VG Advanced Strategies: Super Mario Bros. 3

This week's VG Advanced Strategies will show you how to get two quick whistles in Super Mario Bros. 3. The whistles will allow you to skip entire worlds, and if you have two of them, you can use both of them to instantly reach world 8, the final world in the game.
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This won't be the last time you see Super Mario Bros. 3 in an advanced strategies segment. There are plenty of speed run tricks I can show. But, for now, I will just show you how to get the first two whistles.


Just get through the first two stages as fast as possible. They aren't that difficult. Try to get a feather leaf though, so that Mario can fly with his raccoon tail (does that many ANY sense?). Regardless, enter stage 3 for the first whistle.


This screen shot is towards the end of the stage. Once you are here though, jump on top of the white box and hold down. Eventually you'll go behind the box and the level background (WTF!?). Don't turn around though, as that will cancel this secret. Also, enemies can still hurt you, so don't run into them. From there run to the right to end the stage and you'll go behind the black background.


Ah ha! The first whistle! Wasn't this a cleverly hidden secret?


From there go straight to the fortress. The next whistle is placed here. Make sure you are flying raccoon Mario as you're going to need it for this trick.


You'll see this part of the level as soon as you see the first skeleton koopa. The ? block has a feather in it, so if you accidentally lost it, you can get it back here. Jump on the skeleton and then quickly run from all the way from the right to the left. While flying (tap B quickly to gain altitude), and fly over the ceiling. Yes, it can be done.


Once on top of the ceiling, run all the way to the right and press up to go through the door. You'll then go to another screen.


Hey hey! A second whistle!


Now that you have two whistles, press B to open up the item window and use the first whistle by pressing A. You'll travel to the warp zone.


Now that you're in the warp zone, open the item window again and use the second whistle. You'll be transported to the warp zone... again!


Now you have access to World 8. Don't whistles rule?


Oh man, there's fire and tanks everywhere. World 8 doesn't look as happy as World 1. Maybe this wasn't a good idea...

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This is the fastest way to get to World 8. People who do speed runs of this game always use this technique. The only problem with this method is that you don't get a chance to build up a healthy stack of lives and items to use. However, once you already pwn at this game, you don't even need items or lives. And, knowing this trick brings you one step closer to pwnage.

VG Advanced Strategies: Catching Mew in Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow

If you're a Pokemon addict you probably already know about this trick where you can catch Mew in Pokemon Red, Blue or Yellow. If not, you may be surprised to know that Pokemon #151 is actually not that difficult to catch, you just need to confuse the game a little. The video below is a complete demonstration of how this feat can be done but, just to save you some time, I'll tell you what you'll need beforehand.

You'll need to be in Cerulean City. You need an Abra, which can be caught in the grass north and south of Cerulean City and you'll need a Pokemon that can put Mew to sleep; which can be your choice of Bellsprout, Butterfree or Jigglypuff at that point in the game. This trick only works if you didn't defeat certain random Pokemon trainers. So if you're using a completed game file, this probably won't work. I suggest starting a new game and get to Cerulean City. Then, watch this video for step-by-step instructions. (If you have all of the above requirements, then skip to 1:39 in the video).



NOTE: If you'd rather read a walkthrough, check out this detailed Gamefaqs walkthrough that I used when I caught Mew.

Why is getting Mew so great? Well, you need him in order to get a complete Pokedex, for one thing. Normally, the only way to get him was to win certain Pokemon tournaments that were held in Japan for the most part. Mew can also learn ANY move in the game. With various TMs, Mew can be an unstoppable force.

I've done this trick on my cartridge and it doesn't negatively affect your game at all. My only suggestion for the video is that you should beat all of the trainers in the area north of Cerulean City beforehand except, of course, for the two you need in order to do the trick. This way, you won't accidentally face the wrong trainer.



Now go get your old Gameboy and catch em' all! For real this time!

VG Advanced Strategies: Super Smash Bros. Melee

Super Smash Bros. Melee redefined what a fighter could be. SSBM had a ton of physics "errors" that allowed for extremely competitive and hardcore play. SSBM players are familiar with terms like short hopping, wavedashing, SHFFLing. Almost all of the advanced techniques were eliminated in the Wii version of Super Smash Bros. (Brawl), which really destroyed the competitive community.

