View source for DS Airship Fortress

{{Classic title}}
{{Race course infobox
|title=Airship Fortress
|image=[[File:Airship Fortress MKDS preview.png|250px]]
|appears_in=''[[Mario Kart DS]]'' ([[List of games by date#2005|2005]])<br>''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' ([[List of games by date#2011|2011]])<br>''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' (2020)<br>''[[Mario Kart World]]'' ([[List of games by date#2025|2025]])
|cups=[[Star Cup]] (''DS'')<br>[[Lightning Cup]] (''7'')<br>[[Flower Cup]] (''World'')
|tours=[[Pirate Tour]]<br>[[Summer Festival Tour]]<br>[[1st Anniversary Tour]]<br>[[Halloween Tour (2020)]]<br>[[New Year's 2021 Tour]]<br>[[Berlin Tour]]<br>[[Mario Tour (2021)]]<br>[[Yoshi Tour (2021)]]<br>[[Bowser vs. DK Tour]]<br>[[Trick Tour (2021)]]<br>[[Summer Tour (2021)]]<br>[[Los Angeles Tour (2021)]]<br>[[Kamek Tour]]<br>[[Space Tour (2021)]]<br>[[Holiday Tour (2021)]]<br>[[Mii Tour (2022)]]<br>[[Yoshi Tour (2022)]]<br>[[Amsterdam Tour]]<br>[[Halloween Tour (2022)]]<br>[[Peach vs. Bowser Tour (November–December 2022)]]<br>[[Bowser Tour (2023)]]
|rallies=[[Cloud Rally]]<br>[[Heart Rally]]
|based_on=''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''{{'}}s [[Airship]]s
|online_play=Was never available ([[Nintendo DS|DS]])<br>No longer available ([[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]])
|sample=''Mario Kart DS''<br>[[File:MKDS-Music-AirshipFortress.oga]]<br>''Mario Kart 7'' / ''Mario Kart Tour''<br>[[File:MK7-Airship Fortress.oga]]<br>''Mario Kart 7'' (frontrunning)<br>[[File:MK7_DS_AirshipFortress_Frontrunning.oga]]
|map=''Mario Kart DS''<br>[[File:MKDS Airship Fortress Map.gif|140px]][[File:MKDS Airship Fortress layout.png]]<br>''Mario Kart 7''<br>[[File:MK7 DSAirshipFortress.png|140px]][[File:MK7 DS Airship Fortress Minimap.png|140px]]<br>''Mario Kart Tour''<br>[[File:MKT Map AirshipFortressDS.png|140px]]<br>''Mario Kart World''<br>[[File:AirshipFortress-MKW.png|115px]]
|ghost={{Ghost|DS|Ninten★シュン|2:07:748|[[File:Bowser_MKDS_record_icon.png|32px|link=Bowser]][[File:MKDS Hurricane Model.png|32px|link=Hurricane (kart)|Hurricane]]}}{{Ghost|7|Nin★OBSHNN|2:23.323|[[File:MetalMarioIcon-MK7.png|32px|link=Metal Mario]][[File:MK7 Zucchini.png|32px|link=Zucchini]][[File:MK7 Slick.png|32px|link=Slick]][[File:MK7MetalMarioSuperGlider.png|32px|link=Super Glider]]}}{{ghost|7 <small>Expert</small>|Ret★Shane|2:07.704|[[File:MetalMarioIcon-MK7.png|32px|link=Metal Mario]][[File:MK7MetalStandardKart.png|32px|link=Standard Kart]][[File:MK7_Monster.png|32px|link=Monster (tire)|Monster]][[File:MK7MetalMarioSuperGlider.png|32px|link=Super Glider]]}}
}}
'''Airship Fortress''' is the fourth and final course of the [[Star Cup]] in ''[[Mario Kart DS]]''. The course takes place both on a floating fortress in disrepair and on an [[airship]]. The course is inspired by the environment of boss levels seen in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' and ''[[Super Mario World]]''. Other airships can be seen flying in the background.

Airship Fortress reappears in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' as the third race of the [[Lightning Cup]], in ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' starting with the [[Pirate Tour]], and in ''[[Mario Kart World]]'' as the final course of the [[Flower Cup]].

