New Super Mario Bros. Wii: World 1-Level 1 -- Learning the Controls

From the Overworld map, World 1 is a gentle, green, grassy plain with hills. Sounds simple and uncomplicated, a great place to cut our teeth. We start playing 1-1, with its rotating landscape. Part of the ground rotates around, sometimes concealing pipes and other hidden secrets. I moved slowly in this level, because I hadn't found the "Dash" button (1) that allows Mario to run faster. I had to stop and restart the level because a couple of guys entered the Archive and wanted to play the Wii. The other Wii was being used, so they decided to join me for some impromptu multiplayer. As we were all getting used to the controls, multiplayer was very awkward. We didn't get all the Star Coins, and the other players died a couple of times. Multiplayer Mode requires some serious coordination, which doesn't come around from playing with total strangers. The game can fit all 4 players on the screen at once, but if most of the players want to move on in one direction, the other player(s) must keep up with them or risk falling off the side of the screen. If a player decides to explore a new area (ex. go into a pipe) the other players have a limited time to follow suit before the game transitions to the new area, but they will also be there with the other players. While playing, I was powered up to Super Mario (big Mario-with no powers) while the other players were still small Luigi and Blue Toad. I hit a block which released a Helicopter Shroom and two Super Shrooms. I grabbed the Helicopter Shroom and shook the Wiimote (Wii remote) to take to the skies. I got to and activated a Red Coin Ring (from New Super Mario Bros.) which revealed 8 red coins in a wavy path on the platform. I grabbed all 8 coins, which rewards each player with an item, and applause, providing positive reinforcement and a (currently) small challenge which I can expect to find in later levels. Three 1-up Shrooms fell from the sky for a free-for-all grab fest, but we each only got one, so it was fair. Mario and Blue Toad reached the flagpost goal first, but Luigi didn't quite make it. With an "Oh yeah, Mario time!" World 1-2 opened up.