Bowser in the Fire Sea

N64
We can't get any more Stars until we beat Bowser for a second time. The entrance is in the same room as Dire, Dire Docks, in the raised hole in the floor. The level is covered in lava, which is why I died 9 times trying to get to Bowser.
To start out, we ride a metal grate across the lava. It will go under a platform with a 1-up and will dip into the lava afterwards. Jump to the tilting square platforms to the left for safety. It will reach the end of its track, where we jump off onto a stone platform with Bullies and a 1-up, as well as blue, triangular platforms that dip into the lava.(Many of the platforms here bob up and down, which will force you to wait until a platform or item comes into reach.) There is a metal grate ramp to the left. It ends in a square ring. Over the hole in the ring is the first Red Coin. Back on the stone platform with the Bullies, we continue forward where the path ends with a pole. We climb up the pole and jump onto a tilting stone platform, where we find the second Red Coin.

There is another pole near the tilting stone platforms (slightly closer to where we started), which leads to a small cage. At the top of the pole, a 1-up will appear. The third Red Coin is in a corner on the opposite side of the elevator. If we run onto the elevator to trip it, then run off, we can access the 4th Red Coin by jumping down to where the Bullies are. After getting the 4th Red Coin, we take the elevator to the top, where there is more lava and stones that shoot out flames. We cross the lava using the moving stone platform. There is a blue slope at the end of the short ride. If we run up the slope, but not down, we can access a grate ramp for the 5th Red Coin near a Bully. Past the slope is a grate we can hang onto, with coins underneath, or just walk over (I recommend walking over). Either way, we'll use it to cross the lava. After crossing some moving squares, we'll go up some more ramps, getting a 1-up from the item block that periodically floats out of reach. After the third ramp, the 6th Red Coin floats in and out of reach as well. It's past the piece of the platform with the hole. At the top of the ramp is a different ramp, that will take you to the top of the level. It will float in and out of reach, so don't be surprised if you don't see anything there at first.

At the top of that ramp are fire-shooting stones and blue, triangular platforms bobbing in the lava. The 7th Red Coin is right in front of the second fire-shooting stone. Next are three poles bobbing in the lava. Above the third is the 8th Red Coin. The Star will appear on top of the high platform near where you found the 7th Red Coin. To get to it, I backflipped to grab onto the thin ledge, and walked to the Star. You can also wall-jump between the two platforms.
Star Get #72, 51 Coins, 14 Lives

Now, time to take on Bowser! Past the third pole are some fall-away yellow platforms leading to a green funnel. That funnel leads to the battle arena. We land on a large red disc. Bowser appears, saying "Pestering me again, are you, Mario? Can't you see that I'm having a merry little time, making mischief with my minions? Now, return those Stars! My troops in the walls need them! Bwahaha!" This time, when Bowser jumps, the disc will tilt, possibly leading Mario to slide off the edge into the lava. It is possible to recover from the lava, but it's not easy. He can also warp, making it difficult to catch him. He also spins around more quickly. I died twice battling him. All we have to do is go to the edge of the disc, preferably near a bomb, wait for him to chase you, dodge, and grab his tail, then throw him into a bomb once.

After landing, Bowser says "Ooowaah! Can it be that I've lost??? The power of the Stars has failed me... this time. Consider this a draw. Next time, I'll be in perfect condition. now, if you want to see your precious princess, come to the top of the tower. I'll be waiting! Gwa ha ha ha!" He dissolves into the key. We get the key, with a "Here we go! Yahoo!"
0 Coins, 12 Lives

Nintendo DS
We find the entrance to the level in the same place as the N64 version. Not much has changed. The Red Coins are in the same place. I died three times trying to reach Bowser.
Star Get #77, 46 Coins, 12 Lives

There is a Switch Star in this level as well. The Star Switch is just before the platform with the Red Coin Star, near the item block with a 1-up. The Star appears at the top of the last ramp, near the Bob-omb. To get it, I long-jumped to the Red Coin Star platform, then long-jumped down over part of the lava, (while the platforms were bobbing up) and long-jumped and ran to the Star. You do not want to deal with poles; they will slow you down.
Star Get #78, 13 Coins, 17 Lives

Now, we'll beat Bowser! The entrance to the battle arena is the same. Bowser's speech doesn't change much, although he does not call a character by name, and he says he stole the Stars first. His laugh is a Gwa ha ah! I beat him my first time, using the same strategy. His defeat speech is the same. He turns into smoke and the key. It is another swirled key.
15 Coins, 18 Lives

Now we can get some new Stars and advance to the third floor! We're almost done!
The next Star is Pole-Jumping for Red Coins.

