Character Sheet: Yoshi (Main 3D Games)

YOSHI

Now that we're done with all of the major 3D Mario titles, I think we need to now go through and update our characters, starting with revisions for any characters included so far that appeared in any of these games. Out of the 24 so far, 17 need revision:

1. Mario
2. Luigi
6. Pauline
7. Princess Toadstool
8. Toad
9. Yoshi
10. Bowser
13. Koopa Troopa
13e. Dry Bones
14. Shy Guy
15. Goomba
16. Piranha Plant
17. Boo
18. Lakitu
19. Hammer Bro
20. Chargin' Chuck
21. Magikoopa

Next up is Yoshi. Now, for the main 3D games, Yoshi tends to have a bit of an "every other" absentee status. In Super Mario 64, he only appears at the very end, and only talks to Mario for a bit and isn't really playable in any real sense. In Super Mario Sunshine, he is playable and can be ridden around by Mario at various points. In Super Mario Galaxy, he is absent entirely, but in Super Mario Galaxy 2, he returns allowing Mario to ride him at various points throughout the game. Finally in Super Mario Odyssey, he doesn't appear until the post-game, and can be captured instead of ridden.

Yoshi retains his average stats of been quick and light, with his flutter jump and his tongue as his main weapons. We see him eat and spit enemies as projectiles on numerous occasions, though his ability to turn an enemy into an egg has still not been seen at all. In Sunshine, he had the ability to eat fruit and then spray a torrent of fruit juice from his mouth. In Galaxy 2, he could use his tongue to flip around little flower things in the air, and use various fruits to give him superpowers: the red peppers made him run really fast, the blue berries made him inflate and rise into the air (similar to the Power Balloon from his original game), and the yellow berries let him illuminate invisible platforms. As a capture, he could also stick to walls using his tongue and spin around in a circle.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Swallow

Same move as before. No turning into eggs yet.

Side B: Fruit Juice

Yoshi will fire a spray of fruit juice from his mouth, just like in Super Mario Sunshine. This will function much like Mario's Down B FLUDD move in current Smash.

Up B: Inflate

Yoshi will eat a blue berry and inflate like a balloon, carrying himself upward as air streams from his mouth. This references the move in Galaxy 2, but also pays homage to the Power Balloon of Super Mario World.

Down B: Ground Pound

Same as before.

Final Smash: Super Dragon

Same as before, but now fully representing the fire breath and wings of Super Mario World, as they are no longer part of his regular moveset.

Entrance: He hatches from an egg.

Taunts: That cute little dance he does when he completes a level would be a pretty good one. Honestly, a lot of his cute movements and behaviors would work.

Next up: We'll go over Bowser, taking into account his boss battles from these last five games.

Character Sheet: Toad (Main 3D Games)

TOAD

Now that we're done with all of the major 3D Mario titles, I think we need to now go through and update our characters, starting with revisions for any characters included so far that appeared in any of these games. Out of the 24 so far, 17 need revision:

1. Mario
2. Luigi
6. Pauline
7. Princess Toadstool
8. Toad
9. Yoshi
10. Bowser
13. Koopa Troopa
13e. Dry Bones
14. Shy Guy
15. Goomba
16. Piranha Plant
17. Boo
18. Lakitu
19. Hammer Bro
20. Chargin' Chuck
21. Magikoopa

Today, let's go over Toad again. Unfortunately, much like Peach, Toad does very little in-game during these games that we can build off. In Super Mario 64, we find them in random corners of the castle and they hand out tips or stars. In Super Mario Sunshine, the species is expanded on, displaying red, blue, yellow, purple, and green variants of the species, as well as an older Toad named Toadsworth. In Galaxy, they have formed the Toad Brigade, with the main red-spotted one taking up the moniker of Captain Toad, but all still acting mostly as NPCs. This role remains the same in Galaxy 2. And in Odyssey, they once again act as NPCs mostly, with the Captain hiding out in various locations for Mario to find, and Toadette being introduced for the first time for our purposes.

Really, there's nothing here to work with. A few cosmetic changes to be sure, but nothing as far as gameplay. The Toad Brigade's ship certainly could add something, but it's not much for fighting really. Although, through this we for sure have almost the entire eight color swaps filled: the basic red-spotted one in his blue vest, the red-spotted one in his red outfit, the blue one, the yellow one, the green one, the purple one, and the Captain Toad look. The eighth might pay allusion to Toadsworth or Toadette, but as Toadsworth would replace Toad as Peach's standard B, and Toadette works more as an echo, it would only be similar.

Let's see what we can do:

Standard B: Pick Up and Throw

Same as before, still an iconic move from Mario 2.

Side B: Kart

Functions much the same as the previous move, but with a go-kart (maybe the one from Mario Maker 2) to ride instead.

Up B: Super Jump

Still the same mega jump from Mario 2. It fits well.

Down B: Treasure Chest

And I still like this move, despite maybe the problems that come with random effect-based moves.

Final Smash: Slot Machine OR Toad Brigade

The same one from before, with the controller affecting the outcome of the slot machine OR the full Toad Brigade marching onto the stage to wreck some stuff.

Entrance: He arrives aboard the Toad Brigade's ship.

Taunts: "Thank you, Mario, but our Princess is in another castle." That whistle bit at the beginning of the Toad Brigade's leitmotif. "Alright."

Next up: Let's see what we get from Yoshi.

Character Sheet: Princess Peach (Main 3D Games)

PRINCESS PEACH

Now that we're done with all of the major 3D Mario titles, I think we need to now go through and update our characters, starting with revisions for any characters included so far that appeared in any of these games. Out of the 24 so far, 17 need revision:

1. Mario
2. Luigi
6. Pauline
7. Princess Toadstool
8. Toad
9. Yoshi
10. Bowser
13. Koopa Troopa
13e. Dry Bones
14. Shy Guy
15. Goomba
16. Piranha Plant
17. Boo
18. Lakitu
19. Hammer Bro
20. Chargin' Chuck
21. Magikoopa

Here is where the revision starts to feel more like a token effort. Princess Peach did appear in all five games currently covered, in each one, she simply acted as the damsel in distress and never particularly did anything to warrant any sort of change. She did finally gain her much more popular name, Princess Peach, though, so there's that.

She did gain her famous parasol, making its first real appearance (for this series anyway) in Super Mario Sunshine. She also owns a personal jet according to Sunshine, if that gives us anything. While she is frequently followed around by an entourage of Toads, their race are playable in this endeavor so her standard B move in current Smash probably won't fly (unless replaced by Toadsworth, and let's be honest, if Toad ever does become playable, that's likely what they'll do). Finally, she is accompanied by Cappy's sister Tiara, but this never factors into any gameplay, and Tiara would be better suited as a color swap of Cappy himself.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Toadsworth

This functions the same way as Peach's current standard B, except Toad is switched out for Toadsworth, allowing Toad to maintain his status as playable.

Side B: Pick Up and Throw

This is the most common move from Super Mario Bros. 2, and will function more or less the same. Peach will lift someone over her head and throw them as a projectile.

Up B: Parasol

This is Peach's current Up B. Though she has yet to use a move like this, her parasol is present now, so . . . why not? Plus, it allows for her drifting from the parasol which is frequent in the games.

Down B: Vegetable

This one will stay more or less as is.

Final Smash: Music Box

This one also stays more or less as is.

Entrance: She floats down from the sky on her parasol.

Taunts: Her kiss of Mario at the end of many games could be one, a lot of her small movements throughout her cutscenes perhaps.

Next up: We'll update Toad with whatever we can.

Character Sheet: Pauline (Main 3D Games)

PAULINE

Now that we're done with all of the major 3D Mario titles, I think we need to now go through and update our characters, starting with revisions for any characters included so far that appeared in any of these games. Out of the 24 so far, 17 need revision:

1. Mario
2. Luigi
6. Pauline
7. Princess Toadstool
8. Toad
9. Yoshi
10. Bowser
13. Koopa Troopa
13e. Dry Bones
14. Shy Guy
15. Goomba
16. Piranha Plant
17. Boo
18. Lakitu
19. Hammer Bro
20. Chargin' Chuck
21. Magikoopa

Today, let's revisit Pauline. We last saw Pauline back in the days of the original Donkey Kong arcade game, where she acted mostly as the living goalpost who had been abducted by the big ape himself. In Super Mario Odyssey, the character gained a whole new lease on life, acting as mayor of New Donk City, lead singer of a band, and the voice behind the game's iconic "Jump Up, Super Star" and "Break Free (Lead the Way)."

Before, Pauline mainly acted as a reference character, built on references to the original arcade game and not on anything the character did herself. In this game though, Pauline still acts mainly as an NPC, so you would in theory not be able to do much with her, yet she also acts as the primary representative of the New Donkers, the realistic humanoid race inhabiting the Metro Kingdom, and, as such, anything New Donkers can do, she can do too. This can include driving cars, scooters, and little remote control cars, as well as jumping rope. A number of music based abilities might also arise from the band she plays with in the game. It's not much, but let's see what we can do.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Barrel

I decided we could keep the barrel move from Donkey Kong, as its one of the most iconic images of the original arcade game, and serves as a solid projectile attack.

