Editing Bowser in the Sky

{{course infobox
|image=[[File:Bowser in the Sky.png|280px]]<br>''Super Mario 64''<br>[[File:High in the sky.PNG|280px]]<br>''Super Mario 64 DS''
|unlock=Get to the top of the [[endless stairs]] with 70 [[Power Star]]s (80 in the DS remake).
|boss=[[Bowser]]
|stars='''''Super Mario 64'':'''<br>[[File:Star SM64.png]]<br>'''''Super Mario 64 DS'':'''<br>[[File:Star SM64DS.png]][[File:Star SM64DS.png]]
}}
{{quote|The mystery of the [[endless stairs]] is solved, thanks to [[Mario|you]]--and is [[Bowser]] ever upset! Now, on to the final bout!|In-game dialogue|[[Super Mario 64]]}}
'''Bowser in the Sky''' is the third and final [[Bowser]] stage in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'', and it is the final [[level]] of the games, taking place in a sky filled with dark-blue, purple, pink, and black clouds. [[Mario]] travels through platforms in the sky until he reaches a [[Warp Pipe]] leading to a final fight against Bowser to save [[Princess Peach]] and the [[Toad (species)|Toad]]s in the [[Peach's Castle|Mushroom Castle]]. 70 [[Power Star]]s (80 in ''Super Mario 64 DS'') are required to reach the top of the [[endless stairs]] beyond the [[Big Star Door]] on the third floor.

Bowser in the Sky is one of the three levels in ''Super Mario 64 DS'' that only a certain character can access (the others being [[Chief Chilly Challenge]] for [[Luigi]] and [[The Secret Under the Moat]] for [[Wario]]), as Bowser allows only Mario to enter this level; any other character who attempts to access this level is blocked by the endless stairs.
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==Layout==
[[File:SM64DS Bowser In The Sky Map 1.gif|frame|left|Map of Bowser in the Sky in ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'']]
The stage begins with Mario landing on a large arrow-shaped platform, signifying the direction he is supposed to go. Next are a few platforms arranged like a set of stairs, with the final one having a moving platform slide out of it, which can push Mario off the platform into the [[pit|abyss]] below if the player is not careful. At the top of the platforms is a block that can be pushed to reach a [[Red Coin]]. After the stair platforms is a [[seesaw]] that tilts based on where Mario is standing, dropping him out of the level if he remains in place for too long. Afterward is a large ramp that Mario can [[dash|run]] up to reach a bend that leads to a spinning platform; in the DS version of the game, this platform holds the [[Star Sphere]]. The next bend leads toward a spinning Ferris wheel-esque set of platforms, followed by a small platform with a [[Whomp]] on it, a ledge with a [[flame thrower (Flame Chomp)|flame thrower]], and finally an area with a [[Chuckya]], all of which are positioned above a large platform. Afterward is a platform leading to a set of stairs that activate upon Mario pressing the [[! Switch#Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS|Purple Switch]].

At the top of the stairs is a large bending platform with a few [[flamethrower]]s and [[coin]]s, along with a Red Coin at the top. At the end of this bending platform is a [[lift]] that carries Mario through a series of platforms he needs to [[jump]] over, with one of them containing a [[Spinning Heart]] the player can use to recover Mario's [[Health Meter|health]]. Once the lift reaches the end of its rail, it turns around and heads back to its original position, or if Mario remains off it for a certain amount of time, it warps back to its original position. After the lift are two spinning platforms containing a flame thrower, [[Bob-omb]]s, and [[Amp]]s, with the back platform having a pole for Mario to climb and reach the next area.

By climbing the pole, Mario can reach a platform with two [[Goomba]]s and two sliding platforms that bridge the gap between them. After the bending stone path beyond those are two Ferris wheel platforms Mario needs to jump between to reach the final platform. The final platform contains a trio of Goombas, some columns, and a Spinning Heart, though a strong gust of [[wind]] constantly pushes Mario back. He can stand right behind the columns to avoid getting blown off. The Warp Pipe at the end of the stage takes Mario to the final fight with Bowser.
<gallery>
SM64 Sky Arrow.png|The start of the stage
SM64 Sky Block.png|Mario pushes a block.
SM64 Sky Wall.png|The magic wall
SM64 Sky Platform.png|A seesaw
SM64 Sky Whomp.png|A Whomp
SM64 Sky Chuckya.png|A Chuckya
SM64 Sky Stairs.png|The activatable staircase 
SM64 BINTS Flamethrower.png|Flamethrowers
SM64 Sky Lift.png|Mario riding a lift
SM64 Sky Pole.png|Mario climbing a pole
SM64 Sky Rotation.png|A rotating platform
SM64 Sky Pipe.png|The pipe island
</gallery>

