Super Mario 64 DS: Save the Princess. Save the Kingdom. With moustache jokes.

This game also starts off with the same letter and voice from Peach, with an updated sprite. Lakitu films the castle grounds, and we notice Yoshi taking a nap on the roof of the castle, audibly snoring. There are very few changes to the castle grounds from the N64 version. A large green pipe appears and Mario jumps out of it. Soon after, two more pipes appear and Luigi and Wario jump out of them. Mario says "Let's a go!" and the three run into each other. They then run towards the castle.
Lakitu points his camera at Yoshi, who is now lying on the ground where the warp pipes were. Lakitu says "Yoshi, Yoshi..." Lakitu pops Yoshi's bubble, which wakes him up. "Listen...Mario hasn't returned yet.
We now control Yoshi. Yoshi walks up to the castle door and tries to open it, but gets a message with Bowser's laugh: You need a key to open this door. Lakitu appears, saying "Uh-oh. Looks like the doors are locked, huh? Hmmm. I just saw a rabbit taking off with a key in his mouth." A key icon appears on the Touch Screen, which displays a map of the castle gound. "Why don't you look for him on the Touch Screen map, Yoshi?
I track the rabbit down near the hedges. He starts hopping away, but Yoshi sticks out his toungue and grabs him. The rabbit, in Yoshi's mouth, says "Aaaaargh! No, don't eat me! ALL I did was tease you a little. C'mon, let me go." The Rabbit music plays. Yoshi spits him out and the rabbit says "Aiyeeeee! I thought it was the end for little orld me... My entire life flashed before my eyes. Talk about scary! Anyway, here, take the key. It's just slowing me down."
He gives us the key, giving us the message: You've retrieved the key to the castle from the rabbit! now you're ready to go inside the castle. Mario and his buddies went to the castle ages ago, and they still haven't returned. Save now? (Save and continue, or Continue, don't save) Yoshi poses with the key.
Yoshi walks back to the castle and unlocks the door. Once inside, he gets the same message that Mario did in the N64 version.
Toad says "Thank heavens you came too, Yoshi! Bowser has locked Princess Toadstool and all of us inside the walls. He stole our Power Stars and is using their magic to create an evil land of monsters in the castle walls and paintings. Mario and his buddies went to retrieve the Stars, but they haven't come back. Last I saw them, they were heading to the room on the left with the painting of the Bob-ombs. Where are they?! Are they taking a nap somewhere? So now it's up to you, Yoshi, to find them and retrieve the Stars! We all are depending on you!
This game is very similar to, but not an exact replica of Super Mario 64. Several of the missions are the same, but some are completely new. If the missions are from the N64 version, they will be included in the same post. If they are unique to either version, they will appear in their own posts. I will be comparing both versions. These are great games and I'm sure I will enjoy them both.

Super Mario 64: Save the Princess. Save the Kingdom. In 3D.

This game starts off, as many Mario games do, with a letter from Peach:
Dear Mario,
Please come to the castle. I've baked a cake for you. Yours truly -- Princess Toadstool, Peach
The letter is read aloud by the Princess herself.
Lakitu, dangling a camera from its fishing pole, goes over the castle grounds. A large green warp pipe comes out of the ground and Mario jumps out of it.
Lakitu says- Ciao! You've reached Princess Toadstool's castle via a warp pipe. Using the controller is a piece of cake. Press A to jump and B to attack. Press B to reach signs, too. Use the Control Stick in the center of the controller to move Mario around. Now, head for the castle.
Mario walks over the bridge to the castle. Lakitu appears in front of Mario, saying "Good afternoon. The Lakitu Bros. here, reporting live from just outside the Princess's castle. Mario has just arrived on the scene, and we'll be filming the action live as he enters the casle and pursues the missing Power Stars. As seasoned cameramen, we'll be shooting from the recommended angle, but you can change the camera angle by pressing the C Buttons. If we can't adjust the view any further, we'll buzz. To take a look at the surroundings, stop and press C Up. Press A to resume play. Switch camera modes with the R Button. Signs along the way. will review these instructions. For now, reporting live, this has been the Lakitu Bros.
Hey, wait! No one said anything about missing Power Stars! What's going on here? The only way to find out is to go through the door. We hear Bowser's laugh.
Welcome. No one's home. Now scram-- and don't come back! Gwahaha!
Well, we know Bowser's behind whatever's going on here. Nearby, Toad appears and says "Am I glad to see you! The Princess...and I...and, well, everybody...we're all trapped inside the castle walls. Bowsers has stolen the castle's Stars, and he's using their power to create his own world in the paintings and wall. Please recover the Power Stars! As you find them, you can use their power to open the doors that Bowser has sealed. There are 4 rooms on the first floor. Start in the one with with the painting of Bob-omb inside. It's the only room that Bowser hasn't sealed. When you collect 8 Power Stars, you'll be able to open the door with the big star. The Princess must be inside!
Well, we have our mission. Mario must save the Princess once again. This time, we actually get to see the inside of the castle, which has it's own music. This is the first 3D Mario, the start of a game design that brought us Super Mario Sunshine, and the Super Mario Galaxies. This is a mission-based game, so I will blog for each mission, like I did for Super Mario Galaxy 2. Let's go get some Stars!

