Sunday, December 23, 2012

Encyclopedia of Thing Stickers

There are 64 Thing Stickers in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, which can make keeping track of them difficult. Here is a full list of the Thing Stickers, their locations, their Sticker Museum captions, their effects in battle, and their Action Commands.

1. Sewing Scissors
Location: Bowser's Snow Fort (4-6)
Caption: When compressed by a team of Toads, this catapult is capable of low-orbit launches. As the bladed end is lethal, this was likely a discarded prototype.
Effect in Battle: Several sewing scissors appear and cut up the battlefield. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

2. Hair Shears
Location: Damp Oasis (2-4) Secret Door
Caption: Like other bladed things, this requires a command Toad in each circular cockpit. However, the protruding flange suggests a third operator is required for steering.
Effect in Battle: Several hair shears appear and dance around, then cut up the battlefield. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button each time the hair shears cut with good timing.

3. Scissors
Location: Warm Fuzzy Plains (1-1)
Caption: When maneuvered by two skilled thing captains, this device cleaves anything. This discovery will surely revolutionize the Toad construction business.
Effect in Battle: A few scissors appear and slice across the battlefield, cutting it up. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button each time the scissors go off screen with good timing.

4. Tailor Shears
Location: Shy Guy Jungle (5-1) Secret Door
Caption: This massive, linked pair of sharpened blades was likely used for landscaping. Trained Toads can operate in tandem from the two oval command cockpits.
Effect in Battle: The tailor shears appear, then slice through the battlefield rapidly to cut it up. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button three times as the lines cross with good timing.

5. Bellows
Location: Whammino Mountain (1-5) Secret Door
Caption: Requiring an entire platoon of Toads to operate, this primitive pinwheel motivator is a monument to inefficiency.
Effect in Battle: Bellows appear and create a whirlwind that picks up all enemies that are not large or are plants. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

6. Paper Fan
Location: Yoshi Sphinx (2-2) Secret Door
Caption: Though its gigantic size limits its use to only the largest of griddles, this ornate spatula is a sight to behold. The symbol is thought to mean "succulent pancake."
Effect in Battle: Two paper fans appear and start fanning to create a whirlwind that picks up all enemies that are not large or are plants. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

7. Fan
Location: Bouquet Gardens (1-2)
Caption: While voice modulators are not unheard of, this device is clearly the first built for crow use. It was likely used for intimidation at sporting events.
Effect in Battle: A giant fan appears in the background to dramatic music and starts a whirlwind that picks up all enemies that are not large or are plants. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

8. Mini Vacuum
Location: Jungle Rapids (5-2) Secret Door
Caption: The smallest of what is believed to be a previously undiscovered type of suction robot, this variation is highly maneuverable and easily satiated.
Effect in Battle: The Mini Vacuum appears and will vacuum up all enemies that are not extremely large or plants. All enemies receive damage, but those that get picked up receive more.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

9. Upright Vacuum
Location: Rustle Burrow (3-7) Secret Door
Caption: A member of the Suction Thing family, this variation waits for prey in an upright position, disguising itself as a part of the canopy. Then it strikes.
Effect in Battle: An upright vacuum appears and vacuums up all enemies that are not extremely large or plants. All enemies receive damage, but those that get picked up receive more.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

10. Vacuum
Location: Surfshine Harbor
Caption: This mechanical thing appears to exist for one purpose: to consume anything within reach. While not necessarily alive, it is most certainly hungry.
Effect in Battle: A vacuum appears and vacuums up all enemies that are not extremely large or plants. All enemies receive damage, but those that get picked up receive more.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

11. Watering Can
Location: The Enigmansion (4-3)
Caption: This piece of demolition equipment is only operable by highly trained Toads. Once filled, targeted water sprinkles can destabilize any paper edifice.
Effect in Battle: A watering can appears and sprinkles water on the battlefield until it fills with water. All enemies take damage. This may make some enemies soggy.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly once the water starts rising.

12. Faucet
Location: Water's Edge Way (1-3) 
Caption: This hydroelectric-dam release valve may once have functioned well, but those days are long past. It now requires a leaping Toad to activate it.
Effect in Battle: A faucet appears and starts running water onto the battlefield until it fills up with water and fish appear. All enemies take damage. This may make some enemies soggy.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly once the water starts rising.

