Sunday, July 31, 2011

Tick Tock Clock - Luigi in the Cage

This mission is a renamed mission on the Nintendo DS similar to Roll into the Cage.
The layout of the Nintendo DS's Tick Tock Clock is similar, but more forgiving. The gap where you can fall into the void is much smaller, but I managed to fall in with an unintentional wall-jump.
Take 2- I went into the course with time stopped. It's okay if you don't go in as Luigi, because you'll find Luigi's cap near the Power Flower you need. The cage is in the same place, but we have to go past it to reach the Power Flower. Past the cage is a platform leading to a pole and an Amp. Climb the pole up and jump up the two yellow platforms, then backflip up to another. You'll see more grating, as well as the Power Flower, and maybe a Goomba with Luigi's cap. I got the cap as well as the Power Flower to vanish and fall through the floor into the cage with the Star.
Star Get #128, 11 Coins, 3 Lives

Tick Tock Clock - Roll into the Cage

This is the 14th course.
This mission is unique to the N64.
We're on the second to last course! Now that we're finished with the second floor, we unlock the Star Door at the top of the stairs to reach the third floor. Ahead, we see a clock embedded in a tree, windows on both sides of the walls, and two sets of stairs leading to a Star Door behind us. To the right of the clock tree is Toad. He says, "There's something strange about that clock. As you jump inside, watch the position of the big hand. Oh, look what I found! here, Mario, catch!" This is the last of the Stars that Toad's been holding for us.
Star Get #104, 0 Coins, 11 Lives
We must enter the course through the clock. If the big hand is on 12, the clock parts will be stopped. When it's on 3, the hands will move, on 6, the parts will not move in sync, and on 9, they will move faster. There are also the numbers 12, 3, 6, and 9, so you can tell your relative location.

The slide music plays. We need the parts to move for this mission. Most of the moving parts are designed to flip or move you into the void, which is at the center of the clock. The course is shaped like a tube, so one false step will send you plummeting. Try to steer towards the walls so you'll land on something instead of fall into the void.

We jump past a pendulum to the grate serving as a ramp, leading to a conveyor belt. That leads to a block that will periodically rotate. These blocks will dip before flipping. Jump before they flip to stay on. In front of it is a pendulum blocking our way to the wall. Time your jump to make it to the other side. This leads to three of the blocks acting as stairs. After that is a piece of the wall that will push you to the center, possibly into the void. This leads to a grate platform, where you may see a clock hand moving in a circle. There is a conveyor belt leading to spinning circular platforms. After that is a conveyor belt into a cage with the Star.
Star Get #105, 3 Coins, 8 Lives

After a while, I got 100 Coins in this mission. It took me several tries because I had to have the parts moving to get to the top. Lots of item blocks contain coins, and there is a Blue Coin Switch. In the end, someone had to help me get the coins. Thanks to Brandon for helping me with this Star!
Star Get #111, 104 Coins, 4 Lives

Tiny-Huge Island - Switch Star on the Island

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
This is more like Switch Star in the Cave, because that's where you'll find it. It's easiest to do this mission with Mario. After four attempts to reach the cave, we made it in. I backflipped to the rock with the Blue Coin Switch, which had the Star Switch as well. The Star appears on the other tall pillar. I used the Power Flower, getting a 1-up, as well the Star, with Balloon Mario.
Star Get #127, 13 Coins, 3 Lives

Tiny-Huge Island - Make Wiggler Squirm

N64
It's time to take on Wiggler! As you may recall, at the top of the cave is a hole. To reach Wiggler, we need to make that hole. How do we do that? All we have to do is go into the small painting. While the island is tiny, we go up to the peak and ground-pound the tiny pool of water. Anywhere will do, but the hole will appear directly in the center, a chime will sound, and the water will drain. We then used the warp pipe and returned to the peak to find the hole large enough to go through. We see Wiggler who says, "Waaaa! You've flooded my house! Wh-Why?? Look at this mess! What am I going to do now? The ceiling's ruined, the floor is soaked... what to do, what to do? Huff....huff... it makes me so... MAD!!! Everything's been going wrong ever since I got this Star... It's so shiny, but it makes me feel... strange..." He's got a Star, which we need. He's also complaining about the floor getting wet, when it's mostly made out of grate, so the water would drain through.

The battle music starts. He's not a super easy boss. All we have to do is jump on him three times. He also deals quite a bit of damage if he hits you, but there are coins around to recover health. This took me three tries. After the first hit, he says, "I can't take this anymore! First you get me all wet, then you stomp on me! Now I'm really, really, REALLY mad! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" This time, he moves faster. After the second hit, he says, "Hey! Knock it off! That's the second time you've nailed me. Now you're asking for it, linguine breath!" He moves faster and turns red. When we finally get in the third hit, he says, "Owwch! Uncle! Uncle! Okay, I give. Take this Star! Whew! I feel better now. I don't really need it anymore, anyway -- I can see the stars through my ceiling at night. They make me feel... ...peaceful. Please, come back and visit anytime."

He shrinks and the Star appears. Wiggler then falls through the grate. The Star is on the center of the grate, on a grassy patch. If we visit Wiggler, we'll have to battle him again.
Star Get #103, 24 Coins, 11 Lives

Nintendo DS
We enter the small painting and go to the peak to ground pound the pool. The chime sounds and the water drains. We used the warp pipe and we go through the newly-formed hole at the peak. Wiggler gives the same speech and the battle starts. He says the same thing after the first and second hits, and turns red after the second. After the third hit, he gives the same speech, shrinks, and falls through the grate. The Star appears in the center of the grate over a grassy patch.
Star Get #126, 23 Coins, 4 Lives

Tiny-Huge Island - Wiggler's Red Coins

N64
The Red Coins are hidden in the cave accessble via a narrow bridge. You can either enter the small painting, use the warp pipe, and slide down to the grassy area where the bridge is, or enter the large painting and use the cannon to grab a tree near the bridge. Inside are several rocks projecting from the void. The Red Coins are on top of some of them. The Hazy Maze Cave music plays. You may notice a strange sound in the cave. Looking up to the ceiling reveals a small hole (which you haven't opened yet) and a large Wiggler wandering around on top of a grate. You can't reach him from here, so ignore him for the time being and focus on the Red Coins. You start off on a narrow ledge, which widens near the first Red Coin. You'll need to engage in some rock-hopping, as the next five Red Coins are on adjacent platforms, some on lower platforms than the one you're standing on, so look around. The seventh is on the platform with the Blue Coin Switch. The last one is on top of one of the two taller rock pillar. We must wall-jump to reach it. The Star appears at the base of the two pillars. This took me 6 tries.
Star Get #102, 36 Coins, 10 Lives

Nintendo DS
I decided to enter the big painting. I slid off.
Take 2- I amde it into the cave. There are fewer platforms in this version, making things a little simpler and more linear. To make things a little easier, I used the Power Flower on the rock with the Blue Coin Switch to float to the last Red Coin on the tall pillar. I got a 1-up on the way. The Star appears in between the pillars.
Star Get #125, 41 Coins, 4 Lives

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Tiny-Huge Island - Klepto the Condor

