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Sinking the Airships
Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Sinking the Airships

Learn how to sink Bowser Jr.'s airships in Super Mario Galaxy! This guide covers riding airship cannons, the bombardment sequence, and the Bowser Jr. boss fight strategy.

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Learn how to sink Bowser Jr.'s airships in Super Mario Galaxy! This guide covers riding airship cannons, the bombardment sequence, and the Bowser Jr. boss fight strategy.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Start on an Airship with Octoguys and Electro Goombas. Defeat them with spin attacks. Collect Star Bits from crystals. Head to the back to enter a cannon.
  2. 2
    Aim the cannon at the Pull Star above the next Airship. Press A (or tap) to fire. Catch yourself with the Pull Star when approaching the next Airship.
  3. 3
    On the next Airship, defeat the Magikoopa and avoid the Sentry Beams' lasers. Use the cannon to launch to the subsequent Airship.
  4. 4
    On the third Airship, defeat the two wigglers by spinning them to incapacitate them, then jumping on them, or by jumping on them twice. Alternatively, ground pound to incapacitate and then jump on each once.
  5. 5
    Visit the Luma Shop to buy a 1-Up Mushroom or Life Mushroom for 30 Star Bits. Defeat wigglers and hit the ? Block for Star Bits. Spin the screw near the Luma Shop for more Star Bits. A Life Mushroom is recommended.
  6. 6
    Follow the boardwalk to a platform with a lever. Defeat the charging Mandibug by ground pounding it. Spin attack the lever to start the platform moving.
  7. 7
    While on the moving platform, avoid Cannonballs from other Airships and Spranglers. Engaging enemies can cause you to fall. It's advised to avoid enemies and shoot Star Bits at them.
  8. 8
    The platform stops at a boardwalk leading to the final Airship. Defeat the Magikoopa at the entrance with a spin attack. Use the Sling Star to reach the top of the Airship for the Bowser Jr. boss battle.

Bowser Jr. Boss Fight:

  1. Bowser Jr. attacks from his Airship with Cannonballs, homing Bullet Bills, and waves of fireballs (after being hit three times).
  2. Use your Airship to avoid projectiles. Collect items like a 1-Up Mushroom (using a Koopa Troopa shell and triple jump) and Coins/Goombas from wooden crates.
  3. To damage Bowser Jr.'s Airship, jump on Koopa Troopas to get their shells and throw them at his Airship.
  4. After the first hit, Bowser Jr. fires Bullet Bills and Cannonballs more rapidly.
  5. After the second hit, a Magikoopa spawns and shoots fireballs at you.
Tips
  • Spin attacks are effective against most enemies like Octoguys, Electro Goombas, and Magikoopas.
  • Avoid Sentry Beams as they cannot be destroyed.
  • A Life Mushroom from the Luma Shop is a good purchase due to the level's difficulty and boss fight.
  • During the Bombardment of Airships, prioritize avoiding damage over fighting enemies.
  • Use the higher levels of your Airship during the boss fight to avoid Bullet Bills and Cannonballs.

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