World 1-Castle: Bowsers Highway Showdown

Green Star #1

This level opens up immediately with a chance to collect the first Green Star. You’ll notice a Green Star Ring in the distance from the level start. Pass through it to cause Green Coins to appear. Collecting them all in time rewards you the Green Star. Watch out for the cannons shooting Kick Bombs onto the ground, and don’t miss the Super Bell inside the blocks here!

Stamp

Make your way carefully across the moving platforms, then take advantage of the second set of Kick Bomb-firing cannons by kicking one of the Kick Bombs into a Rock Block wall. This destroys the wall and reveals the Stamp for this level.

Green Star #2

Now, climb atop the chamber that once held the Stamp and strike the Cat Wheel to raise part of the terrain higher in the air. Climb up the newly raised platform, then jump to the rooftop on the right to retrieve Green Star #2. You must have the Cat Power-Up to get this star.

Mind the Thwomps as you make your way through this section. You can retrieve some + Clocks to restore some time if you still have a Cat Power-Up.

Green Star #3

The last Green Star is at the top of a Goomba Tower not far from the Thwomps. A Cat Power-Up helps make this easy, but the Fire Flower is also an option if you brought one to the level. If you’re lacking both, you will need to use a Kick Bomb on the Goomba Tower. This is not particularly easy.

This gauntlet looks intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple. Cross the gap with the moving platforms, then use the Kick Bombs on the far wall to break it and reach a Warp Box that will take you to the boss battle.

Boss Battle: Highway Showdown with Bowser

Shortly after you arrive through the Warp Box, Bowser, King of the Koopas himself, arrives in his very slick-looking ride and roars a challenge at your chosen hero. All right then, challenge accepted.

Bowser has two methods of attack. At first he will toss a number of Kick Bombs onto the highway, trying to dissuade your pursuit. Fortunately, you can easily kick the Kick Bombs back at Bowser or his car. You’ll score full damage if you hit Bowser; hitting the car will require more hits before you actually damage the king. Be careful, as he’ll occasionally sneak in a Kick Bomb that is already close to detonation—easily spotted by its flashing and smoke. Avoid making contact with those Kick Bombs.

His second method of attack is to spew blobs of lava onto the highway. These tend to linger for a long time, which can be problematic if you let yourself get cornered by multiple blobs.

After three direct Kick Bomb hits, the highway is destroyed, and Bowser plunges to his defeat. Enter the Warp Box that appears in the aftermath of your victory! The only thing left now is to rush to the Goal Pole, land on top of it, and save the Sprixie Princess!