History NightmareFuel / MarioAndLuigi

* Fawful might seem hilarious at first, and... well, he ''is'', but he's by far one of the most [[VileVillainSaccharineShow disturbing villains]] in the franchise when you think about it. For one, he ''actually managed'' to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom, and took over both of the main royalty's castles (Peach's and Bowser's). Then, he awoke the Dark Star and absorbed its power, and even when he was defeated, he only turned into a creepy dark spider thing that ends up fueling Dark Bowser. During the final battle, he's ''extremely'' creepy, what with his jumpscare when he grows huge, and he has several creepy attacks, such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=hQIF0ZXYNnA#t=337 this one]]. Finally, even when both he ''and'' Dark Bowser are defeated, he ''[[TakingYouWithMe he blows himself up in a last ditch effort to kill the Mario Bros.]]'', which also makes him one of the only recurring characters in the franchise to actually die, and one of even fewer to die on-screen. That, coupled with the fact he is ''almost completely evil with no redeeming qualities'' and the fact he rose from being a lowly [[TheDragon dragon]] to a threat to the ''world'', arguably makes him one of the creepiest villains in Nintendo's history, beaten only by [[VideoGame/Earthbound1994 Giygas]], [[VideoGame/KirbysDreamland3 0]] and [[VideoGame/SuperPaperMario Dimentio]] in this department.

Even a series as fun and adventurous as ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' isn't without its share of unsettling moments, and the antagonists are much more [[VileVillainSaccharineShow disturbing and sinister]] than Bowser himself.

* Fawful might seem hilarious at first, and... well, he ''is'', but he's by far one of the most [[VileVillainSaccharineShow disturbing villains]] in the franchise when you think about it. For one, he ''actually managed'' to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom, and took over both of the main royalty's castles (Peach's and Bowser's). Then, he awoke the Dark Star and absorbed its power, and even when he was defeated, he only turned into a creepy dark spider thing that ends up fueling Dark Bowser. During the final battle, he's ''extremely'' creepy, what with his jumpscare when he grows huge, and he has several creepy attacks, such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=hQIF0ZXYNnA#t=337 this one]]. Finally, even when both he ''and'' Dark Bowser are defeated, he ''[[TakingYouWithMe he blows himself up in a last ditch effort to kill the Mario Bros.]]'', which also makes him one of the only recurring characters in the franchise to actually die, and one of even fewer to die on-screen. That, coupled with the fact he is ''almost completely evil with no redeeming qualities'' and the fact he rose from being a lowly [[TheDragon dragon]] to a threat to the ''world'', arguably makes him one of the creepiest villains in Nintendo's history.

* ''[[NightmareFuel.MarioAndLuigiSuperStarSaga Superstar Saga]]''

* ''[[NightmareFuel.MarioAndLuigiSuperStarSaga Superstar Saga''

