Friday, February 28, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 6-C -- Motley Bossblob's Big Battle

The clear pipe the azure Sprixie Princess made does not lead to the next world. It leads to a cloud where a Bowser tent drops in. The other pipe is plugged up. Before you get into the gondola, grab the Double Cherry from the item block. The gondola takes you to the arena, where a jester appears. He uses magic to surround himself with some gray blobs, which turn him into a giant jester. This is Motley Bossblob. He'll jump around, trying to land on you. Run away around the arena until he jumps and flips for a ground pound. The blobs will come off him, revealing a Double Cherry, and he'll run around. Grab the Double Cherry and try to stomp him before he summons the blobs. After you stomp him, he'll reform Motley Bossblob and jump around even more before ground-pounding. Hit him three times and he'll explode. The Green Star will appear, as well as many coins. The pipe leads to the flagpole. The clear pipe leads to World Castle.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 6- Castle -- Bowser's Bob-omb Brigade

It's nighttime and Bowser's soldiers and tanks are out in force. It's another automatically scrolling level. There are Fire Bros on some of the tanks, so keep an eye out for them. Grab a Tanooki Suit from the item block and you'll see some Bob-ombs coming from some Bowser boxes. Use them to blow up the gray bricks to reveal a giant item block. These item blocks make bridges to areas you can't normally reach. The first one leads to a Hammer Bro on a different tank. The Bob-ombs or ground-pounding make the bridge extend all the way at once. There's a triple item block that spews an infinite amount of Bob-ombs. Use them on the giant item block to form a bridge to the first Green Star. Nearby is a Red Coin Ring and a Fire Bro. Ahead, the ground splits. There will be smaller tanks in two columns. Grab a Bob-omb and use it to blow up the gray brick on top of a tank for the second Green Star. Hit a giant item block ahead to get the third Green Star. There's a tank with a pipe at the end. Use a Bob-omb to blow up the back wall to get the stamp.

Through the pipe, you'll meet Boom Boom again. He'll make a copy of himself, which will remain in its shell. Hit the real Boom Boom and he'll make more copies. After three hits, he'll be defeated and a warp box will appear. Go to the flagpole to free the azure Sprixie Princess. She'll use her wrench to make a clear pipe.

The stamp is of a Blockstepper, the soldier enemy.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 6- Mystery House -- Mystery House Throwdown

Instead of battling enemies as the title suggests, you'll be throwing baseballs around to collect the Green Stars. For the first Green Star, pick up a baseball and throw it down the slope, in the center, aiming for the Green Star. Alternatively, you can jump down there and jump back up after you grab it, but this is not recommended. The second Green Star is on a flip-switch. Pick up a baseball and jump so that it appears when you jump to throw the baseball. For the third Green Star, use the springboard so you can aim the baseball at the P-Switch. In the fourth area, jump and throw the baseball at the POW Block. This will get rid of the Biddybuds for a 1-up and make the fourth Green Star appear. In the fifth area, throw the baseballs at the ! Switches behind the Thwomps. Clear them all to make the fifth Green Star appear.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 6-7 -- Fuzzy Time Mine

This is an automatically scrolling level. Climb up the platforms on the back wall and you'll see something move from the lower right corner. It's a mass of Fuzzies that will follow you around. Touch the mass is instant death. Grab a Tanooki Suit and go past the Para Dry Bones. Go up the tilting platform and you'll find the stamp in an alcove behind a crushing wall. As you climb higher, you'll find more moving walls. You'll find the first Green Star on the right side, under a cloud. Ground pound the cloud to drop through it to get it. Go up and to the right, where you'll find a POW Block. You'll find the second Green Star over a tilting platform. Ahead is a series of moving walls that will close one by one. Use the springboard to reach the walls and jump up to the third Green Star. Above it is a cloud and a door to the flag.

The stamp is of a Fuzzy.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 6-6 -- Bullet Bill Base

Bullet Bill Base is a tall tower. There are moving clouds here as well as many Bill Blasters. Grab a Super Bell and go to the wall that's moving up. Climb up it and the nearby clouds to reach the first Green Star at the very top. Go below the level with the crates for the warp box to the midpoint. Climb the back wall for a Mystery Box. Climb the wheel to reach the second Green Star. When you return to the main level, you'll find moving Bill Blasters to dodge. In front of the wall to the right, is an invisible block with a 1-up high above. Ahead are moving clouds and walls, as well as a Banzai Bill. Take the moving walls up and to the right for the third Green Star. Up and to the left, you'll find the stamp over some brick blocks. Go to the right and you'll find the flag.

The stamp is of a defeated Goomba.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 6-5 -- Ty-Foo Flurries

Ty-Foos are giant Foos that blow vortices. They're strong enough to push you to the edge of the ground. There's lots of snow in the area. You may want Toad for this level. The first set of item blocks has a Fire Flower. Hit the Ty-Foos with it to temporarily stun in so you can pass. Go right and up the path with the crates. You'll find a couple of brick enemies with spiked edges that will strafe side to side. Past them is some ice with a Goomba in a Kuribo's Skate. Take the skate and use it to safely go onto the spikes ahead and reach the stamp. Return to the ice, then go up the steps. There are Ty-Foos here. There are a couple of item blocks in the path of a Ty-Foo. Above them is an invisible block. Stand on it to reach the first Green Star. Ahead is a narrow path with several Ty-Foos. Either run quickly or stun them individually to pass. Go through the clear pipe at the end to reach the midpoint.

