Super Guide

Super Guide is a standard guide that helps the player finish a level that they may be unable to complete. Its first appearance is in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, where Luigi demonstrates how to complete a given level. The feature continues in Super Mario Galaxy 2, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. In New Super Mario Bros Wii and New Super Mario Bros U, it is also how Luigi can be playable in single-player mode.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Super Guide first appears 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 appears at the start of the level. When the player hits this block, the level restarts in auto-pilot mode: a computer-controlled Luigi will play the level on his own. The Super Guide only shows the player how to beat the level, but does not use shortcuts or reveal secrets, nor does it collect any Star Coins. While the Super Guide is running, the player can press the on the  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, they cannot turn Super Guide back on for the remainder of the level. The level will still count as beaten even when the Super Guide assistance is used; however, the level pad on the world map will be red instead of blue if the level is beaten using Super Guide, a player would need to beat the level themselves for the level pad to turn blue. If the player ever sees the guide block, the stars on the save file will permanently lose their shine, even when not used. When the player takes over, they will play as Luigi rather than Mario, but losing a life will result in Mario being controlled again. If multiple players are playing, the guide block will not appear, and the save file stars will remain shiny even if they each die eight times in a level.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, the player may request 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 via 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) asks Mario if he needs some help. Activating this mode, the Cosmic Spirit possesses Mario, who passes automatically through the level to find the Star. The player may stop this mode by pressing the D-pad, or yet again the, though once the player has chosen this mode, they will finish a level by getting a Bronze Star instead of a gold one. The player must play through the level without the Cosmic Guide in order to gain a gold Star. Neither the Tip Network nor the Cosmic Spirit appear if the player is playing as Luigi.

New Super Mario Bros. U
Super Guide returns in New Super Mario Bros. U. This Guide behaves the same as in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but the player needs to lose a life at least five times. If multiple players are playing, the guide block will not appear, and the save file stars will remain shiny even if they each die five times in a level. Save file stars also remain shiny even if the guide block appears; it will only lose the shine if the block is used, unlike its predecessor.

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

Donkey Kong Country Returns / Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
In Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, the Super Guide returns in the form of Super Kong. If the player loses too many lives, Professor Chops offers them 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 will not 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. Super Kong also bears a resemblance to one of Donkey Kong's color schemes from Super Smash Bros. Brawl.