Super Mario 3D Land: S8- Bowser's Castle

We need 290 Star Coins to unlock this level. We have 30 seconds to start. We'll get clocks from Hammer Bros. We hit the P-Switch for a bridge. At the end of the path is a Mystery Box in between two lava pillars. Jump carefully. Next is a green arrow platform we take while avoiding Blaargs. Over the long item block is the first Star Coin. We hit a P-Switch to make a platform rise up to the level of three Hammer Bros. We find the second Star Coin here. At the end of the purple path are appearing platforms to a Mystery Box that takes you to stones rolling in the lava. Dry Bowser appears. We reach Dry Bowser, who makes shockwaves when he lands. These shockwaves will also take out the Hammer Bros it reaches. The third Star Coin is in a corner before the switch. We reach the switch and Dry Bowser falls in. Past the gate, we warp to the flagpole, where we get a 1-up.

We see a picture floating down from the sky. The Tanooki Toads look at it and freak out. Bowser's got Peach in a cage again. Let's remedy the situation!

For some reason, we find ourselves at regular World 8's Bowser Castle. We still have all of the Star Coins, but the level is incomplete.

Super Mario 3D Land: S8-5 (Airship)

We need 270 Star Coins to unlock this level. It's an Airship. Cosmic Mario's here, too. We cross some quickly spinning gears and find the first Star Coin surrounded by brick blocks. The second Star Coin is on a bridge of brick blocks. We bounce on a springy mushroom to reach a higher gear. There's more past the Airship where you think the level should end. Hop up to the higher Airship and you'll find more gears. The third Star Coin is to the left. I recommend using a Tanooki Suit here. Soon after that is the flagpole. Cosmic Mario will follow you until you reach the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S8-4

We need 260 Star Coins to unlock this level. We have 30 seconds to start. The item block gives us a Boomerang Flower. We take a cylindrical grate down the lava. The first Star Coin is on the right end of the nut and bolt. We warp using the orange Mystery Box. We get a Boomerang Flower from Red Coins. We take another cylindrical grate and get the second Star Coin using a boomerang. On the rotating cylinder, we need to use a boomerang at the end to reach the third Star Coin on the right. We warp inside the cylinder to a clock and the flagpole and get a 1-up.

Super Mario 3D Land: S8-3 (Castle)

We need 250 Star Coins to unlock this level. It's a castle. We have 30 seconds to start and Cosmic Mario's here. We get the first Star Coin over a square platform that disappears into the lava. The second Star Coin is near the second set of Thwomps. Wall jump off it to get it. Towards the end is an obstacle course with pillars. Before you jump across the gap with Podoboos, let Cosmic Mario break the pillar in the upper left corner for the third Star Coin. We run in a circle along the pillars so Cosmic Mario will destroy them so we can proceed. He disappears once we reach the clock. We get a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S8-2

We need 240 Star Coins to unlock this level. This level has rotating green platforms that move much faster. We have to cross them and deal with Rocky Wrenches. We get the first Star Coin over the third rotating green platform from the Rocky Wrench that throws coins. We need a Tanooki Suit to get the second Star Coin (but, in general, it's a good idea to have one in this level). After the first Star Coin are some Rocky Wrenches and green platforms. We go to the left to find a Rocky Wrench in a pipe. This takes us to a large plaform with a brick block, which hides a gear. We need to spin the gear with our tail to move the platform up to the second Star Coin. We jump down to six Rocky Wrenches, some of which throw coins. Past them is a long platform that moves in an arc. We go the the far edge and let it rotate to the top. Don't jump at the first place you see: there's a Poison Mushroom there. The third Star Coin is down to the right of the last arcing platform. Jump down to get it. The Mystery Box will take you to an area with cutouts. The left Mystery Box will put you in a better position to get a 1-up at the flagpole. The right one will take you directly to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S8-1

We're finally in Special World 8! This looks nothing like World 8: new music, different background, and we have to unlock all of the levels and complete them before moving onto the next. Here goes! We need 230 Star Coins to unlock S8-1. We have 30 seconds to start. Cosmic Mario follows us. We have to jump over spike blocks on a bridge and dodge Spinies. There are Poison Mushrooms in the left and right item blocks. We get the first Star Coin over a swinging spike. The second Star Coin is over the cracked stone. Don't worry about falling off: there's a warp pipe at the bottom. The third Star Coin is near the green pipe at the end. We wall-jumped to get it. The pipe takes us to the flagpole, with a 100 second clock nearby.

Super Mario 3D Land: S7- Castle

We need 220 Star Coins to unlock this level. We have 30 seconds to start. And Cosmic Mario's following us. Great. He's still a giant. The first Star Coin is over a pillar, so we jump from the long item block to get it. We ride a wooden square up. In the first alcove of a stone wall is the second Star Coin. We now have an obstacle course. You can try jumping over the pillars or wall-jump off them and let Cosmic Mario destroy them. We wall-jump off a pillar for the third Star Coin. We won't have to deal with Bowser in this level, thankfully. At the end of the bridge is a 100 second clock and Cosmic Mario disappears. Inside is a orange Mystery Box that warps us to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S7-5 (Airship)

Oddly enough, this level's an Airship. It's an automatic sidescroller. We go over rotating gears. The left and right item blocks has a Poison Mushroom and the middle one has a Fire Flower. The first Star Coin is over a flying item block. The second is over a far red gear (away from the screen). Soon after we reach the end Airship with lots of clocks. We go to the Airship above for the third Star Coin over a gear. We take the orange Mystery Box to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S7-4

We have to deal with flipping platforms and Cosmic Mario. If he runs into you and it doesn't kill you, he becomes a giant. The first Star Coin is on the blue side of the first set of flipping platforms with the spike blocks. The second Star Coin is over a flying item block. The third Star Coin is on a blue platform past the second. At the end, go up the steps to the platforms to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S7- Mystery Box

We have to defeat a Boomerang Bro and a Hammer Bro. They give us a Boomerang Flower. We kill both of them and get a Star Coin and all but one coin.

Super Mario 3D Land: S7-3

It's the clock level again. There are Tanooki Bob-ombs that periodically drop out of the sky. From the second gear before the swing, we hop to the left and find a red ! block. The blocks lead to the first Star Coin. We hop across the gears to a blue swing. The blue swing takes us to a pole and a ferris wheel. The second Star Coin is through the hole in the wall at the top of the ferris wheel. We go through the hole on the right with the Fuzzies to an orange Mystery Box that warps us to the midpoint. We drop down to a platform below with item blocks. The second block to the right has a Poison Mushroom and the one on the right has a Starman. Next are rotating clock hands and Rocky Wrenches. The third Star Coin is over one of the clock hands. We get a Statue Leaf from Red Coins and float down to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S7-2 -- Step to the Beep Part 4

Great. Another one of these levels, and Cosmic Mario shows up. Thankfully, the platforms don't immediately disappear when another one appears. The first Star Coin is over a long item block. We go through a door and get a Statue Leaf from Red Coins. Outside are firebars. The second Star Coin is past the firebars in the corner. Wall-jump to get it. The third Star Coin is nearby over a swinging spike. The brick block past it has a Starman, so we get a break from Cosmic Mario.