Happy 1st Anniversary!

It's been one year to the day that I started this blog! Wow! I've enjoyed doing this and I hope all of you enjoyed reading it! I will keep blogging about Mario games new and old, so stay tuned!

Here are the top ten posts by views:
1. Fluzzard's Wild Battlefield Glide
2. Fluzzard's First Flight
3. Sorbetti's Chilly Reception
4. Catch that Star Bunny
5. Search for the Toad Brigade Captain
6. The Magnificent Magma Sea
7. Gobblegut's Aching Belly
8. Peewee Piranha's Temper Tantrum
9. Bowser on Ice
10. Bowser's Fortified Fortress

Here are the top ten views by country:
1. The United States
2. United Kingdom
3. Canada
4. Australia
5. Russia
6. Mexico
7. Germany
8. Brazil
9. The Netherlands
10. Denmark

It's great to have such a diverse audience. These are not the only countries, but the ones with the most views.

The next game I will play is Super Mario 64 on both the Nintendo 64 and the Nintendo DS. I picked this game because it is relatively short and very fun. I wanted to play a short game so I could start playing Paper Mario on the Nintendo 3DS without splitting up the posts, like when I put Super Mario Galaxy 2 in between New Super Mario Bros. Wii. I do not know when the game is coming out, but this way, I can be sure that I will not have to split up the commentary and can pick it up immediately.

So here's to another year of great gaming and blogging! I welcome questions and comments, so feel free to comment. It's open to everyone. Have a great year and enjoy!

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 9-7 -- Frozen Jungle

This was a very difficult level for me. I had to bring in a 2nd player so I could get the last two Star Coins. This is another ice level, but the jungle music from World 5 is playing. The ground is frozen and filled with Nippers or coins. To make matters worse, Fire Piranhas populate the level and melt the ice blocks. The given powerup is a Fire Flower, so you can melt more ice blocks. Unfortunately, you can't freeze anything that was melted. You also need sufficient momentum to clear most of the pipes early on, but with the ground melting, you don't get much room to work with. We got the 1st Star Coin by wall-jumping off the upside down pipe and landing on the frozen coins below it. We continued and deal with more easily cleared obstacles and Goombas hidden in spiky, flammable shields. Just past them is a long stretch of frozen coins. Underneath them, over a safety net of more frozen coins, is the 2nd Star Coin. You can either wait until a Piranha melts the ice above the Star Coin or you can melt it with fireballs, minding the fact that your fireballs will melt more ice down the line, destroying the path. We got it by waiting for the Piranhas to melt one ice block, dropping onto the coin, and bubbling and letting the other continued. After sliding under the line of Fire Piranhas, we soon encountered two Fire Bros. We took out the first one, and let the other one melt the ice so we could access the 3rd Star Coin below. One of us waited on the platform while the other fell through to get the Star Coin and bubbled. The other went to the goal. This took 45 tries. Finally! I completed this game! Thanks to Ryan, who helped me on this level. Now to start my next game! Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 9-5 -- Penguin Tower

This is a vertical ice level. There are a few P-switches to produce moving yellow platforms so we can progress. The first P-switch is on the right side. We have to dodge penguins to reach it. After using the platform to ascend, I climbed higher up the path with ice blocks. I got a Penguin Suit and slide down the slope with a pipe and jumped up to get the 1st Star Coin. Soon after, the 2nd Star Coin is on the left side. I wall-jumped and spun to reach it. It took a few tries. Nearby on the right side is the next P-switch. Past that are a bunch of Fuzzies. Once you get past the large ring, there are 2 rings, one with 2 Fuzzies and four blocks, and another with just a Fuzzy. Over the lone Fuzzy is the 3rd Star Coin. I froze the lone Fuzzy while standing on a block in the ring and used it as a platform so I could jump to the Star Coin. Alternatively, you can use a Propeller Suit if you have one. At the top of the level are 3 more Fuzzies in between small ice platforms. The pipe to the goal is to the left. I froze the Fuzzies and used them as platforms to reach the pipe. I then made it to the goal. This took me 26 tries.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 9-6 -- Lava Acrobatics

After finishing World 8, I do not need any more lava. This level has platforms going in and out of the lava. You need to time your jumps well to make it through. You can stand on the platforms, jump when they go in, and land on them when they come out without taking any damage. The 1st Star Coin is hidden in the rock just past the 2nd circling platform, which dives into the lava. The 2nd Star Coin is in between 2 rocks, in a series of lava pillars. I wall-jumped to get it. You also have to dodge the Fire Chomp that will appear here and follow you around. The 3rd Star Coin is underneath the pipe to the goal. There is a small platform diving into the lava, but a lava pillar will appear periodically in front of it. I just used a Propeller Suit to get it and reached the goal. This took me 30 tries.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 9-3 -- Bullet Bill Barrage

