Welcome to World 8, the last world of New Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo DS. Bowser Jr. retreats further and further into Bowser’s empire and Mario must fight his way through lava, active volcanoes, underwater caves and several fortresses.
World 8 is the most comprehensive world of the game. In total, 12 levels with 36 Star Coins await you. Secret Exits doesn’t exist this time – you actually have to complete each section to reach Princess Peach.
Tip: For each Star Coin in World 8-4 and World 8-8 you need a Mini Mushroom. Take one as a reserve item beforehand.
World 8-1
World 8 begins on a dark rock plateau full of crows, bullet bills and a huge Banzai bill. Even here it becomes clear that the last world forgives significantly fewer mistakes.
- Star Coin 1 In the section with the many crows, you reach two brown blocks, between which another block floats a little higher. Hit it from below and a springboard falls out. Carry it a bit to the right on the next brown platform, put it down and jump on it. You will be hurled far up to the first Star Coin.
- Star Coin 2 After the Checkpoint Flag you reach a hill with several Bill Blasters and a Boo. The Star Coin hovers far above you. Jump on a passing Bullet Bill and use it as a springboard to get enough height for the coin.
- Star Coin 3 Shortly before the goal, you will see the huge Banzai-Bill-Bill Blaster. To the left of it, the third Star Coin on a small platform is far below. Drop down and collect them. Then you wait for a Banzai Bill and use a Wall Jump to get back to the top.
World 8-2
In World 8-2 it goes through a partially flooded cave. Several times a switch changes the water level, which opens up new ways to the Star Coins.
- Star Coin 1 In the first large cave room you reach a place with a lot of brick blocks. Above is a? block with a list of power-ups. Stand directly underneath and perform several tamping attacks. Break down through the entire block layer. At the very bottom you fall directly to the first Star Coin.
- Star Coin 2 After the Checkpoint Flag you reach a room with a switch that raises the water level. Activate it and swim up. The Star Coin hangs above the water. Wait for a skeeter, jump on his head and use it as a springboard to the coin.
- Star Coin 3 In the penultimate cave room are extendable yellow blocks and again a switch for the water level. Activate it and float up on the right side of the room. There is the third Star Coin in a small niche.
World 8-Tower
The first tower of World 8 relies on moving stone blocks over spikes and abysses. Watch their movements closely, because whoever gets trapped between two blocks immediately loses a life.
- Star Coin 1 After the second mobile platform, you jump to a firm lead. Wait until the platform on the left comes back and drop on it. Drive with her to the left and then jump on the small lead with the first Star Coin.
- Star Coin 2 Later you reach a platform around which several spiked beetles run. Below is a large block of stone. Stand on it and duck to fit through the narrow gap under the upper platform. In the small area behind is the second Star Coin. Be careful not to be crushed by the goose beetles or the moving stone.
- Star Coin 3 Directly in front of the Boss door is a Dry Bones. Jump on his head to reach the blocks above. Then use a passing block or the fixed blocks above as a platform and jump to the third Star Coin.
Boss: Bowser Jr.
Bowser Jr. fights on several moving stone platforms over the abyss. In addition, two fire nozzles bound the arena.
Wait until he throws a Koopa shell. Jump to the Koopa Shell and throw it back. Bowser Jr. is knocked over and can then be hit on the head. After three hits, the fight is won.
World 8-3
World 8-3 begins as a normal underwater level, but after the Checkpoint Flag, the walls suddenly break apart and a gigantic mega-Unagi pursues Mario to the end. From this moment on you should not think much more – swim!
- Star Coin 1 During the chase, you will pass a P Switch on the ceiling. Activate it and then continue to swim at the bottom of the screen. Shortly after a tube, the first Star Coin lies above a coral formation. Get them and swim immediately.
- Star Coin 2 Directly after Star Coin 1, you should orient yourself upwards. There are several blocks of bricks. As a Super or Fire Mario, you can destroy the two blocks from below and collect the Star Coin hidden behind them.
- Star Coin 3 Shortly before the end you swim past a large rock face. Once you reach the right side of the wall, turn around immediately and sink down. Below the brick row is the third Star Coin. Hurry afterwards, because Mega-Unagi is still right behind you.
In the end, both a green and a red tube lead out of the water. The red tube sets you a little higher and thus facilitates the jump to the top of the target flag.
World 8-4
In this gloomy mountain level, spiders rain on Mario virtually continuously. For the third Star Coin you need a Mini Mushroom.
- Star Coin 1 Near the Checkpoint Flag, the Star Coin is located on a high rock outcrop. Position one of the falling cuttlebugs below the platform and jump on its head. By the additional jump you reach the lead with the coin.
- Star Coin 2 After the Checkpoint Flag, you cross several moving stone platforms over a deep abyss. The Star Coin hovers far above a particularly narrow platform. Wait until it reaches its highest point, and then jump up.
- Star Coin 3: Just before the end, you will discover a tiny mini-tube next to one of the moving platforms. Now use your Mini Mushroom and go inside. In the bonus room you get a Super Star. Run as an invulnerable Mini Mario on the narrow path through the Mini Goombas. In another block is a second star, with which you can extend the invulnerability. On the far right is the third Star Coin.
