Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time -- Part 1: Gadd, the Suitcase is Talking to Me

Mario and Luigi safely travel through the time hole to the Mushroom Kingdom of the past. Something else makes its way through the time hole, and tells E. Gadd not to shove it. It lands on poor Luigi's back. It recognizes Mario, but can't find Luigi, seeing as it's standing on him. Luigi gets up and it apologizes. This entity is Stuffwell, a suitcase invented by Gadd. For some reason, Gadd thought to give it a voice. It's as annoying as it sounds. Stuffwell claims to be an assistant, containing many sensors and memory apparati for data retention. After the tour, the time hole disappears. We're stuck here, so we might as well move forward.

As you move forward, Stuffwell will teach you how to use the controls and move around the area. There are blocks in the area that are colored either red or green. It should go without saying what to do here, but Stuffwell's going to say it anyway. Hitting all the blocks makes the path ahead accessible. In the next area, a Toad drops out of the sky, hitting Mario on the head. He mentions the village ahead. Spaceships fly overhead and start attacking the village. The Toad mentions dank purple mushrooms. The Toad is picked up by a spaceship's tractor beam.

On the giant mushrooms with the gold, sparkly stems are some purple mushroom-like enemies called Shrooblets. Cue battle tutorial from Stuffwell. Ahead, something speaks in a weird language and a Shrooblet drops on Luigi's head. Stuffwell determines this is a good time to teach the bros about items. Luigi needs the mushroom as the hit dropped him to 1 HP.

Ahead is Holli Jolli Village, looking just as devastated as Beanbean Castle Town when the bros first arrived. The spaceships abduct a Toad before leaving. Check out the houses for items. The mayor of Holli Jolli Village lives in the house east of the one with the Save Book. He's stuck in the chimney. He looks familiar. He calls whatever just attacked the village "Shroobs". Have Mario push him out of the chimney. The mayor is approached by Shroobs and calls for help. The bros leave the house and watch the Shroobs abduct the mayor. The Shroobs battle them.

One Shroob calls in air support in the form of a spaceship with a bomb attached to it. When the number drops to zero, the spaceship will unleash an enormous energy ball. The Shroobs will attack with their laser guns. You're not going to win this fight. The Shroobs will cheer at their victory.

Above Holli Jolli Village, Bowser's Koopa Cruiser flies. Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, and Baby Peach are playing inside the Cruiser when Shroob spaceships attack. You may want to turn the volume down, because the babies will start crying. Toadsworth takes the princess to safety and the baby bros make their way through the cruiser. Koopas explain how the baby bros move: (X) for Baby Mario and (Y) for Baby Luigi. Once on the bridge, Baby Bowser decides to show off the Koopa Cruiser's firepower and takes out all three spaceships in one hit. The Cruiser loses altitude and some Koopas notice Mario and Luigi on the ground. Baby Bowser doesn't want to help them as it's past his snack time, and because he's evil. Peach voices her disapproval of his decision. Baby Bowser fires the Koopa Cannon at the Shroobs to calm her down. He lets the baby bros off at the village to take care of things.

The baby bros approach Mario and Luigi and Shroobs appear from behind the spike ball that the Koopa Cannon fired. Toadsworth provides in-battle instructions on Bros. Items, which replace Bros. Attacks. To start, they get Green Shells. On the top screen, you'll see how the attack is to be executed. Each time you use a Bros. Item, it's number will decrease in your inventory, so you're limited to using how many you have, not how much BP you have. Toadsworth has an unlimited supply, so you can practice until you've got the timing down. After the battle, Toadsworth notices the similarity between the two sets of bros. He suggests taking those two aboard.

Toadsworth explains the invasion from the Shroob planet was a nightmare. The Shroobs want to take everything in the Mushroom Kingdom, including the land and the lives of its citizens. The village and Peach's Castle are in ruins. Baby Bowser called in Kamek and the Koopa Cruiser to get them out of there. The Cruiser is now on it's way to Peach's Castle, which has been redecorated to be Shroob Castle. The leader, Princess Shroob, is there. Mario explains that Peach is being held there. Princess Shroob sends a transmission to the Cruiser, but no one understands the Shroob language. Actions speak louder than words, however, and Shroob Castle launches a missile at them. The Koopa Cannon is out of ammo, so they can't counterattack. They just barely make it to Bowser's Castle, which is still under Baby Bowser's rule.

Mario and Luigi stumble out of the Cruiser and Stuffwell informs them that the others were probably thrown clear of the crash site. Stuffwell's sensors prove to be useful, as he locates a timehole in the castle. Inside the castle are typical enemies, such as Goombas and Boos. You may need to walk on the higher platforms to move to new areas. Soon, you'll hear the babies. They're on a ledge high above. They'll drop down and the bros can continue, after the babies stop feeling abandoned. Stuffwell explains that the bros can carry their baby selves piggyback. The babies can jump off with either (X) or (Y), which can allow them to reach higher ledges. If you see panels on the ground with four spots, you'll need all four bros to activate the panel. The blocks with pipes on them allow the bros to regoup if they've been separated.

Ahead, you'll run into Kamek, looking for Baby Bowser. He mentions kidnapping the babies previously. He sends an enemy to deal with them, which gives Stuffwell an opportunity to explain how to battle as a quartet. Jump on top of the pipe when you reach it. It will take you to a different part of the castle. In some parts, you'll see blocks with four colors. Line up the bros according to how many blocks there are. Hit the solid block to make the other block solid. When you hit all the blocks, something will happen. In one area to the north, you'll throw the babies on to a ledge which leads to a dark room. Have the bros stand under the block with the Shine Sprite and hit it to illuminate the room for the babies. In a retro-styled item block on the other side of the fence is a sparkling blue shard. Stuffwell doesn't know what to do with it, but will hold onto it. Take the pipe to the next part of the castle.

The door ahead has flowers on it. It leads to Baby Bowser's playroom, where Toadsworth and Peach have been waiting. The time hole is here as well. Toadsworth does not plan on jumping into the time hole, but goes to avoid being alone. The time hole takes the bros to the east side of Peach's present castle.

Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time -- Save the Princess. Save the Kingdom. With Time Travel.

"Really, really long ago... way far out in space... in a dark, dank place shunned by starlight... there was this creepy planet floating alone... The beings of this world were... creepy. They spent their time staring creepily into space. Just creepy daydreamers, right? Wrong. They were searching. Searching for a new home. At last, they fixed their creepy gazes on a distant world, a land of beauty and peace..."

Baby Mario and Baby Luigi walk into Peach's Castle and are greeted by a younger Toadsworth. Her Majesty would like some playmates to play with. The young bros walk ahead into the next room to find many Toads collapsed on the floor. Baby Bowser drops in carrying Baby Peach. Seems Bowser was intent on kidnapping Peach at an early age. Toadsworth tries to deal with Baby Bowser, but his flames are too much for him to handle. Time for Baby Mario to deal with Baby Bowser, while Baby Luigi keeps Baby Peach entertained. Toadsworth will give instructions on Action Commands and dodging attacks. All Baby Mario can do is jump for now. It only takes a few rounds. Baby Bowser says he can't lose because he's a prince. The victory celebration is interrupted by an attack on the castle. Purple and white spaceships take aim at the castle. Behind the clouds are hundreds more.

In the present, there is breaking news in the kingdom. E. Gadd has completed a time machine. It's powered by a Cobalt Star. The time machine was unveiled at Peach's Castle. Peach decided to take it for a spin with a couple of Toad attendants named Toadbert and Toadiko. She decided to go to the Mushroom Kingdom's past. Toadsworth is less than pleased. Not even Gadd assurance of a 99.999999999% chance of her return can calm Toadsworth's worry. He collapses. A Toad tells Mario to get a Refreshroom in Toadsworth's room to revive him. Lakitu provides an overhead map of the castle for Mario, letting him know which room he's in. Toadsworth's room is in the southwest corner, but that doesn't mean Mario can't pick up items along the way. The Refreshroom is in the item block over the plants. Return to the throne room when you get it. The cure is just what the doctor ordered.

After Toadsworth's miraculous recovery, the time machine reappears, heavily damaged. Inside, however, is not Peach, nor her attendants. It's a green monster called a Junior Shrooboid. Mario takes center stage in the battle. Jump to attack and counterattack. Once the battle's over, Gadd informs everyone that thankfully, the Shrooboid didn't eat Peach. His DS time radar says Peach is in the Mushroom Kingdom of the past. Using the time machine to find her is out of the question. Luigi appears, freaking out about a mysterious hole in the castle's garden. Gadd thinks that the time machine tore holes in the time continuum. The bros join up to go due south to the garden. Hit the Save Book on your way.

Gadd says the mysterious hole is a time hole connecting the past to the present. Luigi gets too close to the time hole. Gadd doesn't know where the time hole leads or if it's possible to return to present. Mario wants to use it to save the princess. Gadd thinks it's the only way. Toadsworth's stretcher crashes into the time hole, startling Luigi and causing him to fall in. Mario jumps in after him. Where will the time hole lead? Will the bros find the princess? Will there be continuity in a Mario series? All this and more in the exciting sequel to my personal favorite Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga. Stay tuned!

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 16: The Ultimate Battle

It's time to deal with Bowletta once and for all. Once you've made your preparations, go through the Great Door. Approach the throne and Bowletta congratulates them on making it this far. She intends to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom after she takes the Beanbean Kingdom. The battle begins.

Bowletta has a few attacks. She'll place a block over each bro's head, which they must hit 5 times to make it disappear. They must make it disappear quickly so they can dodge her fiery breath. She'll also spit energy balls called Flarets at the bros. Jump over the ones aimed at the bros. Some will remain on the battlefield, which she can use to heal herself. After enough damage, she'll go into her dark form and send colorful stars at the bros. Hit them back at her. When she's taken enough damage (she make skip her dark form entirely if you do enough early on), she'll say "Cursed Mario Bros.! Not again!" A Time Bob-omb set to zero appears and knocks out the bros. Bowletta scolds them for letting their guard down, and inhales them.

The bros wake up with 1 HP each. Cackletta's spirit is in the belly of Bowser and calls them a persistent pair. She intends to defeat them here and now. If your speed stat is high enough, you can move first, allowing you to heal the bros before she attacks. Otherwise, try to survive her arm attacks. She'll either try to flick the bros with her fingers or swing her arms around. Watch her eyes when she swings her arms around so you know where they'll be. Don't jump if her arms are high up. Her hands can summon either electricity or fire. Jump over the circling fire, which changes directions, and hit the electric ball with your hammer back and forth between the bros. Attack her hands before her head. She'll spit out an energy ball a bro will have to juggle with his hammer. Once you make the head disappear, only her core will remain, revealing her heart. It can restore and heal the head and arms. This is her weak point, so target it when it is revealed. It will be covered up after a while and you'll have to destroy her hands and head again. Do not use electricity or fire on her heart. Once you do enough damage to her heart, she'll use a couple more attacks. The spirit of Fawful will appear and shoot energy blasts at the bros, then appear in front of one of them. Hit him with your hammer. She'll also pause briefly to shoot lasers from her eyes. Again, watch her eyes to see if you need to dodge them. You have a brief moment where you can jump. She's almost done for when she shoots out many energy balls of different colors. This is a difficult attack to dodge, but you must hit the red and green energy balls back at her. It will take a while, but you can defeat her. The explosion forces the bros out of Bowser's body.