13. Teapot
Location: Chomp Ruins (5-4)
Caption: This ancient house alarm was designed for icy climates. Placed by the furnace, its contents would boil when burglars turned the heat on, activating a siren.
Effect in Battle: A teapot appears and pours hot water on the battlefield until it fills up with water. All enemies take damage. This may make some enemies soggy.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly once the water starts rising.

14. Trumpet
Location: Goomba Fortress (1-6)
Caption: This valve-based alarm system requires the operator to exhale as hard as possible into the apparatus. The result is a din trespassers won't soon forget.
Effect in Battle: A trumpet appears and blares out of tune notes. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

15. Violin
Location: The Bafflewood (3-2) Secret Door 
Caption: This audio-warfare thing requires a squad of Toads to operate -- one each to man the taut vibration hawsers and a pair to manipulate the friction saw.
Effect in Battle: A few violins appear and start playing an out of tune version of the Super Mario theme. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

16. Guitar
Location: Rumble Volcano (5-6) Secret Door 
Caption: A fairly sophisticated audio weapon, this thing utilizes electricity to minimize Toadpower. A single Toad can launch blistering assault "solos."
Effect in Battle: A guitar and some amplifiers appear on stage and start playing rock music. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly. The speakers will blow out.

17. Newspaper
Location: Whitecap Beach (3-12) Secret Door
Caption: A testament to the quiet strength of paper power, this triumphant rolled tube of separate sheets symbolizes how unity can bring forth might.
Effect in Battle: Turns the battlefield into a baseball stadium. A rolled-up newspaper appears and hits each enemy out of the park individually.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button when the newspaper pulls back all the way before hitting the enemy.

18. Toy Bat
Location: Shy Guy Jungle (5-1)
Caption: While the width of this cylinder makes swinging at targets a breeze, its accuracy is bought with a loud bonking noise sure to anger the neighbors.
Effect in Battle: Turns the battlefield into a baseball stadium. A toy bat will appear and hit each enemy out of the arena individually.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button when the toy bat pulls back all the way before hitting the enemy.

19. Bat
Location: Sandshifter Ruins (2-3) 
Caption: This piece of wood has the power to send round objects flying when swung correctly. The individual responsible for vandalizing it has yet to be identified.
Effect in Battle: Turns the battlefield into a baseball stadium. A bat appears and individually hits all small enemies that are not plants out of the park.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button when the bat pulls back all the way before hitting the enemy.

20. Square Can
Location: Stump Glade (3-10) Secret Door
Caption: This metal container could have been used for anything, but leading scholars believe it was almost certainly slept on by a cat at some point.
Effect in Battle: A square can falls on one enemy.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button when the square can bounces off the enemy.

21. Basin
Location: Rugged Road (5-5) Secret Door 
Caption: Plated in what is almost certainly gold, this private, solar-powered hot tub was likely overpaid for by a rich Toad who forgot that he was made of paper.
Effect in Battle: A basin drops on all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button when the basin bounces off the enemies.

22. Drum
Location: Strike Lake (3-4) Secret Door 
Caption: A debate rages about the contents of this huge canister, but since breaching the hull could ruin whatever's within, it stays sealed. Also, we can't open it.
Effect in Battle: A drum drops on all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button when the drum bounces off the enemies.

23. Lightbulb
Location: Yoshi Sphinx (2-2)
Caption: This large bulb was engineered to house and protect a glowing filament, but a major design flow allows all the precious light to escape into the surroundings.
Effect in Battle: A lightbulb appears and shines light on enemies. All enemies take damage. May blind some enemies so their attacks miss.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

24. Flashlight
Location: Whiteout Valley (4-5) Secret Door
Caption: This compact lighthouse is designed to be mobile, but the fact that it points straight up when installed would lead to many a naval disaster.
Effect in Battle: A flashlight appears and shines light on the enemies. All enemies take damage. May blind some enemies so their attacks miss.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

25. Searchlight
Location: Leaflitter Path (3-1) Secret Door
Caption: Our most learned academics remain stumped as to why anyone would install blinds on such a massive light source. It kind of defeats the purpose.
Effect in Battle: Three searchlights appear and shine lights on all enemies. All enemies take damage. May blind some enemies so their attacks miss.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly. Also hit the (A) button when the spotlight shines on Mario.

