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.: 8-8

In this level, we're outside the volcano and it's erupting. There are chunks of volcanic rock raining down, destroying all types of blocks, and setting off little blue and green enemies, who'll run after you and explode. The first Star Coin is near the start, so quickly go right to hop on the stones leading to it, before the volcanic rock makes it inaccessible. As Mini Mario, let the volcanic rock break through the stones over the mini pipe and take it to the second Star Coin. As Super Mario, breack the brick blocks surrounding the third Star Coin. After that, it's a long run on a stone path. Be quick and careful, as your path is quickly disappearing. The path leads directly to the flag.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-7

There are lots of Parakoopas in this level. When you reach a really tall wall you can't get over, hit the invisible block just to the left of it so you can scale the wall. Use a shell to take out the Sumo Bro,  the run under the platform for the first Star Coin, without running off the edge. Jump back up so you don't have to worry about falling. You'll come across some rock with thin ledges before the midpoint. Soon after are two Fire Bros. Be careful about approaching them from below. In one of the blocks in their area is a Starman, so that may help if you can reach it. Use it to take out Koopas in your path. The second Star Coin over a Boomerang Bro on rising platforms. Past the platforms is another Sumo Bro. He's standing on some brick blocks over the third Star Coin, so let him pound them. Take him out after he pounds the first row and get the Star Coin safely. There's another Boomerang Bro, as well as some Red Coins before the cannon to the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-6

This time, we're in the volcano, and the magma's rising. This level wraps around like 7-2, which you'll need to take advantage of to progress. Go around to the left to reach a pipe cannon to a set of stairs. Quickly go up, over, and down for the first Star Coin. Take the spin spring up, then pound the bricks to the left as Super Mario to reach the 2nd Star Coin. Keep going up and you'll find Spinies walking on platforms from the original Mario Bros. game. You can bump the Spinies from below, but you can't jump through the platforms. Go to the right side for the third Star Coin, then wrap back around. Take the pipe cannon into the center out of the volcano. You won't fall back in, so don't worry. Just go to the flag. The magma's not following you.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-5

The scenery changes from a dark world to a volcano. We're inside the volcano at the base. There's magma below. We have to platform from dangling metal platforms and rocks that will fall into the magma soon after we step on them. Jump down and quickly go up the tilting rocks for the first Star Coin. The second Star Coin is floating over the magma near two dangling metal platforms with Koopas on them. Use a shell to get the Star Coin while the metal platform is tilted. At the end, there are several tilting rocks. Move quickly and jump high to reach the third Star Coin. The pipe to the flag is just to the right.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-Castle

This level can be a little tricky if you want to get all of the Star Coins. The red blocks will make platforms on paths appear and disappear. They will allow to cross the lava. At first, you'll see the first Star Coin over a pathway without a platform. The red block where you are will not make the platform you need appear, so go to the next area, with an item block and another red block. This red block will make the platform to the first Star Coin appear. Going forward, make the high platform and drop with it to the second Star Coin. Afterwards, you'll reach the midpoint. At this point, it will be difficult to get the third Star Coin if you die. Make sure you're on the lower platform when you reach the rope. Swing from the rope to the red rotating shapes in the lava. There are two paths from here to the boss door. Because of the way you set it up before the midpoint, you will have access to the lower platform, which will go under the boss door so you can reach the third Star Coin. If you have to restart the level from the midpoint, this platform will not be there. Take the rope to the boss door. Here, Dry Bowser assembles. He throws bones and breathes fire. The best way to beat him is to hit the switch behind him. He falls and you are victorious. This opens a bridge to the next area of World 8. Bowser Jr. takes Peach to the next Fort. Let's keep going!

