After defeating King Boo and the Flee from the Dark Forest, Flutter brings Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario to Mount Brrr once again. The enormous, now floating castle of the two Bowsers is already clearly visible from here. Dark clouds pass high above the snowy peaks, while numerous cannons continue to distribute new paper obstacles across the Mushroom Kingdom. Somewhere up there are Bowser and Papier-Bowser with the mysterious book. After we have already freed the two princesses, our next goal is to bring the book back and bring all the paper dwellers back into their own world.
Immediately after landing, a toad from a higher platform reports. He reports that the green warp pipe, which was still built during our first visit, is now completed. Via them we get directly to the Toad village and can save ourselves the long ascent through the lower mountain regions. Before we use the abbreviation, however, a short tour of the entrance area is worthwhile. Due to the now learned Trio Glider, several platforms can be reached here, which we had to miss on the first visit.
The last objects at the foot of the Spiegelbildberg
First, head northeast to the small jumping plates and use them to get to the raised wooden platform. From there, you can see another advantage in the West that is a little too far away for an ordinary team jump. Stand at the marked bounce point and turn the group into the Trio Glider. Fly west and use an extra boost as needed to land on the remote platform. It says a? Block with a miracle groove that can restore a large amount of HP to all members of your group. Be sure to take them with you before you return to the main path.
Follow the northwestern projections towards the new green warp pipe. Just before the entrance branches off a narrow path to the west. Run down to the end and open the one there? Block with 50 coins. Nearby there is also an eye-catching grave area that you can examine with the Trio Drill. Among them are five miracle mushrooms. These particularly strong healing objects are now a valuable addition to your normal ultra mushrooms and should not be missing before the upcoming boss fight.
Before using the Warp Pipe, you can also re-examine the eastern byways. In the second mountain area stands on a previously unreachable medium platform? Block with 100 coins. You reach it by first moving with the Trio Drill under the first cardboard obstacle and then using the Trio Glider for the elevated surface. Further east, an additional connection was created by the new cardboard constructions. Over them you reach another lead with 50 coins. Once you have collected both finds, you return to the entrance area and climb through the new green warp pipe directly into the Toad village.
Back in the Toad village of the Spiegelbildberg
After the drive through the Warp Pipe you reach the famous Toad village halfway up the mountain. The inhabitants have now built several additional cardboard paths, which mainly connect the western part of the village with the upper caves. A toad next to the tube exit draws your attention to the new platforms and recommends that you use this path if you want to reach the summit. Before we leave, however, we visit the shops again. The equipment store now offers stronger clothing and accessories for Paper Mario. Compare their characteristics with your previous equipment and, above all, check if you can still improve their power and speed.
Mario and Luigi should also be equipped as well as possible. The later fight against King Bob-omb has a fixed time limit, which is why high attack values are more important than with ordinary opponents. Boots, hammers and accessories that increase your attacks or make BP costs cheaper can be particularly worthwhile here. Also, make sure your stock of miracle syrup glasses, ultra-sweets and strong healing items is sufficient. We will reach a heart crystal block again before the boss fight, but during the fight we should lose as few rounds of our own through healing as possible.
Three 1-UP DX and Paper Mario’s Force Bracelet
If you want to fully explore the new cardboard paths, you should first examine the areas behind the Lakitu Info Center. There, a green warp pipe connects the village with several known mountain sections. In the northwestern part of the adjoining area there are now additional cardboard platforms, via which you can reach a previously unreachable island. Open the Block there with three 1-UP DX. These mushrooms revive incapacitated characters with fully restored CP and are among the more valuable healing objects of the game.
Another detour takes you back to the vicinity of Bowser’s Villa. From the village, go through the appropriate tube connection and follow the upper path to the east. On the newly released cardboard platforms stands a Crystal block with a strength bracelet for Paper Mario. Take it with you and also examine the striking burial area in the area. Below her are three miracle candies. Since we do not have to visit these trails later, it is worthwhile to collect the objects now and then return to the village.