Bowletta can't believe she's been defeated. Her spirit leaves Bowser's body and floats away. Bowser lies unconscious on the floor. When the bros try to leave, Prince Peasley appears. He's rigged the castle with an explosive device set to blow in three minutes. They must all escape before time's up or it's Game Over. We can't leave the way we came, so go through the curtain in the back. Go south from there and you'll see lots of stairs. Go down the stairs and you'll find a barrel. Use it to hit a switch to the right. The path ahead will take you to the entrance where Blablanadon is. Talk to him and get out of the castle immediately. Bowser wakes up, unaware of his surroundings or what he has been doing. The explosions make the castle drop out of the sky into the ocean. Bowser flies out and hits the screen.

At Beanbean Airport, Queen Bean, Lady Lima, Toadsworth, Princess Peach, and the bros say their farewells. Prince Peasley leaves them with a large present, which trails behind the plane. Bowser appears from the present and starts chewing on the chain. Turns out they didn't want him in the Beanbean Kingdom and decided to give him back. The plane flies over the Beanbean Kingdom as the credits roll. Bowser drops in on his castle. Fireworks appear as the plane lands at the castle. The curtain closes on this adventure, as the Yoshis cheer from Yoshi Theater.

Well, we're done here. I had a great time replaying one of my favorite games and I hope you enjoyed ready about it. I think you can guess what I'm going to play next.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 15: A Duel of Words

When you're ready, use the portal to leave Ludwig's room. Have Mini Mario go under the grate and hit the switch to raise a platform. Go through the door. Ahead is an area with lots of gates. Send Luigi under the gates, then loop around to the left while still underground. Hit the switch, then use the spring to get out of there and rejoin Mario. Mini Mario should take the same path Luigi did, but he can go farther. Hit the switch and use the spring. The switch opens the door ahead. On the back wall of the next area is a switch. Hit it and have Mini Mario go through the gap towards the front of the room and climb up onto the walls. Be warned that there are Boos on top of the walls. Walk on top of the back wall, then go south, then right. This leads to a 2D platforming challenge resembling an 8-bit Bowser's Castle. Hit the ax past Bowser to drop him, then hit the ! Block to open the door ahead. If you go above the area with the moving platform after you use it to cross the lava, you can get an Ultra Mushroom and Ultra Nut in the blocks up there.

The gate ahead leads to Roy Koopa's room. This room has Simu-Blocks. Hit each set to clear the path ahead. Roy appears, but when you try to reach him, he leaves and a portal appears. Take the portal to the main hallway and go left. When you approach the switch, Roy appears and the battle starts. A Time Bob-omb appears alongside him in battle, telling you how many turns you have until it explodes. If it does, it's Game Over. You have 8 turns to defeat Roy. He sends out shockwaves, like Morton, but they move together. He also spits fireballs and attacks the bros in his shell. It took me three turns. Once you defeat him, a barrel will appear so you can hit the switch. This will propel the barrel to the top level. Break out of the barrel and jump down to reach the blocks.

Go through the door ahead. There are Boos ahead. Defeat them before using the barrel to hit the switch. After hitting the switch, keep the barrel on as you go through the door. You'll need it to help you light the torches. Go past the rollers and hit the switch, then go through the door on the left. You'll have to have to use the Thunderhand twice.

Ahead is Wendy O. Koopa's room. There are three pipes. Use the gate to separate the bros. Position them at the edges of the outer two pipes with hammers ready. Have one bro hit Wendy, then switch to the other bro when she appears from the other pipe. Hit her again and she'll appear in the middle pipe, ready for battle. She is accompanied by a Time Bob-omb as well. You have 8 turns to defeat her. She'll split into four, spit fireballs, and throw rings at the bros. A portal will appear and youll be able to progress.

Activate the orb to make some platforms appear. In the next room, position Luigi in front and have Mario ready with the Firebrand. You'll have thirteen seconds from the time you hit the ! Block to use the Firebrand to run through the walls and hit the other ! Block. In the next area, split up the bros. Have Luigi hit the yellow platforms so Mario can move forward, like in Joke's End. There is a Hoo Bean at the end of Luigi's path. Hit the ! Block to form a bridge joining the paths in the previous area.

The next room belongs to Larry. Send Luigi under the gate. When he's across the lava from Larry, a barrel will drop on him. Larry will pick up a tennis racket and Luigi must use the barrel to volley the fireball so it does not hit the Bob-omb behind him. Once the fireball hits Larry, he'll run away, a bridge will form, and the gate will open. Larry's up ahead. Again you have 8 turns to defeat him. He'll spin in front of the bros and spit fireballs, then volley them with his tennis racket. Once you defeat him, a portal appears and you can move forward.

Ahead is a Save Book. Stand between the spotlights behind the ring in the lava to make Fawful appear from the lava. He says, "I have fury! At last, my entrance with drama! Finally! Now is the time where my true might shines, like many angry sunbeams of rage! St-Standing in the spotlight at such a gala of spectacularity... My nerves are nervous! But... Now that I am thinking.... Cackletta's revival was all thanks to my quite nasty efforts! Which means that all this time, I am Fawful, who is just a toady! Such working, all for others! And THAT means... The true meaning of our battle gives me fear and confusion!! I need no long speech before this battle, which will now be mighty! Snack on my wrath, fink-rats!

He'll start the battle by shooting energy blasts at the bros. Hit them back at him. He'll then enclose himself in his ship. Use a multi-hit attack, such as Chopper Bros, to get him to appear. Otherwise, he'll say, "What a wasting..." When you hit him enough times, he says, "You have annoying persistence! And now you eat this!" The ship will spin around, creating energy balls. Hit as many of them as you can with your hammers. You'll have to jump over the remaining ones. Afterwards, he'll appear from the ship, saying, "Ouch! HOTNESS! It is the overheat!" After a few turns, he'll go back into the ship, which will fire lasers. He may also appear and dive-bomb the bros. When you defeat him, he says, "Agh-agh-agh! Urggh... Unless my mind is crazy, I have somehow managed to lose... This must be... fate... Urrrgh... I must accept the defeating..." He sends out an energy blast at Mario. "I have fury! Hah! Now taste the finale, when carelessness opens the door to a comeback not expected by you! Your lives that I spit on are now but a caricature of a cartoon drawn by a kid who is stupid! You shall all fall and vanish with your precious Beanbean Kingdom as I laugh heartily at you!

Prince Peasley arrives and counters with, "HAH! In the finale of the finale, when negligence begets rashness, the comeback is come-back upon!" Fawful hits him with another energy blast and says, "I have fury! In the last moments of the finale of the finale, when relief leads to negligence that begets rashness... That is when the comeback that faltered comes back and beats your pathetic comback that I scoff at!" Mario hits Fawful into the ground and Luigi smacks him out of the castle. Peasley leaves. Ahead is Bowletta, the final battle. Make sure you're fully prepared and stocked with items. It's going to be a long battle.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 14: Mini Bosses Galore

Now that the bros have reached Bowser's Castle, all they have to do is find Bowletta. Bowletta and Fawful are in the throne room. Fawful says, "O Great Bowletta! The Mario Bros. who I hate are coming this way!" Bowletta is confident that the bros will never make it to the throne room. She calls the Koopalings, who appear and go throughout the castle.

Ahead are new enemies, such as Magikoopas, Hammer Bros, and Gunner Guys. They take critical damage from electricity. Boos will also appear. As you level up, you'll want to be sure to increase the bros' speed. You'll understand later. To reach certain platforms, you'll have to Spin Jump around bars overhead. What this means is that you must Spin Jump in a curve away from the platforms, then go to the platform you want to go to, instead of Spin Jumping in a line. The door ahead leads to Iggy's Room.

Iggy will spin around the bros to make them dizzy. This will change the control scheme, so up may move them to the right, for example. There are flames on the floor. If you hit them, you'll have to start over. Run into Iggy to start the battle. He'll spit fireballs, which you can hit back at him. He'll also spin around the bros to make them dizzy and unable to defend. Hit him with a hammer before the bros get dizzy. Once you defeat him, a portal appears, a bridge to the Save Book appears, and a bridge to the next area appears. The portal warps you into the main hallway so you can continue through the castle.

The next area has you jump over spikes. Magikoopas are here. They make rings of fire to jump through and heal allies. In the next room are yellow platforms, like the ones in Stardust Fields. The next room is Morton's. The Save Book is up the stairs to the right.

Morton will create shockwaves to dodge. Once you reach him, the battle will start. He'll flip in the air a number of times equal to the number of shockwaves he'll send out upon landing. He'll also shoot fireballs. Defeating Morton will allow you to progress.

Go up several flights of stairs, then Spin Jump across gaps and lava, using tornados. Lemmy's room is next. He'll spin around the bros, making three copies of himself. Hit the real one to start the battle. Otherwise, he'll spin around them again. In battle, he shoots fireballs and makes copies of himself. Eliminate the copies with Thunder Bros. Defeating him makes a portal appear and starts some water flowing outside. Have Mario drink the water to extinguish the flames.

In the next area, deal with a Magikoopa, then go into the next room. You'll have to shoot balls of water at Mecha-Koopas to hit them into the electrical circuits. You have 4 attempts to fill all three circuits before the Mecha-Koopas get released from the circuits. This opens the door ahead. There are two Piranha Plant buds in the ground. Have Mario drink some water, then have Luigi use the Thunderhand on him. Make the left Piranha Plant bud grow to produce a ! Block that opens the door ahead to Ludwig's room.

Ludwig crawls into his shell and moves towards the bros. Have the bros jump over him. He'll jump away. Try to leave and he'll drop down and attack you. In battle, he'll spin around in his shell, so jump over him. He'll also spin in front of the bros to make them dizzy. Once he's defeated, some spikes outside will disappear. Four Koopalings down, four to go.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 13: Princess Luigi

After defeating Jojora and her friend, move into the next room. Fawful is there, saying, "So! The fink-rats come at last! Now is the time when you hand over the Beanstar, you little men! Send the Beanstar up to the top of this pedestal, and be hasty!" Send Luigi past the gate and Fawful commands, "Send the Beanstar up here!" Luigi presents the fake Beanstar and Fawful shoots it down. He says, "Oh! Oh, I am laughing at you! I can see through your pathetic designs, you ugly thing! That was a FAKE Beanstar! Now you give me the real one!" He vacuums up the real Beanstar from the suitcase, saying, "Har! You idiots of stupidity!", then flies off. Have Luigi go into the room to the north and hit the switch. This lowers the gate and Mario rejoins his brother. Mario comes up with a plan involving Peach's dress. Luigi is confused.