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-4

Spiders are all over this level. A few of them will drop in every few seconds. The first Star Coin is on a high ledge. Either bounce off of a spider or run and jump to get it. There are rising stone platforms past the midpoint. The second Star Coin is over one of them. There's a Starman in one of the blocks so you can plow through the spiders. Low in the level are several stone platforms moving left and right. If you're Mini Mario, take the mini pipe below for the third Star Coin. The flag is nearby.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-3

A pipe takes us underwater where large yellow bubbles bounce us around. Swim up to find Unagi swimming around or hanging out in rocks. There are some Red Coins partway up and at the top, you'll reach the midpoint. Here, you'll be chased by a giant Unagi. Do not stop swimming. If you do, the Unagi will drop down on you or rise up to damage you. It is completely invincible. All the Starman can do is prevent you from taking damage. The pipes have currents to push you along to the right. At the end of a long chain of blocks is a Starman. The P-Switch makes Silver Coins. Stay low to reach the first Star Coin. Be Super Mario to take out the bricks guarding the second Star Coin at the top. There are more Red Coins. Stay low over a green pipe with a current to reach the third Star Coin. At the end are two pipes: red and green. Take either to the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-Fort

This Fort has more platforming using sliding stone slabs while avoiding spikes. The first Star Coin is on the left side. Duck and let the stone slab push you under a gap. Go up and avoid the Spike Tops. The second Star Coin is on the left side. Keep climbing and you'll reach the midpoint and, eventually, the boss door. Before you go through the boss door, hit the flying item block, preferably in the middle of the room. Jump on it and hit the invisible block above, then jump off that block to reach the third Star Coin. Through the boss door, we find Bowser Jr. with his mask on, on moving stone platforms over jet engines. Use fireballs or the shell he throws for victory. He takes off with Peach to the castle.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-2

It's an underwater level. There are water striders that will drop bombs on you, as well as make reaching the surface difficult. The ? Switches will raise the water level temporarily. There's a pipe at the top. It will take you to another room filled with water with striders and barrels. The ? Switch is on the left side. You'll be able to reach a mini pipe or a pipe overhead. The mini pipe leads to the first Star Coin. The regular pipe takes you to a room filled with brick blocks. Get the item in the item block if you need it, then pound the bricks. Stay towards the middle right to get the second Star Coin. There's a pipe in the water below. This area has a couple of striders and stack blocks. Use the ? Switch on the low ceiling to raise the water level and the stack blocks to block the striders off in one area. The right side at the top has the third Star Coin. The left side has a pipe to the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-1

It's the last world! This part of the world is dark and spooky. The enemies in this level are mainly Bullet Bills, pumpkins, and crows. One of the item blocks will give you a spring. Place the spring on the stones to the right and bounce off the screen to go off screen, where the first Star Coin is. You have to line up the spring because there is nothing else out there. Farther into the level, you'll encounter a few Boos. The second Star Coin is high and two the left of two Bill Blasters, on different levels. Bounce off of a Bullet Bill to reach. The third Star Coin is low in a gap, so drop down to get it and wall jump quickly to safety. Bounce off the Banzai Bill and you'll soon reach the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 8- Bowser's Castle Part 2

