Mario vs. Donkey Kong Stars and Expert levels: all 12 GBA unlock requirements
Use score stars and the original thresholds to open the final challenge rooms.
Edition covered
Original 2004 Game Boy Advance game. Excludes the 2024 Switch remake’s added worlds, cooperative play, Casual mode and changed Expert requirements.
Score stars are earned by meeting the target
Presents and remaining time contribute to a strong run. The GBA star is based on score, whereas the remake uses its own Perfect rating rules.
| Stage | Stars required | Edition |
|---|---|---|
| x-1 | 8 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-2 | 16 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-3 | 24 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-4 | 40 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-5 | 45 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-6 | 54 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-7 | 63 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-8 | 72 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-9 | 81 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-10 | 90 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-11 | 90 | Game Boy Advance |
| x-12 | 90 | Game Boy Advance |
Finish Donkey Kong Plus to open Expert
Individual Expert rooms also require enough stars. A large star total before the true finale does not bypass that story prerequisite.
| Situation | What to check | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Level cleared without a star | Target high score | Improve time and presents |
| Enough stars but no Expert access | Donkey Kong Plus completion | Finish the true finale |
| Need more stars | Regular and Plus results | Replay an unstarred level |
| Expert presents give no bonus | Original GBA rules | Treat the room as a challenge clear |
The last three rooms share a 90-star requirement
The original twelve-room set does not use the Switch remake’s sixteen-room progression. Check the original threshold column before assuming another star must be hidden in an Expert room.
Expert rooms do not award new score stars
They have no target high scores and do not trigger the normal present bonus game. Return to regular and Plus stages to raise the star total.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Nintendo game information or original manual | www.nintendo.com |
| Original-edition mechanics and reference | www.mariowiki.com |
| Original and remake Expert thresholds | www.mariowiki.com |