Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Mario Kart 8 Nintendo Direct 4/30/14

One new feature of Mario Kart 8 is ant-gravity, allowing you to drive upside-down, or on the walls. There are blue strips on the course that flip the kart's wheels sideways, signaling that the anti-gravity boosts are working. To make gameplay more comfortable, when driving upside-down, it will appear like you're driving right-side up. You'll know when you're upside-down by watching replay videos or paying attention to the background.

When in anti-gravity mode, if you run into another kart, you'll spin and get a boost. You can also run into objects on the course to get boosts. It can be a great strategy to get ahead. You can cooperate with other players by bumping into each other repeatedly.

You can customize your kart's body, tires, and glider. There are kart bodies and tires for speed on race tracks and off-road racing. Bikes are also available. If you're after style, there's plenty to choose from.

There are new racers to the game. Previously announced were the Koopalings. Baby Rosalina is new and is a lightweight racer. Pink Gold Peach is a metallic version of Princess Peach. She's a heavyweight racer. There are 30 racers, including racing as a Mii.

New items include the Boomerang Flower. The boomerang can hit when you throw it or when it comes back. You can throw a boomerang up to three times. The Potted Piranha Plant will automatic chomp at whatever's in front of you, including items on the course. It's a great way to clean up banana peels. The Crazy Eight gives you 8 items at once: a coin, a Mushroom, a Starman, a Blooper, a Bob-omb, a banana peel, a Red Shell, and a Green Shell. The Super Horn will blow away other players with a powerful shockwave. It will block items coming at you, such as Green, Red, and Blue Shells.

The developers did a test run to see if bikes were faster than karts. Bikes are faster, by mere fractions of a second, on some courses and karts are faster than bikes on others. Bikes are great for cutting tight corners, but karts are better at speed on straightaways. Developers balanced the karts and bikes so both will be enjoyable.

You can play online with up to 12 players. It will be easier to start racing. There are four online modes: Worldwide, Regional, Friends, and Tournaments. You can use voice chat and text in the lobbies. Players can hold their own tournaments, which they can customize to their liking. Rankings will be displayed after the tournament. Ghost data can be downloaded from friends or other players across the globe. If you're faster than a developer's ghost, you'll receive stamps to use on Miiverse. Mario Kart TV is a new feature that allows you to view your racing highlights. They can be rewound or played in slow-motion. Upload your best ones and download others. You can also sort out the most popular highlights and post comments on them. If you have a Google account, you can upload your highlights directly to YouTube.

Some of the music was recorded by a live jazz band.

You can hold onto items such as Mushrooms to free up your item slot, then use it when you're ready.

Mario Kart 8 will be available as a physical copy or a download from the eShop on May 30. If you register your copy with Club Nintendo from May 30 to July 31, you'll receive a free download code for one of the following Wii U games: New Super Mario Bros. U, Pikmin 3, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, or Wii Party U. There will be a Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundle, which includes a black Wii U Deluxe Edition, a copy of the game, a red Wii Wheel, and red Wiimote + controller for $329.99.

Tomodachi Life Nintendo Direct 4/10/14

Tomodachi Life is a new game for the Nintendo 3DS. Tomodachi is the Japanese word for "friend".  Miis live on an island and interact with each other in their daily lives. They develop relationships with each other and deal with the drama of life. Anything can happen here. You own the island and bring in new Miis from Streetpass and Mii Maker. First, you have to give them a voice and personality. Miis will move into an apartment on the island. You can interact with each Mii, who becomes a unique individual. The Miis have strange dreams you can watch. The Miis can play games and engage in RPGs in their daily lives. Miis can also date each other. It will be available as a physical copy or as a download from the eShop on June 6.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Crown-Mystery House -- Mystery House Marathon

The last Mystery House is a long one. You have to collect 30 Green Stars and have ten seconds to make each one appear and collect it. Once you collect the Green Star, the timer stops, so you can take a break if you need to. If you fail to collect one, you'll have to start over. If you find this to be a bit difficult, having more players can make things a little easier.

