Dark Lands
Dark Lands is the story of Bowser and how he came to be the most feared creature in the Mushroom Kingdom. This is before Super Mario Bros. and Mario won't be in it except the very end. It also has an extremely dark tone, something unseen in Mario games.
"I was raised by Kamek, a powerful and deranged wizard. He raised me to be the ultimate evil... I am Bowser, and I rule the Koopa Klan."
When the story begins, Bowser isn't as feared as he is today. In fact, he's little known other then by the Yoshis. The first level takes place in Bowser's Castle and is a training course to teach you how to play, which I will now lay down for you as well.
Running: You move about the area using the Joystick on the nunchuck.
Jumping: Simple enough, the A button allows you to jump.
Slashing: Press the B trigger to slash at foes, succesive three-button performs a Slash Slash Bite combo. Using B near some items will allow you to pick them up, they can then be placed down or thrown.
Ground Pound: Borrowed from Melee and SMB3, jumping and pressing B will send Bowser slamming into the ground. This is good for squashing large enemies, breaking floors, and pressing large switches.
Fire Breath: Pressing the Z button allows you to breathe fire. By moving the Wiimote, you can angle where his fire is breathed. You can only use so much, as you have a fire bar that will become depleted and leave you breathless until it recharges (Which happens over time.)
Whirling Fortress: Pressing the Jump Button while in the air will use a second jump as well as an attack. Borrowed from Melee.
Camera: Pressing and holding the C button will make the control stick controls change to rotate the camera.
The next stage is a boss battle and will take place on Bowser's Doom Ship. Bowser has readied his troops and is preparing to invade the Mushroom Kingdom. Suddenly he notices several of his soldiers falling. A mysterious ninja wielding dual-katana is the source of this problem. Bowser engages his foe in battle. It is night, and there is an intensive thunder storm.
The Ninja escapes, but not before destroying the controls for the Doom Ship. Bowser finds himself crashing into an unmarked island. When he wakes, he discovers only a small portion of his army is still alive. Together, he and his group of two Koopas and a Goomba explore the island.
This level introduces Stage Allies: Stage Allies will assist Bowser, and you can even form tactical skills. Pressing the 1 button will open an over-head map of the surrounding area, with icons signifying Bowser, his allies, his enemies and obstacles. You can use this map to check your Allies stats as well as their attacks and commanding them on going to certain places. You can also use this map to assume control over one of your allies, however this leaves Bowser open to attack, so it is advisable to hide him well before doing so. Allies have the same basic controls as Bowser, though with different abilities.
Koopa Troopa: Red Shelled Koopas. The Koopa Troopas are faster, stronger and smarter then Goombas. They also have higher defense and HP. In place of a Slash attack they have weak punches. They have a weaker version of the Whirling Fortress and a Shell Slam similar to Bowser's Ground Pound. They also have a charged shell attack that replaces the fire breath.
Goomba: The weakest ally in the entire game. They have no aerial attack, and their Slash-Attack is a weak close-ranged bite. In place of Fire Breath they have their now-trademark Head Bonk.
The group of Bowser and his team search the island in hopes to finding a way off. They are attacked by savage beasts, in specific, Piranha Plants and Buzzy Beetle species. In the end Bowser finds his three remaining soldiers devoured by a massive Piranha Plant resembling a much more forested and savage version fo Naval Piranha.
Stage Enemies:
Piranha Plants - Normal Red Piranha Plants, they are rooted in the ground but that won't stop them from lunging out to attack. They have higher HP and Attack then Buzzy Beetles.
Pyro Piranha - Green Piranha Plants that blend in well with the jungle. Like their red counter-parts they lunge at you, but these ones are capable of spitting fireballs as well. They have the same stats as Red Plants.
- Should be green
Buzzy Beetle - A heavily armored beetle enemy. They are slow movers, but can't be damaged unless they are flipped over (which can be done by having your Koopa Shell-Shot them or having Bowser throw them.) They also have a shell-shot attack that is exactly like your Koopas attack. Bowser is able to pick up Buzzy Beetles from behind and toss them at foes, this will cause the Buzzy to flip over.
