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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 6 CHANCELLOR HIGH SCHOOL 6300 HARRISON ROAD, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22407 1 March/April 2021 NEWS FEATURE CHANCELLOR HIGH PLANS FOR ATHLETE HALL OF FAME By Kaitlyn Bestick parents alike when news would licly known. lor website. If an applicant fits Freelance Reporter come out from other schools in The heavy task of deciding the criteria of time out of the As Chancellor High School the area inducting their annual who becomes a part of these school, coaching terms, and nears its 35th anniversary, or bi-annual classes of athletes. inducted classes is not a two a submission then they will the accomplishments of the Like Carlson, Bestick saw this man job however. The Hall of move onto the selection pro- school’s previous and current need from seeing this lack of Fame committee is made up cess. Even though an applicant students cannot be denied. recognition from viewing past of previous students, coaches, may not receive this recogni- Over many years this school school records that have gone and current parents and ad- tion in their first year, they will has birthed tremendous ath- untouched. ministration to ensure the continue to be a part of the letes that Hall of Fame com- “These students deserved best decisions are made. “This selection process for years to missioner Matt Bestick and to be honored for all of their diverse collection of people is come. The student athlete im- athletic director Len Carlson contributions, and I am very one of the major highlights of pact has allowed for not only thought deserved proper rec- excited to be able to help make the committee itself,” stated the advancement of athletics, ognition. With the support of this happen for so many,” com- Carlson. By covering almost but the advancements of the the new athletic boosters, the mented Bestick. Like many every single basis, the selec- school itself. community, and the athletes others, both have seen the ex- tion process will be rigorous, The Hall of Fame will induct alike, the plan for the Chancel- treme need and plan to take but extremely fair. Every sport its first class this October, with lor High School athletics Hall it to life in the extremely near Chancellor has to offer is rep- the public induction ceremony of Fame was born. future. As Carlson explained, resented in this committee, open to all. Not only will this “With such athletes going the Hall of Fame Induction something Bestick put a huge be a special time for the hon- onto bigger programs such as will include the participants emphasis on, to make the se- orees, but anyone interested is the MLB and NFL, it was about being honored (within CO- lection process as fair as pos- allowed to join for the ceremo- time they deserved the recog- VID restrictions) at a football sible. When selecting teams, nies and festivities with pur- nition,” stated athletic Direc- game, with a formal reception, individuals, and coaches for chase of a ticket or spot. This tor Carlson when asked about and their name and picture in this recognition, the commit- induction finally provides an what spurred this develop- Chancellor’s halls. The plan at- tee pulls from its best source opportunity to showcase these ment. Many will agree with this tempts to “share their accom- possible: the fans. The selec- teams and individuals, but also statement. For many years, the plishments with the school tion process begins with an proves as a historic time for our absence of a high school hall and those to come'' and make online or in-person form filled school and athletics alike. of fame struck the athletes and their accomplishments pub- out by anyone on the Chancel-

Cover Credits MRS. GATTIE Front Cover: Kyle Peck...Regional Champion in the 100 Fly and 100 Back... ADVISOR breaking the school record last held by his older brother, Dylan. CARA SEELY Back Cover: Design by Nicolas Carter - spring break trip to Iowa NEWS EDITOR CARA HADDEN The Journalism students at Chancellor High School publish The Lightning Bolt, the only official newspaper on campus. The purpose of the newspaper is to factually inform and entertain its readers. As an established FEATURES EDITOR open forum for the student body, truth will be the staff’s major goal. It is the responsibility of each staffer to adhere to the journalism code of ethics as set by the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. The KAITLYN GARVEY code states that a journalist can not accept gifts, favors or privileges that could compromise their integrity. All material published will be the result of brainstorm sessions by the staff. Subjects stimulating to the majority SPORTS EDITOR of the student body will be used. The editorial board, which is comprised of all newspaper staff members will determine the priority of the stories and the overall design of publication. The advisor serves to give students EMMA PURCELL & a better understanding of the functions and ethics of a free press. The advisor does not serve as a censure. Student editors will decide the material to be published. In accordance with community standards, profanity STEPHANIE MARTINEZ will not appear in the publication. Students are free to express an opinion on matters of public interests under the, “fair comment rule.” Under this rule, the student has the right to intelligently criticize the school and its OP-ED EDITORS policies. Editorials reflect the opinion of The Lightning Bolt. Opinion stories reflect the opinion of the writer and do not represent the opinion of the faculty and administrWation of Chancellor High School. Controver- MIKAH NELSON sial issues will be covered from both points of view. School news, as well as local, national and international events will also be covered. Letters to the editor are welcomed. All letters must be signed and e-emailed to CHARGING CORNER [email protected]. The Lightning Bolt retains the right to edit letters to comply with journalistic standards. Anonymous letters will not be published. Our ultimate goal is to print the truth and with your help we can reach this goal. March/April 2021 2 NEWS DON’T BE AFRAID TO LEARN FROM STUDENTS CTE Teacher Mark Owens retires after 16 years at Chancellor High School. By Marim Farag be able to teach it, and he was Staff Reporter almost having a meltdown be- Career and Technical Edu- cause he couldn’t even get it to cation teacher Mark Owens turn on. has been at Chancellor High When people retire, it is nor- School for 16 years and will be mal to feel a host of emotions. retiring in June. Owens has one For Owens, he has been very of the longest tenures at Chan- stressed about it. He’s a hands- cellor. on teacher, so teaching virtual- Everyone has his or her mo- ly is a big hard turn on him. It's ments when they start some- difficult to teach hand-draw- thing or start a new job. Some ing and crafting virtually. He people are around you to guide decided to retire right before you and tell you where things Christmas. There are several are located and more to get reasons why he decided to re- used to the place. In the case tire early. His parents are older of Owens, his first day at Chan- and need some care. Since this cellor was a little different, and interview, Owens has lost his is a day that he still remembers father. as if it was yesterday. Owens’ stress level was be- Owens was hired on a Thurs- yond the roof. When teach- day and started work on Mon- ers have a teacher work day, day around August 1. He’s an 11 they used to be able to work month employee, which means in their room. During those he has to work an extra 20 days times he built computer sta- over the standard teacher con- tions, work benches, shelving, tract. All the administrators and put coves on the drafting and everybody had taken their desks. But now, he can't do summer vacation that Mon- that anymore because when this, learn this and he’s not ca- And that's not the way the real day, because summer school it’s a teacher work day, the day pable of doing this. That’s what world is. The real world says had ended the previous Fri- is filled up with professional he tries to tell his students. “ If there are deadlines. There’re day. There was no one inside learnings, and many meetings. you ever feel small in my class, assignments that have to be the school, and he wasn’t given As a result, he has no free time tell me, because I’m not doing done at a certain point of time. keys to his classroom. He sat at to get anything done. my job then.” In college, when they say a his door thinking ‘This is cra- With this year because of CO- After taking more classes and paper is due on Friday, the as- zy. I don't know what I should VID, everything changed when learning how to work Canvas, signment is due on Friday. You do.’ After waiting for a while a we went to 100% virtual, and he was very proud of himself. can't turn it in on Monday, or tech ed teacher showed up and with being a hands-on teacher, He did video instructions on when you feel like it in the real opened his door and they start- his whole teaching world was how to do the drawing with world. When you have a job ed talking. turned upside down. It was step-by-step procedures. With and the boss says this presen- Owens taught high school hard for him to adjust to the everything going on, and the tation has to be done by Friday, in the 80’s when there were no new things that were last min- stress that came along with he has to take it to New York desktops computers, no lap- ute that needed to be done in it, he decided it was time. He and present it to the client. If tops, nothing like that com- order to teach his class. He had wants to enjoy what he worked it's not done, you don't have pared to what we have here to learn things from scratch. so hard for in his life. He has a a job. In the military, if a ser- right now. Mr. Wolfe who is He never worked with Canvas, long cabin at Lake Anna and he geant comes in at 5:00amand currently our Superintendent but he heard that it has fea- wants some time to enjoy that says we have to run; you can't of Instruction was the vice tures that he liked. He signed with his family. pull the covers over your head principal at the time and was up for a class virtually to help Owens says he will miss and say not today.” involved in hiring him. Wolfe him learn more to be able to teaching, and teaching face-to- “Every teacher's goal should said that Owens would be work with the Canvas platform. face before COVID hit. “School be to create a desire in the stu- teaching AudoCAD. Owens The class moved quickly to the changed. There's no coun- dent to learn what you have to was confused and asked what’s point where he said ‘ hey wait terablity, no respect. There's teach,” states Owens. “Because that because he was not knowl- how do you do that? How did none of that. Kids can turn in if you want to learn it, a bad edgeable about the program. you get that?’ He calls it feel- things whenever they want, teacher can teach it to you. You As a result, he had to learn it to ing small, like he will never get and everybody gets a trophy. don't have to be a good teacher 3 March/April 2021 NEWS DON’T BE AFRAID TO LEARN FROM STUDENTS to teach somebody who wants big picture. The ones that the to learn. If you want to learn light bulb goes off in your class. something badly enough, Where they go ‘Oh my God, I you’ll teach yourself. You’ll get it!’ Where you change their watch videos, you’ll look at life from something you said or what’s been done, you’ll study did in your class. That is what on your own, you’ll ask other teaching is about. Those what people, because it's something I call ‘teaching moments’. A lot you’re interested in, and it's of them happened here by be- something you want to do. So, ing off-topic. Somebody would if I present my subject matter come in and be in a fight and in a way that’s interesting and get back from being suspend- fun and students want to learn ed or something and we got it, my job is done. Get out of to talk. You have a discussion their way. They’ll teach them- where the kid is interested and selves.” what the process was and who Owens has purchased many did what or whatever and is items for students that can be this right, what would you do found in his classroom. “When differently. And that’s a teach- ated in his life. He doesn’t de- I first got my 3D printer, I had ing moment that’s outside of sire to go anywhere. He loves entire student body was on the no clue how to run it, or how your topic. But it’s something where he lives and doing little gym floor doing the dance. I to work it. I was waiting to get that’s important. The worst projects. The only travel that was crying like a baby, and the trained on it, so I don't mess thing about teaching that I will he’s planning on doing is going principal standing next to me it up. I had a student who was not miss is the kids that come to his niece’s World Cup Run B turns and she goes ‘Only some- way ahead of the class and he here and they’re not willing to Team. They play in September body like you can pull some- goes ‘Hey, can I design some- learn, they don’t want to learn, in New Zealand. She’s been se- thing like this off’. Well it grew thing?’ And I go ‘sure’ there's their sole purpose is to mess it lected, so he’s going there with from there. At the bonfire, they some tutorials on it. Figure it up for everybody else. That’s his brother. She’s going to be danced it. The cheerleaders out. He sat here and taught something really hard to deal graduating this May from Vir- did it at half time. I had du- himself and then taught me with.” ginia Tech in Materials Engi- ties for the homecoming dance how to design something in 3D Owens’ plan to clear out his neering. and was standing on the steps printer. He then became my room will start after spring One of his favorite memories when they played the song. My 3D printer expert.Why did he break. He’s going to get one of that has happened in Chancel- niece was a teacher out in Colo- learn that? Because he wanted those big rolling dumpsters. A lor was that in 2007. There was rado, and saw a video of it. She to learn it, and I gave him the lot of this stuff is just boxes and a spirit week happening, and taught her students the dance. tools that he needed to accom- cases of students notebooks Owens fell in love with a song So it was just growing. It just plish that goal. So, that has from years gone by and assign- at the time called Feist 1234. He took on it’s own.” always been my attitude too. ments that he doesn’t use any- told his class that he was going Owens not only has lasting I tell kids on the first day of more. For the bigger stuff like to create a line dance and hire memories of Chancellor, but school ‘ I will learn way more the 3D printer, it will stay in a choreographer to this song. Chancellor’s students and staff from you all than I can possi- the room because it’s not his, He told his class that they will will have lasting memories of bly hope to teach you’, and they he doesn’t own it. For the tools, all dance it at homecoming, Mr. Owens. don't understand what I’m he’s going to leave them for the and they responded by saying talking about.“ next person, since he has the they hated this song. A former Owens will miss his class- same ones at home. One of PE teacher and cheer coach, room room. “I have pretty cool his closest friends that teaches along with some cheerleaders, memories of things that I’ve what he teaches, Mr. Webb helped him choreograph the accomplished. I am proud of from Spotsy High School will song. Two days later they had my classroom. It’s one of the receive his giant drone and a the Chancellor Mop. coolest rooms in the whole en- couple of robots, radio control “The day of the pep rally, the tire school. And 99 percent of airplanes, and some electric cheerleading coach came to me what’s in this room , I built and cars. “ There isn’t as much as and said I’m live in 30 minutes. paid for out of my own pocket. people think there is in here. It The cheerleaders went out on And I’m going to leave a lot of looks like it’s a lot of stuff, but the floor and started doing the that for the guy behind me. 90 % of it will get thrown away dance, bringing more people “The thing I like about work- or donated to somebody else.” out. Teachers came down, and ing at Chancellor is the stu- His plans after retirement is the next thing you know, the dents, the ones who get the to just enjoy what he has cre- March/April 2021 4 NEWS TEACHERS ON FINE ARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS By Cara Hadden one day become a Country ly remembers her high school thoughts on the benefits of an Features Editor and Western singer - because I experiences as a music student. arts education. "Theatre helps When the term "Fine Arts De- used to sing along with the re- "When I was in the 6th grade, [students] to collaborate and partment" is mentioned in ref- cord player (it was a thing back I had to take a career planning work cooperatively; to think erence to a set of high school then) and just belt out those class (weird, I know) and they creatively and to problem- courses or activities, it cre- country songs (I grew up in asked me what I wanted to do. solve; to communicate work ates mixed feelings depending Texas). So, when I was about I hadn't ever thought about a with improved confidence upon how one interprets the five my parents put me in the serious answer to that question and clarity; to consider social phrase. Some may hear it and children's choir at church, and before, but realized that the responsibility and a sense of immediately think of the pop I LOVED it. I thought it was one thing I loved more than community; [and] to work in- culture stereotype from the the greatest thing ever. As I anything was music so I said I dependently with responsibil- 1990s of moody kids sitting in grew up I added some instru- wanted to be a music teacher. ity and resilience." a circle talking about their feel- ments - piano lessons for a I figured that answer would Theatre teacher Connor ings while one dorky kid tries few years - then I switched change over the years but it Worthington had similar to get his head unstuck from to violin, then I switched to never did. I joined band in the views. "I believe it is so cru- a tuba. Others hear it and re- flute - but I kept singing too 7th grade and never looked cial for students to appreciate member the connections they all through that time, and I de- back, because the band room and even participate in theatre made and experiences they cided that flute was the great- became like a second home to because it not only is a way to had in their own high school est instrument ever (although me, and all of my band friends express oneself but, more im- experiences that had a positive now I really wish I had kept were like my family." portantly, it teaches one how and profound impact on the up with the piano too). I was On top of successfully end- to present themselves in front rest of their lives. It is for the in Band and Choir in middle ing the angst-filled search for of a crowd and connect with sake of the latter group, and ef- and high school, and I was community so common among a group of people. Those are fectively the former, that Chan- also in Marching Band which many teenagers, the arts also skills a person can take to any cellor High, like many schools I LOVED. From a very early offer academic and profes- career they might pursue!" across the country, is celebrat- age I just found something in sional benefits. "Learning how The Chancellor community ing Arts in our Schools Month music that I couldn't express to read music is a skill that you is already doing a great deal to throughout March. in any other way - whether can use throughout your en- support the arts and to foster The month of March is dedi- through song or an instru- tire life," said Miller. "Studies the creativity of students, and cated to celebrating the stu- ment, I felt like I could say continue to show that students Art in our Schools Month is dents and educators involved things with music that words who study music do better only the beginning. "Our Ad- in Fine Arts programs, includ- could not express. Also I loved in their other classes as well. ministration and Staff at Chan- ing visual art, music, and the- the social aspect of singing Reading music teaches you to cellor, as well as our parents atre, at the elementary, middle, and playing with a like minded think on the spot because you and students have always been and high school levels. This group of musicians. The music have to decode symbols and very supportive of the Arts and celebration of adolescent cre- we could create together was turn them into music, and we appreciate that!" said Mill- ative endeavors has meaning just so powerful, and it bonded there are an infinite number of er. "This year does pose some not only for the students, but us all together as a group. In combinations that those mu- extra challenges though in that the teachers as well. high school, my choir made sical symbols can form - forc- students are not able to sing Many of the Fine Arts teach- two trips that really impacted ing you to constantly use that together and play together as ers at Chancellor have been me: we went to Romania when brain and strengthen it just like they normally would. Every- working extremely hard this it was still behind the Iron you can strengthen muscles one is sort of in their own little year to connect with their stu- Curtain, and a couple of years through exercise. Belonging to bubble and the ensemble ex- dents through their respective later we went to England. On a musical group helps give stu- perience is lacking right now, creative disciplines. While vir- the Romania trip, we somehow dents a sense of belonging and understandably. We do need tual school has certainly made attracted huge crowds at every increases their social and emo- to prioritize student safety, but learning difficult in classes that concert. Thinking back I don't tional well-being. It teaches we also need to understand rely heavily upon communica- think we were really THAT teamwork, cooperation and is that it will take a while to build tion, the instructors have faced good - but the crowds came a safe way to express emotions. the musical programs back up these challenges head on and anyway. I was amazed that we They have also discovered that once we are allowed to have have in turn been reminded of could connect with people who elderly folks who belong to ensembles and concerts again. why the arts are important to didn't even speak our language musical groups actually live We look forward to that day! them. through music. So, somewhere longer and have fewer health And I know we will have plenty Rhonda Miller, the Chancel- along the way I knew I wanted problems than those who do of support in publicizing our lor Choir Director, reminisced to spread that joy to others by not. So, music can be a great events again once we are in about the genesis of her love becoming a music teacher." benefit throughout life." a more normal type of situa- for music. "When I was a child, Fernanda Belby, the Band Di- Theatre teacher Matthew tion." my parents thought I would rector at Chancellor, also fond- Armentrout also had some "I think one of my favorite 5 March/April 2021 NEWS TEACHERS ON FINE ARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS aspects of the theatre process joy and benefit from the arts," a ton of responsibility...For something they are currently is that the students get to work responded Belby. "The more some, having music as a cre- doing that would not have been collaboratively and to listen to we interact with those not al- ative outlet to express them- possible without that musical each other's ideas and perspec- ready in our classes, especially selves is extremely important literacy. Musical literacy opens tives," said Armentrout. "I ap- with the families of students in in maintaining mental and doors and is a skill that can be preciate that the Chancellor elementary or middle school emotional health. For [others], used throughout life. Is there arts community helps to cel- that will someday be coming to the family-like environment anyone out there who doesn't ebrate the creativity and the Chancellor, the better chances that comes from band can tru- have a favorite song? Music is talent in our school. The Fine we have of getting greater stu- ly save them. For [others still], a source of solace, a comfort, a Arts department is really sup- dent involvement." it is just something fun to do release, a joy and an expression portive and helps to showcase Ultimately, the goal of Arts/ which, as simple as that seems, of life itself." the thoughtfulness behind the Music/Theatre in our Schools is extremely important when That being said, the impact students' artistry. Positive rec- Month is to increase student the rest of your life is filled with of the arts at Chancellor on ognition in all of our art forms involvement in the hopes that studying for tests, working an students is due in no small part helps to build a sense of com- whatever discipline they de- after school job, and helping to the incredible teachers and munity, and it also connects us cide to choose will comple- out at home." faculty who teach these disci- at a time when a lot of our art ment their academic educa- Over her many years of teach- plines with passion, respect for has been defined by working tion and help students become ing, Miller has had the oppor- their students, and a desire to individually at home. In the- well-rounded, open-minded, tunity to know firsthand the share ideas through creative atre, we think we will be back and happy adults. "To me, the- significance choir has had on mediums. As the Chancellor soon with the kinds of live per- atre is an art form that brings her students' lives after high community continues to cele- formances we are familiar with, everyone together and can ac- school. "The impact of mu- brate the Fine Arts throughout but during this time, I have tually teach people how to col- sic on a person's life can be March, more students might been impressed and encour- laborate and communicate in a profound! I've been teaching be persuaded to take an art, aged with the ways the stu- way that no other subject mat- 27 years, and I am constantly music, or theatre class next dents have devised methods to ter can do," said Worthington. amazed at the former students year and be met with wonder- continue to perform." "Band can change your life," who get back to me years later ful teachers and peers, a pleas- "I think that Chancellor can asserted Belby. "In band, no to thank me for something. It ant and creative working envi- continue to do as much com- one is benched or a second usually goes something like ronment, and even a newfound munity outreach as possible so string player, every single per- this: 'Thank you so much for passion that will follow them that everyone in our commu- son has to be ready to perform teaching me to read music, be- for the rest of their lives. nity, not just those currently their part to make the music cause now I can ______' enrolled in arts classes, can en- sound great and that teaches and they fill in the blank with FORENSICS COMPETITION RESULTS The Forensics team had their Super-Region. The following members of the Wangberg in Serious Duo, 2nd Super-Regionals competition Chancellor Forensics team place in Region on Saturday, February 27 and I Zachariah Cloven in Humor- placed in our VHSL Regional think nearly all of them are go- ous Interpretation, 1st place 4B Tournament: Carissa Janssen in Prose, 5th ing to the All-Virginia Tourna- in Region, 1st place in Super- place in Region ment later this Month. Region. Sarah Whitehurst and Tade 8 students from Chancellor High School's Forensics Team Jennah Sidiabed and Destani are moving on to VHSL States Butler in Humorous Duo, 1st which will be held on March Place in Region, 2nd in Super- 27. VHSL 4B Regionals was Region. hosted by Chancellor on Feb- ruary 20 and VHSL 4AB Super- Precious Wheeler and Miranda Regionals was held on Febru- Cochran in Serious Duo, 1st ary 27. The Forensics speech Place in Region, 2nd place in and drama competitions are Super-Region. virtual events for 2021. Con- gratulations to all of the stu- Cara Hadden and Lexi Carter dents involved! in Humorous Duo, 2nd place in Region, 1st place in Super- Kimora Bryant in Storytelling, Region. 1st place in Region, 1st place in March/April 2021 6 NEWS ALL STATE FORENSICS COMPETITION RESULTS All-state forensics winners from March 27, 2021!

Kimora Bryant, 1st place, Storytelling Destani Butler and Jennah Sidiabed, 2nd place, Humorous Duo Interpretation Lexi Carter and Cara Hadden, 3rd place, Humor- ous Duo Interpretation Zachariah Cloven, 4th place, Humorous Solo Interpretation Miranda Cochran and Precious Wheeler, 5th place, Serious Duo Interpretation

7 March/April 2021 FEATURES FROM FARM LIFE TO BROADWAY Be inspired by the successes of Rita Moreno By Stephanie Martinez Op-Ed Editor Rita Moreno was born on 1950. Soon after that, she ap- a Tony for starring in the Medal of Freedom from December 11, 1931, in Hu- peared in West Side Story as musical The Ritz. Moreno President George W. Bush macao, Puerto Rico. She Anita. She won an Academy went on to guest star on The in 2004, and received the was born as Rosa Dolo- Award for Best Supporting Muppets Show and earned National Medal of Arts from res Alverío, but changed it Actress for that role. Even a Primetime Emmy Award President Barack Obama in when her mother gathered after winning the Oscar, for Outstanding Individual 2009. enough money to move to Moreno’s agents still only Performance in a Variety or Fans can catch Rita on New York when she was five submitted her for “exotic” Music Program. Netflix’s original show One years old. and Latina roles. Rita decid- Moreno became the first Day At A Time, where she Moreno began to take ed to take a break from Hol- Latina to win all four ma- plays the dramatic but fun- dance and acting classes as lywood due to the mistreat- jor awards: a Grammy, ny grandmother Lydia. She soon as she got to the US ment and acted in summer Tony, Oscar, and Emmy. is also the executive director and was hired at the age of theaters. She went on to win many and starring in Steven Spiel- 11 to record Spanish versions When Moreno returned to other awards as well as the berg’s 2020 remake of West of American films. Moreno acting, she appeared in the American Latino Media Side Story. got her first gig at the age of PBS children’s television se- Arts Awards (ALMAS). She 13 as Angelina in the Broad- ries The Electric Company was recognized for her work way musical Skydift. from 1971 to 1977. Moreno three times by the White After that, she appeared in won a Grammy in 1972 for House. She was invited to her first film, So Young, So “The Electric Company Al- Bill Clinton’s inauguration, Bold, which was released in bum” as well as winning received the Presidential

MORNING TROUBLES? DON’T GET ENERGY FROM A CAN By Stephanie Martinez Op-Ed Editor

Every morning, teens ev- ful for that little boost of Energy drinks can also ergy drinks are dangerous, erywhere get up while not energy, they can also throw have a detrimental effect and once you take one sip, wanting to. It’s harder now you down into a pit of tired- on adolescent health, and you might get hooked on it that some kids decide to ness. Other downsides of the American Academy of forever. Instead of drinking stay home for virtual learn- energy drinks are dehydra- Pediatrics has reported on energy drinks for that boost ing; they’re fighting with tion, insomnia, restlessness, the research concerned with you need, try drinking cold sleep as they listen to teach- and high blood pressure. the effects of energy drinks tea or fresh lemonade to ers on the other side of the You may be asking, so on the teenage body. More wake you up. computer. what? A large study done by research concluded that Many turn to coffee, but for the U.S. National Medical teens who have an energy some coffee doesn’t work. Library shows 30% of stu- drink addiction now will They turn to something a dents in grades 8-12 use en- most likely fall into sub- little more…energetic. Red ergy drinks. Another study stance abuse as they grow Bull, Monster, and Bang are by the AAP News & Journals older. Teens who use energy all types of energy drinks Gateway shows that 5448 drinks may be at a greater that most people use to sur- deaths were caused by caf- risk for developing addic- vive the dreadful mornings feine overdoses. Nearly half tions to alcohol or stimulant or long nights of studying. the cases were people under drugs like cocaine to get that While these drinks are help- the age of 19. bigger high they want. En- March/April 2021 8 FEATURES REALIZING ANIMALS’ MOTHERLY INSTINCTS By Katie Stafford hard, dry pellets of food, but her. Within a few seconds, tic of crying out pathetically Staff Reporter I noticed Jewel hung back Badger leaps at Jewel trying when she’s losing is the best Have you ever really ob- for five minutes, groom- to bat her away, but Jewel way to win on her turf. I’ll served animal behavior? Ac- ing Badger’s ash-brown fur overpowers her then backs call out, “What’s going on?” cording to www.myanimals. and making sure she settled off. Either playing or the and the two stop, leaving it com, “Just like we humans, with a full stomach for a nap four-week-old ferret want- as a draw. So this way, Bad- animals also have an in- before leaving the cage to ing some independence is ger doesn’t have to admit de- nate maternal instinct. It’s continue playing with the hard to say, but it could be feat, since it turns out to be kind of like a chip inside our four others. After Badger a mix of both. She goes un- a draw, though on a default. brains that impels us to pro- woke, Fenyx was drinking der my bed, where she starts I know they’re playing, so tect and care for the most water and Tigerheart, hav- sneezing, scaring off Murr I’m not worried about one defenseless.” This one web- ing a snack after some play- from under there, and send- of them leaving a ferret de- site shows what I suspected time, nudged Badger to the ing Fenyx to rush over to feated through blood being with my new baby ferret and water bottle, which Fenyx Jewel and Badger; I can hear spilled; with not one drop the five older ferrets. abandoned, so the young the telltale thin scratching of blood shed, it’s not my Not long ago, some family ferret could drink a little wa- of Tigerheart struggling out problem if a ferret loses the members of mine went to a ter without the usual battle from behind my dresser, match, draw or otherwise. pet expo, where I purchased of several ferrets competing her favorite hiding hole, to Not only the female fer- a four week old baby ferret. for water. come and see what’s wrong rets caring for her, but the When I brought her home, The next morning, I let all with the new ferret. males will attempt as well, I slowly introduced her to six ferrets out for a proper Realizing it’s the dust, I take but seem to realize the other the other ferrets. Murr and playtime, this time with her out from under there, three have it under control Rosko, my two bulldog fer- Badgerfang, who seemed and put her in the middle of better than them. I soon no- rets, were a little interested, to have recovered from the the floor where Jewel licks ticed, two days after getting but didn’t give her any spe- fear of being in a whole her ears, while Fenyx sniffs Badger, she’ll rarely be alone cial attention, nor were they new environment with fer- her fur; Tigerheart, appear- at the bottom of the cage. hostile. They saw her as the rets ranging from three to ing a second later, follows There are two hammocks new ferret and accepted her. probably five years her se- Fenyx’s example. The two the older five can reach by It’s how my female ferrets nior. The newest ferret in are satisfied; they do their climbing up the cage and reacted to young Badger- the business, (a term for a own thing while Jewel con- carefully pulling themselves fang (also known as Bad- group of ferrets), can ex- tinues to follow my newest into it. Although Badger- ger) that really intrigued plore the boundaries of her ferret, who realizes there’s a fang has learned to climb me. Jewel, Tigerheart, and territory - the whole of my bookshelf she hasn’t noticed to the top, she can’t get into Fenyx really took a keen bedroom. Instead of being until now. either of the hammocks; in interest in her - especially like the other ferrets, heav- While Badger’s very play- other words, those ham- Jewel. Jewel is more of my ing up out of the cage to ful and knows how to am- mocks are safely Badger-free foster; my aunt moved to walk down from the barred bush even Rosko, my big- for the older ferrets to relax an apartment complex that door to the floor, I picked gest ferret, the others don’t without caring and watch- would have made caring for up Badger and set her down play with her all that much. ing her. However, at least the ferret hard, since there beside the cage. If the older I’ve begun to realize it’s be- one of the others would typ- was no room for a cage and ferrets can get their paws cause they know she’s small, ically stay down on the floor ample space for a ferret to stuck when leaping to the and needs to grow a little of the cage to babysit her play in, so I took her. A few door, where they’ll be dook- older before she can really while the remaining four get years prior, Jewel carried a ing, squirming, and with me rough house with them. In some well-deserved time mouthful of food at a time barely able to help, every so fact, while four of the fer- with no Badgerfang. Even to an old ferret who lost all often, then what could I do rets hardly touch her dur- so, the babysitting on Bad- use of his legs just days be- to a very young ferret still ing their play sessions, Jewel ger has gotten sparse, as the fore passing away, and cared not yet trained not to bite. began to give her some time ferrets seem to realize the for him lovingly. The first thing Badger does alone. Usually, Jewel swiftly newest member can’t really I gave Badger her first meal is explore near my trash can, overpowers her, no matter do much in means of mis with the older ferrets, and and Jewel is there to shadow how hard Badger tries, and she did fairly well with the her, keeping a close eye on she’s soon learning the tac- Continued on page 26 9 March/April 2021 FEATURES REALIZING ANIMALS’ MOTHERLY INSTINCTS chief with only a food bowl, water bottle, bedding, and a red blanket at her disposal. “It is also common for many animals to adopt or- phaned youngsters of their own species, in order to care and protect their inherent, instinctual need for species protection. This is known as Kin Selection. Animals take care of the young orphans of their own species in order to pass on family DNA,” www.infoundation.com states. None of my ferrets have been living in the wild, even with their instinctual habit of stashing imbued in their domestic ferret selves. However, this explains why my ferrets will care for Bad- Photo by Katie Stafford ger; it’s instinct for them (Clockwise starting with the ferret in the bowl) Staff Reporter Katie Stafford’s pet ferrets Badgerfang, Fenyx, Murr, Tigerheart, Rosko, and Jewel enjoy a meal together. to take care of her, because she needs to learn what it’s In the wild, ferrets, like the wild ferrets once were so to survive in the wild, like meant to be a ferret through black-footed ferret, would nearly extinct that only 18 burrowing (something my them. Already she knows stash any kills they made worldwide lived in the wild. ferrets can and will do), how Tigerheart and Murr to eat later, or store for the It’s lucky we humans have stashing food, and learning can barely get a stash in be- harsh, cold months of win- been saving them through to hunt. fore I’m right there to take ter. In fact, speaking of the breeding them, then train- what they’re trying to stash. black-footed ferret, these ing the mated ferrets young FINDING KEY TO OPTIMISTIC MINDSET By Kierston Johnson Staff Reporter Have you heard of the phrase When it’s realistic to do so, example: Let’s say you got a “There’s always a silver lining?’’ minimize the negative, and C- on an exam in one of your How does one have that mind- remember tomorrow is a new classes despite the amount of “Optimism set to stay positive? As we all day. time you studied for that exam. know, sometimes life can bring Remember these five steps You start to doubt if you’ll be is the faith people down, especially in and you’ll have an optimistic able to pass the class down the situations like the pandemic. mindset in no time. Also, al- road because of that C-. Try to that leads to What’s important to remem- ways remember when you’re remember that all that matters achievement. ber, however, is to not let the in a rut, that there’s light at is that you tried hard and put negativity take control of your the end of the tunnel. You’ll more effort into your work. Nothing can be mindset. The following steps get through stronger than you will help you have an optimis- were before. Keep your head done without tic mindset according to www. held high, even if it’s hard. verywellmind.com: Plus, remember that you have hope and Analyze your thoughts. Give the support of your friends and yourself credit. Think of how family, even if they don’t always confidence.” your strengths can bring other say it. In conclusion, when you -Helen Keller good things. Think of future have an optimistic mindset, events that can also occur. the sky’s the limit. Here’s an March/April 2021 10 FEATURES WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? By Stephanie Martinez Op-Ed Editor and Kaitlyn Garvey Sports Editor

Aquarius (January 20 - Taurus ( April 20- May 20): Leo (July 23 - August 22): Scorpio (October 23 - No- February 18): This year It’s hard to lower your guard, It’s okay not to be the best at vember 22): Be open to new hasn’t been that kind to you, but sometimes you might everything. Just being a part experiences without letting so it’s understandable if have to in order to improve of the action is a great expe- your guard down. Being all you feel like all is hopeless, some relationships you al- rience. Don’t stress over how or nothing can be danger- but don’t give up just yet. A ready have, as well to devel- well you do, and enjoy what ous when you don’t know bright light is coming your op new ones. You might like you do. what to expect, so be cau- way very soon, and I prom- being alone now, but you tious and stay safe. ise you it’ll be worth it. won’t in the future.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Shoving your- Virgo (August 23 - Sep- self under the covers as you tember 22): Surround your- shut yourself out from the self with people who push Sagittarius (November Gemini ( May 21-June 20): 23 - December 21): Make world right now may work Life may be stressful right you to do well whether it’s temporarily, but your prob- in school or life in general. a new friend. Compliment now, but I promise you it’ll someone’s attire at the store, lems won’t go away just like get better. Buy a planner, Staying motivated and posi- that. It’s time to grab a pen tive is a difficult thing to do and don’t just let the conver- and plan things out from sation end there. However and paper and write down most important to least. by yourself, but the right all your frustrations and people will make it much you do it, meet new people! burn them at the end. Trust easier. me, it’ll help.

Aries ( March 21- April 19): Cancer (June 21- July 22): Libra (September 23 - Oc- Capricorn (December 22 - You’re a beautiful human Stop overthinking! Your tober 22): Don’t be afraid to January 19): Make a sched- being; don’t let anyone tell friends don’t hate you, and try. You may look back lat- ule for your tasks. Even if you any differently, not even neither does your family. er and wish you had; so do you don’t stick to it fully, it a mirror. You don’t have to Those are just the cruel voic- what you can now, and don’t will lay out everything you live up to society’s expecta- es trying to make you feel worry about what people need to do, which makes tions because to someone, insecure. Don’t let them get think of you, because they it easier to get tasks done. you’re perfect just the way to you. Reach out to a loved will have something to say Work smarter! you are. one, and it will get better. regardless.

