2-7: Kamek's Castle

2-7: Kamek's Castle

Welcome to Kamek's Castle, the penultimate stage of World 2! This level is a true test of your platforming prowess and yarn-throwing accuracy, culminating in a showdown with the mischievous Kamek himself. Expect a gauntlet of magical attacks, tricky moving platforms, and hidden secrets. To achieve 100% completion, you'll need to meticulously search for all five Smiley Flowers, five Wonder Wools, and the hidden Stamp Patch. Stock up on yarn balls and prepare for a magical challenge!

Collectibles Checklist

• Smiley Flowers: 5
• Wonder Wools: 5
• Stamp Patch: 1

Recommended Badges

While not strictly necessary, these badges can significantly ease your journey through Kamek's Castle, especially if you're aiming for 100% completion or struggling with specific sections.

• Speedy Yoshi: This badge increases Yoshi's movement speed, which is invaluable for navigating the fast-paced platforming sections and escaping Kamek's relentless attacks. It can also help you quickly reach hidden areas before platforms disappear.
• Immunity to Falls: A true lifesaver in a level filled with bottomless pits and Kamek's magic that often creates chasms. This badge prevents instant death from falling, allowing you to recover from misjudged jumps or unexpected platform transformations. Highly recommended for first-timers or those struggling with precision platforming.
• Magnetize Items: This badge causes nearby coins and collectibles to be drawn towards Yoshi, making it easier to grab items in tricky spots or when you're on the move. Useful for ensuring you don't miss any coins or the more elusive collectibles.
• Watermelon Seed Spit: While not directly useful for collectibles, this badge can be helpful during the boss fight by giving you an alternative projectile attack if you run out of yarn balls temporarily.

Detailed Walkthrough & Collectible Locations

The level begins with Yoshi entering the imposing castle. Head right, past a few Shy Guys, until you reach your first significant challenge. Keep an eye out for hidden clouds and suspicious walls!

1. Opening Gauntlet & Smiley Flower #1:
   • Immediately upon entering, proceed right. You'll encounter several Shy Guys and a few basic platforms. Deal with them or flutter jump over them.
   • Jump across the first gap. You'll see a large, moving platform ahead.
   • Ride this platform up. As it ascends, look for a hidden cloud directly above the platform's highest point. It's usually visible just as the platform reaches its apex. Jump and lick or throw a yarn ball at it to reveal Smiley Flower #1. Collect it before the platform descends.
   • Continue right, navigating past more Shy Guys and a few Fire Piranha Plants. Be careful of their fireballs; you can eat them or hit them with yarn balls.
2. Moving Blocks & Wonder Wool #1:
   • You'll reach an area with several large, purple, moving block platforms that shift in and out of the wall. These require careful timing. Wait for them to fully extend before jumping.
   • Carefully jump across these blocks. After the third moving block, you'll see a small alcove in the ceiling. It's quite subtle, so keep your eyes peeled above the path.
   • Jump into this alcove to find a hidden cloud. Hit it to reveal Wonder Wool #1.
   • Continue right, past a few more moving blocks and a Lakitu throwing Spinies. You can eat the Spinies or hit the Lakitu with a yarn ball to temporarily get rid of him.
3. Kamek's First Appearance & Smiley Flower #2:
   • Soon after the moving blocks, Kamek will appear for the first time, flying on his broomstick. He will cast spells that transform blocks into enemies (like Shy Guys or Magikoopas) or create new platforms/chasms.
   • Focus on dodging his magic and progressing. He'll summon a few Shy Guys and a couple of Magikoopas. You cannot harm Kamek at this point, so prioritize evasion.
   • After Kamek flies off, you'll come to a section with a large gap and a single, small moving platform.
   • Instead of immediately crossing, look down and to the left of this platform. There's a hidden cloud tucked away beneath the main path, often obscured by the foreground. Drop down carefully (using a flutter jump to control your descent) and hit it to reveal Smiley Flower #2. Use the moving platform to get back up.
4. Spinning Platforms & Wonder Wool #2:
   • Proceed through a door. You'll enter a room with several spinning platforms and more Fire Piranha Plants. These platforms rotate, so time your jumps to land on a stable part.
   • Navigate these platforms carefully. After the second set of spinning platforms, you'll see a wall of unravelable blocks on the right. It looks like a solid wall but has distinct yarn patterns.
   • Throw a yarn ball at these blocks to unravel them, revealing a hidden passage. Inside, you'll find Wonder Wool #2.
   • Exit the passage and continue right.
5. Mid-Level Checkpoint & Stamp Patch:
   • You'll soon reach a checkpoint flag. Hit it to save your progress and replenish your yarn balls.
   • Just past the checkpoint, there's a small platform with a single Shy Guy. Look directly above this platform.
   • There's a hidden cloud floating high above, often requiring a full flutter jump or a well-aimed yarn ball from the ground. Jump or use a high jump from an enemy (if available) to reach and hit it. This will reveal the Stamp Patch for this level.
6. Kamek's Ambush & Smiley Flower #3:
   • After the checkpoint, Kamek will reappear, this time more aggressively. He'll teleport around, casting spells that turn blocks into enemies or create chasms. Be prepared for sudden changes in the environment.
   • You'll need to navigate a series of platforms while dodging his attacks. Keep moving and use flutter jumps to avoid his magic.
   • Midway through this section, Kamek will conjure a line of blocks that quickly turn into enemies. Defeat these enemies quickly or flutter over them to avoid getting swarmed.
   • After he disappears again, look for a group of three small, breakable blocks in the ceiling. They are usually slightly discolored or have a faint outline. Throw a yarn ball at them to break them, revealing a hidden cloud. Hit this cloud to get Smiley Flower #3.
7. Rising Lava & Wonder Wool #3:
   • Enter the next room, which features rising and falling lava. You'll need to quickly ascend using a series of platforms. The lava rises at a steady pace, so don't linger.
   • As you ascend, keep an eye on the left side of the screen. About halfway up, there's a small, hidden alcove in the wall. It's easy to miss if you're only looking up.
   • Jump into this alcove to find Wonder Wool #3. Be quick, as the lava is still rising! Grab it and immediately continue your ascent.
   • Continue to the top and exit the room.
8. Rotating Platforms & Smiley Flower #4:
   • You'll enter a section with large, rotating platforms that have spikes on one side. These platforms rotate in a cycle, exposing safe areas and then spiked hazards.
   • Carefully time your jumps to avoid the spikes. Wait for the spikes to rotate away before landing or jumping.
   • After the second rotating platform, you'll see a small platform with a single Shy Guy. Instead of immediately jumping to the next rotating platform, look directly above the Shy Guy.
   • There's a hidden cloud high up. Use a flutter jump or throw a yarn ball to hit it, revealing Smiley Flower #4. This cloud is often positioned so that you need to be on the Shy Guy's platform or flutter from it to reach.
9. Final Gauntlet & Wonder Wool #4 & #5:
   • The path ahead involves more moving platforms and a final, intense appearance from Kamek, who will be casting more aggressive and varied spells. Expect more enemies and environmental changes.
   • Navigate past the final set of moving platforms. You'll come to a section with a long row of breakable blocks above you, forming a ceiling.
   • Throw a yarn ball to break these blocks. As you clear them, you'll reveal a hidden cloud containing Wonder Wool #4. clear enough blocks to access the cloud.
   • Just before the boss door, there's a large, solid wall. Look closely at the top-right corner of this wall. There's a tiny, almost invisible gap or a slightly discolored section that hints at a secret.
   • Flutter jump into this gap to find a secret room containing Wonder Wool #5. This is one of the most well-hidden collectibles in the level, so be thorough in your search.
10. Smiley Flower #5 (Before Boss Door):
    • After collecting Wonder Wool #5, exit the secret room. You'll be right before the boss door.
    • Look directly above the boss door itself. There's one last hidden cloud. It's often positioned high up, requiring a precise flutter jump or a well-aimed yarn ball from the ground. Hit it to collect Smiley Flower #5.