26. Watch Battery
Location: Tree Branch Trail (3-8)
Caption: This adorable little power source should not, under any circumstances, be ingested, no matter how hungry you are and how much it looks like candy.
Effect in Battle: A watch battery appears and sends bolts of lightning to all enemies individually.
Action Command: Press (A) as lightning strikes each enemy.

27. D-Cell Battery
Location: Chomp Ruins (5-4)
Caption: All readings indicate that this cylinder harbors a huge amount of latent power. We have attempted to access it, but a vigorous stick-poking met with failure.
Effect in Battle: A D-Cell battery appears and sends bolts of lightning to all enemies individually.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button as lightning strikes each enemy.

28. Car Battery
Location: Drybake Desert (2-5) Secret Door
Caption: Inside this device sleeps a power no Toad could hope to control. In fact, you'd probably better step back a bit. Maybe a little farther.
Effect in Battle: A car battery appears and sends bolts of lightning to all enemies individually.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button as lightning strikes each enemy.

29. Billiard Ball
Location: Strike Lake (3-4)
Caption: This orb would be indistinguishable from other massive spheres if not for the inexplicable number on its side. For the love of Toad, what does it MEAN?!
Effect in Battle: Mario rolls the billiard ball into battle, hitting all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button after you hear the billiard ball land, before it appears on screen.

30. Curling Stone
Location: Ice Flow (4-2)
Caption: It seems increasingly possible that this boulder spontaneously grew a handle out of its side. The wonders of nature are endless and often really weird.
Effect in Battle: Mario rolls the curling stone into battle, hitting all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button after you hear the curling stone land before it appears on screen.

31. Bowling Ball
Location: The Bafflewood (3-2), Strike Lake (3-4)
Caption: Whether this orb was designed for battle or merely constructions, one thing is clear: the engineers who piloted it from the three Toad holes were brave.
Effect in Battle: Mario rolls the bowling ball into battle, hitting all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button just after you hear it land before it appears on screen.

32. Trophy
Location: The Bafflewood (3-2), Ice Flow (4-2)
Caption: This extravagant chalice looks pricey, but functionally, it's a disaster. It's too big for one Toad to drink out of, and what's the weird guy doing on top?
Effect in Battle: A bowling trophy appears in the background. The statue throws his bowling ball onto all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button as the bowling ball lands.

33. Cell Phone
Location: Snow Rise (4-1) Secret Door
Caption: For a device that appears to have but a single purpose -- violent vibration -- this thing has far too many buttons.
Effect in Battle: A cell phone appears and starts ringing on vibrate. Each enemy takes damage four times.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

34. Jackhammer
Location: Sandshifter Ruins (2-3)
Caption: What began as a training apparatus for an aspiring pogo-stick champion clearly spiraled out of control during the development phase.
Effect in Battle: A jackhammer appears and starts pounding the battlefield. Each enemy takes damage six times.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

35. Radiator
Location: Stump Glade (3-10)
Caption: While most Toad breakfast scientists agree that this gargantuan machine is a toaster, none have had success with the bread-insertion procedure.
Effect in Battle: A radiator appears and sends hot air to all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

36. Hair Dryer
Location: Ice Flow (4-2) Secret Door
Caption: This large-scale rewarmer was likely utilized by primitive caterers, though it proved rather ineffective in both our quiche and chili-dog tests.
Effect in Battle: A hair dryer appears and sends hot air to all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

37. Oven
Location: The Enigmansion (4-3) 
Caption: For a supposedly high-end home feature, this sauna is sorely lacking in seating, fancy perfumed steam waters and, most importantly, a temperature control.
Effect in Battle: The side of the battlefield with the enemies is put into the oven, which heats it up. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

38. Magnifying Glass
Location: Sandshifter Ruins (2-3)
Caption: A leading Toad physicist burned basically everything in the lab before discovering that this thing worked as a magnification device.
Effect in Battle: A magnifying glass appears and intensifies light on one enemy.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

39. Matches
Location: Hither Thither Hill (1-4) Secret Door
Caption: Under no circumstances should these sticks be rubbed against their own packaging. You just need to trust the management on this one.
Effect in Battle: A matchbox appears and a match strikes against the matchbox to light itself, then burns all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button after the match strikes the matchbox.

