Sunday, May 23, 2010

Super Mario Galaxy 2!

Super Mario Galaxy 2 was released today. And they already have an "Iwata Asks" up. I will be playing this game when I can get my hands on a copy. It isn't at the archive yet, and it could take a while before it gets here. (They're still waiting on God of War III). As soon as I can get my hands on a copy, you can be sure I'll start playing immediately and blogging about it. New Super Mario Bros. Wii gameplay will be postponed as soon as I start Galaxy 2. Until then, I will continue with New Super Mario Bros. Wii QSC. I still have more to blog about for that game and I will upload it when I can. I will also be labeling the posts so you can differentiate between the games.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 1-Fort QSC

I need the 2nd Star Coin here. I found it in a hidden area above a ledge. I got applause, then died from being crushed between pillars.

Take 2- I got a Super Shroom, which I lost to a Dry Bones. I got another, which I lost to another Dry Bones. I got the 2nd Star Coin. I powered up at the midgate and got a 1-up Shroom and a Fire Flower from 8 red coins. I got a 100-coin 1-up and reached the boss door. I killed Larry with fire balls.

87 down, 120 to go.

Quest for the Star Coins: Preparations

After poking around World 9, I found out that I cannot access the levels until I get all of the Star Coins in each world. Specifically, I can't access 9-5 until I get all of the Star Coins in World , but I can be missing Star Coins in any other world. I took a log of all of the Star Coins and here's what I came up with to see where I need to go. Key- 1-1st Star Coin, 2-2nd Star Coin..., All 3- all 3 Star Coins, None- level completed, no Star Coins obtained, INC- Incomplete- level not completed

World 1
1-1 -All 3
1-2 -All 3
1-3 -All 3
1-Fort -1,3
1-4 -1
1-5 -INC
1-6 -1,2
1-Castle -All 3

World 2
2-1 -INC
2-2 -3
2-3 -All 3
2-Fort -2
2-4 -1
2-5 -INC
2-6 -All 3
2-Castle -All 3

World 3
3-1 -1
3-2 -1,3
3-3 -INC
3-Ghost -INC
3-Fort -None
3-4 -1
3-5 -1
3-Castle -1,3

World 4
4-1 -None
4-2 -INC
4-3 -1,3
4-Fort -None
4-4 -2,3
4-Ghost -2
4-5 - All 3
4-Castle -All 3
4-Airship -1,2

World 5
5-1 -3
5-2 -INC
5-3 -None
5-Fort -1
5-4 -1
5-Ghost -2
5-5 -INC
5-Castle -None

World 6
6-1 -2
6-2 -INC
6-3 -All 3
6-4 -INC
6-Fort -None
6-5 -1,2
6-6 -All 3
6-Castle -None
6-Airship - All 3

World 7
7-1 -3
7-2 -2
7-3 -1,3
7-Fort -1
7-Ghost -1,2
7-4 -None
7-5 -1,2
7-6 - INC
7-Castle -1

World 8
8-1 -1,2
8-2 -1,3
8-3 -1
8-Fort -None
8-4 -2,3
8-5 -1
8-6 -2,3
8-7 -INC
8-Airship -1
8-Castle -None

So I got a total of 86/207 Star Coins. I've got my work cut out for me. I'll start out in World 1.

End of Game

After beating Bowser, Mario and Peach exit the castle. Luigi and the Toads arrive in hot-air balloons. Luigi helps Peach into his balloon, and Mario gets in and they take off with out him Luigi gets into the Toad's balloon. While traveling through the air, Peach mentions something about a secret world. The credits roll. These are interactive credits, which is nice because the credits take a long time to roll. The credits appear in blocks that any playing characters can hit for coins. The NPCs will "dance" to the credit music. The playing characters will also "dance" if no one is controlling them. Towards the end, Peach has a voiceover where she mentions something about meeting Mario at the Star Festival, before Bowser interrupts her. All told, I got 122 coins during the credits.
The Koopalings try to flip over Bowser, but the castle falls on top of them.
World 9 appears on the map. I can now access it. However, I can't play any of the levels just yet.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 8- Bowser's Castle -- Makenai yo!

The first part of Bowser's Castle is pretty simple. There are lots of fire beams and lava and Podoboos. The music is the same Castle music for all the other Worlds, but there is a thunderstorm going on in the background. I used a Super Shroom and got an Ice Flower, but fell into the lava.

Take 2- I got a Super Shroom, and lost it to a Podoboo and died from a Podoboo.