==''Mario Kart DS''==
===Course layout===
The race starts with a straightaway, where a barrage of [[Bullet Bill]]s are shot from a [[Bill Blaster]] of the airship and cause players to flip over if they touch them. Passing this section of the track, players turn left with a right turn shortly after and get a boost by running over a [[Dash Panel]], entering the deck of the airship, where [[Rocky Wrench]]es pop out from their trenches, hitting racers who drive over them. Proceeding inside the airship, players take a tight left turn and reach the cellar where some [[crate]]s are spread throughout the room. They may contain a [[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]] or a [[Banana|Banana Peel]] if broken. The next room features a pair of [[burner]]s moving sideways that cause players to spin out if they touch the fire. Players exit the airship by being launched by the airship's Pipe Cannon with a Dash Panel, similar to [[GCN DK Mountain|DK Mountain]], aimed at a hole in the fortress tower. Following the corkscrew inside the tower, there's one last turn to finish the race. Just before the last turn, players can knock other racers off the course.
===Missions===
There are two [[Mario Kart DS#Missions|missions]] that take place on Airship Fortress:
*'''Mission 6-2''': The player controls [[Wario]], who must use [[Super Star|Stars]] to hit 15 Rocky Wrenches within 30 seconds.
*'''Mission 7-7''': The player controls [[Bowser]], who must collect 12 [[coin]]s while driving in reverse. This requires the player to navigate a maze-like arrangement of wooden crates and then avoid the pair of burners.

==''Mario Kart 7''==
[[File:AirshipFortressMK7.png|thumb|right|{{classic|DS|Airship Fortress}} in ''Mario Kart 7'']]
Airship Fortress makes its classic course debut in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' as the third course of the [[Lightning Cup]]. The [[Finish Line (object)|grid]] has been recolored from black and yellow to red and white while the banner was changed to a unique, steel-framed wooden panel displaying the classic ''Mario Kart'' logo in orange. In the straightaway following the starting line, both drop-offs can be used to perform a [[trick]] and gain a small boost. The Bullet Bills have become [[Bomber Bill|Banzai Bill]]s, are now shot out from the [[Banzai Bill Cannon]] at faster intervals, and are no longer visible on the bottom screen map. Some of the Banzai Bills are larger in scale compared to others. The interior of the airship has some minor changes, most notably the presence of a slight curve within the cellar, while the exterior of it has a [[Warp Pipe]] added near the Pipe Cannon (similar to ''Super Mario Bros. 3''{{'}}s) and the fortress section has additional towers. The burner room now has a ventilated floor exposing the sky underneath the airship, and the [[Rocky Wrench]]es now make sounds similar to [[Monty Mole]]s. Hitting a Banzai Bill has the similar effect as getting struck by a [[Bob-omb]], a [[Bullet Bill]], a [[Spiny Shell (blue)|Spiny Shell]], or a [[Super Star]], causing the player to tumble and roll over sideways.

Launching out of the Pipe Cannon now encompasses a [[Glide Ramp]]. Players cannot aim their flight and they are also no longer immune to items while in the Pipe Cannon, and being hit by anything (or intentionally stowing their glider) results in having to be rescued by [[Lakitu]].

This track and {{classic link|GBA|Bowser's Castle 1|Bowser Castle 1}} are the only tracks to not appear in the credits.
{{br|left}}

===Shortcuts===
*Dropping onto the rail between the [[Bomber Bill|Banzai Bill]] section and first boost panel in order to take the turn tighter saves a minimal amount of time. 
*Dropping onto the longer rail at the start of the lap is useful during races as, while not necessarily saving time, it allows the player to dodge items and Banzai Bills.
*A difficult shortcut can be performed by leaning off the curve on the second, smaller rail to gain an upwards angle and using a [[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]]. If the player goes far enough, Lakitu will place them just before the cannon. If done quickly, it saves around ten seconds.<ref>{{cite|url=youtube.com/watch?v=h1rnjiASlEA|timestamp=4:01|language=ja|title=【マリオカート7】全バグショートカット集 #マリオカート7|author=MOMIジ|date=June 15, 2020|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=August 1, 2024}}</ref>

==''Mario Kart Tour''==
[[File:MKT Airship Fortress Scene.jpg|250px|thumb|left|{{classic|DS|Airship Fortress}} in ''Mario Kart Tour'']]
Airship Fortress also returns in ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' starting with the [[Pirate Tour]], with grand graphical changes. The main tower is now part of a larger fortress, with other towers in the background. The location of the course changes from the sky to a lava-filled ocean, as well as the sky being much more orange in color, as opposed to the purple hue it originally bestowed. Several lit torches were added to the sides of the track before the main airship and on each column of the main tower and hanging lanterns on the main airship's deck. The starting banner is now made of stone that is held up by two small towers, and the ''Mario Kart'' logo on the starting banner is the modern logo, colored cyan. The main airship and several others are a more lighter brown in color, with their masts now possessing propellers instead of sails. Hitting a [[Rocky Wrench]] now gives points to the player instead of making them spin-out, and players can now [[trick]] on top of Rocky Wrenches that poke their heads out of the ground. The tunnel leading to the main airship's cabin has also been given a redesign, with the doors being replaced by multiple portholes, lights, and groups of barrels and crates, while the wall separating the two rooms now resembling the type of wall seen inside a wine cellar. Additionally, the main airship's cabin has been redesigned to resemble a drinking bar, with [[Shy Guy]]s sitting on stools, bottles on shelves, a dartboard, and several tables.

