The 'Shroom:Issue 222/Fun Stuff
Director's Notes
Greetings, beautiful 'Shroom readers! Welcome into the Fun Stuff offices, where another summer-vibe September is passing us by. Yep, the year's still trekking along, and soon enough I'll be back in the classroom and... wait... I'm graduated........
While I feel existential about the passage of time and adult life, howzabout those Fun Stuff sections?! All of your familiar favorites are back this month, with the exception of Trivia. Oh how I'll miss you, sweet sweet trivia... But in the meantime, we've brought along a new offering from Aomaf (talk)! Want to translate some messages using hex values? Now's your chance! Be sure to check it out, alongside the rest of our Fun Stuff... stuff. Writing director's notes never gets easier.
Spooky October is right around the corner, but until then, soak up those last rays of sun, and enjoy our Issue 222! As Waluigi Time (talk) would likely say, 2!
Section of the Month
What a phenomenal showing from Sparks (talk) last month, who managed to tie himself for first place! Congratulations on a well-earned joint position. Further kudos go to Ninja Squid (talk), bringing up the rear with another excellent Musical Quiz. Be sure to vote for your favorite sections this month!
| FUN STUFF SECTION OF THE MONTH | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Section | Votes | % | Writer |
| 1st | 'Shroom Quiz | 6 | 24.00% | Sparks (talk) |
| 1st | Pixel Personas | 6 | 24.00% | Sparks (talk) |
| 2nd | Musical Quiz | 5 | 20.00% | Ninja Squid (talk) |
Anagrams
Written by: BBQ Turtle (talk)
Well, here we are in autumn with another edition of anagrams! It's that time of year when the leaves are falling from the trees, and now apparently into anagram form- this month, the anagrams I've prepared for you are all based around forests and trees to celebrate what in my opinion is the best season of the year weather-wise. If you fancy suggesting a theme for your favourite season, or anything else actually, you can leave me a message on my talk page or in a PM to me on the forums, and I'll find a way to work it in- along with any other anagram suggestions you can think of. Alright, I'll leaf you to it to solve these anagrams- I hope it's not too much of a tall order!
How it works...
Basically, this puzzle consists of solving the anagrams. Each month has a specific theme, which will give you a clue about what sort of words or phrases the anagrams will be. I've also included the boxes that the anagrams will fit into, so you'll be able to tell how many words it will solve to be and how many letters will be in each word, which should give you a hand too. You'll also notice that within each set of boxes, one of the squares are yellow. As you solve each anagram, note down the letter which appears in the yellow squares, and if you can solve all of the anagrams, you'll also get a bonus anagram to solve from completing all of the others. I've included the letter configuration for this one at the bottom too, just to give you an extra helping hand. Best of luck!
1. INCH SHORTAGE
2. HEY RARE PUPPETS
3. OLD WIDOWS
4. GRANDEST SEAMS
5. BY GOOD GLOWS
6. TAPE ME LAWYER
7. LITERATE
8. THE TSUNAMI HUG
9. TWO DOTED ORE
10. LUG TALLY RANK TAX
11. VIAL EVENLY
12. GO REWRITTEN POET
Bonus anagram:
- Acorn Heights
- Super Happy Tree
- Wild Woods
- Steam Gardens
- Boggly Woods
- Maple Treeway
- Tail Tree
- Autumn Heights
- Dotwood Tree
- Tall Trunk Galaxy
- Vine Valley
- Towering Treetop
Bonus anagram: Ol' Grandsappy
Word Search
I don't know if you know this or not, but I'm a huge fan of Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun. It's the story of a 14 year old human boy whose parents sell him to a demon who wants to raise him as a grandchild. The boy desperately struggles to avoid standing out in a world that will eat him if they find out he's human! (he fails). A wonderful cast full of funny moments and cool sequences. It's probably my all-time favorite anime/manga in the "not Legend of the Galactic Heroes" category! So this month's crossword is all about Welcome to Demon School! Words can be found vertically, horizontally, diagonally, backwards, and inside other words! As always have fun and stay safe!
Crossword
Written by: MarioMorty (talk)
This is Crosswords, I'm MarioMorty, and you're about to have fun! That's because this month we've got a puzzle on Super Mario Galaxy 2, which has once again entered the mainstream with its remake coming to the Nintendo Switch family. So what's better than to help y'all remember just where you go in this astral adventure. Today you'll be finding galaxy names, so for example for Honeyhive Galaxy, all you need to put is Honeyhive. That's all for me, have fun and see y'all in the spooky season!"
Hiding Koopa
Written by: Waluigi Time (talk)
Hello there, 'Shroom readers, and welcome to a very special edition of Hiding Koopa. To celebrate Issue 222, I've decided to give you not one, but 2!, that's right, 2! puzzles this month! And to make it even 2!ier, both games have the number 2! in their title. Five Koopas each are hiding in these pieces of artwork from New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Ape Escape 2 (the latter suggested by our wonderful team director). Good luck... 2!
