Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We're going to try and feed that hungry Luma that we saw at the end of the galaxy. We need 30 coins. I kill the 2 Paragoombas on the bridge for 2 coins each. I got more coins going up the steep slopes. I also complete the Bonus Stage and collect 2 1-ups. By the time we reach the gray rocks, I have 30 coins. We reach and feed the Luma, who henshins into a small green and brown planet. Launching to it, we find it hopping with blue frogs, some of whom have Silver Stars and coins. We let Yoshi eat the frogs, and the Silver Stars just drop to the ground. We are hit by one of the frogs, but get all five. The Silver Stars combine in to a Star, and we get it.
Star Get #16, 566 Star Bits, 516 Coins, 11 Lives
Interlude
Chush! Lubba says we've found quite a few Stars and will keep track of our numbers. An electric blue sign appears to the left of the helm. It will show us the whereabouts of other Stars. I don't think I'll need it, though.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Hightail Falls Galaxy - Hot-stepping Dash Pepper
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
This galaxy has a remix of the Super Mario World music. It has log suspension bridges, and lots of steep slopes, that even Mario can't run up, despite the fact that this is a Super Mario Galaxy game! We get Yoshi in this galaxy. At the base of the first steep slope, there is a Whittle that says "Climb fast!" and another that says "Spicy pepper." We approach the object of interest, a triangular red pepper. Yoshi eats it, turns red, and races up the slope with ease, all the while, the music speeds up. We reach the Launch Star and launch to another slope with a dash pepper. We get to the Launch Star at the end and launch to the midgate. We find stone gray platforms ahead of us. After we step on one, it shakes and starts to descend slowly. We cannot long jump with Yoshi-the long jump controls are the same as the ones used to jump off Yoshi. The platforms will later regenerate, but not soon enough to save you. I failed the Bonus Stage, so we launch to the next area, which has a few more bridges. The bridges lead up slopes to walls with poles coming out. We take a hit from a Paragoom and fall off the wall onto another bridge-Phew! We run on the walls with the power of the Dash Pepper. At the end of the last bridge, there is a hungry Luma who wants a more reasonable 30 coins. We don't have that many, so we'll have to skip him for now. While running up another wall, we fell off into a black hole.
Take 2- We ran off the wall again.
Take 3- We found the Comet Medal between purple wedges on one of the walls and got it. We then reach the area with the Star. It takes us several tries to reach it, because Yoshi must not touch any of the purple wedges, or he'll lose his ability to walk on the walls and fall off. We also can't get the Star by jumping near it after getting knocked off. Fortunately, there is a safety platform below the Star, in case we don't get it in the first try. After much effort, I steer Yoshi perfectly into the Star.
Star Get #15, 9 Comet Medals, 511 Star Bits, 500 Coins, 11 Lives
Interlude
We get some mail from the Mail Toad. The Chimp has a new game in Fluffy Bluff he wants us to try. He wants to see our game skills. This letter is blue and yellow.
This was a good session, but not as good as the first one. I got 5 Stars.
This galaxy has a remix of the Super Mario World music. It has log suspension bridges, and lots of steep slopes, that even Mario can't run up, despite the fact that this is a Super Mario Galaxy game! We get Yoshi in this galaxy. At the base of the first steep slope, there is a Whittle that says "Climb fast!" and another that says "Spicy pepper." We approach the object of interest, a triangular red pepper. Yoshi eats it, turns red, and races up the slope with ease, all the while, the music speeds up. We reach the Launch Star and launch to another slope with a dash pepper. We get to the Launch Star at the end and launch to the midgate. We find stone gray platforms ahead of us. After we step on one, it shakes and starts to descend slowly. We cannot long jump with Yoshi-the long jump controls are the same as the ones used to jump off Yoshi. The platforms will later regenerate, but not soon enough to save you. I failed the Bonus Stage, so we launch to the next area, which has a few more bridges. The bridges lead up slopes to walls with poles coming out. We take a hit from a Paragoom and fall off the wall onto another bridge-Phew! We run on the walls with the power of the Dash Pepper. At the end of the last bridge, there is a hungry Luma who wants a more reasonable 30 coins. We don't have that many, so we'll have to skip him for now. While running up another wall, we fell off into a black hole.
Take 2- We ran off the wall again.
Take 3- We found the Comet Medal between purple wedges on one of the walls and got it. We then reach the area with the Star. It takes us several tries to reach it, because Yoshi must not touch any of the purple wedges, or he'll lose his ability to walk on the walls and fall off. We also can't get the Star by jumping near it after getting knocked off. Fortunately, there is a safety platform below the Star, in case we don't get it in the first try. After much effort, I steer Yoshi perfectly into the Star.
Star Get #15, 9 Comet Medals, 511 Star Bits, 500 Coins, 11 Lives
Interlude
We get some mail from the Mail Toad. The Chimp has a new game in Fluffy Bluff he wants us to try. He wants to see our game skills. This letter is blue and yellow.
This was a good session, but not as good as the first one. I got 5 Stars.
Puzzle Plank Galaxy - Puzzling Picture Block
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We return to Puzzle Plank to get another Star. I went through the first few planets like in the last star, but failed the Musical Note and ? Coin challenges. On the planet with the hungry Luma, there are a set of blocks on the underside of the planet with ground pound symbols. Pounding them sends them to the other side, to allow you to reach the Launch Star. We reach the midgate and things start to get hairy. There are saws on the planet, which carve out chunks of the planet and send them falling away. I fell through one of the holes.
Take 2- I found and got the Comet Medal on a ledge about to be cut away. I reached the next area of the planet and got hit by a saw. I got a 1-up, but jumped off the planet trying to dodge a saw.
Take 3- I got the Medal, but was knocked off after hitting a saw.
Take 4- I got the Medal too late, so I couldn't jump back on the planet. You can ride the platform down a ways, and it will stop. It will soon disappear from under you, so get off quickly.
Take 5- This is getting aggravating, and we're only in the 2nd part of the game. I missed the Medal because I hit the saw. After getting the 1-up, I got off too late from one of the platforms.
Take 6- I got the Medal and the 1-up. I was hit by a saw, but it wasn't the kiss of death. I reached the end of the planet. At the end, pounding the red switch makes a Sling Star appear. I bought a Life Shroom from a Luma Shop. Surely this must be an intense and difficult battle! We launch and land on a block planet. It is a scrambled puzzle. On the sides of the puzzle, there are ground pound symbols. We must pound them to align the panels into the picture. The first panel we pound is the head, then the right side, and finally the left. Once a panel is in place, it briefly glows and we hear a jingle. Once the puzzle is complete, it glows and forms a picture of a bug. A towered Mandibug duo lands on the puzzle. What? I bought a Life Shroom for this? I don't need to be so powered up. I am hit by the enemy once. To defeat, we must pound the Mandibugs. I take out the top one and the one on the bottom screams, turns red, and starts moving faster. We pound the remaining bug, and it explodes into the Star. In terms of mission objectives, Puzzle Plank is much like Honeyhive in Galaxy, minus the bees.
Star Get #14, 8 Comet Medals, 432 Star Bits, 12 Lives
We return to Puzzle Plank to get another Star. I went through the first few planets like in the last star, but failed the Musical Note and ? Coin challenges. On the planet with the hungry Luma, there are a set of blocks on the underside of the planet with ground pound symbols. Pounding them sends them to the other side, to allow you to reach the Launch Star. We reach the midgate and things start to get hairy. There are saws on the planet, which carve out chunks of the planet and send them falling away. I fell through one of the holes.
Take 2- I found and got the Comet Medal on a ledge about to be cut away. I reached the next area of the planet and got hit by a saw. I got a 1-up, but jumped off the planet trying to dodge a saw.
Take 3- I got the Medal, but was knocked off after hitting a saw.
Take 4- I got the Medal too late, so I couldn't jump back on the planet. You can ride the platform down a ways, and it will stop. It will soon disappear from under you, so get off quickly.
Take 5- This is getting aggravating, and we're only in the 2nd part of the game. I missed the Medal because I hit the saw. After getting the 1-up, I got off too late from one of the platforms.
Take 6- I got the Medal and the 1-up. I was hit by a saw, but it wasn't the kiss of death. I reached the end of the planet. At the end, pounding the red switch makes a Sling Star appear. I bought a Life Shroom from a Luma Shop. Surely this must be an intense and difficult battle! We launch and land on a block planet. It is a scrambled puzzle. On the sides of the puzzle, there are ground pound symbols. We must pound them to align the panels into the picture. The first panel we pound is the head, then the right side, and finally the left. Once a panel is in place, it briefly glows and we hear a jingle. Once the puzzle is complete, it glows and forms a picture of a bug. A towered Mandibug duo lands on the puzzle. What? I bought a Life Shroom for this? I don't need to be so powered up. I am hit by the enemy once. To defeat, we must pound the Mandibugs. I take out the top one and the one on the bottom screams, turns red, and starts moving faster. We pound the remaining bug, and it explodes into the Star. In terms of mission objectives, Puzzle Plank is much like Honeyhive in Galaxy, minus the bees.
Star Get #14, 8 Comet Medals, 432 Star Bits, 12 Lives
Puzzle Plank Galaxy - Bugaboom's Back
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We land on a wooden block planet, with country fiddle music playing. There is a ground-pound symbol in the center of the planet. We pound it and send it and us into the next planet. There are a few Wigglers crawling around. We defeat them and pound the red switches on the planet. We get Star Bits, Coins, and Musical Notes that play the Super Mario World music. We collect them all and get 3 1-ups. The last switch releases the Launch Star and we launch to the next planet. There are saws circling the planet, which is only a taste of what's to come. Due to bad timing, I hit one. We find a hungry Luma on the planet who wants 70 Coins. On the underside of the planet, we find a green pipe. where we get more coins from the ? Coin. We get a 1-up for completion of the challenge and have 72 coins at this point. We give the coins to the Luma, who henshins into a new planet. It is a planet with a tall tree in its center. We launch to the midgate and power up with the Cloud Suit. Using our cloud platforms, we reach the tree planet.
Who should appear but Bugaboom? In hindsight, this was a similar setup to when we first battled him in Galaxy. He gave me some trouble the first time around, so let's see if I do better this time with a different powerup. (You get the Bee Suit in Galaxy). Bugaboom is a giant bug, so the way to defeat is to sqaush it. We jump onto its back and ground pound. It shrieks, grows wings, and starts flying around. Here's where the Cloud Suit comes in. You don't want to be on the ground when he flies past because he drops bombs. He will also tilt when he changes directions. We land on his back and get in our 2nd hit. He screams and turns red, flies faster, and tilts just to knock us off his back. I couldn't reach him to get in the third hit, and was knocked into a black hole by a bomb.