Super Mario 3D Land: S7-1

This is a snow level and we have 30 seconds to start. We land on a Boomerang Bro for a 10-second clock. We cross some tightropes and find the first Star Coin behind the first tree on the left. To the right are more Boomerang Bros, some tightropes, and an orange Mystery Box. Over the next tightrope is an item block with a Starman so we can take out Boomerang Bros quickly. At the end is another Mystery Box. Next, we spring up some tightropes and find the second Star Coin at the top of the tree on the right. Near the Mystery Box, towards the screen is a springy mushroom with the third Star Coin. We warp to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S6- Airship

We need 200 Star Coins to unlock this level. It's an automatic sidescroller with the red and blue flipping platforms. The first Star Coin is on the second Airship, to the right of the green pipe. The green pipe leads to a room with Boom Boom, but you don't need to battle him. We roll through the bricks in the wall to continue. At the back is the second Star Coin over the red part of a flipping platform. There are more flipping platforms after that, with the third Star Coin over it. At the end of that is the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S6-5

This level's a Ghost House. Once we reach the edge of the floor, it breaks away and moves around, but much faster this time. Boos and red spiky plants are in the way. The floor docks and we get a Fire Flower. Lighting the torch makes a Super Shroom and two Poison Mushrooms appear. Next is a green arrow platform on a track in a foggy area. We drop down twice and find the first Star Coin at the end of the track. At the other end of the track is the midpoint. We find the second Star Coin on the spinning platform nearby, but beware the spike blocks. We hit the block in the center for a Starman and three giant Boos. I fell trying to jump off the platform.
Take 2- We get the second Starman and make the jump to a piece of floor that moves. The floor will pass Boos, giant Boos, and ghosts, then drop. We reach the door and get a 1-up at the flagpole.
Take 3- I fell.
Take 4- I made it to the door. On the wall to the right of the door are invisible blocks that form stairs to an alcove with the third Star Coin. I backflipped up the whole way. I got a 1-up at the flagpole, as well as streamers.

Super Mario 3D Land: S6-4

As if rotating blocks weren't enough, Cosmic Mario appears. He ran into me.
Take 2- I got the first Star Coin by jumping toward it and the second by running into it, but Cosmic Mario caught up and made me fall.
Take 3- I got the first two Star Coins, doubling back for the second. Near the second Star Coin is an invisible block with a Starman over the green ledge, so we get a break from Cosmic Mario. The third Star Coin is over a blue rotating block. We reach the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S6-3

This level has more of the green bridges that appear from switches. We use them to pass a Chomp. There are three item blocks over a switch. The left one has a Poison Mushroom and the middle one has a Starman. We cross some purple water and find the midpoint overhead through a gap in the back wall. Activating a bridge that goes outside leads us to the first Star Coin. The next switch takes us to some 1-ups, but I fell in the purple water.
Take 2- I fell in the purple water after getting the first Star Coin.
Take 3- I got the first Star Coin and fell.
Take 4- I got the first Star Coin and died from a bee.
Take 5- See Take 4.
Take 6- See Take 2.
Take 7- See Take 4.
Take 8- See Take 2.
Take 9- I got the first two Star Coins. I got the second Star Coin by standing on the switch below it, then jumping when a side panel appeared so I would land on a panel below the Star Coin. I did this twice- there are two panels directly below the Star Coin. I went through the green pipe and found the third Star Coin on the other side of the wall by rolling through the brick blocks. I died from the bee guarding it.
Take 10- See Take 4.
Take 11- I got the first two Star Coins and died from a Paragoomba.
Take 13- I got all three Star Coins. I backflipped for the third.

Super Mario 3D Land: S6-2

We have 30 seconds to start and land on a Goomba for 10 seconds. There are bubbles everywhere. We find the first Star Coin over several donut lifts with three Goombas. When the path forks, we go straight and wall jump for the second Star Coin. I ran out of time before I could reach the third Star Coin and a Goomba.
Take 2- I fell.
Take 3- See Take 2.
Take 4- See Take 2.
Take 5- See Take 2.
Take 6- I got the first Star Coin and got a Statue Leaf from Red Coins, then fell.
Take 7- See Take 6.
Take 8- See Take 2.
Take 9- See Take 2.
Take 10- See Take 2.
Take 11- See Take 2.
Take 12- I got all three Star Coins and warped using a orange Mystery Box to donut lifts in front of the flagpole, finishing with two seconds to spare.

Super Mario 3D Land: S6-1

It's the pyramid level, but it's nighttime now. There are five item blocks nearby: three are Propeller Blocks and two are Poison Mushrooms. We go around back and use the Propeller Block to reach a door. We go in and drop down to a lower door and go outside. We drop down some more to a musical note block and spring to a yellow platform. It raises us up partway to the first Star Coin. You need the Propeller Block to reach it. We go back inside through the same door. We bounce back up and get the second Star Coin by wall-jumping, then using the Propeller Block. We propel up to another door to the outside. We climb the stairs moving out of the wall to another door. We pass spikes on both sides and reach the door. It takes us to the flagpole. We propel from a walking Thwomp to the third Star Coin high above nearby. We get two 1-ups at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S5- Castle

We need 180 Star Coins to unlock this level, but have 235. We have 30 seconds to start and get a 10 second clock from a Goomba. I died from a Goomba.
Take 2- We make it farther in and fall in the lava.
Take 3- We get the first Star Coin over the grates floating the lava. We find the second Star Coin over the sinking blue-gray platform over the lava. We land on more platforms flowing with the lava and Dry Bowser appears. We die from flames.
Take 4- I died from a Goomba.
Take 5- I fell in the lava after getting the first Star Coin.
Take 6- I got the first two Star Coins and fell in the lava.
Take 7- See Take 5.
Take 8- See Take 6.
Take 9- We get all three Star Coins. The last Star Coin is over some brick blocks in the path of Dry Bowser's flames. I died from Dry Bowser.
Take 10- I got all three Star Coins and died from a Goomba.
Take 11- First Star Coin, died Goomba.
Take 12- See Take 6.
Take 13- See Take 1.
Take 14- See Take 1.
Take 15- We get all three Star Coins and died from flames.
Take 16- See Take 6.
Take 17- See Take 9.
Take 18- See Take 6.
Take 19- I fell in the lava.
Take 20- See Take 10.
Take 21- See Take 9.
Take 22- See Take 11.
Take 23- I got all three Star Coins and reached the switch with a 100 second clock. The bridge falls away and Dry Bowser falls in the lava, surfacing three times before sinking, leaving a small skull cloud. We warp up to the flagpole using an orange Mystery Box and get a 1-up.