We need 100 Star Coins to unlock this level. We have 146. This is it! (I hope.) A drawbridge drops down and the eyes on the Bowser head glow. We land on a skull coaster and it goes into a Bowser statue's opening mouth. It goes down and we dodge a large fireball. More fireballs appear that we have to dodge as the coaster snakes around the track. I died from a fireball.
Take 2- We get the first Star Coin, which is in the fireball area, by jumping. We take a hit from a fire bar, then the coaster stops. Nearby is a wooden square with a coin. We hop on and it lifts us to a fragile stone bridge. We cross it and find more wooden squares in the lava. We died from a Dry Bones.
Take 3- I got the first Star Coin and fell in the lava trying to jump to the wooden square from the coaster.
Take 4- See Take 2.
Take 5- See Take 2.
Take 6- The gold block appears in the Bowser statue's mouth. I fell in the lava.
Take 7- We get the first two Star Coins. The second is over the second wooden square with the Dry Bones on it. We hop on another coaster. Next is a barrage of fireballs that we must dodge. Towards the end is the third Star Coin. The coaster takes us to stairs to a cannon. The Toads are there and give us a 1-up. We hop in the cannon and aim for the Red Coin Ring. We land on a tower, where it's raining. The Red Coins are there, so we collect them for a Tanooki Leaf. We take the cannon there and aim for the yellow ring for five coins. We land on a spiral ramp. It is quiet, except for the wind and rain. The door at the top opens and we go through it. We see Peach tied to a flagpole. Mario says, "Ah" and runs forward. Peach calls his name, but a large shadow appears over Mario. Bowser pounds the floor and roars. The floor breaks and they fall. The timer resets and they land on some stairs. It's time for the final battle! We chase Bowser up the stairs, which have cracks in them and will break apart. We dodge fireballs and spike balls. We pass an item block with a Tanooki Leaf and dodge fireballs and take out Paragoombas with our Tanooki Tail. Next, Bowser throws large barrels at us over a cracked bridge. Next is a blue solid bridge, where Bowser will try to hit us with his tail. We dodge and wait for him to jump, then run under him to another blue bridge. Behind that bridge is a wall that Bowser destroys with his tail. Beyond it is the switch. We hit it. Bowser falls into the lava below and we can go further. We run up the stairs and Bowser appears. You didn't think you were done, did you? Bowser now breathes a purple flame and hops around. He won't get in your way, but some Tanooki Goombas might, and the path is mostly cracked. The Tanooki Suit is a good idea here. I tried to jump to a piece that was too high and fell.
Take 8- I fell.
Take 9- I made it much higher, to another blue bridge where we must run from Bowser, hopping over blocks. I recommend hopping over single blocks. He ran into me and I died.
Take 10- I made it across the bridge to the second switch. Bowser falls off, with pieces of debris hitting him on the way down into the lava. He's finally defeated. That was intense! The wall drops down and the timer goes away. We find ourselves near the tower where Peach is being held. She calls his name and new music plays. We climb up the stairs and get a 1-up at the flagpole, freeing Peach. Peach's music plays and Mario gives her a spin. The course has been cleared! Finally!

The credits roll as Mario and the Toads each use a Tanooki Leaf to get down from the castle, while Mario carries Peach. (You didn't think Peach was going to wear a Tanooki Suit, did you?) We can control Mario across the screen. Bowser appears on a stack of Goombas, but falls off. Mario takes Peach back to her castle, where they sit on the Tanooki Tree admiring a Tanooki Leaf in a picture. Shaking makes the leaves and branch shake. A picture floats down to the ground, showing Luigi behind bars, guarded by a Boo and a Koopa. Luigi says, "Help me!". Shaking makes the Boo and Koopa jump and Luigi's head nod. What's that about?

Our file has two Stars on it. We get a message: "You can now use pipes to travel to Special Worlds." There's more? Let's continue!

After completing the special levels, we return. We have two Statue Leaves. The layout is the same. We get a 1-up from the Toads before we launch from the cannon. Once again, we find Peach tied to the flagpole, but the flag is gold, saying we've completed the level. Bowser appears and we go the area of crumbling rocks. We hit the first switch and the second. We get a 1-up at the flagpole and free Peach. The credits roll. This time, we get another picture, that of Peach and the Toads. Peach is wearing a Tanooki Suit, which has the Toads freaking out and Peach startled. We now have four stars on our file.

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-6

After picking up some lives, it's time to continue. This level looks like a castle. The grate platforms bob in the lava. We roll the cylindrical grate down, where it sinks next to the the path we have to take. We fell into the lava at the rotating nut and bolt.
Take 2- I fell in the lava.
Take 3- See Take 2.
Take 4- See Take 2.
Take 5- We reach the nut and bolt and roll it to the right for the first Star Coin. We fell in the lava.
Take 6- The gold block appears. We get the first Star Coin and roll the nut to the left for the orange Mystery Box. It warps us to the midpoint. We pass a walking Thwomp and hop on what look like stairs, but start rotating in the lava. I jumped into the lava.
Take 7- I fell in the lava.
Take 8- I made it across the lava and took another rolling grate, staying in between the lava pillars. On the way, the second Star Coin is below a bobbing grate. We got it, but fell in the lava.
Take 9- We get the second Star Coin and make it to another nut and bolt. We must walk around to spin it and make it rise. I fell in the lava at the next rotating platform with spikes.
Take 10- I died from a spike block.
Take 11- The P-Wing appears. I fell in the lava.
Take 12- We make it past the nut and bolt, getting the last two Star Coins. The third Star Coin is at the end of the rotating platform with spikes. It rotates with the platform. I fell in the lava.
Take 13- I fell in the lava.
Take 14- I got the second Star Coin and fell.
Take 15- See Take 13.
Take 16- See Take 13.
Take 17- I got more lives. We got the first Star Coin and reached the midpoint. We fell in the lava.
Take 18- I got the second Star Coin, but died from a Magikoopa.
Take 19- See Take 13.
Take 20- See Take 13.
Take 21- We got the last two Star Coins and fell into the orange Mystery Box near the third Star Coin. Next is a rolling cylindrical grate to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 8- Bowser's Castle

