World Castle — (32 Stars, 8 Stamps)
Things start to heat up once we reach World Castle. Within the 12 courses located here, you'll find a total of 32 Green Stars and eight Stamps. Here's how to get them all.
World Castle-1: Fort Fire Bros. (3 Stars, 1 Stamp)
Star 1: Move along until you come to the area where a Fire Bro is throwing fireballs through the clear pipe. Wait for them to jump and then immediately enter the pipe and zag into the middle area to grab the Star. If you want, you can walk along the top of the pipe first and defeat the Hammer Bro before getting the Star.
Stamp: After the area with the first Star, you'll see two rotating fireball obstacles stemming from ? Blocks. Ground pound the second block and it will rise up, bringing you to the Stamp.
Star 2: In the next section just after the checkpoint flag, get on top of the clear pipe and then jump on to the first Thwomp. Then, jump up to the top of the wall and head left and through a green pipe. When you step on the blue P Switch in this room, a green ball will begin rolling down the platforms on the wall in front of you. Jump at the right times to swing the Red-Blue Panels in such a way that they lead the ball to the P Panel in the bottom left. Then the Star will be yours.
Star 3: Now get back to where you were before and run right past the Thwomps. You'll see a Green Star Ring on a round platform. Quickly gather up the eight Green Coins to get your Star.
World Castle-2: Switchblack Ruins (3 Stars, 1 Stamp)
Pro Tip: To collect the Stars and Stamp, you will need the assistance of a Fire Flower power-up.
Star 1: Run around the caves grabbing power-ups from ? Blocks and stepping on ? Switches until you get to the dark area with three Spike enemies. There are four torches to light in this room. Hurl fireballs at the Spikes to get rid of them and light the fires to make a Star appear in the center of the room.
Star 2: Shortly after reaching the checkpoint flag, continue right and duck under the hidden passageway to a room with the next Green Star.
Stamp: Continue along until you're standing on a yellow platform over lava. The platform will bring you to the right. Instead of going through the opening in front of you jump right and grab the Stamp first.
Star 3: Just after the room with the four separate sections of ? Switches, you'll see a green pipe. Instead of jumping into it, go behind it and jump to reveal a hidden ? Block. Now get on top of it and jump on the ledge above to get the last Star.
World Castle-3: Red-Hot Run (3 Stars, 1 Stamp)
This level can be tough to get through. If you're having difficulty, I suggest playing as Peach since she can float longer in the air and it's easier to correct where she lands.
Star 1: Dash forward following the right side of the available pathways. You'll need to jump right after a Dash Panel to reach the first Green Star.
Star 2: In the next area, run through the Green Star Ring and then run around the next square to grab all of the Green Coins. Once you collect them all, the Star will appear.
Stamp: Continue forward and immediately jump on the far left path. Jump right after a Dash Panel to fling yourself over a gap and grab the Stamp.
Star 3: After grabbing the Stamp, you're going to need to make your way to the center pathway. Time your jumps accordingly to get past the rotating spike rollers and grab the last Star.
World Castle-4: Boiling Blue Bully Bell (3 Stars, 1 Stamp)
Star 1: Follow the rising and falling arrow platforms until you reach the area with the Green Star Ring. Wait until the platforms near you are raised and then pass through the ring. Run around the platforms to collect all eight Green Coins to get your Star.
Stamp: The Stamp is located in the next section of rising and falling arrow platforms. Run along these blocks and then jump to the left to land on an island with the Stamp. To leave, wait for the platforms near you to rise again and then continue running along them.
Star 2: As you dodge over the spike rollers on your way over the arrow platforms, you'll see a pink Warp Box on your left. Jump into it. Push the Bully off the ledge within 10 seconds to earn a Star. If you want to do it really quickly, I suggest powering up with a Fire Flower and throwing fireballs at the Bully the moment you arrive.
Star 3: Pass the checkpoint flag and continue right. You'll see three cylindrical stone platforms with spike rollers orbiting them. The third cylinder has a smaller cylinder attached to it with a Green Star floating above it. Grab it to get your prize.
To get to the flagpole and end the level, you'll first need to defeat the three Bullies. If you have Fire Flowers, chuck fireballs until they fall into the blue lava. If not, jump on them repeatedly until they fall. A path will then appear leading you to the flagpole.
World Castle-5: Trick Trap Tower (3 Stars, 1 Stamp)
Star 1: Make your way through the obstacle course and get to the top of the structure. You'll need to defeat the Magikoopas to make a Star appear. If you have a Fire Flower, this will make it a lot easier to defeat them.
Stamp: While standing on top of the first structure where you beat the Magikoopas, drop down on the left side to reach the Stamp.
Star 2: Ground pound while standing on the cloud platforms where you found the Stamp to reach the Star.
Star 3: Once more, get on top of the structure and ride the lift to the next section. You'll need to collect the five Key Coins to unlock the Warp Box at the bottom. They'll be right along the ramps and pathways as you make your way through the structure. When you're facing the fourth Key Coin, you'll notice that there are some Brick Blocks along the wall. Use your cat claws to scratch away at them and go through the opening to find the last Star.
When you've snagged the last Key Coin the Warp Box will unlock, but you'll need to hurry up and dash out of the structure before the Fuzzy Horde touches you, or else you'll die.