Take 2- I got in the first 2 hits, but took three hits from Bugaboom and a bomb, and died.
Take 3- I get in the first 2 hits easily, as well as a 100 Star Bit 1-up. I finally get in the third hit after much trial (I ran in the water a few times). Bugaboom screams and explodes into a Star.
Star Get # 13, 395 Star Bits, 492 Coins, 13 Lives
Interlude
Lubba mentions that there have been changes to the "World" Map. He also mentions one of the Toads is delivering mail. Mail Toad is back! Chush! We should go humor him as he might have something for us. We talk to Pink Toad, who decided to start delivering mail. (How he recieves and sends said mail is beyond us.) The first letter's for us! It's from the Princess. It has the same message as all of those from Galaxy. Even Peach's sighing voice is the same. The letter looks more like a postcard and is white with pink stripes. Pink Toad mentions that she included a 1-up with the letter. (Again, how is not explained.) What? Only 1-up? Peach was much more generous in the prequel- 5-ups per letter for Mario and an intial 20 and later 5 for Luigi.
When we're ready to go to another galaxy, Lubba draws our attention to the Grand "World" Map. We can travel great distances across space and time with a Grand Star's power. (Sounds kind of like Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.) We can travel to another "world" when ready.
We land on a wooden block planet, with country fiddle music playing. There is a ground-pound symbol in the center of the planet. We pound it and send it and us into the next planet. There are a few Wigglers crawling around. We defeat them and pound the red switches on the planet. We get Star Bits, Coins, and Musical Notes that play the Super Mario World music. We collect them all and get 3 1-ups. The last switch releases the Launch Star and we launch to the next planet. There are saws circling the planet, which is only a taste of what's to come. Due to bad timing, I hit one. We find a hungry Luma on the planet who wants 70 Coins. On the underside of the planet, we find a green pipe. where we get more coins from the ? Coin. We get a 1-up for completion of the challenge and have 72 coins at this point. We give the coins to the Luma, who henshins into a new planet. It is a planet with a tall tree in its center. We launch to the midgate and power up with the Cloud Suit. Using our cloud platforms, we reach the tree planet.
Who should appear but Bugaboom? In hindsight, this was a similar setup to when we first battled him in Galaxy. He gave me some trouble the first time around, so let's see if I do better this time with a different powerup. (You get the Bee Suit in Galaxy). Bugaboom is a giant bug, so the way to defeat is to sqaush it. We jump onto its back and ground pound. It shrieks, grows wings, and starts flying around. Here's where the Cloud Suit comes in. You don't want to be on the ground when he flies past because he drops bombs. He will also tilt when he changes directions. We land on his back and get in our 2nd hit. He screams and turns red, flies faster, and tilts just to knock us off his back. I couldn't reach him to get in the third hit, and was knocked into a black hole by a bomb.
Take 2- I got in the first 2 hits, but took three hits from Bugaboom and a bomb, and died.
Take 3- I get in the first 2 hits easily, as well as a 100 Star Bit 1-up. I finally get in the third hit after much trial (I ran in the water a few times). Bugaboom screams and explodes into a Star.
Star Get # 13, 395 Star Bits, 492 Coins, 13 Lives
Interlude
Lubba mentions that there have been changes to the "World" Map. He also mentions one of the Toads is delivering mail. Mail Toad is back! Chush! We should go humor him as he might have something for us. We talk to Pink Toad, who decided to start delivering mail. (How he recieves and sends said mail is beyond us.) The first letter's for us! It's from the Princess. It has the same message as all of those from Galaxy. Even Peach's sighing voice is the same. The letter looks more like a postcard and is white with pink stripes. Pink Toad mentions that she included a 1-up with the letter. (Again, how is not explained.) What? Only 1-up? Peach was much more generous in the prequel- 5-ups per letter for Mario and an intial 20 and later 5 for Luigi.
When we're ready to go to another galaxy, Lubba draws our attention to the Grand "World" Map. We can travel great distances across space and time with a Grand Star's power. (Sounds kind of like Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.) We can travel to another "world" when ready.
"World" 2 - Shooting Through the Stars
The portal the first Grand Star created leads us here. It has relaxing music and a sunset color, with something that resembles our solar system in the background. We should find even more Stars here, and even greater challenges. Let's continue!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Bowser Jr.'s Fiery Flotilla - Gobblegut's Aching Belly
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
Surprisingly, they don't call this a galaxy. It occupies the "castle" spot on the "World" Map, so this is the last place to go for Stars in "World" 1. There are lots of Bowser Jr. statues. The music is new. It is initially mischievious and playful, then turns darker with a sense of adventure, kind of like Robin Hood. We take a hit from a Helmet Goomba. Early on, we come across a Thwomp. Being curious, we wall jump to the top of the Thwomp and find the Comet Medal. There is a door with Jr.'s face on it. We flip a switch to open it. We see a sea of lava and lava pillars, but there isn't anything to worry about if you stay on the platform in the middle. We dodge the Dry Bones on the platform. We reach the Launch Star and launch to the next planet.
We reach the midgate, and after taking a hit from a Dry Bones, we get a Life Shroom. We launch again and reach the battle arena.
Bowser Jr. appears in a space capsule, with the same music heard in Galaxy. He says we've made it this far, but he won't need his dad's help to beat us. He has a big surprise for us. Dinner's on for Gobblegut, but he should watch out for his Bellyache Bulges. (If the game wants to let you know what to do, the text will change colors for the item of interest- it's sort of a "Hint-hint, wink-wink, nudge-nudge".) The text appears red in the game. Bowser Jr. leaves and a large dragon with color-changing scales appears, and the music changes to new music. He has no arms or legs, but glides with grace and ease, like Fracktail and Wracktail. It's almost enchanting to watch. His snorts sound like a train whistle. The enchantment ends when he dives into the tiny planet your standing on, nearly hitting you in the process. He gets momentarily stuck at the red bulges in his body. You have a small window of time to spin the bulges. They burst into red dots-gross! Gobblegut will come back while the rest of him tries to go through the planet, and dive in near you. After bursting about 3 bulges, Gobblegut will snort again, turn red, and release more Star Bits. After taking out the bulges, (there are about 6) beams of light will come out of Gobblegut (like the way the bosses go in Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story), and he'll explode. This releases a Grand Star. We grab the Grand Star, with remixed Grand Star music. Hey! We got a big Star! The game is over! Time to rescue the Princess!
GRAND STAR GET! #1
There is similar animation back to Starship Mario as in Galaxy, but instead of going into the beacon, it disappears above S.S. Mario (Starship Mario) and forms a portak to the next "World".
Star Get #12, 7 Comet Medals, 281 Star Bits, 490 Coins, 9 Lives
Interlude
Lubba says Choosh! He notices we brought back a Grand Star. We can use its power to travel to another "world" and we're onestep closer to retrieving our special one. We'll travel through time and space to unknown "world". Mario takes the helm, and with a train whistle, the S.S. Mario takes off through the portal into the new "world" where we should find more Stars.
Surprisingly, they don't call this a galaxy. It occupies the "castle" spot on the "World" Map, so this is the last place to go for Stars in "World" 1. There are lots of Bowser Jr. statues. The music is new. It is initially mischievious and playful, then turns darker with a sense of adventure, kind of like Robin Hood. We take a hit from a Helmet Goomba. Early on, we come across a Thwomp. Being curious, we wall jump to the top of the Thwomp and find the Comet Medal. There is a door with Jr.'s face on it. We flip a switch to open it. We see a sea of lava and lava pillars, but there isn't anything to worry about if you stay on the platform in the middle. We dodge the Dry Bones on the platform. We reach the Launch Star and launch to the next planet.
We reach the midgate, and after taking a hit from a Dry Bones, we get a Life Shroom. We launch again and reach the battle arena.
Bowser Jr. appears in a space capsule, with the same music heard in Galaxy. He says we've made it this far, but he won't need his dad's help to beat us. He has a big surprise for us. Dinner's on for Gobblegut, but he should watch out for his Bellyache Bulges. (If the game wants to let you know what to do, the text will change colors for the item of interest- it's sort of a "Hint-hint, wink-wink, nudge-nudge".) The text appears red in the game. Bowser Jr. leaves and a large dragon with color-changing scales appears, and the music changes to new music. He has no arms or legs, but glides with grace and ease, like Fracktail and Wracktail. It's almost enchanting to watch. His snorts sound like a train whistle. The enchantment ends when he dives into the tiny planet your standing on, nearly hitting you in the process. He gets momentarily stuck at the red bulges in his body. You have a small window of time to spin the bulges. They burst into red dots-gross! Gobblegut will come back while the rest of him tries to go through the planet, and dive in near you. After bursting about 3 bulges, Gobblegut will snort again, turn red, and release more Star Bits. After taking out the bulges, (there are about 6) beams of light will come out of Gobblegut (like the way the bosses go in Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story), and he'll explode. This releases a Grand Star. We grab the Grand Star, with remixed Grand Star music. Hey! We got a big Star! The game is over! Time to rescue the Princess!
GRAND STAR GET! #1
There is similar animation back to Starship Mario as in Galaxy, but instead of going into the beacon, it disappears above S.S. Mario (Starship Mario) and forms a portak to the next "World".
Star Get #12, 7 Comet Medals, 281 Star Bits, 490 Coins, 9 Lives
Interlude
Lubba says Choosh! He notices we brought back a Grand Star. We can use its power to travel to another "world" and we're onestep closer to retrieving our special one. We'll travel through time and space to unknown "world". Mario takes the helm, and with a train whistle, the S.S. Mario takes off through the portal into the new "world" where we should find more Stars.
Rightside Down Galaxy - Breaking the Laws of Gravity
We are go. Detecting new planet. Minimal gravity detected. -Transmission 2
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We once again land directly in the pipe upon arriving in the galaxy. We switched the gravity arrows and got the coins from flipping another switch. We take a hit from, then immediately kill a large purple Piranha plant. We reach the midgate and switch the gravity arrows again. We get a 1-up, but are hit by a Chomp. There are a series of Thwomps further along, and we wall jump between them to reach the Comet Medal. Past the next midgate, we get a Fire Flower to break crates and take out enemies. The background turns green and the gravity arrows are turned sideways. We get another 1-up and find Yellow Toad near the Star. It is surrounded by 4 sets of gravity arrows that can possibly send you into an infinite loop. Yellow Toad says to spin, so we spin just as we enter the blue down arrow area, and get the Star.