Side B: Scooter

Pauline will hop on a scooter that can charge up. Once charged it will speed across the stage, knocking any it encounters out of the way. Pauline will ride it, but can hop off if need be.

Up B: Jump Rope
Two New Donkers will appear on each side of Pauline, a jump rope in between them. Pauline can use this like a spring to launch herself with, or can bounce on it multiple times for higher altitudes.

Down B: Brown Note

Pauline's band will appear and play one loud note that will create an area of damaging affect around them. Sort of a mini-version of Donkey Kong's old final smash that only lasts a second or so.

Final Smash: The New Donk City Festival

This one is sort of remixed from Pauline's old final smash, combining it with the best scene from all of Odyssey. Pauline will leave the stage, appearing with her band in the background playing "Jump Up, Super Star" as 8-bit versions of Mario and Donkey Kong appear on the stage, recreating their climactic battle from all those years ago, the other characters getting caught up in the mayhem.

Entrance: I think she could still be carried in by an 8-bit Donkey Kong. It would still be fairly fitting.

Taunts: One could feature the heart that appears when Mario saves her. Another one needs to include the little "woo!" you hear from her in Odyssey. Maybe the little dance moves she does when Mario dances beside her in Odyssey.

Thanks for reading. Tomorrow we'll be covering Mario's other girlfriend, Princess Peach!

Character Sheet: Luigi (Main 3D Games)

LUIGI

Now that we're done with all of the major 3D Mario titles, I think we need to now go through and update our characters, starting with revisions for any characters included so far that appeared in any of these games. Out of the 24 so far, 17 need revision:

1. Mario
2. Luigi
6. Pauline
7. Princess Toadstool
8. Toad
9. Yoshi
10. Bowser
13. Koopa Troopa
13e. Dry Bones
14. Shy Guy
15. Goomba
16. Piranha Plant
17. Boo
18. Lakitu
19. Hammer Bro
20. Chargin' Chuck
21. Magikoopa

Once again, we're revisiting Mario's oft-sidelined brother Luigi. Sadly, with the development of the major 3D Mario games, Luigi felt this one hard. The mean green machine sadly does not make any appearance in either Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Sunshine. In both Galaxy games, he acts as an alternative character to Mario, in the first becoming playable upon beating the game, and in the second, occasionally popping up so that players can switch out and again after beating the game. In Super Mario Odyssey, Luigi appears in a side role, hosting a DLC game in which he gives the player a balloon that they can hide in some hard to reach spot for other players to find.

Unfortunately, all of this means that Luigi's moveset will not change much in the way Mario's did. He might be able to pick up some of Mario's moves from the Galaxy games, and that balloon definitely has some potential. We'll see what we can work with.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Green Fireball

Luigi maintains his green fireball power from before, the iconic move that differentiates him from Mario.

Side B: Super Leaf

Luigi this time adopts the Super Leaf's tail flick, similar to Mario's side B, and will function much the same.

Up B: Balloon World

This move comes straight from Luigi's appearance in Super Mario Odyssey. He will pop out his selection of balloons from the game, which will lift him up into the air. As he floats, a timer will appear on the balloon, counting down from five, at which point they'll pop.

Down B: POW Block

I'm still keeping the POW block. It's a good move for him.

Final Smash: Starman

And, I'm also going to keep around the Starman for now.

Entrance: Enters through a Warp Pipe

Taunts: Most of the taunts he had been using before.

Next up: Let's re-examine Pauline, Mario's first girlfriend who resurfaced in Super Mario Odyssey.

Character Sheet: Mario (Main 3D Games)

MARIO

Now that we're done with all of the major 3D Mario titles, I think we need to now go through and update our characters, starting with revisions for any characters included so far that appeared in any of these games. Out of the 24 so far, 17 need revision:

1. Mario
2. Luigi
6. Pauline
7. Princess Toadstool
8. Toad
9. Yoshi
10. Bowser
13. Koopa Troopa
13e. Dry Bones
14. Shy Guy
15. Goomba
16. Piranha Plant
17. Boo
18. Lakitu
19. Hammer Bro
20. Chargin' Chuck
21. Magikoopa

First up is Mario, who of course acted as the protagonist of all five games covered in this section (he is Mario, after all). Mario did gain a number of abilities, but many of them are directly tied in to the specific gimmick of each game, and almost all of them have a character that can more readily represent that gimmick in its entirety. Rosalina and Luma already do so for Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2's gimmick. A different version of Mario with F.L.U.D.D. on his back can form an entire moveset all its own, creating our first Mario variant so far. And finally, we have Cappy, who could do an exceptional job covering the new mechanics of Odyssey. So from there, we should build most if not all updates for Mario on anything he can do apart from each respective gimmick.

Mario, of course, retains his status as a jack of all trades with middling stats and an above-average jump, as this more or less describes his abilities in game. Thanks to the jump to 3D, Mario gained a number of acrobatic maneuvers that allow him to make full use of the new third dimension, including long jumps, triple jumps, sideways jumps, backflips, butt bashes, rolling like a ball, and so much more. Unfortunately, most of these kinds of maneuvers are covered in the standard moveset (the A-commands and such), so will not likely give me much new to work with. Throughout these games, Mario does gain a number of power-ups that grant him new abilities, including: the Wing Cap, letting him fly; the Metal Cap, turning him metal; the Pixel Cap, making him intangible; the Bee Mushroom, giving him wings and letting him climb on honey; The Boo Mushroom, literally turning him into a Boo; the Ice Flower, letting him skate across water and lava for a time; the Red Star, also letting him fly; the Spring Mushroom, turning him into a living spring; the Rock Mushroom, letting Mario roll up into a boulder; the Cloud Flower, letting Mario create clouds beneath him; a drill that lets him dig through the ground; and the return of the fire flower and invincibility. He can also ride on shells or use them as projectiles (probably more of a Koopa move), use a cannon to launch himself places, spin (though that may be from the Lumas' power?), and use a flower to rocket forward at ridiculous speeds (though that may be a Cappy power). All of this does give us some things to work with, though they will have to contend with already existing moves.

Here is the new moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Fireball

Mario's most iconic move. Anyone would be remiss to change it from this spot at all.

Side B: Raccoon Tail

This move gives Mario the tail flick used frequently throughout many Mario games, including SMB3, that allows him to turn back projectiles or enemies and do slight damage.

Up B: Super Jump Punch

This one finally brings in Mario's iconic Super Jump Punch that he uses in Smash already. I was looking around for the inspiration of this move, until I realized that it was literally just his animation whenever he hits a block in any game. So, I'd say it works here.

Down B: Power Up

Mario punches a block that pops out a number of potential power-ups based upon the famous powerups of these games, which he can then make use of in-game, these being: Super Mario, Pixel Mario, Flying Mario, Metal Mario, and Invincible Mario (which will be included when I can actually use Mario Finale based on something from the games). All of these would more or less affect Mario's stats and his ability to be affected by the stage.

Final Smash: Starman

Mario's keeping his Starman final smash for now, simply because I don't have anything better to use for it yet.

Entrance: Pops up from a warp pipe.

Taunts: Most of his Smash taunts have now been seen, so many of them.

Next up, we'll tackle Luigi, who didn't have much presence in these games, but enough that we might consider some changes.

Super Mario Odyssey

SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY

Next up, we have Nintendo's big Mario outing for the Switch, Super Mario Odyssey. Odyssey was critically acclaimed upon release, and seamlessly blended 3D animation with brief 2D sequences, and introduced a new gimmick that opened up whole new dimensions for platforming, that being the introduction of Cappy, a little hat ghost that can allow Mario to possess the bodies of various enemies and control them for a time, making use of their abilities to access areas that he couldn't get to otherwise.

So, let's start with the characters. Mario and Cappy function as our main characters, with Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Captain Toad, and Luigi all returning, Pauline experience a massive revival for her character after only appearing in the original Donkey Kong and a few minor subsequent appearances, Toadette appearing in a mainline game for the first time, and a new set of bosses in the form of a family of backwoods-hick-looking rabbits who live on the moon called the Broodals.

Mario can do much of everything he could do before, being a master of acrobatics and parkour, with most new abilities coming from Cappy himself (He can now roll around like a ball though, so that's neat). Cappy's primary ability is his power to capture and control others, granting him all sorts of abilities, but most of those will be discussed in the section relating to those characters. Outside of those, he can be thrown forward and made to hover in midair, thrown around in a circle, pull out posts, work levers and zippers and all sorts of mechanisms, travel along an electric wire as a living ball of electricity, use a flower to blast forward at ridiculous speeds, latch onto a slingshot or rocket to reach high places, or control various inanimate objects to move them out of the way. (Including a big slab of meat, perfect taunt fodder).

