Mario starts on the Starting Planet at the base of a volcano. While avoiding lava geysers, lava plumes and Li'l Cinders, Mario has to make his way around the volcano, then cross a series of sinking platforms while avoiding fireballs coming out of the lava. Afterward, Mario has to Ground Pound a switch and Wall Jump up to reach a series of Sling Stars and a Launch Star that will take Mario to the next group of planets. Moving to the top of the large glass planets, Mario then has to use Pull Stars to navigate around floating orbs of lava and avoid fireballs. At the end of which are two Launch Stars that will send Mario to the next area.
The next planet is a saucer with a Sling Star that will send Mario to a lava rock where he has to collect five Star Chips to form a Launch Star that will send Mario to a series of moving platforms. Afterward is the titular Lava Spire, that will begin sinking once Mario steps on it. The player has to reach the top of the Lava Spire by jumping over obstacles and dodging enemies, then breaking the large Crystal at the top to collect the Power Star.