Good gravy! -Transmission 2
Star Get #11, 6 Comet Medals, 188 Star Bits, 475 Coins, 9 Lives
We get a message that says "Galaxy Complete!" which means we collected all available Stars in this galaxy. (This means no comets in this galaxy!)
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We once again land directly in the pipe upon arriving in the galaxy. We switched the gravity arrows and got the coins from flipping another switch. We take a hit from, then immediately kill a large purple Piranha plant. We reach the midgate and switch the gravity arrows again. We get a 1-up, but are hit by a Chomp. There are a series of Thwomps further along, and we wall jump between them to reach the Comet Medal. Past the next midgate, we get a Fire Flower to break crates and take out enemies. The background turns green and the gravity arrows are turned sideways. We get another 1-up and find Yellow Toad near the Star. It is surrounded by 4 sets of gravity arrows that can possibly send you into an infinite loop. Yellow Toad says to spin, so we spin just as we enter the blue down arrow area, and get the Star.
Good gravy! -Transmission 2
Star Get #11, 6 Comet Medals, 188 Star Bits, 475 Coins, 9 Lives
We get a message that says "Galaxy Complete!" which means we collected all available Stars in this galaxy. (This means no comets in this galaxy!)
Rightside Down Galaxy - The Great Crate Incinerator
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
Upon arriving in the galaxy, we land in a green pipe on a castle, near which a Yellow Starshroom is parked. Since when did the Starshroom start changing colors? Maybe the Luma that created it periodically gives it paint jobs. It is another 2D ant-farm level. There are castle towers in the background, and the music is somewhat playful, but not too exciting. We meet up with Red Toad, who says the Toad Brigade is down further in the planet. Blue Toad draws our attention to a Red Switch, which we pound. Coins fall from the ceiling, just like they would had we used a POW Block in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. We use a purple flower to launch up to another level, just like in Honeyhive and Gold Leaf. We enter an area with gravity arrows and blue flies with spikes on their heads. They resemble Fighter Flies from the earlier Mario games. We spin a switch to rotate the gravity arrows 180 degrees, flipping the flies on their heads, disabling the spike. We can now stomp on them. Near the switch in the upper left corner is a green pipe. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to check it out, because I could now reach it. The Special Area music from Galaxy plays. The room has lots of crates and a Fire Flower. Henshining into Fire Mario (with the same music from Galaxy), I destroy the crates, one of which has a 1-up, and another has an orange pipe.
After going through the orange pipe, we meet a Gearmo on a flat planet covered in crates. This is reminiscent of the trash areas on the Battlerock and the Dreadnought. The Gearmo says this is the end of the line for all trash. He wants us to burn the trash. We agree to help him and are powered up with the Fire Flower. We have 20 seconds to destroy the crates (we had 30 seconds to destroy the trash heaps with bombs in Galaxy). We find out immediately that one fireball can take out many crates in succession if they and the shot are lined up. I burned all of the crates on my first try with 2 seconds to spare. The Gearmo is overjoyed and gives us a Star as thanks.
Star Get #10, 141 Star Bits, 366 Coins, 23 Lives
Well, that was a good session. I got in 10 Stars on my first time playing Super Mario Galaxy 2. Let's hope I can be just as, if not more productive, in subsequent sessions. (I am at 60 Stars went I write this post, so I have been doing well in terms of getting Stars, but there is an obvious backlog in the blogging.)
Upon arriving in the galaxy, we land in a green pipe on a castle, near which a Yellow Starshroom is parked. Since when did the Starshroom start changing colors? Maybe the Luma that created it periodically gives it paint jobs. It is another 2D ant-farm level. There are castle towers in the background, and the music is somewhat playful, but not too exciting. We meet up with Red Toad, who says the Toad Brigade is down further in the planet. Blue Toad draws our attention to a Red Switch, which we pound. Coins fall from the ceiling, just like they would had we used a POW Block in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. We use a purple flower to launch up to another level, just like in Honeyhive and Gold Leaf. We enter an area with gravity arrows and blue flies with spikes on their heads. They resemble Fighter Flies from the earlier Mario games. We spin a switch to rotate the gravity arrows 180 degrees, flipping the flies on their heads, disabling the spike. We can now stomp on them. Near the switch in the upper left corner is a green pipe. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to check it out, because I could now reach it. The Special Area music from Galaxy plays. The room has lots of crates and a Fire Flower. Henshining into Fire Mario (with the same music from Galaxy), I destroy the crates, one of which has a 1-up, and another has an orange pipe.
After going through the orange pipe, we meet a Gearmo on a flat planet covered in crates. This is reminiscent of the trash areas on the Battlerock and the Dreadnought. The Gearmo says this is the end of the line for all trash. He wants us to burn the trash. We agree to help him and are powered up with the Fire Flower. We have 20 seconds to destroy the crates (we had 30 seconds to destroy the trash heaps with bombs in Galaxy). We find out immediately that one fireball can take out many crates in succession if they and the shot are lined up. I burned all of the crates on my first try with 2 seconds to spare. The Gearmo is overjoyed and gives us a Star as thanks.
Star Get #10, 141 Star Bits, 366 Coins, 23 Lives
Well, that was a good session. I got in 10 Stars on my first time playing Super Mario Galaxy 2. Let's hope I can be just as, if not more productive, in subsequent sessions. (I am at 60 Stars went I write this post, so I have been doing well in terms of getting Stars, but there is an obvious backlog in the blogging.)
Fluffy Bluff Galaxy - Every Planet Has Its Price
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We land back in Fluffy Bluff. After some exploring, we find a 1-up under the wooden bridge near where we landed. After that, we kill as many enemies as we can find so we can add to our coin total. We also return to the green pipe and get the 1st set of coins from the ? Coin, and most of the 2nd set that appear immediately after. There is another ? Coin that produces 4 rows of coins on the cloud where the hungry Luma is. As we now have enough coins, we feed them to the Luma, who henshins into another planet. We launch to the new planet and reach the midgate. It is a stone fort and we must use our platforming skills to reach the top. We also get the aid of clouds and the Cloud Suit as we ascend. Over a rotating platform is a 1-up. At the top of the fort is the Star and we jump to get it.
Star Get #9, 22 Lives
We land back in Fluffy Bluff. After some exploring, we find a 1-up under the wooden bridge near where we landed. After that, we kill as many enemies as we can find so we can add to our coin total. We also return to the green pipe and get the 1st set of coins from the ? Coin, and most of the 2nd set that appear immediately after. There is another ? Coin that produces 4 rows of coins on the cloud where the hungry Luma is. As we now have enough coins, we feed them to the Luma, who henshins into another planet. We launch to the new planet and reach the midgate. It is a stone fort and we must use our platforming skills to reach the top. We also get the aid of clouds and the Cloud Suit as we ascend. Over a rotating platform is a 1-up. At the top of the fort is the Star and we jump to get it.
Star Get #9, 22 Lives
Fluffy Bluff Galaxy - Search for the Toad Brigade Captain
New signal acquired. Cloud Suit away. - Transmission 1
Welcome back to the Galaxy!
The music starts out like the intro to Gusty Garden, but turns into its own original music. There are several tall trees and a lot of the planet is covered in water. There are also dive-bombing blue birds that resemble the bomb-dropping roosters in Dusty Dunes. I found a green pipe behind the tall tree on the first planet. It leads to a brown room with a ? Coin. Grabbing the ? Coin will make coins appear and a timer start. I failed to get the coins in the time limit and left. We meet a person made of carved wood, which we later learn is called a Whittle. Their speech is simple, but gets the point across. He stands in front of a flower with a cloud-like bloom. He says "Cloud step?". We get the Cloud Flower, so we henshin into Cloud Mario. There are three clouds trailing us wherever we go. Spinning turns one of the trailing clouds into a cloud platform that will disappear after a while. I use the clouds to reach the top of the tree. On top, we find Yellow Toad, once again fast asleep, but he mentions that Red Toad went missing. He also mentions the word "Coins". Using the Cloud Suit, we reach a cloud above the tree. There is a hungry Luma there, who wants 100 coins. Not Star Bits, coins. Star Bits are so much easier to get and stay with you after you lose a life. Your coin count goes back to zero every time you lose a life. I am unable to collect 100 coins at this point, so I leave him be.
Like the Bee Suit, the Cloud Suit will disappear if Mario touches water. I reach the midgate after climbing up some clouds and launch. More Cosmic Clones appear, but disappear when I collect the 5 Launch Star Chips. I get a 100 Star Bit 1-up and talk to a shaking Green Toad. He says he and the Captain tried to race a monkey, but he got left behind. Could this be the return of Ukiki from Super Mario 64? We climb up the trees and find Red Toad, shaking just like Green Toad. He was challenged to a race by a blue monkey with sunglasses. Nope, not Ukiki. We jump across the clouds to a peak. On top of the peak is the aforementioned monkey. He calls himself The Chimp and thinks we're a high climbing rival. He claps his hands and gives us a Star. Kind of anti-climatic - I was expecting to race him like the Toads, but I'll take an easy Star any day.
That's a thing of beauty. -Transmission 1
Star Get #8, 5 Comet Medals, 107 Star Bits, 335 Coins, 21 Lives
Welcome back to the Galaxy!
The music starts out like the intro to Gusty Garden, but turns into its own original music. There are several tall trees and a lot of the planet is covered in water. There are also dive-bombing blue birds that resemble the bomb-dropping roosters in Dusty Dunes. I found a green pipe behind the tall tree on the first planet. It leads to a brown room with a ? Coin. Grabbing the ? Coin will make coins appear and a timer start. I failed to get the coins in the time limit and left. We meet a person made of carved wood, which we later learn is called a Whittle. Their speech is simple, but gets the point across. He stands in front of a flower with a cloud-like bloom. He says "Cloud step?". We get the Cloud Flower, so we henshin into Cloud Mario. There are three clouds trailing us wherever we go. Spinning turns one of the trailing clouds into a cloud platform that will disappear after a while. I use the clouds to reach the top of the tree. On top, we find Yellow Toad, once again fast asleep, but he mentions that Red Toad went missing. He also mentions the word "Coins". Using the Cloud Suit, we reach a cloud above the tree. There is a hungry Luma there, who wants 100 coins. Not Star Bits, coins. Star Bits are so much easier to get and stay with you after you lose a life. Your coin count goes back to zero every time you lose a life. I am unable to collect 100 coins at this point, so I leave him be.