Past the midpoint is more ice. Grab a Kuribo's Skate and go left to the Mystery Box, crossing some spikes. Here, grab another Kuribo's Skate and skate downhill as quickly as possible to reach the second Green Star. Once you return to the main level, cross the spikes again, then go to the back wall. The third Green Star is in the gap. Jump into the gap when you see a little air current come from the gap. A vortex will push you out of the gap. Don't jump when the vortex is there or you won't be able to reach the Green Star. Ahead are more Ty-Foos and brick enemies, which makes reaching the pipe to the flag difficult. Time your movements and proceed with caution.

The stamp is of Mario and Kuribo's Skate.

Super Mario 3D World: 6-A -- Prince Bully Blockade

Prince Bully is a Bully in silver armor. There's only one of him to defeat. There are several clear pipes in the wall drawing air out of the room. Push Prince Bully to a pipe and he'll get stuck. Push him again and he'll go through the pipe and come out a different one. He'll be cylindrical in shape. Stomp him for a hit before he gets back up. Do this three times to defeat him and get the Green Star.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 6-4 -- Deep Jungle Drift

It's time for a river raft ride on purple water. If you happen to get stuck and your raft leaves without you, just wait for the next one. There are several grates you can climb as a cat, and the Super Bell is in this level. You'll have to complete this level twice to collect everything. Climb up onto the fences and stay up there. You'll find Fire Piranhas up here. There are some trapezes up here. Use two of them to reach the stamp. After a while, the fences will end, so dive to the midpoint. You'll find some Creeper Piranhas here, along with a Green Ring. Collect the coins for the second Green Star, then quickly get back on the raft or wait for the next one. Ahead is a waterfall.

When going down the waterfall, stand in the middle of the raft to collect the coins. At the end of the ride is a warp box. Quickly climb the wall above the warp box to reach the third Green Star, then quickly go through the pipe before the raft disappears under the wall. The warp box leads to the flag.

The first Green Star is near the stamp, but closer to the water. While riding the raft, you'll come across bees and a Red Coin Ring. Past the Creeper Piranha is a clear pipe with the first Green Star. Time your entry into the pipe because it lets out directly over the water. Make sure the raft will be at the other end of the pipe when you will.

The stamp is of Cat Toad napping.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 6-3 -- Hands-On Hall

You'll need 100 Green Stars to unlock this level. This level takes place inside and outside a Japanese-style house with music to match. You'll start in an empty hallway. Touch what looks like the back wall using the Game Pad to make the doors slide open, revealing a pipe. Go through the pipe to a room with Goombas. Get a Boomerang Flower from the item block. You can now throw boomerangs, which give you a range attack with the potential for combos. Touch the door to the right and go behind the wall. Go all the way to the right and you'll find an invisible block with an item in it. Go back left and open the door. Carefully go up the ramp, as there is a Spike throwing spike bars down the ramp. Go left and open the doors to reveal two P-Switches. Take out the Galoomba before it hits you. The left P-Switch lowers the stairs to the left. The right P-Switch makes two Goombas appear. Kill them for Goomba Caps. When wearing the Goomba Cap, enemies will not notice you. If you run into an enemy, you'll lose the Goomba Cap.

Go up the stairs and ring the gong (by touching it on the Game Pad) for lots of coins. Ahead are more sliding doors. The first Green Star is behind these doors, but you have to wait for the wall to move first. Just ahead is a clock and an invisible Moneybag. To the right is the warp box behind some doors with many Goombas to the midpoint, which is outside. This is part of the building's roof. There are Thwomps, Spikes, Goombas, and Key Coins here. The second Green Star is nearby, in the gap to the right. Jump the gap or use a boomerang to get it. On the other side of the gap are Propeller Blocks. When wearing them, press (A) to jump, then hold (A) to fly. You can only wear one item at a time, so if you want the Propeller Block, lose the Goomba Cap by taking damage. The five Key Coins are all over here, but not hard to find. Check the top levels of the roof if you're missing any. The warp box is on the top level.

The warp box takes you back inside. Ringing the first gong makes Goombas appear, but the second one makes coins appear. Ahead, you'll run into a few sets of Spikes. Kill the first three you find. Walk towards the front wall, where the spike bars were going and you'll wind up outside. If you still have the Propeller Block, fly up onto the roof and you'll find the stamp on a cloud. It's well hidden. Carefully drop down and go back inside. There are more Spikes inside. To the right, you'll find a warp box and a gong. Ring the gong to make a Mystery Box appear. This takes you almost outside, where a Spike is waiting in a cage on the side of the building above where the Thwomps were. Kill the Spike for the third Green Star. Go through the warp box, which takes you to the roof and the flagpole. There are golden Cheep-Cheep statues. Hit the triple item blocks under the Spike to defeat it, allowing you to reach the flag more easily.