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
We need to enter the small painting for this mission. Klepto, the big bird that had a Star and tried to steal our cap in Shifting Sand Land is back, clinging to another Star. He circles the island, even going to the floating island accessible by bridge or warp. Just wait for him, then jump to knock the Star from his talons. The Star flies off to the floating island. We use the bridge to reach the island and get the Star.
Star Get #124, 6 Coins, 5 Lives

Tiny-Huge Island - Five Itty Bitty Secrets

N64
As the title suggests, the island must be small. We must be large relative to the island. The five secrets are hidden in the "holes" on the island. You can get them in any order. The secrets are hidden in the doorway-like hole where you started, the hole where the metal balls come from, the top of the mountain (ground-pound it), the hole to the cannon, and the hole to the cave. The Star appears on the floating island away from the island. Near the Piranha Plant is a switch that creates a bridge to the floating island.
Star Get #101, 13 Coins, 6 Lives

Tiny-Huge Island - Rematch with Koopa the Quick

N64
Koopa the Quick is back! It took me a couple of tries to reach him. I used the big painting and went around the island, but using the smaller painting is faster and easier. We have to be small to see Koopa the Quick. He's past the metal balls, across from the bridge into the cave. Before talking to him, take out the Goombas so they don't get in your way. Koopa the Quick says "Long time, no see! Wow, have you gotten fast! Have you been training on the sly or is it the power of the Stars? I've been feeling down about losing the last race. This is my home course -- how about a rematch? The goal is in Windswept Valley. Ready? Go/ Don't Go"
We start the rematch. I ran as fast as I could, but ultimately lost. Koopa the Quick says "I win! You lose! Ha ha ah! That's what you get for messin' with Koopa the Quick. Better luck next time!"
All we need to do is use the warp pipe so he'll reappear where we first found him. We start the rematch and long-jump to victory, running on the bridge. Koopa the Quick says "No way! you beat me...again!! And I just spent my entire savings on these new Koopa Mach 1 Sprint shoes! Here, I guess I have to hand over this Star to the winner of the race. Congrats, Mario!" I won with a time of 0'24"9. The Star appears near Koopa the Quick.
Star Get #100, 14 Coins, 5 Lives

Nintendo DS
We entered the smaller painting to reach Koopa the Quick more quickly. He's in the same location as in the N64 version. We used the warp pipe to make the island big. We need to be Mario for the rematch. He gives the same speech. We race and I lost because some long-jumps became ground-pounds, slowing me down. He says the same thing. I used the pipe so he would reappear. This time I won with a time of 0'24"27. His speech is the same, except he bought Supa Koopa Sprint sneakers. The Star appears near the flagpole.
Star Get #123, 15 Coins, 4 Lives

Tiny-Huge Island - The Tip Top of the Huge Island

N64
The title gives us a clue: we need the island to be huge to get the Star. This mission gave me a lot of trouble due to a pesky long-jump and some gusts. The Goombas here are enormous. Ground-pounding them gives you a Blue Coin. If we go through the doorway-like hole through the wall and end up in the water. Be careful in the water, as there is a large fish that will gobble Mario up whole. To the left is some sand and a Lakitu, straight ahead is a grassy area with a cannon and a Fly Guy. There is a gap between here and the next area, with a platform in between. We must long-jump to the platform, then let the gust carry us to the bridge attached to the island. This is how I died thirteen times. Now is a good time as any to get 100 Coins. There are lots of Goombas to give you Blue Coins, as well as a Koopa that gives a Blue Coin as well. Over the beach is a bridge into the cave. There we found Red Coins, as well as a Blue Coin Switch.
Star Get #98, 101 Coins, 4 Lives
Past the bridge in the gusty area is another warp pipe, and another bridge, where the gusts will try to push you towards the island and off the bridge. At the end of the bridge are more metal balls and a warp pipe. This will bring you near the platform with the Piranhas, which is on the other side of the wall. We must climb up grassy steps to another bridge, which leads to the top of the mountain. Before you reach the peak, there is an item block which contains the Star.
Star Get #99, 16 Coins, 4 Lives

Nintendo DS
I decided to enter the smaller painting to make getting the Star easier. I climbed the tree and jumped over the wall. I used the warp pipe to shrink and climbed up the grassy steps, dodging a purple enemy. I crossed the bridge to the item block at the top of the island. The item block has the Star.
Star Get #121, 8 Coins, 3 Lives
To get 100 Coins, I used the larger painting. I got lots of coins from the Goombas. Lakitu gives out five coins and the Koopa gives out a Blue Coin. I slid off the top of the island with over 60 coins.
Take 2- I got Blue Coins from the Goombas and Koopa, and coins from Lakitu and the Fly Guys. Before I entered the cave, I had 80 coins. I got the Blue Coins from the Blue Coin Switch, as well as 3 Red Coins, so the Star appeared.
Star Get #122, 101 Coins, 5 Lives

Tiny-Huge Island - Pluck the Piranha Flower

Tiny-Huge Island is the 13th course.
In the door with the Star on the second floor is a large room with three identical paintings of different sizes. We can't use the one directly across from the door. To the left is a small painting and to the right is a very large painting. Tiny-Huge Island is a large island that changes its relative size depending on which painting you enter. If you enter the smaller painting, you'll be large compared to the enemies and the island and vice versa. You can change the island's size by entering the green warp pipes on the island. Some missions can only be completed when small and others when large. Others will require you to switch the island's size.
N64
We need to be large at the start of this mission. I died a few times, but the mission is relatively simple. We must be relatively large to climb a nearby platform to our left. We start on a grassy platform with a very small Goomba. The enemies here won't damage you. There are three grassy platforms on your side of the wall, separated by water. The one farther away is where you want to go. Climb up on the platform, dodging the small Piranha Plant's fire. On the platform is a warp pipe. Go in it to change the island's size. When the island is large, there will be five Piranha Plants that appear when approached, towering over you. Two of them are behind the pipe They can be defeated with a punch, but they also breathe fire, which may cause you to run off the platform. You can't get back on the platform from the water, so just exit the level. It's not worth going through the whole island to find another warp pipe. After you defeat them all, the Star appears near the warp pipe. Oddly enough, the large Piranhas give out two coins, while those that are normal sized give out Blue Coins.
Star Get #97, 10 Coins, 22 Lives

Nintendo DS
I swam to the grassy platform with the Piranha Plant, taking a burn in the process. I went through the warp pipe and was burned by the larger Piranha Plants twice, resulting in death.
Take 2- I reached the platform without being burned. I defeated all of the Piranha Plants, after taking a few burns. The Star appeared behind the pipe.
Star Get #120, 15 Coins, 3 Lives
We're 80% done! 30 more Stars to go!