Super Mario 3D Land: S5-5 -- Library Maze

It's the ghost house with the pictures. There are orange Mystery Boxes in front of each picture. There is a coin behind each picture. The Mystery Box on the right is the only one that goes anywhere. It leads us to the library, where a couple of Mystery Boxes are. The one near the railing will take us further on; the other will warp us to where we started. The next area is a more brightly lit library. Take the Mystery Box at the top of the ramp. That one takes us to a darker library. We take the Mystery Box in the alcove at the top of the ramp. This takes us to the midpoint. We get the first Star Coin here from the Goomba to the right of the bookcase. Taking the wrong Mystery Box will warp us to this room. The Mystery Box on the balcony will take you to the next library. The Mystery Box that is reached by jumping from the balcony will allow you to progress. You may be running out of time, so move quickly. There are ghosts in this room, as well as the Goomba with the second Star Coin. I ran out of time.
Take 2- We get the first two Star Coins. The Mystery Box in the back will warp us to a library with lots of Boos. The Goomba there has the third Star Coin. On the balcony is an item block with a Starman. The Mystery Box in the back takes us to the flagpole. Wow.

Super Mario 3D Land: S5-4

This is a fast auto-sidescroller. We fell from a bad jump.
Take 2- See Take 2. There are bees ahead.
Take 3- We get a Statue Leaf from Red Coins and the first Star Coin, which is towards the screen. At the end is an orange Mystery Box. We warp to the midpoint and things start moving up. The platforms here look like those in Sweet Mystery Galaxy. The second and third Star Coins come in quick succession here, with the second to the right and the third towards the center. At the top, there is an orange Mystery Box that warps us to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S5- Mystery Box

Here we have to defeat a Goomba and a Piranha Plant. We get all the coins, including the Star Coin, which is surprisingly clear. The box deactivates.

Super Mario 3D Land: S5-3

We have to take a green arrow platform around. I fell at the geyser.
Take 2- We get a Statue Leaf and keep going. Past that point, we have to deal with flames over the track. After the flames is the second Star Coin near some Paragoombas. The end of the track is blocked by spike blocks and a Poison Mushroom. We transfer and move along a track with more flames. It drops down to some donut lifts with the third Star Coin. We keep going and hop over brick blocks and dodge Tanooki Bullet Bills. There's a geyser at the end of the track that boosts us to the flagpole, where we get a 1-up.
Take 3- The first Star Coin is above an item block over the first track, on the higher track to the left. It can be a little time consuming to get. I ran into a Paragoomba.
Take 4- We get the first Star Coin and roll off the lower track. The item block has a 1-up. At the end of the track is an orange Mystery Box that warps us back on track. We get a Statue Leaf from Red Coins. We get a 1-up from the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S5-2

We have to deal with Cosmic Mario in this level. I died from running into him.
Take 2- See Take 1.
Take 3- We hit the red ! block for blocks to the first Star Coin. We reach the door and the midpoint and get a brief break from Cosmic Mario. I fell trying to get the second Star Coin.
Take 4- I got the second Star Coin and died from landing on a rolling spike.
Take 5- I died from Cosmic Mario.
Take 6- See Take 3.
Take 7- I got the last two Star Coins, the third being over spikes. There are coins behind the staircase to the door, but I ignored them to reach the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S5-1

Time for more flipping platforms! The Ghostly Galaxy waltz plays. I fell at the flipping platforms.
Take 2- See Take 1.
Take 3- We drop down to a lower platform. We avoid Boos and get a Statue Leaf and the first Star Coin above the second set of flipping platforms. We warp to the midpoint using the orange Mystery Box. Just ahead are large spike balls appearing out of black holes. Once you reach solid ground, on the purple and gray floor to the left is the second Star Coin, in front of a black hole. Next, we drop down onto long flipping platforms while the red ones are up. The third Star Coin is over it, so we jump diagonally to get it and reach the purple and gray floor. There are more spike balls that lead the way to the flagpole, where I got a 1-up.

Super Mario 3D Land: S4- Airship

We need 160 Star Coins to unlock this level and have 217. We launch from the cannon. We walk across the Airship to the green pipe, which takes us to a room with two Boomerang Bros and a Hammer Bro. We defeat them all for a Boomerang Flower. We go through the green pipe that appears and take out another Hammer Bro. There's a red ! block which makes blocks to the first Star Coin. Jump for it. We get the second Star Coin in the same way and fall.
Take 2- We get the first two Star Coins, using a boomerang for the second. I got the third Star Coin and fell.
Take 3- I died from a Boomerang Bro.
Take 4- I died from a spike snake.
Take 5- We get all three Star Coins and reach the midpoint. We go through a green pipe and Boom Boom appears. The floor is a spiked floor, but the spikes appear less frequently. I got in two hits and died.
Take 6- I got in one hit and died from spikes.
Take 7- I got in one hit and died.
Take 8- We defeat Boom Boom and the spikes disappear. We go through a green pipe and approach a clock, when Pom Pom appears. Great. I got in one hit and fell.
Take 9- See Take 8.
Take 10- I got in three hits to Boom Boom and fell on spikes.
Take 11- I died from spikes.
Take 12- I died from Pom Pom.
Take 13- See Take 5.
Take 14- See Take 8.
Take 15- See Take 11.
Take 16- See Take 8.
Take 17- See Take 5.
Take 18- I got in two hits to Pom Pom.
Take 19- See Take 8.
Take 20- I died from spikes.
Take 21- I got in one hit to Pom Pom.
Take 22- Two hits to Pom Pom.
Take 23- I fell.
Take 24- I died.
Take 25- I finally defeated Pom Pom. A green pipe to the flagpole appears.

Super Mario 3D Land: S4-5

We're in the cloth level, but the Ghostly Galaxy waltz plays. We hop over the cracked rocks and stomp on a Dry Bones. We hop on the item blocks and go over the wall to find the first Star Coin. The item block has a Poison Mushroom. I fell off the cracked rocks.
Take 2- I got the first Star Coin and kept moving. There are ghosts further into the level. We get a Starman and run over the cracked rocks. We get a Statue Leaf from Red Coins and reach the midpoint. We wall jump up to reach the second Star Coin. Next is a giant Boo and the third Star Coin. I ran into the Giant Boo and fell.
Take 3- I fell after getting the third Star Coin.
Take 4- I fell.
Take 5- I got the last two Star Coins and reached the orange Mystery Box. I got a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S4-4

We have 30 seconds at the start of the level. We land on a Goomba, which gives us a clock for 10 more seconds. I ran into a Goomba and died.
Take 2- I got the first two Star Coins. The first Star Coin is easily visible on the path, but when the path forks, go to the right and you'll find the second one over some blocks. We drop down to a green arrow platform, jump down to two wooden platforms, then jump to the right for the third Star Coin. We reach the flagpole with 5 seconds to spare.