Bungee Piranha - Dark purple Piranha Plants they lurk high within the depths of the Jungle Canopy. They thrust themselves downward with immense speed to chomp foes below, other then this they have the same stats as either plants. They can swing themselves around to smash into foes as well.
NO IMAGENipper Plant - Small, white and mobile plants that like to bite you when you least expect it. They usually start as red spores with white spikes that float down from the Jungle Canopy. Some of these creatures can spit streams of Fire Balls, so watch out. They can also be burrowed underground, and pop out when you're ontop of them. They're faster then Parabeetles, but not quite as strong.
Munchers - Black Nipper-like plants that constantly move their mouths back and forth. They constantly face-up and are unable to move, however, they are indestructable and extremely dangerous so watch out.
Lava Lotus - Transleucent plants with a red center and green leaves. These plants spit firey seeds in order to protect themselves. They are stationary and have semi-decent HP.
Parabeetle - Parabeetles are red, flying Buzzy Beetles. They not only have an aeriel-shell-shot, but they also have a shell slam similar to your Koopas. Their stats are the same as Buzzy Beetles except for speed, of which, these creatures are fast. They can be attacked from beneath, but be careful as they will probably Shell Slam foes beneath them.
Boss Battle: Viper Plant - This is a savage prehistoric Piranha Plant that was thought extinct. Yellow venom drips from it's constantly open mouth. Instead of simple teeth, this thing has immense fangs. It likes to hide itself among it's vines and launch out from an angle at any moment. It will also toss it's venom at Bowser, burning him. It seems to be allergic to Buzzy Beetles, however.
After defeating the Viper Plant, a large portion of the jungle itself will be destroyed, it seems the Jungle is actually a complex creation of many Viper Plants. Learning this, Bowser aims to escape as quickly as possible and spots a near-by volcano. He decides the volcano is safer then the jungle and begins his climb. He encounters Kamek at the base of the Volcano, who survived the crash as well as having rescued several other troops, including Bob-Ombs. Kamek flies off to find another Doom Ship and get Bowser off the island.
Introduced Allies:
Bob-Omb - Bob-Ombs are black bomb-like creatures. Contrary to popular belief, they survive their blasts to blast on another day. They are useful for clearing obstacles and defeating large enemies, as they have one of the largest attacks in the game. When defeated, stand clear, they'll make a final explosion. They have no aerial attack, but they do have a body slam for their slash and firebreath is replaced by the Explosion (Which must be charged.)
Enemies Introduced:
Monty Moles - Monty Moles are relatives of the Wrocky Wrench species, but they aren't friends of Bowser (at least, not yet.) Some Monty Moles will pop out of walls or the ground and chase Bowser, while others will only semi-pop out and chuck rocks. They're the fastest enemy you'll encounter at this point in the game, but not the strongest.
Mega Moles - Large versions of Monty Moles that are constantly above ground. These creatures will ram into Bowser. They are about as fast as Monty Moles, but a helluva alot stronger.
Returning Enemies: Lava Lotus, Munchers, Nipper Plants, Buzzy Beetles.
Bosses: Bowser encounters the Ninja once more atop the Volcano, where the two battle and you discover the Ninja's name to be Marcus. He explains that he has been hired by a powerful star-being to stop the one who threatens the Star Road. After defeating him, he will again escape and another boss will appear from within the volcano.
Molten Mole - Molten Mole is a MASSIVE Monty Mole that fills almost the entire opening of the volcano. He appears ot be built of hardening rock (so it's freshly blackened and seperated by glowing lave flows.) He likes to swipe at foes and toss large chunks of Molten Rock at them. He also ducks back into the volcano, when he does this he'll splash lava onto the field. It seems that he can be defeated by thowing Bob-Ombs at him, and if you have none of these, large boulders found around the field. Hitting him with these will eventually cause him to crumble apart.
After defeating Molten Mole Bowser and his remaining troops will see the familiar site of the Doom Ship approaching. Piloted by Kamek, they board the ship where Bowser demands that Kamek find the location of Marcus and track him. It is at this point in the game where you discover the Doom Ship to be your after-level base where you can buy items, rest and talk with troops, as well as where you're hidden allies will be so you can speak with them.