Go to the right. Fawful brings the Beanstar to Bowletta, saying, "O Great Bowletta! At last we have the Beanstar! I am joyful!" Bowletta is pleased. Mario appears, telling Bowletta to return Peach. Bowletta refuses, but Mario cracks up. Princess Peach walks in, covering her mouth. The presence of two princesses confuses Bowletta. Peach says the princess Bowletta kidnapped is a fake, prepared in advance. Bowletta chases after Peach and leaves the other one behind. Once they are gone, Mario talks to Peach, who is thankful and kisses him.

On the Koopa Cruiser, Bowletta and Fawful are thrilled to have Peach and the Beanstar. Fawful says, "I still have rage over that fake Princess Peach..." Bowletta admits that Peach and the bros are sly. She asks why Peach is covering her face. Fawful asks, "Do you hide something?" Bowletta freaks out at a cockroach behind Peach and she jumps, uncovering her face, revealing that she is Luigi. Bowletta asks, "Fawful, did you see that?" Fawful responds, "Yes. Mustache." Luigi's cover is blown. Bowletta commands Fawful to fire at will. The blast detroys the wig, revealing Luigi definitively. Luigi runs off and blocks their path with a crate. Luigi changes clothes and goes through the Koopa Cruiser.

The Koopa Cruiser has been hastily repaired and it looks like it.There are several orbs activated by electricity. Some of them reveal invisible blocks with lots of Hoo Beans. You'll eventually make it to the mouth of the Cruiser, where the Beanstar is. Activate the orb and Luigi takes the Beanstar, puts on a parachute, and jumps before Bowletta can reach him. Fawful says, "We chase them now!" Bowletta says they'll go to the Mushroom Kingdom instead. Fawful is worried and confused.

While falling to the ground, Luigi uses Peach's dress as a parachute. Prince Peasley appears and takes the Beanstar. A bird bites the cord tethering Luigi to his parachute and Peasley can't catch him. In Teehee Valley, Mario, Peach, and Toadsworth are waiting for Luigi to land. He lands face-first on the other side of some rocks. He sinks into the sand and drops underground, sending up a ! Block. Peasley will move the Beanstar to some place safe and Toadsworth and Peach will return to the castle. Mario's on his own to find Luigi.

Go north, then south. Hit the ! Block to lower a platform. Underground, Popple finds an unconscious Luigi and orders Rookie to tie him up. Just like Peach, Luigi has been kidnapped. Go back north over the lowered platform. Go to the left, where you'll encounter Dry Bones. These ones are faster and stronger than those you found on Hoohoo Mountain. Go through the yellow pipe on the left to go underground. Light the torches and use the Save Book. Ahead, Luigi is tied to a pillar. Use the Firebrand to burn the ropes. Popple appears, waiting for Mario to show up. He's found a new Rookie, who turns out to be Birdo. Birdo wants to spend some romantic time alone with Popple. Popple is not okay with this idea. Popple is okay with showing off Birdo's abilities in battle. With Birdo's power, they'll be unstoppable. Birdo thinks their special power is the power of love.

As always, Popple will first try to steal hammers or items. Attack Birdo first, or Birdo will retaliate for you hurting Popple. Birdo will try to inhale the bros. Stop the attack with a hammer. Birdo will also aim at the bros and shoot flaming rocks at them. Popple will flee after you defeat Birdo. Popple calls Birdo useless and fires his new Rookie. Birdo kicks him far away and decides to go solo to become a superstar. Go through the yellow pipe ahead and return to Beanbean Castle Town.

The town is under aerial siege. Go to the castle. Queen Bean informs the bros that Bowser's Castle is to blame for all the destruction. The place is defenseless to air-based attacks. Prince Peasley informs the bros that Peach and the others are safely in Little Fungitown. Mario says that he and Luigi know Bowser's Castle very well and will take care of things. Prince Peasley leaves on his own. Now the bros need a way to reach Bowser's Castle in the air. Return to Hoohoo Village and talk to Blablanadon. He'll fly the bros to Bowser's Castle and will bring them back when they want to return.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 12: Surfing to the End of the World

When you have all four pieces, return to Beanbean Castle. The Beanstar revives and becomes whole again. Bowletta has a message on another Game Boy Advance. She wants the bros to bring the Beanstar to her at Joke's End to the northwest. They can't reach it by walking underwater. Queen Bean thinks Bowletta's up to something other than awakening the Beanstar with Peach's voice. Prince Peasley gives the bros a fake Beanstar as a decoy. Toadsworth gives the bros Peach's extra dress so she'll have a change of clothes if she ruined the dress she's currently wearing. Prince Peasley says the bros may find a way to cross the ocean's surface on the beach, as there was a surfing spot there. He gives the bros the prize money of 99,999,999,999,999,999 Mushroom coins, which comes to 99 Beanbean coins at the current exchange rate. We should've asked him to hold the coins for the trip home.

Go visit the Hammerhead Bros. first. They'll reforge the hammers into Ultra Hammers, which can break any rock. You can go anywhere now. Go to the right and play another game with the Thwomp. Try to get Secret Scroll 2, which will teach Luigi the Bros. Attack called Cyclone Bros.

The surfing spot is just to the right of the yellow pipe that takes you underwater. There's a slot in the ground. Have Mario hit Luigi with his hammer into the slot to make Luigi a surfboard. Surf's up! There's lots to explore in the ocean. To the southeast are a pair of islands that hold a surfing game. Hit the balloons on the course in the least amount of time. You'll get beans, including Hoo Beans, and other prizes. While surfing, avoid whirlpools. North of Oho Oasis is another island. Go north of it and enter the whirlpool. You'll go underwater near a yellow pipe. Take it aboveground to the island for a 1-Up Super. Go back underwater to get off the island. The path underwater will take you near the S.S. Chuckola. In Gwarhar Lagoon, go to the southeast and break the rocks to meet Spangle. He wants a stage, like a festive tree. Take him to Hermie. He will stand atop Hermie's shell. Hermie will give you the Soulful Bros. badge.

When you're ready to go to Joke's End, surf as far to the northeast as you can go, mostly in the north direction. It is due north of Oho Oasis. The fun music gives way to something creepier. Break the rocks and go immediately to the left to reach the green pipe. Go up the stairs to meet a girl holding a bundle. Her name is Jojora. The palace of Joke's End is their playground. Jojora hasn't heard of Bowletta or Peach. She says the path ahead will be more challenging than what the bros have faced before. Light the torch ahead and go inside.

To the left is a moving tornado. Re-enter it to reach a mole with a Red Pepper and Green Pepper. To the right is a vat. Jojora floats to the upper right, wondering if the bros can make it to where she is. Break the cracked doorway to go north, up the stairs. Go right again and Spin Jump to the next doorway. Use the Thunderhand to get past two sets of rollers and reach a ! Block which opens the door in the room with the vat. Go through the doorway. Go right and down the stairs. You'll see some wood in a stove. Light it on fire to make the liquid in the vat boil. Return to the vat, stand on the grate above it, and Spin Jump to create a tornado. Go upstairs and Spin Jump into the tornado to cross the large gap.

Jojora says things will get more challenging from here on out and that the bros should give up. Go under the gate and hit the ! Block to open the door. Have Mario go through the door and up the stairs. Go through the doorway in the back. Go left, then south to reach a Simu-Block. Have Luigi go to the right, up the stairs, south, left, and north to reach the other Simu-Block. Hit the blocks to lower the gate for Mario. Have Luigi go south, then left. Have Mario follow the path and hit the ! Block to make a barrel appear. Luigi must be in the room when you hit the block. Have Luigi hit the switch, which opens the door for Mario. Both bros should walk through the doors to reach two more Simu-Blocks. Hit them and Jojora appears again. She's impressed with the bros' tenacity and will have them play a little game. They must hit the blocks that appear. If they hit 30 blocks in 25 seconds, she'll open the doors ahead.

Both bros go inside, but are still split up. Luigi goes north. Mario goes several flights of stairs and lights four candles. This moves a platform. Have Mario return to the room where the platform moved. Have Mario stand on the yellow platform and Luigi stand under the yellow platform. While controlling Mario, have Luigi jump so Mario can get over a higher platform. Both bros should go south to Simu-Blocks. Hit them to lower the gate. Both bros should go south again. Position Mario under the ! Block and control Luigi. Hit the ! Block and move Luigi under the shadow of the falling barrel. Have Luigi walk to the north and step on the panel. This will make a bridge appear outside so the bros can regroup. Go back south and right to a room with a Save Book. Go through the doorway and up the stairs. You'll be in the room with the four candles. Ignore them for now and go to the northeast. The stairs will lead you into another room with a vat and Jojora. She doesn't like the bros' annoying persistence.

Follow Jojora to the right. Drop down the stairs and go left to another fireplace. Light it to create some vapor. Spin the vapor into a tornado, which rises up to the candles. Go back to the room with the candles. Have Mario drink some water, stand in front of the tornado, and have Luigi hit Mario with his hammer to extinguish all four flames simultaneously. This opens the door to the north. Go upstairs to a room with a barrel and Save Book. Go up the stairs and hit the ! Block after putting Luigi in front and selecting Mario's Firebrand. Hit the block to make some platforms appear in the gap temporarily. Quickly line the bros up on the lower white line and use the Firebrand to move quickly. This may take a few tries.

Jojora's in the next room, welcoming the bros as the first people to make it up here. She tells them to have a seat and relax. She's going to invite one of her friends and the bros get to pick: Chucklissa, Oholina, Hoohoolia, and Teeheena. They're all the same, so pick one that strikes your fancy. Her friend is a giant snow monster. You have to battle them both. Jojora will approach the bros and try to use her wand. Swat it away with your hammer. She'll fly off for a few turns, so you can deal with her friend. If you hit her friend while Jojora is around, she'll attack the bros and heal her friend. Deal with Jojora when she's around and leave her friend alone. Jojora has really high defense and each attack will only do 1 HP of damage, so attacks like Chopper Bros. are your best friend in this fight. Her friend will wonder if one of the bros likes her. She'll change her hair color from blonde to pink. With blonde hair, she's susceptible to fire attack, but susceptible to electric attacks when her hair is pink. She'll roll into a snowball at a bro, which can be blocked with a hammer. She'll also try to pick a bro up, so stomp on her hands. Jojora will whip up a snowstorm. The bros should keep jumping from being buried alive. Once you defeat her friend, Jojora will be upset and flee the battle. You'll get the Sledge Heart badge if you have the Game Boy Horror SP equipped. According to Jojora, play time is over. Light the two unlit torches in the room to go forward. You'll want to save before you go.

Nintendo Direct 5/17/2013

After confirming that there will be another Nintendo Direct around the time of E3, in lieu of a large press conference, Nintendo shows us what's coming in 2013. E3 will be more accessible this year due to a partnership with Best Buy that will allow players to try out games at Best Buy locations during the week of E3.

Mario and Sonic: Sochi Winter Olympics 2014- For the Wii U, it uses the Wii Remote + controller. It has new events, such as pairs figure skating and slope-style snowboarding. Some events, such as the bicaththlon require switching between the Wii Remote + and the Game Pad. There will also be Dream Stages that take place in Mario's and Sonic's worlds for moves not possible in real life. Anotehr event is the Mixed Event, which combines skiiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and bobsledding into one event, allowing you to switch at certain points.