Now, let's talk about our support characters. So, Luigi is not playable in this game, sadly, but he does run a mini-game wherein he gives you a balloon and you have to hide it somewhere on the map. Princess Peach is held hostage once again, so doesn't give us much to work with, except that she is joined this time by Cappy's sister Tiara. Pauline is mostly an NPC, simply acting as the mayor of the Metro Kingdom's New Donk City, but she also sings in a band made up of a trumpeter, drummer, saxophonist, and guitarist, hosting a massive nostalgic festival for the original Donkey Kong game. Captain Toad and the other Toads are all also NPCs interacting throughout the world, while Toadette acts as an archivist for all the stars out there to collect. Yoshi, on the other hand, is playable, but only upon capture by Cappy. Once again Yoshi can do much of his regular abilities, including the flutter jump and his ability to eat enemies. He has also shown the ability to stick to walls using his tongue and spin around in a circle with his tongue stuck in the center.

Bowser is also playable briefly, likewise upon his capture by Cappy. While captured, he can jump, claw (finally, something reflecting his side B), and breathe fire. During his boss battles, he can throw out his hat, which spawns a pair of punching gloves that Mario can use against him. This hat can also come with a number of false copies to confuse Mario. He can also slam down to make fiery shockwaves, throw large boulders, swipe his tail, and breathe out a wave of fire that he can sweep back and forth.

The Broodals are a sort of discount Koopalings, but all do have unique abilities of their own, just probably not enough to be their own separate characters, instead having to act as color swaps of each other. Madame Brood is the boss of the Broodals, a large, heavyset woman with a pet golden Chain Chomp that she often throws or sends after you. Topper is the leader of the main four (the short one who looks like a leprechaun), and he normally fights using a stack of green hats that he can send spinning around all over the battlefield, tucking into one of them himself, or stack them all on top of his head and spin around in a circle. Hariet is the only girl of the group, and she fights mainly with exploding spike balls, either throwing them, flying around inside her hat and dropping them like bombs, or slamming down the pair attached to her pigtails. Rango is the tall, lanky one, who can also throw out his hat to act as a boomerang, which Mario can flip over and use as a spring, or he can tuck into his hat and bounce around with his big feet. Finally, we have Spewart, the big angry drunk of the group, who can vomit up poisonous goop, or tuck into his hat and fly around leaving a trail of the same goop behind him. Finally, all four Broodals, not counting Madame Brood, can all pilot RoboBrood, a giant mech that can stomp around, charge really fast, drop exploding spike balls, and send out spiky spinning rings.

Next up, we have a bunch of characters who act as NPCs, as most worlds generally have their own native civilians running around. These include: Tostarenans from the Sand Kingdom, little skeleton dudes wearing sombreros who love dancing; Lochladies, merfolk from the Lake Kingdom, good at making dresses; Steam Gardeners, robots who tend the Wooded Kingdom; New Donkers, which are literal realistic looking humans; Shiverians, who bounce and roll all over the place; Bubblainians, snails; and Volbonans, literal living forks from the Luncheon Kingdom. Shiverians are the only ones Cappy can legitimately capture, aside from a couple New Donkers who you can then use to control a small R.C. car, and some Volbonans who act more as pegs in the wall than anything. Other NPCs include some Koopas who challenge you to a race, some Rabbits who run around for you to chase (because what else does a Mario series do with rabbits that aren't Broodals?), Yoshi's dog Poochy that you can fish out of a poison sea at one point, a jabbering parrot named Talkatoo, a ridiculously fast and unwieldy stone lion named Jaxi, and Dorrie returning from Super Mario 64.

Aside from Bowser and the Broodals, we have a few more bosses to cover. Knucklotec is basically Eyerok except with a giant floating head, an army of mummies, and the ability to throw ice blocks. Cappy can control this one's fists. Torkdrift is an out-of-control gardening machine that can suck up flowers and fire lasers that can create shockwaves. Mechawiggler is a giant robot that can charge around, teleport, and fire energy balls. Mollusque-Lanceur is a giant regal octopus thing with lava covering his head that can spin around really fast and fire shells, either round or pointed, out of his mouth. Cookatiel is a giant bird that can fly around, carry meat, flap his wings really hard, spit various fruits and vegetables, and spew the pink, lava-like liquid that fills up Luncheon Kingdom (I think it's broth?). And finally, we have the Ruined Dragon, a gigantic, realistic-looking dragon who breathes powerful purple electric blasts, complete with spinning electric sawblades, and slam his head down to create wavy lines of electric shockwaves.

Now for our returning enemies! Currently, Klepto the vulture who steals your hat, Mini-Goombas, and Spinies are the only enemies to return that can't be captured, and all three perform the same basic function. Those he can capture include: Goombas, who don't slide on ice and can stack up really high; Hammer Bros. and Fire Bros., who both serve the same function but with different projectiles (and are apparently far more hyperactive than I thought they were); Dry Bones, who can fly now; Lakitus, who are mainly used to fish; Cheep Cheeps, who can swim far better than Mario can (but still not much else); Piranha Plants, who spew poison and tend to eat Cappy unless they've eaten a rock; Chargin' Chucks, who barrel forward like they do; Chain Chomps, who Cappy can pull back and launch like projectiles; Bullet Bills, that he can fly with; Lava Bubbles, that let him swim through lava, or broth; Coin Coffers who spew coins with every move; a tropical variant of Wigglers, that can stretch out across great distances without danger; and Ty Foo, a big cloud that blows a freezing wind.

As for new enemies, those Cappy can capture include: a tiny little frog good for hopping to high ledges; a T-Rex that often sleeps but can also roar loud enough to shake the area and rampage destroying everything in its path; Moe-Eyes, little Easter Island head guys with shades that let them see invisible platforms; Uproots, little walking vegetables that extend their roots really high; Sherms, literally tanks; Glydon, a winged lizard that can fly great distances; Gushen, a little octopus surrounded by a bubble of water that can jet up and forward with a stream of water behind it; and Pokio, a little bird with an extendable beak that can be used to poke into walls. Those Cappy cannot capture are Burrbos, little spiky dudes that burrow up from the ground, Urban Stingbies, larvae that transform into flies and launch at you, Chinchos, literal mummies, Comboos, walking seaweed, Magmatoes, living tomatoes that fly at you, Trapeetles, exploding robots that grab your hat and launch forward, Astro-Lanceurs, robotic octopi that launch spiky shells, Stairface Ogres, big stone things that slam down a small staircase on top of you, Maw-Rays, basically the Unagi again, and Bitefrost, living pillars that launch up from the ground to bite you.

As far as stages, this game does not have the ridiculous level of stages we've seen in past games, mostly opting for Mario 64's version of large open world stages that you can explore for ages. These include: Bonneton in the Cap Kingdom, a ghostly stage that serves as Cappy's home and the first basic level of the game; Fossil Falls in the Cascade Kingdom, a dinosaur-themed ancient world; Tostarena in the Sand Kingdom, a desert world that takes inspiration from Mexico, Easter Island, and Egypt; Lake Lamode in the Lake Kingdom, a small, serene water level; Steam Gardens in the Wooded Kingdom, a forest level that meshes nature with technology (and easily my least favorite world, personally); Nimbus Arena in the Cloud Kingdom, a mini-level where you fight Bowser; Forgotten Isle in the Lost Kingdom, a toxic tropical rain forest region; New Donk City in the Metro Kingdom, a sprawling cityscape themed after Donkey Kong; Shiveria in the Snow Kingdom, a snow level; Bubblaine in the Seaside Kingdom, a beach level; Mount Volbono, a level made out of food that presents itself as a lava level, if that makes sense; Crumbleden in the Ruined Kingdom, another mini-level where you fight the Ruined Dragon; Bowser's Castle in Bowser's Kingdom, a very Japanese temple-themed fortress; Honeylune Ridge in the Moon Kingdom, a space/lava themed level and final boss; Peach's Castle in the Mushroom Kingdom, a basic grassland level; Rabbit Ridge on the Dark Side, a boss rush; and Culmina Crater on the Darker Side, a final challenge of sorts. Most of the main levels I'll include at least, leaving out the two boss levels and the Dark and Darker Sides.

There are a number of items, such as moons and coins, including regional coins, as well as the aforementioned flowers to pick up and so on, but really most of the upgrades come from Cappy, so not much at the moment.

Let's see what we've got!