The stamp is of a Moneybag.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 6-2 -- Spooky Seasick Wreck

This Ghost House is a series of boats and piers. Take the warp box to the first boat. All of the boats rock, which may make you dizzy. There are Bullies on the boats. They will try to push you into holes in the boat or off the boat entirely. You can do the same to them and push them with fireballs. Between the boats are tilting platforms with spike bars. Kill the bullies on the second boat to make the first Green Star appear. The warp box at the end of the path will take you inside a boat. There's water in the boat. Ahead, ghosts are circling the stamp. Boos will appear. There's a couple of item blocks ahead. Hit the second item block for a Starman. Near the second ring of ghosts, drop down into the water for the second Green Star. The warp box at the end will take you to the midpoint.

The platform will drop to some tilting platforms. Proceed carefully. The third Green Star is near some Boos. At the end is a boat with Bullies. Grab the item from the invisible block near the center. Kill the Bullies to make the warp box to the flagpole appear. There are tilting platforms and spike bars leading up to the flag.

The stamp is of a Fire Flower.

Super Mario 3D World: 6-B -- Fire Bros. Hideout #3

There's a pipe to the right of 6-1 that takes you to 6-B. You have 100 seconds to defeat one Fire Bro, two Hammer Bros, and two Boomerang Bros. Try to have the Fire Bro attack the others or pick them off one by one. After they're all gone, grab the Green Star.

Return to the main world map, then go southwest. You'll find a pipe that leads to the Sprixie House. The stamp is of the purple Sprixie Princess.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 6-1 -- Clear Pipe Cruise

This level can be difficult as it requires quick reflexes to navigate through the pipes. There are lots of clear pipes, which is how you'll get around. There are Fire Piranha Plants that will breathe fireballs, sometimes into the clear pipes. Be careful. Kill one of the Fire Piranha Plants for a Fire Flower. This allows you to clear out the spike balls in the clear pipes. You can't go through parts of a clear pipe with spike balls. Up ahead is a looping pipe. To the left is a Starman. Use it to destroy the spike balls in the center so you can get the first Green Star. Leave the pipe to the right to reach the warp box. There are more spike balls in the pipes, but they can be cleared out with the POW Block. Up ahead are Fuzzies. You can't defeat them with fireballs, so avoid them. The second Green Star is in the top loop in a section of clear pipe. Once you get of the clear pipes, you'll reach the midpoint.

Ahead is a long clear pipe. Instead of going through it, jump on it and walk on top. You'll find the stamp up here. The pipe leads you to an area with more Fuzzies, spike balls, and POW Blocks. Use the POW Blocks to clear out the spike balls so you can go up to a moving cloud that takes you to the warp box. You'll end up near a Fire Piranha Plant and a clear pipe. Use fireballs (yours or the Fire Piranha Plant's) to clear the pipe. It takes you to a cloud cannon. Pick up a potted Piranha Plant and run. The potted Piranha Plant will eat the Piranha Plants in front of you and grab the third Green Star at the end. You'll drop back down, leaving the potted Piranha Plant behind.

Go down the slope with the Piranha Plants. Ahead is a clear pipe with two loops with a Key Coin out in front. There is a group of Fuzzies in each loop. With good timing, go through the pipe, then to the upper loop and to the right. Go through the right branch and get the two Key Coins. Go into the loop, going up when the coast is clear, then get the last two Key Coins in the left branch. Go down into the loop and to the warp box at the top. The warp box takes you to the flagpole. There's a clear pipe with a group of Fuzzies in it. Take the third exit from the bottom to reach the top of the flagpole.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 5- Castle -- King Ka-Thunk's Castle

In this castle, there are many spikes bars formed into squares. They'll flip around in a set path. Be careful when jumping over or through them. Grab a Super Bell and deal with the Chargin' Chucks ahead. There are some platforms that swing back and forth. Trigger the Green Ring and collect the Green Coins on these platforms for the first Green Star. Up ahead is a warp box that takes you tot he midpoint.

Here the square spike bars roll on their sides from the walls. Avoid a few of them by climbing the wall, which is where the stamp is. Drop back down because one of the later square spike bars has the second Green Star. If it rolls off the edge, wait a little while and it will come back. There's a Chargin' Chuck in the area. Ahead, the square spike bars will fall towards you, on top of the springboards. Jump carefully. At the end is a warp box. Before you go through it, climb up the wall to find an alcove with the third Green Star.

The warp box takes you to King Ka-Thunk, a square enemy that moves around using a square spike bar. He'll try to hit you by falling over or running into you with the spikes. When he falls face first, stomp the X on his back. After a hit, he'll make two corners of the arena disappear. After the second hit, he'll make the other two disappear. Three hits will defeat him. The warp box to the flag appears. Free the purple Sprixie Princess. She'll use a wrench to build a clear pipe to World 6.

The stamp is of a Chargin' Chuck.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 5-7 -- Searchlight Sneak

This is a stealth level. It looks like a castle level. Avoid the spotlights or an alarm will sound and Cat Bullet Bills will be fired and home in on your location. Grab a Tanooki Suit from the item block near a spring enemy. You'll cross a gray brick floor. Be careful about avoiding the spotlights as the Cat Bullet Bills can destroy the bricks. Past the long stretch of gray bricks, you'll find the first Green Star high above the solid floor in the path of a moving spotlight. Use the spring enemies to get it.