World 8-Castle
This level was referred to on the old page as “World 8-Castle 1”. It is the first castle of World 8. Here Mario encounters the revived skeleton of Bowser for the first time.
The path leads over wooden platforms that travel on rails above the lava. Several red switches determine on which rails the platforms appear.
- Star Coin 1 ride over the first two wooden platforms and reaches the Dry Bones. Directly above is a red switch. Activate it. As a result, a new platform appears on the upper rail on the left. Jump on it and get carried to the stone lead with the first Star Coin.
- Star Coin 2 A little later you reach a large stone platform with an N-shaped rail. Activate the red switch and move to the right with the platform that appears. Jump to the next wooden platform and stop on it until it goes down and then turns left. There you can collect the second Star Coin.
- Star Coin 3 Just before the Checkpoint Flag you have to make sure that the last moving platform remains in its lower position. As a result, a further platform appears below the large double door. Go into the hidden room. There, several platforms rotate over the lava. Wait until one of them gets far enough up and jumps from there to the third Star Coin.
Boss: Dry Bowser
Bowser is just a skeleton after his bath in the lava of World 1 – and this time fireballs don’t work at all.
Dry Bowser jumps, spits fire and throws bones in your direction. Wait until it sets to a high jump, run through under it and activate the skull switch on the right.
The bridge collapses and Dry Bowser falls into the depths.
But Bowser Jr. does not give up, of course.
World 8-5
From here you are in the second part of World 8. Lava is no longer just in castles. World 8-5 consists almost entirely of tipping and collapsing platforms – and does not even have an Checkpoint Flag.
- Star Coin 1 After a few collapsed platforms, you reach a number of solid stone blocks. Let yourself fall to the right of it on an unstable platform just above the lava. There is the first Star Coin. Pay attention to the lava geyser right next to it and jump back up immediately.
- Star Coin 2 Later you land on two large suspended platforms above the lava. The Star Coin floats between them. Grab the Koopa shell of a Koopa Troopa and throw it to the left from the bottom platform. The Koopa Shell collects the Star Coin safely for you.
- Star Coin 3 Just before the end follows a longer series of collapsed platforms. Get started and jump on the high-altitude last platform. It begins to fall immediately. Therefore jumps directly to the right and collects the third Star Coin in the air.
World 8-6
Mario is in the middle of an active volcano and the lava rises inexorably. In addition, the level has the same screen trick as World 7-2: If you leave the screen on the left, Mario will appear on the right again – and vice versa.
- Star Coin 1 rises to the first cannon tube. She’s throwing you up. Keep yourself as far left as possible and disappear over the left screen edge. Mario appears on the right again and can collect the first Star Coin on the small platform.
- Star Coin 2 A little later you will see a Star Coin that is completely enclosed by brick blocks. Use the nearby turning block and let yourself be thrown high in the air. Position Mario directly above the Star Coin and execute the Vortex Ground Pound. You drill through the blocks and land directly at the coin.
- Star Coin 3 In the last section, the lava rises particularly quickly. Stay on the right side of the screen when climbing. Just before you reach the last cannon tube, on the right of it is a small niche with the third Star Coin. If necessary, use the screen change to get there safely.
Then get into the cannon tube and let yourself shoot out of the volcano. With the turning block in the target area you can hover up to the top of the flag.
World 8-7
Welcome to the big family reunion of the Hammer brothers. In this level you will find Suggestion Brothers, Fire Brothers and Boomerang Brothers – often just above an abyss.
- Star Coin 1 In the first proposal brother, the Star Coin is below its platform. Jump down on the right side and then run over the brick blocks to the left to the coin. Pay attention to his Ground Pound, because it can destroy the blocks.
- Star Coin 2 The second Star Coin is open on the normal path right next to a Boomerang Bro. Defeat him or avoid his boomerangs and grab the coin.
- Star Coin 3 In the second proposal brother, the coin is again below its platform. Run a Ground Pound on the first row of bricks and break down. Be careful not to stomp too deep, because below the coin the abyss is waiting.
World 8-8
In World 8-8, glowing boulders rain continuously from the volcanoes in the background. The bullets can not only hurt Mario, but also destroy large parts of the level. Star Coin 2 requires a Mini Mushroom.
- Star Coin 1 The first Star Coin you see already shortly after the start on a high lead left. Run first to the right and jump on the bricks there. From above you jump back to the left on the lead and get the coin.
- Star Coin 2 After the Checkpoint Flag, you reach several block-covered holes in the ground. Use your Mini Mushroom. Wait until the falling boulders have destroyed the blocks above the second pit from the left. Below it is a mini-tube. Go in and follow the great labyrinth to the middle. There is the second Star Coin waiting.
- Star Coin 3 Shortly afterwards you will see the third Star Coin in a box of brick blocks. Place yourself underneath or slightly offset and let the falling volcanic boulders destroy the blocks. Once enough space has been created, jump in and get the coin.
Tip: In this level there are hidden Super Stars. The invulnerability protects against enemies and volcanic boulders, but of course not against falling into the abyss.
