New Super Luigi U: Superstar Road-9 -- Flying Squirrel Ovation

If you thought this level was going to be a simple level where you could easily get the lives you lost back, you'd be wrong. There are several item blocks above you at the start. Hit them one at a time so you can get an Acorn. After a while, the brick blocks below will drop down onto separate paths. At a certain point, Waddlewings will appear and you'll have to glide on your own. You must avoid being hit so you don't fall to your death. The first Star Coin is in a ring of brick blocks that moves from right to left. Stand on the ring, then drop down for the first Star Coin, then start gliding again. The second Star Coin follows a path, so intercept it where you can. The third Star Coin is in a cloud that moves in a line. At the bottom are bouncy clouds and a pipe. The pipe will take you to a logo sign board with Luigi and Yoshi so Luigi can look out a hole and appear to be riding Yoshi. The timer is still counting down, so head for the flagpole.

And with that, we have completed all of the levels and collected all of the Star Coins in New Super Luigi U. It was a fun and challenging game, with new places to hide Star Coins and secret exits. I found quite a few of the hidden Luigis, but not all of them. What will I play next? Stay tuned to find out.

New Super Luigi U: Superstar Road-8 -- Impossible Pendulums

The pendulums here are not impossible, but they are still difficult. They are several spiked ball and chains linked together, which means your timing must be good. The first Star Coin is underneath the first solo pendulum. Drop down under the ledge on the right wall to get it, then time your jump back up and to the right. Over the wall is a Red Coin Ring and the second Star Coin under the pendulum. You can't get both in one fell swoop alone, so pick which one you'll go for first. Go up the pipe and you'll find two more sets of pendulums. The first set swings in a circle. The third Star Coin moves in a circle with it, at a different speed. I recommend crossing over to the right side of the pendulums and getting the Star Coin from there. Ahead is the other set of four pendulums, but you do not have to deal with them. Drop down to the floor below and run to the flagpole. This opens up Superstar Road-9, the last level.

For completing this level, you'll get a fourth star on your file.

New Super Luigi U: Superstar Road-7 -- Cloudy Capers

It's time to take to the skies! You'll have to steal Lakitu's cloud to get around. Grab a Fire Flower and a cloud. Every time you see a small blue block in the air, line up the cloud over it so you can land. The cloud will disappear soon. Use the Fire Flower to kill Lakitu and the Fuzzies ahead. The Fuzzies surround all three Star Coins. Past the third Star Coin, you'll have to transfer to a new cloud in midair. This can be tricky, so kill the Lakitu as soon as possible. Follow the trail of coins through the Fuzzies to the flagpole.

New Super Luigi U: Superstar Road-6 -- Fire Bar Sprint

There are giant fire bars in this level that require precise timing to avoid. You'll have to run at a full sprint to avoid taking damage. If you're having a difficult time with this level, I recommend using Nabbit. The first Star Coin is over a gap. Jump to get it. The second Star Coin is nearby, over some bricks. Cross the gap filled with single blocks to the other side where there are fast-spinning fire bars. The third Star Coin is near the flag, under some brick blocks. Be super and pound the bricks to get it.

New Super Luigi U: Superstar Road-5 -- Under Construction

This level has blocks that appear and disappear over purple water. Get an item from the item blocks if you need it, then jump to the second set of brick blocks. The first Star Coin is here, surrounded by brick blocks. Break them to get the Star Coin and keep going. You'll soon see some Red Coins. Farther ahead is a set of brick blocks that you must wall jump up. Next to it is the second Star Coin over the purple water. Wall jump to get it. Ahead are some Boos floating around. Nearby are coins that form a square. They surround an invisible block with a vine. This will take you to a giant 8-bit Luigi from Super Mario World, with the third Star Coin on top. Drop down on the right side to reach the flag. Bowser Jr. is in the background.

