World 5-1
Once again, Raccoon or Tanooki Mario are the preferred Suits for this stage. If you can fly to the sky pipe, you’ll go to the island in the center of the arch and get four 1-Ups!
Get a Star and Wipe Out the Chain Chomps
Make your way up to the very top of the arch. Get the Starman there and head left. If you’re still invincible, another Starman will be in the “?” Block you passed on your way up.
Fly to the Sky Pipe!
Once Chainy is out of the way, you can make it up here. Inside the secret room, you must choose between two paths. By kneeling and jumping, you can make it into the narrow upper passage, which leads to a Music Box and the end of the stage. The lower path leads to Four-Up Island, a much preferable itinerary.
Four-Up Island
You must get the four 1-Ups in the Blocks here one at a time since you can’t have two on screen at once. You’ve got time, so be patient.
Hit the P-Switch and Escape
Fly up as Raccoon Mario, hit the Switch Block and two Giant “3s” comprised of 38 silver coins each appear under the arch. Awesome! Collect these and then fly up and break the Blocks with your head to escape the arch.
World 5-2
This world gives you a choice of paths to take, but you must move quickly to take the easier one. If you’re Raccoon Mario, use your tail to slow your descent and take the upper path. If you’re not, you can still make it up there, but it’s more difficult!
Let’s Go Up!
As soon as you start falling, flap your tail to slow your descent. Try to land on one of these Blocks so you can make your way upwards. Be careful when you jump: one false move and you’ll be taking the long way out of here.
Buster Beetle
Buzzy’s cousin, Buster, likes to play catch! He tosses Ice Blocks at you! Throw some back at him. Boy, he can dish it out, but he sure can’t take it.
Don’t Wait Until the Spring Thaw…
Pick up an Ice Block and use it to water the pestering Piranha Plants!
A 1-Up Reward!
For those of you who make it to the upper route, you can enter this pipe for three 1-Ups in a bonus stage!
World 5-3
Another one of the coolest items in Super Mario Bros. 3 is Kuribo’s Shoe, which is, unfortunately, found only in this stage. Try it on for incredible stomping power!
Claiming Kuribo’s Shoe
Hit the Goomba that is wearing Kuribo’s Shoe from underneath, and you’ll knock his socks off—literally! Then go around and put on the shoe! Have you ever wanted to stomp Spinies? Well, now you can!
This is One “Nice Shoe!”
Wearing Kuribo’s Shoe, you can walk on Munchers. Don’t miss the 1-Up above these munching menaces!
Air Kuribo
Kuribo’s Shoe can jump high and stomp Piranha Plants!
One Size Fits All!
Mario can wear Kuribo’s Shoe no matter what size he is. He can even use firepower while he has it on!
World 5 Fortress
You can skip this Fortress and still move up in the world, but you might want to get the three 1-Ups that are inside if you’re Raccoon Mario. If you can’t fly, skip it!
Double Trouble!
A Roto Disc and Podoboo require your jump to have perfect timing. You can do it!
Another Bonus for Raccoon Mario!
To reach this pipe, first clear away all the bricks. Get on the left side of Thwomp and get a running start at the edge (duck when the Roto Disc comes by). Fly straight up to the pipe!
An Arrow of Coins Shows the Way
There are three 1-Ups in this room. They are in Invisible Blocks above where the coin arrow is pointing. You can need to fly to get them.
Thwomp Strategy
Jump quickly to make it through before this Thwomp squashes you.
World 5 Tower
This Tower to the clouds leads Mario to the second half of the Sky World. Now’s the time to be Raccoon Mario!
Break the Micro-Goomba
Once this leaping menace is out of your hair, collect the 1-Up!
Tail Attack Ten-Coin Blocks
These three Blocks each contain 10 coins. Hit them with your tail to collect! There’s a fourth Block with coins, too, but it’s more difficult to reach!
P-Wing Secret Thing
If you want to use a P-Wing on this stage, you can find a 1-Up by flying up and over this portion of the Tower.
You’re Almost in the Clouds!
Climb the vine, then jump onto the clouds and into the pipe! Welcome to the sky. Hope you’re not afraid of heights!
World 5-4
Try to be Raccoon Mario in this world, because the path through the sky is safer, easier, and has bonus coins!
Rotary Lifts Raise Your Blood Pressure!
We warned you not to take this route. Jumping frequently on the Rotary Lifts is the only way to make it now.
Don’t Get Grounded!