11 March/April 2021 SPORTS HISTORY OF FOOTBALLS By Steven Gomez grip on the ball instead. ing, and the rubber was just and throw a perfect spiral, Freelancer Reporter Today we have the basic a sturdier material to begin which reduces wind resis- A football is often referred overall design for the ball. with. It was a win-win. tance and drag. This is very to as a “pigskin” by many The only other remaining is- Stemming from rugby and important because of how people, but do you ever sue was inflating it, which as soccer, the footballs were a the spiral allows the football wonder why? Most people you can imagine, was a pret- lot rounder than what we to maintain it’s direction, as just perpetuate the idea that ty disgusting task. To avoid are used to seeing today. opposed to what’s referred footballs used to be made said disgusting task, straw Though it was intended to as a “wobbly pass”. out of pigskin, but as it turns and other materials would to be completely round, When it comes to pigskins out, that’s incorrect. sometimes be stuck into the the men on the sidelines nowadays, pro footballs are It may surprise you to learn pig bladder instead. This re- often got tired from hav- made from cowhide leath- that footballs were origi- sulted in an uneven lumpy ing to blow up the ball too er, while recreational and nally just inflated animal ball that clearly wasn’t as much during the course of youth footballs are made bladders, most commonly effective. Luckily, manually a game, so it was oftentimes from the synthetic vulca- that of a pig’s, because it blowing up a pig bladder fell put back into play lopsided. nized rubber, all of which was the easiest to acquire. out of fashion with the in- At the beginning stages of are now using a synthetic This might have been what vention of vulcanized rub- football, the game was about bladder for an overall less sparked the pigskin nick- ber in the 1840s. running the ball down the disgusting experience. name, but there’s no way In 1844 an American field, ball in hand. But when to be sure. In later years chemist, Charles Goodyear, the forward pass was inte- those animal bladders were patented his invention of grated into the game, the wrapped in a leather made Did you know? In the vulcanized rubber. Fire- shape of the ball became a Superbowl 108 game of cowhide which made the cured natural rubber was lot more important. In the ball much more durable. made sturdier with sulfur. 1900’s the football was given balls and 12 kicker Back then, the leather skin Football players were now the more modern, aerody- balls are used, 54 for was held together by lacing, starting to make their foot- namic shape you usually see practice, and 54 for the which you still see on the balls out of rubber and cow- today. This shape made it ball today. Except now it’s actual game. hide, as everybody was eager much easier for a player to -plansponsor.com used to give players a better to ditch the bladder inflat- throw the ball one handed

March/April 2021 12 SPORTS LEARNING ABOUT THE NEGRO LEAGUES By Kyleigh Johns, Stars, Hilldale Stars, Home- “ You look for his weak- Freelance Reporter stead Grays, Indianapolis ness, and while you look for Clowns, Kansas City Mon- it, he’s liable to hit 45 more archs, Memphis Red Sox, home runs.” New York Black Yankees, Cool Papa Bell was a center New York Cubans, Newark fielder who primarily played Eagles, Philadelphia Stars, for the St. Louis Stars and Pittsburgh Crawfords, and was inducted into the Base- St. Louis Stars. ball Hall of Fame in 1974. The Negro Leagues had Bell also played in the Mexi- some amazing Hall of Fam- can leagues for a little bit of ers like Satchel Paige, Josh his career. He was consid- Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and ered to be the fastest man to Oscar Charleston. Paige was ever play the game of base- the first Negro League play- ball. Stories about his speed er inducted into the Hall of are the stuff of legends. Fame in 1971, was the oldest Paige once said, “Let me tell Photo cortesy of Cherish Hall rookie to play in the major you about Cool Papa Bell. One team that had three of the four playersw leagues, and was the first One time he hit a line drive African-American to play in right past my ear, I turned a World Series. He played around and saw the ball hit for many years with many him in his rear end as he slid Due to the recent passing agents dictated when and teams but primarily was a into second.” of Hank Aaron, the media where black teams could pitcher for the Kansas City Oscar Charleston was an- has been filled with stories play. They subsequently Monarchs. Paige's pitching other center fielder and was about the Negro Leagues. passed a little of the game's helped the Cleveland Indi- known for his strengths as a What are they, and where attendance revenues on to ans beat the Boston Braves hitter. He primarily played are they now? the team’s owners. If any to win the 1948 World Se- from the Pittsburgh Craw- The Negro Leagues were team did not agree with the ries. He achieved 2x MLB fords but also managed United States professional scheduling practices of the All Star, 5x Negro League All many teams after playing. baseball legaues compris- players, agents ran the risk Star, World Series Cham- He was also inducted into ing of people of color. It of losing the venue where pion, Negro World Series the Baseball Hall of Fame in is commonly used to in- they played. The Cuban Gi- Champion, and the Cleve- 1976. clude professional African ants, formed in 1885 under lands Indains Hall of Fame The late Hank Aaron was American teams outside the the pretense of being dark- too. Cool Papa Bell is re- the last Negro League player leagues but also used for skinned Latin Americans, corded as stating, “He could alive who was also on a ma- the seven moderativly suc- traveled across the East in throw the ball right by your jor league roster. His pass- cessful leagues starting in a private railroad car just to knees all day,”[and] “He ing spurred on a renewed 1920 sometimes called the “ play local squads. made his living by throwing appreciation for the Negro Negro Major Leagues”. The There were many different the ball to a spot over the Leagues, the spirit of those Leagues were created be- names for the teams of the plate the size of a match- leagues and of its players cause people of color were Negro Leagues, and there book.” as being an interesting and not accepted into the major were different Leagues in Gibson was the second Ne- important part of baseball or minor baseball leagues general. There was the In- gro League player inducted history. due to racism in the United terstate League, National into the Baseball Hall of States. It provided African- Colored Baseball League, Fame in 1972. He was among American players the ability Southern Negro League, the very best power hitters Did you know? The Ne- to play on even terms with and the Negro American and catchers in baseball his- gro Leagues consisted their white counterparts League. Some of the teams tory. Gibson never played in of eight teams: Chi- and draw just as much at- that were in those leagues the major leagues because cago American Giants, tention from the fans. were the Atlanta Black of the unwritten “gentle- Chicago Giants, Cuban The Negro Leagues existed Crackers, Baltimore Black men's agreement” that pre- from 1920-1948 prompting Sox, Baltimore Elite Gi- vented people of color from Stars, Dayton Marcos, the break of the color barri- ants, Birmingham Black playing, but he did primar- Detroit Stars, Kansas er by Jackie Robinson. Peo- Barons, Brooklyn Royal Gi- ily play for the Homestead City Monarchs, India- ple who played in the Negro ants, Chicago American Gi- Grays and was known as the napolis ABCs and the leagues did have a tough ants, Cleveland Buckeyes, “ black Babe Ruth”. Paige St. Louis Giants. time though. White booking Cuban X Giants, Detroit once stated about Gibson, 13 March/April 2021 SPORTS Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Lightning Bolt has not had the opportunity to sufficiently cover Charger sports like it has in the past. We apologize for this inconvenience and look forward to a time when attending and reporting on games is no longer an issue.

March/April 2021 14 FEATURES ARTWORK INFLUENCED BY SPRING As the weather warms up, and students are looking towards the end of the school year, everything seems to be more vibrant and come more alive. Artwork here was created by Hailey Patten.

15 March/April 2021 APRIL 12 IS HUG YOUR DOG DAY By Nicolas Carter Staff Reporter Show your pup some extra love this month!

Bessie owned by Sally Dickinson

Bella owned by Don Frantz

Betsy Ross owned by Mrs. Berkes

Brandi owned by Mr. Linza

Breeland owned by Myckel Phillips

Braxson owned by Mr. Carlson

Chloe Zoe and Charlie owned by Mr. Rudolph

Jetta Lauderdale Ralphy owned by John Martin

Zeus and Ollive owned by Ms. Grimesey “Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how Zoey owned by Ms. Liekweg to listen.” March/April 2021 16 APRIL 12 IS HUG YOUR DOG DAY

Lola owned by Donna Marsh Luda owned by Mary Wolfrey

Maebee and Kelsey Wolfrey Luna owned by Ms. Slater

Milo owned by Mr. & Mrs. Morrigan owned by Dockery Mrs. Gattie

Snoopy owned by Sally Dickinson Shorty owned by Ms. Haire

“Dogs are not our whole life,

Tinkerbell owned by Toby owned by Ms. McCrary but they make John Martin our lives whole.” 17 March/April 2021 OP-ED READING RECS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH By Cara Hadden begins to retaliate both in and more than to join her father’s Features Editor out of the classroom, “Marin Cantii war band like her sister, Like most people whose must figure out how to take but is instead promised to the busy schedules were suddenly back the power and rewrite prince of a foreign Celtic tribe disrupted by the pandemic, I her own rules.” One aspect of as a wife. However, in a dra- found myself with a great deal the book I found interesting matic turn of events, Fallon is more free time. In response to was the social commentary of kidnapped by the Roman Em- the loss of my normal routine, I the unwritten rules that girls pire and sold to a select train- proceeded to use that free time must follow in school and in ing school for female gladia- as an excuse to awaken my ev- the greater world as well, as tors, which is owned by none er-present inner nerd and read well as exposing the double other than the man she hates more books. standards inherent in every- the most: Julius Caesar. As ten- While I like to read books thing from school dress codes sions rise and fights break out in various genres by different to sexual slander. Some of the both in and out of the arena, types of authors, I often find character archetypes were a Fallon must find a way to pro- in 2011. While adjusting to her myself drawn to books that bit stereotypical, and it came tect her loved ones, survive the new life in the United States, are either written by women or across at times like a Netflix political intrigue and nefarious Prout wants nothing more feature strong and complex fe- Original teen film. Regardless, plots of a pre-empire Rome, than to attend high school at male protagonists. Therefore, it was a short, easy read overall and navigate her complicated St. Paul’s School, a prestigious since March is National Wom- that kept me itching to find out feelings for a Roman soldier private boarding school in en’s Month, here are some what happened next to Marin named Cai. The novel is fast- New Hampshire that her fa- recommendations for female- and the other characters. I paced and an exciting look into ther and older sister both at- driven books that I have greatly would give this book 3.5 out a forgotten part of Roman his- tended. However, when Chessy enjoyed. of 5 stars and recommend this tory with compelling charac- is accepted to St. Paul’s and Rules for Being a Girl by book for ages 14 and up due to ters, intriguing romance, and begins her freshman year, she Candace Bushnell and Katie language, innuendo, and non- some of the best action scenes is shocked to discover that the Cotugno is a young adult re- graphic sexual harassment. I’ve read in a long time. Also, social atmosphere on campus alistic/contemporary fiction Fallon’s character changes as is largely male-oriented and novel that centers on Marin, she grows into an honor-bound chauvinistic. Unfortunately, an overachieving high school warrior and leader devoted to she is exposed to the worst senior who, aside from work- her community of gladiatrices of St. Paul’s at the end of her ing as an editor on her school and is the kind of female em- freshman year in 2014 when newspaper, dreams of going to powerment book that will in- she is date raped by an older Brown University to pursue a spire you to trade chick flicks classmate as part of a perverse career in journalism. She has with the girls for swordplay ritual for senior boys at the good grades, a boyfriend, a lessons. The Valiant is the first school. Chessy reports her as- stylish best friend, and a pleas- book in a trilogy, followed by sault to the police and testifies ant mentor-mentee relation- The Defiant and The Trium- against the assailant in court, ship with her English teacher phant. While some of the plot all while dealing with her re- Mr. Beckett, or “Bex” as the twists were kind of predictable, sidual trauma, just to find the students call him. However, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars St. Paul’s community that she Marin’s life is turned upside because the story and charac- was so excited to be part of had down when Bex makes a move ters fully immerse the reader turned against her and were on her, and she must grapple into the story. This book is defending her rapist instead. with the aftermath of her The Valiant by Lesley Livings- recommended for people ages As a result, Chessy Prout used teacher crossing professional ton is a young adult historical 14 and up due to violence and her pain to help others by go- boundaries. When she finally fiction novel that takes place in some innuendo. ing public with her story and musters the courage to tell the Roman Republic under the I have the Right To by Chessy becoming an advocate for vic- the administrators about what reign of Julius Caesar. Fallon is Prout and Jenn Abelson is a tims of sexual assault, which happened, they don’t believe a Celtic princess whose sister, memoir about Prout’s life from she continues to do today. her, so Marin takes matters the legendary warrior Sorcha, middle school to college. Hav- This book was both fascinat- into her own hands by publish- was killed in battle against Ju- ing grown up in Japan, Chessy ing and heartbreaking to read ing incendiary newspaper edi- lius Caesar’s invading armies Prout and her family are forced because it exposed the “rape torials and starting a feminist when Fallon was a child. Now to move to Florida following a culture” present in many afflu- book club. However, when Bex nearly 17, Fallon wants nothing massive earthquake in Japan ent private school communi- ties within the United States March/April 2021 18 OP-ED READING RECS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH through the lens of a young girl Passenger by Alexandra 21st century, and Nicholas, a how family can help one sur- trying to find a community of Bracken is a young adult his- black, free-spirited, former vive even the most difficult of her own in the midst of recov- torical fiction/time travel ad- slave stuck in the 18th century. trials. “It is a striking, heart- ering from having survived the venture about Etta Spencer, a While the love story was com- wrenching novel of an unfor- most intimate form of violence violin prodigy living in the 21st pelling, it developed a little too giving time, an unlikely friend- imaginable. While nonfiction century who, just before her quickly for my taste and bor- ship, and an indestructible isn’t usually my go-to genre, professional debut, is taken by dered on the ‘insta-love’ trope. love.” Any words that I write and some of the book’s con- a stranger and transported to Regardless, the book was a lot cannot describe how beauti- tent was disturbing, this book the year 1776, in the middle of of fun to read and is great for ful this book is. Despite being is definitely worth reading for the Atlantic Ocean. Forced into fans of Outlander. Passenger is written by a man, this novel anyone who wants to have a a dangerous world filled with the first book in a duology and belongs on this list because it better understanding of rape feuding time traveler families, is followed by Wayfarer. I give so eloquently depicts the uni- culture, the #MeToo Move- Etta finds herself at the mercy this book 4.5 out of 5 stars and versal female existence, the ment, and the mentality of a of the will of Cyrus Ironwood, recommend the novel for ages joys of motherhood and com- victim of sexual assault. Chessy the dictatorial patriarch of the 14 and up for some language, panionship, and includes one is an inspiring and courageous Ironwoods, the most powerful innuendo, racism, sexism, and of the best female friendships I person, and I can’t wait to see time traveler family through- some violence. have ever read (not to mention all the good she does with the out all time. The Ironwoods an exquisite ‘friends-to-lovers’ rest of her life. I give this book seek a powerful artifact that subplot). Mariam and Laila 4.2 out of 5 stars, and recom- has the potential to alter ev- both possess an elegant, quiet mend this book for ages 17 and eryone’s fate, and Cyrus thinks strength that ultimately helps older due to language, innu- Etta knows how to find it. With them survive an environment endo, and graphic descriptions no one to trust but Nicholas wrought with abuse and op- of rape. CAVEAT: I understand Carter, an 18th century sailor pression. Hosseini gives a voice that the issues discussed in who is similarly bound to the to some of the most complex the book occur (more often Ironwoods, Etta must travel human emotions in a manner than they should) to people across continents and time to that is unparalleled, and his younger than 17, and that this find the artifact and destroy it prose is so personal and emo- story should not be forbidden before the Ironwoods can use tional that one will be staring to individuals younger than it for their own nefarious pur- at the wall for hours with tears 17 who wish to read the book poses. Of course, complica- in their eyes after finishing the (Chessy was 14 when she was tions arise as Etta and Nicholas book. This novel is consid- assaulted). If someone younger discover all that will be lost as ered a modern classic, and is wants to read this book, I think a result of their journey, and Hosseini’s second standalone they should be allowed, but “treacherous forces may sepa- A Thousand Splendid Suns novel, preceded by The Kite only if they are aware of the rate Etta not only from Nicho- by Khaled Hosseini is an adult Runner. I give this book 5 out potentially triggering content las but from her path home... historical/literary fiction novel of 5 stars and recommend it beforehand and are emotion- forever.” Alexandra Bracken is that spans about a thirty-year for ages 17 and up due to al- ally capable of handling the one of my favorite authors, so period in the history of Af- lusions to suicide, domestic material. it is no surprise that I loved ghanistan, from the Soviet abuse, rape, war, cancer, sex- this book. Bracken is a master invasion to the rise and fall of ism, arranged child marriage, at character development and the Taliban terrorist group. The miscarriage and abortion, and crafting complex plots with book centers on two Afghan mutilation. CAVEAT: I under- many unexpected twists and women, Mariam and Laila, as stand that the issues discussed turns throughout. The time they come of age generations in the book occur (more often travel logic was mostly consis- apart in very different environ- than they should) to people tent and comprehensible, and ments during the political tur- younger than 17, and that this the various historical settings moil of their country until they story should not be forbidden were a joy to read. The com- are forced together through a to individuals younger than mentary on gender and race chain of unfortunate yet fated 17 who wish to read the book relationships throughout the events. The book captures the (some of the characters are novel are also interesting, as the daily life of these women try- young teenagers when they en- book is written from the pering to achieve happiness and counter some of these issues in spectives of both Etta, a strong- love amidst all the tragedy and the novel). If someone younger willed white woman from the misfortune to demonstrate wants to read this book, I think 19 March/April 2021 OP-ED READING COME PLAY, IF YOU’RE APP Stephanie Martinez opens with a story about this movie, since there was more RECS TO Op-Ed Editor monster named Larry who just talking than action. We barely Come Play is a horror/thriller wants to be your friend. Creepy saw Larry, and when we did, it CELEBRATE movie that was released in Oc- right? was only a glimpse. We only got tober 2020. The movie is about It gets creepier as the more one face shot of him, and he’s Oliver, played by Azhy Robert- Oliver reads the story, the clos- not even scary. Another thing NATIONAL son, who is an autistic boy who er Larry comes into our world. I didn’t like is that there were communicates via his phone. Larry finally comes into our more plots besides the Larry WOMEN’S His parents, played by Gillian world as Sarah reads ahead, situation. There was so much Jacobs who plays his mother, worried for Oliver as he be- going on, yet so little at the MONTH Sarah, and John Gallagher Jr comes more distant. same time. At the end it was a who plays his father, Marty, do Thus begins the horror. Larry tear-jerker as when Larry final- they should be allowed, but not have the best of relation- hunts for Oliver wanting to ly cornered Oliver and Sarah. only if they are aware of the ships. take him back into his world, Larry demands Oliver come potentially triggering content Oliver’s parents are splitting but can only do so with elec- with him, and Sarah sacrifices beforehand and are emotion- up and in the midst of this tricity around. Oliver, being herself for her son after finally ally capable of handling the story, making Oliver feel more non-verbal, can’t tell his moth- making eye contact with him material. alone. In addition, Oliver is er when Larry is around before for the first time. While this is far from an ex- also being bullied and is strug- it’s too late. The whole movie If you don’t mind too many tensive list, these are some gling in therapy. During one is just Larry following Oliver plots, a lot of dialogue, and not books I have read recently that night as Oliver’s parents are around wanting to drag him a lot of action, this movie is for feature strong female char- fighting, a creepy app shows into the darkness. you. It is rated PG-13. acters that I believe are good up on Oliver’s phone. The app Overall, I really didn’t like the reads for National Women’s Month. However, everyone’s story deserves to be told, so WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH take a moment and have a conversation with the women SHOWCASE and girls in life (perhaps over a good book), and get to know how truly amazing they are.

The Women’s History Month showcase in front foyer for the month of March. March/April 2021 20 OP-ED BATTLEFIELD: “STAYCATION” VS. VACATION Which model works out best depends on the Charger involved. What works for one, may not work for another! By Cara Seely, News Editor and Emma Purcell, Op-Ed Editor ing, I can’t fathom the idea of and lonely? I know I wouldn’t. week. She wants to rent a rus- Pro-Staycation paragliding or swimming with There are new songs I should tic cabin in the mountains, stay (Cara’s POV) dolphins. Netflix is practically learn on the piano. There are in a beach house overlooking This Spring Break, I want calling my name! A “stayca- a few novels I just haven’t got- sparkly, clear water, or rent out nothing more than to sit on my tion” will save me money. All of ten around to reading. I need a hotel room in a loud and busy couch, read a few good books, the money that I’ve been sav- to give myself a mani-pedi and city so she can shop during the and watch old rom coms. The ing up from my job needs to go indulge in inexpensive choco- day and eat take-out at night. last thing I would want to towards my college education, lates. I could deep-clean my As much as I want to encour- do is go on an expensive and not a beach vacation. I also room and donate the clothes I age her to follow her dreams, stressful vacation in the midst don’t know who I would invite. no longer wear. I could finally I worry for her safety. The last of a global pandemic. Even I don’t want to expose any of my sit down and craft answers to thing I would want for her is to though many people take the friends to the Coronavirus, and the dozens of Facebook mes- end up getting sick. I wish she proper precautions in order I especially don’t want to put sages from my grandparents would be content with just a to go on safe vacations these my family in danger of getting that have been crowding my girl’s night-in baking, watching days, I still feel that would be sick either. If I went on a trip, notification screen for the past romcoms, and participating far too nerve-wracking for me I would simply be bored and several weeks. Emma, on the in some light-hearted gossip right now. After this long nine lonely. Who would want to put other hand, has told me how (“Did you hear that so-and- weeks of learning and study- so much time and money into badly she wants to get away so got voted off of The Bach- a vacation just to end up bored from Fredericksburg for a elor?”). Is that so much to ask for? Vacation virtual school, then work, then to be getting sick this spring never been to, or find different (Emma’s POV): I sleep and repeat that sched- break! It’s my time to shine! hiking paths. Therefore, I’m ule the next day. It has felt like I think setting up a day trip hoping the weather won’t dis- This spring break, I’m leaving an endless cycle. There’s noth- to Richmond or DC would be appoint. I’m sure there will be desperately looking for an es- ing wrong with staying home incredibly fun. In Richmond I a few nice days throughout the cape. Of course, we are still in and relaxing, watching some could travel around Carytown week to explore the outdoors. I a global pandemic. I am going Netflix, or reading a new book, and spend some money in su- am super excited for this 7 day to keep to myself and stay safe, but I’m looking for some fun. I per cute stores. In DC, I could vacation to roll around the cor- but I also want to explore a bit obviously will be staying close tour a few museums and then ner. I don’t think it can come and get out of the house. These to town since I don’t have the stop for a quick bite to eat in a soon enough! past few months in school have funds to go too far. I also don’t delicious restaurant. If I decide been dragging on, and the last want to travel a far distance be- to stay in Fredericksburg, how- thing I want to do is spend cause of the current condition ever, I could explore downtown more time in my house. I go to we are living in! I don’t want and the historical sites that I’ve Staff Reporter Nicolas Carter opted for a vacation to Iowa during his spring break. The pictures below are some sights he saw along the way.

21 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S CORE COLLECTION This article is a review of two Five Nights at Freddy’s games, plus Sister Location. By: Katie Stafford Staff Reporter Animatronics, and some have I put in Five Nights at Freddy’s: already snatched a child, stuff- Core Collection in my Switch, ing them inside the dark, prob- expecting to be given one game ing insides of their own metal slot in the title screen, press chest cavities; and as a mat- A to enter, then choice which ter of fact, The Twisted Ones game I want to play; howev- novel from what’s known as er, the first five games - Five the original trilogy - The Silver Nights at Freddy’s, Five Nights Eyes, The Twisted Ones, and at Freddy’s 2, Five Nights The Fourth Closet - confirms at Freddy’s 3, Five Nights at this. Freddy’s 4, and Five Nights at “Charlie’s legs were cramped Freddy’s: Sister Location - ap- and bent at odd angles, wedged pear on the title screen, on its between pieces of machinery. own separate slot. One car- She must have been stuck this tridge did that. I decide on Sis- way for some time, but she had ter Location first, then if I feel no way of knowing how long. like doing another review, it’ll Her arms were constricted, Photo by Katie Stafford be on either the fourth or the suspended away from her body From FNaF: Sister Location on Night 4. second game. Now, it’s time to into the arms of the suit. Her “We don’t want you to feel the alphabet. Like A being one, boot up Sister Location on my whole body was covered in overwhelmed, or else you or B being two. Is that it?” I Switch for the first time. small points of pain, bruises might come back,” Hand Unit add. I put in some random let- “There’s no doubting of what and cuts from tiny pieces of tells me after my first night. I ters refusing to stay still long you achieved on a technical plastic and metal that deep- spent the time zapping Fun- enough to properly click them level. These are clearly state-of- ened each time they banged time Foxy, Ballora, and Baby with the white mouse, and the-art. There are just certain against her. Charlie could feel with controlled shocks to en- the voice has been changed to . . . design choices that were blood trickling down her skin tice them to come out. I press Angsty Teen. made for these robots that we in half a dozen places. She B to return to the vent I was in, My new voice-guide has a don’t fully understand. We itched to wipe it away but had and jump as loud rattling and funny story about a dead body were hoping you could shed no idea how she would struggle thuds echo to me. I rush out, to being found in one of the some light on those,” someone without triggering the springs. be given time at home. vents, then he corrects him- requests a man, who’s revealed (pg 217 of The Twisted Ones While Mike Afton is munch- self, “Okay, not a funny story, to be William Afton at the end novel).’” The “springs’’ men- ing on popcorn that could re- but it’s a story.” Not only does of the dialogue that lasts for tioned are spring locks, keep- ally use Exotic Butters, I watch he have stories to tell, but he about half a minute. ing her from dying in Twisted a show about a vampire father seems beside himself with William Afton explains to the Freddy. not wanting to care for his glee in zapping Ballora and male voice who questions him: “Daddy, why won’t you let child, while his wife explains Funtime Foxy with controlled “She can dance; she can sing. me play with her?” A young everything their half-vampire, shocks. “You sure like zapping She’s equipped with a built-in girl with a British accent asks half-human son is doing. “Dad- them, do you?” I ask him, then helium tank for inflating bal- her father. Then, I’m taken to dy, you let the other children I swallow hard, now realizing loons right at her fingertips. the elevator, where a voice - go see her. Why won’t you let I agree with him: It’s kind of She can take song requests. She named Hand Unit - is there to me go?” the girl with her Brit- fun giving the Funtime Ani- can even dispense ice cream.” welcome me, whether I came ish accent demands her father, matronics a controlled shock, The “she” Afton’s referring to across the job offering from when the screen blackens once and I didn’t like the thought of is Circus Baby, since she’s be- an ad or even a dare. A click the show ends. killer robots getting shocked ing revealed to the player as sounds as an electronic keypad “Look, I like your voice, but I all the time, and silently plot- the two talk. Then the voice appears on screen, the letters won’t say no to that young Brit- ting revenge for the fact they’ve tells Mr. Afton, with all due re- and numbers glitching out, ish accent. That truly sounds been abused by me - the pro- spect, those weren’t the design making putting my name im- nice,” I say; I’m told it’s best not tagonist, Mike Afton. choices in question. I knew he possible. Seeing I had difficul- to get bored of the voice direct- “Okay, I don’t mind that,” I was hiding the fact these “ro- ty, Hand Unit auto-corrects it ing me, so I can change it for say, going over to Baby, since bots,” as the voice put it, were for me; the protagonist’s name the second night, and I should the voice synthesizer is bro- designed to capture children, is Eggs Benedict, even though use the numbers to change the ken, and its default voice has and this isn’t just speculation theories have proven the per- voice. “Hold on. There are no returned. Where Baby is, the either. I knew there are hid- son is actually Micheal Afton, numbers. Unless the numbers control shock isn’t even work- den blueprints of the Funtime older brother of Crying Child. are replaced with the letters of ing, and my guide will be March/April 2021 22 CHARGING CORNER FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S CORE COLLECTION temporary offline to fix the power will be restored shortly. me go play with her. She’s so count the children. Not sure problem. The voice explains, When you crawl through Bal- pretty and shiny. Didn’t you why. I was always acutely aware “Various other systems might lora Gallery, go slowly; she can- make her just for me?” of how many there were in the be offline as well. Such as se- not see you, and can only listen With casual bongos playing room with me,” Baby says. curity, vent locks, and oxygen.” for your movement. When you as elevator music, I’m not ex- She continues: “Two, then He then does what he plans hear her music become louder, actly comforted with my guide three, then two, then three, to fix the issue with the- con she is growing near; listening trying to make my job at Cir- then four, then two, then none. trolled shock button. With the for you. Wait, and be still.” And cus Baby’s Entertainment and They usually played together whoosh of power going out, true to form, my guide explains Rentals soothing, especially in groups of two or three. I was darkness swallows the room just that to me: I have to manu- with how he pointed out I must covered in glitter. I smelled like I’m in. Tinny clicks and thuds ally restart the whole system, be nervous starting this job, birthday cake. There were two, can be heard, along with the and to rush through Ballora since I might be wondering if then three, then five, then four. ringing sound of no one on the Gallery as quickly as I possibly I’ll ever see my family again. I can do something special; did other end of the line. can. Nice, just what their new em- you know that? I can make ice I gasp softly when Baby’s I jump, stifling a scream, when ployee needs: To have the re- cream, although I only did it lilting voice says, “I don’t rec- my guide, who said he was de- ality of knowing he or she’s once. There were four, then ognize you; you are new. I re- activating himself to avoid any risking their life to sink home. three, then two . . . then one.” member this scenario, howev- auditory distractions, tells me The right words to have some- Icy fear claws down my spine er. It’s a strange thing to want to hurry up. I had my Switch one desperate enough to quit when I hear Baby’s voice soft- to do - to come here. I’m curi- as far from my face as possible, on the spot or purposely get ens with a scary sweetness ous as to what brings a person the volume at full blast; I knew themselves fired by either not holding a vague malicious note to want to spend their nights how scary Ballora’s jumpscare leaving the elevator or finding within her tone. in a place like this. Willingly. was, and I was likely to be more the best hidey hole and refus- “Something happened when Maybe curiosity; maybe igno- frightened by the screech that ing to come out until their shift there was one. A little girl, rance.” I shiver when she says sounds verus her face, face is over. And if that hasn’t been standing by herself. I was that last part, wondering if plates removed to expose wires enough of a motivation to leave no longer . . . myself. And I Mike’s ignorant about what his tightly connected, suddenly work, then learning my pay’s stopped singing. My stom- father’s been doing down here. appearing on screen. Some- been docked by a large amount ach opened, and there was ice “There is a space under the how, I get through without get- a second later is another rea- cream. I couldn’t move; at least, desk. Someone before you ting jumpscared; although, my son, all because of “lackluster” not until she stepped closer. crafted it into a hiding place, heart races as fast as if I had work. There was screaming for a mo- and it worked for him. I recom- been jumpscared several times. “Oh, okay,” I say, learning I’ll ment, but only for a moment. mend that you hurry though. The Y button is used for the be doing maintenance work Then other children rushed in You’ll be safe there. Just try not audio response to quiet Fun- I may or may not be skilled again, but they couldn’t hear to make eye contact. It will be time Freddy when I enter the in, and it’ll mean six to eight her over their own sounds of over soon; they will lose inter- breaker room. “Okay, so does weeks of recovery and physical excitement. est,” Baby explains. Soon, after that mean I have to do Ballora therapy to get someone actu- “I still hear her sometimes. closing the space under the all over again?” I ask, once I ally trained in maintenance Why did that happen?” Baby desk, I hear the metallic taps shiver at seeing Funtime Fred- work. To showcase my defi- questions. I wait for a moment, of a metal finger clashing with dy’s jumpscare when I stopped ance in what I’m told to do, I hoping for more, but silence the thin sheet of metal keeping paying full attention to him. go and visit Baby, even though greets me. I guess it’s time to myself safe. I soon die, once it I go back to the main control I’m told not to go in unauthor- visit Funtime Foxy now. In the starts to move the door a sec- module; so, I do have to do ized areas, but the vent to Baby air duct, I shiver, remember- ond time. Ballora all over again after all. opens, along with Funtime Au- ing two things about Funtime Once I’m able to push the Great. ditorium, where Funtime Foxy Foxy: One, he can sense me door closed a second time, Second try was successful, is. through my body heat; two, Baby tells me, “When your since I took great care in keep- “Did you know I was on stage after the mandatory jumpscare guide comes back online, he ing an eye on Freddy, and using once? It wasn’t for very long; he delivers at the end of this is going to tell you that he was the Bon-Bon audio to lure him only one day. What a wonder- night, I’ll have to endure Night unsuccessful; that you must away from me. My shift over, I ful day though! I was in a small 4. restart the system manually. watch the same show, and this room with balloons and a few Correction: Funtime Freddy’s He will then tell you to crawl time the vampire says kids are tables. No one sat at the tables motion activated, not sens- through Ballora Gallery as fast always hyperactive, but his though, but children would ing my body heat. Either way, as you can to reach the breaker wife points out the people at run in and out. Some were he’s not Ballora with having room. If you follow his instruc- the daycare had to bat him out afraid of me; others enjoyed to be aware of how loud her tions, you will die. Ballora will of the air with a broom. Right my songs. Music was always music is. The way I’m able to not return to her stage any- on cue, the young British girl coming from somewhere else, get through Funtime Audito- more. She will catch you. The pleads, “Daddy, just once let down a hall. I would always rium is going nice and slow. 23 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S CORE COLLECTION Before moving, I do flash the that you never left the build- past or future. tend.” Her voice leaves once beacon to see where Funtime ing last night. The cameras “I wonder though, if you more, and I shudder when she Foxy is, and flash it again- af were searching for you, but were a freshly opened pint had slowly whispered that last ter every few steps. Once I see they couldn’t find you. I have of ice cream, how would you word, like it was a word a little her - him? (I mean, the default you hidden too well; I kid- feel about something with kid wondered the meaning of, voice called Funtime Foxy a napped you.” I shiver when she that name. Thankfully, I don’t but didn’t know if it was a bad “she” when I had to check on whispers the last three words. think a freshly opened pint of or good word, if it was banned her) - I put down my Switch, I knew I was playing a video ice cream feels anything at all. or allowed to say. Maybe to and wait for at least a whole game, but my icy fear felt like I Uh-oh - it sounds like someone Baby it was seen as the most minute, realizing my ears are was jammed in this metal ani- else is in the building. Shh,” banned, bad word to say. straining to hear sound, like I matronic suit myself, or it could Baby hushes. Her voice abrupt- A warning beeping blares was physically there with Mike be I was feeling the game pro- ly leaves me, and I then half- three times. I jump, gulping in Afton, who’s in danger of be- tagonist’s palpable fear, if he is hiss, half-whisper, “Come back! air, when Ballora jerks upward ing killed by a pink-and-white frightened, and many people Don’t leave me here alone!” suddenly, and very slowly my robo-fox. When I pick up my would be scared if they’ve just I hear someone saying she heart and breathing return to Switch again, it’s the same woken up in a strange metal has to be moved forward, and somewhat of a normal rate. My process: flash, move, stop and animatronic suit, then discov- how all the Funtime Anima- calmness is short-lived when flash, wait if she’s there, and do ered they’ve been kidnapped tronics can’t last a day without the faceplate is opened, and I it over and over again. by a very tall robot with an un- breaking down. The man with have to survive with these little Finally, I make it to Funtime known agenda in aiding us. his fellows put it on something animatronic doll things that Freddy. It took awhile to get “Don’t be afraid,” she adds then leave. I jump, hearing can climb up to me. The ones the disk I needed inside him, quickly, and I’m half-tempt- loud clattering and whirling on the sides are annoying, but but that was doable. However, ed in scoffing at her, since as Ballora is moved in front fine; it’s the ones that climb in- trying to press the silly button most people would be scared, of me, her back being placed side the suit that make it hard. under Bon-Bon’s bowtie is an- whether she said don’t be or against what seems to be the How do I get rid of it? Wiggling other matter altogether. Each not. “I’m not going to hurt you. wall, but I know she’s been does nothing, and I’m forced to time I get close to him, and I am only going to keep you for pressed against the Scooper. wiggle the suit to get rid of the even waiting him out, doesn’t a little while. Try not to wiggle, Even though I knew what ones on the sides, while keep- work; plus, he’ll jumpscare me, though. Your inside something would be happening to Ballora, ing the ticking spring locks, if I’m not quick enough. But by that came from my old piz- I held my breath, waiting for which are affected by Mike’s my second try, I got to the sec- zeria. I don’t think it was ever the yellow light to blaze across breathing and heartbeat, ond power module through the used; at least not the way it was her thrashing, jerking body, wound up tight to keep myself button under his bowtie. I don’t meant to be used. Too danger- but Baby adds, “There’s some- alive until help arrives. even try to do Funtime Audi- ous. It’s just big enough for one thing very important that I’ve I startle out of my intense torium, and mute my volume, person to fit inside, but just learned to do overtime. concentration on my fourth going as fast as I can through it. barely. “Do you know what it is?” try. I learned they’ll scare me After a silent jumpscare I didn’t “You’re in the Scooping I shake my head, exhaling if the locks aren’t wound up or even flinch when I knew what Room. Do you know why they slowly. “How to pretend. Do they climb high up on the side to expect, the British girl said, call it the Scooping Room? It’s you ever play make believe?” of the suit. The ones who get “Daddy, she can make bal- because, dummy, where they I nod at the question; I used in don’t do anything unless the loons! Did you know she can use the Scooper. I thought that to play make believe with my locks aren’t wound up enough. make balloons? Oh, Daddy, would be obvious. Isn’t that old American Girl dolls back There are times where I won- let me go to her.” I realize the a fun name for something?” when I was a kid, and the ques- der if I should back away from British-accent girl is Elizabeth I shake my head slightly, tion was “Do you ever play the review, but I knew I had Afton, daughter of William Af- speechless from fear and not make believe?” and not “Do only one more night after this ton, and who’ll be scooped by wanting to miss a thing Cir- you still play make believe to nightmarish three minutes of Baby, and I do know she does cus Baby says. “The Scooper. this day?” She continues: “Pre- my life. I get so close; I was re- see her the very end, but gets It sounds like something you tend to be one way, when you alizing there are three phases. a treat she didn’t and won’t ex- would use for ice cream, or cus- are really the other?” Why did The first: getting used to wig- pect or want. tard, or sprinkles. It sounds like I see that question really per- ging and winding up the locks; “Shh . . . be still, and quiet. something you want at your sonally, like as personal as a second is the same, but having You’ve been sleeping for quite birthday party to ensure you question if one’s a good or bad to be more on top of them; the a while.” Baby saying “sleep- get a heaping portion of every person? Why did I, reader? “It’s third is where all the locks are ing” makes me wonder if the . . . good . . . thing.” I shake my very important. Ballora never blinking red, meaning they Sister Location protagonist head again, disagreeing with learns, but I do. They think are in danger of snapping, fainted when given the man- her again; the Scooper doesn’t there is something wrong on and I keep dying to that part. datory jumpscare by Funtime sound like something I’d want the inside. The only thing that So annoying and frustrating. Foxy. “I think they noticed at any of my birthday parties, matters is knowing how to pre- I died in this night so much March/April 2021 24 CHARGING CORNER FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S CORE COLLECTION that I knew when I was going or realizing I feel nothing at all, wind up the music box with B, However, once I pull it down, to get jumpscared: the player because I’d grown too used to I accidentally go to the pause I jump, then roar with laughter wouldn’t be able to move the being down on my luck, a sav- menu and leave the night. I after Foxy’s jumpscare; Balloon white mouse on screen at all, agely endless reminder of how did learn I can flash my flash- Boy had vanished from his giving him or her a split second defeated I am trying to beat light when looking for stuff place in the Game Area, and to prepare for the jumpscare. this night. by pressing A, and to wear the hadn’t been found in the vents, “Nope, I want to go back,” Instead, I decided on a dif- Freddy mask, I hold the R but- monitor or no monitor, so I just I say. For a good while this ferent approach. To review the ton, and to pull up the monitor, wasn’t fast enough in checking minigame of giving kids cup- first three nights of Five Nights it’s the L button. I need notice the corridor. cakes with Baby would appear at Freddy’s and Five Nights at I hate how the game lulls the “Balloon Boy! No! You’re go- whenever I die, and I try to Freddy’s 2, and go back to Sis- player in a false sense of secu- ing to get me killed!” I half beat it, but never did. I find the ter Location every now and rity by not doing much, be- snap, half cry out in horror. nearest hole, and fall in for an- then. I mean, this is Five Nights sides wounding up the music Right on cue, like he’d been other attempt in Night 4. Soon, at Freddy’s: Core Collection, box, and then a crazy amount waiting for me to say that, Foxy I play with my settings, making which released on January 12, of work for the first night when comes into the picture. It’s only the speed of the mouse moving 2021, and it seems fitting to re- three in the morning hits. Night 2; this shouldn’t be hard, and traveling to the other side view more than one game. But, Second night didn’t go very since it doesn’t even come close of the screen faster, and I can’t hopefully, being high on some well. Mixed up the button for to holding a candle compared remember what the default success, should get my spir- the mask and monitor, and to Sister Location’s Night 4. settings were, so I have to get its up enough to know I can couldn’t put on the mask be- I was hating this team up be- used to the faster speed. do Night 4. Then what about fore Toy Chica scared me. Foxy tween Balloon Boy and Foxy. I Before changing the settings, Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 and got his time with me by scar- could, technically, get through I struggled for three hours 4? Well, I plan to do a separate ing me in the second attempt; I the night with Balloon Boy in straight to no avail, but I can review on both games, and the was trying to get rid of Balloon the office with the other ani- look up a tutorial or two for remainder of Sister Location, if Boy, who laughed while in my matronics, minus Foxy: I can their tips and tricks to make I hadn’t gotten through Nights office with me, and Foxy came. still wind up the music box to it easier, or at least, to a point 4 and 5 - mainly Night 4 - by By my third try, I learned the keep the Puppet at bay; the where I can understand. The the end of this review. true reason for Balloon Boy, Freddy mask isn’t affected Youtuber, StayCalmCursory, Because I already tackled the once he enters the office: He’s with him in the room, so Toy suggests to not wiggle the final completion of Five Nights at there so the player can not use Bonnie and Toy Chica (maybe two robo-dolls, Minireens, off Freddy’s 2 in Help Wanted, this the flashlight, since someone even Mangled) shouldn’t too as the final seconds tick off the is more of me seeing what’s dif- is in there with the gamer, and terrible; and if I’m eagle-eyed three minutes that feel like it ferent, so let’s do that one first. that usually means a death enough, I could spot the blue takes forever. She explains the “Oh! What’s going on?” I ask. wish delivered by Foxy the Pi- eyes of Freddy’s turn to black side ones come in twos, and to I’m in some kind of Freddy rate is the consequence. before he comes to see me. pretend the ones crawling into suit, or I am Freddy, or maybe “Knew it,” I say, flinching as Everyone but Foxy, who needs the suit aren’t there, since the I’m looking through the eyes Foxy, his metal fangs gleam- to have the flashlight blazing player can’t shake them off. She of the kid who possesses the ing with his mouth wide open, into him to scare him off, can does tell the viewer, when he Freddy animatronic. An ear- leaps at me. Laughing Balloon be done with Balloon Boy cack- or she reaches the two minute splitting half blaring alarm, Boy decided to enter my office, ling in the corner of the room, mark, it becomes a nightmare. half screech sounds, and while and the robot pirate fox was even if it makes the night hard- I now had to take the knowl- I look back between motion- there to slay me, or to see me er than necessary. edge with a mouse speed I still less Bonnie and Chica, my ears as a naked endoskeleton, and “Oh, geez. What luck,” I gasp. hadn’t adjusted to. slightly aching from the noise, then savagely stuff the protag- The second I heard the jumps- Three days. Three days where the screen then glitches, black- onist in a suit. care for either the Puppet or I went from angry, to disheart- en while I’m informed an error “Oh, I didn’t know Golden Mangle, I hit six am; I survived ened, to downright depressed; happened, then I’m taken to Freddy can appear.” The mo- Night 2. “Where am I?” I ques- I kept dying at the final few the title screen. What just hap- ment I see the slumped, no- tion, then gasp. Not only did I seconds. No sign of success. pened was creepy, weird, and endoskeleton Golden Freddy know where I was, but it was I got so used to being numb unsettling. sitting limply, heavy arms end- slightly different: I was Fred- with defeat that I no longer “I think I broke him. I think I ing with very slightly curled dy, or seeing through the eyes felt anything when I lost, and broke Phone Guy. I must have,” broad fingers, metal gray teeth of the kid possessing him, in there were times I purposely I say. He just said, “Hello? Hel- showing from his slack open what now seems to be the Party lost because I couldn’t stand lo hello?” when he cuts off, and mouth, I pull up the monitor. Room. There was one thing dif- another defeat. I couldn’t stand I thought he would explain to A few seconds later, I lower it, ferent: Bonnie and Chica were the brief flare of anger that me why I am working here. and check the vents and hall; still there, but looking at me, I’m failing on one the hardest Even without Phone Guy, I do his face is in the hall, and swift- eyes so dark they seem to have nights in this entire franchise, pretty well, but when trying to ly flip the monitor back on. their dead, glassy eyes gouged 25 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S CORE COLLECTION out. three minutes? Couldn’t it be Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzaria. First drils, dangling in the air beside Because Night 2 gave me such two minutes, or even a minute? night went smoothly, but I did him. Meanwhile, the other paw an issue, I thought not doing Why three agonizingly slow fully realize waiting until two is stripped of its fur, and leaves Night 3, as getting to Night 3 minutes of gameplay and my or three to move is nerve-rack- it a black claw with either three should be good enough. Let life? ing, and Golden Freddy kinda or four talons. me try Night 4 of Sister Loca- On day five of trying to beat appeared. His face flashed with Withered Bonnie doesn’t kill tion for a while, maybe even Night 4, I looked up a way to the words “It’s me” in my face me; Foxy does. The pirate robo- up to a day, and I’ll do the first skip the night, and it’s possi- until I pulled up the monitor. fox kills me once more, since I three nights of Five Nights ble, but as far as I can tell, only The A button is to close the ran out of battery on the flash- at Freddy’s, hopefully, unless on PC. Even though I knew it doors, while B is to use the light. So, it looks like my Help Night 2 is going to give me so was futile with the review be- flashlight, or see what’s- out Wanted strategy might keep much trouble, like this fran- ing played on my Switch, I side the office, and the L but- me alive. Since I didn’t know I chise’s prequel-sequel did to spent a good six to seven hours ton to pull up the monitor. could use the flashlight when me. How do I know the second hunting for a way to get into Even though Five Nights at I was looking at the monitor, is a prequel? Answer: There the game’s database to hack Freddy’s 2 has better graphics, I used the flashlight only to are several clues, but two main the game to skip Night 4. Be- and probably the jumpscares check vents and corridor; now, is that the Toy Animatronics fore that, a YouTuber, Thic- aren’t so in the player’s face, Help Wanted is much easier are scraped at the end of their knoddles, explained how to it’s a lot more creepy than the than Five Nights at Freddy’s game, and Phone Guy isn’t beat the night on the Switch; others I’ve played. WIth that 2. For example, I could have, dead in Five Nights at Freddy’s he got the idea through a You- assessment, I’m going to play in Help Wanted, theoretical- 2, when he dies in the fourth Tuber, TheBiohazardKing. The Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 a little ly, have the A button pressed night of the first game. way I was doing, through my more, starting with Night 3. down to keep the Puppet from “You’re not so hard. It’s just in own experience, and what he “Wait, did he move? Did he jumpscaring me, while doing my head to think you’re impos- explained, was impossible. seriously move? Can he move?” everything - check vents, awash sible,” I tell myself and Night 4 He tells the viewer to “snap” I question nervously, seeing an the hallway with the blazing of Sister Location. Another five the screen, which is using the unfamiliar yet familiar figure white light from the flash- hours of my life is wasted on touch screen, to get the mouse standing on the black-and- light’s beam, put Freddy mask this one night. Although what I side to side. Going up and white checkered floor tower- on once I have Balloon Boy said was a steadily growing de- down is fast and easy; however, ing in the narrow hallway near and Toy and Withered Anima- fiance and desperation toward going side to side is slow, like my right door, too far to be an tronics in my office, and keep Night 4, I didn’t even believe three seconds wasted slow. I immediate threat. I look at Foxy at bay. However, in the half-heartedly of what I was tried the strategy myself, and Parts and Services, hoping he’s original, it’s so much harder. saying, and I kept on having my touch wasn’t moving the slumped against the wall, sit- Not only is the infinite button to look at that purposely-done mouse slightly, let alone “snap- ting, but he’s not there. An icy pressing able to keep Puppet glitching red game-over screen ping” to the side. trickle of fear begins to thrill soothed now gone, since I have over and over again. Looks like After several deaths, I went through me; he can move. I to flip up the monitor to keep I either have to admit total de- from swiping my finger on the check on him once more, and Puppet from scaring me, but feat in completing this night or screen to tapping on the need- see he’s no longer in the Main the Toy and Withered Anima- to actually believe what I’ve be- ed side to no avail, I checked to Hall. Who’s he? It’s Withered tronics are so much more ac- gun to say. For some reason, I see if my touch screen worked. Bonnie. His face is missing, tive, and this isn’t considering was beginning to see the failure I closed the game, went to Ma- leaving a darkness yawning Balloon Boy and Foxy having of beating this night as a rea- rio Galaxy to throw some Star where his face is, but tiny red some kind of secret allegiance son to give up video game jour- Bits with the touch screen, and lights blaze where his eyes in plotting my defeation. nalism, since if I can’t beat one saw it works. Since the touch should be, and I can vaguely “Okay, I don’t think I can of the hardest - no, maybe the screen wasn’t working, Night see the metal framework swal- do it,” I say, a tendril of fear hardest - nights of the whole 4 is impossible for me. Al- lowed in shadows, a blackness still having its icy grip on me. Five Nights at Freddy’s fran- though I cannot beat it since he seemed to have taken con- I made it to four am, and just chise, then what’s the point, going from side to side wastes trol of, concentrating it where barely avoided getting jumps- other than boring my readers precious seconds, which could his face once was. This isn’t cared by Withered Bonnie and with crazy long articles? Or it mean a shift completed or a considering how what seems Withered Chica, when wind- could be I’m losing my mind; game over, life or death, I can to be his normal teeth acts as ing up the music box. But Foxy I’ve been struggling for four to play the first Five Nights at a menacing fence for the dark- killed me, and I reeled away, five days to beat this one night, Freddy’s game, and try to reach ness, which can’t hide the glint shivering, during and a few and I’ve been on the verge of at least the third night. of sharp teeth-like metal near minutes after the scare. I did tears, since I’m 30 to 40 sec- The moment I leave the title the border of the blackness. eye Withered Freddy, and sur- onds away from beating it out screen, there’s a newspaper His patchy, dirty fur is torn, prisingly, Toy Freddy was still of the three minutes of surviv- clipping circled in red about a exposing wires, and one arm is stationary. Plus, I would not al I just have to perform. Why job as a night security guard at removed, wires seem to be ten- have made it no further than March/April 2021 26 CHARGING CORNER FIVE NIGHTS UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME AT FREDDY’S CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH CORE DELUXE VERSION This is the final part of a review that connects an earlier review published COLLECTION in the September/October issue of The Lightning Bolt. Part 1 began on five in the morning, since my page 61 of the February edition of The Lightning Bolt. flashlight was just a few mo- By Katie Stafford ments from dying on me, so I Staff Reporter was dead either way. Overall, Sister Location is fun, but Night 4 is too much of a pain. Although Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is more chaotic than its Help Wanted verison, it’s fun, but a challenge. Five Nights at Freddy’s is strangely a little more creepier, but I never was good at the first game in the first place, as I found when doing Help Wanted. (Stay tuned for a review of Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 and Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 for Nin- tendo Switch on Five Nights at Freddy’s: Core Collection!)