This level is crawling with homing Bullet Bills. They will target you and chase you all over the level. While being chased by Bullet Bills, there are a series of red Koopas on their own segments of land. In the 4th gap is a green pipe, which will take you to the 1st Star Coin. It's a maze and you have until the P-switch runs out to clear the blocks turned into coins in front of the Star Coin. The easier way is to go to the right instead of the left. Near where you exit the pipe is a pipe overhead to the 2nd Star Coin. I reached the pipe with a Propeller Suit that I got in another level. I used the P-switch to create blocks so I could reach the 2nd Star Coin. In the long stretch to the goal, there are several moving yellow platforms we must negotiate while dodging "homing" Banzai Bills. They won't chase you, but they will approach you instead of going in a straight line. The 3rd Star Coin is in this area. I kept going to the goal through the pipe. This took me 18 tries.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 9-4 -- Pipe Nightmare

It's another automatic sidescroller! There are lots of pipes with Piranhas and tons of Bob-ombs. The Bob-ombs are crawling over some brick blocks near the beginning, so don't let them blow up the entire floor. There is no safety net. The 1st Star Coin is soon after, accessible by wall-jumping up the moving blue pipe. There are more platforms from 9-2, but they won't move until there are at least 2 things standing on them. To remedy the problem are Bob-omb blasters. You may need to clear the platforms, because they will descend into the abyss if you don't clear them off. I threw a Bob-omb at the 2nd Star Coin to get it. Later, there is a Piranha in a horizontal green pipe. I froze it so I could go through the red pipe above it. It takes you just below the 3rd Star Coin, so I just jumped to get it. Freezing the Piranha is tricky because of the sidescrolling and the Bob-ombs. You will end up at the goal just past the Star Coin. This took me 12 tries.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 9-8 -- Bouncy Clouds

This is an automatic sidescroller made difficult by the fact that the ground is made out of bouncy clouds. You get the Propeller Suit here, which makes things a little easier. I used it to get the 1st Star Coin in the higher of two rings of Fuzzies. There are flying item blocks nearby. At least one of them contains a 1-up. In the center of a nearby ring are brick blocks. It is best to activate the P-switch in front of them and turn them into coins, so it will be easier to dodge the incoming Fuzzies. The 2nd Star Coin is easy to find and miss. It's traveling along the ring with some Fuzzies, so I timed my jump to get it. You make take some damage here. Nearby are giant Fuzzies to dodge while getting to the other side of a wall. Soon after are high up blocks. Stand on them, because you will soon see coins in the formation of a Banzai Bill. One will come through heading in the same direction that the coins are pointing. They will destroy the gray blocks surrounding the coins, but not the Goombas. The 3rd Star Coin is in the last coin formation surrounded by gray blocks. Stand on the bricks to avoid the two Banzai Bills that will be coming through at the same time. After that is the goal. This took me 10 tries.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 9-2 -- Swimming With the Fishes

This level is a water level, despite World 2 being a desert. It's another level where you have to dodge the big spiked fish, who cannot be frozen. This level has platforms that go down when you step on them, but return to their normal position when you step off. I used the 3rd one to get the 1st Star Coin. I rode the 4th platform eown to the green pipe to go through it. The 2nd Star Coin is there, as well as another big fish that will try to gobble you up. If you have a Fire Flower, you can use the fireballs to kill the fish for 3 1-up Mushrooms. Things get a little tricky after you leave that area. There are sets of blocks that expand and contract, and move as they do so. They will put you in danger and take you out of it. Making matters worse are the Piranha Plants in the pipes. Near the end is the 3rd Star Coin. I sent shells into the blocks to clear a path and ran under the ledge to get the Star Coin. After that, I made it to the goal. This took me 14 tries.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 9-1 -- Not So Easy

The first level of World 9! It's difficult, but not the hardest one. There are lots of quickly rotating platforms like in 7-1. I got the 1st Star Coin using the Propeller Suit I got from Bowser's Castle. It's near the tower of 3 Parakoopas. The 2nd Star Coin is close by, and I got it with the Propeller Suit. The 3rd Star Coin is near the 2nd Star Coin. You get it by going in the 3rd pipe after the 2nd Star Coin. By this point, I lost the Propeller Suit and just ran and jumped to the ledge and jumped again to get the Star Coin. If you time it right, you should bounce off the Parakoopa. Afterwards, I dodged 2 Fire Piranhas and made it to the goal. This took 8 tries. The Propeller Suit makes this level much easier.

