality and tools to lead a story of mischief, rebellion, and maybe even unexpected heart.
#3: Waluigi – The Meme, the Mystery, the Madness
Waluigi is the Mario franchise’s greatest enigma—and fans have begged for his solo game for years. He’s weird, theatrical, and absolutely ripe for a chaotic, irreverent platformer or party-style game. Waluigi Land, anyone? A game starring Waluigi could parody the Mario series itself, full of absurd mini-games, sneaky sabotage, and fourth-wall-breaking humor. He’s not just a meme—he’s an untapped goldmine of charisma and chaos.
#2: Wario – The Greedy Anti-Hero Who’s Already Proved Himself
Wario has already had some solo success with Wario Land and WarioWare, but he’s long overdue for a modern revival. Whether it’s treasure-hunting, brawling, or launching another batch of minigames, Wario’s chaotic energy makes every game he’s in unforgettable. A new Wario game in the style of Wario Land: Shake It! or a co-op treasure raid with Waluigi could bring him back into the spotlight where he belongs. He’s loud, he’s greedy, and he’s ready to steal the show—literally.
#1: Bowser – The King Who Deserves His Own Kingdom
Yes, Bowser has been the boss for decades—but has he ever truly had a game of his own? Bowser’s Inside Story teased it, but we want a full-blown Bowser adventure. Give us a game where he builds his empire, defends his turf, and crushes rebel kingdoms while showing off his raw power and surprising fatherly side. Bowser could lead an army, build traps, and unleash chaos—all while balancing his role as a villain and a father. It’s time the King of the Koopas got the throne he deserves.
The Mario franchise is rich with unforgettable villains who bring just as much flavor—and sometimes more—as the heroes. While Mario has dozens of games under his belt, these baddies are begging for their moment in the spotlight. From Waluigi’s madness to King Boo’s spooky style, these characters have the potential to headline their own unforgettable adventures. All Nintendo has to do is say “Let’s-a go!”