Characters:
Mario: multiple different types of jumps and punches, wing cap, metal cap, pixel cap, ride on shell, fire from cannon, slide on belly, use F.L.U.D.D., spin, shoot starbits, warpstar, pull star, fly as a bee, cling to honey, pass through walls (Boo), skate across ice, throw fireballs, fly, invincibility, spring, rock, cloud, drill, roll, throw Cappy, capture, run really fast
Luigi: clone of Mario, give out balloons
F.L.U.D.D.: spray forward stream, jetpack hover, rocket nozzle, spin and spray, launch missiles, shoot bubbles
Cappy: capture, fly forward, fly around in a circle, electric wire, pull out posts, work mechanisms, control various inanimate objects
Peach: nothing, parasol, jet, tiara
Pauline: mayor, sing, bandmates, festival
Toad: nothing, give star, spaceship, headlamp, hang out, sell stuff, hints
Toadette: send on missions
Toadsworth: nothing
Yoshi: hop around, flutter jump, egg, tongue, spray fruit juice, spit enemies, flip around flowers, run really fast, inflate, glow, stick to walls, spin around
Rosalina: nothing
Luma: spit star bits, eat star bits, transform into warpstars, pull stars, planets, spin, and become bunnies
Bowser: tromp around, breathe fire, charge, tip stage, create shockwaves, hang out in hot tub, breathe meteors, spinning punch, curl into boulder, spin in shell, command airships, fly, be giant, throw meteors, punch with shockwaves, claw, punching glove hat, throw boulders, swipe tail
Bowser Jr.: transform, paintbrush, flying machine, shoot bullet bills, mini airship, cannonballs, magikoopas, Megaleg, Megahammer, Boomsday Machine
Shadow Mario: run, jump, paint, paintbrush, tongue, fiery paint trail, command Mechabowser
Broodals: chain chomp, spinning hats, spin with hats, tuck into hat, throw bombs, bombs on pigtails, drop bombs, boomerang hat, spring hat, bounce around, spew poison, leave poison trail
Lubba: not much
Pianta: nothing, chuck you
Noki: nothing, tuck in shell
Honeybee: fly, climb on honey, spear, butt bash
Shiverian: bounce around endlessly
Goomba: walk around, spin like a top, minis, giants, helmet, pumpkin, Paragoomba
Koopas: run away, pop from shell, race, Snooza Koopa, Electrokoopa, tuck into shell, used as projectile
Dry Bones: fall apart, eat matter, fly
Chargin' Chuck: charge forward
Piranha Plant: sleep, bite, spit paint, bob around, spiky, spit poison, eat rocks
Petey Piranha: fly with leaves, roar, spit goop, Piranhabons, create tornadoes
Boo: float around, Big Boo, turn into blocks, pass through walls, hide face, explode, swing around by tongue, turn invisible
King Boo: roulette wheel, slot machine, spit bubbles, fruit, enemies, Boos
Blooper: crawl around, surf, spit ink, swim
Gooper Blooper: slap tentacles, spray ink, spin and spray
Lakitu: float, drop Spinies, use camera, blast lightning, fish
Shy Guy: Fly Guy, fire, Snufit float, fire pellets
Hammer Bros: throw hammers, throw boomerangs, hop around, throw fire
Magikoopa: cast spell, summon shells, throw fireballs, teleport
Monty Mole: jump, throw rocks, drive tank, throw Bob-Ombs, fire Bullet Bills, pop up, throw wrench, dig in ground, fire bubbles
Bob-Omb: explode, fire cannons, pick up and throw (Big Bob-Omb)
Cheep Cheep: swim, spikes
Captures: Tropical Wigglers, Lava Bubbles, Ty Foos, Frogs, T-Rex, Moe-Eyes, Uproots, Sherms, Glydon, Gushens, and Pokios
<Tentative> Chain Chomp, Wiggler, Whomp, Strollin' Stu, Il Piantissimo, Gearmo, Penguin, The Chimp

Bosses:
Big Bob-Omb
King Whomp
Big Boo
Big Bully
Eyerok
Chill Bully
Gooper Blooper
Manta Ray
Wiggler
Dino Piranha
King Kaliente
Bugaboom
Megaleg
Tarantox
Topmaniac
Bouldergeist
Major Burrows
Baron Brrr
Bonefin
Peewee Piranha
King Lakitu
Digga Leg
Gobblegut
Rollodillo
Sorbetti
Glamdozer
Squizzard
Prince Pikante
Knucklotec
Torkdrift
Mechawiggler
Mollusque-Lanceur
Cookatiel
Ruined Dragon

Stages:
Princess Peach's Castle (Melee)
Princess Peach's Castle (Inside)
Bob-Omb Battlefield
Whomp's Fortress
Jolly Roger Bay
Cool Cool Mountain
Big Boo's Haunt
Hazy Maze Cave
Lethal Lava Land
Shifting Sand Land
Dire Dire Docks
Snowman's Land
Wet-Dry World
Tall Tall Mountain
Tiny-Huge Island
Tick Tock Clock
Rainbow Ride
Bowser's World
Delfino Plaza
Bianco Hills
Ricco Harbor
Gelato Beach
Pinna Park
Sirena Beach
Noki Bay
Pianta Village
Corona Mountain
Toad Village
Gateway Galaxy
Comet Observatory
Good Egg Galaxy
Honeyhive Galaxy
Space Junk Galaxy
Battlerock Galaxy
Beach Bowl Galaxy
Ghostly Galaxy
Gusty Garden Galaxy
Freezeflame Galaxy
Gold Leaf Galaxy
Sea Slide Galaxy
Toy Time Galaxy
Deep Dark Galaxy
Dreadnought Galaxy
Melty Molten Galaxy
Bowser's Galaxy Reactor
Starship Mario
Sky Station Galaxy
Yoshi Star Galaxy
Spin-Dig Galaxy
Fluffy Bluff Galaxy
Puzzle Plank Galaxy
Boulder Bowl Galaxy
Hightail Falls Galaxy
Cosmic Cove Galaxy
Cloudy Court Galaxy
Tall Trunk Galaxy
Haunty Halls Galaxy
Freezy Flake Galaxy
Supermassive Galaxy
Flipsville Galaxy
Starshine Beach Galaxy
Chompworks Galaxy
Space Storm Galaxy
Boo Moon Galaxy
Slipsand Galaxy
Shiverburn Galaxy
Melty Monster Galaxy
Clockwork Ruins Galaxy
Throwback Galaxy
Battle Belt Galaxy
Bonneton
Fossil Falls
Lake Lamode
Steam Gardens
Forgotten Isle
New Donk City
Shiveria
Bubblaine
Mount Volbono
Bowser's Castle
Honeylune Ridge
Peach's Castle

Items:
Wing Cap
Metal Cap
Pixel Cap
Green Shell
Bob-Omb
Bullet Bill
Coin
Star
Box
F.L.U.D.D.
Shine Sprite
Fruit
Star Bits
Invincibility Star
Fire Flower
Ice Flower
Red Star
Bee Mushroom
Boo Mushroom
Spring Mushroom
Warp Star
Pull Star
Spin Drill
Cloud Flower
Rock Mushroom
Moons
Regional Coins
Scooter

Thanks for reading! Check us out next time as we start delving into updating our character roster, starting with a revision of Mario!

Super Mario Galaxy 2

SUPER MARIO GALAXY 2

Alright, next up, we have Super Mario Galaxy 2, the sequel to the landmark Super Mario Galaxy, and rightfully acclaimed in its own right. I have a feeling that Super Mario Galaxy 2 was created for largely similar reasons to Breath of the Wild's upcoming sequel in that the creators just had too many ideas for additional content that they had to create an entirely new game for it all. And you can see evidence for this throughout much of the game: it runs on the same engine, most of the unique mechanics and enemies work their way back in, much less effort was spent on the opening sequence and other cutscenes, the way different worlds are accessed is heavily simplified and plays out more like one of the 2D Mario games, and so on. But hey, it's a good game, so who's complaining.

Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Rosalina and her Lumas, Bowser, Bowser Jr., and the Toad Brigade all return, serving much the same functions as they did in the previous games. Mario acts as the player character using all the moves from the first game as well as the Bee, Boo, Spring, and Fire powerups from before, on top of new forms such as Rock Mario, that allows him to roll up into a boulder and spin at high speed, Cloud Mario, that allows him to create temporary cloud platforms beneath him when crossing great distances or trying to get up high, and the Spin Drill, a drill that lets him dig through certain areas.

Luigi acts as an alternate character to play as, so can do everything Mario can. Princess Peach is captured once again, so doesn't do much. Rosalina only appears at the end of the game this time, her observatory struggling to escape Bowser's galaxy generator. However, the Lumas all still play an important role and do everything they could before. The Toad Brigade act as your basic NPCs throughout the game, though they are joined by others. Finally, we have Bowser and Bowser Jr. Bowser spends most of the game giant-sized, floating around a small planetoid while breathing fire, tossing giant meteors at it, or punching it and causing shockwaves. Bowser Jr. spends most of his time in a little, really comfortable-looking flying machine that he can then plug into mechs such as the Boomsday Machine and the Megahammer.

Two more major characters appear in this game, the first being Yoshi, returning after not making an appearance in the first game, and the second being Lubba, a heavyweight Luma who bears an odd resemblance to a certain cartoon starfish, and generally takes the place of Rosalina in the first game, being your main exposition hound throughout your journey. Yoshi can do much of what he does in other games, with his flutter jump and his penchant for eating enemies, but he can also spit out certain enemies as projectiles, flip around little flower things with his tongue, and eat three different fruits that give him different abilities, namely: a red pepper that sends him running at top speed, a blue fruit that inflates him like a balloon and carries him up high, and a yellow fruit that lights him up and makes him able to see and stand on invisible platforms. Lubba is really just an NPC.

