The 'Shroom:Issue I
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| Issue I | January 6, 2007 | About The 'Shroom |
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Tips, Secrets, and more for Mario's games!
Warpin' Whistles
One of the coolest, but littlest known secrets of Super Mario Bros. 3 is the Warp Whistles, some of the most valuable treasures of the Mushroom World. Two of them are safely stowed away in Grass Land, World 1, but one was stolen by Bowser's Koopa minions and hidden in the Koopahari Desert, World 2. Toad guards the first, in his secret house in World 1-3. To gain entrance, Mario must make his way to the end of the level. Then, on the white, floating block near the exit, he should crouch for five seconds. He will then fall through it, behind the scenery! He can then run behind the exit, into Toad's secret shop. The chest holds the first whistle!
The second is in World 1-Fortress. Only Raccoon Mario can grab this one! Mario must make his way to the end of the first area. When he sees the first door, he can race back and forth on the small stretch, eventually getting enough momentum to fly up, up, onto the ceiling! Once on it, he must run to the end. When he cannot go any further, Up on the D-Pad on the controller must be pressed to give Mario access to a secret room, with another chest holding the second Whistle!
The last in hidden in the overworld of World, 2: Desert Land. Once Mario has made his way to the topmost-left corner, he can use a Hammer (a Hammer Bro. in this world hoards one) on the top rock to open a new area! When he engages the Hammer Bro. in this area, he'll find the they are the elite Fire Bros., the top of the Koopa Bro. heap. These spit fireballs while jumping about, making them a hard target. It is recommended that Mario use a Starman on them to ensure an easy victory. Once they are defeated, Mario will gain the last Whistle! But what do these strange items do, you ask?
Why, they warp Mario to World 9, Warp Zone! Here, Mario can warp to different areas of the game. If used correctly, Mario can warp straight to World 8, where Bowser awaits. Good luck on finding them, Mario!
Confidential: TOP SECRET ZONE!
One of the greatest, most helpful secrets of Super Mario World is the very little-known Top Secret Zone. Only Cape Mario can uncover the entrance! In the Donut Ghost House, Cape Mario must run to the end of the first platform. When he gets to the end, he should turn, then run like made to the beginning! At the very end, he can leap to go up, up, up, up, UP to a secret series of platforms near the ceiling! At the end, he should fall down to find the way to a secret exit. t will open the way to... The Top Secret Area! Here, there are five ? Blocks. The middle one holds Yoshi, the two to the left, Fire Flowers, and to the right, Cape Feathers! To exit, Mario can simply move off the screen. Whenever Mario needs a powerup, he can return here to recharge!
Hello, all out there in gaming land! I’m Monty Mole, game reviewer for the ‘Shroom! I’ll be here each issue delivering an in-depth review for a game, be it good or bad, new or old. For this, the first issue of The 'Shroom, I will be reviewing a relatively new platformer for the Nintendo DS: New Super Mario Bros.. This platformer came out in mid-2006, intended to follow Super Mario Bros. 3, making it the first all-new side-scrolling Mario platformer in over 15 years! Was it worth the wait? Let’s find out.
Gameplay
This time around, Bowser Jr. has captured Princess Peach and Mario must save her again. You’ll travel through 8 treacherous worlds to bring her back. Mario controls smoothly, with each jump and dash almost as precise as the player can make. The classic Mario enemies appear, such as Goombas, Koopas, Lakitus, and the like. The good old feeling of stomping, dodging and otherwise defeating just makes it feel more like a Mario game. For players just wanting to plow through the game, it won’t take long. Six, maybe seven hours. But there’s a whole lot more to the game than that. For starters, two worlds must be accessed in a special way; players just speeding through the game will skip them altogether. Also, three Star Coins are hidden in every level. Snag them to spend on removing gates to gain access to Mushroom Houses that contain extra helpful goodies for the plumber, such as the all-important 1-up Mushroom. Holding true to other Mario games, some levels have secret exits that open up additional levels. A new feature is the ability to save items. If Mario collects an item, say a Fire Flower, that he already has, he’ll store it and the player can access it at any time by tapping its icon on the Touch Screen. This nifty little addition helps avoid wasted powerups. At the end of each world, Mario faces the boss, which sometimes can be fun, sometimes can be a little frustrating. But the thrill of winning remains the same as in previous games.