Super Mario 3D Land: S4-3

We have to cross a bridge at first with spiky creatures. I fell.
Take 2- We cross the first bridge and find another. Bullet Bills buzz overhead. We get a Boomerang flower from Red Coins. We cross to a parallel bridge, where Banzai Bills fly overhead. We drop down and wall-jump for the second Star Coin. I reach the Fire Piranhas and Boomerang Bro and fall.
Take 3- I died from Bullet Bills.
Take 4- See Take 2.
Take 5- I fell.
Take 6- See Take 5.
Take 7- See Take 2.
Take 8- We get the second Star Coin. The third Star Coin is under the arch to the flagpole. I fell trying to get it.
Take 9- We get the last two Star Coins, using a boomerang for the third. We reached the flagpole.
Take 10- I found the first Star Coin behind the waterfall. I fell.
Take 11- I got the first Star Coin and reached the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S4-2

It's a Ghost House with Cosmic Mario! He appears after the first Boo. This is the Ghost House where the floor appears when you approach. I died from trying to get the first Star Coin.
Take 2- See Take 1.
Take 3- See Take 1.
Take 4- We get the first and second Star Coins. The second Star Coin moves until it's on the platform with lots of Boos. The middle item block there has a Starman, so we can defeat the Boos and Cosmic Mario. Of course, that doesn't stop him from reappearing after a while. We go to the upper right corner for an orange Mystery Box. We got the third Star Coin, over the floor near the wall, and fell.
Take 5- I got the first Star Coin and fell.
Take 6- See Take 5.
Take 7- See Take 5.
Take 8- I got the first Star Coin and ran into Cosmic Mario.
Take 9- See Take 4.
Take 10- We get all three Star Coins, reach the door, and the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S4-1

We get a Boomerang Flower from a random item block and hop on the yellow platform. It rises up and Goombas drop down, some with tails. We take them out and the platform moves to the right. Stacked Goombas and a Koopa drop down. The item block has a Poison Mushroom in it. The platform will rise again and pieces of it will drop away, some with Fire Piranhas. I missed the first Star Coin at the top of the spikes on the right and fell.
Take 2- We get a Statue Leaf, but lose it. I fell trying to get the Star Coin.
Take 3- I got the first Star Coin, but fell on spikes.
Take 4- I got the first Star Coin and located the second over a spring mushroom, but fell.
Take 5- We get the first two Star Coins and the platform is now just the center 4 squares. We try to dodge the Magikoopas' magic. At the top is an orange Mystery Box that warps us to the flagpole. The third Star Coin is on top of the wall, but we're running low on time, so we just reach the flagpole.
Take 6- We get the third Star Coin by jumping onto the wall. We reache the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S3- Airship

We need 140 Star Coins to unlock this level and have 199. We launch from the cannon. This is a very fast auto-sidescroller. I got left behind and died.
Take 2- I got the first Star Coin and got left behind. You have to move very quickly to keep up, so move with precision.
Take 3- I got all three Star Coins, dropping to the Airship below the one past the second Star Coin. I fell.
Take 4- I got the first two Star Coins and fell.
Take 5- See Take 2.
Take 6- I got the first Star Coin and died from a Tanooki Bullet Bill.
Take 7- We got all three Star Coins and dodged lots of flames. After that is the flagpole, but if you go down the stairs, you'll find three Toads in Tanooki Suits, who'll give you lots of coins. We reached the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S3-5 -- Step to the Beep Part 3

It's another Step to the Beep level, but with each beep, a platform disappears, and another appears. I fell.
Take 2- I recommend hopping onto the platforms. The middle item block has a Poison Mushroom. We go through the door and jump from a walking Thwomp near the door for the first Star Coin. We go through the other door. We reach the midpoint and fall trying to get the second Star Coin.
Take 3- I fell.
Take 4- I fell.
Take 5- I fell.
Take 6- I got the second Star Coin and jumped back to the midpoint, then long-jumped across the gap. I fell.
Take 7- See Take 6.
Take 8- See Take 6.
Take 9- See Take 5.
Take 10- I used my Statue Leaf in reserve and got the last two Star Coins. The third one is above the block in the middle of the double spike bar. I fell.
Take 11- See Take 5.
Take 12- I got the second Star Coin and died from a spike bar.
Take 13- See Take 12.
Take 14- See Take 6.
Take 15- See Take 6.
Take 16- See Take 6.
Take 17- See Take 12.
Take 18- See Take 6.
Take 19- See Take 6.
Take 20- See Take 12.
Take 21- See Take 6.
Take 22- I got the second Star Coin and fell near the flagpole.
Take 23- I got the second Star Coin and a 1-up at the flagpole. That was difficult.
Take 24- I went to S1-1 to get two Statue Leaves. I reached the midpoint and fell.
Take 25- I got the third Star Coin and fell.
Take 26- I got the third Star Coin and a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S3-4

This level has more rolling spikes. There are also Boomerang Bros. After the second Boomerang Bro is the first Star Coin over rolling spikes. We go up the stairs and through the door to the midpoint. We must cross a tilting bridge with large spike balls rolling around. Once we cross the bridge, we get the second Star Coin to the left, wall jumping in front of the arch. We get a Boomerang Flower from a Boomerang Bro and deal with rolling spikes that swing 360 degrees. The third Star Coin is over the second set of dropping platforms. We fell.
Take 2- We get the last two Star Coins and reach the stairs and door. There is nothing behind the stairs. We reach the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S3- Mystery Box

We get a Boomerang Flower to kill a Boomerang Bro. I stomped on the Boomerang Bro and got the Star Coin and all other coins. That was easy.

Super Mario 3D Land: S3-3

We have 30 seconds to go through a tightrope level. We get the first Star Coin over the Fire Piranha to the left. We warp around the tree and die from a Fuzzy.
Take 2- We get the first Star Coin and warp. The second Star Coin is over the wooden platform near an orange Mystery Box. I fell.
Take 3- I fell.
Take 4- I got the first two Star Coins and warped. The third Star Coin is high on teh tightrope ladder towards the right. There's a Statue Leaf trailing a couple of Fuzzies. We then warp to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S3-2

This level has the Super Mario 3 music. It also has rotating blocks. We have to bounce from a Paragoomba, but miss.
Take 2- We make it to the other side and get a Statue Leaf. We find the first Star Coin over a blue rotating block to the right. We then climb up the walls, using the blocks. We reach the midpoint and get the second Star Coin by wall jumping onto the brick blocks, then jumping from them. We pass a few more Piranha Plants and hop over blocks, finding the third Star Coin over a red cube towards the back. We get a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S3-1

More swings! We drop to the lower swings and miss the first Star Coin. After that is the midpoint. The second Star Coin is over an item block of the second swing past the midpoint. I got it and fell.
Take 2- I got the second Star Coin and fell.
Take 3- I fell.
Take 4- See Take 2.
Take 5- See Take 2. I took the path to the left after the second Star Coin, but didn't time a jump to a swing well.
Take 6- See Take 5.
Take 7- See Take 2.
Take 8- See Take 3.
Take 9- See Take 3.
Take 10- I got the last two Star Coins. I jumped down from higher swing to the lower swing where the Star Coin was. We move right, hopping from swing to siwng to the flagpole.
Take 11- I fell.
Take 12- We walk off the swing and drop down to get the first Star Coin. We reach the midpoint. I fell.
Take 13- See Take 3.
Take 14- See Take 3.
Take 15- See Take 3.
Take 16- See Take 3.
Take 17- See Take 3.
Take 18- I reached the flagpole. Finally!