Sonic: Lost World - For Wii U and 3DS as part of Nintendo's global partnership with Sega on the Sonic franchise. It is a new action adventure game.

On the 3DS Virtual Console, more Sega Game Gear games will be released. These include Crystal Warriors, Sonic Blast, Columns, Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Defenders of Oasis, Tails Adventure, Shining Force II: The Sword of Hajya, Sonic Drift 2, G-LOC Air Battle, Sonic Labyrinth, and Vampire: Master of Darkness.

Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/ Seasons- These games will have a special launch promotion from May 30 to June 20 for $4.99 each. Afterwards, they will retail on the eShop for $5.99 each. Available May 30

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move: You can create your own puzzles from 3x3 to 7x7 grids and all sizes in between. They can be shared online and you can find them four ways online: Random Search, Popular this Week, Most Popular Overall, and those created by friends. You can favorite puzzles, which add to their ranking of up to three hearts.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D- The new levels are based off of the worlds in the earlier game. The levels have newer items, challenges, and features. Available May 24

Animal Crossing: New Leaf - There's a new video series that goes into the aspects and features of the game. The videos will be in the eShop and on Nintendo's Youtube channel. A new puzzle panel in Streetpass Mii Plaza and a new letter in Swapnote will be available soon. Available June 9

Game and Wario- There are a few new games announced. Island is a multiplayer game for 2 to 7 people using a single Game Pad where you launch creatures called Fronks onto island in the sea for points. You try to maximize your points and try to knock other Fronks off. Kat and Ana are back with a patchwork puzzles. Use the Game Pad to add puzzle pieces to make new figures. Kung Foo is an auto-jump game where you control the student, Cricket, around the course. You have to pay attention to both the TV and the Game Pad as they offer different views of the course. Try to collect dumplings as you go. Available June 23, $39.99

Resident Evil: Revelations- Now going to the Wii U with new controls, a new mode, and new content.  Infernal Mode has different enemy and item placement. Hank and Rachel are playable during Raid Mode. The Game Pad allows you to view the map and change items without interrupting the game, or play the game in off-tv mode or with the Wii U Pro controller. There is a Miiverse community for this game. Available May 21

New Super Luigi U- This will be downloadable content available June 20 for $19.99, as well as a stand-alone packaged form available August 25 for $29.99.  Multiplayer mode has Nabbit replacing Mario. Nabbit cannot use power-ups, but does not take damage from enemies.

The Wonderful 101- Available September 15

Pikmin 3- Replacing Olimer are three new characters: Alph, Brittany, and Captain Charlie. They're from the planet Koppai, facing its doomsday due to a lack of food. These three are exploring to gather food and collect their seeds to send back to Koppai. They crash onto the planet of the Pikmin and the Pikmin assist them. The fruit is larger than they expected, so the Pikmin assist them. Exploration is limited from dawn until dusk. You can explore with all three characters simultaneously. You can replay that day or previous days to complete tasks more efficiently. Use the Game Pad, called the KopPad to move characters and check out the map. You can watch the entire day with the ability to fast-forward and rewind. You can play the game on the Game Pad, Wii Remote + and Nunchuk, or the Wii U Pro controller. It also supports off-tv play. Details on multiplayer will come later. Available August 4

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 11: Three Short Quests

The three remaining Beanstar pieces do not take as much effort to get. You can find them in whatever order you choose.

To the south, east of Beanbean Airport, is a Boo statue. Move it to make a path further south. This will take you to Harhall's Studio. Harhall keeps the Beanstar piece in a cage you can't reach. Two people will run out of the studio, unable to deal with the tempermental designer with a split personality. Harhall wants an assistant and will give them the Beanstar Piece as pay. The bros have to dye clothes and give them patterns by hitting little helicopters called Designbombs with water so they hit the shirt in the back. The colors mix: blue and yellow make green, red and blue make purple, yellow and red make orange, and all three together make brown. Mix two patterns to get a star. Harhall wants a red shirt of any pattern, a yellow, checkered shirt, a purple polka-dot shirt, and a brown shirt with a star. Once you're done, Harhall gives you the Beanstar piece. 2 to go! If you had fun making shirts, go back and Harhall will have you make all 28 possible design combinations. You'll be paid a Woo Bean for each shirt. Once all combinations are made, you'll get a piece of gear called Harhall's Pants.

Another Beanstar Piece is in Chucklehuck Woods. From the green pipe, go west, north, then west. A Koopa is blocking the entrance to a cave. Outside the cave is a snail blocking the path to the north. Go south. To the north is Winkle Colosseum. Pay 500 coins to enter. If you win the challenge, Winkles acknowledge the bros, allowing them to go to the north. The Winkle snails have a special challenge called the Chuckola Bounce. The bros will hold a bar and use it to bounce the energy blasts from the Chuckola Rocks back at them. Each Chuckola Rock you hit is one point. If the energy blasts hit the bros, they'll spin. Spin the bros using (A) and (B). Get at least 20 points by the time the Winkle walks to the other side of the screen to win. They will give you the Winkle Card. Go north to find Popple trying to pick off the Beanstar piece from the Winkle statue. Thankfully, he's alone.

He'll trying stealing items or hammers first. Hit him with Bros. Attacks. He's a pushover when he's alone. Defeat him for the Beanstar piece. One to go!

Go to the north Beanbean Fields for the remaining Beanstar piece. From the green pipe, go east, then north, past the Koopa. This leads to the Yoshi Theater. A Beanstar piece is on the sign. The owner is there, along with his annoying assistant. The owner wears clothes like a Yoshi egg and can target his assistant. He looks like Bubbles, the owner of Chuckola Chateau. He is Bubbles's younger brother, Boddle. He's president of the Yoshi Fan Club. Boddle will give the bros the Beanstar piece in exchange for something else to decorate the sign. He wants Neon Yoshi Eggs, which are laid by Yoshis after eating a certain food. That particular food is Bean Fruit, which you should have by now. The seventh Bean Fruit is outside of the theater, to the east.

Go into Teehee Valley, where the S.S. Chuckola was. Go south to the sea, then up the grassy ledges on the left. Dunk Luigi under the fence. Across the bridge is the last Bean Fruit, and a Piranha Bean that will eat it. Electricity is particularly helpful. It will spit something familiar-looking at Luigi, then swallow it again. It also spits fireballs. Once you defeat it, it spits out the familiar-looking object. It's Prince Peasley, shrunk down. Restore him to normal size with Luigi's hammer. As thanks, he gives Luigi the Bean Fruit. Feed the Yoshis and get the Neon Eggs. Talk to Boddle afterwards. He'll set up the sign and give you the Beanstar Piece. We're done here! You can return to Beanbean Castle or check out the places your new hand techniques can open up.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 10: A Wild Goose Chase

To find the first Beanstar piece, return to Teehee Valley. Go immediately east and you'll come across a large ship stuck in the rock. The Beanstar piece is on the deck. As soon as you board, members of the ship's skeleton crew appear and take it to the hold of the ship. Apparently, when it landed, it broke the ship's hatch. Follow them inside the ship. A member of the crew will tell you that this ship is the S.S. Chuckola that carries Chuckola Cola.

Take the stairs all the way to the bottom to see the Beanstar Piece taken into the hold. The bros can't go into the hold without a Membership Card, and to get one, they'll have to do something to help the ship. On the starboard side of the ship is the captain's quarters. He says the boat used to float, but it sank, and the ocean dried up into a desert, and they've been stuck there ever since. Behind his quarters is a room with a few item blocks. In the center of the ship is a room with lots of lights on the doorway. A Hoohoo villager will run out of there. A crew member will stand in the doorway and ask if the bros are ready to do some work. Say "Yes" and he'll let you into the room.

You'll meet Bink, who wants a sidekick. We need 10 Barrel points to become his sidekick. The game is called Barrel and it's a tedious game. The bros must cooperate to line up barrels horizontally or vertically. You have 180 seconds to line up barrels in rows or columns of 6. After a while, he'll throw in yellow barrels to make things a little more difficult. Completing the game with 10 or more points will get you a Membership Card. Return to the hold.

The crew member with the Beanstar piece is in the hold. He won't give it away for free, so the bros must find a way to get Bloat, a crew member that drank too much Chuckola Cola, out of the wall. Another crew member says Bloat forgot what he did with the bombs that can break walls. Talk to Bloat, then go upstairs on the starboard side, in front of the captain's quarters. The floor's a little different in one area. Hit it with a hammer and some dynamite will drop down near Bloat. Make sure you've gotten everything you want from the ship before you return to the hold.

When you're ready, have Mario light the fuse. The explosion frees Bloat, but also allows a lot of sand to rush in. The S.S. Chuckola dislodges from the wall and moves towards the ocean. The S.S. Chuckola is afloat once more, until it hits a rock and sinks again into Oho Ocean. The Beanstar piece floats away and the sand pushes the bros out of the ship. You can never enter it again.

Follow the Beanstar piece. At first, you'll need to open a passageway to the south. Your Bros. Moves work underwater, so use them. In the area next to where the S.S. Chuckola sank, you'll need to light a torch to open the path to the south. You'll find some new enemies, like Malibut, Starkiss, and Cheep-Cheep. Go southeast. Send Mini Mario through the gap in the wall and have him exit on the other side. Light the torch to the southwest. Then have Luigi electrify the jellyfish. This will lead you to the yellow pipe to the surface.

The awesome music is back again, but you're not on Oho Oasis. This is Gwarhar Lagoon. To the east are a couple of women talking about Prince Peasley's latest secret mission. Go north to find the lagoon's green pipe. Go east from where the women are and another woman will run into the bros. Apparently, a guy named Hermie found the Beanstar piece that "fell out of the sky". He's using it to decorate his shell and he looks like a holiday tree. Follow them east. From there, go north, into a cave.

This is the Relaxation Room. The bros have to pay 200 coins for a massage from Gigi and Merri. Gigi and Merri start massaging the bros' hands, activating the Thunderhand and Firebrand. This startles them. Gigi and Merri have also mastered the Hand Powers and will teach the bros special hand techniques. The Thunderhand can electrify the person in front so the pair will move on the same path. This means the bros can push things with their backs or walk from side to side. The Firebrand can allow the pair to run super quickly and knock stuff over. To stop dashing, either press (A) or turn in a different direction. The challenge is to get the Red and Green Pearl Beans. The path on the right uses the Firebrand to knock over giant Koopas and run past giant rollers. The path on the left uses the Thunderhand to move Boo statues on their tracks and walk sideways between rollers. You can now access all paths that aren't blocked by black rocks.

Go east, making use of your new hand techniques. There are new enemies in the area, such as Elite Troopea, which can revive fallen allies. You have new Bros. Attacks to utilize. Thunder Bros. is particularly useful in boss battles because you can lower attack or defense with it. Keep going east and you'll find a yellow pipe that takes you underwater.

