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This page contains a full text walkthrough for the Nintendo Entertainment System classic Super Mario Bros 2. Covered here are which characters to choose, the locations of all warp zones and strategies for beating the game.
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Fast Facts
- Developer: Nintendo
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platform: NES, Wii Virtual Console
- Genre: Platform
- Mode: Single-player
- ESRB rating: (E) Everyone
- Release date: October 10, 1988
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Managed By: bernices
Managed Since: 08/23/2009
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Managed Since: 08/23/2009
Views: 558
Money Earned: M$1.06
Page revenue is subject to change as we obtain data from our partners
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Introduction
This is a guide to completing all twenty stages of the classic Super Mario Bros. 2 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. In addition to pointing out key power-ups and strategies, the guide will show all warp zones should you choose to use them. -
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How to Play
- The basic controls are the same as other Mario games: Press left and right to move, down to duck, A to jump and hold B to run. You can also press up to walk through doors in this game.
- Super Mario Bros. 2 is somewhat different than the original game. The most notable difference is that enemies can't be defeated by stomping on them. Instead, you must stand on top of a plant -- the top of which sticks out from the ground -- press B to pluck it, then move towards the enemy and press B again to throw the vegetable at it.
- Enemies can also be picked up and defeated by throwing them at other enemies.
- Another key difference from the original Super Mario Bros. is the ability to select from one of four characters for each level. Mario is an all-around solid selection; Luigi is slow, but can jump high in the air; Toad is fast, but cannot jump very high; and Princess can float in the air, but is weak at picking up vegetables.
- All four characters have one special move. Hold down and the character will change to a bright color, then press A for an extra high jump.
- YouTube: Super Mario Brothers 2 Speedrun (Time: 12:34)
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Level 1-1
- Choose Toad (the short guy with the mushroom cap) for this level, as you'll need his vegetable-pulling strength. Press A to select him from the menu.
- Jump to the right side of the screen and fall all the way down. Drop down to the doorway below and press Up to enter it.
- Now's a good time for target practice. Walk up to the first vegetable stem sticking out of the ground. Press B to pluck it.
- HINT: You'll often want to hold B instead of pressing it when you pick up vegetables. This will allow your character to run with the vegetable in hand.
- Run towards the first enemy, called a ShyGuy, and throw the vegetable when you get close to it. Throwing from roughly three character lengths away should be close enough.
- Dispatch the next few enemies in this matter, or just jump over them and keep going.
- Climb up the ladder and throw away the Pink ShyGuy. Pull the root on the far right of this series of four. It's a potion that takes you to a magical secret world called Sub-Space.
- You can drop the potion directly in front of you by pressing B while standing stille. Throw this potion so it lands on the raised platform on which you're currently standing, then enter the door it creates.
- WARNING: Do not pull up any of the roots here. Just collect the mushroom on the platform. This gives you an extra bit of health.
- You can also collect the silhouette of the cherry below. Eight of these releases an invincibility star.
- HINT: In Sub-Space, any root can be grabbed to give you one coin, but you can only get coins in two Sub-Space visits per level. This means you'll want to be careful where you collect coins. There are only four here, and there's a chance for more later in the level, so skip the coin collecting for now.
- To exit Sub-Space, simply wait a moment or exit through the door.
- Once back in the regular world, continue moving forward. There's a raised platform ahead with a POW block. Pick this up and throw it anywhere to destroy all enemies on the screen.
- Head up and over the bridge ahead. You'll get to a tricky segment with two falling logs. Jump on the first one just as it starts to descend down the waterfall, then leap to the next one, then to the next platform.
- Before going forward, make sure you're on the top platform on the right side of the waterfall. You can reach it from the ground below by holding down until your character flashes, then jumping high in the air.
- From here, run and jump to the highest of the platforms on the right. The root at the top holds a 1UP Mushroom, which gives you an extra life.
- Use the POW block to clear out enemies around here, then run and jump over the series of enemies ahead. Go into the first doorway you see.
- The enemy on your left in here is a Ninjo. Jump on top of it to reach the raised platform, or stand next to it and do a ducking high jump.
- Climb up the stalk, then go right and head out the door.
- Move right, and pull up the first root. It's a potion. Take this to the right, so you're standing right between two roots on your left and five more on your right. Drop the potion here and go through the door to Sub-Space. You may want to pause the game before reading the next step here:
- Quickly, you'll need grab the mushroom and as many roots as you can before you're sent back outside. These give you coins, which can be used in a Bonus Game at the end of each level.
- HINT: Going through a door will reset all of the roots on the ground in a level, except for 1UPs. This means you can go back inside the door you came from, then out to get another potion.
- Remember how you can only get coins in two visits per level? Use this potion for another run of coins, right in the same spot you got them last time.
- Once you've collected them, go up the stalk on your right, making sure to jump over the ladybug-like enemy, called a Hoopster, first.
- Jump on the Ninjos to ascend this area. Time your jumps to avoid the occasional ShyGuys on patrol.
- At the set of three stalks with two Hoopsters, wait until the one on your left is sliding down, then jump over it to the stalk and continue moving up. Your first confrontation with Birdo is just ahead.
- Move to the right, and jump on the platform where Birdo is standing. You'll need to jump on the eggs he fires, then hold B to pick it up. Once the egg is in hand, run at Birdo and toss the egg at him.
- HINT: You can tell when Birdo is about to give because he raises his head and opens his mouth. Be ready to jump when this happens.
- Hit Birdo with three eggs to defeat him, revealing the orb he once carried. Grab it, and the bird's head on your right will open. Head in to end the level.
- Bonus Chance: Press A to stop each successive slot. To earn lives here, you must match three like symbols in a row or land a cherry as the first symbol. Additionally, two cherries in a row gives you two lives, and three in a row gives you five lives.
- This is basically a game of chance, though this walkthrough writer has always found luck with hitting A a slight second after the reels start moving with each new chance.
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Level 1-2
- Select Toad for this level.
- Jump to the highest of the three platforms in front of you. Wait until the enemy on the magic carpet, called a Pidget, swoops down, then jump on top of it, press B to pick it up, and B again to throw it away.
- You're now on the carpet. Fly to the right, and don't stop, otherwise you may get hit by the Beezos that come sweeping down.
- At the next platform, get the first root, which is a potion. Toss it on the ground between the two pipes and get the mushroom. Do not get any coins here, but do get the silhouette cherry by high jumping from the pipe.
- Back outside, head down the pipe on your left and pull up the root at the bottom for a 1UP.
