Friday, October 29, 2010

Super Luigi Galaxy 2: The Green Star Challenge Is On!

All right! We got all 120 Stars! Time for Super Luigi Galaxy 2, right? Nope. Here's the slight change in plans I mentioned much earlier. After switching to Luigi, which we can do at any time now by going behind the deck to the area marked with Luigi's L, I tried to go through Sky Station, but the Star was clear. Then, I remembered that I had to battle Bowser once more, so I switched back to Mario. It took me 2 tries to reach Bowser and I beat him on the 2nd try. After the credits roll, we see Rosalina in the Library, closing a book. She says "Ohh" and we see Baby Luma still holding Mario's hat.
Rosalina: Ahh, good. Everyone's together now. Next, let's hear a story about the jewels of the cosmos...Let me tell you the story of the Green Stars.
Baby Luma puts on the hat. (Rosalina: Yes, Baby Luma, you look absolutely adorable in that hat. But I'm sure Mario would like that back.)
Rosalina: This is a story from long, long ago...
This game is somewhat like the "Blues Brothers" in that it thoroughly engrosses you that you don't realize that this is all just a story. It's like the first lines of the song "Tomorrow Never Dies": "Life is a story... I've already written."
A message appears: Prankster Comets have appeared!
When we choose our file, we find a silver crown on it. When we start the file, Lubba greets us on the deck. Let's get the handful of green Stars we need so we can get started on Super Luigi Galaxy 2.
Lubba: "Chay!" You've really done it now! Prankster Comets are swarming all over the universe! See for yourself!
After gettting 5-ups from Peach's letter, we step on the panel that activates the faceship. We see Prankster Comets falling all throughout the universe. Now each galaxy has a green comet marker.
Lubba: "Chay!" AY-O! Did ya see that? Those Prankster Comets were green! That means there are Green Stars around now! Those must be the Cosmic Jewels I keep hearing about! Those Green Stars are pretty hard to find, so keep your eyes and ears peeled. Take it away, Captain!
Lubba's advice to keep your eyes and ears open is very good. I personally recommend using headphones in trying to get the green Stars, because it helped me tell if the Star was to the left or right.
Basically, there are 3 types of green Stars, and any green Star can be a combination of the 3.
Type 1: These Stars are hidden around the galaxy. Getting to them is can be simple, but you have to find them first. Some are easy to find, others will require to check areas you may have missed the first time around. They're kind of like the untimed Purple Coin missions in Galaxy: they get you to fully explore the galaxy that you may have missed in your haste to get the Star.
Type 2: I get the feeling that the level designers are saying: "Jump to your death. If you do it correctly, you'll get a Star. If not, you'll die." These Stars are out over the abyss and will require you to jump off the planet to get the Star. Aim is everything here.
Type 3: These Stars will be waiting in plain sight, but just out of reach. You'll have to solve a puzzle as to how to get the Star.
Things that make this easy: The game starts the green Stars out easily enough, so you can make quick progress if you start from World 1. Some of the green Star locations are revealed in the opening cutscenes before flying to the galaxy: some are shown and some can be heard. Most of the Stars will not occur in the galaxy's original Comet missions.
Things that make this difficult: The green Stars make the same chiming sound as the regular Stars and Lumas, and a similar chiming sound as Star Bits, so you may be just hearing one of those, instead of a green Star, which can be incredibly confusing. Some of the Stars are also placed in close proximity, so that their chiming overlaps, making you think that you're hearing one when you're really hearing two. The green Stars also don't disappear nor stop chiming once you've collected them. They only turn clear, which may make you think there's another Star in the area, when it's just the one you've already collected making noise. Changing your camera angle is very important and it can be very difficult to locate a Star in areas where your control over the camera is disabled.
Other than that, this is a pretty interesting challenge and I didn't see it coming. It's a nice change over repeating everything with Luigi. Since Luigi's been begging me to let him help (and because his clothes match the Stars), I'm going to get all of the Green Stars with him. Let's go!