!! ''Superstar Saga''
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/2019_10_30_2.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350: Meet Cackletta.]]
* If you listen to recordings on the Oho Jee Island left by researchers there, an Oho Jee got caught on fire, attacked one of the researchers and turned that researcher into one of them.
* When you battle Cackletta in the Hoonversity, she adopts an abominable appearance before you battle - and spends the final chunk of the battle in that form. Luckily, if you're quick enough, she shouldn't take more than a couple of turns to finish off after transforming.
** Speaking of which, some FridgeHorror sets in: Cackletta and Fawful ''[[MoralEventHorizon raided a university]]'' to find the perfect place to wake up the Beanstar, and transformed the students into monsters that the Mario Bros. have to put down. A comical game this may be, but Woohoo Hooniversity shows just how low Cackletta is willing to sink.
* The original depiction of the monster in Guffawha Ruins. Not only is it shown breathing fire and [[EatenAlive eating a poor Toad alive]], it's rumored to brutally murder its victims by ''[[FamilyUnfriendlyDeath breaking their bones, stripping their flesh and sucking their blood.]]'' Can't really blame Luigi for being so terrified to go there. And when you do, the "monster" is just a stone head that was angry at the rumors.
* This was the first Mario game to feature apparent actual ''death'' of [=NPCs=], mainly Toads.
* Cackletta possesses Bowser and turns him into a mutant hybrid of the two. And to defeat her, you have to go inside Bowser, fight Cackletta's soul, and attack her ''heart''.
** To elaborate, picture Bowser...[[BrainBleach but with Cackletta's face and "horns" pasted on.]] That's Bowletta for you. Bowser's already sharp teeth become much larger as Bowletta, giving him/her a cartoonish yet ''very'' disturbing perpetual SlasherSmile [[ArsonMurderAndJayWalking and]] ''[[MemeticMutation breasts.]]''
** The final battle comes in two phases. Right after you defeat Bowletta the first time, Mario and Luigi are knocked out by a Time Bob-omb, then she proceeds to INHALE both of the Bros. The screen fades to black and slowly fades back in, both Bros. at a critical 1 HP with a [[https://youtu.be/8BYP4EkdkXg?t=5m13s background that looks downright hellish and a boss theme of true despair.]] This is where you fight Cackletta's soul - and ''she'' gets the first attack in the GBA version. [[UpToEleven She's even more terrifying]] [[https://youtu.be/iYXzrn4e5uA?t=5m13s in the remake...]] for one, she now ''screeches''.
* Joke's End. It's the SlippySlideyIceWorld (minus FrictionlessIce) of the game. In contrast to the smiling faces littered all over the other areas, Joke's End has expressions of despair littered all over. Frozen. It wouldn't be so bad if this weren't [[https://youtu.be/0ppA9Y8AmHM the music]].
** The music's even worse in the [[https://youtu.be/LVH0ETx3w1M remake]]...
** The statues found in Joke's End depict great suffering, with hands placed over their ears and tears streaming down their cheeks. It's almost like the place is the hell of the Beanbean Kingdom - and it ''is.'' The theme of the Beanbean Kingdom is laughter, and Joke's End is the final resting place for cruddy jokes. The miserable-looking statues covering their ears may be meant to represent just how horrible a bad joke can be to the people of Beanbean.
* Many of the places that Cackletta involves herself with? Yeah, they become this.
** The Mario Bros.' first visit to the Beanbean Castle Town is a classic example. The houses and buildings are all wrecked and innocent civilians lie on the ground like they're on the verge of death, and when you talk to them, the way they talk sounds eerily like a kid's version of PTSD. [[https://youtu.be/cefLRs-tt04 The music]] makes it feel like you're walking in a graveyard.
** It gets worse. You end the game with the town in this state. Yeah. After having a nice town for a good portion of the game, it's reduced to this sorry state by Bowletta during the endgame.
* Fawful. Despite his LaughablyEvil FountainOfMemes nature, [[BewareTheSillyOnes he's still a scarily competent villain in-story]]. His inventions alone have sunk the Koopa Cruiser, constantly impeded the Bros' progress, and essentially given Cackletta a second chance at life. And it gets even worse during Minion Quest, where we see him {{Brainwashing}} Bowser's minions, even the ''Koopalings'', not to mention he was apparently the one who led the first raid on Beanbean Castle Town (which we get to see in all its fiery glory) complete with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpAqSla7pv0 the ever-haunting music]]. Makes you wonder who's really pulling their weight in all this...
** To top it all off, near the end of the game, he becomes aware of his role and realizes he never needed Cackletta to begin with. Though his final confrontation with the Bros. [[ForegoneConclusion ends as you would expect]], it still perfectly sets up the events of ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiBowsersInsideStory''.
*** Oh, and during his last fight in the remake (and the foreign versions of the original), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQt2S12IXmY he uses the same battle theme as Cackletta]] as if to demonstrate [[TheStarscream just what he intends to do]].

