Boarding the Airship is a level in Meringue Clouds in the game New Super Mario Bros. U. Just like in The Mighty Cannonship (All Aboard! in New Super Luigi U) before it, the course is not seen until the player reaches its spot. It is unlocked via completion of Ludwig's Clockwork Castle and its own completion unlocks the path to Meteor Moat.
Overview[]
It is the last level in Meringue Clouds.
Walkthrough[]
Unlike the other Airship levels in the Mario series, this one takes place outside of the airship, progressing to the boss arena. The first section is similar to the final part of #1 Iggy's Castle in Super Mario World, where a giant object periodically comes down to crush the player. However, unlike #1 Iggy's Castle, Boarding the Airship's object is the Mecha Hand that was used to toss the Mario Bros. and Toads to Acorn Plains. During the later half of the first section, the hand starts punching the ground, destroying it in the process.
The first Checkpoint Flag can the be found on a platform. The second section takes place below the hull of the ship, and the player must use a Remote-Control Platform to progress further through the level while avoiding Burners. A Green Ring can be found above a row of Burners. Rocky Wrenches are found at the end of this section, along with a yellow Warp Pipe that takes Mario to the second Checkpoint Flag and a Pipe Cannon.
After the second Checkpoint Flag and taking the Pipe Cannon up, the final section is the boss battle with Bowser Jr., in his Junior Clown Car. Unlike before, however, Bowser Jr. equipped his vehicle with boxing gloves, which destroy the steel blocks the player has to stand on, and Bowser Jr. himself tosses Bob-ombs, which the player can use to harm Bowser Jr. After three hits, Bowser Jr. is defeated.
A cutscene plays where the player drops onto the airship, and Bowser Jr. prepares to crush Mario with the Mecha Hand, but he runs out of the way and it punches through the flagship itself, severely damaging it and causing it to crash outside of the tornado ahead.
Enemies[]
- Rocket Engines
- Rocky Wrenches
- Mecha Hand
- Bob-ombs (boss battle only)
- Bowser Jr. (Boss)
Star Coins[]
- Star Coin 1: In plain sight, the player must collect it before the mechanical hand destroys the land surrounding it.
- Star Coin 2: In the second section, slightly hidden behind a group of thick clouds.
- Star Coin 3: Near the end of the course, the player must use a Super Acorn to get to the platform above that contains the final Star Coin.
Trivia[]
This level is completely absent in New Super Luigi U. It is replaced with Bowser Jr. Showdown.