The Goopy Inferno

The Goopy Inferno is the third episode of Pianta Village in Super Mario Sunshine. The episode's objective is to navigate through the lava that has appeared in the village.

Layout
As soon as the player starts the level, Shadow Mario will appear to take F.L.U.D.D. away, much like how he does before starting a secret course. The entirety of Pianta Village has become covered in lava, which the Piantas claim has fallen from the sky and has trapped the mayor on his golden mushroom. Without F.L.U.D.D., the player can't wash away the lava, so they have to take an alternate route.

Running around the village, the player will find a hole next to the spa. Ground Pounding the panel at the bottom will take the player to the village's underside, which they must navigate to reach another hole that will lead them to the mayor. The hanging paths will have many Klambers and Red Electro-Koopas on it the player has to avoid. To move the sliding panels, the player has to press when hanging on them, then quickly jump off once it reaches the end of its rail, as the panel will fall. By using the mushroom platforms and a swing underneath the village, the player can reach the panel they need to flip through. Wall Jumping out of the hole and jumping between the breaks in the lava will lead the player to F.L.U.D.D. and the golden mushroom the mayor is on top of. Jumping up and cleaning him off, the mayor will then reward the player with a Shine Sprite.

However, it is possible to complete this episode without using the village underside, by using the spring's water to clean away some of the goop in between the spring and the building where F.L.U.D.D. is held, then jumping or diving across. It is also possible to avoid being hurt by the lava for a short time by taking a hit from a Wind Spirit, therefore skipping most of the level.