To the south is a room with item blocks. Use the tornado to reach higher ledges. This will allow you to reach the yellow pipe to another part of the lagoon. Go south past two sets of rollers. Gritty Goombas and Boomerang Bros will battle you. Further south is a platform floating in the air. Use a Spin Jump to move it where you want it. To reset it, leave the area. You can High Jump to stand on it. Go east, then north. To the east, move a floating platform in a gap between grassy ledges so you can reach the ledge with the Boo statue. There's an invisible block in the southeast corner. Go west twice, then south to reach a yellow pipe. While underwater, use the tornado to Spin Jump to the east to reach an area with an invisible block. Go north, then south to reach a pipe to a Boo statue.

Go south and go onto the grassy ledge. There is a series of time trials ahead. Hit the ! Block to make a large ball appear. You have 10 seconds to reach the ! Block on the other side of it. Completing the challenge will make the path to the next challenge appear. Go east, then west. This time, you'll have 20 seconds to move a large ball, hit a ! Block, Spin Jump to the next block, then move another large ball and hit the ! Block at the end. Luigi should be in the lead at all times. To the west is another Boo statue that completes the bridge.

Past the bridge is Hermie with the Beanstar piece. The women we met earlier are helping to decorate his shell. Hermie thinks Mario might be Santa Claus. The women recognize the bros and Hermie feels ignored. He attacks. Attack the claws first. Once they're out of commission, attack Hermie. To lower his defense with Thunder Bros., execute the first command properly, miss the second command, and hit (B) when Luigi lands. Once you do enough damage, Hermie will retreat into his shell, which is very flammable due to the decorations. He'll heal while in his shell, which has high defense. He'll reappear so you can hurt him again. Once you defeat him, the bros will explain the situation and Hermie gives them the Beanstar piece. 1 down, three to go! Relax, the other three aren't as involved. The women will show you a shortcut to the green pipe.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 9: It's Officially a Mario Game

There are a few things to do in Little Fungitown. Go west, then go east by Spin Jumping on the mushroom platforms. There's an invisible block with a Hoo Bean here. There's another Hoo Bean on the leftmost mushroom in front of the Embassy. You can jump on the mushrooms from the wall on the right. There are shops for gear and items. One local mentions not eating food you're not used to. Many others mention the Game Arcade, which is on the east side of town. They mention the Invincishroom, a mushroom delicacy of 1-Up Mushrooms and Stars, which is the prize for beating the high score in the arcade.

Inside the arcade, there's only one game open: The Star 'Stache Smash, hosted by Geno. We need to beat the high score of 200 points to get an Invincishroom. Use the (A) and (B) buttons to tilt the tray to make items slide into the mouths of Piranha Plants on the sides. If a bomb goes into a Piranha Plant's mouth, it will close and the other will open. I got a score of 339. The owner of the arcade will give the bros an Invincishroom, a green mushroom with red spots. Mario eats it without sharing with Luigi. Mario turns green and collapses.

Mario is rushed to the Embassy. The doctor says he has Bean Fever. It afflicts travelers who aren't used to the region's food. The doctor is out of the remedy that can cure Mario. He'll turn into a bean in three days if he isn't treated. The doctor says that to the west is a dangerous place called Guffawha Ruins. Crabbie Grass, the cure for Bean Fever, grows there. Luigi eagerly volunteers to go in search of the Crabbie Grass, until the doctor mentions monsters in the ruins that do nasty things to their victims. Luigi becomes his cowardly self. It is all Peach can do to talk him into it. A trembling Luigi leaves the Embassy, unable to jump. There is only one place he can go: a house on the southeast corner.

A Koopa lives here called Psycho Kamek. He has the ability to perform hypnosis. After a deep breath, Psycho Kamek mentions that Luigi looks a lot like Mario and might be a fan of his. He'll turn Luigi into Mario. He starts the hypnosis. After the hypnosis is over, Luigi has a look in the mirror. His hats and clothes are red and he sounds like Mario. Luigi is now confident and can jump around. Return to Teehee Valley.

Go south past the Toads, then head west up a small stone elevator on the left. Go south. The path splits ahead. To the east, you'll be able to reach a Hoo Bean in an invisible block. Go south, then west. Go west again and you'll be in an area like Hoohoo Mountain. Go south, then north up the large stairs. Hit the red statue in the middle. It will crumble and Luigi must hit eight blue spheres. Do not hit the red ones. They will turn blue eventually. Try to hit them right after they bounce. The surrounding statues will make a white statue with a switch appear. Hit the switch to open the door ahead. Use electricity on the orbs to open the gate.

The enemies here are Chuck Guys (like Spear Guys), Limbo Bros, and Oucher Glasses. Cross the gap of donut lifts. There's a complicated puzzle ahead. You have to hit switches to make the lifts move around so you can reach the top. There are four levels. Hit either the blue or green switch on the first level, then hit the other switch on the second level. This should allow you to reach the fourth level, where the red switch it. Hit it, then go back down to the second level. Hit the blue and green switches again, and you can reach the door. Ahead is another challenge, where you must jump from moving platforms while avoiding flames. This opens the door to the Crabbie Grass. Ahead is a yellow pipe back to Little Fungitown.

Head back to the Embassy. Lightning will strike. This will zap Luigi back to normal, so he won't remember what he was doing when he was "Mario". Ahead, more lightning strikes. The Clown Copter appears and Peach is in it. A silhouette appears. Luigi thinks it's Bowser, but the silhouette thinks he's mistaken. It's Bowletta, the result of Cackletta's spirit entering Bowser. Fawful explains, "Cackletta's power has poured ino this Koopa who is king!!! The body is of the Bowser, but the mind is all of the Great Cackletta!" Bowletta is kidnapping Peach to use her voice. They fly off. Well, the Princess has officially been kidnapped. Go into the Embassy and cure Mario's Bean Fever.

Back at Beanbean Castle, Toadsworth scolds the bros over the kidnapping. Lady Lima brings in a message from Bowletta, on a Game Boy Advance. She wants the four pieces of the Beanstar in exchange for Peach's safe return. She will contact the bros once the Beanstar reforms. The bros have no choice but to follow Cackletta's demands. Prince Peasley knows the general areas where the pieces fell. They are marked on the map. He challenges the bros to find them before he does. The prize: 99,999,999,999,999 Mushroom Coins. Toadsworth suggests getting the piece in Teehee Valley first. We should do as he says; we can't access the other Beanstar pieces yet.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 8: What We have here is a Failure to Communicate

There are orbs at the entrance to the Beanbean Airport. Go south and go past the attendants. Lady Lima has summoned the bros to the runway. Piranha Plants started growing on the runway, preventing Peach's plane from landing. Repairing them wasn't a priority with Cackletta running around.The bros must do something about it or her plane will keep circling or just return to the Mushroom Kingdom. The Piranha Plants are healed by fire, but weak to electricity, but this is not the proper way to defeat them. Have Mario drink water from one of the many waterspouts and spit it up on the Piranha Plants. Next, have Luigi zap the Piranha Plants, which will destroy them and a root attached to a giant egg on the runway. When all five are destroyed, the egg will crack completely and reveal Mom Piranha.

Destroy the two Piranha Plants first. Blue ones may appear, which are weak to fire and heal from electricity. When both are gone, hit Mom Piranha. She'll swing her vines, trying to trip the bros. She'll also shoot an energy ball at them, which they can hit back at her. She'll drop the Spiny Badge A, which allows a bro to jump on spiked enemies to deal damage.

Talk to Lady Lima once you've defeated Mom Piranha. The runway has been prepared and Peach's plane has a smooth landing. Back at the Beanbean Castle Gardens, Peach appears and can talk normally. She thanks the bros for everything they've done. Toadsworth says the bros shouldn't be startled by her ability to speak normally. Her voice was never stolen. Prince Peasley knew of Cackletta's plot and warned Peach in advance. Apparently, there was a decoy Peach that had her voice stolen while the Princess was safely in hiding. This decoy is none other than Birdo, whose voice made the Beanstar react strangely. So, everyone was in on the plot and had planned everything in advance, but didn't bother to tell Mario and Luigi, who thought the world was in grave danger. If they had let Mario and Luigi in on the scam, they could've just let Bowser go to the Beanbean Kingdom without the bros, let him duke it out with Cackletta, while strengthening the castle's defenses in preparation of the arrival of the victor, who would be after Peach. Peach apologizes for causing the bros such trouble. She was going to tell them, but Bowser beat them there.

In the meanwhile, Prince Peasley will search for the Beanstar pieces while Peach and the bros do some sightseeing. Go into the throne room where Peach will mention a town inhabited by Toads in the Beanbean Kingdom called Little Fungitown. She wants to pay a royal visit. To reach it, one must go through Teehee Valley, which is filled with dangerous monsters and is too dangerous for her. Only if Mario and Luigi escort her will Toadsworth allow Peach to go there. Mario agrees to take her. The bros are to meet her at the entrance to Teehee Valley in the northeast.

Exit Beanbean Castle Town to the east, then go directly north. There's a rock blocking the entrance. Go inside and Peach and Toadsworth will appear. Peach apologized earlier about causing the bros so much trouble, but she's about to cause much more. Peach will walk on a set path around the area. If she reaches the end of her path or the bros talk to her, she'll go the opposite direction. If she wanders out of site, she'll be kidnapped by Gritty Goombas. Go through the yellow pipe in the area to reach her. There are Gritty Goombas guarding her, but you can just walk past them. Talk to Peach and they'll return to the same area. She'll also be kidnapped if she runs into a Gritty Goomba while walking, so kill those off early on. While she's walking around, you will have to solve puzzles in some areas to open up the path ahead. Talk to Peach to make her change her path to buy you some time. If she makes it to the area's exit, she'll say, "That wasn't so bad!" Don't try to be slick or sneaky by letting Peach get kidnapped, going forward, and solving the puzzles ahead of time, then trying to find her in the pipe in the last area. It doesn't work. She must be present at all times. Soon, you'll come to an area with a Save Book. You're almost there. Peach walks ahead.

The bros follow her and hear her scream. A giant tree has her cornered. Two Toads try to get the other to save her, but don't. The bros rush in to battle with Trunkle. He'll wind up his arms and roll his fists at the bros. Block the attack with hammers. Hammer-based Bros. Attacks work best. Once you do enough damage, he'll split into four Trunkles. The one with the orange in its mouth is the one you need to hit. The little Trunkles will shuffle around, so try to keep track of them. Once you defeat it, the Toads will come out of hiding. They welcome Peach and the bros to Little Fungitown.

The Toads of Little Fungitown are surprised that Peach made it here so soon and that the bros are here. Peach goes on ahead to the embassy, so the bros can sightsee. I recommend going northeast, south, then west to find the green pipe.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 7: Unleash the Elements

Mario and Luigi landed on a small island called Oho Oasis, inhabited by blue and red creatures called Oho Jee. They have a funny way of speaking. On the beach are boom boxes which play tapes left by a researcher that spent some time here. They say not to approach the red Oho Jee with fire and something might incite the blue Oho Jee. There are two temples on the island, the Fire Palace and the Thunder Palace. Visit them in the order you choose.

