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In the ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' franchise and its "cousin" series, such as ''[[Wario (franchise)|Wario]]'', ''[[Yoshi (franchise)|Yoshi]]'', and ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'', there are many different levels, each with different themes. Each theme appears in different games. Themes usually have different elements to challenge the player. Some levels are mixtures of themes, such as [[Perilous Pokey Cave]] in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'' being a desert-themed underground level. The theme of the level often depends on the [[world]] it is placed in. Although most level themes usually take place in the daytime, they can occasionally occur later in the day, such as [[Night Falls on Really Rolling Hills]] in ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'', a grassland-themed level taking place at night, or [[Spiky Mount Beanpole]], also from ''Super Mario 3D World'', taking place at sunset. Nighttime-themed levels are also a mechanic in ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]''.

This theme takes place in one of many [[tower]]s, [[fortress]]es, or [[castle]]s that the [[Koopa Troop]] built or conquered. They are typically encountered at the midpoint or end of a world, with [[Bowser's Castle]] normally being the last challenge in the game the player must face. Towers are always vertical-scrolling, while castles and fortresses are usually horizontal-scrolling. Enemies such as [[Whomp]]s, [[Thwomp]]s, [[Thwimp]]s, [[Magikoopa]]s, [[Dry Bones]], [[Bone Goomba]]s, [[Bony Beetle]]s, [[Amp]]s, [[Sumo Bro]]s, [[Grrrol]]s, and [[Lava Bubble]]s are very common here. Castles are usually lava-themed and have lava for the player to avoid, but other types of castles such as water castles or ice castles can also be found in some titles. Other obstacles found in these levels are also typically varied, featuring [[Snake Block]]s, [[Spike Ball]]s, [[Spinner]]s, [[Skewer]]s, [[Grinder]]s, [[Fire Bar]]s, fire- or laser-shooting [[Bowser Statue]]s, [[Pendulum Platform]]s, or moving ledges. Bosses, including [[Bowser Jr.]], the [[Koopalings]], and [[Boom Boom]], are normally fought at the ends of these levels. Castles and fortresses are typically the hardest genre of levels in the game, aside from post-game content. In the final castle, [[Bowser]] himself is often fought.

These levels usually take place on a flying [[airship]], usually built to accommodate some of Bowser's armies. Common obstacles and enemies here include [[Bob-omb]]s, [[Rocky Wrench]]es, [[Cannon]]s, [[Bill Blaster]]s/[[Bullet Bill]]s, [[Burner]]s, and [[Mechakoopa]]s. Bosses and allies of Bowser, including Bowser Jr., the Koopalings, and Boom Boom, are fought at the ends of these levels. Airships are normally auto-scrollers with many obstacles, and they are an alternative to castles and towers. Sometimes, the level is based on a different kind of military-based automobile, such as [[tank]]s, battleships, and/or military trains.