Flip-Out Galaxy - Cosmic Clone Wall Jumpers

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
Cosmic Clones? As if I didn't have enough problems with this galaxy. We land back in the galaxy to find nothing out of the ordinary. We warp through the green pipe, and as soon as we leap out, the Clones appear. They follow us, copying our every move. I reach the midgate, but fall off soon after.
Take 2- I fell off because I didn't jump high enough.
Take 3- I was knocked off by the spikes.
Take 4- I fell off.
Take 5- See Take 4.
Take 6- I took my headphones off, but died from the clones.
Take 7- I reached the next midgate, but died from spikes.
Take 8- I got a 1-up and died from the Clones.
Take 9- I fell off.
Take 10- I got a 1-up and died from the spikes.
Take 11- I got a 100 Star Bit 1-up, a 1-up, and died from spikes.
Take 12- I was knocked off by spikes.
Take 13- I died from spikes.
Take 14- See Take 9.
Take 15- I got a 100 Star Bit 1-up and died from the spikes. Timing is even more important here.
Take 16- Cosmic Rosalina appears again. I am seriously tempted, but I don't use her help. I was knocked off by spikes.
Take 17- I fell off trying to long jump.
Take 18- See Take 12.
Take 19- I got a 100 Star Bit 1-up and fell off from a bad long jump.
Take 20- I got a 1-up and died from Clones.
Take 21- I fell off near the Star. Curses!
Take 22- See Take 13.
Take 23- I died from Clones.
Take 24- I died from a bad jump.
Take 25- I was knocked off by the wall due to a bad shake.
Take 26- See Take 15.
Take 27- See Take 23.
Take 28- I got a 1-up and died from spikes.
Take 29- See Take 24.
Take 30- I almost made it to the Star, but fell off.
Take 31- I died from spikes. I had one life left, so I got 22 lives from Sky Station.
Take 32- I made it back to the 2nd midgate after starting over. I died from a spider.
Take 33- I fell off.
Take 34- I finally made it to the Star, this time, unharmed! This requires steady nerves and patience. The timing used in Wicked Wall Jumps should be used here. Another thing to note is the Clones can and will knock you off when wall jumping up to the Star. When wall jumping, there is a slight drop in height, where a Clone can come in above you, run into you, preventing you from jumping or saving yourself. This Star requires lots of care.
Star Get #120, Galaxy Complete!, 3576 Star Bits, 21 Lives
Interlude
We once again land on the base. Chee? Lubba says we brought back another green one. He reminds us that these guys are really rare and that he's speechless. Nice work! The green Luma has something to tell us. Green Lumas can't be that rare: we found 4 in Galaxy. The green Luma tells us even with every Power Star, we must defeat the monster, or never see the Cosmic Jewels. Okay, so we have to beat Bowser again before we get these jewels the Lumas have been talking about.

Boss Blitz Galaxy - Throwback Throwdown Speed Run

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We have 5 minutes to beat all five bosses. Time stops during cutscenes, but we have to make the most out of every second. I got the Life Shroom under King Kaliente's planet, but lost a lot of time and the Life Shroom fighting Major Burrows, leaving me with 2 minutes to deal with Bouldergeist, who is one of the more time-consuming bosses. I beat Bouldergeist, but ran out of time just as I reached the launch Star.
Take 2- I lost my Life Shroom to Kaliente and had 3 minutes left to beat Major Burrows. I got a 100 Star Bit 1-up, but ran out of time after I beat Bouldergeist.
Take 3- I lost time battling Major Burrows and died after beating Bouldergeist. I did get a 100 Star Bit 1-up, however.
Take 4- I decided to ignore the Life Shroom so I'd have more time. It was a good idea because it left me with 3 minutes to beat Bouldergeist. I had 1:15 for Fiery Dino Piranha and beat him with less than 30 seconds left. I was again winning by the skin of my teeth, as I had only one bar of health left. I don't like cutting it this close, but I got the Star.
Star Get #119, Galaxy Complete!, 3532 Star Bits, 1819 Coins, 23 Lives
A Comet appears in Flip-Out Galaxy. Just what I don't need.

