Bowser's Galaxy Reactor

After you obtain all of the Grand Stars (the last one will be in the Engine Room) and have 60 Power Stars, you can head off to Bowser's Galaxy Reactor. Try to bring as many 1-Ups as you can. You don't have to go as soon as it becomes available; feel free to wait.

The Fate Of The Universe

Make your way up the walls, following the beams of light that will stick you to the sides of the walls with their gravity field. Eventually you'll reach a fire planetoid; hop to solid ground, then jump onto the rotating panel with fireballs shooting around above it. Avoid them and make your way to the next set of platforms to reach another gravity beam.

This looks like fun!

When you reach the ice cube walkway, keep in mind that the ice will fall moments after it locks into place. Only go for the 1-Ups if you really need them, and keep in mind that it's sometimes easier to jump from block to block than to follow narrow walkways. After the ice paths, you'll go through a desert area and a very rapidly-shifting gravity area. Do your best to get through them without dying too often.

After the gravity-shifting madness is complete, you'll reach the inner portion of a tube filled with lava and Bullet Bill launchers. Hide behind the Bowser statues if a Bill locks onto you; let it impact, then quickly run forward and under the Bill launcher to avoid further lockons.

Now I kind of want to cry!

Towards the end of this section, you'll be faced with a giant Bill launcher and around half a dozen of the normal sized ones. Let the large Bill pass you by, then quickly move onto a moving green platform and rotate around so that the Big Bill is not in any danger of hitting you. Do your best to avoid the smaller Bills here as you make your way forward to the stone platform and the Launch Pad.

Bowser's Going Down!

As you run up the stairs here, Bowser Jr. will launch cannon fire at you and destroy the steps. Try to nab the Life Mushroom, if possible, before reaching Bowser himself and starting the final boss battle.

Phase One

Bowser's energy waves are in full effect here, so jump over them at every opportunity. Bowser's primary attack, though, is to summon rocks to cover himself, then roll at Mario like a boulder. In order to hurt him, you need to spin just as his head is about to hit you; any other part of the body will wind up wounding Mario.

Beat Bowser and steal his collection of star bits.

When the head is hit, Bowser will spin away on his back. Hit him while he's spinning to cause damage to him. He'll pop back up and begin his attacks again, but this time his boulder rotates much more quickly, making it more difficult to hit his head. Keep your health up while you attempt the head-knocking again, and eventually he'll get knocked away to another planet.

Phase Two

This phase is somewhat easier than phase one. Bowser will shoot fire at you here, so stay away from him as best you can. He'll eventually retract into his shell and start spinning at you fairly quickly. Be ready for this by waiting on the other side of one of the green plants here; when he starts coming for you, spin attack the plant to launch it towards Bowser to hurt him. That'll cause him to spin on his back again; hit him with a spin attack to really wound him. Repeat the process while avoiding the fireballs and you'll move on to the final challenge.

Phase Three

As all things begin, all things must end. Or something. If you recall any of the previous fights with Bowser, then you can probably finish him off here. Jump over the electrical beams that he sends out and avoid his fire breath (which will often curve back around the planet more than once, so watch out for it coming from below you).

One burning butt, coming right up.

When he starts to jump around, stand on a blue panel, then move away when his shadow locks onto you. His tail will catch on fire and he'll run; move into his path and force him to turn his back to you, then spin attack his tail. When he's in shell form, spin attack him again to hurt him. Repeat the process to finish the game.

Luigi After The Fact

After Mario goes down, a longish cutscene plays out. Wait for it and the credits to roll, then save your game. You can restart it immediately to find yourself back on the Comet Observatory, where the countdown under your feet now reads the total number of remaining stars you've yet to find. The Purple Comet will also have taken to the skies, revealing 15 new stars for you to check out.

If you collect all 120 stars in the game, you can speak to Rosalina again to fight Bowser for a second time. This time, however, defeating Bowser will allow you to play the game once more, but this time with Luigi as your playable character. He moves differently than Mario does, although he has the same combat abilities. Try him and see!

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