Your objective is simple: Find your way to the top of Hooktail's castle, defeat her, and grab the Crystal Star. Maybe it's not as simple as it sounds, but hey, it's not like you have a choice, right?
Getting into Hooktail's Castle[edit]
Petal Meadows:
Petal Meadows is a place and serenity, where people can enjoy a quiet life free of worry... Except for the dragon that occasionally swoops down and devours random passerby.
Enemies:
- Goomba - 2 HP, 1 ATK, 0 DEF
- Paragoomba - 2 HP, 1 ATK, 0 DEF
- Spiky Goomba - 2 HP, 2 ATK, 0 DEF
Start by saving your game on the nearby save block (hit the tree to the left with your hammer to get a Star Piece). Go right and take your first look at Hooktail. Continue right, gathering items and beating enemies. Ignore the pipe (it leads to an item, but you can't reach it now). Repeatedly hit the blue object near the exit to get a Horsetail. On the next screen, defeat the Goomba, and check the dark green bushes to reveal a Warp Pipe. Enter it, and you'll appear on the background. Go right and hit the switch. Before going back, keep going right to get another Star Piece. Now, go back into the pipe and go across the new bridge to Petalburg.
Petalburg:
The peaceful town of Petalburg doesn't get too many visitors. That's all thanks to a certain dragon...
Enemies: None
Go right to the next screen. Talk to the gatekeeper who will deny you access, then go to the pink house on the left side of the screen. Talk to the old Koopa inside. No matter how you answer his questions, he'll give you permission to go through the gate and call you Murphy. As you go near the gate, you'll receive an e-mail. Go to Gear on the Pause menu, go to Important things, and go to the Mailbox SP. After reading your e-mail go to the gate and talk to the gatekeeper again. Watch the scene and continue on.
Shhwonk Fortress:
This is an old stronghold that is said to contain a stone creature (maybe). That said, no stone creature is any match against Mario... or is it?
Enemies:
- Goomba - 2 HP, 1 ATK, 0 DEF
- Fuzzy - 3 HP, 1 ATK, 0 DEF
- Koopa Troopa - 4 HP, 2 ATK, 1 DEF
- Paragoomba - 2 HP, 1 ATK, 0 DEF
- Spiky Goomba - 2 HP, 2 ATK, 0 DEF
Search the nearby bushes to get a Star Piece - one should be found in the first bush. Defeat the Para-Goomba, Koopa Troopa, and Spiky Goomba. Make sure you get the POW Block from the yellow block before entering the fortress. You'll need it real soon. Once inside, examine the nearby pedestal and initiate a battle with the two Bald Clefts.
Mini-Boss[edit]
- Bald Cleft x2
Goombella's tattle: That's a Bald Cleft. Basically, a rock monster with a swarthy-looking face. Uh... This is kind of mean, but bald guys... really just don't do it for me. Yeah. This guy is rock solid. Fire doesn't even hurt it. It might be best to attack with, say... a POW Block.
- HP: 2
- ATK: 1
- DEF: 2
- Difficulty:**
- Attacks:
- Rush
They are easily defeated by using the POW block, just by a single use. If you missed it or prefer keeping it for later, you can use Power Smash on both of them (other attacks will do no damage).
Continue on, defeating the Koopa Troopa and Para-Goomba. Examine the bushes near the next fortress to get another POW Block. Once again, you'll use it real soon. Inside, examine the pedestal and it's GO TIME!
Mini-Boss[edit]
- Bristle x2
Goombella's Tattle: That's a Bristle. ...Totally covered in spikes. They're so prickly! AND they're impervious to fire! Even trying to get close enough to whack it with a hammer is dangerous! Seriously, its spikes will totally pop out! So, since you can't jump on it or use your hammer... you'd better use an item!
- HP: 2
- ATK: 1
- DEF: 4
- Difficulty:***
- Attacks:
- Counter (when you use your hammer)
- Spear
Once again, use the POW block and move on.