Thanks for playing! Did you find them all?
2!
Pixel Personas
Howdy! Has it been three weeks already? That means the wait for this issue of Pixel Personas wasn't as long!
Here's what it's about: Pixel Personas is a game played in three rounds. In each round, I'll show an image of a Super Mario character (this includes enemies), but they're all pixelated! You (the readers) must analyze and identify who these characters are. Each round is tougher than the last, with more lesser-known characters and larger pixels, making it more difficult to tell who it is. After you make your guess, click/tap onhover over the card the image is on to flip it over and reveal the character!
Ready? Go, go, GO!!
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Nice work out there, especially if you got all three right! Thank you for playing, and see you next month for a spooky Halloween Pixel Personas! Ooooooooooooo...
Connections
Greetings, beautiful 'Shroom readers! Welcome back to another edition of Connections! The autumn breeze has been rolling in, and it blew my sixteen terms all over the place! Help me get this batch reorganized, will you?
How it works:
Below is a table of sixteen different words, all of them with some sort of connection to the Mario series. These words correlate in sets of four, and it's up to you to figure out which words belong to a set! Work through the grid and decide which words are connected. Once you think you have the answer, check against the provided answers. If you get stuck along the way, feel free to utilize the clues. There's only one correct answer, so be on the lookout for words that feel like they might fit in more than one category. Good luck!
| Dry Dry Ruins | Mario Party 2 | Balloon Burst | World 2 |
| Bobsled Run | Bowser's Castle 2 | Ghost Valley 2 | Super Mario Land 2 |
| Cheese Land | Cake Factory | Shifting Sand Land | Donut Plains 2 |
| Super Mario Maker 2 | Choco Island 2 | Super Mario Bros. 2 | Dungeon Dash |
Start with "Bowser's Castle 2"
Flip the switch!
Don't scroll away and desert the puzzles!
- Bowser's Castle 2, Ghost Valley 2, Choco Island 2, Donut Plains 2: tracks in Super Mario Kart
- Mario Party 2, Super Mario Land 2, Super Mario Maker 2, Super Mario Bros. 2: games playable on the Nintendo Switch
- Dry Dry Ruins, World 2, Cheese Land, Shifting Sand Land: desert locales
- Balloon Burst, Bobsled Run, Cake Factory, Dungeon Dash: 2v2 minigames in Mario Party 2
How did you do? Did you figure out the connections? Thanks for playing!
Welcome to my first Fun Stuff section. In this section, you must decode texts from hex numbers. For example, 4D 61 72 69 6F is "Mario". Also, this section is based on an easter egg in the last photo from a removed Mario story in Story Without Text for August. Now, let's start!
4D 61 72 69 6F 20 61 6E 64 20 4C 75 69 67 69 is "Mario and Luigi" or 4D 69 63 6B 65 79 20 4D 6F 75 73 65 20 41 6E 64 20 44 6F 6E 61 6C 64 20 44 75 63 6B is "Mickey Mouse And Donald Duck". With these together, you can guess that 4D is a capital M.
Round 1
4D 61 72 69 6F 20 69 73 20 74 68 65 20 6D 61 69 6E 20 63 68 61 72 61 63 74 65 72 20 61 6E 64 20 74 69 74 75 6C 61 72 20 70 72 6F 74 61 67 6F 6E 69 73 74 20 6F 66 20 74 68 65 20 6C 6F 6E 67 2D 72 75 6E 6E 69 6E 67 20 61 6E 64 20 68 69 67 68 6C 79 20 73 75 63 63 65 73 73 66 75 6C 20 53 75 70 65 72 20 4D 61 72 69 6F 20 66 72 61 6E 63 68 69 73 65
Round 2
53 75 70 65 72 20 4D 61 72 69 6F 20 42 72 6F 73 2E 20 69 73 20 61 20 76 69 64 65 6F 20 67 61 6D 65 20 72 65 6C 65 61 73 65 64 20 66 6F 72 20 74 68 65 20 46 61 6D 69 6C 79 20 43 6F 6D 70 75 74 65 72 20 61 6E 64 20 4E 69 6E 74 65 6E 64 6F 20 45 6E 74 65 72 74 61 69 6E 6D 65 6E 74 20 53 79 73 74 65 6D 20 69 6E 20 31 39 38 35 2E
Round 3
54 68 65 20 4E 69 6E 74 65 6E 64 6F 20 45 6E 74 65 72 74 61 69 6E 6D 65 6E 74 20 53 79 73 74 65 6D 20 28 61 62 62 72 65 76 69 61 74 65 64 20 61 73 20 4E 45 53 29 20 69 73 20 61 6E 20 38 2D 62 69 74 20 68 6F 6D 65 20 76 69 64 65 6F 20 67 61 6D 65 20 63 6F 6E 73 6F 6C 65 20 63 72 65 61 74 65 64 20 62 79 20 4E 69 6E 74 65 6E 64 6F 20 61 73 20 74 68 65 20 57 65 73 74 65 72 6E 20 63 6F 75 6E 74 65 72 70 61 72 74 20 6F 66 20 74 68 65 20 46 61 6D 69 6C 79 20 43 6F 6D 70 75 74 65 72
Did you decode the texts? Thanks for playing, and see you next issue in Fun Stuff.