** The Mario Bros.' first visit to the Beanbean Castle Town is a classic example. The houses and buildings are all wrecked and innocent civilians lie on the ground like they're on the verge of death, and [[RealityEnsues when you talk to them, the way they talk sounds eerily like a kid's version of PTSD]]. [[https://youtu.be/cefLRs-tt04 The music]] makes it feel like you're walking in a graveyard.

* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-nQQkX_-x8 song that plays in the grounds of the Fawfulized Peach's Castle]] is ''incredibly'' ominous.

** To elaborate, imagine Bowser...[[BrainBleach but with Cackletta's face and "horns" pasted on.]] That's Bowletta for you. Bowser's already sharp teeth become much larger as Bowletta, giving him/her a cartoonish yet ''very'' disturbing perpetual SlasherSmile [[ArsonMurderAndJayWalking and]] ''[[MemeticMutation breasts.]]''

* The effect of [[PsychoSerum Malatone Formula:X]] from VideoGame/BowserJrsJourney. Those that take it become much stronger, [[PowerGlows gaining a]] [[PurpleIsPowerful purple aura]] and increased stats at the cost of [[BrainwashedAndCrazy losing their mental faculties]], much like some actual steroids. Dieter outright states that it alters 97% of the user's DNA.

* Bowser - and his paper self - finally manages to become a genuinely terrifying villain, seeming more of a KnightOfCerebus than usual even in spite of his humorous moments. Through several of his lines, he seems to invoke a sense of TranquilFury, which seems remarkably eerie compared to his LargeHam roaring. He and his AlternateSelf engage in various crimes such as having numerous Toads work as slave miners to have his castle go airborne later on, cannonball Peach's castle to hell and ''attempt to do it again right after'', incinerate all of Toadette's papercrafts, and get rip-roaring '''pissed''' once they see their sons beaten half to death. Their ultimate endgame is that, once the ''Paper Mario'' world is devoid of all life, they can safely seal the Mario Bros., Paper Mario and Starlow inside and '''[[ApocalypseHow/ClassX burn it to cinders]]''' right there, absolutely guaranteeing the end of their [[ArchEnemy arch-enemies]]. Doubles as a [[SugarWiki/CrowningMomentOfAwesome moment of awesome]] in that Bowser's come a very long way from ''Superstar Saga'' to become TheUnfettered tyrant he is now.

** Speaking of which, some FridgeHorror sets in: Cackletta and Fawful ''raided a university'' to find the perfect place to wake up the Beanstar, and transformed the students into monsters that the Mario Bros. have to put down. A comical game this may be, but Woohoo Hooniversity shows just how low Cackletta is willing to sink.

* Fawful might seem hilarious at first, and... well, he ''is'', but he's by far one of the most [[VileVillainSaccharineShow disturbing villains]] in the franchise when you think about it. For one, he ''actually managed'' to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom, and took over both of the main royalty's castles (Peach's and Bowser's). Then, he awoke the Dark Star and absorbed its power, and even when he was defeated, he only turned into a creepy dark spider thing that ends up fueling Dark Bowser. During the final battle, he's ''extremely'' creepy, what with his jumpscare when he grows huge, and he has several creepy attacks, such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=hQIF0ZXYNnA#t=337 this one]]. Finally, even when both he ''and'' Dark Bowser are defeated, he ''[[TakingYouWithMe he blows himself up in a last ditch effort to kill the Mario Bros.]]'', which also makes him one of the only recurring characters in the franchise to actually die, and one of even fewer to die on-screen.]] That, coupled with the fact he is ''almost completely evil with no redeeming qualities'' and the fact he rose from being a lowly [[TheDragon dragon]] to a threat to the ''world'', arguably makes him one of the creepiest villains in Nintendo's history.

[[caption-width-right:350: [[EstablishingCharacterMoment Meet]] [[WickedWitch Cackletta]] and [[PsychopathicManchild Fawful.]] Oh, don't worry. ''[[SurpriseCreepy Doing this to Peach]]'' [[BatmanGambit (actually Birdo)]] ''[[VillainOpeningScene is]]'' ''[[FromBadToWorse just]]'' ''[[BalefulPolymorph their]]'' ''[[GrandTheftMe opening]]'' ''[[SugarApocalypse act.]]'']]