The Wise Toad’s Last Quiz
In the middle of the Toad village, another clever Toad awaits, who challenges Mario and Luigi to a knowledge quiz. If you have already successfully answered the previous quiz questions on the Sunbeam Plains, the Doop Doop Dunes, the Twinsy Tropics and the Gloomy Woods, this is the fifth and final regular quiz toad of the adventure. Take up his challenge. As usual, you must answer at least three of five randomly selected questions correctly. There is no time limit in the normal variant, so you can look at the answer options in peace.
The questions relate to events from the previous adventure, well-known Enemies and various special attacks. For example, the Toad may want to know which attack against paper monsters is particularly effective. In this case, the correct answer is Fire Flower, as Fire is particularly effective against numerous paper enemies. If he asks about Wiggler’s favorite food, you choose the melon. The bald Koopaling can also occur: The right answer is Wendy. Other questions include the trio Shuriken, the trio grave or the objects that various Enemies throw at Mario and Luigi.
After three correct answers, you get three Stache-Beans, which permanently increase the corresponding status value. If you have also successfully challenged the four previous quiz toads, you will receive the Mushroom gloves for Mario and Luigi as an additional reward. These can automatically use a mushroom in dangerous situations if the wearer’s HP drops too far. The more difficult quiz variants then remain available via the Lakitu Info Centers, but are not necessary for the current progress.
Another race against Yoshi
Leave the village center to the west and enter the new cardboard paths. Right at the beginning are two? blocks with 50 and 100 coins. Open both and follow the narrow platform west. A little further away you will find a third crystal block with another 50 coins. Then you meet a Yoshi who challenges Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario to another race. Since we also want to do the available side tasks for our complete run, we accept the challenge directly.
This time, the route covers three interconnected mountain areas. Unlike the first Yoshi race in Gloomy Woods, you not only have to use acceleration fields and jumping plates correctly, but you also have to overcome icy surfaces, muddy paths and various obstacles. Yoshi also tries to stop you with his jumps and thrown eggs. Therefore, observe its movement before you run over a particularly narrow section. If it lands near you with a tamping attack, you should jump in time to overcome the resulting shock wave.
Start the race with a sprint over the first cardboard track and then use the jump plates to reach the higher paths. On the ice surfaces, you should walk as straight as possible, as Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario slip too far during abrupt changes of direction. Especially the transitions between ice and mud cost a lot of time if you enter them without a previous attempt. Therefore, try to cross the muddy surfaces with common jumps and sprint again on the fixed platforms immediately.
On the middle part of the track you also have to move a large mechanism with the Trio Hammer to uncover the further path. Afterwards, run over the next platform without a longer break and use the acceleration fields in their intended direction. If Yoshi lands in front of you and throws several eggs back, watch her trajectory. You can skip smaller bullets, while you may have to react with the hammer in an immediately approaching egg. Above all, it is important that you immediately return to the sprint after a successful counterattack.
On the last section, the route runs again over several wooden platforms towards the original starting point. Follow the path markings and avoid unnecessary shortcuts where you may miss a required section of the route. If you reach the goal before Yoshi, you will receive the Tempo gloves DX for Mario or Luigi as a reward. They increase the speed value and are therefore particularly suitable for characters who should act as early as possible within a battle round. The challenge can be repeated later in the Lakitu Info Centre, even in a more difficult variant.
The new cave entrance
After the race you return to the western Pappweg and follow it to the northern cave entrance. Unlike our first visit, the new route leads much higher into the mountain. Enter the Cave and first defeat the two Shy Guys patrolling the lower path. Then follow the small wooden steps to the west. Right in front of you rises a large sandy wall, where we can use the Trio Drill. Stand on the soft spot at the foot of the wall, dig in and perform a drill sprint upwards.
Move within the wall first to the west and then up. Between the sandy surfaces are several cracked connecting plates, which you can destroy with a targeted drilling sprint. Behind it, the climbing route runs east again. It is especially important that you do not touch the movable saw blades. Wait until they move away from your position, and only then sprint through the resulting opening. Some of the cracked plates require several hits before they break completely. Since there is no time limit, you can observe the movements of the obstacles in peace.