ary 27, 2021, that the Bowser’s so furious his son flees, seek- nior’s urgency for Mario’s help, Mario 3D World Deluxe - espe- Fury theme is actually a heavy ing Mario’s help in cooling his and if Mario has some kind of cially at Puffprod Peaks - made metal remix from Super Ma- father’s temper? Will Mario be doubt about helping Bowser me realize how much the Wii rio 3D World‘s portion of the suspicious of Bowser Jr., once Jr., that is a pretty cool plot, U strived to be what the Switch deluxe version. I ended up lis- hearing his age-old foe’s son nonetheless. Let’s sadly ditch is - a hybrid console that sold tening to it myself, and this is asking for his help, or will Luigi, and play as everyone’s really well. The Wii U sold only website is not lying. It is so he readily agree? (If Nintendo second favorite plumber. 13.5 million units; that’s not strange to hear heavy metal in had Mario readily agree, then “Woah!” I cried out; the mo- even a quarter its predecessor a Mario game that it becomes I would easily have a reason ment I pressed A to start Bows- did with the Wii’s 101.63 mil- even more catchy, but not in an to drill it in the reader’s heads er’s Fury, my JoyCons suddenly lion units! Although, that’s annoying way. The back of the there is no way Mario, unless vibrated unpleasantly as the better than the Virtual Boy - game case reads for the Bows- Nintendo made him stupid for sound of thunder crashed. The another of the few failures Nin- er’s Fury portion for the Switch this game or something, would music then changes to a dra- tendo dished out - with its low release: “Bowser Jr. needs your willingly agree without at least matic Bowser-Castle sounding 770,000 units before discontin- help to stop his furious father’s a few doubts, suspicious, and/ theme. I press A to start Bows- ued in late December of 1995 ramage!” or fears.) er’s Fury completely. It takes (Japan) and early January of That one sentence left me However, I wouldn’t put it past forever to load. 1996 (North America). All that wondering how Nintendo was Bowser Jr. to backstab Mario. It Mario’s strolling in the Mush- came out of the train wreck going to force Bowser Jr. to wouldn’t be too hard for Bows- room Kingdom with fluffy that was the Wii U’s poor per- swallow his pride enough to er and his son to have thought white clouds overhead in the formance for its dying market team up with Mario, and how up the plan: Have Bowser Jr. sunny blue sky, the relaxing is that the Nintendo Switch - Mario’s going to react in know- exploit Mario’s “weakness” of Super Mario 3D World theme what Nintendo seemed to have ing his age-old archnemey’s son sympathy and compassion in playing. He spots black paint strived for the Wii U - released is going to be “helping” him. “helping” Junior, and then the on the ground. Running, eye- back in 2017, and continues to Would Bowser have punished son of King Bowser can put Ma- ing each new inky splatter of sell really well today. his son, and that sends him rio in the a corner where Bows- paint, the theme speeds up. Now, let’s get going with running off, resulting in his fa- er can get rid of his age-old foe. Mario halts, seeing a black M Bowser’s Fury. I did some dig- ther’s fury, or is something ter- Actually, if that doesn’t happen printed on the ground, looking ging and found, according to rible - like losing to Mario over in Bowser’s Fury, depending like the M paint-goop in Super www.theverge.com, published and over again - lead to Bowser on how well Nintendo sells Ju- Mario Sunshine. The M turns by Andrew Webster on Janu- 27 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION into a black vortex; instead showing this will kill Mario, and the spinning, blazing light of hope of his father’s archrival of falling right away, he stays scattered across the tar stuff, is enough to send this Bowser buying his explanation. in midair, trying to run, and I is shaped like a cat’s head, but thing to burrow back into the “I’d never ask you for help. laugh, loving his look of worry the white skull and crossbones black goop. The sun then pours Never EVER!” Well, if that’s and slight fear at the player be- are still printed on the death- down on land that rises out of the case, then Mario can safe- fore he begins to fall through warning sign, and that’s how I the goop; yellow-green grass ly skedaddle on back to the the portal. know what the signs’ meaning and a few cat-trees, clear, glis- Mushroom Kingdom and leave Screaming, thrashing his arms is. I scale a tree, and not only tening water as white sunlight Bowser Jr. to this mess his fa- and legs, he lands, his face bur- realize the top of this cat-ified refracts off it, sandy shores and ther unknowingly left him in, ied in the ground. His muffled tree has cat ears, but long forks beaches, cliffs and slopes. In and I can finish this review. cries in the mud stop once he of blue-outlined white light- the far distance snowy-capped But that leaves the question gasps for air, after I press A, his ning claws the angry sky over- gray mountains. This cat-ified of what’s got Bowser so angry? head no longer trapped. Not head. landscape is dominated, not by That I want to find out. How- only do I see the pelting rain While eyeing and taking the two cat-head purple-out- ever, Bowser Jr. seems unable battering Mario, and he’s in note of my surroundings, I lined black things in view, but to swallow his pride and accept a cat-ified forest with flowers did learn several things about the massive shiny, spinning, help, so what can Mario and I with their petals looking like Mario’s moveset. He can long black shell that seems to be do? cat paws and cat-head bushes jump, crouch, roll, spin jump, owned by this massive Bowser. “But I’ll do anything to save and normal trees, but I see a walk, run, side somersault, and Pacing in his clown car, I can Papa. So . . . help me, Mario.” coin counter and a cat coun- jump. If the player wished to see Bowser Jr., calling for help. The last three words are in ter sign. It’s in the basic shape do a triple jump, he or she is Suspicious, I go to him. Instead a slightly smaller print, like of a cat’s head, colored red, sadly disappointed, because of speaking, he then reveals a Bowser Jr. whispered it. Still but with gold trimming, and Mario can’t even double jump, canvas of a crudely drawn pic- frowning, Mario then consid- there’s streaks around it, like so a triple jump is definitely out ture of Bowser, and after covers for a moment; he nods, how someone draws a sun with of the question if the red-clad ering it with black paint from and then presses a fisted hand rays surrounding the circle. plumber can’t even perform a his paintbrush, it shows a black to his chest, agreeing to help. But it somehow looks scary double jump. I know; I tried version of the crude Bowser. Junior cheers, waving his arms and cute at once. several times to even do a dou- Before Bowser Jr. noticed Ma- in celebration. If Mario’s okay The wind howling as the ble jump, let alone a triple, but rio, he was looking very wor- with it, I can at least give Bows- rain continues to pelt Mario, to no avail. Total disappoint- ried, and throughout his paint- er Jr. the benefit of the doubt, I realize the trees, bushes, ment. ing-explanation, too. And now, and it does look like this article and paw-flowers are swaying The ruined airship has a nice he bows his head, shaking it has to be written, with the two in the raging wind. I become red velvet-looking rug trimmed every now and then. The game teaming up. In fact, he seems aware thunder crashes over- with gleaming gold. I cry out, explains: “It looks like Bowser very upset his dad is so mad head in the black stormy sky, jumping in fright, more aware Jr. is in trouble. ‘Mario! Dad all of a sudden; plus, Bowser but nearly drowned by the of the sudden rumbling of my is out of control! I don’t know Jr. seemed super reluctant in wind and thunder is the wet JoyCons than the dark Bowser what happened . . .’” asking Mario’s help, even with- thuds Mario’s shoes make as he thing, red blazing against him I chuckle, seeing a frowning out him needing to gulp down walks and runs around. I look where his tuft of hair is and Mario’s arms crossed over his his pride in asking his father’s around, and spot what seems mouth and eyes are, coming chest, glaring eyes narrowed in archrival. to be an airship of Bowser’s to life. He expels fire from his suspicion, and he finishes this “You’ve teamed up with having crashed, considering mouth, accompanied by these off with cocking his head to Bowser Jr. But . . . how should there’s wide cracks splitting its short pillars, and in the sud- the painting. Seeming to real- he help you?” The game gives sides. Instead of heading right den run to this glowy thing, I ize Mario’s not swallowing his me options of “None”, “A little”, there, I explore my current sur- learned I can dive in midair as tale, Junior continues: “I tried and “A lot” with Junior’s assis- roundings a little more. well, like how Mario dives into to help him. But he’s too big tance. I pick “A little.” However, Spiky rocks tower out of some Cappy in Super Mario Odyssey. and mad. I can’t change Dad if his help becomes more of a black goop, narrowing into a My heart hammering, I read back by myself . . .” Although hindrance (in other words, if I tip that looks like a spike from aloud that I grabbed some- blue eyes are no longer slits feel like he’s actively trying to Bowser’s shell; some of these thing called a Cat Shine (it of suspicion (now wide with sabotage Mario) then he’s no rocks seem to be running with looks like the cat counter sign alertness), his arms are still longer helping. The game then the black stuff. Plus, this black on screen, but in 3D), named: crossed, now leaning closer, says: “You’ve asked Bowser Jr. tar-like substance, over the Make the Lighthouse Shine. like a parent looming over a to help a little. To change this wind and thunder, makes this With the power of this Cat child, and seeming to be giv- setting, select options in the + odd gurgling sound. The sign Shine, the lighthouse works, ing Junior even a tiny glimmer menu.” Perfect. March/April 2021 28 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION “There’s one more thing to mention . . . If you share two JoyCon controllers, a second person can play as Bowser Jr.! Just select two-player mode in the + menu.” I don’t plan on having someone as the second player. The place seems to be called Scamper Shores, and not long after getting a Super Bell and seeing Bowser Jr. will help in slaying cat-ified foes, I came across four cats. Cats furred black, pink, blue, and green - one of each color - all nuzzle and mewl up at the golden- pelted, white pawed-and-un- derbellied Mario. These cats can and will follow Mario once clan of cats going in for the at- With Bowser’s temper sim- spiky ball that turns into this he gets on his paws and walks tack. mered down for now, I grab the shadow Mario with opaque red away; they can’t climb sadly, so Not long after grabbing an- Make the Lighthouse Shine Cat eyes at Scamper Shores; to get it’s a nice stroll to the place I other Cat Shine, Bowser re- Shine. I see a clear pipe inside this thing’s Cat Shine just de- have to be then, shadowed by a treats back into his black goop. the lighthouse, which is acti- feat it. The Cat Shine’s called four-cat clan. The clan likes me again, but I vated, and the game explains Fury Shadow by the Shore. “Don’t judge me,” I say, seeing see a Cat Shine past a small the lighthouse wants to light This Fury Shadow reminds me Bowser Jr. circling Mario as cats stream of water. Dog paddling something, and the splotchy a little of Shadow Mario from rub their scent against him. A - more like cat paddling - over, goop will vanish under the light Sunshine or the Cosmic Mario family member of mine had shows another group of cats at of the Cat Shine. If I can’t find from Galaxy; instead of chas- said the cat-ified everything - Fort Flaptrap. I have to bully some Cat Shines, I can try other ing it down until it gives up or land to foes - is stupid, but I’m the Cat Bullies, and they’re islands, and lighthouse-islands racing it, it’s defeating it while finding it cute and charming, on a metal grate with red and usually hide something. While he runs away. As Mario went but he did give me two Ami- blue flip switches. I died by ac- doing Blue Coin Bustle at Fort into battle against this flee- ibos, one of Bowser Jr. and one cidentally leaping into the roil- Flaptrap, Bowser happened. ing Shadow Fury, Bowser ap- of Bowser, so I can do the re- ing lava below; I saw Bowser’s I found seeing the stormy peared. view to its fullest potential. Fury works like deaths in Super darkness then sliced by the After Bowser’s anger sim- The steadfast, cheery beat is Mario Odyssey: removal of 100 orange-red light illuminating mered once more, I walk lost by an ominous sounding coins. I only had 27 coins to my the night is the scariest part, around, trying to get the clan track. The shell with golden name before my death, so I’m knowing its Bowser’s stream of cats up to the lighthouse, spikes spins then flies into the going to assume it’s the remov- of roiling flame expelling from and notice these Condors at air; out pops Bowser’s head, al of 100 coins, like in Odyssey. his mouth, and almost feeling the wooden beam have now arms, and legs. He’s complete- “Whoa! It’s a Giga Bell! I heard the wash of blazing heat when vanished. However, while ly dark, except for the flames a cool saying about these. I I see the terrible light, like I guiding the cats, some fell off misting around his mouth, his think it was, ‘When the beast was there with Mario and Ju- the ledge, and I was forced to red tuft of hair, and this strange rises the Giga Bell will ring . . nior, trapped in a storm-tossed try to get them back on higher yellow glow blazing against his .’ or something. Maybe we’ve night while Bowser goes on his ground. This is when the Giga stomach. I cry out softly as the gotta get this splotchy goop off rampage. Bell came accessible, since cat clan is swallowed by some first. Some more Cat Shines Upon grabbing the Blue Coin Bowser appeared. The way to kind of strange pink-black might do the trick!” Bowser Jr. Bustle Cat Shine, the game fight this Bowser - Fury Bows- swirl, then appear to be cats then explains, when I approach then tells me, “You’ve collected er? - is to wait until he exposes outlined in pink, their amber this big Super Bell. After I get five Cat Shines! A message is his underbelly inside his shell, eyes illuminating against their the Bully the Cat Bullies Cat ringing out from the Giga Bell and ground pound it. This Cat black fur. Tails bushing out as Shine, Bowser appears once . . . ‘When the beast awakens, Mario looks so strong and ma- pelts bristle aggressive, their more, and I mainly take shelter so shall I . . .’” I don’t go to the jestic; how there’s a tuft of yel- eyes turn pinkish-red and I’m in this small, dark alcove with Giga Bell right away, I make a low fur on his tail, and on his forced to flee from this angry Junior huddling beside Mario. return to see this strange black furry head, looking a little like 29 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION a lion’s mane. If Mario loses the Giga Bell, he can snatch it again, but without seeing him become so massive. When it’s over, a new location - blue-leafed trees, high slopes hinting at ice, and Plessie - has risen out of the water. “He sank back into the lake . . . but trust me, it’ll take more than that to beat my papa. We need to make him REALLY see the light. The way to do that is find more Cat Shines. More of that splotchy stuff went away, so there must be new islands to explore. Let’s check the map and get going! Hurry, up, Mario!” After checking the map, Junior adds, “Oh, yeah! I almost forgot something important.” He then explains to check the map, the player presses the - button or the right-arrow button on the left JoyCon. I realize Mario a normal life without having to grab two Cat Shines: Make the enough to give Mario a ride doesn’t seem as trusting as I save Princess Peach every two Lighthouse Shine and Climb over to this snowy forest, I assumed. He’ll glare at Bowser seconds? to the Shine. The reason why grab the Cold Cove Combat Jr. suspiciously every now and Not only did I learn this new it’s called Pounce Bounce Isle, Cat Shine; though I’m startled then, and even think carefully bell is called a Lucky Bell, but is because there are Boomer- to see several Goomba stacks about what Junior’s saying. when Mario ground pounds, ang Bros to be pounced on and two fire-spitting Cat Pi- I return to Scamper Shores, he turns into a kind of statue and bounce panels to jump ranha Plants, the fight has no and soon Cat Mario’s wear- with a coin lodged in his fore- on. The Cat Shine Hurry! major issues that’s even close ing a Propeller Box, so I can paws before he crashes to the Jump High, Climb Fast! isn’t to newsworthy for this review. pretty much only see the tips ground, rewarding some coins too hard. I did get some more However, like an idiot, I then of his paws. While trying to during the fall. With this, I power-ups through finding reactivate the very same fight. get the key to unlock this one found out if the player gets a a Lucky Bell, and jumping I forgot to mention two Cat Shine, I climb up this tall 100 coins, he or she gets a pow- and ground pounding on this things, while I busily explore ledge, and grab this strange er-up. If the player does need spring boost. In the stormy the snowy forest, loving how bell. It’s a little smaller than a a power-up, and selects one night, while Junior and Mario the blue trees lighten at the normal Super Bell - in fact, it with the up-arrow button the huddle behind the lighthouse cat-ear tips, their leaves look- looks like a normal bell some left JoyCon, and pressing the at Pounce Bounce Isle, I see ing as fluffy as a Maine Coon’s people wave around during A button to confirm, Bowser the Lucky Bell glows more pink pelt, while exploring. There’s Christmastime - and it’s not Jr. tosses it to them. I found than bronze, and the cat statue these things called Cat Shards, yellow, but a bronze color with out that the Lucky Bell is not does grant invincibility. Now I which seem to work like the just a hint of pink within its an item that grants invincibil- said the Invincibility Leaf was Moon Shards in Odyssey or shading. When I purposely ity like I suspected, but seems banned; I’m only allowing the silver Stars in the DS release take some damage to remove to be an odd mix of Super Bell, Lucky Bell because it’s new, of Mario 64 and the two Gal- the Propeller Box, I see a red statue-like properties of the Ta- and the player can still lose it to axy games. I never collected all ribbon around Mario’s neck, nooki Leaf, and coin-rewarded a very simple enemy hit. I then five, since I never located the and the new bell at the very portion of the Gold Flower. lose my Lucky Bell when I do final one, so it’s an educated center of this velvet-looking I’m not sure I like that, but the the Show’s Over, Cat Magikoo- guess that could easily be right. collar wrapped around Mario’s red-ribbon collar clashes nicely pas! Cat Shine. The fight with On some of the buildings are throat. Why am I seeing this with Mario’s yellow pelt and the Cat Magikoopas is where white question-marks, like the as symbolizing Mario being white paws, underbelly, tail-tip the player bullies the Cat Bul- question marks on question- trapped by the two Bowsers, or and ears. lies. mark blocks, and these can that he’ll never be free of living At Pounce Bounce Isle, I Plessie having been kind give the player power-ups to March/April 2021 30 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION a golden warp pipe with coins except for this blue flooring read, then say, “Oh, no, not usually because black goop was in a golden room, another gold that appears when Mario’s near you,” when a spiked ball turns constantly below Mario, so one warp pipe there for the player or on it - he actually makes into this Shadow-Fury Luigi, fall could lead to Mario being to leave. the path a little easier to navi- and runs on these platforms killed. The slightly ominous music gate. However, Fury Bowser is that begin to fall and vanish After being rewarded with the plays; the rain begins to drizzle driven away by the lighthouse the moment Mario will put his Cat-Shard Cat Shine, I reach down, threatening a proper activating after I gather the five paws on it. I can get rid of half the lighthouse to Fury Bowser downpour; and the massive Cat Shards. Cat Shines Go with his health, but he moves away showing up. I spend five min- gold-spiked, black shell spins: the Floe and So Close Yet So from the fireballs, so Cat Mario utes on top of the lighthouse, I’m no longer surprised Fury Far weren’t too hard; Go with has to chase him then. vainly trying to avoid the Bowser pops out to a stormy the Floe just has Mario riding While snatching the Cat stream of flame, when I re- darkness. His anger simmered a small glacier to the Cat Shine, Shards Shine, rain pours; upon member I’m on the lighthouse, again, I find a clear pipe that and So Close Yet So Far is the grabbing the Cat Shine, Fury the Cat Shine in sight still, but takes me to Slipskate Slope, Cat Shine found once getting Bowser appears, but he does cats angrily prowl, looking for which is the snowy forest place. through Trickity Tower. give me Blast the Fury Blocks Mario. Fury Bowser’s health The level’s fun, with using the Slippery Skirmish is an- at Risky Whisker Island. The is lowered a bit by the light- ice skate to ride the ice to the other battle for the Cat Shine. spinning light blazing into house’s light. Luckily for Ma- Make the Lighthouse Shine Cat This time it’s some Cat Cheep Fury Bowser’s face, I notice, rio, but unluckily for Junior’s Shine, and I also got the Five Cheeps and Snow Pokeys, all does a dent of damage - a small father, he is yet again faced Cat Shards Shine on the way. on ice. The rain pours as the dent, but one, nonetheless. with the dangers of the light- While exploring Lake Lapcat wind whistles when I reach Fury Shadow Hops to It is the house decreasing health upon with Plessie, I found a small Crisp Climb Castle. After Cat Shine once defeating the Mario and Bowser Jr. snatching grate he couldn’t fit through, Bowser’s fury, I grab the light- Shadow Fury. Spin, Scramble, the Blue Coin Bustle Cat Shine but Mario and Junior sure can. house Shine, and seeing the Shine becomes my next Cat at Pipe Path Tower. It seems to be some kind of bat- pouring rain while seeing what Shine, since the goop’s cleared Orange-red lava roils with a tle arena, and it’s called Claw- else I can do, I ride Plessie to thanks to getting the Shadow gurgling sound - or it could be sipe Colosseum. While the rain the nearest Giga Bell, saying, Fury’s Shine. the goopy substance. Reddish- threatens its downpour and the “We’re leaving. We have to go Feasting on Fuzzies is a brown stone towers up to the music plays, Cat Boom Boom back.” simple, but a strangely fun slit-eyed cat face, the inside appears. Clash with Cat Boom Bowser’s health is only half, Cat Shine. The potted Piranha of its ears a beautiful blazing Boom Cat Shine was not too since he did retreat. He’s soon Plant returns, with cat ears that yellow-orange. I can see Fire hard; in fact, the rainy dark- defeated, and I did find out the look fluffy, and it’s up to Mario Bros. garrisoned on this moun- ness and hard-metal Mario 3D black goop slows Mario down. to allow it to gulp down its meal tain called Mount Magmeow. World theme just made an easy Junior says, “Aw, nuts! I really of Fuzzies. If Mario releases The clouds’ underbellies are fight a little anticlimactic with hoped he would change back the pot, this piranha plant goes bleeding from an orange light, how easy Cat Boom Boom is. this time . . . I mean . . . um . from swallowing Fuzzies whole seeming to be caused by how With this Cat Shine, I’m able . . of course, he didn’t! Nobody in one bite to wanting Mario’s low-hanging they are to the to fight Fury Bowser using the shrugs off a hit from Mario bet- blood, which could be as this bubbling lava. Under Mario’s Giga Bell. Bowser’s son says, ter than my papa, after all.” He potted plant’s way of saying, paws the grayish-brown land, once the fight’s over, “Aurg! I tells Mario to find more Cat “Mario, I’m still hungry; I think dusted with what seems to can’t believe he ran away again! Shines. I’ll bite into you, as you’re no be the same rusty orange-red I mean, um . . . Dad’s the best A slanted ship appears out longer feeding me my favorite from the wasteland, just add at everything. Of course he of the water, along with some- treat: Fuzzies.” to Mount Magmeow’s theme knows when it’s time to re- thing that looks like a fire stage, Pipe Path Tower was made of looking like a cute, cool, and treat! Heh heh. This Giga Bell upon Fury Bowser’s defeat. I more interesting, because I creepy mountain. It really does is all splotchy again. We need snatched Blue Coin Bustle Cat didn’t travel through the clear succeed at those three adjec- more Cat Shines! Maybe we’ll Shine at Trickity Tower and pipes. I traveled on top of them; tives, even without the ground find some hiding on the islands Surprise Prizefight Cat Shine clearly, the devs knew some the color that it is. we’ve already visited. Let’s go when looking for a way to get to players would do what I did, While reaching Cat Prince find them!” the fire stage looking place. It since a Cat Shard or two was Bully for his Cat Shine (Back I stumble across Trick- turns out it’s not a fire stage at nowhere near a pipe exit, and Off, Cat Prince Bully!), -a cer ity Tower. When Fury Bowser all, but land a rusty orange-red the only way was by carefully tain furious father of Junior’s comes along, while I’m busy because it’s a wasteland. Many on top of them. Actually, trav- went back on his rampage. The hurling Fire Mario’s fireballs to cats prowl near the Giga Bell at eling on top of the clear pipes storm, literally and figuratively, see where the new path is - the the wasteland. is a little more fun; the chal- having simmered, I continued tower is completely invisible, “Risky Whisker Island,” I lenge was a little scarier than 31 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION a golden warp pipe with coins tower is completely invisible, the wasteland. eling on top of the clear pipes in a golden room, another gold except for this blue flooring “Risky Whisker Island,” I is a little more fun; the chal- warp pipe there for the player that appears when Mario’s near read, then say, “Oh, no, not lenge was a little scarier than to leave. or on it - he actually makes you,” when a spiked ball turns usually because black goop was The slightly ominous music the path a little easier to navi- into this Shadow-Fury Luigi, constantly below Mario, so one plays; the rain begins to drizzle gate. However, Fury Bowser is and runs on these platforms fall could lead to Mario being down, threatening a proper driven away by the lighthouse that begin to fall and vanish killed. downpour; and the massive activating after I gather the five the moment Mario will put his After being rewarded with the gold-spiked, black shell spins: Cat Shards. Cat Shines Go with paws on it. I can get rid of half Cat-Shard Cat Shine, I reach I’m no longer surprised Fury the Floe and So Close Yet So his health, but he moves away the lighthouse to Fury Bowser Bowser pops out to a stormy Far weren’t too hard; Go with from the fireballs, so Cat Mario showing up. I spend five min- darkness. His anger simmered the Floe just has Mario riding has to chase him then. utes on top of the lighthouse, again, I find a clear pipe that a small glacier to the Cat Shine, While snatching the Cat vainly trying to avoid the takes me to Slipskate Slope, and So Close Yet So Far is the Shards Shine, rain pours; upon stream of flame, when I re- which is the snowy forest place. Cat Shine found once getting grabbing the Cat Shine, Fury member I’m on the lighthouse, The level’s fun, with using the through Trickity Tower. Bowser appears, but he does the Cat Shine in sight still, but ice skate to ride the ice to the Slippery Skirmish is an- give me Blast the Fury Blocks cats angrily prowl, looking for Make the Lighthouse Shine Cat other battle for the Cat Shine. at Risky Whisker Island. The Mario. Fury Bowser’s health Shine, and I also got the Five This time it’s some Cat Cheep spinning light blazing into is lowered a bit by the light- Cat Shards Shine on the way. Cheeps and Snow Pokeys, all Fury Bowser’s face, I notice, house’s light. Luckily for Ma- While exploring Lake Lapcat on ice. The rain pours as the does a dent of damage - a small rio, but unluckily for Junior’s with Plessie, I found a small wind whistles when I reach dent, but one, nonetheless. father, he is yet again faced grate he couldn’t fit through, Crisp Climb Castle. After Fury Shadow Hops to It is the with the dangers of the light- but Mario and Junior sure can. Bowser’s fury, I grab the light- Cat Shine once defeating the house decreasing health upon It seems to be some kind of bat- house Shine, and seeing the Shadow Fury. Spin, Scramble, Mario and Bowser Jr. snatching tle arena, and it’s called Claw- pouring rain while seeing what Shine becomes my next Cat the Blue Coin Bustle Cat Shine sipe Colosseum. While the rain else I can do, I ride Plessie to Shine, since the goop’s cleared at Pipe Path Tower. threatens its downpour and the the nearest Giga Bell, saying, thanks to getting the Shadow Orange-red lava roils with a music plays, Cat Boom Boom “We’re leaving. We have to go Fury’s Shine. gurgling sound - or it could be appears. Clash with Cat Boom back.” Feasting on Fuzzies is a the goopy substance. Reddish- Boom Cat Shine was not too Bowser’s health is only half, simple, but a strangely fun brown stone towers up to the hard; in fact, the rainy dark- since he did