Later[edit]
Go through the path, defeating any enemies that get in your way. You can pick up a Fire Flower and also an Inn Coupon behind the stone fence. Use the health block to replenish your health if it's low—though it will cost Mario several coins as shown above the block. Examine the statue inside and you will do battle... IN THE 65th SUPER FUN QUIRK QUIZ! To complete the quiz, answer five of the following questions:
- What is hidden in this place? - Stone Keys
- How much do one Mr. Softener and one Fire Flower cost at the shop in Petalburg? Total! - 16 Coins
- What is the name of the mayor of Petalburg? - Kroop
- Where is the Crystal Star? - Hooktail Castle
- How can one get from Petal Meadows to Rogueport - Go through a pipe
- Which of the following creatures have hands? - Koopa Troopas
- What number question is this? - Question Seven
If you chose to miss three questions, you will fight against four Stone Clefts. This will be a difficult battle if you do not have a POW Block, but they can be defeated if you have a Power Smash (and at least 10 FP), or by using the Super Guard against their attacks. Defeating these Stone Clefts does grant a large amount of Star Points, so it may be beneficial to intentionally try to fight them.
Go through the pipe. Afterward, go through either the left or right tunnels, defeat the fuzzies and grab the item at the end (you'll have to fight 4 Fuzzies when you get the item). Best if you use a Fire Flower against them. Afterward, go back to the main room and go the other way and do the same thing. Go back to the main room and watch the short scene. After that...
Mini-boss[edit]
- Gold Fuzzy
Goombella's tattle: That's a Gold Fuzzy. Whoa, those are super-rare! I'm serious! Wow! Oh, but hey! Even though it's a Fuzzy, it won't suck up your HP, which is nice. I have to wonder though... How does this thing hide? Look at it! It's so gaudy!"
- HP: 10
- ATK: 1
- DEF: 0
- Difficulty:**
- Attacks:
- Bonk
- Fuzzy Horde
Goombella's tattle: "It's a Fuzzy Horde! Look at 'em all! What a mob scene! It's crazy! Fuzzies come at you all at once and attack in order. Says here not to freak out! It also says that if you use good timing to defend, you won't take much damage. I'm thinking it might just be faster to whip the ringleader, though, y'know?"
- HP: 20
- ATK: 1 (for each fuzzy that attacks)
- DEF: 0
- Difficulty***
- Attacks:
- Multi-bonk
Just attack the Gold Fuzzy with Power Smash until it calls in the Fuzzy Horde. Once it does, switch to jump attacks focused the Gold Fuzzy. Once the Gold Fuzzy is defeated, they'll all run away. Now head all the way back to Petalburg.
Later[edit]
Petalburg:
Sleep at the inn (you can use your Inn Coupon to make it free), stock up, save, and leave back to Petal Meadows to the left.
Petal Meadows:
When you enter, Koops will come in and join your party. Toadette will introduce his mechanics in a cutscene. From here, go back to the pipe that was ignored earlier and go inside. Use Koops' shell to grab the Happy Heart badge and fall off the pipe. Go back to the first screen and put the Sun and Moon stones in the slots on the rocks. When the switches come up, hold Koops' shell near one of the switches (hold X) and go to the other one. Release the X button and hit the other switch with your hammer. The goal is to hit both switches at roughly the same time. If done correctly, a Warp Pipe will come up. Go inside and head forward to Hooktail's castle.
The Dragon's Lair[edit]
Hooktail Castle:
Many a brave adventurer has entered Hooktail Castle, only to end up as a pile of bones. Now the land must pin its hopes on a slightly overweight plumber and a cowardly Koopa!
Enemies:
- Dull Bones - 1 HP, 2 ATK, 1 DEF
- Koopa Troopa - 4 HP, 2 ATK, 1 DEF
- Paragoomba - 2 HP, 1 ATK, 0 DEF
- Paratroopa - 4 HP, 2 ATK, 1 DEF
- Spiky Goomba - 2 HP, 2 ATK, DEF
Well, this is it. This is Hooktail's castle. Somewhere at the top lies Hooktail and the Crystal Star. Let's get this show on the road!
Start by going through the hallway and watching the short scene. Go to where the bridge is broken and jump through. Jump to the right-most platform and use Koops' shell to get the HP Plus badge. Then, go back to the room with the save point. Save your game and use the spring to get to the ledge above. If for some reason, you lost some HP on your way to this point, you can use the Heart Block to the left. Go out the door to the right and use Airplane Mode to fly to the entrance.
Walk through the hallway, defeating Paratroopas and Koopas. Get the Power Bounce from the item block and go through the door on the other side. Power Bounce is an extremely powerful badge that, when mastered, can deliver near-infinite amounts of damage. Equipping this badge is highly encouraged. Soon, Mario will find a pile of bones that is a different color than the others around it. Inspect it, and tell Koops to read the letter and finish watching the scene. Afterward, talk to the pile of red bones in front of the door and an event will start. Use your hammer to bash your way through the hundreds of Dull Bones and touch the Red Bones to start another battle.