In this way, work your way up to the top of the first sand wall. There you can shoot yourself on a fixed lead. Go to the right and destroy the big gray Crystal block with the Trio Hammer. Behind this, another passageway opens, which leads back to the outdoors. Before you go through, however, you should still search the X markings within the sand wall. Among them are several coin stores and beans that you can excavate with the Trio Drill. Especially in the higher wall sections are small side hallways that are easily overlooked from the direct main route.
Then leave the cave through the eastern passage. On the other hand, you can reach a large outdoor area with several cloud platforms and wooden outcrops. Is it at the beginning? Block with 100 coins. Open it and follow the path north until you reach the next Lakitu.
Over the clouds to the next cave section
In the following area, a larger part of the ground is covered by bright cloud platforms. Between them run narrow wooden paths, some of which extend over deep abysses. A Lakitu tells you that further east a Toad is working on a strange wall of mystery. Before you make your way to him, you should first examine the accessible objects. Is there a northern platform? Block with two miracle mushrooms. Open it and then follow the eastern path to the next area.
There is a narrow rock opening near the entrance. Send Paper Mario in alone and follow the hidden walk. In the end, you will receive three miracle syrup glasses that can fill up your BP supply particularly strongly. Then you return to Mario and Luigi and open it? Block next to the waiting Toad. There are 100 coins in it.
Side Mission: The Mystery of the Spiegelbildberg
Talk to the Toad now. He tells of two large colored stone blocks located in a neighboring puzzle area. The stones must be pushed into their intended fields, but the corresponding mechanisms only work if you execute the shifts in the correct order. Take the task and go to the blue stone first. With the Trio Drill you can dig into the soft ground and then move the Block through targeted drilling sprints.
The shortest solution for the blue stone is top, left, bottom, left, bottom. Stand on the opposite side of the block and perform the drill sprint in the required direction. Once the blue stone has reached its target field, switch to the second section with the red or pink stone. Here is the order above, right, bottom, left, top, left. Be careful not to perform any additional push, otherwise you may move the stone back from its correct position.
After the successful completion of both puzzles, you return to the Toad. As a reward, you will receive a dull Hammer DX for Mario or Luigi. Also in this side mission there is later a more difficult variant, in which both stones have to be moved in a different order. For the regular reward, the described solution is first sufficient.
With the Trio Glider to the western cloud projection
After the puzzle, return to the previous area and this time head west from Lakitu. Follow the higher way there until you recognize a large golden ring over the abyss. Stand on the purple glider mark and start a flight through the ring. This results in additional coins that you can collect along the flight route. If possible, steer straight through the visible coin rows and use your lift spurts only when Paper Mario has already lost some height. On the opposite side, a large cloud platform is waiting.
Land there and talk to the next Lakitu. He points you to another cave, through which you can finally reach the high outdoor platforms before the summit. Follow the narrow path west and enter the cave. Just behind the entrance you can see a large sandy wall in which several rotating light rings float. You already know this mechanic from the Twinsy Tropics rogueport underground. Here, too, you have to shoot yourself through the rings with the trio drill and then reach the platforms above.
The Second Cave: Light Rings and Moving Sandblocks
Before digging into the wall, you should first examine the western byway. There are two? blocks with 100 and 50 coins. Open both and defeat the paper shy guy patrolling nearby. Then go back to the sandy section of the wall near the entrance and select the trio drill. Dig in and sprint west into the first ring of light.
As with the previous ring puzzles, you have to wait until the opening of the next ring points exactly in your direction. Only then is a drill sprint worthwhile. First move west over several rings and then follow the route up. Some of the rings rotate clockwise, others change their alignment in opposite directions. Therefore, observe each transition individually, instead of jumping blindly in the same rhythm. Especially with the last rings, it is important that both openings fit together for a short moment.
