Yeah, Grass Land music is playing, and Peach is sitting there. Then, everything turns dark, and you see an image of Bowser hovering behind her. She gets plucked into the air and taken away. Before you know it, you're at Bowser's castle.

Now, you can avoid all of the Terrapins (and I would since you don't get anything) except a group of four. This fight should be easy. Even if you can't use timed hits, you'll kill one every turn unless you defend. You go through the door to a lava pit. Once you cross over the last bridge there's no turning back. (Besides, there's nowhere to turn back to since you can't leave the castle.)

In the next room, you find Peach, but no Bowser. Surprise, surprise. He's on top of the chandelier. You jump on the other, and you enter battle. You could hurt Bowser for a few turns, but afterward you'll be unable to hurt him. To win, hit the Kinklink. Simply change you're target and Kill It!

After the next couple of scenes, a giant sword will get stuck in Bowser's Castle, and Bowser and Peach will be who knows where. You, however, land in your own house. Oh yeah, and the game is officially announced.

Toad will come in and criticize your way of entering your house. He'll also demand that you seek the princess at the Keep. Save before you try to leave, or Toad will drag you to the box and give an unnecessary explanation. You should save when you see a Save Box though. (This doesn't mean that you save over and over again just because you see the box.)

Go the only direction you can, to Bowser's Keep. You'll have a nice chat with the giant sword, Exor, and he'll kill the bridge, making the castle inaccessible. You can go to Vista Hill and stare at the castle, though. Mario will also stare, jump, and run away.

When you go home, you'll find out that Toad invited himself into your house. Choose the option to fight him, if it's possible, but I think I made it up. Mario demonstrates his charade skills, and Toad suddenly knows all. Try to leave, and Toad bumps into you. This will probably make you want to fight him even more, but he'll suddenly make up for it by giving you a bunch of Mushrooms. When he asks if you want him to explain how to use items, say I know (click the bottom choice). I'll explain how to use items so that you can save a Mushroom.

Ahem. Press X to go into the menu. Press A on items. Select the item you want, and press A again. Move it to the person that needs it and press A once more. Toad does a good enough job of explaining Timed Hits, so leave it to him. As for status, it'll tell you when you will Level Up, and it'll show your, well, stats. Special lets you use some specials, and explains what others do. It also tells what level you need to be at to learn another. Other options will be explained later so I won't bother. Well, with that all said, it's time for...

There's no strategy for any of the common enemies here. Just don't jump on Spinies. Toad should have told you how to guard against Goombas. To guard against Sky Troopas, press A a little after the shell hits you. Shouldn't pose much of a threat anyway. When you see Toad trapped by a Goomba, save him. The prize isn't great, but you'll be able to save him again later and get a really great prize.

In the next area, there's a lot of enemies. Kill them. The near the ground chest contains something that completely heals you. The other chest up high gives you a Flower. All of this is explained later. Also, save Toad. He'll give you an item that refills all of your FP and adds one more to it.

You've probably leveled up by now, so I'll explain. This is how RPGs work. If you already know that, then skip ahead. Anyway, all of your stats go up (Attack, Defense, HP, etc). In this game, you also get a bonus. I choose HP most often, with Atk. and Def. mixed in. I almost never choose the third one. (I heard a rumor that if you choose Atk. and Def. every level with a certain turtle in your party, he'll become nearly invincible.)

In the next area you'll see a Lakitu throwing Spinies. It's a nice level up opportunity. Two Spinies lie in the bushes in the area, and will ambush you. The easiest way to avoid them, is to hug the center and go counterclockwise.

If you go to the end of the path, you'll find Toad trapped by a Hammer Bro if you saved him the first two times. (The Hammer Bro is there regardless.) I like to be at level 3 before I fight him so that I can use Fire Orb on one of them. Yeah, there's two. Approach the only one you see twice to start the fight. Their normal attacks aren't much, but their Hammer Time (the funniest attack in the game) can do some damage. Press A about one second after you stop hearing the noise, or one second after you see the hammers disappear. One Fire Orb and one good timed punch ought to do it. The one that's left over will use Valor Up. That means that his defense will be a lot higher. Jump on him once or twice, and time your punches, and he'll be down in no time. If you can carry one more item, you'll get a Flower Jar. It refills your FP and gives you 3 more FP. You'll also get a Hammer. If you don't know how to equip it, you'll be taught shortly. Otherwise, equip it now.

