Tag: Steam Deck Gaming

KRUNCH% Entry 3 | Darkmoon Caverns Fights Back

KRUNCH% Entry 3 | Darkmoon Caverns Fights Back

Seed: 232968 • Platform: Steam Deck • Character: Krunch • Format: No Commentary

Darkmoon Caverns Round Two

With Darkmoon Caverns still fresh in my mind, I decide it is time to tackle my first silver coin challenge of the randomizer.

For those unfamiliar with Diddy Kong Racing’s silver coin races, the objective is simple in theory: collect all eight silver coins and still finish the race in first place.

Unfortunately, this is KRUNCH%, where nothing is ever allowed to remain simple.

With the randomizer settings active, I have no idea how many laps the game is about to demand. Thankfully, Darkmoon Caverns gives me five laps to work with. Considering the alternative could have been one lap, I am choosing to view this as mercy.

Attempt One Goes Poorly

The first attempt actually goes reasonably well from a coin collection perspective. I manage to locate and collect every silver coin without too much trouble.

The racing itself is the problem.

By lap four, it becomes painfully obvious that the run is collapsing. Krunch is fighting every corner, momentum is inconsistent, and the race no longer feels recoverable.

I decide to restart.

Which, honestly, feels like the correct survival decision.

The Coin That Nearly Ended Me

The second attempt goes significantly better.

I collect seven coins cleanly and know exactly where the final one is waiting. More importantly, I spend a large portion of the race holding first place, which immediately makes the pressure worse.

By the final lap, things begin to unravel slightly.

I drop into second place while still missing the final coin. Thankfully, the racer ahead of me clips one of the craters, allowing me to retake the lead. Suddenly, the race is still alive.

All I need to do is grab the final coin positioned before the second loop.

I drive directly into it.

At that point, I know the race is mine.

I head into the loop already doing victory laps in my head while Krunch somehow continues holding the lead together long enough to survive the final section of the race.

One final corner remains.

I cross the finish line in first place.

I immediately start fist pumping the air in celebration.

The hardest challenge of the randomizer so far is finally complete.

Although somewhere out there, Wizpig 1 is still waiting for me, and I strongly suspect that particular problem is going to be considerably worse.

Crescent Island Appears

With nine balloons collected, I briefly get lost trying to remember where I actually intended to go next.

Eventually, I remember that the nine-balloon door inside Snowflake Mountain still needs investigating.

Behind it waits Crescent Island.

And naturally, the randomizer decides this should be another five-lap race.

At this point, I am beginning to suspect the island simply enjoys watching my hands suffer.

The Sherbet Island key is available here, so I prioritise grabbing that before restarting properly for the race win.

Tiptup proves to be an immediate problem.

Not only are they faster than me, they also appear significantly more capable of driving in a straight line. Meanwhile, Krunch continues narrowly missing boost pads like he has developed a personal grudge against them.

Eventually, I manage to overtake Tiptup and maintain the lead for the remainder of the race.

Thankfully, Crescent Island is nowhere near as physically painful as Darkmoon Caverns. There are still some tight turns, but nothing too severe.

Although I suspect the silver coin challenge here will eventually attempt to change that.

The Hovercraft Challenge

With ten balloons collected, it is finally time for the hovercraft challenge.

Compared to everything else happening in this randomizer, the challenge itself is surprisingly straightforward. Three laps pass without any major disasters.

The real struggle begins when attempting to actually collect the balloon afterwards.

It genuinely feels like the balloon is attempting to actively avoid me.

Eventually, I manage to grab it and secure balloon number eleven.

Which means the door to where Sherbet Island should normally be is now open.

Unfortunately, I still have not investigated the door leading to where Snowflake Mountain itself has ended up.

But that feels like a problem for another day.

Episode Video

Progress Log

  • Current Seed: 232968
  • Balloons: 11
  • Bosses Defeated: Bubbler 2, Smokey 2
  • Silver Coin Challenges Cleared: Darkmoon Caverns
  • Current Threat Level: Increasing mechanical instability

Continue the Journey


Entry 2 | Darkmoon Caverns And The Five Lap Disaster ←


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Entry 4 | Krunch Versus Basic Driving →

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Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Log 17 | The Descent Continues

Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Log 17 | The Descent Continues

Platform: Steam Deck
Mode: Survival – No Commentary

Video Entry

Apparently, the answer has been staring me directly in the face this entire time.

