"aside from Super Mario Land 1, Super Mario Land 2, and Super Mario Bros. 2"
Well now, then we can't really say it's the first Mario game without bowser, now can we? and what about Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Mario Bros.? Do you consider those FAKE?
And besides, how do you know Bowser isn't in it? Don't forget, Bowser didn't kidnap Peach in SMB3 until after Pipe Land.
So nyah!