Take 3- I got a Super Shroom and lost it to a Podoboo. I reached a red pipe. The lava slowly drains while Mario descends slowly on a platform. However, the platform moves faster than the lava drains, so Mario must keep changing platforms. I fell in the lava.

I needed lives, so I did 6-Toad Rescue, and got 9 1-ups.

Take 5- I got and lost an Ice Flower twice to Podoboos and fell in the lava.

Take 6- I used a Super Shroom, got an Ice Flower twice and lost it once, and got a 100-coin 1-up. I fell in the lava.

Takes 7-8- See Take 6.

Take 9- I used a Super Shroom and Super Guide appeared. I got and lost an Ice Flower, but got a 100-coin 1-up. After the red pipe, I finally reached the red pipe at the bottom. There you find the midgate and the final boss door. The door is more elaborate than the other doors and has somewhat of a temple motif. Past the door is a long rock corridor. Four or five huge flames will appear, and there is a rock area to hide behind, as well as two holes to hide in to dodge the flames. The flames may appear in patterns, like M or W, and sometimes, it will be safe to pass because they will be over your head. There are three sets of flames to dodge. After the 3rd, Mario enters the battle room where Bowser awaits. There is a large metal (probably bronze) statue of Bowser in the background, surrounded by metal Koopas and Goombas. At the end of the battle room, Peach is crying in a cage, with her back to us. She is also looking a tad short -her hair comes down nearly to her feet. As in classic sidescrolling Mario fashion, there is a pink switch at the end. The awesome final battle music starts, and with a powerful roar, Bowser starts the battle. I lost my Super Shroom to Bowser, because I was unsuccessful in jumping over him. I died from the fire.

Take 10- I used a Super Shroom. I tried and failed to run under Bowser when he was jumping, and died.

Take 11- I used Super Shroom and lost it to the fire. With good timing, I ran under Bowser and hit the pink switch. Bowser fell into the void. A nice little victory tune plays, then Peach's theme, as she turns around, and reveals that it was Kamek in disguise. The music stops like a bad music box. We've been duped!
Kamek uses his magic to make Bowser bigger, but gets knocked away. He isn't as tall as in Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, but his roar is powerful enough to push us to the edge of the battle room. He shoots flames that can break through the wall, to reveal that there is more to this level than we initially thought. I got a Super Shroom from an item block, but die from the fire.

Take 12- I used a Super Shroom and defeat Bowser. The victory tune plays, but the cage is gone and Kamek comes out of nowhere like usual and makes Bowser big. I got a Fire Flower and the 3rd Star Coin, but lost the Fire Flower to fire. I made it to the edge and rode a platform down where I got a Helishroom. After beating Bowser the first time, you can only move as quickly as his flames allow you to progress. After getting past the wall, you can move at whatever speed you want, but Bowser will jump after you. After riding down the platform, you notice that there isn't a void, but rather you were too high up to notice the lava below you. When Bowser lands, the lava will form waves like in 8-3. I died from a lava wave.

Take 13- 28. These takes all went very similarly. Sometimes I got the 3rd Star Coin. At Take 24, I used my last Super Shroom in my supply. I used up all of my items that could've helped me and I did not want to start this level over again. All I had left were a Mini Shroom and a Starman, neither of which would do me any good. I started to get low in lives around Takes 16-20 -around 4 lives, so I started cpllecting the coins for 1-ups. Also in Take 20, I took off my headphones so the music wouldn't distract me. (It worked well when I tried to complete Galaxy with Luigi.) In Take 26, I got 2 100-coin 1-ups. Even though it took so many tries, I didn't think I needed to re-evaluate my strategy, because in most instances, I wasn't living long enough to implement it. In the takes that I did get the Helishroom, I initially tried flying everywhere, only landing on the moving platforms to recharge the propeller. (I also tried to go above the level when I saw an opening, but that wasn't possible.) That strategy didn't work, so I tried to just take on the rest of the level by platforming, and only using the Helishroom to save myself from falling into the lava.

Take 29- After defeating Bowser, I got and lost a Super Shroom to the fire. I got another, as well as the Helishroom. After only using it to save myself, I reached the end switch. Peach was standing around in a cage. After the hitting the switch, the lava drains and Bowser falls through the floor. Peach gently floats down with her music playing. I finally beat the game!