I checked my PDA and noticed something I had completely overlooked before: a clue mentioning a Disease Research Facility located 800 metres down near skeletal remains.

I have already been somewhere with skeletal remains 800 metres below sea level.

So naturally, I’m going back.

I take both my orange and purple tablets with me just in case. At this point I’ve learned that alien doors have a habit of refusing entry unless you happen to be carrying the correct glowing geometry.

One More Stop At The Aurora

Before descending, I decide to stop by the Aurora wreckage one more time. I had a feeling I didn’t properly loot it during my last visit.

Turns out I was right.

I found another hole in the hull leading deeper inside and eventually came across a Cyclops Thermal Module.

Very useful timing considering what I’m preparing for.

The Disease Research Facility

Once I reach the skeletal remains in the Lost River, I head left and finally find the Disease Research Facility.

To make this even worse, I realise I could have discovered this place during my previous visit if I had simply paid more attention. The only reason I found it at all was because I had been hunting for Ruby in the area and didn’t want to properly explore the structure without recording it.

Did I scout for an entrance beforehand?

No.

That would have been sensible.

Eventually I locate a way inside and immediately find somewhere to insert one of my alien tablets. The facility powers up enough for me to access alien data terminals, and suddenly several things become painfully clear all at once.

First: there may actually be a cure for the infection I’m carrying.

Second: the facility containing that cure is approximately 1.4 kilometres below sea level.

That is currently well beyond my capabilities.

For now.

While exploring further I recover Ion Cubes and additional alien data. I also learn something I already suspected: I am the last surviving crew member of the Aurora, and the quarantine enforcement platform is specifically preventing infected lifeforms from leaving the planet.

Good thing I didn’t build the Neptune Rocket yet. That would have been an incredibly brief launch sequence.

I also finally learn the true purpose of the Warpers.

They are effectively hunter-killers designed to eliminate infected targets.

Which means every encounter I’ve had with them suddenly makes a lot more sense.

So now I know what happened to the Aurora crew.

And likely what happened to the Degasi survivors too.

The Time Has Come

But now I finally have direction.

The cure exists.

It is below me.

And if I want to reach it, I need to descend another 600 metres beyond my current limit.

Which means the time has finally come.

I’ve spent the last several entries preparing for this off camera: building infrastructure, gathering materials, expanding the base, stockpiling supplies and trying to make sure I don’t descend into the planet completely unprepared.

I return to my larger base, empty out the lockers containing all the materials I’ve gathered and head for the Mobile Vehicle Bay.

I even wait for sunrise because if I’m about to construct giant survival vehicles, I may as well make it look cinematic.

The Prawn Suit

First up: the Prawn Suit.

It still doesn’t have a proper name or colour scheme yet. That sounds like a problem for future me.

But the important thing is that it exists.

And unlike Valentino, it can already reach 900 metres below sea level without immediately complaining about pressure.

That alone makes it valuable.

The Cyclops Problem

Then came the real objective: the Cyclops.

I press the button and immediately get informed that the water is too shallow.

Excellent start.

I briefly consider dragging everything back to the larger base before remembering my original base should still be located in deeper water.

So naturally I load the Mobile Vehicle Bay onto my back, climb into the Prawn Suit and begin walking across the seabed.

It is slower than travelling in Valentino.

But honestly?

Possibly just as entertaining.

Eventually I reach deeper water and try again.

Attempt number two succeeds.

I officially have a Cyclops.

The onboard AI calmly informs me the vessel is designed for a three-person crew.

Unfortunately for the Cyclops, there is only me.

We will adapt.

Preparing For The Descent

Before ending the expedition, I install a MK1 depth module into the Cyclops to improve its diving range.

Eventually it will need a MK2 or MK3 upgrade if I want to reach the 1.4 kilometre facility.

But for now, the next objective is preparation.

I want both the Cyclops and Prawn Suit outfitted as thoroughly as possible before continuing deeper into the Lost River.

I still have no idea what ultimately waits below the planet.

I only know one thing for certain:

I would rather face it prepared.