Anyway, Kamek eventually uses his magic to locate Marcus, who is now speaking with his master on the closest place a mortal being can get to Star Road without the interaction of a Star Beam: The Rainbow Road. Bowser demands to be brought there. Once there, Bowser takes a troop out onto the Rainbow Road to locate and defeate Marcus.
New Allies:
Paratroopa - Paratroopa's are green-shelled Koopas. They have the same stats as Koopas, and the same attacks, the only difference is that they fly. By rapdily pressing the jump button, Paratroopas can fly, however they will grow tired and drop down.
Rocky Wrench - Greatly resembling Monty Moles, Rocky Wrenches are long-distance fighters. They are the fastest ally thus-far though not the physically strongest. Their aeriel attack is a simple Wrench Toss, but they do have a somersault-like double jump enabling them to reach new ground and battle with the Paratroopas. Their normal strikes are tossing wrenches at foes. Their special ability is to toss a larger amount of wrenches, which cover a greater distance (much like Shiek's SSBM needle attack.) Rocky Wrench can also climb walls, enabling them to reach distances even Paratroopa can't manage.
New Enemies:
Ninji - Ninji are the guardians of the stars, but they also seem to be working with Marcus. These creatures are fast and agile but have low HP, Attack and Defense and are quickly dispatched once you can catch them. They like performing intensive punch-kick combos, or tossing themselves at you like a shuriken.
Returning Foes: Parabeetles
Upon reaching the end of Rainbow Road, you finally get a glimpse of just who hired Marcus... or at least you think you do, but all you really see is intense waving energy and glowing effects. Marcus will leave, but his employer will stay and fight.
Boss: *Name Unrevealed* - This boss likes to fire powerful energy blasts at Bowser. He seems to be harmed by your fire breath, so time it well and you can defeat him.
The being laughs at your attempt to defeat him, and merely causes the part of Rainbow Road beneath you to crumble. Bowser and his troops plummet into the air.
Notes on this stage: You can find a special ally in this level. Special allies are allies obtainable only once in the game, and once they die, they're lost. Because of this, you have the option of bringing them into the stages or not by speaking to them aboard the Doom Ship.
Rainbow Road's Special Ally:
Fire Chomp - a flying member of the Chain Chomp species who has fireballs instead of chains. These members don't quite chomp as much, but still well. They can fly higher then Paratroopa. Normal attacks are replaced with bites, and aeriel attack by a one-shot fire ball. Their special is an intensive inferno attack. They have extremely high attack, HP and defense as well as fairly decent speed. Because these creatures are always flying, you merely need to hold the jump button to elevate yourself.
Other Notes: Bosses can ONLY be faught using Bowser, with your allies being controlled by your tactics menu or the CP.
When not in use, your allies will be controlled by the CP. Because of this they aren't dumb enough to walk off a cliff or stand there being attacked.
As Bowser and his team fall from Rainbow Road, they are caught in the Doom Ship. There it all seems peaceful, but suddenly Marcus appears and strikes. Another battle on the Doom Ship begins.
Boss: Marcus - He's even stronger and faster this time then before, plus he'll disappear in smoke and reappear elsewhere if you aren't careful. His tactics involve quick combo slashes with his kitana as well as tossing shuriken. He also has paper bombs too. He's too quick to be caught, but the paper bombs explode on contact with fire, try breathing fire on Marcus before he throws the bomb.
After Bowser defeats Marcus, the ninja falls. Finally defeated, Marcus is secured and chained into one of the holding cells above the Doom Ship. There he is interrogated by Kammy until he reveals that his employer is a great star being known by the name of Geno. Bowser is told of this information. He feels unthreatened and begins his assault of the world, he decides that he is too far away from the Mushroom Kingdom, and that they are too large, to strike at first. He does see that he is directly above Yoshi's Island and decides to strike there first.
Stage Name: Yoshi's Island
This stage takes place on the shore and jungle areas of Yoshi's Island. It takes you from the beach, into the heart of Monkey World.