Speaking of winning, there’s more to the game than just the main quest. By linking with another DS owner, you can play a Mario Vs. Luigi match against your friends. Pit brother against brother as each of you tries to collect Stars. All the power-ups from the single-player mode are there, so show no mercy! Additionally, a variety of mini-games are also available, both for Vs. and single-player play. Most of the single-player games have been recycled from Super Mario 64 DS, which this reviewer thinks is a cop-out, but there are some brand-new games in the Vs. Mode. New Super Mario Bros. is a great game to play with friends. Just hold on to your Stars.
Sound
As is often the case, sound is an element that is blended into the game, often overlooked. The background music for each of the levels are remixes of some classic Mario titles. The general collection of Mario’s hoots and hollers are thrown in, too. It certainly adds some spice to the nonstop platforming action. You’ll hear more than a few goofy, happy sound effects as you progress through the game, be it stomping a Goomba, or collecting a Super Mushroom, the ambiance of noises and music give life to the game.
Graphics
Gone are the days of the plumber being portrayed in an 8-bit, pixelly render. Mario’s a full 3D model in this game, as are his enemies and allies. The animation flows very smoothly, from Lakitu’s swooping attacks to the plumber’s spiraling Triple Jump. The background elements add depth to the game – sun-baked sand blows in one world, snow falls in another, Sometimes, especially when Mario gets a Mega Mushroom, polygons can clearly be seen, but it’s nothing the average gamer will lose sleep about.
Replay Value
Unfortunately, once most platformers are done with, there’s not much to get you to go through it again. Star Coins are an attractive lure, and you can buy different backgrounds for the Touch Screen with those you have left over after paying to remove obstacles. Unlocking and completing each level could take some time, but if you already did everything the first time through, you might not feel like doing it again. However, this only holds true for the single-player version. The multi-player retains its polish match after match. And of course you can try and beat your high scores in mini-games.
Overall
New Super Mario Bros. is a must-try for DS owners. At the very least it’s worth a rent. True Mario fans will like the classic platformer-style this game offers, and players newer to the series will enjoy the mini-games and multi-player mode. The gameplay is superb, the sound is great, the replay value leaves something to be desired, however, the game is one of the best out there for the DS. The main quest itself is huge, spanning 80 levels, so players looking to get everything will be satisfied for a while. Even more so with the added challenge of Star Coins. The game feels fresh and new, while still retaining the charm of the original platformers.
It is I, Paper Jorge, with the coolest information on upcoming games! Here We Go!
Itadaki Street DS
An upcoming Dragon Quest game, for the Nintendo DS, that will have Mario characters!
Characters from the Dragon Quest series will be Slime, Jessica, Dragonlord, Pudding, Bianca and Angelo while characters from the Super Mario series will be Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Daisy and Waluigi.
Yes you heard right. It’s another game where two series combine! Even if fans are sad that Wario is not in, this game will still be fun, even without the fat guy.
Mario Kart Arcade GP 2
Now what do we have here? A sequel to Mario Kart Arcade GP? It is yet another Mario Kart game, with Waluigi and Mametchi (a Tamagotchi) as new characters!
Yet another game, where Mario meets a character from another series. This game will surely be a very good game...if you can even find this arcade.
Mario Kart Wii
An upcoming Mario Kart game for the Wii, nothing official has been announced, no screenshots, and no information about anything.
While we don’t know anything about the game except it will be for the Wii, this game will hopefully be good, now that it’s on the Wii!
Mario Party 8
A Mario Party game for the Wii, this game will be released on March 5, 2007. All the past characters from Mario Party 7 will appear, plus Hammer Bro. and Blooper join the fun!
The mini-games will be much funner in the Wii, since now you have a Wii Remote! While we have a couple of screenshots, the only gameboard confirmed right now, is a Donkey Kong board and Goomba.