Continue The Journey

Previous Log: Submerged Log 16
Next Log: Coming Soon
Series Hub: Subnautica Hub

Related Subnautica Content

0

KRUNCH% Entry 2 | Darkmoon Caverns And The Five Lap Disaster

KRUNCH% Entry 2 | Darkmoon Caverns And The Five Lap Disaster

Seed: 232968 • Platform: Steam Deck • Character: Krunch • Format: No Commentary

Back Into Snowflake Mountain

With progression still fairly limited, I decide to return to Snowflake Mountain to investigate what waits behind the six-balloon door.

Apparently, the answer is Dino Domain.

So if I want to visit Dino Domain in this randomizer, I now need to take a detour through Snowflake Mountain first. That feels entirely normal and not concerning whatsoever.

I briefly consider checking where Snowflake Mountain itself has been relocated to, but curiosity wins out. I want to know what the randomizer has hidden behind Dino Domain’s doors first.

The results are already questionable.

Darkmoon Caverns now occupies Hot Top Volcano’s slot, while Smokey 2 has been shoved behind Fossil Canyon’s door.

So naturally, I decide to fight Smokey 2.

Smokey 2 Goes Better Than Expected

Beating Smokey 2 would secure the second piece of the Wizpig amulet and remove another major boss from the campaign early. Unfortunately, the randomizer has once again decided this should happen on the mirrored Adventure 2 version of the race.

Over four laps.

Could be worse, I suppose.

I get the best possible boost at the start of the race and immediately fly directly into a fireball, which feels like an excellent summary of KRUNCH% so far.

Thankfully, the recovery goes significantly better than the opening corner.

Between aggressive flying, momentum preservation, and two blue balloon speed boosts, I manage to overtake Smokey shortly before the end of lap one. Once Krunch gains momentum, he becomes surprisingly difficult to stop, even if controlling him still feels like negotiating with heavy machinery.

From there, I hold the lead for the remainder of the race and secure the second Wizpig amulet piece.

For a character widely considered one of the worst racers in the game, Krunch becomes genuinely dangerous once the speed starts building.

Whale Bay And A Quick Reconnaissance Mission

With Smokey 2 defeated, I investigate the remaining balloon doors inside Dino Domain.

One leads toward Dragon Forest.

The other leads to Whale Bay.

I choose Whale Bay first. The randomizer grants me a relatively merciful version of the race this time: only two laps on the mirrored Adventure 2 layout.

Compared to everything else happening in this seed, the race feels surprisingly stable. I secure first place without much resistance and continue exploring the island to see what other horrors the randomizer has prepared.

Fire Mountain’s entrance now leads to Sherbet Island, which somehow feels completely believable at this point.

The Return To Darkmoon Caverns

Then I remember something important.

The music in Darkmoon Caverns.

I spent an unreasonable amount of time in this course back when I originally played Diddy Kong Racing, and now that it has appeared early in the randomizer, there is no chance I am leaving without revisiting it properly.

So I head into Darkmoon Caverns.

The randomizer responds by handing me my first five-lap race of the campaign.

And very quickly, I realise this was a mistake.

Darkmoon Caverns is normally one of the later tracks in the game. It expects you to already understand your chosen racer. Meanwhile, I am still actively fighting Krunch every time I attempt to take a corner cleanly.

After a failed attempt and a restart, I finally remember an old technique from years ago: holding the brake button during drifts to tighten turns.

Suddenly, everything starts making sense again.

The race transforms from complete instability into five laps of uninterrupted concentration.

Five laps later, I secure first place, although I am fairly certain my hands have partially cramped in the process.

The silver coin challenge for Darkmoon Caverns still remains waiting in the future, but that can wait for another day.

Right now, I just want to sit in Darkmoon Caverns and listen to the music for a while.

Episode Video

Progress Log

  • Current Seed: 232968
  • Balloons: 8
  • Bosses Defeated: Bubbler 2, Smokey 2
  • Wizpig Amulet Pieces: 2
  • Current Threat Level: Escalating instability

Continue the Journey


Entry 1 | Snowflake Mountain Was Not Supposed To Be Here ←


Krunch% Archive

— All entries in this run.


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— All Mario ROM hack content.


Entry 3 | Darkmoon Caverns Fights Back →

1

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Entry 9 – Bowser in the Dark World

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Entry 9 – Bowser in the Dark World

Apparently Peach’s painting was a trap. Looking back, that probably should have been obvious.

The Double Door

I still have a few options on this floor. There’s a painting I’ve noticed that feels like it probably has something hidden behind it, but I decide to investigate the double door beside the entrance to Bob-Omb Battlefield Galaxy first.

