Airship Fortress
Airship Fortress
Information
Appears in Mario Kart DS (2005)
Mario Kart 7 (2011)
Mario Kart Tour (2020)
Cup(s) Star Cup (DS)
Lightning Cup (7)
Tour(s)
Based on Super Mario Bros. 3's Airships
Online play Was never available (DS)
Available (3DS until April 8, 2024)
Music sample
Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart 7 / Mario Kart Tour

Mario Kart 7 (frontrunning)
Course map
Mario Kart DS
Airship Fortress mapMario Kart DS
Mario Kart 7
DS Airship Fortress bottom screen mapThe Mini Map for DS Airship Fortress
Mario Kart Tour
Map of DS Airship Fortress from Mario Kart Tour.
Staff ghost(s)
DS Ninten★シュン
2:07:748 Bowser MKDS record icon.pngHurricane
7 Nin★OBSHNN
2:23.323 Metal MarioZucchini, also known as Gherkin.MK7 Slick.pngMetal Mario's Super Glider in Mario Kart 7
7 Expert Ret★Shane
2:07.704 Metal MarioMetal Mario's Standard Kart icon in Mario Kart 7MonsterMetal Mario's Super Glider in Mario Kart 7

Airship Fortress is the fourth and final course of the Star Cup in Mario Kart DS. The course takes place both on a floating fortress in disrepair and on an airship. The course is inspired by the environment of boss levels seen in Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World. Other airships can be seen flying in the background.

The most notable feature in the course is the Pipe Cannon that shoots racers out to the fortress through the air. Furthermore, the track includes obstacles such as Bullet Bills, Rocky Wrenches and more.

Airship Fortress reappears in Mario Kart 7 as the third race of the Lightning Cup and in Mario Kart Tour, starting from the Pirate Tour.

Mario Kart DSEdit

Course layoutEdit

 
The course icon

The race starts with a straightaway, where a barrage of Bullet Bills are shot from a Bill Blaster of the airship and cause players to flip over if they touch them. Passing this section of the track, players turn left with a right turn shortly after and get a boost by running over a Dash Panel, entering the deck of the airship.

On the deck of the ship, racers must dodge Rocky Wrenches that pop out from their trenches, hitting racers who drive over them. Proceeding inside the airship, players take a tight left turn and reach the cellar where some crates are spread throughout the room. They may contain a Mushroom or a Banana Peel if broken. The next room features a pair of burners moving sideways that cause players to spin out if they touch the fire.

Players exit the airship by being launched by the airship's Pipe Cannon with a Dash Panel, similar to DK Mountain, aimed at a hole in the fortress tower. Following the corkscrew inside the tower, there's one last turn to finish the race. Just before the last turn, players can knock other racers off the course.

MissionsEdit

There are two missions that take place on Airship Fortress:

  • Mission 6-2: The player controls Wario, who must use Stars to hit 15 Rocky Wrenches within 55 seconds.
  • Mission 7-7: The player controls Bowser, who must collect 12 coins within 50 seconds while driving in reverse. This requires the player to navigate a maze-like arrangement of wooden crates and then avoid the pair of burners.

Mario Kart 7Edit

 
Airship Fortress in Mario Kart 7

Airship Fortress makes its classic course debut in Mario Kart 7 as the third course of the Lightning Cup.

Immediately following the starting line (which has the grid recolored from black and yellow to red and white while the banner was changed from the one seen in Figure-8 Circuit, Yoshi Falls, Desert Hills, and Wario Stadium to a steel-framed wooden panel displaying the classic orange Mario Kart logo), both drop-offs can be used to perform a trick and gain a small boost. The Bullet Bills have become Banzai Bills, are now shot out from the Banzai Bill Cannon at faster intervals, and are no longer visible on the bottom screen map. Some of the Banzai Bills are larger in scale compared to others. The interior of the airship has some minor changes, most notably the presence of a slight curve within the cellar, while the exterior of it has a Warp Pipe added near the Pipe Cannon (similar to Super Mario Bros. 3's) and the fortress section has additional towers. The burner room now has a ventilated floor exposing the sky underneath the airship, and the Rocky Wrenches now make sounds similar to Monty Moles. Hitting a Banzai Bill has the similar effect as getting struck by a Bob-omb, a Bullet Bill, or a Spiny Shell, causing the player to tumble and roll over sideways.

Launching out of the Pipe Cannon now encompasses a Glide Ramp. Players cannot aim their flight and they are also no longer immune to items while in the Pipe Cannon, and being hit by anything (or intentionally stowing their glider) results in having to be rescued by Lakitu.

