Peach's Castle

"What a magnificient castle! I never get used to this place!"

- Luigi

Princess Peach's Castle (also known as Mushroom Castle) is the castle in which Princess Peach and many Toads, including Toad and Toadsworth, reside. The rooms inside the castle vary from game to game, as can the castle's location. It is recognized by a tall tower standing in the center of the castle and is supported by four towers along the outside walls in most games. In main Mario titles the castle is normally seen on grassy plains away from civilization while Paper Mario series sometimes depicts it in a busy town. Super Mario Galaxy and it's successor however show it to be in the same town but in a less crowded area. Although this general statement can vary, the castle is always found in Toad Town.

Super Mario 64
In Super Mario 64 and its remake, Peach's Castle is properly introduced and emphasized for the first time. The castle serves as the central "hub" for the entire adventure. Bowser takes over the castle and hides the Power Stars (which seem to be of the castle) and castle inhabitants, including Peach and Toads in various paintings and walls throughout the castle. Eventually Mario saves the Princess and returns the castle to its former glory. At the end of the game, Mario can use a cannon to travel to the roof of the palace, which is flat, and find Yoshi.

New Super Mario Bros.
In New Super Mario Bros., the castle is seen in the game's opening, where it is possibly attacked by Lakithunder shortly before Bowser Jr. kidnaps the princess. Since this game, the New Super Mario Bros. series has had a running theme of having Peach's Castle in their World 1-1's, plainly visible at the start of the stages.

Super Mario Galaxy
In Super Mario Galaxy Bowser lifts her castle into space similar to Paper Mario and drags it across the universe into the Center of the Universe. It was then up to Mario with the aid of Princess Rosalina and the Lumas to rescue the Comet Observatory's Grand Stars. After Mario rescues all of the stars Rosalina guides the Observatory to the Center of the Universe so Mario can rescue his 'special one' and her castle from Bowser.

However, after Mario defeated Bowser and claimed the final Grand Star, the sun of Bowser's almost complete galaxy had nothing to hold it together, and it went supernova. The result of this was a black hole which sucked the entire universe into it. However, before it could do this, the Lumas inhabiting the Comet Observatory and the one traveling with Mario all flung themselves into the black hole in an attempt to stop it, which causes the black hole to explode.

Afterward, the universe is recreated, and the castle is back where it was before Bowser removed it from the ground.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the castle was featured during the game's opening in which Peach was holding her birthday party. After Peach got kidnapped by the Koopalings, Mario, Luigi, and two Toads immediately went in hot pursuit after those responsible for the crime. While the four heroes made haste, two other Toads back at the castle fired Penguin Suits and Propeller Mushrooms their way for them to use. The castle is also the location to get Hint Movies. They can be obtained by giving star coins to Toad who resides in the castle during the game. Once again, it can be seen in the background at the start of World 1-1.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
The castle appears very briefly in the opening of Super Mario Galaxy 2. After traversing a 2-D level, Mario enters Toad Town, finding it in ruins. He then sees a giant Bowser in front of the castle, who gloats at Mario and flies away with Princess Peach. Mario then meets two Lumas on the bridge over the moat, one of which turns into a Launch Star and sends him to Sky Station Galaxy. The castle also appeared at the end of the credits where Mario and friends have a party for saving the galaxy.

Super Mario 3D Land
If the player waits for a while on the title screen without pressing, they can enter Peach's Castle. There are many Toads here, and Mario can practice his moves in the castle. It can also be seen in the opening and ending cutscenes of the game. Like the New Super Mario Bros. series, the castle also appears in the background of World 1-1, alongside the Tail Tree.

New Super Mario Bros. 2
Like in New Super Mario Bros., Peach's Castle makes a cameo in the opening and in the background of World 1-1. It has the same appearance as in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

New Super Mario Bros. U
Peach's Castle in New Super Mario Bros. U seems to be in the same place as it were in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. However, this iteration has a large moat surrounding the castle, as well as a tower on the right of the castle.

In the game's opening, Bowser and his Koopalings once again attempt to kidnap Princess Peach. However, instead of taking Peach away, Bowser throws Mario, Luigi, Yellow and Blue Toad all the way to an acorn tree in the Acorn Plains. Afterwards, Bowser sends the Koopalings to secure the land's castles, while Bowser's Airship hovers over Princess Peach's.