Boss Battle: Kamek

After collecting all the items and passing through the boss door, you'll face Kamek in a direct confrontation! This battle tests your dodging skills and timing.

Phase 1: Magical Barrage

• Kamek will fly around the arena on his broomstick, casting various spells.
• He'll primarily conjure blocks that turn into enemies (Shy Guys, Magikoopas) and occasionally transform parts of the floor into bottomless pits or spikes. These transformations are temporary, but dangerous.
• Strategy: Your main goal in this phase is to dodge his attacks and collect the yarn balls he drops or that are scattered around the arena. Kamek is invulnerable during this phase. Focus on survival and building up your yarn ball count (aim for a full stock of 5-6). Don't waste yarn balls trying to hit him here.

Phase 2: Direct Attack Opportunity

• After a short while, Kamek will hover lower in the center or side of the arena and begin to charge up a larger, more powerful magic blast. You'll see him glow or gather energy.
• Weakness: This is your window of opportunity! While he's charging, he is vulnerable.
• Strategy: Throw a yarn ball directly at Kamek. Aim carefully, as he might move slightly. Hitting him will knock him off his broomstick and onto the ground, dazed.
• While he's dazed, quickly run up to him and perform a Ground Pound (jump and press down). This is the only way to deal damage.
• After taking damage, Kamek will recover, get back on his broom, and repeat Phase 1.

Phase 3: Increased Aggression

• As Kamek takes more damage (he usually takes 3-4 hits to defeat), his attacks will become faster and more frequent. He'll teleport more often, conjure more enemies, and his floor transformations will be more disruptive.
• Strategy: Maintain your focus on dodging and collecting yarn. The strategy for damaging him remains the same: hit him with a yarn ball when he's charging, then Ground Pound him. The challenge increases due to the environmental hazards and increased enemy presence.

Common Pitfalls & Tips for Kamek:

• Yarn Ball Management: Always try to have a full stock of yarn balls. Kamek will drop some when he casts spells, and there are often clouds in the arena that provide more. Don't be afraid to use them on enemies if you need to clear a path, but prioritize having them for Kamek's vulnerable state.
• Dodge, Don't Engage: Don't waste time trying to defeat the enemies Kamek conjures unless they are directly in your way or provide a necessary jump. Your priority is Kamek. Enemies often respawn, so clearing them is usually temporary.
• Timing is Key: The window to hit Kamek with a yarn ball when he's charging is generous, but don't delay. Similarly, Ground Pound him immediately after he falls to maximize your damage opportunity before he recovers.
• Flutter Jump: Use your flutter jump extensively to avoid his ground-based magic, navigate the changing platforms, and position yourself for attacks. It's your most versatile movement option.
• Stay Centered (Mostly): While dodging, try not to get cornered. Keep yourself in a position where you have room to maneuver and can easily reach Kamek when he becomes vulnerable.
• Listen for Cues: Kamek often has a distinct sound or visual cue when he's about to charge his attack, signaling your opportunity to strike.

Defeat Kamek, and you'll complete 2-7: Kamek's Castle, earning your final Wonder Wool for World 2 and unlocking the path to World 3! Congratulations on overcoming the mischievous wizard!