Super Mario 3D Land: S2-Airship

We need 120 Star Coins to unlock this level and have 180. We launch from a cannon with a Toad in a Statue Leaf Tanooki Suit cheering us on. We land on the Airship. The right item block has a Poison Mushroom. There are lots of spikes to dodge. After the spikes, we have to dodge Banzai Bills and spike blocks. We get a Statue Leaf from Red Coins. The first Star Coin is above one of the spike ball launchers, past where the spikes come out of the wall. Next is the midpoint. We get a 1-up from kicking a shell into Bob-ombs. We fell trying to get a Star Coin.
Take 2- The second Star Coin is past the Bob-ombs, in front of a Banzai Blaster, on a little disc. We go to the right to avoid the Banzai Bill. Next is an area where we dodge lots of Banzai Bills and spikes. We move towards the screen when we can and find the third Star Coin over spikes. We died from spikes.
Take 3- We get the second and third Star Coins and warp up to the flagpole. No battle? I'm okay with that. Let's keep going!

Super Mario 3D Land: S2-5

It's snowing in this level. There are green switches with platforms that flip out. This is how we get from yellow checkered platform to yellow checkered platform. The second green bridge requires either a long jump or a slow descent. One of the middle item blocks on the large checkered platform high up has a Poison Mushroom. Here you want to trip all three green switches, as the first Star Coin is over the left bridge. Be quick: these bridges won't last long. Next, we warp using an orange Mystery Box to the midpoint. We activate both bridges and reach the first orange Mystery Box, which warps us back to the midpoint for a clock high in the sky. The second orange Mystery Box warps us to the second Star Coin. The third warps us to a large checkered platform with three green switches. They form a staircase over the switches and will block you in unless you move away from them quickly. The farther switch takes you to the flagpole, where I got a 1-up.
Take 2- I fell.
Take 3- I fell.
Take 4- The third switch can be found by using the bridge at the top of the green staircase. Jump from the second turn and slowly descend to a small platform with the third Star Coin. We got a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S2-4

It's a snowy level. We get a Propeller Block. The first Star Coin's on the left edge of the blue wall. The second Star Coin is near the tall stack of Goombas. Go forward to reach a higher snowy patch and use the Propeller Block from there to get it. We get a 1-up from Red Coins and reach the midpoint. In the next area, to get around the wooden walls, drop down, then use the Propeller Block to reach the wall, then wall jump up. Up on the wall are a bunch of 1-up cutouts and a real 1-up. The third Star Coin is behind the dropping platforms. We jump to the the gap in the wall to the flagpole, where I got a 1up.

Super Mario 3D Land: S2-3

It's another level with the green arrow platform. This time, the track is over lava. We jump over a swinging spike and pass some Fuzzies. I died from Fuzzies.
Take 2- We pass the Fuzzies and transfer before the platform falls off the track. We find the first Star Coin over a swinging spike. After that is the midpoint. The next platform stops soon, so we jump off. Don't be tempted by the item block below: it contains a Poison Mushroom. We transfered near Fuzzies and a Red Coin Ring, but hit the wrong arrow and fell off.
Take 3- I died the same way as in Take 2.
Take 4- We transfer twice to get past the Fuzzies. We need the geysers to put us in reach of the next platform. I missed the second one.
Take 5- We tranfer to the green pipe. It takes us to a red ! block that makes stairs to a platform to the flagpole, where I got a 1-up.
Take 6- The second Star Coin is to the left of the first geyser. The third Star Coin is on the left side of the last track before the green pipe. Don't roll off. I got a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S2-2

We have 30 seconds to complete this challenge, whichh means we need clocks. We collect a few in the water and go through the green pipe. We find the first Star Coin near the first Blooper we see. We get out of the water and dive back in. The second Star Coin is next to a grate near the eel. Past the eel is the green pipe on land, as well as the third Star Coin. Wall jump off the stone to get it. The green pipe takes you to the flagpole, where I got a 1-up.

Super Mario 3D Land: S2-1

Here's where the map icons stop resembling those in the normal worlds. This level is an auto-sidescroller along a fence. A remix of the Super Mario 3D Land music plays. Above the four musical note blocks is the first Star Coin. I fell.
Take 2- We get the first Star Coin and hop along the moving yellow platforms, some with Piranha Plants and Fire Piranhas. We get a Fire Flower and hop on more musical note blocks. The second Star Coin is beyond those musical note blocks, just past the Fire Piranha. I fell.
Take 3- See Take 1.
Take 4- We got the first two Star Coins and a Fire Flower, then warped using an orange Mystery Box. The third Star Coin is near the flagpole, on the wall. I was running out of time, so I skipped it.
Take 5- I got a Statue Leaf. I used it to hover down over the wall after wall jumping. I jumped from the moving platforms. I got a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S1-Castle

We need 110 Star Coins to unlock this level, not a problem when you have 162. We see Luigi locked in the tower. We also have 30 seconds to save him. Fortunately, there are clocks to add time, but they only add 10 seconds. We find the first Star Coin past two spinning gears in the lava, over a long item block. The second Star Coin is past two Hammer Bros, over a clock in a corner. We wall jump behind the second Thwomp for the third Star Coin. I died from a walking spike block.
Take 2- We get the first two Star Coins and a Starman in an invisible block under the second Star Coin. We get the third Star Coin and see that we're not battling Bowser, we're battling his skeleton, Dry Bowser. Great. He spews blue flames. I ran into the lava.
Take 3- We got all three Star Coins and a Statue Leaf, but ran into Dry Bowser.
Take 4- We got all three Star Coins and reached the switch at the end of the bridge. It falls away and Dry Bowser falls in the lava, surfacing twice, and leaving a gray skull puff of smoke. The gate opens and we see Luigi, who jumps for joy. We warp to the flagpole with the orange Mystery Box and get a 1-up at the flagpole.

We hear Luigi say, "Thanks, Bro!" as he and Mario run out of the castle. We saved Luigi! We get a message: "You can now play as Luigi! Tap (L) on the Touch Screen." Cool! Luigi's on the team!

Super Mario 3D Land: S1- Mystery Box

For this Mystery Box, we get a Tanooki Leaf to kill one Goomba. We stomp on the Goomba and pick up the Tanooki Leaf, as well as all of the coins. The Mystery Box becomes inactive.

Super Mario 3D Land: S1-4

It's time for a beach level. We find the first Star Coin over a rock to the right near the start. There are two Boomerang Bros on the bridge. We cross a tightrope and get a Statue Leaf from the Red Coins. At the end is a Boomerang Bro and the second Star Coin. We wall jump to get it. We reach the midpoint and warp using an orange Mystery Box. The first item block has a Poison Mushroom. We bounce from the tightrope to a higher tightrope for the third Star Coin. Over the bridge to the flagpole are three more Boomerang Bros. We reach the flagpole. That was easy.

