New Super Mario Bros./World 8-5

Now that you've crossed the bridge to the second section of World 8, lava is no longer limited to being in castles. For instance, this level is filled with lava, and you must traverse it using tilting and even collapsing platforms. Basic enemies like Koopas and Podoboos make this challenging platforming course even harder. With no checkpoint throughout the level, have extra care when trying to clear this level, or an errant step will send you back to the start.

Level walkthrough

As mentioned before, there are no checkpoints in this level, so you must start over from the beginning of the course if you die. Fortunately, this stage is actually quite short, but it's no less difficult than the other stages of World 8. As you move forward, passing a Koopa Troopa, you will see a large suspended platform. You may have encountered this type of platform before during Bowser Jr. battles in World 6, and they function similarly here, tilting in the direction where you're standing. Watch out for the Goomba as you get the power-up from the block above this platform.

After a chunk of land with a red Koopa on it, you will be introduced to the next kind of platform that features in this level: collapsing platforms. These platforms tilt as well, but they will drop into the lava if you stand on them for more than a second. Make two quick jumps across the falling platforms to get on a stretch of stone blocks. Jump past another collapsing platform, avoiding the Podoboos as you do, to another stone block platform. Drop down to the right of the stone blocks to land on a collapsing platform with the first Star Coin. A Podoboo shoots from the lava extremely close to the Star Coin, so grab it with care.

Jump on to the next couple of stone blocks to arrive above another suspended platform. You can get a Koopa shell and use it to hit the block to the left of the suspended platform, letting you collect a potential 1-Up from the block. Jump on to the collapsing platform to the right, then to another suspended platform, one with a Koopa and a block containing a power-up. After jumping over three consecutive crumbling platforms of increasing heights, you will fall on to a pair of suspended platforms. Get a Koopa shell from any of the Koopa Troopas on the platforms and throw it to the left while standing on the lower suspended platform for the next Star Coin.

Leap from the suspended platform following the trail of coins to avoid the Podoboos and land safely on the ground to the right. To the right is a challenging series of collapsing platforms that demand agility and dexterity to clear. The addition of enemies, most commonly Paratroopas, forces you to make multiple accurate and decisive jumps in a row. At the end, make a running leap to get on the collapsing platform high up, then make another jump for the final Star Coin. Go through the pipe to reach the flagpole area. You can jump from the edge of the pipe exit to reveal a hidden block, which you can use to reach a higher position on the flag.

Star Coins

1. The Star Coin is on an unstable platform close to the lava. Watch out for the Podoboo nearby while falling to get it.
2. This Star Coin is located between two suspended platforms above the lava sea. Throw a Koopa shell at it to collect it safely.
3. At the end of the series of collapsing platforms, do a dashing jump to reach a high platform. Immediately jump forward before it falls as well to nab the Star Coin in the air.