40. Lighter
Location: Sandshifter Ruins (2-3) Secret Door
Caption: This portable campfire works best when entrenched in cool earth. Deployment of s'mores is up to the camper, but have you ever tried adding peanut butter?
Effect in Battle: A lighter appears and sends small flames to all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

41. Shaved Ice
Location: Damp Oasis (2-4)
Caption: Some frozen mountains can only be scaled by the burliest of Toad explorers. Others can be scaled by any Toad with a spoon and a lust for refreshment.
Effect in Battle: A cup of shaved ice appears and sends cold air at all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

42. Air Conditioner
Location: Chomp Ruins (5-4)
Caption: While researchers claim that this device has a cooling effect, skeptics abound. If anything, toting this thing around would probably make you look uncool.
Effect in Battle: An air conditioner appears and sends cold air at all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

43. Refrigerator
Location: The Enigmansion (4-3)
Caption: Once thought to be a transportation pod for northern Toads, this thing has since proven to be a very effective storage unit for management's lunch.
Effect in Battle: A refrigerator appears and sends cold air at all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

44. Soda
Location: Drybake Desert (2-1) 
Caption: Apparently, whatever mad scientist created this thing thought it would be funny to load liquid into a highly pressurized container. Ha ha.
Effect in Battle: A soda can appears and starts shaking, then sprays the soda on all enemies. May make some enemies soggy.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly while the can is shaking.

45. Squirt Gun
Location: Goomba Fortress (1-6) Secret Door
Caption: In its current state, this liquid launcher is but a memory of wars long past. But load it with water, and it becomes more terrifying than you can imagine.
Effect in Battle: Temporarily turns the battle into a first-person shooter. Hits any enemies you aim for. May make some enemies soggy.
Action Command: Use the Circle Pad to aim and move. Hit the (A) button to shoot water. Once the water tank is empty, hit (A) repeatedly and quickly to refill the water tank, then continue shooting.

46. Rubber Ducky
Location: Jungle Rapids (5-2), Ice Flow (4-2)
Caption: There's been some speculation that this enormous synthetic duck suggests a past when Toads rode on birds, but this theory has been roundly ridiculed.
Effect in Battle: The battlefield partially fills with water and a rubby duck floats by all enemies, followed by smaller rubber ducks. May make some enemies soggy.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button as the large rubber duck floats by the first enemy.

47. Powder Puff
Location: Shy Guy Jungle (5-1)
Caption: Luxurious, if a bit dusty, this lush body pillow was likely reclined upon by royalty. It even SMELLS like royalty.
Effect in Battle: A powder puff appears and acts as a shield from incoming attacks.
Action Command: None.

48. Sponge
Location: Gauntlet Pont (3-9)
Caption: The bed of choice for Toads afflicted with night sweats, this revolutionary mattress is as comfortable as it is absorbent. Treat yourself today!
Effect in Battle: A sponge appears and acts as a shield from incoming attacks.
Action Command: None.

49. Car Sponge
Location: Rugged Road (5-5)
Caption: This liquid transporter can carry an absolutely unbelievable amount of whatever beverage you prefer, but be warned: it gets HEAVY and MESSY.
Effect in Battle: A car sponge appears and acts as shield from incoming attacks.
Action Command: None.

50. Pillow
Location: Loop Loop River (3-5) 
Caption: This piece of emergency-response equipment helps fire brigades rescue people from high buildings. It's also crucial for battling nap attacks.
Effect in Battle: A pillow appears, playing music that puts all enemies to sleep and does a small amount of damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

51. Bed
Location: Water's Edge Way (1-3) Secret Door 
Caption: While this thing resembles a common bed, it makes the typical paper bed of management's childhood look like a crumpled-up piece of used paper towel.
Effect in Battle: A bed appears, playing music that puts all enemies to sleep and does a small amount of damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

52. Luxurious Bed
Location: Long Fall Falls (5-3)
Caption: This thing cannot be a bed. It has some bed-like characteristics, but there's no way -- it's too nice. If you slept in that, you'd dream of that exact same bed.
Effect in Battle: A luxurious bed appears and plays music. All enemies take damage. All surviving enemies fall asleep.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

53. Tape
Location: Tree Branch Trail (3-8) Secret Door 
Caption: A variation of this thing has long been used by Toad security forces to restrain ne'er-do-wells. It should not be used on your little brother. I MEAN IT!
Effect in Battle: Tape appears and covers the battlefield. All enemies take damage. All enemies that survived the attack get taped, so they are unable to move.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button as the first strip of tape covers enemies.

