Nintober 2012

While the wicked King of the Koopa turtle tribe is no stranger to being cast int lava pools at the hands of Mario, after one battle the toll of the magma was too much, reducing Bowser to a pile of bones.

But even this wasn't enough to keep him down.

Bowser's skeletal form reanimated, much like the Dry Bones that wandered his castles. The horrifying roar of Dry Bowser sent a chill through the castle. Immune to Mario's attacks, he launched a cascade of fireballs and bones on the plumber.

While Bowser Jr. eventually restored his Papa to his old, scaly self, Dry Bowser still appears from time to time, leading his fearsome armies of the undead…

Related Games

• New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo DS)
• Super Mario 3D Land (Nintendo 3DS)
• New Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo 3DS)

Shuppet, the puppet Pokémon, uses the horn on its head to feed on dark thoughts and emotions. It roams through cities, searching for the grudges that beset mankind. If you are overcome with feelings of vengeance, envy or malice, it is likely that the eaves of your home will be filled with swarms of Shuppet feeding on your thoughts.

Shuppet evolves into the Marionette Pokémon, Banette. Once a pitiful plush doll carelessly discarded by its owner, a dark energy now permeates the stuffing inside. Filled with grudging thoughts, they are said to wander garbage dumps, searching for their former owner. Banette will stick itself with pins in order to generate the energy to lay dark curses. But if it ever opens its mouth, all of the energy will escape, leaving only an empty doll behind.

Related Games

• Pokémon: Ruby & Sapphire Version (Game Boy Advance)
• Pokémon: HeartGold & SoulSilver Version (Nintendo DS)
• Pokémon: Black & White Version (Nintendo DS)

The leader of the Skull Gang who wishes to cover the universe in darkness. He used his staff to split Kirby into 10 Mini-Kirbies, then destroyed them one by one, leaving just one weak Kirby remaining.

The hero reclaimed his power and fought through Necrodeus's lackeys in search of the staff. They found it and approached it with caution…

But Necrodeus appeared and devoured the staff, absorbing its power.

The terrible beast used its bony hands to try and crush and devour the Kirbies. Once its hands were destroyed, it fired a terrible beam from its mouth, revealing a single, unblinking eye inside.

Would Kirby be able to destroy the skeletal terror and become whole once again?

Related Games

• Kirby: Mass Attack (Nintendo DS)

Deep within the submerged castle, a creature roams. Appearing as a vaguely human shape made of water, moving around on two stone rollers, the Waterwraith trundles after Olimar and Louie, crushing any Pikmin in its path.

When Olimar's ship scanned the creature, despite its body being a visible liquid, it didn't register on any scanners. The ship determined that the body was actually trans-dimensional and therefore immune to attack. Sure enough, no Pikmin could land a hit on it, simply being dragged under the rollers.

Then Olimar threw a purple Pikmin, and the Waterwraith materialised. With quick thinking, the brave Captain launched every Pikmin he had at the creature…

Related Games

• Pikmin 2 (Gamecube)

As Samus explored the superheated caverns of Norfair, she came upon a long cavern with spikes on the walls. It was there she confronted the terrible beast known as Crocomire.

The creature had near impenetrable armour. It raked at her with terrible claws and lumbered forward spewing flames. Samus realised she was helpless. Nothing she launched did anything more than make it flinch.

But that may be enough…

She forced the creature to stumble back until it hit a weak spot in the ground. The Crocomire fell through into the magma below, and Samus watched at the flesh melted from its bones.

As Samus made her escape, the skeleton crashed through the wall in one final attempt to destroy its Power Suited prey…

Related Games

• Super Metroid (Super NES)

A giant pile of living volit. This disgusting beast grew more powerful under the influence of Giygas. He descended on the peaceful Saturn Valley, constructed a factory and enslaved the Mr. Saturn people. They worked day and night to make Belch's favourite food: Fly Honey.

When Ness and friends confronted the Master, he belched and barfed through a speech declaring Ness must be evil, as Giygas, a being of pure evil, feared him alone. Ness distracted Belch with a jar of Fly Honey, escaping the worst of his nauseating attacks and taking him down.

As Ness's party approached the Tenda Cavern in the Deep Darkness, they were ambushed by Belch again. Now under the pseudonym Master Barf, he was defeated once and for all when Poo arrived to try out his newly-learned PSI Starstorm ability.