New Super Luigi U: Superstar Road-4 -- Hammerswing Hangout

It's time to deal with the swinging hammers again. Go through the pipe and you'll reach an area with the swing hammers. Once you step on the hammer, the level will start automatically scrolling up. The first Star Coin is on the left side, near the Fliprus. You'll have to dodge the snowballs they throw until you can defeat them. In the middle is a Green Ring. Quickly go to the right side, where you'll find the second Star Coin over another Fliprus. Go back to the left wall for the third Star Coin, also over a Fliprus. The pipe at the top will take you to a swinging hammer in front of the flagpole.

New Super Luigi U: Superstar Road-3 -- Star Coin Deep Dive

It's time to go swimming and your swimming buddies are blue Cheep-Cheeps and Big Bertha. Swim quickly and dodge them if you can't kill them. Bring a Fire Flower and try to keep it. There is an invisible block at the start with a Starman. The first Star Coin is in a ring of Cheep-Cheep. Let Big Bertha kill the Cheep-Cheep if you can't so you can reach the Star Coin. The second Star Coin will move along the currents created by the pipes. It will stop at the top of the screen. Ahead are rotating pipes, Red Coins, and Bloopers, some of which are in pipes. More blue Cheep-Cheeps will appear near the end. You'll have to chase the third Star Coin as it rides on the currents. It will lead you to the red pipe that takes you to the flagpole.

New Super Luigi U: Superstar Road-2 -- P Switch Peril

There are several P-Switches in this level. Hitting the first one will send stones dropping down on you from the ceiling. It will also turn the brick block walls in front of you into coins so you can run ahead. You have to either keep moving or get out of the way quickly. Don't worry if you miss hitting a P-Switch as the stones will do that for you. The first Star Coin is next to a brick wall near the start. Get a running jump, wall jump, or triple jump to reach it. You'll have to duck under a brick wall or just be small for the entire level. There are Silver Coins and Spinies part-way through the level. The second Star Coin is here, but you'll have to time your jump well to avoid landing on the Spinies. Drop down, bounce off the spring, and keep running. Dodge the Waddlewings and you'll see the third Star Coin overhead. Leave it alone for now. Jump across the gap ahead and wait for the stones to fall. Once they do, jump over them to get the Star Coin without fear of getting hurt. On the other side of the gap is the flagpole.

New Super Luigi U: Superstar Road-1 -- Spine Coaster Connections

Now that we've completed the main storyline, Mario blocks will appear at the start of all levels. This will change the settings to New Super Mario Bros. U settings, so Luigi will no longer slide or jump as high. There are several bone coasters here, so be prepared to transfer. On the coasters' tracks are Fuzzies you'll have to dodge. The first Star Coin is between Fuzzies. Keep transferring until you reach a set of three coasters that move together. You can reach the second Star Coin from the middle coaster, but you'll have to time when you go to the middle coaster, as there are Fuzzies on all tracks. The third Star Coin can be reached from the lower coaster. Transfer to another track to reach the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Superstar Road-9 -- Follow that Shell!

This is a nice bonus level. Here, you can potentially recoup some of the lives you lost in Superstar Road and the rest of the game. There are no power-ups in this level and you don't need them. You only need to deal with two Koopas to achieve your goals. The first Koopa you come across will help you get the first Star Coin. Use it to clear the brick blocks and Goombas blocking your path, then you can go and get it in between pieces of land. Go up the hill to find the next Koopa you have to deal with. Stomp it into its shell and kick it, then follow it. As long as you keep following it, it will do everything else for you. You don't have to actively chase it, but it has to be within the screen's range to rebound where you want it. It will loop around this first area a few times, so jump out of its way when it approaches. When it clears all the brick blocks on the right hill, you'll have to follow it up the hill when it returns. It will come across a flat platform with a brick block at the end. The brick block will give you a 1-up. It will ricochet off the brick block and go down some stairs, then go right and start climbing the vertical area. Follow it to the right, up a hill with Goombas, and it will go into an area with the second Star Coin. This can be tricky. There are a set of four brick block and one of the middle ones has a P-Switch. Make the P-Switch appear, then wait until the shell drops to the level above the level with the Star Coin to hit it. Timing is crucial here. If timed correctly, it will break ove the brick blocks in front of the Star Coin and get the Star Coin for you. Keep following it down and it will hit a brick block at the end before falling into the void. The brick block has a vine that allows you to reach the third Star Coin above a high platform. From there, jump to the flagpole. Because you followed the same shell the entire way without stopping up, you will accumulate a lot of 1-ups from killing enemies. I got over 30 in one try.