Super Mario 3D Land: S1-3

This level looks significantly different. There's a cannon on an 8-bit item block. From there, we can see an 8-bit Goomba, Cheep-Cheep, and fireball, as well a fireworks. We aim for the ring and land on the Goomba. There are a couple of blocks that make Goombas pop out. We long jump down to the fireball for the first Star Coin, warping back to the item block cannon with an orange Mystery Box. We hop into the cannon at the top of the Goomba and aim for the ring in front of the 8-bit cloud. We collect all of the Red Coins for a 1-up. We hop into the cannon and aim for the Star Coin over a fireball, but we aimed too low and fell.
Take 2- We fell trying to reach the first fireball.
Take 3- We got the first Star Coin and a 1-up from Red Coins. We aim for the ring in front of the 8-bit Bullet Bill and land. We duck into small holes, one of which has a purple Mystery Box with lots of boxes. We take the cannon to the Cheep-Cheep, where we get a Coin Block over our head and hit the P-Switches for coins and Super Mario 3 musical notes, which give us a Statue Leaf- the gray leaf that lets us become a statue. We aim the cannon for the fireball for the third Star Coin and warp to the Cheep-Cheep. We aim, this time, for the highest 1-up, taking us to an 8-bit flagpole area with fireworks. We land at the top of the stairs and get a 1-up at the flagpole. We also get balloons.
Take 4- We get a 1-up from the Red Coins and aim for the fireball from the cloud. We aim above the Star Coin and successfully land and get it. We get a 1-up from the musical notes. We reach the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: S1-2

Before the level starts, we see a purple Mario with yellow eyes running towards the screen. The Cosmic Mario/ Luigi/ Clones music plays. We die from a Spiny.
Take 2- We move forward and the purple Mario appears, copying our every move like a Cosmic Clone. We get the first Star Coin on the cracked stone bridge. I ran into him and died.
Take 3- We get the first Star Coin and reach the midpoint. I got the last two Star Coins, one over swinging rolling spikes, and the other over a springy mushroom. I fell from jumping off the bridge to dodge rolling spikes.
Take 4- I got the second Star Coin and died from rolling spikes.
Take 5- I fell after getting the third Star Coin.
Take 6- See Take 3.
Take 7- After getting the last two Star Coins and crossing the bridge, we bounce up a springy mushroom to go near the ceiling, and run to the right, like in Super Mario Bros. 1-2, where you'd go to reach the Pipe Zone. There's a pipe there that takes us to the flagpole. We defeat the Cosmic Clone with a nearby Starman for a few coins and get a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: Special 1-1

Going through the pipe is like going down the rabbit hole. Mario falls towards the light in the first time we've seen the inside of a warp pipe! We land in what looks like World 1, but with remixed music. This should be interesting.
The level layout looks the same, with a sunset background. We grab a blue striped Tanooki Leaf and get a Tanooki Suit with a red bandana around the neck. This allows us to become a statue, like in Super Mario 3, when we ground pound. This should save us some time when we need to ground pound. There are also purple Poison Mushrooms, like in the Lost Levels of Super Mario Bros. They follow you around. We get a Starman and take out the Spinies for 1-ups. I died from a walking spike block.
Take 2- The first Star Coin is on the green ledge to the left, over a brick block. We Triple Jump to reach it: two to the block, and one from the block. The second Star Coin is over the springy mushrooms, on the left side. We get a 1-up at the flagpole.
Take 3- We find the third Star Coin on top level and jump towards the screen to a floating block off a patch of land jutting out from the top of the castle. The Star Coin is a few blocks away. We reach the flagpole.

Well, that was interesting. Nintendo said that the special worlds would be more challenging, and they are, although they seem to be very generous with the Starmen here (3). The Star Coins are in all new locations, so this won't be just a repeat of the game. I look forward to it.

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

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

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

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

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

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-6

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

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

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

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-5

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

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-4

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

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-3

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

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-2

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

Super Mario 3D Land: 8-1

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

Super Mario 3D Land: 7- Airship

What will happen on the last Airship? Let's see! Something tells me that we may have to duke it out with both Boom Boom and Pom Pom. We launch from the cannon. This Airship is an Auto-sidescroller. We have to cross rotating platforms. On the edge towards the screen of the first platform is the first Star Coin. We walk to the edge to get it, then walk back up to safety. We cross three rotating platforms and get a Boomerang Flower. I fell off the platform with the Goomba cutout.
Take 2- We make it to the Goomba cutout and a Magikoopa appears. We dodge the magic. Past that is another Magikoopa and three red rotating platforms. The second Star Coin is on the far one. After that are red rotating platforms with spike blocks. I fell off. I recommend collecting lots of coins.
Take 3- We get the Boomerang Flower and use boomerangs to take out the Magikoopas. At then end is a purple Airship. We pass the pipe with a Rocky Wrench and hop up to the Airship above. There's a red rotating platform with the third Star Coin and a Goomba cutout. We go into the green pipe. Yes, we have to battle both of them, at the same time. I got in two hits to Boom Boom and one to Pom Pom. To make the battle a little easier, Pom Pom stays on the red stage, while Boom Boom stays on the floor. I died from a boomerang.
Take 4- I got the first two Star Coins, the Boomerang Flower, and fell.
Take 5- I got the first Star Coin and the Boomerang Flower and fell.
Take 6- The gold block appears. See Take 5.
Take 7- We get all three Star Coins and a 1-up in an invisible block above the purple part next to the rotating platform with the third Star Coin. I got in one hit each before dying from a boomerang.
Take 8- See Take 4.
Take 9- All three Star Coins. I got in two hits each and died from running into Pom Pom.
Take 10- I got all three Star Coins and took out Pom Pom. The stage dropped, and I got two hits into Boom Boom until he hit me.
Take 11- The P-Wing appeared. See Take 5.
Take 12- See Take 4.
Take 13- All three Star Coins. I hit Boom Boom and hit Pom Pom's boomerang.
Take 14- See Take 4.
Take 15- See Take 4.
Take 16- I got all three Star Coins and beat them both. A good strategy is to hit one, then the other soon after. As one goes into their shell cycle, the other should be coming out of theirs. Pom Pom was defeated first and makes a lot of coins. The stage drops and we get in the last hit to Boom Boom. He makes coins and a green pipe appears. We go through the green pipe, get a clock, and reach the flagpole. Glad that's over.

Mario runs into the night, but this time, there are dragons flying around. There are volcanos in the background. The envelope has a picture of Bowser sitting on his throne with Peach beside him in a cage with pink ribbon. Shaking makes Bowser's head nod and tilting makes Peach's cage swing. Mario nodes and runs into the next world.