Tall, Tall Mountain - 5 Secrets of the Mountain

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
I mentioned coins in the sky when I got 100 Coins on this course. The coins in the sky are arranged in rings, just like in Mario Wings to the Sky. To reach the top of the mountain faster, I decided to chase Hoo out of the tree near where we started. He took us to the top of the mountain quickly. I got the Wing Cap and started flying to get the coins in the center of the rings. I got two on my first pass and decided to recharge the Wing Cap. I got the last three on my second pass. You can get them in any order. The Star appears on the peak.
Star Get #118, 8 Coins, 5 Lives

Tall, Tall Mountain - Blast to the Lonely Mushroom

N64
This is a tricky Star to get. I got 100 Coins in this mission with Red Coins, Goombas, the purple enemy, and the slide. I also opened the cannon with the Bob-omb Buddy, near where the Star in the cage landed. Getting the coins took me 4 tries.
Star Get #95, 100 Coins, 19 Lives

A sign near the Monty Moles warns about strong gusts. If we drop down, the gusts will pick us up, showing us a ledge under the main part of the mountain. We land on the ledge, and sidled around to the cannon. We aim towards the mushroom, with very little mushroom visible. We fly into the Star so we don't go into the void.
Star Get #96, 46 Coins, 21 Lives

Nintendo DS
I decided to get 100 coins here. While trying to grab the purple enemy, I dove off the mountain.
Take 2- I got 6 Red Coins, more coins laying around, some coins from Goombas, and the coins in the sky. There is a Wing Cap for Mario at the peak. I had the Bob-omb Buddy open the cannon. I got the last of the 100 Coins in the sky, so I had to fly to the Star.
Star Get #116, 100 Coins, 6 Lives

I tried to jump down to the ledge, but I jumped where there wasn't a gust, so I fell into the void.
Take 3- I tried to jump where the cannon was, but the gust gave out and I fell into the void.
Take 4- I missed the ledge again.
Take 5- I figured out where the warp to the ledge was. It's on the mushroom next to the mushroom with the item block, that's between two Red Coins. We sidle to the cannon, aim above the mushroom so that only a little of it is visible, fire, and fly into the Star.
Star Get #117, 2 Coins, 5 Lives

Tall, Tall Mountain - Breathtaking View from (the) Bridge

N64
I tried getting 100 coins here, but gave up after losing several lives. Near the mountain peak, on the narrow bridge, we can see an alcove in the rock behind the waterfall. I jumped from the left side of the bridge to reach the alcove, which contains a Star. You can also long-jump or create a block in front of the alcove with the switch near the meshy vines.
Star Get #94, 19 Coins, 6 Lives

Nintendo DS
Once again, I decided to enlist the help of Hoo, after falling off the mountain. He took us to the peak. The Star is in an alcove behind the waterfall, as in the N64 version. This time, however, the Star is blocked by a black brick block, so we need Wario to get this Star. Conveniently, Wario's Cap is at the peak as well. There is a bridge to the alcove so reaching it is easier. We break the brick block to get the Star.
Star Get #119, 0 Coins, 4 Lives

Friday, July 29, 2011

Tall, Tall Mountain - Mysterious Mountainside

N64
We need to climb up the mountain, long-jump across the waterfall and go where the cloud is. Near the cloud is a piece of the mountainside that ripples like the paintings when you touch it. If we jump into the mountainside, we will find ourselves at the top of a slide. The slide music plays. I fell off once. The slide is long, and can be challenging at points. Where there are a bunch of arrows pointing to a part of the slide where it forks, go that way. The other way will end in the abyss. There are sharp turns and the slide twists so there is very little to slide on. At one point, there is a gap in the slide, so you have to be going fast enough to clear it. If you fall off, you will lose a life, but will restart at the top of the slide. There are 1-ups on the slide, including one hidden behind the right wall at the top of the slide. The slide will end at a hole, which will lead you to an otherwise unreachable alcove in the side of the mountain with the Star. Don't try to get the last of your 100 Coins here, you'll slide past the Star before you can collect it.
Star Get #93, 45 Coins, 15 Lives

Nintendo DS
The piece of mountainside is in the same location and coins lead into it to mark the way. I got a 1-up behind the right wall at the top of the slide. I made it to the end of the slide without falling off. We drop through the hole and land in the alcove, which is now caged in. The Star is there, as well.
Star Get #115, 41 Coins, 6 Lives
The next Star is Blast to the Lonely Mushroom.

Tall, Tall Mountain - Scary 'Shrooms, Red Coins

N64
It's time to tackle a treacherous set of Red Coins! Four of them are on the mushrooms after the second gap. The rest are on the ledges near the Monty Moles. I fell off twice, as the mushrooms are floating over the abyss. On the third try, I got them all. Jump carefully from mushroom to mushroom, letting go of the joystick so you don't run off. The Star appears on a mushroom away from the mountain. Just jump away from the mountain where the Monty Moles are.
Star Get #92, 16 Coins, 10 Lives

Nintendo DS
The Red Coins are in the same locations. I got the mushrooms' Red Coins with ease, letting go of the D-pad when I landed. The Red Coins are on the ledges are easy to get. The Star appears on the mushroom away from the mountain near the Monty Moles.
Star Get #114, 16 Coins, 4 Lives
The next Star is Mysterious Mountainside.

Tall, Tall Mountain - Mystery of the Monkey Cage

N64
Near the peak of the mountain, at the top of the waterfall, there is a Star floating in a cage. We have no way of getting at it. At the peak of the mountain is a small monkey named Ukiki. We chase him around the peak until we finally catch him. He says "Owwwuu! Let me go! Uukee-kee! I was only teasing! Can't you take a joke? I'll tell you what, let's trade. If you let me go, I'll give you something really good. So how about it? Free him/ Hold on"

We free him and follow him to the Star. He hops on the cage, saying "Eeeh hee hee hee!" spins the cage, the chime sounds, and the Star falls down to a rock near the waterfall. We jump down, taking damage, and getting the Star.
Star Get #91, 15 Coins, 8 Lives

Nintendo DS
We climb to the top of the mountain and see the Star. Ukiki is at the top of the mountain, so we chase him around until we catch him, which took me much less time than on the N64. He says the same thing and we free him. He spins the cage and it falls, releasing the Star in the same place. We take fall damage and get the Star.
Star Get #113, 13 Coins, 10 Lives
The next Star is Scary 'Shrooms, Red Coins.

Tall, Tall Mountain - Scale the Mountain

This is the 12th course in the game.
On the second floor, near the Toad under the stairs, is a small painting of mushrooms, a mountain, and a waterfall. This is the entrance to Tall, Tall Mountain. The Bob-omb Battlefield music plays.
N64
The course is a floating island with a large mountain, with plenty of ways to fall into the void. I did 3 times. Fortunately, if you go behind where you start, to the side of the mountain where the path becomes narrow, you'll find a 1-up. Going forward from where you started, there are two gaps you must long-jump across. The first one has a safety net, but the other does not, and you must land on a narrow ledge. After successfully executing a long-jump, release the joystick so you don't run off. Walk around the gap with mushrooms and Red Coins and you'll see several holes for Monty Moles. There are also ledges with more Red Coins. We climb up the ledges and then walk up the slope with three Goombas. At the end of the slope, tucked behind the rock wall, is another 1-up. We need to long-jump across the gap. It's a little easier if you get rid of the Goombas first. We pass a cloud with eyes that will blow our hat off if we don't keep moving. Next is an area with meshy vines that makes it difficult to jump. Then we go across a narrow bridge in front of the waterfall. After that, we walk up the slope to the mountain peak, where the Star is.
Star Get #90, 17 Coins, 6 Lives

Nintendo DS
After getting a 1-up in the corner, we long-jump across the two gaps (let go of the D-pad or Circle Pad after executing the jump). We climb up the ledges and killed the Goombas on the slope. We got the 1-up near the waterfall, and did not make it across. I landed in the water, and jumped down to where the Bob-omb Buddy was so he could open the cannon. I slid off to where I started. This time, we made the jump. The cloud is there, as well as the meshy vines. We walk across the narrow bridge to the peak, where the Star hovers.
Star Get #112, 10 Coins, 10 Lives
The next Star is Mystery of the Monkey Cage.

