Mastering All Bowser's Keep Puzzles and Riddles in Super Mario RPG
Uncover the hidden treasures of Bowser's Keep in Super Mario RPG with our comprehensive guide Master the Battle, Action, and Puzzle Courses to conquer the challenges that await in this iconic game
The puzzles and riddles in Bowser's Keep in Super Mario RPG can be quite challenging. Your main goal is to clear multiple rooms and overcome various obstacles. While some challenges are easier than others, you should prepare for a few retries. This guide will assist you in completing the Bowser's Keep puzzles, including Dr. Topper's quiz, the triathlon riddle, action courses, and more.
Table of Contents [hide]
- How to complete all Bowser's Keep puzzles in Super Mario RPG
- Battle Courses in Bowser's Keep
Action Courses in Bowser's KeepAction Course #1
Action Course #2
Puzzle Courses in Bowser's KeepPuzzle Course #1: Coins, Green Switches, and Ball Solitaire
Puzzle Course #2: Dr. Topper's Quiz, the Barrel Test, and the Triathlon Riddle
Dr. Topper's Quiz correct answers
Barrel Test tips
Triathlon Riddle correct answers
How to complete all Bowser's Keep puzzles in Super Mario RPG
To triumph over the Super Mario RPG Bowser's Keep puzzles, accomplish all the trials presented in four out of six chambers. The courses awaiting therein encompass the following categories:
Battle Courses - These courses are relatively simple. You will have to navigate through a corridor, facing multiple groups of enemies that you've recently encountered in the campaign. Approximately eight encounters await you.
Action Courses - These courses involve platforming challenges with the goal of reaching the exit. Avoid falling into the lava and getting hit by enemies or projectiles. You have a maximum of 10 attempts to complete the entire course, which consists of three challenging sections.
Puzzle Courses encompass riddles, quizzes, and other mind-bending challenges.
If a specific course doesn't appeal to you, simply press the "-" button to return to the main area. Regardless, upon successfully completing a course, you will arrive at a small room containing a treasure block. Inside, you can obtain different rewards like Rock Candy and formidable weapons such as Bowser's Drill Claw and Geno's Star Gun. Once you have cleared four courses, you will unlock access to the inner recesses of the castle.
To progress in Bowser's Keep, you must successfully clear four out of six challenge rooms.
Battle Courses in Bowser's Keep
As previously mentioned, the Battle Courses within Bowser's Keep offer a relatively straightforward task. Your objective is to eliminate multiple enemies as you navigate through the corridor. It is highly recommended to have Mallow in your party, as his Thunderbolt ability can efficiently dispatch entire packs of enemies. Expect to encounter various enemy mobs such as Bloopers, Star Crusters, Stingers, Chained Kongs, and more. Beware of unexpected surprises, including the tricky Comeon (mimicking a chest) and the resilient Vomer (skeletons susceptible only to special attacks).
Action Courses in Bowser's Keep
Action Courses are generally considered more challenging compared to others, primarily due to their unconventional controls and the restricted number of attempts allowed per run. It is crucial to note that any form of falling or sustaining damage is not permitted in these courses. However, if you are enthusiastic about attempting these courses, here is an overview of what you can expect.
Action Course #1
There are several challenge rooms, each with its own unique feature.
In the first room, there are transparent platforms that flicker before becoming invisible. It is important to be cautious while moving on these platforms, but you can keep track of the mobs' movements to navigate safely.
In the second room, you will need to navigate across a lava pool using floating platforms.
Finally, the third room resembles the iconic Donkey Kong video game, where your objective is to ascend to the top while dodging barrels hurled by a mischievous monkey.
Watch out for the barrels in this Donkey Kong throwback.
Action Course #2
This includes the following challenge rooms:
The first room, as usual, has a lava pool, and you have to use the floating platforms to get across.
The next room is a dungeon cell occupied by numerous Bob-Ombs. The goal is to step on a metal ball and maneuver it towards the door situated across the room. Keep in mind that the controls work in reverse, meaning that tilting the thumbstick to the right will make Mario and the ball move to the left.
Moving on to the third room, it features floating platforms as well as a pool of boiling lava.
Completing Action Courses can be quite frustrating as they involve navigating across lava pools by jumping on narrow platforms.
Puzzle Courses in Bowser's Keep
These courses feature the Super Mario RPG Bowser's Keep puzzles, and they are plentiful. They are divided into two separate courses, each consisting of three challenging sections. It is important to note that failing any of the challenges will result in restarting the entire course.
Puzzle Course #1: Coins, Green Switches, and Ball Solitaire
In the Coins Puzzle, we replicated Dr. Topper's actions. For example, if he jumped to hit the block four times, we also hit the block four times.
In the Green Switches Puzzle, the objective is to step on switches that will subsequently push down all the adjacent switches. The image below highlights the optimal switches to jump on with star icons. To clarify, in the first row (nearest to the entrance), the third switch from the left should be targeted.
Second row: Leftmost switch.
Third row: Rightmost switch.
Fourth row (closest to exit): Second from the left.
The solution to the Green Switches puzzle.