As soon as I see Peach’s painting, I immediately know what is supposed to happen.

Only nothing happens.

I jump.

The painting changes to Bowser.

The floor opens beneath me.

So apparently we’re doing Bowser in the Dark World now.

Or at least this hack’s version of it.

Bowser in the Dark World

And honestly, I really like this course.

For me, it captures that feeling of entering Bowser in the Dark World in Super Mario 64 for the first time and somehow makes it feel even more dangerous.

It genuinely feels like something that could have existed in an official Super Mario Galaxy game.

The only thing that probably could have made it better would have been the original Bowser music, but even then, the music they do use fits this place really well.

It just feels right.

Comet Coins and Checkpoints

I have two Comet Coins to grab here and I sort of immediately know where both of them are going to be once I get close enough.

One floats above two rotating platforms.

The other is sitting on top of a Thwomp.

I also unintentionally activate the checkpoint before Bowser.

I jumped because I thought there was either a hidden path above me or maybe even a shortcut.

There wasn’t.

Still, once that checkpoint activated, I immediately felt a lot more relaxed about the rest of the course.

If I fell now, at least I knew I wasn’t starting from the beginning again.

The First Grand Shine

With the course complete, it’s time to face Bowser.

Of course he delivers the usual villain speech first.

The fight itself is basically the first Bowser fight from Super Mario Galaxy 2, which honestly helped because at least I already knew what I was dealing with.

There’s also a strange symbol on the planet during the fight.

I still have absolutely no idea what it means.

Three hits later and the first Grand Shine is mine.

Only instead of returning to the castle, I get sent somewhere else entirely.

Bowser’s Evil Dome.

Apparently the Grand Shine I just grabbed is cursed.

So I guess I’ve still got a bit more work to do before I can return to the castle grounds.

The Run

This is how it actually went.

Continue the Journey

← Entry 8: Beneath the Snow Blocks


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Entry 10 →

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Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Log 16 | The Descent Begins

Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Log 16 | The Descent Begins

Platform: Steam Deck
Mode: Survival – No Commentary

Video Entry

The new base is finally operational.

Honestly, I’m pleased with how it turned out. I had a rough vision in my head while building it, and somehow the result actually resembles what I imagined instead of a collection of underwater tubes held together by panic and titanium.

That said, construction was not exactly smooth. The base developed leaks almost immediately after expansion started, which explains why the walls are now covered in reinforcements. I would love to add more windows eventually, but considering the ocean already tried to force its way inside once, restraint may be the smarter option.

The important systems are online. I’ve got hydroponics running, a water filtration unit producing clean water, and a Gel Sack farm outside. For anyone playing along, once you finally find a Gel Sack, hit it with a knife a few times before harvesting it. The seeds can then be planted in an exterior growbed, saving you from repeated trips into increasingly worrying cave systems every time Aerogel becomes necessary.

The Call From Lifepod 2

During the time spent working on the base, another radio message arrived. I deliberately left it alone until this entry. If I’ve learned anything on this planet, it’s that distress calls rarely improve the situation.

This one came from Lifepod 2.

The coordinates placed it roughly 500 metres below sea level, which is now comfortably within Valentino’s range. Since the last entry, Valentino has received a MK3 depth module, allowing him to descend to 900 metres. I also installed sonar. During testing, it picked up a Reaper Leviathan nearby, so at least now I can detect incoming nightmares slightly earlier than usual.

I still had Lifepod 13 sitting on my HUD as well, so I decided to clear that first. Naturally, I got distracted by wreckage along the way, because apparently I cannot pass abandoned technology without investigating it.

The wreck did not offer much, and neither did Lifepod 13. I suspect I had already visited it earlier and simply forgot to remove the marker. Efficient? No. Consistent? Sadly, yes.

Below 500 Metres

Lifepod 2 was exactly as expected: empty.

No survivors. Just another quiet reminder that everyone else who tried to survive this planet appears to have failed.

While using sonar near the pod, I noticed something else nearby. An opening.

Dark. Deep. Wide enough to continue downward.

With Valentino upgraded and the sonar active, I convinced myself this was a good idea.

That confidence lasted until I saw what looked like an enormous crab with an exposed brain. I briefly considered turning back, but I had already come this far, and apparently that now counts as decision-making.