World 8-Tower 2
The final tower of the game combines snake blocks with fire bars, spikes and huge rolling spiked balls. Stay on the blockchain if possible, because it is almost always your only secure platform.
- Star Coin 1 In the first section, the snake block leads through several rows of spikes. The first Star Coin is located in an opening on the ceiling. Wait until the snake blocks pass directly underneath, and jump up to the coin.
- Star Coin 2 After the Checkpoint Flag you reach several rotating fire bars. At one point, the snake blocks run below a small tunnel. Jump up from the blockchain into the tunnel and walk right past the fire bars. There is the second Star Coin. Then jump back to the snake blocks.
- Star Coin 3 In the final section, several giant spine balls roll out openings in the wall. The third Star Coin lies in the opening from which the third spiked ball comes. Wait until it is rolled out, jump quickly into the niche and get the coin. Return immediately to the snake blocks.
Boss: Bowser Jr.
This is your last single fight against Bowser Jr. The arena lies directly above lava and from both sides lava geysers jump up.
Bowser Jr. uses his Koopa shell again. Jump on a Koopa Shell and throw it back to knock it down. Then you jump on his head. After three hits, he flees one last time – directly to his father.
World 8 — Bowser’s Castle
The final level of the game features virtually everything Bowser has to offer: lava, fire nozzles, thwomps, upside down rooms, a labyrinth of trails and, of course, the final battle against Bowser and Bowser Jr.
On the old page, this section was called “World 8 Castle 2”. More fitting and unique is World 8 – Bowsers Castle.
Star Coin 1
In the first part of the castle you get into a room with several thwomps and a switch that turns the entire area upside down.
The first Star Coin is in the upper left of this room.
You have two options:
- Before turning the room, jump on the ceiling to the left of the highest thwomp and run to the left to the coin.
- Or you activate the switch first and let the room turn upside down. Then avoid the left Thwomp and drop to Star Coin.
Star Coin 2
This coin needs some preparation.
In the room with the large fire nozzles you have to turn the area around first. In the left row of bricks is a hidden? Switch. Trigger the corresponding block and activate it.
As a result, some rooms later appear a movable platform over a wide field of barbs.
Follow the normal path through the thwomp room. Then you reach the said sting field. If you have activated the switch before, you can move left to an otherwise unreachable door on the platform.
Go inside. In the small room below the stairs is the second Star Coin.
The labyrinth of paths
After the Checkpoint Flag, a classic from the original Super Mario Bros. awaits you: The room repeats itself endlessly if you do not choose the right path.
Pay attention to the sound. On the right route, a bright confirmation sounds, on the wrong path a low tone and you have to repeat the section.
The solution is:
Below → Above → Middle
If you have chosen all three paths correctly, you will reach the last section of the castle.
Star Coin 3
The third coin is also the last Star Coin of the regular game.
Shortly before the final double door you can see several blocks of bricks above you. Run a Ground Pound and destroy the blocks so that you can get up or to the right side.
Now start and run the small slope or platform back to the left.
Duck yourselves while running. Mario slips his momentum under the very low gap and reaches the platform with the third Star Coin.
Then return and walk through the big double door.
Final Boss: Bowser Jr. and Bowser
Bowser Jr. throws the remains of his father into a cauldron full of dark magic. Moments later, Bowser is back in front of you – bigger and stronger than before.
You must now fight Bowser Jr. and Bowser at the same time.
Phase 1 – Bowser Jr.
First, focus on Bowser Jr.
He uses his well-known tank attack again. At the same time, Bowser supports him from the background with huge blue fireballs chasing Mario.
Jump on Bowser Jr.’s Koopa shell and throw it back. If Bowser Jr. is overturned, jumps on his head.
After three hits, Bowser Jr. falls off the bridge.
Phase 2 — Bowser
Now Bowser is even more aggressive. He fires several orange and blue fireballs in succession and blocks with his huge body practically the entire bridge.
Do not try to defeat him directly.
Your target is the skull switch behind Bowser.
Dodge his fireballs and wait patiently until Bowser makes one of his high jumps.
Once it is in the air, you run under it at full speed and activate the switch.
The bridge collapses and Bowser falls into the depths together with his son.
Princess Peach is finally saved!
After the end
After the win follows the credits of New Super Mario Bros. and Mario gets his well-deserved kiss from Princess Peach.
After the first playthrough, some new functions are also unlocked:
- You can now save on the world map at any time.
- The Toad houses can be used as often as you like.
- In World 1, an additional house appears, where you can buy new backgrounds for the lower screen for Star Coins.
- At the next launch, you can hold down L+R on the file selection screen and use A to select your score to play as Luigi.
World 8 is complete
World 8 has no secret exits and no alternative levels. For the complete completion, you must therefore complete all twelve courses.
The correct order is:
- World 8-1
- World 8-2
- World 8-Tower
- World 8-3
- World 8-4
- World 8-Castle
- World 8-5
- World 8-6
- World 8-7
- World 8-8
- World 8-Tower 2
- World 8 — Bowser’s Castle
If you have collected all three coins everywhere, you have a total of 36 Star Coins from World 8.
This concludes our journey through all eight worlds of New Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo DS.