Where in the Marioverse is Carmen Sandiego?
Each issue, you will be given a case to solve and clues to use to help you find the solution! Use your Mario knowledge to crack the case!
You will begin each case at the scene of the crime, and you will be given three clues from passerby as to where the next hot spot is and what game it’s from. Using your knowledge of Mario games and the Super Mario Wiki, figure out where the crook is and go track them down! There are four locations each round: the crime scene (1) at the start, two locations (2 and 3) with clues, and the hideout for the crook of the month (4). Answers for locations will be given with the corresponding round, for example, the clues from the crime scene will lead you to location 2, and once you open the spoiler bubbles for location 2, you will be given the correct answer. You can open the clues for each location in any order you’d like, but be careful! You may encounter an incorrect clue that could throw you off the case!
Clues offered will give you a hint either about the next location or the game it’s in. Unlike a regular Carmen Sandiego game, you do not have to collect information about the crook you are tracking down.
Challenge round (optional):
-Find all locations and games correctly in two minutes or less
-Find all locations and games correctly without using the rest of the Wiki for help
"It seems Carmen is back to pulling ridiculous heists again, gumshoe! We received a call from Bowser stating that his personal tennis court has been lifted right out of his castle grounds! With the announcement of the new Mario Tennis Fever, all of the Mario squad have been brushing up on their tennis skills and getting back onto the court in preparation. But when Bowser went to went to play a few games this morning, he discovered that his entire tennis court had been shrunk and lifted right off the castle plaza! It seems that Carmen's crew is making good use of those Mini Mushrooms they stole, but a tennis court? If she wants to brush up on her smash and volley, she can go to a gym like normal, law-abiding citizens! It's time to take the case and get Bowser's home-court advantage back!"
|
Crime Scene |
The Crime
|
CLUE 1
|
CLUE 2
|
CLUE 3
|
|
Location 2 |
CORRECT ANSWER
|
CLUE 1
|
CLUE 2
|
CLUE 3
|
|
Location 3 |
CORRECT ANSWER
|
CLUE 1
|
CLUE 2
|
CLUE 3
|
CASE CLOSED
HIDEOUT ANSWER:
Salty Salty Speedway from Mario Kart World 
"Superb work, gumshoe! Looks like our crook was taking a break and watching the races- but it turned out to be his undoing! It seems that our thief this time is a new member of Carmen's group, which explains why he got so distracted. Was this just a diversion while Carmen plans out the heist of a lifetime in the background? We'll have to see. As for this case, it's a wrap, gumshoe. We've returned the court to Bowser, who already had a mega-mushroom waiting to get it installed again in his courtyard. He sent along a bonus for your speedy work, which we've deposited in your account along with your regular fee. He's also extended an invitation to you to come use the court whenever you'd like. It sounds like he wants to get you ready for the fever, too! Perhaps you an take a few swings when you're finished with your case write-up! It's back to HQ for you!
Musical Quiz
Written by: Ninja Squid (talk)
Hello there, 'Shroom readers!
Have you watched the Nintendo Direct? Man, I'm certainly going to have a lot more to play soon, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a new Yoshi game and of course, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave! First though, I should figure a way to get over my backlog already...
That being said, an all-new edition of Musical Quiz has just arrived. Take the opportunity to listen to the different soundtracks below and find out which game they come from. Good luck and have fun!
 Song No.1 | File info |
| Song No.2 | File info |
| Song No.3 | File info |
| Song No.4 | File info |
| Song No.5 | File info |
| Song No.6 | File info |
| Song No.7 | File info |
| Song No.8 | File info |
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Mountain Mania)
- Paper Mario: Color Splash (Fort Cobalt)
- Mario Party 10 (Airship Central Theme 2)
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Drop-Road Dash)
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Rock Rock Mountain; Alpine Pass)
- Mario Kart World (Cloudtop Cruise)
- Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (Underground BGM)
- Princess Peach: Showtime! (Ninja Village)
How did you do? Did you guess them all correctly? Regardless, thank you so much for playing Musical Quiz, and come back next month!
'Shroom Quiz
Hello there! These three weeks went by pretty quickly huh? Take a moment and ease your mind as you participate in the monthly 'Shroom Quiz! Let's see how much you remember from Issue 221!