The course also appears as '''Airship Fortress R''' (reversed), '''Airship Fortress T''' (with ramps), and '''Airship Fortress R/T''' (reversed with ramps). The first two debuted in the Pirate Tour, while the third debuted in the [[Trick Tour (2021)|2021 Trick Tour]]. In the R and R/T variants, the [[Bomber Bill|Banzai Bill]]s are gone. In the T variant, the cannon is removed, and racers use [[Kanaami Road]] to cross the gap. In the R/T variant, there is a row of Rocky Wrenches just before the finish line.

===Appearances===
For this course's tour appearances, see [[List of DS Airship Fortress tour appearances in Mario Kart Tour|List of DS Airship Fortress tour appearances in ''Mario Kart Tour'']].

===Top-tier and middle-tier items===
{{MKT favored table|DS|Airship Fortress}}

===Bonus challenges===
<div class="contentbox mw-collapsible mw-collapsed>
{{MKT bonus challenge table|Ring Race|DS Airship Fortress}}
{{MKT bonus challenge table|Do Jump Boosts|DS Airship Fortress}}
{{MKT bonus challenge table|Big Reverse Race|DS Airship Fortress}}
{{MKT bonus challenge table|Goomba Takedown|DS Airship Fortress}}
{{MKT bonus challenge table|Steer Clear of Obstacles|DS Airship Fortress}}
{{MKT bonus challenge table|Vs. Mega|DS Airship Fortress|char=Bowser Jr.|lc=yes}}
{{MKT bonus challenge table|Smash Small Dry Bones|DS Airship Fortress}}
{{MKT bonus challenge table|Time Trial|DS Airship Fortress|DS Airship Fortress R}}
{{MKT bonus challenge table|Combo Attack|DS Airship Fortress T}}
</div>

==''Mario Kart World''==
{{new subject|section=y}}
[[File:Mkw airshipfortress icon.jpg|thumb|right|The course icon in ''Mario Kart World'']]
Airship Fortress makes its home console debut in ''[[Mario Kart World]]'', appearing as the fourth and final course of the [[Flower Cup]]. The bar before the burner room has been removed, and the hole on the castle wall near the end of the track has been filled in with dirt, making it off-road. Grindrails have been added to various parts of the track.<ref>https://x.com/mariokartactu/status/1909987025694105996</ref>

It is located in the northwestern volcanic region, just along the coast.
{{br}}

==Profiles==
{{Multilang profile
|type=website
|EngE=Bowser should be right at home in these ships in the sky. Race across the decks of these floating wrecks, get blasted from cannons and dodge oncoming missile fire, as you fight to stay in one piece long enough to take the pole position.}}

===''Mario Kart Tour''===
*'''''Mario Kart Tour'' Twitter:''' ''It's time for the Pirate Tour! The DS Airship Fortress course makes its debut in Mario Kart Tour. It's a long way down from this floating fortress, so make sure you stay on course!''<ref>{{cite|language=en|author=mariokarttourEN|date=August 12, 2020|url=x.com/mariokarttourEN/status/1293429508402368515|title=Post from X|publisher=|accessdate=August 12, 2020}}</ref>

==Gallery==
===''Mario Kart DS''===
<gallery widths=150px>
MKDS Rocky Wrench Screenshot.png|[[Rocky Wrench]] section
MKDS Airship Fortress Crate Room.png|The crate room
MKDSAirshipFortress.png|[[Princess Peach|Peach]] being shot away by the [[Pipe Cannon]]
</gallery>

===''Mario Kart 7''===
<gallery widths=150px>
AirshipFortressMK7RaceStart.jpg|[[Bowser]] starts the race with a [[Rocket Start]].
Airship Fortress MK7 E3 2011.png|[[Luigi]] and Bowser race on the track.
DS Airship Fortress.png|[[Metal Mario]] racing on the course
Rocky Wrench MK7.jpg|Metal Mario approaching a Rocky Wrench
MK7 Airship Fortress Burner Room.png|The [[burner]] room
AirshipFortressMK7Cannon.jpg|Bowser approaching the Pipe Cannon
</gallery>