Wet-Dry World - Soaked Silver Stars

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
We have to find Silver Stars at the different levels of the course. The water is at its normal level, so we step on the switch on the bridge to reach the white platform. A Silver Star is there and we raise the water level. Near the arrow lifts is another Silver Star on an orange checked platform. We drained the water to reach the Silver Star in an orange brick block. We backflipped from a brown platform floating in the water. We find another one under the curved ramp and raise the water level to its highest. We need to reach the cannon to get one high in the sky. Aim so that the Silver Star is near, but not quite at the bottom of what you can see and some of the white tube is visible. I accidently got the Top O' the Town Star when I tried to reach the water (I got the last one before the one in the brick block, so the Star hadn't appeared.
Take 2- I got the Silver Stars in this order: the one on the white platform, the one on the orange checked platform, the one under the ramp, the one in the first brick block when coming from the diamond, and the one in the sky. The Star appears in the Star Sphere on a high platform close to the arrow lifts. With the water level at its highest, backflip from a nearby brown platform floating in the water.
Star Get #111, 8 Coins, 8 Lives
The next Star is Scale the Mountain.

Wet-Dry World - Quick Race Through Downtown!

hg\gvfbN64
I backflipped into the painting to make the water level extra high. This way I could swim to the grate, climb on the grate and dive into the channel. I swam into town and drained the water. On the right side of the steeple is a Vanish Cap. We put it on and run through the wall that's the same color as the wall in front of the steeple where the Red Coins are to the other side of the steeple, where there is a large cage. We run into the cage and let the power run out. I then wall jumped part-way up the white stone, then climbed up to the Star.
Star Get #89, 2 Coins, 4 Lives

Nintendo DS
As I did not backflip into the painting, I raised the water to the highest level, then used the cannon to reach the grate. I got a 1-up and drained the water level. We need the Vanish Cap power, so we need Luigi. Thankfully, there is a Luigi Cap in the town. I grabbed the cap and ran to the right side of the steeple. There is a Power Flower there. We use it to run through the wall in front of the steeple into the cage. We backflip up the white stone and climb to the Star.
Star Get #110, 0 Coins, 8 Lives
The next Star is Soaked Silver Stars.

Wet-Dry World - Go to Town for Red Coins

N64
Now we find out why this level has a cannon. I died once because the flipping enemies caused me to take a lot of damage from falling.
Take 2- We need the water level as high as possible. I switched the water level to the 5th diamond's level. The cannon should be pointed at the opposite corner, to the grating we couldn't access. Once behind the grating, we swim down the channel. There are two grates partially blocking the channel. We must swim under the first one and over the second one. This leads us into the "town", which has several buildings. It also has diamonds that control the water level. The item block has a 1-up. The Red Coins are here. I drained the water level with the diamond under the entrance to make them easier to get. Some of them are in brick blocks. I found one on the roof of the steeple. There is another one in the box in front of the steeple and two on the walls in front of the steeple. There's one on the white building, one on the shorter white building, another in a brick on the brown building, and the last on the orange building. The Star appears in the alcove of the steeple.
Star Get #88, 39 Coins, 6 Lives

Nintendo DS
We raised the water level and used the cannon to reach the channel blocked by the grate. It took several attempts with the cannon, but I made it. We dive through the channel and wind up in the flooded "town". I got a 1-up on the platform with the Bob-omb Buddy. I got the first Red Coin on the roof of the steeple and drained the water with the diamond under the entrance. I got another one in a block on the roof of the large white building. The block on the brown roof of the adjacent white building has one as well. There are two in the blocks on the wall. In front of the the steeple is a block with another Red Coin. The two narrow building each have a Red Coin on their roofs. I wall jumped between them to reach the roofs. The Star appears in the alcove of the steeple.
Star Get #109, 25 Coins, 7 Lives
The next Star is Quick Race Through Downtown!

Wet-Dry World - Express Elevator -- Hurry Up!

N64
On the top level, we talk to the Bob-omb Buddy to open the cannon. This Star seems a little tricky. I drained the water, broke a block in front of the cage to reveal a hole, and made my way back up to the cage. In the cage is the Star. There's no Vanish Cap, so we need another way into the cage. Tbere is a ledge on the edge of the cage that faces the bridge. The ledge splits in half when you step on the edge not under the Star, and it drops away. Get off of the falling ledge, and go through the hole at the base of the cage and wait until the ledge comes within reach. Quickly wall-jump on it and it will take you up to the Star.
Star Get #87, 23 Coins, 6 Lives

Nintendo DS
I drained the water level and noticed that there isn't a block blocking the entrance to the cage. I climbed up to the cage, using the switch and a flipping enemy. I stepped on the ledge not under the Star and it fell. I walked off, went into the cage, and wall-jumped onto the ledge, which took me to the Star.
Star Get #108, 4 Coins, 6 Lives
The next Star is Go to Town for Red Coins.

Wet-Dry World - (5) Secrets in the Shallows and Sky

N64
It's time to find more secrets! This time, we aren't looking for particular coins. Moving certain objects will make the numbers appear. I also decided to get 100 Coins in this mission. I got the coins from item blocks, a Blue Coin Switch, water striders, brick blocks, and the purple enemy at the top of the level. (Pick him up and throw him for the coins.) I decided to work from the bottom of the course to the top, so I drained all the water using the diamond under the long ramp. Behind the tall platform where we found the Shocking Arrow Lifts! Star is a crate that we need to push to find the first secret. We need to push the crate so we can open the item block for the second secret. On the same level as the Blue Coin Switch, there is another crate in a hole in the wall. Pushing that crate deeper into the wall reveals the third secret. On the same level is a switch that makes stairs to the top of the cage. Above the cage is an item block with the 4th secret. The 5th secret is in the item block above the circular platform the Amp is circling. The platform is surrounded by coins. At this point, we have over 100 coins.
Star Get #85, 104 Coins, 4 Lives
The Star appears over the bridge.
Star Get #86, 104 Coins, 6 Lives

Nintendo DS
The secrets are in the same locations as in the N64 version. I got 100 coins in this mission as in the N64, but not using the coins from the purple enemy. On the top level where the purple enemy is, the Bob-omb Buddy that opens the cannon stands. We opened the cannon, as we will need it in future missions. As I got the 5th secret, I got 100 Coins.
Star Get #106, 100 Coins, 4 Lives
The Star appears on the bridge.
Star Get #107, 100 Coins, 6 Lives
The 5 in the parentheses in the title is because the number is included in the Nintendo DS mission title, but not in the N64 mission title.
The next Star is Express Elevator -- Hurry Up!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Wet-Dry World - Top O' the Town