Like it's predecessors, the castle can be seen in Acorn Plains-1 (World 1-1). However, it can only be seen at the end of the stage and even then, it is very far back in the distance (which also shows off the Wii U's graphical power compared to the Wii).

Mario Kart series
Peach's Castle also made some appearances in the Mario Kart series. The castle first appears in Mario Kart 64 in the track Royal Raceway. It has the exact same design as the one in Super Mario 64. Players have a choice to explore the grounds if they wish; however they may not enter the castle itself. The Award Ceremony also takes place where the top three drivers will drive there with confetti and a golden trophy for the winner of the cup.

In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Peach's Castle can been seen in the background of Rainbow Road atop of Bowser's Castle, just like in Paper Mario.

The castle appears in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! twice. Once on Mario Circuit and in the background on Mushroom Bridge in Grand Prix mode, just before the first tunnel. In Mario Circuit, the castle is completely cut off from the road and separated from the track by walls. This castle is very 'cheerful' and cartoon-like, compared to its other appearances. In Mario Circuit, several Goombas on a rocky road, Piranha Plants in pipes along the track, a Chain Chomp on a large turn and tricky bends await a racer on both GameCube and Wii. (Mario Kart: Double Dash!! ' s Mario Circuit reappears in Mario Kart Wii as a retro course in the Leaf Cup). Also, in Mushroom Bridge the castle can be spotted vaguely obscured by fog in the background.

Peach's Castle also appears in Mario Kart Wii, yet the course is named Mario Circuit. It, like in Super Mario Galaxy, is located in a small village called Toad Town. Shy Guys and Hammer Bros. observe players as they sit on the fences surrounding the castle and houses. A total of five Goombas patrol the roads and a large Chain Chomp is situated on a sharp turn in or around the middle of the course. The typical Mushroom Kingdom hills can be seen in the background along with a rainbow. Yellow sunflowers are neatly placed along the grasses of the track and a hot-air balloon labeled "MARIO" floats and travels over the grounds.

Peach's Castle appears in Mario Circuit from the game, Mario Kart 7, and it is the first time the player is allowed to drive inside the castle.

Paper Mario
The castle was once again taken over by the Koopa Troop during the events of Paper Mario. In the beginning of the game, Princess Peach invites Mario and Luigi to a party at the castle. However, while the Mario Bros. (and numerous other guests) are having fun, Bowser hatches an elaborate plan that causes his castle to rise into the air under Princess Peach's Castle, taking the Princess' castle with it. Many of the party guests are imprisoned and Bowser throws Mario out of a window, sending him spiraling back towards the Mushroom World. Peach is once again forced to be a prisoner in her own castle.

In the end, Mario, Goombario, Kooper, Bombette, Parakarry, Lady Bow, Watt, Sushie and Lakilester (with the help of the Star Spirits) fly to Bowser's Castle and make their way up to Princess Peach's Castle. The team finally confronts Bowser and Kammy Koopa on the roof of the castle, and defeat both of the villains, sending them flying off the castle and returning it to its rightful place in Toad Town.

Mario Party 3
Peach's Castle appears in the intro and "hub" of Mario Party 3. Entering it lets one play any unlocked minigames and music. The player can also change the options of the game there.

Mario Party 4
Peach's Castle is seen at the opening sequence of Mario Party 4. Briefly, the bag that covers the floating cube casts a shadow on Peach's castle. At the main menu, Peach's Castle is seen at the background.

Mario Party 7
At the end of a Party Cruise game in Mario Party 7, there is an end-of-game ceremony that takes place at Peach's Castle in the MSS Sea Star. Here, Toadsworth announces the game's current scores and gives out the three Bonus Stars to the players based on their performance during the match. When it's time to reveal the Superstar of the match, all four (or eight) contestants will enter the castle to determine the champion. Once they get to the top of the castle, the doors will open and the winner is revealed. That player (or team) is the superstar.

Mario Party 8
Peach's Castle appears in Mario Party 8 in the background of the minigame Crank to Rank.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, the castle plays a very minor role. The castle grounds can be explored at the start of the game, and the castle can be viewed from Hoohoo Mountain. Mario's battle with Bowser takes place inside Princess Peach's throne room, but the castle interior cannot be explored.

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
In the sequel to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the castle was actually the main traveling point of the game, almost identical to how the castle was used in Super Mario 64. The music was even the same. The castle held all of the Time Holes leading into the past in the entire game. There were many items and coins and the castle was home to the only shop in the game (except for the Monty Mole store and the one in Toad Town). There are 2 bosses the player fights in there, one against Junior Shrooboid and the other the last boss in the game; Shrowser. Goombas can also be fought in the basement area.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
The princess' castle reappears in the sequel to Mario and Luigi: Partners In Time, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story.

