Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam -- Part 14: When Star Sprites Attack

Head toward where the Bowser medallion fits. On the way, you may encounter Ant Troopers. They'll lose their spiky helmets after enough damage. When you reach the gate, check it out. Mario places the medallion and the gate lowers, revealing a dirt path up the wall. Use the Trio Drill to climb the wall. There are conveyor belts ahead. If you need to go in the opposite direction of the belt, dash and jump with (X). Go east through the pipe.

The bros wind up in a different part of the Twinsy Tropics. There's a pipe here, encased in some sort of mineral. There's nothing you can do to it for now, so check out the other parts of the area. The pipe to the left leads back into the dungeon. There are spider webs here, but you can dash through them. Hit the ! Block to start a timer. You have 38 seconds to reach the other ! Block. There are many webs in the way. Dash through the least complex web to make good time. If you look below, you'll see the same mineral that's covering the pipe outside. Grab the beans and coins in the wall if you'd like, then walk west. Hit the button with Trio Hammer and the shell on a statue opens. It shoots a beam of energy to the mineral encasing the pipe outside. There's another pipe in the middle. There are Paper Swoops here. Climb the wall and Drill Dash to the rings. Some may rotate to allow you to change direction. Go to the upper right area to find the next button. The pipe to the right leads to an area with more Paper Swoops. The dirt patch is to the far right. The rings here move, so time your Drill Dash. You'll loop around to the upper right, where the last button is.

The last beam of energy destroys the mineral around the pipe. The pipe leads back into the dungeon. Go as far right as you can and the bros will stop. Starlow asks why. Mario has a strange feeling about what lies ahead. Starlow's not too worried about it. Saving may be a good idea. Walk towards the pipe and Starlow says Mario's hesitation was unjustified. Go into the pipe and a Koopaling demands a pass. Another one says Bowser's Castle is through this pipe. Luigi gets knocked out of the pipe. Starlow says his mustache fell off and he should stick it back on. The bros take a few hits and Starlow gets upset enough to use her secret attack: Supernova Sparkle. Unfortunately, the attack hit the bros as well. Larry Koopa appears from the pipe. Starlow thinks Larry's on the small side. This upsets Larry. Luigi's ready to battle, but he's standing next to Larry, who tells him to get on the right side of the face-off. He calls in Ludwig von Koopa to help out. Ludwig got stuck in the pipe.

At the start of the battle, Ludwig wonders why the bros get to use Battle Cards and they don't. He pulls out a card to increase speed, which requires 2 dark Star Points to use. They don't have any at the moment, but will earn them for each time they hit the bros. Ludwig and Larry will attack the bros with their shells, then slowly go past Paper Mario. Hold the jump for as long as possible. Ludwig will attack Mario or Luigi with magic. Counter with the hammer. Larry will attack Paper Mario with magic as well. Jump to dodge, land, then jump again as Larry will charge. Hold the jump for as long as possible as Larry is still attacking. Land to counter. The Koopalings will summon some Shy Guys carrying a giant bomb. Use the Boomerang Dodge. This is another one of those fights where it's easiest to just leave Paper Mario alive. Only Larry attacks. You can revive the bros towards the end of the fight. Once Larry is defeated, Ludwig will attack with a large ball of magic. Counter with the hammer, as before. Once they're defeated, Ludwig concedes the bros aren't as wimpy as they look. Starlow says they'll just pass through the pipe. Larry says them losing was part of the plan. Starlow suggests proceeding with caution.

Go through the pipe. There are conveyor belts carrying ore into Bowser's castle. Minions go back inside the castle. Starlow reminds them that saving the princesses is their main priority. Go through the other pipe. There are Boomerang Bros here. Jump with (X) to cross to stones floating in the lava. The second one will toss the bros high in the air before landing far away. Paper Mario folds into an airplane to save them. The bros want to try something light that. The bros learn Trio Glider. Press (A), (B), and (Y). Press (Y) again up to three times to fly higher. Starlow says it can be used to reach high places as well. Follow the path and go west. A Koopa complains that he can't keep hauling stuff around. Another one agrees with him. Kamek announces that break time's over, so they try to look busy. He says they need to get back to hauling papercrafts.