Related Games

• Earthbound (Super NES)

Formerly Ganondorf, King of the Gerudo Tribe. A powerful man, schooled in the dark arts and consumed by his desire for the Triforce.

Fooling a Kokiri boy into opening the way to the Sacred Realm, Ganondorf laid claim to the Triforce. But his unbalanced heart was denies, and acquired only the Triforce of Power. With it, he brought ruin upon Hyrule in his search for the remaining pieces.

When Ganondorf was overpowered by Link, he used the Triforce of Power to transform himself into the hulking, raging beast known as Ganon.

Every 100 years, Ganon is revived by his loyal servants and begins his search for the Triforce anew. And each time, the bloodlines of Link and Princess Zelda will be awakened by destiny in order to stop him…

Related Games

• The Legend of Zelda (NES)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Super NES)
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64)

Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong dropped through the trick floor into the darkest part of the caves. Here they could see a huge family of bats asleep in the background. The only way out, it seemed, was by Rocket Barrel, but this would no doubt disturb and enrage the Squeeklies.

They were correct…

As the Kongs thundered through the caves, the Squeeklies attacked from every angle. But it was the largest of them, the Mega Squeekly, who was the biggest threat. The gargantuan bat tried to bite the Kongs out of the air with its fangs, and blasted them with sonic waves, crashing through the caves as it went.

The Kongs weaved through the rock formations, not slowing down for one moment as the flapping horror gained on them…

Related Games

• Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii)

The precursor to the F-Zero Grand Prix was the deadly F-MAX, and its most famous competitor was Sterling LaVaughn who won many championships without a single injury. It was widely believed that he used technology and black magic to make himself immortal, transforming him into a fearless competitor.

A horrific accident during one race led to many racers being burned alive, including LaVaughn. The accident spelled the end of F-MAX, and the legends of Sterling's immortality disappeared.

200 years later, with the revival of the F-Zero Grand Prix, Sterling mysteriously reappeared, reduced to no more than a skeleton. The legends had been true! However, nothing but racing held any meaning for him any more. He joined the circuit under the pseudonym "The Skull", a racer who does not fear death, but strikes fear into all those who challenge him.

Related Games

• F-Zero X (Nintendo 64)
• F-Zero GX (Gamecube)
• F-Zero: GP Legend (Game Boy Advance)

Pigma Dengar, a former member of the Star Wolf team, whose only loyalty was to his own greed. He was ejected from Star Wolf as they feared he would just as soon sell them out to a rival as he once did to James McCloud when he was a pilot in the Star Fox team.

Pigma became a lone mercenary, stealing whatever he could get his hands on. When he acquired an Aparoid Core, he discovered he could use it to control the Aparoids. With an army behind him he set out to take over Lylat.

But the power of the Aparoids was not his to control. His greed alone helped him to resist, but when he faced defeat at Meteo, he succumbed and was consumed by the colony. His soul was fused to an inactive Aparoid ship, transforming him into a giant, bio-mechanical monstrosity.

Related Games

• Star Fox Assault (Gamecube)

An evil witch who stole Peach's voice in order to wake the Beanstar. Using its power she would be able to conquer the Beanbean Kingdom and the Mushroom Kingdom.

After fooling the Mario Bros. into disabling the security systems that protected the star, she escaped to Woohoo Hooniversity to complete her scheme. She loaded Peach's voice into Peach-bots, but her plans had long ago been foiled… Prince Peasley had warned Peach of Cackletta's attack and the stolen voice was actually Birdo's. The awakened Beanstar trembled and cracked apart, and the Mario Bros. were able to defeat the witch in the ensuing confusion.

But Cackletta's soul was able to survive after possessing Bowser. With the combined might of her own troops and those of the Koopa Clan, her plans could not possibly fail a second time…

Related Games

• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Game Boy Advance)

A Reaper elder that has consumed so many souls it has grown in both size and power. It has been known to shrink itself so it can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Reaper Domain.

When Pit encountered the Great Reaper, it tried to crush him beneath his giant, clawed feet. Pit clambered up to a higher level where he could get a good shot at the weak point on its head. However, he was directly in the Great Reaper's line of sight, and within reach of the soul-slicing blade of its giant scythe.

Like a standard Reaper, the otherworldly light that comes from its eyes can be used to summon Reapette reinforcements on command.

Related Games

• Kid Icarus: Uprising (Nintendo 3DS)

The RequiemPokémon, Duskull, loves the sound of crying children. Under the cloak of darkness it can pass through any wall in its hunt for bad children to terrify with its single scarlet eye.