retreat. He’s soon Cat Shine. The potted Piranha slit-eyed cat face, the inside ness and hard-metal Mario 3D defeated, and I did find out the Plant returns, with cat ears that of its ears a beautiful blazing World theme just made an easy black goop slows Mario down. look fluffy, and it’s up to Mario yellow-orange. I can see Fire fight a little anticlimactic with Junior says, “Aw, nuts! I really to allow it to gulp down its meal Bros. garrisoned on this moun- how easy Cat Boom Boom is. hoped he would change back of Fuzzies. If Mario releases tain called Mount Magmeow. With this Cat Shine, I’m able this time . . . I mean . . . um . the pot, this piranha plant goes The clouds’ underbellies are to fight Fury Bowser using the . . of course, he didn’t! Nobody from swallowing Fuzzies whole bleeding from an orange light, Giga Bell. Bowser’s son says, shrugs off a hit from Mario bet- in one bite to wanting Mario’s seeming to be caused by how once the fight’s over, “Aurg! I ter than my papa, after all.” He blood, which could be as this low-hanging they are to the can’t believe he ran away again! tells Mario to find more Cat potted plant’s way of saying, bubbling lava. Under Mario’s I mean, um . . . Dad’s the best Shines. “Mario, I’m still hungry; I think paws the grayish-brown land, at everything. Of course he A slanted ship appears out I’ll bite into you, as you’re no dusted with what seems to knows when it’s time to re- of the water, along with some- longer feeding me my favorite be the same rusty orange-red treat! Heh heh. This Giga Bell thing that looks like a fire stage, treat: Fuzzies.” from the wasteland, just add is all splotchy again. We need upon Fury Bowser’s defeat. I Pipe Path Tower was made to Mount Magmeow’s theme more Cat Shines! Maybe we’ll snatched Blue Coin Bustle Cat more interesting, because I of looking like a cute, cool, and find some hiding on the islands Shine at Trickity Tower and didn’t travel through the clear creepy mountain. It really does we’ve already visited. Let’s go Surprise Prizefight Cat Shine pipes. I traveled on top of them; succeed at those three adjec- find them!” when looking for a way to get to clearly, the devs knew some tives, even without the ground I stumble across Trick- the fire stage looking place. It players would do what I did, the color that it is. ity Tower. When Fury Bowser turns out it’s not a fire stage at since a Cat Shard or two was While reaching Cat Prince comes along, while I’m busy all, but land a rusty orange-red nowhere near a pipe exit, and Bully for his Cat Shine (Back hurling Fire Mario’s fireballs to because it’s a wasteland. Many the only way was by carefully Off, Cat Prince Bully!), -a cer see where the new path is - the cats prowl near the Giga Bell at on top of them. Actually, trav- tain furious father of Junior’s went back on his rampage. The March/April 2021 32 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION storm, literally and figuratively, sey, back when I done it three contemplating if I should re- the boost panels to give Mario having simmered, I continued to four years ago. I vividly recall move his privilege of aiding extra speed before the jump, I on my way, but fell into the pressing it against the Switch’s Mario for the rest of the review, can guide Mario in midair to lava below; I see I lost about left JoyCon. Nothing; the right I did the Shine “Hurry! Dash the cloud; I found the Super 50 coins for the death. Though one does nothing as well. I end and Dive!”, seeing the 20 sec- Bell doesn’t have the needed it’s mainly reaching the top of up asking the family mem- ond timer is actually quite tight height or distance, but the Ta- Mount Magmeow, this is one ber who gave me the Amiibos for a Nintendo game rated E for nooki Leaf might. Ten failed of the best lava-themed levels how to use it for the Nintendo Everyone. tries, Tanooki Mario’s hitbox in a Mario game, from how the Switch. Now knowing, I find “No! That’s it!” I add. After barely grazed the cloud’s hit- mountain is cat-fifed, and be- Bowser’s Amiibo activates his giving the momma cat her lost box to allow him entrance for ing a pretty decent challenge Fury right away, regardless of kitten at the Lakeside Giga Bell the Cat Shine: Dash and Smash up - it’s not too hard nor easy, a drizzle or not. I use Bowser and grabbing the Key to the in the Clouds. It may not look especially snatching the Cat- Jr.’s during the storm, and I Cat Shine at Pounce Bounce like it, reader, but that jump is Shard Shine. have no idea what he did, and Isle (the latter is the Shine truly a blind jump. I died a few times, and didn’t he wouldn’t even do it again that allowed Fury Bowser to “His health is so low,” I say, grab the fourth Cat Shard, but for me once his father’s rage be blinded by the lighthouse), seeing a blinded Fury Bowser, I reached Cat Prince Bully. He’s has simmered. I’m guessing Junior decides to direct the Cat health a mere sliver, flee after I the same as before in Mario 3D he gives the player a power-up, Bullet Bill, which exploded out snatch the Fury Blocks Shine at World, but the fight feels dif- whether the player is close or of its cannon, at Mario. Looks Roiling Roller Isle. I’d gathered ferent - it could be because Ma- not to the needed 100 coins. I like I was right: Bowser Jr.’s try- the Lost Kitten near the Ruins rio’s out in the open air versus can see Bowser’s Amiibo being ing to sabotage Mario, even if and Hurry! Slide through the sequestered in a small room useful, as I’m trying to see if it’s not a plan by the two Bows- Sky! Cat Shines when Bowser with barred windows. Because it’s possible to defeat him with ers to get Mario cornered to be appeared as Mario hopped on the pelting rain began, I waited only the lighthouse; however, trapped. Once Mario grabbed Plessie. The belly flopping, for Fury Bowser to get blinded it looks like there’s some kind the Cat Shines for the Fury strong swimming dino got Ma- by the lighthouse; he’s now of timer on using Bowser, so Blocks and Cat Shards from rio and Junior, shadowing his about or at half health. This the player can’t abuse his Fury. Pounce Bounce Isle, and Blue father’s archrival, up a ledge got me to see if it’s possible to I soon grab both the Gaz- Coin Bustle from Slipskate that’s in reality a tiny waterfall, defeat Fury Bowser with only ing Down at Lava and Jump Slope (which I found quite which is aided by Fury Bowser, the lighthouse, but I had to and Thump in the Clouds Cat hard), Bowser Jr. returned to summoning a large slope with see if the gathering of already- Shines. Fury Bowser came for helping. an easy jump to it. I noticed collected Cat Shines will light the former Shine, and I saw his I fought Cat Pom Pom for the Fury Blocks, and Bowser took the tall lighthouse, or else this health close, but nowhere near Shine Cat Pom Pom’s Counter- care of them, and then I saw I already-slow decrease in Fury half health. The dark storm attack, and both the rematch stumbled across Roiling Roller Bowser’s health will be slower. finishes raging when I snatch with Cat Boom Boom and Isle. Apparently, I can’t grab any the On the Floodgate’s Edge. Hurry! Watch Your Step! had This level is full of rotating Shines I already gathered, so It took awhile finding the Fury Fury Bowser come. I saw Fury platforms and lava, and though it’s going to be slow then. How- Blocks Bowser has to destroy Bowser was past half health; the parkour for moving from ever, the first Cat Shine I can at Pipe Path Tower, but Ma- he was pretty much dead. Just platform to platform looks and grab is Hurry! Hop Behind the rio and Junior found them. I a few more Cat Shines to end sounds easy, it’s one of those Wall! It has a strict 20 second find the Fury Blocks swiftly at him through the lighthouse’s things that, in reality, is hard. I timer, and I can barely kick Mount Magmeow. spinning, blazing lights. struggled for a good long while, the explosive soccer balls and “Hey! You sabotaged me!” I “Maybe,” I whisper, eyeing the hunting for Cat Shards and jump from one falling platform snap at Bowser Jr. “First you cloud that would surely take getting to the lighthouse Cat to another without Bowser’s get rid of that kitten’s ball, and me to a Shine for the defeation Shine. Even though there’s Cat Fury activated, let alone do it now you throw a green shell at of all enemies. The trees that Bob-ombs, Cat Goombas and a with Bowser’s Fury storming Mario!” I’d completed several are normally there have been few stacks, and a Magikoopa or through. Right on cue, after I Cat Shines - Wasteland Rab- destroyed by Fury Bowser, two, the parkour is made bear- grab that Cat Shine, the father bit Plays Tag, Hurry! Slip to the and I didn’t feel like waiting able thanks to the Tanooki Leaf; of Bowser Jr. comes rampaging Shine!, Shoreside Rabbit Plays for them to respawn. There’s a and there’s Fury Bowser to get through. Tag, Climb to the Shine, and clear pipe, near Ruins Giga Bell, in the way, too. Speaking about I decide to see what the two the Blast the Fury Blocks and that explodes the player over to Fury Bowser, once his health is Amiibos do. The one and only Five Cat Shards at Scamper the Gazing Down at the Islands at a mere sliver because of the time I did use Amiibos for the Shore - when Fire Mario was Cat Shine; it has fast boost pan- lighthouses, it doesn’t decrease Switch is for the Darker Side hit by a green Koopa shell by els and clouds that appear un- anymore. Looks like the devs of the Moon in Mario Odys- none other than Junior. While der Mario’s feet or paws. Using didn’t want the player to cheese 33 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION the Giga Cat Mario portion of Mario flee the black goop, Giga Bell’s forlorn, mournful, a moment, almost like I have the fight without abusing the knowing he’ll both be slow desperate, and frightened yowl to ground pound his stomach. lighthouses. and take damage while in it, loudly echoes eerily through I can’t reach his belly, but the Although Nintendo foresaw and after using the power-ups Lake Lapcat’s many islands and trapped Giga Bells do all the the cheese into trying to de- Junior will throw at him to get isles. The stormy sky dark over- damage for me. I laugh, seeing feating Fury Bowser this way, him closer, grab it. However, head, Fury Bowser splashes in the final blow: Giga Cat Mario, they didn’t realize some players Fury Bowser just made it much front of Mario and his son. The riding on Giga Cat Plessie, al- - like me - will realize, if some- easier for me. moment the Giga Bell activat- lows him to slowly belly flop one wishes to get easy, cheap, I have 78 Cat Shines. Know- ed, I had Mario leap into it, but into Bowser, with a soft choir essentially free blows on Fury ing Nintendo, there are at its ringing, soulful cry pushed singing, adding to the silliness Bowser, it’s just the mere mat- least 80. Using the YouTube Mario away, but he was able to of the last blow. ter of allowing the lighthouse channel, Gamer Guru, and grab it once the Giga Bell si- Bowser Jr. comes over to his to shine its spinning, blazing watching his video, “Bowser’s lenced itself. father, who just exposed his lights to blind Junior’s furious Fury - All 100 Cat Shine Loca- “Well, that’s anticlimactic.” head that was stuck in the father. Even with that knowl- tions Walkthrough”, I see I was It was the same as before: Fury ground. Everything seems nor- edge, I still grab the following right. There are 80 Cat Shines Bowser attacks with his spiky mal with a sunny blue sky, and Cat Shines: both Key to the Cat to collect; the final 20 Shines shell, and the player will have calm water from Lake Lapcat Shine and Hurry! Hot Cross are gathered during the post to ground pound his exposed murmuring, with my eyes still Run at Roiling Roller Isle and game. I just needed two more. underbelly. Although Giga Ma- burning from tears of laughter, Lost Kittens in the Wasteland Hurry! Climb the Falls! was rio’s small, I didn’t find the fight and the son of Lord Bowser where the Wasteland Giga Bell both easy and true to its name any harder than before, but about to be greeted by his fa- is, Blast the Fury Blocks and for the first word, as Fury Fury Bowser does attack with ther. However, seeing some- Hurry! Fly through the Frost! Bowser appeared, and while his belly exposed a few times one, Bowser charges at him. can be made easier with scal- the Giga Bell yowled mournful- before lying still for the player His relaxed posture and his ing the tower the Cat Shine is ly, Cat Mario got the Cat Shine. to reach him to hurt him. blue eyes closed nonchalantly, with a Propeller Box and Super Upon, grabbing the Shine, I After vomiting up black goop, he doesn’t move an inch while Bell, rather than do a decently saw my final Shine. It’s on an he’ll explode into light and a Junior’s trying to get his father easy parkour past rotating plat- isle high up in the sky that not geyser of roaring water. Junior, away from Mario, by pushing forms. even flinging Tanooki Mario worried about his father, will him back to pulling him by his The Giga Bell’s loud yowl off a blue springy pole from the come over to see if he’s okay. tail. But his calm nature shat- sounds eerie, forlorn, fright- nearest lighthouse from a fully- He returns to Mario once his ters once Mario eyes Bowser in ened, and desperate all at completed area could get him father resurfaces, his eyes com- slight fear when he still tries, once, but yet again, I ignore the needed height, when it got pletely opaquely white and even with his son trying to get it. Mario and Junior are able to him the distance no problem. bigger than before, but looking him away, to reach him, and to avoid Fury Bowser all thanks In the end, Fury Bowser de- like his old self, not his Fury- gaze at Junior suspiciously still. to Plessie. Upon my return to stroys some Fury Blocks lead- self like seen pretty much all The final shot is seeing all three Crisp Climb Castle, I see the ing to a clear pipe that takes game. Laughing and roaring, are on Giga Cat Plessie, then Shadow Fury, who just ap- Mario to the needed Shine in he snatches all the Giga Bells. the credits roll, which shows peared out of its spiky-balled the end, once he’s done being “No, not them,” I say, watching Junior’s crude pictures of the appearance, to become a black flung off poles to the Gazing the Giga Bells become trapped adventure, and him appearing Gooigi. Nonetheless, this furi- Over the Falls Cat Shine. in a transparent purple ball to sing to the tune playing; the ous shadowy Luigi-clone thing With 80 Cat Shines, I go thanks to Giga Bowser. last is a massive canvas blacked cannot run away forever from over the Wasteland Giga Bell, Mario - returned to normal - out with paint, with 80/100 on Mario and Bowser Jr. Soon since that was the closest Giga heads over to Plessie, and there the lower right-hand side of it. the Fury Shadow gives its Cat Bell. The massive black shell’s I thought I knew what the bat- Looks like to see it, I need all Shine: Fury Shadow on Ice. spikes brighten to gold. The tle would be: Smash the ball, 100 Cat Shines; luckily, that’s “Thank you, Fury Bowser,” rain begins to pelt down on and defeat Giga Bowser with what I was doing in the first I say, abandoning my former Mario, standing in front of Giga Cat Mario. However, Nin- place. Final 20 Cat Shines here plan, as Plessie takes a nice the Wasteland Giga Bell, and tendo flipped the tables ever so I come! slope up to the Shining on Junior, hovering in his clown slightly: Using Plessie, Mario “Dad and I were supposed to a Hidden Isle Cat Shine. My car near his father’s archen- has to hit the ball, which, in have a fun day on the lake to- old idea had been to do a per- emy. The shell spins faster and turn, slams into Giga Bowser. gether . . . but he got all big and fectly timed dive, which will faster, then explodes into the He does lie in the water, the mad! I put marks on the map give Plessie a slight height and air, which is accompanied by red-orange light bleeding and where more Cat Shines might speed boost, and then force the screen blazing white. The refracting in Lake Lapcat, for be hiding. Let’s find them all March/April 2021 34 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION and change Dad back!” Bows- five free Cat Shines. I did find learned two tiny things: One, telling Mario - and the player - er Jr. tells Cat Mario, who still the Lucky Isle at Crisp Climb when I die to Fury Bowser, I his father, once calmed down, eyes him suspiciously every Castle a bit hard, since each start the fight all over again; told his son the reason for his now and then; I don’t blame time Mario got a Propellor Box, two, I can use Giga Cat Mario’s rage. But, in a way, I like not Mario for doing so too. See- Bowser’s stream of flame would foreclaws to swipe extra dam- knowing; it leaves the player ing the Cat Shines I still need, get rid of it almost instantly, so age on him rather than just interpreting Bowser’s fury on I exit out of the map to gather it took awhile, but I got there. ground pounding on his ex- their own. My interpretation them all, but Junior then adds, I found another Toad on a lit- posed underbelly. of his rage is that Bowser and “Listen up, Mario! You’re help- tle icy isle with prowling cats, With Fury Bowser defeated, Junior were busy half-heartedly ing me a lot, so I’ll make it easy and he gave me Toad Brigade: Giga Bowser appears. Although plotting their next evil scheme on you. If you want to visit a Cuddly Castaway Cat Shine. he doesn’t seem to be different when Bowser must have no- different island, just point to it And Lake Rabbit Plays Tag Cat visually, he does move more ticed a wisp of a cloud that on the map and press A, and I’ll Shine is ten to minutes of my and shoots out more attacks, looks a little like Mario drifting warp us straight there!” life I’ll never get back. Bounce and the player can’t even be a past, and angered by losing all I soon grab Five Cat Shards and Trounce in the Clouds little slow. It’s either be slow the time to his age-old enemy, and Junior’s Graffiti Gratitude wasn’t too hard; just go into and be behind Bowser or be exploded with a sudden fury. at Fur Step Island, the place the cloud, and defeat the en- swift and risk wounding Mario. So sudden, I’m going to guess where Mario lands at the start emies. Plessie Medal Catcher Three to four deaths later, Junior painted the black M, and of Bowser’s Fury. While chas- and Plessie Metal Mania are that choir sings as Giga Cat the trail, so Mario - or someone ing the Luigi Fury Shadow, I like the two Plessie Cat Shines: Plessie slowly belly flops on - could find it to be sucked into saw Toadette, who seems to be fun and easy. Bowser. The cutscene is the the vortex. If it been Peach to missing some Toads, includ- I wonder where the final two same: Bowser and Bowser Jr. find and get swallowed by the ing Captain Toad. I soon found Cat Shines were. I’m on the and Mario go their separate dark M, then Bowser Jr. could Captain Toad, chased by some verge of looking up a YouTube ways, and I’m left realizing Ju- try giving the princess as a cat-fifed enemies, and once video for the last two when it nior used Mario to help cool peace offering to his father, I got rid of them, he gave the clicked: I saved two out of the his dad’s raging temper. The which might have calmed him, Toad Brigade: Lost Leader Cat four Toads; I had to find the last credits are the same, but the but he would still be angered Shine. two. Toad Brigade: Stuck under picture is revealed: Mario and once Mario attempts and does Plessie Medal Collector and the Slope and Toad Brigade: the clan of colorful cats are succeed in saving Peach. Blast the Fury Blocks at Fur Hot Pursuit became my final depicted frightened, through Less than two days later, I Step Island are two Cat Shines Cat Shines. I actually found the Junior’s eyes, of him as a cat. decided to see beating Fury I got pretty much back-to- Hot Pursuit Cat Shine a cool When I load my 100% game Bowser with Cat Bowser Jr. and back. Once snatching Plessie reference to the last Green Star, again, I see Bowser Jr. is now a Small Giga Cat Mario, think- Medal Master, I saw a place for Mario 3D World, at World cat, and he looks both cute and ing the cutscene will show called Lucky Isle, with five Cat 2-1, Conkdor Canyon, where creepy; it’s better than the Cat Bowser Jr. as what he looks Shines; however, the isles - Captain Toad is being attacked Koopa Troopas - they’re just like throughout the game, not looks like there are two or three by a Conkdor, and this Toad is plain creepy without a shadow his cat form. I found the 100% - only appear during Bowser’s very unlucky to get the same of a doubt, with their cat ears Bowser fight a little hard, and Fury, so it’s a waiting game to treatment by a Cat Conkdor on their otherwise normal I actually liked it. I’m not the get what seems to be five or six at Mount Magmeow. I’m on Koopa Troopa looks. Cat Ma- only one to see and like this Cat Shines - not Cat Shards, the verge of going to Toad- rio is a smaller version of his very hard Bowser fight; accord- but Cat Shines. I did find the ette when the game informs Giga Cat form: tufted tail and ing to the YouTuber known Lucky Isles moving around, so me I have all Cat Shines now. cool lion-mane looking fur on as BrambeGaming, he says as I’m going to gather Cat Shines, Instead of the usual message his head; he looks majestic. an opening about the fight: and when the father of Junior (“‘When the beast awakens, I see no secret Cat Shine for “Well, it’s here, ya. The thing comes, I’ll go to the nearest so shall I . . .”) the Giga Bell’s completing the game; I’m not that I would thought would Lucky Isle. message is: “You are ready. Go! even told what angered Bowser never happen, actual game to Footprint Free-for-all is a Cleanse the beast of its fury in the first place; all the player be. For the first time ever, we combat-based Shine. I soon with the full power of the Cat knows is that Bowser and his got a legitly hard final boss in a grab the Second Lucky Cat Shines!” son were at Lake Lapcat, and 3D Mario game. Specifically, in Shine from Lucky Isle. I made Fury Bowser appears, but his Bowser just went completely Bowser’s Fury. a decision: to grab all Lucky hair isn’t fiery-red, but a glis- mad with rage. “And no, I’m not talking Isle Cat Shines first, so I got tening silvery-blue; it looks And it would have been nice about the normal final boss the waiting game out of the soft as silk, not course like it to know what caused Bowser’s you battle when you get 50 way. Turns out there’s only one does when it’s that red color. I sudden fury; it could be as Cat Shines, because that fight Lucky Isle, but at least I got simple as a cutscene of Junior 35 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION was relatively moderate. No, different in difficulty these two as platformers - sure, there’s The platforming, as I am not I’m talking about the true final fights are, but he does point pakcour, but not in the abun- good at platforming games in boss in this game, which you out it’s not the hardest fight in dance that’s in Mario’s games. general, is fair; not too easy, can only face after 100% com- a mainlane Mario game, but it’s However, a Luigi-Junior or nor too hard for me. For any- pleting, and going back to the still quite hard, especially with Luigi-Bowser duo would be one good at video games, and final fight.” Either this is truly how this game just lulled the an interesting setup, nonethe- platforming games, this might a hard final boss fight, or both player into a false sense of se- less. I’m not trying to say the be too laughably easy for him BrambingGaming and I are ter- curity with the past battles. Mario-Junior team up was bad; or her. The family member rible at video games to find this Even though I loved Cat Ju- it’s a really cool idea, with it be- who gave me the two Amiibos a difficult battle. I am not even nior coming to his father in the ing believable in Mario’s and in the first place fully complet- going to slightly persuade the cutscene to see how his father’s Junior’s reactions in learning ed Bowser’s Fury in just four reader on what I think is cor- doing, Fury Bowser, his silvery- they’ll have to work together - hours; it took me a little under rect; I’m just going to let the white hair glowing like a star, Mario’s suspicions and Junior’s a week to 100% Bowser’s Fury reader pick the option of what easy, ever since I found out I swallowed pride is how I might myself. he or she thinks is right. can toss these shell-pillars at have thought they react to each If anyone is interested in get- I died a lot in the Giga Bowser Bowser for some free, cheesy other upon learning they have ting Mario 3D World + Bows- fight too many times to count. hits for a ground pound, but to use team work together. er’s Fury, he or she might get He sends out a stream of fire he has more health. I have to This mode is just spectacular: it now before it’s too late. This and shell-spikes at the player. warn the player that the Giga an open-world for Mario and wonderful game is potentially For the first and second blow, Bells do not respawn again Junior to explore. If the reader in the very same collection of it’s only one each, but it’s the once used, and the player uses hates anything at an overload, video games celebrating Ma- third blow Bowser delivers one up to even start the battle, then this isn’t for them; there’s rio’s 35th anniversary. That where it’s crazy hard. Since he so no Giga-Bell yowls will eerily a total overload of a cat-fifed wouldn’t be too bad, expect or she has to be a true master- call the gamer to it in this Fury- world, let alone the cat ene- one thing: Doug Bowser, Nin- mind in dodging, the player battle. The overall cutscene at mies and Plessie. Like I said in tendo of America president, has to decide: spikes or fire, as the end is the same, but with the review, a family member of wants to celebrate Mario’s these attacks will be combined Cat Bowser Jr. I reentered my mine found the cat-theme stu- 35th, but some games, which together. If Plessie leaps over save file, hoping I’ll be told pid and boring, while I found may or may not include Mario the spikes, Mario will receive what angered Bowser, but I got it cute and charming. Even 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, is wounds via the flames, but if a somewhat answer through though I wish Mario could do in the chopping block of video diving underwater to avoid the credits. Either they just double and triple jumps in games with a deadline before the fire is the player’s one idea, appeared or I was blind to it, Bowser’s Fury, I would have they would no longer be sold at then he or she will most likely Junior’s paintings show him loved it be a bit longer, since store shelves and the Switch’s get a spike-pillar to the face and his father enjoying the day it’s a little on the short side of Nintendo eShop. Don’t believe as a consequence. To make it before his dad became half- things, and if there were some me? Mario 3D All-Stars for the worse, Bowser does this com- crazed with fury, and then Ma- extra hidden Cat Shines once Nintendo Switch will no longer bo more and more, and it be- rio comes into the picture - lit- the player 100% the game, so be sold - ever! - after March 31, comes deadiler each time the erally and figuratively. So not a there’s a reason to truly enjoy 2021. Doug Bowser’s informa- player attacks him; the spikes, full-on explanation, but a close Bowser Jr. and Mario in their tion was found on the web- for example, go from scat- one nonetheless. new looks to the fullest, in- site: www.nintendoeverything. tered in Lake Lapcat to very Anyway, I would have loved stead of run around aimlessly. com, published on December lethal rows rushing quickly at to see Luigi and Junior team I would have loved to have the 16, 2020. the player, becoming steadily up; it seems like Mario’s always two run around aimlessly, col- faster. I found myself most the plumber to be teamed up lecting some secret Cat Shines vulnerable while in midair; the with Junior or Bowser, and that once he or she 100-percents ring of fireballs is the easiest in itself, is amazing to see two Bowser’s Fury. attack to avoid, but the spikes foes work together, but I feel Other than that, this is a really and flames are there to be an like Luigi would be just a little great remake of a Wii U game unwelcome greeting, since the more interesting than Mario. that could have been forgotten, player has little to no time to Mario’s courage clashing with because of how underrated it react once Plessie has landed his archrival’s son’s brazen was because of its home con- back into the water. In fact, nature works well, but Luigi’s sole. It’s not the game’s fault for BrambleGaming compared cowardice and Junior’s bold- its home console; it’s the Wii this fight to the final battle in ness would be a combo I would U’s fault for trying to bring this Super Mario Galaxy 2 as “night love to see play out. Then great game down in the ob- and day,” since how completely again, Luigi’s games aren’t seen scure fog of forgotten games. March/April 2021 36 CHARGING CORNER FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S VR HELP WANTED ON NINTENDO SWITCH By: Katie Stafford my controls, not the B button Staff Reporter to start. I see I’m in a small el- On May 28, 2019 the VR evator traveling down, and a game Five Nights at Freddy’s: voice informs me that I’m vent Help Wanted came out, but technician, and the player’s VR isn’t the only way to play head lamp should keep crit- this game. There’s Android, ters from traveling the ducts, PlayStation 4, XBox One, Mi- but before I can process what’s crosoft Windows, and the going on, the voice glitches Nintendo Switch to play this out; I’m left in darkness, with a game; I’ll be using my Switch small yellow button I’m afraid to review Help Wanted. I have to touch is a tiny blaze against seen YouTubers, like Dan from this very, very scary blackness.