1. Kill three Koopas to get the first Green Star.
2. Run and jump on the pendulums, then jump for the Green Star. Avoid the spike bar on the last pendulum. If you fall off the last pendulum, you may be able to hop back on and get the Green Star.
3. There are two Brolders and three P-Switches. If you are playing solo, throw the Brolders onto the P-Switches and stand on the last one. If you are playing with others, have them stand on the switches.
4. There's a triple item block on the back wall. It contains a Fire Flower. Light all four torches to make the Green Star appear. You'll have to jump to light the torch in the back left corner.
5. You'll be in a spinning room with Peepas. Throw fireballs to make the Peepas temporarily transparent. Get the Green Star when it's close, on the left side.
6. You're in a room full of crates. The Green Star is in the set of crates in the back right corner. The crate it is in is the lower left corner.
7. There are six Microgoombas and a Goomba in the room. Defeat them all.
8. Throw a baseball down the slope at the Green Star (or hit one down with a fireball, or slide down). Avoid having the baseball hit a Biddybud or it will miss the Green Star.
9. There are four spring enemies, one of which turns into a spring. This one is on the far right. Turn it into a spring, then quickly ground pound it to reach the high platform with the Green Star.
10. There are two Thwomps and a footlight path so you won't fall. Stand on the Thwomp, then wait for it to rise so you can run to the Green Star.
11. This one can be a little tricky. Jump to land in a Kuribo's Ice Skate and start sliding down. Follow the coin trail and avoid the Walleyes. Repeatedly hit (Y) for a speed boost. Try to line up with the Green Star at the end so you slide into the warp box.
12. Grab a Super Bell from the back wall, climb up over the right wall, hit the P-Switch, climb back up the wall and jump over the left wall to get the Green Star. You can split the work with two or more people.
13. Climb up the tower, avoiding the moving brick blocks. The Green Star is at the very top. Before you warp, you may want to hit the glowing spot nearby for another Super Bell.
14. There are Beat Blocks moving at double time forming stairs up to a wall. Try to reach the top Beat Block, then climb up the wall. The glowing spot here also has a Super Bell.
15. Climb up the wall, which will fall away after you clear a chunk of it. Run quickly and grab the Green Star on the rock.
16. There are Fuzzies circling a wheel on the back wall. The Green Star is surrounded on three sides, forming a "U". You can run up the wheel, or spin jump to the Green Star, which is easier.
17. Use the boost pads to chase the bunny. Catch it for the Green Star, then grab the Green Star.
18. Grab a baseball, run and jump from the springboard, then throw the baseball at the P-Switch. The baseball may grab the Green Star for you.
19. You're in a spinning cylinder with Piranha Plants. Run to make the cylinder spin so you can reach the Green Star. Alternatively, if you have the Cat Suit, run up the wall and jump for it.
20. Push two Bullies into the lava. It's a little easier with a Cat Suit.
21. There are giant item blocks that form bridges when you ground pound them. Jump from the top bridge to get the Green Star. Alternatively, with the Cat Suit, run up the wall.
22. There are boost pads at the start of a narrow path. Line yourself up with the center, run and jump across the platforms to get the Green Star. Alternatively, you can run around on the platforms. Avoid the Cat Bullet Bills.
23. There are sleeping Piranha Creepers forming stairs to the Green Star. You have to hit the one at the top to reach it. Bounce on all of the Piranha Creepers or climb the wall with a Cat Suit and bounce on some of them.
24. There are baseballs, two Thwomps, and a bomb. Use the bomb to clear out the lower gray bricks, then use the Game Pad to clear the ! Switches. You can also throw baseballs at the ! Switches.
25. Grab a Potted Piranha Plant and have it eat the Fuzzies. Then stomp both Potted Piranha Plants for the Green Star.
26. Run over the cylinder with the Piranha Plants. The Green Star is on the right side, the side closest to the screen.
27. There's a large spotlight over some gray bricks. Wall jump up between the bricks, then jump for the Green Star. Cat Bullet Bills will appear if you enter the spotlight.
28. There are two Spikes throwing spike bars onto donut lifts. Run, dodge, and weave to make it to solid ground with the Green Star.
29. Boom Boom is here. Hit him once to make the Green Star appear.
30. There are stacks of coins on the path ahead. Coins will rain down. Run to the edge of the path, grab the stamp on the way, and jump off the cloud to reach the Green Star where the Sprixies are gathered. You're done!

The stamp is of a Starman.

Thanks to Ashwin, Derek, John, and Tony for helping me complete this level.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Crown-Toad -- Captain Toad's Fiery Finale

Once you've collected all of the Green Stars and stamps, and reached the top of the flagpole in each level to turn the flag golden, the large rock of World Flower reveals itself to be yet another spaceship. This will take you to the crown-shaped World Crown, which has the Observatory's music. It contains the last few levels, which are pretty difficult.