The deeper I travelled, the stranger the environment became. An underwater river flowed through the cavern, with glowing green fog drifting through the darkness. I scanned what I could and picked up anything that looked useful, because if this planet insists on becoming stranger, I may as well keep stealing from it.

The Waterfall Rule

Eventually I found a waterfall.

Years of gaming have taught me that waterfalls are legally required to hide something, so naturally I investigated.

The passage beyond could not take Valentino with it. It looked like there was breathable air inside, or at least something close enough that I was not immediately dying. Unfortunately, I was also sure I had seen a Leviathan somewhere nearby, along with Warpers moving through the area.

Leaving Valentino outside did not feel great.

I parked him as close as I could and went in anyway.

The Structure Beneath The Planet

Behind the waterfall, I found a giant alien structure buried deep beneath the surface.

I looked for a way to power it, scan it, or interact with it in some useful way, but nothing responded. It just sat there in the silence, which was not comforting.

I returned to Valentino much faster than I entered.

Thankfully, he was still there.

By this point, I was around 800 metres down, and it looked like the route continued even deeper. Before leaving, I found something else: a massive skeleton.

The scan identified it as the remains of a Sea Dragon.

That felt like the planet politely suggesting I leave.

I dropped a beacon to mark the route. I can go further this way later, but not yet. I need the ability to go deeper, and I need more than Valentino if I am going to survive what comes next.

New Targets Unaccounted For: 1

Back at base, another message was waiting.

New targets unaccounted for: 1.

I am assuming that “1” is me.

Which means something knows I exist.

That changes things.

The deeper I go, the clearer it becomes that Valentino alone is no longer enough. If I am going to keep descending into these caverns, I need a mobile base. Somewhere to store supplies, recharge equipment, carry resources, and support longer expeditions far below the surface.

And if something down there decides it wants me dead, I would also like something capable of meeting the problem head-on.

So the time has come.

I said I needed to go deeper.

Now I do.

Which means it is finally time to build a Cyclops and a Prawn Suit.

Continue The Journey

Previous Log: Submerged Log 15
Next Log: Coming Soon
Series Hub: Subnautica Hub

Related Subnautica Content

1

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Entry 8 – Beneath the Snow Blocks

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Entry 8 – Beneath the Snow Blocks

Apparently every frozen floor in this galaxy has collectively decided it wants Mario dead.

One Last Shine Sprite

With one more shine sprite and two more Comet Coins left to collect, it’s time to head back into Snowman’s Land Galaxy for Beneath the Snow Blocks.

I instantly know where this shine sprite is going to be.

As soon as I land, there’s a suspicious set of snow blocks sitting off to the right.

That usually means one thing.

I grab the Fire Flower because I have a feeling spinning into the blocks probably isn’t going to work this time.

Sure enough, burning the blocks reveals a pipe.

Honestly, I was half expecting the shine sprite itself to just be sitting there.

But apparently that would have been too simple.

More Frozen Lava

Inside the pipe is another platforming course built over frozen floors that still somehow count as lava.

At this point I’m just accepting that ice is no longer safe in this galaxy.

The first Comet Coin involves moving platforms and disappearing blocks, which is already enough to make me nervous.

The second coin is even worse.

I have to create a path towards it, but every jump destroys one of the blocks leading up to the coin.

Thankfully I manage to grab it before running out of floor completely.

Probably closer than it needed to be.

The Final Stretch

The final part of the course involves rotating platforms and logs that immediately start sinking into the frozen lava the second I touch them.

Which definitely helps with the stress levels.

Thankfully though, the shine sprite is mine.

Snowman’s Land Galaxy complete.

Three Galaxies Down

Three galaxies down now, and honestly I’ve been having a lot of fun with this hack so far.

I’m pretty sure I’m nowhere near finishing it either.

Honestly, I’m completely fine with that.

The Run

This is how it actually went.

Continue the Journey

← Entry 7: Inside the Igloo


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Entry 9 →

1

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Entry 7 – Inside the Igloo

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Entry 7 – Inside the Igloo

Apparently inside the igloo is where the ice itself becomes the problem.

Back Into Snowman’s Land Galaxy

No prizes for guessing where I’m heading for this entry.

Back into Snowman’s Land Galaxy I go, this time for Inside the Igloo.