Dire, Dire Docks - The Manta Ray's Reward

N64
In the first area, there is a manta ray swimming in a circle, leaving rings behind it. If we swim through 5 of those rings, a Star will appear over the whirlpool and the chime sounds. We do not have to be precise when swimming through the rings, but should be careful when trying to get the Star.
Star Get #71, 0 Coins, 4 Lives

Nintendo DS
In the same area, we have to swim through 5 of the rings that the manta ray leaves. The Star appears above the whirlpool. Not a lot of precision is needed for swimming through the rings, but we should be careful near the whirlpool.
Star Get #76, 0 Coins, 4 Lives
The next mission is Bowser in the Fire Sea.

Dire, Dire Docks - Through the Jet Stream

N64
This mission is similar to "Through the Jet Stream" in Jolly Roger Bay. We swim through the channel to the other area. Near the seal, underwater is a grate with rings and a jet stream coming from it. After floating (or standing) through 5 rings, each with its own number, we hear a chime and the Star appears over the grate. The rings will continue to appear. Because of the jet stream, we need the Metal Cap to reach it. Run quickly, as the power does not last very long.
Star Get #70, 4 Coins, 4 Lives
We get a message: "You've found 70 Power Stars! The mystery of the endless stairs is solved, thanks to you -- and is Bowser ever upset! Now, onto the final bout!"
Well, we can now tackle the final Bowser with 70 Stars, but we can't reach him until we beat him a second time. We haven't even discover these mysterious stairs, and we've already taken care of the problem! This is what happens when you try to be thorough.
Nintendo DS
We need Wario for this mission. Wario is a slow swimmer, so watch your health meter if you start the course with him. We go through the tunnel and get the Power Flower. With the Metal Cap, we fall to the grate and stand through five rings and jump up to get the Star when it appears.
Star Get #87, 6 Coins, 3 Lives
The next Star is Koopa Surfin' Switch Star.

Dire, Dire Docks - Inside the Cage

This is a renamed mission unique to the Nintendo DS. The N64 mission title is Collecting the Caps...
We need Luigi for this mission. With Luigi, we swim through the channel to the other area. The sub is still there because we haven't beaten him yet. The Power Flower is on the same wall with the switch, closer to the seal. We get the Power Flower to vanish and swim down to the cage to the left of the seal.
Star Get #75, 4 Coins, 4 Lives
We're halfway done! Only 75 more stars to go! (The DS version has 150 Stars, while the N64 version has 120.)
The next Star is the Manta Ray's Reward.

Dire, Dire Docks - Collecting the Caps...

This mission title is unique to the N64.
This is a simple mission. All we have to do is swim through the channel to the other area, get the Vanish Cap, which is next to the Metal Cap, and swim with it to the cage to the left of the Bowser seal. Because I went out of order, and have not yet defeated Bowser, his sub is still there.
Star Get #69, 39 Coins, 4 Lives

Dire, Dire Docks - Chests in the Current

N64
I'm going to finish Dire, Dire Docks before I deal with Bowser. We dive down into the water to find the chests. We must approach them in the right order to open them. If we do it in the right order, an air bubble will appear to replenish health and the Star will appear. If we do not open them in the right order, we will be shocked. The first chest is near a clam shell. The next two are in order if you swim in a counterclockwise circle from the first chest. The last one is near the vortex. I was shocked a couple of times. We carefully approached the chest near the vortex to avoid being dragged in. The Star appears near the wall near the hole to the other area.
Star Get #68, 4 Coins, 4 Lives

Nintendo DS
There are only three chests in this version. I took damage from swimming into the manta ray. The first chest is near the clam and the second one is to the left of it, while swimming in a counterclockwise circle. The third chest is by the vortex. The Star appears in the same place.
Star Get #74, 4 Coins, 4 Lives
The next Star is Inside the Cage.

Thoughts on Nintendo's E3 2011

Hey everyone! Today is the day for Nintendo's E3 presentation!
We know for sure that Nintendo will be announcing a new console and telling us what that new Super Mario game for the 3DS will be. (My guess is Super Mario Galaxy 3DS.) Hopefully, they will also give us some more release dates for the anticipated titles for the 3DS (other than Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS, which should be June 19 for the United States.) Check your region's Nintendo website for release dates outside of the United States.
I'm looking forward to the presentation and the new games coming our way. I'll be back after the presentation to tell you what I liked, what I found interesting, and what I'll be playing for the blog.