Mario Strikers Charged
It seems as if Super Mario Strikers was a big hit...so why not have a sequel to it? This game will be for the Wii and will be cooler? Why? Let me tell you!
There will be 12 captains (there were 9 in the original) and 8 sidekicks (4 in the original). Also in this game, unlike the original Strikers, you can choose more than one sidekick. In the original if you chose Toad as a sidekick all of your sidekicks will be Toads. Now it’s different!
Bowser is also a confirmed captain. While most of the other captain’s faces are shaded, one of the faces is clearly Bowser Jr.-still not confirmed thought.
Thunder Island and The Vice are two fields that will appear in the game. This game will be better than Strikers, we know it, and you know it.
Super Paper Mario
While it’s another Paper Mario game this game is...sadly not RPG. It will be for the Wii and release on 2007. Mario, Peach and Bowser will be the playable characters in this game.
This game will mostly be a sidescroller, however it is said to have some RPG elements. The items in this game will be Mushroom (will increase Mario’s health), Star (instead of making him invincible, will make him giant like the Mega Mushroom), Speeds (make Mario run faster) and Slow Flowers (make Mario run slower).
In one of the screenshots, surprisingly, it seems as if Bowser and Peach are getting married. Also there is a guy above them, who might be the main villain of the game.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
The upcoming Super Smash Bros. game is almost here...for the WII! This game will have Wi-Fi and will allow third party characters to be playable! It will release in 2007.
The confirmed characters in the game are Fox McCloud, Kirby, Link, Mario, Meta-Knight, Pikachu, Pit, Samus Aran, Solid Snake, and the greedy Wario.
The new stages in the game will be a Kid Icarus Stage, Yoshi's Island, Figure 8-Circuit, Pokemon Stage and a Star Fox stage.
This game will also contain Super Smash Moves, powerful moves, that can be done by getting Super Smash Symbols. These moves are more powerful than normal ones. Also a Nintendog is a item in this game. A new move in the game is to crawl around the ground.
This new Smash Game will be the best in the series (Hopefully) and will be a great hit!
Wario: Master of Disguise
Also known as Wario the Thief Seven, is the sequel to the Wario Land games, and it will be for the DS. This game will be 3D.
While nothing much is known about this game, Wario will wear a purple hat here, and like in the past Wario Land games can turn into various forms.
This game looks like it will be great, so buy it when it comes out!
WarioWare: Smooth Moves
The upcoming Wario Ware game for the Wii, will have us using the Wii Remote in many crazy ways!
Story: “While wandering around his home of Diamond City, Wario accidentally stumbles into an old building called the Temple of Form. Inside, he finds a mystical treasure called the Form Baton. There are many ways to hold and move the baton (called "forms"), and legend has it that if the holder follows the forms, he can overcome any challenge. With this discovery, the form craze spreads through Diamond City, and soon everybody is doing their best to master the moves.”
Your Mii will also appear in this game. This is the first Wario Game rated E10.
So when this game comes out-why not buy it? It will not hurt you, will it?
DK Bongo Blast
Another upcoming DK racing game, this game will be for the Wii.
Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Tiny, Funky, Lanky, King K. Rool, a Kritter, Krumple and other Kremling will appear in this game playable.
The items in the game will be Squawks the Parrot, a Giant Barrel, Crystal Coconuts, a Bazooka and Banana Bombs!
This game will come out sometime 2007, like other upcoming games.
DK King of Swing DS
The sequel to DK King of Swing this game will be for the DS. Donkey, Diddy, Dixie and Funky Kong are the confirmed characters in this game.
Not much info is known and no story yet. No release date has been given but we know it will be released in 2007.
Diddy Kong Racing DS
A remake of Diddy Kong Racing for the Nintendo 64, this game will be for DS. The game will have Wi-Fi, and Dixie and Tiny have replaced Banjo and Conker (sadly).
While this game is mostly a remake than a whole new game, it will still be cool for players who never played the original game (like me).
DK Wii
Nothing much has been confirmed for this game, except it will be like Donkey Kong 64.