Like the Bee Suit, the Cloud Suit will disappear if Mario touches water. I reach the midgate after climbing up some clouds and launch. More Cosmic Clones appear, but disappear when I collect the 5 Launch Star Chips. I get a 100 Star Bit 1-up and talk to a shaking Green Toad. He says he and the Captain tried to race a monkey, but he got left behind. Could this be the return of Ukiki from Super Mario 64? We climb up the trees and find Red Toad, shaking just like Green Toad. He was challenged to a race by a blue monkey with sunglasses. Nope, not Ukiki. We jump across the clouds to a peak. On top of the peak is the aforementioned monkey. He calls himself The Chimp and thinks we're a high climbing rival. He claps his hands and gives us a Star. Kind of anti-climatic - I was expecting to race him like the Toads, but I'll take an easy Star any day.
That's a thing of beauty. -Transmission 1
Star Get #8, 5 Comet Medals, 107 Star Bits, 335 Coins, 21 Lives
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Spin-Dig Galaxy - Silver Stars Down Deep
Detecting anomaly. Void Marios. -Transmission 14
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We return to the galaxy. A sign warns of more Cosmic Clones. We have to search for something that will trigger their disappearance. We crack the crystal containing a Sling Star, which makes them disappearance. Killing the Piranha Plant releases a vine to the Bonus Stage and a pipe. I completed the Bonus Stage, but I warped before I could collect the 1-ups. After going down the green pipe, we get a drill in a box. We reach another green pipe. There are yellow drills and Amps, and I take damage from both. Going through the yellow pipe leads us to launch to a BLUE Starshroom. Blue Toad mentions that there are Silver Stars on the next planet. This is one of MANY Silver Star missions in the game. I think the number rivals, if not exceeds, the number of Silver Star missions in Super Mario 64 DS. (There were only a couple in Galaxy.) The basic objective is to collect all 5 Silver Stars. They will combine to form a Star.
We launch to the planet and pick up a drill. I found the first one just by walking around the planet, which is another 2D sidescroller. I found the 2nd by drilling in an area to the right of the platform we landed on. It sends us to the other (left) side of the planet into a pocket where the Star is located. This type of view is another 2D sidescroller, which makes it look like an ant farm. I walked around to the right to the edge and drilled to the 3rd. Regardless of where you dig, the gravity will pull you down, so you can only drill back to the side you landed on from launching. I found the last 2 in the same pocket just a little to the left of the 1st drill site. The Silver Stars swirl around Mario and come together to form a Star.
Star Get #7, 483 Star Bits, 222 Coins, 20 Lives
Do my eyes deceive me? - Transmission 14
Interlude
Mario lands in the engine room. There is a Spin Drill in a dome, which is what the seven tiles on the floor are for, instead of Grand Stars. Lubba has taken an interest in our new item, saying we shouldn't drill through our "faceship" or it will get a headache. He also tells us Green Toad is collecting Star Bits for safekeeping. We talk to Green Toad, who has 100 Star Bits to share or hold. I deposited all of my Star Bits with him. The deposited Star Bits can be shared with other gamers through the files, but since it seems I'm the only one playing the game at the Archive, I'll just let him hold them for safekeeping. He gives us 2 1-ups and calls himself our local banktoad.
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We return to the galaxy. A sign warns of more Cosmic Clones. We have to search for something that will trigger their disappearance. We crack the crystal containing a Sling Star, which makes them disappearance. Killing the Piranha Plant releases a vine to the Bonus Stage and a pipe. I completed the Bonus Stage, but I warped before I could collect the 1-ups. After going down the green pipe, we get a drill in a box. We reach another green pipe. There are yellow drills and Amps, and I take damage from both. Going through the yellow pipe leads us to launch to a BLUE Starshroom. Blue Toad mentions that there are Silver Stars on the next planet. This is one of MANY Silver Star missions in the game. I think the number rivals, if not exceeds, the number of Silver Star missions in Super Mario 64 DS. (There were only a couple in Galaxy.) The basic objective is to collect all 5 Silver Stars. They will combine to form a Star.
We launch to the planet and pick up a drill. I found the first one just by walking around the planet, which is another 2D sidescroller. I found the 2nd by drilling in an area to the right of the platform we landed on. It sends us to the other (left) side of the planet into a pocket where the Star is located. This type of view is another 2D sidescroller, which makes it look like an ant farm. I walked around to the right to the edge and drilled to the 3rd. Regardless of where you dig, the gravity will pull you down, so you can only drill back to the side you landed on from launching. I found the last 2 in the same pocket just a little to the left of the 1st drill site. The Silver Stars swirl around Mario and come together to form a Star.
Star Get #7, 483 Star Bits, 222 Coins, 20 Lives
Do my eyes deceive me? - Transmission 14
Interlude
Mario lands in the engine room. There is a Spin Drill in a dome, which is what the seven tiles on the floor are for, instead of Grand Stars. Lubba has taken an interest in our new item, saying we shouldn't drill through our "faceship" or it will get a headache. He also tells us Green Toad is collecting Star Bits for safekeeping. We talk to Green Toad, who has 100 Star Bits to share or hold. I deposited all of my Star Bits with him. The deposited Star Bits can be shared with other gamers through the files, but since it seems I'm the only one playing the game at the Archive, I'll just let him hold them for safekeeping. He gives us 2 1-ups and calls himself our local banktoad.
Spin-Dig Galaxy - Digga-Leg's Planet
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
The galaxy's name is very explanatory. The mission sounds like a spin on Megaleg's Moon. We get a new item, the Spin Drill. It operates like its name says, spin to drill. We can tunnel to the other sides of planets instead of walking around. There was a 1-up in a cage. Mario is hit by one of the many yellow drills that populate this planet. There are also spinning flowers that cannot be hit while spinning without a Rainbow Star. There is a small challenge on this planet. We must drill to the other side of the planet and land on the tall pillars and find the Luma. The Comet Medal is just off the side of one of the pillars, so you might have to start the challenge over again. I had Mario talk to the green TV while holding the drill and it glitches out of his hands. I reached the Bonus Stage and killed the 8 spinning flowers with the Rainbow Star and get the 3 1-ups. I launched to another planet, which I drilled into for some coins. I launched again to the Starshroom.
This game introduces some discontinuity from Galaxy. Red Toad says that the Starshroom is new and built by a Luma that crashed and decided to help the Toads launch into space. Red Toad acts like he's never met us before. He also found a lamp for his head, which now makes him Captain of the newly formed Toad Brigade. (This has less continuity than the Nancy Drew series.) There is a midgate flag on the Starshroom, and we launch to Digga-Leg's planet.
When we land, Digga-Leg wakes up. He is much smaller than Megaleg and only has 2 legs instead of 3. We also can't climb up, which is just as well, because the Star is on the underside. Digga-Leg creates yellow drills which will circle the planet-it's a 2D sidescroller. Jumping on the yellow drills will also create coins when stomped. Digga-Leg moves around. Mario must pick up a Spin Drill and drill on the opposite side of the Star to crack the glass. After the first hit, the Star is covered up and Digga-Leg hops around trying to squish Mario, and sometimes squishes the yellow drills. If Mario's drill hits any other part of the robot, you'll hear a ping, and Mario will be sent back to where he drilled into planet. I get in the 2nd hit, and am hit several times by yellow drills. We finally get in the 3rd hit, after which, Digga-Leg explodes. A regular Star appears-(What? No Grand Star?). Instead of walking around, I decided to drill to get the Star.
Star Get #6, 4 Comet Medals, 415 Star Bits, 208 Coins, 20 Lives
Interlude
We open up the path to 2 more galaxies. Lubba mentions that a Luma has returned. This Luma built the Starshroom, which is now located near Starship Mario. A Warp Pad appears in the right ear. I got a 1-up from rolling the die and from the Starshroom. On the Starshroom, a couple of Toads are hanging out. Pink Toad says Starship Mario looks more like Luigi- the hair, moustache, and hat are all green. Pink Toad also says that Luigi is back in the Mushroom Kingdom. Red Toad says that he has our mission of collecting Power Stars, which I don't believe, because the Toads are complete cowards.
The galaxy's name is very explanatory. The mission sounds like a spin on Megaleg's Moon. We get a new item, the Spin Drill. It operates like its name says, spin to drill. We can tunnel to the other sides of planets instead of walking around. There was a 1-up in a cage. Mario is hit by one of the many yellow drills that populate this planet. There are also spinning flowers that cannot be hit while spinning without a Rainbow Star. There is a small challenge on this planet. We must drill to the other side of the planet and land on the tall pillars and find the Luma. The Comet Medal is just off the side of one of the pillars, so you might have to start the challenge over again. I had Mario talk to the green TV while holding the drill and it glitches out of his hands. I reached the Bonus Stage and killed the 8 spinning flowers with the Rainbow Star and get the 3 1-ups. I launched to another planet, which I drilled into for some coins. I launched again to the Starshroom.
This game introduces some discontinuity from Galaxy. Red Toad says that the Starshroom is new and built by a Luma that crashed and decided to help the Toads launch into space. Red Toad acts like he's never met us before. He also found a lamp for his head, which now makes him Captain of the newly formed Toad Brigade. (This has less continuity than the Nancy Drew series.) There is a midgate flag on the Starshroom, and we launch to Digga-Leg's planet.
When we land, Digga-Leg wakes up. He is much smaller than Megaleg and only has 2 legs instead of 3. We also can't climb up, which is just as well, because the Star is on the underside. Digga-Leg creates yellow drills which will circle the planet-it's a 2D sidescroller. Jumping on the yellow drills will also create coins when stomped. Digga-Leg moves around. Mario must pick up a Spin Drill and drill on the opposite side of the Star to crack the glass. After the first hit, the Star is covered up and Digga-Leg hops around trying to squish Mario, and sometimes squishes the yellow drills. If Mario's drill hits any other part of the robot, you'll hear a ping, and Mario will be sent back to where he drilled into planet. I get in the 2nd hit, and am hit several times by yellow drills. We finally get in the 3rd hit, after which, Digga-Leg explodes. A regular Star appears-(What? No Grand Star?). Instead of walking around, I decided to drill to get the Star.