When you're past the spotlights circling each other, go behind the wall to the midpoint. You'll be hiding from the spotlights behind the walls. Another spotlight illuminates the stamp over some brick and item blocks, so be careful when you try to get it. There's a crack in the wall. Lead a Cat Bullet Bill to the crack to reveal a Mystery Box. There are brick stairs to the second Green Star. Cat Bullet Bills will appear and destroy the bricks. Move quickly. There are Red Coins ahead if you want them. Climb up the stairs and lead the Cat Bullet Bills to the third Green Star, which is surrounded by bricks. The Cat Bullet Bills will break the bricks so you can reach it. At the top of the stairs is the flag.

The stamp is of Toad jumping.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 5- Train -- The Golden Express

In front of the castle is a patch of ground with a hidden pipe. Press (A) to make it appear. It takes you to an island with two more patches. The south patch's pipe takes you to World 1. The north patch's pipe takes you to a golden train.

The train is filled with coins. Quickly climb aboard and start grabbing the coins, especially the ones in the stacks. Ahead are coin rings and a Gold Shell. Kick it around to get even more coins. Drop down into the engine room with Captain Toad to hit a gold P-Switch to make more coins appear near the pipe. The pipe leads to a slot machine. Match two pictures for 100 coins. If you match four Double Cherries, you get 777 coins. After that, the level is finished and the train will disappear.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 5-6 -- Cakewalk Flip

The flipswitches are back, so think before you jump. The level takes place on giant cakes. There are Piranha Plants on some of the flipswitches. Cross the gap between cakes and you'll find the first Green Star on the blue flipswitches. Ahead, you'll find a laser firing square laser rings. The box above it contains a Double Cherry. You can go past it using the clear pipe to the right. Climb up the flipswitches with Piranha Plants to the midpoint.

There is another laser and another Double Cherry in a block. You'll also find a Piranha Plant in a pipe. Kill the Piranha Plant and go through the pipe. It leads to an area with a P-Switch and some flipswitches. Stand on the P-Switch to make a green ball appear. It will roll down the path of flipswitches. Time your jumping (in place) so that the ball lands on the P-Switch below. This makes the second Green Star appear. Return to the main level. You'll find a two-person platform. This leads to the stamp and will bring you back. Ahead are some flipswitches, a laser, and a green ring. Have another character stand on the laser to keep it from firing, then trigger the green ring. Carefully collect the Green Coins. The character standing on the laser will help you collect a couple. This will make the third Green Star appear. The flagpole is ahead.

The stamp is of Peach holding a ring of flowers.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 5-5 -- Bob-ombs Below

This place is crawling with Bob-ombs, especially because there are blocks that keep spewing out more. Some item blocks are arranged in pyramids. Use the Bob-ombs to hit all of the blocks in the pyramid at once. Once of them has a Super Leaf, giving you the Tanooki Suit. Go past the Piranha Plants and you'll see a POW Block on the wall. Use it to reach the first Green Star. Ahead is another POW Block. Follow the chain to the end to get the 1-up. You can reach it near the midpoint.

Ahead is a bunny on a circular platform. Chase it down on the inside part of the circle to catch it for the second Green Star. Ahead are a couple of Goomba stacks in front of a crack in the wall. Use a Bob-omb to break the wall. Go behind the wall for the stamp. Go back in front of the wall and take a pipe to a cloud. The cloud cannon launches you to an area in the sky with tiles. Clear the tiles with the help of the Bob-ombs, revealing 8-bit Mario and the third Green Star. Drop back down and use a Bob-omb to start a chain reaction with a POW Block. Run ahead as the POW Blocks clear out the Piranha Plants for a 1-up. Go through the pipe. Use a Bob-omb to make stairs to the flagpole.

The stamp is of a Bob-omb.

Completing the level will give you access to a Sprixie House. The stamp is of the orange Sprixie Princess.

Super Mario 3D World: 5-B -- Fire Bros. Hideout #2

On the west side of World 5 is a small patch of dirt. Approach it and press (A) to reveal a pipe to 5-B. You have 100 seconds to defeat a single Fire Bro. Unfortunately, he's on top of a very tall stack of Goombas. You can either destroy the stack of Goombas or stand on the rising pillars, then jump and stomp. Defeating the Fire Bro will get you a Green Star.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 5-4 -- Sprawling Savanna

There's a lot of exploration to do in this level. Launch from the clear pipe cannon to an area with ants. One of them has a Super Bell. If you climb up the wall, you'll find coins. To the right are pipes with an infinite amount of ants. There's a back wall behind a pipe. Before you go through the pipe, hit the invisible block on the wall so you can reach the alcove in the wall. The first Green Star is here. The clear pipe is a cannon that will launch you to another cannon. In the gap are a couple of moving Fuzzies, so time your launch. There are more Fuzzies between the second clear pipe cannon and the third. At the top is a rotating platform with pipes and more infinite ants. Use the platform to cross to the other side. There's a coin block and a clear pipe cannon that launches you to the midpoint.

The midpoint is a sprawling area with many things to check out. Most of the things are coins and clocks. The glowing hills contain coins, as well as the giant bunny. Go ahead where the shrubs are and you'll see some bunnies. One will have the green glow of the Green Star. Chase it down for the second Green Star. To the right is an endless stream of ants walking into a hole. Follow them into the hole to find a giant ant walking on the ceiling with the stamp. Go to the back wall and up the pipe cannon. You'll find a ring of Fuzzies with a Starman. Grab the Starman and hit all of the Fuzzies ahead of you for 1-ups. At the top are two rotating platforms with ants and a green ring for the third Green Star. The flagpole is next to the second rotating platform.

