Dark Land · Level 8-4 of 32
The final castle. A grueling gauntlet through lava-filled corridors, the fastest firebars in the game, Hammer Bros at every checkpoint, and a looping maze before the climactic showdown with the real Bowser. Reach the axe and save Princess Peach.
The real Bowser can only be defeated with 5 fireballs or by reaching the axe behind him.
The correct path through the maze: upper door → upper door → fire corridor → axe.
A hidden Super Mushroom sits in the wall just before the final Bowser corridor — vital insurance.