Floating Fortress is the 2nd level in Super Mario Rainbow Road. The level is located in the star door to the right path of the main castle. The picture is a zoomed in face of a Thwomp from games later in the series. Like the name suggests, this level is a castle in the sky, which belongs to the Whomp King. This level is extremely similar to the original Whomp's Fortress and even more so to Sky Land Resort from Super Mario Star Road, using the same theme (a floating fortress), enemies, and in the case of Sky Land Resort, the same graphics.
The sunny floating island is made up of two main towers, which are made of white bricks. The main one, which is very near the start is where the Whomp King's throne room is located. Scaling this structure also leads to another house like part with a red roof and finally to a huge tower and balcony at the pinnacle. Off to the side, past a small pool of water is another tower, though this one is much taller. Other than the main features the grassy island also contains hedges, some flower beds, and a cute stone gazebo (which is very similar to the one Mario starts Star Road in...) which Mario starts in.
Levels[]
Star 1: Beat King Whomp![]
Looking in the castle where the Whomp King awaits.
Mario must duel against the Whomp King and take his star. Mario starts on a small island connect by a bridge under an arch connected to the mainland. Cross the bridge and Mario should see the giant doors to the palace where the Whomp King stands. The fight is the same as in the original so just ground pound his bandaged back three times and take his star.
Star 2: Tower Climbing[]
Looking at the bottom of the tower.
Mario must climb a tall tower to reach the star on top. Locate the pool of water near the entrance to the castle and walk around it. This leads to bottom of the tall tower. The path consists of a couple of steep slopes leading to some Goombas, a small set of stairs, an elevator platform, which is quite hard to land on, and a wall that Mario must wall kick to the top of to reach the Yellow "!" that contains the star.
Star 3: The Fortress Top[]
Scaling the roof leading higher up the castle.
Mario must reach the top of the main fortress to the highest point of the castle. Mario must now tackle climbing the main castle. To the left of the door, Mario should see a couple of blocks which lead to a floating elevator platform. Riding this will lead to a grassy ledge above the main castle. Mario now has to jump onto the roof, which can easily be done by jumping on a hedge, then crossing a stone arch. At the top of the red roof, there is a small stone path with plenty of Whomps on them. If Mario follows to path left, it will lead to the Blue Coin Switch and a pillar that Mario needs to wall kick up. At the top follow the stone path past more Whomps and get the star in the box.
Star 4: Floating Red Coins[]
Looking at Coins # 6, 7, and 8.
Mario must collect the 8 red coins scattered around the fortress, the locations are as follows:
- On a wooden arch directly in front of the start
- Behind the main castle
- The red roof next to the pool of water
- In the pool of water
- On top of the giant door leading to King Whomp. It is best to drop down from above.
- Next to the stone arch that leads to the roofs above the castle.
- Behind the farthest pillar when on top of the roof above the castle. Mario need to talk around the edge of the castle to reach it.
- On the roof slope near the wall that Mario must wall kick up to reach the highest level.
When Mario collects as 8, the star appears in small island that is surrounded by hedges near the pool of water.
Star 5: Swim into the Fortress[]
Looking at the caged section of the fortress.
Requires Vanish Cap from Creepy Forest Mansion! Mario must use the Vanish Cap to enter a caged off room in the pool of the castle. The Vanish Cap is located in the white Boo box off to the side of the Main castle. When you equip the cap, simply run into the pool of water and swim into the secret room.
Star 6: The Flowers Secret[]
In the flower patch which contains the warp.
Mario must find a hidden warp that teleports him to a star. While exploring the top of the castle, you may have stumbled upon a cage with a star in it along with a sign which informs Mario that indeed the flowers have a secret. As there is only a couple flower patches in the stage, it shouldn't be hard to understand what Mario must do. Head to the small patch of flowers next to the main castle, defeat the piranha plant, and stand near the center.
Enemies[]
- Goomba
- Bob-omb
- Whomp
- Piranha Plant