World Castle-6: Rammerhead Reef (3 Stars, 1 Stamp)
Pro Tip: It's a lot easier to get these collectibles if you have Fire Flower powers.
Star 1: Head right until you see a row of four boxes. Destroy them to reveal a hidden Green Star.
Star 2: Go through the pipe on the far end and you'll come to an area where Rammerheads are rotating around a wall of stone. One of them has a Green Star trailing after it in a bubble. To make things easy, stand on the platform next to where they pass by and then hurl a fireball at the Green Star bubble to free it. Now snag the Star and safely swim out of there.
Star 3: After passing the checkpoint, cross the land and enter the pipe at the end. You'll find yourself once more underwater. You'll find two circular rooms with Rammerheads swimming around them like a propeller. In the second room, swim into the opening in the wall with the clear pipe. Throw fireballs at the spikes to clear them. All that's left is to go through the pipe to grab your Star.
Stamp: When you get to the room with three rows of Rammerheads swimming up and down, use the first opening to go up a little way and grab the Stamp. Wait for a good moment and continue right.
World Castle-7: Simmering Lava Lake (3 Stars, 1 Stamp)
Pro Tip: Boomerang Flowers will help you keep rolling Splorch enemies away while you run through the level.
Star 1: Move along to the right but make sure to always be on a higher green platform whenever the lava rises. Hit ? Blocks along the way and get a Boomerang Flower. When you get to the area with two rolling Splorchs, jump onto the green platform that goes away from the camera and throw a Boomerang to get the Star floating over lava on the right.
Star 2: Continue along until you see a Green Star Ring on the left. Quickly run around dodging rolling Splorch enemies and collect all eight Green Coins to unlock your Green Star.
Stamp: Pass the checkpoint and get to the green platform that has a ? Block on either side. Wait for the lava to go down and then jump down under the grate to grab your Stamp. Hot foot it out of there so you don't get burned.
Star 3: Instead of continuing on to the green pipe, jump onto the grated platform on your left that leads to the center of the area. A Green Star is floating above a green platform in the center. Once you've claimed it, head through the pipe.
World Castle-A: Brolder Blockade is Back (1 Star)
Star 1: This battle ought to look a little familiar since it's a beefed-up boss fight from World 4. To defeat Boss Brolder, dodge around the fiery Splorch enemies and ground pound on a small Brolder. Now throw the smaller Brolder at the Boss Brolder to hurt the big lug. Repeat two more times to defeat him and get your Star. If you have Fire Flower powers, you can also throw fireballs at the smaller Brolders and they will be ready to pick up.
World Castle-B: Prince Bully Blockade is back (1 Star)
Star 1: Just like before, you need to pound Prince Bully into a clear pipe and then jump on him when he shoots out in cylindrical shape. Do this three times to beat him and get the Green Star. But be wary: He'll try to blow blue fireballs at you in between thrashings.
World Castle-C: Fire Bros. Hideout #4 (1 Star)
Star 1: Getting this Green Star requires that you defeat seven Fire Bros. enemies. To make things easier, it's best to enter the pipe while powered up with a Fire Flower. Hurl fireballs at your enemies and dodge their attacks to defeat them all.
World Castle-Toad: Captain Toad Gets Thwomped (5 Stars)
Star 1: Walk along the arrow escalator and grab the Star behind the Thwomp.
Star 2: Continue around the next two corners and head into the middle opening. Get on top of the Thwomp and ride up. Head left and grab the next Star.
Star 3: Without dropping down, make your way under the solo Thwomp and onto the heads of the two Thwomps moving up and down next to each other. Walk over their heads onto the next platform. Walk along the arrow escalator being careful not to get hit by Bullet Bills and snag the Star on Toad's left.
Star 4: Carefully time your movements and pass the cannons. When the nearby Thwomp rises up, grab the Star from his head.
Star 5: Pass through the small cave nearby and get on top of the Thwomp's head. Ride up and get on the highest level. Just after the Bullet Bill launches, quickly walk after it and fall into the hole at the end to get the last Star.
World Castle-Castle: Bowser's Lava Lake Keep (3 Stars, 1 Stamp)
Star 1: Move along defeating enemies until you get to the area with a brick block with rotating flames. On the left just above the lava, you'll see a Green Star. Jump so that you're sliding down the wall on the left and then wall jump back up to safety right before touching the lava.
Stamp: In the next area, you'll see a cannon that is shooting out Kick Bombs. Hit it into the tall stack of brick blocks in the back to reveal a P Switch. DO NOT PRESS IT YET. First, wall jump up to the top of this gap to grab the Stamp. Do not press the P Switch when you come back down.
Star 2: You'll need to have cat powers with the help of a Super Bell to reach this one. Just above the Kick Bomb cannon, there's a grate that stands straight up. Climb up to the top to grab a Star.
Star 3: Now jump on the P Switch to lower the grate and walk across. Keep going and pass the checkpoint flag. Shortly after that, you'll see a Green Star floating over lava in the distance. Use a Boomerang Flower power-up to hurl a Boomerang at it before continuing on.
Bowser Boss battle: He's easier to beat if you have cat or boomerang powers. Follow after Bowser, dodging his fireballs and the spikes along the way. Launch any soccerball-shaped Kick Bombs he releases back at him. If a Kick Bomb is flashing red, stay away and let it explode. You'll need to make him fall on his back three times to beat him.