After the last ring you reach several small blocks of sand that float freely between the rock walls. With a drill sprint, you can jump from one crystal block to the next. Follow the route west until you reach a larger continuous sand wall. A cracked connecting plate is located there. Destroy them with repeated drill sprints to create a permanent connection to the lower wall. This shortcut is especially useful if you accidentally fall back down during the following jumps.
Then return to the small blocks of sand. One of the middle blocks moves up and down regularly. First, dig into the lower section and wait until the moving Block reaches its highest position. Then sprint to the left sand. Once you get there, you leave the ground and use the Trio Glider to fly up onto the moving Block. Then wait until he goes up again. From its highest position you start another gliding flight towards the coin lane in the east.
The coins mark the way to the next high-altitude platform. Use your additional lifts as evenly as possible and head for the fixed lead at the end of the route. If you sink too low, you can land on the moving sand block and start the flight again. Once you reach the upper platform, follow the short path to the exit of the cave.
The hidden platform with four treasure blocks
After leaving the Cave you will stand on one of the highest outdoor platforms of the Spiegelbildberg. First defeat the paper shy guys patrolling there and then jump up the small wooden steps. Is there a top level? Block with 50 coins. Open it and then stand on the western edge. There you can see another floating platform that can only be reached with the Trio Glider from our current lead.
Take off a short glide west and land on the remote platform. Here are four treasure blocks, which you should definitely open in front of the actual gate puzzle. They contain 100 coins, 50 coins, energy clothing DX for Paper Mario and another 50 coins. You should check the new clothes directly in the equipment menu. Especially for the upcoming battles, a stronger equipment of the paper hero can be worthwhile.
After opening all four blocks, you drop onto the lower cloud platform and follow the path east. With this you reach a new section of the upper Spiegelbildberg. Directly in front of you rises a large rock face, in the middle of which a striking two-colored gate can be seen.
The two-color gate on Mount Brrr
In the upper part of the mountain, Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario reach a huge gate with Bowser’s emblem. The door is locked by two colored fuses: a red one on the left and a blue one on the right. Luigi immediately realizes that behind the construction must be the path to the summit. To open them, both color color switches must be operated. However, these are located on various elevated platforms, which can only be reached via longer detours.
Start with the red color switch on the left. Jump first over the wooden projections in the northeast of the area. Is there one of the upper steps? Block with two miracle syrup glasses. Open it and then go right to the narrow platform next to the red color switch. Stand in front of it and use the Trio Hammer. The joint strike activates the mechanism and the red fuses on the gate disappear.
However, the door remains closed as long as the blue half of the lock is still active. Therefore, go back to the lower edge of the area and follow the path east. Along the way, you will encounter several stronger Enemies who perform in groups and attack Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario with quick movements. Try to surprise them with a first strike if possible and use strong area attacks if necessary to end the fighting quickly.
In the southeastern part of the area stands on a raised wooden platform? Block with 100 coins. Open it and then follow the eastern exit into the next section of clouds. There is already a Lakitu waiting to alert you to a group of missing paper toads.
Side mission: rescue at air altitude
In the new area you can first jump over the small wooden platforms behind the Lakitu to an elevated level. It says a? Block with 100 coins. There are also several drilling sites nearby that you can examine with the Trio Drill. Collect the hidden beans and coins and then talk to the Lakitu. He explains that several paper toads have been kidnapped by flying Koopas and are now being held over a deep abyss. This starts the optional rescue mission, in which you have to catch the inhabitants from the air.
During the task, the group stands on a floating cloud while various parakoopas fly across the screen with trapped paper toads. The inhabitants wear differently colored mushroom caps. Pay attention to these colors, as they will help you choose the right character for the jump. As soon as a parakoopa flies immediately above your position, you jump up with the right brother or Paper Mario to touch the captured Toad. This frees him and lands securely on the cloud.
Between the Parakoopas, however, also appear Enemies who wear Bob-ombs. These bombs must not accidentally touch Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario. Therefore, first observe whether there is actually a paper toad under the flying Enemie before you jump. A hasty jump can cause you to catch a bomb and get a failed attempt. Focus on the correct order of the approaching characters and use the short breaks between their movements to prepare you for the next Toad.