Go west. Use the Trio Glide to cross the lava. The path splits ahead. Take the path due east, then go east again and hit the ! Block to connect a path back to the pipe. Return west to reach the pipe the Koopas went through.

Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam -- Part 6: Reaching for Freedom

The new and improved papercraft is Papercraft Luigi. It's holding a hammer. There are Papercraft Pokeys on the battlefield, as well as Papercraft Goombas. Papercraft Luigi's flying hammer attack (the throw attack) is needed to defeat these spikey enemies. Charge up the Toads again, but the rhythm is different. Clear the field to make Papercraft Kamek appear. The Kameks use magic to surround Papercraft Kamek with a barrier and make more brick blocks appear. Use the flying hammer attack to hit it. Papercraft Kamek can warp around the battlefield, so don's expect it to stay put for long. It can also expand its barrier to cause damage. After it has half of its health, the barrier will disappear and it will shoot magic. Counter the attack with the flying hammer attack. Keep attacking and keep your papercraft healed with Mushrooms from the item blocks.

After Papercraft Kamek is defeated, Kamek says they could've won if it wasn't so ugly. They retreat to come up with a new strategy. Approach the bridge to Bowser's Castle and something appears in the sky. It's a giant cannonball with Bowser's emblem on it. It destroys the bridge. Bowser wants a damage report from within his castle. He was aiming for Mario and wonders if his minions do anything correctly. He apparently has planned for their ineptitude and tells them to keep firing, as they have enough cannonballs to compensate for their terrible aim. The next one nearly hits them and knocks them away. Roy Koopa, Ludwig von Koopa, Wendy O. Koopa, and Larry Koopa appear. Ludwig says they have to take the bros to the secure location. Roy summons a pickup from some Chargin' Chucks. In the process, the book falls out of Luigi's hands. The Koopalings are about to walk away when Roy wonders why there aren't paper versions of them. Wendy thinks their paper versions are doing important things in their world. She also thinks they don't need their help. She leaves and Roy spots the book. He thinks books are dumb, so he decides to throw it away when the Bowser Jrs. appear. Bowser Jr. says he'll tell his dad if Roy throws his book away. Bowser Jr. picks it up.

In the secure location, the Mario Bros are tied up and Paper Mario is tied up in a roll. Paper Mario stands up and rolls himself up tighter so the ropes fall away. He frees and wakes up the bros. Starlow wonders how they'll escape the cell and Paper Mario slips through the door's bars. He hits the lock with his hammer to open the cell door. The bros leave the cell and Luigi starts checking for something. Mario explains the book containing the Paper Mushroom Kingdom is gone. Luigi mopes around for a while. Starlow tries to make him feel better, but then makes it worse. Paper Mario suggests they look for it after they defeat Bowser. Paper Mario folds himself into a hankerchief, then wrings himself out after Luigi dries his eyes. Starlow suggests exploring to figure out where they are. There are a couple of cells in the area. Send Paper Mario into the one with the Toad, who says they're in the Twinsy Tropics Dungeon. A nice paradise having a dungeon is creepy. He says the minions are talking of harvesting something from here. Go east, as you can't get far going west.

There's not much here except some item blocks with coins. Go east. There are more cells here. The blue Toad explains that Bowser's after an ore only found here. The yellow Toad says they are used to haul the ore to Bowser's Castle. Try to go east and a Hammer Bro notices they're trying to escape. More Hammer Bros appear. The bros want to fight, but the Hammer Bros say they'll find battle difficult without their Command Blocks. They can't attack, use Bro or Trio Attacks, flee, or use items. The bros will have to fight for their Command Blocks back. They leave to go on patrol. Getting their Command Blocks back is the bros' next challenge.