Hopefully this version is a little different from the one back in Super Mario 64.

I remembered passing the igloo while climbing towards the giant snowman, so I had a feeling there would be a shine sprite hidden in there somewhere.

Would have been disappointed if there wasn’t.

Ice Mario Returns

Before heading inside, I grab the mushroom that gives Mario an extra three hits.

My theory was that the extra health would carry over into the igloo.

It doesn’t.

So already off to a strong start.

Inside the igloo introduces the next power-up for this hack: the Ice Flower.

Which means Ice Mario returns.

Inside the igloo, the frozen floor is basically lava unless I’m using the power-up, so staying Ice Mario becomes fairly important.

Snowballs and Comet Coins

Before long I’m rolling snowballs around to make them larger.

The idea is to push them into the frozen floor so they create paths I can safely cross.

The first Comet Coin takes a few attempts.

That one needs a triple jump into a spin, followed by a wall jump to actually reach it.

The second one isn’t quite as awkward, although I do mess up my timing with the Ice Flower power-up slightly.

Nothing to do with Mario suddenly deciding to show off his acrobatic skills of course.

That mistake does leave me sitting on one health though.

One Health Left

Thankfully, I manage to take that single remaining hit point all the way to the shine sprite.

I do briefly consider immediately going for the final shine sprite in this galaxy while I’m already here.

Then I remember how lucky this run felt at several points.

I decide not to push it.

The shine sprite is mine, and honestly, I’m happy enough taking the win.

The Run

This is how it actually went.

Continue the Journey

← Entry 6: Red Coins on The Summit


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Entry 8 →

1

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Entry 6 – Red Coins On The Summit

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Entry 6 – Red Coins On The Summit

Apparently even when I know where I’m going, I still somehow end up finding the wrong objective first.

Back Into Snowman’s Land Galaxy

Back into Snowman’s Land Galaxy I go for Red Coins On The Summit.

Full disclosure, I actually found this shine sprite completely by accident while recording The Big Snowman.

I took the wrong path and somehow ended up right beside the red coin challenge.

This was after doing a practice run specifically to make sure I knew where I was going for the previous shine sprite.

So apparently that worked out well.

Red Coins Return

It’s been a while since I last had to collect red coins.

The last proper red coin challenge I remember doing was back during the Super Mario 64 Randomizer.

Thankfully, I already have a rough idea where most of the coins are here.

There’s also a map nearby if I need it, but I already have a route planned out in my head.

The plan is basically to work my way up the mountain.

Or summit.

The shine sprite name says summit, so I’m counting it as a mountain.

The Hidden Comet Coin

There’s also a Comet Coin hidden here.

And by hidden, I mean properly hidden unless you move the camera around.

It’s floating up in the sky and the only realistic way to reach it is with the help of Cloud Mario.

Thankfully I’ve already had enough practice with the cloud power-up by now that getting to it isn’t too bad.

The Summit

Eight red coins later and the shine sprite appears almost exactly where I landed earlier.

Convenient for once.

I’m not too concerned about fall damage, so I long jump back down towards it and grab the shine sprite.

Honestly, this was a pretty fun shine sprite overall.

It reminded me a lot of the red coin missions back in Super Mario 64.

Maybe that’s just nostalgia talking.

Either way, I had fun with this one and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next shine sprite throws at me.

The Run

This is how it actually went.

Continue the Journey

← Entry 5: The Big Snowman


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Entry 7 →

1

Neo Mario Galaxy – Daredevil Edition Entry 5: The Chimp’s Challenge

Neo Mario Galaxy – Daredevil Edition Entry 5: The Chimp’s Challenge

Apparently hidden stars now require advanced movement tech and panic skating.

The Secret Star

So, there is a secret star hidden somewhere within Sweet Treat Galaxy.

I had a feeling I knew where it was.

The problem was getting there.

Every time I entered this galaxy, I noticed those flying ice bird enemies above the starting area, which made me think it had to be possible to reach that platform somehow.

The question was how.

I thought I had an idea.

The Trick

During my research into Mario Galaxy ROM hacks, I’d seen people using a movement trick involving either a triple jump or backflip into a wall.

Before landing on the wall, they spin, jump off it, then spin again for extra height.

I still need a better name for it than “spin, wall jump, spin thing.”

The question was which version I needed here.

I settle on the triple jump.

