Special 7-1
Each time you defeat a Boomerang Bro, you extend the time limit by 10 seconds. There are plenty of enemies along the path, but their ranged attacks can make it tough to maintain a quick pace. Collect a power-up from the Roulette Block at Point 1, then head across the tightropes. You’ll find at least one Boomerang Bro at the end of nearly every tightrope, so use caution as you cross. Avoid bouncing, and let the boomerangs pass over you as you close in on your attacker. When you’re within range, take out the enemy and jump clear of any returning boomerangs.
Star Medal The first Star Medal is hidden behind the tree at Point 2. Head back to grab it, then circle around the tree and collect another power-up from the nearby Roulette Block. |
Hit the ? Block at Point 3 to reveal a Super Star. Follow the power-up as it bounces to the right. Catch the Super Star as it drops down from the Blocks, then hurry to the nearby enemies.
Bounce up to the tightrope at Point 4 and hit the ? Block to collect a Boomerang Flower.
Star Medal  After you clear out the Boomerang Bros at Point 5, bounce off of the rubber pad and continue up the tightropes. When you reach the highest tightrope, collect the Star Medal from the post to the right. |
Hit the Roulette Block at Point 6 to drop a power-up into the nearby pit. Hop down to collect it, then continue toward the end of the level.
Star Medal  |
Special 7-2
This level is similar to World 6-4, but the Cosmic Clone makes it a significantly different experience. Once again, the colored platforms appear and vanish in time with the music. Use the beat to determine the best time to cross each group of platforms.
Star Medal Hop onto the ? Blocks at Point 2, then jump up to collect the level’s first Star Medal. The ? Blocks contain several coins, so drop down and circle back around if you wish to search them. |
Red Ring  To collect the Red Coins at Point 3, jump through the Red Ring just before the blue platform appears. Follow the trail across the first group of platforms, then start across the second group. These platforms are arranged differently from the others, so be careful when you cross them. Collect all of the Red Coins to earn a Statue Leaf. |
When you reach Point 4, wait for all of the vanishing platforms to appear before you walk across them. Keep moving to stay ahead of the Cosmic Clone, but move slowly enough to leave each platform just before it disappears. Jump over the fireballs each time they approach, and make your way to the next area. If you managed to earn the Red Ring’s Statue Leaf, however, it’s much easier to simply flutter-jump between the wooden platforms.
Star Medal The second Star Medal is floating out of view, so use the shadow at Point 5 to determine its location. Use a wall jump to launch yourself through the Star Medal and over the Cosmic Clone. After you land, lead the Cosmic Clone in a circle until you see an opportunity to cross the next group of colored platforms. |
Star Medal  The level’s last Star Medal is floating above the yellow platform at Point 6. Leap to the Star Medal after the yellow platform appears, then dodge the spikes and continue to the right. Hit the Block along the back wall to collect a Super Star, then use it to temporarily defeat the Cosmic Clone. |
Special 7-3
When you reach the gear at Point 1, Tail Bob-ombs float down into your path. Move quickly to avoid these dangerous enemies as you continue across the platforms.
Star Medal  Jump over to the wooden blocks at Point 2, then rapidly use the ! Block to create a temporary path. Follow the face blocks to the first Star Medal, then jump across to the pole on the right. |
Star Medal  Ride the blue platforms to the highest ledge at Point 3, then head through the opening to grab the level’s second Star Medal. After you drop down from the ledge, search the ? Block near the back wall to collect some coins, then return to the blue platforms. Ride back up to the highest ledge, then jump down to the ledge on the right. |
This narrow corridor is filled with Fuzzies. Look for openings to slip past each group of enemies as you make your way through the area.
Crouch down and head into the narrow passage near the back wall to find a hidden 1-Up Mushroom.
When you reach the gear at Point 5, move to the left and drop down to the row of ? Blocks. The ? Block on the right contains a Super Star. The next ? Block contains a Poison Mushroom, so don’t waste time searching it. When you’re ready, collect the Super Star and use the Warp Box to return to the main path.
Red Ring When the platforms rotate into position, jump through the Red Ring at Point 6. Dash through the first two Red Coins, then return to the platform’s edge. As the platform rotates, it carries you through the remaining Red Coins. Keep an eye on the nearby Rocky Wrench, and jump over any incoming attacks. Collect all of the Red Coins before they vanish to earn a Statue Leaf. |
Star Medal To collect the level’s last Star Medal, stand on the edge of the L-shaped platform at Point 7. When the platform rotates, grab the Star Medal and make your way back to the main path. |
Special 7-4
The level’s Big Cosmic Clone can be troublesome, but you’ll encounter much greater dangers on your way to the Goal Pole. As you jump along the flipping platforms, watch out for patrolling Stingbies and revolving spikes. Make sure you have a safe place to land before you commit to each jump. You must keep your distance from the Cosmic Clone, but stay focused on the level’s less predictable hazards.