Speaking of NPCs, we have a few to cover this time around. The Chimp is a shades-wearing monkey who likes to challenge you to complete certain tasks, though he never partakes in them himself. Fluzzard is a giant bird Mario hangs onto and flies great distances with. Piantas, Honeybees, Gearmos, and Penguins all make a return, functioning generally the same as before, alongside the Pink Bob-Ombs of Super Mario 64 fame. Whittles (little figures made of wood) and Jibberjays (talkative little birds) also enter the fray, also mostly just acting as NPCs. And finally, we have Star Bunnies, who do what all bunnies seem to do in Mario games, run around until Mario catches them. Basic stuff.

We have a few new bosses this time around. Peewee Piranha is a baby version of the last game's Dino Piranha. King Lakitu is a giant Lakitu who can blast lightning from his cloud as well as throw spinies. Digga Leg is a smaller version of Megaleg who hops around on a small round planet and fires Diggas through the dirt. Gobblegut, and by extension Fiery Gobblegut, is a large eastern dragon who makes train sounds and eats through dirt, often burrowing all the way through a planet. Rollodillo is a large armadillo creature who can roll up into a ball. Sorbetti is a giant snow version of the Tap-Taps from the Yoshi series (we'll get there). Glamdozer is a giant version of the Pupdozer who can crawl around and spit lava. Squizzard lives in the sand and likes to throw rocks, spiky rocks, and bombs at you. Prince Pikante is a large octopus that drives around in a tank, shooting and spitting melons and meteors at you. The Whomp King returns from Super Mario 64, jumping up and slamming down to crush you. Megahammer and the Boomsday Machine are both mechs piloted by Bowser Jr., the first firing Bullet Bills from its chest and slamming its hammer arms down on you, while the Boomsday machine fires electric balls, swings around massive firebars, drives around on treads, and sometimes sucks things in. Finally, we have Bugaboom, Dino Piranha, King Kaliente, Major Burrows, Bouldergeist, and Fiery Dino Piranha all returning and functioning effectively the same.

Now for our regular enemies! Koopas return, bringing with them Dry Bones, Lakitus, Spinies, Hammer Bros, Boomerang Bros, Magikoopas, and Mechakoopas, each of which function more or less the same as before, although Dry Bones seems to now have a variant that can eat through literal matter. Goombas also return, bringing Paragoombas with them as well as the Octoombas, who are now called Octoombas instead of Electrogoombas. Piranha Plants and their spiky variants (including the black-headed one famously known as Fire Piranha) return, as do Boos and Bomb Boos, alongside what look like Boo versions of the Octoombas. They all act mostly the same. Bloopers and Cheep Cheeps return, acting mostly as basic swimming enemies, though Cheep Cheeps now have a spiky variant. Monty Mole doesn't appear, but the Undergrunts and Undergrunt Gunners do. Bats, Wigglers, Pokeys, Fuzzies, Skeeters, Chain Chomps, Bullet Bills, Bob-Ombs, Whomps, and Thwomps all do exactly as they are famous for. Blaargs don't quite return but they do have a couple variants in the Magmaarghs, who do the same thing.

From the first Galaxy game, we also have the Mandibug, Octopus, Topman, Crabber, Flipbug, Sproing, Sprangler, Cluckboom and Gringill enemies all return, all functioning in the same way, alongside new enemies such as: Choppah, a fat green enemy that flies around like a helicopter; Smeech, who latches onto Yoshi; Twirlip, a flower that spins around; Digga, a living drill; Pupdozer, a slow dinosaur creature that walks back and forth; Swaphopper, a robotic enemy with a spike on one side and a weakpoint on the other; Flaptack, which seems to be a relative of the Cluckboom, but it divebombs its enemies with its headspike instead; Tongari, a hermit crab; Kleptoad, a frog that runs around and steals things; Fizzlit, a purple enemy that melts into a puddle of electricity; Bee Eater, a spiky plant that lunges at you; and Snoodle, a wavy polyp-like enemy that doesn't like light. None of them particularly scream playable.

Next up, let's tackle the stages. This game is centered on the Starship Mario, a hubworld shaped like Mario's head. I'm not going to lie, a stage set here would be awesome. After that, we have an assortment of 49 worlds, none of which are quite as well divided between full-on stages and one-offs like the first game. However, in general, each group of levels is divided into four levels with six possible stars to collect, and two more with only four, plus a final world to fight either Bowser or Bowser Jr. I think my best bet is to pick the six-star worlds and leave it at that, with a Bowser world to represent the whole, like last time. The six-star worlds are:

1. Sky Station Galaxy: a basic starting stage
2. Yoshi Star Galaxy: another basic stage and your introduction to Yoshi
3. Spin-dig Galaxy: a rocky, dirt-based stage and your introduction to the spin drill
4. Fluffy Bluff Galaxy: a cloud-themed world and your introduction to Cloud Mario
5. Puzzle Plank Galaxy: a stage based on different puzzle-themed elements
6. Boulder Bowl Galaxy: a rocky stage and your introduction to Rock Mario
7. Hightail Falls Galaxy: a waterfall stage that makes great use of the Pepper ability for Yoshi
8. Cosmic Cove Galaxy: a water level
9. Cloudy Court Galaxy: another cloud level
10. Tall Trunk Galaxy: a large tree level with a slide
11. Haunty Halls Galaxy: a ghost level
12. Freezy Flake Galaxy: a snow level (with some lava)
13. Supermassive Galaxy: a level where everything is gigantic
14. Flipsville Galaxy: a house-themed level where you're constantly flipping perspective
15. Starshine Beach Galaxy: a beach level
16. Chompworks Galaxy: a factory-themed stage where they apparently produce Chain Chomps
17. Space Storm Galaxy: sorta like Dreadnought Galaxy from the last game
18. Boo Moon Galaxy: another ghost level
19. Slipsand Galaxy: a desert level
20. Shiverburn Galaxy: a fire and ice level just like Freezeflame from the last game
21. Melty Monster Galaxy: a lava level with an awesome theme song
22. Clockwork Ruins Galaxy: a really creative level set in constantly moving ruins
23. Throwback Galaxy: a recreation of Super Mario 64's Whomp's Fortress
24. Battle Belt Galaxy: a gauntlet of various enemies throughout the game

There we go, that cuts it down at least a little.

Next up, we have most of the items of the first game returning, as well as the Spin Drill, the Cloud Flower, and the Rock Mushroom. Seems pretty solid.

Let's see what we've got!

Characters:
Mario: multiple different types of jumps and punches, wing cap, metal cap, pixel cap, ride on shell, fire from cannon, slide on belly, use F.L.U.D.D., spin, shoot starbits, warpstar, pull star, fly as a bee, cling to honey, pass through walls (Boo), skate across ice, throw fireballs, fly, invincibility, spring, rock, cloud, drill
Luigi: clone of Mario
F.L.U.D.D.: spray forward stream, jetpack hover, rocket nozzle, spin and spray, launch missiles, shoot bubbles
Peach: nothing, parasol, jet
Toad: nothing, give star, spaceship, headlamp
Toadsworth: nothing
Yoshi: hop around, flutter jump, egg, tongue, spray fruit juice, spit enemies, flip around flowers, run really fast, inflate, glow
Rosalina: nothing
Luma: spit star bits, eat star bits, transform into warpstars, pull stars, planets, spin, and become bunnies
Bowser: tromp around, breathe fire, charge, tip stage, create shockwaves, hang out in hot tub, breathe meteors, spinning punch, curl into boulder, spin in shell, command airships, fly, be giant, throw meteors, punch with shockwaves
Bowser Jr.: transform, paintbrush, flying machine, shoot bullet bills, mini airship, cannonballs, magikoopas, Megaleg, Megahammer, Boomsday Machine
Shadow Mario: run, jump, paint, paintbrush, tongue, fiery paint trail, command Mechabowser
Lubba: not much
Pianta: nothing, chuck you
Noki: nothing, tuck in shell
Honeybee: fly, climb on honey, spear, butt bash
Goomba: walk around, spin like a top, minis, giants, helmet, pumpkin, Paragoomba
Koopas: run away, pop from shell, race, Snooza Koopa, Electrokoopa, tuck into shell, used as projectile
Dry Bones: fall apart, eat matter
Piranha Plant: sleep, bite, spit paint, bob around, spiky
Petey Piranha: fly with leaves, roar, spit goop, Piranhabons, create tornadoes
Boo: float around, Big Boo, turn into blocks, pass through walls, hide face, explode, swing around by tongue, turn invisible
King Boo: roulette wheel, slot machine, spit bubbles, fruit, enemies, Boos
Blooper: crawl around, surf, spit ink, swim
Gooper Blooper: slap tentacles, spray ink, spin and spray
Lakitu: float, drop Spinies, use camera, blast lightning
Shy Guy: Fly Guy, fire, Snufit float, fire pellets
Hammer Bros: throw hammers, throw boomerangs, hop around
Magikoopa: cast spell, summon shells, throw fireballs, teleport
Monty Mole: jump, throw rocks, drive tank, throw Bob-Ombs, fire Bullet Bills, pop up, throw wrench, dig in ground, fire bubbles
Bob-Omb: explode, fire cannons, pick up and throw (Big Bob-Omb)
Cheep Cheep: swim, spikes
<Tentative> Chain Chomp, Wiggler, Whomp, Strollin' Stu, Il Piantissimo, Gearmo, Penguin, The Chimp