Find a Hammer Bro and engage it. You can't attack, so all you can do is counterattack. They'll throw three hammers, then charge. Jump to dodge the hammers, except the ones that are thrown high in the air, then jump to counter. The first Command Block you'll retrieve is the flee one. You can press [R] to idle, which is a problem when your [R] button is broken. You'll then recover Drill Shell and Rocket Blast, then hammer, Trio Kite, then everything else. Go east. There are a few Hammer Bros here. The sign says the bridge is old and rickety. There's also a key to the gate on the other side. Walk under the bridge and up the ramp to reach the bridge. The bros are initially cautious about crossing, but then start jumping lightly and the bridge collapses. The bros form their own bridge using themselves and inch their way back up. Luigi gets an idea. It's the Trio Grab. Like the Trio Hammer, press (A), (B), and (Y) in order, which allows the bros to form a chain to reach things. Unlock the door and Starlow suggests they go outside to see what the Bowsers have done to the Mushroom Kingdom. She also says they should look out for the book, as it would be terrible if it fell into the wrong hands (too late for that), and they have to save the princesses. Being a hero requires a lot of multitasking.

New Super Luigi U: Meringue Clouds- Castle -- Ludwig's Block-Press Castle

This level is filled with large moving blocks on rails that can crush you. You can duck in the alcoves below or jump into alcoves near the walls at the top. You'll have to deal with fire bars and Dry Buzzies on the way. The first Star Coin is near the top on the right side with the first block-press. The second Star Coin is in the top left corner of the second block-press. Jump up above it to find an alcove to dodge the block-press. The third Star Coin is near the boss door. Use the Ice Flower to freeze a Dry Buzzy and throw it at the Star Coin, which is near the bottom. Go through the boss door and battle Ludwig, who flies up, splits into three, then drops down. The one that shoots three flames instead of two from his wand, and drops down last, is the real Ludwig. Try to stomp him as he gets out of his shell cycle to make the battle easier. One you defeat him, move forward in front of Peach's Castle.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 14: Mini Bosses Galore

Now that the bros have reached Bowser's Castle, all they have to do is find Bowletta. Bowletta and Fawful are in the throne room. Fawful says, "O Great Bowletta! The Mario Bros. who I hate are coming this way!" Bowletta is confident that the bros will never make it to the throne room. She calls the Koopalings, who appear and go throughout the castle.

Ahead are new enemies, such as Magikoopas, Hammer Bros, and Gunner Guys. They take critical damage from electricity. Boos will also appear. As you level up, you'll want to be sure to increase the bros' speed. You'll understand later. To reach certain platforms, you'll have to Spin Jump around bars overhead. What this means is that you must Spin Jump in a curve away from the platforms, then go to the platform you want to go to, instead of Spin Jumping in a line. The door ahead leads to Iggy's Room.

Iggy will spin around the bros to make them dizzy. This will change the control scheme, so up may move them to the right, for example. There are flames on the floor. If you hit them, you'll have to start over. Run into Iggy to start the battle. He'll spit fireballs, which you can hit back at him. He'll also spin around the bros to make them dizzy and unable to defend. Hit him with a hammer before the bros get dizzy. Once you defeat him, a portal appears, a bridge to the Save Book appears, and a bridge to the next area appears. The portal warps you into the main hallway so you can continue through the castle.

The next area has you jump over spikes. Magikoopas are here. They make rings of fire to jump through and heal allies. In the next room are yellow platforms, like the ones in Stardust Fields. The next room is Morton's. The Save Book is up the stairs to the right.

Morton will create shockwaves to dodge. Once you reach him, the battle will start. He'll flip in the air a number of times equal to the number of shockwaves he'll send out upon landing. He'll also shoot fireballs. Defeating Morton will allow you to progress.

Go up several flights of stairs, then Spin Jump across gaps and lava, using tornados. Lemmy's room is next. He'll spin around the bros, making three copies of himself. Hit the real one to start the battle. Otherwise, he'll spin around them again. In battle, he shoots fireballs and makes copies of himself. Eliminate the copies with Thunder Bros. Defeating him makes a portal appear and starts some water flowing outside. Have Mario drink the water to extinguish the flames.