World 9 - Rainbow Star of Doom

It's time to start World 9, the last world in the game. These levels are more difficult for a couple reasons: no midgate and no Super Guide. It's almost like The Perfect Run from Galaxy 2. If it weren't for the fact that this game came out before Super Mario Galaxy 2, I'd say The Chimp was involved in the level design. The map is shaped like a Star and the music is a remix of Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 64. There are 24 Star Coins in this world. Each level is unlocked by collecting every single Star Coin from its corresponding world: all the Star Coins in World 1 unlock 9-1. This is another example of rainbows symbolizing difficulty in Mario games. Every Mario Kart game has a Rainbow Road track that is always the last to be played and one of the hardest levels. In Super Mario 64, Rainbow Ride is the last area before the final boss, with a ship called the Rainbow Cruiser. It's also a difficult area. Rainbows are never a good sign unless it's a Rainbow Star, which gives you invincibility. Let's finish this!

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

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

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 8-Airship QSC

I got the 2nd Star Coin by going using the screw on the platform to move it under the Star Coin where the Mechakoopas are. I got the 3rd Star Coin using the Propeller Suit after activating the nearby screw to make it appear. I beat Bowser Jr. again and continued.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 8-6 QSC

I got the 1st Star Coin above the moving platform with the spring on the left side of the volcano. It's over the pool of lava with the 3 Podoboos. Use the spring to get it.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 8-5 QSC

The 2nd Star Coin is just past the midgate in between lava pillars. I threw a Bob-omb at it to get it, because the platform won't tilt far enough for you to get it. The 3rd Star Coin is near where the ravens show up. Just jump at the peak of the track and land on the platform when it switches tracks and beware the ravens.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 8-4 QSC

The 1st Star Coin is to the left of the Spikes, hidden in the dark. It's at the upper left corner. After climbing up the ledge, I dodged the spike balls well and stomped the Spikes to get the Star Coin more easily. This took a few tries.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 8-Fort QSC

The first Star Coin is close to the star over a firebar. I timed my jump well to get it. The 2nd Star Coin is just under the 3rd, in a secret door hidden just to the left and under the midgate. It's above a large firebar, so time your jump well. The 3rd Star Coin is next to the midgate near a firebar. I got it by sliding under the ledge while timing it with the firebar. I defeated Kamek and continued.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 8-1 QSC

You need to be taller than regular Mario to get the 3rd Star Coin. It's just at the end of the level. There is a Buzzy Beetle so you can break the wall and slide underneath it. I used the spring to break through the blocks that surround the Star Coin and sprung to get it.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 7-Castle QSC

The 2nd Star Coin is found in a pipe between two pillars after the midgate. The room is covered in fog and pillars will cut through periodically. The Star Coin is to the right in the corner near the pipe. The 3rd Star Coin is above an item block. I wall-jumped to get it. It's close to the boss door.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 7-6 -- Beetle Hopping with Yoshi

This is somewhat like 5-5, but giant Parabuzzy Beetles replace the manta rays and you get Yoshi to help you. It's also an automatic sidescroller. The larger Beetles will descend when you stand on them and the smaller Beetles will ascend. All of them will squeak when you land on them and they can hurt you. Soon after you get Yoshi, who's in block hidden in the fog, there will be no ground to stand on and you have to platform using the Beetles. I got the 1st Star Coin by standing on one of the larger Buzzy Beetle and waiting for it to descend onto the Star Coin. I gotthe 2nd Star Coin by standing on the 4th smaller Beetle in a row of 6. It will ascend so you can reach the Star Coin. Afterwards, 1-ups will fall out of the sky. Catch them if you can. I got the 3rd Star Coin by riding the last larger Beetle down to the Star Coin. I went down the green pipe to reach the goal, which opens up a secret path to the Castle, that takes you in just before the boss door.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 7-5 QSC

In the area past the midgate with 3 Foos standing on parts of rock, a Paragoomba with Microgoombas, and a red Koopa, I got the 3rd Star Coin. I just walked through the rock wall where the first Foo was and found the Star Coin there.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 7-4 QSC

I got the 1st Star Coin by bouncing off a Banzai Bill at the end of the first part of the level. When near the 2nd Star Coin, I tilted left to make all of the platforms line up. I jumped to the Star Coin and landed on the tilt platform below. At the end of the 3rd part of the level, I bounced off of a Bullet Bill into the red pipe above. The 3rd Star Coin is at the top of a staircase of Bill Blasters. I got it, took damage, and made it to the goal after going through the next red pipe.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 7-Ghost House QSC