Super Mario 3D Land: 7-5

The saws from Super Mario Galaxy 2 return. Super Mario 3 music plays. I fell.
Take 2- I got the first Star Coin by hopping onto the platform it was on, then hopping off before it fell. I ran into a saw.
Take 3- I got the first Star Coin and fell after bouncing off a Goomba.
Take 4- See Take 3.
Take 5- I got a Tanooki Suit and the first Star Coin. We reach the end of the long stretch of platforms and find one spinning so that saws will take off portions of it. Stay towards the center. We hop off in an area with lots of Tanooki Goombas. We quickly move through the area, getting the second Star Coin and reaching the midpoint. We run and jump past more saws, get a Tanooki Suit and destroy a Goomba cutout for coins. Next is a slow-moving wooden platform that will pass through saws. I fell off here.
Take 6- The gold block appears. We hop on the moving platform and stay to the far left. This way, we'll get the third Star Coin. We then move to the remaining platforms to the right, near the middle, which will make it all the way. We climb up stairs riddled with saws and get a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 7-4

We find ourselves inside a clock where a remix of the Super Mario 3D Land music plays. There are spinning gears everywhere. We miss our jump to the swing.
Take 2- See Take 1.
Take 3- See Take 1.
Take 4- We jump to the swing and a pole. We jump off the pole to the left for the first Star Coin, timing it so we land on the swing. We take a green ferris wheel and go into the wall. There are Monty Moles walking around. We need to go through the doorway on the right. I fell off near the second Star Coin.
Take 5- We get a Tanooki Suit and the first Star Coin. We wall jump off the wall near the orange Mystery Block for the second Star Coin. We warp to the midpoint. We hop onto a partial gear, then some clock hands. Beware of falling Tanooki Bob-ombs. I got the Red Coins, but fell off.
Take 6- The gold block appears. The clock hands with the blue clock also has the third Star Coin. Wait for a hand to rotate under it to get it. We hop from hand to hand to the left, then forward to a ferris wheel to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 7-3

We need 70 Star Coins to unlock this level, which isn't a problem, as we have 113 Star Coins. It's a nighttime level with tightropes and Super Mario 3 music. We hop up the tightropes, dodging Fuzzies, but dying from a fireball from a Fire Piranha.
Take 2- We climb up, dropping down from a high tightrope down to a lower one, collecting the first Star Coin on the way. It is to the right. We warp using the orange Mystery Box. We died trying to reach Coin Heaven using the purple blocks by a fireball.
Take 3- We fell off.
Take 4- We reach Coin Heaven. We get a Starman and run through enemies for a 1-up. The second Star Coin is at the end. We land at the midpoint and use the binoculars to find five Toads who drop a couple of Super Shrooms. We warp to more tightrope climbing. We jump up from a short tightrope for the third Star Coin. Here, the Fuzzies are moving along a white track, so be aware of where they are. We carefully climb up, avoiding enemies flying around the tightropes. We warp and hit purple blocks for a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 7-2

We start in a room of stone with rolling spikes on chains. We die from a Chomp.
Take 2- We take a hit from a Chomp and hit the red ! block above its post. It forms stairs to the alcove with the first Star Coin. We dodge more rolling spikes to a door to the midpoint. We have to dodge rolling spikes on blue and pink platforms that tilt, making the spikes roll. On dropping platforms is the second Star Coin. We reach the end of the tilting bridge and walk up the stairs and around the corner. There are two Chomps, as well as more rolling spikes, and regular spikes. Over the spikes is the third Star Coin. We reach the stairs to the door. Behind the stairs are some coins. Beyond the door are tilting platforms to the flagpole, one of which has a rolling spike.

Super Mario 3D Land: 7-1

We start off on dry land and can see the goal across a river. The flagpole is fenced in, so we can't just jump over the river. The green pipe on our side is fake, but breaking it reveals coins that lead the coins over the water. We jump in and sink to the bottom. There are Cheep-Cheep swimming around. We go right, then double back to the left. Behind the six crates is the first Star Coin. Hitting the P-Switch lowers a rock, allowing us to progress. We pass two Porcu-Puffers to a green pipe. The room has lots of coins. We swim up after leaving the green pipe and reach the midpoint. Instead of moving forward, we find the third Star Coin by diving down past the three eels, moving to the right, swimming up, and finding it in a tunnel. The area has a current. We swim up to a green pipe to the flagpole.
Take 2- We take the same path to the third Star Coin and find the second Star Coin in an alcove over the tail of the lowest eel. Wait until the eel swims forwards, then swim behind it, then up. The alcove is between two eels, so swim carefully. We reach the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 6- Airship

We launch from a cannon to the Airship. This one's an auto-sidescroller. We ran into a bomb thrown by a Rocky Wrench.
Take 2- We take a hit from a spike pillar and hop behind the crates for the first Star Coin. We miss the second Star Coin and take another hit from a pillar. We wall jump at the top above two horizontal pillars for the third Star Coin. The end of the Airship is pink, which means we're dealing with Pom Pom. This time, we're dealing with her over pits of fire. I got in one hit, but fell in the fire.
Take 3- We get the first and third Star Coins and died from the pillars.
Take 4- We got the first and third Star Coins, but died from Pom Pom after getting in one hit.
Take 5- We get the first and second Star Coin, which we hit purple arrow blocks for. We died from a pillar.
Take 6- The gold block appears. I got all three Star Coins and two hits to Pom Pom, but I hit her and fell in the fire.
Take 7- I got the first Star Coin and jumped off the Airship.
Take 8- I got all three Star Coins and one hit, but died from a boomerang.
Take 9- I died from a Bomb.
Take 10- We got all three Star Coins but died from pillars.
Take 11- The P-Wing block appeared. I got all three Star Coins and died after one hit.
Take 12- All three Star Coins and two hits.
Take 13- Two Star Coins, died pillar.
Take 14- First Star Coin, died pillar.
Take 15- See Take 11.
Take 16- See Take 6.
Take 17- See Take 6.
Take 18- See Take 10.
Take 19- See Take 11.
Take 20- See Take 14.
Take 21- See Take 7.
Take 22- See Take 7.
Take 23- See Take 11.
Take 24- I got in the third hit and fell into the fire.
Take 25- See Take 11.
Take 26- I got all the Star Coins and finally defeated Pom Pom. That was tedious. I recommend hopping between two platforms when she's in her shell cycle. After she's defeated, the fire goes out and coins appear, as well as a green pipe. Well, we know what to expect from here on out. We go through the pipe and reach the flagpole.

Mario runs into the night and finds an envelope with a Tanooki Tail. The picture shows Peach being chased by Bowser, Boom Boom, and a whole slew of enemies. Shaking makes some enemies jump and everyone shake. Mario freaks out and runs to the next world.