- Come back up and go in the pipe on your right. There are three Phantos guarding the key here. To avoid them, exit the pipe quickly once you grab the key.
- Once topside, quickly throw the key to your right to prevent the Phanto from coming toward you. Then, grab up the key again and use it to enter the door on your right.
- Avoid the enemies on these platforms and collect cherries as you go. If you collected the cherries outside, you should get an Invincibility Star here. Get it as it rises from the ground, then hop across to the loose stone wall on your right.
- The roots here are bombs, which you can set by the stone wall to clear a path. If you're not invincible, get out of the way once you plant them, and watch out for the bullets coming from the Snifit off the screen on your right.
- Head up the ladder. Get the potion on your left, run right and set it down at the stone blocks that guard the way down. Use another bomb, which can be found on the far left of this series of roots, to blast a complete hole through.
- Before you drop through the hole you made, grab the root just to the right of the ladder. Take this potion down to the ground below and plant it here. There's a mushroom to be had inside of Sub-Space.
- Back in the main world, continue to the right. Jump over the Ninjos, then perform a ducking high jump to reach the door.
- Once outside, jump up to the platform above the door and head left. Grab the potion just beyond the Snifit and go back to your right.
- You'll reach a huge patch of roots, which translate into coins in Sub-Space. Plant the potion just to the right of the large patch and head through the door.
- Grab as many coins as you can in Sub-Space. It's best to start with the two on your left, then go back to the right and grab as many in a row as possible before time runs out.
- Remember, when you exit Sub-Space, you can repeat this process by heading into the door you came from, then going back outside to grab another potion and planting it at the same patch of vegetables. Get more coins here, then head down into the door on your right for another match with Birdo.
- The strategy here is no different than the last confrontation. Wait until you see Birdo's mouth open, then jump when he fires an egg. Throw it right back three times, then grab the orb and head through the bird's mouth on your right.
- Take part in another Bonus Chance, then it's on to the next level.
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Level 1-3
- Mario is a solid choice for this level.
- Jump on the bird's beak to your left, then leap to the high platform. Move to the left along the high platforms, landing on the Snifits' heads to avoid a fight.
- At the first two vegetables near a bridge, grab the one on the right and drop it in the middle of the bridge, near the two cheeries. There's a mushroom in Sub-Space here.
- Keep moving to the right, jumping between each narrow platform. It's best to wait until the leaping Trouters are descending back into the water before making each jump.
- At the series of five vegetables in a row, grab them all. No matter which order you get them in, the last one is a clock that freezes all enemies on the screen. Keep moving forward.
- You'll reach two stacked platforms with five roots around them. The one on the bottom left is a potion.
- There's a warp zone ahead. If you don't want to use it, drop the potion here and grab the remaining four vegetables for coins.
- Warp Zone: Take the potion to your right. Do your best to avoid the enemies ahead, but it doesn't matter if you get damaged, as long as you reach the pipe just beyond a door ahead. Drop the potion near the pipe, and enter Sub-Space. Then, head down the pipe to warp to World 4.
- If you chose not to warp, move to the right and enter the door. You can go back outside this door and use the potion to your left again for four more coins.
- Inside, head up the chain above you. Hop over the ShyGuy on your right and grab a Mushroom Block as you go to the next platform.
- TIP: Mushroom blocks can be used as stepping stones or weapons. Standing still will drop it directly in front of you, while running will throw it. They can also be stacked, one on top of another, as you'll need to do here. Stack two of them, then perform a ducking high jump to reach the platform above. Be sure to avoid the Spark that circles the platform.
- Continue upwards. Avoid the Spikes as you reach the doorway on top of this corridor.
- Grab the key inside this room, then quickly head out before the Phanto attacks. From here you can drop down the corridor on your right to stay ahead of the Phanto. Keep moving down until you reach a set of back and forth platforms.
- Throw the key at the ShyGuy here. Then pick it up again and keep moving down. If you see the Phanto, throw the key again to keep it at bay.
- When you reach the first chain that leads down, fall straight down with the key in hand and use it to get through the door.
- Careful timing is needed in this room to avoid the sparks as you move across the platforms. Just wait until they are safely out of the way before continuing on. Be careful for the two Ninjos when you reach solid ground.
- The next room features the world's boss, Mouser. When you reach the first pair of roots, grab one, then set the bomb you get on the ledge of stone bricks, so it blows up three at a time. This clears a hole for you to jump through.
- Mouser throws bombs, which you can pick up and throw back at him by jumping underneath them, as if you were bumping a brick from the first Super Mario Bros. game.
- With bomb in hand, jump from the left side of Mouser's platform and throw the bomb. Try to get it to land in the middle of the platform, increasing the odds that Mouser will run into it.
- Repeat this three times to defeat Mouser, then run through the white door for a Bonus Chance and the end of World 1.
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World 2
- YouTube: Super Mario Bros 2 - World 2 (Time: 9:36)
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Level 2-1
- Toad is a good option for this level.
- As you move along, watch out for the first snake, or Cobrat, hiding in the sand. Coax it out by getting close, then jump on top of it after it lands. Pull it up, and throw it away.
- Keep moving, and be careful of more Cobrats hiding in the pipes. At the first structure, grab the far left root and plant it on this platform for a mushroom in Sub-Space.
- Head across the quicksand ahead here, jumping to stay above. If you get caught, tap A repeatedly to escape.
- At the pyramid-like structure, quickly dash through the bottom portion to avoid the Panser, a plant that spits fire. Keep going until you reach a pyramid with a door, and get inside.
- This confrontation with Birdo seems a little trickier, because there's little breathing room between him and a bottomless pit right behind you. Fix this by jumping around to the other side of Birdo, then dispatching him in the same way as previous battles.
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Level 2-2
- Once again, choose Toad for this level. You'll need his digging skills.
- When you reach the quicksand, tap A just as you reach the ground to stay afloat. Get close to the Cobrat to draw it out, then hop on top and throw it away.
- Jump over the three cacti, then to the higher platform. Watch out for Beezos.
- Grab the first root, which is a potion, then plant it between the next two roots. There's a mushroom to get in Sub-Space. You can also get two coins here.
- Be ready to jump as soon as you exit Sub-Space, as a ShyGuy will be headed right for you. Pick it up and use it to defeat the Cobrat to your right.
- At the next platform, stay on the cacti above the quicksand, then jump to the pipe and dispatch the Cobrat hiding inside.
- You'll reach a ledge, with a doorway underneath. Go inside and move right to the bottom platform. The root here is a 1UP.