After the successful conclusion, Lakitu thanks the group and gives you a courageous heart for Mario and Luigi as a reward. This accessory is particularly interesting for longer fights and should therefore be compared directly with your previous equipment. Since the upcoming boss fight is limited to four minutes, you should still primarily use items that support your power or the reliability of your special attacks.
The eastern detour to the blue color switch
Then leave the mission platform east and follow the path north. Here you can expect several small wooden steps and other Enemies. Jump on the raised protrusions and then head northeast. At the next intersection is a Mario-Crystal block, which you can open exclusively with Mario. Therein lies a miracle candy that can restore both HP and BP particularly strongly. Be sure to take the item with you before returning to the main route.
Then continue east to a large cardboard construction. Below the top platform are several X markers that you can dig up with the Trio Drill. Collect their contents and then stand in front of the barbed plate on the right. With ordinary jumps you get no further here, as the Spike Trap completely block the way. Therefore, use the Trio Hammer to turn the paper plate over. As a result, their harmless rear faces upwards and forms a walkable surface.
Jump over the upside down plate to the next wooden platform and follow the way up. It says a? Block with 100 coins. Open it and then go to the western edge. From here you can see a remote platform that can be reached with the Trio Glider. Stand on the jump marker and fly west. On the opposite side there is another area with a barbed plate, which you also have to turn around with the Trio Hammer.
Then work with several short glide flights from platform to platform. Some of the distances can be overcome with a single additional lift thrust, others require more precise control. Try to fly as straight as possible to the opposite wooden surfaces and do not use your lifts too early. Especially in the last abyss, it makes sense to use the third thrust only shortly before landing. So you reach the higher platform without falling back into the area below.
At the end of the route is another one? Block with 100 coins. Open it and then follow the western exit. This will return you to the opposite side of the large gate area. The blue color switch is now not far away.
Activate the blue color switch
Go west in the gate area first. There is a Heart-Block, with which you can completely restore all HP and BP of your group. Right next to it is a red one! Block. Strike against it from below. This creates a new cloud bridge that connects the western and eastern part of the area. You should definitely open this shortcut, because in the future you can avoid the long detour via the eastern glider platforms.
After that, go back to the northern rock face and jump on the small wooden steps. Follow them up until you stand right in front of the blue color switch. Activate it with the Trio Hammer. A short cutscene shows how the blue fuse also disappears from the large gate. Thus, both locks are released and the access to the summit of the Spiegelbildberg is finally open.
Before you go through the gate, you should use the Heart-Block one last time and save your progress. Also check your equipment and stockpile of special attacks. The following boss fight has a fixed time limit and leaves little room for unnecessarily long healing and defense rounds. Especially important are strong hammers, a high attack value and enough BP for your most reliable pair and trio attacks.
When you are ready, you drop from the upper platform to the open gate and enter the room behind it. In its center is a large elevator that leads directly to the summit. Place Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario on it and move upstairs.
The secret production plant at the summit
After a longer elevator ride, the three heroes finally reach the highest point of the Spiegelbildberg. Instead of an ordinary mountain peak, it expects a huge production plant in which numerous machines and cannons have been built. Everywhere are cardboard constructions that are prepared by Koopalings. This also clarifies where the numerous paper obstacles that were distributed over the Mushroom Kingdom during our adventure came from. From this mountain station, the cardboard objects were shot with huge cannons into the surrounding areas.
Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario look around curiously, but their arrival does not go unnoticed for long. Several guards spot the three intruders and sound the alarm. Shortly after, the leader of the entire facility appears: King Bob-omb. The huge bombing king is unenthusiastic that Mario and his friends have advanced to the summit. Instead of engaging in an ordinary fight, he threatens to ignite his own fuse and blow up the entire plant.
Starlow immediately realizes how dangerous the situation is. Once the fight begins, a countdown of four minutes appears on the screen. Within this time, we must defeat King Bob-omb before his fuse is completely burned down. This begins one of the most unusual boss fights of the game.
