Chapter 8-1: The Impending Darkness
The entrance of Castle Bleck
Runs to the right from the starting point. The huge entrance door seems unreachable in the 2D view. Therefore, switch to the 3D view with Mario and enter the castle.
Already in the first hall many strong opponents await you. You can fight your way with Bowser and his fire breath. If you want to save your energy for the coming sections, you instead run past a majority of the enemies in the 3D view. The next door is on the far right.
In the following room, a long staircase leads up. Here, too, the 3D view is helpful, as this allows you to avoid the Boomerang brothers and walk between the individual steps.
Halfway up, you discover a first door. Behind it is only an optional outdoor area with further opponents. For the direct solution, you can ignore this door and climb the stairs further. Enter the second door at the end.
The Eyes and the Hidden Way
In the next room lurks several large eyes. Normal attacks do not harm them. Switch to the 3D view with Mario and run completely around each eye. Once you have rounded an opponent once, he will be defeated.
Among the opponents is also a stronger red eye. However, the procedure remains the same: keep a little distance from its gaze beam and surround it in the 3D view.
Then move to Luigi and perform a super jump below the elevated platform. Enter the door on the upper level.
Two optional treasure chests
You are now in the outdoor area that Princess Peach has already crossed during her escape from Castle Bleck. Jump with Luigi first to the high wall on the left.
There are two treasure chests with useful objects. You’ll find a stopwatch that temporarily stops opponents, as well as a healing object that will restore your HP over a period of time.
Then drop down again and jump with Luigi on the wall to the right of the entrance. Change to Princess Peach and float with her umbrella across the wide gap. At the end, climb into the green warp pipe.
The Key of Castle Bleck
Behind the Warp Pipe awaits you a narrow gang full of enemies who shoot at you with tanks. Due to the small space, their attacks can quickly become dangerous.
With Bowser’s fire breath you can hit several enemies at the same time. Alternatively, use Princess Peach and protect yourself with her umbrella from the approaching bullets. Be careful not to get caught between two opponents.
Work your way to the right end of the corridor and open the treasure chest. Inside is the key of Castle Bleck.
Returns through the warp pipe, hovers over the gap with Princess Peach and walks through the door. Drop down in the eye room and open the locked door on the right.
Through the second castle hall
In the following corridor, skeletons, curses-distributing enemies, Magikoopas and a large armored behemoth await you. Bowser can quickly eliminate many of these opponents with his fire breath.
If possible, do not touch the floating curse opponents directly. Depending on your opponents, you can temporarily slow down or lose certain abilities. Attack them from a safe distance with a Pixl or Bowsers fire.
In the case of the large armored enemy, attacks from the front hardly help. Switch to the 3D view with Mario, walk behind him and attack the shining spot on his back. Alternatively, you can use Fleep to briefly disable him.
Then passes through the door at the right end of the corridor.
The Mystery with the Five Torches
Climb the stairs in the next room. On the steps you meet several fire brothers. In the 3D view, you can walk past them or attack them from a higher position.
Just before the upper door are five torches. Look at them closely. From left to right, the following pattern results:
Off – On – On – Off – On
Also, take the Ultra Mushroom from the question mark block if you still have space in the inventory. Then go through the door.
Save your gameplay on the Save Block. To the right are five torches again, this time completely extinguished.
Switches to Bowser and ignites from left counted the second, third and fifth torch. The order does not matter. The only thing that matters is that in the end exactly these three torches burn.
If you have recreated the pattern correctly, a huge staircase appears. Climb all the way up and switch to the 3D view with Mario. This will reveal the hidden door that leads you to the boss fight.
Boss Fight: O’Chunks
O’Chunks gets in your way one last time. Due to his enormous transformation, he is bigger and stronger than in previous encounters. This time he challenges Bowser to a personal duel. Therefore, you can only use Bowser and your Pixl during the entire fight.
O’Chunks owns 100 HP and causes considerable damage with its direct hits. In addition to his well-known running, jumping and throwing attacks, he can now jump particularly high in the air and then crash on Bowser.
The easiest tactic is to keep some distance and attack O’Chunks with Bowser’s fire breath. As soon as he runs towards you or sets off for a jump, you end the attack and dodge to the other side of the arena.
If O’Chunks jumps particularly high into the air, stay in motion. Run under him as soon as he sets off for a dive. Turn around immediately after its landing and use the fire breath again.
You can also use Thoreau. Pack O’Chunks with it and throw him into a corner. After the impact, it is briefly dazed and can be hit with further attacks. Thudley can also cause additional damage if her O’Chunks is caught from above at the right moment.
Repeat this procedure until O’Chunks loses his entire 100 HP. Attack-enhancing items significantly shorten combat, but are not mandatory.
Bowser’s decision
After the victory, the room’s blanket begins to collapse. O’Chunks stops them with the last strength and explains that the heroes have earned their way.
However, Bowser does not want to accept that his rival is left alone. He helps O’Chunks support the Blanket and orders Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach to move on. While Bowser and O’Chunks are still arguing about who is stronger and who has to stay behind, the Blanket finally collapses.
Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach reach the next room. Although they hear the collapse, there is no time to look for Bowser. In addition, the remaining heroes are sure that Bowser has already survived far worse.
Run to the right and hit the star block. This concludes Chapter 8-1.