Duskull evolves into the Beckon Pokémon, Dusclops. It hypnotises and controls those it comes across with hand movements. It devours will-o'-wisps. Some say this is to feed a spectral fire, while others believe it contains a black hold that absorbs all light. The truth remains a mystery.

When Dusclops is traded holding the Reaper Cloth, it evolves into the Gripper Pokémon, Dusknoir. It passes between dimensions and received mysterious communications using the antenna on its head. It is believed that it absorbs lost souls and transports them to the spirit world.

Related Games

• Pokémon: Ruby & Sapphire Version (Game Boy Advance)
• Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl Version (Nintendo DS)
• Pokémon: HeartGold & SoulSilver Version (Nintendo DS)

When Isaac and Felix realised that Weyard will wither if the power of Alchemy is not released, they agree to finish lighting the lighthouses. Equipped with the Mars Star, the final tower stood before them: The Mars Lighthouse.

At the top, the party was confronted by the Wise One, who berated them all for disobeying his orders. The release of Alchemy will bring inevitable war and strife to the people. The Adepts were not dissuaded, so the Wise One set them one final challenge: The terrible, three-headed Doom Dragon.

The beast was insanely powerful and capable of unleashing three elemental powers. Isaac led his friends into battle, knowing that the Doom Dragon was not just a terrible force of nature, but also hid a terrible secret: The Wise One's final test of fortitude.

Related Games

• Golden Sun: The Lost Age (Game Boy Advance)

The Demon King, sealed within the Stone of Grado by the Five Heroes 800 years ago.

When the Emperor of Grado died, his son Lyon tried to revive him using the power of the Stone. He succeeded, but the process caused Fomortiis to possess Lyon's body. Fomortiis began a new reign of terror, invading neighbouring territories in search of their Sacred Stones in order to destroy them.

After successfully disposing of all but one stone, Fomortiis travelled to the Darkling Woods to revive his body, sending General Riev to Rausten to destroy the last Sacred Stone. But Riev was unsuccessful, allowing Eirika and Ephraim to trap the soul of Fomortiis and destroy the body, ensuring the demon could never again be revived.

Related Games

• Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (Game Boy Advance)

A terrible phantom that Samus first encountered in the Wrecked Ship on Zebes. The terrible apparition was immune to Samus's attacks, and could phase in and out of dimensions at will. When it opened its terrible maw, a single eye was visible inside.

Samus charged her shot and destroyed the eye. As the terrible creature recoiled and dired, one of th locks that led to Tourian was opened.

Samus later encountered Phantoon again on the Bottle Ship mission. After Samus collected an item important to her, she went to make her escape. But Phantoon appeared, bigger than ever before. It smashed its way into the ship and used dark vortices and its vicious whipping tentacles to try and reach her. Was this a different Phantoon? Or the same creature, fuelled by its desire for revenge?

Related Games

• Super Metroid (Super NES)
• Metroid: Other M (Wii)

Trapped inside the Purple Diary, behind a black door, lurks the Woman in Black. This dark spirit with red eyes and white hair captures others who become trapped inside the house, cutting up their faces and trapping them forever within the pages of the cursed memoir.

You release a girl named Maya who was trapped within the pages of the diary. Helping her to regain her memories, you learn that Maya was the young victim in a terrible blood ritual that went terribly wrong.

The result of the ritual was the creation of the Woman in Black. Only by defeating her can the curse over the diary finally be stopped…

Related Games

• Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir (Nintendo 3DS)

Once a Minish apprentice, Vaati grew fascinated by the evils in the hearts of men. Stealing a wish-granting hat, he wished himself a sorcerer and transformed his master Ezlo into a hat and left in search of the fabled Light Force.

On the day of the Picori Festival, Vaati pulled the Picori Blade from a sealed chest he believed contained the Light Force. When his efforts unleashed nothing but monsters, he took control of King Daltus and sent his forces out across Hyrule.

After the Four Sword was reforged, the elemental sactuary was opened, revealing the Light Force was contained within Princess Zelda all along. As Vaati tried to extract the Light Force, Link and his former master Ezlo appeared, wielding the Four Sword. Using his sorcerer's ways, he transformed himself into a terrible beast…

Related Games

• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past + Four Swords (Game Boy Advance)
• The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (Gamecube)
• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (Game Boy Advance)

The king has been kidnapped! Again! Not only that, but the prince and princess of the kingdom have also been locked up by the terrible ghosts. Hundreds of brave warriors step up to the plate to take out the legions of the spirit world, rescuing the members of the royal family as they go.