New Allies:
Hammer Bros. - Hammer Bros. are as fast as Koopas, with the same amount of HP and jumping. They do have higher offense and defense, however. Normal attacks are smashes with the hammers, aeriel attacks are tossing a hammer, double jump is a Whirling Fortress attack with the hammer sticking out. The special involves a giant mallet and tossing it.
Lakitu - Another flying ally. Lakitu's flight controls are like Frie Chomp's, but they only go as high as Paratroopa. His normal attack is to toss (green) spiny eggs at foes. The green ones bounce and roll, but home in on the foe. His special is to toss a red spiny egg, which hatches into a red spiny ALLY. Unfortunatly each Lakitu can only use this attack once (until you reach a recover point, but I haven't mentioned them yet.)
Spiny - Spinies are small, red creatures resembling spiked Buzzy Beetles. They aren't followers of Bowser so much as they are followers of Lakitu. Because of this when all of your Lakitu's are defeated, the Spikies will run off, attempting to make them rejoin will cause them to attack you. They have an extremely low jump, and no double jump. Their basic attack is to tackle foes with their spikes, and their aerial is to bounce off the ground curled up into a ball (much like their spiny egg form.) Their special is another clone of Shell Shot in that the Spiny curls up into a ball and launches at the foe. The special, however, enables them to roll up some walls as well as giving the person more control over where he wants to go.
Frogs - Frogs, like Grinders, are found later in the stage. They are fast creatures with extremely high jumps. They made a pact with the Koopa Klan long ago. The Frogs are currently at war with the Yoshis. Their basic attack is two strike foes at a distance using their large tongues. Aerial attack is to launch their tongue at a foe (or an object far away) then ram into it, using themselves like a hookline. They have no double jump. Their special is an intense ribbitting attack.
Grinders - Grinders are darker colored monkeys very closely related to Ukiki. The Grinder had sworn allegience to the Koopa Klan long ago and were ordered to protect Baby Bowser as he grew up. The Grinder's basic attack is to spit watermelon seeds at foes, the aerial attack is to toss spikey coconuts from the air and they have a somersault-like double jump. Their special is to toss heavy-damaging bombs at foes. They, like Frogs, are found later in the stage.
New Enemies:
Lungefish - Lungefish live in the waters of Yoshi's Island. They only have one mode of attack: Swallow you whole. That's right, these creatures are completely hidden until they jump from the water in an attempt to devour you.
No pictureUkiki - Ukiki are a race of Monkeys that live in the jungle. They are more mischevious then anything else, but they are extremely harmful. They are different then their cousins, the Grinders, as the Grinders are vicous monkeys that have sworn allegience to Bowser prior to this game. However, Ukiki and Grinder share attack styles. Ukiki will primarily attack from a distance, dropping missles or spiked coconuts onto you from above, or by shooting watermelon seeds at you. They will however, grab and toss smaller allies as well as biting larger ones.
No pictureCrazee Dayzee - Crazee Dayzee are flower-like creatures that live in the flower patches they guard. These creatures enjoy singing, which can be used to put foes to sleep, as well as spitting bubbles that damage enemies.
Baseball Boys - The Baseball Boys belong to the same team of villains as the Bandits, though these guys are the muscle behind the two. Baseball Boys come in two colors: green and yellow, though in this game that doesn't matter. They attack by pitching baseballs or striking foes with their bats. They are found in groups with Bandits.
Bandits - Thieves that are fast and agile. They steal items from you, and attack by ramming. They are weaker in offense then the Baseball Boys, so they often hide behind them.
Goonies - Goonies, are no longered run by the Koopa Klan. They once were, but after Kamek's defeat they were set free. They attack by dropping missles and other enemies onto your team or by dive bombing you. They lose their wings once half of their health has been done, but they are even faster on the ground.
Returning Foes: Bungee Piranha, Piranha Plant
But this isn't all. There's a break point in the stage, just as you enter the denser part of the jungle. It shows a scene in which a group of Yoshis attack Bowser and his team. There are many Yoshis, but Bowser is rescued by a team of Frogs and darkly colored Ukiki called Grinders. When he asks them why they helped, they said that their races have been members of the Koopa Klan since Bowser was a baby. It is at this point that you encounter Yoshi enemies, as well as aquiring the Frog and Grinder allies.