Wild Glide Galaxy - Jungle Fluzzard Race

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We land in the galaxy to find 4 Jibberjays waiting with Fluzzard. We talk to the black Jibberjay, who says he never loses a race. He's the one to beat. However, there are other Jibberjays as our competition. It's kind of like the penguin races in Galaxy. On my first try, I took 3rd place, lost a life, and gave up to pursue other Stars.
Take 2- I took some hits and got 4th. This isn't as easy as I thought it would be.
Take 3- I took a hit before diving into the water. I gave up to pursue other Stars.
Take 4- I took hits before drowing.
Take 5- I took a hit and drowned.
Take 6- See Take 5.
Take 7- I hit the wall.
Take 8- See Take 2. At least I made it to the goal.
Take 9- See Take 3.
Takes 10-13- See Take 5.
Take 14- I got into 2nd place, but drowned.
Take 15- See Take 14.
Take 16- See Take 5.
Takes 17-19- I drowned.
Take 20- I took 2nd place. Almost there!
Take 21- See Take 17.
Take 22- I took too many hits. I gave up to pursue other Stars.
Take 23- I finally took first place! This requires a lot of swooping, diving, and control. As the black Jibberjay will take the lead, it is best to follow him to understand the best path, which is low, close to the ground. I took 2 hits on the way. The black Jibberjay says he lost and that he's no leader. We should be the new leader and the new leader gets a Star! Star Get #118, Galaxy Complete!, 21 Lives
Interlude
We land on the base of the faceship. Lubba says "Chee?", and that we brought back a really LOUD bird. "Chush" Do we hear the tranquil song of the stars? No? It's tough to hear over the yappin' Jibberjay! Lubba asks us to go over and try to quiet it down for a bit. We find it near the brim of the faceship. He says the trick to going fast with Fluzzard is to point down to dive and keep diving to go fast. We should dive whenever we can. Unfortunately, because I won this race after the one in Fleet Glide, this information is completely useless to me. Oh, well. Let's just move on.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Fleet Glide Galaxy - Fastest Feathers in the Galaxy

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!

It's time to answer the Jibberjay's letter for a race. We land back in the galaxy to find only the black Jibberjay present. All we have to do is race him to the sun at the end. Are you ready for another upside-down magic carpet ride out of the Cave of Wonders? I don't know if this Jibberjay is crazy, but there's a Star in it for us if we win. We only need to race him, because he otherwise takes first in Wild Glide Galaxy. On my first try, I took too many hits.
Take 2- I got the Life Shroom this time, but I hit a wall.
Take 3- I died from lava.
Take 4- See Take 1.
Take 5- I hit the wall.
Take 6- I hit the Thwomp.
Take 7- See Take 5.
Take 8- I got the Life Shroom, but hit the floor. This is not an easy level for me. Tight control is required for this mission. I found I did better standing up. It might have given me some better perspective.
Take 9- See Take 5.
Take 10- See Take 5.
Take 11- I made it to the sun in first place. Yes! This mission requires a lot of swooping, so I found it best to go for broke, but you can't tilt the Wiimote too extremely. Tilting it too far to the left or right will send you down. Also, tilting up will slow you down, but you won't gain much altitude, so only use it to dodge. The Jibberjay can't believe it. He says he's not good enough to be leader. We should be the new leader and take the trophy. He then calls us boss. That's much more respect than we're getting from The Chimp.
Star Get #117, 3011 Star Bits, 1811 Coins, 4 Lives

Happy 25th Anniversary, Mario!

Mario turned 25 this year! That is a testament to good game design and staying power. To celebrate, Nintendo is releasing special edition red Wiis and Nintendo DSi XLs, bundled with some popular Mario games. Nintendo also celebrated its 121st anniversary. Here's to many more years of great gaming and excellent music.