In this level, the lava will periodically rise and fall. There are platforms in the lava that will float on the lava, keeping you safe. The first Green Star is nearby. Drop down to the grates below and wait for the lava to rise. The grates will rise to the level of the Green Star. Grab it and wait for the lava to fall, revealing the floor. Walk across the floor to the next grate quickly. It will put you on the same level as the Fire Piranha. Be sure to avoid its flames. Ahead is a little hallway. The second Green Star is here. Wait for the lava to fall, then run quickly to get it and run back to safety. Next to that platform is a fan platform. When the lava falls, drop on it and blow into the microphone to raise it. If you have time, drop down to the platform below and board the next fan platform. As long as you keep blowing into the microphone, the fan platforms will stay out of the lava. The third Green Star is in the corner. When the lava falls, run to the next fan platform and blow into the microphone. This will allow you to reach solid ground. There's another fan platform next to it. Use it to reach the donut lifts. The fourth Green Star is on the donut lifts. When you reach solid ground, avoid the Fire Piranha's flames, then wait for the lava to fall. Use the fan platform to reach the clouds, where the stamp is. Grab the coins and the stamp, then drop down through the hole in the cloud. You'll land on the Fire Piranha, in front of the fifth Green Star.

The stamp is of Captain Toad.

There is a Sprixie House nearby with a stamp. The stamp is of 8-bit Mario.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-12 -- Boss Blitz

It's time to take on the bosses in the Sprixie Kingdom. You'll start out in an area with 6 warp boxes, one of which is locked. You'll have to go through each warp box, defeat the boss, and you'll return here, with a Key Coin in place of the warp box you just went through. From left to right, the bosses are King Ka-Thunk, Pom Pom, two Hisstocrats at the same time, Boss Brolder, and Boom Boom. You'll want to deal with King Ka-Thunk, Pom Pom, and Boom Boom first, in whatever order you desire. Theses are quick boss fights and you won't need power-ups. Time management is key here. Once the battle is over, quickly warp out of there and ignore the coins. After those three, tackle Boss Brolder. This fight may take a little longer. After you beat Boss Brolder, the first Green Star will appear.

At the end, you'll fight two Hisstocrats at once. You'll want to get a Cat Suit and have one in reserve. If you're playing alone, pick either Peach or Luigi. When you stomp on one of the Hisstocrats, their extended jumps may allow you to hit the other one without touching the ground. This will be one of the longer fights, so try to take them out quickly and efficiently. The second Green Star will appear after you win. You'll want at least 100 seconds left after you beat them.

Once you unlock the warp box, it takes you to the last boss fight, Motley Bossblob. If you're still powered up and have at least 100 seconds left at the start of this fight, you should be okay. Grab the Double Cherries after he pounds the ground and chase after him. Once you defeat him, the third Green Star and a pipe appear, leading to a clock and the flagpole.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-11 -- Spiky Spike Bridge Sneak

This level is a little trickier than Spiky Spike Bridge. You'll notice that the spikes don't appear. They don't appear until you stand in the spotlight, and will remain until the spotlight is no longer on you. Go past the Fire Bro and grab a Lucky Bell. Warp to the next area, where the spotlight moves over the spikes. Keep an eye on it so you can sneak past it. The first Green Star is on the left tower in the back, past some sequential spikes. Up ahead are moving spike bridges. Cross when the bridges are not in the middle, where the spotlight is. Go past the Fire Bro and warp to the midpoint.

The warp past the midpoint will take you to some fast-moving sequential spikes. In the middle is a tower with the second Green Star on its side. Climb up with the Cat Suit to get it. Go to the end of the sequential spikes and take the clear pipe to a set of spikes with a very large spotlight. Across the spikes and some donut lifts is the third Green Star, over some spikes with their own spotlight. Stand in the shadows of the brick blocks in the big spotlight, then quickly jump over to get the Green Star, then jump before the spikes appear. Sneak around the corners of the large set of spikes, then wait for the sequential spike platform to get close. Keep jumping to avoid the spikes, then transfer to another platform. This one will take you to the warp box to the flagpole. There are spikes on the stairs, but the spotlight shines only on the top step.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-10 -- Honeycomb Skyway