Mini-Boss[edit]
- Red Bones (with 4 Dull Bones)
Goombella's Tattle: That's a Red Bones! A little TOO red, I think. No fashion sense, y'know? Unlike your average Dull Bones, even if you pound it to 0 HP and it crumbles... It totally might revive! Like a zombie! My advice is to get rid of all the Dull Bones, then attack the Red Bones. Oh, and one more thing! Once its friends start to fall, it may create some more!
- HP: 5
- ATK: 3
- DEF: 1
- Difficulty:***
- Attacks:
- Bone Throw
- Create (makes another Dull Bones)
- Revive (reawakens after a few turns if not all enemies are defeated)
First, use Koops' Power Shell to defeat the Dull Bones. Then, use your hammer to defeat the Red Bones.
Later[edit]
When all the Dull Bones run off, go through the door. Two of the Dull Bones in this room will come to life and attack. Grab the Shine Sprite and go up the stairs at the end of this room. Fall off the ledge near the locked door and hit the purple switch. Jump up the purple block that falls down and jump across to the yellow block, Bash it with your hammer and go back to the small yellow switch. Hit that and go to where the yellow block was. Use Koops' shell to hit the switch. The stairs will flip to the other side, so go up those and go across the ledge until you see a key. Once again, use Koops' shell to grab it and use it to unlock the door (make sure to hit the red switch again to return the stairs to their rightful place).
No sleeping Dull Bones here, so save your game and go through the door on the other side to the right. Nothing too dangerous here, only a Para-Goomba and a Dull Bones. Hold Koops' shell near the red switch and stand near the far right cell. Let go and run through when the cell opens. Then, go though the hole. Talk to the black chest for another funny dialog with the demon inside. You have to help him, even though you know what'll happen. Go through the door and walk through the suspicious-looking room. Grab the key from the treasure chest, and a trap will activate. Escape quickly! You'll have plenty of time to go through even if you run into a few dead ends on the way there. Following the correct path before opening the chest will also ensure your success. Once you get through the death trap, use the key to open the treasure chest and be CURSED (again)!
This curse gives Mario "Paper Mode", allowing him and his partners to flip and become very thin. While in Paper Mode, Mario can slip through thin gaps in walls or the floor, allowing for access to new places.
Dragon's Bane[edit]
Go back through the hole on the left side of the room and use your new power to slip through the walls (remember, hold the R button). Then, slip through the left-most cell and grab the badge. When you equip this badge, Mario's attacks will make a sound that starts with cr and end with icket (as was hinted at in the letter Koops read). It costs nothing to equip the badge, and will make a later fight drastically easier. Now, go back to the room with the purple and yellow switches. Hit the yellow switch again to lower the yellow block. Now, hold Koops' shell near the yellow switch and make your way to the top of it. Let go and you'll be carried to the narrow ledge above. Jump across the gap to find a Star Piece (it might take several attempts). Jump down and do the same with the purple switch (don't forget to lower the yellow lift). When the purple lift stops, go into the next room and grab the Star Piece.
Go back to the room where you fought the Red Bones (it has the Dull Bones that Koops thought was his dad) and go into Paper Mode to slip through the bars that aren't in a crisscross pattern (second from the left). Grab the Castle Key and return to the save point room with the giant green block. Hold Koops' shell near the green switch and get on top of the giant green block. Let go and you'll be transported up to the upper level. Unlock the door at the top of the first flight of stairs and go inside.
Use the Heart block to regain any lost health (costs 6 coins) and hit the blue switch. The gap will be filled and you can cross it. Use Koops's shell to hit the second switch. Jump through the open window and go right until you get a Star Piece. Go left past the first open window and jump through the second. Go through the door. Defeat the one Dull Bones and hold Koops shell (yet again) by the green switch before getting onto the green block. When you reach the walkway, defeat the Dull Bones and Para-Goomba. Go into the door to the left and a small encounter will appear with a mysterious mouse thief. After that, get all the items here (the ones in the treasure chests and the Shine Sprite). Go back to the locked door and unlock it.