In the Fire Palace, go through the doorway on the right and have Mini Mario jump through the hole in the wall. To the back is the altar. Break the stone seal and Mario will return to normal size. A spirit will appear before Mario. He has been waiting for 3000 years for someone to visit this place. The long wait has affected his memory to the point that he's not sure if he's allowed in the Fire Palace or who he is. He lets Mario do whatever he pleases and disappears. Mario approaches the crystal orb in the back and checks it out. He can summon fire from his hand now. The spirit appears again, remembering that here they teach the Hand Power called the Firebrand. Select the Hand Power, hold (A) to charge up power and release it. Exit the altar using the doorway to the right and use the Firebrand to light the torch in the wall. This will lower the gate.

In the Thunder Palace, go through the doorway on the left and dunk Luigi under the gate. Break the stone seal on the altar and another spirit appears. He tells Luigi to leave. Luigi checks out the crystal orb and can summon electricity from his hand. The spirit reappears and says Luigi can master the Thunderhand. Hold (A) to charge up power and release it. Leave through the left doorway and electrify the orb to lower the gate.

As the boom boxes said, using fire on red Oho Jees will make them battle you. Using fire on them in battle will heal them. Using electricity will do critical damage. They'll be fine after the battle, so don't worry. Blue Oho Jee have the opposite problem. They'll periodically drop Oho Jee Wear. When you're ready to leave, go to the southeast and use the hand powers on the torch and the orb. This will make a bridge to a yellow pipe appear. This will take you to the Oho Ocean.

Set your commands to jump to swim. Both hand powers work underwater. Periodically, Goomdivers will drop down. Swim over spikes and make your way to the gates. Drop down to the ground to go through them. Jellyfish gates respond to the Thunderhand. There are Bloopers here as well. In the area where you first find the Bloopers, go north. Hit the switch and memorize the order in which the flames appear. Place flames on the torches in the correct order to lower the coral gate. You'll also encounter Pestnuts again. They take critical damage from fire. The Beanies will float away. Go to the left from there to reach a yellow pipe to the surface. Hold Up, (A), and (B) to climb.

Meanwhile, on the border, Fawful and Cackletta find a beaten Bowser. Fawful says, "O... G-Great... Ca-Cackletta... W-Will this guy... do?" Cackletta isn't picky, so he releases her energy and she takes over Bowser's body.

The bros surface on the east side of Beanbean Fields. Prince Peasley is there to greet them after searching for them. Luigi explains that the Beanstar split. The bros will help in the search. He appreciates the help, but wants them to go to Beanbean Airport first. Princess Peach is visiting the Beanbean Kingdom. The airport is to the south.

Before we go there, go west, then north, then open the gate. Follow the path to a cave. The Hammerhead Bros. have taken up residence here. They'll reforge the hammers for free. They'll be able to break gray rocks. Go to the right and break the gray rocks. In the next room, talk to the Thwomp. For 200 coins, you can test your luck for money, nothing, or a scroll. Secret Scroll 1 will teach Mario a new Bros. Attack called Swing Bros.

The new hammers and powers allow you to reach new areas. To the north is an orb Luigi can activate so you can reach a cave. The challenge is to hit Simu-Blocks at the same time while the bros are on different levels. These can be a little tricky, so approach the problem from all angles, such as jumping across a gap and letting one bro fall. You will get Wool Trousers from the mole for completing the challenge. To the west is a rock blocking the path to a Bean Fruit. To the south is another rock blocking the path to a Bean Fruit. This Bean Fruit is near the entrance to the Beanbean Airport.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 6: Bachelors of Puzzles

To reach Woohoo Hooniversity, exit the castle town to the east, then go south. You'll see guards to the south, who will let you pass through. There are Troopea here. Go east to reach Woohoo Hooniversity.

Inside, the place looks damaged and the music is creepy. People rush through the hallway out the door. Ahead, someone is lying on the floor. He says Cackletta snuck in and transformed the professors into monsters. He transforms into one himself. This enemy is called a Laser Snifit, which will shoot either high or low laser rings. Don't do anything when it fires low rings.

Up ahead are two star-themed rooms. In the northeast corner is an invisible block with a Hoo Bean. Go to the room to the north. Hit the ! Block on the right to open the gate in the other room. Go past the gate to a room filled with Laser Snifits. Go to the left. This room has Viruses. Hit them to turn the same color and they'll be defeated. Another enemy is the Eeker, which will bubble up with boiling liquid. To the left is an interesting area where they've been researching various kinds of blocks. Some of them may look familiar. Once you return to the room where the enemies were, go north. Go east for items, return, then go north. You may encounter Yo Bros. Watch the color of their yo-yos. Mecha-Chomps are also here. Watch the color of their eyes. When they malfunction, they will target the bro of the opposite color of their eyes. Check the chalkboard in the room and memorize where the red and blue circles are for the second pattern, or write them down. The room ahead has statues in a similar arrangement. Hit the statues with a hammer to change their color to open the Sun Door. Once you do, the statues will disappear and the window in the back will open up, letting in a beam of light. It will bounce off the walls and open doors. We have to complete tasks to rotate the mirrors so the light reaches the starry rooms near the entrance.

Go through the shutter door that just opened. Follow the path into a room with a lot of switches. Mario and Luigi will have to cooperate and split up to hit the switches. Early on, you'll have to play a little game where Mario and Luigi jump to hit 30 blocks in 25 seconds. Mario can walk on top of the walls to reach other areas. You'll want to walk on the walls to the room to the south, which has lots of invisible blocks. Get a barrel and stand on it to hit the switch, which rotates the mirror. This will open another shutter door.

This door leads to a complicated puzzle. There's a panel on the wall that looks like the one in Chucklehuck Woods. Go to the left, where an ! Block will move over a gap. Go north, down the ramp, and left. Hit the switch to make a barrel appear. Leave it where it is. Go back up the ramp and go to where the ! Block is. Spin jump to the left past it. Hit the switch, then have Mini Mario go through the gap. Make your way through the maze to the switch. The switch will drop some of the barriers in the maze and will make another barrel appear. Go to the barrels and place the one that just appeared on the panel. The crane will activate and pick up the barrel. Go down the ramp, past where the crane was. There are items up the stairs. Go south. Luigi will appear near the switch. Barrels will start rolling down the ramps, like Donkey Kong. When you reach the top, the crane will take the barrel away. The switch lowers a barrier and the crane will drop the barrel on the path. The barrel will hit the ! Block, rotating the mirror. Go to the next shutter door.

There's an invisible block over the raised floor. Have Mario drink some water and walk into the next room. Have Luigi hit Mario with the hammer to shoot some water at the mechanical mouse, which completes the circuit. This turns on the fan, which blows the ! Block over the floor. The ! Block rotates the mirror. In the starry room ahead, hit the ! Block on the left to rotate the lens to focus the light on the door. The door opens.

Ahead are three robots in pink dresses, the Beanstar, and Fawful. He says, "Preparations have completion! O Great Cackletta, unleash the voice of Princess Peach on the Beanstar when you are wanting to!" Cackletta is ready.

Go ahead to the next room, then High Jump up to the doorway. Save first. When the bros go through the door, Cackletta activates the Peach Bots. The Beanstar wakes up, turns red, and breaks the floor, falling with it. Cackletta doesn't know what's going on. Fawful says, "I have fright! A situation we had not suspected has begun to d-d-d-develop! May we flee?" The bros rush in and Luigi hammers Fawful into the floor. Cackletta is not pleased, but prepared to battle the Mario Bros. and knock them back to the Mushroom Kingdom.

First, she'll send holes in the floor. Jump over them. If a bro falls in the hole, he'll have difficulty jumping for a while. She'll also split into three. Use regular attacks to figure out which one is real. If you guess incorrectly, the copy will turn into bats that attack the bros. She may attack with lightning. After a while, she'll send holes in the floor again. Keep using Bros. Attacks to defeat her. She's not sure how this could happen. Fawful says, "CACKLETTA! Do not have worries! Watch! I am sucking your energy with this headgear!" He pops out of the ground and uses his headgear to absorb her. Cackletta wants a parting shot at the Mario Bros. Fawful says, "I say to you YES!" Before he can, Prince Peasley swoops in and sends them flying. The bros explain that Peach's voice drove the Beanstar mad. Prince Peasley's not worried and senses a surprising secret. He'll explain once they've recovered the Beanstar.

Go through the door in the northwest corner. Follow the path and the floor will switch from green to white. Follow the path and battle enemies. At the end is another circuit completion puzzle. After you complete the first part, you'll only be able to hit four robotic mice before the first one will leave the circuit. Once you do, a door will open. Through the door is the Beanstar, with Popple and Rookie. They're impressed with their luck, but not pleased to see the Mario Bros. They move the Beanstar out of the way so they can battle.

Popple will try to steal a hammer from the bros, so stop him with a hammer swing. Rookie will breathe fire and throw hammers. Attack Rookie first, as before. After a few attacks, Popple will suggest using a special attack. It's a Bros. Attack that causes two shockwaves. Once you defeat Rookie, Popple will run off. Once the battle is over, a Peach Bot will drop in and wake up the Beanstar again. Everyone piles on the Beanstar as it flies out of Woohoo Hooniversity. Slowly, they slide off one by one. Rookie remembers his name: Bowser. He falls off and the Beanstar splits into four pieces, and fall back to the ground. The bros land on Oho Oasis, a small island with awesome music.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 5: Beany Sidequests

Things are back to normal in Beanbean Castle Town. The buildings have been repaired and people are wandering around outside. Some of them have quests for you. The elderly man in the southeast corner tells of the ancient Soybean civilization. He wants to find the treasures of the civilization, the Beanstones. There are 10 of them in the castle town. He wants the bros to find them, and mentions that the ancient Soybeans were rather short. This is a clue to help you find them: Mini Mario can sense when the Beanstones (and other things) are underground. He'll have an exclamation point over his head when something's buried underground. There are Beanstones to the left of the southwest house, one just south of the southern arch, one southeast of the north arch, one in front of the equipment shop, and one to the right of the northern arch. The other five are in the east part of the castle town. One is in the southwest corner, near the information shop, one on the rightmost of the southern ledges, one is just south of the stairs to the castle, one on the northeast ledge, and one on the left side of the northern house. He'll give you a Bros. Rock badge. A guy near the information shop is missing his five Beanlets, little, green, round pets. One is in the northeast corner, one on the roof of the northern house (High Jump from the side to reach the roof), and on the west side, one is on the roof of the southeast house, one on the roof of the southwest house, and one behind the northwest house. He'll give you a Golden Mushroom, which restores all HP and BP.

There are more things to do in Beanbean Fields. If you go to the west, you can go past a gate into a cave. It's a 2D area where you go to the right while avoiding Lil' Sparkies. The mole at the end will give you a Golden Mushroom. To the north in the same area is a gate that leads to the area's green pipe. There's a green pipe to the south, as well. In some areas, you'll see rings of flowers, or large beanpods surrounded by flowers. You'll find Bean Fruit buried underground. You'll need them later. There are 4 you can get now. To the northeast is another cave. Mini Mario can complete a platforming challenge with spikes and Lil' Sparkies. There are two moles in this cave. The first one you see gives you a 1-Up Mushroom. The one that you reach by going over the ceiling will give you the High End badge.