N64
This Star is pretty easy to get. To the right of where you land, there is a very long curving ramp. We walk up it to reach a level made of stone. Nearby is a movable box. We push it so we can backflip onto a brick platform to reach a higher level. There is a purple enemy that will throw you around if you get too close. Floating above the level is a plank bridge that goes near the center of the course. There is an Amp buzzing around, so be careful. Past the bridge are a circular platform then a spinning, circular platform, followed by a higher floating platform. It has an item block with the Star.
Star Get #84, 6 Coins, 4 Lives

Nintendo DS
We walk up the ramp and backflip onto the stone platform near the box. We reach the higher level and walk across the plank bridge. We pass the two floating, circular platforms, one of which is spinning. On the high platform after the circular platforms is the Star, not in an item block.
Star Get #105, 2 Coins, 4 Lives
The next Star is 5 Secrets in the Shallows and Sky.

Wet-Dry World - Shocking Arrow Lifts!

This is the 11th course.
N64
We access this course via the painting of the water strider. How we enter determines the water level when we enter. Backflipping makes the water level very high. The Hazy Maze Cave music plays. Most of the level is made of stone. There are 5 multi-colored diamonds at various locations and heights that will change the water level. There are also several water striders. We climb on the floating platform and walk on the bridge with a switch. We step on the switch and it creates a path of floating platforms, which we can use to reach a nearby tall, white platform with a diamond. We use this to adjust the water level. We swim to the right to the floating platforms. I backflipped to the orange, checked platform and got on the arrow lifts. They will move in the directions indicated by their arrows. We take them to a very tall platform with an item block. Inside the item block is the Star. You must take the arrow lifts because you cannot hit the block while swimming.
Star Get #83, 5 Coins, 4 Lives

Nintendo DS
I adjusted the water level to that of the diamond on the tall, white platform. I swam to the floating platform and backflipped onto the higher orange, checked platform. I then long-jumped to the tall platform with the item block. The item block contains the Star.
Star Get #104, 5 Coins, 4 Lives
The next Star is Top O' the Town.

Snowman's Land - Red Coins in the House

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
As mentioned previously, the Red Coins are in the igloo. I drowned in the water trying to reach the Shiny Shell.
Take 2- I grabbed Luigi's cap, because Luigi can backflip to the ledge with the Shiny Shell without using a Spindrift. We use the Shiny Shell to reach the igloo. Five Red Coins are floating in the air, one is on a platform, and two underwater, one on the back wall, and another in the middle of the igloo. The Star appears near the right wall.
Star Get #103, 30 Coins, 5 Lives
The next Star is Shocking Arrow Lifts!

Snowman's Land - Into the Igloo

N64
I decided to get 100 Coins in this mission. I got many coins from Spindrifts and Moneybags, creatures that have lots of coins and disguise themselves as coins. Runnning around small snowmen, as you would Mr. I, will defeat them and get you some coins. We get the Shiny Shell and go up the slope on the snowman marked with coins. At the top of the slope is a tiny igloo. Crouch, then move to crawl, so you can crawl into the igloo. The Hazy Maze Cave music plays. The igloo is very spacious inside. It's a maze of ice walls, some of which contain coins. I found the Bob-omb Buddy so he could open the cannon. You can see a Vanish Cap block that you can't just seem to reach. Near the front of the igloo, you can slide between an ice wall and the igloo wall. I then backflipped over an ice wall to reach the Vanish Cap. With it, we can walk through ice walls. I got several coins from the walls, totaling 101.
Star Get #81, 101 Coins, 6 Lives
The Star is in the front ice wall. While the Vanish Cap is still in effect, run to the front wall and jump into the ice to get the Star.
Star Get #82, 105 Coins, 8 Lives

Nintendo DS
We need to be Luigi for this mission. I decided to get 100 Coins in this mission as well. I got over 40 coins before dying in the water after losing the Shiny Shell.
Take 2- I successfully made it up to the igloo with 50 Coins. We crawl into the igloo, moving while crouching. The Hazy Maze Cave music plays, but the layout is much different from the N64 version. There are pools of cold water that can drain your health. We talk to the Bob-omb Buddy so he'll open the cannon. There are several coins underwater. The Red Coins are also in the igloo. There are many Spindrifts that will provide you with coins. The Star appeared in the water and fully restored my health.
Star Get #101, 100 Coins, 3 Lives
As Luigi, get the Power Flower in the back left corner. Run quickly to the front of the igloo, where the floor is a grate. Drop through the grate to get the Star.
Star Get #102, 103 Coins, 6 Lives
The next Star is Red Coins in the House.

Snowman's Land - Snowman's Silver Star

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
It's time for another Silver Star mission! The first one is near the Goombas with caps and the fire. It's also close to the Bully. The second one is near the Spindrifts and the yellow Item block. The third one is on the ledge with the Star from Whirl from the Freezing Pond. We use the Spindrift to reach the ledge. I slid off the ledge and spent too much time in the water and died.
Take 2- I got the first three Silver Stars. The fourth is on the same ledge as the third, and you need the Shiny Shell to get it to avoid sliding off. The last one is under the Bully's platform, so keep the Shiny Shell. The Star appears in the Star Sphere near where you started. (This mission is like the N64's Red Coin mission.)
Star Get #100, 0 Coins, 3 Lives
The next Star is Into the Igloo.
We're two-thirds done! 50 more Stars to go!

Snowman's Land - Shell Shreddin' for Red Coins

This mission is unique to the N64.
It's time to get more Red Coins! There's one near the Spindrift and the bridge to the Bully. Past the Bully, near a couple of Spindrifts and item block with a 1-up, there is another Red Coin. If we jump up on the ledge with the Spindrifts, and walk around, we will find four more. While staying on the ledge, we get the Shiny Shell. There are two more Red Coins under the Bully's platform, over the freezing water. We need the Shiny Shell to safely reach them. The Star appears near where you started.
Star Get #80, 54 Coins, 4 Lives

Snowman's Land - Whirl from the Freezing Pond

N64
This time, we're going to a special part of the level which does not appear to exist due to the snow. We go to the icy water near the snowman and jump on a Spindrift, the strange creatures with spinning flowers on their heads. Doing so will make us jump higher and slowly descend while spinning. We use the boost to go onto the ledge, in the direction of the ice maze. On the ledge, there are two item blocks. The right one has a Shiny Shell, the left has a Star.
Star Get #79, 4 Coins, 2 Lives

Nintendo DS
The Star is in the same location as the N64 version and you get it the same way. Nothing different.
Star Get #99, 0 Coins, 4 Lives
The next Star is Snowman's Silver Star.

