Super Guide

Super Guide is a guide that helps the player to finish a level that they may be unable to complete. Its first appearance was in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, where Luigi would show how to complete the level. The feature continued in Super Mario Galaxy 2, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, and Donkey Kong Country Returns.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Super Guide first appeared in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. In this game the Super Guide provides players stuck on a level assistance to clear levels. When a player has failed to pass a level at least eight times, a Super Guide Block will appear at the start of the level. When the player hits this block, the level will restart in auto-pilot mode: a computer-controlled Luigi will play the level on his own. The Super Guide will only show the player how to beat the level, but not use shortcuts or reveal secrets. While the Super Guide is running, the player can press the + button on the Wii Remote at any time to take control again; the game will start exactly where the Super Guide left off. Once the player has taken control again, he/she can not turn Super Guide back on in the middle of the level. The level will still count as beaten even when the Super Guide assistance is used. The only disadvantage to getting the Super Guide block is that the stars on save file will not shine. Interestingly, when the player takes over, they will play as Luigi rather than Mario, but losing a life will result in Mario being controlled again.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, the player may request to the Tip Network, which is a short demonstration of Mario taking some actions to progress on certain levels. Another way the game offers assistance is the Cosmic Guide mode. If the player finds a very difficult obstacle on his or her way, an entity known as the Cosmic Spirit (who resembles Rosalina) will ask Mario if he needs some help. Activating this mode, Mario will pass automatically through the level to find the Star. The player may stop this mode by pressing the D-pad, though once the player has chosen this mode, he/she will finish a level by getting a Bronze Star instead of one gold. The player must play through the level without the Cosmic Guide in order to gain a gold Star. Both the Tip Network and the Cosmic Spirit won't work for Luigi.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, Super Guide was called "Mini Guide". If the player loses 8 lives in one level, Mini Guide will appear as an option with "Retry" and "Exit". When activated, the level will play automatically. As in other games, the player can't earn points for finishing levels with the Mini Guide.

Donkey Kong Country Returns
In Donkey Kong Country Returns, the Super Guide returns in the form of Super Kong. If the player loses too many lives, the Tutorial Pig will offer him/her the use of Super Kong to complete a difficult challenge. The downside for doing this, however, is that the player won't get any bananas, Banana Coins, or Puzzle Pieces from Super Kong, and the level won't be officially cleared; the player has to complete the level without using Super Kong to officially clear it. Lastly, Super Kong does not help the player find bonus areas. At any point, players can press a button to take control of Super Kong and try to finish the level themselves. Losing a life as Super Kong results in being sent back to the map screen.