Thursday, October 25, 2012

Nintendo Direct 10/25/12

A new Nintendo Direct announcement was broadcasted today with news on upcoming 3DS titles. Here's what's happening:

Paper Mario: Sticker Star- Stickers have exploded all over the Mushroom Kingdom. The stickers will be used for battle and puzzle-solving. It's also more level-based. Mario does not receive experience, but can gain greater power with better stickers and hidden items to boost his HP. Stickers are one-use only and victory in battle will give you more stickers or coins to buy stickers. The enemies can fold themselves into various shapes, giving some attacks an advantage over others.

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask: Professor Layton receives a letter from a high-school friend about a Masked Gentleman. This will provide some backstory into the series. There will be 365 downloadable puzzles, one for each day, for free.

Crossword Plus: This game features 1,000 crossword puzzles with free downloadable puzzles.

Art Acadmey: Lessons for Everyone will also feature downloadable content. It provides art lessons on sketching with various materials, such as pastels.

If you download any of these from the eShop and are a Club Nintendo member (of North America), you will be able to download the original edition of Donkey Kong (with content that never made it to the United States). This is the complete version.

Style Savvy: Trendsetters involves managing your own fashion boutique to make customers happy. Manage your inventory and develop your style.

New Super Mario Bros. 2  has new downloadable Coin Rush Packs: The Golden Mushroom Pack and Challenge Pack B. The Gold Mushroom Pack has level filled with Gold Mushrooms to increase your coin total. Challenge Pack B will challenge you to go for a high score that will be on the leaderboard.

Crashmo, the sequel to Pushmo, has gravity-based block puzzles. It also has a creator mode

Fluidity: Spin Cycle is a water-based puzzle game using ice, water, and steam to move a puddle through a maze and defeat enemies. Release date 12/27/12

Liberation Maiden, Aero Porter, and Crimson Shroud are games developed by Level 5.

Mutant Mudds has twenty free bonus levels available.

Fire Emblem: Awakening tells the story of Chrom and he and the Elysian army battle against the invading Crimean army. If an ally falls in battle, you've lost them for the rest of the game. Relationships are key for battle and story. You can create your own customizable avatar to join in the battle. New maps will be available for purchase and download.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf starts you off as the mayor of the town, which allows you to customize teh town to your liking. You can customize your outfits and can turn them into QR codes you can share. There is a tropical island to explore to get medals and go fishing. Early 2013


Thursday, October 18, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Rainbows

I never found any of the Rainbow courses, so I set out to look for them. There's a fairly specific method to follow them: in any course with a flagpole, land on the flagpole when the last two digits match the world number. For each of them, I recommend bringing a Super Leaf.

1-Rainbow
Make sure your time ends in "11" when you reach the flagpole. This will make the original flagpole music from Super Mario Bros. play and you'll get fireworks, in a number equal to the world number. The level will appear where the world's start arrow is. Take the pipe cannon up and you'll enter a world of rainbows with remixed Coin Heaven music. In this one, you'll stand on a moving platform as coins rain down. The random coin blocks have better odds here. Between the first and second sets of random coin blocks, a 100-Coin coin will appear. Try to get it. There is also a random coin block that can give you a 100-Coin coin. The platform will eventually move past a wall, so you'll drop back down to the World Map. You can drop down at any time without penalty.

2-Rainbow
Your time must end in "22" to access this level. The cannon will take you to an automatically scrolling level on rainbow platforms. The coins will rain down in lines. The 100-Coin coin will appear near the higher platforms. Be sure to get the Red Coins: getting them will put a Gold Flower as your reserve item.

3-Rainbow
Your time must end in "33" to access this level. The cannon will take you to a moving platform. The coins appear from below. Some 10-Coin coins will go by quickly, then the 100-Coin coin. There are quite a few random coin blocks. Eventually, the platform will reach a wall.

4-Rainbow
 Your time must end in "44" to access this level. The cannon will take you to an automatically scrolling rainbow level. The coins will rain down and arc from the pipes. The 100-Coin coin will appear up the platform "stairs". There are Red Coins here that appear in the circling coins.

5-Rainbow
Your time must end in "55" to access this level. The cannon will take you to a moving platform. The coins will arc from below. The 100-Coin coin will appear after the first random coin block. One random coin block can give you a 100-Coin coin.

6-Rainbow
Your time must end in "66" to access this level. The cannon will take you to an automatically scrolling ranbow level. There are coins spinning in rings over bouncy pink mushrooms. The 100-Coin coin will appear over the high platform between two rings. There are Red Coins here that will appear in the centers of the rings.

Mushroom-Rainbow
Your time must end in "77" to access this level. Mushroom isn't a number, so this is what you need. The cannon will take you to a moving platform. The coins will appear from above and below, and in spinning rings. There is a random coin block that can give you a 100-Coin coin. There are also Red Coins that appear on the outer rings of coins. The 100-Coin coin appears at the end. You'll have to jump for it.

Flower-Rainbow
Your time must end in "88" to access this level. The cannon will take you to an automatically scrolling rainbow level. The coins will spin more slowly in bands that look like a ferris wheel. There are Red Coins that appear via parachute. The 100-Coin coin appears here.

Star-Rainbow
Your time must end in "99" to access this level. The cannon will take you to a moving platform. The coins will appear in star formations from above. 10-Coin coins will rain down, as well as the 100-Coin coin. You can get another from the random coin block. Red Coins appear via parachute.

Coin Total: 75,654
Well, that's it. We're totally done here. My coin total wasn't too bad, but it's nowhere near the 1 million coin goal. I'll reach it slowly but surely.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Star-Castle

It's time for the final level! We've defeated Bowser and the Koopalings, so who could be in this castle? It's not Bowser Jr. We start the level and the Koopalings appear in the Clown Copter. We know what to do here: hide when the eyes start flashing to avoid being turned into stone. We have to climb tightropes and avoid the saws. Climb on the grates quickly from cover to cover. The first Moon Coin is on a low grate over the lava. The second Moon Coin is over donut lifts over the lava. Your cover is above the Moon Coin, on the tightrope over the spikes. Drop down carefully when the coast is clear, then quickly move to cover. Eventually, you'll reach the door to the midpoint. Dodge the saws appearing from below. The door at the end leads to a snake platform. The Koopalings reappear, so now you have to seek cover while the floor's moving. Sometimes, you'll have to jump for cover. The third Moon Coin is over a saw and grate and appears while you're moving past it. Move quickly to reach the tightrope to get it and return to the snake platform. The snake will dive into the lava, so stay towards the middle so you see it coming. It will reappear a short distance away. The snake platform will eventually loop under the boss door, so get off. The door will lead to the midpoint, which looks similar to the one in Bowser's Castle. Get the items you need; I recommend two Super Leaves. Go up the stairs and dodge blue flames this time. Once you reach the end, you come face to face with the boss: Dry Bowser. Peach isn't here. The battle is almost the same as Bowser's, but with differently-colored flames and he throws bones instead of hammers. Run when he jumps so you can hit the switch and make him disappear. The platforms from Bowser's battle reappear. The Koopalings revive Dry Bowser and get knocked away. From this point forward, almost everything is the same as in the Bowser battle: his eyes will glow and he'll knock away the platforms in the area you're in. Once you reach the top, hit the ? Switch and he'll fall. A victory fanfare plays. We're done!

Coin Total: 68,771
We get a couple of messages: "There is a new world available in the Star Pack in Coin Rush" and "You've collected every Moon Coin in the game!" We now have three sparkling stars on our file. It's over, right? There's just one thing I never found in my first run through.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Star-7

This level takes place outside a volcano. There's lava, fire snakes, and Podoboos. Standing on certain rocks will make coins appear. The first Moon Coin is under a rock arch, over a donut lift above the lava. It's in the path of a Podoboo, so time your jump carefully. Go over some rock arches to reach the midpoint. Fireballs will start appearing. There are two item blocks with a space between them. Jump in that space to hit an invisible block with a vine. Avoid firebars and fireballs while jumping on donut lifts to reach the second Moon Coin. Drop back down. The brick block between two item blocks can become a Gold Block. Next to it is a Red Coin Ring. It will make a Moneybag appear. The last coin is under a rock, so it's hard to get. The third Moon Coin is over a donut lift in a gap between rocks. Wall jump back up if you need to. You'll pass a large double firebar and a stack of fire-breathing Bowser heads. There is a fire snake on the stairs.