===''Mario Kart Tour''===
====Course icons====
{{Main-gallery|Mario Kart Tour race course icons (DS courses)#Airship Fortress|Mario Kart Tour race course icons (DS courses) § Airship Fortress}}
<gallery>
MKT Icon AirshipFortressDS BowserJrPirate.png|The course icon
MKT Icon AirshipFortressRDS FireBro.png|The course icon of the R variant
MKT Icon AirshipFortressTDS KingBobomb.png|The course icon of the T variant
MKT Icon AirshipFortressRTDS Kamek.png|The course icon of the R/T variant
</gallery>

====Screenshots====
<gallery>
MKT Airship Fortress Scene2.jpg|View of the cabin area of the main airship
MKT Pirate Tour Racers.png|[[Dry Bowser]], [[Dry Bones]], [[Pauline]], [[King Boo|King Boo (Luigi's Mansion)]], and [[Bowser Jr.|Bowser Jr. (Pirate)]] on the course
MKT Bowsers Minions.jpg|Bowser, Dry Bowser, King Boo (Luigi's Mansion), and Dry Bones (Gold) tricking on the course
MKT King Bob-omb.jpg|[[King Bob-omb]] throwing a [[Green Shell]] at Mario on the course
MKT Pirate Tour End.jpg|King Bob-omb, Dry Bowser, and Bowser Jr. (Pirate) tricking
MKT Funky Kong and Dry Bowser.jpg|[[Funky Kong]] and Dry Bowser gliding on the course
MKT Bullet Bill.jpg|Bowser in the [[Bullet Blaster]] with a [[Bullet Bill]]
</gallery>

===''Mario Kart World''===
<gallery widths=150 heights=100>
MKWorld Icon Airship Fortress.png|World map icon
DS_Airship_Fortress_MKWorld_1.png|The course as it appears in ''Mario Kart World''
Mario Kart World Airship Fortress.png|Bowser Jr. flying through the course
</gallery>

==Naming==
===Internal names===
{{Internal names
|game1=''[[Mario Kart DS]]''
|name1=<tt>airship_course</tt>
|meaning1=Airship course
}}

===Names in other languages===
{{foreign names
|Jpn=キラーシップ
|JpnR=Kirā Shippu
|JpnM=Bullet Bill Ship
|ChiS=弹头杀手飞船
|ChiSR=Dàntóu Shāshǒu Fēichuán
|ChiSM=Bullet Bill Airship
|ChiS2=炮弹刺客飞船
|ChiS2N=''Mario Kart Tour''
|ChiS2R=Pàodàn cìkè fēichuán
|ChiS2M=Bullet Bill Airship
|ChiT=砲彈刺客飛船
|ChiTR=Pàodàn Cìkè Fēichuán
|ChiTM=Bullet Bill Airship
|Dut=Vliegende Vesting
|DutM=Flying Fortress
|Fre=Bateau Volant
|FreM=Flying Ship
|Ger=Fliegende Festung
|GerM=Flying Fortress
|Ita=Fortezza Volante
|ItaM=Flying Fortress
|Kor=킬러 해적선
|KorR=Killeo Haejeokseon
|KorM=Bullet Bill Pirate Ship
|PorA=Fortaleza Aérea
|PorAM=Aerial Fortress
|PorE=Fortaleza Voadora
|PorEM=Flying Fortress
|Rus=Воздушная крепость
|RusR=Vozdushnaya krepost
|RusM=Aerial Fortress
|Spa=Fortaleza Aérea
|SpaM=Aerial Fortress
}}

==Notes==
*Airship Fortress is one of two courses in the ''Mario Kart'' series that has had three different starting line logos, it used the same design as [[Figure-8 Circuit]], [[DS Yoshi Falls|Yoshi Falls]], [[DS Desert Hills|Desert Hills]], and [[DS Wario Stadium|Wario Stadium]] in ''Mario Kart DS'' with the 5 [[Nintendo]] logo-styled ''Mario Kart'' logos in a row, the classic ''Mario Kart'' logo in ''Mario Kart 7'', and the modern ''Mario Kart'' logo in ''Mario Kart Tour''. Coincidentially, both are from ''Mario Kart DS'', with the other one being [[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]].
*In ''Mario Kart 7'', the course shares the same skybox as [[3DS Bowser's Castle|Bowser's Castle]] and {{Classic link|N64|Big Donut}}.

==References==
<references/>

{{MK race courses}}
{{MKDS}}
{{MK7}}
{{MKT}}
{{Mario Kart World}}
[[Category:Airship areas]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Classic courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 7 race courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart DS race courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Tour race courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart World race courses]]
[[it:Fortezza Volante]]
[[de:Fliegende Festung]]