Bowser in the Dark World

Bowser in the Dark World is the first Bowser level in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. It is a puzzle-like world with many traps and enemies. The trapdoor entrance is behind the star door in the main floor. Eight Power Stars (twelve in the DS remake) are needed to open this door.

Red Coins are difficult to obtain in this level due to the fact that there are many gaps in the course, but simply getting to the end of the course is particularly easy. In Super Mario 64 DS, a Switch Star was added to the level.

Once Mario enters the pipe, Bowser will show up saying that Princess Toadstool isn't in the Dark World. Bowser will attack using his trademark Fire Breath which can burn Mario. He can also jump up and shake the ground if Mario is too far away. While fighting Bowser, Mario must grab him by his tail, twirl him around to build up momentum, and then throw him into one of the four mines available (In Super Mario 64 DS, there are eight mines). Upon doing so, he will admit defeat and disappear, leaving Mario with the key to the castle's basement.

Star 1
Eight Red Coins can be found throughout this level. Upon collecting them all, the Power Star will appear near the Warp Pipe that leads to Bowser. The first two can only be reached by pressing a switch that makes some brick blocks appear, and they are near the beginning. Another one is in the narrow path with Amps. There is one in the area with the square platforms, and another one in the circular platform that can only be reached with a long jump. The last two are in the area with the tilting platforms. One is next to the walls, and the other one in the ceiling.

Star 2 (DS only)
When Mario gets near the end of the level, he will find a Star Switch placed next to the Warp Pipe leading to Bowser. Mario must then continue forward and jump over high ledges to reach the Star Switch. He must then go back and repeat the steps to go back to the glass containing the Power Star throughout a limited time. If Mario doesn't make it, he will have to repeat these steps all over again.

Music
The stage music is the same as in Bowser in the Fire Sea and Bowser in the Sky, with "Koopa's Road" being used for the course (but not while fighting Bowser). This music is re-used for the Bowser stages in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Trivia

 * The crystals that Amps circle in Super Mario 64 and the DS remake resemble the crystals on the shoulders of SpaceGodzilla.
 * The crystals also resemble Item Crystals from Super Mario Galaxy; however, they cannot be broken by any attack.