- A mushroom is beyond the stone blocks to your left. Grab one of the bombs from the lower platform on the right, then perform a high jump to get within range of the wall. HINT: To make this easier, stand over a bomb and charge your jump by ducking, then let go of down on the d-pad to stand up. Hit B to grab the bomb and jump from here to the higher platform. You should have enough time to carry the bomb over.
- A small structure is guarded by a few pink ShyGuys here. Just avoid them and grab the middle root, which is a potion. Plant it right where you are and go inside. Grab the mushroom and the other four roots for coins.
- Go back outside to the desert.
- This next set of pipes can get tricky if you don't go on the offensive. Use each successive Cobrat to destroy the Cobrat in the next pipe. Stay on the pipes to keep above the Pokey, which ambles along about halfway through.
- Once clear of here, dash to your right, below the two Pansers to the vine, where you can climb down to another area.
- Here's where Toad's digging skills come in handy. You need to claw through a massive layer of sand to reach Birdo's room, and there are several ShyGuys on patrol.
- Always wait to dig down until the nearest ShyGuys are moving away from you. Also, avoid digging straight down. Instead, pull up a few blocks of sand at a time, then move to another part of the screen. This will prevent the ShyGuys above from falling straight on top of you.
- When the pathway forks, stay to the right. When you see the Snifit, wait until it fires a bullet before trying to dig past it. Go through the doorway at the bottom.
- The Birdo here is harder than previous ones, as it shoots a combination of eggs and fireballs, the latter of which will hurt your character. However, there are three mushroom blocks which you can use to fight back.
- Grab a mushroom block, then run to the right. Jump up the platforms (you'll need to high jump up one of the walls here), then use the top platform on your left to go back to where Birdo is waiting. Throw the block at him.
- Go back down to get another block and repeat this process. Do this a total of three times to defeat Birdo. If you miss, you can always pick up one of the blocks again from where it lands or wait for Birdo to launch an egg.
- Go through the bird mouth on the right to complete the level.
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Level 2-3
- Select Luigi for this level.
- Head up the ladder and go to your right. Grab the first root, which is a potion, and go back to the left, across the ladder, to a platform where a pink ShyGuy is walking around. Drop the potion here and head into Sub-Space for a mushroom. Do not collect the coin here.
- Once outside, go back to your right. Once you are underneath a tall platform with a door, perform a high jump with Luigi to reach it. Go inside the door.
- Grab the root immediately to your right to get a potion. Drop this to the left of where you're standing. Go into Sub-Space and collect the three coins on your left, then get the mushroom and as many remaining coins as you can.
- Once you return from Sub-Space, leave this room, then go back inside. Grab the potion and drop it again, and go back to Sub-Space for even more coins.
- Head back outside and move to the right.
- This next part is fairly simple. Just move along and use Luigi's excellent jumping abilities to get over any cacti and enemies. Go inside the pyramid when you reach it.
- In this room, start by falling to the right. Grab as many cherries as possible as you descend. At the bottom, go to your left and pick up the root, which has a POW block. Carry this down to the platform of sand below, and use it to defeat the Tweeter.
- Dig through the sand, using the same strategy as in the previous level to avoid ShyGuys. When the path forks, take either one. The doorway is in between the two of them below.
- Head inside the door. Align yourself with either the left or right side of the platform above, but not the center, and jump up when the Spark is clear. Jump over the spark as it passes once again and grab the key, then run down to the door and exit the room.
- The Phanto will immediately be on your tail. Throw the key to your right, then jump above it and dig it out of the sand. Continue ascending this area.
- WARNING: If you hang onto the key for too long, you'll have to throw it to keep Phanto away, but don't stray too far. If you lose sight of the key, you'll have to go back down to the door below to collect it again.
- Use the key to enter the door at the top of the sand pit.
- If you're short on health here, you can grab the cherries from within the sand to create a star. Then, you can destroy the ShyGuys to possibly create a heart. However, it's probably best to just run past this part, and the area with the Panser above.
- Dispatch of the Cobrats as you move through, and grab the orb on the pedestal to gain access to Tryclyde's lair.
- You'll need to use the mushroom blocks to defeat this fire-breathing, three-headed snake. Grab one, then use the small block on your left to jump up to the set of three blocks that make the highest platform in the room.
- From here, Luigi's high, slow jumping ability should allow you to easily toss the mushroom block at the boss. Repeat this three times to defeat Tryclyde.
- Enter the doorway to complete World 2.
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World 3
- YouTube: Super Mario Bros 2 - World 3 (Time: 9:31)
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Level 3-1
- Toad is a solid choice for this level.
- Go to the right, jump over the small waterfall and go through the door.
- In the next room, fall down the waterfall instead of climbing up the clouds. Stay toward the center of the screen as you descend, then go through the door at the bottom.
- WARP ZONE: In this room grab the sixth potion from the right, walk to the right and plant it near the pipe. Enter Sub-Space and go through the pipe to warp to World 5.
- If you're not warping, the patch of roots makes a great place to collect coins. When you're finished, just enter the door next to the pipe to return to the top of the waterfall. Remember, you can do this twice to maximize your coin collection.
- To continue through this level, use the clouds to climb up the waterfall.
- At the top cloud, jump on the Pidgit when it swoops down, pick it up and throw it away. Fly straight up on the carpet, staying in the center of the screen to avoid Beezos. Jump to the vine when you reach it and climb up.
- Move to the right. Watch for the fire from the Panser above. At the narrow platform with the two roots, pull the one on the left to get a potion. Drop it on this platform and enter Sub-Space, and a mushroom will be to your right.
- Outside of Sub-Space, keep moving to the right. There's another Panser ahead; a skillful throw with the nearby mushroom block will destroy it. If you miss, you'll have to dash through the lower platforms.
- At the brick platforms ahead, save one of the vegetables in the ground to destroy a Panser to your right.
- Drop down the ladder and get the first root to your right -- a potion. Run left, so you can see the slightly lower platform blocked off by the bricks above you. Plant the potion here and go into Sub-Space. You'll need to scramble up the ladder to reach the mushroom.
- Outside, you'll have to quickly move up the ladder and to the left to avoid the Panser, then time a quick jump over it to avoid the fireballs. If you do get hit, keep moving past the Panser and go through the door to the right.
- Birdo fires eggs in series of threes here, but does not shoot fireballs. Toad is fast enough to quickly pick up an egg and get out of the way, but it may be best to pick up the last egg in the series if you're not comfortable with this advanced tactic.
- Heave three eggs at Birdo to defeat him. Then, use a ducking high jump to reach the bird door above.
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Level 3-2
- Use Mario for this level.