ShortcutsEdit

  • Dropping onto the rail between the Banzai Bill section and first boost panel in order to take the turn tighter saves a minimal amount of time.
  • Dropping onto the longer rail at the start of the lap is useful during races as, while not necessarily saving time, it allows the player to dodge items and Banzai Bills.
  • A difficult shortcut can be performed by leaning off the curve on the second, smaller rail to gain an upwards angle and using a Mushroom. If the player goes far enough, Lakitu will place them just before the cannon. If done quickly, it saves around ten seconds.[1]

Mario Kart TourEdit

 
The course in Mario Kart Tour

Airship Fortress returns in Mario Kart Tour, debuting in the Pirate Tour. It is the second course after DS DK Pass to be the signature course of two tours (the Pirate Tour and the Bowser vs. DK Tour). Unlike other courses appearing in Mario Kart 7, especially among the classic courses from Mario Kart DS in that game, it has received many notable aesthetic changes. The main tower is now part of a larger fortress, with other towers in the background. The location of the course changes from the sky to a lava-filled ocean, as well as the time of day from sunset to sunrise (the latter also applies to N64 Yoshi Valley and GBA Yoshi Desert). Several lit torches were added to the sides of the track before the main airship and on each column of the main tower and hanging lanterns on the main airship's deck. The starting banner is now made of stone that is held up by two small towers, and the Mario Kart logo on the starting banner is the modern logo (colored cyan) as opposed to the classic logo.

The main airship and several others are a more lighter brown in color, with their masts now possessing propellers instead of sails. Hitting a Rocky Wrench now gives points to the player instead of making them spin-out, and players can now trick on top of Rocky Wrenches that poke their heads out of the ground. The tunnel leading to the main airship's cabin has also been given a redesign, with the doors being replaced by multiple portholes, lights, and groups of barrels and crates, while the wall separating the two rooms now resembling the type of wall seen inside a wine cellar. Additionally, the main airship's cabin has been redesigned to resemble a drinking bar, with Shy Guys sitting on stools, bottles on shelves, a dartboard, and several tables.

The course also appears as Airship Fortress R (reversed), Airship Fortress T (with ramps), and Airship Fortress R/T (reversed with ramps). The former two debuted in the Pirate Tour, while the latter debuted in the 2021 Trick Tour. In the R and R/T variants, the Banzai Bills are gone. In the T variant, the cannon is removed, and racers use Kanaami Road to cross the gap. In the R/T variant, there is a row of Rocky Wrenches just before the finish line.

AppearancesEdit

For this course's tour appearances, see List of DS Airship Fortress tour appearances in Mario Kart Tour.

Top-tier and middle-tier itemsEdit

Select "show" to reveal the drivers, karts, and gliders for which DS Airship Fortress and its variants are always favored or favorite courses. For instances in which additional drivers, karts, and gliders temporarily had this course and its variants as favored or favorite courses, see List of DS Airship Fortress tour appearances in Mario Kart Tour.

Course Three-item drivers Bonus points ×2 karts Combo bonus ×3 gliders Two-item drivers Bonus points ×1.5 karts Combo bonus ×2 gliders
 
Normal variant
                                                        **  **    *        *   ** *      * **    **     ** **   *         ** 
           
   
 
R variant
                                                        * **      **   *   ** **      *        *             * **
                    
  
 
T variant
                                                        *   **  **        * *   ** ** **   **  **         **    ** **  *    ***
               
   
 
R/T variant
                                                         **  * **     *   **     **  **   * ***  ***   ** *  **     **  ***        *  **  **     
       *   
* indicates a favored course upgraded to a favorite course after reaching level 3.
** indicates a favored course upgraded to a favorite course after reaching level 6.
*** indicates a favored course upgraded to a favorite course after reaching level 8 for High-End items.

Bonus challengesEdit

Ring Race
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Baby Daisy
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 5
  • 10
  • 23
Pirate Tour  
Toadette Cup
  • 10
  • 16
  • 23
Yoshi Tour (2022)  
Peachette Cup
Do Jump Boosts
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Morton
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 8
  • 12
  • 18
1st Anniversary Tour  
Baby Peach Cup
  • 10
  • 15
  • 18
Bowser vs. DK Tour  
Birdo Cup
Halloween Tour (2022)  
Metal Mario Cup
Big Reverse Race
Icon Course variant Opponents Tour appearances Cup
7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st Extra
  Regular Driver  [2]  [2]  [2]  [2]  [2]  [2]  [2]  [3] Halloween Tour (2020)  
Ice Mario Cup
Kart                
Glider                
Goomba Takedown
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Item Box
type found
Number of item slots Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Waluigi
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
 
Bob-omb

 
Mega Mushroom
1
  • 10
  • 25
  • 38
Pirate Tour  
Daisy Cup
Los Angeles Tour (2021)  
Toadette Cup
Halloween Tour (2022)  
Baby Peach Cup
Steer Clear of Obstacles
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Obstacles Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Rosalina
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
 
