New Super Luigi U: Layer-Cake Desert- Castle -- Morton's Lava-Block Castle

This castle has lots of platforming on blocks that appear from the lava. There is a Red Coin Ring near the start. The platforms in the area of the first few Red Coins will appear from the lava, so time your run if you want to get them. The first Star Coin is surrounded by brick blocks over a platform bobbing in the lava. Be Super Luigi to break the blocks and get the Star Coin. Move quickly. There are Dry Bones in the castle. Pound the arrow sign for hidden coins. The second Star Coin is near the lava and is blocked periodically by a moving platform. With the Ice Flower, freeze a Dry Bones and throw it to reach it. Near the boss door, run and jump from the last platform in the lava to reach the third Star Coin. You'll go over the boss door to reach it. Once through the boss door and on the Airship, Morton will use his hammer to summon a giant Pokey and hit its segments at you. Jump to dodge, then stomp him three times, preferably before he can summon another Pokey. Victory will open the path to Sparkling Waters and Frosted Glacier. We now have all of the Star Coins in Layer-Cake Desert.

New Super Luigi U: Layer-Cake Desert-6 -- Spinning Sandstones

This is a great level to collect coins for extra lives early in the game. There are rolling sandstone hills, some with lots of coins on them. Also in the level are Walking Piranha Plants and sand pillars. The first Star Coin is near a pipe where the Water Piranha Plants are. Jump over the Water Piranha Plants and go between the second and third Walking Piranha Plants. Jump up from the platform between them to find an invisible block with a vine. This will take you to an area with musical note blocks and the second Star Coin. Drop down to the main level and you'll see three statues, one of which looks like Luigi. The statues hide a hidden area with coins. Lakitu will appear when you step on the sandstone next to the statues. This Lakitu will throw Piranha Plants that will sprout when they land. There's a Red Coin Ring ahead with several sandstones spinning counter-clockwise. Collect the Red Coins if you like and you'll reach solid ground. There's a giant Piranha Plant and a Water Piranha Plant. Kill the giant Piranha Plant, then walk to the right to find the hidden third Star Coin. The sandstone to the right leads to the flagpole.

New Super Luigi U: Layer-Cake Desert- Fire Piranha -- Slippery Rope Ladders

This level has lots of ice. The Fire Piranhas can melt the smaller chunks of ice. There are rope ladders that let you reach new areas. The first Star Coin is near the second rope ladder. Jump from the ladder, then wall jump back to the ladder to get it. Slide down the icy ground, then go past the Piranha Plants in moving pipes. There's a Red Coin Ring in the area. The Red Coins lead to the second Star Coin. Go up higher and you'll find a couple of Fire Bros and 8-bit Luigi. The third Star Coin is up here. Keep going to the right past a pipe is the flag, set against a constellation backdrop.

New Super Luigi U: Layer-Cake Desert- 5 -- Stone Spike Conveyors

This level features moving yellow platforms on paths and Stone Spikes on mushroom platforms. The first Star Coin is under the first Stone Spike. Use the yellow platform to get it. The second Star Coin is high above, on the right side of the third set of pipes. Past it is a Green Ring. The third Star Coin is over the gap near the flagpole. There's a fast set of yellow platforms with Stone Spikes before it. Get the third Star Coin at the last second and jump to safety.

New Super Luigi U: Layer-Cake Desert-4 -- The Walls Have Eyes

The Easter Island statues with the moving eyes are here. They're on the ceiling and the floor and move to the left. Jump and run over them to go right. The first Star Coin is in the center of one statues. Pound the statue to make it drop into the ground, allowing you to reach the Star Coin. It will come back around if you miss it. To the right, you'll encounter Waddlewings. There are three statues near where the Waddlewings are. Pound the center statue to make it lower, then jump on it to find an invisible block with a vine in it. This will take you to the second Star Coin. Return to the main level and you'll see more statues, some of them on the ceiling. The third Star Coin is in this area, between two statues. Wall jump to get it. Keep going to the right and statues will appear so you can reach the regular goal. This opens the path to Layer-Cake Desert-6.

To reach the secret exit, go past where the vine in the invisible block is. There is solid ground to the right of the vine. Pound it to drop down to a pipe cannon. This will take you to the red goal. Statues will appear so you can reach it. This opens the path to Layer-Cake Desert- Fire Piranha.