- Move to your right, jumping over the ShyGuy riding the Ostro and avoiding the Beezos. When you reach the two roots, grab a vegetable from one and use it to defeat the Panser blocking your path.
- Keep moving to the right. Don't pull up the POW blocks that take you to the passageways below. Instead, keep moving until you can go no further.
- Grab the middle root from the raised platform. Drop the potion here and get the mushroom in Sub-Space, plus any coins in the area.
- Outside of Sub-Space, grab a root to the left of the stone blocks that guard the passageway below. You'll get a bomb, which can be dropped on the blocks to destroy them. Head down once you've done this. If you make a mistake, there's another bomb to your right. If you mess up again, you'll have to go back to the POW blocks to get through.
- Head down the first ladder you see. This area has several stone walls, and all of the roots are bombs. You need to blast a path through the walls using the bombs.
- Start on the top level. Grab the root to the left of the first ladder and carry it downs to the lower platform. Throw it at the stone wall to blast a hole.
- Go back the ladder and grab the furthest root to the right. Go back down and run through the hole you created. Throw the bomb at the next wall to blast another hole.
- You can use the two bombs down here to destroy the last two walls.
- Don't advance just yet once you've done this. Instead, climb up the ladder behind you and pull a bomb from one of the roots. Destroy the wall to your right, then pick up the POW block.
- Bring the POW block to the right, drop down to the lower level and go left. Toss the POW once the three Tweeters are in view. Now, move up the ladder that leads above ground.
- Time your run to avoid the Panser fire outside, then go down the ladder to your left, back underground. Hop between the platforms, avoiding the ShyGuy, and head back up again. Outside, go left and climb down yet another ladder.
- This part is tricky. You need to blow up the stone wall to your left by dropping a bomb at just the right time. Grab one from the roots, then face the gap in platform that leads down to the wall. Wait until roughly a half second after the bomb starts flashing, then drop it straight down. If you can't do this with the three bombs provided, just climb up the ladder and back down again for a new set.
- Before going up the ladder ahead, continue to the left. Grab the far left root and drop it on the stone blocks to your right, where there are two Porcupos wandering below. Make sure the second block from the left is detonated.
- Grab the far right root, which is a potion, and drop it right where you picked it up from. In Sub-Space, get the mushroom from the hole you blasted and the two coins.
- Exit Sub-Space and go up the ladder to your right. Once outside, head through the door to your left for another confrontation with Birdo.
- This boss fires mostly eggs with the occasional fireball. Keep your distance and defeat Birdo with his own eggs. If he gets too close, hop to the other side of him to continue the fight.
- Once Birdo is defeated, pick up one of the mushroom blocks to drop below, and head right into the Bird door.
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Level 3-3
- Once again, Mario is a good choice for this level.
- Head outside and move to the right. When you reach the patch of four roots, pull up the last one on the right and drop it between the POW block and the patch of roots. Grab the mushroom and three coins in Sub-Space.
- When you return, grab the POW block and use it to defeat the Albatoss carrying a Bob-Omb. Keep moving to the right, hopping over the Ostro and ShyGuy and running past another Albatoss. Head through the doorway ahead.
- In this room, a mushroom and easy shortcut can be had by grabbing the middle root from the patch of three to your left, then jumping on one of the Ninjos coming your way.
- Once you're on one of the Ninjos, you can position yourself slightly on its left or right side to make it move in that direction. Steer the Ninjo toward the high platform with the door on it, duck to charge your high jump, then leap to the lower side of the platform.
- From here, you can jump across the top set of platforms. Just before you reach the one with a POW block on it, drop the potion and get a mushroom in Sub-Space.
- Outside of Sub-Space, move back to the right and head through the door on the upper platform that you originally used a Ninjo to reach.
- Climb up the series of platforms here, avoiding ShyGuys as they come out of the jars. HINT: You can run from one side of the screen to the other where there's no wall. Keep moving to the right, wrapping around the screen and jumping to each successive platform. Enter the doorway at the top.
- Wait until the Spark is out of the way, then jump up to the platform above. Jump over it again when it passes by, landing on the key and grabbing it. Quickly head back through the door.
- Your strategy to get down will be the reverse of what it was to get up. Run to the left, wrapping around the screen and dropping to each successive platform. You'll have to occasionally toss the key to keep Phanto away.
- Go through the door at the bottom and drop to the ground. Move left and head through the key door.
- This area is straightforward, but difficult. Move up the corridor while avoiding the sparks. Don't rush. Head through the door on the left when you reach it.
- Watch for Tweeters as you move up this corridor. Go quickly and you'll be able to climb up the chains without running into Panser fire above.
- At the series of short chains, you need to drop to the left off each one, then hit up on the d-pad to keep climbing. Time this to avoid Panser fire, then move up the last chain. Jump over the Sniffit and go through the next door.
- There are several ways to get past this daunting section of Sparks. The best method is to position yourself between the left and middle platforms above, then magic jump up to the left platform when the coast is clear.
- Continue up these platforms. When you reach the one where there are two Sparks moving around, wait until the slower one is approaching the underside, then jump as soon as the fast one is out of the way.
- Go through the door at the top of the corridor.
- Outside, grab the root for a turtle shell, then jump up to the thin metal platform. Toss the shell to the right and walk behind it, letting it clear out Ninjos as you go.
- Get the orb at the end of this path and head through the bird door for another encounter with Mouser.
- Run into the chamber where Mouser is waiting.
- TRICK: The Spark here is a nuisance. You can get it out of the way by retreating back to the left, until it is no longer on screen, then heading back into Mouser's chamber. Alternatively, you can defeat it with one of Mouser's bombs.
- Mouser can be defeated with the same strategy as before: Grab his bombs out of the air by jumping underneath them, then hurling them back onto the boss's platform.
- A fully-grown Mario can set the bombs in the proper place simply by jumping underneath Mouser's platform and throwing. As small Mario, you'll have to jump from the ledge on your left.
- Hit mouser with five bombs to defeat him. Then, head through the white door for World 4.
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World 4
- YouTube: Super Mario Bros 2 - World 4 (Time: 5:46)
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Level 4-1
- Princess is a good selection here. Her ability to float by pressing and holding A at any point midair is a useful stabilizer on this level's icy terrain.
- Move to the right, floating over the Flurries that move along the ice.
- The first potion rests between two parallel platforms of ice. It can only be reached by running between them, but the constant threat of flurries makes this very difficult. Stand at the edge of the higher platform until the flurries either slide off screen or fall into the water. Then, quickly drop down to grab the root. Be sure not to advance the screen too far forward or more flurries may attack.
