New Super Luigi U: Meringue Clouds-6 -- Three-Headed Snake Block

As the title suggests, the snake block in this level will split into three early on. This is an automatic sidescroller. Beware of the Foos and the fog they create. You can spin to clear it up. Stay on the bottom snake block for the first Star Coin. Get an Acorn and you'll find the second Star Coin hidden in a cloud near the top past the Red Coins. The third Star Coin is nearby, towards the top. The snake blocks will take you to the flag.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Meringue Clouds-6 -- Snaking Above Mist Valley

This is an automatically sidescrolling level with few enemies. Activate the snake block to get going and you'll pass some Foos, clouds that produce fog. You can spin to clear it or kill them with a stomp or a shell. You can get the Acorn Mushroom here. The first Star Coin is under a piece of land on your path with a P-Switch. You can either go under the piece of land with the snake block or go up and over the land, then double back to the left. The snake blocks will move straight up so you can get the second Star Coin. After a while, you'll arrive at a pipe, which takes you to the midpoint. There's another snake block, with a Fire Bro nearby. Near the next piece of land is a Green Ring. The third Star Coin is floating over the void past some Parakoopas. Use a shell before the snake block blocks you to get it. At the end is a pipe to the flagpole. This opens the path to the castle and a Mushroom House.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Soda Jungle- Fort -- Snake Block Tower

Go through the pipe in the first room to reach a giant snake block, which will take you through the first part of the fort. There are spike balls on spiked chains and Amps, so watch your step. The first Star Coin is near the second Amp you'll see. There are Red Coins to collect, and a nearby small snake block that leads to the second Star Coin. Be sure to quickly return to the large snake block, because the small snake block will pass through the walls without you, leaving you to fall. The large snake block will take you to the midpoint. There's a gap overhead that leads to a pipe. This leads to the next part of the fort. You can get the Acorn Mushroom here and you'll have to follow the large snake block. The small snake block on the right will take you to the third Star Coin. This part of the fort has larger balls and chains, so duck when they get close. The large snake block will take you to the boss door, where there's an invisible item block on the left wall. Once through the boss door, Kamek appears and makes Boom Boom larger, so he can jump higher. Defeat him as you normally do to open the path deeper into the forest, where things transition. The level that opens up is the Ghost House.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Star-Castle

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

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

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Flower-1

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

Coin Total: 60,525

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Bowser's Castle

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

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

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

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

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 5-5

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

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

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-Castle

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

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

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-Fort

Our first Fort of the game. There are some new enemies here wearing skulls. They're otherwise like other enemies. We get a Raccoon Leaf and use a snake platform to get up. There are snake platforms near many platforms. There is a hidden 1-up under the Red Coin Ring. Go to the left for the first Star Coin. Avoid being crushed by the snake platform below it. Above is the midpoint and a door. You'll find snake platforms moving into a gap to the right. Go into that gap to find a yellow pipe. It will take you outside to a snake platform staircase and the Red Goal. This opens path to World 1's cannon. If you do not go to the Red Goal, there are snake platforms over the door. They allow you to reach a red pipe on the left. There's a P-Switch in the room that makes Silver Coins appear within the snake platforms. The Silver Coins are only a distraction, however. Once you hit the P-Switch, quickly go to the platform above the snake platforms. Here, you'll find brick blocks that allow you to reach the second Star Coin. You must collect the Star Coin before the timer runs out, as it will disappear. It's a tricky one to find. Keep climbing and you'll find the third Star Coin surrounded by a snakeplatform and guarded by a skulled Piranha Plant. Approach with caution. Take the snake platform above to the boss door. This game's Mini Boss is Reznor, first seen in Super Mario World. It's standing on item blocks in a ferris-wheel configuration. All you have to door is hit the block underneath it. Do this quickly, as it will make the floor disappear. Hop on the blocks if necessary. This Fort has two. After you take out both of them, Roy will drop in from a chain, roar, and leave. He'll take Peach to the castle.

Coin Total: 2194

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-3

After leaving a level some number of times, either by death or completion, a Gold Block will appear on the world map and follow you around. This means that when you enter a level, there will be a Gold Block floating around near the start or midpoint. Collect for extra coins. In this level, we get the Raccoon Leaf, which give us the Raccoon Tail, allowing us to fly and hit ground level blocks. You'll find several snake platforms near the ground in the gaps. As Raccoon Mario, fly up near the arrow pointed to the upper right for the first Star Coin. Fly up to all of the tree tops for lots of coins. There is also a random coin block up there. Go back to the ground for the midpoint. On top of one of the trees is a pipe cannon to Coin Heaven. Fly for coins and the second Star Coin. Drop back down to the main level and you'll find a Red Coin Ring and the third Star Coin. Use shells or your tail to break through the brick blocks. The Red Coins drift down to the ground with Parachutes. After that is a random coin block and the flagpole.