The 3rd Star Coin is a bit complicated to get. There is a ledge under the 4th Broozer. Trick that Broozer into walking into the wall and it'll punch it, revealing a hidden area. Go in the hidden area to find a door. As you ascend, you'll find a spring next to 6 coins. There is an invisible block on the rightmost edge of the plaform above it. Hitting it will produce a vine. At the top of the vine will be a spring and a P-switch. Hit the P-switch to produce yellow platforms (you can hit this switch repeatedly). Use the spring on the floor above it to reach a platform and hit the brick block next to the right wall. It, too, will produce a vine. At the top on the left will be a door to the goal. You will fall immediately to the ground. There is a door below. I went through that door and found the 3rd Star Coin. I hit the P-switch (you can hit this one repeatedly, as well) and a yellow platform appeared. I used it to get the 3rd Star Coin. Beware: the item blocks near it are fake and will chase you like the torches. I went through the same door and reached the red goal. This opens up a shortcut to 7-5.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 7-Fort QSC

I got the 2nd Star Coin at the top of the first part of the level. There is a gap in the ceiling to the left. In the lower right corner of the gap is an invisible block. I jumped on the block and ran across the ceiling to the right. This will take you to the 2nd part of the level where the 2nd Star Coin is. I got the 3rd Star Coin by blowing up the bricks in front of the Star Coin with a Bob-omb near the top of the level. This took several tries. Underneath the 1st set of double Bob-omb blasters from the top is a ledge protruding out of the wall. I walked into the wall from this ledge and reached the red goal next to a stone gray castle. This creates a vine to 7-6.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 7-3 QSC

I got the 2nd Star Coin by hitting an invisible block with a vine. The block is over the leftmost blue mushroom past the midgate that is part of the large nextwork of Fuzzies and blocks. I used the Propeller Suit to get it. You can also get it by using the P-Switch. I also got a 1-up at the goal.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 6-5 QSC

The 3rd Star Coin is accessible by a vine in an invisible block in the 2nd pool of the cavern with the 4 large item blocks floating in it. I used the Propeller Block to get it. Nearby is the red goal, which opens up a direct path to the Castle.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 6-1 QSC

The 1st Star Coin is over a Stone Spike. I got it with a Propeller Suit. The 3rd Star Coin is just in front of the goal. I bounced off a Bullet Bill and wall-jumped up the rock onto the ledge to get it.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 5-Castle QSC

The 1st Star Coin is past the first set of circular grates. I got it using the Propeller Suit, but you can also get it by wall-jumping. The 2nd Star Coin is in a room hidden up in the ceiling by the circular grate to the right of the 1st Star Coin. Climb up the left side to find a hidden door. There are several Podoboos jumping out of the lava and the Star Coin is just under the door. Grates appear out of the lava periodically, so you can give yourself a boost when trying to jump for it. The 3rd Star Coin is after the 4 vertically moving grates on the main level. I waited until the 4th one was at its peak, then jumped and clung to the 5th one rising out of the lava. This can be difficult to get.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 5-Ghost House QSC

I got the 1st Star Coin by going through the first top door on my right. The Star Coin is hidden behind a wall of the rightmost door. I just walked through the wall and jumped to get it. The 3rd Star Coin is through the door to the right that's just past the large set of stairs. There are circling rings of Boos in the area, but they have gaps in the rings. The Star Coin is with the 2nd ring of Boos. Jump to get it when the gap comes to the Star Coin or risk getting hurt.
Later, I found the red flag goal by going to the very end of the room with the many doors. I dropped through the gap just before the last door, and went left through the wall to a door. I hit the P-switches for temporary large, moving light blocks to use as platforms to reach the door at the end. That leads to the goal. It opens the path to the cannon which blasts you to World 8.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 5-5 -- High-Flying Manta Rays

This is an annoying level, but can be easily if you keep a level head. It's an automatic sidescroller with mostly large manta rays serving as your platforms. There are large patches of fog, making it difficult to see where you can go. To aid you, there are Propeller Blocks. The 1st Star Coin is visible just past a set of platforms. I jumped to get it and made sure to land on a manta ray. Eventually, you will see a midgate. Jump off the manta ray before it descends into the abyss. One of the item blocks past the midgate has a Propller Suit. The 2nd Star Coin is hidden in a cloud soon after that. The 3rd Star Coin is very well hidden. Just past the 2nd Star Coin, a manta ray will appear with a POW block on its back. I got it and used it while a couple of manta rays were under the coins in a "W" formation. The 3rd Star Coin will drop down, hopefully onto a manta ray so you can get it. I went through the pipe at the end and got a 1-up at the goal.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 5-4 QSC

I got the 2nd Star Coin by using the POW block near where the 2nd Piranha plant falls from the sky. The Star Coin will fall on top of the raft if you don't use the POW block too early or too late. I got the 3rd Star Coin by having a Bob-omb blow up the gray blocks underneath the pipe at the end and falling onto the Star Coin when the raft is underneath it. I jumped back up, went through the pipe and reached the goal.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 4-Ghost House QSC

The 1st and 3rd Star Coins were difficult for me to find. I got the 1st Star Coin by standing on the 6th platform from the left and waiting for it to descend. The Star Coin is hidden behind it. To get the 3rd Star Coin, I stood on the 4th platform from the right and waited for it to descend, revealing a hidden door. I dodged the floating torches and jumped from the platform with the 2nd door to get the 3rd Star Coin. I went through the last door for the red goal.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 3-2 QSC

