World 8-Bowser's Castle 2 (Super Mario 3D Land)
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World 8-
Bowser's Castle 2 is the second Bowser's Castle in Super Mario 3D Land. This is the last level in the normal worlds.
Layout
This level requires 100 Star Medals to unlock. It first shows a cut-scene where Mario goes in Bowser's Castle. Then, Mario is on a Spine Coaster and a statue of Bowser's head is shown and its mouth is opened. While going in the mouth, coins will appear on both sides of the Spine Coaster. It, then dips down and a massive fireball comes right at the middle of the coaster. It then turns on the side with more fireballs coming, breaking some small towers. It then turns on the other side with even more fireballs coming. After that, the coaster goes by a Firebar. Next to it, there is a platform, which is raised by a lava geyser until it reaches some rock platforms. After these platforms, there are three platforms with fireballs coming out of a gate right above them. The second platform has a Dry Bones on it. Another Spine Coaster is located next to them. It goes down with the rails and is launched by lava geysers. The player finds two sets of fireballs. It reaches a solid area, where it is sunk on the lava. There are also some stairs. Atop them, Mario finds three Toads and one of them gives him an 1-Up Mushroom. The player must enter a cannon and shoot Mario to a tower, where it starts to rain. On this tower, another cannon sends Mario to a rainy hall next to the door leading to the battle area.
Bowser Battle
Upon entering, a cutscene plays. Mario sees Princess Peach, bound to the Goal Pole with a massive bow. Peach, then, warns Mario as Bowser falls from the sky and roars to Mario. The floor cracks and breaks, causing both Bowser and Mario to fall. Mario must now re-climb the now collapsing tower to rescue Princess Peach. At first, Bowser bombards the player with fireballs. After reaching a cluster of cracked platforms, Bowser will begin to toss spiked balls at the player, although they are easier to avoid than the fireballs since Mario can jump over them. After climbing another staircase, Bowser returns to his fireball strategy, and the player can collect a Super Leaf from a ? Block. Shortly after, the player will cross a tightrope with a Paragoomba patrolling. Avoid it and climb the stairs, bringing Mario to more cracked platforms. Bowser will begin throwing barrels that roll straight. However, they are easily sidestepped. After the next staircase, the player will reach a bridge where Bowser begins to employ more familiar tactics. Avoid his fireballs and tail whips and wait for a chance to slip past him. The Bowser switch at the end is blocked off by 4 pillars. The player must stand in front of the pillars and bait Bowser into destroying them with an attack. Press the switch to collapse the bridge and send Bowser plummeting to his "doom". After climbing a long staircase, Bowser reappears, packing with him a powerful white-hot fireball that destroys all in its path. Mario must evade Bowser's new attack while platforming, and remember that the attack can destroy the cracked platforms. After reaching the final bridge, Bowser chases the player and performs a pound attack if he gets too close for comfort. Mario must jump through the gaps in the brick block walls along the bridge, and press the final switch to actually send Bowser plummeting to his doom. The following cutscene shows him falling into the lava, getting hit by a couple chunks of debris in the process. The player then climbs the final staircase to the level end, and Princess Peach will be saved after one last slide down the Goal Pole.
End Credits
During the end credits, Mario, who is carrying Princess Peach, and two Toads fly from the castle ruins to Princess Peach's Castle, as Bowser attempts to kidnap the princess again on top of a Goomba Tower, without success. After the credits, a letter is shown with Mario and Princess Peach sitting on the tail branch of the Tail Tree and Mario holds a Super Leaf.
Star Medals
- Star Medal 1: While on the first Spine Coaster, the player must avoid the fireballs. After the first U-Turn, the player must jump to grab the first medal.
- Star Medal 2: After leaving the first Spine Coaster, the player hops across some wooden platforms. The second medal is found after the second platform.
- Star Medal 3: On the final Spine Coaster, the player comes across an onslaught of fireballs. The medal is found during the second wave of fireballs.