The game begins at the castle, with Mario and Luigi traveling through the main interior to the meeting room. The meeting is about the Blorbs that have infected much of the Mushroom Kindgom. The meeting is soon cancelled as Bowser comes into the meeting, angered by the fact that they don't believe he is there to solve the unknown disease. After Mario defeats him, Peach and Starlow send him out of the castle. Later on, Brainwashed Bowser enters the meeting room as everyone leaves, inhaling everyone in the room. Bowser then ends up knocking out, and Fawful appears, sending him out of the castle yet again.

It is seen later again, yet blocked off by Fawful using the Dark Star power. He has now taken over the castle, serving it as his chamber to reviving the Dark Star. Once Mario and Luigi combine the Star Cures into the Miracle Cure, they are able to bring down the barriers and enter the castle. They have to travel through Peach's Castle Garden and fight Junker before they find Bowser all sore. There is a pipe that leads to him in the gardens.

Once the Mario Bros heal Bowser, the great beast is now about to explore deep into the castle walls using his new ball roll. He finds that Fawful has made a trial for Bowser, leaving three keys to three of his hovering bots that hold the whereabouts of either treasures or the way out. After a long chase and crushing the bots, Bowser makes his way through the next area where Fawful has giant Piranha Plants growing. Once weeding the humongous plants, he moves on to the room that Fawful, Midbus, the Dark Star, and Princess Peach reside in.

Fawful allows Midbus to fight against Bowser, giving him an icy powerup to make him Blizzard Midbus. Yet Bowser proves himself the stronger beast, defeating and freezing Midbus in place. But it is too late for the main goal of rescuing the princess as the Dark Star is fully revived. Fawful is able to take some of the energy from the Dark Star before Bowser punches him out of the room. The Dark Star enters Bowser's Body, entering from the mouth while Bowser chuckled at the pleasure of punching Fawful.

Once the Mario Bros defeat the weakened Dark Star, it escapes out of Bowser's Body, in a phantasm form of Bowser (as a result of Bowser's DNA). Bowser chases the ghost out into the Castle Courtyard, where the entire castle comes to life. The massive fortress transformed into a battling machine by Fawful. Bowser must become giant for the last time in order to defeat the castle. After a deadly battle, the Castle is defeated, and Bowser shrinks back to normal size.

Heading back into the meeting room, Bowser finds Dark Fawful searching for the Dark Star, and attacks him. Once Bowser damages Fawful beyond limits, Dark Fawful transforms into a bug-like stage, crawling out of the room. Outside the room, The Dark Star and Dark Fawful merge together to become the stable Dark Bowser duo. After Dark Bowser escapes through a hidden passage behind the throne, he and Bowser engage in a spike ball battle up the central tower with Bowser being the victor. Following Dark Bowser, Bowser ends up on the final battle arena.

In the arena, Dark Bowser releases a hurricane of Dark smoke that covers the entire Mushroom Kingdom. He explains how he is going to rule over the pathetic land, and that there is nothing standing in his way. Bowser then laughs at his words, stating that this is HIS land, and that he can't win. They then begin the final Battle; Bowser versus Dark Bowser and Mario Bros versus Dark Star Core. After a long battle, the Mario Bros defeat the Dark Star Core, allowing Bowser to finally give the final blow to the now unstable Dark Bowser.

The Mushroom Kingdom returns to normal, except the fact that Fawful is still alive. After a quick speech, Fawful explodes in order to kill the Mario Bros. Yet it backfires as it sends all that were trapped in Bowser's Body out into the Mushroom Kingdom. Everyone celebrates at making it out, except for the confused Bowser, just now finding out that Mario and Luigi were in his body the entire time. After learning who Chippy was, he reached his last straw, making a final battle with the Mario Bros leading into the cutscenes in the end credits.

Enemies (including bosses)

 * Bowser
 * Naplock
 * Dark Trashure
 * Dark Mechawful
 * Dark Fawful Bomb
 * Dark Fawful Guy
 * Blizzard Midbus
 * Snawful
 * Dark Fawful
 * Vacuum Helmet
 * Dark Bowser
 * Dark Star Core

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Peach's Castle could be seen drawn in the background of the first floor, Mushroom Mayhem, of Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. Also, Toadstool Castle appeared as the sixth floor of this game. This floor's levels were the first in the game to feature moving platforms, and balance beams similar to the ones from Super Mario Bros. The music played in the levels is 'Inside The Castle Walls' from Super Mario 64.