Getting the 2nd Star Coin was pretty difficult. After going through the green pipe after the midgate, I bounced off 2 Bullet Bills and wall-jumped for the Star Coin. I tried freezing the Bullet Bills, but lost my Ice Flower to them. This took a few tries.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 2-5 -- Yoshi vs. Pokey

I found this level to be challenging. It's full of Pokeys, quicksand, and Lakitus. On the bright, side, we get Yoshi, who can eat Pokeys and every enemy in this level. After getting Yoshi, Lakitu appears near the palm tree next to a cloud. Hidden in the cloud is the 1st Star Coin, so I took out Lakitu and hovered into the cloud for the Star Coin. Soon after, there is a Piranha Plant between 2 sets of yellow blocks. I took it out with a Spiny and fell past the right set of blocks. I landed in a dark cavern with more Piranhas, some of which blew fire. Yoshi can eat the fire balls and spit them back out. At the top of the yellow blocks is the 2nd Star Coin. Go up the pipe to the left to return to the main level. After that, I stood on the highest blocks to the right of the Piranhas and had Yoshi eat Lakitu so I could use his cloud. It took a few tries, but I managed to take the cloud far to the right, following the coins, to the 3rd Star Coin, by a Parakoopa. After that, I passed 2 Pokeys and reached the goal.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 2-4 QSC

It's best to have the Propeller Suit in this level. After the midgate is a green pipe tucked under a ledge. The pipe takes you to the 2nd Star Coin. Go to the pipe when the wind isn't blowing. Use the Propeller Suit to get the Star Coin and go to the next pipe. Jump first, then use the suit so you'll have enough power to make it back up. The Star Coin is under a rock platform in a formation of coins that looks like a Fire or Ice Flower. After you exit the pipe, wait until the wind blows and jump out over the abyss and use the Propeller Suit to get the 3rd Star Coin and reach the ledge above. Then continue your way to the goal.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 2-1 QSC

I don't like this level. It took a few more tries to get all of the Star Coins here, but I got them. I got the 1st Star Coin by riding the sand pillar up to the Star Coin and jumping to the ledge above before the sand disappeared. The 2nd Star Coin is under a Piranha Plant, so I jumped from the sand pillar to the right onto the ledge to get it. Later on, I got the 3rd Star Coin under a platform in between several sand pillars with a Helishroom. I'm glad I'm done with that level.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 6-2 -- Falling Spinies Ahead

This is another underground level. Spinies cling to the ceiling, waiting for someone to approach, so they can drop off the ceiling and spin upside down in their shells. Just to the right of a giant Piranha Plant, the 1st Star Coin hides under the rock in a secret area blocked by a block. A Spiny hangs overhead nearby, so I tricked it into falling, stomped on the shell, picked it up, and sent it into the block to clear the path. I slide under the rock to get the Star Coin. Just past the first Star Coin is the midgate and an item block. I got an Ice Flower from the item block. Using the Ice Flower, I froze the Piranha Plant in the pipe, and used it as a platform so I could get the 2nd Star Coin. Past the Piranhas you will see some bats near 2 rotating wheels made of rock. The 2nd one has a green pipe in it, but you may have to wait a while for it to appear. I went through the pipe and found the 3rd Star Coin surrounded by blocks with Spinies. I hit the P-Switch below so I could access the Star Coin. After that, I got past the Sumo Bros. and made it to the goal.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 3-Castle QSC

I got the 2nd Star Coin by having a Bob-omb blow up the ice block in front of the area with the Star Coin and jumping to get it. Be careful, because the Bob-ombs can gang up on you, making life difficult.
138 down, 69 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 3-5 QSC

You need to trip the switch and activate the red blocks in the level. I went through the red pipe at the top which is now accessible. The 2nd Star Coin is over some ice blocks with a red Koopa. The 3rd Star Coin is between 4 red Parakoopas. You can either jump or use a propeller to get it. Exit through the yellow pipe at the top to get to the red goal.
137 down, 70 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 3-4 QSC

I found the 2nd Star Coin under the gapped platform near the Parakoopas. The 3rd Star Coin is next to the wall with the ice platforms coming out of it. Just jump over the platforms and drop down to get the Star Coin.
135 down, 72 to go

Nintendo 3DS Coming Soon!

According to the Nintendo website, the 3DS should be here on March 27! Dates for the various games have not been announced yet. I'm looking forward to trying out this new hardware and, of course, will be checking out the Mario games (as well as others). Depending on when the Paper Mario game comes out, I will play either Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Galaxy for this blog. If it comes out soon, I will play Super Mario 64 (on the Nintendo 64 as well as the DS). If it comes out much later, I will have enough time to play Super Mario Galaxy. I can't wait for it to get here!

