Seeking Advice on Designing Engaging Boss Battles for a Mario Fangame

[Delilah]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently working on a Mario fangame and I want to make sure the boss battles feel fun, challenging, and unique. I've played a lot of Mario games over the years, and I've noticed that the best boss fights tend to have patterns, creative attack phases, and some sort of player interaction beyond just jumping on the boss three times.

I'd love to hear from the community:

1. What makes a boss battle memorable for you in a Mario game? Do you prefer classic three-hit fights, multi-phase battles, or something more puzzle-based?
   
2. Are there any Mario fangames that have particularly well-designed bosses? I'd love to check out some examples for inspiration.
   
3. What are some common mistakes to avoid when designing a boss fight? I want to make sure my bosses are fun rather than frustrating.
   
4. Any recommendations on balancing difficulty? I don't want the fights to feel too easy or too overwhelming.
   

Right now, I'm toying with the idea of a Koopa alchemist who throws potions that alter the battlefield and temporarily change Mario's abilities. I'm thinking of giving the boss different potion effects depending on how the player interacts with them (e.g., dodging versus hitting back). Do you think this could work, or would it be too complex?

Any feedback, ideas, or examples would be greatly appreciated! Looking forward to hearing what you all think.

Thanks! 😊

Delilah
Golang