New Super Luigi U: Layer-Cake Desert- Fort -- Wind-Up Tower

This Fort has gears to spin that temporarily move stones into place so you can climb up. This is where Luigi's lack of traction can be a huge issue. You don't have a lot of time to climb back up if you fall, but keep trying. Spin the first gear and jump up before the stones come together. The stones form stairs. The first Star Coin is behind the vertically-moving stone. Jump quickly to get it before it is covered up. Keep climbing past the Dry Bones and get a powerup. Above is a second gear. To the right of the gear is an invisible block with a 1-up. Spin the gear, but do not move the stones all the way. This is where the platforming gets a little tricky. Climb up and get the second Star Coin. When you reach the top, go right, then up for the third gear. The stones will separate, but only briefly. You must move quickly to get out of there alive. Drop back down if you can to spin the gear again if you need to. There's an 8-bit Luigi here, and the third Star Coin is revealed towards the top. After surviving that, go through the boss door. Kamek will power up Boom Boom, making him spin. Defeat him and a tornado will surround Peach's Castle.

New Super Luigi U: Layer-Cake Desert-3 -- Piranhas in the Dark

Take the pipe underground into the dark cave. There are giant Piranha Plants, some of which breathe fire. The fire and the lights on the moving platforms provide some light. The first Star Coin is over a giant Piranha Plant. The second Star Coin is on the right side of a platform, behind a giant Piranha Plant. Kill the Piranha Plant and stand on the platform. It will eventually dip down so you can get it while standing on the platform. Over solid ground is an item block with a Yellow Baby Yoshi. It will help illuminate the area. Ahead are some Fire Bros and more giant Piranha Plants, some of which are on the ceiling or overhead pipes. One of the giant Piranha Plants is hanging from a green pipe. Kill this Piranha Plant (you won't have time to kill all of them, but you can kill some of the other ones) and go through the pipe. There's an 8-bit Luigi behind the Piranha Plant. The pipe will take you to the third Star Coin and the flag.

New Super Luigi U: Layer-Cake Desert-2 -- Underground Grrrols

The spike balls with faces called Grrrols are in this level, as well as giant Pokeys. The first Star Coin is over the platform where the first Pokey is. Ahead are some crushing columns. The second Star Coin is in here. Get it, then duck into the safe area where the columns will not crush you. At the end is a pipe over a Grrrol. The pipe leads to the flag. Go past the pipe to find the third Star Coin, then go to the flag.

New Super Luigi U: Layer-Cake Desert-1 -- Spike's Tumbling Desert

There are Spikes dropping spike balls, so destroy some of them to make the level easier. (You might run out of time if you try to defeat them all). The first Star Coin is over the moving brick blocks. The second Star Coin is nearby, hidden under a ledge with a Spike. Past the Red Coin Ring is a P-Switch that turns coins into brick blocks, allowing you to reach the third Star Coin. The flag is nearby. After finishing the level, Nabbit appears and steals something from Toad. He then goes to Acorn Plains-1. Luigi now gets access to the pipes between worlds.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Layer-Cake Desert- Castle -- Morton's Compactor Castle

This castle features moving stones over large pits of lava. The stones have the potential to crush you, so be careful. The first Star Coin is over the lava. Drop down to the stone below it and jump to get it. You'll soon come across a red pipe. Go up and over the pipe by wall jumping for a pipe to the second Star Coin. Back in the main level, there's a mini gap with some coins. After dealing with some more stones, you'll reach the midpoint. The third Star Coin is also over the lava. Drop down and ride the platform under the blocks to ge ti and transfer to the next platform. There's a Green Ring nearby. If you have an Ice Flower, freeze the Dry Bones on the floor near the Podoboos and slide it into them for a 1-up. Next is a set of blocks that will form compartments for you to stand it, so watch them carefully. If you go over the ceiling and to the left, you'll find some more coins. The boss door is to the right. Take the cannon to the Airship. Morton Koopa Jr. has a hammer, which makes a giant Pokey appear when he uses it. The Pokey will prevent you from attacking Morton and will throw its segments at you. Jump to dodge them. Once the Pokey is gone, attack Morton. Try to stomp him immediately after he comes out of his shell so you don't have to deal with more Pokeys. After you defeat him, his Airship crashes. We have all of the Star Coins in Layer-Cake Desert. The path opens up to two new worlds: Sparkling Waters and Frosted Glacier. I'll be going to Sparkling Waters first.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Layer-Cake Desert-6 -- Blooming Lakitus