There's a shop and an inn here, so use them at your leisure. In the shop's basement there are two hidden chests. One is above the Mushroomer's head, and the other is in the corner near the stairs. You'll need to jump on his head, then to the corner to get the chest. You can talk to the townsfolk, so do so if you wish. Where you need to go is the castle. When you get there you are greeted by Toad. Quickly, jump on his head. He'll carry you down the hallway. When you get to the end, jump high towards the door. You should land on the thing above the door. Jump around and you'll find a hidden chest with a Frog Coin. This is your only chance to do so.

Continue to the throne room. You'll get a map and learn to equip if you haven't done so. You'll also learn that Mario has the abilities of a Duplighost. You can also jump on the Toad's heads, and go behind the Chancellor before the conversation starts. Mario walks right through him. Afterward, go to the cellar (to the right and down ) to get more items and explanations.

Outside, you'll see a puffball chasing a dinosaur. The puffball is Mallow, and the dinosaur is Croco. You'll see both of them a lot, so get used to their names. Eventually, Croco will get away, and Mallow will start crying. It will also start raining. Talk to him and let him join your party. (If you don't he'll keep crying, and it'll keep raining. Your game will also stop progressing.) Go to the southeast exit to talk to the nearby Toad. You'll catch a glimpse of Croco, and be forced to chase him to Bandit's Way.

When you enter Bandit's Way, you'll see Croco reaching into his bag. He'll see you, and run off. Mallow will order you to chase him. Do that.

There are only two new enemies here: K-9 and Frogog. Mario should be able to handle a K-9 with his hammer. Frogogs have more HP than those Hammer Bros. To guard against their attack, press A right after their mouths open. Their other attack is an egg-shaped ball attack. Press A right after the flat things disappear. Overall, they shouldn't be that much trouble.

Anyway, you'll see Croco in the next section as well. He'll jump over a hill. Jump on the nearby spinning flower, and propel yourself over. Jump from one yellow block to another 'til you reach the other side. At the bottom, jump on the other spinning flower, and when it points towards the nearby purple one, jump to receive a Kerokerocola. This item completely heals all of your party members.

In the next section, you'll see Croco again, and you'll have to chase him to the next section. To the right is a chest with a Mushroom that heals you.

In the next area, you'll see, guess who. He'll tell you not to use the treasure chest... Use it anyway. The Star inside will let you kill any enemy in your path. You only get one Exp. point for each though. The other chest has a Flower.

In the next area, Croco will hide. Even if you leave, he'll never come out. You have to run up behind him three times, not necessarily in a row. Once you catch him the third time, it's time to fight.

This is the first guy I consider a boss, because he's the first I can use Psychopath on to find his HP. I like to be around level 6 to fight him. Your first move should be Fire Orb. It'll do a lot of damage, and cost him a turn. Mallow won't help much, so have him use items, and if nothing is needed, Thunderbolt. Next, have Mario use Super Jump or another Fire Orb. If you don't beat him, he'll heal with a Weird  Mushroom. It's the only time he heals. He might get one attack in, but why worry? You Win! Congrats. You also get the Rare Frog Coin to complete the deal back at the Mushroom Kingdom shop. You'll also get a Flower Tab and a Wallet.

A spring will fall from nowhere leading who knows where? Of course you should jump on it, and leave the level. Back to town.

A lot happened in the past couple of minutes. The town was taken over by Shy Guy/Slinky hybrids. Where's their leader? All will be revealed. First you should save the townsfolk and collect some rewards. The fights should be easy to handle. The one lady still tells you to look what you're standing in. By the way, when you return the Wallet and get a Flower Tab, if it tells you to throw something away, throw the Wallet.

Next, hit the castle (where they're coming from). Save everyone before going to the throne room (exactly where they're coming from). You'll learn from the one Toad that the Chancellor (the only smart Toad) is still in the throne room. *gasp* You can also go to the vault once more to get more stuff. Then, all that you have to do is go to the throne room to save the Chancellor.

In the next room, you'll see their obvious leader, Mack. After some interesting dialogue, you'll end up in a fight with Mack and 4 "Bodyguards".

You should be at level 7 or 8 to make this fight really easy. Start off by using one of Mario's more powerful attacks on Mack. Have Mallow use Thunderbolt. If you did so well, he'll be stunned. Have Mario Super Jump, and Mallow Thunderbolt. By now, he should have around 100 HP. If you still can, use special attacks. Otherwise, use normal attacks. He should be out before his attacks get to you. You get a Star Piece! What's that? You'll be told later, or you might already know. Time for the next world.

Note: Before leaving town, make use of the shop, and trade the Rare Frog Coin.

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