Another consequence of the late 90s gayification of games was Super Mario 64 making finally explicit the long dormant symbolism of the series. Bowser, we learn, is actually a manifestation of Mario's supressed homosexual desires. Their endless battles are pyschodramas in which Mario tries to overcome the parts of himself he believes to be dangerous. When he screams "So long, gay Bowser!" he truly believes he can excise his homosexual urges and live out his life as a good heterosexual with Peach. Of course, these victories are always temporary.