Star Get #6, 4 Comet Medals, 415 Star Bits, 208 Coins, 20 Lives
Interlude
We open up the path to 2 more galaxies. Lubba mentions that a Luma has returned. This Luma built the Starshroom, which is now located near Starship Mario. A Warp Pad appears in the right ear. I got a 1-up from rolling the die and from the Starshroom. On the Starshroom, a couple of Toads are hanging out. Pink Toad says Starship Mario looks more like Luigi- the hair, moustache, and hat are all green. Pink Toad also says that Luigi is back in the Mushroom Kingdom. Red Toad says that he has our mission of collecting Power Stars, which I don't believe, because the Toads are complete cowards.
Flip Swap Galaxy - Think Before You Shake
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
The mission title contains some very wise words for this particular galaxy. The galaxy is mainly made up of red and blue tiles, that alternate between adjacent squares when Mario spins. All red tiles will switch to blue tiles in the next square, and vice versa, when you shake the Wiimote. You must jump before spinning to not fall into a black hole. There is a Star Bunny with blue ears and a blue Toad's vest at the star of the level. We got a 1-up Shroom and took a hit from a Goomba. We thankfully reach the midgate, but the area gets more difficult because a bunch of Chomps drop out of black holes/dark matter. They can roll around a path of adjacent tiles. Flipping the tiles can make the Chomps fall through, but also create a path for other Chomps. Unfortunately, I did not time my shake well and fell in the Black Hole.
Take 2- I fell in due to another bad shake.
Take 3- I found the Comet Medal on a tile near where a Chomp comes out, and died from a bad shake.
Take 4- I got the Comet Medal and through much effort, got the Star.
Star Get #5, 3 Comet Medals, 343 Star Bits, 16 Lives
Interlude
Lubba mentions that we brought back a Star Bunny, when we return to the base of Starship Mario. I don't ever remember bringing one back, but it's a nice addition. Apparently, Lubba thinks Star Bunnies are the cutest things in the universe. The Star Bunny advises us to shake when jumping to reach new heights, which is something I already knew from Galaxy.
The mission title contains some very wise words for this particular galaxy. The galaxy is mainly made up of red and blue tiles, that alternate between adjacent squares when Mario spins. All red tiles will switch to blue tiles in the next square, and vice versa, when you shake the Wiimote. You must jump before spinning to not fall into a black hole. There is a Star Bunny with blue ears and a blue Toad's vest at the star of the level. We got a 1-up Shroom and took a hit from a Goomba. We thankfully reach the midgate, but the area gets more difficult because a bunch of Chomps drop out of black holes/dark matter. They can roll around a path of adjacent tiles. Flipping the tiles can make the Chomps fall through, but also create a path for other Chomps. Unfortunately, I did not time my shake well and fell in the Black Hole.
Take 2- I fell in due to another bad shake.
Take 3- I found the Comet Medal on a tile near where a Chomp comes out, and died from a bad shake.
Take 4- I got the Comet Medal and through much effort, got the Star.
Star Get #5, 3 Comet Medals, 343 Star Bits, 16 Lives
Interlude
Lubba mentions that we brought back a Star Bunny, when we return to the base of Starship Mario. I don't ever remember bringing one back, but it's a nice addition. Apparently, Lubba thinks Star Bunnies are the cutest things in the universe. The Star Bunny advises us to shake when jumping to reach new heights, which is something I already knew from Galaxy.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Yoshi Star Galaxy - Spiny Control
Welcome Back to the Galaxy!
We launch from Starship Mario once again to collect more Power Stars. The planet is crawling with Spinies and Mario will get hurt just touching one. Yoshi can eat the Spinies and hold them in his mouth. Shooting out his tongue once will make them curl up and shooting it out again will bring them into his mouth, but he doesn't swallow them. Using the Star Cursor, you can aim the arrow so he can shoot the Spiny in the desired direction. Spinies can break cages like Bob-ombs and Bullet Bills can. Yoshi can also eat Lakitu's cloud, and Lakitu yells if given a tongue-lashing. The Lakitus respawn, however. Unfortunately, I died during the Bonus Area.
Take 2- I failed the Bonus Area because I stomped the Goombas instead of using Yoshi. I got a 1-up Shroom and fell in a black hole.
Take 3- I reached the Launch Star, with a similar volcano eruption sequence. I reached the midgate, but was knocked into the black hole.
Take 4- I shot a Spiny at a cage to free the Luma inside. We launched to another midgate. The music changes to something spacey and eerie. We use the Swing Flowers to launch onto the top of the hill. A large purple cloud descends and from it pop out a large Lakitu with a red/white fur collar and a crown pops out. We'll call him King Lakitu for the time being- he looks like the King Lakitu in Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. He throws Spinies at us from a distance. We can use them to hit him, but he does have the ability to dodge. After jumping, we get in our first hit with a Spiny. He turns red in the face. However, we get knocked off Yoshi frequently, and die from the Spinies. I could really use a Life Shroom here, but I couldn't find one. (There's one on a planet accessed from the Launch Star en route to the planet where we battle.)
Take 5- I get in two hits. After each hit, his glasses get knocked askew and King Lakitu passes over the hill, pounding his cloud, which sounds like a timpani drum, while shooting lightning down to the hill. We died from too many spiny hits.
Take 6- We finally got in three hits and we fought for them- I had 1 health bar remaining at the end of the battle. He explodes into a Star, which we gratefully take before we can take more damage.
Star get 4, 595 Star Bits, 38 coins, 18 Lives
Interlude
We find a Hungry Luma on the World Map. He wants 300 star bits. We have enough and give 300 to him for a henshin into Flip Swap Galaxy and the path branches.
We launch from Starship Mario once again to collect more Power Stars. The planet is crawling with Spinies and Mario will get hurt just touching one. Yoshi can eat the Spinies and hold them in his mouth. Shooting out his tongue once will make them curl up and shooting it out again will bring them into his mouth, but he doesn't swallow them. Using the Star Cursor, you can aim the arrow so he can shoot the Spiny in the desired direction. Spinies can break cages like Bob-ombs and Bullet Bills can. Yoshi can also eat Lakitu's cloud, and Lakitu yells if given a tongue-lashing. The Lakitus respawn, however. Unfortunately, I died during the Bonus Area.
Take 2- I failed the Bonus Area because I stomped the Goombas instead of using Yoshi. I got a 1-up Shroom and fell in a black hole.
Take 3- I reached the Launch Star, with a similar volcano eruption sequence. I reached the midgate, but was knocked into the black hole.
Take 4- I shot a Spiny at a cage to free the Luma inside. We launched to another midgate. The music changes to something spacey and eerie. We use the Swing Flowers to launch onto the top of the hill. A large purple cloud descends and from it pop out a large Lakitu with a red/white fur collar and a crown pops out. We'll call him King Lakitu for the time being- he looks like the King Lakitu in Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. He throws Spinies at us from a distance. We can use them to hit him, but he does have the ability to dodge. After jumping, we get in our first hit with a Spiny. He turns red in the face. However, we get knocked off Yoshi frequently, and die from the Spinies. I could really use a Life Shroom here, but I couldn't find one. (There's one on a planet accessed from the Launch Star en route to the planet where we battle.)
Take 5- I get in two hits. After each hit, his glasses get knocked askew and King Lakitu passes over the hill, pounding his cloud, which sounds like a timpani drum, while shooting lightning down to the hill. We died from too many spiny hits.
Take 6- We finally got in three hits and we fought for them- I had 1 health bar remaining at the end of the battle. He explodes into a Star, which we gratefully take before we can take more damage.
Star get 4, 595 Star Bits, 38 coins, 18 Lives
Interlude
We find a Hungry Luma on the World Map. He wants 300 star bits. We have enough and give 300 to him for a henshin into Flip Swap Galaxy and the path branches.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Yoshi Star Galaxy- Saddle Up with Yoshi
Oowee! Detecting anomaly. We're getting a green dino in here. -Transmission 6
Welcome back to the galaxy!
The regular Star Select music returns- it's a remix of that from Galaxy. The galaxy name is unoriginal, but it's very descriptive- we get Yoshi! There is some slightly jungle themed music in this galaxy. There is also a large Dry Bones skull near where Mario lands. The spiky red plants return. A Luma tells us that Yoshi just ran around in circles when they tried to have him help them get a Star. He got himself trapped in an egg. Maybe we can make him more useful and get him to focus. There is a force field around the egg and the only way to get rid of it is to kill the Magikoopa guarding the egg. He shoots out Goombas before disappearing and reappearing elsewhere. Mario broke the egg by jumping on it and Yoshi flipped out of the egg, landing on one leg in a Ta-da position. He wants us to help him save his friends. After a while, he goes back in his egg.
When riding Yoshi, the Star Cursor turns into a red dot that performs the same function of getting Star Bits, but also functions as a guide for Yoshi's tongue- it looks like the knob at the end of his tongue. He can eat pink/yellow fruits for 1 Star Bit each. He can also eat many enemies and turn them into star bits. He also shakes his head, which can break crystal like Mario's spin. We find a flying pig that Yoshi can't eat. It sticks to Yoshi's mouth and can only be gotten rid of by shaking his head. We entered a blue disc, but I got knocked off Yoshi by a Blue Octoomba and failed to get a reward. Yoshi was left behind, but will respawn in his egg at any of the little nests lying around the planet. There is bongo music playing with the galaxy music while riding Yoshi. At the end of the planet, there is a large orange fruit that Yoshi must pull with his tongue, by walking backwards. Doing so makes a Launch Star appear. Yoshi launches with us, and Mario launches face towards the camera, with a volcano erupting star bits in the background.
We reach the midgate flag upon landing on the planet. We rolled the die and it turned up Bowser, which made a Goomba appear. In this game, Mario gets a 1-up for every 100 star bits that he collects, versus 50 in Galaxy. We get a 100 star bit 1-up. The red spiky plants will respawn infinitely, even if Yoshi eats them. He can also be hurt by stepping on them. We were hit several times by Blue Octoombas. Yoshi can pluck Piranha plants by pulling them. Swing Flowers appear on this planet. Using the Star Cursor, the cursor will circle the flower and show the (B) button, which shoots out Yoshi's tongue. Yoshi will swing under and up and can grab onto flowers in quick succession, allowing Yoshi to pick up speed and reach new heights. Yoshi pulled the wings off of a Paragoomba and pulled out a platform using its handle. We are hit by hanging spiders, which Yoshi can't eat. We get a 1up mushroom and use the Swing Flowers to pull us up to the Star trapped in crystal. With Yoshi's help, we use the Swing Flowers to reach the Star, which moved when freed. Yoshi says his name during the "You got a Star!" sequence.