The final beast, the Dark Lord, is the true leader of the ghosts. Resembling a dragon, it it by far the most powerful of all the spirits. Spewing a Level-Down Gas, it can weaken any combatant.

How long will the King have to suffer at the hands of the ghosts this time?

Related Games

• Find Mii II (Nintendo 3DS)

A minion of Count Bleck and a master of disguise. Mimi can mimic the appearance of anyone, and yet she is always changing her own costume for fun.

The only thing she loves more than fashion is the rare currency known as rubees. She entices slaves into her domain with manufactured debts and promised riches, but traps them in a cycle of dependency that means they can never make enough money to pay her off.

When Mario confronted Mimi in Merluvlee's Mansion, she revealed her most terrifying form. Her neck cracked, and six long insect legs grew from her throat. Veiled in an impenetrable field, a cackle escaped her lips: "MIMIMIMIMIMI!!!"

Related Games

• Super Paper Mario (Wii)

A terrible dragon that was sealed in a box by the Ryukujin people of the Dragon Palace, but accidentally unleashed by a boy named Taro.

The Avatar of Darkness devours human souls, transforming them into Oni. The Oni then harvest more souls and return them to the island of Onigashima for the dragon to feast on. As it devoured more and more evil souls, it grew stronger, until after 8 long years it was strong enough to lay waste to the capital city.

The Avatar of Darkness was finally confronted by Donbe and Hikari, reincarnations of Taro and Princess Oto of the Ryukujin. Donbe travelled inside and claimed the Dragon Ball, the heart of the dragon. After sealing it, the beast's skeleton continued to thrash about, forcing Donbe and Hikari to work together to bring it to an end.

Related Games

• Famicom Fairytales: Shin Onigashima (NES)
• Heisei: Shin Onigashima (Super NES)

Donkey Kong may be king of the jungle, but he often has to fight pretenders to his throne. After Ninja Kong, he faced the terrible Cactus King, a giant, monstrous Kong and the most vicious opponent DK had faced yet.

But this wasn't Donkey Kong's final challenge…

After acquiring enough crests from his adventure, Donkey Kong was faces with an even more terrible sight: The Ghastly King. He may have looked like the Cactus King, but he was coursing with even more dark power. Was this the same creature? Or was it an even more terrible overlord? Nobody knows to this day.

DK braced himself for the battle, as the terrible Kong rode in on his fire-breathing boar.

Related Games

• Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat (Gamecube)

The leader of Subspace and a cunning, manipulative leader. He enslaved the R.O.B.s from the Isle of Ancients and set them building Subspace Bombs. He harvested Shadow Bugs from Mr. Game & Watch and used them to build an army of monsters. Finally he took control of Master Hand. Through him, he manipulated Bowser, Ganondorf and Wario to carry out his wishes.

With all the pieces in place, he began his relentless assault on the Trophy Realm. But a brave band of fighters stood up to him and managed to break into Subspace.

With a flash of his wings, Tabuu generated Off Waves that transformed the fighters into helpless Trophies. His victory was assured…

At least… If it wasn't for a hungry pink puff who ate a strange-looking badge…

Related Games

• Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)

The statue of the demon Murasame sits atop Murasame Castle. One stormy night, a bolt of lightning struck the statue, guided by an unseen hand. The statue was possessed, and it began its dark campaign to conquer Japan.

Taking control of the four castle lords with precious orbs, Murasame was able to control the people and lead an uprising.

Fearful of the developments in the region, the Shogunate send trainee samurai Takamaru to investigate.

Fighting through Murasame's hoards, Takamaru stood atop Murasame's transformed castle, and slayed the demon. But from the remains emerged an intergalactic horror, a terrible being from another world.

Related Games

• The Mysterious Murasame Castle (NES)

Kirby and friends rescued the creature known as Magolor from the crashed ship, the Lor Starcutter. They agreed to help return the parts of the ship and help him get it up and running. Once the ship is running once more, they defeat Landia, the dragon that caused the ship to crash.

Then Magolor reveals his true intentions. Siezing the Master Crown he is given incredible power, perhaps enough to rule the universe. Kirby and his friends, assisted by Landia, chase down Magolor and battle his super-powerful form.

Even after defeat, Kirby once again had to face the undead monstrosity known as Magolor Soul. Even stronger than before, this fiend could generate incredibly powerful black holes.