Banzai Bill
 
Barrel Bomb
 
Burner
Summer Festival Tour  
Birdo Cup
Kamek Tour  
Baby Luigi Cup
Amsterdam Tour  
Bowser Cup
Bowser Tour (2023)  
Ludwig Cup
vs. Mega Bowser Jr.
Icon Course variant Mega opponent information Tour appearances Cup
Driver Kart Glider Items used
  Regular  
Bowser Jr. (Pirate)
 
Landship
 
Great Sail[4]
 
Bob-ombs[4]

 
Bob-omb Cannons[4]
Pirate Tour  
Koopa Troopa Cup
Trick Tour (2021)  
Diddy Kong Cup
Peach vs. Bowser Tour (November–December 2022)  
Dry Bowser Cup
Smash Small Dry Bones
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Birdo (Yellow)
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 4
  • 7
  • 9
Mario Tour (2021)  
Metal Mario Cup
  • 4
  • 8
  • 12
Space Tour (2021)  
Mario Cup
Peach vs. Bowser Tour (November–December 2022)  
Bowser Cup
Time Trial
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Luigi
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 2:30.00
  • 2:15.00
  • 1:55.00
Halloween Tour (2020)  
Toad Cup
  • 2:15.00
  • 2:05.00
  • 1:53.00
Bowser vs. DK Tour
  R  
Pink Shy Guy
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 2:30.00
  • 2:15.00
  • 1:58.00
New Year's 2021 Tour  
Pauline Cup
  • 2:30.00
  • 2:14.00
  • 1:58.00
Summer Tour (2021)  
Baby Rosalina Cup
Combo Attack
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Highest combo counts Tour appearances Cup
  T  
Red Yoshi
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 15
  • 25
  • 35
Yoshi Tour (2022)  
Donkey Kong Cup
  • 15
  • 20
  • 30
Peach vs. Bowser Tour (November–December 2022)  
Yoshi Cup

ProfilesEdit

Mario Kart DSEdit

  • European website bio: "Bowser should be right at home in these ships in the sky. Race across the decks of these floating wrecks, get blasted from cannons and dodge oncoming missile fire, as you fight to stay in one piece long enough to take the pole position."

Mario Kart TourEdit

  • Mario Kart Tour Twitter: "It's time for the Pirate Tour! The DS Airship Fortress course makes its debut in Mario Kart Tour. It's a long way down from this floating fortress, so make sure you stay on course!"[5]

GalleryEdit

Mario Kart DSEdit

Mario Kart 7Edit

Mario Kart TourEdit

Course iconsEdit

ScreenshotsEdit

Names in other languagesEdit

Language Name Meaning
Japanese キラーシップ
Kirā Shippu
Bullet Bill Ship

Chinese (simplified) 弹头杀手飞船
Dàntóu Shāshǒu Fēichuán
炮弹刺客飞船 (Mario Kart Tour)
Pàodàn cìkè fēichuán

Bullet Bill Airship

Chinese (traditional) 砲彈刺客飛船
Pàodàn Cìkè Fēichuán
Bullet Bill Airship

Dutch Vliegende Vesting
Flying Fortress
French Bateau Volant
Flying Ship
German Fliegende Festung
Flying Fortress
Italian Fortezza Volante
Flying Fortress
Korean 킬러 해적선
Killeo Haejeokseon
Bullet Bill Pirate Ship

Portuguese (NOA) Fortaleza Aérea
Aerial Fortress
Portuguese (NOE) Fortaleza Voadora
Flying Fortress
Russian Воздушная крепость
Vozdushnaya krepost
Aerial Fortress

Spanish Fortaleza Aérea
Aerial Fortress

TriviaEdit

  • Airship Fortress is one of two courses in the Mario Kart series that has had three different starting line logos, it used the same design as Figure-8 Circuit, Yoshi Falls, Desert Hills, and Wario Stadium in Mario Kart DS with the 5 Nintendo logo-styled Mario Kart logos in a row, the classic Mario Kart logo in Mario Kart 7, and the modern Mario Kart logo in Mario Kart Tour. Coincidentially, both are from Mario Kart DS, with the other one being Waluigi Pinball.

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ https://youtube.com/watch?v=h1rnjiASlEA at 4:01
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Game8 International (October 26, 2020). Ice Mario Cup (Halloween Tour) - Big Reverse Race Walkthrough | Mario Kart Tour. YouTube. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  3. ^ Beto Prisco (October 26, 2020). Halloween Tour - Ice Mario Cup. YouTube. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c DarkyKitty (October 21, 2020). Mario Kart Tour - Koopa Troopa Cup (Pirate Tour) - #120. YouTube. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  5. ^ mariokarttourEN (August 12, 2020). Twitter. Retrieved August 12, 2020.