Coin Total: 1138
We get a message saying we've collected 1,000 coins.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-Fort 2

This Fort has snake platforms. It will take us past fire bars and spikes. At one point, there will be spikes on the ceiling and floor. Once you leave that area, quickly move to the very front of the platform, as it is going to rise up. You'll go through another area with spiked ceiling and floor. The first Star Coin will be in an alcove here. The midpoint is at the stone ledge on the left side. A small spike ball will appear and start rolling on the platform until it doubles back. There are Red Coins to get in this area. The platform will rise up to an area with fire bars. The second Star Coin will be nearby. When the platform comes out on the right side, hop back on, but be aware that another small spike ball is heading your way. Jump over it and get the third Star Coin. The platform will soon go straight up, so stay at the very front. It will take you to boss door. Bowser Jr. is wearing his mask and this battle takes place on a small platform in the lava. Defeat him and a bridge to Bowser's Castle appears. He takes Peach there.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-Castle

This level involves riding around on snake platforms. The platform will snake around the level and double back on itself, so pay attention. At first, you'll have to dodge the Amps in the area. The first Star Coin is past two of them. After a while, the platform will take you past some Thwomps. Trigger them to fall early so they won't fall on you. The platform stops at a lone stone platform, which is the midpoint. Get off the snaking platform before it falls. There's another snake platform waiting for you. This one will initially take you through an area with spike balls on chains. The second Star Coin is above the anchor point for a ball and chain. Take the platform past it, then drop down onto the Star Coin and the anchor point, then get back on before the platform goes over you. It will then take you to an area with periodically firing jet engines. It will stall in front of the boss door, so let it start to drop, then run and jump to get the third Star Coin before you fall with it. The door will take you outside, where you'll have to climb platforms up to the roof. The boss here is Lakithunder, a Lakitu with bat wings on a gray storm cloud. He throws Spinies, sends down bolts of lightning, and swoops down periodically. When he swoops down, stomp him. Stomp him three times for the key. Bowser Jr. will take Peach to World 8 if you haven't defeated the boss of World 6.

Boo Moon Galaxy - Green Star 1

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
This Star took me a long time to find, and a while to locate. It is easy to miss, because after you launch from the first planet, you can no longer control the camera to look around. However, it is visible immediately after landing. It is too high to reach immediately. It took me a while, but I figured out how to get it by thinking about the planet like a house and that the Star is on the ceiling. The Star is accessible once the planet flips up 90 degrees twice, because the first flip forms the wall and the second, the ceiling. While riding the snake platform to the hidden Star, before you reach it, long jump and spin to the green Star. This is a Star of all Types.
Green Star Get #111!
Star Get #231, Galaxy Complete!, 7333 Star Bits, 2722 Coins, 21 Lives

Boo Moon Galaxy - The Star in the Sinking Swamp

Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
This Star was very difficult to find. It's a hidden Star that's very easy to miss. I land in the halls and wander around. I take a hit from a Boo, launch, and ride the snaking platform to the midgate. I get 3 1-ups from the musical notes and launch to the moon, where I get the Launch Star Chips and launch to the pop-up area. I missed the secret path entirely. I left and gave up for the time being.
Take 2- I returned, took hits from Boos, launched, tripped the midgate, and got 3 1-ups and fell in the goop.
Take 3- Fell in the goop.
Take 4- I got a 3 1-up and rode the snake platform towards the Launch Star. As the snake platform sinks into the goop, another snake platform appears at the last second. I missed it, so I returned to the map.
Take 5- I launched to the midgate, got 3 1-ups, and missed the platform to the Star. I fell in.
Take 6- I got 3-up and fell in the same place.
Take 7- I got 3-up, took a hit from a Ghost Octoomba, and fell in.
Take 8- I got a 3-up, a 100 Star Bit 1-up, but didn't jump off the sinking platform and fell in.
Take 9- I got a 3-up, took a hit from a Ghost Octoomba and got on the secret platform, which moves much faster than Mario can walk, so I fell in.
Take 10- I got a 3-up, but used the Launch Star, so I returned to the map.
Take 11- I launched, took a hit from a Ghost Octoomba and reached the midgate. I got a 3-up, took another hit, and fell in.
Take 12- I got a 3-up and successfully followed the platform to the Star. It moves faster that Mario walks, but it zigs and zags, and doubles back on itself so Mario can stay aboard. However, Mario should neither jump nor spin, as this will cause him to fall behind. Just dodge the Ghost Octoombas without spinning. The platform will take you to the Star and start sinking into the goop, so align Mario under the Star quickly and carefully and jump to get it.
Star Get #81, Galaxy Complete!, 460 Star Bits, 1501 Coins, 35 Lives
I just may have a new place to get lives!

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 3- Castle -- Circus on Ice

This is a difficult level, because they incorporated the ice theme into the level. This level has one of the annoying snaking block platforms, made more annoying because they're icy and slippery, as denoted by the subtle fuzzy and crystal appearance. I have to contend with spikes and icicles in this level. I did this level initially multiplayer, but both of us got game overs and had to start over. I will just detail the solo mission. The large icicles fall on the snaking platform, and when done well, make it easier to avoid the spikes in the middle of the level. I reach the end of this area to find large ice cubes blocking my path. Some of them have black spots in them. There is a pipe spewing Bob-ombs, so I use one to clear through the ice (fireballs don't work here). The second time, I blow up an ice cube with a black spot, which sends a chain reaction throughout some of the other ice cubes. There were Bob-ombs frozen in the ice. I get on another snaking block platform. I get the first Star Coin in an area with Donut Lifts. After the red coin ring, I find an area with bouncy balls like the one Lemmy used in the Fort battle. I use them to get the third Star Coin. They nearly bounce me onto the spikes and I nearly miss the snaking platform to the boss door. This time, Kamek makes Lemmy's circus ball grow huge. He uses it to bounce high, then come down on Mario to shove him off the edge. I went off the edge and could not wall jump, so I died. Take 2- Cutting to Lemmy's battle, I gathered enough speed to wall jump high enough to hit Lemmy. I hit him again after the shell cycle and touched him, losing my Fire Flower. I hit him again after the shell cycle, before he could use magic to make his circus ball appear. This world is finally over.