We need 90 Star Coins to unlock this level. Thankfully, we have 140. It has a similar exterior to those in New Super Mario Bros. and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. We hear Bowser's laugh. We hit the P-Switch for a bridge across the lava and dodge Magikoopas. We cross the next bridge quickly, as a Blaaarg approaches. We hop from one pole to the next, avoiding lava pillars. We slide down the second pole for the first Star Coin, which is towards the screen. You don't have to jump to get it. I fell in the lava and died.
Take 2- I died from a fire bar beyond the second pole.
Take 3- I fell in the lava.
Take 4- See Take 3.
Take 5- See Take 3.
Take 6- The gold block appears. We pass the fire bar and take a tilting green platform on a track past lots of approaching Blaaargs. They'll keep going, so it's okay to stop. We reach the midpoint at the end. We hit a P-Switch to raise the stone we're standing on to the level of three Boomerang Bros. We take all of them out for a Boomerang Flower and use our boomerang to get the second Star Coin in the gap. We use the binoculars to see the castle at the end, as well as Peach. We approach the end of the purple path on the floor to make platforms appear to the orange Mystery Box. Bowser appears, with a normal tail, and roars. We have to cross the lava over the rotating stones. I got the third Star Coin with my boomerang and fell into the lava.
Take 7- We got the last two Star Coins and fell in the lava.
Take 8- See Take 7.
Take 9- I got the last two Star Coins and made it to Bowser. I made it to the wooden bridge, but fell in.
Take 10- I got the last two Star Coins and made it past Bowser to the switch. He fell into the lava, surfacing a few times before sinking. A little skull cloud appeared above the lava. The gate opened. We walk inside and find the cage Peach was in on the floor. At the end, we find stairs. The door at the top opens and we find Peach. Rather, we find a cutout of Peach. Bowser appears again, holding the real Peach. She yells, "Mario!" Bowser jumps off the castle and flies away with her. Mario shakes his head and says, "Oh, Mamma Mia!" There's an orange Mystery Box that takes us to the flagpole and a clock. We get a 1-up. Mario runs off. We then discover there's more to World 8 than we previously thought.

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-5

This level takes place on ledges attached to stone walls. There are more red and blue flipping platforms. On the blue side of the last platform is the first Star Coin. We drop down some fragile stone steps to more flipping platforms. Here, several Bullet Bills fire at us, some with Tanooki Tails which give Tanooki Leaves. We reach the pole at the end and climb up. We move to another area on a yellow platform, get a Boomerang Flower, and reach the midpoint. We use a Boomerang to get the second Star Coin over a Rocky Wrench. We fell after bad jump timing.
Take 2- I got the second Star Coin, but fell trying to collect Red Coins. I'll leave them alone.
Take 3- I got the second Star Coin and made it to the other side. We go into a purple Mystery Box and find the third Star Coin in there. We wall jump to get it. Next are more flipping platforms and Banzai Bills. At the end are more flipping platforms to the flagpole, with a Rocky Wrench at the end.