In the next area, deal with a Magikoopa, then go into the next room. You'll have to shoot balls of water at Mecha-Koopas to hit them into the electrical circuits. You have 4 attempts to fill all three circuits before the Mecha-Koopas get released from the circuits. This opens the door ahead. There are two Piranha Plant buds in the ground. Have Mario drink some water, then have Luigi use the Thunderhand on him. Make the left Piranha Plant bud grow to produce a ! Block that opens the door ahead to Ludwig's room.

Ludwig crawls into his shell and moves towards the bros. Have the bros jump over him. He'll jump away. Try to leave and he'll drop down and attack you. In battle, he'll spin around in his shell, so jump over him. He'll also spin in front of the bros to make them dizzy. Once he's defeated, some spikes outside will disappear. Four Koopalings down, four to go.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Meringue Clouds- Castle -- Ludwig's Clockwork Castle

This castle has lots of platforms moving back and forth on tracks. These platforms can crush you, so be careful. Go past the Spike Beetles and Fire Bro and you'll see a gap with coins in it. Wall jump in the gap for the first Star Coin. Some of the moving platforms are hard to go past, so stand on their tracks, then jump over them. You'll come across a Sumo Bro with the second Star Coin above it. Use the POW Block or freeze the Sumo Bro with an Ice Flower and stand on top of the ice block to get it. Be careful if you use the POW Block because the moving platform below will push it into the void. The midpoint is nearby. Past it is an Amp and some more moving platforms. In between the next two platforms is a Red Coin Ring under a Sumo Bro. Use the alcoves in the ceiling to get past the platforms. You'll soon come to a pit with a giant Dry Bones and donut lifts. The yellow pipe in the ceiling leads to a room with a ? Switch where coins will drop from the ceiling, but not the third Star Coin. Just to the right of the donut lift pit is another platform with Amps and a Sumo Bro. The third Star Coin is on the right side of the platform, towards the center. Drop down the right side and run for the Star Coin when the platform moves to the right, then quickly get out of there, wall jumping if necessary. Just to the right is the boss door. There's an invisible block with a power-up on the right wall.

The cannon will launch you to Ludwig's Airship. Ludwig will fly into the air and split into three of himself. Each of them will make blue fireballs, but only the real one will make three fireballs (the others make 2). They will then drop to the floor, with the real one being the last to drop. Now you can stomp him. To prevent him from flying away, if the real Ludwig is on the right or in the middle, he'll end his shell cycle on the left side and will end the cycle on the right side if he's on the left. Three stomps will defeat him. This opens the path to a spot in front of the tornado surrounding the castle. It's another level with Bowser's Airship.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-Castle

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

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

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-Fort

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

Coin Total: 27,726

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-Castle

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

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

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 7- Castle -- Deadly Castle in the Sky

This castle brings back the spiked pillars. It also seems to be falling apart, because there is no lava, and the walls are broken up, letting in a view of the outside world.I got the 1st Star Coin and reached the midgate. After getting an Ice Flower, I killed the Sledge Bros. (sumo-sized Hammer Bros. that are too heavy to pick up) and got a 100-coin 1-up. I then lost all of my items and died on the spiked pillars.

Take 2- I got and lost a Super Shroom to a spiked pillar and died from a Sledge Bro.

Take 3- I got a Super Shroom, killed the Sledge Bros., but lose the Super Shroom to a spiked pillar. I got another one, which I lost to another spiked pillar. I reached the boss door. Kamek's magic brings up three platforms through the floor that carry Ludwig and Mario endlessly skyward. Ludwig can now shoor 4 flames at one time, and I die from the flames.

I needed items and lives. I tried to rescue Toad in World 1, but died from a Giant Goomba for a Game Over and Continue #15. I then got 1 Super Shroom, 2 Helishrooms, 3 Ice Flowers, 1 Fire Flower, 1 Starman, and 10 1-ups.