- With potion in hand, plant it at the very end of the top layer of ice, where you stood before jumping down to pull the root. This will allow you to get the mushroom on the right and a few coins on the left.
- Continue moving to the right. When you reach solid ground, jump up to the second ledge, where there are two roots, and pull the one on the left. Plant it here, and get the mushroom and three more coins in Sub-Space.
- Once outside of Sub-Space, jump down to the inset platform below the ice -- floating makes this easier -- and pull the root. A rocket ship will take you to the next area.
- Don't bother fighting the enemies in this area. Simply float over them as you move along to the right. Grab the orb at the end and head through the bird door to complete the level.
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Level 4-2
- Again, Princess is your best bet for this icy stage. Head to the right and climb up the vine.
- This part of the game is quite difficult. As you move to the right, a steady stream of Beezos and the occasional Flurry will bombard your character. Avoiding them requires fast reflexes and a bit of luck.
- HINT: Only jump when the Beezos are flying along the ground, or when a Flurry is near. Otherwise, duck and slide on the ice. On several occasions, you'll have to jump, then immediately duck to avoid the next Beezo. Go through the door when you reach it.
- In this next area, move to the left. The whale here has three roots on its back. Pull the one on the far left, then plant it here. In Sub-Space, you can get a mushroom on the whale's tail, plus two coins.
- Now, go to the right. High jump to the icy platform above instead of traveling directly on the whales, and grab the cherries along the way. If you do happen upon a whale, avoid the streams of water, which hurt your character. The top of the spout, however, is safe to step on.
- The last root on a set of rising platforms ahead has a potion. You can drop it here for six coins, or you can carry it forward for a secret...
- WARP ZONE: Carry the potion forward. When you reach the long icy platform that extends far to the right, jump on the whale underneath, then jump and float to the right to reach a small island with a pipe. Plant the potion here and enter the pipe from Sub-Space to reach World 6.
- Otherwise, move forward along this path to a platform with one lone root. Pull it to ride a rocket ship to the next area.
- Move to the right, then pull the ShyGuy off the Autobomb (the rolling machine with the letter "M" on it). Before hopping on board, grab the root, which has a potion.
- Jump on the Autobomb as it rolls toward the spiked path below. Duck, with the potion in hand, until you reach the next safe ledge. Jump to it and plant the potion. A mushroom awaits in Sub-Space. Once outside, go through the door.
- Because Princess is so slow with pulling up objects, you'll have to be extra quick with jumping on Birdo's eggs to pick them up in this area. He also shoots fireballs, so be careful not to hop on top of one of them.
- You may also have to jump immediately after grabbing an egg to avoid any follow up shots from Birdo. One you're clear, throw the egg back. Do this three times, then grab the orb and run through the bird door.
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Level 4-3
- Select Mario for this level.
- Go outside, then head right. Birdo is here, but don't fight it. Just grab the root above and to your left, which is a potion, and to to the left.
- Plant the potion on top of the three frozen cacti. In Sub-Space, you'll be overlapping with the mushroom. Simply jump straight in the air to land on top of it. Then pick it up.
- Outside of Sub-Space, head back toward Birdo. Go through the door you came from to reset the root with the potion. Pick it up, then stand on Birdo's right side. Wait until he fires an egg, then hop on board. You'll sail across the waters to your right.
- At the next platform, plant the potion and pull up the nearby roots in Sub-Space for coins. Back outside, move to the right and enter the red door.
- Several Flurries block your path along this icy vertical pathway. The best way to get around them is to jump onto the pathways under where they slide, then jump up through the ice to continue upward.
- When you reach the area where there are several stacked ice platforms with Flurries on each one, move to the left to coax them in that direction, then head back to the right and jump up the platforms. Go through the doorway above.
- Outside, grab the root on the left to get a potion. Jump to the first cloud on the left, then high jump to reach the next clould. Be aware that if you're holding B while high jumping, Mario will drop the potion.
- Move to the tower on the right and plant the potion in the middle of it. You can get another mushroom in Sub-Space.
- Drop back down to the platform below and go through the door on the right.
- In this room, jump onto the red ShyGuy, but don't pick it up. Just stand on it and it will carry you over the spikes below.
- Hop off the ShyGuy when you reach the narrow vertical corridor and collect as many cherries as you can on the way down. Enter the door when you reach the next platform.
- Magic jump to reach the first platform in this room, then jump up to grab the key. Use the key to smash the Flurries if they're blocking the doorway back.
- Descend down the corridor with key in hand. Throw it against a wall if Phanto draws near, and toss it at Flurries if they get in your way. Use the key to enter the door at the bottom.
- Outside, move to the right and go through the next door. Grab the egg to your right and head through the bird door for a battle with FryGuy.
- STRATEGY: FryGuy only attacks downwards, so the high ground will keep you safe. Grab a mushroom block from below and toss it at the boss from the top platforms.
- HINT: You can also wrap around the screen by running through the areas where there are no walls. Do this when FryGuy is closing in and there doesn't seem to be anywhere to go.
- After hitting FryGuy three times, he'll split into four smaller balls of fire that hop around the screen. Again, it's advantageous to attack them from above. Simply grab a mushroom block, stand in an area where you can drop it straight down and wait until one hops into range.
- Defeat all four of these FryGuy offspring and head through the white door to complete World 4.
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World 5
- YouTube: Super Mario Bros 2 - World 5 (Time: 7:10)
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Level 5-1
- Use Mario for this level.
- Start running to the right, hop over the Ostro and keep running without stopping. When you reach the Panser, keep running and jump over it as soon as its first fireball clears over your head.
- Drop to the platform below, and head to the left, dodging Panser's fireballs from above. Head into the doorway when you reach it.
- The second root in this room is a potion. Plant it near the remaining roots and collect them all for coins. Exit the door you came from and repeat this process to get even more coins.
- Exit the door you came from once again, then grab the potion while holding B to maintain your run. Continue forward with the potion in hand.
- You'll first cross a few logs on the waterfall to reach solid ground, then the jumping gets really tricky.
- The Trouters that leap from the water are your ticket across. Jump to them as they are reaching the top of their arc -- it will be easier to line up your landings this way.
- "When you reach the platform with two roots on it, jump down to the lower platform on your right. Plant the potion here for a mushroom.
- Use the nearby Trouter to reach the next platform. When you reach the next pair of logs, don't jump on them yet. Wait until the next set appears at the top of the waterfall, then quickly jump from the first to the second. Do a ducking high jump to get over the wall in front of you, so you're off the top of the screen.
