Bowser in the Sky

Bowser in the Sky is the third and final Bowser stage in Super Mario 64 and the last level of the game. 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 Toads in Princess Peach's Castle. The stage also contains enemies such as Chuckyas and Goombas.

70 Power Stars (80 in Super Mario 64 DS) are required to reach the top of the endless stairs, or the staircase will repeat itself. However, there is a glitch that can be used to get up the stairs without the required stars.

Bowser in the Sky is one of only three levels in Super Mario 64 DS that only one certain character can access, as Bowser will only allow Mario to enter this level. The others are Chief Chilly Challenge for Luigi, and The Secret Under the Moat for Wario.

Layout
The stage begins with Mario landing on a large arrow-shaped platform, signifying the direction he's 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 and into the abyss below if the player isn't 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 turning platform that will turn 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 run up to reach a bend that leads into a spinning platform; in the DS version of the game, this platform holds the Star Sphere. The next bend leads toward a Ferris wheel-esque spinning set of platforms, followed by a small platform with a Whomp on it, a ledge with a Kuromame, 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 will activate upon pressing the Purple Switch.

At the top of the stairs is a large, bending platform with a few fire jets and Coins, along with a Red Coin at the top. At the end of this bending platform is a lift that will carry Mario through a series of platforms they need to jump over, with one of them containing a Spinning Heart the player can use to recover Mario's health. Once the lift reaches the end of its rail, it'll turn around and head back to its original position, or if Mario remains off of it for a certain amount of time, it'll warp back to its original position. After the lift are two spinning platforms containing a Kuromame, Bob-ombs, and Amps, 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 Goombas 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 will constantly be pushing Mario back. The Warp Pipe at the end of the stage will take Mario to the final fight with Bowser.

Battle
While the method of defeating Bowser is similar to the previous fights, there are many differences between Bowser's attacks and the stage. Unlike the previous battles when the player had four mines (eight in the remake), this battle has five. When Bowser slams the ground, shock waves will appear, and they'll damage Mario if he touches them. He retains the fire attacks from the previous battles and can also breathe a stream of fire into the air, which will fall back down a several fireballs. The last difference is that Bowser has to take damage from three mines before admitting defeat. On a side note, when Bowser takes damage from two mines, he'll shake the battlefield, causing it to form a star-like shape; this makes the third throw require 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 charge attack. After the third hit, Bowser will give Mario the Giant Star. When he touches it, wings will form, 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 will release Peach from above the door entrance, who bakes a cake for her heroes, and then the credits roll.

Star 1
As with the previous Bowser levels, a Power Star can be obtained by collecting the eight Red Coins found throughout the level. The Power Star will then appear behind the Warp Pipe that leads to Bowser.

Star 2 (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 a fair bit in order to collect the Power Star.

Secrets

 * The statues before the pipe at the end of the level show a depiction of Mario jumping over a Fireball near Bowser, in the old Super Mario Bros. style.
 * 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 will differ depending on whether or not all the game's Power Stars have been collected:

Trivia

 * This course contains the 1 Whomp that isn't in Whomp's Fortress.
 * Even though seven Goombas are seen in this level, there is actually an eighth Goomba, 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 of said Goomba impossible to collect.