After the Game Over:
Take 1- I used a Super Shroom and got an Ice Flower, which I lose to a spiked pillar. I lost my Super Shroom to a Super Dry Bones (giant Dry Bones). I power up at the midgate and get 2 Ice Flowers, both of which I lose to spike pillars (I have to get the timing down better). I lost the Super Shroom to a Sledge Bro, and reach the boss door. It's safe to stand on the left platform to dodge the 4 flame attack. I get in 1 hit, but the platform is too small to dodge the shell cycle, so I died. I have to get off that platform immediately.

Take 2- I use a Super Shroom, which I lose to a spike pillar. I get another, but am stunned by a Sledge Bro, and I lose it. I die from a Sledge Bro.

Take 3- I use Super Shroom, get an Ice Flower, both of which I lose to spike pillars. I get a 100-coin 1-up and a Super Shroom, which I lose to a Sledge Bro. I hit Ludwig once, but fall in the void.

Take 4- I used a Helishroom, which is lost to a spike pillar. I got an Ice Flower and fell in the void.

Take 5- I used an Ice Flower, and lose it and the Super Shroom to a Sledge Bro. I die on a pillar.

Take 6- I use an Ice Flower. Super Guide appears again. I lose my items to spike pillars, get a Super Shroom, and fell in the void.

Take 7- I used a Helishroom and lose it to a Sledge Bro. I get an Ice Flower and reach the boss. I lost the Ice Flower to the flames. I got in 2 hits and immediately waited out the shell cycle on the middle platform. After the end of the 2nd shell cycle, Ludwig hovered over the middle platform where I was standing. I dodged to the left platform and got in the 3rd hit. I got the key and went to World 8.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 7-Fort -- Barely Making it Out Alive

This fort is a little unusual. The first part of the level takes place outside. There is a platform that will carry Mario to the top, and Mario can control the side-side direction it goes. There are lots of Bullet Bills. I used the Helishroom, but lost it to a Bullet Bill. I skipped the 1st Star Coin because of the Banzai Bills. I reached the pipe at the top of the area, which led inside the fort. I powered up at the midgate. I lost the Super Shroom to a Bob-omb, got another, and lost it and died from a Bob-omb.

Take 2- I got and lost a Super Shroom to a Bob-omb and died from Bob-omb.

Take 3-6 - Died from a Bob-omb.

In between, I won 6 1-ups in a 1-up Toad House, got 2 Ice Flowers. I used the Ice Flower and lost it to a Big Bubba- man-eating fish, to save Toad and get 3 Super Shroom. I got an Ice Flower and a Fire Flower, and a Helishroom and a Mini Shroom. I was losing too many lives and was not going to make it to the boss if I was not powered up.

Take 7- I used an Ice Flower, but found out that Banzai Bills don't stay frozen for long. I lost the Ice Flower to a Banzai Bill, but get the 1st Star Coin. I reached the midgate and lost the Super Shroom to a Bob-omb. I reached the boss door. Ludwig shoots blue fire that matches his hair which moves in a circle. He can also jump and hover like Yoshi, but for a much longer time, making him extremely difficult to hit. I should hit him quickly after the shell cycle to make sure he cannot shoot any more flames and will not jump and hover. I got in one hit, but died from the blue flame, which is difficult to dodge when it is low in the circle and Ludwig is in his shell cycle.

Take 8- I used a Super Shroom and got an Ice Flower. I lost the Ice Flower to a Bob-omb and the Super Shroom to Ludwig and died from the blue flame.

Take 9- I used a Super Shroom, and like clockwork, Super Guide appears. Even if I go somewhere else, it will keep track of my attempts for a particular area. I lose the Super Shroom to Bob-omb, but get another. I lose my Super Shroom and die from the blue flame, after getting in one hit.

Take 10- I used a Super Shroom and lose it to a Bob-omb, and die from another Bob-omb.

Take 11- I used the Fire Flower and lose it to a Bob-omb. I got an Ice Flower and lost it and the Super Shroom to a Bob-omb. After a lot of skillful dodging, I got in 3 hits to defeat Ludwig. I'm going to call it a day.