Lakitus are flying overhead in this level and you'll want to take their clouds. Grab the Ice Flower in the item block over the palm tree. The lower part of the level features spinning stones, like the rolling hills in Acorn Plains. The Lakitus don't throw Spinies, but rather Piranha Plants. Grab the Lakitu's cloud and fly high into the sky. The lone brick block in the sky has a 1-up. The first Star Coin is above the spinning stones and some blocks. There are spinning coin rings in the air nearby. Around the time the cloud disappears, you'll be close to the midpoint. There's a Red Coin Ring near some giant Piranhas. Over the spinning stones past the Red Coins is a pipe to the second Star Coin. It's to the right of the POW Block. The third Star Coin is at ground level surrounded by Piranhas. Use a Koopa shell to get it. From there, it's not far to the flag. This opens the path to the castle.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Layer-Cake Desert-5 -- Dry Desert Mushrooms

This level features Rock Spikes on mushrooms. Also in the level are platforms on paths. Early on, there will be two platforms to choose from. Start on the top one first, then drop down to the lower one for the first Star Coin. The Acorn Mushroom is available in this level. Be careful on the expanding pink mushrooms and you'll reach the midpoint. Take the platform up to more pink mushrooms with a couple of Rock Spikes. The second Star Coin is up there. There is also a Green Ring in the area. Go through the green pipe below the mushrooms. There is a POW Block, as well as the third Star Coin. You'll be standing on the pink mushrooms, so time your use of the POW Block for when the mushrooms expands so the mushrooms can catch the third Star Coin. Return to the main level and go past a random item block. You can take either the platform or the mushrooms to the flag at the end. This opens the path to Layer-Cake Desert-6.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Layer-Cake Desert- Ice -- Piranha Plants on Ice

This part of the Layer-Cake Desert gets snow. There are several blocks of ice in this level, most of them held up by smaller chunks of ice. Fire Piranhas can melt the smaller chunks of ice and make the blocks of ice fall to the ground, possibly crushing you in the process or blocking off access to some areas. First, you'll have to cross a bridge partially formed by several blocks of ice. The Fire Piranhas below will start melting the ice so the large blocks will start falling. Past the bridge is a large area of snow. There are Fire Piranhas overhead, as well as blocks of ice, so move quickly if one is about to fall. Go down the first green pipe before a block of ice blocks it off. This will take you to the first Star Coin. The next pipe, which is overhead, will take you to the second Star Coin. It's between several Fire Piranhas and some blocks of ice. Let the ice melt, then wall jump up to get it. Return to the main level. There's a Green Ring nearby, but be warned that some of the coins can be blocked by ice. As you keep going, there will be a point where the ice blocks will be within reach and can allow you to reach new heights. Move quickly and jump with precision to reach the higher levels off ice. If you let the ice fall too far, you won't be able to reach the end of the line of ice blocks, where the third Star Coin is. You may also try to reach it by using a Fire Flower to kill the Fire Piranhas in case you can't reach it by jumping. At the end, you'll have to run and dodge fireballs from the Fire Piranhas as well as falling ice to reach the flag. This opens up the path to Soda Jungle.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Layer-Cake Desert-4 -- Spike's Spouting Sands

This level has lots of Spikes throwing spike balls and pillars of sand that rise from the void to give you a boost. Some of the Spikes are on item blocks. The Ice Flower is available here, so freeze the Spikes if you need to. Under a bridge and between two sand pillars is the first Star Coin. Go under the bridge and use the sand pillars to reach it. Soon after, you'll see three Red Koopas on flying item blocks. Nearby is a flying item block over a sand pillar. Hit it to make a vine appear. This will take you to the second Star Coin. The Star Coin is next to the right wall. There are shifting blocks that expand into a line and contract back into a single block. They will expand to form stairs so you can reach the Star Coin. Return to the main level and you'll soon come across the midpoint. Past the midpoint, you can go behind the small Stone Eyes. Some of them have invisible areas with pipes in them. Take the pipe down and you'll find an item block with a Mini Mushroom. Run up the walls into the pipe to the right. Keep running and you'll get the third Star Coin which is below the area you could normally reach. Keep going and you'll reach the flag. This opens the path to Layer-Cake Desert-6.

Another Stone Eye has a hidden pipe. This Stone Eye is the one past the midpoint and the pit with the Spikes with the arrow sign nearby. The pipe is a cannon that takes you to the red goal. This opens the path to Layer-Cake Desert-Ice.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Layer-Cake Desert- Fort -- Stone Slide Tower