===Bowser battle===
{{multiple image
|align=left
|direction=horizontal
|width=128
|footer=Fight with Bowser in the N64 version (left) and the DS version (right)
|image1=Mario vs Bowser 64.png
|caption1=
|image2=Mvsb.png
}}
[[File:SM64DS Bowser In The Sky Map 2.png|frame|Map of the battle area]]
While the method of defeating Bowser is similar to that for the previous fights, there are many differences between his attacks and the stage. Unlike the previous battles when the player had four [[Mine|spiked orb]]s (eight in the remake), this battle has five spiked orbs. When Bowser slams the ground, shockwaves appear, and they damage Mario if he touches them. Bowser retains the fire attacks from the previous battles and can also [[Fire Breath|breathe a stream of fire]] into the air, which falls back down as several red and blue (green in the DS remake) [[fireball (obstacle)|fireball]]s, with the latter type splitting into three [[Lava Bubble|Sparkie]]s of the same color upon landing. Bowser's leaping out of the abyss can result in part of the platform breaking before he does his shockwave attack. The last difference is that Bowser has to take damage from three spiked orbs before admitting defeat; after taking damage from two spiked orbs, he causes the entire outer edge of the battlefield to break off, forming it into a star-like shape, and the third throw requires much more power and timing than the first two. Additionally, each time Bowser is damaged, it becomes easier for Mario to grab Bowser's tail without having to bait him into performing the charging attack. After the third hit, Bowser gives Mario the [[Jumbo Star]]. When he touches it, he acquires the [[Wing Cap]], allowing him to [[fly]] and land in the [[Castle Grounds]], where Peach and two Toads (Luigi, Wario, and [[Yoshi]] in the DS version) are waiting for him. Mario releases Peach from above the door entrance, and she bakes a [[cake]] for her hero(es). The credits then roll. The game ends with a screenshot of the cake that Peach baked, with statuettes of Mario and Peach on top, and the words "The End" below. In the N64 version, the screen freezes on the image afterwards and the system needs to be turned off or reset. In the DS remake, the making of the cake is shown on the bottom screen during the credits, and statuettes of Yoshi, Luigi, and Wario are added to the cake; Luigi's and Wario's statuettes are added if they are unlocked. This time, the player can press the {{button|ds|start}} button on the [[Nintendo DS]] to return to the Title Screen.
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==Missions==
===8 Red Coins===
As with the previous Bowser levels, a Power Star can be obtained by collecting the eight Red Coins found throughout the level. These are the locations of the Red Coins:
*Floating above the second-to-last stair-like platform. Mario must push the block and then jump off it to get this coin. He can also [[Backward Somersault|backward-somersault]] to get it.
*In a corner of the stone path where a [[Small Piranha]] appears after the first spinning platform
*On a small ledge vertically next to a trail of regular coins on the large stone platform below the seesaw leading to the first set of Ferris wheel platforms
*Floating above a side with regular coins at the top of the large bending platform with flamethrowers
*Floating above the first highest wooden platform after the Spinning Heart on the path of the lift with an arrow (two arrows in the DS version)
*Near the center of the first spinning platform after the path of the lift with an arrow
*Floating above the pole between the two sliding platforms on the third level
*On the ledge under the stairs before the Warp Pipe that leads to Bowser
After Mario collects all eight Red Coins, the Power Star appears behind the Warp Pipe that leads to Bowser.