This level is very similar to Honeycomb Starway, except it's daytime. It's an automatically scrolling level. Grab a Boomerang Flower and throw it at the Biddybuds. Up ahead, the path curves around to the left. Towards the right, you'll find the first Green Star floating around in open space. Use a boomerang to get it. There's a Fire Piranha in the area as well. Up ahead are fire bars and giant Piranha Plants. The second Green Star is over a clear pipe. The entrance is farther ahead, to the right and you'll return back after collecting the Green Star. Grab the Double Cherry and use the Boomerang Flower to kill more Biddybuds. You don't need to kill all of them. The honeycomb tiles will start appearing. The third Green Star is over a lava honeycomb tile. Use a boomerang to get it. Towards the end, there will be a clear pipe. Go through it and stop steering. It will loop you around until the tiles at the other end appear. There are three giant Piranha Plants at the end. Kill them for the warp box to the flagpole. The tiles will appear from the back as in Honeycomb Starway, but they will appear much faster than before. You'll have to move quickly to get in a good position to reach the top of the flagpole, or use a Cat Suit.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-9 -- Towering Sunshine Seaside

You have 100 seconds to start. Set against a beautiful sunset, you can see an enormous stack of Goombas. Go to the left first. Grab some clocks and hit some item blocks. Some of them will turn into Cannon Boxes. Ignore them for now and grab a Fire Flower. To the far left are four torches and a shorter stack of Goombas with a Fire Bro. It will take too long to wait for the Fire Bro to light the torches, so light them yourself. This will make the first Green Star appear. Use fireballs or cannonballs on the Goombas and Fire Bro. Go to the right, grab a Cannon Box if you haven't already, and use it to defeat the Fire Bros on the smaller stacks of Goombas. Go through the clear pipe. This will take you to the cloud with the second Green Star. To the far right, in a corner, is the third Green Star. Go back to the very tall stack and aim at the Goombas. This may take a while to clear them all out. Once all of the Fire Bros have been defeated, a warp box to the flag will appear.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-8 -- Blast Block Skyway

It's time for more Beat Blocks, but this time, in double time. The blocks switch more frequently, so you can't spend too much time on them. For the most part, if you walk down the center of the Beat Blocks, you should not fall where a blue block is next to a pink one. Grab a Tanooki Suit to make your life easier. Use the ability to control your descent to your advantage. There are many Spikes in the level throwing spike bars. To the left is a Mario stamp that only gives coins. Cross the Beat Blocks and you'll find the first Green Star over an item block over some blue blocks. Carefully go past the Para Dry Bones and jump, then try to land on the item block to safely get the Green Star. Go through the warp box to an area with another Spike. The Beat Blocks ahead form stairs and there's a Spike at the top. Some of the spike bars will fall through, but others will reach the bottom of the stairs.

The midpoint is at the top of the stairs, with a Green Ring. The coins will appear on the back wall. You'll have to be quick and blow on the fan to reach all of them. Carefully drop down the stairs to the warp box. This will take you near the giant slide. Kill the Spikes and line up at the center of the slide. Start sliding and do not steer. As long as you're in the center, you won't fall and you'll be in position to get the third Green Star on the slide. There are Beat Blocks forming stairs to the flagpole.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-7 -- Pipeline Boom Lagoon

Grab the Cannon Box and cross the water with the Madpoles to reach the pipe. Hit the item blocks to form bridges so you can reach the crates above for a Mushroom. Nearby is a Goomba sand sculpture that contains Microgoombas. Drop down into the water and you'll find Rammerheads and Bloopers. There are some gray bricks to the far right. Break them with the Cannon Box for the first Green Star. Swim up for the warp box to the midpoint.

There are spike blocks in the water here. Swim up between the spike blocks to find more spike blocks and Bloopers, near the second Green Star. Swim down, following the arrow, then break the gray bricks for a Green Ring. The Green Coins will give you the third Green Star. Use cannonballs to make collecting the coins easier. Swim up, to the left of the green pipe, for a clear pipe that takes you to a green pipe and two Moneybags. The green pipe will take you to the flagpole and a Bowser sand sculpture, which contains coins.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-6 -- Shiftier Boo Mansion

This ghost house is desaturated, in that most of the color has been drained away. This ghost house is a bit more complicated. There's a Big Boo to the left, and behind it, in front of the door, is the first Green Star. You'll have to be quick to get it, or use fireballs from the nearby Fire Flower to make it temporarily transparent. To the right, the path splits. Down the stairs is a fake Mystery Box. Up the stairs is a couch. Stand on it and it will take you to a fake 1-up and some clouds. The clouds lead to the second Green Star. Drop down to the door, near a fake 1-up.

