The Tile Pool to Thudley
In chapter 3-2 it goes completely under water. Bowser is particularly useful here, as he can also use his fire breath when swimming. This means that Cheep-Cheeps, Blooper and other water opponents do it much faster than with the previous Pixl.
Swimming to the right from the start. In the first question mark blocks you will find, among other things, a mushroom and a lucky flower. In between, switch to the 3D view with Mario to discover additional coins behind the block rows.
Shortly afterwards you reach the first great strudel. Don’t try to swim right through its center as it sucks you in and causes damage. Instead, switch to the 3D view and take the path that runs laterally behind the blocks.
Follow the underwater path further to the right. You will pass six yellow pillars that you cannot use at this time. Remember their position and continue swimming first.
In front of a green warp pipe surrounded by brown blocks, you will find a Save Block. Save your score and then move to the third dimension with Mario. So you can swim past the blocks and reach the warp pipe.
In the next section, massive tentacles from the seabed attack you. Stay away until they retreat, or drive them away with Bowser’s fire breath. Also, pay attention to the little strudels that can throw you back.
Stay as high as possible and swim to the right until you discover an opening on the water surface. Jump out of the water and stand next to the green warp pipe there.
Make sure to switch to the 3D view. Behind the warp pipe stands a hidden chest with a gold bar. This treasure is not required for a puzzle and can later be sold for 100 coins.
Open the chest and then climb into the green warp pipe. Follow the passage to the right. Stachel Goombas and other enemies can be eliminated with Boomer or simply roasted with Bowser’s fire.
At the end of the way, you walk through the door. She locks herself behind you and you end up in a room full of water opponents. Defeat all Cheep-Cheeps and Bloopers. Bowser is also the easiest choice here.
Once the last opponent has disappeared, a large chest appears. Open them and free the new Pixl Thudley.
With Thudley you can perform a strong Ground Pound. The ability works on land, in the air and even under water. It does a lot of damage and can push yellow columns into the ground or bring them back up.
Swim to the left to the yellow column next to the door and place Thudley directly above it. The column is pressed into the ground and the closed door opens again.
The Mystery of the Six Pillars
Leave Thudley’s room and follow the aisle back to the green warp pipe. Jump through and return to the large underwater section.
Drop into the water again and swim further to the right this time. Avoid the vortex and avoid the huge tentacles. With Bowser, you can push the tentacles back for a short time if they block your path.
At the right end of the section you can jump out of the water again. On the wall is a drawing showing six yellow columns in different positions.
The order is from left to right:
Above – below – below – above – below – above.
You only have to remember that the second, third and fifth pillars have to be pressed in.
Jump back into the water and swim all the way to the left. Use the upper green warp pipe to return to the first section of the tile sea.
Switches to the 3D view at the output of the Warp Pipe if necessary and uses the Save Block again. Then swim to the left to the six yellow pillars you passed before.
Equip Thudley and press the following columns counted from the left into the ground:
Second pillar – third pillar – fifth pillar.
The first, fourth and sixth pillars must remain at the top. If you accidentally punched the wrong pillar, Thudley simply puts it on it a second time. This brings it back up.
As soon as the pattern
above – below – below – above – below – above
When set correctly, a new door appears between the pillars. Go through it.
Intermediate boss: Big Blooper
Swimming to the right in the next section. Here you will encounter several large fish that shoot at high speed through the water. You can defeat them with Bowser’s fire breath or avoid them by swimming up or down in time.
After a few pits and more enemies, a huge Big Blooper blocks your way.
How to Defeat the Big Blooper
The Big Blooper itself remains below the visible range. Instead, it lets its differently colored tentacles rush out of the seabed.
Move as far as possible in the middle of the combat area and swim aside as soon as a tentacle shoots up. If one of the arms touches you, you suffer damage and are pushed back.
Only the red tentacle is the boss‘ vulnerable spot. Attacks against the other colored tentacles do not damage the Big Blooper.
The easiest way is to switch to Bowser. As soon as the red tentacle appears, swim near it and hold the direction button down. Bowser’s fire breath has a long range and hits the red arm without you having to swim directly over it.
Alternatively, you can use Thudley. Swim over the red tentacle and perform the ground pound. This method also works, but is riskier, because you have to position yourself directly above the attack surface.
The blue tentacles can be driven away with Bowser’s fire so that a new arm appears faster. Then wait again for the red tentacle and attack it exclusively.
Repeat the sequence:
Dodge tentacles – wait for red tentacles – attack with Bowser’s fire or Thudley.
After several successful hits, the Big Blooper retreats and the way to the right is clear.
Continue swimming and end up in the green warp pipe. On the other hand, the star block is already waiting. Jump against it to close chapter 3-2 and travel on to the big tree of the Bitlande.