Bowser Jr.'s Fearsome Fleet - Megahammer's Daredevil Bash

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We land back in the battle arena where we battled Megahammer. Bowser Jr. says the same thing as last time, but it's misleading: we are well aware now that we are not getting a Grand Star here. I found this to be a difficult level, as we are under near-constant fire, and when we have get the opportunity to attack the cockpit, we also have to dodge shockwaves, and we can't get hit, ever. I took out all of the glass, but was taken out by a Bullet Bill.
Take 2- I was hit by a Bullet Bill before a patch of the glass broke.
Take 3- See Take 2.
Take 4- See Take 2. I had one life left, so I gave up to get more lives and pursue other Stars.
Take 5- I took out the front glass before being hit by a Bullet Bill.
Take 6- I took out all of the glass, but was hit by either a shockwave or a Bullet Bill. I'm not sure; they seemed to both hit me at the same time.
Take 7- See Take 1.
Take 8- See Take 5.
Take 9- See Take 1, and a 100 Star Bit 1-up.
Take 10- See Take 5.
Take 11- See Take 5.
Take 12- I get in one hit, but died from a shockwave.
Take 13- I died from a Bullet Bill.
Take 14- I glitched through a hammer using a Sling Star, but died from a Bullet Bill.
Take 15- See Take 9.
Take 16- I took out all of the glass and fell through.
Take 17- I died from a Bullet Bill. I once again gave up due to low life count and to pursue other Stars.
Take 18- See Take 5.
Take 19- I took out all the glass, but died from shockwave.
Take 20- I got in one hit, but died from a shockwave.
Take 21- I took out the front glass, but died from a shockwave.
Take 22- I got a 100 Star Bit 1-up, got in 2 hits, but died from a shockwave. Nooo!
Take 23- I'm getting annoyed, so I take off my headphones. See Take 5.
Take 24- I got in 2 hits and survived! Finally! This requires a level head and steady fingers and nerves. (A Co-Star couldn't hurt, but I realized that WAAAY too late.) I slung to the Star.
Star Get #116, Galaxy Complete!, 2994 Star Bits, 15 Lives

Friday, October 22, 2010

Galaxy 2 Complete!

YESSSS! Finally! I just completed Super Mario Galaxy 2 today! It's such a relief! That last Star was a doozy! Now I can devote more attention to the next game I'm playing for the blog. This was a very fun and very challenging game. I really enjoyed playing it and look forward to the next Mario game with a plot. (They're releasing Mario Sports Mix next.)
Some Game Stats
Play Period: June 15, 2010 - October 22, 2010
# of game sessions: 34
Time played: 68:00.11
Total # of attempts made for a Star (I'm counting attempts as number of tries to get a Star, including deaths, times I left the galaxy empty-handed, and times I got the Star): 1933
# of Stars: 242
Average # of attempts per Star: 7.98
Lowest # of attempts made for a Star: 1
Highest # of attempts made for a Star: 333
Total # of deaths: 1638
Average # of deaths per Star: 6.76
# of Game Overs: 0
# of times I went to Sky Station Galaxy to get lives: 46
# of lives I got from Sky Station (excluding Sky Station missions): 688.
Total # of times I died trying to get to Bowser: 18
# of times I died trying to beat Bowser: 0
# of missions in which I used a Co-Star: 1
Thanks to John, Joe, Doug, Grace, and all of the Archive gamers whom I co-opted as my Co-Stars. I couldn't have done it without you, especially John, who was my Co-Star when I got the last Star.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Mario Squared Galaxy - Luigi's Purple Coin Chaos