The door leads outside to a flagpole. There's a trail of coins leading to it. Three Big Boos will appear. Go past the flagpole and through the door. Inside, take the couch up to a fake pipe. The couch up there will take you over the area with many Boos. There are coin rings along the way. It will stop over some 1-ups. The last one is real. Keep going to the left and you'll find the third Green Star near some Big Boos and the edge of the floor. Quickly grab it and go through the door. The door leads outside to a fake flagpole. Go past it and you'll find another fake flagpole. To the left of this fake flagpole, under the bridge, is a warp box to the real flagpole.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-5 -- Sprawling Savanna Rabbit Run

You'll need Toad for this level. You start on the sprawling savanna. There's a giant bunny with a glow. Chase it around, using the boost pads. Catching it gives you the first Green Star. There are small bunnies, one of which will give you a Lucky Bell, and some Moneybags. Beware of the Conkdors in the level. On the left side of the savanna, near the edge, is a clear pipe that takes you to the back wall. Here, you can collect Red Coins. On the right side is another clear pipe. This takes you to the second Green Star. Return to the back wall and take the pipe on the left up the wall. You'll find a few Conkdors near a Toad stamp. Step on it to make the third Green Star appear on the moving clouds in front of the flagpole.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-4 -- Faster Fort Fire Bros.

You have 30 seconds to start and must collect clocks along the way. Near the start is a stack of Goombas with the first Green Star. Dodge the fireballs of the Fire Bros near the clear pipes, go past the fire bars, then kill the Fire Bro on the stack of Goombas for the warp box. On the back wall are invisible triple item blocks near a Thwomp. Use them to reach the top of the wall and go left for the second Green Star. Be quick and grab more clocks . Go through the pipes where the Fire Bro is. To the right is a glowing spot. Pound it for the third Green Star. Over the POW Blocks with the Blocksteppers are more clocks. Go through the long pipe, which has two clocks. Kill the Fire Bro to make the warp box appear. Stomp the shorter Goomba stack to make your life a little easier. The warp box will take you to the flagpole.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-3 -- Piranha Creeper Creek after Dark

It's dark here. Instead of a Light Box, grab a Fire Flower and light the torches to illuminate the area. There are many Piranha Creepers and a few Fire Piranhas. You can largely ignore them, but make sure to watch where you're going. There's purple water here. If you need another Fire Flower, hit the invisible block above the POW Block. Light all of the torches in the area, including the torch that has a Fire Piranha in it for the first Green Star. It appears near the pipe to the next area.

The midpoint is here. There are invisible clouds to the left lead to some coins, a couple of POW Blocks, and an invisible Moneybag. The pipe at the end returns you to the midpoint. Up ahead, cross the purple water and stand on spinning platforms. This is difficult, but do your best to defeat the enemies and light all of the torches. There are Fire Piranhas, Para Dry Bones, and sleeping Piranha Creepers. At the end, near the pipe, the second Green Star will appear after you light all of the torches. Keep the Piranha Creeper alive so you can bounce off of it to reach the Green Star. Go through the pipe and light the few torches in the area, which makes the third Green Star appear over the final Piranha Creeper in front of the flagpole. Bounce off of it to reach the flagpole.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-2 -- Floating Fuzzy Time Mine

You may want Toad for this level. It's back to the Fuzzy Time Mine, but this time, there are moving blocks of water to swim through. The first Green Star is on the right. Grab it quickly as well as the Lucky Bell and jump into the moving water block. As the level scrolls, loop around, avoiding spikes. There's a giant brick block ahead. Jump repeatedly to break it. Jump up to the cloud above for the second Green Star. Go up and to the right. You'll find Spinies and spikes that appear sequentially from the right. Farther to the right, over some spikes, is an item block with another Lucky Bell. Climb up the walls to reach a Green Ring. Some Green Coins will appear over some spikes. Jump off the spikes and use the springboard to reach the last two. You'll want a fast character, like Toad, to get the coins for the third Green Star. In a water block to the left is a 1-up. Keep climbing to the top and go through the door, as Fuzzies will close in on you from the left. They will also appear to the left of the flagpole, so be careful.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct 4/8/14

Nintendo released a Nintendo Direct specifically about the upcoming Super Smash Bros. games. Here's what they had to say.