Once you complete the level with all of the Star Coins, a fanfare will play and you'll get a message: "You've collected all the Star Coins! Congratulations!"

And with that, we've completed New Super Mario Bros. U. It was a fun and challenging game. I bet you can guess what I'll be playing next.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Superstar Road-8 -- Pendulum Castle

This is a treacherous castle. Spike balls on spike chains are everywhere and there are Bony Beetles to deal with as well. Many platforms are donut lifts, so you can't stand still in many places. The Ice Flower or the P-Acorn are incredibly helpful here. Take your time and learn the timing of everything, and get rid of as many Bony Beetles as you need to. You can use the Ice Flower to get rid of them, or, if they're on donut lifts, stomp them, then stand on the donut lift it's resting on to make it drop. The first Star Coin is under a set of donut lifts in a series of ball and chains. Stand on one donut lift to make it drop, then jump to safety once you get the Star Coin. Or, you can use a P-Acorn and avoid the ball and chains all together. At the end of that series of donut lifts is a gap in the ceiling. Wall jump up and you'll find a hidden pipe to the right. It leads to the second Star Coin. You will want the Ice Flower to attempt to get this Star Coin. It's in the path of the chains of three spike balls that swing together. Below is a pit of Bony Beetles. Drop down and freeze and destroy all Bony Beetles. Wall jump up the right side and get the Starman in the item block, then jump for the Star Coin. Return to the main level and use your invincibility to clear through more enemies. From the pipe to the main level, there is a spike ball swinging on the other side of a gap of donut lifts. Jump to the other side when the spike ball is swinging to the right and run past it. There's an item block with a power-up nearby. Dodge some more spike balls and Bony Beetles with good timing. Ahead are single donut lifts below a giant spike ball. You'll want to proceed when the spike ball is on the left. Move quickly. Ahead is another giant spike ball near a ? Switch. The ? Switch provides temporary platforms so you can cross the gap, and get the third Star Coin in the right corner, near the pipe. Timing is crucial here. If you can't quite get the timing right, use a P-Acorn. Drop down when the spike ball starts swinging to the right and boost repeatedly to the right wall, then boost to the Star Coin when the spike ball swings to the left. The pipe takes you to the flagpole. Thankfully, this castle has no boss to fight. There are donut lifts to the flagpole, but be sure to jump. Otherwise, when the donut lifts form stairs, you'll run right through them. This opens the path to a Mushroom House.

 Once you collect all of the Star Coins in Superstar Road, you unlock a bonus level, Superstar Road-9. You get a message: "The final course is now available! A fourth star has been added to your file!" And you thought you were done.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Superstar Road-7 -- Lakitu! Lakitu! Lakitu!

Cloud-stealing is the name of the game here. There are several circling platforms to contend with and the easiest way to deal with them is to take a cloud and fly past them. The first set of platforms are green. In between them is the first Star Coin. The platforms will drop down to the level of the Star Coin, then the other ones will close in from above. Grab the Star Coin and wall jump out of there immediately. The next platforms are blue. Lakitu appears here to rain on your parade with Spinies, but the platforms are too low for you to reach him. The orange platforms to the right will allow you to take Lakitu's cloud and go flying. There are coin trails in the air. More and more Lakitu will appear, sometimes as many as three at a time. The trick is to keep transferring clouds so you can stay airborn. The second Star Coin is over some red plaforms. Swoop down to get it. The third Star Coin is partially visible, under a ledge. Use a cloud to get it. There's a hidden area above with coins. Keep going to the right and you'll see some green platforms in front of the flag. This opens the path to a Mushroom House.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Superstar Road-6 -- Fire Bar Cliffs