DanTDM and MatPat from GT My heart thumping in my Photo by Katie Stafford Live, playing Help Wanted on chest, I press the button, and plump, slightly creepy plush of game forces the player to be VR, about a year or two ago, so a lever appears. I yelp in fright the Puppet. literally and figuratively in the I know what it looks like on VR. when I see Mangle’s face in Nightmarionne is next. I dark, and I don’t like it, since But how will it be different for front of me once the lever’s heard the creepy and soothing I had a flashlight, on top of the Nintendo Switch against been pulled. I soon die, and sounds of the music box play- being totally in the unknown virtual reality? Let’s find out. wonder what I’m meant to be ing, along with this strange on Plushtrap’s whereabouts. Before Steel Wolf Studios doing when I go in for round sound, like some kind of goo is However, I shout, “Yay!” on presents their logo, a long no- two. Did I forget to mention, stuck to the ceiling, and trav- my second try, as Plushtrap is tice about the Terms and Con- Fazbear Entertainment prides eling along. I gasp, when I see on the X, and the game shows ditions appears on screen. I itself on keeping the room at Nightmarionne coming to me, “GREAT!” in front of Plushtrap. skim through it, seeing anyone a comfortable 72 degrees? On but I died when I was checking I get some kind of Fazbear can- having drank some alcohol, my third try, I flipped a small the other door. I jump, swal- dy bar that the player can eat needing sleep, or have or had switch to show another lever, lowing, when I spot the very virtually. Nightmare BB went seizures should not play the but wasn’t fully paying atten- scary Nightmarionne right nicely, with one death, and the VR game, and how I should tion to the tinny, heavy thuds outside the door; I found out prize of another candy bar. stop playing if I have any con- of Mangle crawling his way to the strange sound is some kind Plushbaby seems to be in a vulsions or twitchiness, or me. of black-and-white tentacles different place than the -hall anything the game - sorry the Since I’d decided on at least that creep from under the bed, way in Five Nights at Freddy’s “Game” - warned me about. trying the level I’m able to through the slightly open door 4. I have no idea where I am; I cry out the moment I see play first, I leave to try Night of the closest, and even in a it’s a black-and-white check- the title screen; a red neon Terrors. It looks fun. ZR is the hole on the ceiling. The very ered floor with a lot of plush sign blazing “Help Wanted” flashlight, ZL is to close a door second I see him - her? - it toys. Instead of waiting out as Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie the or doors, X is to teleport, and I jumpscares me. Plushtrap and Nightmare BB Bunny, and Chica the Chicken have to survive until 6:00 AM. “Yeah, I’m done with that,” to sit in the X, the player needs with her pink-frosted cup- Got it. I tell myself. Already, a few to find Plushbaby and use the cake loom over me. I start the Looks like I’m in Crying games in, my palms are slick flashlight (it’s the same button, game and listen to how certain Child’s bedroom from Five with sweat, my heart’s pound- but with a time limit) to get rid events having been associated Nights at Freddy’s 4. I soon get ing so fast and hard I’m now of her. I leave, looking at what I with the Fazbear name are jumpscared by a small pink half-convinced it’ll explode out want to try next. Parts and Ser- complete “lies from lunatics and blue Bonnie puppet thing; of my chest, and I am inhaling vices looks interesting. (lawsuits pending).” I learn I I think the pink one is Bon- shallow gulps of air. The B button is used to push can use my left JoyCon’s analog net, and the blue is Bon-Bon, Swallowing nervously, I at- buttons, and grab and release; stick to look around, and as I or is it the other way around? tempt Dark Rooms next. “Stop I just have to make repairs. play, I can get more games to Not long after, I saw Funtime Plushtrap on the X,” I read, see- My first mechanical patient play. I decide to do Vent Repair Freddy, who jumpscared me ing the ZR-button flashlight is is Bonnie the Bunny. Bonnie’s first, since that’s only two, not as well. By the second time, it the only thing to really concern guitar needs to be fixed and the four that seems to be the went well; I’m able to survive, myself with. “So this shouldn’t tuned, which means I have standard; I press B to start. which makes me think Bon- be too bad,” I add. I press B to press the secondary throat I’m soon told I can grab and Bon and Bonnet, if not quieted to start. I find what happens pipe. The voice is telling me release with B. “I wanted to quickly, will call out to Funtime if Plushtrap is not on his red what to do; I take out one eye, read the instructions,” I cry; I Freddy. Because I won, I got a X when 90 seconds is up: He like he tells me, and then try meant to press L or R to scan prize, which turned out to be a jumpscares the player. This to grab the second eye, getting 37 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S VR HELP WANTED ON NINTENDO SWITCH jumpscared, while he finishes her, and didn’t want to now. and wait with bated breath. her beloved cupcake. By my his explanation about putting I see pepperoni pizza on the I must have done one thing second try, I was able to get it, the eye in some kind of box to table, and am encouraged to wrong in fixing Foxy with his and I saw the pizza the player’s my left. eat it; having virtually eaten legs moving everywhere, while meant to virtually eat looks “What?!” I ask, then clapping, my virtual pizza slice, I’m able putting some part on his rap- old, like it’s been sitting out for I add, “Oh, this isn’t too hard.” to get another prize. It’s some idly moving leg. The room’s days. I’d just tuned his guitar, and kind of strange fanged duck dark, and I still flinch, having “It’s cake. I got cake,” I say, he jumpscared me, because that looks nothing like Chi- to slightly force myself to gulp eyeing the vanilla white-frost- I must not have been careful ca the Chicken; however, I in air after the jumpscare, since ing slice of cake with rainbow about those little face-plate couldn’t believe I got through my instinct was to keep hold- sprinkles on top. After virtually buttons. Several tries later, I re- with Chica without dying once. ing my breath. After putting enjoying it, I could almost taste alize when putting them back Now it’s time for Freddy his head back on, I made the it. I go off to repair Freddy. that his eyes face the sides, not Fazbear’s turn to be repaired! same mistake, and realized I He’s the same, but every- the front. So no matter what I Instead of needing the usual was opening the completely thing’s black and white, and do, I get jumpscared; let’s go off repairs like malfunctions (Bon- wrong drawer; I needed the there’s these small black, and so something else before I nie the Bunny) or needing to first drawer, not the second. fanged Fredbears snarling at try again. be cleaned up with food on the How do I decide which drawer the player, their heads bobbing Doing the first Five Nights at animatronic (Chica the Chick- is which? Answer: A simple jaggedly. I realized I’ll have my Freddy’s game in Help Want- en), Freddy Fazebear is differ- sticky note with the number is pay docked for the ruined mu- ed looks interesting and fun; ent. There’s children’s things all placed on the drawer. sic box. I do get a Chica Chug, there’s also the second and over him; there’s one clamped “You gotta be kidding me.” which looks like some kind of third in the VR game, too. I between his teeth, and even, I face palm, annoyed with the soda. Foxy was surprisingly made it to five am on my first for some strange reason, stuff placement of that silly error on easy, but he’s a little scarier, all night, and lost power. I didn’t like a watch and a shoe stuck my Switch; I’d just completed the drawers say one, the new even realize I had to press the inside his body. I found this Foxy, and the voice was con- mechanisms glow every now Y button again to turn off the strange purplish glowy thing gratulating me when the error and then, and the drawer with light; the X button closes the before giving Freddy a green- occurred. “Do I have to redo the eyes glow opaque. The door. I heard a soft tune play- light mechanical box, not his Foxy all over again?” I question. reward after doing Foxy was ing, and moved, tentatively red-light one, which kills me. He’s not too bad, but I wouldn’t some El Chips. asking, “Freddy?” Then, Freddy The return means I have to give be happy doing him again. I I go over and tackle Five jumpscares me. However, I do him his red box, which is said still did it again, however, and Nights at Freddy’s 2, and see I return to Bonnie, and realize to be a music box, even though I got myself some tasty-sound- can press buttons with my left I was putting his right eye on it looks nothing like any music ing Bonnie Bites. JoyCon’s buttons, and wear the his left socket, and vice versa box I’ve ever seen, and need- I notice a lever beside where mask with ZL; like in the first for his other eye and its socket, ing the replacement, since I I choose levels. I pull it, and one, I have to survive until six so that’s why it looked strange mishandled his old one. I bet the screen is pretty much pale AM. My only visitors are Toy upon going back to Bonnie. I’m Freddy wasn’t too happy, con- pink and bright tealish-green Chica and Toy Bonnie, and rewarded a Butter For One for sidering his eyes blazed red at colors. I can’t play any of these, they’re both fooled with this my finished task. me before being fitted with his but I see I can do Bonnie on Freddy mask. Although there My next patient at Parts and new music box. Parts and Services. I can now are no doors to close, I do have Services is Chica, who has pizza Last up is Foxy the Pirate. I see why people who have or the mask, which I hold down all over herself. Upon removing swallow hard at the terrify- had seizures should not play ZL to wear the Freddy mask, the pizza, I open her face plate, ing state of Foxy: Sparks zap this game; bright lights slide and a flashlight. and spray her disinfectant. As everywhere, and his one eye, across Bonnie, making him I tried beating Nightmari- I do, I notice her cupcake, its though dead, seems to blaze multi-colored, but the lights onne, but couldn’t do it. I must platter, and her arm are on the with hatred at his conditions. are slow enough where they’re have gotten close at times in table below the red button that I didn’t need the voice explain- not startling with the change, surviving until six am; I wasn’t sprays the disinfectant. After ing Foxy’s been out of com- but fast enough where, when paying attention to the time, putting her cupcake back on mission for a while; no sane I finished Bonnie the same as since I had those thin and long its platter and one more dose parent would dare allow his or before, I left him still sick to my tentacles and Nightmare Pup- of disinfectant, I’m told to her child or children to enter stomach and a throbbing ache pet to watch. It must have been take some pizza. “No thanks,” the room with an animatronic at my temples. I get some kind four or five in the morning be- I whisper, my heart pounding, pirate fox with sparks flying of Fazbear soda for a reward. fore I died. If it were five, I’m icy fear clawing at me that I’ll everywhere, let alone advising Chica’s the same, but it’s so so mad that Nightmarionne be jumpscared by her. I so far the kid or kids to touch him. much darker, and I died to her, killed me; if it was four, I got as had not gotten frightened by I lower my Switch, reel away, since I accidentally dropped close as I could. March/April 2021 38 CHARGING CORNER FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S VR HELP WANTED ON NINTENDO SWITCH I decide on Five Nights at pull a string on and it shadows Everything looks like it’s under before, seeing through an ani- Freddy’s 3 next; I want to see the kid. Speaking about kids, a blacklight, making it darker matronics eyes - possible Fred- what it looks like. To my left Balloon Boy, along with Foxy and scarier. I made it to two dy, since he or she is holding is a strange system with a blue and Freddy, appear for the sec- am before I’m killed by Toy a microphone - as Gltchtrap button asking me to press it ond night in Help Wanted: Five Freddy, and saying, “Okay, so dances in the dark, empty par- with Y. My right is an open air Nights at Freddy’s 2; the night not so easy,” and realized how ty room. This ending is done by duct, along with separate cam- went really smoothly, except I hectic the fifth night is, since I unlocking a game that’s only eras; in front holds the famil- almost forgot about the music fully understood why die-hard unlocked by getting all the iar cameras. Nothing disturbs box at the start, but the crisis fans of the series says how re- other minigames. me, but Phone Guy, chatting was averted. A lemon-flavored membering the music box is a Once gathering all the tapes, away endlessly about how old Chica Bar is what I’m gifted. little tricky, especially towards and disobeying Tape Girl’s where I am is, and something Although I can wind up the the end. But if I do survive my instructions, the player gets about some stored animatron- music box with A, I can’t keep fifth night, my protagonist is the Merge Ending, where ics. I press A, hearing a young holding A and check the hall moved to the day shift, no lon- Glitchtrap merges with the voice that could belong to a girl and two vents with Y at the ger needing to be enduring the player; however, if her instruc- or boy calling out, “Hi!” in this same time; so, I have to press stressful night shift anymore. tions for destroying Glitchtrap sweet tone that’s a little fright- A when I find a time to do so, The second try resulted in are obeyed, he or she then gets ening. I have no idea what that or if it’s running low. Third death via Toy Bonnie, but I the Trapped Ending, an ending does; does it scare the anima- night ended up with Toy Chica made it to five AM. By my third where the player is trapped in- tronics away or lure them from killing me; I let go of ZL when attempt, although it is chaotic side the game, while Glitchtrap reaching me? Then the screen Mangled finished his bit, and and spooky, I was able to sur- is able to leave said game via starts fading into darkness, saw her the second I let go of vive until six, and my protago- escaping through the player like the game’s protagonist the button I’d been holding, nist would be welcomed to the hooked up to the game. Speak- was slipping in and out of con- and swiftly died to her, even day shift. My prize is a bag of ing of the Trapped Ending in sciousness, and considering though I put the mask back on. chips that is called Disappoint- fact, the Curse of Dreadbear when this started to happen, Second round went smoothly ment, said to be boring and ending seems to be happening an alarm endlessly blared. I’m for this night, and I was real- passable, on top of being dated right after that ending, since guessing my oxygen supply izing out of the VR of the first and unoriginal. once getting a rabbit mask and was really low or something. three Five Nights at Freddy’s “Withered? What is this?” I looking at a glitchy plushie, Other than that I survive with games, the second is my fa- question. I pressed B to play; Tape Girl can be heard ex- no nightly visitor at all, and get vorite one, and I was steadily I then remembered the With- plaining how no one suspects myself another bag of bold and learning the audio cues. “It’s a ered Animatronics: They are a thing, and she’ll be ready spicy El Chips as a prize. . . . Plushtrap,” I say, seeing the the old animatronics from the and won’t “let you down,” and “Hello, hello, hello. Hi, hi, prize I’m given is an action fig- first Five Nights at Freddy’s there’s no miscommunication. hi,” a strange voice calls out, its ure of Plushtrap. game. Their fur is matted and Either she’s speaking to us, the voice both echoing and yet not. I go off to the fourth night, dirty; Chica’s wires are exposed player, or we’re listening in on I learned a while ago I can exit and before I do, I press ZL to where her hands should be, something the player’s ears Free Lock mode with pressing pull the lever, seeing two more and Withered Bonnie has no shouldn’t have heard, but no down on the Left Stick, and nights waiting for me in this face at all, just a yawning dark- matter what, this seems to be once I do that and turn, I see a blacklight hard mode. My heart ness where his exposed en- after the Trapped Ending, since green bunny waving creepily at pounding, I see I’ve reached doskeleton is. Unlike the fifth Glitchtrap is nowhere to be me. I knew he was Glitchtrap, the five AM mark; my palms night, I got it on my first try, seen. Hopefully, the answers to and I also knew the three pos- are slick with sweat from mov- and realized both Withered what did happen to Glitchtrap sible endings, or four endings, ing to get vent, to hall, to the and Toy Animatronics prowl and Tape Girl would be an- if the reader wants to include other, then back to hall before Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. My swered with Security Breach, Curse of Dreadbear. finishing back on the vent I’d gift is a stick of butter; no, not which is rumored to release on Why not complete the first just checked. The fourth night the Butter For One, and not other platforms other than its night of Five Nights at Fred- wasn’t hard; it’s just listening even close to the Exotic But- PlayStation 4 and 5, and Mir- dy’s, then do the whole of the and reacting to the audio cues, ters, unless this is a single stick cosoft Windows, three months second, or a good chunk of it? on top of seeing where every- from the Exotic Butter whitish- after its release sometime in I still lost power on the first one is, that made it tough. gray basket. early 2021, although an official night of Five Nights at Freddy’s, Night five, once the lever is So the endings of this VR release date, as of writing this but I didn’t move when Freddy pulled, is up. “This is going game are strange and just bad- article, hasn’t been disclosed. came. I’m rewarded with a cat- to be a piece of cake,” I scoff, sounding. The “normal” end- erpillar toy; it seems to be one then immediately wonder if ing is the player being haunted of those toys that little kids the game heard what I said. by some of the animatronics 39 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER RETURN TO MARIO 64 IN 3D ALL-STARS By: Katie Stafford Staff Reporter The camera controls must have missed me in this game; it’s much worse than I remember it being. When I abruptly ended my review on 3D All-Stars: Ma- rio 64, I was at the Vanish Cap level, so I went there first. Peo- ple say Sunshine’s camera controls are worse, but the camera is making it nearly unplayable through waging war on me. I tried grabbing the eight red coins, and the camera’s fighting me so fiercely I’ll be hap- pier just getting through the level. Twenty minutes of terrible camera controls (sometimes Mario, who’s as slippery as Luigi, will suddenly stop), went into Hazy Maze Cave, and many gamers would have done mountain, but once the player I pressed the blue button for snorted with laughter when this, and gave the excuse: “My knows the location, it isn’t too the Vanish Cap. I’ll only grab the sign explaining what’s in hand slipped on the control- hard to get to, but still not easy the red-coin Star in the Vanish the branching paths remarks, ler,” and my hand accidentally- to reach. Cap Switch level if I was so des- “Those who can’t do the Long on-purpose did that too. I’m I got the Peach’s Secret Slide perate from being starved of Jump, tsk, tsk.” I found the red talking about the second Star Under 21-Second Star in 19.7 the necessary 70 Stars to beat coins, or some of them, but in Cool, Cool Mountain: Li’l seconds. I would have gotten it Bowser in the final level. couldn’t use the arrow-plat- Penguin Lost. a little quicker, if Mario hadn’t I ended up trying to grab the form to reach them, and I soon At the end of that Star, after stood up to walk on the slide Star in the cage with the owl. died. Mario delivered the baby pen- for two or three seconds be- I’m now realizing why people While chasing the golden- guin to his mother, I had Mario fore the slide acted like a slide do this Power Star owl-less. furred bunny - Mips, is his walk to the edge, and crunch should. And speaking about With a top view, I saw I was name? - I leaped, and went on the side of the mountain, Secret Stars, I got the aquarium on top of the Star, when Mario through the wall. I knew about leaving that poor baby penguin Power Star, which wasn’t bad. released the owl, the camera Shifting Sand Land; however, I to fall to the base of the moun- The terrible camera works de- shifted, showing I was nowhere didn’t know where it was locat- tain. I’m not going to say he fell cently fine with this Star. near the Star. I remember this ed . . . until know. In the Talons to his death, which could hap- I finally got through the first game in my first review being of the Big Bird is the first Star. pen, but if he survived the fall, Star in Jolly Roger Bay, after I fine, but this is now gotten to The whole level is full of sand, it’ll be the cold and/or the hun- realized I was mixing up an- the point where it’s nearly un- no matter where Mario stands ger to end his young life - alone, other Star at Jolly Roger Bay playable. Am I giving up this - normal sand, once having fell hungry, cold, and motherless. that’s basically get past the easily? No. off one of those tower things, Geez, when I put it that way, eel, not lure it away. Inside the I did get the Shoot into the or quicksand - the whole letting that penguin fall off the ship, is an air pocket for Mario Wild Blue Star cannon-less place will try and swallow side the Cool, Cool mountain to breathe; plus, the treasure after a triple jump with an im- him whole. If that weren’t bad is kind of horrid, and making chests that, in the right order, mediate wall kick, but I feel enough, there’s a lot of sandy the blood on Mario’s hands a drain the water and give out like that was purely accidental hills climbing up and down, little more bloody than before. air bubbles. The second Power on my part to do the wall kick leading to quicksand to ensure Since I was at Cool, Cool Star is “Can the Eel Come Out at just the right moment; that the player dies a million times Mountain, I decided to grab a to Play?” but I ended up doing Star marked my twenty-third over. This re-review is going to Star or two. I got the Wall Kicks Red Coins on the Ship Afloat one overall. It marks, however, be painful, and I don’t mean Will Work Power Star, with instead, making my Star count the first Star in this re-review of feeling Mario’s pain for him, the only issue is to jump off 29. Blast to the Stone Pillar not the first Mario 3D platformer. isn’t it? So far, the game is giv- the mountain then pull back only took a little patience when I laughed when, after talking ing me the answer, “Yes.” to avoid the death void claim- I aimed the cannon at the pil- to Toad near Hazy Maze Cave, I happened to need to do ing Mario. That Power Star’s lar too high, too low, or too far Mario glitched to stand on the something in Cool, Cool pretty much right below where in either left or right, it became railing above, then be pushed Mountain, since I forgot. Now, the player spawns on top of the my 30th Star, meaning I can off onto the higher landing. I March/April 2021 40 CHARGING CORNER RETURN TO MARIO 64 IN 3D ALL-STARS fight Bowser. But I want to get a Cap Mario decided to kill me, might be likely by how terrible understood his teleporta- few more Stars. and I was moments from put- the camera is. I could go on tion. For some stupid reason, Can the Eel Come Out to ting my Switch to mope when and on, but this re-review will Bowser would go so close to the Play? wasn’t too bad, but when I left to take the 100-coin Star never be written, and I’ll end bomb that I could - I might be I tried to do it for the first time, at Whomp’s Fortress. Not only up running out of similes and/ able to - gently push him into Mario drowned . . . the mo- did I get the 100-coin Star at or metaphors to describe how a bomb, if for one thing: His ment he resurfaced. I tried per- Whomp’s Fortress quite easily, bad the camera is in the game. tail was hanging over to edge. fect swimming for Through the but the red coins were simple. I might as well get back to it, If I went after it, I would likely Jet Stream Star, and I got close, I soon died at Bowser in the but the reader’s warned this have Mario fall into the roiling but not close enough. I did find Fire Sea; how I found out is I continental reminder of the lava below, not grab his tail. In the Metal Cap, grabbed its red- knew what “Fire Sea” truly bad camera controls will only my third attempt, I grew impa- coin Star, and then retrieved meant. There’s tons of moving stop once the camera stops its tient enough to keep on bump- the Through the Jet Stream platforms and poles to tackle. war against me, which will end ing into Bowser, not grab his Power Star. After getting past this elevator- when I get to the final sentence tail, and each time Mario got Eye to Eye in the Secret Room cage part, Mario decided to of this article. close, he slid away from it. The and Big Boo’s Balcony from Big take a scorching lava bath as I died a few more times on the reason why I’m forcing myself Boo’s Haunt went fine, but I the camera went into its hun- way to Bowser. This Fire Sea is to throw him is because the died trying to get on top of the dredth battle in this frustrating pretty dangerous, but there’s last blow in the final battle will roof for the latter Star. What’s war it forced me into, and by 1-UP Mushrooms to make the make me do so, and I might new with my poor platformer the time I won the fight against level not just tolerable, but as well get used to it, but I’m skills? Then I decided to tackle the camera and got Mario onto fair. Through the funnel, Ma- learning I might be the worst Bowser with 35 Power Stars to a platform, he’d sadly passed rio lands to have Bowser stomp player when it comes to throw- my name, but turns out I ac- away via burning after being in over, saying, “Pestering me ing Bowser. tivate Dire, Dire Docks: Board the lava too long. again, are you, Mario? Can’t “Ooowaah! Can it be that I’ve Bowser’s Sub, thanks to en- Seriously, people say Mario you see that I’m having a merry lost??? The power of the Stars tering a rippling wall of blue. Sunshine has the worst cam- little time, making mischief has failed me . . . this time. Now where do I battle against era controls, but I truly, and with my minions? Now, return Consider this a draw. Next Bowser? wholeheartedly, disagree with those Stars! My troops in the time, I’ll be in perfect condi- Instead of boarding the sub, I that pathetic claim. In Sun- walls need them! Bwa ha ha!” I tion. Now, if you must see your did “Collect the Caps . . .” Power shine, the camera is a slight had 40 Stars to my name; there precious Princess, come to the Star, which was simply snatch- hindrance; it doesn’t move on was no way I was allowing top of the tower. I’ll be waiting! ing the Vanish Cap to swim to its own accord, with almost Bowser to take them off me. Gwa ha ha!” Bowser says before the cage trapping the Star, and a mind of its own. Sure, I will Somehow, I managed to vanishing to expose the key to Board Bowser’s Sub is easy. By admit the camera is not Mario survive the platform steeply the top levels. I gave up on try- now, I have 37 Power Stars, and Odyssey good, but for the sec- tilting. I had tried jumping to ing to do a proper Bowser toss. I see a stone slope that leads ond 3D Mario platformer it’s a avoid sliding, but Mario still As Mario opens the door to to a hollow by now. Was that billion times better than 64. In slid, and the platform cor- the top floor, I realize that, there the whole time, or did it Sunshine, sure, sometimes the rected itself just when Mario even though I played both the just appear? camera gets so close to Mario was a second from falling com- game’s N64 version and its Nonetheless, I reenter Dire, that the player can’t really see pletely. I soon died because I DS counterpart, I never en- Dire Docks, because it’s so far what he or she is doing, but it’s kept on bumping him when tered this area before. I have a pretty fun course. Chests in a lot better than a Laktiu here: trying to dive into his tail. By seen these levels before, how- the Current took awhile, after waging a war against Mario, my second try, I learned I am ever. Although I was in the the whirlpool sucks Mario, and however, overall the player, awful at throwing Bowser; I unknown, I was, yet, in the attempts to swallow him when with its terrible, sucky camera miss the spiked bombs com- known about what’s to come. I finding the right order to touch controls. And I’m not going to pletely, and he falls into the soon found the door to Bowser, the chests, and not too bad, give Nintendo the lame excuse lava, which, for once in a Ma- and the voice says, “It takes the but the Star’s hitbox was stub- of it being their first 3D plat- rio game, doesn’t damage him. power of 50 Stars to enter this bornly not allowing Mario to former, because there has to Each time he landed, the darn door. You need 9 more Stars.” touch it. Pole-Jumping for Red be something called beta tes- platform would tilt, but luck- I got the Star from Toad, and Coins is interesting for one rea- ters, and they must not have it ily, I got the pattern of jumping that’s why it’s not ten. son: There are no poles to jump beta tested, or the beta testers to avoid sliding, but that still I see a small painting showing off from at the location where were too enchanted by the first didn’t stop Mario backflipping red white-spotted mushrooms the red coins are, and I spent 3D Mario platformer to realize into a slide, which was stopped beside a brown mountain; why an hour looking for said poles. the camera is so bad it’s like by a frenzy of kicks and single not to Tall, Tall Mountain: Scale So I try getting the 100-coin Lakitu been’s swapped with a jumps before falling into the the Mountain first. Instead of Star at Bob-omb Battlefield. I drunk monkey, or drinking be- lava himself. getting that Power Star, I was got up to 92 coins, then Wing- hind the dang camera, which In my second round, I truly able to get all eight red coins, 41 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER RETURN TO MARIO 64 IN 3D ALL-STARS but at the jump to the Power room. A few tentative steps on, and yellow triangles where watered, and that was quite a Star. However, I snatched the later, Mario then snatches the the Tricky Triangles Star is. I lot of water. “Wh-why?? Look Scary ‘Shrooms, Red Coins Star Blast to the Lonely Mushroom went over there, and went to at this mess! What am I going upon my return to Tall, Tall Power Star. Mystery of the the maze first; though I didn’t to do now? The ceiling’s ruined, Mountain. Then, on my way to Monkey Cage wasn’t too bad, get the red-coin Star, I talked the floor is soaked . . . what to the top of the mountain, Ma- but I was very tempted to keep to the little pink Bob-omb to do, what to do? Huff . . . huff . rio got too close to the edge of holding onto that monkey open the cannon. . . it makes me so . . . MAD!!! the mountain, near where four once I grabbed him. I found a I decided to look around the Everything’s been going wrong red coins on mushrooms. Now, hidden 1-UP at the slide for the castle for Tiny-Huge Island and ever since I got this Star . . . It’s most readers would assume I Mysterious Mountainside Star; Snowman’s Land, since I knew so shiny, but it makes me feel fell, which I eventually did; the a hint: Touch the corners in the they had to be at the top floor. . . . strange . . .” Wiggler’s luck camera decided to go into bat- first room of the slide. Breath- I soon found Tiny-Huge Island, is going to be even more rotten tle against me once again, but taking View from Bridge’s Star and I saw its first Star is called once Mario jumps on him, and in the typical way. The cam- took awhile, since I kept on Pluck the Piranha Flower. I this poor golden-brown crea- era started shaking rapidly up failing the jump to the Power didn’t know where I was going, ture adds, “I can’t take this any- and down so fast that within a Star behind the waterfall, near so I explored: I found a large more! First you get me all wet, two or three seconds out of the the top of Tall, Tall Mountain. warp pipe that shrunk Mario, then you stomp on me! Now, twenty seconds that passed With all six Power Stars from then I did a very slightly funny I’m really, really, REALLY mad! my head started to throb, and Tall, Tall Mountain in my grasp, death by falling off the island Waaaaaaaa!!!” I cried out by sudden stab of I then head off to Wet-Dry while riding the Koopa Shell. I then snorted with laughter pain flaring at my temples. World for the first Star: Shock- I got to this one part where when Wiggler snaps after the I should have looked away ing Arrow Lifts! I soon died, Mario can be blown by the second blow is dealt, “Hey! by then, but I couldn’t; it’s one since I this stupid enemy who wind, and the wind shoved Knock it off! That’s the second of those things that someone can throw Mario with a metal- him off Tiny-Huge Island. I time you’ve nailed me. Now wants to look away from, but looking liftoff thingy wouldn’t got my very first Star at Tiny- you’re asking for it, linguine they just can’t. Beside the fact throw him on the higher ledge. Huge Island: Tip Top of the breath!” I don’t know why I my brain felt like someone’s And yes, I do know what those Huge Island. Although I got a found “linguine breath” funny, squeezing it by how badly this purple Chuckyas are, and these game over while trying to hunt when I should be insulted in headache affected me, I leaped enemies aren’t them, reader. for more Power Stars, and for that way of hearing the game’s into Tall, Tall Mountain’s en- I learned, once I got to the Star, some reason, Mario felt really protagonist name-called. chanted painting. I wasn’t it shouldn’t be called Shocking small, like he was still shrunk “Owwch! Uncle! Uncle! Okay, blind to the fact there’s a Star Arrow Lifts!, but it should be or something. I give. Take this Star! Whew! I right near the starting point of named Easy Long Jump to Box When I returned to Tiny- feel better now. I don’t really the course, but on a mushroom with Power Star Inside. Top o’ Huge, I found the piranha need it anymore, anyway - I to far away to reach right away, the Town is the second Star at plants I was meant to defeat, can see the stars through my as far as I know. My plan was Wet-Dry World, which isn’t too but I have to say, their gnashing ceiling at night. They make to reach the top of the moun- hard to grab. The third Power teeth look a little too human me feel . . . peaceful. Please, tain, grab its Star, re-scale the Star, Secrets in the Shallows & for my liking. I lost to Koopa come back and visit anytime.” mountain to jump down where Sky, was an okay Star, but its the Quick’s rematch, since the I found the battle fun, with that Star is. On the way on top name is cool, but a bit vague of wind slowed Mario down just a little understanding about of Tall, Tall Mountain the cam- what to do. I did find the Quick barely enough for Koopa the why the foe is attacking, as his era shook again for about ten Race Through Downtown! a Quick to run right past, but house is flooded (though it’s seconds this time, and Mario fun Power Star. Meanwhile Ex- won it upon my return. not visually shown) and getting did live to tell the tale, up un- press Elevator - Hurry Up! took Five Itty Bitty Secrets took stomped on. til he decided to get rolled over thirty minutes, since I either ten tries, since I kept falling off I did almost die on the final by a cannonball - or is a boul- died or couldn’t get on the Ex- the course once I did find the hit, since the camera refused der? - it looks too smooth and press Elevator. five itty bitty secrets. While to show me where this darn round to be a boulder. It took Talking to the Toad past the looking for the five secrets, I Wiggler was, until he was al- me about three hours to get 50-Star door earned me my 53 saw, on top of the interesting most about to trample Mario. the Star, considering I had to Star. I found the 15th course: island, was a small hole full of I didn’t understand the whole find the right route, then take Rainbow Ride. The first Star water. So, while Mario’s big, I “Uncle!” apart in his ending it without falling off the darn is Cruiser Crossing the Rain- climbed up to ground pound, speech before letting Mario mountain; and if I did fall, it bow, but I saw what was be- which drained the water, then take the Power Star. It could meant several minutes to re- hind me. In front looked vast entered a pipe to re-scale to the either be mindless ramblings scale to where I was. and bland compared to this: top, and entered said hole. or Wiggler finding a random I gasp softly when Mario ex- poles, big platform-swings, a “Waaaa! You’ve flooded my word to replace a swear word. plodes out of the cannon, and maze of parkour where I knew house!” I like to say, the lush The Star when defeating Wig- narrowly falls off the mush- the red coins were, land to walk grass doesn’t look like it’s over- gler is called Make Wiggler March/April 2021 42 CHARGING CORNER RETURN TO MARIO 64 IN 3D ALL-STARS Squirm. Wiggler’s Red Coins got the Power Star, Get a Hand. It’s like Nintendo was laugh- marks the sixth and final Star I got the Roll into the Cage af- ing at those players, like me, see Wing-Cap Mario fly away I grab at Tiny-Huge Island, and ter a few tries, but for some rea- who are terrible with the to see Peach give him his cake, I soon find Snowman’s Land in son, the theme for Peach’s slide Bowser throws. There were I had least got to the final hit, this mirror room. was playing when time stood times during that fight I was in and I tried not to give up, but Snowman’s Land’s first Pow- still. Is this the theme for Tick front of one spiky bomb, and I grew so numb with countless er Star is called Snowman’s Tock Clock in general, and I still missed. Long story short, and countless defeats, I totally Big Head, but I grab the third just noticed, or is it the way the I gave up, completely numb gave up. Sorry, reader. Star, In the Deep Freeze, as my two hands of the clock were. with defeat. Though I couldn’t first. Hot tears of laughter blur Seems to be this is the general my vision after one game over theme of Tick Tock Clock, and INTERESTED IN ONLINE that should have anger flame I decided, no matter how cool through me. I was able to de- the concept of exploring and COMICS? TRY WEBTOONS Can’t get enough of WebToons, or know some of your own feat the Chill Bully, but both parkcouring inside the inner to share? Let us know! Mario and the icy-blue foe fell workings of a clock that goes into the frigid waters together; By Mikah Nelson from super slow to fast, to even Charging Corner Editor I was low on health, so Mario stopping completely, to leave he gets injured and needs to couldn’t damage boost himself ELECEED Tick Tock Clock altogether. find a way to escape, when he to the Star. For some reason I Action I got at least one Star from stumbles upon a bright chubby found it hilarious. Though I What do you get when you pretty much every course, be- orange cat. Kayden, seeing no was able to grab its Power Star, combine electricity and speed? sides the two Wing-Cap levels, other way to escape, transfers Chill with the Bully, in my next In an awesome comic called all but one. The Pit and the himself into the cat basically round. SNowman’s Big Head, Eleceed. In the world of El- Pendulums from Tick Tock becoming the cat, Jiwoo, a cat though the first Star, did mark eceed there lies a wide group Clocked marked my 69th Pow- lover enthusiast. One night he my last Power Star I grab in the of people who hold abilities. er Star, but I wanted to at least stumbles upon a bright chubby tenth course. The story focuses on Jiwoo, snatch one Star from Shifting orange cat who is injured and I return to Rainbow Ride. I who in his past has had to re- Sand Lands to get me able to passed out. Being the cat lover soon grabbed Coins Amassed press his abilities. People with face Bowser in the final fight. that he is, Jiwoo takes the cat in a Maze. At one part of the abilities are generally known After snatching the Power home to take care of him only level, I had two options: Jump in real life to be abnormal, Star from Klepto’s talons, I to find out that the cat is ac- onto the boxes for Swingin’ in and this applies in this comic. go over to the “endless” stair- tually a person. A person who the Breeze or go to the yellow Normal people don’t know of case, and to Bowser. I found is just like Jiwoo. Kayden with triangles for Tricky Triangles; the existence of people with a few 1-UP Mushrooms, and I the power of electricity and Ji- I took the former Star. Speak- powers, but people tend to be skipped a tiny part of the level woo with the power of speed. ing about Tricky Triangles!, scared of things they don’t un- by backflipping off this one That basically sums up the first I found the timer just tight derstand. Now enter Kayden, ferris wheel to a landing that three chapters of the comic so enough to force the player to the strongest superhuman to leads to this section where Ma- you’ll have to read the rest of it learn how to either be quick or currently exist with his power rio runs on this grayish-brown yourself. someone who can time a swift of electricity. While being landing with fire being spat at hunted by others with powers, triple jump, but no matter him. The wind part I thought which way it’s done, he or she JUNGLE JUICE would be bad, but it’s a simple Action has to be fast. run to the warp pipe. I didn’t pay attention to where The word jungle and the word When waking up one morning “Mario! You again! Well that’s juice are something I never he awakes to find that he has the clock hands were when I just fine - I’ve been looking entered Tick Tock Clock for thought I would hear together sprouted dragonfly wings on for something to fry with my until I found the comic called his back. Fast forward a bit and the first Star: Roll into the breath! Your Star Power is use- Cage. I saw it was going fast, Jungle Juice. In the comic, he is jumping out a building to less against me! Your friends Jungle Juice is referring to a save his falling friend know- and I soon fell off the side, and are all trapped within the walls waited until the hour hand was bug spray. This bug spray once ing full well that jumping out . . . And you’ll never see the sprayed on a bug somehow would mean he would have to at the twelve before entering. I Princess again! Bwa ha ha!” saw nothing was moving, and combines the DNA of the bug show his wings and by show- Bowser tells his age-old enemy. with the person who sprayed ing his wings he would be let- swiftly found the red coins for After twenty deaths, I started Stop Time for Red Coins. it. Thus giving that person the ting his secret out. How about counting how many times I bug-like features of the bug that taking a look at Jungle Juice for I returned when the hour died. I couldn’t get past the hand was at five, and it seemed was sprayed. The main char- yourself to see what happens in third blow, even after a hun- acter of this comic is Suchan the aftermath. to be fast, but it could be slow; dred times, at least - I lost track because of the moving parts, I Jang who used the Jungle Juice around ninety-ish. spray to get rid of a dragonfly. 43 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER LUIGI’S DEATHLESS JOURNEY IN LAST RESORT HOTEL This is part 5 of this article. Part 4 left off starting on page 35 of the February issue. Please refer to that issue online on the CHHS website for what you missed! By Katie Stafford Staff Reporter from shock than pain. The To the ghosts’ disgust, the plumber is soon overwhelmed third ghost makes Luigi’s hat by all three top hats circling appear. Luigi pats his head to around him; he covers his face realize it really was his, and not with one hand, eyes shut, trem- some kind of copy. Confused, bling. Only when he hears the he nervously eyes the first two rasps of curtains does he look ghosts who come over to him. up to realize the stage has been The third holds it between her turned into a well-lit stage sur- forefinger and thumb, almost rounded by a hazy purple void like she was holding a dead where the ghosts are to attack sewer rat than a hat that looks Luigi. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7njbnh Source: Photo well-cared for. She tosses it The ghosts have the same at Luigi’s face, which gets the amount of health as the Goob: to the elevator open; Luigi’s out the part in his hand any ghost to laugh as he removes it. 100, but there are three of flashlight peeks out before he more; the footage is in first His hat in his hand, he watches them. Most of their attacks does. He then nervously calls person point of view. Before he them wave their wands. As the are long-ranged. They mostly out, “Hello?” before realizing shows the footage, he’s smil- door glows purple after a little shoot out playing cards at Lu- nothing is there. Not long into ing, and he shows the footage magic, a cowering Luigi, one igi to either use Burst or run being at the Spectral Catch, the like he would to a new inven- hand holding the brim of his around it to dodge. Over time, plumber notices a massive ship tion he just made, instead of hat he put back on, eyes them they circle Luigi again, but us- blocking the way further into the worrying signs a character leaving the Wardrobe. ing Burst at the right moment the unknown. Gadd calls him Luigi spent saving from flying Instead of being in the Stage will allow the plumber to pull to explain the obvious: the boat auditorium chairs, ghost bal- like before, Luigi is placed in them out by what looks like in the way isn’t allowing Luigi lerinas, and even the piano- the Bladed Bedroom. This is their hair. to explore. However, he says it’s playing and piano-possessing when I recheck the box with With one down, they replace good timing, as a little prob- Wolfgeist on the fourth floor a saw. A purple haze swirls her with an at-the-ready explo- lem has cropped up, and he’ll having just been attacked by a around the plumber’s feet as sive; this is where if the player is explain when the plumber gets ghost. he tests the box. Before I can, really good at those games with back to the lab. The professor says, “Listen, a few ghosts come over to fight where the ball is under a set of Back at the lab, a perplexed Luigi! This footage is a clue! with swords. It isn’t too diffi- three cups, this will be right Luigi points where Red Toad You’ll have to use what was cult, and I proceed to the Hall. down his or her alley. If not, once was. Gadd says to a con- in the footage to track Toad At this point, I remember the then just follow the hat with fused plumber, “Hm? There’s down! Oh! But above all else, hard part about the boss fight the bomb, and head to one that one Toad missing? Uh . . . you simply must bring me that is the maze to get to the boss isn’t the explosive. When it gets Right. That was the bad thing part! My invention is at stake. fight. Each new area is a ghost down to one ghost, it’ll be one I’d mentioned.” The way Gadd You obviously agree that this is fight; so, if there is a battle with big guessing game if the player phrases that; it’s the kind of a mission of the utmost impor- a few ghosts, then the player is can follow the actual top hat way a guilt-ridden kid who tance, right? Heh heh heh!” on the right track. Just a tip for when momentary blackouts treats himself to a few freshly Excuse me, E. Gadd. Right, this part: Look at the rooms the happen every few seconds. baked cookies is caught red- let me reread this to make sure player least expects. At one point, my health was handed by his parents would I hadn’t missed any little tiny Once reentering the Stage, at 39, and I thought I got the say, just vainly grasping for a important details. I under- he walks to the center; a bright wrong hat, but it turned out believable excuse without in- stand footage being a clue, the spotlight pours down onto Lu- to be the right one. With the criminating himself in the pro- fact Gadd cares more for his in- igi, who shields his eyes with last ghost sucked up, the bat- cess. vention than Toad, the profes- a hand. The light slides away tlefield vanishes to the actual Gadd was thinking of modi- sor laughing under his breath, from him before it divides into dull Stage Luigi entered. I find fying the Poltergust G-00, and and that it’s an important mis- three; the three ghosts appear a hidden chest, and get some he sends Red Toad to hunt for sion. E. Gadd where do I start? in front of him. The middle coins and chattering teeth. the part he needs. He shows I bet it’s a good place to start ghost hides in her top hat that The floor twelve button Luigi footage of the missing where he openly admits inani- slams into Luigi, who cries trembles in his hand before Toad in B2 getting scared by a mate objects - the missing part out, “Ow!” in what seems more flying into place. The doors Slinker ghost, and flees with- and his inventions - are more March/April 2021 44 CHARGING CORNER LUIGI’S DEATHLESS JOURNEY IN LAST RESORT HOTEL CONT’D important than caring for Red ting the pipe in the right direc- behind Luigi. After the ghost like a ghost. One of those gem Toad’s life. If I didn’t need the tion, Gooigi heads over to the is sucked up, I use Toad to de- ghosts are there; he’s quickly part to continue the story, then room where Toad is concealed stroy some bricks; he proves to sucked up while Toad runs I’ll gladly not do it, but I have by a box. Before exposing him, be more of an inconvenience around in terror. I can’t decide to. This is what I meant about I go underground with two nice than a help, so I blow him away who’s more frightened and him being awful in this game. golden mice waiting to give me from the difficulty of getting running around wildly, Toad or There’s a lesson to be learned their decent amount of money. some coins. However, once I the ghost. The way to get to the by Gadd’s disgusting and truly I find out Toad’s AI isn’t pro- am done, I wonder where he door is the same as the Reser- unkind behavior: Life and the grammed to find Gooigi’s AI; I went, then he runs over to Lu- voir above this one, but Toad is safety of others is more impor- discover this when Gooigi uses igi from the other side of the needed to reveal the machine tant than a stupid part Gadd Burst from in front of the box, open gate, once the plumber and is used to help get it opera- has not laid eyes on yet. I could facing the player, to then have heads to the threshold be- tional. gladly go on, but then half Toad cheer to thin air while tween Sewer A and B. The door leads to the Wa- the rant will be me repeating his savoir is behind him. It Sewer B doesn’t really have terworks, but this time under- myself for about two or three not only makes Red Toad look much. There are a lot of mini- ground, which Gadd says he pages, so I’m not going to con- stupid not facing Gooigi, it is Goob, and they are easily dealt knows walking through filthy tinue, but E. Gadd, because quite funny as well. with, or they were if Toad hadn’t sewer water is disgusting, but of this line of dialogue, is the With that aside, Gooigi run right into the Poltergust. Luigi has to do it. Once where worst character in the Mario throws Toad over to Luigi, who In the end, Toad cheers, “I’m Gooigi was to help get Luigi franchise. wakes up after I press the right the winner,” once the battle is past the door the first time in Grudgingly, I go off to B2. joystick of the JoyCon, and he over somewhere high up where the Waterworks, the plumber Not long into traveling away jumps at suddenly seeing Toad I can not see him. He then re- is able to let his clone fight from the safe elevator, I get towering above him by a few spawns right next to Luigi in a the Hammer ghost. It’s a really into a tussle over a possessed inches. Gadd calls to say, “All cloud of white smoke. Sewer C simple fight. Then, it’s walking cabinet, which is swiftly giving right, looks like it’s time for the didn’t have anything either, ex- back to the newer Reservoir Luigi its loot. I see two or three main event! Try to find the part cept Toad screams a Slinker got and the elevator. I find it inter- gold bars where the key is to I asked you for! You saw it in him, and before I can do more esting Luigi would freeze for the Waterworks. I send Gooigi the footage, remember? Good than use Burst to get Red Toad a second once the door to the after it, and then I resummon luck!” I’m so sorry E. Gadd, away from the ghost, Slinker Old Reservoir closes. him back to the see-through to me - the player - the “main fades away into the Drainage Before getting into the eleva- container. I look in amaze- event” was to save Toad, I per- Control. tor, two Slinkers come around ment. I repeat what I did, but sonally don’t care one bit about In the Drainage Control, I and try to take Toad. The fight carefully watch it as I resum- the missing part. If I could, take care of the Slinker who wasn’t hard. In the Service mon Gooigi while he’s falling Toad would be all I get, but grabbed Toad in Sewer C; it Hallway on the way to the lab, towards the ground. I am right: the part is needed to go further is easy. Once they enter the another Slinker attacks, and He stands in midair, like he’s into the story, so I have little to Drainage Control, however, once again the battle isn’t hard, standing on an invisible floor. no choice on the matter wheth- Toad says there’s a shortcut, but some mini-Goob try to My only guess is that the devs er I want to get the part or not. and runs over to have the distract Luigi from saving Red didn’t intend for someone to After getting the part with Slinker attack him before Lu- Toad. resummon Gooigi while he’s the help of both Gooigi and igi battles him. The shortcut In the lab, Gadd congratu- falling, so either (a) Gooigi Toad, Luigi tries to get through is where Gadd tells the player lates Luigi on his work, and is programmed to stand on the door leading to the Wa- it is a dead end the first time not saving Toad; he says, “Ah! the ground, regardless if that terworks; however, a sleeping he or she enters it before Red Thanks for bringing back the ground is invisible, or (b) Goo- Hammer ghost is blocking Toad is sent on the frightening part, Luigi! Now hand it over!” igi is actually standing on part the door. Gadd calls to explain mission of retrieving the miss- So, I saved Toad, which took 15 of the background the player Toad and Luigi that they have ing part for the greedy inven- minutes of gameplay, and the can’t get to without some kind to find another way out. Using tor. The shortcut is easily dealt professor thanks - and clearly of crazy-skilled glitch or hack. Toad to get the ladder down so with by finding a handle where thinks about - the part. No in- I’m going to say the former is Luigi can climb, I head over off only Red Toad can reach. clusion of saving Toad; I don’t more correct here. to the waterless sewers. The Old Reservoir is where even care if he says it after In the Waterworks, there’s an- In Sewer A, Slinker comes Luigi and Toad end up. At one thanking Luigi for finding the other simple ghost fight. With to fight. For about 30 seconds point, Luigi finds a can of paint; part, but he doesn’t. One last the Waterworks done, I head he is invisible, and I can’t find it’s splashed on the brick, time: Show, don’t tell; describe, off to the Storage Room where the ghost in that time until which has a bit of the paint don’t explain. Red Toad is hiding. After get- he becomes visible again right not on the brick that’s shaped He’s given the massive part, 45 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER LUIGI’S DEATHLESS JOURNEY IN LAST RESORT HOTEL CONT’D to only remove a tiny thing outlet, which sends a blinded the next room and go into the ship; it’s the same, but one of from it. After he’s ordered to plumber stumbling away with Grotto Lounge as the crackling the ghost’s attacks is to tip the give him the Poltergust, Luigi, his face shielded by his arms sparks are annoying to listen to ship to force Luigi to slide into who looks strange without it, once a bright green light blaz- after realizing there is no pipe its mouth, and the only way to slips it off his shoulders. The es from it. A jagged stream of for Gooigi. keep from falling is to use Suc- curious plumber eyes the pro- light snakes its way towards The Grotto Lounge is a mas- tion Shot on a sign at the front fessor with interest before he the Poltergust. Luigi turns, and sive cavern lit by torches with of the deck. turns around, saying the new watches as the Poltergust roars roaring waterfalls next to rocks Luigi picks the floor 13 but- modification is complete. Luigi like one of those engines from to keep the water where it is. I ton. He turns to see Polterpup straps it back on his back, and big vehicles, like a monster use the Dark-Light to find a pi- barking excitedly to get his at- Gadd explains it’s called Super truck. With Super Suction, the rate flag; if the flag is hoisted tention; the pup then pushes a Suction, which increases the player doesn’t have much con- up, a gem is given to Luigi by rope ladder for him to use with suction power; however, Luigi trol as to where he or she is al- a skull opening its mouth. I his paw. Before I free Yellow has to find an outlet to plug it lowed to be; it’s kind of like this shine Dark-Light on every- Toad, I look around the ship for in to use Super Suction. 2.5D; it’s not free space like this thing. At the end of the cav- treasure, and treasure I find: a In the elevator, I remember game where the game does not ern the door opened, so Luigi treasure map to follow. I head an outlet being on the fourth limit the player on how they could get to the Beach. off to get the treasure by what floor. At the Auditorium, I see can move, but at the same time On a pier is a bell. With the the map said, but realize I want a Hammer with a mask on, it is. I can’t really explain it; it’s ringing of the bell in the still to bring Yellow Toad along the and at the same time Gooigi’s just something the gamer has air, Luigi looks at the water mini-adventure to uncover goo foams in its container. I to experience first hand. to notice a ship coming out of treasure. decide the big red Hammer I then realize what this outlet some mist. He watches it as Yellow Toad bounces on his will be easier before I hunt is hiding: a ghost choir. “There it comes towards him. Water head before sliding down the down for this Boo. However, goes the Soprano section.” I splashes him. A plank appears cannon to land into Luigi’s the lone ghost has, not only turn to the right side of the above him once he looks up af- arms; Luigi stumbles back Goob to help, but yellow lanky bleachers and use Super Suc- ter being sprayed with water; once he grabs Toad. He places ghosts called Oozer, who really tion again. “Well, I was after the plumber hears the creaking Yellow Toad down, and the hate a ghostly ballet disturbed the Alto half, not the whole and looks up to see the plank. Toad seems embarrassed by by a strange man with an ever lot including the director. And Luigi falls down, and scrambles his first moments since being stranger vacuum ruining what how did you survive your fel- to get up before diving aside a freed. Gadd calls to say Toad must have been a wonderful lows fate?” I use Super Suction second before the wooden will be safe in the lab with him. performance. The two Ooz- once again to get the lone ghost plank thuds onto the pier. Before heading to the elevator, er’s throw banana peels and singing. Luigi walks onto the ship to I take another look at the map apples at Luigi. When I think After I take care of the choir of hear flames crackling to life. He to find the secret treasure. the battle’s almost over, two ghosts, I destroy the bleachers turns to see Yellow Toad’s pic- I veer off the path to the el- more Hammers along with to reveal a TV. Going through ture-prison where the wheel is. evator, and find the way to the mini-Goob and Goob show up the screen takes Luigi to the He ponders how to get up there island. Using the Dark-Light to make the dying chaos more balcony to watch from a higher when a ghost shark wearing an Device, it reveals a wooden chaotic from just their mere place than the ruined seats be- eye patch, which conceals the bridge over to an isle. Using the presence alone. Meanwhile, low. There isn’t anything except floor 13 elevator button, leaps Dark-Light a second time, an- the goo foams up ceaselessly. a gem, so with the ghost choir on board. The shark possesses other bridge gets Luigi over to A few minutes of chaotic having sung their final song, I the floor. the island. I soon realize after battling later, I’m able to fo- go to the Spectral Catch. The way to fight the ghost unearthing the treasure chest cus on the hunt for the Boo. I Luigi’s Poltergust is plugged is to send explosive barrels that bringing Yellow Toad is track him down somewhere in in, and the mass destruc- into the floor’s mouth. The both a blessing and curse. He the Dressing Room, and now tion of the boat and part of wood barrels are provided by gets in the way just before I is time to guess right or else the wall once one part of the ghosts tossing them, to hurt can catch three or four golden have an unfun game of hide- ship is dealt with. Blue sparks the plumber. The ghost will mice, but I find out the player and-seek with Boo. I find him crackle every now and then, as appear and try to slash Luigi can toss the inconvenience of in this cart and use the Dark- I notice a green tube running with his hook, and only when an AI far off into the distance, Light to knock him around by in the wall, I wonder if a pipe his hook is embedded in the or until he respawns after literally holding his tongue. In is hidden behind the wall for deck for a few seconds can the what seems to be Yellow Toad less than a minute, the Boo is Gooigi to slip through, and I plumber stun and knock him splashing into the dark water; I sucked up. remove the rest of the wall to around. On the third time, the find this kind of funny. Luigi peers nervously at the expose the wooden covering of ghost possesses the side of the With Yellow Toad heading March/April 2021 46 CHARGING CORNER LUIGI’S DEATHLESS JOURNEY IN LAST RESORT HOTEL CONT’D off to the portable lab, the ho- of folded towels, but it’s just able to find an invisible trash crumbles away as Luigi travels tel owner wheels her chair to folded towels. A toddler could can by using the Dark-Light towards the chest. With the realize King Boo is there. She get in a room when towels are Device. That isn’t too interest- key, Luigi inches his way back puts some more makeup on used as a blockade. ing; however, I manage to get to safety. and comes around her desk After I left the Back Access, both Gooigi and Luigi to use I head off to the Shower Room while Polterkitty watches from I re-enter the Gym Lobby. Lu- Suction Shot on this one ma- when Luigi jumps, crying out a chair. King Boo glares at her, igi tries to open the door, but chine, which causes golden in fear, as those purple-blue his teeth bared once he hears it’s locked. The plumber jumps spiders, gold bars, dollars, and battle gates bar him in the Yoga there was a “tiny slipup.” How- when a volleyball slams into the coins to fall from the ceiling. Room. The battle had a Ham- ever, Luigi will be locked up window, creating a way to peer What I didn’t mention about mer and one Slinker; the battle soon, if she’s given a little more in, since the plumber could not the battle was that I had to is harder because if I went af- time. Scowling, King Boo re- look through the window be- do the battle a second time; ter one, the other would either moves the picture of Peach cause of how fogged up it was. I didn’t die, but here’s what charge (Hammer) or sneak up and Mario; Gravely watches as Looking through the window, happened: The Hammers deal on Luigi (Slinker). In a minute the King of all Boos and the the player and plumber can see twenty damage per hit, and Lu- or two, the battle is won. frames go through the screen the ghost busy showing off his igi’s health was at 20, one blow Inside the Shower Room, sev- she’d watched Luigi from. She muscles in the pool by tossing away from death. Hammer ad- eral Goob are taking steamy bows her head in disappoint- the button from one bicep to vances toward Luigi, who cow- showers. It’s up to Luigi to fight ment; she tenses up and looks the next. He then grabs a blue- ers in a corner once I stationed them, and turning off the water determined to do anything to and-yellow volleyball, and him there, my mind whirls in for better visibility is needed, fix her mistake Luigi caused throws it at the window, which panic and terror at knowing and the ghosts seem to be un- just by not being trapped in a startles the cowardly fellow the deathless run was over dur- touchable with the room mist- painting. from watching the ghost, and ing the 13th floor - the unlucky ed by the hot showers being Meanwhile, Gadd calls Luigi it happens to alert the player floor, considered by supersti- on. However, before the fight is to say they have all the Toads, ghosts have come to fight in tion. In almost slow motion, over, one of the Goob whistles, leaving just Peach and Mario the Gym Lobby. like how I saw Luigi lose so sending more Goob and sev- to save. He wonders where they The battle isn’t hard, but by much health in the Tomb Suites eral Slinkers at the player and could be held captive, which is the time the Poltergust expels thanks to that boulder trap, plumber to battle. The Goob a great example of dramatic the key to get to the next room, Hammer pulls back his fist to aren’t the problem; sure they’re irony: The player knows they the desk is cracked. In the kill Luigi, and this deathless many, but easy. It’s the Slinkers are with King Boo now, but Lu- Locker Room, there is an Ooz- run, when the game crashes. I that are the tricky part of the igi - the hero and protagonist er there; it’s putting on spray- laughed more out of relief than fight; each time Luigi has one, - doesn’t. on deodorant. I tried sneaking amusement. Before I returned another just comes along and The button clicks into place, past it, but it spotted me and to fight the Hammers, I took scares the plumber into releas- and Luigi heads off to the 13th hid in the middle locker. Get- a few minutes to calm down, ing its fellow comrade. floor. The elevator doors open; ting rid of it is easy. as my heart pounded and my Once the battle in the Show- he peers out, ducks, and ven- “Oh! Get me out of here!” I body trembled during the time er Room is over, Luigi enters tures past the threshold. Not cry as I control Luigi out of before the game crashed. the room with the swimming long into being in the Fitness the Weight Room, horrified The Training Room didn’t pool and the boss ghost. The Center, an old-fashioned tele- by what I saw and know with even have a ghost to fight; it is plumber freezes, screaming, phone rings; Luigi answers it to this room. There are two Ham- simply finding the key to the as a volleyball flies at him. He have someone on the other end mers - one’s lifting weights; the next room. The Yoga Room is dives aside, and crawls toward say, “Channel 3 plays music other is punching a punching just as simple as the Training an electronic scoreboard, once that is perfect for the training bag with boxer gloves on - and Room; the player has to use the he says, “Hey!” as the ball room . . .” I know the way to beat the two mirror to see which yoga mats splashes back into the pool. “They’re just towels; not fifty- of them is to get the one with are meant to be rolled up or Cowering, he moves so he can pound weights!” I snap as Lu- the gloves on to be hit on the kept flat on the ground. If the peer out from the side of the igi can’t get to the Pool by the head by the other Hammer, player gets the mats in the right scoreboard to have a second Back Access right away because who’ll toss weights at Luigi un- position, part of the wall will volleyball thrown at him by the of folded towels in front of the til his partner is finished. With open so Luigi can find the key. ghost. door. I do not know if I should his friend finished, he’ll charge Before getting the key, I use the The way to beat the ghost is roll my eyes or laugh at this stu- into battle. Easier said than Dark-Light Device to find an to first drain the water in the pid excuse keeping Luigi from done. invisible bag of dollars. On the pool. The way to do that is to entering the Pool right away. I With the battle won, I ex- way to getting the key from the have Gooigi head off to the le- can understand if it’s a cart full plore the Weight Room. I am chest, part of the stone ledge ver where Polterpup is barking 47 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER LUIGI’S DEATHLESS JOURNEY IN LAST RESORT HOTEL CONT’D to get the player’s attention as to rub salt into the wound, she first appeared on Paranormal explodes, fierce as ever, out to where to head off to; how- nonchalantly strolls out of the Productions. Speaking of Para- of the box once it’s opened by ever, the ghost melts the goo- elevator (Luigi watching her in normal Productions, I wonder both plumber and goo-clone, clone by spitting pool-water at amazement while the ghostly how Morty the film director is and blasted with the Scrobulb. him. Luigi helps by hitting his pup bounces from side to side, doing? I guess once I get the Wait her out, and this time she head with a volleyball to make tail wagging in excitement), floor 14 button Luigi can stop is sucked up in the Poltergust the ghost too dizzy to target and both plumber and pup on his way to visit him. Double-Zero. However, she’s Gooigi. My strategy is to hit the watch her go through the wall. Spectral Catch is where Pol- more clever, as she dodges the ghost with the ball, then hide While using the Dark-Light terkitty flees to. At the Grotto first blast, and either the player Gooigi behind the first pillar in the Gym Lobby, I find a bell. Lounge, Polterpup explodes is super-quick with Luigi, or he comes across, so that it’s It’s one of those bells that little out from behind a waterfall using Gooigi to aid his living easier to get to the lever once kids like to ring because of the which frightens Luigi before clone will get her in her right- the plumber attacks him with satisfying ding that sounds the ghost pup shakes out his ful place of being in Gadd’s another volleyball. right after pressing it. I had fur from the waterfall. At the ghostly gallery I happen to Once the lever is pulled all pressed it five to six times be- Beach, a lanky Oozer is there never use. At one point, she the way, the pool will drain, fore realizing it wasn’t going to to battle along with the venom- slashes Luigi twice in one go. both the water and ghost will do anything special like getting ous snakes to slow down Luigi. By this time my health was at then swirl towards the drain Luigi money or a gem. I hastily Once the ghost is swiftly dealt 29; if she attacked him again, like a whirlpool. Stuck in the abandoned the bell. with, it’s time for Polterkitty’s this deathless run would have drain, the ghost will not be I find a ghost who gave out turn. The ghost cat ends up failed at one of the last hurdles. able to break free, and this will coins along with two Goob in fleeing to the floor below. Somehow, I was able to turn end Gooigi’s helpfulness in the the Locker Room. Not long af- On the way to the 11th floor, Luigi just in time for the next battle. Luigi gets in the drained ter that, I am able to get Gooigi the once-safe elevator then round of her prowling closer to pool to then get him unstuck to scare several golden mice halts mid-decedent. Three stun her, to then suck her up. by another assault of volley- out of their hiding holes to be Goob appear; the scariest thing “Oh, I did it. Yeah!” Luigi says balls. With the ghost sucked up taken care of by Luigi. In the about the battle is, unlike most as he picks up the floor 14 but- after flexing his muscles, Luigi Shower Room, Polterkitty is fights, there is no music play- ton. At the elevator, the button can grab the button. frightened out from her hiding ing. To me, this fight is just the trembles in his hand, and Luigi With the button having just place in a basket. However, she eeriest because of the lack of is able to go to The Dance Hall. trembled and clicked into its isn’t the sweet scared kitty she a soundtrack playing. It is just Once there, he’s a little more slot, Luigi raises one finger to is by the time she hides in the creepy. at ease, because of music that press it; however, Polterkitty, punching bag in the Weight In the Bladed Bedroom of the sounds like something that a the button clamped in her Room. Twisted Suites, the saw now DJ in the 70’s might play. jaws, pokes her head through Her lioness-like claws slash works on the box from the il- I am able to find a large sum of the small hole, gracefully leaps at Luigi or Polterpup if they lusion of cutting someone in money just hidden below Lu- through the rest of the slot and get too close to the punching half. Out comes two ghosts igi’s and Gooigi’s feet by using lands on the ground, light as a bag. The way to get her out is giving money once knocked both goo-clone and plumber to shadow, and swallows the but- to take one of the boxing gloves around and defeated; how- light up all the glowing tiles at ton, a malicious look in her and throw it at the bag to scare ever, one vanishes the second the elevator. I don’t know how narrowed eyes when she’d took her out. She’ll then get onto I took care of its friend, and I much I started with, but by the in Luigi’s horror of knowing the light fixtures and yowl until presume I took too much time time I gather it all, along with a she was going to swallow it. several ghosts respond to her enjoying draining this ghost’s gem that is hidden in the vault, She deliberately turns her cry for help because a strange health before I defeat it in one it takes a good 30 seconds for back on Luigi, who says, “No, coward is there with a scary slam. I spent the next two min- the money to stop its ascent. no, no. Nice kitty,” while Lu- vacuum cleaner with a strange utes hunting down this ghost And if the player missed the igi has a hand inches from green liquid that forms into the in the room, but I can’t find it. brick blocks from the Mario her, but is too scared to actu- same stranger. Muttering, “Coward,” I leave games, don’t fret, because if ally touch her, and Polterpup, Once the battle is over, she the Bladed Bedroom. Luigi heads to the left side of who has come to Luigi’s aid. heads over to the Gym Lobby, In the Inverted Bedroom, I the hall, they’ll come across Meanwhile, this hotel owner’s and plays with what looks like uncover both Polterkitty and records on the wall. I used Lu- devious feline has licked her a dark brown feather, and only Polterpup under top hats. igi to spin the records, and it forepaw like she had a nice big Luigi, while she enjoys her Once she’s found, she hides revealed a block that Gooigi meal of tuna, and not having plaything, will get her to go full in another box, which is on was able to use Burst to receive enjoyed delaying the plumber lioness on him. It’s the same stage, to create the illusion of coins, and once the coins were from saving his friends. Then, way to fight her back when she cutting someone in half; she done, it hardened into a solid March/April 2021 48 CHARGING CORNER LUIGI’S DEATHLESS JOURNEY IN LAST RESORT HOTEL CONT’D block of metal, like the ques- over to the DJ, who’ll snatch it. At the elevator, when Luigi in the Poltergust, after he tion-mark blocks do once the She’ll put it away for safekeep- was about to press the button makes some final poses. I get player receives their coins or ing. Luigi gasps, then gapes to open it, hoodie-wearing an achievement for sucking up power-ups in the Mario games. as she comes over to him. She ghosts attacked him. Within the film director. Plus, the player gets a gem from will then get two records, and several minutes, the battle was With Morty taken care of, I the brick block along with this will become her weapon won without any injury. The hunt down Boo. He is in the money. of choice. The way to beat the final elevator button trembles Fire Set. With the Boo dealt After a Hammer and Slinker DJ is to use Burst once Luigi in his hand before twisting and with, I decide to travel through are defeated by Luigi, I find an- is close enough with her toss- clicking into place; I was about all the other floors I hadn’t other gem just by going over to ing her records around. Af- to head to the Master Suites, tried yet to find Boos. I’d al- a shop with T-shirts and fancy- ter Burst, the player can stun, but remembered Morty I was ready taken care of the Boos in looking coats, and removing slam her on the floor, and do meaning to visit after I took B1, the fourth floor, and Para- some of the fancier coats from this three more times until her care of Polterkitty. normal Productions. the rack. Before heading to the health is low enough. When Once I’m about to enter the I find another Boo in the Dance Floor, I get into a little she’s about to be sucked up, my Editing Room on the eighth room just before going into tussle with a possessed cabi- health was at 39, and I was ter- floor, Gooigi’s goo foams. Sewers A, B, and C of B2. At net. rified I missed her. Morty, who’s relaxing with his the Great Lobby of the first Luigi enters the Dance Floor. After Luigi says, “Groovy,” eyes closed in a director’s chair floor, it takes a while to hunt He glances around as he walks with the elevator button in says, “Oh ho, at last! My mas- him down after I find him. towards the button. The mo- hand, I notice two of the glow- terpiece is complete! Filled Once at the Hotel Shops, I am ment it’s in his hand, he waits ing tiles aren’t lit. With Luigi with gripping action, dripping halted in finding Boo when I for a second to see if something and Gooigi standing on them, with emotion . . . Oh, and the come across some Goob sip- is going to go after him, but he one tile moves upwards, which suspense! It has it all! Feast ping coffee at a cafe (with them sighs in relief, wiping his fore- exposes an outlet. A jagged your eyes on THIS! If it is not laughing at realizing the cof- head. The second he cheers, stream of light snakes its way to the very definition of true art, I fee goes right through them, his hand raised to celebrate, a the Poltergust. I wonder why a do not know what is!” as they’re ghost), and have to blast of sound from the speak- door would be behind the wall I check it out. What he says fight them; however, they are ers sends him flying off stage. once Super Suction is used. is not true. I find it more co- easy, and Gooigi, shaking by A ghost with a red afro floats I control Luigi over to the medic than anything else; his goo detecting a Boo, found up from behind the DJ station, door, but can’t get in. I figure I however, Luigi seems bewil- and fought the Boo. At the RIP bobbing her head to the beat. need to use Super Suction; I am dered and unable to decide Suites, I realize I forgot the She plays the records for a mo- worried the room’s contents if he likes it or not. Smiling, I second floor; I decide to hunt ment before a ghost picks up will be destroyed if I go at it control the plumber to get in down Boo before heading off to the floor 15 button. He puts it again, but I give Super Suction position. “Morty” - I get Luigi the second floor. on his head, and covers his face another go. Once I am done to charge up the Scrobulb - “I At the Mezzanine on the sec- with the hoodie he’s wearing. with Super Suction, I am able hate to say it, but no one else ond floor, Boo is named Booigi He then vanishes with his fel- to get into the room. is going to.” I let the plumber who says, “I’m Booigi, number low background dancers. The The room is full of afros the go after him; however, at five one! One of us is gonna have player then has to find the right DJ-ghost was wearing. I am health for the director, I stop. to change!” I find this hilari- hoodie-wearing ghost with the able to get two sets of stairs The ghost slumps over his ous, and swiftly end Booigi’s button. The only advice Gadd leading off to the unknown. I desk. “That isn’t the definition reign of terror of pretending to gives the player is to look for try the stairs to the left and get of art. However, if you define be Luigi. After Booigi is dealt the ghost who is dancing awk- a record on the wall to spin. I the word ‘failure’” - I then get with, Castle MacFrights is wardly because of the button. try using Luigi, then Gooigi, the overshadowed plumber to next; Gooigi is a real help de- If the gamer doesn’t find the lastly together on the same recharge the Scobulb a second ciding which suit of armor the ghost in time, the ghost will record, but whatever I do the time - “that’s where your mas- Boo was in. toss to one of its friends. I did record spins while the speak- terpiece, as you call it, is truly Garden Suites is next; it took find it hilarious when, if the ers and lights shake. I realize defined at, Morty.” awhile to get to Boo: The heavy player doesn’t move Luigi, the I need them both on opposite I try finishing him up, but vase Luigi dragged to the toi- plumber will snap his fingers sides. With Gooigi on the left, one of his trophies gets in the let where Boo was hiding kept and, if the plumber is walking, I take Luigi to the right. With way. “Looks like one of your getting stuck, and Suction will walk to the beat of the mu- both records on the walls spin- trophies is defending my claim Shot was continuously being sic. ning, the supporting beams, by protecting you.” The Scro- removed whenever that hap- The elevator button, once speakers, and lights fall, giving bulb is charged up one final pened. Once Luigi got out of finding the right one, will fly out a gem and some money. time, and Morty is swallowed the Artium three ghosts - two 49 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER LUIGI’S DEATHLESS JOURNEY IN LAST RESORT HOTEL CONT’D Goob and a Slinker - were wait- room behind the DJ by using ror before then. I’ll be waiting After destroying a vase in the ing to ambush him. The ghosts the Dark-Light Device. Once I in anticipation!” Hallway, I hear a growl in the didn’t even attack the cowardly find the Boo, I got the achieve- Luigi, who jumps, his fear game. Nervous, I go off to the plumber; Slinker frightened ment saying I collected all the reads more easily on his face first room. The growl, which him, but that was all. Boos. once he sees his brother’s sounds garbled, sounded The Unnatural History Mu- Luigi nervously exits the el- picture, raises a hand to the again. I notice it is one of those seum is the first floor where a evator, whimpering in fear. He screen, then shakily says, “Ma- ghosts who attacked Luigi with Boo is able to actually hit Lu- looks around, impressed, as he rio.” Stammering his big older his blue tongue after snatching igi. That hit seems to be a bad says, “Wow.” Luigi isn’t the only twin’s name, Gadd calls to him by the ankle. I let Gooigi omen for the Tomb Suites; it one frightened; this is the final explain the hotel owner has get his ankle snared while his takes me two chambers to find floor. If I die, this run is over. finally made an appearance, living clone saves him. The the Boo. At the elevator, I gasp It only gives me one expecta- and that means the two had to first room is the one where the when I see the ghosts waiting tion: If the game softlocks on fight; Luigi’s task is to track her player gets the feel for the la- for Luigi; however, it isn’t a bad me, then I am allowed to die. down, and rescue Mario. I see sers. Gooigi can’t slip through battle, but it is long, since an Hellen Gravely’s boss fight is Gadd, finally, has decided his the lasers, so the plumber has Oozer escaped capture for sev- better suited for people good at only way out of the hotel now to run past them at the right eral long minutes. I wonder if I multitasking, and I have a ten- is for Luigi to save Peach and time. After disabling the lasers, should leave, as the battle gates dency to panic during this fight Mario, but that doesn’t excuse Luigi can get the key; however, aren’t there to block Luigi in because I’m terrible at multi- his disgusting behavior of car- I am hit twice by hesitating at this fight, but I am finally able tasking. King Boo’s is just long, ing more for money and his in- the wrong moment. I am able to suck him up. and it’s the final boss fight of ventions’ safety than the life of to get a lot of money by uncov- The Twisted Suites are easy; the whole game. So, I am un- the lives of others, regardless if ering a secret entrance in the the Boo is in the room with the derstandably nervous at the those others are AIs. Library I am in, and I find two floating bed, which has a mir- Master Suites. After getting Gooigi to remove hearts. ror, so between the mist and At a big screen near the el- the screen by going through a Once out of the room, I get in mirror this Boo is easy to spot. evator, Hellen Gravely appears pipe, I head to the first room - a battle with some yellow Ooz- Spectral Catch is terrifying by on screen; the hotel owner the room to the lower left - but ers and a Hammer. By the time the time Luigi finds the Boo; seems to not have expected to stop when I see a shadow play- the battle is over, Luigi’s health his health was at 41 caused by be on camera so soon, as she ing across a lone painting of is at 49. After sucking up some those snakes. I was hoping for hurriedly puts on some more King Boo. Using the Poltergust, Spirit Balls and looking for a heart with only 21 hearts of makeup. She wonders how her I am able to get both shadow hearts in the next room, I get health after two more snake staff could be “so incompetent” and painting to fit almost per- my health back up to 99. The bites, when I saw one, but to when she sees the cowardly fel- fectly, and it uncovers a picture way to get the key in the Draw- my horror a bomb about to low. She admits she underesti- of Luigi using the Poltergust. I ing Room is to let Gooigi get rid explode bounced on screen; mated the plumber and profes- think the plumber has to use of the lasers. I did find a model frightened this run would end sor, but just a little bit. the Poltergust, but he has to of the Dark Moon mansion be- after something out of the way She congratulates him on position the shadow to make it fore a ghost jumped out, which as collecting the Boos, I waited making it this far; however, look like Luigi is using it. I get did startle Luigi and me, but until the bomb went off. Once Luigi shouldn’t be thinking a gem and coins. I then leave to the ghost giving out coins is a the bomb exploded, I was able he’d won. Remembering the return to the Lounge, and as I nice treat. After getting to the to get the heart, and finish off argument after Yellow Toad gather up my courage to get the lever, Gooigi can walk towards Boo. was freed about Luigi creating keys needed and to face Grave- it, as he is the one waiting by At the Fitness Center, I find the mistake of saving everyone ly, I notice a gem in the elevator the fire to pull it. Boo in a basket, and I think he from their frames, I read how - or, more correctly, where the The next room I go to is a is at the edge of the pool, but Gravely plans to make him “the elevator was. bathroom - or, I should say the he turns out to be in the pool; ultimate gift” by using a cap- Using Gooigi, I hunted Master Bathroom. Luigi has he is another easy one. Last is tured Luigi as a scapegoat for around for a way; a pipe hidden to get past lasers to get to the The Dance Hall. At the Dance any punishment on her part by by the camera angle got Gooigi key in the bathtub. I use Goo- Floor, I find an invisible table, freeing all three Toads through on top of the elevator. Moving igi to go through the grate in which happens to be where not having Luigi framed in his along the wall, I am able to get the shower, which has golden another gem ghost is hiding. own picture-prison. She won- the gem by slipping into a hole. spiders and a gem. If I wasn’t With that gem collected, I have ders if King Boo would display Another is found by having so nervous the run would be one more to find; I am able to him right next to his twin’s both plumber and goo-partner over on the last floor of The find the last one by uncovering picture. She finishes by saying, stand on two tables, which re- Last Resort Hotel, I would have an invisible wig in the hidden “Try not to faint from sheer ter- veals a gem. laughed when I noticed the March/April 2021 50 CHARGING CORNER LUIGI’S DEATHLESS JOURNEY IN LAST RESORT HOTEL CONT’D toilet paper was actually a lot sucks up some of the mini- you catnapped me sweetie, my her fingers a second time, of dollars, which reminded me Goob. At one point, I jumped little darling . . . My precious which flips Mario’s picture. of those photos of golden toi- when a Hammer sent a shock- Polterkitty! This isn’t how it Luigi, trembling and whimper- let paper. After that room, I get wave at Luigi, who was a pixel was supposed to happen!” ing, looking for an escape route in a fight with a sneaky Slinker or two away from being hit It takes me two or three sec- without fighting (I wish there and a bunch of mini-ghosts by the shockwave. WIth the onds to realize I am spamming was one, Luigi, trust me on that are easy enough to defeat battle over, the plumber puts the B button instead of the A that), climbs to his feet. without any problems. the four keys in the King Boo button I was meaning to press. There are red lasers that Luigi The last room is the Mas- statue’s tongue to get to the With the right button pressed and Gooigi can’t touch; those ter Bedroom. I am able to slip hotel owner. The statue’s eyes to continue the cutscene, she deal twenty damage. The way past the lasers to activate the glow brightly, which has Luigi bows her head, shaking with to beat her is to have Gooigi platform-elevator. It isn’t bad, backing away nervously. The what looks like suppressed go underground to take care but by the time I get the key door opens, and the player rage. She glows purple for a of the ways to stop the four la- my health is at 39, and I know a and plumber can see Hellen few seconds before facing Lu- sers - yellow, orange, teal, and ghost fight with lasers to dodge Gravely in her chair, facing the igi, who jumps, whimpering in purple - that do ten. Once the is waiting on the other side of screens. terror, at seeing her red eyes multi-colored lasers are dealt the door. I fear the elevator will “I’m scared,” I say and hesi- glowing evilly and her sudden- with, Luigi can attack the hotel tip Luigi to lose some health tate outside the door; I know ly unkempt hair like she didn’t owner without fearing getting because he won’t be able to this fight isn’t going to be bother to brush it for a few days hurt by the lasers. get to his feet on time to es- easy. I take a deep breath and when her hair had been piled It goes smoothly for the first cape falling; to combat this, get Luigi to enter the room high neatly on her head until round of getting rid of the la- I use Gooigi to get the eleva- and to activate the cutscene then. She slams her fists onto sers; I am able to drain her tor just barely close enough so that plays. However, I stop her desk, causing it to collapse health before dealing with the Luigi doesn’t have to climb to the plumber every few steps. I and despawn almost immedi- last laser, and get her health his feet. Instead it turns into a never was good at multitasking ately, well out of the player’s down from 600 to 400. I am single pixel separating Luigi’s and keeping a cool head while view. hit by a red laser, but I am able running animation from fall- panicking. This fight was going Trembling, Luigi, sitting on to find a heart. Her health was ing down the chasm below or to make me multitask like no the floor, raises a hand to shield lowered to 200 the next round; the floor. Thankfully, it turns tomorrow, and I would have to his face. She continues, an ac- however, I did get hit once by a into the latter. I notice a gem try to be level-headed if I start cusatory finger pointed at him, multi-colored laser. Every now up high behind bars; Gooigi panicking once I get the hint “You weren’t supposed to run and then, I pause the game to slips through to get it. With the this battle will kill Luigi, and away from King Boo like a filthy gather my courage again, as my second to last gem, I realize I this deathless run. coward! If you’d just let your- fear this run was over was driv- need more health or else it will “Hello?” Luigi calls out ner- self get caught in that painting, ing me up the wall, and it isn’t be suicide to go into battle with vously. It takes a few minutes King Boo would have showered helping my hands are shak- health so low during a death- for me to stop hesitating with me with praise for my brilliant ing and sweaty and my heart less run. my finger hovering over the A trap! But instead . . . Instead . pounding. I don’t head to the statue to button once the hotel owner . . I”VE LOST EVERYTHING! place the keys because that will says Luigi didn’t have it in him BECAUSE OF YOU!” mean a fight on so little health. to get this far. Gravely then She then notices her de- Instead I go to the Library to says, “A scaredy-cat like you” monic appearance. She hast- scavenge for extra health. At - I wonder if she is referring ily puts on her makeup again, This article will finish the door, that same ghost is to me too, as I wished I didn’t and looks like her old self. She there; the blue-tongued ghost in our next issue. make the known softlock my says, “Ahem . . . Shall we begin? Stay tuned! does make me jump, but Luigi only exception to this