Final Ascent[edit]
Walk through the hallway, defeating the two 2 Dull Bones and Koopa Troopa. Go to the yellow switch and hit it. When the block falls down, do the same as you did with every block and switch combo (hold Koops' shell by the switch, go on top of the block, and let go). Carefully walk through the narrow ledge and use your Paper Mode to slip through the bars. Before flying off, go to the narrow ledge on the other side and walk to the far right for a star piece. Return to the airplane panel and use it to fly to the door on the far right wall. Go inside and go down the stairs. Hit the yellow switch and have Koops' grab the key on the other side of the gap (you can follow the block down to get the Last Stand P. badge, but you'll have to walk all the way back up). Either way, go to the top of the stairs, unlock the door, and grab the Shine Sprite. At this point you should have three Shine Sprites. If not, backtrack with the guide to get the others. Now, simply follow the path, dealing with any enemies that try to stop you. Once at the top, save your game, use the health block, and go inside the door. IMPORTANT: If you have not yet equipped the ATTACK FX R Badge, do so before entering—this will help the course of the battle. Watch the scene and now finally...
Boss Battle[edit]
- Hooktail
Goombella's Tattle: That's Hooktail! It'll stomp and munch on you, and it has a more dragonish attack: stinky, fiery breath! It's tricky, especially when it's losing, and it'll try to fool you into being merciful. Oh, yeah, and one more thing. It hates things that start with "cr" and end with "icket". Supposedly, there's something related to that somewhere in this castle. Did we find it?
- HP: 20
- ATK: 5
- DEF: 1
- Difficulty:****
- Attacks:
- Stomp
- Chomp
- Flame Breath
Attack her with your hammer to weaken her attack and defense. Continue to attack her until she stops talking after getting hit (the second time Mario attacks directly). Then use your most powerful attacks on her until her HP is gone. At this point she'll try to trick you into forgiving her 3 times. Accepting the requests is a trap that allows her to inflict damage. If you keep saying no and she'll eat members of the audience to replenish 10 HP. Use jump to make her spit them out, while you slay her for good! Mario isn't able to recover Star Power from this point, so be aware that your use of special moves is limited.
Watch the cutscene and this chapter is over.
Interlude[edit]
After every chapter, you'll get the chance to control two other characters.
Watch the scene with Peach and afterward, go through the door to the left and take a shower. Afterwards, go to the previous room and go right through the now open door. Go through the hallway, through the door and watch Peach interact with the computer system TEC-XX.
Next, you'll take control of everyone's favorite Koopa king, Bowser. You can press B to use your flame-breath, but it's not useful right now. Go to the other end of the hall, talking to everyone in the room for some humorous dialog. At the other end, watch the scene and answer yes when prompted.
Intermission[edit]
This is the part that goes between chapters.
Petalburg:
Make sure to slip through the hole in the fence next to the mayor's house to get the Mega Rush P badge. Now, be on your way to Rogueport. If you would like, you can un-equip the Attack FX R badge now.
Petal Meadows:
Not long after you enter you'll get the message sent by Peach. Press A to answer it. Go all the way back to Rogueport Sewers.
Rogueport Sewers:
From the entrance to Rogueport sewers, you can head to the right until you see a second warp pipe behind a gate. You can use this pipe to reach the background, where you find the house of Merlee. Here, Mario can purchase a buff that provides random bonuses from combat, such as doubling Star Points, doubling coins, or giving Mario +3 ATK and DEF for a few turns. The more expensive the plan, the longer the spell lasts.
Go back to the Thousand-Year Door room. Before stepping on the pillar, slip through the nearby fence and use the spring to get to the ledge above. Fly your way to the other side and use the spring to get to the ledge above that one. Grab the Shine Sprite, and fall down. From here, you can go left to the Pit of 100 Trials, and find a Star Piece behind the staircase. Once you are finished collecting, return to the Thousand-Year Door room and step on the pedestal. Afterward, you'll be back in Rogueport.
Rogueport:
After the discussion, go outside. You can talk to Luigi to find out on the quest he's been on. Afterwards, go to Merlon's house (the one with the Shine Sprite sign) to upgrade one of your partners (It is recommended to do Koops first). Sleep in the inn to recover any HP. In other news...
Hooktail of Petal Meadows defeated by brave hero! Must've been a tough guy!
Talk to the gatekeeper in Eastern Rogueport and choose to fight him. He shouldn't be hard, since you beat Hooktail already.
Mini-Boss[edit]
- Gus
Goombella's Tattle: That's Gus. He's super annoying and tries to take tolls from everyone. All in all, he's pretty tough. Oh, and I've told you a million times... that pointy spear of his gurts if you stomp on it. I wonder if this guy watches people pass 365 days a year. Talk about a workaholic.