The fire bars here are enormous, making dodging them somewhat difficult. You'll want to get the Fire Flower from the item boxes, not because there are enemies that die from fireballs, but for the extra hit you can take. Several of the fire bars have donut lifts below them, so you can't stay there for long, unless you keep jumping. The first Star Coin is in a small pit above a fire bar. Next is a fire bar over some donut lifts. Duck under the fire bar in the center and jump to keep the donut lift in place. When the fire bar goes away, keep going. To the right is a fire bar in a rock wall. When the path is clear, run to the right and wall jump up into the left corner to avoid the fire bar. Once you leave that area, things become more open. Use a Koopa shell to hit a brick block on the side of a rock for a 1-up. There's a hidden area to the left of the first fire bar in the open area. Drop down to a pipe. This takes you to the the second Star Coin, which is guarded by three triple fire bars. Go up and over the top fire bar, get the item in the item block if you need it, then carefully climb the grate to get the Star Coin. Return through the same pipe. The next three fire bars are in sync and the fourth one goes in the opposite direction. If you're careful, you can make it across without any damage. The pipe will take you to the second part of the level, which is largely vertical. Dodge the fire bars and Buzzy Beetles and climb up. Drop down to the left of triple fire bar for a hidden pipe. This will take you to the third Star Coin, guarded by a triple fire bar. Run to the left, but do not run so far that you can get all the coins on the ground. Jump up before you collect all the coins and collect the Star Coin. Return to the main level. Keep climbing up and you'll see some uneven fire bars with three fireballs on one side and one on the other. Jump over them when only one fireball is present and you'll soon reach the top and the pipe. Run past the fire bar to the flagpole. This opens the path to a Mushroom House.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Superstar Road-5 --Spinning Platforms of Doom

It's another Starry Night level. You can get the Acorn Mushroom here. The "spinning platforms of doom" are stones that rotate over the purple water, some of which are on paths. The first set of stones are in a group of four. Once you reach the end, swing on a vine and take the lower path by flying over the water. This will allow you to reach the first Star Coin, which is in a ring of Boos. The second Star Coin is nearby, in between two rotating stones on a path, in a ring of Boos. Drop down between the two stones and wall jump if necessary to get the Star Coin. Soon, you'll come to some land. In front of the blue pipe with the Piranha Plant is a brick block with a vine. Pound the brick block so that the vine goes into the purple water. Use the vine to reach the area under the pipe, where another blue pipe is hidden. There's a set of two stones in the water that don't rotate. Wall jump between the two stones as they move. Jump up in the alcove for the third Start Coin, then go back between the two stones until you reach the pipe. Next are a set of rotating stones that can be a little crazy. They will take you to the flagpole. This opens the path to a Mushroom House.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Superstar Road-4 -- Hammerswing Caverns

Hammerswing Caverns are filled with ice, so navigating is a little challenging. Take the pipe into the caverns and trigger the large icicle to fall. The level is filled with several large hammers that rotate. These will serve as some of the platforms. Watch them so you don't fall off. There's a platform just under the second hammer. It has an Acorn Mushroom to make your life easier. There are some Koopas ahead on the ice. If you time it well, you can use a shell to get a 1-up. Drop down to a set of three hammers that connect to form a path. Over the gap over the second and third hammers of this set is a gap where you can just barely see some coins. Wall jump up for the coins and the first Star Coin. Keep going to the right and you'll see a hammer on a path. Once you land on it, it will move to the right, swinging all the while. There's a pipe nearby on the lower right. Time your activation of the P-Switch with the swinging of the hammer to reach the second Star Coin in the upper right, then return to the main level. There's a Green Ring ahead. Soon, you'll find the third Star Coin over a hammer near the pipe at the end. Either use the hammer or fly and boost to get it. There's a hammer in front of the flagpole to make it easier to reach. This opens up the path to a Mushroom House.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Superstar Road-3 -- Swim for Your Life!