Coin Total: 68,008

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Star-6

This level is a castle-like area, down to the music. Go down the gap with coins and drop into the water. Keep going down, avoiding the Fishbones until you reach a blue pipe. The level will start automatically scrolling. Avoid the Fishbones, or lure them into walls or each other. The first Moon Coin is in an alcove in the ceiling. Coins in bubbles will appear. Take the magenta pipe in the ceiling to a room with the second Moon Coin and two Fishbones. You'll reach the midpoint once you return to the main level. Get the Fire Flower from the right brick block and the level will scroll up at the arrow. There is a fire pipe along the way. At the top is a random item block and the level will scroll to the right again. If you get a Gold Flower, you can destroy the brick blocks for coins. There are Red Coins between the blue pipes, each with a vortex. The third Moon Coin is in a ring of Fishbones. The blue pipe to the flagpole is nearby. Triple jump, following the coins for a 1-up at the flagpole.

Coin Total: 67,383

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Star-5

This level is filled with balances. What is on them at any given time can mess with your jumps, so be careful. Over a large set of balances, Lakitu appears. Steal his cloud and go directly up for a Gold Ring. Take the cloud over and to the right of the blue mushrooms for the first Moon Coin. Follow the coins and you'll end up at the midpoint. There will be Koopas on the next three balances. The second Moon Coin is below the third one. Until the green Koopa moves to the left side of the balance or a Spiny lands on it, you can't reach it. Move quickly over this area. You'll see a balance that's a little higher than the others. Jump on it to keep it in place, then steal Lakitu's cloud, then go directly up to a green pipe overhead. There is a giant balance, the third Moon Coin, and Lakitu will appear. Use his cloud to reach a random coin block overhead, as well as more coins. You'll drop down on some blue mushrooms. Hop from the balance to the flagpole.

Coin Total: 67,169

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Star-4

This is a tricky water level. There's a Porcu-Puffer swimming around, and once you go through the blue pipe, the level automatically sidescrolls up and right, with the water level rising with it. The first item block here has a Mini Mushroom. You'll want to hang on to it for a while. Platform on the logs and platforms to stay out of the Porcu-Puffer's way. The first Moon Coin is over a log over a horizontally-moving platform. You can't reach it from the platform, so let the level scroll to the right and use a vertically-moving platform to reach it. I would avoid triggering the midpoint unless you have a Mini Mushroom in reserve or are okay with starting the level over at some point. There is a Red Coin Ring over one of the platforms. Next is a random item block. The level will stop scrolling soon after. Go through the large pipe if you are not Mini Mario. If you are, go through the mini pipe under the large one. The second Moon Coin is in the middle of the level. Run and jump to get it or swim to get it, depending on the water level. The level will start scrolling again. You'll see several platforms jumping out of the water. Carefully stand on one of the middle ones for the third Moon Coin. It's not long before you reach the flagpole.

Coin Total: 66,886

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Star-3

This level features ghosts, Whomps, Fishbones, and a strong current in the water to the left. Trigger the Whomps to fall to reveal coins. You'll want to stay out of the water, except to go down the first gap, where you'll find the first Moon Coin between currents and ghosts. The pipe will lead you to the midpoint. There is a random item block behind the giant Whomp to the right. The second Moon Coin is at the top of the tall tower. Go to the right, near the circling ghosts, to make a coin trail and brick blocks appear so you can reach the top platform. Next is a Red Coin Ring behind the giant Whomp, making Red Coins circle the smaller Whomps to its sides. You'll see a giant Whomp on a high platform. Jump off it to reach the higher platform next to it, then go left to two lower towers. The left one has an invisible block with a vine that leads to the third Moon Coin.There is an invisble block over the item blocks with a 1-up. The Moon Coin is behind the giant Whomp. Keep going right and avoid ghosts for the flagpole.

Coin Total: 66,208

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Star-2

This level is much brighter and features platforms on loopy paths. Get the Super Leaf; you'll want it. Over one of the higher paths near the start, past the POW blocks, is the first Moon Coin. There are triple item blocks with a couple of Red Koopas. The brick block in the middle has a 1-up. Next is a Red Coin Ring. The Red Coins come in via parachute. There are two brick blocks on donut lifts below. The right one can become a Gold Block. You'll soon reach the midpoint and the second Moon Coin in a gap. Use a shell to get it. The P-Switch will make Silver Coins appear around the donut lifts it sits on. The third Moon Coin is over the gap below three donut lifts. Stand on one to drop down to get it, then jump up to safety. The brick block above it can become a Gold Block. Keep going right to reach the flagpole.

Coin Total: 65,146

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Star-1

It takes 90 Star Coins to access Star World. There are no secret goals, just a linear path to the castle. Let's finish this!

This level is a dark world, made mainly of brick blocks. I don't recommend using a Gold Flower excessively here, as you may be destroying the floor. We still have special coins to collect, so what could they be? Go to the right and grab the shell and use it to hit the brick block over the first narrow gap. This will make a P-Switch appear, turning all brick blocks into coins. Hit the ? Switch to drop the bridge. The next switch is on the left side of the right brick block pair. Go over the brick block ferris wheel and you'll come across the first special coin. The shape on the coin is that of a 3-up Moon from Super Mario World. Moon Coins in Star World? Oh well. The brick block to the right has a P-Switch. Hit it to turn the brick blocks into coins and make Silver Coins and drop down. It's okay; there's a floor below. Pound the brick blocks over the green pipe to make the bridges move out of the way and use the pipe as a cannon to the first Moon Coin. There is a brick block jutting out of the right wall past the second ferris wheel. Pound the blocks to the right of it and hit it from below to make a vine appear. It leads to Coin Heaven. Hit the P-Switch to make some ground to stand on, then hit the item block outside of the ring for a Gold Flower. You'll drop back down to the midpoint. Past the next ferris wheel is the second Moon Coin over the gap. Go over the gap and use a shell to get it. Next is a Red Coin Ring. Activating it will make a Moneybag hop around, releasing the Red Coins. Next, keep going to the right without hitting the ? Switch. Go under the ledge for the third Moon Coin, then hit the switch. It will raise the bridge to the flagpole, blocking off the Moon Coin.

Coin Total: 64,866

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Flower-Cannon

This is by far, the toughest cannon, requiring precision jumps and bounces off of Bob-ombs while avoiding Amps. Follow the coin trail and fly if you can. This will take you to World 6.

Coin Total: 64,380

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Flower-Castle

This level features conveyor belts and gray springy mushrooms. There are pipes sending out infinite Goombas, who will bounce up to your level due to the mushrooms. Overhead are two red pipes sending out Bob-ombs. Use one to blow up the stones over the first Star Coin and throw another to get it. Keep going right, avoiding the onslaught of Goombas and Bob-ombs. Under the green pipe are two brick blocks. The left one has a P-Switch that makes Silver Coins to the left on the conveyor belt. To the right is the midpoint. There are more gray mushrooms. Over one is the second Star Coin. Time your drop to avoid the Goombas from the overhead pipes. There is a Gold Block on the left side of the right set of brick blocks over the bouncy balls. Go past the infinite vertically-moving platforms and you'll see blue conveyor belts. Hit the yellow switch above to change the direction. Duck under the spikes and go right to get the third Star Coin. Avoid being bounced out by the bouncy balls until you're ready. Next is the boss door. We have to deal with the last Koopaling here, Lemmy. He stands on a bouncy ball and his wand makes more. We're also on a conveyor belt, but we can change the direction using the switch on the ceiling. Hit him three times to defeat him. He will make another bouncy ball to stand on after each shell cycle, so hit him quickly. He won't fall off the conveyor belt. We can now go to World 5.