- HP: 20
- ATK: 3
- DEF: 0
- Difficulty:***
- Attacks:
- Stab
- Spear Throw
Just be sure to use Koops and your hammer whenever you attack him. He'll soon go down without much trouble.
After the battle he'll run off. Now, you can go to the Trouble Center if you wish to, but first, go back to the item shop and buy the contact lenses for Zess T. Give them to her and she'll go back into her house and be able to cook some items for you. Now go to the fourth house in Eastern Rogueport. This is the Trouble Center. The concept is simple: find out about someone's trouble, help the person, and they'll reward you. But, if go on a trouble and cannot solve it, you have to pay to cancel it. This guide will tell you about how to be the #1 Problem solver.
Troubles[edit]
These troubles are available right as soon as the Trouble Center opens. After the completion of each Chapter, more troubles become available. For the full list of troubles, how to solve them, and their rewards, consult the Trouble Center page. Completion of some or all of these Troubles is suggested, as extra battles will help raise Star Power, and having extra coins on-hand will help make purchases from the Lovely Hows of Badges or shops.
- Client: Garf (Rogueport)
- Title: Need a key!
- Reward: 20 coins
Go to the inn, and exit out the door at the top floor. Past the badge shop (buy something from them if you want), you'll find the key. Garf is waiting past the trouble center in front of his house. So give him the key. He'll pay and you'll be able to enter his house. But, there's nothing in there worth looking for.
- Client: McGoomba (Rogueport)
- Title: Safe delivery...
- Reward: 20 coins
Go to the alley behind Rogueport Plaza and go right. Talk to the Goomba and take the package to Goomfrey. He's pacing around near Frankly's house. Give him the package and return to McGoomba. He'll give you your reward.
- Client: Arfur (Rogueport)
- Title: Price Adjustment
- Reward: 20 coins
Just go outside, talk to the Doogan and give him these prices: Fire Flower: 10 coins Sleepy Sheep: 8 coins Tasty Tonic: 3 coins You'll get your reward soon after.
- Client: Goomther (Rogueport)
- Title: Find this guy!
- Reward: 20 coins
Goomther is pacing around Rogueport plaza. Talk to him and go to the bandit behind the secret gate next to Merlon's house. Then, go back to Goomther and talk to him. Then go south to the docks and find the bandit who's hiding. Chase him to the alley behind the plaza. Talk to him and Goomther will give you your reward.
- Client: Mousmilian (Rogueport)
- Title: Hit me, please!
- Reward: Information
Talk to the mouse in the plaza and hit him with your hammer until he regains his memory. Be careful though, if you hit him when he remembers, he'll forget again. When he remembers, he'll tell you that if you buy a sleepy sheep at Rogueport and sell it to the shop in Petalburg, you'll get a 2 coin profit.
- Client: Bomberto (Rogueport)
- Title: I'm hungry!
- Reward: 11 coins
Talk to the second blue bob-omb at the docks. Give him a food item (preferably a Mushroom) and he'll reward you with some coins.
- Client: Koopook (Hooktail Castle)
- Title: Try to find me!
- Reward: Special Card (Let's you unlock the plane game in the Pianta Parlor)
Make your way to Hooktail Castle and work your way to the second green block room. When you get up to the walk way, jump down near the left door and talk to the koopa there. Get your reward and slip through the bars to get a life shroom.
- Client: Mayor Kroop (Petalburg)
- Title: Listen to me!
- Reward: Turtley Leaf
Simply go back to Petalburg, go into the Mayor's house and listen to his long conversation. Afterward, he'll giver you a Turtley leaf.
- Client: Plenn T. (Rogueport)
- Title: Order me an item!
- Reward: Ultra Shroom
You'll need some space in your inventory for this one. Talk to the toad in the shop and he'll tell you to get him 5 courage shells from the shop in Petalburg (if you managed to bring some courage shells, give them to him). Talk to him again and store some items until you have room for 5 more (or however many you need left). Go to the shop in Petalburg and buy 5 courage shells. Go back to Rougeport and talk to Plenn T. Give him the 5 shells and get your reward.
After you're done preparing for the next trip return to the sewers.
Rogueport Sewers:
Go to the room before the thousand-year door. You'll see a small gray creature run in a hole (like in the Prologue). Slip through the bars and go up to it. After learning about the X-Nauts, go to where Punio (the gray creature) went and talk to him. He'll open a secret passageway for you. Go in it and go left. Grab the Damage Dodge badge and go all the way to the right. Go into the pipe on the other side.