I pretty good at SSBM, but I never mastered all of the advanced techniques that reduce your delay between attacks and confuse your opponent. Normally with the Advanced Strategies segments I share with you my advice and thoughts. This week is going to be a little bit different because I found a set of YouTube videos (created by someone with the alias of Wak) that break down the advanced techniques extremely well. Even if you don't play the game, you might enjoy the videos, as they will give you an inside look as to why SSBM garnered such a following.

If you still play SSBM, watch these videos to really improve your game. It will take a lot of practice, but you'll be pleased with how fast your favorite character can move. Personally, I like Melee more than Brawl mostly because of the smoother gameplay. Both games have their flaws, but the mechanics are much more sophisticated in Melee, so much so that beginners can pick it up quickly while the game itself is impossible to master.

Here's the first one, which goes through the very basics of the game and then goes into short hopping, fast falling, SHFFLing, wavedashing and wavelanding. Don't worry about the terms if you don't know them, he explains them very well.



Part two covers shield techniques, recovery techniques, and edge techniques. Most of these are pretty simple but can save you a life if used correctly.



Part three is very long but has a wealth of information. Dash Techniques, Jump Canceling, Directional Influence, and Meteor Canceling are just some of the strategies told here.



Just because Brawl is out doesn't mean you have to stop playing Melee. Try out some of these moves if you have the game. You'll be amazed how much more dynamic SSBM can be.

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VG Advanced Strategies: Mega Man X

This week’s VG Advanced Strategies segment highlights Mega Man X for the SNES. The strategies below will show you how to get all of the hidden upgrades in all eight stages. I may bring this game up again in the future and give some tips on how to do effective speed runs but, for now, this segment will show you how to get all of the hidden goodies placed throughout the game.
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There nothing of particular importance in the highway stage. Start off with Chill penguin as he is the easiest to defeat.


Chill Penguin- You won’t need to search high and low to find this capsule. Just progress in the stage and you’ll eventually hit this baby. Now you have the Dash upgrade. Hopefully you remembered to set the dash button to R; it will make your life a lot easier.


Storm Eagle- Dash and jump off this platform at about that height and keep holding left for a heart container.

Storm Eagle- See? I didn’t lie. You can trust me.


Storm Eagle- Kill the green and orange robot shooting thingy with your X Buster and then climb on top of the metal pedestal.

Storm Eagle- The pedestal will rise to this point. You can then shoot the glass to your right and enter the passageway.

Storm Eagle- Look! You get an E-Tank for all your trouble.

Storm Eagle- Man, there is so much to do in this stage! When you hit the criss-crossed tower shown above, climb it and then drop in the tiny hole Mega Man s facing.

Storm Eagle- Now that you’re on the right side of the tower, dash and jump off it to reach this area. Switch to the shotgun ice to blow up the pillars faster, though your X-buster will work as well.

Storm Eagle- W00t! Another capsule. This one gives helmet that will destroy certain blocks like the one shown in this picture.

Flame Mammoth- See those blocks in the upper-left corner? Those are breakable with your helmet. Dash and jump off the tip of this platform to reach the blocks. It may take a couple of tries, but it is possible. Make sure you jam the jump button when you hit the blocks though; if you break the block closest to you and fall, then you will not be able to reach this power-up. If you do mess up though, just beat this stage and get to this point again.


Flame Mammoth- Upon making that tricky jump, you will receive an upgraded X-buster. You can also use this upgrade to power up your special weapons attacks. Groovy.

Flame Mammoth- This heart upgrade is only obtainable if you have beaten Chill Penguin first. If you don’t, the floor will be filled with lava and impossible to reach. Just coast along the iced floor for this easy pick-up.

Flame Mammoth- Climb the wall above the heart container and then jump to the left. Jump on some platforms and you’ll eventually see two Metools (the hard hat dudes). Where Mega Man is standing was an extra life. From there dash and jump all the way to the left.

Flame Mammoth- Success! Another E-tank.