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 3-Fort QSC

I got the 1st Star Coin through a secret door above the blue C-shaped rotating platform. The 2nd Star Coin is difficult to get. You have to protect the POW block by carrying it, and letting the spike balls rip through the gray blocks near the top of the tower. The Star Coin is to the left. Use the POW block once the gray blocks have been cleared. I got the 3rd Star Coin under the boss door. Getting the 2nd Star Coin took me several tries.
133 down, 74 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 3-Ghost House -- Trick Room

This level I got the 1st Star Coin immediately to the left of the entrance in a secret behind the wall. The visible door near the right wall is a fake, so I went through the wall to a hidden door. In the next room are several poles. I climbed up the poles, avoiding the Boos, until I saw some coins coming out of the wall. I jumped toward the wall to find the 2nd Star Coin and got it with a wall jump. It's easy to miss the 3rd Star Coin here, and I did for a while. In the third room, drop down from the first yellow platform onto a platform with a hidden door. The floor will fall at varying speeds while you dodge more Boos. The 3rd Star Coin is hidden in the right wall next to the item block. It is advantageous to hit the item block for a Starman. At the bottom is the door to the red flag goal. It opens the path to the cannon which blasts you to World 6. If you skip the 3rd Star Coin, continue to the left in the room with the yellow platforms. You will go through a similar ordeal with the Boos and end up at the regular goal after you go through the door at the bottom. This took me a few tries.
130 down, 77 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 3-3 -- Watch Out for Falling Icicles

This level takes place in an icy cavern with icicles hanging dangerously overhead. The lighter blue icicles will shake and fall as you approach them. Large ice platforms float in the water, allowing you to go place to place. I found the first Star Coin in a secret area under the item block to the left of a green pipe. You have to get in the water in between two floating icebergs. I dodged the Ice Bro and continued into the next pipe. I tripped the midgate and got the 2nd Star Coin over the Ice Bro. I continued and waited for the large icicles to fall and used them as platforms to the other side. I used the large icicle near the green pipe so I could go into the pipe. This area has a barrel near the pipe and several icicles ready to fall. I picked up the barrel and used it as a shield against the icicles. The 3rd Star coin is just past the Ice Bro at the end. I used the barrel to get it. I went through the next pipe and reach the goal.
127 down, 80 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 3-1 QSC

I got the 2nd Star Coin by freezing the Piranha Plant past the midgate. I saved myself with a wall jump. Using the Penguin Suit, I broke the blocks in front of the green pipe past the green pipe to the next part of the level. I froze a penguin and rode the ice block and jumped to get the 3rd Star Coin.
124 down, 83 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 8-7 -- Roller Coaster of Death

This is an exciting level. We have to ride a roller coaster made from a skeleton over the lava. When it ascends, it makes the clunking noise just like you'd hear from the chain in a roller coaster. As it descends, it screams. It goes over and into the lava, so be prepared to jump over lava pillars and over parts of the track submerged in lava. I recommend standing in the middle, towards the front. The first Star Coin is just over the lava using the 2nd roller coaster and is a little tricky to get because you can easily jump over it and miss it, or get it, but not jump, and fall into the lava. After the a while, the coaster reaches the end of the track, so jump on land before it dives into the lava with you. After the 2nd coaster, there is a green pipe that takes you to the midgate. The third coaster is nearby, and jumps across gaps in the track. The 2nd Star Coin is above one of these gaps, so jump high to get it. When you get on the 4th coaster, another will join it. Soon after, the 3rd Star Coin will appear near a lava pillar. Wait until the last second and get it, then jump to the other coaster. Afterwards, the coasters will weave past each other, but you'll always stay on the higher coaster. Dodge the lava pillars and take the coasters to the goal.
122 down, 85 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 8-2 QSC

I found the 2nd Star Coin under a ledge in a hidden area past the midgate where there are 2 pipes sticking out and the spike balls appear on the other side. Go under the pipes and jump to get the Star Coin.
119 down, 88 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 7-2 QSC

I got the first Star Coin by pounding the Chomp's stake near the first Star Coin. The Chomp will break through the blocks so you can reach the Star Coin. I got the third Star Coin by dropping out of the water bubbles between the two Chomps and get out.
118 down, 89 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii Complete!