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
No! NOOOOO! It can't be! It's BAAAAACK! I thought that Flip'n' Sprint was a poor successor to Luigi's Purple Coins, but I didn't think they'd bring it back! We land on the flipside of the planet, designed to look like 8-bit Luigi. The Purple Coin music plays. There are a few changes from Galaxy: 2 minute time limit, no rotating yellow platforms, 100 Purple Coins, and...
COSMIC CLONES!
The sign says that we have to get all 100 coins, so we can't skip any, unlike in Galaxy. As soon as we step off the Star Block, Cosmic Clones appear. Harder than Luigi's Purple Coins? I don't know. I think the designers tried to balance the difficulty. I know I had a difficult time with this mission. On my first try, I got 77 coins but fell in the goop. Not too bad for my first try.
Take 2- I only got 30, but I took hits from a Clone and fell in the goop. I gave up here to pursue other Stars.
Take 3- 23 coins, took 2 hits from Clones and was knocked off the planet.
Take 4- 22 coins, but died from a bad long jump into the goop.
Take 5- 88 coins. Getting closer! I took 2 hits and fell in the goop.
Take 6- 61 coins, but I died from Clones. Purple Coins do not have healing properties and there are no yellow coins in the planet.
Take 7- 61 coins again. I fell off the planet and gave up.
Take 8- I revisited the mission after getting more lives and trying to get another Star. I got 80 coins, and died from Clones.
Take 9- I got 15 and fell through.
Take 10- 11 and I fell through. I don't like where this trend is going.
Take 11- She's baack! Super Guide again takes human form as Cosmic Rosalina. I'm still going to ignore her. I got 81 coins and fell in the goop because I failed to long jump. I'm heading in the right direction again!
Take 12- 72 coins and I fell off.
Take 13- I got less than 20 and was knocked off.
Take 14- 79 and I fell in the goop.
Take 15- 20 coins and I fell off.
Take 16- 74 coins and I failed a long jump.
Take 17- 91 coins. So close! I fell in the goop. I needed more lives, so I gave up.
Take 18- 41 coins. I walked into the goop.
Take 19- 58 coins and I fell through.
Take 20- 92 coins and I fell into the goop. Almost there!
Take 21- 41 coins and I fell into the goop.
Take 22- 49 coins and I fell through.
Take 23- 19 coins and I fell in the goop.
Taek 24- 92 coins and I died from Clones. This level would be so much easier without them following me around.
Take 25- 87 coins and I fell in the goop.
Take 26- I got a 100 Star Bit 1-up, which is the best news from the mission. I got 44 coins and died from Clones.
Take 27- 87 coins and I was knocked into the goop.
Take 28- 80 coins, 100 Star Bit 1-up, and I fell in the goop.
Take 29- 62 coins and I fell off.
Take 30- 63 coins and I died from Clones.
Take 31- 16 coins, 100 Star Bit 1-up, and I died from Clones.
Take 33- 87 coins and I fell in the goop.
Take 34- I finally got all 100 and I took hits from the Clones. I found out that it's a very bad idea to go "scorched earth" on Luigi. The Clones will go everywhere you go and do everything you do. Even though the green platforms will disappear from under your feet, the Clones will not fall through. They will go wherever you have gone, regardless of whether the platform exists. I tried to take out the first two following me, so there would be a bigger gap between me and the next Clone. That didn't work, because I needed all of the health I could get. Executing long jumps is essential due to a large chunk of the coins are over a gap of goop a regular jump can't clear. I think I had an easier time with this one than Luigi's Purple Coins, but I never kept track of how many tries it took. I know it took several. I don't want to do this mission again.
Star Get #115, Galaxy Complete!, 2822 Star Bits, 9 Lives

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Slimy Spring Galaxy - The Chimp's Coin Challenge