For those of you who haven't played before, let me explain how this all works! I'm going to ask you 12 questions about sections submitted for Issue 221. All of these questions have to deal with either "Fake News", "Fun Stuff", "Palette Swap", "Pipe Plaza", "Critic Corner" and "Strategy Wing". All features get 2 questions each.
If you're struggling, I have provided two hints below each question. The first hint is about the answer, and the second one explains where to find the answer! Nobody will judge you, I promise! Are you ready to play? Of course you are!
QUESTION #1: Which energy drink brand is all about women-first energy?
The name of this brand is often misinterpreted as "Georgie".
Answer: Gorgie
QUESTION #2: Which 'Shroom writer reached the milestone of writing 50 Fake News sections?
Arrrrrgh! This writer is well known for writing Cooking Guide in Fake News, and several stories about Waluigi in Fake News and Palette Swap.
Waluigi Time (talk)'s 'Shroom Report section in Pipe Plaza lists this prolific and passionate writer!
Answer: ClawgripFan9001
QUESTION #3: Which portrait ghost did Goldoo interview?
This bookworm is the first portrait ghost captured by Luigi in the original Luigi's Mansion.
Golddude64 (talk) provides the necessary information in his The Ghostly Dossier section in Fake News!
Answer: Neville
QUESTION #4: Big, Wave, Chaos, and Blaze are characters from what franchise?
All of them are anthropomorphic animals who can talk ("anthropomorphic" means they have human characteristics).
Answer: Sonic the Hedgehog
QUESTION #5: After retrieving the remote from Shun during the Luigi Logic sequence, what must you do to stun Pipegunk for a few turns?
Hot hates the cold, and vice versa!
My Brothership Boss Battle Guide section in Strategy Wing will get you warmer to the right answer!
Answer: Switch to the opposite temperature
QUESTION #6: This famous Toad has a submarine and helps out Mario during his quest in Paper Mario: The Origami King. What is his name?
He was freed from ice after the destruction of the yellow streamer in the game.
BBQ Turtle (talk) has the name of this Toad in her Anagrams section in Fun Stuff! He is included in the bonus anagram
Answer: Captain T. Ode
QUESTION #7: What is the debut album of University?
The opener for the album is "Massive Twenty One Pilots Tattoo".
Answer: McCartney, It'll Be OK
QUESTION #8: In the alternate universe of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, what is the name of the final Crystal Star to join Mario and co.?
She shares her name with a Marvel comic character. She also endlessly grins and has X-Naut attire.
To see the amazing alternate stars, including the answer, check out Technetium (talk)'s Palette Swap guest section, The Crystal Star Spirits!
Answer: Crystar
QUESTION #9: Which location did Cosmo the travel guide provide an overview of?
From Paper Mario: The Origami King, this theme park has ten points of interests, including a souvenir shop and multi-leveled theatre!
Take a trip to TheBlueCatMenace's Fake News section, The Sunshine Travel Guide! Take in all of the amazing sights!
Answer: Shogun Studios
QUESTION #10: This Robot Wars contender got another iteration with two wheels and a cutting disk. What was it?
This machine battled against 259 in one heck of a fight.
Answer: Wild Thing
QUESTION #11: In the "Bunny Hop" minigame in Rhythm Tengoku, the bunny hops on turtles and which other aquatic animal to reach the moon?
This animal is a mammal that occasionally surfaces in the water to breathe.
Answer: Whale
QUESTION #12: Other than the removal of the "Worst Enemy" Award, why was Mavero the Hammer Bro furious during the Awards ceremony?
It had to deal with one very specific Award...
Read the action-packed story in Palette Swap, titled Mavero the Hammer Bro's Revenge! It's a collaboration between Boo1268, TheBlueCatMenace, Legend 8, and DryBonesBandit (talk).
Answer: Hammer Bros only got ninth place in the "Best Enemy" Award!
Congratulations! You've (hopefully) answered every question, so now I can tell you how many points you got! One correct answer equals one point, and below are the rankings based on how many questions you got right:
- 10-12 points - 'Shroom Expert
- 7-9 points - 'Shroom Pro
- 4-6 points - 'Shroom Veteran
- 1-3 points - 'Shroom Novice
If you managed to answer every question correctly without using any hints, then congratulations! You are a 'Shroom Master! I hope you had lots of fun playing, and come back next month for more of 'Shroom Quiz! It won't be focused on spookiness, but it'll still be great.
| The 'Shroom: Issue 222 | |
|---|---|
| Staff sections | Staff Notes • The 'Shroom Spotlight • Poochy's Picks • Credits |
| Features | Fake News • Fun Stuff • Palette Swap • Pipe Plaza • Critic Corner • Strategy Wing |