The 3DS version will be released Summer 2014. The Wii U version will be released Winter 2014.

All of Super Smash Bros on the 3DS will be in auto-stereoscopic 3D and all fighters will move at 60 frames per second. Pokémon from Pokeballs and Assist Trophies will move at 30 fps.

The rosters will be the same on both games, but the stages will be different. Stages that appear on both games will have some differences between them. Each stage on the 3DS version will have two songs tied to it. In the Wii U version, go to My Music for music from past Super Smash Bros. games.

Stages on the 3DS include Reset Bomb Forest, 3D Land, Spirit Train, Gerudo Valley, Arena Ferox, Tortimer Island, Living Room, Prism Tower, Rainbow Road, Find Mii, Balloon Fight, and Jungle Japes. Stages on the Wii U include Mario Galaxy, Pyrosphere, Town and City, Boxing Ring, Pilot Wings, Skyloft, Windy Hill, Garden of Hope, Wii Fit Studio, Palutena's Temple, and Halberd.

The Yellow Devil from Dr. Wiley's Castle will appear and fight the players. Hit its eye, its only weak spot. Defeating it will cause it to explode, becoming an attack for the player who defeats it. Boss characters make appearances on other stages.

Both games will have online multiplayer. Be sure to have a good connection. When you're not playing with friends, there are two modes: For Fun or For Glory. For Fun will have all stages except Final Destination, all items will be available, only wins will be recorded, and there will only be Smash battles. For Glory will only take place on the Final Destination stage, without items, wins and losses will be recorded, and 1-on-1 battles will be allowed. Playing with friends allows you to set the rules and stages.

Final Destination is a flat stage without platforms. Almost all stages have a final destination form so you can see all the stages. This applies to For Glory.

There will be a code of conduct for online multiplayers.  You can no longer play anonymously. Your Nintendo Network ID name will be displayed when playing online. Temporary bans will be in place for players who start and not play, relentlessly target a single individual, repeatedly self-destruct, frequently drop out, purposefully or due to technical difficulties, cheat. You can report other players, but there are penalties for doing so baselessly.

Global Smash Power is a new type of ranking system. The number represents how many people you outscore. This will be through scoring competitions in Solo Mode. There are no rankings in multiplayer, but players can be matched based on skill.

Items include the Beam Sword, Bumper, Motion-Sensor Bomb, Smart Bomb, Fire Bar, Back Shield, Beetle, Bombchu, Fairy Bottle, Ore Club, X Bomb, Hocotate Bomb, Rocket Belt, Motion-Sensor Bomb, POW Block, Smash Ball, and Steel Diver. Lots of explosives.

Assist Trophies will return, including Andross, Devil, Knuckle Joe, Saki Amamiya, Lyn, Nintendog, Waluigi, Dr. Wright, Skull Kid, Mother Brain, Midna, Ashley, Dark Samus, Chain Chomp, Isabelle, Elec Man, and Color TV-Game 15.

Pokeballs will return. Rare and legendary Pokémon will appear from the Master Ball if it appears. Meowth, Electrode, Eevee, Staryu, Metagross, Fennekin, Meloetta, Gogoat, Entei, Deoxys, Palkia, Kyurem, Victini, Keldeo, Xerneas, and Arceus can appear, among others.

Characters who change forms will no long do so, so you can concentrate on a single moveset. Zero-Suit Samus will still be in the game and now has jet boots. Zelda has a new attack called Phantom Slash. It can be reflected back at her, however. Sheik has two new moves: Burst Grenade, small bombs that explode after you pull the pin and Bouncing Fish, an acrobatic kick.

Kirby has a new move called Hammer Flip, which you can charge up. His Final Smash is Ultra Sword. Dedede can throw Gordos instead of Waddle-Dees.

Lucario will have strengthened Aura attacks and does more damage when damaged. Lucario can Mega Evolve, giving Aura maximum power.

Captain Olimar can only have 3 Pikmin behind him, which cycle in the order Red, Yellow, Blue, White, Purple, then Red again. His recovery move involves Winged Pikmin. More Pikmin make him heavier.