Super Mario 3D Land: 6-5

We need 60 Star Coins to unlock this level. This is a snow-covered level with wintery music. We spring up the springy mushrooms and come across a moving springy mushroom. We bounce over the platforms in the way and go under the one it stops under for the first Star Coin. Next to it is another moving springy mushroom that takes us to the midpoint. We hop up and find a Red Coin ring that gives us a 1-up. We take another moving springy mushroom and fall off.
Take 2- We ride the springy mushroom and wall jump between the wooden walls to reach the second Star Coin. We cross the dropping platforms to springy mushroom stairs and another moving springy mushroom. The third Star Coin is just below its path. We drop to the dropping platforms to get it. There's a gap in the wall, so we go through it to continue. Springy mushrooms form stairs to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 6-4 -- Step to the Beep Part 2

We hear a familiar whistle when we start this level. Ahead of us are three platforms: blue, yellow, and pink. They appear with the higher-pitched beep and disappear with the lower-pitched one in the above order. We cross them, hop over a walking Thwomp, and hop over some more forming stairs. I died from the spiky enemies.
Take 2- We reach the door, but jump from the top of a walking Thwomp to a ledge with the first Star Coin. We go through the door to find more blocks and walking Thwomps. At the top of the stairs is another door with the second Star Coin above it. Outside is the midpoint. We get a Tanooki Suit from Red Coins. The third Star Coin is above the block with the spike bar. It hit me and I fell off.
Take 3- I fell after getting the third Star Coin.
Take 4- See Take 3.
Take 5- See Take 3.
Take 6- The gold block appeared. We get the third Star Coin and a Tanooki Suit. We then have to dodge swinging spike bars with the platforms as a safety net. We get a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 6- Mystery Box

Mystery Box time! This one's simple: jump to get the two Star Coins and hit each P-Switch for a 1-up.

Super Mario 3D Land: 6-3

It's another Ghost House. We start in a room where a tile keeps warping from the corner closest to the screen to three pictures hiding orange Mystery Boxes. We use the one in the middle picture of a block for the second Star Coin, which floats around an optical illusion cube. You don't have to stand on the cube. Take the Mystery Box in the upper left corner to return to the first room. Next, we use the Mystery Box behind the piano keys picture. This takes us to moving piano keys and a Boo. We pick up the first Star Coin over some musical note blocks and use the Mystery Box at the end. The keys don't make noise. We take the last Mystery Box in the third painting of a book. We end up in a library. The background moves back, revealing a ramp and books to hop over. We go to the back wall and find another Mystery Box hiding behind the background. We hear a chime and warp. We hop over books and cross a tightrope to two flights of stairs. At the top are three clocks. Next, is another tightrope. At the end is a giant Boo. We backtrack and go up the left stairs and down the right stairs to avoid it. We reach the door to the flagpole.
Take 2- We go through the book picture and up the ramp. We find the third Star Coin floating over the area and jump to get it. We go to the hidden Mystery Box and get a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 6-2

This level is a pyramid. The Egyptian music plays. We start in a room with retracting spikes and a Pokey. We wait until the spikes drop to go through the doorway. The next room has spikes and floating spike blocks. A Pokey blocks the alcove with the Star Coin, so we leave for an elevator to a lower floor. We can't go back. The next room has three Pokeys and the floor tiles raise and lower. The upper left corner tile takes us to a new level that the Pokeys rise to. There's a suspicious brick block in the wall we'll check out later. We hop into the doorway on the right for the midpoint. We take out the snaking spike block by hitting all of the blocks in its midsection and hop on an elevator going up, then transfer. At the top, there's a hallway to the left with the third Star Coin and a spike ball. We go to the right past the elevators and find more snaking spike blocks, one of which with a Tanooki Leaf. We fell trying to cross the spikes.
Take 2- We find a 1-up above the right elevator. We get the third Star Coin and fall trying to escape the spike ball.
Take 3- We get the third Star Coin and a Tanooki Suit, then cross the spike bridge. We go through the green pipe to the flagpole.
Take 4- We kill the snaking spike blocks for a Fire Flower, kill the Pokey to reach the first Star Coin, then discover that we could get the first Star Coin from the back hallway. (You have to jump.) We roll into the brick block in the wall for the second Star Coin. I fell at the spike bridge.
Take 5- I fell at the spike bridge.
Take 6- We made it to the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 6-1

It's another beach level with beach music! It's reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. levels that involve running over a bridge while dodging Cheep-Cheep. At one point, a spiked Porcu-Puffer jumps through the bridge, removing a section. We briefly get a Boomerang Flower from a mystery item block, but lose it to a Cheep-Cheep. We take out some Tanooki Goombas and reach land with a tightrope. There are Porcu-Puffers jumping from the waterfall over the tightrope to dodge. At the end of the tightrope is the midpoint and another tightrope. Before we proceed we see an area below to the right. Unfortunately, I fell off here.
Take 2- The binoculars show us where the goal is. We go to the area below and kick the rock into the pipe for a 1-up, but it fell off before we could reach it. We go through the green pipe to an underwater area with rings. At the end, high above the pipe is the second Star Coin. We go through the pipe and fall again.
Take 3- We get the 1-up from the rock and pipe trick. We get Red Coins for a Tanooki Suit. We cross another tightrope, hopping onto a flying item block to reach a higher tightrope to the third Star Coin. I tried to cross the bridge, but Porcu-Puffers take out several sections of it, so I fell. I must cross more quickly.
Take 4- We get the last two Star Coins and a Tanooki Suit. We cross the bridge quickly and safely. Next is a grassy bridge the flagpole, dodging Porcu-Puffers. We get a 1-up at the flagpole.
Take 5- I fell.
Take 6- The first Star Coin is hiding sneakily to the left of the start, over the rocks. I fell.
Take 7- We get the first Star Coin and reach the midpoint. We get a 1-up at the flagpole.

Super Mario 3D Land: 5-Castle

Time for another castle! We need 50 Star Coins to unlock it. We hop up the stairs to find moving platforms that go into the lava at the end of their line. We follow them past rolling spikes. There is a wooden platform with a Dry Bones that lifts up from a lava pillar. It only blocks the way when it's raised. We hit the blocks to the left of the Thwomps and hit the invisible blocks above them so we can hop onto the Thwomps for the first Star Coin. The second Star Coin is nearby, over floating grate platforms. The Red Coins give us a Fire Flower. The binoculars show us where the flagpole is and that two Toads are being held in the tower beneath it. We reach the midpoint and take the floating platforms pass the Thwomps, dodging them. At the end of the line is the third Star Coin. We have to jump to grab it and land safely on the stone platform nearby. We pass the Hammer Bro and Bowser with a tail appears. We die when Bowser lands on us too many times.
Take 2- We got the third Star Coin and made it past Bowser to the switch, which destroys the bridge. He falls in the lava and hops out twice, revealing that he was really a Magikoopa with a Tanooki Leaf all along. The gate to the tower opens. The Toads jump for joy and we warp with an orange Mystery Box. We get a clock and a 1-up at the flagpole.

Mario wanders into the night, finding another envelope with a picture. This one shows Peach hitting some stacked Goombas with her umbrella, with the 1-up chime being heard. She says, "Ah!" Shaking makes her hit the Goombas repeatedly while a couple fly away. Way to fight back, Peach! Mario spins and happily walks, then runs to the next World.