This level is not as fast-paced as Superstar Road-2, but it is still hectic. It's an underwater level with a giant, man-eating Cheep-Cheep chasing you the entire way. You'll want a Fire Flower here to keep it in check. The giant Cheep-Cheep will knock Urchins and all other enemies out of its path, and try to eat Mario. You'll want to keep firing a few fireballs to the left every few seconds to keep it away. The first Star Coin is guarded by Urchins. Either use fireballs, or lure the giant Cheep-Cheep into knocking them out of the way for you. Same goes for the wall of Urchins to the right. Past the wall of Urchins is a set of currents. Some Urchins are floating in the currents, as well as the second Star Coin. It will hang out near the ceiling or the floor, out of reach, then move periodically to the other side. Be in the currents when it moves to collect it. Past it is a wall of Cheep-Cheep and an item block between two pipes. Homing blue Cheep-Cheep will appear and swim behind you, so don't stop swimming. Now you can leave the giant Cheep-Cheep alone for a while, as it will get rid of the blue Cheep-Cheep for you. At the end, feel free to use fireballs to get rid of it. The third Star Coin is just below the pipe at the end, guarded by Urchins. Use fireballs to get rid of them or have the giant Cheep-Cheep do that for you. Once you have the Star Coin, swim through the pipe and go to the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Superstar Road-2 -- Run For It

If you have a P-Acorn saved up from a Nabbit challenge, now would be a valid time to use it. Here, you have to hit P-Switches to stay alive, as they make coins into brick blocks you can stand on. Just hit the P-Switch at the start and run at top speed, if you're not going to use the P-Acorn. There are several pipes with Piranha Plants overhead, but the Piranhas won't bother you if you're running at top speed. Keep running and jumping and be sure to hit the next P-Switch overhead. After hitting the third P-Switch, you'll have to platform on brick blocks. The first Star Coin is surrounded by brick blocks, so as Super Mario, pound the top layer of brick blocks only to get the Star Coin. You should have just enough time to reach the Piranha Plant in the pipe. When the switch runs out, there will be several coins next to it. Drop down to collect the coins and land on the next P-Switch. From here, you'll see a lot of Koopas. Use the shell of the first one to clear them all out, running after the shell as you go. Don't worry if you get close to the shell. If you clear all of them, you'll get three 1-ups. The next P-Switch is near the last Koopa. Next is a set of platforms with lots of Koopa Paratroopas flying around, one near the second Star Coin. Wait for it to get close to the Star Coin, then bounce off it to get the Star Coin. Quickly run to the right and time your jump so you bounce off the next Koopa Paratroopa to hit the P-Switch above it. This can be tricky. Drop down to moving brick blocks. You'll have to time your jumps because they move quickly. They will take you to the next P-Switch, which is under a ledge. Wall jump to hit it. Keep going, and you'll see the third Star Coin right next to the flagpole. Either triple jump up the brick blocks or fly and boost to get it.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Superstar Road-1 -- Spine-Tingling Spine Coaster

Welcome to Superstar Road, a bonus world with challenges for super players. There are no midpoints in the levels and no Super Guide to help you out. You may want to collect the Star Coins on separate attempts if you experience difficulty getting through the levels.

This level features a spine coaster, which takes place outside, in a place that looks like Acorn Plains. There are lots of Fuzzies in the level, some of which will be on the spine coaster's path. You can get the Fire Flower here to help deal with the Fuzzies.  Past the first drop is the first Star Coin between two rings of Fuzzies. There's a Starman at the top of the next hill. As you're going along, you'll see the second Star Coin below the coaster track. It will move into position within reach with some other coins, prompting you to jump to avoid some Fuzzies on the track. The third Star Coin is in the area where several track appear close together. It travels on the track, so stay towards the back of the coaster to get it. Next are several sets of Fuzzies that will close in on the coaster from above and below. Dodge them and the coaster will drop you off at the flagpole. This (as will all other levels here) will open the path to the Mushroom House. Some levels with will allow you to reach the same Mushroom House.