I returned later when I realized that I hadn't collected the Comet Medal. It is on the grassy hill with a lot of pink/yellow fruit growing on it. I jumped off Yoshi to get it. After getting the Star, I was informed that I had a new clear time of 8:24.15. (8 minutes, 24.15 seconds)
Just beautiful. - Transmission 6
Star Get #3, 3 Comet Medals, 475 Star Bits, 133 Coins (get a 1-up for every 100 coins collected) 23 lives
Interlude
Lubba directs our attention to a Yoshi egg on the nose. He wonders if we're hatching alien eggs, but he's not judging. I use Yoshi and the Swing Flowers to reach an island above Starship Mario. There are lots of pink/yellow fruits and good views. However, there isn't much else to do with Yoshi at this point.
Welcome back to the galaxy!
The regular Star Select music returns- it's a remix of that from Galaxy. The galaxy name is unoriginal, but it's very descriptive- we get Yoshi! There is some slightly jungle themed music in this galaxy. There is also a large Dry Bones skull near where Mario lands. The spiky red plants return. A Luma tells us that Yoshi just ran around in circles when they tried to have him help them get a Star. He got himself trapped in an egg. Maybe we can make him more useful and get him to focus. There is a force field around the egg and the only way to get rid of it is to kill the Magikoopa guarding the egg. He shoots out Goombas before disappearing and reappearing elsewhere. Mario broke the egg by jumping on it and Yoshi flipped out of the egg, landing on one leg in a Ta-da position. He wants us to help him save his friends. After a while, he goes back in his egg.
When riding Yoshi, the Star Cursor turns into a red dot that performs the same function of getting Star Bits, but also functions as a guide for Yoshi's tongue- it looks like the knob at the end of his tongue. He can eat pink/yellow fruits for 1 Star Bit each. He can also eat many enemies and turn them into star bits. He also shakes his head, which can break crystal like Mario's spin. We find a flying pig that Yoshi can't eat. It sticks to Yoshi's mouth and can only be gotten rid of by shaking his head. We entered a blue disc, but I got knocked off Yoshi by a Blue Octoomba and failed to get a reward. Yoshi was left behind, but will respawn in his egg at any of the little nests lying around the planet. There is bongo music playing with the galaxy music while riding Yoshi. At the end of the planet, there is a large orange fruit that Yoshi must pull with his tongue, by walking backwards. Doing so makes a Launch Star appear. Yoshi launches with us, and Mario launches face towards the camera, with a volcano erupting star bits in the background.
We reach the midgate flag upon landing on the planet. We rolled the die and it turned up Bowser, which made a Goomba appear. In this game, Mario gets a 1-up for every 100 star bits that he collects, versus 50 in Galaxy. We get a 100 star bit 1-up. The red spiky plants will respawn infinitely, even if Yoshi eats them. He can also be hurt by stepping on them. We were hit several times by Blue Octoombas. Yoshi can pluck Piranha plants by pulling them. Swing Flowers appear on this planet. Using the Star Cursor, the cursor will circle the flower and show the (B) button, which shoots out Yoshi's tongue. Yoshi will swing under and up and can grab onto flowers in quick succession, allowing Yoshi to pick up speed and reach new heights. Yoshi pulled the wings off of a Paragoomba and pulled out a platform using its handle. We are hit by hanging spiders, which Yoshi can't eat. We get a 1up mushroom and use the Swing Flowers to pull us up to the Star trapped in crystal. With Yoshi's help, we use the Swing Flowers to reach the Star, which moved when freed. Yoshi says his name during the "You got a Star!" sequence.
I returned later when I realized that I hadn't collected the Comet Medal. It is on the grassy hill with a lot of pink/yellow fruit growing on it. I jumped off Yoshi to get it. After getting the Star, I was informed that I had a new clear time of 8:24.15. (8 minutes, 24.15 seconds)
Just beautiful. - Transmission 6
Star Get #3, 3 Comet Medals, 475 Star Bits, 133 Coins (get a 1-up for every 100 coins collected) 23 lives
Interlude
Lubba directs our attention to a Yoshi egg on the nose. He wonders if we're hatching alien eggs, but he's not judging. I use Yoshi and the Swing Flowers to reach an island above Starship Mario. There are lots of pink/yellow fruits and good views. However, there isn't much else to do with Yoshi at this point.
World 1: The Great Space Journey Begins
This "World" introduces Mario to some new items, new enemies, and new techniques for defeating them, soaring to new heights, and getting Stars. It's a tutorial area, but there are definite challenges. The "World" is designed like a Super Mario Bros. Map, with a "Castle" galaxy at the end. Mario won't be able to tell which new galaxy he is going to until he can advance to that galaxy, at which point, the name will be revealed. There are 7 galaxies here, and Mario will explore every one of them.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Sky Station Galaxy- Storming the Sky Fleet
Detecting anomaly. Void Marios. -Transmission 14
Welcome back to the galaxy!
We start back on the same planet as last time. There are small Chomps rolling on predetermined paths. The sling plants can be used to defeat them. There is pirate-themed music, which is different from the 1st Star. Mario was hit several times by Chomps. On the other side of the planet, a Luma is trapped in a cage and we need to find the key. The 2nd Chomp to the left of the Luma is the one with the key. Hitting the treasure chests with the plants reveals a 1-up Shroom, and a Rainbow Star. I unfortunately let the power run out while talking to the Luma, thinking I could make the music last forever.
The Luma launches us to a cylinder planet. There is a Rainbow Star, but it runs out before I find the gap in the floor. I reach the midgate get a 1up Shroom. If Mario falls off the platform, the planet will spin around until Mario falls onto another platform. I am hit by an Amp. I got 3 1-ups from the bonus area with Blue Octoombas. On the other side of the planet, if Mario keeps riding the platform around, he can get a 1-up Shroom by crouching.
Mario launches to another midgate and deals with Flipswitches. After getting a 100 Star Bit 1-up, Banzai Bills attack twice. A sign says to beware Cosmic Clones and run if they come after you. They start appearing once you touch the next Flipswitch with a coin. Once all of the Flipswitches are cleared, the Cosmic Clones poof into Star Bits.
We are launched to the midgate. I spun into a sling plant, and it knocked me off the planet into the black hole. Dang.
Take 2- The star is at the end of planet, but is trapped in a locked cage. Following the nearby path in front of a Banzai blaster, we find 2 Piranha Plants and a large, spiky, black Piranha. We use a sling plant to kill it and release the key, which releases the Star. Mario is hit by a Banzai Bill trying to return to get the Star. We get the Star.
Do my eyes deceive me? - Transmission 14
Star Get #2, 334 Star Bits, 98 Coins, 20 Lives
Welcome back to the galaxy!
We start back on the same planet as last time. There are small Chomps rolling on predetermined paths. The sling plants can be used to defeat them. There is pirate-themed music, which is different from the 1st Star. Mario was hit several times by Chomps. On the other side of the planet, a Luma is trapped in a cage and we need to find the key. The 2nd Chomp to the left of the Luma is the one with the key. Hitting the treasure chests with the plants reveals a 1-up Shroom, and a Rainbow Star. I unfortunately let the power run out while talking to the Luma, thinking I could make the music last forever.
The Luma launches us to a cylinder planet. There is a Rainbow Star, but it runs out before I find the gap in the floor. I reach the midgate get a 1up Shroom. If Mario falls off the platform, the planet will spin around until Mario falls onto another platform. I am hit by an Amp. I got 3 1-ups from the bonus area with Blue Octoombas. On the other side of the planet, if Mario keeps riding the platform around, he can get a 1-up Shroom by crouching.
Mario launches to another midgate and deals with Flipswitches. After getting a 100 Star Bit 1-up, Banzai Bills attack twice. A sign says to beware Cosmic Clones and run if they come after you. They start appearing once you touch the next Flipswitch with a coin. Once all of the Flipswitches are cleared, the Cosmic Clones poof into Star Bits.
We are launched to the midgate. I spun into a sling plant, and it knocked me off the planet into the black hole. Dang.
Take 2- The star is at the end of planet, but is trapped in a locked cage. Following the nearby path in front of a Banzai blaster, we find 2 Piranha Plants and a large, spiky, black Piranha. We use a sling plant to kill it and release the key, which releases the Star. Mario is hit by a Banzai Bill trying to return to get the Star. We get the Star.
Do my eyes deceive me? - Transmission 14
Star Get #2, 334 Star Bits, 98 Coins, 20 Lives
Starship Mario
Is that? It is... Planet Mario. Wowsers. -Transmission 7
After getting his first Star, Mario lands on a barren planet, with a few Lumas and a large purple Luma in blue checkboard pants that look like pajamas and a nob on his head. His voice is weird and he says "Cheh", "Chieh", or "Choosh". He says the Lumas around him won't stop talking about Mario. They need as many Power Stars as they can get. His name is Lubba and he is the head honcho of the Luma crew. So he's Rosalina's analog. At least Rosalina had intelligible voice acting. The planet Mario is standing on is a spaceship. This planetoid is their home. It has a slight remix of Galaxy's opening music. The Luma's ship was hit by Bowser's meteors and some Lumas were thrown overboard. Power Stars are once again being used as fuel for the spaceship. The spaceship, like the Observatory, lost its Power Stars and is stranded. Lubba is impressed that Mario has the trust of Young Master Luma. Lubba asks if Mario have to save his special someone who was kidnapped. (The choices are "That's right" or "Yes".) Mario answers "That's right". Lubba says if Mario gives him Power Stars, he will make the spaceship Mario's very own for a bit. Mario is given the same choices when asked if this is a fair exchange. (Mario answers "That's right".) Mario nods and Lubba commands the Lumas to transform the spaceship.