If you have a Raccoon Suit, you can take flight and reach an upper area of the stage. Keep your P-Meter fully charged so you can fly to the end of the stage from this area.
World 5-5
If you can collect 28 or more coins here, you can get the White Mushroom House to appear.
Para-Attack!
Para-Goomba and Paratroopas attack here. Grab a Koopa to break bricks, but get rid of Goomba!
Duck Inside for a Tanooki Suit!
Use a Koopa to break these Blocks so you can get inside the pipe and collect the Tanooki Suit within!
Repeated Coin Collection
Collect these, go inside the Tanooki Suit pipe, and come out. The coins will reset!
Derring-Do On Donut Lifts
Stay on the lift as it drops just long enough to get the coins, then jump off!
World 5-6
Para-Beetles love to fly—and it shows! These flying pests give you a lift if you jump on their backs.
Fly the Unfriendly Skies!
The only way to make it across the gap in these clouds is to hitch a ride on a Para-Beetle’s back. You must jump squarely on their back; they bite if hit from the side.
Hit the P-Switch for Extra Coins!
Not only does activating this P-Switch make it slightly easier to reach your goal, it also allows you to collect some extra coins.
World 5-7
You can become invincible for an extended period of time in this world. If that’s not enough for you thrill seekers, there are some other surprises.
Use Starman Now
Use Starman before you enter this world. If you hit the marked Blocks while you’re invincible, they will contain Starmen instead of coins.
Watch Out for Micro-Goombas
Yes, those nasty little guys are in this world, too, just waiting for you. You should know how to handle them by now, but be careful!
P-Switch in the Sky
This P-Switch is surrounded by Blocks, just waiting to be coins. It’s tough to activate one without a P-Wing.
Almost Endless Invincibility
Kneel on the white background Block until you fall through it. Then return to the upper part of this world through the pipe above. You’ll be invincible for a long time, and you can still get them with your Raccoon Tail.
A Shortcut to the End
This is tricky to do without a P-Wing, but you can go through the top of the right wall to the end of the stage.
World 5 Fortress 2
The Podoboos you’ve encountered in the past have all bubbled out of lava lakes. In this world, they also drop from the ceiling.
Give Starman Direction
You’ll want to make Starman go right here, so hit the bottom-left side of the Block.
Take a Break and Power-Up
Leave Boo Diddly in the dust so you can rest here and collect a Power-Up.
World 5-8
Even if you’re Raccoon Mario, you won’t have enough room to fly in this world. The key to getting through here alive is holding down the B Button and dashing past Lakitu!
Imperative Power-Up
You must collect this item, because you’re almost certain to take a hit in this world. Unlike other worlds, you can't afford to pass it up.
Bring it On, Lakitu!
If you focus on running to the right, you should get hit only once in this world.
World 5-9
This is one of the most challenging worlds in Super Mario Bros. 3. You must be in complete control of Mario to master the moving lifts here!
The Jump from Eight to Nine is Tricky!
To a certain extent, you can “tweak” Mario’s jumping trajectory. This is a case where you need to curve your jump around the edge of the upper platform in mid-air. Try to follow the action in our screen shots.
Deflate the First Fire Chomp
Deflate the flying Fire Chomp as soon as you can by stomping on him. Use the momentum of your stomp to reach the next higher platform.
Self-Destructing Fire Chomp
Stand on the platform as shown and this Fire Chomp will run into your feet. Don’t just stand there and watch it fall through; jump to the next platform and you’re home free!
World 5 Airship
Roy’s Airship more than meets the standards for Koopaling design with lots of cannons and Bullet Bills.
Watch Out for the Rocket Engine!
Wait until this infernal contraption has fired, then jump over it. Be sure to get the Power-Up.
The Lead is Flying Fast and Furious
With all these projectiles in the air, you’ll be hard pressed to find a safe spot. At this point, don’t advance too far, but stay on the left side of the screen.
Use a Cannon Ball for a Boost
Try to get on top of “The Gauntlet” by jumping on cannon balls and Bullet Bills.
The Gauntlet
If you didn’t get on top, you must run through here. Cannon balls fire at you from all directions, and it’s difficult to avoid them. In this case, the right side of the screen is a better place to be.
Roy’s a Big Boy!
“When I hit the deck, my entire Airship shakes. Little twerps like you, Mario, won’t even be able to move. (Heh! Heh! I don’t think Mario will be able to time his jumps so he’s in the air when I land. So it’s time to squash him!)”
