New Super Mario Bros./World 8

World 8-1
The first half of World 8-1 has crows and pumpkin Goombas, along with Bullet Bills. The crow will circle the sky above Mario, then dive to Mario's level. Mario can jump on or over the crow. Fire also works. After its dive, the crow disappears and never again bothers Mario. More crows appear as Mario moves right. If Mario advances quickly, many crows might gather. Mario can avoid them if he waits for each crow to dive before he advances further.

The pumpkin Goomba is slightly stronger than its regular cousin. A single bounce only makes it to turn red and run faster, but a second bounce finishes it. Mario can also defeat the pumpkin with a single Ground Pound or with a fireball. When bouncing off pumpkins, beware of Bullet Bills or crows in the air.

The 2nd and 4th ? Blocks contain power-ups (mushroom or flower). The 5th ? Block contains a springboard, which you need for the first Star Coin. To get the springboard, you must hit the ? Block from below. (If you Ground Pound it from above, the springboard falls into the bottomless pit.) The springboard sends Mario to the sky, where the Star Coin hides. To reach the coin, you must move the springboard to the right. Hold and jump up to grab the springboard. Carry it right to the next floating platform. Drop it there, and bounce for your Star Coin. (After you land, the springboard returns to its ? Block. If you miss the coin, you can get the springboard again and try again.)

The second half of World 8-1 has Boos and Bullet Bills; the midway flag is soon after the first Boo. Inside the 6th ? Block is another power-up. Star Coin 2 is in plain view; you can bounce off a Bullet Bill, or just jump from the floor to collect it. Star Coin 3 is on a low platform just before the Banzai Bill Launcher. After you get this coin, you must find a way up. There is no need for a springboard. You can jump right (where the coins are) and Wall Jump off the Banzai Bill Launcher to reach higher ground on the left.

If you want a 1-up from the flagpole, you should stand on the platform between the Banzai Bill Launcher and the flagpole. Wait for the Launcher to fire, then quickly jump on the Launcher (not the bullet), run and jump right, bounce off the bullet, and touch the flagpole.