Coin Total: 63,675
We get a couple of messages: "A new world is available in the Flower Pack in Coin Rush!" Another one, accompanied by fanfare, tells us, "You've collected every Star Coin in the game!" That brings our total Star Coins to 194 after using some to access levels. But if there aren't any Star Coins left to collect, what's going on in Star World? There are now two sparkling stars on our file.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Flower-3

Time for more pink bouncy mushrooms. Go to the top of the hill, grab the Gold Block, and slide down the hill for lots of coins. When you reach the pink bouncy mushrooms, approach the right with caution, as there is a tall stack of Goombas. Next are two stacks of pink mushrooms with a tricky set of Red Coins to get. To the right is a tall stack of pink mushrooms with pipes making an infinite amount of Goombas. Bounce up it carefully for the first Star Coin. Slide down the hill to reach the midpoint. The item block to the right will give you a Mini Mushroom. Use it to bounce off the circling Parakoopas into the mini pipe above. Here, you'll get a Starman and launch from a pipe cannon for the second Star Coin. When you return to the main level, go in the green pipe cannon and launch to another green pipe. Do not use it. Instead, while Mini Mario, bounce off the circling Parakoopas to reach the third Star Coin in the middle of the middle circle. Bounce towards the center of the circle to avoid hitting Parakoopas. Take the pipe at the end to an area with lots of pipe cannons. Get the Gold Block and use the pipe cannon to reach another, and another. You'll pass some more circling Parakoopas over donut lifts and reach the flagpole.

Coin Total: 63,397

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Flower-2

This level takes place in the jungle, with a Porcu-Puffer in purple water. Swing from the vine to reach the other side, then pound the brick block for a Gold Block. You'll get lots of coins with a Gold Block while swinging on a vine. Hit the invisible block above it for a Starman. Swing from another vine and bounce off the four spiders for the first Star Coin. Time your jump to the next vine and you'll reach the midpoint. Take the paddle wheel in the water to the other side. The next brick block can become a Gold Block. Swing from the vine to the next paddle wheel. Take the paddle wheel past the spider to get the second Star Coin. Swing from the next vine to get some Red Coins. The next brick block has a P-Switch that makes Silver Coins in the paths of the next two vines. The second vine has you bounce off several spiders, where you can get the third Star Coin near the water. Before you reach land, land on the yellow pipe to the left. Bounce off the spiders to reach two random coin blocks. Go through the green pipe and bounce off two spider to reach a vine to the flagpole.

Coint Total: 62,478

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Flower-B

This level has more pink springy mushrooms. Avoid the Spinies, cross the brick block ferris wheel, and pound the middle brick block for a Gold Block. Near the Gold Ring, a Lakitu will appear. Take his cloud and follow the coin trail up for the first Star Coin. Hit the center blocks of the ferris wheels to make coins appear. You'll soon reach the midpoint and a random item block. A Lakitu will appear near the Red Coin Ring. Steal Lakitu's cloud and go right, under the rainbow platform, to a yellow pipe. Hit the ? Switch to make four random coin blocks appear so you can reach the second Star Coin. Once you return to the main level, steal another cloud and get the third Star Coin over the gap. The ferris wheel at the end is just before the flagpole. This opens the path to the castle.

Coin Total: 61,803

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Flower-Ghost House

This Ghost House is a mainly vertical level with spiderwebs. Go up the right side for the first Star Coin. Wall jump to reach the web above it, then drop down. There are some Gold Rings on the way, but you may want to wait to activate them. At the top, you'll see the second Star Coin. Hit the item block above it for a Starman. Once you get it, the floor will turn into coins and you can get the Star Coin. Now would be a good time to activate the Gold Rings as you fall. You'll land in the water. Swim to the right and Boolossus will appear. The level will automatically sidescroll. Avoid the vortex and the circling ghosts. The third Star Coin is in the water, under some stairs. Move quickly to get it. Go through the door and climb the spiderwebs to reach the flag to Flower-2. Alternatively, when you're falling, stay to the right and go right where there is an arrow. You'll see a door. Keep going to the right, past the door for coins and a 1-up. Go back to the door and go through it. Pass the Boos and climb the webs to the Red Goal to Flower-B.

Coin Total: 61,272

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Flower-A

This level is filled with ice. Beware of Buzzy Beetles on the ceiling that will drop down. Past the arrow, the ground will start moving to the right. Early on, there's an invisible block with a Starman. You can get more from invisible blocks. The first Star Coin is over some floating ice. The ground will move under a low ledge, so climb up the ice and wall jump for lots of coins. This will also lead you to the midpoint. Use a Buzzy Beetle shell to get the second Star Coin below. The brick block you can reach can become a Gold Block. Follow the coin trail down and the ground will start moving. The P-Switch will turn coins into brick blocks and vice versa. The third Star Coin is above a floating ice platform crawling with two Spike Tops. Be careful when trying to get it. A running jump from the platform before it (which also has two Spike Tops) works. The pipe overhead leads to more moving ground, which forms a staircase when it reaches the flagpole. The path to the cannon opens up.

Coin Total: 60,908

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Flower-1

This is the second special world only accessible by cannon. This level contains lots of snake platforms appearing from and disappearing into pipes. Don't worry about trying to go through the mini pipes; it won't work. The snake platforms will hurt you if you stand on the pipe they're trying to go through or pass over. The first Star Coin is over the void. Drop on to the lower set of snake platforms while dodging the Parakoopas to get it. There will be a snake platform appearing from above, then moving right, then up to go through a pipe. Wait until it starts moving right to jump on it. Wall jump off the snake platform when it returns to the pipe to get the second Star Coin. Make sure not to land on the Piranha Plant. Next is the midpoint and a platforming challenging, using the snake platforms to reach the top of the pipes. At the top are two blue pipes, then a yellow one on the other side of the gap. Drop down the gap sliding down a pipe, then wall jump up for the third Star Coin. Continue to the right for the regular goal to the Ghost House. When you come across two adjacent item blocks, pound the one to the right to make it fly. Stand on it and it will fly up to a new level. The snake platforms form stairs to the Red Goal to Flower-A.

Coin Total: 60,525

Monday, October 15, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3-Cannon

This level features spiders and Wigglers. There are also some Red Coins. You'll need to precisely bounce off the spiders to avoid running into Wigglers. This cannon will take you to Flower World.

Coin Total: 59,413

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Mushroom-Cannon

This level features crows and Boomerang Bros. You'll have to bounce off some crows with precision, so this may take a few tries. The cannon will take you to Flower World.

Coin Total: 64,088

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Mushroom-Castle

This level takes place on stone blocks over spikes. A giant spike ball destroys the floor, so move quickly and carefully. Trip the Thwomps and jump over them. Pound the brick blocks over the first Star Coin to reach it. Jump over the Whomps, or defeat them if you like. At the end, you'll see a green pipe. Before you take the pipe, go to the right for the second Star Coin. The green pipe leads to the midpoint. The pipe below will take you to the next stage, which is similar to the first. There are rotating brick blocks here and skulled Piranhas. At the end, get enough of a running start with the Raccoon Tail to fly over the boss door for the third Star Coin. Approach the area from the left. This world's boss is Larry Koopa. There are pillars appearing from the ceiling and floor in an alternating pattern. The pillars will allow you to reach the platforms above and will limit Larry's movements during his shell cycle. Three hits will defeat him and the key will appear. The path will open to World 3.
Coin Total: 57,272

Sunday, October 14, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Mushroom-3

This level has Buzzy Beetles and POW blocks. Once you go past the first two POW blocks, the level will start automatically sidescrolling. Go across the infinite platforms moving up and down and you'll come across the first Star Coin. It is above a donut lift below a fire pipe, which will give you three 1-ups if you're fast enough to reach them. There is a ? Switch between two yellow pipes. It makes coins from both of them. At the end is a yellow pipe. The POW block to the right of the pipe which makes coins. The pipe takes you to the midpoint, where the POW block allows you to get four items, either Super Mushrooms or Fire Flowers. Go through the next pipe and the level starts scrolling again. Jump left from the infinite platforms for the second Star Coin. Use Buzzy Beetles to hit the next POW blocks for the third Star Coin. The rock wall will drop, revealing another fire pipe. It will give you a Mega Mushroom, so run to the right for lots of coins. The pipe at the end will take you to the flag.