Yoshi - Yoshi are fast enemies with a high jump. They are also the first foes you'll encounter that utilize their double jump, which is a flutter. They attack by lashing out with their tongues, like Frogs, swallowing foes which transforms them into eggs (that hatch into Baby Yoshis or can be tossed at your team), ground pounding ontop of you or spitting seeds from watermelon they eat (additionally they can also use fire and ice watermelon that may be around,) or by spitting your troops (the ones they've licked up) back at you. They come in the following colors: Green, Blue, Red, Yellow, Light Blue, Pink, Purple, Brown, Gray, Orange, Black and White. Red, Yellow and Blue Yoshi can use a different attack when they still have a troop in their mouth (granted they didn't swallow) and Purple, Orange and Pink Yoshi can all spit a damaging juice that corresponds to their color.
Blue Yoshi - Will sprout wings until he swallows the troop he has licked up. This will enable him to fly and attack from above.
Red Yoshi - Will be able to breathe fire, however he only has one blast per troop.
Yellow Yoshi - Creates damaging earthquakes when he lands, no matter where from. Baby Yoshi - These hatch from untossed Yoshi Eggs. They are small, but fast, and already have completely developed legs, enabling them to jump just as high as a normal Yoshi and use the flutter. They can only attack by devouring your troops, which they can and WILL do. After eating five of your troops, they mature into an adult Yoshi.
Helicopter Yoshi - Yoshi that have transformed into Helicopters. They attack only by ramming into you. They are slow, but can fly just as high as Paratroopa. They usually drop down from a hidden location.
Moletank Yoshi - Moletank Yoshi act very much like Monty Moles. They come out of the walls or ground to chase after you, however they are very slow. Because they can only ram you, they usually wait until you're right ontop of them before they appear.
Car Yoshi - Car Yoshi are annoying. Sure they only have a ram attack, but they can also extend their tires to lift them off the ground, making them very annoying adversaries to try and attack. They are also extremely fast.
Train Yoshi - Train Yoshi is faster then Car Yoshi, and more powerful in just about every aspect. They also have the unique ability to shrink, which can make them difficult to hit.
Submarine Yoshi - Submarine Yoshi only appear in the water. They, unlike the other transformations, can do more then ram into you. Because they are the second slowest Yoshi foe, they can also shoot homing missles at you.
Poochy - Poochy are loyal pets of the Yoshi race. Every so often they will appear aiding non-transformed Yoshis. They are powerful, and attack by tackling and biting. They will also assist Baby Yoshi's in maturing.
Notes: Yoshi transformations can be defeated with good timing, by striking them just before they make contact with you.
After the trek through the jungle, Bowser finds himself in the Yoshi village. He meets the Yoshi Chief there, and demands to be declared ruler of Yoshi's Island. The Chief declines, and instead blows on a whistle. Bowser laughs at first, claiming that blowing on the whistle won't stop him. Suddenly a big black bird drops down from above. It is... Raphael.
Boss: Raphael the Raven - Raphael, after being freed from Kamek's hypnotic spell (play Tetris Attack.) has declared himself guardian of the Yoshis. For every time he is damaged, he grows a little bigger, a little redder and a little stronger. He attacks by ramming into Bowser, jumping on him, or creating electrical sparks from his feet. Bowser can defeat him by picking up the spiked wooden poles along the outside of the Yoshi Village and tossing them at the bird.
After Raphael's defeat, Bowser captures the Yoshi Chief, as well as several other Yoshi's and takes control of the island. He decides on two targets to strike next: The mountain the Monty Moles live on, or Forever Forest (the player chooses the next destination on a world map, which will later be used in the unlockable Free Roam mode.)
Yoshi's Island has a secret ally: Amazy Dayzee - Amazy Dayzee's are golden colored Crazy Dayzee's. They are faster, and stronger then Crazee Dayzee's, but attack in the same way. Their normal attack is to blow a stream of bubbles at foes, their aerial is to kick foes in the air. They jump extremely high, higher then Frog's even, and have a slow fall. They also have the somersault-like double jump. Their special attack is sto sing a song that puts foes to sleep.