Boss Fight: King Bob-omb
King Bob-omb has 1,744 HP, making it a resilient Enemie that we could fight in ordinary circumstances across multiple rounds of attack. Due to the time limit, however, we have to be much more aggressive. Every animation, every unnecessary menu change and every longer healing action costs precious seconds. Especially strong pair and trio attacks are therefore crucial, as long as you master their key inputs reliably. A very long bros. Attack with numerous errors can even be worse in these conditions than a shorter attack, which you will surely finish with an excellent hit.
Another special feature is the great pointed Elder Princess Shroob of the bomb king. It protects him against ordinary jump attacks. If you jump right on his head, your character will be hurt by the tops instead of harming the Enemies. Therefore, refrain from normal jumps and special attacks in which Mario or Luigi would land unprotected on the Elder Princess Shroob. Instead, use Hammer attacks, the Cannonball Chuck, and other suitable pair or trio attacks that can hit the boss without a direct jump on his head.
Especially helpful are already prepared combat cards that increase your power. If you have enough star points, you should have a corresponding card immediately before a strong bros. Playing an attack. Since using a combat card doesn’t use your own attack move, you can increase the damage without giving up your next offensive action. Also have some ultra-syrup glasses or miracle syrup glasses available if your BP drops too far during the fight. If possible, try to use the previous healing blocks and objects before the beginning of the fight.
Send the thrown Bob-ombs back
Among King Bob-omb’s most common attacks is throwing small Bob-ombs. The boss takes several of his subordinates from the background and hurls them towards Mario, Luigi or Paper Mario. The small bombs first land on the battlefield and then move towards one of the three characters. Observe exactly who they are running towards. Just before a Bob-omb reaches the respective character, you press the appropriate jump button.
In a successful counterattack, Mario, Luigi or Paper Mario jumps on the small bomb and throws it back towards King Bob-omb. There it explodes, causing additional damage to the boss. This is especially helpful because it reduces your life energy without having to use your own attack train or BP. Especially during the four-minute countdown, you should therefore try to successfully send back as many of these bobs as possible.
The small bombs can run in different order towards Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario. Therefore, do not just wait for a fixed key rhythm, but observe the actual movement of the respective bomb. Some stop for a moment before they start their rush. If you jump too early, the affected character may already land on the floor when the Bob-omb reaches him. Also, make sure to keep Maria’s paper copies as complete as possible. They offer it additional protection if a hit comes through during a longer attack sequence.
King Bob-omb’s attack
In another attack, King Bob-omb slowly approaches Mario or Luigi and tries to grab one of the two brothers with his huge hand. First, observe which character he is moving towards. As soon as the bomb king reaches out his hand and stands immediately in front of the affected brother, you press the appropriate hammer button. If you succeed in the counterattack, you strike his hand back and prevent him from grabbing the character.
If you miss the right time, King Bob-omb lifts the brother and throws him towards Paper Mario. The paper hero must then react with the hammer himself. On a successful hit, he sends Mario or Luigi back to the bomb king, so that he suffers additional damage. However, even the brother who is thrown back can be injured. The safer variant is therefore to ward off the first handle with a well-timed hammer strike.
This attack can be countered comparatively reliably if you do not react too early. Wait until the bomb king’s hand really reaches for his brother, and only then swing the hammer. A successful first counterattack is especially valuable in this fight because it prevents both damage and a possibly longer follow-up action.
The Big Red Bomb: One Minute Extra Time
The most important counterattack of the entire boss fight begins with King Bob-omb bringing out a particularly large red bomb. He lays them on the floor in front of him and then kicks them with full force towards the three heroes. Instead of avoiding the projectile, Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario have to fight back the bomb several times with the hammer. A total of three successful hammer hits are required before the bomb returns to King Bob-omb and explodes at him.
First, observe which character the bomb king shoots the red bomb at. With this character, keep the hammer ready and wait until the projectile appears immediately in front of him. Press the appropriate button to repel the bomb. King Bob-omb then takes her back to the group. Also with the second and third contact you have to let the affected character react in time. The distances between the individual beats change during the episode, so you should not just press three times in the same rhythm.