Yoshi's Island DS
Peach's Castle made a small cameo in the intro. When the Toadies are kidnapping babies, Baby Peach is taken from her castle, along with Baby Mario and Baby DK from their respective houses.

Super Princess Peach
In Super Princess Peach, the castle was affected by the Vibe Scepter and Bowser's minions captured Mario, Luigi and Toad while Princess Peach, Toadsworth and another Toad were enjoying a walk. Also, in this game the castle bears six or eight towers supporting the outside walls. If not, it can be explained that the rear of the castle is wider than the front, therefore letting four towers be seen in the opening scenes.

Itadaki Street DS
Peach's Castle is one of the Monopoly boards in Itadaki Street DS, featuring Peach's Castle and some grassy hills in the background.

Fortune Street
Peach's Castle returns as one of the Mario series boards in the sequel to Itadaki Street, Fortune Street for the Nintendo Wii. The board is slightly changed in terms of structure from its original appearance in the prequel. In the Easy vesrion of the game, the board looks like a the letter P with and extra line in the middle of the loop of the P with an extra line next to the stem which is connected by a space at the bottom and the top. In the Standard version of the game, the board looks like a short, wide rectangle with a tall square in the middle of the rectangle. In Tour mode, the player has to play against Peach, Wario, and Bowser while coming in first or second to beat the board. Beating this board unlocks Peach as a playable character.

Mario Sports Mix
In Mario Sports Mix, Princess Peach's Castle returns as a court and background element for Mushroom Cup tournaments.

The main gimmick of this court is sprinklers that turn on and off. In dodgeball, the water acts as the dividing line between the two sides of the court. In basketball, it acts as an obstacle to get to the hoop. In hockey, it blocks the puck from going into the goal immediately. In volleyball, it will cause the ball to bounce back.

Princess Peach's Castle also appears in the opening cutscene where Toad is gardening flowers in front of it. Just then, a comet-resembling object flies past the castle and hits the earth near it. Toad and other Toad Retainers rush to the object, which reveals to be the Sports Crystals. So, they decided to hold a tournament to determine the best players of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Description and Location
In the majority of games, the castle is normally gray brickwork, but sometimes it was noted white and even a light cream (Super Princess Peach). Since 1996 it has kept its original highest tower emerging from a wider circular tower underneath - both always in the center of the castle. Normally the main feature of the castle is a rectangular or square shape, with nearly always four towers supporting this part. The roof is nearly always a shade of red, but in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga it was a shade of yellow.

A window is usually present at the front of the castle. There is an image of Princess Peach embedded, painted or carved onto the window. In Super Mario 64, this was the part of the castle Princess Peach was concealed and only the power of the star Bowser had captured for himself at the end could release her.

In Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS, the castle is a huge palace with many rooms and secrets. Despite having hundreds of rooms, there were no regular "living" rooms, such as a bedroom or kitchen. Most of the rooms simply had a large painting in it. The castle also had a basement, the floor of which was oddly coated with water. However, this could likely be all due to Bowser's reign on the castle. The castle grounds were also quite spacious in this game. Plenty of trees can be viewed and climbed up, and the land itself is quite large. A moat surrounds the castle, which eventually leads into a small pond. In this game, the castle is reached via Warp Pipe.

In Paper Mario, the castle differs radically from its 64th counterpart. The castle is still large and has a great number of rooms, but each room has some kind of purpose (there is a library, a bedroom, and many storage rooms). The castle grounds are also much smaller, with a simple fountain and one or two trees outside the castle. It should be noted that much of the castle's surrounding land was lifted into the air with Bowser's castle, which may explain the seemingly shrunken land; however, even when Mario finally reaches the castle to confront Bowser, no moat can be seen. The castle has no warp pipe leading to it, as it can easily be reached from Toad Town.

In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the castle was again, like Paper Mario big and had actual "living" rooms. This castle however was different from the Mario 64 and Paper Mario versions and the garden looked very different (there were no trees either). In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, the castle's conference room was seen in the intro. It is eventually taken over by Fawful and served as the final area in the game.