The spaceship now looks like Mario's head. Lubba refers to it as a "Faceship" and says he won't lose it in a parking lot (like he'd need to put it in one). Lubba calls it "Starship Mario". The game is saved (the game automatically saves). Starship Mario isn't as luxurious and grand as the Observatory, but even Mario has to cut back in tough times. It has a homey, cozy feel. Mario can go down the chimney, where he enters the Engine Room. It looks more like the Observatory than any other part of Starship Mario. There is a blue beacon near the ceiling and 7 panels on the floor, possibly for any Grand Stars obtained. There is also a telescope. Exiting the Engine Room brings Mario outside under the brim of the "Hat". There is a glitch near the helm on top of the Starship, where Mario walks on air in place. There are seagulls flying around. In front of the helm on top of the "Hat" is a press pad, which will start the launch sequence. Starship Mario blasts off and goes to the World Map. Mario is in World 1. (World? This is Super Mario GALAXY! Galaxies are bigger than worlds-which are planets. Galaxies contain multiple planets, stars, and systems. Technically the Worlds should be called Galaxy Clusters. Oh, well. I guess the people who designed New Super Mario Bros. for the DS and Wii worked on this game, because the maps look similar with the path layout.) Starship Mario actually moves around, instead of staying in one location and accessing galaxies through domes. The Adventure continues.
Lots to do. -Transmission 7
After getting his first Star, Mario lands on a barren planet, with a few Lumas and a large purple Luma in blue checkboard pants that look like pajamas and a nob on his head. His voice is weird and he says "Cheh", "Chieh", or "Choosh". He says the Lumas around him won't stop talking about Mario. They need as many Power Stars as they can get. His name is Lubba and he is the head honcho of the Luma crew. So he's Rosalina's analog. At least Rosalina had intelligible voice acting. The planet Mario is standing on is a spaceship. This planetoid is their home. It has a slight remix of Galaxy's opening music. The Luma's ship was hit by Bowser's meteors and some Lumas were thrown overboard. Power Stars are once again being used as fuel for the spaceship. The spaceship, like the Observatory, lost its Power Stars and is stranded. Lubba is impressed that Mario has the trust of Young Master Luma. Lubba asks if Mario have to save his special someone who was kidnapped. (The choices are "That's right" or "Yes".) Mario answers "That's right". Lubba says if Mario gives him Power Stars, he will make the spaceship Mario's very own for a bit. Mario is given the same choices when asked if this is a fair exchange. (Mario answers "That's right".) Mario nods and Lubba commands the Lumas to transform the spaceship.
The spaceship now looks like Mario's head. Lubba refers to it as a "Faceship" and says he won't lose it in a parking lot (like he'd need to put it in one). Lubba calls it "Starship Mario". The game is saved (the game automatically saves). Starship Mario isn't as luxurious and grand as the Observatory, but even Mario has to cut back in tough times. It has a homey, cozy feel. Mario can go down the chimney, where he enters the Engine Room. It looks more like the Observatory than any other part of Starship Mario. There is a blue beacon near the ceiling and 7 panels on the floor, possibly for any Grand Stars obtained. There is also a telescope. Exiting the Engine Room brings Mario outside under the brim of the "Hat". There is a glitch near the helm on top of the Starship, where Mario walks on air in place. There are seagulls flying around. In front of the helm on top of the "Hat" is a press pad, which will start the launch sequence. Starship Mario blasts off and goes to the World Map. Mario is in World 1. (World? This is Super Mario GALAXY! Galaxies are bigger than worlds-which are planets. Galaxies contain multiple planets, stars, and systems. Technically the Worlds should be called Galaxy Clusters. Oh, well. I guess the people who designed New Super Mario Bros. for the DS and Wii worked on this game, because the maps look similar with the path layout.) Starship Mario actually moves around, instead of staying in one location and accessing galaxies through domes. The Adventure continues.
Lots to do. -Transmission 7
Friday, June 18, 2010
Sky Station Galaxy - Peewee Piranha's Temper Tantrum
Sky Station located. You're a natural, Mario. -Transmission 3
Welcome back to the galaxy!
The star select music for this level sounds like a dark remix of the Red Star music from the prequel. Mario lands on a green disc of a planet, with a remix of the trailer music. There is a house with Yoshi's picture and a knocker on the door. A nearby sign by Yoshi says to go around back. Mario can't go to the planet's underside due to the fence around the middle. Mario went down an orange pipe, which takes him to the other side of the planet, in a cage with a 1-up Mushroom. After going down the nearby green pipe on the first side, Mario can now move about the other side of the planet. There are green and yellow TV screens that provide tips. The crystals are more opaque and don't show the Star Bits they contain. Mario was hit a couple of times by some Goombas. After freeing a Luma trapped in crystal, Mario warped to the top of Yoshi's house. There is a sign saying that Yoshi is out and is sorry he missed anybody trying to visit him. The Luma transformed into a Launch Star and launched us to the next planet.
Mario nearly fell into the Black Hole by walking on the edge. Another Luma appears to guide you through the planet. Mario reached the midpoint flag, which looks like those in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, except they feel somewhat out of place in this game. However, it's nice to know where the checkpoints are and they are much more plentiful per star. I got 2 out of 3 1-up Mushrooms for collecting Musical Notes. I found a blue disc off to the side of a platform. Spinning on it warps Mario to a Bonus Area where Mario must kill all of the enemies and collect his prize of 3 1-up Shrooms before the music runs out and he automatically warps back to where he was. The disk will turn brown afterwards and Mario cannot return. In this one, Mario gets to use the Rainbow Star to kill all Octoombas for 3 1-ups. After that, Mario continues to follow the Luma where it transforms into a Launch Star and launches Mario to another planet.
This planet has Paragoombas and rolling carts around a cylindrical planet. It is not perfectly cylindrical and the carts can push Mario into the Black Holes if he is not careful. However, if he rides the first one around, he will come across a 1-up Shroom and a Comet Medal on the second one. Collecting Comet Medals makes comets appear. After taking a hit from and defeating an Octoomba, the guiding Luma transforms into a Launch Star, saying that there is a monster up ahead.
Mario gets another 1-up for collecting 100 Star Bits and finds a Life Shroom to increase his health to 6 points instead of 3. In the distance, Mario sees a planet surrounded by cracked egg shells. The Luma on Mario's current planet says it can see starlight from here. Behind it, off the ledge, is another 1-up Shroom, bringing Mario's life count to 15 (They're really generous with the lives). The Luma launches Mario after transforming, and Mario lands on a Dino Piranha Egg.
The egg cracks to reveal a Dino Piranha, who wears a shell like a diaper. Using the spin ability, Mario cracks away at the shell. 2 or 3 spins cracks the shell, and Peewee Piranha's bottom is revealed, red like Bowser's flaming tail, like he has diaper rash. Mario spins to hit it and Peewee turns red and his shell reforms. Mario accidently touches Peewee and takes damage. After breaking the shell and spinning to hit Peewee, Peewee explodes, leaving a Power Star behind. (Wait! This is a regular star, not a Grand Star!) The same star appearance music plays. Before getting the Star, Mario grabs the Star Bits trapped in crystal. When Mario gets the Star, a remix of the music from the prequel plays. This time around, Mario says Wahoo!
Mama Mia! - Transmission 3
Star Get #1, 191 Star Bits, 93 Coins, 15 Lives
Welcome back to the galaxy!
The star select music for this level sounds like a dark remix of the Red Star music from the prequel. Mario lands on a green disc of a planet, with a remix of the trailer music. There is a house with Yoshi's picture and a knocker on the door. A nearby sign by Yoshi says to go around back. Mario can't go to the planet's underside due to the fence around the middle. Mario went down an orange pipe, which takes him to the other side of the planet, in a cage with a 1-up Mushroom. After going down the nearby green pipe on the first side, Mario can now move about the other side of the planet. There are green and yellow TV screens that provide tips. The crystals are more opaque and don't show the Star Bits they contain. Mario was hit a couple of times by some Goombas. After freeing a Luma trapped in crystal, Mario warped to the top of Yoshi's house. There is a sign saying that Yoshi is out and is sorry he missed anybody trying to visit him. The Luma transformed into a Launch Star and launched us to the next planet.
Mario nearly fell into the Black Hole by walking on the edge. Another Luma appears to guide you through the planet. Mario reached the midpoint flag, which looks like those in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, except they feel somewhat out of place in this game. However, it's nice to know where the checkpoints are and they are much more plentiful per star. I got 2 out of 3 1-up Mushrooms for collecting Musical Notes. I found a blue disc off to the side of a platform. Spinning on it warps Mario to a Bonus Area where Mario must kill all of the enemies and collect his prize of 3 1-up Shrooms before the music runs out and he automatically warps back to where he was. The disk will turn brown afterwards and Mario cannot return. In this one, Mario gets to use the Rainbow Star to kill all Octoombas for 3 1-ups. After that, Mario continues to follow the Luma where it transforms into a Launch Star and launches Mario to another planet.
This planet has Paragoombas and rolling carts around a cylindrical planet. It is not perfectly cylindrical and the carts can push Mario into the Black Holes if he is not careful. However, if he rides the first one around, he will come across a 1-up Shroom and a Comet Medal on the second one. Collecting Comet Medals makes comets appear. After taking a hit from and defeating an Octoomba, the guiding Luma transforms into a Launch Star, saying that there is a monster up ahead.
Mario gets another 1-up for collecting 100 Star Bits and finds a Life Shroom to increase his health to 6 points instead of 3. In the distance, Mario sees a planet surrounded by cracked egg shells. The Luma on Mario's current planet says it can see starlight from here. Behind it, off the ledge, is another 1-up Shroom, bringing Mario's life count to 15 (They're really generous with the lives). The Luma launches Mario after transforming, and Mario lands on a Dino Piranha Egg.
The egg cracks to reveal a Dino Piranha, who wears a shell like a diaper. Using the spin ability, Mario cracks away at the shell. 2 or 3 spins cracks the shell, and Peewee Piranha's bottom is revealed, red like Bowser's flaming tail, like he has diaper rash. Mario spins to hit it and Peewee turns red and his shell reforms. Mario accidently touches Peewee and takes damage. After breaking the shell and spinning to hit Peewee, Peewee explodes, leaving a Power Star behind. (Wait! This is a regular star, not a Grand Star!) The same star appearance music plays. Before getting the Star, Mario grabs the Star Bits trapped in crystal. When Mario gets the Star, a remix of the music from the prequel plays. This time around, Mario says Wahoo!
Mama Mia! - Transmission 3
Star Get #1, 191 Star Bits, 93 Coins, 15 Lives
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Super Mario Galaxy 2: Save the Princess. Save the Universe. Again.