- Run to the far right crack in the wall, and pull the mushroom block to get down. Grab the far left root and plant the potion to enter Sub-Space. A mushroom will fall from where you pulled the mushroom block.
- Once outside, head through the doorway to your right.
- Birdo begins on a raised platform in this room, but he'll soon drop down to the level below. Run past him and grab the mushroom block.
- You'll need to use the block to attack, as Birdo only shoots fireballs here. Throw it from the raised platform where you got it.
- Birdo won't go past this block once it's settled on the ground. Use it as a divider between you and him, then pick it up and throw it again once he's stepped back a few steps.
- Hit him three times, then run right and enter the bird door.
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Level 5-2
- Select Mario for this level.
- Exit the underground room and head to the right. Don't worry about the roots above.
- Run past the Hoopsters in the trees, then pluck the ShyGhy. Throw the ShyGuy back at the Ostro to clear them both out.
- Grab the root here, and use the vegetable to defeat the three Hoopsters crawling near the next ledge. You can then perform a high jump to keep going.
- The first potion is inside the pipe ahead. Pluck the root on the ground, and place the resulting bomb on the stone blocks at your feet. Drop down here, and grab the root on the right while evading the Porcupos.
- Climb outside, plant the potion directly to the left of the pipe and go inside the door. Get the four coins on this ledge, then drop down to the left for a mushroom.
- Outside of Sub-Space, grab one of the roots on the high ledge, and use it to defeat some of the enemies below. Keep moving to the right.
- Use the Hoopsters as platforms here. Hold B to run while moving along.
- When you reach the Panser, use the nearby Hoopster to defeat it. Continue to the right. Ignore the roots and jump over the Ninjos, Porcupos and Ostro to the vine. Climb up to reach the next area.
- Keep going up the vines. When you reach the Sniffits, wait until they fire before climbing up any further. Then, move between the two vines to avoid the Hoopsters. Go through the door at the top.
- Grab the POW block to start falling and stay towards the middle of the screen to avoid the first set of spikes. Then, break to the left to avoid a couple that appear in the middle. After this, return to the middle of the screen and be ready to fall on the platforms above the waterfall. Go through the door to your right.
- Birdo throws an occasional fireball in this battle, but there are two options for defeating him. You can wait until he throws an egg, then throw it back, or you can use the Trouter that springs up from the waterfall.
- If you throw the Trouter, spawn another one by running away from where it originally appeared. When you come back, the Trouter will be jumping up from the water once again.
- Hit Birdo three times and advance to the bird door.
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Level 5-3
- If you want to warp to World 7 in this level, choose Luigi. Otherwise, stick with Mario.
- WARP ZONE: Exit the underground room with Luigi. Duck and high jump to the platform above you and grab the root on the right. Plant it and enter the pipe to reach World 7.
- To progress through the level, stay on top of the vertical logs as you move to the right. This will prevent you from getting trapped with a Bob-Omb.
- When you reach the patch of roots, grab the one on the right, plant it directly to your left and quickly enter the door. There's a mushroom, plus four coins, in Sub-Space.
- Continue forward until you reach a wall with brick blocks. Use the Bob-Ombs or perform a high jump to get to the next platform.
- The blocks below can be destroyed with Bob-Ombs, but they must be thrown. Go back down to the ground on the left, advancing carefully so only one Bob-Omb approaches. Stand the length of about two blocks away from the wall and toss the bomb as soon as it starts flashing.
- Now, you can walk through the blasted wall. Use the bomb inside the root here to destroy the next wall.
- Go back up to the platform above. Get the middle root, and carry the potion back down. Plant it at the second blown wall and get the Mushroom in Sub-Space. Then, go down the ladder.
- Once downstairs, do not pull the mushroom cap to your right. Only enemies are inside. Continue moving to the left.
- If you're starved for lives, you can use a Bob-Omb to blast the wall below, grab the last potion on the right and plant it near the surrounding roots for more coins. However, this may be more trouble than it's worth.
- On the left of the stone wall, grab the root, and use the vegetable to defeat the approaching Bob-Omb. Then use the next vegetable to destroy the Panser. Continue to the doorway ahead and enter it.
- In this room, pull the mushroom block once the Spark is clear, then use it to cap the jar where ShyGuys are spawning. Pull the next mushroom block to continue descending.
- Continue to move down this corridor. When you reach the bottom, use the last block you pulled to defeat the Spark on the platform, then start moving up the other side of the room.
- You may one to take one of the three stacked mushroom blocks up with you. There are two Bob-Ombs that assault you near the doorway where you entered, and it's helpful to have a weapon with which to fend them off.
- When you reach the Pansers, you can wrap around the screen to avoid their fire. Simply dodge them until they slide off the bottom of the screen, then continue moving upwards. Go through the doorway at the top.
- Outside, start pulling up roots. The third one you grab (in any order) is a stopwatch. Grab the last vegetable and use it to destroy the frozen Sniffit ahead.
- When the stopwatch's freezing effects wear off, jump on the Pidgit as it swoops down. Pick it up and throw it away, then move to the left on its magic carpet.
- Move to the right. You'll reach a second Pidgit, which you need to jump on before your carpet wears off. Use this new carpet to reach the next platform.
- Continue ahead, using the ShyGuys at each successive platform to clear a safe path. The Birdo at the end throws a mix of eggs and fire, but is easily defeated thanks to the long, level platform on which he stands.
- Grab Birdo's orb, then head through the bird door to fight Clawgrip.
- This boss tosses rocks at you. To defeat him, pick up the rocks after the bounce against the "L"-shaped platform. Then, toss them back.
- Complete this fairly straightforward task five times to defeat the boss, then head through the white door to World 6.
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World 6
- YouTube: Super Mario Bros 2 - World 6 (Time: 5:07)
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Level 6-1
- Toad is a good choice for this level.
- Head right and grab the first Cobrat. A well-placed throw can destroy the next ShyGuy and Cobrat ahead. Otherwise, just jump past them, then head in the pipe guarded by another Cobrat.
- Grab the potion at the bottom of the pipe. Bring it outside, then plant it on bones resting on the sand to your right. In Sub-Space, a mushroom will fall from the sky. Pick it up before it sinks.
- Jump from the bones to get over Pokey, then keep moving to the right. Use the same strategy as in World 2 for dealing with Cobrats and quicksand -- keep tapping A to stay above ground, draw close to make the Cobrat pop out, then hop on it and toss it away.
- Continue past the pair of pipes ahead -- there's nothing special inside.
- Pull up the second root within the next pile of cacti. Bring it to the structure that holds a doorway. Plant it here and you can collect another mushroom and four coins in Sub-Space.