Snowman's Land - Yoshi's Ice Sculpture

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
As the title suggests, we need Yoshi for this mission. Near where you start is a Power Flower Block with a sign, which says "The Power Flower strengthens characters baed on their personality types. Eating nast enemies has given Yoshi a bad case of heartburn! When he plucks a Power Flower, he'll be able to breathe fire!" We will now unleash Yoshi's Power Flower Power! (And our inner pyro.) When we get the Power Flower, a remix of the Metal Cap music plays and we get a message: "Yoshi has a bad case of heartburn from gobbling enemies. With the Power Flower, he can breathe fire! Try it out in Standard Mode by pressing (A)! I've heard barbecued Goomba is a delicacy." Where the ice maze was in the N64 version is 4 stacks of large ice cubes, one of which contains a Star. With the Power Flower, climb up the stacks with one and two ice cubes, and use the fire to melt the top ice cube in the stack of three that doesn't have the Star. Stand on the new stack of two and melt the ice cube with the Star. The Star will not fly away. Yoshi can grab it with his tongue.
Star Get #98, 0 Coins, 4 Lives
The next Star is Whirl from the Freezing Pond.

Snowman's Land - In the Deep Freeze

This mission is unique to the N64.
To the snowman's right is a small maze made of ice. Inside is a Star. Normally, you can navigate the maze, which would be a little difficult, or you can do things the easy way by jumping on top of the maze and fall onto the Star.
Star Get #78, 0 Coins, 2 Lives

Snowman's Land - Chill With the Bully

N64
Just like in Lethal Lava Land, we have to battle a Bully. The Bully is over a frozen lake that hurts like lava. The platform is on the left side of the snowman. It is made of ice, as is the Bully. I fell in the icy water a lot, and died twice. On Take 3, I fell in the water, then, lured the Bully to the edge and pushed it off. It "melted" and the Star appeared on the platform.
Star Get #77, 0 Coins, 2 Lives

Nintendo DS
The Bully is in the same place. I pushed him off the edge with ease. He fell in the water and the Star appeared on the ice platform.
Star Get #97, 0 Coins, 4 Lives
The next Star is Yoshi's Ice Sculpture.

Snowman's Land - Snowman's Big Head

This is the 10th course.
N64
In the room with the mirrors, on the left wall is the entrance to Snowman's Land. The entrance is on the wall, where the painting of Cool, Cool Mountain is reflected. The Cool, Cool Mountain music plays. In the center of the course is a giant snowman, which is where we find our first Star. We go over the snow to the snowman's left, passing a frozen lake and come to a lake that will deplete Mario's health. In the lake is a snow-covered platform. Towards the snowman is an infinite series of snow drifts that will try to push you into the lake. With a triple jump, Mario can reach the ledge behind the snow drifts. We follow the path up the snowman to the level of about his neck. There is an ice bridge in front of the snowman with a penguin walking across it. Once Mario touches the bridge, the snowman says "Hey! Who's there? What's climbing on me? Is it an ice ant? A snow flea? Whatever it is, it's bugging me! I think I'll blow it away!" Wind comes out of his mouth, and it will blow Mario away and separate him from his cap. His cap will be near where you land. We must use the penguin to protect us, as he stays on the bridge. I was blown off a couple of times. Without his hat, Mario takes massive amounts of damage. This Star took me four takes to get, because I kept falling off the bridge and taking lots of damage without Mario's hat. On Take 4, I used the penguin as a shield, because I couldn't jump onto the penguin's head. I then backflipped to the top of snowman's head (or you can walk around) and the Star is there.
Star Get #76, 11 Coins, 10 Lives

Nintendo DS
We take the same path up the snowman. The snowman gives the same speech. After several attempts, I jumped on the penguin's head and let him walk to the other side of the bridge. The penguin periodically backs up, so don't jump off until he reaches the other side. At the top is the Star, as well as a block with the Wing Cap feather.
Star Get #96, 13 Coins, 4 Lives
The next Star is Chill with the Bully.

News About the 3DS

Nintendo just announced that the price of the 3DS will drop by $80 in the United States. Similar price drops may be occurring in other regions. For those who have the 3DS already, if you connect to the e-shop, you will have the opportunity later this year to download 20 games for free on the e-shop. Nintendo also mentioned that Super Mario 3D will be released in November and Mario Kart 3D will be released in December. Here's the link: http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/fttgI7OsQIB1tZqRMa5CtT45KLrmNkAY

Well, this might give me time to work on another game before I play Super Mario 3D, if I finish Super Mario 64 DS in time. Nintendo also mentioned that they will have a strong lineup going into the holiday season. Why they didn't have such a strong lineup at launch is beyond me. It probably would have been better to push back the 3DS release until Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launched for better sales. So it's about 4 more months until the 3DS gets a Mario title. What can I play in that amount of time? Stay tuned to find out!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Secret Under the Moat - Red Coins and Switch Star

This mission is a modified version of Vanish Cap Under the Moat for the Nintendo DS.
We need to drain the moat to access this area in the same way as in the N64 version: go through the wooden door next to the door to Hazy Maze Cave, swim through the tunnel and pound each pillar once. The sign says the same thing as in the N64 version. The water will drain, allowing us to open the metal door which leads to the drained moat of the castle. Near the waterfall is a black brick block, so we need Wario to break it. Breaking it reveals a hole to the area under the moat. We must start the area as Wario, because going into the castle to swap out characters will cause the brick block to regenerate.
With the Touch Screen Map, we can see where we need to slide to get the Red Coins. The first two steps have Red Coins, the third has a 1-up in a block, and the fourth has a Power Flower. The step directly below the Power Flower has a Red Coin, as does the step to the right. The step to the left has another 1-up, which I did not get. (I also did not get the 1-up at the top of the slide in the right corner.) At the bottom of the slide are several flaming orbs, as well as a Power Flower. Arouond the corner are an Amp and Mario's cap. We change into Mario for easier maneuvering. Next come the series of elevators. After the first elevator is a tilting ramp with two Red Coins. After that are two elevators moving in opposite directions, which calls for careful platforming so you do not get flipped off. Jump to the other platform of the same elevator before it flips, then jump down to the next elevator. The next Red Coin is in front of the last elevator. After we get off the elevator, there is a Luigi cap, a Power Flower, and the last Red Coin. The Star appears in the nearby cage. We put on the Luigi cap, use the Vanish Cap, and run through the cage to get the Star.
Star Get #94, 26 Coins, 5 Lives

Getting the Star puts us outside the level, so we go back into the course to get the Switch Star. We quickly slid down the slide and got the Mario cap. At the base of the slide is the Power Flower we need to float along the wall on the left side of the slide. Soon, you'll find a vertical maze. Don't float to the top, because all you'll find is the Star Sphere. We step on the switch and get the Power Flower and float to the top of the maze, recharging in the middle. Towards the top is a 1-up. It took me a few tries, but I got the Star. I released the Power Flower before tripping the switch to save time.
Star Get #95, 34 Coins, 6 Lives
The next Star is Snowman's Big Head.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Chief Chilly Challenge - Red Coins and Secret Star