Coin Total: 56,391

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Mushroom-B

This level features a lot of vines. Either climb the vines or hop up the mushroom platforms to reach the green pipe. The level will start automatically scrolling up. There is a Chomp to the left. Hop up the mushrooms and hit the POW blocks to make vines appear. Climb up the vines past the circling coins. Stay to the right to climb the vine to the next mushroom platform. There are two brick blocks to the left. Jump on them for the first Star Coin. Above the Chomp is a POW block that makes four vines appear. To the right is the second Star Coin. Just above it is the midpoint. Hit the POW blocks for vines and you can get some Red Coins. Kick the Koopa shells between the brick blocks and activate the Gold Ring for coins. The brick blocks have vines in them. The third Star Coin is between the middle two vines. Carefully climb up the next set of vines towards the middle to avoid the Chomps. Hit the block over the Chomp on the left near the green pipe for a vine through the gap in the ceiling. It allows you to bounce off a Parakoopa before landing on the flagpole. This opens the path to the cannon.

Coin Total: 55,922

Saturday, October 13, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Mushroom-Ghost House

This Ghost House is a maze of doors. Use the Raccoon Leaf to reach the Gold Ring above. The Boos will float away, trailing coins behind them. Some parts of the level have Gold Rings. The door to the right leads to a room with some coins and six ? Switches. The switches are in two sets of three. Hit the left switch of the lower set to make a platform appear, so you can reach the higher set. Hit the left switch there to make the blocks in front of the coins disappear. Hit the right switch of the lower set to make a door appear and hit the middle switch of the higher set to make a platform appear underneath it. The left door in the first area leads to the first Star Coin. Hit the right ? Switch to make platforms appear to it. Let that switch run out and hit the switch to the left to make a door appear and some platforms to reach it. Both doors will lead to the second area, which has a random coin block high above. The middle door leads to a room with the second Star Coin. Move towards the center of the room to activated the diamond springs. This will make Mario bounce around. Go to the left side and hit the switch to make the second Star Coin appear below, but you'll have to backtrack. The switch will make the door appear, as well. Stand on the platform over the door at the top of the stairs to make coins appear. Go through the door at the top of the stairs. This will lead to a room with three switches and three paths. Hit the right and middle switches to reach the top path. Fly up the second gap in the ceiling and hit the ? Switch to the left. Drop down and fly up the first gap before the switch runs out to get the third Star Coin. Hitting the swith again will make a door appear to the right. This leads to the Red Goal. Hit the middle brick block behind the giant Boo for a ? Switch to make blocks to the flagpole appear. This leads to Mushroom-B. In the last room with the three switches, hit the left and middle switches to access the middle path to the regular goal to Mushroom-3.

Coin Total: 54,699

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Mushroom-A

This level is filled with ice and spike balls. Let the first spike ball pass you. As you ascend, some spike balls will not go away. The first Star Coin is blocked by brick blocks. A spike ball will take care of those for you. Wait for it to roll to the right side before running and sliding to get it. Above is an area with an endless supply of spike balls that roll off-screen. Stay to the right and jump up on the right side to get the second Star Coin. Above it is the midpoint. There are some Red Coins ahead. You'll see two spike balls guarding the third Star Coin. Hit the ? Switch above to make a giant spike ball take them out. Be careful above getting the Star Coin, as the giant spike ball doesn't go away. Go through the blue pipe to reach a random coin block. Once back in the main level, go immediately to the left side to dodge the giant spike ball destroying the overhead brick blocks. Let a spike ball pass, then slide on the donut lifts, then duck to reach the blue pipe at the top. It leads to an icy staircase to the flagpole.

Coin Total: 58,858

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Mushroom-2

It's time to go swimming again. Go through the green pipe and start the level. It's an automatic sidescroller with Urchins and rock that will move out of the way rather slowly. A Fire Flower is great here to destroy the Urchins. The path will briefly fork near the floor, so drop down to reach the first Star Coin. You will be temporarily trapped until the rock in front of you moves. Next, the rocks in the floor will rise to alter the path the Urchins will take. This will lead to the midpoint and a random item block with a Gold Flower. There are some Red Coins nearby, but you need to deal with Urchins to get them. As you progress, you'll find Urchins trapped by rocks that are released from above and below. Be careful here. Swim up into the second alcove once the Urchin descends to get the second Star Coin. Immediately after that area, go through the green pipe above. Quickly swim up to avoid giant green Cheep-Cheep and get the third Star Coin at the top before rocks close in over it. Go through the green pipe to reach the flagpole. If you have a Gold Flower and do not go through the green pipe to the third Star Coin, you'll find a blue pipe blocked by brick blocks. It will take you to an area with brick blocks so you can make lots of coils. It will lead you to the same flagpole.

Coin Total: 54,400

Friday, October 12, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Mushroom-1

It's a new world. This particular level has lots of coin potential. The first brick block can become a Gold Block. Platform over the colorful blocks until you reach a blue pipe. Hit the invisible block next to it on the left for a Starman. Take out some Koopas and Piranhas, then hit the item block to the left of the midpoint for another Starman. Go down the yellow pipe in the center. Pound the POW blocks to form stairs down to the first Star Coin. If you don't feel like dealing with the Parakoopas, just send a shell down to get the first Star Coin for you. Go through the red pipe back to the main level. To the right are more block platforms. On top of the right tower is a Gold Ring, so you can cash in, especially if you have a Starman and a Gold Flower. Between the next blue and red pipe is a yellow pipe and a Red Coin Ring. The yellow pipe takes you to an area with lots of brick blocks. Instead of pounding them, hit the item block for a Gold Flower and get some coins. Don't destroy all the blocks at once so you can reach the second Star Coin, which is blocked from above. Next, you'll see some tall block platforms. You can try bouncing off the Koopas to reach the top, but I recommend flying. You might have to return with a Super Leaf. The third Star Coin is on the right tower. Go to the left tower and hit the invisible block for a vine to an area with flying blocks. Hit the block that isn't flying to make it fly. Go over the brick blocks and hop on the flying item blocks to reach the Red Goal. This opens the path to Mushroom-A. Otherwise, continue to the right on the main level to reach the regular goal to Mushroom-2.

Coin Total: 58,686
I found the secret goal after completing other levels.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-Cannon

Before we tackle Star World, let's find out where those cannons lead. I recommend bringing a Super Leaf to make the platforming easier. There is no time limit to these levels. Jump into the cannon to start the countdown. Mario will automatically start running, so all you have to do is jump. You get applause for every set of coins you collect completely. The coin trail is a guide to when and where to jump. At some points, you will have to bounce off a Parakoopa if you're not flying. If you fall, you lose a life. There are Red Coins on the way. Once you reach the large arrow, you'll move to the next world. This cannon leads to Mushroom World.

Coin Total: 52,745
I completed this level after finding all of the Star Coins in worlds 1-6.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Bowser's Castle

It's finally time to deal with Bowser. Be aware of the jet engines and Podoboos that are below the platforms you stand on. Use your Raccoon Tail to fly up over the lone jet engine in its own alcove for the first Star Coin. Go past the giant Dry Bones and avoid the jet engines moving vertically as you platform up. Drop down with the Donut Lift and avoid the jet engines until you reach a door. This will take you to a room with a snake platform and more jet engines. Once the snake platform starts moving, the lava starts rising. Stay towards the front of the platform and jump off to get the second Star Coin. Jump back on quickly. This will take you to a door and the midpoint. You'll see the Koopalings in the background on the clown copter. The copter's eyes will change shape and start flashing. This is your cue to get behind a wall (where you can't see them) immediately. The flash will turn Mario into stone. If this happens, jump quickly several times to get out of it. If Mario is caught on a conveyor belt, grate, or donut lift, he's a goner. Some of the walls are near conveyor belts, so run to stay on the other side of them. Drop down from a donut lift to the third Star Coin and retreat to the wall for safety. The P-Switch makes a line of Silver Coins to follow to the boss door. The Koopalings will go away once you reach the wall of the boss door. There is another midpoint here. The first two item blocks have Fire Flowers and the last one has a Super Leaf. I recommend having two Super Leaves for the upcoming fight. Go up the stairs and you'll see fireballs approaching from the right. Drop down into the alcove until they pass, like in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. There are three alcoves and one lone fireball afterward.