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 8-Airship -- So Glad I Played Galaxy

This level is the last Airship. I used the Helishroom to get the 1st Star Coin. I lost my items to the cannons. I reached an object that looked like a screw. Having encountered these several times in Super Mario Galaxy, it quickly came to me what to do: Shake to Spin. I would have encountered these sooner if I had played every single level in World 1. I powered up at the midgate and lost my Super Shroom to a Mecha-Koopa to get the 2nd Star Coin. I got another Super Shroom, but was not fast enough through the metal blocks, and was crushed and died.

Take 2- I used a Super Shroom and I skipped the 2nd Star Coin. I fell in the void trying to get the last Star Coin. I either need a Helishroom or I need to throw the nearby Mecha-Koopa at it to get it.

Take 3- I used a Super Shroom and skipped both Star Coins. I got a 100-coin 1-up. and reach the Boss Pipe. Bowser Jr.'s Clown Copter is badly damaged and repaired with metal plates. Bowser Jr. kicks it away and gets in a Bowser-sized Clown Copter. He drops giant spike bombs from it. The floor ripples, so I can use Ground Pounds to bounce it into the Clown Copter. The main issues are dodging flames and timing the Ground Pounds so the spike bomb hits the Clown Copter. I lost my Super Shroom to a spike bomb, get in 1 hit and die from the fire.

Take 4- I used a Super Shroom and reached the pipe. I get in 1 hit, but lose my Super Shroom to fire. I got in a 2nd hit, but die from the fire.

Take 5- I used a Super Shroom and reached the pipe. I got in 2 hits before I lost my Super Shroom to the fire. For the last hit, Bowser Jr. drops a bigger spike bomb. I got in the 3rd hit for victory. We find Princess Peach on the top of the ship, but Kamek picks her up and carries her off. A large rock wall descends into the lava, revealing Bowser's Castle, which has a similar style to New Super Mario Bros., but is much bigger.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 8-6 -- Hot Foot It Into the Volcano

This is a level that takes place inside a volcano preparing to erupt. There is a similar level in New Super Mario Bros. I got a Helishroom and fly to get the 1st Star Coin. As the magma keeps rising, I lost my Helishroom to a Koopa and reach the midgate. I got another Helishroom as well as a 1-up Mushroom. I failed to fly after jumping off the chain I was holding onto and fell into the magma and died.

Take 2- I got a Super Shroom, which I lost to a Koopa. I died from a Podoboo.

I went back to World 6 for items and lives. I got 8 net lives and lots of Super Shrooms. I also got a Fire Flower, a Mini Shroom, and a Helishroom.

Take3- I had to start the level over. I got the 2nd Star Coin and a Helishroom. I also got a 1-up Shroom, 100-coin 1-up, the 3rd Star Coin, and a 1-up at the goal.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 8-5 -- Tilting Platform of Doom

This level is an annoying automatic side-scroller. I was still in multiplayer mode, which made this level even more difficult. You have to ride a tilt-controlled platform over the lava. Tilting makes the platform move right and left along a track. We both made it to the midgate, but it became very difficult afterward. Periodically, lava pillars taken straight from Super Mario Galaxy will impede your progress. Luigi died in this level and got a continue, and then left. I died from the lava.

Take 2- I used a Super Shroom, which I lost to a Parachuting Bob-omb. I died on a lava pillar.

Take 3- I used another Super Shroom and lost it to a lava pillar- they don't instantly kill, like falling in the lava. I got another, but lost it to a crow and died from another crow.

Take 4- I used a Super Shroom, but lost it to a Para Bob-omb, which I used to get the 2nd Star Coin. I got the 1st Star Coin earlier before the midgate. I died in the lava.

Take 5- I used a Super Shroom and got a Fire Flower and a 100-coin 1-up. I lost my items to crows and died from one.

Take 6- I used an Ice Flower, which I lost to a lava pillar. I got a Fire Flower and lost it to a crow. I reached the end pipe and the goal.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 8-4 -- Underwater in the Fire Sea

This level surprisingly takes place underwater. I did this level in multiplayer mode with a stranger. We got the last 2 Star Coins and a Staman each, which was helpful, because the level became dark later on. However, we took lots of damage from the jellyfish. We completed the level in 1 take.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Another Victory!