- Head through the door, and you'll reach a massive set of pipes.
- The third pipe, with a mushroom block over it, contains a 1UP inside, but there's also a hiding Cobrat that will hurt you as soon as you pull the block. You can defeat it first by picking up the nearby Cobrat in the tall pipe to the right, then throwing it at the block. You should see the second Cobrat fall off the screen.
- Now, pull the third mushroom block and go into the pipe. Dig down and pull the root on the far right for the 1UP.
- Back above ground, head right, to the fifth-to-last pipe. Go down and start digging through the sand. Remember, use the strategy of digging only a few units deep, then changing positions to keep the ShyGuys from falling on your head.
- Grab the key at the bottom and start to head up. You'll have to drop it on the way to ward off Phanto.
- Take the key outside of the pipe and to the right, and use it to get through the door.
- This is your toughest Birdo fight yet. He only shoots fireballs, so you'll have to use the three provided mushroom blocks to defeat him. Grab one and head up to the top of the high structure.
- Birdo fires in a series of three. Wait until the last fireball is hurled, then drop down and hit him with a mushroom block. Now, retreat quickly through the structure to your left and jump out of the way of any fireballs Birdo launches.
- Grab another mushroom block and repeat this process. You'll want to wait until there's enough room between you and him before dropping down.
- Hit Birdo three times, grab the orb, then head through the bird door.
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Level 6-2
- Luigi's high and slow jumping abilities are perfect for this level.
- Go outside and hop on the Albatoss that's moving to the right on the bottom of the screen.
- A series of three Albatosses will fly in your direction. Jump on the second one, then leap back to the one that's moving to the right.
- Start charging a high jump. When you reach the Panser, leap up and over its fireballs, then land back on your Albatoss.
- The platform ahead, which you must high jump to reach, holds a potion and a mushroom in Sub-Space, but exiting your Albatoss now will eliminate your ride to the right. When you exit Sub-Space, look for an Albatoss going left and jump on it. Take this back to the start of the area, where you can meet up with your original Albatoss and continue through the level once again.
- The rest of this area after that platform is an easy ride. There is but one Albatoss going in the other direction to jump over. Head through the door when you can travel right no further.
- This Birdo fight is also tricky, as he shoots only fire, and there are only two Mushroom blocks to use. Grab one of them and head up to the raised platform that's three blocks long.
- Stand on the right edge of the platform, and drop the block straight down when Birdo is standing underneath.
- Get the other block, and head back up to the platform. Drop the block on his head once again from the same position, so the two mushroom blocks are stacked vertically.
- Jump on top of the two blocks. Wait until Birdo is directly to either side of the stack, then pick up the top block and quickly drop it on him a third time. Grab the orb and head through the bird door.
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Level 6-3
- Mario is a good choice for this level.
- Climb up the ladder and grab the root, which is a potion. Move to the right and plant it on one of the two small cacti that sticks out of the quicksand. You may have to defeat the nearby Pokey to safely step inside Sub-Space, where a mushroom is waiting on the right cactus.
- SHORTCUT: Go back to the left, across the ladder. You'll reach a brick wall with quicksand near it. Start holding left on the d-pad as your character starts to sink. As soon as your character starts to move left, keep moving and repeatedly tap A to jump. You'll stay high enough above ground to go under the wall to a hidden door. You'll come out among some clouds. Move to the right and enter the pyramid to fight Birdo.
- If you want to see the whole level, head right instead of taking the shortcut. Go through the big door at the end of this area.
- Don't be distracted by the cherries ahead. They're too dangerous to get with all the Bob-Ombs around. Just run through this area until you reach the stone wall with the Ninjos on the other side.
- There are bombs inside the nearby roots. Use one to blast the wall to your right, then head to the next set of stone blocks.
- Start by blasting the first wall to your right. Then, carry the next bomb across the break in the floor to the next wall, and blast a hole there.
- Don't pick up the root that's on the left side of the break in the wall you just crossed. Instead, use the bombs near the wall you just detonated and throw down down the following break in the wall, where there are two stone blocks stacked vertically.
- Once you've blasted a hole to the area below, throw another bomb down there to destroy the lower wall to the right. Then, go back to the left, to the one remaining root on the top floor. Grab it -- it's a potion -- and head down the hole you just created.
- Plant the potion in between the two patches of three roots. In Sub-Space, collect the mushroom, then get as many coins as you can. Back outside, move up the vine to your right.
- This area requires you to climb a network of vines while dodging the enemy. The first part, guarded by Hoopsters, is easy. When the path branches to two long vines, stay to the left to avoid the group of four Hoopsters in a row, then climb across to reach a set of clouds.
- Next, you'll have to deal with Sniffits as you ascend. Just wait until they fire before moving ahead. If the Hoopsters are bothering you, just throw them away, then quickly hit up on the d-pad to keep climbing.
- Keep climbing up. The path on the left is safer, as the right side often gets cluttered with Hoopsters.
- At the top, head into the pyramid to fight Birdo.
- Birdo shoots mostly eggs in this battle, but grab the mushroom cap, then jump from the bird door to the upper platform, and throw the block at the boss for an easy hit.
- Keep your distance from Birdo as he fires. Hit him with two more eggs to open the bird door. Another battle with Tryclyde awaits.
- This fight is easy with the proper strategy. Grab one of the three mushroom blocks closest to Tryclyde. Plant it on the far right side of the platform above. You can do this by jumping straight in the air while facing that part of the platform then hitting B to drop the block straight down.
- Repeat this three times, so you have mushroom blocks stacked on top of each other on the right side of the platform that faces Tryclyde. This forms a barricade that will protect you from most of his attacks.
- Now, grab one of the remaining blocks. Jump up to the barricaded platform and wait until Tryclyde stops firing. Then, jump up and throw a block over the barricade at the boss.
- Do this three times to defeat Tryclyde, then head through the white door for the seventh and final world.
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World 7
- YouTube: Super Mario Bros 2 - World 7 (Time: 7:24)
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Level 7-1
- This world is the final test of your skills. Mario is a good choice here.
- Climb up the clouds to the ladder, and up to the first main segment of this level. Head to the right.
- You'll be bombarded with Ninjos and Bob-Ombs. Jump over them and get to the POW block. Quickly set it off to clear out the screen.
- Keep moving. Ignore the three roots on the green platform, and continue instead to the pedestal with one lone root on it. Pick it up, and carry the potion back to the green platform.
- Do not collect the coins in Sub-Space here, just get the mushroom and get out.
