Mario’s Itinerary

Cappy of the Cap Kingdom

Mario is roused by a mysterious inhabitant of the Cap Kingdom known as a Bonneter—and he’s got a fragment of Mario’s hat! Get a feel for the movement controls as you run and jump after the escaping top hat. Crest the hills and make your way north over Glasses Bridge to the Central Plaza.

The hat’s name is Cappy and he’s got a bone to pick with Bowser too. Not only did Bowser take off with Peach, but he also kidnapped Cappy’s sister, Tiara. Cappy proposes that he and Mario team up to go after Bowser together. Sounds like a plan!

To the Top of Top-Hat Tower

Bowser’s henchmen destroyed the airships of Bonneton, but Cappy knows of an old airship in the adjacent kingdom. To reach it, you must make your way to Top-Hat Tower.

Practice throwing the cap at the wooden posts and lamps as you cross the Central Plaza. Cappy automatically yanks any posts out of the ground, allowing Mario to collect the coins behind them.

When ready, ascend the steps near the wooden crates and toss Cappy at the switch to retract the Sometimes Bridge.

Toss the cap at the Mini Goombas that appear near the entrance to Top-Hat Tower—it’s easier than jumping on them. Then hit all six plants with the cap to make the flowers blossom. Do it quickly to earn a Heart before entering the tower.

The area inside Top-Hat Tower more closely resembles a platforming level that Mario fans have come to expect. Gather up the coins from the blocks and the floats, then approach the frogs.

Of all the uses Cappy is good for, his ability to capture another creature is top on the list. Toss Cappy at the frog to take control of it.

Use the frog’s incredible jumping ability to leap through the rings floating off the ground. Continue up the tower, past the Mini Goombas, using the rings as your guide. As a frog, Mario can defeat Mini Goombas by just hopping into them.

End the capture near the door and open the chest with a toss of the cap to obtain a Life Heart. This gold and striped Life-Up Heart doubles Mario’s health to six segments. Exit the inside of Top-Hat Tower through the red door.

Activate the flag for Top-Hat Tower once outside (now Mario can warp to this location) and proceed counter-clockwise around the brim of the top hat. Numerous Bonneters warn of the damage done by Bowser’s henchmen. They need you to reach the top of the tower to stop them. Follow the coins up the ramp to the top.

Boss: Topper

Topper attacks with three spiked top-hats atop his head. Repeatedly toss Cappy at Topper as soon as the battle begins to knock the hats off his head one by one. Dodge his hats as they spin across the ground and make your way toward the fallen Broodal. Leap atop his head to score a hit.

The three hats spin across the arena as Topper recovers. Toss Cappy at the hats to destroy two of the three (and release a Heart) then continue to throw the cap to defend against the third hat.

Topper reappears with all three hats and the process repeats. Rapidly toss Cappy at the Broodal to knock his three top-hats from his head. Topper flees across the arena once his hats are gone, making it hard to jump onto him. Hit him with Cappy to stun him then, once again, leap onto his head to score another hit. Mario only needs to land two hits to defeat this first Broodal.

The Kingdom Next Door

Defeating Topper causes a Spark Pylon to appear. Toss Cappy at the pole to capture it. Spark Pylons allow Mario and Cappy to zip along an electrified wire, in this case transporting themselves all the way to Cascade Kingdom.