Bosses:
Big Bob-Omb
King Whomp
Big Boo
Big Bully
Eyerok
Chill Bully
Gooper Blooper
Manta Ray
Wiggler
Dino Piranha
King Kaliente
Bugaboom
Megaleg
Tarantox
Topmaniac
Bouldergeist
Major Burrows
Baron Brrr
Bonefin
Peewee Piranha
King Lakitu
Digga Leg
Gobblegut
Rollodillo
Sorbetti
Glamdozer
Squizzard
Prince Pikante

Stages:
Princess Peach's Castle (Melee)
Princess Peach's Castle (Inside)
Bob-Omb Battlefield
Whomp's Fortress
Jolly Roger Bay
Cool Cool Mountain
Big Boo's Haunt
Hazy Maze Cave
Lethal Lava Land
Shifting Sand Land
Dire Dire Docks
Snowman's Land
Wet-Dry World
Tall Tall Mountain
Tiny-Huge Island
Tick Tock Clock
Rainbow Ride
Bowser's World
Delfino Plaza
Bianco Hills
Ricco Harbor
Gelato Beach
Pinna Park
Sirena Beach
Noki Bay
Pianta Village
Corona Mountain
Toad Village
Gateway Galaxy
Comet Observatory
Good Egg Galaxy
Honeyhive Galaxy
Space Junk Galaxy
Battlerock Galaxy
Beach Bowl Galaxy
Ghostly Galaxy
Gusty Garden Galaxy
Freezeflame Galaxy
Gold Leaf Galaxy
Sea Slide Galaxy
Toy Time Galaxy
Deep Dark Galaxy
Dreadnought Galaxy
Melty Molten Galaxy
Bowser's Galaxy Reactor
Starship Mario
Sky Station Galaxy
Yoshi Star Galaxy
Spin-Dig Galaxy
Fluffy Bluff Galaxy
Puzzle Plank Galaxy
Boulder Bowl Galaxy
Hightail Falls Galaxy
Cosmic Cove Galaxy
Cloudy Court Galaxy
Tall Trunk Galaxy
Haunty Halls Galaxy
Freezy Flake Galaxy
Supermassive Galaxy
Flipsville Galaxy
Starshine Beach Galaxy
Chompworks Galaxy
Space Storm Galaxy
Boo Moon Galaxy
Slipsand Galaxy
Shiverburn Galaxy
Melty Monster Galaxy
Clockwork Ruins Galaxy
Throwback Galaxy
Battle Belt Galaxy

Items:
Wing Cap
Metal Cap
Pixel Cap
Green Shell
Bob-Omb
Bullet Bill
Coin
Star
Box
F.L.U.D.D.
Shine Sprite
Fruit
Star Bits
Invincibility Star
Fire Flower
Ice Flower
Red Star
Bee Mushroom
Boo Mushroom
Spring Mushroom
Warp Star
Pull Star
Spin Drill
Cloud Flower
Rock Mushroom

Thanks for reading! Next up, we finish up our mainline 3D games with Super Mario Odyssey!

Super Mario Galaxy

SUPER MARIO GALAXY

Next on our list is Super Mario Galaxy, the major 3D Mario entry for the Nintendo Wii, to be followed not long after by a sequel. Super Mario Galaxy is notable for its incredible level design and its physics engine that pushes the limit of almost anything that had ever been designed before. The game follows Mario as he traverses the cosmos with the help of newcomer Rosalina and her Lumas in order to rescue Peach from Bowser. As such most of the levels are set out in the middle of space, opening the games up for ridiculous levels of creativity in regards to their design.

First up, we have our characters. Mario and Luigi both return, alongside Princess Peach and Princess Rosalina, a space princess who travels the galaxy and rules over a race of star beings called Lumas. A number of Toads also return, the main red-spotted Toad now taking up the mantle as their captain and leader. Finally, Bowser and his son Bowser Jr. return and act as the main villains of the game.

Mario acts as the protagonist of course, being able to do much of what he could do before, with all sorts of jumps and acrobatic moves and the like. However, with the introduction of the Lumas, they add new dimensions and gimmicks to his moveset (most of which will be likely worked into a moveset for Rosalina and the Lumas, much as they are in Smash already, having Rosalina act as the representative of the game's gimmicks much like F.L.U.D.D. from the last game). The abilities they give include the ability to shoot star bits at enemies from above, spin (which comes in really handy in this game), and give him access to warp stars and pull stars which allow him to get from place to place. He also has a number of power-ups in this game, which include:

1. Bee Suit: he can fly around, climb on honey, and stand on things like flowers and clouds that he couldn't stand on before.
2. Boo Mushroom: he becomes a Boo, which allows him to float around, turn intangible and pass through walls.
3. Ice Flower: which allows him to skate across water and lava.
4. Fire Flower: which of course gives him the ability to throw fireballs.
5. Red Star: which allows him to fly.
6. Spring: which allows him to bounce around like a spring and jump really high.

Luigi also acts as an alternate playable character, specifically in the post game. Before that, he tends to visit various worlds and find stars for you. Another notable character is Cosmic Mario, a strange clone of Mario that likes to race you through certain levels.

Princess Peach once again acts as an NPC, held hostage by Bowser for the bulk of the game and not offering us much to work with. Rosalina also mainly acts as an NPC, acting as your guide throughout the game, while offering you the help of the Lumas. The Lumas, as covered before, offer up most of the game's gimmick for Mario's moveset, allowing him to spin while spitting star bits from above and becoming warp stars and pull stars for him to use to get around. They are also shown capable of eating large amounts of star bits, transforming into new planets and all sorts of things, and transforming into bunnies and hopping around for Mario to chase.

There are also a number of NPC races this time around, acting much as the Piantas and Nokis did in Sunshine. The Toads mainly act as NPCs, though they have a spaceship now, and the captain has a headlamp. From there, we also have Honeybees, Gearmos, and Penguins. The Honeybees presumably can do much of what Mario's bee suit can do, which surprisingly gives them a good amount of a headstart for playable. Gearmos are implied to be good at tech, but we never see it much. They do have big wrench things though. Penguins act pretty much the way they did in 64, being good at swimming and sliding around on the ice. The Honeybees have a queen who mostly just floats around and lets you crawl on her, while the penguins are also friends with a Manta Ray you can ride and an orca named Guppy who likes to challenge you to swimming speed tests.

Bowser and Bowser Jr. return with a great deal to add to their movesets. In battle, Bowser is shown capable of breathing both fireballs and meteors, punch in a spinning circular fashion, jump and make shockwaves much like 64, curl up into a boulder and roll around, and spin around inside of his shell. Outside of battle, he is shown to have an armada of airships at his disposal, including a flying saucer or too. Bowser Jr. is shown to have a mini airship of his own from which he can fire bullet bills and cannonballs. He also has a few Magikoopa directly under his command, as well as bosses such as Megaleg.

There are a number of bosses to contend with this time around. Dino Piranha, and Fiery Dino Piranha by extension, is basically Petey Piranha but with a dinosaur's body and a coconut for a tail that Mario can use as a weapon. King Kaliente is a giant octopus that lives in lava who can spit out coconuts and fireballs and make waves with his tentacles. Bugaboom is a giant Mandibug that flies around and slams on the ground. Megaleg is a giant robot that acts more as a stage than an enemy. Kamella is a large Magikoopa who can do mostly everything other Magikoopas do, including casting spells to summon enemies and items and teleporting. Tarantox is a spider-like enemy that crawls around on a web and spits acid. Topmaniac is a large Topman who spins around and juts out spikes. Bouldergeist is awesome, just putting that out there, a ghostly being made of rock who can thrust a large fist forward and slam his hand down, jut up a row of spikes from the ground, and summon up rocks to throw at Mario, sometimes spawning Bomb Boos. Major Burrows seems like a giant Monty Mole who can dig around in the ground before popping out and rampaging around the stage. Baron Brrr is a giant Ice Bubble who can toss out ice, freeze Mario, and slam down to make a shockwave. And finally, Bonefin is a large skeletal shark that mostly swims around and sends smaller drones to attack you.