===Switch Star (''DS'' only)===
Below the first set of platforms that rotate much like a Ferris wheel is a large stone platform. At one end is a [[Star Switch]]. Upon pressing it, the player must backtrack to the Star Sphere on the spinning platform from earlier to collect the Power Star. 
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==Secrets==
[[File:Statue SMB style.png|thumb]]
*The statues before the pipe at the end of the level show a depiction of Mario jumping over a [[Fire Breath|fireball]] near Bowser in the old ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' style.<ref>{{cite|author=Espyo|date=August 7, 2010|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9JebAeGeRY|title=Super Mario Bros. Easter Egg - Super Mario 64|language=en|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=May 23, 2024}}</ref>
*Like the other Bowser stage Stars, the Secret Stars in this level are shown under the "Castle Secret Star" count.
*Upon his defeat, Bowser's message to the player differs depending on whether or not all the game's Power Stars have been collected:
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Game!!Bowser's message prior to collection of all Power Stars!!Bowser's message after collection of all Power Stars
|-
|''[[Super Mario 64]]''||''"Nooo! It can’t be! You’ve really beaten me, Mario?!! I gave those troops power, but now it’s fading away! Arrgghh! I can see peace returning to the world! I can’t stand it! Hmmm… It’s not over yet… C’mon troops! [[Fourth wall|Let’s watch the ending together!]] Bwa ha ha!"''||''"Noooo! You’ve really beaten me this time, Mario! I can’t stand losing to you! My troops…worthless! They’ve turned over all the Power Stars! What?! There are 120 in all??? Amazing! There were some in the castle that I missed??!! Now I see peace returning to the world… Oooo! I really hate that! I can’t watch--I’m outta here! Just you wait until next time. Until then, keep that Control Stick smokin'! Buwaa ha ha!"'' ("Control Stick" is replaced with "L Stick" in ''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]'')
|-
|''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''||''"Nooo! It can’t be! You’ve really beaten me, Mario?!! I gave those troops power, but now it’s fading away! Arrgghh! I can see peace returning to the world! I can’t stand it! But it’s not over yet… C’mon troops! Let’s watch the ending together! Gwa ha ha!"''||''"Noooo! You’ve really beaten me this time, Mario! I can’t stand always losing to you! My troops… worthless! They’ve turned over all the Power Stars! Wait, say that again. There are 150 Stars in all??? What?! There were some in the castle that I missed??!! Now I see peace returning to the world… I really hate that! It’s so horrible I can’t watch. I’m outta here! Just you wait until next time. Until then, keep that Touch Screen smokin’! Gwa ha haaaaaaa!"''
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
SM64 Sky Flamethrower.png|More flamethrowers
Super Mario 64 Puzzle.jpg|Artwork used for a ''Super Mario 64'' puzzle
Bowser Sky Entrance.png|Mario in front of the entrance to Bowser in the Sky in the N64 version
SM64DS Bowser Sky Entrance.png|Mario in front of the entrance to Bowser in the Sky in the DS version
Flying_Back_Home_SM64.png|[[Wing Mario]] flying after getting the Jumbo Star
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=てんくうの たたかい！
|JapR=Tenkū no Tatakai!
|JapM=Battle of the Heavens!
|Spa=Bowser en el cielo
|SpaM=Bowser in the Sky
|Fre=Bowser des cieux
|FreM=Bowser of the Skies
|Ger=Bowsers Luftschloss
|GerM=Bowser's Sky Castle
|Ita=Bowser in Cielo <small>(''Super Mario 64 DS'')</small>
|Ita2=Bowser in cielo<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia]]''|page=91}}</ref>
|ItaM=Bowser in the Sky
|Ita2M=Bowser in the sky
|Kor=천공의대결
|KorR=Cheongong ui Daegyeol
|KorM=Battle of the Sky
|ChiS=天空之城的酷霸王<ref>From the pause menu of the level in [[iQue]]'s localization of ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''.</ref>
|ChiSR=Tiānkōngzhīchéng de Kùbàwáng
|ChiSM=Bowser of the Sky City
}}

==Trivia==
*Even though seven [[Goomba]]s are seen in this level, there is actually an eighth Goomba in the N64 version, but its spawn point is off the edge of the platform. This results in the Goomba appearing at the very bottom of the level for a single frame and then disappearing. This makes the [[coin]] inside said Goomba impossible to collect.<ref>{{cite|author=pannenkoek2012|date=April 6, 2014|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEBMaAoKRvw|title=SM64 - The Mystery Goomba SOLVED|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=March 23, 2016}}</ref> The eighth Goomba was removed in the DS version.
*In the DS version, this is the only time when Bowser mentions Mario by his name.
*By accessing the level with fewer than 70 Power Stars via [[List of Super Mario 64 glitches|glitches]], if the player loses a life, "[[Inside the Castle Walls]]" plays for a brief moment before it is cut off by the endless stairs music.<ref>{{cite|author=Nicro|date=October 5, 2019|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtb3g75JtXo&t=42595s|timestamp:11:49:55|title=I spent 24 hours running up the ENDLESS staircase (Super Mario 64)|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=May 23, 2024}}</ref>

==Trivia==

He is often referred to as "Gay Bowser" due to Mario's quote "So long-a Bowser" sounding like "So long, Gay Bowser".

==References==
{{NIWA|Ukikipedia=1}}
<references/>

{{SM64}}
[[Category:Sky areas]]
[[Category:Super Mario 64 locations]]
[[Category:Super Mario 64 DS locations]]
[[it:Bowser in Cielo]]