Corona Mountain
Welcome to the final challenge of Super Mario Sunshine! Corona Mountain is a gauntlet of environmental hazards and platforming prowess. There are no Shine Sprites to collect here, only the path to Bowser and Bowser Jr. himself. Be prepared for a tough ride!
Navigating the Lava River
The initial section of Corona Mountain involves traversing a treacherous river of lava. Your primary tool here will be the FLUDD Hover Nozzle. You'll encounter several types of platforms:
- Moving Platforms: These stone platforms will slowly move across the lava. Stand on them and use the Hover Nozzle to adjust your position or reach higher ledges.
- Spinning Platforms: These circular platforms rotate. Time your jumps carefully to avoid being flung into the lava. A well-timed hover can save you from a misstep.
- Disappearing Platforms: These platforms will vanish shortly after you step on them. Move quickly and use your Hover Nozzle to bridge gaps to the next solid ground.
Keep an eye out for Coin Blocks scattered along the path. While not essential, collecting coins can provide extra lives, which are invaluable in this challenging area. Remember, falling into the lava results in instant death, so precision is key.
The Spire Ascent
After crossing the lava river, you'll reach a large, central spire. This section requires a combination of precise platforming and FLUDD usage.
- Rising Pillars: You'll encounter a series of pillars that rise and fall into the lava. Wait for them to fully extend before jumping on, and be ready to move to the next as they begin to descend.
- Fire-Breathing Statues: These statues will periodically shoot streams of fire. Observe their patterns and time your movements to pass safely. You can often use your Squirt Nozzle to temporarily douse the flames, creating a brief window to pass.
- Grates and Wall Jumps: Some sections will require you to wall jump between grates or narrow ledges. The Rocket Nozzle (if you have it equipped) can be useful for reaching higher platforms quickly, but the Hover Nozzle is generally sufficient.
As you ascend, you'll find 1-Up Mushrooms on some ledges. Don't miss these! They are crucial for maintaining your progress through this difficult stage.
The Final Ascent: Water Spouts and Platforms
The last segment before the boss arena involves navigating a series of water spouts and moving platforms.
- Water Spouts: These powerful jets of water will propel you upwards. Position Mario directly over them and let them launch you to the next platform. Be careful not to overshoot!
- Rotating Platforms with Obstacles: The final platforms are large, rotating discs with small obstacles. You'll need to run against the rotation to stay on or jump over the obstacles. Use the Hover Nozzle for fine adjustments if you feel yourself slipping.
Once you reach the very top, you'll find a large pipe. Enter it to confront Bowser and Bowser Jr. Good luck, Mario!