While on the east side of Beanbean Fields, you'll find Lakipea, a Lakitu that throws Sharpeas. You'll need to High Jump to battle them. You'll also come across Bob-ombs if you go to the beach on the east. Paratroopea, which are like Paratroopas are also here. They can heal themselves and allies. To the north are Tanoombas, which are Goombas that look like Tanookis.

When you have a decent stash of beans, return to the west side of the castle town. To the north is Starbeans Cafe. Here you can blend your beans into bean juice. There are seven blends to choose from: the Woohoo Blend, Hoohoo Blend, Chuckle Blend, Teehee Blend, Hoolumbian, Chuckoccino, and Teeheespresso. When you make a blend for the first time, something interesting happens. The cafe goes dark. A familiar tune stars playing. A ghost sneaks up on Luigi. E. Gadd walks in, with the Poltergust 3000. He's the owner of the cafe. He says the aroma of the drink drew out the ghosts here. He vacuums the ghost. The barista explains that Gadd invented the bean blending Beanbean machine. He'll ask to sample the drink, which spurs him to push his ghost research into a new dimension. He'll give you an item to help on the journey. He gives the items in the same order regardless of what you make. The first one is the Greed Wallet. The next is the Bonus Ring. When you blend your third new drink, Gadd appears on the Super Poltergeist 3001, which can be ridden. (It makes an appearance as the Poltergust 4000 in Mario Kart DS.) He'll give you the Excite Spring. After blending the fourth drink, Gadd appears on the Game Boy Horror and sends a friendly ghost representative to taste the drink. He'll give you the Great Force. Gadd will do another video conference on the Game Boy Horror after blending the fifth drink, despite his promises to appear in person. He uses the new warp function to warp the drink to him. He'll give you the Power Grip. After blending the sixth drink, Gadd appears in person, wearing a gown that lets him become a ghost. This freaks Luigi out, so he uses the Poltergust 3000 on him. Gadd gives the bros the Cobalt Necktie. When you blend all seven drinks, he'll give you the Game Boy Horror SP, which will make enemies drop special items after battle. He places a portrait of himself on the wall.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 4: Quest for the Legendary Soda

The item and gear shops are now open, but the town's still in ruins. When you're ready, head to the southwest. Specifically, leave to the town using the west bridge, go south, and take the bridge to the west. Then Spin Jump across the gate to the Chucklehuck Woods. You may encounter Parabeanies on your way, which are like Paragoombas. Do not use hammers on flying enemies. The Beanbean Brooch allows us access to the Chucklehuck Woods. Inside the chateau, you can see how Chuckola Cola is made. Up ahead is the Chuckola Cola cellar. It's a maze, but you can see parts of where you can go. At some point, you'll go along the back wall and head left. As you exit the maze, you'll find you're missing a bro and someone else is standing behind Mario or Luigi. He runs ahead and the other bro catches up. Walk on top of the barrels into the next room on the left.

The mysterious person you met in the maze is in the next room. Calling himself Popple the Shadow Thief, he can't believe he's been seen. He calls his Rookie, who looks somewhat familiar. He finds the bros familiar as well. The sight of them makes him mad. Popple reveals that he and Rookie are after the Chuckola Reserve as well. The battle starts.

At first, Popple will attempt to steal an item from you. Use the hammer to block him. Popple will also ram you. Hit Rookie first, otherwise he'll get upset and throw hammers at you for attack Popple. He'll throw hammers and breathe fire. If you defeat Rookie, Popple will run away. Popple says he found Rookie on the moutain and took him in. They leave to find the Chuckola Reserve.

In the next room is a barrel lying on its side. Run into it to break it and free two people. They are Cork and Cask of the chateau. They are not sure if the Chuckola Reserve even exists. It would be past the Chucklehuck Woods, which is difficult to reach. They will help the bros out, so follow them into the next room. It's time to learn Bros. Actions with hammers. Luigi can hit Mario to shrink him and Mario can hit Luigi to bury him in the earth. Luigi hits Mario to return him to normal size, and just jumps to get out of the ground. Luigi can only go underground in areas without steel plates. The challenge is to retrieve two goblets in the next room. These techniques allow the bros to split up. They will walk together again once they approach each other. As you've been traveling, you may have notice small circles in the ground. These are bean spots, where Chuckle Beans are. Use the Luigi Dunk to get Luigi underground, move him to the center of the circle and bring him above ground to get the bean. You can find other things underground this way.

Head outside to enter the woods. A new enemy will drop down from the trees. They're called Pestnuts and are spiky. They may poison you if they run into you. You'll eventually make the spikes fall off, revealing that they're really Beanies. You might find a Gold Beanie here. They'll run off quickly, but have valuable stuff if you defeat them. More new enemies include Chuck Guys with spears and Fuzzbushes. You also have access to new hammer-based Bros. Attacks. Go north to find a green warp pipe. Now you can quickly return to Chucklehuck Woods from other places. At points in the woods, you'll have to dunk Luigi and have him come aboveground directly under a barrel so he walks around with it. He can stand on special panels and reflect energy beams to make paths appear. You can also have Mario stand on the barrel to reach high switches. Use [L] to find the action command for standing on and jumping off barrels.

There are many paths to take, but eventually, you'll wind up at a large talking tree called the Chuckleroot. He'll let us go further into the woods if we find all three kinds of Chuckola Fruit: white, red, and purple. He opens paths to the left and right. The path to the right leads to a puzzle where Mini Mario and Luigi have to split up and cooperate to hit switches that will open the path for the other. The last switch Luigi hits will start a 15 second timer. In that time, Luigi must use the spring to jump over the wall, regroup with Mario, and let Mini Mario run through the hedges and open gates past the last gate. As long as Mario's past the last gate when the timer runs out, you can get the White Chuckola Fruit. The path to left of Chuckleroot splits into two. The one on the right will lead to a cave with the yellow platforms that allow you to cross large gaps. This will take you to the Purple Chuckola Fruit. The path on the left leads to the room of the granddaughter of the great Chuckleroot. Although annoyed with the bros's presence, she shares information on digging up Chuckle Beans in the circles on the ground. She'll open up the path ahead if you collect all five Chuckle Beans in her room. Ahead is a hedge with a Wiggler in it. Stomp on the Wiggler to make it go into the hedge. When Mini Mario tries to go past the hedge, an angry Wiggler will appear. Approach it to start battle. Stomp on all segments besides the head to turn them yellow. He will then turn yellow and then you can attack the head. A well-executed Chopper Bros. attack may finish him off in one hit. Once defeated, he runs off and you can get the Red Chuckola Fruit. Return to Chuckleroot and save.

When Chuckleroot sees the Chuckola Fruit, he moves out of the way. Popple and Rookie appear and go on ahead. They were waiting for us to open the path for them. On the right side of the path ahead is an invisible block. It's about 2/3 of the way. All invisible blocks contain Hoo Beans. Ahead is the Chuckalola, another great tree. Past the tree is an old bean telling jokes to a barrel of soda. His name is Bubbles, the founder of Chuckola Cola. He also claims to be the ultimate comedian, but the last few jokes he just told inspire some doubt. The barrel of soda is the Chuckola Reserve. He's been telling it jokes for the last 1000 years. Not everyone can get their hands on it, as it stuffed Popple and Rookie into barrels. They can't stand up to such a beverage. It's the Mario Bros.'s to savor and enjoy, once they defeat it in battle, of course.

The Chuckolator has a sword and shield. It will send soda slugs at you. Defend with your hammer. Break the shield to reveal the other arm, which shoots globs of soda. After several hits, it will shrink. Bubbles will appear periodically to tell it a joke, restoring some health. Once you defeat it, Bubbles will break the floor the bros are standing on and they'll fall underground. Mario lands in the Chuckola Reserve and Luigi lands elsewhere. He'll have to proceed solo for a while. Once he reaches the barrel, he'll float on it all the way to the castle.

The bros go immediately to the throne room and give Queen Bean the Chuckola Reserve. The Belly Blech worm leaves her body and Queen Bean returns to normal. The bros explain the situation and Queen Bean explains what may be going on: the Beanstar can grant any and all desires. To keep it from being used for evil, it was cast into a deep sleep. The only thing that can wake it up is a voice of great beauty, of a pure and noble soul. Peach is the only one who possesses such a voice. Cackletta stole Peach's voice with the intent of waking up the Beanstar to grant her wish of ruling the world. Queen Bean forsaw Cackletta's desires long ago and they are prepared. Prince Peasley arrives. His top secret mission is going according to plan. Cackletta's hiding in Woohoo Hooniversity, the local research institution. For some reason, it's the perfect place to awaken the Beanstar. Prince Peasley leaves and the Mario Bros. are told to go there as well to retrieve Peach's voice. Before you leave the town, go immediately to the left of the castle. In a building on the side is a green pipe so you can warp back here quickly.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 3: The Mario Bros. do some actual plumbing!

Use your new hammers to break up the rocks in your path. Go to the right, past the cave, for some item blocks, then go into the cave. There's an old man in a rocking chair, who will let us ride the mine carts and pick up jewels. The bros ride in separate mine carts and collect jewels of their respective color. Mario also has to collect batteries so he can shine the flashlight on Luigi to see if there are any obstacles or gems in his path. You need ten jewels to pass through. You can repeat the minigame for Hee Beans.

The Hammerhead Bros. will catch up to the Mario Bros. to teach them how to use hammers in battle. To attack, press the bro's button when the hammer shakes. To defend, hold the button, then release it before the hammer shakes. To the north are item blocks and a mysterious Boo statue. To the south is the area surrounding Beanbean Castle.

In this area, you'll find Sharpeas, Spiny-like enemies. Use your hammer on them. Using hammers to get the first strike will stun all enemies on the field, but they won't take damage. Sworms also appear here. Go south, then east to Beanbean Castle Town. If you see Goombas with tails, you're too far north. Return to the previous area and take the path to the southeast.

Beanbean Castle Town is absolutely devastated. The townspeople say that Cackletta attacked while the soldiers were searching for Prince Peasley. One person says that something called the Beanstar is kept inside the castle. The item shop is the only thing that's currently open. To the north is the entrance to the castle. The guards won't let the bros through. Luigi brings out Prince Peasley's rose and the guards allow them to enter. Go north, then west and talk to the attendant lying on the floor. Lady Lima of the court appears, but won't let them meet the Queen. Instead, she opens a trap door and drops them into the basement. She says to prove that they are the Mario Bros., they must repair the castle's plumbing. The Mario Bros. have to do some plumbing? Who knows how long it's been since they've done that?

Aside from the plumbing, Super Flies are in the basement. They're faster than Fighter Flies. Spinies are also here. Deal with them the same way as Sharpeas. To fix the plumbing, use the hammers to hit the plugs in the pipes. This will restore the water flow and open the gate. Some plugs will make enemies appear. Some of the pipes have valves that need to be open. Spin the valves with the Spin Jump. One of the valves is in a different area than the pipes and plugs. Go to the right, spin the valve, and hammer the four plugs in. This will raise a platform so you can reach the next valve. Once you open all the gates, Lady Lima will appear and thank them for saving her. The bros explain that she dropped them here in the first place. She claims that Cackletta attacked and locked them in here.