Spark Mandrill- The heart container is easy to miss if you’re just running through the level. When you see a short ladder leading downwards to a robot on wheels, then this heart container is right above you. Dash and jump off the left wall and change direction in mid air in order to reach this upgrade.

Armored Armadillo- Those spikes are going to start moving pretty fast and start running after you. Quickly climb back up the wall you fell from and avoid them. Then you can get behind this menacing enemy.

Armored Armadillo- Once behind this enemy you’ll see a cleverly hidden E-tank.

Armored Armadillo- When you see this hole, hug the right wall and keep holding right as you fall.

Armored Armadillo- You’ll land right on the platform showed above. From here you can hug the tiny bit a wall that you have and sneak in front of another spiked rolling dude. If you feel that is too risky then you’ll need to kill this guy fast from behind. The Flame Wave will kill him quickly.

Armored Armadillo- Assuming you snuck past/killed the rolling spiked dude, then this heart container will be a steal.

Launch Octopus- After the second miniboss, jump into the second upwards spiraling whirlpool. From there you can jump onto the boat to your right and kill it quickly with the Flame Wave. The boat will then sink and reveal a hidden passageway.

Launch Octopus- In that passageway another miniboss will appear. You can take him out with one shot of a well placed, fully charged tornado.

Launch Octopus- All that work for a heart container? I guess it’s worth it. Boomer Kuwanger- First, beat the entire stage to get the boomerang cutter. Then, replay the level and use that weapon to get this upgrade. The boomerang will pick it up upon hitting it and bring it back to you.

Sting Chameleon- When the color of the ground changes from a brownish soil to a green tunnel, there is a secret passage in the hole between them. Slide down the hole and jump off the blocks to your right to break them. Then do a dash and jump to what looks like to be a watery abyss.

Sting Chameleon- Tricky. A heart container is hidden all the way over here. Note that this jump is impossible unless you have beaten Launch Octopus first.

Sting Chameleon- Jump back from the heart container and climb out of the hole all the way to the top of the brown side. From there, dash and jump to the right to hit the wall shown above. Climb up to face a miniboss.

Sting Chameleon- This guy isn’t all that difficult; he just takes a really long time to kill. Aim for his head or jump in-between his claw and his body when he shoots it out and fire from there.

Sting Chameleon- Beating that miniboss gets you another capsule. This one will give you armor that reduces the amount of damage you take by half.

Chill Penguin- Once you have the Flame Wave, replay this level and destroy this igloo for a heart upgrade. To reach this point, jump into the robot they give you, jump upwards out of it past the first igloo you see, and then climb the wall to reach this point.

Spark Mandrill- You need the Boomerang Cutter in order to get this E-tank. Upon entering the stage, jump up the first ladder you see and then down the next ladder. Walk down the passageway and you’ll see this E-tank. Jump up and use the boomerang cutter and you’ll have the last E-tank.

Awesome! Now you have every hidden item in the game!... nope, there’s one more thing you can get.

Armored Armadillo- This will only work once you have all of the aforementioned upgrades. That includes all capsules, weapons, heart containers and E-tanks. Also, make sure that you have more than 4 lives. Go back to Armored Armadillo stage and go almost all the way to the end. You’ll know you’re close when you see those pesky birds. Kill them so they don’t get knock you off the moving platform.

Armored Armadillo- Just before the platform hits the wall, jump off it and climb the wall right above the entrance to the boss’ lair. Pick up the energy capsule and then jump to your death. Yes, you heard me. Commit suicide. You’ll start at the checkpoint in the level. Repeat this pattern again 4 times. Keep getting the energy capsule shown above and keep dying.


Armored Armadillo- WTF!? Where did that capsule come from!? Upon using the aforementioned strategy, a capsule will appear next the energy capsule.


Armored Armadillo- Hadouken! Ryu’s famous technique from Street Fighter has somehow become hidden skill for Mega Man. To activate the hadouken, just do a Quarter-circle (downàleft/right) and fire. This move will instantly kill any enemy or boss except for the final form of Sigma. However, you must be at full health for this move to work and you must be on the ground. Passwords will not save this move either. Regardless, this is crazy awesome.

Now you know how to be at max power before you reach the Sigma stages. The rest of the game will be a breeze.