Star Medal  To avoid the spikes at Point 2, you must run along the Red-Blue Panels. Once you pass the spikes, jump across the platform’s hinge to flip the first Star Medal into place. As soon as you collect it, leap across to the next platform to stay ahead of the Cosmic Clone. |
Star Medal The level’s second Star Medal is floating above the Flying ? Block at Point 3. Hit the ? Block to keep it from moving, then circle back and use it to reach the Star Medal. |
Star Medal  Point 4 combines all of the level’s hazards into one very dangerous area. You must time your jumps to flip each platform into place while you avoid revolving spikes, a patrolling Stingby, and the Cosmic Clone. The position of the spikes will determine the safest route, but the Cosmic Clone doesn’t afford you much time to survey the area. Choose your path quickly, and try to clear out the Stingby as you jump between platforms. After you make it past the first set of spikes, look for the last Star Medal on the platforms ahead of you. |
To reach the top of the Goal Pole, you must jump along the Red-Blue Panels at Point 5. The Cosmic Clone follows you until you end the level, so remember to keep moving.
Special 7-5
As you move between ships, keep an eye out for Flophoppers. These troublesome enemies patrol many of the level’s spinning platforms. Since these enemies are on the move, it can be difficult to avoid them. When you reach the three ? Blocks on the second ship, hit the one in the middle to collect a Fire Flower. The remaining ? Blocks contain Poison Mushrooms, so it’s best to avoid them.
Star Medal When you reach Point 2, make a running leap onto the Flying ? Block, then jump up and collect the Star Medal. If you miss the Flying ? Block on your first attempt, hit it to lock it into place, then backflip onto the used Block. After you collect the Star Medal, make your way across the spinning platforms to the right. |
Star Medal After you make it through the Flophoppers, collect the Star Medal at Point 3. The nearby Magikoopa follows you across the next few platform, so watch out for incoming attacks. |
Star Medal  Before you enter the Warp Box at Point 4, use the steps to the right to reach the upper deck. Jump onto the spinning platform and grab the last Star Medal, then drop back down to the lower deck. When you’re ready to move on, use the Warp Box to reach the end of the level. |
Before you jump to the Goal Pole, walk across the ship’s bowsprit to collect a 1-Up Mushroom from Toad.
Special 7-Castle
This level contains a Big Cosmic Clone. This enemy behaves just like the smaller Cosmic Clones, but it’s much more dangerous in tight spaces. Its increased size also allows it to smash through various obstacles, so look for chances to use this to your advantage. Aside from the Cosmic Clone, there are no enemies in this level. Keep moving, and focus on collecting the available + Clocks.
Star Medal  When you reach Point 2, lead the Cosmic Clone past each of the columns to clear them from the area. Jump onto the ? Block, then leap through the Star Medal to the left. With the columns out of the way, you have a little more room to move. Circle back to collect the Statue Leaf from the ? Block, then continue along the path. |
Star Medal  There’s a Super Star hidden in an Invisible Block at Point 3. Run to the back-left edge of the platform and jump straight up to reveal the Super Star. Use this power-up to temporarily defeat the Cosmic Clone, then continue along the path to find the second Star Medal in a small alcove. If you failed to grab the Super Star, the Cosmic Clone makes the tight space fairly dangerous. In this case, stick close to the walls to ensure a safe return to the walkway. |
Watch out for the Blocks at Point 4. Whether you choose to jump over them or somersault through them, it’s essential that you keep moving. Dart around the columns along the path, or use the Cosmic Clone to destroy them.
Star Medal As you approach the columns at Point 5, move to the center of the path and wall-jump up through the Star Medal. Slip under the Cosmic Clone as it destroys both columns and follow the path to the bridge. |
Weave through the remaining columns as you make your way across the bridge. If you’re having trouble slipping past an obstacle, circle back and allow the Cosmic Clone to destroy it. This method takes a little more time, but it helps ensure your enemy won’t catch up to you. When you reach the end of the bridge, the Cosmic Clone vanishes. Grab the green + Clock, then follow the path up to the Goal Pole.