After E3
Once again, Miyamoto and his translator talked at the same time, each with full volume, making things harder to hear and understand.
Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is available as a Virtual Console game for the 3DS and Ocarina of Time will launch next weekend globally with hint movies and mirror quest and boss quest modes. Four Swords will have a 4-player mode for the DSi. Skyward Sword will be launched Holiday 2011. There will be a gold promotion Wiimote with Wii Motion Plus. As part of the 25th Anniversary, there will be concerts held in each region in the fall. Check your region's website for details. 2 soundtracks will be released: Ocarina of Time for those who register their game with Club Nintendo and a 25th Anniversary CD for release around Skyward Sword's launch.

The new console is supposed to offer deeper gaming experiences and wider appeal. It is called Wii U. The controller looks like a flat, tablet-like Game Boy Advance. You can swtich from the TV to the controller and the controller has a touch screen, a camera, and a gyroscope. It seems very seamless and allows for video chat and internet browsing. Coming in 2012. You can continue gaming without the TV and Wii accessories are fully compatible. But it is not a portable game machine. The controller and TV connect wirelessly. You can use the Touch Screen and the TV interactively. It will have HD graphics. Super Smash Bros. will be created for both 3DS and Wii U and can work together. Third-party developers are excited and have announced some concepts for popular franchises as well as trailers.

Lego City Stories has been announced for the Wii U and 3DS. It is an open world game.

New titles for the 3DS include a new Luigi's Mansion, Mario Kart, Star Fox, Super Mario, and Kid Icarus.

Mario Kart will have coins again, retro courses, and a hang-glider for each kart, as well as an outboard motor for driving underwater, and the ability to customize karts. Holiday 2011

Star Fox 64 utilizes the gyroscope so you can tilt the 3DS to steer, as well as use button controls. Your friends can put their videos and voice for multiplayer mode. September 9, 2011

Super Mario 3D allows Mario to sommersault, use the Tanooki Suit, and stomp Piranhas. It will also include flagpoles. Before the end of 2011

Kid Icarus Uprising allows for multiplayer mode and will be coming soon 2011. It also uses AR Cards.

Luigi's Mansion 2 will have a slightly different look when vacuuming ghosts. It will be entirely new with several new mansions. It will be released in 2012.

The Virtual Console with have classic portable games from the Game Boy and Game Boy Color. It will also have some console games.

There will be a Pokedex 3D for the 3DS. You can scan AR markers, get data from SpotPass or from friends to complete it, and use it to add Pokemon to real life scenes. It will be complementary and available only via download.

I like the concept of the Wii U and the new games for the 3DS.
I am looking forward to all of the new Mario games, and will be playing Super Mario 3D and Luigi's Mansion 2 for the blog. We haven't heard about the release of Paper Mario for the 3DS, but we should be hearing soon. That will probably come out first and I will also play that for the blog. I can't wait for more information!

Dire, Dire Docks - Board Bowser's Sub

Dire, Dire Docks is the 9th Course.
If we go into the basement, we find a new course to the left, behind a Star Door. There is a rippling blue wall, behind which is an inaccessible hole. We walk into the rippling blue wall.
We land in the water, where the music from Jolly Roger Bay plays. Other than a wall of rock, there is nothing above the water of interest, so we dive down. Under the water, we find a shark and a vortex. There is a tunnel in the rock, which we swim through to reach the other area. When we reach the other area, we find a Bowser logo on a metal sheet blocking something. Floating at the water's surface is a large submarine with another Bowser logo. Once we get out of the water, the tempo of the music increases. We walk along the dock and find a switch. A set of breakable block stairs to the sub appear. We climb aboard the sub and find the Star behind the sub's hatch/ fin. You can't go into the sub.
Star Get #67, 55 Coins, 4 Lives
After we get the Star, the rippling wall moves back, so we can access the hole.

Nintendo DS
Even though there are two more Stars in Shifting Sand Land, we can't get the Switch Star just yet, which also prevents us from getting the Star after it. So, we will start Dire, Dire Docks until we can access those Stars.
We open the Star Door to the left of the door to the basement. We get a message: "The Power Stars have broken the lock Bowser put on the Star Door. Now anyone can enter the door."
The room looks the same as in the N64: a rippling blue wall with a hole behind it. We walk into the rippling blue wall.
The first area looks like the N64 version, except for the sandbars on the edges of the rocks. There also are no gentle slopes to the bottom of the water. We find the tunnel and swim through it. In the other area, the Bowser logo has been updated. On the dock, we find the switch we need to board the sub. The sub seems lighter in color, but otherwise the same. The switch produces orange blocks, and we board the sub, taking a hit from a Bullet Bill in the process. The Star is behind the hatch/ fin.
Star Get #73, 5 Coins, 4 Lives
The rippling blue wall recedes, making the hole accessible. We won't be going there for a while.
The next Star is Chests in the Current.