deathless I suppose I’ll just have to deal doesn’t lose any health because run; I didn’t want to change the with you myself. Then King of some quick Gooigi-sum- Gold-Bone death to become an Boo will trust me once more moning. Not only do I find a exception anyway - “making it and recognize how useful I can secret room with extra health, this far . . . You’re just FULL of be to him! Are you ready, Luigi? but I find the last gem by plac- surprises!” Do try to make this enjoyable ing a book back on its shelf. By She wheels her chair around for me!” the time I leave, Luigi’s health to face Luigi. “You ransacked She snaps her fingers: The is a safe, full 99 once more. my hotel, captured my staff door slams shut, and Luigi, The battle isn’t hard. There with that strange vacuum of turning to look, cries out as the is a little bit of lag when Luigi yours . . . And to top it all off, sparks fly from it. She snaps 51 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER CAN PAPER MARIO’S ORIGAMI JOURNEY STOP KING OLLY FOLDING MUSHROOM KINGDOM? This is part 6 of a review on Paper Mario: The Origami King for the Switch released July 17, 2020. The previous part can be found starting on page 43 in our February issue. By Katie Stafford Staff Reporter facing each other, to me. She Another statue says Mario has says they look like bears; how- to undergo three trials: Power, ever, she says it’s hard to tell Wisdom, and Courage. When because they’re not origami, I read that, I then wondered which is what she’s used to see- if the Triforce from Legend of ing. She turns to Mario, saying Zelda was the Triforce of Pow- she hopes she sees polar bears. er, Triforce of Wisdom, and “Oh,” I breathe; the game tells Triforce of Courage; it is, and https://www.posters.cz/plakaty Source: Photo me this is the Ice Vullmental a quick Google search because Mountain, thanks to the lower I wanted to be sure, showed I right-hand part of the screen. went from playing a Mario to At a bridge, Mario and Olivia a Zelda game due to these tri- shiver, hugging warmth into als. The reward, I’m told by the their bodies. Olivia whispers statute, is an orb. Olivia then they’re thinking the same wonders if an orb is a prize; thing: Why it’s so cold; she however, she likes winning, then realizes it must be the Ice and suggests they do it. Vullmental. Seeing the bear- At Mario’s feet, is a Magic Cir- shaped ice statues chilling cle; however, it smoothly shifts in the icy, murmuring water, from green to red, then to pur- and how the mountains were ple, next to blue. I’m guessing shaped as bears, I believe the the Magic Circle is like the wild Ice Vullmental must be a bear card from Uno; instead of a - a polar bear, no doubt. card giving the player a chance The puzzle to the second part to dictate if the rest is a specific isn’t hard: Just find the slab color or number, it’s any Magic of ice to cover the icy spikes, Circle Mario and Olivia has and Mario can slide his way learned. Olivia tells Mario and into the doorway. Ice physics I she feels a lot of power flood- have never been my favorite, ing her, and says it might be but they are tolerable, only be- she can use any of her learned cause it’s Mario - it be a com- Vullmental powers. If pressed plete nightmare with Luigi X, instead of Olivia just folding up to realize I’m in a wave bat- ready near the place with the and his slippery controls with herself into it, she asks Mario tle with him, Ice Bros. he sum- other half. Two retries later - slippery ice. “Is this it? Have which power should she use. moned, and blue crabs that entering a cavern restarted the I - ?” I stop mid-word, since I Since there’s another mound happen to appear in the arena. puzzle - I was able to get it to saw a Sledge Bro slam his feet of hyper-realistic earth (some- After the wave battle, it’s using slide down. After Mario climbs on the icy ledge he’s on. “Never how it doesn’t look like bits of 1,000-Folded Arms to break to his feet to dust his clothes mind,” I say, watching him be a sparkling grained rock is em- an icicle to parkour across. off, Olivia wonders how the terrible Sledge Bro by breaking bedded, unlike the last time), Instead of walking down the Magic Circle got there, or if it the bridge to the bear-shaped I have her use the Earth Vull- stairs, I leaped down from the filled itself in. Either way, after door. Olivia demands if he mental’s Magic Circle. Once ledge to the ice; it took three or hitting the bear’s glowing nose wouldn’t stomp around. chosen, the All-Power Magic four tries, but I was able to land with 1,000-Folded Arms, it’s She’s not the only one en- Circle transforms into the on the ice without either miss- teeth open to reveal a Shiny Ice raged; I am too. My JoyCons Magic Circle chosen. ing it or slipping off it to have Flower. It’s tongue then slides rumble every time he stomps Before going inside the Mario hold onto his wounded out to hit the floor. Once grab- his feet, causing shards of white house, which has been low- foot. bing the Shiny Ice Flower, it’s ice to slam onto the ground ered, I travel uphill near them. During battle, I realized what going into the ice bear head’s to shatter, trying to hurt the A few moments into the climb, to do; near the bear-door is a mouth to be swallowed whole red-clad plumber. Near him, Olivia will ask what animals Magic Circle; however, it’s only into the darkness. his hammer slams into Mario, the mountain top is shaped half. I needed to fill in the rest Mario looks up to see a Spike dealing twenty damage. I heal like; looks like roaring bears of it. In the battle, I was al- Folded Soldier with a large ball March/April 2021 52 CHARGING CORNER CAN PAPER MARIO’S ORIGAMI JOURNEY STOP KING OLLY FOLDING MUSHROOM KINGDOM CONT’D of snow at the top of a tall, nar- spiky ice ball rolling at Ma- in his or her first battle: They swiftly, and how the voice will row tower. I howl in horror, rio. At one point, he’ll freeze get coins after battle, and there ask if the player is certain it’s guessing Mario will be chased the rings; during the turn Ol- are battles, like the Vullmental the correct answer. It’s just one down by the snowball, unless ivia points this out, I had just battles, the player can’t skip. Or or all playing an affect, doubt he finds a way up without flee- said, “Mar -” and me saying the at least to my knowledge play- plagues me as I double guess ing back down the ledge. I soon plumber’s name turned to a ers can’t skip the unskippable myself. If Mario gets it right, learn, I can break the balls of howl of horror, at seeing Mario fights. he’ll run through thin paper ice with my hammer; however, nearly dead. Inside the red house, the stat- to land on the other side; the I missed one, and had to watch A long time later, I found out ue tells me Mario has to pass wrong place clearly as a place Mario trapped in it before how to get rid of the chucks of the three challenges of the Tri- barring the player. I found out he flutters down, ten health ice caging the Fire Magic Cir- al of Power to get a sacred orb. what happens if the player is points lost. After the tower, it’s cle: move the panels back and In the first room, Olivia asks if wrong: Mario will sink into a some two more puzzles with forth. However, after I did that, they forgot to put a trial in the pit of mud, until he reappears sliding a slab of ice under Ma- the Ice Vullmental used Ice room. The voice explains Mario at the front of the statue, then rio’s feet, using the hammer to Maze: a move where he shows has to break the blocks in the he’ll brush off the mud caking change the direction or move a safe path, then moving every- time provided; with two sec- his body. the ice slab. thing. I never could solve the onds to spare out of the 30 giv- Looks like Nintendo realized At the third ice-slab, I maze, but a lot of Fire Flowers en to me, I destroy the last one. gamers might have memorized thought it was another puzzle. took care of him. Like before, The second one is the same, the questions to swiftly do it; No, actually; Mario, waving his my JoyCons then rumble as he but the player can use Mario’s there are different questions arms and silently screaming in glows; in his place, is his Bibi- hammer; however, I failed the for even the rooms the player panic, is sent flying off screen - lofold, and his Magic Circle: A first time, but the next attempt got wrong. At the last one, the a moment later, he’s seen flying picture of a polar bear standing had me get it down. The last player must speak to three stat- at a snarling icy bear-head. The on its hind legs is at the cen- trial is driving a large nail into ues, and find who’s lying. A and ice teeth shatter, and Mario is ter of it. With the frosty light the ground using both jump C say B is lying; B says A and tossed off the slab of ice. Oliv- swirling at the Magic Circle un- and hammer attacks; I suggest C are lying. Trusting B over A ia, who flew out of his pocket, der Mario’s feet, Olivia’s ready using the hammer for the first and C, I go to him, hoping I’m speculates they flew into the to fold into the Ice Vullmental. few times, then use the boots right in trusting the B statue; B second mountain, and it was Shivering, she explains she’s when the nail is nearly driven is telling the truth about A and fun ice sledding underwater. freezing her folds off even in. “What?” I ask, confusing C. Another macara celebrating On a large circle of ice, Olivia folded into Ice Vullmental she whirling through me; statues, later, I get the Wisdom Orb. and Mario shiver until they’re is still cold. However, she isn’t moving back and forth, shake Olivia cheers, “Hooray! You’re thrown backward because a going to let the cold stop her, maracas. With how abrupt the the wisest of the wise, Mario!” large block of ice is trapping considering she says it will take celebration had started, it sud- One Ice Vullmental freez- a big white thing inside it. Ice forever to learn all the cool denly stopped, with the voice ing the water, I go to the last shards fly everywhere as it frees moves (pun intended). A beam telling me to claim my prize. house for the Trial of Courage. itself - sorry, I meant the Ice of ice expels from her mouth, Mario gets the Power Orb; after However, it appears I needed Vullmenal, which is a snowy- and once it’s frozen, she slams getting it, Olivia says she knew to fill up the moat with wa- furred large polar bear breaks her forepaws down, creating an Mario was strong. ter first before freezing over free from its icy cage. Olivia icy path because she froze the I realized it was a good thing I it. In the green house, Mario tells Mario the Ice Vullmen- water. took care of the Ice Vullmental can start the Trial of Courage. tal, who’s been folded into ori- Outside, Mario’s about to fall when I did: the blue and green Olivia tells the temple they’re gami, must be strong in frosty off a frozen waterfall; Olivia buildings are surrounded by not scared, then wonders what weather like where they are. tells him to grab her. He does, water, and the Ice Vullmenal’s the rope is for. The player has The Ice Vullmental roars, and but it ends up with them (Ol- power is the only one that can to lower an object down, and the battle starts. ivia sitting in front of Mario) take care of the water. The Trial halt it’s progress. However, he The Ice Vullmental cocoons sliding into coins to land on of Wisdom - the blue house - is or she must stop it below the itself in ice, and it’s up to Ma- one of the bear statues; Olivia next. The Trial of Wisdom are arrow; it’s about halfway away rio and Olivia to melt it. Inside comments on statues enjoy- questions: There is a blue plat- from Mario. The object turns chests scattered across the bat- ing the landing. I laugh, real- form with a check mark; a red out to be a metal bowl by the tlefield, are on panels for Magic izing anyone wanting to do a with an X on it. The time feels looks of it. I asked, “How did Circles. Before getting it, I used coin-less run in the game it’ll too much, like the game wants it count?” The thing must be some Fire Flower fireballs to fail by this point. However, I the player to doubt him or her- bordering between right on the do some damage, but he was realize a coin-less run would self with how much time there line and below the arrow. doing more damage with his be over once the player fights is, the sound of clock ticking The next part had the thing 53 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER CAN PAPER MARIO’S ORIGAMI JOURNEY STOP KING OLLY FOLDING MUSHROOM KINGDOM CONT’D too high from where the arrow has to parkour across moving by flame, another is caged in moves is hitting Mario by hav- is; it’s lower than before. My pillars in an area very similar ice, another is surrounded by ing his circular, tape body hit next try had the arrows prac- to Earth Vullmental Temple. a pool of water, and the last is him several times, doing six tically at the top. The last one Before Mario gets to the crab, high up in another mound of to eight damage (unblocked), has the rope moving slowly at Mario is in an area like the Wa- hyper-realistic earth. On my and three to four if blocking first, then speeds up. The last ter Vullmental Shrine; he has way to them, someone says the blows: He can even do the object is a Thwump, which to block the cracks in the wall they’re elevating. Before I can attack a second time after the makes it even more stressful. to either get rid the crab with move Mario, I ask, “What?” A first, during the same turn; One celebration later, Mario a hammer slam, or walk into it roll of tape appears, and the the first time he went into a gets the Courage Orb. Olivia to do an actual battle, and once game tells me this roll of clear second round, I was too slow, then tells Mario he’s the most the crab explodes into some tape is called the Shifty Sticker. and watched in horror as Ma- courageous hero she knows. coins and confetti, Mario can When I saw it and its name, I rio was given additional dam- Outside, the statue outside get the red gem. Now with the said, “Okay.” age. After asking King Olly to says he passed the Trials of statue clamping its jaws on the I think the Shifty Sticker is avenge him, he’ll glow with my Power, Wisdom, and Courage. red gem, the left eye glows red, taking orders from King Olly; JoyCons vibrating until he ex- Olivia cheers about Mario’s which spills into a bowl that he tells Paper Mario he has plodes into a cloud of smoke victory, and wonders what they overflows to move the Earth a message from him, and he and fire, which frees the taped are meant to do with them. I Vullmental statue’s face to- informs Olivia she should Toads. bet I know; I head off to Tower gether again. float back to Olly, because it A Magic Circle will appear. Island to see if I’m right. How- Outside are platform-eleva- is “past your beddy-bye time.” Olivia says they can take care of ever, I went back to Toad Town tors that are green and blue Olivia is outraged, since she the spool of streamer now. My to restock on weapons; plus, for both the Earth and Water wonders how all the origami- JoyCons rumbling, I watch it for 5,000 coins, I doubled the Vullmentals. I lost some health making tools are all tacky; the glow until it splits into confet- speed of Sea Captain Toad’s going after a 100 coin during Shifty Sticker says he’s sticky, ti; my confetti then maxes out boat’s motor. “Oh, this is eat- the Earth Vullmental ride, and not tacky. The battle starts; I again. Seeing only the green ing up the land - I mean, eat- the Water Vullmental showed just have to destroy its purple streamer, I say, laughing, “Luigi ing up the waves,” I say, watch- some Toads taped to the wall. Olly-sealed tape dispenser: better have the key to Peach’s ing in awe at how fast the boat Then, it’s returning indoors to Both Shiny Fire Flowers and castle.” I’m laughing because now travels on the Great Sea. see the Fire and Ice Vullmen- 1,000-Folded Arms work great. Luigi wears green and the last At the Tower Island, the Power tals having a staring contest. I laugh once it’s dispenser is streamer is green: It’s fitting for Orb, Wisdom Orb, and Cour- After another ice-slab ride dealt with, and I was about to the cowardly fellow. With Ma- age Orb fit in the slots, which puzzle, it’s those light-up floor put that the battle was quick rio staring at the green stream- slowly opens a door. Olivia says platforms that have the player and easy, when it appeared er, Oliva wonders where the she can’t wait to get to the top, needing to memorize the or- again, without its dispenser. At last streamer is, since it could if the tower doesn’t go on for- der to get across safely without seeing him return, I abruptly be anywhere. ever. flames rushing at Mario. Once stopped laughing, gazing in She turns to stare at it, ask- Inside are four statues of the past, the player can melt the horror at the Shifty Sticker. ing if it’s been there the whole four Vellumentals: Earth, Wa- Ice Vullmental’s teeth allowing The battle is now yanking the time. She realizes it goes up to ter, Fire, and Ice. She greets a path outside. tape with using 1,000-Folded the clouds, which is too high them, then says she knew they Back out in the fresh air with Arms; it feels so satisfying to for Maro to jump and too high were statues. Passing the room the sound of screaming Toads see all the tape be pulled off for her to float to. She says it’ll is some parkour with a lot of who’ve been taped to the wall, in one, long sticky strand. Ev- be wishful thinking to make moving blocks that retreat into Mario rides the platform eleva- ery turn, he’ll tape the panels it up there with a hint; mean- the wall; it took awhile, but I tors from the Fire and Ice Vull- together in a move called Roll while, Mario stares at a white was able to get past it. mental’s to fight one Hammer Out, making the taped panels spot with what might be yellow The next part has the Earth Bro. and Sledge Bro., who are move as one, which isn’t very words under his feet. The yel- Vullmental stone head in half, on a landing. It leads to a save nice. The only way to get rid low words underfoot read: “Let while the Water Vullmental has block; once I hit it, it’s heading of the tape is to burn with the four fold into one and point its right eye glowing. Near them to the top of Sea Tower. Fire Vullmental Magic Circle, you toward paradise.” are two statues at the edge. The Olivia comments on how but right after the tape’s been I go ahead to the four mini-is- one to the right has a blue gem, high up they are. She sees the reduced to nothing after the lands. I had to melt the ice with like the glowing dragon-statue spool; she wonders what they flames extinguish themselves, Olivia’s phoenix fire; her ice eye, while the other statue is are meant to do. Meanwhile, he uses the move again right powers froze the water island; missing its gem. A crab, hold- the player can see four mini- away. He’s not only unkind, her roaring Earth Vullemental ing a red gem, flees. Mario islands: One is surrounded but fights unfairly; one of his powers lowered the earth; her March/April 2021 54 CHARGING CORNER CAN PAPER MARIO’S ORIGAMI JOURNEY STOP KING OLLY FOLDING MUSHROOM KINGDOM CONT’D Water Vullmental dragon pow- you have to ruin everything?” ri-Spa campus.” It returns to the kind of funny. Kamek is horri- ers douse the flames. The four The building has Bowser’s present, where Kamek finishes, fied. Olivia changes the subject statues expel a beam of light, face carved into it. It doesn’t “Yeah! Right into the banquet slightly by explaining to Ka- which explodes into a tower help matters Lord Bowser’s hall!” Or I thought it was Ka- mek he can try the hot spring, of golden light. Olivia says the number one supporter is the mek: A furious Toad with a cal- which might restore Bowser Jr. light is calling them. The light groundskeeper; Kamek tells culator in hand then explains back to his whole state. rushes them to a small grassy Olivia, who says she forgot how one must make a reversion to After a battle, Bowser Jr. ap- island; Olivia wonders where much of a celebrity Mario is, drop a castle from the sky, and pears whole, but he’s caked in they are, and to follow the he fought Mario many times. demands if they knew how dirt. He says it’s been an hour green streamer, which is swal- After Kamek then introduces far out they’re booked. Mean- since his last fight; he’s about lowed by the clouds. Not long himself, Olivia explains that while, Kamek sweeps, glanc- to battle Mario when Kamek into following it, they come she and Mario are trying to ing at the Toad every now and asks if he can fly. He can’t; he to a building, which says they stop her brother; she apologiz- then. After asking if they knew is too creased, wrinkled, and found paradise. She exclaims es for not having heard of Ka- how many fees they were mak- filthy to fly his clown car no they found paradise; she mek, but, to Olivia, it’s impres- ing them pay, he asks if the higher than a foot by the looks doesn’t know what that means sive he’s Bowser’s number-one “blue-robed wizard” will pay of it. Kamek orders him to roll - it must be good. groundskeeper. the damage with coins, credit, himself; he does, and Kamek Inside, I’m informed this is a Kamek tries to find words or the blood, sweat, and tears carries him. The goal is to go to spa. However, I’m thinking ei- to explain, but sighs in defeat of Bowser’s minions. With Ka- the other hot springs to restore ther Mario and Olivia died and before he plays the role of the mek sweeping, the Toad ex- Bowser Jr. fully from wrinkles, they’re in heaven, or they’re number-one groundskeeper. plains a silence fee would be creases, and filth. alive, just among angels: The He tells them a tale: “After es- added as well. The Toad leaves On the way to this one spa, a Toads have white wings and caping in the clown car, Lord them. Kamek explains all of Shy Guy, who’s in serious debt white shroom tops. I’m believ- Bowser returned to his castle Bowser’s minions are all work- thanks to the castle, asks if ing the latter. “I really want where I awaited his command.” ing to fix everything. Mario can buy something for to see Bobby! I want to know Like Bobby’s story, the pictures After telling Mario to follow 10,000 coins: It turns out to be a he’s happy here!” I’m believing are brown tinted; the first is him, I do; a Shy Guy scrubs little collectable treasure; these they’re alive, just in heaven: It of a folded Bowser flying away the concrete with a brush, and are scattered in many loca- helps that an angelic choir is from the clown car. The screen a Koopa is sweeping nearby tions, but I don’t really see the singing softly, and Olivia com- fades to show a Hammer Bro. the Shy Guy, as Mario follows point in getting them all. Sure, ments on the Toads being too and a Koopa tied back-to- Kamek. At the mouth of the I’ve come across them to col- calm, which makes this place back; same with a Shy Guy and castle, a Sumo Bro. on a gray lect, but I’m not trying to get mysterious. Spike. Folded Soldiers guard thundercloud appears; yel- every single one. At the front desk, the angel them. Two Folded Soldiers pull low lightning tries to strike The first spring is the Spring Toad tells them to get stamps a rope; the long rope looks like both a panicked Mario and of Bliss, which flattens out on their card, which he gave it’s ringing a bell. “But just as he Olivia. Once they flee, Kamek Bowser Jr. However, Mario has to Mario a moment ago, and arrived, we were overwhelmed says there isn’t much they can to fix a broken pipe to cool to come back after each stamp; by Folded Soldiers. Bowser do below the cloud, and the down the spring, because Ma- if the player gets all the four was captured. Ahem.” Folded Soldiers confiscated rio’s face is flushed scarlet, stamps on his or her card, The next shows Kamek in a Kamek’s broom. Someone and loses five health points, they’ll get a special prize. Ma- room with a machine. “Having screams, “Daaad!” with the water too hot. Kamek rio and Olivia enjoy the Spring heroically secreted myself dur- In a Clown Car, Bowser Jr. and Mario thrash their arms, of Purification, and I get my ing the attack, I was ready to en- rushes over; Kamek exclaims, screaming silently, as Kamek first stamp. gage the emergency protocol.” “I’ve never been so happy to see says they have to get Olivia Outside in the foggy clouds It then shows Kamek pressing Lord Bowser’s devilish spawn out of the spring. Kamek then hazing the white buildings on a button with both hands. “But come flying recklessly out of kneels in the grass, explaining sprawling grass on islands con- the button I pressed shut off nowhere in his clown car.” Scis- he’ll take care of Olivia before nected to bridges, Olivia won- the airship’s engines instead. It sors explode out from behind she becomes normal paper; he ders what a dark scary build- wasn’t my fault!” the castle; snipping the air, the has experience folding because ing is doing at the back of the The next shows Bowser’s scissors slice at Bowser Jr. in his he folds Bower’s laundry. With islands. Seeing it, I wail, “No! castle plummeting to a white clown car. The screen reddens Olivia folded again, she thanks Bowser, don’t ruin my time! I building; Toads fleeing in -ter with Bowser Jr. and the clown Kamek; he explains he isn’t just want to enjoy the sensation ror away from it. “With the car in a silhouette; a moment used to praise after her thanks. of dipping into a hot spring as engines off, Bowser’s castle later, the silhouette falls apart. I At the next spa resort, a Mario and Olivia do it. Why do plunged straight into the Shag- laugh; for some reason, I find it Folded Soldier relaxes in the 55 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER CAN PAPER MARIO’S ORIGAMI JOURNEY STOP KING OLLY FOLDING MUSHROOM KINGDOM CONT’D center, and explains it’s full at how lush and tropical every- thin, allowing golden sunlight stump in the corner and tall and to leave. Olivia reasons thing is. Kamek says he doesn’t to pour on them. I had just grass at the side of the clear- it wouldn’t be too full with expect anything less, because said, “See this is the right p -” I ing. Kamek wonders if the hot three paper folk and one ori- they spare on expense on their cry out in shock; Mario’s about spring is there. When I got on gami; plus, the Folded Soldier customers; however, she says to fall off a pale-earthed trail the stump, I saw two piranha is alone relaxing: There isn’t this might be the path to the into the clouds below when he plants to fight: I wanted to get anyone in the spa besides him. downed bridge. At a fork in leaps to safety. Olivia says her at least 10,000 coins, as a Spike Olivia tells Mario to find a spot the jungle path, Olivia explains origami sense might have been near the spa campus offered to in the corner. they have a choice; after glanc- wrong after all, since it’s the give me a Max Life-Up Heart I scream when many Goomba ing left and right, she goes wrong path. for that amount of coins, and Folded Soldiers explode out down the right path, saying it’s “Ninjis!” I cry as the sneaky I was about a thousand short. of the hot spring. One wave her “origami sense.” But Kamek Mario enemies explode out of One three-wave battle later, a battle later, Bowser Jr. is now heads down the left path, ex- the undergrowth. One wave Magic Circle then appears on only dirty. Olivia comments plaining it’s his “Kamek sense.” battle later, and at another fork the tree stump; however, I go she doesn’t care she’s getting The player then has to choose in the path, Kamek explains he to Spike offering a Max Life-Up soggy and wrinkled; she adds which way to go. I had to pick should trust Mario, since he Heart; with the 10,000 coins Mario not to forget the stamp, whether I trusted Olivia, who’s was right about the path - and gone, Mario’s health goes from after Kamek comments on the mine and Mario’s friend, or to he’s right about everything. 145 to 155. Sure, it’s ten high- filthy state of his Young Master. trust Kamek, who’s been work- However, Olivia says she’s sure er, but I rather have ten more Bowser Jr. explains he’s tired of ing on the grounds for awhile. the left path is the right one to health, versus ten less health in all the baths, and that Bowser After I kept asking, “Friend? take, instead of the right-hand battle. never took a bath before. After Worker?” while moving to one path Kamek wants to follow. While on my way back to getting the needed stamp, I to the other, but not getting I then decide to trust Olivia, the Magic Circle on the tree found the spa all four of them too close I accidentally chose even if she was wrong before; stump, I veer off the path. Like enjoyed is called the Spring of a path while I was debating once the undergrowth trem- in the Whispering Woods, Ma- Sanctuary, which is effective at my options. I realized I had to bles again - I was thinking it rio has to hammer leaves to combating any wrinkles and trust Olivia’s origami sense for was only the Ninjis from before find its match. The first one is crumples. two reasons: (one) I can trust - she says the rustling is kind of a Magic Circle, which appears To get to the last spring - the her, because Kamek, sadly, is scary, and if crashing like that on the sandy ground in front Spring of Jingle Mist - Mario a Mario enemy who can’t be was good. of a jungle tree; as Mario uses and Kamek have to travel on trusted; (two) as far as I know, The leaves tremble again, 1,000-Folded Arms, he can pull a white-stoned moving plat- Kamek never even entered the further down the path; a tree down a treasure chest, which form to a wooden bridge that Spring of Jungle Mist, because slams on the ground, nearly at is a collectible treasure in the leads to the official path to the he’s been near the Spring of their feet. Kamek says his life shape of Bowser Jr. Kamek’s Spring of Jungle Mist. At what Purification with his non-fly- flashed before his eyes, and Young Master unrolls to say he looks like the center of the is- ing broom, sweeping the path- they should have taken the looks like he’s about to do an land - dirt paths bordered by way to the other springs and other path; he adds his going to awesome move in front of his soft, leafy ferns - is a massive campas. With me trusting Ol- get a boat once all this is over, father. The others are coins, tree. Olivia exclaims at how ivia over Kamek (Olivia asking and he’ll call it a midlife crisis. health, a Shiny Fire Flower, and big the tree is, and wonders if Mario if he trusted her), she Olivia apologizes for getting it a Shiny Mushroom, and once the spring is inside the tree. explains she thought he went wrong again, but is delighted the player is done, he or she However, the bridge to the tree with Kamek’s idea. Kamek Kamek’s going to get a boat. can grab some more coins. is broken; the bridge dangles grudgingly follows Mario. One battle and a wave battle After peeling bark to create from the other side where Oliv- Olivia tells Mario she’s kind later, a Paper Macho piranha a bridge using 1,000-Folded ia, who ponders why all bridges of worried, and almost like it plant appears from behind Arms, Mario and Kamek leap they come across are all bro- was right on cue, something some newly-destroyed brush; a small gap from one branch ken, and others are. rustles some undergrowth - it clamps its jaws around Ma- to another; however, a massive Kamek says if they can use something big and hefty by rio. Panicking because I think Chain Chomp explodes out the other path; there’s a tun- the rustling. I cry out in shock it wants to swallow him and of the undergrowth, its sharp nel in a rock, which leads to as Olivia, Mario, and Kamek Olivia, I see Kamek telling white fangs gaping to close tall grass, grassy ledges, vine- whip around to look where him to use his hammer; using around Mario, whose eyes are draped trees, grass-trodden the noise came from. Nothing it, has the piranha plant de- completely white and pupil- pathway, and undergrowth then comes out to attack them. stroyed from the inside out. less as he realizes the gravity of Mario can destroy with his As they travel down Olivia’s The path Kamek chose opens the danger he’s in: This Chain trusty hammer. Olivia exclaims choice path, the jungle trees up into a clearing, with a tree Chomp clearly wants Mario to March/April 2021 56 CHARGING CORNER CAN PAPER MARIO’S ORIGAMI JOURNEY STOP KING OLLY FOLDING MUSHROOM KINGDOM CONT’D be on the menu. Somehow, Ka- life, so I don’t know if that truly too scared to look at it. Ka- leading to more rope ladders. I mek pushes both him and Ma- be a way the player’s character mek tries to come closer, com- was able to make Kamek happy rio on to the other side, a whis- would be killed off in a survival menting on its sharp teeth; the by finding a collectable trea- ker away from being Chain horror game; I simply just pre- Chain Chomp barks at him, sure shaped like him; he says Chimp food. Olivia comes out sumed it would: I could be eas- and he backs up, saying they that’ll get him through another of her pocket, asking if that’s ily wrong. should get going while they decade of thankless toil. How- what was trampling around “Kamek, you’ve been right have the chance. ever, Kamek only cares for him- in the underbrush this whole before; don’t be wrong this one Leaping up a ledge, they go to- self - and Bower Jr. - since he time; she’s trembling violently, time,” I say, guiding Mario to wards the golden sunlight, see- flees without telling me what even worse than the brushes the clearing, where all three go ing their at the other side of the is wrong. A moment later, my did as the Chain Chomp passed to their chosen path. My heart’s bridge. “Who’s ready for a hot heart skips a beat as I see the them. Kamek explains it’s one racing. Down his path, a bush spring and has two triangles Chain Chomp biting the rope of the most loyal and fiercest rustles and the Chain Chomp for arms? This gal!” the young ladder into nothing. Before I minions out of Bowser’s army; appears. I freeze, my Joy- origami princess cheers. Olivia can do more than stare with however, if it bites them, they’ll Cons thudding to the floor as turns to Kamek, explaining he my heart pounding, he leaps at be confetti. I instinctively draw my hands knew the way the whole time; Mario, giving me a game over. At another fork in the path, closer to my body when see- she asks how he knew. Bowser “Thanks Kamek for not warn- this one has three choices. An ing the Chain Chomp at Mario: Jr. unrolls, asking the same, ing me!” I snap, my heart still enthusiastic Bowser Jr. then I’m playing as him, and I feel suggesting if he used magic racing until it grows painful. unrolls himself, and picks the like I’m the one who’s about to to cheat. Kamek explains, “I The next try, I barely press A center path. Kamek explains he be torn apart by it. I had just simply rejected the emotional for Mario to grab the rope lad- shouldn’t guess, and he should cried, “Kamek, you’re wrong! choices you two made in favor der before the Chain Chomp trust Kamek, who’s been right This is the wrong path!” when of ones using bloodless logic. pounces to be swallowed up about every path; he goes to the Kamek runs away, leaving a pu- Yes, my logic-based system - in the leaves. Olivia leaves her left path. Before he does, Olivia pil-less-eyed Mario, his hands along with timely retreating pocket as the ladder falls as Ma- says he isn’t going to like it, but away from the Chain Chomp, and tactical cowering - have rio scrambles onto the wooden she has a strong feeling the to be frozen in terror with the gotten me far.” Bowser Jr. and landing; she comments they right path is correct. Kamek’s Chain Chomp’s bared teeth Olivia both share a glance. Ol- are not safe anywhere, if the been right the whole time, and gleaming for the plumber. Now ivia explains she made the right Chain Chomp can climb trees, Olivia’s been wrong the whole with the game over screen on, I decision by showing the wrong and if fleeing for their lives is time, too; however, I decide say, “I had to run. I didn’t run. I path first; Bowser Jr. agrees Ol- what it takes to get to the hot to go down the path Bowser had to run.” ivia has a point. spring, she comments it’s not Jr. picked, because he hasn’t Before fully trusting Kamek, Olivia explains this must be worth it. proven if he’s right or wrong, I decide to see what Olivia’s the biggest tree she’s seen, and Kamek runs up to them. Out- and he seems really excited to leads to. Is it like Bowser Jr.’s or she’s seen trees before. Kamek raged like I am for him to sud- get to decide which way they all Kamek’s path? It leads not only tells them to look at the other denly flee without giving even go. Bowser Jr. exclaims it’s like to a ledge with clouds below, tree; there’s one on a near dis- a warning - a simple “Run!” he’s Mario’s boss; however, he but the Chain Chomp and the tant island with water pour- would have worked just as well wonders who rigged the path: game over screen. “Nope, nope, ing down like a mini-waterfall - Olivia demands why he ran Boulders block the path Bows- nope - wrong path,” I said, see- that’s calm. He says it would off. He could have warned Ma- er Jr. chose. ing the game over screen. My have made a good place for a rio and her. He apologies by ex- The undergrowth rustles. The heart pounding twice as fast hot spring as well. Olivia ob- plaining “timely retreats” have Chain Chomp explodes out as it did before, I exhale a deep jects: They couldn’t reach the gotten him through success of the brush, and the screen breath, knowing I exhausted island. Kamek comments on well; he promises to try and darkens, accompanied with all other options: Kamek’s path how the groundskeeper should warn, since she’s yelled at him the sound of slashing; the is the right path. have put the ladder in reach, less than his coworkers. Olivia game over screen appears two The run was not bad; I thought instead of out of reach. Olivia says that was easy for him to heartbeats later. At seeing the it would be longer, and I had explains Kamek’s the grounds- explain, and she liked thinking Chain Chomp, I jumped, but to deal with undergrowth; the keeper. It’s simply overturning he was Kamek’s boss. when I did see the game over game was nice enough to trap the two leaves with the Magic I gasp in horror when I see screen, I said, “Oh! I would the Chain Chomp by a low- Circle symbol to make one ap- the Chain Chomp tear apart a have expected that ending in a hanging tree branch. Only pear; then it’s pulling down the Piranha Plant too far to battle survival horror game.” But I’ve mere inches from it, Mario rope ladder with 1,000-Folded with. “Hey! What happened to played Nintendo - especially glares at it, Kamek stares, and Arms. you yelling at Kamek for flee- any Mario games - my whole Olivia trembles; Olivia is just The tree has wooden bridges ing without a warning, Olivia? 57 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER CAN PAPER MARIO’S ORIGAMI JOURNEY STOP KING OLLY FOLDING MUSHROOM KINGDOM CONT’D And you two are so cruel!” I The Toad on the front desk places without the chain, but (I was being sarcastic). wail, watching them leave explains all of their clients be- it was doable; it helped that The next game is Race ‘n’ Mario behind; somehow, this fore never could get to all four there were shadowy alcoves in Place, which will test the playtime, either Mario feels like springs. The prize: a VIP pass the cliff face. At the warp pipe, er’s eyesight and memory; it’s he runs slower or the Chain to the Spring of Rainbows, Olivia calls Kamek “Kammey” worth ten points, being at level Chomp seems to have quicked. After Olivia says the prize is to summon him. He appears one. A Goomba, Koopa Troopa, I just barely get Mario to the a piece of paper, the Toad ex- with his head poking out of the Ninji, and Shy Guy are about vine, which swings Olivia, Ma- plains the Spring of Rainbows pipe, telling her not to call him to race; I have to remember to rio, and Kamek to the other is- can restore color, and it’s the Kammey again. He leaps out, watch the finish closely to re- land. After they get up, Olivia stuff of legends, since it’s their explaining he wished Bowser member the exact race results. apologies for doing what Ka- exclusive spa. Kamek tells his Jr. would listen to his ideas. After the race, the player has to mek did before: running with- Young Master he’ll get all his They enter a very dark room move the winner - in this case, out a warning. Kamek explains color back. “And my anger! I with a single golden spotlight Goomba - to the ring with the it’s easy to act without thinking can’t wait to get angry again!” pouring onto a sign. Olivia number one. I was rewarded when someone’s frightened. Bowser Jr. exclaims. But the wonders if they keep it dark with ten points for winning. Kamek says his and Olivia’s front-desk Toad explains it’s to make the Spring of Rain- Ninji Skills is up; this one franic run, combined with easy to find, like the other bows more secret. “Oh,” I say; tests my dynamic vision track- Mario’s leap, got them to the ones, and he isn’t going to tell the sign turns out to be a stand ing, and is worth 30 points, as Spring of Jungle Mist. Now them were to head to. Some- with what looks like pages and it is at level two. The player has it’s time to relax in the spring thing like fear and worry floods pages of sheet music. Near the to find the Ninjis out of the - but the Toad says it’s out of me: The Spring of Jungle Mist stand are three buckets Mario other four to five minions; they order, because they can’t find wasn’t easy to get to, and now knocked over. I check out the are all in blue boxes, which are the plug. Kamek then resigns this Spring of Rainbows sounds sheet music; it reads, “Ladies shuffled.l I got zero points for as groundskeeper, because of like it’s going to be harder to and gentlemen” on it. placing a Goomba and Shy Guy the missing drain and the hard get to. Olivia says the hunt will Olivia wonders what that in the blue border the two Nin- trek to the spring. make it fun. means. A voice repeats what jis were meant to be placed in. To get the drain, which is The path to the Spring of the sheets say. Three spotlights The next mini-game is level visible on the tree, is to go be- Rainbows is a rocky cave with move back and forth, on what two of Race ‘n’ Place; a Koopa hind it, pull a vine, and use fluorescent lights illuminating looks like the battle arena Troopa, a Ninji, a Goomba, and the handy 1,000-Folded Arms greenish-white light against rings. Could this be a battle a Snifit are racing. I had to find to knock off its perch; the last the tunnel to a warp pipe; the or a boss fight? I’m wrong: who was in fourth place; after part is the hammer it in. I other side of the warp pipe is The lights blaze on, showing a minute of debating if it was don’t blame Kamek for resign- blocked by something. Olivia a Shy Guy crowd of specta- Goomba or Snifit, it turns out ing his post as groundskeeper. wonders where the other end tors in what looks like a game to be Goomba, who I chose to All three enjoy the hot spring of the pipe is. After looking show. Origami King tells me be in fourth place. as Bowser Jr. takes care of the for an hour, I see near the pipe it’s called Shy Guys Finish Last. The fourth mini-game is Bath dirt. Even though the others is a narrow ledge with strong I have no idea what’s going on, Math; it’ll test my memory and get out, Bowser Jr. goes in for winds blowing; after Olivia but I’ll roll with it. The win- math skills, because of it at another dip. I howl in horror; comments on the nice breeze, ner receives a prize: relaxation level two, it’s worth 30 points. Bowser Jr is white - no color is once her panic of how narrow at the Spring of Rainbows. A At seeing this, I said, “Bath added to him nor his clown car, the ledge fades, the wind flew bow-tie Shy Guy, who’s the Math? Oh, no!” My memory like it was before! Bowser Jr. is both her and Mario next to the other contestant and the host will not be the problem; I’m disappointed that all his color blocked pipe. Kamek explains by the sounds of it, tells Kamek just bad at math. However, if has drained from him - literally he’ll stay behind to protect to be a part of the spectators. its problems are going to be ba- - and he doesn’t even have the Bowser Jr., and to keep from There are four games and sic math; I can do basic math: energy to complain, let alone being blown away, the player three levels for each: 12 in to- I am not good at advanced fight. Kamek says it drained will have to press B. tal. It’s just my luck I get level math. The player has to count his energy, and his color. Ol- Olivia warns Mario and I, three - the hardest level - of the Goombas remaining in the ivia explains they can get the because of how narrow the Ring Scramble, which would hot spring. There were four- last stamp for the prize now; ledge is, she won’t come out of showcase my visual memory teen. I wanted to add nine with Bowser Jr. exclaims he deserves her cozy pocket, even if I press and control with the rings. “Do five to make 14, but the five and a prize for all the baths. Kamek the X button to summon her. you have to rub it in?” I ask af- plus sign were in the same ring. says it couldn’t hurt, even if The ledge wasn’t too hard to ter my disastrous attempt at However, once I got my grand getting a prize at the front desk tackle. There were jumpable creating the picture correctly. total of zero points for failing, wouldn’t help her Young Mas- gaps, Fuzzies at places, and Out of fifty points I could get, I I realized I could have moved ter. got zero. Wonderful start so far March/April 2021 58 CHARGING CORNER CAN PAPER MARIO’S ORIGAMI JOURNEY STOP KING OLLY FOLDING MUSHROOM KINGDOM CONT’D one up by sliding it. it. The Shy Guy is kind to give den Death: a collectable trea- Mario he trusts him to take I failed the level two of Ring the player the chance to back sure of a Sudden Death Can- care of the Sumo Bro. while Scramble; I’ve grown to hate out before it starts. It’s listen- non. he trembles nearby, waiting if that mini-game. But I did win ing to a tune Mario has heard A trapdoor opens out from Mario needs him. I thought it level one of Ninji Skills. How- before, but one key lyric is re- Mario’s feet; he falls, Olivia was a normal battle - at most ever, I lost at Bath Math again, placed with a question-mark, races for him, and Kamek leaps a wave battle - however, it ap- at level three; at level three, I and the player has to know in a moment later. The Spring pears to be like a mini-boss got three out of the four Ninjis what word is missing. I cry out of Rainbows has the sparkling fight, or maybe it’s an actual in the blue border, but because as a cannon spawns under Ma- water smoothly slide from one boss fight. I missed one, the game was rio, with A, B, C, and D buttons color of the rainbow to the “This doesn’t look like an cruel enough to call it a loss. surrounding him; he’ll guide next. After the three enjoy the ordinary Folded Soldier, Ma- Level one of Ring Scramble is Olivia to the correct button: He spring for awhile, Bowser Jr. rio. It’s crackling with energy!” easy; it’s nearly stupidly easy has to move the arrows to the dips in; a geyser of rainbow- the origami