The stamp is of Cat Peach.

Super Mario 3D World: 5-A -- Chargin' Chuck Blockade Is Back

This time, you have to deal with five Chargin' Chucks. Ground pound them to defeat them more quickly. Defeating them makes a Green Star appear.

Nintendo Direct 2/13/14

It's time for the first Nintendo Direct of 2014. Here's what's in store.

Super Smash Bros. - Little Mac from Punch Out is part of the Super Smash Bros. roster. Build up the power meter for a knock-out punch. -Wii U and 3DS 2014

Mario Golf: World Tour- A new mode called Castle Club allows you to play as your Mii, customizing them from items from the shop. Some will affect your game. You can also use a new training mode that allows you to focus on certain areas of golfing, such as putting. Playing in the Castle Club will unlock better tournaments for you to compete in. - 3DS May 2

Kirby: Triple Deluxe- There are several collectibles, like 8-bit key chains and Sun Stones, which allow for game progression and a bonus. There is a special Waddle-Dee that may appear in some stages to give Kirby items. If you Streetpass with someone, you can get better items. If that persona has the game, you can get a key chain. -3DS May 2

Yoshi's New Island- Yoshi must protect Baby Mario. There is no time limit, allowing for exploration. The giant eggs are called Mega Egg Dozers and can destroy pipes. Metal eggs are Metal Eggdozers and can be used to go underwater. Yoshi can power up into a jackhammer, submarine, and other things, which can be controlled by tilting the 3DS. There's a special star in certain stages that allows Yoshi to run super fast, up walls, and upside down. The Flutter Wings are a new power-up that allows Yoshi to sprout wings. It will appear based on your play status, including mistakes in a given level. It's helpful for beginners and those not very good at action games. You'll still have stars, Red Coins, and Flowers to collect for a perfect score. -3DS March 14

Steel Diver: Sub Wars- It's a first-person shooter where you control a quick-moving submarine with slow-moving torpedoes. It can be good for those who don't do well in fast-paced games. You can compete in 4 vs. 4 battles in local multiplayer or internet multiplayer. There are 7 single-player missions. There will be a free version allowing you to play as two submarines, for the beginning of the game and all of the multiplayer missions.  -3DS eShop Available now

Rusty's Real Deal Baseball- Rusty Slugger owns a sports shop. Purchase a wide variety of games to play that are based on the elements of baseball, such as catching, pitching, and umpiring. Download the trial version off the eShop and complete the first game, Bat and Switch. This will give you access to the other games. You can negotiate the price down by giving Rusty items and listening to his problems. They start at $4. -3DS eShop April

Pokémon Battle Trozei- This is an action puzzle game where you match Pokémon up in rows and columns to clear them. All Pokémon are available to catch. Level them up in Trozei battles. Type advantages still apply. Team up with up to three other players, especially for powerful enemies. -3DS March 20

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy- Emmy Altava reappears with Professor Layton and Luke. She's an investigator and carries her camera around to capture the crime scene. She can also be persuasive, using her roundhouse kicks. The game has a Streetpass component. You'll find items along the way and can create Treasure Hunts with them. Completing the challenges gives you points to get rare items you can't get elsewhere. -3DS February 28

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate- There are new actions your character can take to battle the monsters, making for more dynamic gameplay. You can hunt with your friends over the internet.  -3DS 2015

Weapon Shop de Omasse- This is the last game from the Guild 01 series. from Level 5. You play as a weapon smith, leading a humble life. Forge weapons and equipment to rent out to heroes and see how they use them. To forge weapons, touch the Touch Screen in time to the music, following the rhythm. Your timing and temperature control will determine the strength of the weapon and whether the hero succeeds in battle. If they fail, you don't get paid. -3DS eShop February 20

Inazuma Eleven- In this RPG, you take middle school underdog soccer players and turn them into the best players. Train and recruit your team and compete in soccer matches that resemble strategy RPGs. Victory is determined by your team's stats. Shooting a goal involves special moves from all teammates. -3DS eShop Available now

Treasurenauts- A new platformer from Renegade Kid. Collect treasure in a labyrinth with one or two players.

Moon Chronicles- Also from Renegade Kid. It's a first-person shooter with a story component.

Shovel Knight- A side-scrolling action-adventure game where you play as a knight with a shovel.

1001 Spikes- Play as one or two players in levels full of spikes with many ways to kill you.

Retro City Rampage- Steal cars in this 8-bit game. Collect power-ups and coins, and complete missions.

In the next few months, the following games will be on the eShop for Wii U: Armillo, 1001 Spikes, Teslagrad, Assault Android: Cactus, Ittle Dew, Monkey Pirates, Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails, Squids Odyssey, Shovel Knight, Wooden Sensey, Ballpoint Universe Infinite, Nihilumbra, and Qube. For the 3DS: Shovel Knight, Retro City Rampage, Squids Odyssey, Weapon Shop de Omasse, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, Moon Chronicles, Siesta Fiesta, Treasurenauts, and 1001 Spikes.