Related Games

• Kirby's Return to Dream Land (Wii)

When the world was formed by the creator Pokémon Arceus, it created Dialga and Palkia at Spear Pillar to wield control over time and space. However, legends also tell of a third Pokémon created at the same time.

The Renegade Pokémon known as Giratina was a violent creature whose nature was not of creation, but of destruction. Banished to the Distortion World, Giratina watched the old world silently through reflections as it guarded its realm alone.

As the legends of Sinnoh unravelled, Giratina was able to find a way back through an ancient cemetery. When in our world, the gravity makes it appear as a sturdy, winged beast, but its origin forme in the Distortion World appears as a ghostly serpent.

Related Games

• Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl Version (Nintendo DS)
• Pokémon: Platinum Version (Nintendo DS)

The Metroids: Terrible bio-weapons created by the Chozo to hunt the X-Virus on SR388. However, the Metroids wiped out the Chozo on the planet, and left alone they began to develop and transform into more terrible forms.

The Omega Metroid is the most advanced form of Metroid, short of the Queen herself. Covered with thick plated armour, it is impervious to all but the strongest of weapons. Its terrible jaws and strong limbs can easily drain the life energy of any creature in no time.

After Samus wiped out the Metroids in SR388, she was hopeful she would never have to face such a creature again. But about a Galactic Federation research station, the creature had been bred once more.

Related Games

• Metroid II: Return of Samus (Game Boy)
• Metroid Fusion (Game Boy Advance)

The Mechon, a race of living machines that hail from the titan Mechonis. The only weapon known that can stop them is the Monado.

When Colony 9 is raided, Shulk and Fiora are cornered by the leader of the attack: Metal Face.

A cruel war machine, it can slice through almost anything with its claws, fire energy beams from its back and take off like a jet.

But for some reason, the Monado is ineffective against this Mechon. Is it because it possesses a face? Or does it hold a more terrible secret?

After Metal Face kills Fiora in cold blood, Shulk and Reyn set out across Bionis to hunt down and destroy the heartless beast that caused so much devastation to the Homs of Colony 9.

Related Games

• Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)

The true master of the Underworld is an endlessly cruel being who sees all life, including that of the other Gods, as beneath him. He plays games with life, spreading lies to create warring factions amongst the humans so he can harvest their souls. He usually leaves his hands-on dirty work to Medusa.

He uses hundreds of human sould to create each Underworld monster, upsetting the balance of nature. When Palutena and Viridi send Pit against him, he simply destroys the Three Sacred Treasures and swallows Pit whole, sucking him into a bizarre dimension.

But his hubris proves his undoing. The sacrificed Medusa delivers a devastating blow, allowing the other Gods times to channel their power through Pit for the true battle ahead.

Related Games

• Kid Icarus: Uprising (Nintendo 3DS)

A demon lord from the Underworld who rose up against the goddess Hylia and tried to take the Triforce. Sealed away by an ancient spell, Demise became known as the Imprisoned.

His influence over the world was tempered but not quashed. Over time the seal that held him weakened. His attempts to escape were prevented by a young knight from Skyloft named Link. He found the Triforce and used it to destroy the Imprisoned once and for all.

But for one mistake…

Demise's agent Ghirahim escaped through the Door of Time, with an eye to resurrect his master's true form. Link had to face the demon atop a glassy platform suspended above Hyrule as storm clouds formed above them.

Related Games

• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)

Every Halloween, the villagers of Animal Crossing celebrate the holiday by dressing in purple robes and putting pumpkins on their heads. In this way they resemble the Czar of Halloween, Jack.

On Halloween night, all the villagers will chase you around, trying to get candy from you. If you don't have any, they will trick you by transforming your clothes or items.

Once the villager finds the real Jack in the town, you should give him the candy. In exchange for supplying him with his favourite food, he will give you a piece of custom furniture with a spooky Halloween theme.

Related Games

• Animal Crossing (Gamecube)
• Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii)

A giant red bird that has stolen all the vegetables from the people living at the foot of the Icicle Mountain range. The Condor carried the ill-gotten food to the peaks of every mountain, out of reach.

But that didn't stop the Ice Climbers, Popo and Nana. The duo scrambled up each mountain, taking out Topis, Nitpickers and Polar Bears on their way to the summit.

There they gathered all the vegetables and grabbed the Condor's feet to bring an end to its kleptomania.

Related Games

• Ice Climber (NES)