I finally beat Super Mario Galaxy. I achieved my goal of beating it before its sequel came out. I got the last five stars in one session. I needed the Battlerock's Purple Coins, Cosmic Luigi Underwater Race, Purple Coins in the Forest, the Dreadnought's Purple Coins, and Luigi's Purple Coins. Each star took upwards of ten tries each for a total of over 60 attempts for each star. I didn't listen to the music and stayed calm, which led to eventual victory. On the purple coin missions, I tried getting as many as I could in an attempt, but in some cases, if I missed any, I just had Luigi fall off the edge so I could start over.
After getting the last five coins, I took on Bowser. It took me more tries than I would have liked, partially due to overconfidence and carelessness.
After beating Bowser and rolling the credits, I accessed Grand Finale Galaxy for the final star: The Star Festival. Many of the characters we met earlier in other galaxies were there. It is a purple coin mission that is extremely easy and without any pressure. As Mario, I talked to everybody while getting the coins. As Luigi, I grabbed the coins quickly. The Toad Brigade were made into Royal Guards, with Red Toad as the leader. He said no one would ever kidnap the princess again. After getting the coins (one is on the Starshroom), a Star appeared. I could not go into the Castle. Before I got it, a Blue Mail Toad sent me a letter to the Wii Message Board. The letters were from the Mario Staff thanking me for playing to the end. For Mario, there was a picture of him with the princess. For Luigi, there was a picture of him with Rosalina and the Toad Brigade. This was a fun and challenging game and I look forward to Super Mario Galaxy 2, which I will cover in the same depth as New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 8- Fort -- Just Keep Moving

This looks like a typical fort, with more beams of fire. I used a Super Shroom and got a Fire Flower. I skipped the 1st Star Coin over a beam of fire. I found a secret door to get a 1-up Mushroom and a 100-coin 1-up. I went up the left side and lost the Fire Flower to a fire beam. I reached the midgate and lost my Super Shroom to a fire beam, but got another. I reached the boss door. There are several platforms in the battle room. Kamek uses magic on the platforms, so they start moving right to left. Kamek will then use his magic to turn the platforms into enemies. He turned a platform into a Thwomp, which fell and took out the floor I was trying to stand on so I fell in the void.

Take 2- I used a Super Shroom and got a Fire Flower. I reached Kamek. Kamek turned platforms into Monty Moles, Koopas, and Goombas. I lost the Fire Flower to a Goomba and the Super Shroom to Kamek's magic. In between, I got in the three hits, after which Kamek just disappears, instead of going into a shell cycle. He will also disappear if Mario gets too close before he can use his magic. After being defeated, he flies off to the Airship.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 8- Toad Rescue -- A Fiery Escape

I lost the Super Shroom to a Podoboo, which is the enemy for this level. I saved Toad and got 3 Super Shrooms.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 8-3 -- Surf's Up in the Fire Sea

This level has the same music as 8-2, but the level has more lava. It moves in large waves, which conceals and reveals parts of the level, which means getting certain items is extremely dangerous and requires good timing.

Take 1- I got a Fire Flower and died in the lava.

Take 2- I got a Super Shroom and the 1st Star Coin and reached the midgate. I got the 2nd Star Coin and an Ice Flower, but lost it to a Fire Chomp and fell in the lava.

Take 3- I got a 100-coin 1-up and fell in the lava.

Take 4- I used a Fire Flower and got the 2nd Star Coin, killed a Fire Chomp, and got the 3rd Star Coin, but fell in the lava.

Take 5- I got the 2nd Star Coin, but died from the Fire Chomp.

Take 6- I decided to skip the Star Coins, because I know where they are, and getting them is costing me lives. I got a Super Shroom and made it to the end pipe and reached the goal.

I got 4 1-ups at a 1-up Toad House.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 8-2 -- Easily Avoiding Lava

This level starts off with more erupting volcanoes, but a pipe takes Mario underground. There are more rotating platforms and spike balls that roll up them. The music is a tropical drum remix of the underground theme, which I like.

Take 1- After going down the pipe, I got 2 Super Shrooms and lost one to a Paragoomba. I lost the other Super Shroom and died from a spike ball.

Take 2- I got a Super Shroom and got a Fire Flower. I got the 1st Star Coin, but lost my items to spike balls. I powered up at the midgate and got a 100-coin 1-up. I got an Ice Flower from 8 red coins and the 3rd Star Coin hidden in a secret area under a pipe. I then reached the goal.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 8-1 -- Pele is Angry

This level is very similar to one in World 8 of the prequel. The volcanoes in the background periodically erupt, raining flaming rocks down on the level. The flaming rock can take out anything but the solid rock that the level is made of, including solid white blocks, item blocks, and brick blocks. As if that weren't enough, there are lava pillars that will temporarily block your path. The only enemies are Buzzy Beetles, and to add insult to injury, the only powerups in the item blocks are Fire Flowers, and Buzzy Beetles are fireproof.

