Stage 1-Boss: Big Top Bop

The Approach

To complete this stage and unlock the path to the next island, you must defeat a giant seal named Pompy, the Presumptuous. Select your preferred partner from the Buddy Barrel near the starting point, then follow the path to the right and begin the encounter.

Phase 1

During the battle’s first phase, Pompy, the Presumptuous utilizes two basic attacks. When his introductory cinematic ends, move toward the center of the room and wait for the giant seal to dive off of his platform and slide along the floor.

As he approaches, hop up and bop Pompy on his back. Jump high enough to ensure you avoid the horns on his helmet, but make sure you land before he slips past you. If your first attempt misses, wait for him to turn back for another pass and then try again.

When you successfully bop Pompy, the Presumptuous, he tumbles into the water and begins tossing enemies at you. The first time he uses this attack, he throws three Finleys into the area. Try to bop each as it lands. Defeat all three Finleys to force Pompy back onto the platforms, or simply avoid them as they flop around the area. Given enough time, the Finleys will dive back into the water and Pompy will return to the platforms on his own.

Repeat the same basic process for the rest of the first phase. Jump up and bop Pompy, the Presumptuous as he slides between the platforms, then defeat or avoid the enemies he tosses at you.

As Pompy takes damage, he begins throwing more dangerous enemies into the area. Avoid bopping any purple sea urchins that appear—their spikes protect them from standard attacks. If Cranky Kong is your active partner, however, you can use his Cane Bounce to eliminate these dangerous enemies. Either way, try to bop the Finleys as they arrive. It’s much easier to stay healthy if you have a bit of breathing room.

Avoid or defeat the smaller enemies until Pompy, the Presumptuous returns to the platforms. When he resumes his sliding attacks, jump up and bop his back. Once you’ve hit him with three successful attacks, he becomes enraged. This temper tantrum signals the start of the battle’s next phase.

Phase 2

During the battle’s second phase, Pompy, the Presumptuous utilizes some new attacks. In addition to his sliding attacks, the giant seal rolls across the area. If you attempt to bop him while he’s rolling, there’s a good chance you’ll land on his horns. Dodge the rolling attacks until he goes back to sliding, then bop his back to send him back into the water.

While he’s in the water, Pompy still utilizes his minions. During this phase of the battle, he starts by summoning a group of Big Sphens. Rather than use their standard attacks, these bulky enemies leap out of the water and slam down on the floor. You can simply dodge the enemies as they appear, but if you bop each Big Sphen as it lands, you can earn extra items like bananas or hearts.

When this attack ends, Pompy, the Presumptuous performs his own slam, dazing himself in the process. Dodge the initial impact, then bop the stunned seal before he recovers.

Once again, you must bop him three times to move onto the battle’s next phase. Time your jumps to hit him while he’s sliding or just after he dazes himself with a slam attack.

Phase 3

During the battle’s third and final phase, Pompy, the Presumptuous introduces even more attacks. Soon after he calls three Big Sphens to his side, all four enemies team up for a massive slide attack. Rather than pass back and forth along the floor, Pompy and his minions perform a series of loops for the duration of this attack. Try to bop each enemy as it approaches, but make Pompy your priority. Land on his back to knock him into the water.

During this phase of the battle, Pompy, the Presumptuous tosses more dangerous enemies onto the floor. In addition to sea urchins, watch for the Gordos he plucks from the water. These larger fish are very durable—it takes three bops to defeat each of them. Evade (or Cane Bounce) any sea urchins that appear during these attacks, but try to perform a quick triple-bop combo on each Gordo Pompy throws.

Pompy, the Presumptuous has one last attack you must learn to identify and counter. When the giant seal leaps into the air and performs a flip, it means he’s about to begin a series of handspring attacks.

If you’re quick, you can bop him just after he lands. If you’d rather not risk it, however, simply dodge his attacks until he fumbles a landing and dazes himself, then jump on his back before he recovers.

Bop Pompy, the Presumptuous three times during the last phase to trigger the battle’s finale. Follow the on-screen prompts to end the encounter with a punishing melee combo. After you defeat stage 1-Boss: Big Top Bop, you automatically travel to stage 2-1: Windmill Hills.