The final puzzle in Super Mario RPG at Bowser's Keep involves kicking a metal ball in a specific direction using the "A" button. By selecting a ball, it will destroy the one it hits and move one space further. It is crucial to carefully choose which orbs to interact with as their number decreases.
Puzzle Course #2 includes Dr. Topper's Quiz, the Barrel Test, and the Triathlon Riddle.
Dr. Topper's Quiz Answers
The Super Mario RPG features Dr. Topper's Quiz, consisting of a pool of 12 randomly selected questions. To advance to the next area, you must answer at least eight questions correctly. Below are the anticipated questions along with their respective correct answers:
Who is the ultimate enemy in this adventure? Smithy
What was Toadstool doing when she was kidnapped by Bowser? She was looking at flowers
What color are the curtains in Mario's house? Blue
Where was the first Star Piece found? Mushroom Kingdom
What was Mallow asked to get for the Frog Sage? Cricket Pie
Who is the famous composer at Tadpole Pond? Toadofsky
What words do Beezos use when they sing? La dee dah
How many legs does Wiggler have? Six
Where was the third Star Piece found? Moleville
In the Moleville Blues, it's said that the moles are covered in what? Soil
What is Raini's husband's name? Raz
Mite is Dyna's what? Little brother
How many underlings does Croco have? Three
What's the password in the Sunken Ship? Pearls
What's the full name of the boss at the Sunken Ship? Jonathan Jones
Booster is what generation? 7th
How long have the couple inside the chapel been waiting for their wedding? 30 minutes
What's the chef's name at Marrymore? Torte
The boy getting his picture taken at Marrymore can't wait for what season? Skiing
The man getting his picture taken at Marrymore hates what? Getting his picture taken
Speardovich is what? A boss
What did Carroboscis used to be? A carrot
How much does a female beetle cost? One coin
What does the Red Essence do? Gives you strength
What does Belome really like to turn people into? Scarecrows
Who helped you up the cliff at Land's End? Paratroopas
What's the name of Jagger's sensei? Jinx
What do Jinx, Goomba, and Culex have in common? They live in Monstro Town
Who is the famous sculptor in Nimbus Land? Garro
What does Birdo come out of? An eggshell
What color is the end of Dodo's beak? Red
Who is the leader of The Axem Rangers? Red
What is the 4th selection on the Menu screen? Items
What technique does Bowser learn at Level 15? Crusher
Mario, Mallow, and Peach's Triple Move is called what? Healing Rainbow
Barrel Test tips
To solve the puzzle in Super Mario RPG Bowser's Keep, you must correctly guess the number of barrels. The stacked barrels in the room will change, and you will have 10 seconds to count the barrels in the first room and 20 seconds for the second room.
To make it easier, we recommend taking a screenshot by pressing the capture button on your Switch controller. Then, press the home button to return to the console's dashboard. Navigate to System Settings, then go to Data Management and select Manage Screenshots and Videos. Open the individual screenshots and count the number of barrels. Since the game is temporarily paused, you will have enough time to count accurately.
Remember to take a screenshot so you can count the barrels via the console's settings panel.
Triathlon Riddle correct answers
To solve the Super Mario RPG Triathlon Riddle in Bowser's Keep, approach and converse with four Non-Playable Characters (NPCs), namely Boo, Goo, Bones, and Kipp, who respectively represent a ghost, goomba, skeleton turtle, and fish. Through their dialogues, they will disclose their individual performances in the triathlon. By analyzing the provided contextual hints, it is essential to engage with them in the accurate sequence, arranging them from the one who finished first to the one who finished last. Once this ordering is correctly determined, approach Dr. Topper to proceed further.
Now, let's dive into the clues showcasing the achievements of each competitor.
First place: "I surpassed both
Second place: "Although I dropped to fourth place during the bike race, in the end, I managed to secure the same position as I did in the swimming event."
Third place: "In both the swimming and cycling events, I secured the same position, but I was outperformed by two competitors in the marathon race."
Fourth place: "For swimming, I achieved third place, but unfortunately, I was unable to surpass that performance in subsequent events."
Take note of each NPC's statement and ensure you have the correct answer when conversing with Dr. Topper. Upon correctly guessing, you will access the room containing the treasure block. Once you have completed challenges in four out of the six rooms, you will ultimately reach another section of the castle leading to a series of boss battles, concluding this part of the campaign.
In any event, here are the tasks and solutions for all of Bowser's Keep puzzles in Super Mario RPG. Remember to keep in mind that there are more secrets waiting for Mario and his friends, including the Hidden Treasure Chests.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am excited to explore the hidden treasures of Bowser's Keep in Super Mario RPG. The puzzles and riddles in this iconic game present a thrilling challenge that I am eager to conquer. The Battle Courses seem relatively straightforward, and I am confident that with Mallow's Thunderbolt ability, I can efficiently eliminate multiple enemies.
However, I anticipate the Action Courses to be more challenging due to their unconventional controls and the limited number of attempts allowed. I am determined to master these courses by carefully navigating the transparent platforms and floating platforms, avoiding falls and damage. Overall, I am looking forward to unlocking the inner recesses of the castle and obtaining formidable weapons like Bowser's Drill Claw and Geno's Star Gun.
