Destination Point: World 5. Mid-castle. Iggy Koopa.

Number of Players This Session: 1 (backtracking), 3 (Worlds 4 & 5)

Like I mentioned before, I backtracked by myself and now have all Star Coins and secret warp pipe exits up to this point. In a less chaotic environment, it’s easier to find these secrets. Although there’s one in particular in World 2 that I’m curious about. There’s this green pipe in the overworld that’s bugging me. Remember that level with the desert storms? I think I missed out on something there.

Going single player is sort of an interesting experience, too. Even though playing through these levels are just as good, I can’t help but notice how spacious they are. It’s hard to miss any jumps unless you’re playing with people. I also noticed that there are times when a Toad pops up out of nowhere in the overworld and wants help in one of the levels. Upon entering that level, you’ll find that Toad in one of the question blocks and you must carry him to the end of the level. A 1UP Mushroom House will be your reward.

World 4 had a surprise in store for us. After the main castle, you’re treated to an additional airship level, straight out from Super Mario Bros. 3. Good stuff. Bowser Jr. even comes and greets us with his mini Klown Kopter. Surprisingly easy boss fight.

I like World 5′s progression concept. Vines block and unwind certain pathways as you play through levels. I don’t think I can access World 5-3 anymore because of those vines. I’ll have to finish up the World then start up from the beginning. It’s also sort of refreshing to see a Jungle theme in a 2D Mario game. Yoshi’s Island was the last one which used this theme well if I recall correctly.

A couple of levels in World 5 really get frantic with more players. The mid-castle wasn’t easy. Also, there’s this level with the lift concept…enemies drop off from the sky onto a moving lift. If 5 enemies occupy it, it’ll stop moving through the poisonous gas. Then it throws at you a frustrating Star Coin at the end…you’ll know you’ll have to play through the level twice if you don’t get the concept immediately.

Nothing else to report. Later days, readers.