To view the remake, click here.
To view the episode as it originally aired, click here.
This episode contains examples of:
- Bits of Me Keep Passing Out: Bowser's leg gives out at one point, due to being paralyzed by Pikachu's electric attacks. This leaves him completely vulnerable to a direct hit from Pikachu's Volt Tackle, which nearly costs him the match.
- Fan of Underdog: Once Bowser activates his Ascent Mode, the crowd instantly dumps all their support for Pikachu and start cheering for him.
- Fantastic Caste System: The tier system, which divides trophies based on their skill in combat, is explained here.
- Fixing the Game: The whole reason why Team Bowser and Team Pikachu were chosen for the exhibition: the latter team was deemed superior due to Bowser's reputation and Meta Knight's earlier awkwardness. It backfired miserably, considering Team Bowser wins all three matches.
- Foreshadowing:
- After Bowser's victory over Pikachu, some of the spectators take note of Donkey Kong, and how his rivalry with the Koopa King could lead to a potentially entertaining match.
- While wallowing in his victory, Bowser expresses hope that Mewtwo knows that he still takes the lessons he learned under his tutelage seriously, and hopes he would be proud of him. He's going to be proven very wrong about this two episodes from now...
- Heroic Second Wind: Both Bowser and Mario when they activate their Ascent Modes.
- I Shall Taunt You: Pikachu and Bowser trade insults over the course of the battle in order to bait each other into losing their edge.
- Insufferable Genius: A Yoshi spectator, who serves as a bit of a Mr. Exposition on Pikachu and Charizard.
- Limit Break: Bowser's Ascent Mode (and the concept of Ascent Modes as a whole) makes its debut here. Mario's is also dwelt upon, with Sonic agreeing to help him hone it.
- My Defense Need Not Protect Me Forever: Bowser's Ascent Mode gives him temporary invincibility. This wears Pikachu down and forces him to use Volt Tackle twice, weakening him further and securing Bowser's victory.
- Roar Before Beating: When Bowser activates his Ascent Mode.
- There Is No Kill Like Overkill: Pikachu's Volt Tackle is seen as this by spectators.
- Wacky Wayside Tribe: The Ice Climbers, who attack Mario and co. simply because they were causing a ruckus on their mountain.
