How to Get to the Second Floor in Super Mario 64 DS

Beat the first Bowser boss battle if you haven’t already. If you don’t know where to find this, it can be found up the middle staircase on the first floor of the castle, and to the far left, in the door with the giant star on it and no red number.

• You’ll need to be playing as Mario for this boss battle (the door won’t even open if you aren’t playing as him), so be sure to unlock him if you haven’t already.

Decide whether or not you want to switch characters. While you can if you feel more comfortable with a different character, it will likely be easier if you stick with Mario, since he will be needed to open the door to the second Bowser boss battle.

Know where to find the basement door. This door can be found on the first floor of the castle, through the wooden door with no star symbol and no number on it. You should notice a Boo in the hallway, with a door leading to the castle courtyard and Big Boo’s Haunt. Across the way, you should also notice a red staircase leading to a locked door. This locked door leads to the basement. Walk down the staircase, and up to the door. A brief cutscene of Mario unlocking the door should play, and you’ll then open the door to the basement.

Walk a little to the left, and up to the door with the giant star on it. This door should look identical to the door leading to the first Bowser boss battle. Once you walk up to this door, if you don’t have the required number of stars already a message should appear, stating you’ll need 30 stars to open the door, along with how many more you need.

• However, if you are playing as a different character, then a message will show up about needing Mario to open the door.

Gather 30 power stars from the levels around the basement, as well as any power stars you may have forgotten on the first floor. Once you’ve gathered enough power stars, head back to the door in the basement as Mario. A brief cutscene should then play of Mario unlocking the door with a power star, followed by a brief message. The door should then open.

Notice the blue portal in front of you. This does not lead to the second Bowser boss battle. However, it does lead to another level, and you’ll need to obtain the first star in this level in order to unlock the second Bowser boss battle. Jump in to the blue portal.

Get the first power star here. This level, Board Bowser’s Sub, is relatively easy. Swim downwards, and through the tunnel to the other side of the level. Once you get there, you should notice a giant submarine floating with Bowser’s face on it, as well as a power star. Collect this power star, and you will officially have beaten the first level in this world.

Notice that the blue portal has moved back. Since it’s moved back, a hole should now be revealed. This is the hole that leads to the second Bowser boss battle. Jump into it if you’re ready to begin.

Traverse through the level, Bowser and the Fire Sea. This level can be a bit difficult, but try your best to navigate through it, avoiding the enemies, as well as avoiding falling in to the fire. Eventually, you should reach the end, and notice a green hole with a spiral spring-like tunnel below it. Jump in to this, and you should be lead to the Bowser boss battle.

Beat the Bowser boss battle. While this battle is nearly identical to the first one, there are some differences. At the very beginning, Bowser will jump, causing the whole arena to tilt to one side, also causing you to slide. You’ll want to be sure you jump to avoid falling into the lava below. In addition, Bowser can now also teleport if he is close to you, so be on the lookout for this occurring. He can also charge at you. The overall goal of the battle, however, to throw Bowser into one of the spikes on the side of the arena, remains the same. The controls, grabbing Bowser by pressing A, and swinging him around by sliding your stylus around the touch screen, also remain the same. Once you’ve successfully completed this once, you should receive a key.