Bowser's Fiery Castle is the first boss stage in SM64 Last Impact, in which Mario has to get to and defeat Bowser for the first and only time in this game.
To reach this level, the player needs to obtain 20 Stars. This will cause the gate next to Yoshi and Peach's gazebo to open. Through the gate is a cave, inside of which is a locked gate straight ahead, and a lava pit on the right. The lava pit has a bridge stretching over it, which allows Mario to reach the conveniently adjar door to Bowser's Castle, and the sneaky entrance to one of the Underground Depths levels.
As is usual with Bowser, his Castle is decorated with numerous lava pits and moving fire, as well as ornate decorations accompanying statues of himself. Towards the top is a river of lava with a wooden raft on it, which Mario must use to reach Bowser at the top. This stage contains a red coin Star, a hidden Star, and Bowser's key.
Path to Bowser[]
As if Bowser's castle wasn't fiery enough.
Bowser's castle is huge, though the path to reach the top is fairly linear. Mario starts at the very bottom, directly above the lava below. Mario must first jump over pits of lava, all of which having Fire Jets coming up at different points. The first pit also has some Podoboos, which curve in the same pattern every jump. Also after the first jump is an easy 1-Up Mushroom on a floating platform.
after the last jump, there is a double-layered Rotating Fire Bar. The lower bar is shorter, so stay close to the outer rim to avoid the fire. Jump up the giant blue and white floating platforms leading higher.
At the top of the stairs is a small dead end with a Thwomp (even though it looks different, it behaves the same). Jump on the Thwomp (Stomp On The Thwomp, if you will) and longjump onto the wooden beams above. Jump off onto the small roof and run past the Goomba's that will appear, then jump onto the purple and yellow cage platform.
The raft
This platform contains a bunch of Podoboos, which hop towards the center of the platform. Mario can avoid these by running around the edge of the platform. Climb up the stairs on the other side while avoiding the Thwomp's (there's a 1-UP on top of one of the Thwomp's, if desired). Atop this staircase is a bridge with Bullies on them, followed by some platforms with a thin stream of lava flowing around them. At the end is a shining flagpole, which acts as a checkpoint.
The final obstacle is a raft, which moves up the lava path until it reaches Bowser. This path is full of more Podoboos and Fire Jets, so watch their movement to know where not to stand. Do not stand in the very front at the start, as it slightly dips into the lava as it goes up the first slope. Once Mario is at the top (whether he is on the raft or not), a cutscene will play and Mario will be at the raft at the end of the trail. Be ready to dodge his fire breath immediately after the cutscene ends!
Battle with Bowser[]
As with most content in this hack, the battle with Bowser is heavily modified. Bowser is on the other side of the giant wooden bridge and attacks with either a long-ranged plume of fire (which reaches beyond the end of the raft platform), or by raining fire down.
The plume of fire can be avoided by standing in the lower middle of the bridge. Alternatively, Mario can sidestep away from it, although it is harder to sidestep it the farther you are away from Bowser.
At both sides of the stage is a Bob-omb. Mario must throw one of them into Bowser. This is very difficult as Bowser is quick to jump to the other side of the bridge. In order to do it quickly enough, Mario must dive into the bomb and throw it at him, preferably while in the middle of his fire breath (though he jumps before Mario reaches the other side). Once Mario throws a bomb at Bowser, he disappears and the gate opens so Mario can get the key to access the second overworld.
Hidden Star[]
Besides the key and the red coin Star, there is another hidden Star in this stage. After you climb up the blue and white stairs after the fire bar, right before the Thwomp that Mario must use to reach the wooden bars, there is a concealed path. Head to the right of the Thwomp to see the floating platforms behind the wall. Cross these to reach the Star.
Getting this Star will NOT warp Mario out of the stage.
Bowser's Fiery Red Coins[]
Mario must collect 8 red coins scattered throughout the castle. If Mario dies when he gets the checkpoint, the reds do not save. Their locations are as follows:
- On top of the Fire Bar.
- Instead of going up the blue and white platforms, there is another path that leads to a coin from the Fire Bar platform.
- before the stairs leading to the Thwomp Mario must climb onto.
- On the wooden platform.
- Side of the purple and yellow cage platform, on a black pillar.
- At the middle of the platform with the Bullies.
- Along the raft's path.
- Along the raft's path.
When Mario obtains all 8 coins, the Star appears at the end of the raft... directly when the Bowser cutscene starts. It is best to defeat Bowser, then collect the Star before collecting his key. Be aware that collecting the key first will warp Mario out of the level, and away from the Star. Collecting the Star, however, will not warp Mario away.
Trivia[]
- By utilizing cheats, Mario can find a Waddle Doo in a high up cage against the wall.
- Also by utilizing cheats, the Bowser fight can start much farther away, as it triggers the fight based on Mario's height coordinate.
- Scattered throughout the Castle are many grafitti tags, including are a couple of hidden messages about the Koopalings:
- Someone has grafittied "Larry is the best" under the bridge where the Bullies are located.
- Behind the gate containing the key, is there's another grafitti message saying "Morton rules".