Next is the room with Bowser and Peach. She calls to Mario from a cage. Bowser roars and the battle starts. Bowser will breathe fire, throw hammers, and jump. When he jumps, run under him and hit the switch. Fireballs will also work. Hitting the switch will make the floor fall. A fanfare will play. Peach's cage is then taken away. Platforms appear from below and Mario hops up them. They start to fall when he lands on them. Peach is taken away and the Koopalings appear, using their magic to make a giant Bowser appear and knock them away, just like Kamek did. Bowser roars, similar platforms appear, and the lava rises. It will continue to rise. Bowser will track your movements, and when his eyes turn orange, he will swipe away the platforms in your vecinity, be it left, right, or center. Keep moving. The Raccoon Tail will help control your decent. I tend to stay in one area until Bowser is poised to strike. Once you see arches on the right and left sides, jump up as high as you can. The is a wall-to-wall platform here, with some coins. Bowser will catch up to you and breathe fire on the floor from one side to the other. Jump over the flames. He'll roar again and you'll start platforming again. The Bowser heads on the walls will periodically breathe fire, so be aware. The second set of arches signals another platform overhead. This time, Bowser will breathe fire in both directions. Once he roars, you're on the path to the top. The Bowser heads breathe purple fire, which can move at angles. Stay near the walls. You'll see a small arch on either side. This marks the small platforms on the left and right sides. Jump up to reach the large ! Switch. Peach, above the switch, will call out to Mario. Bowser looks around and falls. A victory fanfare plays. Peach floats down from the cage. Mario spins, then jumps for joy. Roll credits!

During the credits, Mario carries Peach as they run back to the castle. Periodically, coins will appear from above and below, and in shapes. Collect them to add to your total. I got 279. As the credits roll, you'll see the Koopalings dragging Bowser from the clown copter and crashing. Once the credits finish, you'll get a couple of messages. There is a new world available in the Star Pack for Coin Rush. Gold Flowers can now be stored in Coin Rush. Star World has appeared. We can now save anywhere. There is now one Star on our file.

Coin Total: 47,750
Not bad for a first run. But there's more to explore. Let's see where those cannons lead.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 6-5

The break from the lava was short-lived. Not only do we have to deal with lava, we also have to deal with Bowser heads breathing fire. There are yellow platforms over the lava that tilt depending on what side you and anything else is on. There is one platform with two spike balls on it. It's below a red pipe. Tilt the platform while standing near the middle to get rid of the spike balls, then run up the platform and go through the red pipe. Wall jump if you have to. There is a spike ball following you in this area, destroying the brick blocks that make the floor. Run quickly and jump to get the first Star Coin, while avoiding the fireballs. Drop back down near the midpoint. Just past the two Bowser heads near the midpoint blocked by blocks. Tilt the yellow platform above it down to the left to roll a spike ball onto the blocks to break them. Next, a spike ball will roll in from above a Bowser head. To the right are two yellow platforms, each with spike balls. Get rid of them to safely get the third Star Coin over the higher yellow platform. There's a staircase of Bowser heads in front of the flagpole.

Coin Total: 33,759

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 6-4

We get a break from the lava in this level. Go left of where you started for the first Star Coin. More coins will appear when you get it. This level features the platforms carried by ghosts. There are also Boos and crows. There is a rotating item block guarded by a Boo and a crow. Lead the Boo away and jump on the rotating block, then jump up to hit an invisible block. It's a little to the right. It contains a vine that leads to the second Star Coin. The stones you have to jump from are rotating, so be careful. You'll drop down a short distance from the midpoint. Red Coins are nearby. Soon, you'll reach a ring of circling ghosts. In the center of their ring is the third Star Coin, in the gap. Drop down when there's a gap in the ring and wall jump back up. There is a large platform carried by a ghost along a path. Dodge crows and other ghosts, then transfer to one of two platforms. Both will take you to the flagpole.

Coin Total: 46,824
I found the second Star Coin after defeating the final boss.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Nintendo 3DS News

Nintendo has just announced that some titles previously released will be available in the eShop. Specifically, Mario Kart 7, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Star Fox 64, and Super Mario 3D Land will be available as downloads as well as physical copies. These titles will be available on October 18 in the United States. Additional games that were previously only playable as physical copies will make their way onto the eShop.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 6-Fort

This level features jet engines that are can be turned off temporarily if you hit them or ground pound them. Their bases are marked with exclamation points. Go up the right side of the level and shut off the engines on that side to reach the first Star Coin. Take the platforms on paths up to the midpoint, avoiding and shutting off the engines. Go through the door on the left. Watch the pattern of the engines. You'll be safe standing on the blocks. Carefully hop up to the top of the room, where the second Star Coin is. Take the platform up and shut off the engines on the way, especially the engine below the green pipe on the right, so you can go through the pipe. It leads to a room with a random coin block and the second Star Coin. Watch the pattern of the engines. When they are not firing, hop onto the top of the engines that do not fire on top. The top two engines fire on top, so be quick. The pipe at the top will take you to the boss door. There are four Reznor on a large wheel. Once defeated, the path will open to 6-4.

Coin Total: 33,302

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 6-B

This level requires five Star Coins to unlock. You'll see yellow platforms at the start. Jump on them to make arrows appear. The platforms will move in this direction until you hit them again or they run into something, and the arrows will change directions. The third one you encounter will move diagonally. Take this platform to the lower right for the first Star Coin, getting off when it gets near a rock. There are Fire Chomps in this level, so be careful. Stay low and you'll approach a green pipe. From here, you can reach the other floating rocks. Nearby and above is a set of two item blocks. Jump on them and hit the invisible block over the item block to the right. It will make a vine appear. It will take you to another platform. You'll find the second Star Coin here between two walls. You'll drop to the midpoint. In this part of the level, there are Bullet Bills and Banzai Bills. There are also Gold Rings for a lot of coin potential. Take the platform to the upper right, past the Red Coins. Near the highest Banzai Blaster is the third Star Coin. To the right is the flagpole.

Coin Total: 46,694
I completed this level after beating the final boss.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 6-3

Go down the red pipe to reach the main level. There are pink mushrooms in this level that expand and contract. Take out the Fire Bro surrounded by brick blocks and jump on more mushrooms. There will be another Fire Bro nearby. The first Star Coin is over a mushroom and surrounded by brick blocks. Drop down on the right side of the mushroom when it's expanded and duck. When the mushroom contracts, it will pull you towards the first Star Coin. The midpoint is just past it. There are Red Coins over some mushrooms. The lone brick block can become a Gold Block. Take the next yellow pipe to the second Star Coin. It's guarded by two Fire Bros. Activate the Gold Ring and stand in the center of the lower platform to get the coins they throw. Once you return to the main level, you'll see another Gold Ring and some more Fire Bros. Run on top of the brick blocks and jump over the ceiling and run over it beyond the pipe to reach the third Star Coin. The red pipe will take you to the flag.

Coin Total: 46,548
I completed this level after beating the final boss.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 6-2

Drop down the gap with the coins to slide to the Bone Boat. It looks like the Bone Coaster from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but is larger, slower, and floats on the lava, periodically raising its segments. Jump up to the brick blocks to get the spring instead of hitting the ? Switch, which will drop the Goombas on the boat. Use the spring to get the first Star Coin just past the Microgoombas. At the end of the ride, pick up the spring and use it to jump into the gap in the ceiling. This leads to a red pipe. Activate the Gold Ring and hit the three POW blocks when the Piranhas appear for lots of coins from the pipes above. The red pipe to the left leads to the midpoint and another Bone Boat. This time, coins will periodically arc out of the lava, as well as fireballs. As Super Mario, break the brick blocks surrounding the second Star Coin to get it. Soon after, Bob-ombs will drop in with parachutes. The lava will start to rise when the boat stops on the right side. You can get off and get some 1-ups and coins. Be sure to rejoin the boat. As it rises, on the left side you'll see the third Star Coin surrounded by stone. Use the Bob-ombs to break the stone so you can get it. The lava will stop rising when you reach the pipe to the flagpole.

Coin Total: 46,192
I completed this level after beating the final boss.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 6-A

Time to go into the volcano! Go down the red pipe and drop down to the rocks below. The lone brick block can become a Gold Block. Once you step on the differently-colored stone, it will sink and the lava will start to rise. The first Star Coin is over the platform with the Dry Bones. Go right to the next platform and jump off it to the left to reach it. The second Star Coin is in your jumping path, between two path lines. Once you have to jump up the platforms and reach an item block between two brick blocks, make a running jump to the left. You may run into a giant Dry Bones. The third Star Coin is to the left. The item block near the giant Dry Bones has a Starman. Use it to your advantage. Keep running and jumping to the right and go through the red pipe. This will take you to the flag. The lava will rise partially, so don't worry about it.