Pit's gliding move has been removed, but he has been powered up. His Final Smash is now the Three Sacred Treasures.

Yoshi now stands upright, making him taller and powering him up.

New fighters include Rosalina and Luma. She can keep the Luma near her or send it out with Luma Shot. It will return after a while. They can fight separately and individually. Luma can fire Star Bits. Rosalina's recovery move is Launch Star. Rosalina can use Gravitational Pull, which draws in items and makes enemy shots ineffective. Her Final Smash is Power Star, which sends shooting stars from a Power Star.

Little Mac moves quickly and punches hard. His smash attacks are extraordinarily powerful, but he has a weak recover ability and is weaker in the air. He has a Power Meter that fills by dealing and taking damage. Some moves include the Straight Lunge and Jolt Haymaker, Rising Uppercut, his recovery move. It's weak on jump, but packs a punch. Another move is the Slip Counter, where he dodges, then hits the enemy. Once his Power Meter is filled, he has a one-shot KO Uppercut, which knocks out an enemy if it connects. His Final Smash is Giga Mac. You can choose Wireframe Mac as a costume.

The Villager has moves like Pocket, Lloid Rocket, Timber, Balloon Trip, and Dream Home.

Mega Man has moves like Charge Shot, Sliding, Top Spin, Mega Upper, Spark Shot, Flame Blast, Flame Sword, Slash Claw, Air Shooter, Hard Knuckle, Super Arm, Metal Blade, Crash Bomber, Leaf Shield.  and Rush Coil. His Final Smash involves his co-stars.

The Wii Fit Trainer uses Deep Breathing to power up attacks and Sun Salutation as a projectile, which can be saved for later. You can play as either the male or female.

There are Custom Move Sets, only through local multiplayer or playing with friends.

Smash Run is a new mode only on the 3DS. It is a 4-player game with a 5 minute time limit to collect power-ups in a dungeon. Once the time is up, players will battle after being powered up. They will be on the same stage during the dungeon battle, but should not fight each other at this time. You can use items before entering the stage. Events will happen in the dungeon, such as a barrage of Bullet Bills. Different enemies will appear randomly, including some from Subspace Emissary.

Charizard will be a playable character, as well as Greninja. Charizard will Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Flower-1 -- Switch Shock Circus

World Mushroom is directly connected to World Flower.

It's time to return to the circus with ! Switches. Walk back from where you start for a Mystery Box. Clear the ! Switches for the first Green Star. Up ahead, clear the ! Switches to make the back walls disappear so you can progress. There are many Fizzlits and some Hammer Bros. After clearing a couple of sets of switches, you'll come to an area with a Lucky Bell, Fizzlits, orange bouncy platforms and a Green Ring. The Green Coins will make the second Green Star appear. Near the flagpole, there are some crates. Break them and you'll find a baseball. To the right is the third Green Star. Stand behind the fence, jump and throw the baseball to get it. Clear the switches so you can reach the flagpole.

There are no stamps in World Flower.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Mushroom-7 -- Broken Blue Bully Belt

You need 240 Green Stars to unlock this level. There are fewer arrow platforms appearing from the lava. There are balls of lava that leave lava trails and Para Dry Bones. Grab a Tanooki Suit and carefully jump from platform to platform. The first Green Star is on the right side over an arrow platform in a group of three arrow platforms. Up ahead are spinning spike bars. Podoboos will make it difficult to take a shortcut through the area. The second Green Star is the center of a set of spinning spike bars. When you're done platforming over the lava, you'll find the midpoint.

To the right are cylinders with spike bars moving over them. At the end is a pipe. Before you go through the pipe, use the Tanooki Suit to reach the third Green Star on the cloud behind the pipe. Through the pipe, you'll find several arrow platforms leading to the flagpole. Be sure to keep up with them.

There are no stamps in World Mushroom.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Mushroom-6 -- Gigantic Seasick Wreck

Take the warp box to the first ship. There are Ty-Foos here to push you off the ship. Get the Green Coins from the Green Ring for the first Green Star. Go past the Octoombas to the next warp box. Walk to the bow of the ship. The coin trail will lead you to an invisible block with a 1-up. Hit the item block on the ship for a Mega Mushroom. You can use this to get rid of the Bullies and Ty-Foos. Go past the warp box and go to the right. Over the tilting narrow planks is the second Green Star. The warp box leads to another Mega Mushroom and more narrow planks. The third Green Star is on the right side. The easiest way to get it is with the Mega Mushroom. On the ship ahead, use Mega Mushrooms to push the Bullies off the ship. There is an invisible Mega Mushroom on the right side of the ship. Take out the Ty-Foos to make your life easier. Once the Bullies are gone, the warp box to the flag appears. There are tilting platforms with Octoombas leading the way to the flag.