Child of Light- Play as Princess Aurora, trying to find three sources of light from an evil queen. Explore the kingdom of Lemoria. Fight monsters and solve puzzles. A firefly aids you by lighting your path. It can distract enemies in battle, heal your party, and write messages to other players. A second player can take control of the firefly.  -Wii U April 30

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze- Wii U February 21

NES Remix 2- The challenges come from later NES games like Super Mario Bros. 3. The game also comes with Super Luigi Bros., which includes all of the level in Super Mario Bros., but played right to left. - Wii U April 25

This spring, Game Boy Advance games will be available on the Wii U Virtual Console. Titles to be released early on include Metroid Fusion, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga, and Yoshi's Island.

Mario Kart 8- Coins will be available in the game, as well as tricks. The Koopalings will be playable. -Wii U May 30

X- From Monolith Soft, the gameplay is similar to Xenoblade Chronicles in terms of battle, with a different interface for picking moves. You can also battle enemies using a giant robot, which does massive damage. -Wii U

Bayonetta 2- Bayonetta has shorter hair, but still has guns in her shoes. There's a mountain that has an entrance to Inferno. Bayonetta meets someone in Purgatorio who can open the gate to Inferno, where she finds a Lumen Sage that she'll have to battle. Witch Time will be available as well as the Umbran Attack, a powerful attack from building up your power. -Wii U 2014

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 5-3 -- Backstreet Bustle

You'll need 80 Green Stars to unlock this level. You'll have to use Toad to collect one of the items here. You have 100 seconds to complete this level. The level takes place underground. Go back and to the left and ground pound the patch of dirt, where the tiles are broken. This makes the first Green Star appear. Go forward and get the Double Cherry from the item block. Use the two-person platform to cross the gap. Falling into the gap is instant death. On the right side, beat the Goombas and stand on the button with the Toad symbol for the stamp. Grab another Double Cherry and go left. Beat the Fire Piranha, grab another Double Cherry and take the four-person platform to the second Green Star. Drop down to the right for the third Green Star. Go back and right, past the blue lava bubbles to the flagpole.

The stamp is of Small Toad running after a Mushroom.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 5-2 -- Tricky Trapeze Theater

It's time to go back to the circus! Take the gondola down to the level where you'll find tilting platforms, Fizzlits, and trapezes. The trapezes can hold four people at a time. They trapezes are already swinging, but you can push left and right to make them swing even more. Keep going to the right past the three Fizzlits and you'll find invisible clouds over one of the trapezes. The first Green Star is up there. Take the gondola to the right down to the midpoint.

Ahead is a large, spinning platform with many Piranha Plants and giant Piranha Plants. Go to the right for a pipe. It leads to a P-Switch. Collect the Silver Coins for the second Green Star. Return and go to the center of the spinning platform. The triple item block has a Mega Mushroom. Kill all of the Piranha Plants for lots of coins. Go to the back and bounce on the orange bouncy platform to reach the large stairs. The stamp is to the left. If you can climb the wall, you'll find Captain Toad with a random item block. Otherwise, go through the clear pipe. You'll land on tilting platforms with spike bars. Swing on the trapeze and hit the Green Ring to make Green Coins appear. It doesn't matter which spot you swing from on the trapeze, but you must swing quickly and jump when the opportunity presents itself to collect all eight. This will get you the third Green Star. Take the gondola down to the trapeze to the flag. Time your jump carefully as there is nothing under the trapeze. It can be a little difficult to reach the top of the flagpole from here, so take your time swinging.

The stamp is of Luigi.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 5- Toad -- Captain Toad Plays Peek-a-Boo

Time for adventure! There are five more Green Stars to collect in this ghostly area. Go through the door to reach the other side of the fence. Touch the touch platform to raise it to the donut lifts to reach the first Green Star. Walk down the slope and go through the left door to reach the second Green Star. Take the top right door, which leads to the top door. There's no floor below, so you'll drop down. Walk around to the left and drop down. Boos will follow you. Touch the touch platform to move it out of the way, walk toward the two touch platforms. Drop down to the first one, then raise it to the second. Raise the second one, then cross the donut lifts to the touch platform that was previously in your way. Stand on it, then touch it to move it to the third Green Star. Stand on the touch platform again and let it move back into position. Go through the hallway to where the ghosts are circling the fourth Green Star. Get it and the Super Mushroom if you like. Walk up the purple ramp across the donut lifts. You will be chased by Big Boo. The fifth Green Star it at the end.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 5-1 -- Sunshine Seaside

It's time for a walk on a long stretch of beach. There are Biddybuds and Koopas here, as well as orange disks with a key symbol. These are Key Coins. Collect five of them to unlock a warp box to move on. Walk to the right and you'll see sand sculptures. Stand on the right Goomba sand sculpture and ground pound it for the first Green Star. There are clear pipes along the beach. Go up one of them to reach a cloud for a Key Coin. There's another under a sand hill near three Koopas. Go out into the water and you'll find a hole. There's a pipe down there that leads to a room with Koopas on a tile floor. Clear the tiles for the second Green Star. The pipe will take you near the locked warp box. You'll find a Key Coin in a nearby tree and a 1-up in a clear pipe. Ahead is a Red Coin Ring, which will give you a Boomerang Flower. Use the boomerang on the nearby Chargin' Chucks, who are guarding the last Key Coin. Alternatively, ground pound the right Goomba sand sculpture for a Goomba Mask, which will make all enemies ignore you. There's a Gold Shell in the Bowser sculpture, which creates coins. Go all the way to the right and you'll find a hole in the wall. Inside, Biddybuds are chasing Captain Toad. Defeat them all for the third Green Star.