If the entire combination succeeds, the bomb finally flies back directly to the boss and explodes. King Bob-omb is thrown out of balance by the force of the hit and suffers considerable damage. Even more important is the impact on his self-destruction countdown: After this successful counterattack, you get an extra minute. This allows you to significantly extend the available combat time and, in case of doubt, get another round of attack.
You should definitely take advantage of this mechanic. Even if you have already reduced a large part of King Bob-omb’s life energy, a fully executed counterattack against the red bomb is worthwhile. Therefore, be careful not to panic unnecessarily during the attack sequence. Observe the actual flight movements of the projectile and strike only when it appears immediately before the selected character. A properly executed counterattack can decide victory or defeat, especially if you are competing against the boss with comparatively low character levels.
Use the last two minutes correctly
Once King Bob-omb has lost about half of his life energy, his body starts to glow noticeably. His fuse continues to burn down and the countdown becomes increasingly threatening. However, you should not be tempted by hectic attacks. Instead, continue to focus on your strongest, most reliably executable techniques. You get particularly good results with the Cannonball Chuck and other Bros. Attacks that hit King Bob-omb’s Elder Princess Shroob without landing.
If Mario or Luigi have little BP, you can use a strong syrup glass and prepare several more special attacks. However, try not to take several healing rounds immediately after one another. If your characters‘ CPs are still high enough, it often makes more sense to end the fight offensively before the bombing king can carry out another attack. Especially if his remaining life energy is already in the low three-digit range, you should use another strong pair or trio attack as directly as possible.
Your battle cards can also be decisive here again. If you have enough star points for a card that increases power, play them immediately before your next special attack. Cards with direct damage are also helpful if the countdown is already far down and you only have to subtract a few HP from King Bob-omb. Since the battle cards can be used without using a normal attack train, you can cause additional damage without having to do without your next attack.
When King Bob-omb uses the big red bomb again, you should definitely try to create all three hammer hits. With the extra minute you can relax the fight considerably. It is particularly important to observe the attack animations until the end. A premature stroke can interrupt the entire combination and prevent the valuable time extension.
What happens when the countdown expires?
When the countdown reaches zero, King Bob-omb explodes with all his remaining power. The explosion hits Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario several times in a row and causes extremely high damage. Usually, this leads to the entire group becoming incapacitated. However, there is equipment and special card effects with which at least one character can survive such an attack sequence. If at least one member of your group survives, the fight is considered won despite the explosion.
For a full point, however, this method is not a good choice. If you only survive the explosion, you will not receive any regular Experience Point, coins or the special boss equipment. Therefore, you should actually defeat King Bob-omb before the countdown expires. Just the extra minute from the red bomb counter makes this usually well possible. Even if you can fight again later in the battle arena, the right victory is worthwhile already on the first run.
Defeat King Bob-omb
After enough hits, King Bob-omb is finally defeated before he can trigger his self-destruction. The huge bomb king loses his balance and collapses between the machines of the summit. Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario can breathe a sigh of relief: the production plant is secured and the huge explosion was prevented. As a reward, the group will receive 5,500 Experience Point and 990 coins. In addition, King Bob-omb leaves behind the tank clothes for Mario or Luigi, which you should compare directly with your previous equipment.
With the victory over the bombing king, the summit of the Spiegelbildberg is now also freed from Bowser’s troops. The huge cannons stand still and the way to the floating castle seems finally free. However, Neo Bowser Castle is still high above the mountain. Even with the Trio Glider, the distance is not enough to reach them directly. Mario and Luigi are therefore considering how they could overcome the great height difference. Shortly afterwards, several Lakitus appear, who brought a massive shipment of rescued paper toads.
The paper toads build the sky stairs
Toadette has actually developed an unusual plan to make the floating castle accessible. The numerous rescued paper toads are to unite into a huge staircase into the sky. For this purpose, they fold their flat bodies and stand one after the other to form a long spiral connection. The first inhabitants form the lower section, while the remaining paper toads climb further and further up the trail to the floating castle.
Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario watch in amazement as the many individual residents create a seemingly endless staircase. Even the dangerous cannonballs falling from Bowser’s new castle cannot shake the cohesion of the Paper Toads. The residents keep joining together, preventing the stairs from collapsing among the three brothers. Finally, when a continuous connection to the castle has emerged, the last ascent can begin.
New Bros. Attack: Toad Trail
After the construction of the Sky Stairs, it turns out that some paper toads are left. Instead of being left idle, they want to support Mario and Luigi in the coming battles. Together they develop a new Bros. Attack for Mario: The Toad Trail. Mario now owns all five Bros. Attacks of his regular attack repertoire.
The Toad Trail costs eleven BP and can hit several Enemies at the same time. As soon as you select the attack, numerous paper toads form a long, narrow track, where Mario and Luigi slide along at high speed. During this phase, you control the two brothers with the sliding pad. Hold it forward and move it gently to the left or right to keep Mario and Luigi on the narrow Toad track.
On the way, several gaps appear, which you have to skip with a timely pressure on A. Observe the path as far ahead as possible and do not press the button only when you are already immediately before a gap. In a successful jump, the brothers land on the next section and continue their journey. If, on the other hand, you fall off the track, the attack is terminated prematurely and you do not cause any further damage.
At the end of the track, Mario and Luigi are thrown high into the air and together form a large rolling wheel. Control the two with the sliding pad towards the Enemies so that they meet as many enemies as possible. The faster and more error-free you have slipped over the Toad track before, the stronger the final attack. In a particularly successful passage, the brothers reach such a high speed that they start to glow briefly and hit the Enemies with full force.
Since the Toad Trail consumes eleven BP, it is one of the more elaborate Bros. Attacks. However, the technology is particularly interesting against larger opponent groups and will also serve us well in Bowser’s new castle. Practice controlling the next usual battles before using it against particularly strong bosses.
The Long Rise to Bowser’s New Castle
After the handover of the Toad rope act, the way to the top is finally clear. Place Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario at the beginning of the long sky staircase and follow her up. The staircase winds in a large spiral around the mountain and leads further and further into the sky. On the way, numerous cannonballs appear, which are shot down by the defenses of the floating castle. However, the paper toads keep the track together, so you do not have to fend off every single bullet yourself in this section.
Follow the stairs if possible without long detours up. The path runs first to the west, then over several turns again to the east and finally in a large spiral to the upper end. Since the paper toads have already completely merged into a stable construction, you can walk along the stairs normally. In some places, the paper dwellers move a bit when Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario pass over them. However, this is not a reason to change direction or make a jump.
After a longer climb, you will finally recognize the lower walls of Bowser’s new castle. The Sky Staircase ends on a small platform directly below the massive building. Thus, the three heroes have finally managed to reach a safe access to the floating castle. Just before the entrance is a paper toad, with which you can talk if you want to return to Mount Brrr later. In addition, there is a green warp pipe nearby, which allows a faster connection to the regions already visited.
Before you start the next big section, you should check your equipment again and have as strong healing items as possible. Neo Bowser Castle is one of the most dangerous regions of the game. In addition to much stronger opponents, you can expect several big puzzles, new paper toad missions and other Papercraft battles. In addition, Bowser and Papier-Bowser are still in possession of the mysterious book, whose reconquest is now imminent.
This completes the second major ascent to Mount Brrr. We activated the two color switches, opened access to the summit, defeated King Bob-omb before his explosion and Mario’s last regular Bros. Received an attack. The previously accessible sideways, glider platforms and important equipment are also taken into account. Some optional challenges in the Lakitu Info Centers can still be played in their more difficult variants, but are not necessary for the immediate progress of the story.
Continue with Bowser’s new Castle. Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario must first overcome the defensive structures and find out how to open the way into the interior of the floating castle. In addition, another dangerous challenge awaits us with the last big Papercraft before we finally face Bowser and Papier-Bowser.