Prepare for liftoff! -Transmission 16
The story starts out simple enough. We are going to be told another story that begins with stardust. (I think this Rosalina telling the story-due to the slight bit of voice and the blue text). This time around, Mushroom Kingdom is being showered with stardust. While a mixture of Star Festival and Gusty Garden music plays, we see Peach's letter to Mario, inviting him to eat cake while watching shooting stars. (We now know why Mario is fat and Luigi is skinny: Mario gets invited over for cake and Luigi doesn't.) The story unfolds like pages from a picture book. Mario appears from a pipe with the castle in the background. It's a sidescrolling area where Mario can pick up Star Bits and practice moving around. At the end of the page, the page automatically turns. Mario finds a Luma in the shrubs. He startles the Luma, who speaks in triangles and Xs. He likes Mario and holds his hat while spinning on Mario's head. He hides under Mario's hat and Mario gets the ability to spin. Mario breaks crystals, two of which contain Lumas. The second one rains down from the sky in the castle courtyards. This one asks Mario where the ship is, but Mario has no clue.
It's pandemonium in the courtyards. The same music plays from the prequel's kidnapping. Toads are yelling. Mario looks up and sees an enormous Bowser stomping around and jumping on the castle. (It's the Year of the Giant Bowser: We saw the same thing happen in Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but this puts both of them to shame.) Bowser approaches Mario, saying he's too late and that he has the power of the stars. He opens his right hand to reveal Peach, who is tiny in comparison. In his words, "I'm huuuuge!" and is even scarier upclose. He also wants Peach to bake him something for a change. (But this will make him extremely fat, causing him to fall through and get stuck in a planet, or collapse upon himself like his last plan for galatical domination.) Peach screams for Mario (the volume has been appropriately adjusted from the final battle of the prequel). Bowser says he wants a galaxy-sized slice of cake. He says that he is too huge for this puny planet and wants an empire more his size. He says he'll put his empire in the center of the universe (Again? But at least we know where he's going). He taunts us and jumps into the sky.
With the princess kidnapped, (Red Toad, you've got some 'splaining to do!) Mario approaches the castle where the two Lumas he freed await. They wonder where the monster came from and tell Mario that he must save the princess. The Luma hiding under Mario's hat appears, and the Lumas refer to him as Young Master Luma. They also explain that they were thrown overboard from their ship. They have the power of the stars and say that Master Luma should be safe with Mario and that they'll help a little, too. One of them transforms into a Launch Star, and since Mario can't go into the castle, he accepts their offer and is launched most ungracefully into space.
So once again, Mario is called in as a plainclothes member of Her Majesty's Secret Service: Princess Rescue Division. (When was the last time you saw Mario do any plumbing?) A new adventure begins!
The story starts out simple enough. We are going to be told another story that begins with stardust. (I think this Rosalina telling the story-due to the slight bit of voice and the blue text). This time around, Mushroom Kingdom is being showered with stardust. While a mixture of Star Festival and Gusty Garden music plays, we see Peach's letter to Mario, inviting him to eat cake while watching shooting stars. (We now know why Mario is fat and Luigi is skinny: Mario gets invited over for cake and Luigi doesn't.) The story unfolds like pages from a picture book. Mario appears from a pipe with the castle in the background. It's a sidescrolling area where Mario can pick up Star Bits and practice moving around. At the end of the page, the page automatically turns. Mario finds a Luma in the shrubs. He startles the Luma, who speaks in triangles and Xs. He likes Mario and holds his hat while spinning on Mario's head. He hides under Mario's hat and Mario gets the ability to spin. Mario breaks crystals, two of which contain Lumas. The second one rains down from the sky in the castle courtyards. This one asks Mario where the ship is, but Mario has no clue.
It's pandemonium in the courtyards. The same music plays from the prequel's kidnapping. Toads are yelling. Mario looks up and sees an enormous Bowser stomping around and jumping on the castle. (It's the Year of the Giant Bowser: We saw the same thing happen in Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but this puts both of them to shame.) Bowser approaches Mario, saying he's too late and that he has the power of the stars. He opens his right hand to reveal Peach, who is tiny in comparison. In his words, "I'm huuuuge!" and is even scarier upclose. He also wants Peach to bake him something for a change. (But this will make him extremely fat, causing him to fall through and get stuck in a planet, or collapse upon himself like his last plan for galatical domination.) Peach screams for Mario (the volume has been appropriately adjusted from the final battle of the prequel). Bowser says he wants a galaxy-sized slice of cake. He says that he is too huge for this puny planet and wants an empire more his size. He says he'll put his empire in the center of the universe (Again? But at least we know where he's going). He taunts us and jumps into the sky.
With the princess kidnapped, (Red Toad, you've got some 'splaining to do!) Mario approaches the castle where the two Lumas he freed await. They wonder where the monster came from and tell Mario that he must save the princess. The Luma hiding under Mario's hat appears, and the Lumas refer to him as Young Master Luma. They also explain that they were thrown overboard from their ship. They have the power of the stars and say that Master Luma should be safe with Mario and that they'll help a little, too. One of them transforms into a Launch Star, and since Mario can't go into the castle, he accepts their offer and is launched most ungracefully into space.
So once again, Mario is called in as a plainclothes member of Her Majesty's Secret Service: Princess Rescue Division. (When was the last time you saw Mario do any plumbing?) A new adventure begins!
Hexagon!
Here's my general strategy before we get started: I will get as many stars from each galaxy as possible. I will grab as many stars as I can from one galaxy before I go on to the next galaxy. I will also try to get the Cosmic Medals on the first go, so I will be doing a lot of exploring before reaching the star. I will not be needing tutorials, except for some involving Yoshi, so I won't be using the TVs. I also will not be using Super Guide, and hope not summon it's presence. My goal is to finish the game in one year. Other than that, I hope this game is awesome and amazing! Hajimemashou, ne?
It's Here!!!!
It's here! It's here! It's heeere! Did I mention it's here? It's here! Super Mario Galaxy 2 is in the Archive and I started playing it today. I will have more time to play it next week, but I will log in some hours this week. I will keep you posted star-by-star as I go along. It may take some time between when I play and when I blog, but it will get on the blog as soon as possible. Hope you enjoy! It's here!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 4-4 QSC
The 1st Star Coin is found after going through the yellow pipe past the midgate on the ceiling. I froze the Cheep-Cheep to get it.
100 down, 107 to go
100 down, 107 to go
New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 4-Fort QSC
The 1st Star Coin is found after the 1st pipe. I jumped on a tall enough block to reach it. The 2nd Star Coin is in a secret area under the midgate. The 3rd Star Coin is in the room where the blocks fall to make a staircase. I found the red flag goal near the 3rd Star Coin. In the room with the falling blocks that make a staircase to the 3rd Star Coin, I immediately went to the left side before any blocks fell and jumped into the wall where it was dark green. This took me to the goal with a stone gray castle and a conveyor belt staircase. It opened a path to the cannon to World 6.
99 down, 108 to go
99 down, 108 to go
Friday, June 11, 2010
Almost There!
According to the Archive, Super Mario Galaxy 2 has made it out of cataloging and labeling and should be available to play soon. Unfortunately, they haven't updated the website to say they have it because they are all on vacation! If it arrives by then, I shall start the game on Tuesday.
Monday, June 7, 2010
New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 2-Fort QSC
The 1st Star Coin is on the left side of the screen, where there are 3 sets of moving grates, two of which move to the other side. The 2nd Star Coin is just past the midgate on the same level, in a secret behind the wall.
96 down, 111 to go
96 down, 111 to go
New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 2-2 QSC
I found the first Star Coin in the long column of quick sand. There is a cavern where the Star Coin is high up between two Spikes. The 2nd Star Coin is in a secret area accessible by vine. I used the POW block to drop it to my level.
94 down, 113 to go
94 down, 113 to go
New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 1-4 QSC
I got the 2nd Star Coin by freezing a Cheep-Cheep and riding it up between the pipes. I got the 3rd Star Coin by freezing the Urchin, so that it falls and rests on the pipe. After reaching the goal, I got a message saying that all of the Star Coins in World 1 have been collected, so I can play a course in World 9.
92 down, 115 to go
92 down, 115 to go
More Victories!
I finally beat Super Paper Mario. It was a fun game and I look forward to doing the Sammer Guy Challenge. Chapter 7 was somewhat difficult in that in certain areas, I got lost in Count Bleck's Castle, which has somewhat of a Phantom of the Opera thing going with the cracks in the doors. The team of four heroes is picked off one-by-one as they have to do battle with Count Bleck's three minions, and the castle starts to be destroyed by the Void. Bowser is the first to go (the player has no say in the matter). After the battle is over, the ceiling collapses. Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Tippi wonder what has become of Bowser and if they should move on. Luigi and Peach provide some comic relief saying that Bowser has survived worse and he's not that easy to get rid of. Peach is the next to go, as Mimi taunts her for always having Mario and Luigi come to her rescue. Luigi takes on Dimentio, leaving Mario and Tippi alone to battle Count Bleck. At first, he is invincible, but his barrier is shattered by the Pure Hearts. After beating him, he realizes his error, but Dimentio steps in at the last minute to control the destruction of all worlds. He, too, is initially invincible, but the love between Count Bleck and Tippi creates another set of Pure Hearts to counteract his barrier. He is then defeated, and the Void disappears with the Pure Hearts counteracting the Chaos Heart.
I got a little bored with collecting the Star Coins, so I started this game's prequel, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. I will blog about this one, and play it until Super Mario Galaxy 2 gets here (it's in cataloging). I am not watching any playthroughs or walkthroughs so nothing will be spoiled for me.
I got a little bored with collecting the Star Coins, so I started this game's prequel, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. I will blog about this one, and play it until Super Mario Galaxy 2 gets here (it's in cataloging). I am not watching any playthroughs or walkthroughs so nothing will be spoiled for me.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 1-6 QSC
I got the third Star Coin in a secret pipe just past the midgate and before the spinning ground with Goombas and Paratroopas.
90 Star Coins down, 117 to go.
90 Star Coins down, 117 to go.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 1-5 QSC
For the sake of time, I will just provide details of where I found the Star Coins. The first Star Coin can be reached from a vine near the top of the screen where 3 sets of blocks run on 3 tracks. I got the 2nd Star Coin with a shell near a green rotating block. The third Star Coin is high above the red rotating blocks near the goal
89 down, 118 to go
89 down, 118 to go
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