I don't know that I've played many bad Mario games. I liked all the ones I've played so far. Even New Super Mario Bros. U or whatever it was. My most recent Mario title was actually Super Mario Galaxy 2, was so great.
I want to draw more Mario stuff, really, especially some SMG2 stuff. :3
Bowser really being a softie is quite well canonized, shown in almost every plot he's in that allows for even a glimpse of him behind the curtain, with him really just being a big poser that has to act tough for his pride's sake. This is seen most heavily in any of the RPG games, but even in the oldest platformers you'll see little hints of it with him tearing up (and his clown copter with him in SMW) when he gets hit or stumbles to defeat. And rather you're his kid or an underling, he tends to treat ya pretty well so long as you have dialogue in said game and Mario either isn't around or isn't actively foiling him at the moment. He'll make some boastful comment about being evil or mean at the same time he's giving a raise or an unscheduled lunch break or some other thing like that. But he of course at times definitely commits to the whole tough guy persona and does some truly despicable things just to 'save face' or 'gain cred' more than any of the tangible spoils his actions might net him in any given game.
Bowser really being a softie is quite well canonized, shown in almost every plot he's in that allows