I finally beat New Super Mario Bros. Wii today! It took a long time, but I finally got the last Star Coins from World 9. This was a great game that I enjoyed, but it was frustrating at some points. As a bonus, I finished it before January 22, which is when I started playing it last year. I stopped playing it when Super Mario Galaxy 2 came out. Here's to finishing my next game in much less than a year! Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Some Game Stats
Play Period: January 22, 2010 to June 1, 2010, and December 10, 2010 to January 22, 2011
Number of Game Sessions: 34
Total Number of attempts: 797 (This number is approximate, as it does not count the times I played in multiplayer mode.)
Number of Levels: 77
Number of attempts per Level: 10.35
Number of Star Coins: 231
Number of attempts per Star Coin: 3.35
I died fewer times than that, especially towards the end, where I kept reseting the game so I could have my optimal items back.
Number of Game Overs: 18
Thanks to Ryan, Charles, Steve, and Brandon, and everyone else who played multiplayer with me. You made this game easier and more interesting.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 5-Fort QSC

The second Star Coin is high above the midgate on the left side. It will be covered by the left moving spiked wall. Jump to it when the platform underneath it appears. It is just below a point of no return. The third Star Coin is to the left of the boss door. While powered up (not small Mario), break the brick blocks overhead and wall-jump up to reach the Star Coin. You may not want to destroy all of the blocks so you can stand on some as you wait for the wall to retreat.
116 down, 91 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 5-2 -- More Trouble with Big Wigglers

This level takes you into the underground caverns where large Wigglers crawl. You can't beat them by ordinary means, nor should you. Their backs are springy, allowing you to jump on their backs to reach higher heights. To make life difficult, there is poisonous purple water at the bottom that you have to deal with. I died several times from Wigglers. You can get the first Star Coin by bouncing off a small Wiggler before you enter the cave or by using the hidden POW block. The second Star Coin is near the entrance to the cave, over the purple water. Bounce off of a giant Wiggler before it dives into the water to get it. Just past the midgate, the cave ceiling rises up higher and a couple of Wigglers come down. Bounce off one to the right onto the high ledge and run to the right to enter a secret area with the third Star Coin and propeller blocks so you can reach it. Afterwards, bounce off the Wigglers over the purple water to the green pipe and go to the goal.
114 down, 93 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 5-3 QSC

I got the first Star Coin by jumping off a Bramball. You can get the second Star Coin by sending the Koopa shell into the brick wall and sliding under it. Be careful of the shell rebound. To get the third Star Coin, fall with the donut lifts, then wall-jump back up. You may want to take out the Bramball first.
111 down, 96 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 5-1 QSC

The first and second (and third) Star Coins are in the giant Koopa shells throughout the level. You have to ground pound on the left side of the first shell to access the inside of the shell.
108 down, 99 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 4-2 -- Donuts on the Rocks

This level is a level with rocks and water. I got a 100-Coin 1-up, but lost the Penguin Suit to a Cheep-cheep and fell in the void.
Take 2- I got and lost a Super Shroom to a flying Cheep-cheep. I got the first Star Coin over a barrel. I got another Super Shroom and lost that one to a Cheep-cheep. I powered up at the midgate, got a Fire Flower and a Starman, and a 100-Coin 1-up. I got the second Star Coin by hanging from a rock ledge and the third Star Coin by hanging from a rock ledge and moving to a drop-away platform under the Star Coin. I climbed up on the platform and jumped to get the Star Coin. I reached the goal soon after.
106 down, 101 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 4-1 QSC

I got the 1st Star Coin by freezing the Piranha Plant underneath it and rode the ice block and jumped from it to get it. I got the second Star Coin by freezing the second urchin after the midgate and using it as a platform to jump off of. I got the third Star Coin by freezing the last urchin before the end pipe so I could jump off it onto the ground and get the Star Coin at the end of the area.
104 down, 103 to go

New Super Mario Bros. Wii 4- Airship QSC

The third Star Coin is just before the pipe that leads to Bowser Jr. Just use a Bob-omb to blow up the block on the floor, go under the newly-created tunnel, and jump to get it.
101 down, 106 to go

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! It should be a great year for gaming and everything else. I changed the background of the blog for a change. Instead of playing a new game, I decided to finish up New Super Mario Bros. Wii. I started it in January 2010 and haven't finished it completely. I thought it would be a good idea to finish it before the blog's one-year anniversary. Hope you enjoy!

Bonus Features of Super Mario Galaxy 2

A couple of bonuses appear after certain events in the game. You get a letter from the staff after beating Bowser. It reads:
Dear Player,
Congratulations! You completed Super Mario Galaxy 2! We applaud your hard work. Thanks for playing! SUPER MARIO GALAXY 2 Staff
P.S. See you in Special World!
Play Time: 31:09:22
Included is a picture of Mario and Peach on the "In Full Bloom" planet with S.S. Mario in the background.
After getting all 242 Stars, you get a letter from the staff which reads:
Dear Player,
You deserve a congratulations of cosmic proportions for collecting all of the Stars and playing to the very end. Thank you! You are truly a master of galaxies!
SMG2 Staff
Included is a picture of all of the Stars you collected, all lined up in a row. They are either regular Power Stars or Comet Stars, yellow or green. I would have preferred something like a group picture on the deck of S.S. Mario.
On your completed file, there will be a special platinum crown with rubies. Instead of telling you what "World" you're working on, it will say "Master of Galaxies". It will also have a counter with all of the lives you lost.
I like this Master of Galaxies title a lot. It will be fun to use it.