On the Mario questions: report on IR status between the Koopa Kingdom and Nimbus Land? Special considerations to Prince Mallow's interactions with the Dark Lands.
I think Bowser more or less rolls it vaguely into his desire to rule the world as a whole, I’m afraid. I love bowser as a character, and Im fond of the idea of him gaining friends, and growing. But if his long history in the series says literaly anything about him, it’s that he’s determined to hold tight to his goals.
What makes bowser work is that he doesn’t HAVE to do any of this: He already has power, his kingdom runs fine, and EVERY TIME he’s ever gone to team up or ask for help or… play a go kart game, Mario is right there. Literally nothing is stopping bowser from having friends and being happy and not bothering anyone, except his pride.
Mind, I also don’t take the series THAT seriously, he’s a goofy lizard monster*. So at best I feel like he’d just be. Hilariously awkward. Floats up all ‘sooo… hey… heads up… gonna be summoning a meteor next week. Yeah you know… usual. So maybe up. Make some preparations.’