Go through the warp box to the midpoint. There's a Moneybag in the area. Take the pipe underground, where Plessie is. There's a narrow waterway here and you must cross narrow passages and moving bridges. On the right side are some high planks with the stamp. Jump at the top of the slope to reach them. At the end is the pipe that leads to the flagpole, where there are Biddybuds and a Koopa.

The stamp is of a Koopa kicked out of its shell.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 4- Castle -- Lava Rock Lair

You need 50 Green Stars to unlock this level. The castle is filled with lava and Brolders. You can pick up the Brolders and throw them around. Throw one on the P-Switch to lower a bridge to the first Green Star. Cross the gaps with the Podoboos and you'll see a Red Coin Ring. The Red Coins will appear over or between brick blocks. To reach the highest ones, throw a Brolder onto the brick blocks to collect them. This will give you a Super Bell. Try to keep it. Take the pipe under the lava with the Podoboos and you'll come out near a Mystery Box. The Mystery Box has three P-Switches and two Brolders. You have 10 seconds to put a Brolder on two of the P-Switches, stand on the third, and collect the Green Star. This may take a while unless multiple people are playing.

Just past the Mystery Box is a tall wall. As a cat, you can climb up the left wall for the stamp. Ahead are some Goomba stacks and Brolders appearing out of the ground. One Goomba stack has a Super Bell. The third Green Star is on the left side, over the lava. Toss a Brolder to get it. At the back is an invisible block with a Super Mushroom and a pipe.

The pipe leads to the battle arena, which is surrounded by lava. Walk to the center and a crystal Brolder called Boss Brolder will appear, with three normal Brolders. Pick up a Brolder and toss it into Boss Brolder. After a hit, Boss Brolder will roll around, chasing you. Hit Boss Brolder three times to win. A warp box to the flagpole will appear. Free the orange Sprixie Princess and she'll use a pipe to build you a clear pipe to World 5.

Super Mario 3D World: 4-B -- Fire Bros. Hideout #1

The Fire Bros have created a few hideouts hidden throughout the Sprixie Kingdom. The first one can be found through a pipe south of the castle. There are three Fire Bros in the room and you have 100 seconds to kill them. They'll jump around, so let two of them stand across from each other and stand between them briefly. They'll throw a fireball at each other, defeating each other so you don't have to. Stomp the third one to make a Green Star appear. You'll also get access to a Sprixie House with a stamp of the blue Sprixie Princess.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 4-5 -- Spike's Lost City

The Spikes in these ruins throw spiked bars. You can get the Super Bell here and climb up the walls, so you can better avoid the Spikes. Go up the slope with the Spikes, then go left for the stamp. To the right is a pipe. There are ! switches to clear with many Spikes above the switches. Use the Game Pad to clear the switches safely and get ride of the Spikes. This will make the first Green Star appear. Go past the Goombas and you'll reach the midpoint, which is in front of some pendulums with spike bars rolling on them. Go past the pendulums and run up the long slope. You can get Red Coins here. There are spike bars, some of them long, rolling down the slope. Try to keep the Super Bell as you make your way to the top. There are three Spikes at the top. At the top, climb up the wall to the left for the second Green Star.

Drop back down and you'll find moving platforms with spike bars. The third Green Star is over a platform to the left. Be sure to adjust your camera angles to make jumping easier. After a few more platforms, you'll reach solid ground. You'll have to run up another slope with a Spike at the top, which is in front of the flagpole.

The stamp is of a Spike holding a spike bar.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 4-Mystery House -- Mystery House Mad Dash

There are ten Green Stars in this Mystery House. Instead of beating a series of enemies, you'll have to run to reach the Green Stars before time runs out. You have ten seconds for each stage.

The first stage involves running and jumping on the springboards to reach the Green Star. Stage 2 has wavy hills and ants with spiked caps. Stage 3 has you running away from a Banzai Bill with crates in your way. Stage 4 has Spikes throwing spike bars at you. Stage 5 has a narrow path with coins. You can jump across the gaps, and after you get the Green Star, get some coins from the brick block.

Stage 6 has boost pads and Thwomps. Stage 7 has pendulums you must jump to. If you fall, you can get back on the pendulum without backtracking. Stage 8 has several Goombas and Microgoombas. Ignore them and blow them away and keep going. Stage 9 has Cat Banzai Bills and a narrow path. Stage 10 has Spikes throwing spike bars on donut lifts, which makes them disappear. Keep switching sets of donut lifts to make it across. They will reappear after a short while.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 4-4 -- Big Bounce Byway

This level is filled with orange bouncy platforms and Biddybuds. Bounce up the wall using the moving orange platforms. On top is a large orange platform where you can find Spinies and Red Coins. On the left wall, you'll find a few clocks. Bounce up to find some spring enemies. One of them will temporarily turn into a spring you can pick up and use. Put it down periodically and stomp it so it doesn't become an enemy again. It will turn into a spring again if you stomp it. Use it to reach first Green Star on the back wall. Pick it up and cross the moving orange platforms that tilt.