[[caption-width-right:350: [[EstablishingCharacterMoment Meet]] [[WickedWitch Cackletta]] and [[PsychopathicManchild Fawful.]] Oh, don't worry. ''[[SurpriseCreepy Doing this to Peach]]'' ''[[VillainOpeningScene is]]'' ''[[FromBadToWorse just]]'' ''[[BalefulPolymorph their]]'' ''[[GrandTheftMe opening]]'' ''[[SugarApocalypse act.]]'']]

Even a series as fun and adventurous as ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' isn't without its share of unsettling moments, and the antagonists are much more [[VileVillainSaccharineShow disturbing and sinister]]than Bowser himself.

Even a series as fun and adventurous as ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' isn't without its share of unsettling moments, and the antagonists are much more disturbing and sinister than Bowser himself.

Even a series as fun and adventurous as ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' isn't without its share of unsettling moments.

* ''[[NightmareFuel.MarioAndLuigiPaperJam Paper Jam]]''

** The final battle comes in two phases. Right after you defeat Bowletta the first time, Mario and Luigi are knocked out by a Time Bob-omb, then she proceeds to INHALE both of the Bros. The screen fades to black and slowly fades back in, both Bros. at a critical 1 HP with a [[https://youtu.be/8BYP4EkdkXg?t=5m13s background that looks downright hellish and a boss theme of true despair.]] This is where you fight Cackletta's soul - and ''she'' gets the first attack in the GBA version. [[UpToEleven She's even more terrifying]][[https://youtu.be/iYXzrn4e5uA?t=5m13s in the remake...]] for one, she now ''screeches''.

** The final battle comes in two phases. Right after you defeat Bowletta the first time, Mario and Luigi are knocked out by a Time Bob-omb, then she proceeds to INHALE both of the Bros. The screen fades to black and slowly fades back in, both Bros. at a critical 1 HP with a [[https://youtu.be/8BYP4EkdkXg?t=5m13s background that looks downright hellish and a boss theme of true despair.]] This is where you fight Cackletta's soul - and ''she'' gets the first attack in the GBA version. [[https://youtu.be/iYXzrn4e5uA?t=5m13s She's even more terrifying in the remake...]] for one, she now ''screeches''.

* The original depiction of the monster in Guffawha Ruins. Not only is it shown breathing fire and [[EatenAlive eating a poor Toad alive]], it's rumored to brutally murder its victims by ''[[FamilyUnfriendlyDeath breaking their bones, stripping their flesh and sucking their blood.]]'' Can't really blame Luigi for being so terrified to go there. And when you do, the monster is just a stone head that was angry at the rumors.

** Before her, when you enter the Hooniversity, you encounter a dying scientist who transforms into a Laser Snifit. After you defeat it, it disappears, which could be interpreted as him being killed. [[FridgeHorror There are many Laser Snifits all over Hooniversity, meaning there are many scientists who may have met with the same fate as that one that, who are being put out of their misery by being defeated by you.]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/2019_10_30_2.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350: [[EstablishingCharacterMoment Meet]] [[WickedWitch Cackletta]] and [[PsychopathicManchild Fawful.]] Oh, don't worry. ''[[SurpriseCreepy Doing this to Peach]]'' ''[[VillainOpeningScene is]]'' ''[[FromBadToWorse just]]'' ''[[BalefulPolymorph their]]'' ''[[GrandTheftMe opening]]'' ''[[SugarApocalypse act.]]'']]

* Joke's End. It's the Slippy-Slidey Ice World (minus Frictionless Ice) of the game. In contrast to the smiling faces littered all over the other areas, Joke's End has expressions of despair littered all over. Frozen. It wouldn't be so bad if this weren't [[https://youtu.be/0ppA9Y8AmHM the music]].