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
The first Red Coin is over the abyss that the grate crosses. Before we get it, we get the Wario cap. Once across the abyss, we get the Metal Cap from the Power Flower. We cross the narrow strip of ice through the gusting winds. There is a black brick block on the other side. This time, it contains a Star.
Star Get #91, 11 Coins, 7 Coins
After getting the secret Star, we get the Metal Cap to go back. The second Red Coin is in the center of a square formation of coins. The gust will pick you up into the coins. I stood slightly off center to get the Red Coin. If you miss, jump back into the abyss to let the gust pick you up and put you on the ledge again. The ledge is much higher than the pond you land in. The third Red Coin is over the pond, closer to the abyss. A Bully knocked me into the abyss.
Take 2- I got the first three Red Coins as Luigi. The fourth is in the middle of the platform with the Bullies. The fifth and sixth ones are over the second and fourth moving ice blocks, respectively. If we climb partway up the mountain, we will find a Power Flower. As Luigi, we can use it to get the Red Coin in the cage at the base of the mountain, near the moving ice blocks. I carefully jumped down the mountain and got it. Around the corner is Mario's cap. With the Power Flower, we can float to the large piece of ice where the last Red Coin is. There is another Power Flower for the return flight. The Star appears near where you got Mario's cap.
Star Get #92, 31 Coins, 6 Lives
Exit the course when you're done.
The next Stars are the Red Coins and Switch Star of The Secret Under the Moat.

Big Boo Battle - Red Coins and Secret Star

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
I started this mission as Mario, entering Big Boo's Haunt on a later mission. (Any mission but the first one will work.)
The first Red Coin is across from the entrance in the carousel. The next two are in the second room. It will take some time to get all of the Red Coins, as some of them will send you on the incorrect path. The next two are in the third room. As Mario, use the Power Flower to get the one floating high in the corner. Two more are in the fourth room. Pick up the Wario cap here. In the fifth room, the entrance to the battle, there is a black brick block with the 8th Red Coin. The Star will appear in the same room, nearby.
Star Get #90, 35 Coins, 6 Lives
I returned later to get the Secret Star. In the room with the entrance to the battle, you'll see a Star on the Touch Screen Map. Despite searching for it, it doesn't seem possible to reach. In the room with the Power Flower, there is a Luigi cap (if you're not Luigi). As Luigi, with the Vanish Cap, run through the rooms, long-jumping to the doors you need to go through. The Vanish Cap does not last long. Run across the fallaway bridge, or long-jump if need be, then jump into the Boo painting. There is a hidden room behind the painting wiht a secret Star.
Star Get #93, 0 Coins, 5 Lives
Just exit the course afterward.
The next Stars are the Red Coins and Secret Star in Chief Chilly Challenge.

Goomboss Battle - Red Coins

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
Now that we have Wario, we can gather all of the Red Coins in this course. I started the course as Mario. After moving past the rising stumps, taking poison damage on the way, we come across a platform moving over the abyss to a stump with a black brick block. On the stump is a Goomba with a Wario cap. After getting the cap, we break the block to reveal a Red Coin. When we return to the main part of the course, there is a grate spanning a gap over the poison. We can hang onto this grate, and there is a Red Coin underneath it that we can grab while crossing the gap. There is a Piranha Plant at the end, so be careful. I lost the Wario cap to it. Unfortunately, I fell in the poison gas too many times.
Take 2- I got the Red Coin under the grate and fell into the abyss trying to reach the one in the black brick block.
Take 3- I got 2 Red Coins and fell into the abyss.
Take 4- I got a 1-up from on top of the grate and got the Red Coin underneath it. I got the brick block Red Coin and jumped accidently into the abyss.
Take 5- I got the first two Red Coins, plus a couple of 1-ups. There is another Red Coin on the main level above a rising stump, near the entrance to where you battle Goomboss. I let a Goomba run into me to get rid of the Wario cap. Near the rising stump is the blue Star where you'll find the Star when it appears. Behind it is a series of rising stumps; the last of which is under a Red Coin. That stump doesn't move, but it has a Piranha Plant resting on it. Nearby is a tilting square platform with another Red Coin. Going back to the vine you climbed to reach Goomboss, at the top on the small branch is another Red Coin. Near the Switch Star area is a very tall stump. There is a Goomba wearing a Luigi cap there. We put on the cap and cross the abyss using tilting square platforms. There we will find a Power Flower. We quickly run back to the tree and backflip to a cage. We pass through the grate to find the next Red Coin. There is a Power Flower in the cage in case it runs out before you leave. After letting a Goomba hit us to get rid of the Luigi cap, we go back to the area with the Power Flower. Using it as Mario, we float up to the top of the same stump to find the last Red Coin. We jump down from the stump and get the Star.
Star Get #89, 42 Coins, 4 Lives
All we have to do is exit the level. If you're wondering what's on that far ledge, there is a 1-up on the far ledge of the tall stump with the cage.
The next Stars are the Red Coins and Secret Star in Big Boo Battle.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Dire, Dire Docks - Koopa Surfin' Switch Star

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
We should start the mission with Wario, to save time swimming through the tunnel and back. The Star Switch is under a black brick block on a sandbar in the first area. This is the main change from the N64 version. The middle block hides the Star Switch. The time limit is very short, so the only way to get the Star is by using the shell in the nearby item block. It took me two attempts to get it. The item block with the shell will respawn, so you don't have to exit the course.
Star Get #88, 7 Coins, 3 Lives
The next Star is the Red Coins in Goomboss Battle.

Shifting Sand Land - Tox Box Switch Star

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
Once again, we need Wario's brute strength. The Star Switch is under a black brick block in the Tox Box Maze and the Star Sphere is near the oasis. A Tox Box crushes us as we leave the maze. We got a Mario cap by the pavilion and go back into the maze. I stepped on the switch and long-jumped through the maze to victory.
Star Get #85, 3 Coins, 3 Lives
The next Star is Pyramid Puzzle.

Big Boo's Haunt - Switch Star in the Basement

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
We'll need Wario's brawn for this level, as well. We go into the small house and take the elevator to the basement. We uncover the Star Switch under a black brick block in the room with the carousel. Conveniently, there is a Mario cap in the pool on the other side of the carousel, so we can move faster. This took me 10 attempts, including going through the carousel. What worked for me was lots of long-jumps.
Star Get #84, 18 Coins, 3 Lives
The next Star is Tox Box Switch Star.

