Bowser's Gravity Gauntlet

Bowser's Gravity Gauntlet is a galaxy in the game Super Mario Galaxy 2. It is located in World 4. The level is based entirely on gravitational forces. Most of the level involves sidescrolling, except for the beginning and the end. The level is covered in lava, but there is one part where Mario will need to swim through water to get through the level. Magikoopas are common enemies here and can summon Li'l Cinders at will. Firebars are placed throughout the whole level, even underwater. Fireballs also defy gravity because they can change direction in midair. When Mario reaches the end, Bowser will challenge Mario to a battle. Bowser battles in the same manner as in World 2, except he can create shockwaves and leave a trail of fire.

Bowser's Castle
The level focuses on a large castle where there appears to be almost no normal gravity at all. The castle is surrounded by lava with fireballs jumping out of it. When Mario enters the castle, he will find more fireballs jumping out of the lava. As he progresses, he will switch to walking on the walls and eventually on the ceilings. Beyond these, there is an underwater section with firebars and Cheep Cheeps. After this is a small outdoors section with Whomps, which leads to the other side of the castle with spinning platforms Mario must navigate to reach the door that takes him to Bowser.

A circular planet where Mario must Ground Pound three Meteorites at three large locks in order to open the door leading to the next battle with Bowser. Additional Meteorites will rise up from the ground whenever Mario Ground Pounds the previous ones to launch them at the locks on the large door. A Checkpoint Flag is also found here, along with two Item Crystals; one contains a Life Mushroom, the other contains some Star Bits.

A small planet shaped like a star, in front of which is another planet that acts as Bowser's throne. When Mario first appears here, Bowser will be absent, but will quickly come crashing down to the planet. After talking to Mario, Bowser will send him to the Bowser Battle Planet.

It is very similar to the first battle planet, except for the fact that it is more deteriorated. It is a small planet made out of small bricks and a few rocks with coins.

Breaking into Bowser's Castle
First, Mario lands on Bowser's Castle. He needs to pass a Dry Bones, Four Podoboos and a Firebar. Mario then gets on a Metal Platform and the gravity changes, and there is a Magikoopa. Then the gravity changes and Mario avoids eight Firebars. A Life Mushroom can be found on the corner. The gravity changes again and again until Mario enters the castle. Mario can find a Checkpoint here. On top of a Brick Block, Mario can find the Comet Medal. After the gravity changes four more times, Mario enters some water. Enemies in the water include Cheep Cheeps and Firebars. When Mario exits the water, there is another Checkpoint. Above it Mario can find a 1-Up Mushroom. The gravity changes and Mario comes to two Whomps. The gravity changes again and Mario finds a Firebar Spinning Platform, and a Launch Star. The player comes to the Big Door Planet. Mario needs to jump onto the Meteors and Ground Pound them into the locks. The door draws Mario in and he end up on the Bowser Throne Planet. Upon arrival, Bowser does not seem to be there. Luma is puzzled and looks around for him. A grumble is heard, and Bowser appears. Then Mario and Bowser battle. To defeat him, Mario must hit him with a Meteor four times, much like the last battle. After a few hits, Bowser gets angry. Once defeated, he loses another Grand Star and shrinks back to regular size. He says that his Master Plan is going well and Mario can't stop him. Then, Mario obtains the fourth Grand Star and travels back to Starship Mario, where the portal to World 5 is opened.


 * Planets Visited
 * Bowser's Castle
 * Large Door Planet
 * Throne Planet
 * Bowser Battle Planet


 * Enemies
 * Dry Bones
 * Podoboos
 * Magikoopas
 * Goomba
 * Cheep Cheeps
 * Whomps


 * Names in Other Languages

Gravity Star Speed Run
The Speedy Comet must be in orbit in order to selection this mission. This Power Star is at the very end of Bowser's Castle, on the left side of where the launch star was. To collect the power star, the player must wall jump on the wall that separates half on the final part to collect the star, and Mario must do this within the time alloted to finish the level by getting Stopwatches along the way.


 * Names in Other Languages

Green Star 1
The first Green Star in this galaxy is on a sunken pillar in lava near the entrance to the castle. Mario can backward somersault onto the pillar. Also, Mario can jump into the lava to bounce up onto the pillar and grab the Star.

Green Star 2
The second Green Star in this galaxy is at the end of the castle above a Question Block. Mario can backward somersault and Spin to get the star. It is ideal to get the star with Luigi instead of Mario.

Music
See here.

Trivia

 * This is the only Bowser level throughout both Super Mario Galaxy games where one can swim.