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
This is the final challenge from The Chimp. We need to get 10,000 points in 180 seconds. I died from the tubeworms and got over 30 points. I didn't get the number because I died from an enemy didn't check my points before I died.
Take 2- 6170 points. The Chimp tells us that we can get points from throwing shells at enemies. I don't doubt that, but swimming is incredibly difficult without the shell.
Take 3- 8290 points. We can't get combo points because we can't stomp the enemies here. All we can do is shine the light from the shell on the enemies- (it kills tubeworms and Boos, but I'm not throwing the shell), to get Star Bits from the tubeworms and coins from the Boos.
Take 4- 7940 points.
Take 5- I got a 100 Star Bit 1-up and 9770 points. So close!
Take 6- 9530 points and a 100 Star Bit 1-up.
Take 7- 9310 points.
Take 8- 4330 points because I died from tubeworms.
Take 9- 9780 points and a 100 Star Bit 1-up.
Take 10- 10,070 points. Yes! I found it was better not to get the coins from Boos unless they were in my path. Do what Dory says- "Just keep swimming", to get this Star. The Chimp says, "Wonderful! You are my greatest rival when it comes to gaming skill. Take this Star as a token of my respect. Maybe you can teach me some of your moves sometime?" I don't think so. I don't want to do this Star again.
Star Get #114, Galaxy Complete!, 2413 Star Bits, 1810 Coins, 10 Lives
Interlude
Baby Luma gets another letter from Rosalina. She tells him to be strong and to know that she believes they will be reunited soon. 50 Star Bits were attached. We're almost done, only 6 more Stars to go for 120!

Honeyhop Galaxy - The Chimp's Score Challenge

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
It's time to take out another one of The Chimp's challenges! This time, we're going through Honeyhop to get 10,000 or more points in 120 seconds. This level has more Sling Stars than Fluffy Bluff and takes us to the top, where the Queen Bee was. Here we go! I got 6300 points on my first try. Once again, I died from failure.
Take 2- See Take 1.
Take 3- 9700 points. Almost there! This time, I skipped the group of green Octoombas on the right.
Take 4- I got 4700 points and died from too many hits from Octoombas.
Take 5- 9610 points. So close!
Take 6- 7800 points.
Take 7- 9140 points.
Take 8- 8730 points.
Take 9- 8210 points.
Take 10- 8800 points.
Take 11- 11010 points. Finally! That was annonying! The Chimp says we may be his lifelong rival. He then says he might need to find some new games so he can enjoy our frustration more! I don't need this! I really don't! We now know that The Chimp has a sadistic side. Unfortunately, there's one more challenge left. Nooo!
Star Get #113, Galaxy Complete!, 1981 Star Bits, 1766 Coins, 3 Lives

Fluffy Bluff Galaxy - The Chimp's Stomp Challenge

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We land back in the galaxy to find The Chimp waiting for us. He says he's the greatest game player in the galaxy. He has the high score in this game of 10,000 points. To get points, we have to stomp enemies (Octoombas and Goombas) and collect the coins they drop. If we match or top this high score, we'll get a Star and maybe some respect. We have 120 seconds to stomp as many Octoombas as possible. Coins give 100 points each, a single stomp gives 100 points, a Star Bit gives 10 points, and combo stomps (stomping enemies in series without touching the ground) will yield more points. If I stomp three enemies in a row, I'll get 100 points for the 1st one, 200 for the 2nd one, and 300 for the third. I can get a maximum of 300 points per enemy. I can also get 100 points for defeating an enemy by spinning. This mission will take us up to the first midgate area of Fluffy Bluff.
I take a hit from a Goomba and an Octoomba and get 7110 points. As I did not complete the objective of this mission, I died. I died from failure here, while I didn't during the skating challenges, which is odd and annoying.
Take 2- I got 6800 points. I decided to try again much later, so I could build my skills. I originally attempted this Star very early on, but I needed more control so I could combo stomp.
Take 3- I got 8440 points and died from failure.
Take 4- 7140 points.
Take 5- I got 11040 points. At the top, there is a block that will give you many coins, so you can rack up more points. Yes! The Chimp says, "Fantastic! You might be an amazing rival to my own skill. Here is your Star!"
Star Get #112, Galaxy Complete!, 1971 Star Bits, 1718 Coins, 13 Lives
"World" 1 is complete! There is a silver crown on the "World" 1 icon on the "World" map.