Cool, Cool Mountain - Switch Star of Cool, Cool Mountain

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
We need Wario for this mission. Yellow Wario caps will appear in most courses, so you don't have to switch out characters for some Stars.
We take the broken bridge warp to the base of the mountain. After running into a Goomba, we break the ice of the lake with the mother penguin. Underneath is the Star Sphere. Wario is the slowest of the four characters, so we get a Luigi cap so we can move faster. Speed is important for Switch Stars. We take the cable lift up to the floating island with the Bob-omb Buddy, stepped on the Star Switch, and tried to long-jump to the Star, but fell short, despite the gusts.
Take 2- I broke the ice, got the Luigi cap, rode the cable lift, stepped on the switch, long-jumped, landed headfirst in the snow, and ran out of time just as I was about to break the Star Sphere. I tried the same maneuver again and got the Star the second time.
Star Get #83, 4 Coins, 3 Lives
The next Star is Switch Star in the Basement.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Chief Chilly Challenge - The Key to Wario

This mission is unique to the Nintendo DS.
On the second floor, through the door with the high arch and the red carpet are the entrance to Snowman's Land and a wall of mirrors. We're not going there just yet, however. If we look to the right, there is another painting of Luigi that we can't enter. In the reflection, is a painting of Wario. Ordinarily, we can't get to the Wario painting, but if we bring Luigi into the room, we find some Power Flowers on the posts. Using them, Luigi can walk through the mirrors to the other side. We can now enter the Wario painting.
We find ourselves in a snowy course with the Cool, Cool Mountain music. We land on an icy platform and slide down the slide. The slide ends at a large gap to the abyss. Strong gusts of wind help propell us to the next icy platform with some Bullies. We run past the Bullies and hop across four tilting square platforms, passing another Bully, before taking a ride on a grate. We pass a Red Coin, because we can't get them all just yet.
The path splits, so we can go either left or right. The sign warns us about going left, saying "HIGH WIND WARNING! You'll be blown away unless you put on some weight!" We go to the right, ride a gust into some coins, and land in an icy lake. We must get out quickly to avoid taking damage. This water will not restore your health meter. We pass the group of Bullies and negotiate the moving, slippery platforms. Take your time here. Next are some moving steps and some snowmen, leading to the entrance to the battle arena, which is a large hole at the top of the moving steps. I died once thinking there was a Star on an island, but there wasn't one.
We meet Chief Chilly, a large icy Bully. He says "You there with a mustache! I am the king of cold, Chief Chilly. I lock up anyone who challenges the superiority of my 'stache. In fact, I locked up one such fellow just the other day. Hmm. What a sad, mangy mustache you've got there. It hardly seems worth it to destroy you. With a 'stache like that, you're clearly hte sidekick, not the star. But I'm between meetings now, so I might as well. In the battle for the best mustache, I'll win, hairs down. Ha ha ha! Bring it on, peach fuzz!"
Dealing with Chief Chilly is the same for the Big Bully: lure him to the edge, then push him off. It may work to do the jump kick to knock him into the water. The arena is a disc of ice over extremely icy water, which will do as much damage as lava if you fall in. We push him off once, and he hops around the arena in pain, knocking off a section of the arena's edge with each hop, making the arena smaller. We got in the second hit, and he takes out an even larger part of the arena. When he lands again, the arena will tilt. I fell in the water when I pushed him to the edge, but he hung on and recovered. He pushed me into the water. I slid into the water after pushing him, and died.
Take 2- I got in the first two hits without incident. When he landed and the platform tilted, I glitched through the platform and fell in the water, then he pushed me in twice. I died.
Take 3- I fell in while he did, fell in again because I didn't land on the platform, then landed on the section of the platform as it fell into the water.
Take 4- I got in the first two hits easily, fell in the water twice, and got it the last hit barely avoiding falling in. Chief Chilly says "No way! I lost to such a scrawny guy like that...? Hmmm, did I not groom my mustache well enough? I must hurry hoome and condition it... Farewell!" He disappears and a key with a "W" and a Wario hat appears in the center of the arena. Luigi poses with a "Ha ha!" and the key.
23 Coins, 4 Lives
Now we can get Wario! But before we do, as Luigi, we can use the Power Flower to get a Secret Star. We run through the mirror to the door in the reflection. We can go through the door to a white room. There is a Star there. We can't see the boundaries of the room, but Luigi will run into them.
Star Get #81, 4 Lives
Once we leave the white room, we can walk through the mirrors unaided. Time to free Wario! We unlock the door and Wario flips out with a "Waaaaah! Wario!" We get a message: "You've rescued Wario! Now he can smash up bad guys in style. Select Wario when you enter a course and set off on an adventure. You finally have all four heroes assembled! Now only Princess Toadstool remains!"
We need Wario to get the Stars we skipped. His punch sends enemies flying. When he uses the Power Flower, it becomes the Metal Cap. He can also break black brick blocks, which frequently hide Star Switches. We have all of the characters at our disposal so now we can get every Star!
The next Star is Through the Jet Stream (Jolly Roger Bay).

Friday, July 8, 2011

Dire, Dire Docks - Pole-Jumping for Red Coins

N64
It's time to finish the last two Stars in this course!
After beating Bowser in the Fire Sea, Bowser's submarine and the seal will be gone. The seal was concealing an exit to the moat outside the castle, and a current will draw you out if you're not careful. This mission took me four tries due to the current because I wanted to get the 100 Coin Star. To get the 100 Coins, I got the coins sloping down the rocks near the surface. The rocks are part of the wall that surrounds the first area. There are more coins underwater. By the time I exited the tunnel, I had 42 Coins. There are more coins underwater in the second area, including some near the exit where the seal was.
Now that the submarine is gone, poles are overhead. We use the same switch used to board the submarine to create two sets of stairs. We climb the taller set to reach the platform so we can reach the poles. We jump on to the poles and they will take us on set paths to the Red Coins, some of which are in midair. The Star will appear over the platform that is reached by three poles.
Star Get #73, 91 Coins, 13 Lives
One platform has a Blue Coin Switch, which brings our total to 100.
Star Get #74, 100 Coins, 13 Lives

Now that we've completed all the missions we can, it's time to access the top floors of the castle. We go up the stairs in the foyer up to the double doors and unlock them. There is another flight of stairs, with a Star Door at the top. We can open it at this point. Under these stairs is a Toad, who says "Thanks to the power of the Stars, life is returning to the castle. Please, Mario, you have to give Bowser the boot! Here, let me tell you a little something about the castle. In the room with the mirrors, look carefully for anything that's not reflected in the mirror. And when you go to the water town, you can flood it with a high jump into the painting. Oh, by the way, look what I found!" A Star appears.
Star Get #75, 0 Coins, 13 Lives

There is a Toad near a Bob-omb painting, who says "Thanks, Mario! The castle is recovering its energy as you retrieve Power Stars, and you've chased Bowser right out of here, on to some area ahead. Oh, by the by, are you collecting coins? Special Stars appear when you collect 100 coins in each of the 15 courses!" Thanks, but we already know that. On to the next course!

Nintendo DS
I also got the 100 Coins Star here. After ignoring the water striders, I got the coins in the first area, and made it into the tunnel after being drawn into the vortex twice. I had 43 coins when I entered the tunnel. I had 72 Coins after collecting all the Coins underwater. Using the Switch to activate the stairs, we reach the platform with the first Red Coin. They are in the same locations as the N64 version. I got some Blue Coins from the Blue Coin Switch and the Star appeared.
Star Get #79, 110 Coins, 2 Lives
The only major difference between the versions is that there is a platform in the DS version where you're supposed to jump to another pole while both are moving, which makes it easier. After I got all of the Red Coins, the Star appeared in the same place.
Star Get #80, 118 Coins 4 Lives
We get a message: "You've found 80 Power Stars! The mystery of the endless stairs is solved, thanks to you. Is Bowser ever upset! Now, onto the final showdown!"
Well, at least it's more accurate this time.
We unlock the door to the second floor. The Toads will give us similar messages to the N64 version, but they're customized for each character. I will cover them later.
The next mission is The Key to Wario.