- Continue to the right and head into the door. Avoid the Sparks and jump to the platform with the roots on it. Pick up the third root from the right and grab the potion.
- Plant it on this platform, then get the mushroom and the six coins in Sub-Space. Go out of this room, then back inside. Get the potion again and head back to Sub-Space for six more coins.
- Go back outside. Run and jump up to the roof of the building you came from, then jump on the Albatoss that's moving to the left. If you miss, you can always go back in the building, then outside to try again.
- Cruise on the Albatoss over the level. Jump over the tall columns that block your path, then into the narrow corridor between two columns once the screen stops scrolling.
- Pick up the root here to ride a rocket ship up to the next area.
- Jump over the first few enemies and you'll reach a maze of clouds below. A column blocks a ladder to your right, so you need to run through these clouds without jumping to pass under the column.
- Start zig-zagging down the path. Red ShyGuys change direction when they fall, so you may have to do a short hop over one of them if it starts coming towards you.
- When you reach the bottom cloud, a Pink ShyGuy will start walking in your direction. Retreat to the cloud on your left, and wait until the ShyGuy hits the end of the lower cloud and starts walking to the right.
- Follow behind the pink ShyGuy on the lower cloud. Be patient and don't try to jump over it until you pass under the small column.
- CAUTION: Don't jump too high here or you'll have to start over. Just hop up to the next cloud once you pass under the small column. Then fall to the next cloud on your right, hop over the Sniffit and leap to the ladder.
- In this next area, your ascent through the clouds is impeded by many Sparks. Remember that they wrap around every surface they come in contact with, including ladders and displaced mushroom blocks.
- The key here is to wrap around the screen when Sparks are coming your way. This will often save you from having to make difficult jumps. Once the Sparks are moving away from you, it's easier to continue up through the clouds.
- When you reach the small arched set of mushroom blocks, you'll have to stack two of them on top of the arch, then high jump to the next cloud. Wrap around to the right side of the screen, then pick up the blocks once the Sparks are safely out of the way.
- Keep climbing until you reach a small hut in the clouds, and go inside.
- This is your toughest Birdo battle yet. He only shoots fire, and there's just one mushroom block to use.
- STRATEGY: Birdo never walks farther than four blocks from the right side of his platform. That makes it difficult to recover the mushroom block once you've thrown it at him. To compensate, only throw it when he's near the wall, and toss it as far towards the wall as you can. Then, grab the block when he's furthest out from the wall. This should give you just enough time to recover the block.
- Three hits, and Birdo is defeated. Grab the orb and head through the bird door to the last level in the game.
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Level 7-2
- For this level, Mario is the best symbolic and strategic choice.
- Slowly move to the right, and stop when you see the first Sniffit. It likes to shoot two times in a row, so don't try to jump over until you're sure there's not another shot coming.
- Pick up this Sniffit and use it to defeat the next one. Jump over the third Sniffit and head into Wart's castle.
- You're now on a conveyor belt moving forward. Jump over the first ShyGuy, then pick up the second. When you get within range of the pipe that's spawning these enemies, throw the ShyGuy when they pop out. Then, quickly run and jump to the next conveyor.
- Jump over the Ninjos ahead or throw them at each other to clear a path. When you get down to the next platform, hop over the Bob-Omb, and at the edge of the platform, perform a small jump to cross over the spikes, reaching solid ground below. Climb down the chain in front of you.
- Descending this area is as simple as removing mushroom blocks once the Sparks below have moved out of the way. Repeat this several times and move through the doorway.
- Avoid this spikes as you walk to the right in this next area, and take the first doorway. Go to the left, and you'll see two roots. Pull the one on the left, and plant the potion in the middle of this room. There's a mushroom in Sub-Space here.
- Go back outside the room, and continue moving to the right. Go through the door at the end of the hallway.
- You'll need to climb up a series of chains here while avoiding more Sparks. If you stay in the middle of the chains, the Sparks won't hit you, but you'll have to jump off to either side and quickly leap to the next chain to keep going.
- STRATEGY:The Sparks move clockwise, so wait until they are out of your way, move to the right, then jump to the next chain. Take the door at the top of this room.
- This next hallway has a couple more Sparks that are easy to avoid. Run to the left, then climb up into another room.
- The series of conveyors above are guarded by Sparks and the occasional ShyGuy and Sniffit. Stay as far from them as possible as you move upwards. Only jump to the next platform when the Sparks are moving away from you. Climb up the chain at the top of the room.
- A simple Birdo awaits in this area on the conveyor to your left. It only fires eggs, so keep your distance and use three of those eggs to defeat the enemy. Then, move up the chain that he once guarded.
- The sound of boss music means you're getting close. Jump on the block above the chain, then jump to the conveyor above. Ride along here, and be ready to duck when an errant Spark comes along. Climb down the chain at the end of the path.
- You'll have to face another Birdo here. Quarters are tight, so position yourself on whatever side leaves the most breathing room. Hit him with three eggs, then grab the key he was holding.
- Carry the key through the door, and immediately throw it to the right. This will keep Phanto away and defeat the two nearby Sparks. Pick the key up again and carry it to the door on your left.
- Pick up one of the mushroom blocks as you head through this room. Drop it near the orb, then pick the orb up. In a shocking event, the bird door becomes hostile and will try to attack you.
- Grab the mushroom block that you brought along and toss it at the bird, then retreat to the left.
- The bird is difficult to jump over. Instead, try hitting the floor and ducking. Once you've got some room, pick up the nearest mushroom block and throw it at the bird again. Repeat this process one more time, and the bird's mouth will open.
- Head through the bird door to face Wart.
- Wart's sole attack is to belch deadly bubbles in an arc. To beat him, you'll have to grab vegetables that occasionally pop out of three large tubes, then toss them at Wart's mouth when it's open.
- HINT: The best place to dodge Wart's attacks is closest to him. Here, the bubbles are almost dropping straight down, leaving a fairly wide window for you to stand in.
- Pick up vegetables by standing or jumping under them. Wart's bubbles can destroy vegetables out of the air, so the best time to do grab them is right after Wart attacks.
- STRATEGY: Try to get a feel for the timing of Wart's belches. It's most effective to throw a vegetable right as his mouth starts to open. Aim for his lower lip -- it's the spot where he's least likely to knock away your attacks with his own.
- Hit Wart six times to defeat him, then go through the newly created door.
- Mario unplugs a pipe and frees the SubCons. There is much rejoicing, but only as a thought bubble in Mario's head. Turns out, it was all a dream.
- Congratulations on beating one of the all-time classics.