Tag: Survival Challenge

Super Mario 64 Randomizer – Log 12: Every Door Is a Trick

Super Mario 64 Randomizer – Log 12: Every Door Is a Trick

Progress: 60 Stars Reached
Platform: Steam Deck
Settings: Vanilla Mario & Music

“The castle is technically helping. It’s just doing it in the worst possible way.”

I set off with a clear goal: the Snowman’s Land door.

On the way, I try the Tiny-Huge Island painting. Still locked. Still mocking me.

Back to Snowman’s Land. I open the door, jump in, and immediately realise something’s wrong.

Behind the painting is Dire Dire Docks.

At this point, I’ve stopped being surprised.

Dire Dire Docks: Progress, Eventually

I start with the chests. I get distracted by coins almost instantly, then remember why I’m here.

Most of the chests are grouped together, which makes this far easier than expected. One is awkward, but manageable.

Next up: the Manta Ray.

I miss rings in ways that feel intentional. Bad angles. Poor timing. Repeated failure.

Eventually, I abandon the attempt and swim into the other area of the docks.

Bowser’s submarine isn’t there. He’s clearly moved on.

That at least makes grabbing stars painless.

Stars, Water, and Poor Decisions

With the sub gone, I clean up:

  • A floating water star
  • The Jet Stream star

I give the Manta Ray another go. This time it works immediately, because of course it does.

That pushes me to 60 stars. Halfway through the run.

Only two stars remain here:

  • Red Coin Star
  • 100-Coin Star

I decide to clear them while I’m here.

The water has other ideas and ejects me straight out of the level and into the castle pond.

I take the hint.

The Basement: Nothing Is Where It Should Be

I head downstairs.

First job: MIPS. No trouble at all.

Next up is the entrance that should be familiar by now.

Instead of what I expect, I get Jolly Roger Bay.

The randomizer is clearly enjoying itself.

One chest is placed somewhere deeply inconvenient. I find two in the cave, not four.

The missing one stays hidden, but there’s a star nearby, so it’s not a total loss.

I move on to Plunder in the Sunken Ship.

I almost die twice trying to coax the eel out without getting electrocuted. Eventually, it behaves.

Log 12 Status

  • Total Stars: 60
  • Dire Dire Docks: 5 / 7 stars complete
  • Jolly Roger Bay: 3 stars collected
  • Wing Cap: Still missing

The castle keeps opening up. Progress is real. Directions are optional.

YouTube – Log 12 Video

Sixty stars in. Still grounded.

Continue the Journey

Previous Log | Next Log

Super Mario 64 Randomizer Hub

Game: Super Mario 64
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Snowrunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries – Driver Log Six

Frank earns his stripes. And then some.

📜 Series Hub: SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries Main Hub

🛠 Rules: SnowRunner Permagear Rules

💡 Why Permagear Works: Read the reasoning behind the challenge

Missed Day Five? Find it here.

🛠️ Pipe Dreams and Permadeath Nightmares

It’s Day 6, and I decide it’s time to tackle Pipe Dream—a task that demands the delivery of three items, one of which is a heavy fuel semi-trailer. That’s the heaviest thing I’ve hauled to date, and I’m not about to go in blind.

So, I hop into Red to scout the route. Unfortunately, coming down from the Watchtower, Red seems to channel Scout’s spirit. And by that, I mean he flips. Again. Thankfully, nothing too serious—just a bit of an involuntary nap on his side before getting back on track.

After giving the route a once-over, I park Red somewhere out of the way but within reach. Just in case.

🦾 Frank the Certified Beast

Next up, I jump into Frank and take him back to the garage to slap on the Saddle High. With that done, it’s off to retrieve the trailer.

Now, this is the moment Frank becomes “Certified Beast.”
On nothing but his starter wheels, AWD, and diff lock, he hauls that massive trailer from the fuel station to the factory without complaint. One minor reverse maneuver was all it took to get around a tricky bit—otherwise, he made it look easy.

🧱 Bricks, Beams, and Boulder Brawls

With the big job done, the rest felt like a cool-down lap. Bricks? Metal beams? No problem.

Except… Frank met his match today. And no, not in the form of water or mud—stones.
Big ones. The kind that wedge themselves under your bumper and whisper, “You’re not going anywhere, mate.”
More than once, I thought I was going to need Red to bail him out. But each time, it was just a matter of nudging past a rock or repositioning. Still, it’s clear: if I want to take Frank into deeper terrain—especially water—I need to raise his suspension and upgrade those tyres.

🔧 What’s Next?

With Pipe Dream in the rear-view mirror, I took a look at the map. Most remaining tasks are on other maps, but there’s still a wooden bridge in Black River that needs some attention.

That’s a job for tomorrow.

Today belongs to Frank.
He’s earned a break—and maybe a reward. Or at the very least, a long-overdue tyre upgrade.

Want more SnowRunner? Day 7 link coming soon.

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