Take 1- I got a Fire Flower, but lost it to the flaming rock. I lost the Super Shroom to a lava pillar and fell in the lava.

Take 2- I got a Super Shroom. There are unstable platforms that will tilt and tip over into the lava. Over these, coins will suddenly fly into place, which is a startling distraction. I lose 2 Super Shrooms to Buzzy Beetles and died from a flaming rock.

Take 3- I got a Super Shroom, a 100-c0in 1-up, and a Fire Flower. I used a tilting metallic mushroom platform to get over a lava pillar. I lost the Fire Flower to another lava pillar. I got the first Star Coin and reached the midgate. Under a ledge I see a POW Block and some blocks over the lava. I recognize this as a place to hide a Star Coin in the sky, so I use the POW Block and coins, including the 2nd Star Coin rain down. I fell in the lava.

Take 4- I got a Super Shroom and the 2nd Star Coin. I lost the Super Shroom to a lava pillar, but go up the green pipe and reach the goal.

World 8 -- Lava / Magma a Plenty

There are some good, taken names to call World 8: Lethal Lava Land, Bowser in the Fire Sea, Melty Molten World. There is a lot of molten rock here, which is going to make my life difficult. Volcano music plays in the background. I can't see Bowser's Castle yet. Surprisingly, Kamek is the boss of 8-Fort. I thought Bowser Jr. would be.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 7- Castle -- Deadly Castle in the Sky

This castle brings back the spiked pillars. It also seems to be falling apart, because there is no lava, and the walls are broken up, letting in a view of the outside world.I got the 1st Star Coin and reached the midgate. After getting an Ice Flower, I killed the Sledge Bros. (sumo-sized Hammer Bros. that are too heavy to pick up) and got a 100-coin 1-up. I then lost all of my items and died on the spiked pillars.

Take 2- I got and lost a Super Shroom to a spiked pillar and died from a Sledge Bro.

Take 3- I got a Super Shroom, killed the Sledge Bros., but lose the Super Shroom to a spiked pillar. I got another one, which I lost to another spiked pillar. I reached the boss door. Kamek's magic brings up three platforms through the floor that carry Ludwig and Mario endlessly skyward. Ludwig can now shoor 4 flames at one time, and I die from the flames.

I needed items and lives. I tried to rescue Toad in World 1, but died from a Giant Goomba for a Game Over and Continue #15. I then got 1 Super Shroom, 2 Helishrooms, 3 Ice Flowers, 1 Fire Flower, 1 Starman, and 10 1-ups.

After the Game Over:
Take 1- I used a Super Shroom and got an Ice Flower, which I lose to a spiked pillar. I lost my Super Shroom to a Super Dry Bones (giant Dry Bones). I power up at the midgate and get 2 Ice Flowers, both of which I lose to spike pillars (I have to get the timing down better). I lost the Super Shroom to a Sledge Bro, and reach the boss door. It's safe to stand on the left platform to dodge the 4 flame attack. I get in 1 hit, but the platform is too small to dodge the shell cycle, so I died. I have to get off that platform immediately.

Take 2- I use a Super Shroom, which I lose to a spike pillar. I get another, but am stunned by a Sledge Bro, and I lose it. I die from a Sledge Bro.

Take 3- I use Super Shroom, get an Ice Flower, both of which I lose to spike pillars. I get a 100-coin 1-up and a Super Shroom, which I lose to a Sledge Bro. I hit Ludwig once, but fall in the void.

Take 4- I used a Helishroom, which is lost to a spike pillar. I got an Ice Flower and fell in the void.

Take 5- I used an Ice Flower, and lose it and the Super Shroom to a Sledge Bro. I die on a pillar.

Take 6- I use an Ice Flower. Super Guide appears again. I lose my items to spike pillars, get a Super Shroom, and fell in the void.

Take 7- I used a Helishroom and lose it to a Sledge Bro. I get an Ice Flower and reach the boss. I lost the Ice Flower to the flames. I got in 2 hits and immediately waited out the shell cycle on the middle platform. After the end of the 2nd shell cycle, Ludwig hovered over the middle platform where I was standing. I dodged to the left platform and got in the 3rd hit. I got the key and went to World 8.