The midpoint is here. Behind the midpoint are a set of rising bouncy platforms. Use the spring to reach them to get the second Green Star. To the right, you'll find a Mystery Box. There are a few spring enemies in the box. The one to the right will become a spring so you can reach the third Green Star. Once out of the Mystery Box, bounce on the large orange platform. It will start moving on a path, taking you through some groups of Biddybuds. In the large circle of Biddybuds is the stamp. The warp box to the flag is on a cloud at the end. There are spring enemies near the flagpole to help you reach the flagpole.

The stamp is of a Super Mushroom.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 4-3 -- Beep Block Skyway

It's time to step to the beep again! The block platforms that appear switch after three ticks. Grab a Double Cherry and carefully cross the platforms. There are several Boomerang Bros in the area. Keep grabbing Double Cherries as you go. Go left and go to the blue platforms to reach the first Green Star. There's a safe block for you to use nearby. Nearby is a warp box.

The warp box takes you near the midpoint. On the back wall, you'll find 8-bit Luigi swimming. Go up the disappearing stairs and you'll find the midpoint. If you have 4 characters, you can stand on the platform to reach the stamp. Alternatively, you can climb up the wall if you're a cat. Go down the stairs for the warp box.

The warp box takes you near an area with a couple of Boomerang Bros. Go through the pipe and hit the P-Switch. Collect all the Silver Coins with your clones for the second Green Star. Ahead is a long slide made up of the switching platforms. Stay towards the center so you can cross easily. Try to keep as many clones as possible. At the bottom of the slide is a split P-Switch for the third Star Coin. Ahead is the flagpole, behind some Boomerang Bros and switching platforms.

The stamp is of the Double Cherry.

Super Mario 3D World: 4-A -- Brolder Blockade

Brolders are moving rocks with eyes. Stomp on them to make them stand still and you can pick them up. Pick up the first one and drop it into the lava. Three more will appear. Pick one up and toss it into the other two to defeat them, then throw that one into the lava. This will make coins and a Green Star appear.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 4-2 -- Piranha Creeper Creek

The water here is purple, so don't fall in. There are Piranha Creepers here, Piranhas on vines that will move around if they're not asleep. Stomp on them or use fireballs to make them retreat. If they retreat all the way to the hole they're hiding in, they'll be defeated. You'll need to do this to access the pipe ahead.

The pipe takes you inside a cave. There's a Mystery Box in the back wall. It leads to a room with four sleeping Piranha Creepers and the first Green Star. Bounce on each Piranha Creeper in quick succession to reach the Green Star. Keep going and you'll reach the midpoint. There's some regular water in the cave. Drop down where there are two Piranha Creepers moving over the same platform. At the bottom is the second Green Star. Up ahead is a Piranha Creeper on the wall. You can either ignore it or jump on it and run behind the wall for many coins and the stamp. You can also go underwater and access the stamp from the other side. Go through the pipe.

The pipe takes you back outside, where there is a random item block in front of a purple waterfall. Circular platforms fall from the waterfall and float along to the edge, where they fall off. Cross them to reach two wooden platforms with sleeping Piranha Creepers. There's a Green Coin Ring here. Collect all 8 Green Coins for the third Green Star. The pipe at the end takes you to the flagpole, where there's a sleeping Piranha Creeper in front of the flagpole.

The stamp is of a pipe.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 4-1 -- Ant Trooper Hill

World 4 is more of a mountainous, rocky area. Here, ants march all over the place. Some of them have spike caps. Get the Super Bell and you can defeat the ants by clawing them. Otherwise, you can bounce on top of them. Go to the back of the area and behind the wall to find more ants. The ants walk all over the platforms. Above the platform with several ants is the stamp. Approach the platform from the right and bounce on the ants to reach the stamp. Just outside the cave is a wall. Climb up it for the first Green Star. Go back to the cave and you'll find an invisible block with a Starman, making it easier to cross the narrow platform crawling with ants wearing spike caps.

On the other side are giant ants. You can't kill them, so stand on top of them and bounce. They will allow you to safely cross the spikes. Bounce off the giant ants to reach a pipe. It takes you to the second Green Star on the wall with many ants. Either climb up the wall or bounce off the ants to get it. Return to the main level and bounce on a giant ant. It will take you to the third Green Star. Bounce to get it. The giant ant will take you to the pipe, or you can drop down for some coins. The pipe will take you to the pipe to the flag.

The stamp is of an ant.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: 3-B -- A Banquet with Hisstocrat

The pipe the Sprixie Princess created doesn't lead to World 4. It leads to a small patch of land. A circus tent with Bowser's seal drops down and the pipe to World 4 is blocked off. There are circus lights all over. Go to right of the gondola for an item block with a Super Bell. The gondola takes you down to the arena, then disappears.

Walk towards the center and Hisstocrat appears. He's a snake wearing a cape and crown. Rocks will rain down from the sky. Dodge them, then more snakes will come out of the ground. They have plates on their heads to stand on, some of which have Super Bells. Climb up the snakes to reach Hisstocrat and land on his head for a hit. He'll go back in the ground and it will start raining rocks again. After two hits, some snakes will not have plates on their heads and will hurt you if you try to stand on them. Others will have cracked plates which will break when you jump off them. The snakes will hurt you after the plate shatters. Defeat Hisstocrat with the third hit and the Green Star will appear. The pipe will take you to the flagpole.

After you beat the level, the tent will tilt to one side and the pipe will no longer be blocked. Head to World 4.