Upstairs, the other "Lady Lima" approaches a star-shaped object that is no longer protected by a barrier. She says she tricked the Mario Bros. into fixing the plumbing, which disables the Beanstar security system. That is a strange security system. Fawful appears, saying, "Cackletta! It is the hurrying time! We must take that Beanstar and fastly run away from this place!" Cackletta removes her disguise and mentions having possession of both the Beanstar and Peach's voice.

Lady Lima explains that the Beanstar can grant all desires. They are the guardians of the Beanstar, at the castle. She says to hurry and keep the Beanstar out of evil hands. Inside their cell are some item blocks. Save and go through the other gate to go upstairs. The Beanstar is gone. Fawful says, "Once we awaken the Beanstar with Princess Peach's voice, this world will be Cackletta's snack cake!" Cackletta asks if the bros have met Queen Bean yet. She drops down, angry. Fawful and Cackletta fly off and Queen Bean approaches for battle.

She'll slam her fists into the floor, creating shockwaves. You'll want to attack both of her arms first. After about 20 HP of damage, they'll shrink and her crown will fall off. You can now attack her head. She'll spit beans at you. If you land on them, they'll become Beanies and remain on the battlefield. After a few turns, her arms will become large again. If there are any Beanies on the field once you defeat her, you'll have to defeat them as well.

Once you defeat her, Queen Bean collapses. Lady Lima says that Cackletta made her eat a Belly Blech worm, which turned her into a monster. The bros offer to help in any way. The only way to return her to normal is for her to drink from the legendary Chuckola Reserve from the Chucklehuck Woods. Lady Lima gives them the Beanbean Brooch and tells them to head southwest to reach the Chucklehuck Woods. One of the attendants gives them a badge outside the castle. Badges make the bros stronger and have numerous effects. Luigi's upset that he doesn't get one.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 2: Hammer Time

The Bros. walk into Hoohoo Village. The villagers are worried about Prince Peasley's disappearance. They say that climbing up the mountain is difficult, unless Blablanadon helps you out, but he's looking for Prince Peasley. To the southwest is the path out of the village. Fawful is there, scaring off a soldier. He notices the Bros. and says, "Y-You again! You are the pair of fink-rats that swooped in with the Bowser that I hate! Hmph! HMPH, I say to you! While I was busy with Peasley, you have been catching me! I have fury! But Cackletta has already begun smearing the butter of her next tasty plan over Beanbean Castle! Since you two cannot make it in time, I say to you that it is better never than late... So here is your halting place! I have fury! Since you will not be shattering this stone, I laugh at you trying to climb down this mountain!" He drops a stone statue in the middle of the path.

Go back into the village, into the house by the waterfall where they are trying to build the bridge. This is the home of the Hammerhead Bros., Mallet and Sledge. They recognize the Mario Bros. The Mario Bros. want hammers, but the Hammerhead Bros. can't make a hammer without Hoohoo Blocks from the top of the mountain. They need Blablanadon to reach the summit, but he's not available. The Mario Bros. agree to bring back a Hoohoo Block from the summit. Leave the area, then return to find the bridge fixed so you can ascend the mountain.

One of the enemies you'll find on the mountain are Beanies. They're easily defeated. The green ones frequently drop Woo Beans. Dry Bones are also here. The way their head spins will tell you which bro it will attack. If it spins around in a circle like it's turning its head to look around, it's aiming for Mario.

In some places, you'll find tornados. Use these to give extra power to your Spin Jump and cross wider gaps. You'll also find flaming statues near spouts of running water. Have Mario drink some water, walk over to the statue, and have Luigi High Jump on Mario to spray water on the statues to extinguish them. This will produce a tornado. If the water isn't running in an area, go to a different area and keep going. You'll eventually reach a ! block that will turn the water on. This will allow you to reach a new area with a statue with sparkling eyes. It's called Hoohooros, the ancient weapon of the Hoohoo civilization. The bros must pass his challenge or the gate will not open. We have 30 seconds to catch 10 Hoohoo Spirits from the platforms without touching the ground. Use the Spin Jump to get them. Once that challenge is complete, we must defeat him. This battle takes some strategy. He will hide under one of two pillars. He'll shoot lasers from the pillar. Destroy the pillar he isn't hiding under first. This will give him nowhere to hide, so you can attack. He'll shoot lasers as well while in the open. Use Bros. Attacks. The path ahead opens up once you defeat him.

From here, you'll also find Rexes. Stomp them before they attack to make them shorter. You can't dodge their attack while they're tall. In one area, hit the ! block to turn on the water. Go to the right where the flaming statue is, then Spin Jump to the left. You'll have to High Jump at an angle to reach the water spout. Walk to the right, behind the wall and drop down. Walk up the stairs and extinguish the statue. The tornado will allow you to reach an area with a path to the north. The areas ahead have moving tornados, so time your Spin Jumps and re-enter the tornados for Spin Jump boosts.

The next area is the summit. The telescope will allow you to see all of the Beanbean Kingdom. The Save Book is on the left. In the center is a sleeping pterodactyl. Bump the rock in front of it to wake it up. He says that rock is a Hoohoo Block. This is Blablanadon. He followed Prince Peasley up to the summit and found the huge egg he's currently sitting on. He thinks it will hatch soon. The ground shakes, which sends the Hoohoo Block down the waterfall into a chimney in Hoohoo Village below. A dragon called Dragohoho hatches from the egg, sends Blablanadon flying, and battles the bros. It will fire Hoohoo Blocks at them. Use Bros. Attacks and it will become shorter. He'll spit out a large Hoho Stone and will stand on it, making its attacks harder to dodge. Destroy it before that happens. Once you defeat Dragohoho, it will transform into someone will incredibly shiny hair. Blablanadon returns and explains that this is Prince Peasley. He's on a top secret mission, but ran into Cackletta and Fawful on the mountain. They transformed him into Dragohoho. Mario explains Peach's situation, but he's not worried about it. He says not to worry and that she'll be fine. He wants us to visit Queen Bean in the Beanbean Castle. It might be Cackletta's next target. He gives us a rose, which will allow us to enter the castle. He takes off and Blablanadon returns us to Hoohoo Village.

Go visit the Hammerhead Bros. The Hoohoo Block fell into their chimney, so they'll make a pair of hammers. They'll teach you how to use them. These hammers can only break brown rocks, including the stone Fawful used to block the path. Head down the mountain.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga -- Part 1: Beanbean Coin Challenge

The Koopa Cruiser crashed onto Stardust Fields, scattering its occupants on both sides of the border. Some of the Koopas landing on the Mushroom Kingdom side, and said Bowser landed on the Beanbean Kingdom side. (They also haven't finished paying off the Koopa Cruiser.) To the left is the border. Once you cross it, you won't be returning to the Mushroom Kingdom for a while.

Border security consists of a couple of Koopa bros that recognize the Mario Bros. To cross the border, we must do the Border Jump. The Koopas will move a rope around, representing the border. Mario and Luigi must jump to avoid it. They have to avoid touching the rope until the flag in the background reaches the top of the flagpole. If either bro touches the rope three times, they'll have to start over. Once the challenge has been completed, they are allowed to cross to the Beanbean Kingdom side. As the Mario Bros are the first to cross the border while the Koopa Bros are on duty, they commemorate the occasion by giving them a map of Beanbean Kingdom. If you want more of a challenge, return to take Border Jump 2, Super Border Jump, Super Border Jump Sunshine, and Complete Border Jump for Hee Beans. To the left is a green pipe. Go through it and you'll see a map of the Beanbean Kingdom. You can't go anywhere just yet, but this means you can quickly warp to Stardust Fields via any green warp pipe. Just go through any large green warp pipes you see to unlock them. Go to the south for now.

There are spikes ahead on the path. Mario and Luigi can cross them by jumping at the same time. Go south, then go left. Avoid hitting item blocks and battling enemies. You'll find a Save Book ahead. There's a star-shaped panel in the floor and a large cannon. Bowser is stuck in it. A green creature drops in and finds the situation amusing. It's Tolstar, the King of the Stardust Fields. He wants all of the Mario Bros.'s coins to set Bowser free. Mario hands over the coins, but they're from the Mushroom Kingdom. Whatever amount you have, they're worth only 10 Beanbean coins. That's not enough, so he wants 100 more. We can find them in item blocks and by winning battles. From now on, you'll be dealing with Beanbean currency, which is why I said to wait on battling and item blocks. Tolstar opens the path to the south.

One of the enemies you'll find here are Fighter Flies. They'll hop towards you to attack. You can counterattack. They have about 5 HP. Another type are Bill Blasters, which fire Bullet Bills. They have about 6 HP. There are some ledges with item blocks you can't reach yet. Take the path Tolstar opened up and follow it. In one area, you'll find two yellow platforms. Stand on them and hold the direction you want to go, then hit the button of the lower bro. This will allow you to cross some gaps.

Soon, you'll come to another star-shaped panel on the ground. Step on it to make the Starshade Bros, Sergeant and General Starshade, appear. They witnessed the Koopa Cruiser crash. After the Mario Bros mimic them, resulting in Mario crashing into them, they recognize them, and change their objective to obtaining autographs. The Mario Bros explain the situation and the Starshade Bros are here to help, teaching the secrets of Bros. Action. To get over high ledges, Luigi can jump on Mario to perform a High Jump. Use [L] to select the High Jump, then have Luigi jump twice. Mario can perform a Spin Jump to cross gaps using the same button commands. They'll have you complete a short obstacle course. Go south to put these new skills to the test.

The Starshade Bros. will appear to the left of the next area. They tell us that we can use Bros. Actions in battle. They're called Bros. Attacks. They're very powerful attacks. They cost BP, which can be restored with syrup. Each attack has three modes. Mode 1 is the easiest, with slow motion and button prompts. Mode 2 has no slow motion. Mode 3 has no button prompts and costs less BP. You'll see the color of the bro whose button you should press. Successfully using the attacks a number of times will allow you to use Advanced Commands.

Sooner or later, you'll have enough coins for Tolstar. The path loops around to where he is. He takes the coins, but refuses to free Bowser. He'll then battle you. Use Bros. Attacks to do lots of damage quickly. He throws spike balls, some of which will bounce over the Mario Bros.'s heads. After a while, he'll be defeated. Sergeant Starshade will light the fuse of the cannon, sending Bowser flying. It's up to the Mario Bros. to get Peach's voice back. Go ahead to the left. You'll go through a cave and exit.

You'll end up near a couple of waterfalls. Some soldiers approach you, wondering what happened to Prince Peasley. They don't believe that the Mario Bros. had nothing to do with his disappearance. Tolstar flies in, bandaged, confirming the Mario Bros.'s story. The soldiers apologize, saying that eyewitness reports the kidnapper to wearing "an odd helmet and speaking of mustard and fink-rats". Sounds familiar. The path ahead leads to the mountainous Hoohoo Village.