This article is about the stage in SM64 Last Impact. For the course in Super Mario New Star, see Rainbow Road (SMNS).
Rainbow Road is the colorful 15th, and final course of SM64 Last Impact.
This course is mostly focused on precision landings, and reviews a lot of what Mario has learned throughout the game. Not overcrowded by enemies, the few Thunder Lakitus included are placed strategically and specifically to make Mario's quests harder.
This level also includes the Rainbow Star, giving Mario his classic invincibility power and the ability to destroy any enemy he runs into.
Stars
Act 1: Flying Through the Rainbows
Turn around and make your way to the Thomps. Cross the moving walkway and use the Launch Star behind them by ground pounding.
Walk across and around the holes of spinning cylinder to the second Launch Star. To see how high Mario can jump, ground pound the music square, which will land you on the platform above.
Make your way across the rainbow paths using the jump squares, to the final Launch Star which will take you straight to the only star you are really after.
Star 2: Rainbow Perils
Head straight forward toward the vertical rainbow tube. A couple of platforms later, jump into the tube to levitate to the top, but be careful as the walls of it have holes.
Run up the rainbow path (which no, it’s not moving) all the way until the platform with the Thomp. Be mindful of the two Thunder Lakitus lingering around. Jump into the Chain Chomp sea and make your way to the other end doing your best to avoid them. If you want to get revenge on them or need some coins, grab the Rainbow Star power-up and head back to destroy them.
Grab the rainbow star power-up and roll-jump your way on the narrow rainbow path all the way up to the star. To do this, line Mario up with the sloped narrow path up to the Star. Longjump onto it and mash the A button repeatedly all the way to the top- this will only work if lined up properly to avoid slipping off of it.
Act 3: Rainbow Cart
Go to the column platform to the right (with the launch star on it) and jump on the platform behind the column. Mario will now be comfortably seated in the self-driving Kart that will take him straight to the star.
Take care to avoid the obstacles. It seems to run out of gas before it reaches the finish line, but pressing B to get out and quickly jumping so Mario doesn’t sink through should do the trick.
Act 4: Rainbow Snakeblock Tour
Now that Mario’s relaxed after that comfortable Kart ride, it’s time to make him muscles clench again for probably the hardest star. Go to the column platform to the left, and jump on the rainbow platform to start the Snakeblock path. It’s narrow, it’s fast, and in case this is your first time, as it appears in front of Mario, it starts to disappear from behind so you have to be fast.
The path leads through a square you have to jump over, and just when you thing you are getting the hand of it, a Thunder Lakitu starts throwing lightning at Mario. Do your best to kill him when you reach either the first or second platform because he will not leave Mario alone, making things very difficult.
When you reach the second platform, you are very close to the end, but be quick because the path takes a sharp upwards turn. If you miss riding up on it, you can wall kick it to make use of a platform to the right. A few more steps, and Mario has reached the star.
Act 5: 8 Coins on Pixelart
Conveniently located in close proximity, inconvenient high chance of falling into nothingness. Jump from platform to pixel art to platform until you’ve collected the 8 coins arranged in a circle. Alternatively, you can jump back to the central disco ball every time if it’s easier for you.
Either way, the star will appear on the column platform in front of the Thomps, so you can leave that red coin last for convenience.
Act 6: Chain Chomp Crushing
It’s disco time! You may have noticed a rainbow path leading into the disco ball Mario lands on when first entering the level. Descend into the ball and close this Chain Chomp party down.
Head to the center of the disco ring and grab the Rainbow Star power-up , turning Mario into a killing machine. Play tag to destroy all 8 Chain Chomps rolling around, but be warned, when the power-up runs out, a new one won’t appear this time, so you have to be really fast. When you are an official party pooper, a star will appear in the center of the disco ring.
100 Coin Star
The coins in this course are few and far between. Not to mention the lack of enemies, there are a few Thunder Lakitu's around that give out five coins for all the effort. The good news? There are 2 blue coin boxes, one on the platform straight in front (which give 3 blue coins) and the second is tucked away in the disco ball (giving out 4 blue coins). Using the Launch star on the right platform will get you an additional 10 coins.
Enemies[]
- Lakithunder - 2 damage - 5 coins
- Colorful Thwomp
- Chomp