Kirby Wii
An upcoming Kirby game for the Wii, nothing much has been announced but that it will be an adventure game. The release is still unknown-it is still even unknown if it’s going to release in 2007!
Kirby’s confirmed forms in the game are Beam, Bomb, Clean, Cutter, Fighter, Fire, Hammer, Ice, Parasol, Plasma, Stone, Sword, Tornado, Water, Wheel and Wing.
This game is still a mystery but will hopefully someday get released.
Banjo Kazooie 3
Also known as Banjo Threeie, the long awaited Banjo game is going to be for the Xbox 360 and going to be released sometime 2007!
The confirmed characters are Banjo, Kazooie, Gruntilda and Jolly Roger (That is according to Rare). Also Banjo ands Kazooie will get a new look, a much creepier one thought. It is unknown if Rare will change them back to their classic looks.
While it is also possible that Rare cancels it, we still hope for it to release!
So that is all. Let’s see if there is more info. Next month! See you next month!
Poll of the MonthWho's the fattest Nintendo character? A. Wario To Vote, Go Here |
Highlighted NewsRumor of the month The Rainbow Yoshi is said to exist. In the far hills of the Rainbow Kingdom lives this Yoshi colony headed by the Rainbow Yoshi! They have a blue tail, Yellow face, red belly, Purple mouth, and green back. They are 10 times stronger than the leading Yoshi! They have the power to swallow an entire Snorlax! Is It True? You know how Mario and Luigi's parents are never fully shown? What happened to them after the plumber bros. childhood? I think there in the old mushroom woods, Dad in a Black bowler hat and suspenders and there moma's a Koo-Koo and was indited into Toadstool Asylum. |
Future Video Game (Could all be a Lie or be True!)Super Mario Football It's coming out Oct.17th 2006! It's exactly what it's title proclaims. Mario, bloody, sweaty, graphic, confusing, FOOTBALL! Playable Characters / Teams:
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Playable CharactersMario Kart Wii's New Playable Characters!
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Local Stuff (True or not is up to you)ObituariesToadsworth (Feb. 12 , 1919 – Dec. 28, 2007) Toadsworth, to all Toads, “papa” and to Peach, “Homie”, died today in his Mushroom Kingdom Palace Room suddenly. He apparently contracted a case of Yellow Fever from Wario and was bed-driven for the last week or so. His funeral will be held on Jan. 17 at the old Mushroom Boy Butchers. He was only 87.
George P. Pianta (Dec. 25, 1978 – Dec. 25, 2007) George P. Pianta was an old friend of Mario’s since his last visit to Island Delfino. He had a family of four, a wife, Morgan; a son, Jorge; and a daughter, Girlie. He died on Delfino, shortly after Petey Piranha rampaged through the island after Mario and Co. left. Petey ate poor George in his destructive rampage. It was ironically on Christmas this rampage occurred, and it was his birthday. To the Date , he was only 28.
Waluigi (Who Cares?) Waluigi died , “Tragically” , yesterday in his home town in the allies of Mushroom City. He had been drinking at Boo’s Beer Buster and was ambushed by “Unknown” Mushroom Kingdom officials. He was found alive, but pronounced dead and buried.
CourtsYoshi charged with improper exposure
ConcertsM/L/W/L
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Mini-Comix
by Jay Resop
It's a me, Aipom, giving you some of the least known trivia facts in the Mario series.
1. In Super Mario Sunshine, Bowser Jr. swore he'd attack Mario again, and he kept that promise in the game New Super Mario Bros.
2. The eight most important characters are Mario, Luigi, Peach, Wario, Donkey Kong, Toad, Bowser, and Yoshi.
3. There are 19 types of mushrooms in the Mario series.
4. All 3 Super Smash Bros. Games have a course related to Yoshi’s Story.
5. Piantas, from Super Mario Sunshine, also play an important role in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door.
6. This one creature who will be in Super Mario Galaxy, currently called Swoopin' Poink, appears to be a mixture of a Poink and a Swoopin’ Stu , both from Super Mario Sunshine.