In Super Mario 64, there was a courtyard located behind the castle but it was not visible from the front or roof of the castle in the main gardens. However, the main part of the castle could be seen from the courtyard. The courtyard introduced the magic and mystery of Peach's Castle that the Power Stars seemed to have control over. The courtyard in both the original Super Mario 64 and in the Nintendo DS remake was infested with Boos. Big Boo's Haunt and another secret level were hidden in here.

Differing from the castle in Super Mario 64, in Super Mario Galaxy, the castle now has a balcony and several windows. The castle still has the body of water connected to it, but is now right outside Toad Town. Also different from the older version, this castle's outside is more detailed.

Also in Super Mario Galaxy, the cut-scenes show a more detailed top tower than when playing as Mario in the Star Festival.

In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story the castle was controlled by Fawful and was planned to use it against Bowser when he would arrive, Bowser then defeated the castle in the devastating battle.

In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the castle has less windows, no moat, has more detail than its DS predecessor, and looks more remote than Super Mario 64/DS and Super Mario Galaxy.

In Super Mario Galaxy 2, the castle looks like the castle from Super Mario Galaxy. The balcony from Galaxy seems to be missing, however and there are now several vases full of flowers on the grounds. During the invasion of Bowser, several meteors hit the grounds, blocking off the east half of the grounds.

More Castles
Peach appears to have more than one castle. A completely different one in seen in Mario Hoops 3-on-3. It stands on a gigantic and poorly structured rock out in the sea. This castle is also visible from Koopa Beach. The castles of Super Mario Bros. and its sequel, Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, are also said to be in the Mushroom Kingdom and invaded by Bowser. The Princess' home in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is known as the Mushroom Castle' rather than Princess Peach's Castle, and has a radically different design.

Enemies Found (Paper Mario)

 * Bowser (Final boss of Paper Mario)
 * Kammy Koopa

Enemies that appear during the Peach Intermissions
Peach doesn't fight these enemies. They patrol her castle and when they spot Peach, she'll be sent back to her room.


 * Clubba
 * Hammer Bro.
 * Koopatrol

Paper Mario Area Tattles

 * This is Peach's Castle. But we just came out of Bowser's Castle! I've got a funny feeling about this... I wonder where Princess Peach is being held captive. I think we should brace ourselves, Mario.
 * This is the first floor hall of Princess Peach's Castle. There are so many doors, though. Where on earth can Princess Peach be?
 * Boy, what happened here? This is even messier than my room back home! It looks like nobody ever puts anything away in here.
 * That's a pretty huge drawer over there. I bet a person could fit inside! If they wanted to, that is... Hey, there's a bed, too! This must be a guest room.
 * It's a kitchen. I'm just guessing, but I bet this is where they make the meals. The castle's head chef probably cooks all the meals, don't you think? I wonder what kinds of savory dishes he knows how to make. Hey, Mario, have you ever eaten here?
 * This is the second floor hall of Princess Peach's Castle. There are so many doors, though. Where on earth can Princess Peach be?
 * This is just an ordinary room. Do you smell something, though? What a strange odor...
 * Wow! So many books. If we weren't in the middle of such an adventure, I'd love to read some of these.
 * It's a dining room. It looks like somebody has eaten here recently. Probably not the Princess-- they're probably starving her! People always say that the meals served here are delectable. I'd love to eat here sometime.
 * This looks like a storeroom. ...! Hey! Check out that box! Let's see what's in it.
 * Wow! This is Princess Peach's room, isn't it? It smells great in here! It's such a cheerful room, just like Princess Peach. I can't believe she was locked up in here for so long, all by herself. She must've been so lonely... We've got to rescue her, right now!!
 * This balcony has a great view. I'm betting that this is one of the princess's favorite places.
 * It's a covered hallway in Peach's Castle, Mario. Let's find Bowser and save Princess Peach!
 * We have to help Princess Peach!! Mario! Hurry up! Let's move!
 * Bowser's gone upstairs. C'mon, we have to follow him! Mario, let's roll!
 * We have to save the princess! Hurry up! Mario! There's no time to waste!
 * It's a castle tower. These long spiral stairs go up and up and around and around. Oog...I feel dizzy.
 * Huh? Where in the world did Bowser just disappear to?

Trivia

 * Princess Peach's castle is the only structure that did not collapse when it was sucked into the black hole at the conclusion of the events of Super Mario Galaxy.
 * Super Mario Sunshine is the only 3D adventure game that the castle did not appear in as the whole game took place on Isle Delfino.
 * In almost every game the flags on the castle are blowing right.