54. Thumbtack
Location: Warm Fuzzy Plains (1-1) Secret Door
Caption: It's not uncommon for the younger generation of Toads to get paper piercings, but in general, they don't use something that affixes them to a wall.
Effect in Battle: Several thumbtacks appear and attack all enemies. All enemies take damage. All surviving enemies are tacked and unable to move.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button when the first thumbtack lands.

55. Stapler
Location: The Enigmansion (4-3)
Caption: This antiaircraft battery launches twin-pronged missiles when propped open but mangles the ordnance when fired in the prone position.
Effect in Battle: A stapler appears and staples all enemies. All enemies take damage. All surviving enemies are stapled and unable to move.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button when the stapler staples the first staple.

56. Fishhook
Location: Outlook Point (3-6) Secret Door
Caption: We know what this thing is: a hook. What we don't know is what terrors of the deep inspired a fisherman to make something so huge. And what of bait?
Effect in Battle: A fishhook goes into the background and pulls out a single sticker. Also retrieves the Big Cheep-Cheep when it goes into the water.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button once the line has been in the water for a while and the music stops. This will give you a Megaflash sticker.

57. Balloon
Location: Holey Thicket (3-11) Secret Door
Caption: Friction tests conducted on this flotation transport resulted in one of the worst Toad pile-ups in memory. Every scientist was stuck to this thing.
Effect in Battle: A deflated balloon appears, then slowly inflates and pops. All enemies take damage.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

58. Pocket Watch
Location: Whitecap Beach (3-12)
Caption: While this thing can theoretically manipulate time, every effort to use it to go back and avert that unfortunate chowder incident has failed.
Effect in Battle: A pocket watch appears and manipulates time. All enemies will be stopped (frozen in time) so they can't move.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button when the watch reads 12:00.

59. Cat-O-Luck
Location: Bouquet Gardens (1-2)
Caption: It's not uncommon to see a cat offering a high-five -- hence this sculpture. We believe the symbol may mean "Down low! You're too slow."
Effect in Battle: A Cat-O-Luck appears in the background, then lands on the enemies.
Action Command: Hit (A) as the Cat-O-Luck lands to make it stomp enemies three times.

60. High Heel
Location: Wiggler's Tree House (3-3)
Caption: This single-Toad sleeping chamber offers the snug fit and steep reclining angle popularized by certain celebrities. Trust us, it's really not comfortable.
Effect in Battle: Two red high heels walk in and dig their heels into one enemy, taking turns.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly. Repeat for the other shoe.

61. Goat
Location: Snow Rise (4-1)
Caption: This statue of a voracious goat seems cute at first but becomes unsettling. We're pretty sure it moved this one time. And we swear we heard a baa.
Effect in Battle: A goat appears and repeatedly bites down on all enemies, then spits them out.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button every time the goat bites.

62. Turkey
Location: Rugged Road (5-5)
Caption: This giant prehistoric bird was prepared for a feast. That much is quite clear. But was it brined? What kind of rub? Critical questions remain unanswered.
Effect in Battle: A turkey appears and breakdances on the battlefield, knocking away all enemies.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button when the turkey lands on its side at the end of the attack.

63. Cake
Location: The Enigmansion (4-3) 
Caption: A dessert of such magnitude comes around once in a long while, which is why this one is under surveillance. Step away from the display, sir.
Effect in Battle: A cake appears in the background while the song "Happy Birthday" plays.  The candles light up and Mario makes a wish.
Action Command: Hit (A) after the candles are blown out to heal 99 HP.

64. Boom Box
Location: Wiggler's Tree House (3-3)
Caption: This portable party machine requires two Toads to transport, but it's well worth the effort if one wishes to rock anytime and anywhere.
Effect in Battle: A boom box appears beside Mario and plays music while Mario runs in place. Doubles Mario's attack power for a few turns.
Action Command: Hit the (A) button repeatedly.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Nintendo Direct News 12/5/12

In the latest Nintendo Direct, new games for the Wii U and 3DS for 2013 were announced.