Flip-Out Galaxy - Wicked Wall Jumps

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
This is one of my least favorite galaxies. It is a reference to Flip-Swap, and it may make you flip out with rage. It has the Flip-Swap music. The galaxy is made of stone walls. There are 2 Star Bunnies at the beginning. The blue Star Bunny says spin to make ledges pop out and go back in. There are red and blue ledges that alternate from coming out and going into the walls, similar to the hinged platforms in Flip-Swap. I got a 1-up on a ledge. We shake to make the platforms move so we can walk to the other side of the planet, where a green pipe warps us to the next planet.
I make my way to the midgate and take a hit from a green spiked bird and fell off the planet.
Take 2- I walked directly off the level because I was pushing the joystick while writing notes for Take 1. (This isn't the first time this has happened. I have to stop this!)
Take 3- After the midgate, the path becomes more treacherous. We have to time our jumps and spins, and use backflips and long jumps to progress. We have to negotiate spikes, but I fell off near the wall.
Take 4- I made it past the green birds and the spikes to the next midgate. The next area has ledges that allow for wall jumps over the spikes below. I got a 1-up, but died from the spikes. I wasn't entirely sure what I needed to do here to get across.
Take 5- I died from the spikes.
Take 6- I got the 1-up and noticed the Comet Medal above the first blue ledge. I died from the spikes.
Take 7- I got a 1-up, took a hit from a spider, and died from the spikes.
Take 8- I got a 1-up and died from spikes.
Take 9- I got a 1-up and was knocked off by a ledge I jumped in front of while spinning.
Take 10- I got a 1-up, a 100 Star Bit 1-up, and died from the spikes.
Take 11- I got a 1-up and was knocked off by the spikes.
Take 12- I decided to ignore the Comet Medal for now. I got a 1-up and fell off.
Take 13- Once again, Super Guide (Cosmic Rosalina) appeared. I got a 1-up, and took one hit from spikes. I also figured out how to cross the spikes with minimal damage. At the end of the spikes, we have to wall jump up the alternating blue and red ledges, so have to time our shakes well. We made it up the top of the wall and find the Star in crystal. We crack it open and get the Star.
Star Get #111, 1959 Star Bits, 1676 Coins, 4 lives
I got the Comet Medal by reaching the end of the spikes, wall-jumping up to a stone ledge, and long-jumping to the ledges. and long-jumping back. When I got to the second midgate, Cosmic Rosalina was waiting for me. It took me 29 more tries to get it.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Melty Monster Galaxy - A Stroll Down Rolling Lane

0Welcome Back to the Galaxy!

I hate this Star. This Star was so awful that it-dare I say it-makes me have FURY! This was one of my worst performances in the game. There is lightning outside and there is a Rock Shroom waiting for us. We use it to roll off a ramp into a Launch Star. We trip the midgate after landing and get another Rock Shroom. We knock over the bridge to the next ramp, but roll off because there are no backboards to prevent us from rolling off if we don't steer. There are backboards in some areas, where we may need to change direction. Other than that, this level requires tight control of the joystick and steady wits. The ramps and backboards recharge your rolling ability, so once you launch from the bridge, you are rolling until something until you reach the Star or fall off. There are lots of Star Bits in this level, so there are many opportunities for 1-ups. Rolling off is the only way to die.

