The levels in Super Mario Bros. Wonder tend to grow more difficult as you go, as indicated by their star ratings, but even some of the earlier levels have some teeth. On the subject of challenging earlier stages, here is our guide on how to beat Bulrush Express in Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder – how to beat Bulrush Express
You can access the Bulrush Express stage after you clear the Wigger Race Mountaineering! event. Head north at the next four-way intersection. To beat Bulrush Express, stick with the herd of Bulrush enemies as they race ahead of rising liquid.
Related: How to get all Wonder Seeds in Bulrush Coming Through in Super Mario Bros. Wonder
A stunning debut
As the stage begins, Mario stands on a ledge to the left of a bed of spikes and an orange pipe. Two Bulrush enemies rush each other and become stunned when they collide. Leap along them to cross the spikes and then enter the pipe.
When you arrive in the lower passage, you trigger a Bulrush stampede. Jump and land on the herd, which you will ride through most of the level. As you do, the purple liquid will slowly rise. It’ll kill you, so stay above it as best you can.
As the herd runs, it launches across a wide gap. Ahead of you, a P-Switch hangs from the ceiling. You can jump to hit it to make a series of blue coins appear. Beyond the switch, a Mushroom drops from a red pipe. I recommend grabbing it, just in case.
Flowery loot
Continue to the right. Not that you have any real choice. On the next bit of land, you can jump between enemies to grab a Flower Coin, if you’re feeling brave. The stampede soon reaches a ledge that ascends sharply toward the right.
A second P-Switch hangs from the ceiling. Bop it if you wish. You can also ride the stampede as it arcs downward toward the purple soup, then jump to a ledge and rush along it to grab another Flower Coin, if you like taking risks. I don’t like taking such risks if I’m just trying to complete the stage for the first time.
Explosive passage
Keep going and catch a ride on the stampede as it launches into the air after that platform. This is the most dangerous part of the stage. As the stampede touches ground, jump onto the ledge to the right and break the nearest POW block. The explosion clears the passage so you can keep running. Do this quickly, or you’ll get stuck and the liquid will end your run.
At the far end of the passage, hit another P-Switch along the ceiling and land on the Bulrush stampede again. Gather spectral coins as you ride. You need to be ready to duck and jump enemies positioned along this route, sometimes on ledges. You can leap to snag a third Flower Coin here as a reward for your athleticism.
The climb for rewards
You are almost through the stage. As the stampede touches down on solid ground once more, look for a red arrow pointing upward past a series of ledges. Jump up to the left side of the first grassy ledge. Keep hopping to ascend through the vertical chamber. The liquid rises quickly here, plus individual Bulrush enemies wait along each ledge, ready to rush you.
At the top of the final ledge, grab the Wonder Seed. Then enter the pipe to reach the last portion of the stage. Carefully move past the large snail that clings to a ledge. You should be able to spring off its back to reach the top of the flagpole or run under it when the coast is clear if you don’t want to risk it. You automatically receive the stage’s second Wonder Seed once you bring down the flag.
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