A guide to completing the World 7 Airship in Super Mario Bros 3 for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

How to Clear the World 7 Airship

Go to the right and jump repeatedly on the Bolt Lift, but beware of the Rocket Engines below. If needed, you can land on the small platforms to the left or right of each Rocket Engine. If you aren't quick enough to move the Bolt Lift, you will need to jump to the Rocket Engine platforms to reach the right side.

Jump onto the wooden floor after the Bolt Lift, then fall down the right side and go down and hit the ? Block if you want a Super Mushroom or Fire Flower.

Jump back up and go to the right, and use the Bolt Lift to get past another Rocket Engine. If the Bolt Lift isn't going quickly enough, jump to the wooden platform after the Rocket Engine, then make a running jump to the next Rocket Engine platform when it's not shooting flame. Then make a running jump to the wooden ledge on the right.

From the highest point of the wooden ledge, it's possible to make a running jump to the next wooden ledge, but it's a long jump. If you make it, go to the right and hit the ? Block if you want a Super Mushroom or Fire Flower. If you don't make it, dodge or stomp the Rocky Wrenches in the floor, then go to the right, and you can optionally jump onto the ledge on the left to get the Super Mushroom or Fire Flower from the ? Block.

Go to the right, past another Rocky Wrench, then jump on the small Bolt Lift and go to the right side.

Next, there are two floating platforms, each with a Rocky Wrench on it. After that, there are three floating platforms that each have a Bolt Lift.

Next, there is a wooden ledge, followed by three Bolt Lifts. You have to jump on the lowest Bolt Lift to reach the middle Bolt Lift, and use that one to reach the upper Bolt Lift. Jump on top of the wooden wall from there.

Go to the right, up some ledges, then go down the pipe to reach the Airship boss.

Ludwig von Koopa

Ludwig rapidly shoots magic rings at you with the Magic Wand. Ludwig makes the ground shake whenever he lands on the ground. If you're on the ground when Ludwig lands, you'll be temporarily stunned and unable to move, so try to jump before Ludwig lands. Whenever you stomp Ludwig, his shell will bounce toward you, shaking the ground with each bounce. Stomp Ludwig three times to defeat him.

After Ludwig is defeated, pick up the Magic Wand and you will clear World 7. You'll get a letter from Bowser, the King of the Koopa (or from Koopa Troopa in the PAL versions of the game).

Now you'll automatically go to World 8.