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-4

It's another Ghost House! We walk in an empty hallway until the floor ends. A blue light shines and a section of the floor breaks away and moves. It spins and keeps moving. The floor docks in another hallway. There are several item blocks here. Next is a tilting green platform with the first Star Coin. We tilt the platform along the track chasing the Star Coin. It goes up and stops between two stone walls that retract into the wall. We wall jump off one to reach it. The platforms falls to two lower tracks. We reach the midpoint after avoiding Boos with Tanooki Tails. Next is a spinning checked floor with the second Star Coin. The item block has a Starman and makes Boos appear. The Boo with tail will give you a Tanooki leaf if you run into it. We hop onto another section of floor that moves. We pass through two rings of ghosts. The third Star Coin is on this path, near a giant Boo. The floor will stop, then plummet to the door. We go out the door and take the moving stone for a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-3

We need 80 Star Coins to unlock this level. This level is full of bubbles. The Super Mario 3 music plays. There's a Rocky Wrench ahead. There are rotating green and yellow bridges aheead. I fell.
Take 2- I rolled off.
Take 3- There's a gear that we should spin, but we don't have a Tanooki Suit. We keep going and reach the midpoint. We get a Tanooki Suit from Red Coins. In that area with several rotating bridges is the second Star Coin that rotates around a bridge to the left. We go back to the gear and spin it to find the first Star Coin on top of a wall. We go back to where we were and bowl for Rocky Wrenches using green shells. Next are cylindrical bridges and one that arcs up and down. We go down for the third Star Coin. We use the orange Mystery Box to warp to the top area that the bridge reaches. We take that to the flagpole for a 1-up.

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-2

We climb up some poles, jumping to the next one. The first Star Coin is a in plain sight, a jump away from a pole. Unfortunately, it's not quite that easy: the coin is above flames. We hop onto another pole and it moves on a track. We stay higher on the pole to avoid flames. Next are two ferris wheels, one in the path of flames. We jump to the left from the ferris wheel with flames to dropping platforms with the second Star Coin and hop back on. We reach the midpoint nearby. We need to hop from pole to pole, but the poles move up and down. I fell.
Take 2- I walked around the first pole and jumped to the last two. I landed on a dropping platform and kept going. We then have to reach a pole that moves over dropping platforms. I missed and fell.
Take 3- I fell.
Take 4- I reached the moving pole and fell after dodging flames.
Take 5- I took the moving pole to its end point and found another moving pole over dropping platforms. On the way is the third Star Coin. We pick it up and hop on the pole. At its end is a ferris wheel to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-1

World 8 is filled with lava. This level is full of spiky things. Spike balls and Spinies are in the first area. We dodge both and fall.
Take 2- We hop up to the alcove with two Fuzzies and take the yellow platform up. Next is a green pipe that takes us to a down escalator with spike balls at the top. Past it is the midpoint. We hop up the brick block to reach the second Star Coin. One of the blocks will attach to you, like the Propeller Block, and give you coins every time you jump. You can still climb the pole to the orange Mystery Box. That warps us to an area where we'll be chased toward the screen by spike balls. We have to dodge them. At the end are a green pipe and a cannon. We use the cannon to reach the flagpole. The green pipe will take you there, as well.
Take 3- I fell trying to get the first Star Coin.
Take 4- We go to the left of the large spike ball and walk along the wall to the red ! block. Hitting it repeatedly makes blocks to the first Star Coin appear. You don't have to run all the way back, just stay over the ground. We reach the midpoint. We reach the flagpole.
Take 5- I died from a spike ball.
Take 6- We use the cannon and look to the left to find the third Star Coin. We land on the ramp and take the green pipe to the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 8- Bowser's Castle QSC

It's time to finally get the last 3 Star Coins of the main game! I got the 1st Star Coin near the red pipe at the end of the 1st part of the level. Just stand on the platform and wait until it descends on the Star Coin and you get it. Then, immediately jump to safety. The 2nd Star Coin is next to the right wall in the second part of the level, where you descend on platforms while avoiding the draining lava. There is a firebar nearby, so I took damage from it. As long as you don't die and make it to the midgate, it is okay to take damage from it. The 3rd Star Coin is near the ceiling when Bowser starts chasing you for the 2nd part of the battle. It's near the 2nd item block and there are two moving yellow platforms to catch you when you try to get it. It's dangerous to get with Bowser breathing fireballs at you, but it can be done. After that, it's time to platform and fly to the end of the level. Finally done with getting Star Coins. But there's still more to the game.