We have a number of returning enemies, including Koopas, Goombas, Piranha Plants, Boos, Bloopers, Cheep Cheeps, Monty Moles, and many others, including offshoots. Koopas mostly just walk around and tuck into their shells, although their shells are frequently used to help Mario swim better and as projectiles. Their offshoots include Dry Bones, Magikoopas, and Mechakoopas. None are much different than previous incarnations. Dry Bones walk around and fall apart when stepped on. Magikoopas cast spells and teleport. Mechakoopas walk around, breathe fire, and explode on occasion. Goombas are still pretty basic, walking around and spinning like a top if hit. They also come in mini and giant sizes and have taken to headgear such as helmets and pumpkins. They also have a maybe cousin called the Electrogoomba (later called the Octoomba), which seems like an alien variant of them that can shoot projectiles from its mouth.

Piranha Plants chomp as usual, though they now come with a spiky variant. Boos still float around and hide when looked at, however, they now come with an exploding variant, the Bomb Boo, and can be swung around as a blunt weapon when Mario grabs onto their tongue. There is also a large Boo in this game who likes to race you. Bloopers and Cheep Cheeps mostly just float around in this game, while Clams open and close like they did before. Monty Moles are once again out here representing, popping out of holes and throwing wrenches like their cousins, the Rocky Wrenches, while also gaining new cousins in the Undergrunts who can dig around underground and pop up or drive a fixed artillery cannon that launches bubbles at their enemies.

Sadly, Wigglers still just walk around and charge when angry (if you can't tell, I'd really like to make Wiggler playable, but this is literally all it's giving me). Pokeys still mostly just stand around, slamming their head down when you get to close and have small single-head variants. Chain Chomps now roll around as giant balls. Thwomps rise up and slam down as always. Amps float around an electrocute you, Cataquacks throw you into the air, Bullet Bills and Torpedo Teds fire toward you, and Bats just swoop around.

New enemies include Mandibugs, large beetle-like insects with mandibles that like to charge toward you, and their tiny offshoots, the Flipbugs, who can fly. We also have Spoings and Spranglers, spider enemies that either jump high into the air and drop on you from the ceiling. Topmen and Topminis are mostly tops that spin around at you, while Sentry Beams fire lasers at you and Jump Beamers launch a cirle of laser at you. Ice Bubbles and Li'l Cinders are tiny rock things that spout ice and fire respectively. Urchins roll around at you and jut out spikes. Octopuses pop out of barrels and shoot coconuts at you. Crabbers mostly just scuttle around and attack with claws. Cluckbooms are chickens that float around and drop bombs, and Tweesters are literally living tornadoes. Slurples are little blue things that look like Slimes and attach themselves to you. Down underwater, we now have Gringills, the new Eel species to join the Unagi, and Jellyfish and Jammyfish, both basically jellyfish.

Stages are accessed through various points on the game's hubworld, Rosalina's Comet Observatory (which would be an excellent stage itself). On the observatory, you can access different worlds through the terrace, fountain, kitchen, bedroom, engine, and garden domes respectively, each one granting you access to two or three full-sized worlds with multiple stars to collect, one or two smaller worlds with only one star to collect, and a Bowser or Bowser Jr. boss world. For the purposes of keeping things simple, I will limit the stage selection to only the full-sized worlds and only one Bowser world representing the whole of them (most of them aren't all that different).

The main full-sized stages include: Good Egg Galaxy, a basic grassland type stage; Honeyhive Galaxy, our first introduction to the Honeybees; Space Junk Galaxy, a galaxy most made up of, well, junk; Battlerock Galaxy, a fully armed military fortress in space; Beach Bowl Galaxy, a beach level; Ghostly Galaxy, a haunted level; Gusty Garden Galaxy, a level that uses a heavy wind gimmick; Freezeflame Galaxy, a level based on a fire and ice gimmick; Gold Leaf Galaxy, a level that bears an eerie resemblance to Honeyhive Galaxy; Sea Slide Galaxy, another beach level; Toy Time Galaxy, a level made up of giant food and toys; Deep Dark Galaxy, another water level but with more of a creepy vibe this time; Dreadnought Galaxy, a giant battle station; and Melty Molten Galaxy, a lava level. All of these could work, given a focus on their most iconic sections.

Last but not least, we also have Toad Village from the beginning of the game and the Gateway Galaxy, the world you first find yourself on. Both are iconic in their own right, so can also be considered.

As far as items go, we have all of the powerups as listed above, plus the stars, the invincibility star, pull stars, warp stars, star bits, coins, and so much more.

Alright! Now, let's see what we've got!

Characters:
Mario: multiple different types of jumps and punches, wing cap, metal cap, pixel cap, ride on shell, fire from cannon, slide on belly, use F.L.U.D.D., spin, shoot starbits, warpstar, pull star, fly as a bee, cling to honey, pass through walls (Boo), skate across ice, throw fireballs, fly, invincibility, spring
F.L.U.D.D.: spray forward stream, jetpack hover, rocket nozzle, spin and spray, launch missiles, shoot bubbles
Peach: nothing, parasol, jet
Toad: nothing, give star, spaceship, headlamp
Toadsworth: nothing
Yoshi: hop around, flutter jump, egg, tongue, spray fruit juice
Rosalina: nothing
Luma: spit star bits, eat star bits, transform into warpstars, pull stars, planets, spin, and become bunnies
Bowser: tromp around, breathe fire, charge, tip stage, create shockwaves, hang out in hot tub, breathe meteors, spinning punch, curl into boulder, spin in shell, command airships
Bowser Jr.: transform, paintbrush, flying machine, shoot bullet bills, mini airship, cannonballs, magikoopas, Megaleg
Shadow Mario: run, jump, paint, paintbrush, tongue, fiery paint trail, command Mechabowser
Pianta: nothing
Noki: nothing, tuck in shell
Honeybee: fly, climb on honey, spear, butt bash
Goombas: walk around, spin like a top, minis, giants, helmet, pumpkin
Koopas: run away, pop from shell, race, Snooza Koopa, Electrokoopa, tuck into shell, used as projectile
Piranha Plant: sleep, bite, spit paint, bob around, spiky
Petey Piranha: fly with leaves, roar, spit goop, Piranhabons, create tornadoes
Boo: float around, Big Boo, turn into blocks, pass through walls, hide face, explode, swing around by tongue
King Boo: roulette wheel, slot machine, spit bubbles, fruit, enemies, Boos
Blooper: crawl around, surf, spit ink, swim
Gooper Blooper: slap tentacles, spray ink, spin and spray
Lakitu: float, drop Spinies, use camera
Shy Guy: Fly Guy, fire, Snufit float, fire pellets
Magikoopa: cast spell, summon shells, throw fireballs, teleport
Monty Mole: jump, throw rocks, drive tank, throw Bob-Ombs, fire Bullet Bills, pop up, throw wrench, dig in ground, fire bubbles
Bob-Omb: explode, fire cannons, pick up and throw (Big Bob-Omb)
Cheep Cheep: swim
<Tentative> Chain Chomp, Wiggler, Whomp, Strollin' Stu, Il Piantissimo, Gearmo, Penguin

Bosses:
Big Bob-Omb
King Whomp
Big Boo
Big Bully
Eyerok
Chill Bully
Gooper Blooper
Manta Ray
Wiggler
Dino Piranha
King Kaliente
Bugaboom
Megaleg
Tarantox
Topmaniac
Bouldergeist
Major Burrows
Baron Brrr
Bonefin

Stages:
Princess Peach's Castle (Melee)
Princess Peach's Castle (Inside)
Bob-Omb Battlefield
Whomp's Fortress
Jolly Roger Bay
Cool Cool Mountain
Big Boo's Haunt
Hazy Maze Cave
Lethal Lava Land
Shifting Sand Land
Dire Dire Docks
Snowman's Land
Wet-Dry World
Tall Tall Mountain
Tiny-Huge Island
Tick Tock Clock
Rainbow Ride
Bowser's World
Delfino Plaza
Bianco Hills
Ricco Harbor
Gelato Beach
Pinna Park
Sirena Beach
Noki Bay
Pianta Village
Corona Mountain
Toad Village
Gateway Galaxy
Comet Observatory
Good Egg Galaxy
Honeyhive Galaxy
Space Junk Galaxy
Battlerock Galaxy
Beach Bowl Galaxy
Ghostly Galaxy
Gusty Garden Galaxy
Freezeflame Galaxy
Gold Leaf Galaxy
Sea Slide Galaxy
Toy Time Galaxy
Deep Dark Galaxy
Dreadnought Galaxy
Melty Molten Galaxy
Bowser's Galaxy Reactor

Items:
Wing Cap
Metal Cap
Pixel Cap
Green Shell
Bob-Omb
Bullet Bill
Coin
Star
Box
F.L.U.D.D.
Shine Sprite
Fruit
Star Bits
Invincibility Star
Fire Flower
Ice Flower
Red Star
Bee Mushroom
Boo Mushroom
Spring Mushroom
Warp Star
Pull Star

Thanks for reading! Check us out next time for the game's sequel: Super Mario Galaxy 2!