My theory is that there’s a wall slightly higher than the starting platform. If I can hit the perfect spot with the triple jump, I should get enough height to pull the trick off properly.

That was the theory anyway.

Eventually Getting It Right

It takes quite a few attempts before I finally manage it.

A few times I’m more concerned about the ice bird enemies than the jump itself, mainly because they occasionally decide to swing directly at me.

Not ideal when Daredevil Mode only gives me one health.

Eventually though, I make it up there.

I follow the path and spot a pipe trapped inside a crystal.

Which usually means something unpleasant is waiting for me.

I go in.

The Chimp is there.

Great.

The Skating Challenge

The Chimp gives me a simple challenge: beat his score and I get the star.

Sounds reasonable enough until he tells me I need 500 points in 40 seconds while avoiding spikey enemies.

So naturally this turns into panic skating.

The only realistic way to move fast enough is by skating across the ice.

Regular enemies are worth 10 points each, while the gold enemies are worth 50, which immediately makes them the priority targets.

About halfway through, I’m sitting around 170 points and starting to think this attempt is doomed.

Then more gold enemies start appearing.

I do hit a spikey enemy at one point, which thankfully only stuns Mario instead of ending the run immediately.

With one second left on the clock, I hit one final gold enemy.

530 points.

The Chimp’s Skating Challenge star is mine.

Sweet Treat Galaxy complete.

A New Problem

I don’t really get time to celebrate though.

A prankster comet has appeared back at Galactic Garden Galaxy.

I have absolutely no idea what challenge it’s about to throw at me.

Looks like I’m heading back there next.

The Run

This is how it actually went.

Continue the Journey

← Entry 4: The Chocolate is Lava


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Entry 6 →

0

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Entry 5 – The Big Snowman

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Entry 5 – The Big Snowman

Apparently going left this time means snow, icy water, and more Comet Coin theories.

A New Galaxy

So Shifting Sand Land Galaxy is complete, which means it’s time to move on.

Seeing as I went right last time, I decide to go left and see what is waiting there.

The painting in the room suggests a snow world, so naturally I assume I’m about to enter Cool, Cool, Mountain Galaxy.

Nope.

Instead, the painting leads to Snowman’s Land Galaxy, and the first shine sprite is The Big Snowman.

I kind of like the nod to the first star from Snowman’s Land back in Super Mario 64.

And honestly, this galaxy would probably look a bit strange without a giant snowman standing in the middle of it.

Comet Coins

The first Comet Coin is basically within jumping and spinning distance from the starting area.

There are crystals nearby that can be destroyed with a spin attack, and inside one of them is the coin, along with a mushroom that gives Mario an extra three hits.

I could have used that last entry.

The second Comet Coin is also nearby.

There’s a Fire Flower and two unlit torches, so I’m sure you can guess what the game expects me to do.

Mario had other ideas though.

Mainly falling into the icy water multiple times while I tried to light them.

The Climb

The path up towards the giant snowman is mostly uneventful.

I do meet a penguin who seems very impressed by a snow Goomba statue someone built nearby.

Naturally, I immediately try to destroy it.

No luck.

During practice runs, I convinced myself there was probably a Comet Coin hidden inside it somewhere, and honestly I’m still not fully convinced there isn’t.

I eventually reach the giant snowman and immediately prepare myself to get blown off the mountain.

Apparently this one is a lot friendlier than the original version.

Instead of trying to launch Mario into the distance, it’s perfectly happy letting me climb all the way to the top.

At this point I start wondering if this snowman is somehow related to Freezeezy Peak from Banjo-Kazooie.

Another brilliant game, by the way.

I grab the third Comet Coin on the way up and eventually reach the top of the snowman itself, which turns out to be the hat.

I do briefly consider jumping off the edge of the hat in case there’s a hidden Comet Coin sitting on the rim somewhere.

I decide against it.

My logic is simple enough: there are still three shine sprites and five Comet Coins left in this galaxy, so they must be spread across the other stars somewhere.

Probably.

I grab the shine sprite and celebrate a job well done.

The Run

This is how it actually went.

Continue the Journey

← Entry 4: The Gravity Scramble


Super Mario Galaxy 63 Hub

— All entries in this run.


Super Mario ROM Hacks Archive

— All Mario ROM hack content.


Dolphin Setup Guide

— How this run is even possible.


Entry 6 →

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