Coin Total: 32,956

Monday, October 8, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 6-Ghost House

This is a very tricky Ghost House. For some reason, I found the Red Goal with relative ease, but had a difficult time finding the regular goal. Hit the ? Switch to make the floor below you move away and reveal coins. Hit the next ? Switch to make the floor drop down. Go left and pound the left brick block to get a Gold Block. Go up, drop back down, and go to the right. Hit the ? Switch in the brick block on the right to make the ceiling move away. Climb up for the first Star Coin. Take the door to the right. Go to the right and through the door. It will take you to an area that looks similar. You'll come through the lower door. Go right for a Gold Ring after hitting the ? Switch, which makes the floor appear. Gold Rings make Boos trail coins behind them. Go through the door on the right. You'll end up where you started after going through the first door. Go through the door on the right. This time, hit the ? Switch to make the wall drop and go left. Jump on each platform above to make coins appear. There is a ? Switch behind a Boo that will drop the ceiling. Go up to a door. The floor underneath the door will drop. Hit the ? Switch on the right to gain access to the second Star Coin. Another piece of floor will drop down with a ? Switch on it. This will make the wall to the right rise up to reveal a door to the regular goal. This leads to 6-2. After going through the first door on the right from where you started, go to the door on the right. Hit the ? Switch and go through the door above you. Go to the right. Hit the ? Switch to make the floor appear. Go to the right and hit the ? Switch near the right wall behind the giant Boo. This will make the wall lower to reveal another door. Hit the ? Switch to make the ceiling open up. Wall jump up to get the third Star Coin and keep wall jumping until you reach a door above. This will lead to the Red Goal to 6-A.

Coin Total: 45,505
I found the regular goal after defeating the final boss.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 6-1

This level takes place outside an erupting volcano. Volcanic rock will rain down and destroy blocks in its path. Hit the POW blocks for coins and items. The first Star Coin is high on a ledge. Go to the right, then up and left to reach it. There are Red Coins over stones that can be destroyed by the volcanic rock. Past them is the midpoint. Hop on some large rocks on the level. Hit the ? Switch to make a stone path ahead. The rock you're standing on will start sinking. The second Star Coin is encased in the stones, so let some volcanic rock destroy some of the stones. There is a gap in the stones right before the stairs. Before you reach the flagpole, drop immediately to the right of the stairs and jump to hit an invisible block with a vine. It leads to the third Star Coin and will drop you directly on top of the flagpole. Free 1-up!

Coin Total: 45,321
I found the third Star Coin after defeating the final boss.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-Castle

This level can be a little tricky. There are grates on paths over the lava. You can punch them to move them above or below the path, depending on what's coming up. Be sure to check your button settings so that you're comfortable with them. You may ending up punching when you mean to jump, and vice versa. Go over the lava and spikes to reach a set of three item blocks below skulled Piranhas. Jump between the right two blocks to make invisible blocks appear. Jump on them and jump up to make more invisible blocks appear. This will allow you to reach a red pipe overhead. The first Star Coin is on a grate. Hop on the orange grate once back on the main level. It will take you to the midpoint, as long as you execute punches and jumps correctly. The invisible block over the left item block has a 1-up. Next is a grate with two Koopas crawling on it. Below is the second Star Coin. Drop down when the grate behind it appears. Take the next orange grate. It will take you to some Red Coins. The next orange grate is very tall, so it will end up in the lava at some points. Ride it down the path and make above the path. Jump up the orange grate above and get it started, then drop down to get the third Star Coin when the lower grate is behind it, then quickly jump up. Once back on the higher grate, punch it above the path and get off near the boss door. There is a pipe cannon that will get you past the skulled Piranhas with ease. There are five more pipe cannons in the room with Ludwig von Koopa. He will fly up to the chains above and fire three blue fireballs at you. Use the pipe cannon below him to knock him off so you can stomp him. He'll go into his shell cycle. Try to stomp him before he can fly up again. If he gets on the chain after the second hit, he'll swing around. Once defeated, get the key and find Peach in a cage in a clown copter car. She calls to him and flies off to World 6, directly to Bowser's Castle.

Coin Total: 29,769
The Star Pack in Coin Rush is now available.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-6

This is a rocky level. Jump down following the coins, and kick the shell for a Gold Block. Slowly make your way down the mountain, as it is crawling with Piranha Plants and Fire Piranhas. You'll find ferris wheels all the way down, as well as some Red Coins. You'll find some ferris wheels near the bottom over some spikes. Go left and hit the ! Switch over some brick blocks.  You'll drop down on the first Star Coin and onto the temporary red blocks below. Run to safety on the right. You'll soon reach the midpoint. There are several pipes ahead. Most have Piranhas in them. There will be a large drop between some pipes. At the bottom of the drop is a green pipe without a Piranha. Take it down and put the spring on the moving platform. Time your jump from the spring to reach the second Star Coin above between two giant Piranhas. Go through the yellow pipe. You'll see the third Star Coin surrounded by pipes and stone. Either backtrack or continue to reach the flag. Either way, with a Fire Flower, about partway down the mountain, take out a Giant Piranha to the right to reach a fire pipe. Send lots of fireballs its way to make a Mega Mushroom appear. Let it drop off the mountain and follow it to the midpoint. Get and run to the right, destroying pipes in your path. Run into the pipes and stone to get the third Star Coin.

Coin Total: 45,143
I got the third Star Coin after beating the final boss.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-5

Go up the red pipe to start the level. The level has lots of Bill Blasters and Bullet Bills, as well as snake platforms moving back and forth. Jump on the Bill Blaster immediately to your left to make the first Star Coin appear overhead. Jump off the Bill Blaster to reach it. Dodge Bullet Bills and platform until you reach the midpoint. Take the next green pipe, which is a cannon, to Coin Heaven. You'll find the second Star Coin here. When you return to the main level, there will be Red Coins nearby. Towards the end of the level is a Banzai Blaster. Go down the red pipe nearby and go left for a Gold Ring. It will make coins trail behind all Bullet Bills and Banzai Bills. You'll return to the main level left of the red pipe. The third Star Coin is above the abyss to the left of a Banzai Blaster. There are Bullet Bills below, so bounce off them to get the third Star Coin. The flag is just beyond the Banzai Blaster.

Coin Total: 44,384
I found the first and third Star Coins after beating the final boss.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-A

This level is an automatic sidescroller that takes place on a gold ship similar to the Coin Ship of Super Mario 3. There are several Gold Rings throughout the level, so this is a great level to get tons of coins. Send a Koopa shell on the ship and activate the Gold Ring. As long as the ring is activated, the shell will make coins and collect them for you. To add more coins to your total, stomp on Parakoopas to turn them into regular Koopas and let them wander into the shell's path. Do not kick more shells in the shell's path or you'll have to send another shell to get more coins. The first Star Coin is high in the air, so bounce off a Parakoopa to get it. You'll also need to bounce off of Parakoopas to activate some Gold Rings. The midpoint is nearby and there's a Gold Ring above it. You'll come across a spring as you go along. Pick it up and put it on the ship's top deck, but keep an eye on it, as parts of the level will push it off. It will also allow you to reach things in the sky. The second Star Coin is on a pillar. Either wall jump off the pillars or use the spring to reach it. Use the spring or bounce off a Parakoopa for the third Star Coin. It's in the sky with lots of coins. The ship will stop next to two brick blocks. The flag is nearby. This opens the path to 5-5. Alternatively, using the spring, hit the right brick block from below. This will make a vine appear. Spring to reach it. It leads to Coin Heaven. Follow the coin trail to the Red Goal to a 1-up Mushroom House and the castle.