Lego City: Undercover (Wii U)- Chase McCain is taking down crime and Rex Fury in Lego City. The scanning function allows you to look for enemies and hidden items. He can also use disguises to reach new areas. Early 2013

Pikmin 3 (Wii U)- Q2 2013

Game and Wario (Wii U)- The game supports 5 players, with one Gamepad. There are 16 games. Some of the games involve one player using the Gamepad and the other players watching the TV screen. Q1 2013

Wii Fit U- This game includes the Fit Meter which can wirelessly upload data into the game. It has 77 activities, some from Wii Fit Plus, plus new games. Q1 2013

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge- Two new characters will be added to the game. Ayane will now be playable with her own story and levels. Momiji will also be playable. Kasumi from Dead or Alive will also be playable if you connect the game online. There is two-player online co-op as well as online multiplayer. 

Wii U Panorama View will be paid eShop software in Spring 2013. It will allow you to see views from around the world and let you look around in all directions.

Google Maps Street View will be available as downloadable software. It will work like Panorama View, so you can look around in all directions. Q1 2013

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon- E. Gadd is researching ghosts of Evershade Valley when the Dark Moon shatters, turning friendly ghosts into enemies. Luigi has to solve the problem in ghost-filled mansions, which are filled with puzzles and secrets. Spring 2013

Brain Age: Concentration Training- Information addiction is preventing us from getting things done. If you feel the need to constantly check your email and text messages, it can be challenging to rebuild focus. It helps build focus and working memory. February 10, 2013

Fire Emblem: Awakening- Chrom is building his army, the Shepherds. Placing characters near each other on the battle field so they can support each other and boost relationship, allowing for greater damage. Undead soldiers are spreading all over the land, and a soldier claiming to be Marth appears. February 4, 2013

New Super Mario Bros. 2: There is a new free Coin Rush Pack, to reward players for obtaining 300 billion coins, based on classic levels from the original Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3. Two more Coin Rush Packs are available: Coin Challenge Pack C and Platform Panic Pack.

Tokyo Crash Mobs- Throw people at people to knock them out of line, based on the color of clothing they are wearing. eShop

Harmoknight- From Game Freak comes a rhythm-based platforming game. eShop

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Paper Mario: Sticker Star -- 6-3 Bowser's Sky Castle

A storm is brewing and the castle is shooting out flames. We go inside and it's dark and quiet, except for the storm. There's a door at the end of the hallway. Behind it is Kamek. He's impressed that we eventually made it. We shall fight until one of us falls. Once again, he changes our stickers into Flip-flops. This time, we can't easily tell which stickers are shiny. I recommend sorting out your stickers, placing all the ones you don't mind losing on one or two pages and use those. Worn-out stickers here might be best. He then clones himself twice. The clones don't have much HP. He can also make stickers from the album disappear entirely. After a tedious battle, it's clear to him that it was no accident that we've been successful in gathering the Royal Stickers. He says the sticker Bowser has is infinitely stronger than the others. He turns into dust that is blown away.

Through the door is another quiet hallway. In the middle is a red carpet over spikes that starts rolling up while you walk on it. It is ripped and has holes, so pay attention where you walk. Once you make it to the end of the carpet, the rest of the hallway lights up and the carpet carries you to the other side of the gap, then falls. We walk up to a large Bowser symbol on the floor. Someone says, "Mario!" It's Peach, stuck to a chain by Bowser tape. Kersti says we should save her while Bowser isn't around, but that's not the case. Bowser drops in.

Kersti says we're not afraid of him and are going to peel the Royal Sticker from his forehead. Bowser sends Peach down a long hallway. The battle starts, and other enemies appear from windows in the walls. This is the time to break out your most powerful Thing stickers, but start with the small ones first. Bowser has 400 HP. Crumpling or soaking Bowser works well. Bowser will jump, breathe fire, and slide into Mario with his shell. Don't jump on him. After his HP drops below 350, he'll move on and hide behind a large Whomp. Your attacks will only do 1 damage to him, even your Thing stickers. There's a Scissors symbol on his back, which is his weakness. It's very difficult to hit him with scissors that do more than 1 damage, so I just used an Infinijump. He needs to be knocked over with an Eekhammer for the Scissors to work. Once you defeat him, attack Bowser. After a few hits, he'll move on, where the walls will disappear, revealing lava. Once he has 10 HP left, he'll move on after sending Podoboos to attack you.

He runs to the back wall where Peach is. He'll heal and a Chomp will join him. The Chomp will attack you and Bowser will also throw it. He'll also heal more frequently. After a while, Bowser will fall off the cliff and the battle will end. Kersti's upset because he took the Royal Sticker with him. We can't free Peach, so we approach Kersti, when Bowser's giant sparkly arms reach up. He's made of thicker corrugated cardboard. Another battle starts.