In this fort, there are wheels to spin that move the stone blocks around. Stand on the wheel and press [ZR] to move the blocks, repeating this as necessary. Spinning the first wheel makes the first Star Coin appear on the left side. There are Spike Tops in the fort, so be careful where you jump. Climb higher in the tower and spin the wheel, then quickly move to the left and wall jump up past the stone for the second Star Coin. Near the top, spin the wheel to move steps into place so you can reach the pipe to the midpoint. In this part, there are patches of quicksand. Over the first patch is a set of stones that will allow you to platform up. It also has a giant Dry Bones on it. There's an invisible red pipe on the left wall near the second patch of quicksand. It leads to a room where infinite spike balls appear from the ceiling. The third Star Coin is blocked off in stone. Just below where the spike balls appear is a stone you can move by spinning a wheel. Time it so that the stone catches the spike ball, and lets it roll to the right, hit the wall, then roll back to the left and break the stone. You have to get the Star Coin on your own, so be careful. Once you return to the main level, keep climbing until you reach a set of pipes in the middle of the tower. You need to spin the wheel to separate the stones over the pipes, then quickly use the pipe as a cannon to the boss door before the stones come together. Kamek appears in the boss room and powers up Boom Boom so that he spins around. Other than that, the battle is the same. Stomp him as soon as he gets up to make the battle go faster. Once defeated, Mario kicks him out. In another part of the Mushroom Kingdom, Kamek circles Peach's Castle, and whips up a purple mist that covers the castle until we can't see it. The path to Layer-Cake Desert-4 and -5 opens up, through a maze with a Goomba, a Fire Bro, and an Acorn Mushroom.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Layer-Cake Desert-3 -- Fire Snake Cavern

It's another underground level. Grab the Ice Flower outside and take the pipe underground. This cavern is dark, but has a few lights in it. There are lots of Fire Snakes in the cavern, but the Ice Flower can extinguish them. Some of the lights in the cavern are attached to tilting platforms. The second set of tilting platforms will allow you to reach a high ledge with the first Star Coin. Making life difficult while providing some illumination are the occasional Fire Piranhas. In an item block is a Yellow Baby Yoshi, which glows for better visibility. It also eats most enemies, including the Fire Snakes. It can't eat Fire Bros, which appear before the midpoint. There's a low pipe which will take you to a 1-up and some Piranha Plants. There's a Red Coin Ring nearby. The next set of tilting platforms has brick blocks in it. Break them to reach a pipe below. It takes you to the second Star Coin. Afterwards are more Fire Snakes and a P-Switch. Soon, you'll come to some more tilting platforms with Fire Bros. Over the first Fire Bro is a pipe to the third Star Coin. Afterwards, continue to the right, take a pipe above ground and go to the flagpole. This opens the path to the Fort.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Layer-Cake Desert-2 -- Perilous Pokey Cave

As the name suggests, this level is filled with Pokeys. Use the pipe to go underground. There are pillars of sand that allow you to dodge some Pokeys, but some Pokeys may wander into them, making them difficult to avoid. Some Pokeys are on the ceiling. The first Star Coin is over a sand pillar near a Koopa. Between two Pokeys is a gap in the ceiling. There's an invisible block over the sand pillar between them. Use it to go up and over the ceiling for some coins and the second Star Coin. There's a Starman in the lower set of brick blocks. Past the midpoint is a set of blocks. Yoshi is in the top block. Go through the first pipe past the midpoint, which takes you to a dark cave. There is an invisible block between the two Pokeys on the ceiling, which lets you reach a green pipe overhead. It takes you to a lit cave with several tall Pokeys. Use Yoshi to bounce on top of the Pokeys for the third Star Coin. Once you return to the dark room, go through the pipe at the end. This will take you to the flagpole. The path to Fort opens.

New Super Mario Bros. U: Layer Cake Desert-1 -- Stone-Eye Zone

This desert has quicksand as well as stone statues in the quicksand. The are safe to stand on and sometimes move. We can also stand on the palm trees. There are flying squirrels here. The ? Switch makes coins appear from the sky. Bounce off a stone statue for the first Star Coin. Use a Koopa shell to hit the item block you can't hit for a 1-up. Pound the nearby stone statue for coins. After the midpoint are pillars of sand that appear from below and help you reach things, like item blocks. One of the item blocks has a Fire Flower. If you have an Acorn Mushroom, glide and boost to a green pipe near a palm tree. It will take you to the second Star Coin. Use the P-Switch to get it. The third Star Coin is in the middle of a pillar of sand. Jump down to get it when the sand is not there and the sand pillar will appear to save you. At the end, near the flagpole, is a series of stone statues that you have platform over. The statues will sink and tilt, sometimes before you reach them, so take your time. The flagpole is at the end. This opens the path to a Mushroom House, and Layer Cake Desert-2 and -3.

A rabbit thief appears from the Mushroom House with a sack. Toad says that the thief stole a bunch of stuff from him and that he's fast. The thief runs of to Acorn Plains-1.