Thanks to Don Raphael and his ravens, Mario and Kolorado are finally able to ride Mt. Enter Lavalava. In the volcano awaits not only the fifth High Star Misstar, but also Mario’s last Hammer upgrade with the Ultra Hammer. You can also further improve two partners and collect some strong badges. Especially the Ice Power Badges should be created for this section, because many enemies are made of fire and take additional damage. For the later boss fight, the fire shield badges are also particularly valuable.
The Ultra Hammer
Enter the volcano and follow Kolorado through the first moving platforms. The platforms sink partially into the lava, so do not stop on it unnecessarily long. In the next big room you use the rope slide and work your way down. On the right side is a corridor with several rotating fire bars. Dodge them with short jumps and follow the path up to a super block. Since you now own the Ultra Stone by Don Raphael, you can now improve partners who have already reached the super rank a second time. Sushie is the best choice for the Ultra rank here, as her new Attack Tsunami will be extremely useful for the final opponent of this chapter.
Return to the great cave and continue down. You reach a Save Block and another cable slide. Directly to the right of it, a metal block blocks the way – with your previous hammer you can not destroy it yet. Save therefore and first take the rope slide to the left. During the journey, drop approximately at the height of the raised stone pillar. There is the fire shield badges. It costs only 2 OP, reduces damage from fire attacks by one point and allows Mario to jump on burning enemies without hurting himself. For the remaining volcano and especially lava piranha you should create it directly.
Then drop all the way down, defeat the opponents and move to the left. In the next area you have to push several blue stone blocks into the lava. This partially blocks the lava flow and Parakarry can carry you over the gaps created. Pay attention to a hidden one? Block on the elevated platform where there is a Life Mushroom. In the following room you repeat the principle: push the two blocks into the lava and fly with Parakarry over the remaining gap. Defeat the fire opponents on the other side and climb the rocks up. In the great treasure chest is finally the Ultra Hammer.
The Ultra Hammer is Mario’s strongest Hammer upgrade. Normal hammer attacks will do much more damage from now on and you can finally destroy the large metal blocks that have blocked your way so far. Try it right on the block from the treasure chest. Follow the lower path into the adjacent area, destroy another block of metal there and fly with parakarry over the lava. In the treasure chest on the raised platform you will find the Badges Para-Dauz. With this jump attack, there is a chance to make an opponent dizzy and put them out of action for a few rounds.
Continue through Mt. Lavalava
Now return to the large room with the storage block and the rope slide. The metal block on the right you can finally destroy with the Ultra Hammer. Go through and follow Kolorado to the next section. Of course, it immediately falls down, but we first take care of the collectibles. Defeats the opponents on the lower level and examines the ground below the raised platform with the vortex jump or Ultra Hammer. Here is a hidden floor plate with a Star Piece.
This area is also where the second super-block of Lavalava Mountain awaits. Return to the rope slide and drive along it. Pay attention to the much brighter spot on the rock face in the background and drop right there. Mario lands on the elevated platform with the Super Block. If you have already brought Sushie to the ultra rank, Watt or Goombario are good candidates for the second upgrade. Watt is particularly versatile thanks to her defensive electric shock, while Goombario gets his strong multi-headbonk attack in ultra-rank.
Follow the normal path deeper into the volcano. At one point, a huge spike ball rolls through the aisle. Use Bow as soon as she comes to Mario so she just rolls through you. In the following rooms you have to get past sinking platforms and rotating fire barriers. Wait a moment for a safe gap instead of letting the barriers push you into the lava.
Finally, you will meet again on Kolorado. In front of you, several metal blocks block the way, behind the giant Spike Ball waits again. Push the blue block to the left so you can reach the top row of metal blocks and smash them with the Ultra Hammer. Once the path is clear, the Spike Ball starts rolling. Use Bow again so she doesn’t meet Mario. The ball rolls down the slope, passes over poor Kolorado and finally crashes through the wall. That is where things continue.
In the next area you will find a heart block. Heal yourselves completely here. A few steps away is hidden under another floor plate the second Star Pieces of the Lavalava Mountain. After that, you can collect a super mushroom and Maple Syrup in the? blocks. Then go down the stairs, save your progress and prepare for the boss fight. Recommended are Ice Power, Fire Shield and Vert.-Plus; if you have damage avoidance badges or other defensive badges, you can also create them. Sushie should ideally already be in ultra rank.
Boss Fight: Lava-Piranha
Go from the storage block to the right and follow the passage to the large lava basin. There, lava piranha rises from the lava, accompanied by two lava buds. The struggle has two complete phases. Lava Piranha has 40 HP in each phase, so you have to damage the main plant in the entire fight a total of 80 HP. In the first phase, Lava-Piranha has 5 attack and no defense, while the two lava buds each have 8 HP and with their attacks can cause 4 damage.
Don’t focus too much on permanently shutting down the buds, because the key to the end of the phase is only the main plant. Sushie’s water attacks are very effective and with her tsunami you can hit lava piranha and both buds at the same time. Mario should go with jump attacks and especially the power dauz or other strong multiple jumps on the main plant. With Ice Power your jumps against fire opponents become stronger and thanks to fire shield you can start burning opponents safely. Once the 40 HP of lava piranha is consumed, all three plants sink into the lava. Don’t be happy too soon.
| Opponents | Max. HP | Attack | Defense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lava Piranha – Phase 1 | 40 | 5 | 0 |
| Lava bud – Phase 1 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
After a few seconds, Lava-Piranha appears again – this time completely in flames and much more dangerous. The two lava buds are also burning now. Lava-Piranha again has 40 HP and its strongest fire flow can cause up to 7 damage. The lava buds no longer attack directly, but create small petit piranhas. These have only 1 HP, but then crash on Mario and cause 6 damages each. If you let all attacks get through, this phase can therefore become unpleasant very quickly.
This is where Sushie plays her greatest strength. Water and ice attacks extinguish the flames of the plants and disable them for a short time. A well-executed tsunami hits all enemies at once, clears Lava Piranha and the two lava buds, and gives you several safe attacks. Use this time to focus as much damage as possible on the main plant with Mario. Once the buds burn again, use tsunami or another water attack again. If possible, you should eliminate petit piranhas with surface attacks before they jump on Mario.
| Opponents | Max. HP | Attack | Defense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lava Piranha – Phase 2 | 40 | 7 | 0 |
| Lava bud – Phase 2 | 8 | 0* | 0 |
| Petit piranha | 1 | 6 | 0 |
*The lava buds do not attack directly in Phase 2, but create petit piranhas.
With Ice Power, Fire Shield and an ultra-ranked Sushie, the fight becomes much easier. Tsunami keeps the burning plant parts under control, while Mario with his strongest jump attacks mines the remaining 40 HP of lava piranha. Defensive badges such as Vert.-Plus also help if several attacks get through once in the same round. Once you have defeated the main plant a second time, the battle is finally over and the fifth High Star Misstar is freed.
Of course, Kolorado is less interested in the rescued High Star than in the alleged treasure in the volcano and immediately storms further. However, your victory is not without consequences: In Mt. Lavalava begins to rumor threateningly and the adventure on Lavalava Island is not quite over.