Bowser has 500 HP and we have barely any stickers left. He'll smack Mario around the way Mario smacks enemies with the Slaphammer. Kersti says our stickers are useless against the last Royal Sticker and there's only one thing to do: use Kersti as a sticker. The only thing that can match the last Royal Sticker's power is sparkling power originating from the same Sticker Star. With Mario and Kersti's powers combined, they can strike Bowser with the power of a thousand stickers. She goes into the album, warning us she'll never forgive us if we try to sell her in a shop. Her description says, "Sacrifices herself to give Mario all her power, leaving everything to him." No! Kersti, don't go like this!

We don't have much of a choice but to use her. She says, "Thanks for sticking me up, Mario. I give to you all my shine. You must win! Looking back, I realize I kind of forced you to come on this adventure with me. I'm sorry...We went through a lot... but it was fun. And now... Good-bye!" Kersti, Mario would've gone on the adventure regardless, to save Peach. She turns into a Battle Spinner with her face in different expressions. We match all three and get to use 5 stickers, plus get healed some. I set up my best remaining stickers: Lightbulb, Thumbtack, Big Shiny Clone Jump, Megaflash Jump, and Big Shiny Infinijump. The Infinijump finishes off Bowser's left arm. He breathes fire into the album, destroying the stickers on the current page. We still have 5 sticker slots. I ran out of stickers before I could defeat him, so I changed my strategy to use the smaller Thing stickers in the first part of the battle. This led to victory.

Bowser floats in the air and, with an explosion, the sparkle and shine of the Royal Sticker leaves him. The last Royal Sticker appears and lands in the center of the album cover. Bowser lies flat on the ground. We peel the Bowser tape off Peach and she gently floats down a short distance to the ground. She says, "Thank you, Mario. I knew I could count on you, as always. Now that the Royal Stickers's been peeled off, Bowser should come to his senses... eventually. He's been beaten flat, but that's nothing new, so I don't think we need to worry about him. He'll be OK. So this all came about because of the six Royal Stickers that rode in on the comet the night of the Sticker Fest. The power to grant wishes can bring disaster if used without wisdom, huh?" Mario pulls out the album and shows them to her. "Ah, so those are the Royal Sticker.... I bet it was hard gathering all six. But thanks to your hard work, my wish for peace in the kingdom... No wait! It was the wish of everyone throughout the land. And it came true. Now please, use the power of those Royal Stickers to grant your own wish. Mario, what is your wish?" Mario makes his wish and the album gleams with light.

We return to Decalburg on the Sticker Fest grounds with Peach. The comet is in place. The Toads are cheering. The Toad, master of the Enigmansion, is sitting on a bench. The Toad from the Damp Oasis is on another. Peach says, "Citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom! Tonight, at long last, that symbol of peace, the Sticker Fest, has finally been revived. But this glad day did not come to pass through the power of the Sticker Comet. No, it was bought with the bravery of Mario, who returned the Royal Stickers to us... And it was paid for with the power of all you, who wished so fervently for Sticker Fest to return."

Bowser approaches the Sticker Comet, but Kersti tells him off, saying, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Please tell me you aren't trying to touch the Sticker Comet again! You know what I think? I think you're a troublemaker! And your troublemaking made trouble for everyone! Hmm... Being brought back to life by Mario's wish was definitely nice, but... If it's like this every year at the Sticker Fest, I may have to seriously reconsider my career path." We saved Sticker Fest and wished Kersti back to life.  I think we've done a good job here. Roll credits!

Luigi gets to lead the parade. The parade shows places we've been, like the windmill and Goomba Fortress. Wiggler, the Toads from the Enigmansion, and Birdo appear. The shiny bosses also make a reappearance. Bowser and Bowser Jr. also appear during the parade. As we completed the tasks on the Sticker Fest flags on the Sticker Fest grounds, Toads carry them during the parade. Mario, Peach, and Kersti appear on a float with the Sticker Comet. At the end, the book closes on this tale and the light goes out.  A message tells us a new Toad has appeared on the festival grounds and that we should say hello. It's the Purple Toad from the Enigmansion. Apparently, he helped plan the parade. Talk to him if you want to watch it again.

And with that, we finish Paper Mario: Sticker Star. I had a fun time playing this game. Stay tuned for the next game I cover.