Coin Total: 52,160
I completed this level after beating the final boss.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-4

This level features mushroom platforms that rise or lower when you step on them. Blue ones lower and pink ones rise. Staying on them until they stop moving may make coins appear. After three blue mushrooms in a row is a Gold Ring. Kick the shell and raise and lower the mushrooms for lots of coins. Follow the shell and it should get the first Star Coin over a gap. The middle brick block to the left has the potential to become a Gold Block. Go over alternating pink and blue mushrooms with a random coin block. Stand on the last pink one for a while and it will take you to Coin Heaven. This is where the second Star Coin is. The pipe will take you to the midpoint. Next are some Red Coins over some mushrooms. The brick block to the right can become a Gold Block. The third Star Coin is below two blue mushrooms,  so grab a shell and throw it to get it. After that, hop on three blue mushrooms, then bounce off the Parakoopas to reach the flag.

Coin Total: 28,370

Friday, October 5, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-Fort

This level has rising lava, so be quick. Bounce off the music note blocks to the grate above and go through the door. The lava will start to rise. Quickly climb up the grates with Koopas on them and reach the I-shaped grate. It will start moving past jet engines. Avoid the engines and stay to the right to avoid spikes. Once most of it is past the grates, it rotate and appear H-shaped. Quickly jump right to another grate, then jump up for the first Star Coin. Quickly return to the moving grate and go on its left side, as it will split apart and the right side will sink into the lava. There are some Red Coins to the right. The grate will stop moving below a door. Quickly jump off the grate and go through the door. This leads to the midpoint and another door. The lava is still rising. There is a mini pipe near a jet engine. It leads to a P-Switch with Silver Coins. Climb up on the grate and it will start moving. Move right to avoid the spikes, then jump off once it passes the first set of spikes. Hop up the platforms and rejoin it. Quickly move right as it separates to get the second Star Coin. There will be a stationary grate between them. Hop over to the left grate and avoid the jet engines to get the third Star Coin. The boss door is ahead. There are four Reznor on two wheels. Once you defeat them, Ludwig appears and takes Peach to the castle.

Coin Total: 27,726

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-3

This is a great level to get a ton of coins in. Take the green pipe cannon up and activate the Gold Ring, then send the Koopa shell down the slope to get some coins. The shell will rebound. Jump from the pipe to the next ledge with a Gold Ring. Send the shell down the slope and follow after it for lots of coins as it takes out enemies. Follow it to the midpoint, where it will rebound. You will see three green pipes. They are all pipe cannons. The left and right ones will take you along some coin trails. The right one will lead to the first Star Coin, two pipe cannons, and Red Coins. Take the left pipe cannon from there to get some of the Red Coins. Do not go up the right pipe just yet. Go back and take the center pipe cannon up. Jump up to make invisible blocks appear, then jump on them to make an invisible block with a Mini Mushroom appear. Go right and hop up the mini pipes, avoiding the spikes below. When you reach a normal-sized pipe, use it as a cannon to reach the second Star Coin and an extra Gold Ring. Follow the shell down to another Gold Ring (you would've reached this ring taking the right pipe cannon near the Red Coin Ring). Slide down after the shell. At the bottom, you'll see five pipes with Parakoopas flying around. The pipe in the middle will send you directly to the third Star Coin. The pipe to the right will take you directly to the flag for a free 1-up.

Coin Total: 27,547

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-Ghost House

There are bats in this Ghost House and the stairs will periodically flatten, so you can't use them. At the top of the stairs are groups of swinging blocks. These will help you cross the gap. On the second one, drop down to the lower level and get off at the platform to reach the first Star Coin. Stairs will help you get back up. There is a door above the stairs and to the left is a gap in the ceiling. Fly up it and take the stairs to a door. The door leads to a dangling rope so you can swing to some blocks a few times. There's a ? Switch that makes a giant Boo and four doors appear. Three of them are fake and the one to the right is real. The door leads to the Red Goal to 5-A. If you do not go to the Red Goal, go through the door above the stairs near the first Star Coin. There are more swinging blocks, as well as poles leading into the ceiling. Take the second pole and follow the trail of coins to the second Star Coin. This makes a lot of coins appear below. The third pole leads to stairs to the third Star Coin. The fourth pole leads to a 1-up in an invisible block. Take the door at the end and you'll enter a room with a giant Boo. Stand on top of the brick blocks and jump to make invisible blocks appear so you can reach the swinging blocks above. Go to the top of the swinging bricks to the door to the regular goal. This leads to 5-3.

Coin Total: 50,474
I completed this level after beating the final boss.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-2

Lakitu's in this level. Fortunately, to steal his cloud, we only need to stomp him, instead of using fireballs. There's a Gold Ring past the first Piranha, so the two Lakitus will throw coins at you instead of Spinies. Over the item blocks and colorful block platforms, you'll be able to easily steal his cloud. Take it straight up to two yellow pipes. Hit the ? Switch to make coins rain down from both pipes. If you activate a Gold Ring and hop in a cloud, the cloud will produce coins much like a Gold Block would. The first Star Coin is above the two Piranhas next to each other, so take a cloud up to get it. Over the rainbow block platforms near the midpoint is a P-Switch. Follow the Silver Coin trail it leaves to a green pipe overhead. The second Star Coin is there, above a row of Piranhas. Activate the Gold Ring and send the Koopa shell down to get it and cash in. Back on the main level, grab a cloud and activate the Gold Ring below the block platforms for more coins. You'll also want a cloud to get the Red Coins. Along the path is a small, yellow block platform. Take a cloud directly up to an overhead green pipe. Activate the Gold Ring, take a cloud, and fly along. The third Star Coin is relatively high up. Get it while the Gold Ring is still active. Drop down where the arrow says to fall directly on top of the flagpole. Free 1-up!

Coin Total: 26,870

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-1

This level is filled with tightropes. Time your jumps for extra height. You'll also need to time your jumps to reach blocks and coins circling the tightropes. Jump up above the second tightrope, circled by blocks, to reach another tightrope below a brick block that can become a Gold Block. To the right are Parakoopas circling a tightrope, then another tightrope with blocks circling overhead. They surround the first Star Coin, so jump onto the brick blocks when they're low. At the top of the circle is an invisible block surrounded by coins. It has a 1-up. Just below and to the right is a Gold Ring. Activate it and kick the Koopa shell on the tightrope for lots of coins. It won't leave the boundaries of the tightrope. Next to that tightrope is the midpoint. There are three tightropes in a triangle formation surrounding the second Star Coin. The best way to get it is to just stand still on the top tightrope. Mario will fall through shortly. You can also slide in from the sides. Jump up and right to the next tightrope. Jump in the center of it for a vine to an new area. Above the brick block, which can become a Gold Block, is an invisible block with a 1-up. The third Star Coin is here, circling around with lots of Parakoopas. Jump over the circle to the next tightrope and try to get it while bouncing off. If you fall, you'll drop back to the main level. Backtrack to the left to try again, but this can be time consuming. Drop back down and you'll find a Red Coin Ring and a Gold Ring near the flag. This will open the path to 5-2. If, while you're in the area to get the third Star Coin, you jump up in the center of the tightrope, you'll hit an invisible block with a vine so you can go right. It will lead to more circling Parakoopas, but there are fewer than in the ring before. Time your jump carefully and bounce off them to reach the Red Goal to the Ghost House.

Coin Total: 50,078
I found the secret goal after beating the final boss.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-Castle

There are some spike balls surrounded by snake platforms. Stand on top of them to make coins appear. To the right are rolling spike balls, impeded by snake platforms. A brick block to the right has the potential to become a Gold Block if your timing is good enough to deal with the firebar nearby. Jump over the gaps, being aware that spike balls will drop from the ceiling. The first Star Coin is near the ceiling. Wall jump over to reach it. The P-Switch below it makes Silver Coins. Avoid the spike balls and stay on the snake platforms to reach the midpoint. Jump off before the snake platform goes in the gap. With great timing, drop down into the pit with the giant spike ball and the second Star Coin. As you continue, there will be more spike balls falling from the ceiling. Past the double firebar is a red pipe. It leads to the third Star Coin. Hop on the snake platforms coming in from the right, being aware that spike balls will be rolling on them. Keep jumping to higher platforms to reach the third Star Coin and go through the green pipe above it. Just before the boss door is a maze of snake platforms and giant spike balls. There is an alcove below. On the right wall next to the boss door is an invisible block with a powerup, should you need it. Morton Koopa Jr. appears, and uses magic to make spike balls appear. Hit him to send him into his shell cycle and he'll go off screen on the floor. He'll soon reappear from a green pipe overhead. Be sure to jump when he lands, as he'll stun you. Get the key once you defeat him. The wall will open to reveal Ludwig von Koopa taking Peach to World 5.

