Super Mario RPG: Prologue - Bowser's Keep & Mario's Pad Walkthrough

After starting up the game and registering a new file, Super Mario RPG flings you directly into Bowser’s Keep. This time around, you’re saving the Princess at the beginning of your adventure!

Here’s our guide on how to make it through Bowser’s Keep, defeat Bowser, and start your grand adventure from Mario's Pad in Super Mario RPG. Let’s-a-go!

Bowser’s Keep Enemies

Terrapin

These are some of the easiest enemies in the game – they don’t deal much damage and go down to a single hit!

Bowser’s Keep Walkthrough

After creating your save file and watching the opening cutscene, you'll be controlling Mario.

Follow the path forward, and you’ll eventually be forced to take on some enemies standing next to a big red door. Attack them all one by one and then continue through that door.

Follow the bridge that leads over the lava and the bridge will collapse behind you. Enter the door in front of you to start the game’s first boss battle – Bowser.

Boss - Bowser

You might be tempted to attack Bowser head-on, but wait! After a few turns, Peach tells you to aim for the chain of the chandelier Bowser is standing on. Do that, and the chandelier will snap away from the chain and fall to the floor. Yep, that's all it takes – you’ve won!

From here, a cutscene will play it and you’ll be shown the game’s title. The adventure begins! But not before you're kicked all the way back home...

Mario's Pad Walkthrough

Jump off the coat hanger and exit the house. On your left, you’ll find the game’s first save block. Jump on top of it to activate the block and record your progress.

Exit this area and use the world map to head back to Bowser’s Keep.

When you arrive back at Bowser’s Keep, you’ll find a giant talking sword has embedded itself into the castle. It claims that Bowser’s Keep now belongs to the “Smithy Gang” and forces you to leave.

There’s nothing left to do here, so head back to Mario’s Pad, where you’ll find Toad in your house. Toad suggests telling the Chancellor about Bowser’s Keep. First, though, he teaches you how to use items in your inventory to restore your HP. Conveniently, a Goomba appears immediately afterwards, and you’re thrown into your very first official enemy battle.

Toad explains that you can press the attack button with perfect timing to increase the damage of your attacks and decrease the amount of damage you take from enemies.

Next up, you’ll learn how to use a Special Strike. Just like with standard attacks, you can boost the power of a Special Strike by pressing the button just before impact. You’ll learn more Special Strikes as you level up and gain experience points.

After the tutorial, Toad will tell you to head to the Mushroom Kingdom and give you three Mushrooms. To get to the Mushroom Kingdom, though, you’ll have to make it through Mushroom Way. Lots of enemies lurk there, so get ready to battle!

For more help on getting through Super Mario RPG, check out our full Super Mario RPG guide for everything you need.