On Take 6, she appeared. I stopped breathing for a few seconds when I saw her. Super Guide takes human form as Cosmic Rosalina. I've heard her called several things: Cosmic Princess, Cosmic Witch, Cosmic Guide, but I'm going to call her what she is: a Cosmic version of Rosalina. She can help us if we fail too many times (I can't determine a specific number) by taking control of Mario. We can take back control at any point, but if we use her at all, according to the game guide, we will get a Bronze Star instead of a Power Star. I won't be using Super Guide, so I ignore her. She will turn around so she can see where we walk. Even after I gave up and later returned, she was still there, waiting for me. I'm just glad that they didn't put the Super Guide block, because it would be more out of place than the midgate flags.
Some highlights:
On Take 12, I actually made it to the Star. Unfortunately, the Star is surrounded by backboards that I hit instead of jumping over, and was knocked off. This is one of the more frustrating parts of this mission. This happened over 5 times. I also failed to launch because I failed to shake at the Launch Star. On Take 26, I had collected 999 Star Bits, the maximum I can get per mission. Unfortunately, I did not get the Star during that session. I also had to take off my headphones because the music, although awesome, was making me nervous.
On my 64th try, I timed the jump correctly, and made it into the pen where the Star was. Unfortunately, the pen is lined with backboards, so we can't stop and walk to the Star. I decided to not steer because I found out that I could slip between the backboards, in earlier takes, if the aim was correct. It's possible to get a gutter ball while bumper bowling. (Sadly, I've done that.) I also didn't jump, because I could just as easily jump over the backboard and fall off. So I just waited. Mario kept going. Mario, stop rolling. Mario, stop rolling! Stop rolling! Stop rolling! STOP ROLLING! After a while, Mario finally rolled into the Star. Yippee! There is a block in the upper right corner of the pen that will stop Mario instantly, if you can hit it.
Star Get #110, Galaxy Complete!, 3775 Star Bits, 1675 Coins, 9 Lives
Interlude
I have the 110 Stars I need to pass a checkpoint in World S, so I can feed a hungry Luma 2000 Star Bits. After feeding it, it henshins into Flip-Out Galaxy!

Flash Black Galaxy - Dark Octo-Army Romp

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
This post should have come between Purple Coin Flip 'n' Sprint and Bowser's Fortified Fortress. We return to Flash Black for another romp, this time, in the dark! We have 80 seconds to kill all 30 blue Octoombas where we first found the Silver Stars. I missed 2 before running out of time.
Take 2- I was knocked into the void, and gave up. I had one life left.
Take 3- I took 2 hits before I was knocked off.
Take 4- I took 1 hit and fell off.
Take 5- See Take 3.
Take 6- I missed 2 and fell off.
Take 7- I killed over 15 before walking off.
Take 8- I took out over 20 before being knocked off.
Take 9- I missed one, but took too many hits.
Take 10- See Take 8.
Take 11- I killed all 30 with 5 seconds to spare. I took some hits. I found it was best to try and combo-stomp instead of spinning, because spinning takes time to recover from. Jumping on them in series allowed me to take them out more efficiently.
Star Get #91, Galaxy Complete!, 1201 Star Bits, 1537 Coins, 7 Lives

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Rolling Coaster Galaxy - Purple Coins on the Rainbow Road

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
It's time for another Purple Coin mission! This time, we have to roll our way through the galaxy, picking up at least 100 of the 110 coins along the way. Also, there's a 2 minute time limit. There is a Purple Coin in the ball, so you at least get one if you reach the end. This mission is very unforgiving, as we can only miss 10 coins, and the galaxy is modified to include only the expert path. Yellow Toad, in continuing his tradition of bad puns, asks us "COIN you get them all?!" I couldn't on my first try, only getting 56. I gave up to pursue other Stars.
Take 2- I got 37 coins and rolled off.
Take 3- 38, rolled off.
Take 4- 35, rolled off.
Take 5- I got a 1-up, 53 coins, and rolled off.
Take 6- 52, rolled off.
Take 7- I got 84 coins, reached the end, but ran out of time.
Take 8- 56 coins, 1-up, fell off.
Take 9- 88 coins, 1-up, rolled off.
Take 10-57, 1-up, rolled off. This isn't good.
Take 11- Super Guide appears. 56 coins, 1-up, fell off.
Take 12- I got 102. Yes! I also got a 1-up. At the end, a green Gearmo gives us the Star.
Star Get #109, Galaxy Complete!, 3187 Star Bits, 7 Lives