Coin Total: 24,950
There is a new world available in the Flower Pack in Coin Rush.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-5

Before taking the pipe underwater, stand on the ledge to the right to make coins appear. There are coins trailing the Cheep-Cheep as well. There is a random item block, so try your luck at getting a Gold Flower. That or a Fire Flower will be very helpful, as there are man-eating giant Cheep-Cheep in the water. Throughout are blue pipes with currents pushing you to the right. Above one of them is a yellow pipe that takes you to the first Star Coin. It's in the middle of a current pushing up. Jump out of the water and pound the ground to reach it. Before you reach the midpoint, there will be a random coin block and a giant Cheep-Cheep. To the right are Red Coins and, below them, a yellow pipe blocked by brick blocks. If you have the Gold Flower, you can access this pipe. It leads to a room with brick blocks that can be turned into quick cash. The pipe to the right takes you directly to the second Star Coin, but you can't quite reach it. Go to the right, up the left side, then the right, go left, and down to reach it. There will be a giant Cheep-Cheep waiting for you at the top, as well as a Starman in the middle item block. After you take out the Cheep-Cheep to the right, go through the green pipe below. The current from the blue pipe prevents you from getting the third Star Coin, so hit the ? Switch above. Leave the area and go through the green pipe at the end for the flag.

Coin Total: 24,865

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-4

This level features mushroom platforming in the snow. Fortunately, there isn't much slipping and sliding. Past the first few mushrooms are some balancing platforms. Over the left part of the balance with a lot of coins is the first Star Coin. Stand on the right side to raise the left side, then jump up from the left side to get it. The platforms will reappear shortly if they fall. Climb up the mushrooms for a Gold Ring. Next to it is a Koopa and below it is a brick block. Hit the brick block with the shell to make a vine appear. There are some rocking pink mushrooms, three stationary mushrooms, and the second Star Coin above them. You'll drop back down near the midpoint. There are some Red Coins over the next set of mushrooms. Past the Red Coins are two sets of balances. Raise the platform on one side of the lower balance to reach the higher balance. Jump from the right side of the higher balance for the third Star Coin. Soon after is the flag.

Coin Total: 24,638

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-C

The Fuzzies return! Fortunately, they are susceptible to fire, so bring a Fire Flower along. Follow the arrow underground. Hit the POW blocks for a powerup and some coins. Jump across the gaps carefully. The pointed ground will not hurt you, but the Fuzzies will. Kill the Fuzzy floating around the brick blocks and jump off the brick blocks for the first Star Coin. Hitting the POW will allow you to get a 1-up. Carefully hit the POW blocks in the middle of the looping Fuzzies. Just beyond them is the midpoint. Wall jump up the ceiling for more coins. There are platforms on paths next. Two Fuzzies are also on the paths, so hit the POW blocks and avoid them. Once at the top, go left, defeat or avoid the giant Fuzzy, and go through the green pipe on the left. Wait until all of the Fuzzies are near the middle and hit both of the POW blocks simultaneously for a 1-up. Jump up on the used blocks to get the second Star Coin. To the left, just past the platform, are four brick blocks. The far right one has a P-Switch that makes Silver Coins. Go up the platform and go right. The next platform has five Fuzzies on its path, so time your jump and move around. The area to the left has a random coin block and a giant Fuzzy. The path to the right has two giant Fuzzies. Take them out and go past the pipe. Wall jump up to the ceiling and the third Star Coin. Go through the green pipe. The stairs have gaps with Fuzzies in them. They are avoidable, but standing in the gaps makes coins appear. The flag is nearby.

Coin Total: 49,874
I played this level after beating the final boss.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-3

Time to slide! Activate the Gold Ring and send the Koopa shell down the hill, sliding down after it. Be sure to jump over the gaps with the Piranha Plants. At the bottom of the hill, the shell will break a brick block at the end and ricochet back, so be careful. Slide and duck through the gap to reach the first Star Coin. Go up the hill and kill off the Piranha Plants before attempting to get the Red Coins. The midpoint is ahead on some floating ice blocks. Next is the second Star Coin over some Piranhas. Take them out, then run and jump for it. Carefully platform up the ice blocks with Piranhas. The Fire Flower is very helpful here. At the top, you'll see a P-Switch which makes Silver Coins down the slope ahead. Follow the trail if you like, but be sure to backtrack. There is a floating plot of ice near the top of the hill. Slide, then jump on the plot to reach the third Star Coin floating high in the sky. Go down the blue pipe guarded by two Piranhas for a random coin block guarded by three Piranhas, one of which is giant. Back on the main level, there's another giant Piranha just in front of the ice stairs to the flag.

Coin Total: 24,496

New Super Mario Bros. 2 Coin Rush DLC

Today, Nintendo of America announced the first round of New Super Mario Bros. 2 Coin Rush Downloadable Content. Three new packs will be available October 4: Gold Rush Pack, Coin Challenge Pack A, and Nerve Wrack Pack. Gold Rush Pack is an easier pack that allows for lots of coin collecting. Coin Challenge Pack A will allow you to track your score on the leaderboard on the New Super Mario Bros. 2 website. Nerve Wrack Pack is an extra challenging pack for veteran players, that is unforgiving. Each will be available for $2.50. The courses are the same and will appear in the same order for all players for comparison. Nintendo plans to release more DLC at the end of October and at the end of November.

Monday, October 1, 2012

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-Fort

This Fort has a rising floor. There will be skulled Piranha Plants in pipes in the walls, so don't slide around too much. Some Piranha Plants will be on the floor and join you as the floor rises. There are two random coin blocks on the way. Between two Piranhas is the first Star Coin. Above them is a mini pipe to the second Star Coin. Go through the door at the top. It leads to the midpoint and another door to a similar room with a rising floor. As you go up, there will be two fire pipes. The left one will give you three 1-ups. The right one will give you a Starman, so take out those Piranhas. There's a giant one ahead of you. Above it is the third Star Coin. If you go through the blue pipe on the left on the same level as the giant Piranha Plant, you'll go through another pipe to the Red Goal, which leads to 4-C. If you don't, go through the door at the top and take the pipe cannon to the boss door. This time, there are four Reznor, but on two ferris wheels. Take them out as usually, being careful when jumping to the next wheel. After you defeat them, Morton Koopa Jr. appears and takes Peach to the castle. The path opens to 4-3.

Coin Total: 49,636
I found the secret goal after beating the final boss.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-B

Time to go underground. We have to deal with Amps and icy surfaces, so things could get difficult. There is a Gold Block in the second ring with an Amp. In the next ring, follow the Amps in a clockwise circle to get the first Star Coin at the bottom of the loop. There are Red Coins in another ring of Amps. The midpoint is next to that Ring. Go down the lowest blue pipe and you'll enter a room with a random item block and a POW. Jump on the bricks and hit the POW above it for coins, then the POW below it. Once out of the pipe, pound the tall stack of bricks and slide. Directly above where you stop is the second Star Coin, in an alcove above a ring of four Amps. The third Star Coin is below a double ring of Amps. Drop down from the dounut lifts carefully and jump up to get it. The pipe to the flag is next.

Coin Total: 23,639
The path to a pipe to the castle opens up.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-2

This level returns us to the snow. There is a Gold Block to the right of the first red pipe. Jump from the second red pipe for the first Star Coin. Past the random coin block, there are two pipes hanging from above. Wall jump up them and hit the middle block between them for a 1-up. Do not hit any of the other invisible blocks so you can get it. Go right for the midpoint. There will be a red pipe close to the ground between two red pipes. Go through that pipe and use the Buzzy Beetle shell to break the brick block so you can drop down. The shell will continue to activate the POW blocks below, so run quickly and jump for the second Star Coin. Once out of the area, activate the Gold Ring and kill Piranha Plants to make coins come from their pipes. The third Star Coin is next to a pipe with a Piranha Plant. Take the Koopa shell nearby and throw it at the Star Coin. The flag is nearby.

Coin Total: 23,179