There are no stamps in World Mushroom.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Mushroom-5 -- Back to Hands-On Hall

When you drop into Hands-On Hall this time, there are two Fire Bros to greet you. Open the doors and ring the gong to make a pipe appear. The pipe will take you to an area with a couple of Boomerang Bros. Defeat them and follow the coin trail to the triple item block. Get a baseball and open the door. The purple wall enemies are behind the door, so throw the baseball at them to temporarily clear them away. Hold onto the baseball. Go behind the wall, all the way to the right for the first Key Coin. Go through the door to the left and up the stairs, where you'll find a Hammer Bro. To the left are more doors. Open them and ring the gongs to make the stairs drop down and flip a wall. Grab another baseball from the triple item block and go upstairs. Throw the baseball into the clear pipe so you can reach the first Green Star. To the right are more doors with Hammer Bros and spikes. Use the baseball to get the Key Coin. The last doors on the right have purple wall enemies covering a gong. Clear them out and ring the gong for the last Key Coin. This unlocks the warp box to the midpoint.

Get the Green Coins from the Green Ring for the second Green Star. Grab a Propeller Block and head towards the back wall, dodging Podoboos, Fire Bros, and Hammer Bros. There are gongs on the left and right side of the roof. The right gong gives you coins. The left gong makes a warp box appear on a cloud. It leads to the third Green Star and some coins. Use the Propeller Block to reach the top of the roof, where the flagpole is flying back and forth.

There are no stamps in World Mushroom.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Mushroom-4 -- Trouble in Shadow-Play Alley

You have 100 seconds to clear this level. Time management is key here. There's a random item block outside the door. Go through the door and you'll deal with shadows. If you get a Super Bell, you will not be able to climb up the back wall. You'll find a cardboard mechanical Bowser shadow. Above it is the first Green Star. Go to the right and scale the platforms, using the cannonballs to help you. Up and to the right is a Boomerang Flower. Grab it and use it to get the first Green Star. Go further to the right and you'll see a Bob-omb and a tall stack of Goombas. The second Green Star is near by. Drop down, then go up to the far right wall. There's an invisible block that lets you reach a nearby platform with the third Green Star. To exit the level, you must defeat all of the Goombas in the stack. This is easily accomplished with the Bob-ombs or the Boomerang Flower. Once all of them are gone, the warp box to the flagpole will appear. Once outside, hit the invisible triple item block over the brick blocks, then go through the left door to reach the flagpole more easily.

There are no stamps in World Mushroom.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Mushroom- Mystery House -- Mystery House Brawl

There are ten Green Stars to collect from this Mystery House. You'll have to defeat all the enemies and collect the Green Star within 10 seconds. In order, they are:
  • 3 Chargin Chucks
  • 3 Snow Pokeys
  • 2 Flopters
  • 3 Boomerang Bros
  • 1 invisible Moneybag
  • 3 stacks of Goombas
  • 3 Fizzlits
  • 3 Magikoopas
  • 3 Piranha Creepers (ground pound them)
  • 3 Hammer Bros
Defeat them all to collect the Green Stars.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Super Mario 3D World: Mushroom-3 -- Deep Black Jungle Drift

It's very dark in this level, making it hard to see. Grab a Light Box, which will be useful in dealing with the Peepas and Boos. Shine your light on the purple water so you can see when the raft appears. Climb up the first grate as a cat for the first Green Star. There are Big Boos ahead. After passing all of the grates, you'll come to an open area with many Boos. Defeat them, and get back on the raft. You'll see the second Green Star to the left. There are invisible clouds leading up to it. Soon, the raft will go down a waterfall. At the bottom of the waterfall are three Big Boos. Kill them all with the Light Box to make the warp box appear. Before you go through the warp box, climb up the wall for the third Green Star. Once you go through the warp box, go past the flagpole to find Captain Toad with stacks of coins. There's a horizontal grate in front of the flagpole. Use the invisible clouds on the side to reach it.

There are no stamps in World Mushroom.