Super Mario Sunshine

SUPER MARIO SUNSHINE

Next up, let's cover Super Mario Sunshine, the Game Cube's experimental 3D Mario adventure that didn't go over all that well with fans but has since developed a cult following. The game features Mario on a tropical island, tasked with cleaning up some toxic graffiti with the help of a water-spraying apparatus called F.L.U.D.D.

The game features a number of returning main characters, including Mario, Princess Peach, Bowser, and Yoshi, while introducing brand new main characters such as Bowser Jr., his evil disguise Shadow Mario, and Peach's personal steward Toadsworth. The game also features multiple Toads rather than the famous singular Toad, although the red-spotted one among the group is most likely that one.

Mario on his own is basically standard Mario. He can run around and do a lot of the jumps he could do in Super Mario 64, while also now being able to slide on his belly as long as the ground is wet. What really sets him apart is the game's gimmick of F.L.U.D.D., the talking water pack that Mario carries on his back and uses for most of his core abilities in game. F.L.U.D.D. is capable of firing a long stream of water straight forward, or spraying water in all directions when Mario jumps and spins. It can also launch two streams straight down, allowing Mario to float up into the air like a jetpack. It also comes equipped with a turbo nozzle that can launch Mario forward at high speeds, and can occasionally launch missiles as well. All in all, this version of Mario is versatile enough that I feel it can be its own moveset separate from regular Mario, a status soon likely to be joined by Paper Mario and Dr. Mario.

Princess Peach, the Toads, and Toadsworth mostly act as NPCs once again in this game, joined by the island's peaceful denizens, the Piantas and the Nokis, and don't offer us much to work with for right now. Mostly they stand around and give you important information when talked to. It is worth noting that Princess Peach has an airplane, so there's that. Yoshi, however, does give us a bit to work with, incorporating his flutter jump, his hiding in an egg, and his long tongue from previous games, alongside the ability to spit a long stream of fruit juice upon eating a specific fruit.

Bowser and his son Bowser Jr. act as the main antagonists of the game, with Bowser Jr. disguising himself as Shadow Mario for the bulk of it. Bowser only appears for the final battle, hanging out in a hot tub on top of Corona Mountain and breathing fire. Bowser Jr., as himself, is shown capable of, of course, transforming into Shadow Mario (just like Zelda into Sheik), using his magic paintbrush, and piloting a flying machine capable of firing bullet bills. Shadow Mario, on the other hand, can utilize his paintbrush to leave heavy graffiti all over the island, run and jump really quickly, skate and leave behind fiery paint, and extend an absurdly long tongue. Both can also commandeer Mechabowser, a giant Bowser robot capable of breathing fire and firing bullet bills.

The game comes with a number of bosses, including Petey Piranha, Gooper Blooper, King Boo, and an electrified shadowy Manta Ray. Petey Piranha, I will already give a yes to, as he is distinct enough from regular Piranha Plants to warrant such. He can roar and shake the world around him, spit up piles of the nasty goop covering the island, spit up giant Piranha heads called Piranhabons, and fly using his leaves, just like his smaller cousins. He can also whip up tornadoes with his leaves. Gooper Blooper, much like Petey, is a giant version of the smaller Bloopers. While I'm not sure I will include him as a character, his existence has given Bloopers the boost they needed to become playable. He is shown able to slam all of his tentacles down on the ground and can spin around spraying ink everywhere. Finally, we have King Boo, who previously appeared in Luigi's Mansion, but this is the first time we are covering him here. His boss battle takes place on a giant roulette wheel and he is shown capable of spitting out bubbles, fruit, enemies, and other boos, while also pulling up a giant slot machine to cause various effects. I'm uncertain on him for now. Finally, the Manta Ray is a no, as it is merely a shadow on the ground who swims around and splits into multiple tiny versions of itself. Good boss material though.

We have a number of returning enemies at our disposal this time. Although Goombas and Koopas don't appear in the game directly, Koopas do have a couple of cousins in the Snooza Koopas and the Electrokoopas. Snooza Koopas will flip up into the air and slam down on their backs, while Electrokoopas will throw their electrifies shells forward at their enemies. The game takes a bit of a different take on Piranha Plants, having them be heavily tied to the nasty goop used by Bowser Jr. to mess up the island. A large Piranha tends to act as a miniboss throughout the game, mostly just bobbing around inside a blob of goop, with Swoopin' Stus spawning from the goop itself. Boos and Bloopers also appear, doing a lot of the same stuff, Boos also being able to turn into blocks, and Bloopers being able to crawl around on land, surf across the water, and spit ink. Cheep Cheeps, Pokeys, Chain Chomps, Bob-Ombs, and Bullet Bills all functions more or less the same as before (except that Chain Chomps can light themselves on fire now). Monty Moles can now drive around tanks, popping up to throw Bob-Ombs or fire Bullet Bills from the tank's turret, and a large Wiggler now appears and mostly just charges around as usual.

A number of new enemies have appeared, though most don't give us much to work with. Strollin' Stus (not to be confused with Swoopin' Stus) seem to be more or less the basic Goombas of the game, Cataquacks flip you up into the air, Klambers crawl around on grates, Poinks latch onto F.L.U.D.D. and drain its water, and Wind Spirits blow around and try to throw Mario about. That's about it. Oh, and we also have a guy in a Pianta costume calling himself Il Piantissimo who challenges you to a footrace sometimes, taking after Koopa the Quick before him.

As far as stages go, they are all simply major locations on the island, modeled on popular tourist destinations. Delfino Plaza acts as the game's hub world and was the basis for the Delfino Plaza stage in Brawl. After that we have Bianco Hills, a scenic rural village on the interior of the island, Ricco Harbor, a shipping port, Gelato Beach, a beach, Pinna Park, an amusement park, Sirena Beach, a ghost-themed hotel and casino, Noki Bay, a cliffside village, and Pianta Village, a village built in the trees, all leading up to Corona Mountain, the volcano in the center of the island. You could probably make a good stage out of all of these.

For items, we mostly have F.L.U.D.D., of course, the Shine Sprites, a number of nozzles for F.L.U.D.D., coins, mushrooms, and lots of fruit.

Let's see what we've got now!

Characters:
Mario: multiple different types of jumps and punches, wing cap, metal cap, pixel cap, ride on shell, fire from cannon, slide on belly, use F.L.U.D.D.
F.L.U.D.D.: spray forward stream, jetpack hover, rocket nozzle, spin and spray, launch missiles
Peach: nothing, parasol, jet
Toad: nothing, give star
Toadsworth: nothing
Yoshi: hop around, flutter jump, egg, tongue, spray fruit juice
Bowser: tromp around, breathe fire, charge, tip stage, create shockwaves, hang out in hot tub
Bowser Jr.: transform, paintbrush, flying machine, shoot bullet bills
Shadow Mario: run, jump, paint, paintbrush, tongue, fiery paint trail, command Mechabowser
Pianta: nothing
Noki: nothing, tuck in shell
Goombas: walk around
Koopas: run away, pop from shell, race, Snooza Koopa, Electrokoopa
Piranha Plant: sleep, bite, spit paint, bob around
Petey Piranha: fly with leaves, roar, spit goop, Piranhabons, create tornadoes
Boo: float around, Big Boo, turn into blocks
King Boo: roulette wheel, slot machine, spit bubbles, fruit, enemies, Boos
Blooper: crawl around, surf, spit ink
Gooper Blooper: slap tentacles, spray ink, spin and spray
Lakitu: float, drop Spinies, use camera
Shy Guy: Fly Guy, fire, Snufit float, fire pellets
Monty Mole: jump, throw rocks, drive tank, throw Bob-Ombs, fire Bullet Bills.
Bob-Omb: explode, fire cannons, pick up and throw (Big Bob-Omb)
<Tentative> Chain Chomp, Wiggler, Whomp, Strollin' Stu, Il Piantissimo

Bosses:
Big Bob-Omb
King Whomp
Big Boo
Big Bully
Eyerok
Chill Bully
Gooper Blooper
Manta Ray
Wiggler

Stages:
Princess Peach's Castle (Melee)
Princess Peach's Castle (Inside)
Bob-Omb Battlefield
Whomp's Fortress
Jolly Roger Bay
Cool Cool Mountain
Big Boo's Haunt
Hazy Maze Cave
Lethal Lava Land
Shifting Sand Land
Dire Dire Docks
Snowman's Land
Wet-Dry World
Tall Tall Mountain
Tiny-Huge Island
Tick Tock Clock
Rainbow Ride
Bowser's World
Delfino Plaza
Bianco Hills
Ricco Harbor
Gelato Beach
Pinna Park
Sirena Beach
Noki Bay
Pianta Village
Corona Mountain

Items:
Wing Cap
Metal Cap
Pixel Cap
Green Shell
Bob-Omb
Bullet Bill
Coin
Star
Box
F.L.U.D.D.
Shine Sprite
Fruit

Thanks for reading! Next time, we'll cover the Wii's near masterpiece Super Mario Galaxy!