7. It is reported on a Nintendo Power magazine that Bowser’s wife is named Clawdia Koopa.
8. On the official Mario Power Tennis website, it states that Bowser Jr. lives at "48 Lava Cul-De-Sac, Magma Manor".
9. The Blooper from Super Paper Mario is the biggest Blooper so far, by far.
10. A cancelled type of Blooper called, Shroobified Bloopers, were supposed to appear in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. These Bloopers would’ve been in the Vim Factory.
11. Wario weighs 308 pounds according to Wario World.
12. In Super Mario 64 DS, it reveals that Wario also says Mario catch phrase. "Mama mia"
Knife will have the first comic done for Issue II.
Statistics
| December Statistics | ||||
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| Statistic | As of 11:15P, 30 November* | As of 11:45P, 31 December* | Total for December** | % of Change** |
| Page Views | 2,869,440 | 3,880,859 | 1,011,419 | 35.25% |
| Views per Edit | 50.02 | 57.73 | – | 15.41% |
| Page Edits | 57,371 | 67,219 | 9,848 | 17.17% |
| Edits per Page | 5.39 | 5.73 | – | 6.31% |
| # of Articles | 3,230 | 3,456 | 226 | 7.00% |
| # of Pages | 10,645 | 11,738 | 1,093 | 10.27% |
| # of Files | 3,411 | 3,859 | 448 | 13.13% |
| # of Users | 651 | 746 | 95 | 14.59% |
| # of Sysops | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0% |
| Top 10 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Previously... | Main Page | Characters | Games | Bowser | Peach | Mario | Enemies | Items | Species | Places |
| Views | 140,951 | 51,953 | 32,060 | 19,476 | 18,939 | 17,928 | 16,799 | 15,815 | 13,541 | 12,973 |
| After... | Main Page | Characters | Games | Bowser* | Enemies* | Mario | Peach | Items | Places | Species |
| Views | 198,471 | 66,216 | 42,532 | 25,429 | 24,857 | 24,841 | 23,410 | 19,893 | 16,448 | 16,281 |
New ACTIVE Users
Out of 95 new users last month, a few have or are actively contributing to the wiki, and they are listed and recognized below. :)
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Other Wikis
Donkey Kong Wiki
On last check, the DKWiki was doing adequately, even with only one superactive user. Sir Grodus (talk) (DKWiki user page) has been working on this wiki the most, when he can, along with some contributions from WarioLoaf and a few others. Without many users, the wiki's not even close to being as active as this wiki. This leads me into my next subject...
Wario Wiki
The WarioWiki is not open. Some excitement was risen when one of our now-inactive users, Knife, began tagging articles to be moved and split into the wiki. However, Steve has not declared anything, and after I moved many articles tagged to the WarioWiki in preparation, he has locked the wiki so only he can get in. A link will be provided when it's time, but for now, the project is waiting for action. We need to get the DKWiki running more efficiently first.
News
The only news for December is that, of course, Christmas came around, and many received new Mario games so that they could contribute their info to the wiki. And not just play them. I think. :D
Next month will be the same style, with updates on the DKWiki, WarioWiki, and a bit about the MKDSummer Event.
Editor's Notes
by the Director (who is this guy? ;))Hello, everyone – this is the last section of the first issue of The 'Shroom. I hope you enjoyed reading about tips, reviews, new games, fake news, facts, and statistics in this month's issue. I tweaked everyone's article slightly for presentation purposes.
Unfortunately, three topic ideas were canceled after their articles turned out to be not fit for the paper. We hope that their new ideas and articles will make the next issue, making it longer than it already is. Also, anyone can sign up at any time.
If you're not already on the Single-View page, I suggest you try it out. That way, you don't have to keep clicking on links and going back and forth.
Finally, the paper itself is an experimental project. Issue I turned out to be a great success, and the more writers and articles we get, the better.
The next issue is scheduled to go out Saturday, February 3rd, 2007. Until then, thanks for reading!
–Wayoshi, Director of The 'Shroom