princess explains. compared to the other two lev- right button, kind of like us- colored water shoots upward, More Sumo Bros. - not as big els of Ring Scramble. Level one ing the arrows for a boss battle. and Bowser Jr. comes out in his as the first one - float down of Bath Math isn’t hard, but I The song is the strange musi- colorful state once more. He to surround the first one; Ol- still lost because I couldn’t get cal from Whispering Woods goes over to them, and then he ivia wonders where they came the right numbers in place. where the talking trees sang wonders why Kamek is crying. from. She asks if they’re re- My heart pounding, I had one about how well Grandsappy is I turned my gaze on Kamek, lated, then explains they are more game: level three of Race now; however, I nearly forgot seeing his fisted hands rub- called Sumo Bros. for a reason. ‘n’ Place. I had 60 points; I had about that part, and I hadn’t bing his eyes with his glasses She says they’re cute, and if to win this one to get the 50 paid attention to the lyrics askew above his fists; I hadn’t they could be a little easy on points: I needed at least 100 because my mind had been even noticed Kamek’s tears un- the little ones. to win Shy Guy Finish Last. I whirling in confusion through- til Bowser. Jr. said something. “Hey! Those aren’t yours!” I lost: I couldn’t move the Snifit out the whole thing. He’s happy Bowser Jr. is alright; snap, watching the smaller to last place, because moving The choices are: A, churlish; every second, he expects to Sumo Bros. take some of the him meant either moving the B, burly; C, swirly; and D, early. hear Bowser yelling at him for things off the board, like an On Ninji away from first place, or I guess A might be the answer, teaming up with Mario. Panel and a Fire Magic Circle. moving everyone on the other because I would have prob- Meanwhile, Olivia sees Bows- Olivia agrees with me (I said side of the blue border, with ably have remembered swirly er Jr.’s face up close for the first we must have the same wave- Shy Guy in first place (I did the and early in the song, and time: “You’re cute! Such big, length), “Hey! That’s cheating! latter). burly doesn’t work; the song round cheeks, black soulless Those little crooks stole the A few victories and defeats was sung before Grandsappy eyes, and those funny little most important panels! I can’t later, I was able to get 50 points grew to the tall, young tree he clown lips. ADORABLE!” Ol- believe I called them cute ear- sooner than before. It’s a little is now. It isn’t right; Mario is ivia gushes. Bowser Jr. tells her lier. Give us back our panels! ironic the game that had me sent flying to fall through the he’s above her. She was com- Those aren’t toys, y’know!” lose the game was the game clouds and right into the game menting on his clown car; Ka- Bro. should not bother them to give me my last 50 points to over screen. mek agrees with me that she now; Olivia exclaims they can win Shy Guy Finish Last. Ka- After getting a wonderful 100 was describing his clown car. reach the green streamer now; mek comes onstage to enjoy points by winning Ring Scram- Speaking of his clown car, Ka- Bowser Jr. tells her not to for- the applause for Mario’s victo- ble and Race ‘n’ Place on level mek asks if Bowser Jr. can get to get his father. Now with both ry. However, the game isn’t over three, it’s time for the Sudden the Sumo Bro. on the thunder- Kamek and Bowser Jr. teamed yet: There’s a Sudden Death, Death round. After looking at cloud. Bowser Jr. explains he up with Mario, it’s time to save and this bow tie Shy Guy ex- the lyrics of the song in Whis- doesn’t fear lightning, and Ma- Bowser and unravel the green plains only the best contests pering Woods, I realize it was rio, Olivia, and Kamek climb in streamer. make it to the Sudden Death Grandsappy singing about how the clown car to confront the round. If the player wins the he feels. With that, I feel like Sumo Bro. However, Bowser Sudden Death round, he or she the only logical answer has to Jr. then warns, “But keep your gets another wonderful prize be B: burly. In the tense five feet off the seat covers or else! - if he or she loses, the game heartbeats of waiting with my They’re faux mohair!” is over. I could do the Sudden heart pounding, I was telling Thunder growls as white Death round, or head straight myself, “This is the only logical lightning crackles at the dark This article will con- to the Spring of Rainbows right answer.” It turns out to be not gray stormcloud. Bowser Jr. is away. only the logical answer, but the in his clown car as the other tinue in our next issue. I’m curious about the Sudden right answer as well. The prize three leap onto the flat-topped Stay tuned! Death round, however, and try for winning the round of Sud- thundercloud. Kamek tells 59 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER MARIO’S REHASHED GALACTIC JOURNEY IN SUPER MARIO GALAXY 3D ALL STARS EDITION This is part 3 and the finale of the article which first ran on page 53 of the December issue of By Katie Stafford The Lightning Bolt. Staff Reporter First, it’s how to get to the end just finishing, there shouldn’t of the advanced wall jump. The be too much of a problem, if player, still in the water, wall the player has nimble fingers. jumps off the right wall, then Mario has to do a one-sided almost immediately spins. The wall jump to keep from falling sudden spin jump allows Ma- into the water below. rio to get the needed distance A one-sided wall jump says its to the next wall, while giving name; it’s the player wall jump- him a little more height to ing off one wall. As Luma’s ani- work with; plus, Luma would mation is complete or nearly, return to Mario, about the time there should be enough time it takes him to have his hand for Mario to kick off the wall, and foot meet the other wall, spin with Luma finished, slide “Why is there a Daredevil while, Boo and the urchin will so the second spin jump can be for a fraction of a second to al- Comet here?” I gasp, wonder- follow Mario. Easier said than done. This isn’t even close to low Luma to return, do it again, ing if I have to do Guppy’s done. the end, however. aiming for the grass, and Mario level again. “Don’t tell me . . . And each time I went over to Next, spin jump, not right should have scraped a narrow don’t tell me,” I breathe, see- do the puzzle again before the away, but about halfway to the landing, with only two or three ing there’s a hidden Star as well game over, I didn’t spawn in the other side. This should give one-sided wall jumps later. The as this comet Star. Ghost Ship puzzle; no, Mario was right be- Mario the height and finishing advanced wall jump took me Daredevil Run is the name of fore he dived into the water to distance to the shorter one to several tries to have Mario on the Star. The moment I saw destroy the ship with the shell. wall jump off right away. Now, the ledge, and the two options that, I laughed out of relief, Since I could barely turn Ma- this is where Mario’s new po- on how the maneuver will end thinking Kamella is about to rio underwater as it was, I did sition dictates how the player seems to be randomized, or by get harder than she did before, the tedious task of spin jump- finishes this advanced wall what I can tell. which I’ll enjoy from her. I died ing underwater to get him to jump. If Mario is facing the cliff The rest of the level is still to Kamella a few times, but the surface, ground pound to face, wall jumps off that, then, fun, since Mario has to get to that only made the boss battle get him to dive, and then spin while aiming for the shorter this one bubble machine that going from so childishly easy a jump towards the shell, while wall, with the player having the fires Mario at a planet with one-year-old could do it to in- making sure Mario grabbed analog stick towards the right, Cheep Cheeps leaping at him. teresting enough to be taken it, with the green shell having but a little slanted, spim jumps The player ground pounds the slightly seriously. the smallest hitbox if grabbing once more; Mario should have tree stumps, and rockets off I tackled the hidden Star at it without spin jumping. Seri- barely landed on the grass, or to the final planet. This one The Underground Ghost Ship. ously, this shell’s hitbox must grabbed the ledge. However, is growing a watermelon by I had to first destroy this sunk- be smaller than Mini Mario’s the other ending to this is ground pounding tennis balls, en ship with a perfectly thrown hitbox in the New Super Mario tricker, and is about the most while keeping from getting hit green shell, then do a puzzle Bros. series of games, because stressful three seconds I’ve en- by the laser shockwaves. to get Boo to be destroyed by even right beside it, the shell dured playing this game. The final Star at Deep Dark light, while being chased by doesn’t enter Mario’s hands un- If Mario jumps off the left Galaxy is called Guppy and the a red urchin who doesn’t stop til he’s a pixel closer, which it wall and spin jumps, and the Underground Lake. I couldn’t keeping his spines mere inches isn’t easy to turn him a little bit other option is there, then do it, because of how terrible away from Mario. By the time I without moving forward. Since the player must not lose any the water physics in the game got my first game over, my eyes it was 8:13 pm by this point, I height, and if they do, he or are, and I’d enlisted my brother burned while exhaling shaky decided to put my Switch on she might just allow Mario to to do the Star for me. He was breaths; I wouldn’t be about the dock while getting ready slide off the wall and redo it. I able to beat it, but that didn’t five seconds from crying my for bed; I’d rather do it some- actually tested how much time stop my heart pounding in an- eyes out if I hadn’t completed time tomorrow. it takes for Mario to jump, spin, ticipation of him declaring he the puzzle, then died almost When I returned to the game then wait until Luma returns couldn’t do it, and then hand immediately, each and every the next morning, I was able to him; it takes 1.91 seconds, it back to me, which he would time before that game over. to do the puzzle and grab the less than two seconds, but only have done if he’d gotten a game The puzzle: Hit that shifting- Star before the urchin could just. Since Luma will be either over, and I had about six lives gravity arrow to get to the light kill me. Dreadnought Galaxy returned or the animation is left. trapped in the crystal; mean- is next, with its first Power Star March/April 2021 60 CHARGING CORNER MARIO’S REHASHED GALACTIC JOURNEY IN SUPER MARIO GALAXY 3D ALL STARS EDITION CONT’D called Infiltrating the Dread- this Pull Star bit who wants erywhere. There is plenty to How hard can it really be to get nought. The galaxy seems to be to gulp down 80 Star Bits I’m keep the player focused while the final 20 once I won the final either an abandoned spaceship short on, it’s to the final part. meteors slam on Melty Molten battle against Bowser? or a strange hybrid between It’s a mad run towards the Star, Galaxy: a part to guide a Bul- She waves her wand, which ship and castle. The first part which was not too hard, since I let Bill to a caged Launch Star, powers the Comet Observato- is where the player’s sense of didn’t stop Mario for anything. gathering Star Chips, and the ry, which, once moving, could gravity chances every now and I returned to The Sinking Lava ball from Rolling Green Galaxy be mistaken for a random com- then, while the third part is Spire Star to feed that Hungry return, which is the final part. et. She explains, in the middle just getting on top of these la- Luma. However, I was about to I got a game over, and I died of battle to the castle, there’s a sers to reach the Star; however, when a Hungry Luma spawned a few more times, but getting warp field before Mario then the second section is where right beside the Garden. “Oh, past the rotating circles with runs on a gold-and-glass path- the level gets hard. Mario has you’ll have to wait, little one,” lava surrounding the inside way to Peach’s castle. This Pow- to jump on those top enemies, I say, seeing he’s craving 1600 was a little challenging. I found er Star at Bowser’s Galaxy Re- and land on the next landing, Star Bits. Hold on for one min- handheld mode the best for actor is called The Fate of the which gets smaller each time, ute. Do these star-shaped blobs this part. I now had 98 Stars. Universe. and, meanwhile, the other sec- of pixels even know what “fam- I really wanted my 100th Pow- The first part is traveling in tion vanishes. So one mistake ished” means? It means being er Star to be the final level at a flood of gravity-shifting spot- is essentially a death sentence very hungry, and if someone Melty Molten Galaxy. lights; nothing too big, but it for Mario. is hungry they’re not going to So I decided Sling Pod Galaxy foreshadows the craziness of The second Power Star - be waving color-changing Star- to farm Star Bits was worth it. this level. After going to an area Dreadnought’s Colossal Can- Bit-shaped balloons, asking It wasn’t too bad. I was collect- that looks like Dusty Dune Gal- nons - is interesting. After for a stranger wearing overalls ing the many Star Bits with my axy making a comeback with some sections where Mario has and a red cap to feed them, and star cursor with my JoyCons in a lot of firebars that can dealt to stay on some rotating nuts, this isn’t even considering their hand; I took care of the sling with a few long jumps and spin it’s staying on these platforms food source is falling from the pods by using the touch screen jumps, it’s dodging Bonzi Bills that shift his sense of gravity. It galactic sky - literally! - or scat- to move Mario. And dying a and Bullet Bills in a lavay, rotat- took a few tries, but I was able tered across the many galaxies. few times accidentally-on- ing circle section like the last to grab the Star. The final Star Sure, a few galaxies don’t have purpose does help in gathering part of the second Star at Melty is called Revenge of the Top- as many Star Bits naturally more, since the Star Bit counter Molten Galaxy. man Tribe. scattered around, but their is saved when Mario dies, but “Looking for Princess Peach? However, after three hours food is literally falling from the not a game over. And so, with Too bad! ‘Cause she’s with me!” of blowing up trash with Bom- sky in space, so it’s like starva- the Hungry Luma having de- says Bowser Jr. He and Peach ombs, Mario snatched the tion in a galaxy with not a lot voured his fill of 1600 Star Bits are in his airship. Midnight- Dreadnought’s Garbage Dump of Star Bits is even an option! (leaving me with the remain- blue flags with a silver picture Star. I returned to do the Re- Sorry, reader, I’ll try to not talk ing 290 Star Bits), he births the of his father’s face billow in venge of the Topman Tribe about the Hungry Lumas and Snow Cap Galaxy, which has the star-flecked galactic sky. Star. It wasn’t too bad, then their plentiful supply of food. the Star Bunnies in the Snow A mottled, roiling orange-red I saw the comet orbiting the This has been eating at me Power Star. ball of fire blazes behind them. galaxy. It isn’t even a Daredevil (pun intended) since I first en- It’s catching all three bun- Under his feet, Mario stands on Comet, like i was expecting; it countered a Hungry Luma, and nies in a little over 100 seconds. white-and-green tile leading to was a Speedy Comet. With six it’s getting on my nerves. Easier said than done. Getting the flaming ball of light. minutes to complete the level I guess that other Hungry the Fire Flower to get two out “Mario!” Peach screams. I couldn’t do it. After trying all Luma at Melty Molten Galaxy of the three takes about 50 to Bowser Jr. laughs before steer- day to beat, I had my brother is going to be fed first. Having 60 seconds of my given time, ing himself towards his fa- help to deal with it; long story eaten his fill of 80 Star Bits, and that’s not even counting ther, then lazily soars behind short, he was able to take care the Luma transforms into a the time to snatch them. My Bowser, who ominously eyes of it. new planet; it’s gathering sil- brother did beat it for me, then his archenemy. As he runs to- Melty Molten Galaxy is the ver stars as the planet’s path- explained once I battled Bows- wards all three, Bowser Jr. fires final galaxy at the Garden. The ways are swallowed in roiling er, I’ll be given more access to a meteors at Mario to dodge. I’m Sinking Lava Spire is the first red-hot lava. This secret Star is lot more Power Stars. aware my fingers are trembling Star. This galaxy has a sea of called Burning Tide. I speak to Rosalina, telling for the upcoming final battle lava, surrounding the dirt paths Through the Meteor Storm is her I did want to save Mario’s with Bowser. and a dark volcano. After many the second Star. Meteors with “special one”; I’m going to “Finally! You got here just in times flying through this - gal burning red-hot trails of lava make the Star saving Peach my time to see the creation of my axy with the Launch Star, and following in its wake crash to 100th Power Star. After, it will galaxy in the center of the uni- I did find a Hungry Luma near the ground, as Star Bits fly ev- be a mere 20 more Power Stars. verse! Watch and weep!” Bows- 61 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER MARIO’S REHASHED GALACTIC JOURNEY IN SUPER MARIO GALAXY 3D ALL STARS EDITION CONT’D er growls. “From this galaxy, light. Instead, the “King Bows- ing with tears, “Bowser, this is screen, and when my eyes are I’ll rule a great galactic empire er” soundtrack is playing, with all your fault! All your fault! You beginning to water from not with Peach by my side. It will the volume increasing and wanted a galactic empire!” Ma- blinking for a few seconds, the last forever! I will rule every decreasing if Bowser’s hit. It’s rio, gingerly holding her hand, screen shows Mario, who wakes pitiful corner of the universe. the same as before: Let Bows- cries out, releasing her, when up. He stares around, seeing So, Mario, as you can see, I got er leap into the lava, thinking the castle shudders alarmingly. Peach and Bowser, who’s still big plans. And stomping you is he’s about to stomp Mario into Both gasp before they and the hurting from the battle, and I at the top of my list!” Bowser space dust, but he’ll not only castle and the Comet Observa- see friends and foes who are not and Mario float to a gray planet expel fireballs from his mouth tory are sent flying towards the part of the Star Festival, and with all these spiky planets and and send shockwaves at the blackhole. nor have they interacted to- crystalized coins. player, but he’ll retreat into “Luma,” I breathe, as he pops gether in this wonderful game. “Am I meant to hit your face?” his spiky green shell, and only out. He turns to Mario and Rosalina whispers, “Yes . . . All I question. Bowser cocoons running away is the only way waves farewell. I hadn’t been new life . . . Carries the essence himself in brown rock, but I could think of avoiding it. I aware hot tears were trickling of stars . . . Even all of you . . only his face and his claws are was rewarded my second death down my face until Mario, .” Mario stares at the star-fleck- exposed; it looks like the Rock- on this planet, as the chaos of gaping and his eyes wide in ed blue sky, and at the player, Mario Power-up from Super shockwaves and fireballs was shock, moved closer to Luma, shouting, “Welcome! Welcome Mario Galaxy 2. And that got just beginning to die down. trying to grab him, either to new galaxy!” me wondering if Nintendo By the end, Bowser must be prevent him from doing what As the credits roll, I won- planned Mario to use the Rock hit twice in each three planets he’s about to do, or hug him to der what I just saw. What did Mushroom in this game, but - six blows in total. I moaned, say good-bye. Luma and many she mean by “the cycle never Nintendo didn’t have the time, “Ohh, Bowser,” while watching others of his starry kind, all repeats itself quite the same or they didn’t want to burden his body heat up from the lava screaming in what seems to be way” and what Mario meant the player with too many new before he’s swallowed whole in triumphant, float to the hole. by “Welcome new galaxy!”? I mushroom power-ups in one a sluggish-looking splash. The The blackhole is destroyed in only stopped pondering when game. Or it could be the Rock battle was really fun overall. a final Luma-sounding scream. the credits end, and I laugh Mushroom from Super Mario The lava-cored planet trem- By now, I’m shaking with sobs, when Mario exclaims, “Thank Galaxy 2 could be an Easter egg bles. Mario gaps, just manag- horrified that I’ve grown close you for playing my game!” I see to the final Bowser fight in the ing to keep his balance without to Luma when he’s been help- I have the purple comets now first game. If it’s the former, having to thrash his arms. The ing me spin jump, and realiz- unlocked and a new chapter in Nintendo got their way with Grand Star appears as Mario ing Rosalina entrusted Mario the story. the second game, and if it’s watches in open-mouthed - and me - with his care, and “Welcome back! I knew you the latter, then it’s cool not-so- silence. He grabs the Grand now he’s gone and sacrificed would return eventually.” Was hidden reference gamers hav- Star, and while flying with himself to save his friend, his she talking to Mario, or only ing played the first game would the Grand Star’s power, Mario mother, the galaxies, and the me - the player- in that state- see. However, it’s a cool bit of saves Peach, who fell off Bows- entire universe as a whole. ment? “Please look down at foreshadowing for Super Mario er Jr.’s airship. “Mario!” she calls As I’m wiping away my tears, your feet.” A 20 is under Mario’s Galaxy 2, nonetheless, whether when he grabbed her, then the I hear the faint cries of babies. feet. “This number you see rep- intended Easter egg or a pow- two fly off to her castle. I look up, seeing Mario is float- resents the number of Power er-up wanting to be in the first Meanwhile, a planet full of ing in a swirl of green, blue, Stars you need to access an- installment. And I am meant lava and spraying flames like and white light. Rosalina ap- other world.” (The words “an- to hit him in the face, then spin steam from air vents is being pears to tell him and I, “Do other world” are in green, and jump near him to do damage. destroyed. “Oh, it’s not over,” you hear the baby stars? Those I feel like that’s important to I got my first death on the I whisper, seeing Bowser. He newborns will grow up to be- point out.) “Whether you suc- second planet. He’s fully caged staggers, then falls on a ledge, come galaxies someday. When ceed or fail, just attempting the in his spiky green shell, and by staring into the lava just inch- stars die, they turn to stardust challenge will show something using these spring things that es from him, then screams, and scatter across the cosmos. about your character.” launch in the direction Mario’s “NOOOO! My galaxy! My em- Eventually, that stardust re- I decided having Rosalina facing with a spin jump, Bows- pire! This can’t be happening . forms to create a new Star . . . read a story to the Lumas and er can be hit. I go back to the . .” And so the cycle of life contin- Mario would be first; I’ll then part right before the cutscene Because the galaxy seems to ues. But the cycle never repeats do the final Star at Melty Mol- that plays. have collapsed within itself, it itself quite the same way . . . So ten Galaxy after storytime. The The soundtrack “Final Battle forms a blackhole full of swirl- . . . you’ll see.” She vanishes. seventh chapter is about the with Bowser” doesn’t play until ing deep reddish-pink light “Wait! Don’t leave me! What girl wishing to go home, when the third planet in the center against the black. I’m here say- do you mean?” I shout. I stare she looks at her home through of this roiling blazing ball of ing, realizing my eyes are burn- unblinkingly at the white her dad’s telescope. She wants March/April 2021 62 CHARGING CORNER MARIO’S REHASHED GALACTIC JOURNEY IN SUPER MARIO GALAXY 3D ALL STARS EDITION CONT’D her mother; however, she sobs wary of is that it will have fire all 100 purple coins, or else with its happiness that I found she can’t see her mother, as trail behind it, fireballs expel- start all over. myself giggling and gazing at her mother is “sleeping under ling from its mouth, and its Rosalina exclaims, “We now everything on screen like I was the tree on the hill!” A tear slid tail blazing with flames. I de- have enough Power Star to go entering a whole new world, down my face. I didn’t want a cided to go through the Green to another world. But before which, I unknowingly, would. sad chapter; I wanted a happy Launch Star. that, we must help your special I thought that was it; howev- one, so I could stop the ache The first Star I did was Rolling one.” The two numbers are ze- er, the game had other ideas. A I feel for what happened to Gizmo Galaxy’s Gizmos, Gears, ros. “Are you prepared to travel new cutscene plays: Rosalina, Luma. and Gadgets Power Star. It’s us- to the center of the universe?” on the tower where Mario and I However, the eighth chapter is ing that Star-powered ball. I An icy trickle of fear sliced first meet her, says, “Thank you a little more cheerier. It’s about found handheld mode the best through the warmth of my . . . I’ll watch you beyond the the Lumas trying to make the in tackling these rolling-ball pride that I collected all 120 stars . . .” She leaves, and a lone girl happy, and a Luma trans- levels. It’s a lot of narrow paths, Power Stars as I swallow ner- Luma, beside a mushroom forms into a comet, taking the tricky jumps, and even more vously; would Bowser be even waves at the player, before pop- girl back to her home. The demand for balancing, but tak- harder to fight than before? ping out to view the planet it’s tenth and final chapter is about ing it nice and slow is the best Since the first time I battled on. the girl realizing she’ll visit her way to beat the Rolling Gizmo Bowser, I was going off memo- “Super Luigi Galaxy!” Luigi home planet every 100 years, Galaxy. ry. Technically, I didn’t explain shouts in delight; on screen, but carrying for the countless I blast off to the Bubble Blast two sections, since the third is it reads, “You can now play as Lumas like a mother taking Galaxy next; its Power Star is where Bowser staggers to fall Luigi.” I check out the save file care of her child, was her home called The Electric Labyrinth. beside the ledge, roaring about of mine; with Luigi unlocked, now. The player uses the bubble to his destroyed galactic empire. I can now have his face as the “That’s all. My story is fin- gather five Star Chips, then a The one where Bowser was has icon of my save file. If I change ished,” Rosalina states to Mario maze. It’s a fun level, but a little Mario leaping and spin jump- between the two brothers, and the player. I was slightly annoying. I found tapping the ing over lava, while avoiding they’ll shout their name at the unhappy Nintendo told me screen on handheld mode is the stream of yellow-orange player. For some reason, and I bluntly this story is Rosalina’s best for this level as well. The tongues of flame soaring at think it’s Rosalina saying his life explained to how she got final galaxy is the Loopdees- him. The first one I didn’t men- name having a nice ring to to the present; by the eighth woop Galaxy; it’s Power Star tion has Mario walking on ice, it, but Mario seems to cry his chapter, I had the feeling it was is called The Galaxy’s Greatest while it appears in front of name for longer than Luigi. her life she was reading, and I Wave. It’s just traveling a big- him, but vanishes soon after; Stay tuned for a review of Lu- didn’t like the game acted like ger course than the Loopdee- this is right after the comeback igi’s galactic journey on its 3D I was too stupid to realize until loop Galaxy. of Dusty Dune Galaxy. The part All-Stars edition. the very end. To shorten the article, and just before facing Bowser is the “A Daredevil Comet? Why because nothing really news- same, but with no ice, and Ma- is there a Daredevil Comet?” worthy is there to note, I am rio wall jumps instead of walks I ask. Icy fear claws at me. If going to list the 15 galaxies with over it, while skidding if he there’s a battle at the third Star, Purple-Coin Comets (and a stops. then I don’t know what to do, few Purple Comets are timed): The battle and cutscene is since I never beat the boss, and Good Egg; Honeyhive; Space the same. However, because now I’ll have to struggle my Junk; Beach Bowl; Toy Time; of fast my heart was pounding way through battle with only Gold Leaf; Ghostly; Sea Slide, and with my hands slick with one hit keeping me from life or where I used Bee Mario to gath- sweat, I was making stupid death. However, it isn’t a boss er the purple coins; Deep Dark; mistakes, as I was making the battle; it’s the first Star, just Dusty Dune, which rewarded fight seen harder than it was. with Mario getting through it me with my first and last game Though I knew what Luma without getting hit once, and if over along with the Power Star; would do, my eyes still burned the player gets hit, it’s back at Melty Molten, which has the and blurred with tears, but I the beginning of the level. The player go into the volcano for had enough control not to let Star is called Lava Spire Dare- the last few coins; Gusty Gar- them slide down my face like devil Run. dens was a Star I got at the last last time after Luma’s heroic The final Star is called Fiery possible second; Freezeflame; death. Dino Piranha. It really isn’t too and both Dreadnaught, where The last ending scene where hard getting to the Fiery Dino I got my final Power Star, and everyone wakes up, and Mario Piranha, and nor is it a hard Battlerock has Mario on a mov- shouts, “Welcome! Welcome battle. The only thing to be ing platform, and he has to get new galaxy!”, was so infectious 63 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION Mario 3D World Deluxe - espe- his son, and that sends him sunny blue sky, the relaxing roundings a little more. cially at Puffprod Peaks - made running off, resulting in his fa- Super Mario 3D World theme Spiky rocks tower out of some me realize how much the Wii ther’s fury, or is something ter- playing. He spots black paint black goop, narrowing into a U strived to be what the Switch rible - like losing to Mario over on the ground. Running, eye- tip that looks like a spike from is - a hybrid console that sold and over again - lead to Bowser ing each new inky splatter of Bowser’s shell; some of these really well. The Wii U sold only so furious his son flees, seek- paint, the theme speeds up. rocks seem to be running with 13.5 million units; that’s not ing Mario’s help in cooling his Mario halts, seeing a black M the black stuff. Plus, this black even a quarter its predecessor father’s temper? Will Mario be printed on the ground, looking tar-like substance, over the did with the Wii’s 101.63 mil- suspicious of Bowser Jr., once like the M paint-goop in Super wind and thunder, makes this lion units! Although, that’s hearing his age-old foe’s son Mario Sunshine. The M turns odd gurgling sound. The sign better than the Virtual Boy - is asking for his help, or will into a black vortex; instead showing this will kill Mario, another of the few failures Nin- he readily agree? (If Nintendo of falling right away, he stays scattered across the tar stuff, tendo dished out - with its low had Mario readily agree, then in midair, trying to run, and I is shaped like a cat’s head, but 770,000 units before discontin- I would easily have a reason laugh, loving his look of worry the white skull and crossbones ued in late December of 1995 to drill it in the reader’s heads and slight fear at the player be- are still printed on the death- (Japan) and early January of there is no way Mario, unless fore he begins to fall through warning sign, and that’s how I 1996 (North America). All that Nintendo made him stupid for the portal. know what the signs’ meaning came out of the train wreck this game or something, would Screaming, thrashing his arms is. I scale a tree, and not only that was the Wii U’s poor per- willingly agree without at least and legs, he lands, his face bur- realize the top of this cat-ified formance for its dying market a few doubts, suspicious, and/ ied in the ground. His muffled tree has cat ears, but long forks is that the Nintendo Switch - or fears.) cries in the mud stop once he of blue-outlined white light- what Nintendo seemed to have However, I wouldn’t put it past gasps for air, after I press A, his ning claws the angry sky over- strived for the Wii U - released Bowser Jr. to backstab Mario. It head no longer trapped. Not head. back in 2017, and continues to wouldn’t be too hard for Bows- only do I see the pelting rain While eyeing and taking sell really well today. er and his son to have thought battering Mario, and he’s in note of my surroundings, I Now, let’s get going with up the plan: Have Bowser Jr. a cat-ified forest with flowers did learn several things about Bowser’s Fury. I did some dig- exploit Mario’s “weakness” of with their petals looking like Mario’s moveset. He can long ging and found, according to sympathy and compassion in cat paws and cat-head bushes jump, crouch, roll, spin jump, www.theverge.com, published “helping” Junior, and then the and normal trees, but I see a walk, run, side somersault, and by Andrew Webster on Janu- son of King Bowser can put Ma- coin counter and a cat coun- jump. If the player wished to ary 27, 2021, that the Bowser’s rio in the a corner where Bows- ter sign. It’s in the basic shape do a triple jump, he or she is Fury theme is actually a heavy er can get rid of his age-old foe. of a cat’s head, colored red, sadly disappointed, because metal remix from Super Ma- Actually, if that doesn’t happen but with gold trimming, and Mario can’t even double jump, rio 3D World‘s portion of the in Bowser’s Fury, depending there’s streaks around it, like so a triple jump is definitely out deluxe version. I ended up lis- on how well Nintendo sells Ju- how someone draws a sun with of the question if the red-clad tening to it myself, and this nior’s urgency for Mario’s help, rays surrounding the circle. plumber can’t even perform a website is not lying. It is so and if Mario has some kind of But it somehow looks scary double jump. I know; I tried strange to hear heavy metal in doubt about helping Bowser and cute at once. several times to even do a dou- a Mario game that it becomes Jr., that is a pretty cool plot, The wind howling as the ble jump, let alone a triple, but even more catchy, but not in an nonetheless. Let’s sadly ditch rain continues to pelt Mario, to no avail. Total disappoint- annoying way. The back of the Luigi, and play as everyone’s I realize the trees, bushes, ment. game case reads for the Bows- second favorite plumber. and paw-flowers are swaying The ruined airship has a nice er’s Fury portion for the Switch “Woah!” I cried out; the mo- in the raging wind. I become red velvet-looking rug trimmed release: “Bowser Jr. needs your ment I pressed A to start Bows- aware thunder crashes over- with gleaming gold. I cry out, help to stop his furious father’s er’s Fury, my JoyCons suddenly head in the black stormy sky, jumping in fright, more aware ramage!” vibrated unpleasantly as the but nearly drowned by the of the sudden rumbling of my That one sentence left me sound of thunder crashed. The wind and thunder is the wet JoyCons than the dark Bowser wondering how Nintendo was music then changes to a dra- thuds Mario’s shoes make as he thing, red blazing against him going to force Bowser Jr. to matic Bowser-Castle sounding walks and runs around. I look where his tuft of hair is and swallow his pride enough to theme. I press A to start Bows- around, and spot what seems mouth and eyes are, coming team up with Mario, and how er’s Fury completely. It takes to be an airship of Bowser’s to life. He expels fire from his Mario’s going to react in know- forever to load. having crashed, considering mouth, accompanied by these ing his age-old archnemey’s son Mario’s strolling in the Mush- there’s wide cracks splitting its short pillars, and in the sud- is going to be “helping” him. room Kingdom with fluffy sides. Instead of heading right den run to this glowy thing, I Would Bowser have punished white clouds overhead in the there, I explore my current sur- learned I can dive in midair as March/April 2021 64 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION well, like how Mario dives into to help him. But he’s too big tance. I pick “A little.” However, stomach. I cry out softly as the Cappy in Super Mario Odyssey. and mad. I can’t change Dad if his help becomes more of a cat clan is swallowed by some My heart hammering, I read back by myself . . .” Although hindrance (in other words, if I kind of strange pink-black aloud that I grabbed some- blue eyes are no longer slits feel like he’s actively trying to swirl, then appear to be cats thing called a Cat Shine (it of suspicion (now wide with sabotage Mario) then he’s no outlined in pink, their amber looks like the cat counter sign alertness), his arms are still longer helping. The game then eyes illuminating against their on screen, but in 3D), named: crossed, now leaning closer, says: “You’ve asked Bowser Jr. black fur. Tails bushing out as Make the Lighthouse Shine. like a parent looming over a to help a little. To change this pelts bristle aggressive, their With the power of this Cat child, and seeming to be giv- setting, select options in the + eyes turn pinkish-red and I’m Shine, the lighthouse works, ing Junior even a tiny glimmer menu.” Perfect. forced to flee from this angry and the spinning, blazing light of hope of his father’s archrival “There’s one more thing to clan of cats going in for the at- is enough to send this Bowser buying his explanation. mention . . . If you share two tack. thing to burrow back into the “I’d never ask you for help. JoyCon controllers, a second Not long after grabbing an- black goop. The sun then pours Never EVER!” Well, if that’s person can play as Bowser Jr.! other Cat Shine, Bowser re- down on land that rises out of the case, then Mario can safe- Just select two-player mode in treats back into his black goop. the goop; yellow-green grass ly skedaddle on back to the the + menu.” I don’t plan on The clan likes me again, but I and a few cat-trees, clear, glis- Mushroom Kingdom and leave having someone as the second see a Cat Shine past a small tening water as white sunlight Bowser Jr. to this mess his fa- player. The place seems to be stream of water. Dog paddling refracts off it, sandy shores and ther unknowingly left him in, called Scamper Shores, and not - more like cat paddling - over, beaches, cliffs and slopes. In and I can finish this review. long after getting a Super Bell shows another group of cats at the far distance snowy-capped But that leaves the question and seeing Bowser Jr. will help Fort Flaptrap. I have to bully gray mountains. This cat-ified of what’s got Bowser so angry? in slaying cat-ified foes, I came the Cat Bullies, and they’re landscape is dominated, not by That I want to find out. How- across four cats. Cats furred on a metal grate with red and the two cat-head purple-out- ever, Bowser Jr. seems unable black, pink, blue, and green - blue flip switches. I died by ac- lined black things in view, but to swallow his pride and accept one of each color - all nuzzle cidentally leaping into the roil- the massive shiny, spinning, help, so what can Mario and I and mewl up at the golden- ing lava below; I saw Bowser’s black shell that seems to be do? pelted, white pawed-and-un- Fury works like deaths in Super owned by this massive Bowser. “But I’ll do anything to save derbellied Mario. These cats Mario Odyssey: removal of 100 Pacing in his clown car, I can Papa. So . . . help me, Mario.” can and will follow Mario once coins. I only had 27 coins to my see Bowser Jr., calling for help. The last three words are in he gets on his paws and walks name before my death, so I’m Suspicious, I go to him. Instead a slightly smaller print, like away; they can’t climb sadly, so going to assume it’s the remov- of speaking, he then reveals a Bowser Jr. whispered it. Still it’s a nice stroll to the place I al of 100 coins, like in Odyssey. canvas of a crudely drawn pic- frowning, Mario then consid- have to be then, shadowed by a “Whoa! It’s a Giga Bell! I heard ture of Bowser, and after covers for a moment; he nods, four-cat clan. a cool saying about these. I ering it with black paint from and then presses a fisted hand “Don’t judge me,” I say, seeing think it was, ‘When the beast his paintbrush, it shows a black to his chest, agreeing to help. Bowser Jr. circling Mario as cats rises the Giga Bell will ring . . version of the crude Bowser. Junior cheers, waving his arms rub their scent against him. A .’ or something. Maybe we’ve Before Bowser Jr. noticed Ma- in celebration. If Mario’s okay family member of mine had gotta get this splotchy goop off rio, he was looking very wor- with it, I can at least give Bows- said the cat-ified everything - first. Some more Cat Shines ried, and throughout his paint- er Jr. the benefit of the doubt, land to foes - is stupid, but I’m might do the trick!” Bowser Jr. ing-explanation, too. And now, and it does look like this article finding it cute and charming, then explains, when I approach he bows his head, shaking it has to be written, with the two but he did give me two Ami- this big Super Bell. After I get every now and then. The game teaming up. In fact, he seems ibos, one of Bowser Jr. and one the Bully the Cat Bullies Cat explains: “It looks like Bowser very upset his dad is so mad of Bowser, so I can do the re- Shine, Bowser appears once Jr. is in trouble. ‘Mario! Dad all of a sudden; plus, Bowser view to its fullest potential. more, and I mainly take shelter is out of control! I don’t know Jr. seemed super reluctant in The steadfast, cheery beat is in this small, dark alcove with what happened . . .’” asking Mario’s help, even with- lost by an ominous sounding Junior huddling beside Mario. I chuckle, seeing a frowning out him needing to gulp down track. The shell with golden With Bowser’s temper sim- Mario’s arms crossed over his his pride in asking his father’s spikes spins then flies into the mered down for now, I grab the chest, glaring eyes narrowed in archrival. air; out pops Bowser’s head, Make the Lighthouse Shine Cat suspicion, and he finishes this “You’ve teamed up with arms, and legs. He’s complete- Shine. I see a clear pipe inside off with cocking his head to Bowser Jr. But . . . how should ly dark, except for the flames the lighthouse, which is acti- the painting. Seeming to real- he help you?” The game gives misting around his mouth, his vated, and the game explains ize Mario’s not swallowing his me options of “None”, “A little”, red tuft of hair, and this strange the lighthouse wants to light tale, Junior continues: “I tried and “A lot” with Junior’s assis- yellow glow blazing against his something, and the splotchy 65 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION CONT’D goop will vanish under the light Bell came accessible, since take some damage to remove night, while Junior and Mario of the Cat Shine. If I can’t find Bowser appeared. The way to the Propeller Box, I see a red huddle behind the lighthouse some Cat Shines, I can try other fight this Bowser - Fury Bows- ribbon around Mario’s neck, at Pounce Bounce Isle, I see islands, and lighthouse-islands er? - is to wait until he exposes and the new bell at the very the Lucky Bell glows more pink usually hide something. While his underbelly inside his shell, center of this velvet-looking than bronze, and the cat statue doing Blue Coin Bustle at Fort and ground pound it. This Cat collar wrapped around Mario’s does grant invincibility. Now I Flaptrap, Bowser happened. Mario looks so strong and ma- throat. Why am I seeing this said the Invincibility Leaf was I found seeing the stormy jestic; how there’s a tuft of yel- as symbolizing Mario being banned; I’m only allowing the darkness then sliced by the low fur on his tail, and on his trapped by the two Bowsers, or Lucky Bell because it’s new, orange-red light illuminating furry head, looking a little like that he’ll never be free of living and the player can still lose it to the night is the scariest part, a lion’s mane. If Mario loses a normal life without having to a very simple enemy hit. I then knowing its Bowser’s stream the Giga Bell, he can snatch it save Princess Peach every two lose my Lucky Bell when I do of roiling flame expelling from again, but without seeing him seconds? the Show’s Over, Cat Magikoo- his mouth, and almost feeling become so massive. Not only did I learn this new pas! Cat Shine. The fight with the wash of blazing heat when When it’s over, a new location bell is called a Lucky Bell, but the Cat Magikoopas is where I see the terrible light, like I - blue-leafed trees, high slopes when Mario ground pounds, the player bullies the Cat Bul- was there with Mario and Ju- hinting at ice, and Plessie - has he turns into a kind of statue lies. nior, trapped in a storm-tossed risen out of the water. “He sank with a coin lodged in his fore- Plessie having been kind night while Bowser goes on his back into the lake . . . but trust paws before he crashes to the enough to give Mario a ride rampage. me, it’ll take more than that to ground, rewarding some coins over to this snowy forest, I Upon grabbing the Blue Coin beat my papa. We need to make during the fall. With this, I grab the Cold Cove Combat Bustle Cat Shine, the game him REALLY see the light. The found out if the player gets a Cat Shine; though I’m startled then tells me, “You’ve collected way to do that is find more Cat 100 coins, he or she gets a pow- to see several Goomba stacks five Cat Shines! A message is Shines. More of that splotchy er-up. If the player does need and two fire-spitting Cat Pi- ringing out from the Giga Bell stuff went away, so there must a power-up, and selects one ranha Plants, the fight has no . . . ‘When the beast awakens, be new islands to explore. Let’s with the up-arrow button the major issues that’s even close so shall I . . .’” I don’t go to the check the map and get going! left JoyCon, and pressing the to newsworthy for this review. Giga Bell right away, I make a Hurry, up, Mario!” After check- A button to confirm, Bowser However, like an idiot, I then return to see this strange black ing the map, Junior adds, “Oh, Jr. tosses it to them. I found reactivate the very same fight. spiky ball that turns into this yeah! I almost forgot some- out that the Lucky Bell is not I forgot to mention two shadow Mario with opaque red thing important.” He then ex- an item that grants invincibil- things, while I busily explore eyes at Scamper Shores; to get plains to check the map, the ity like I suspected, but seems the snowy forest, loving how this thing’s Cat Shine just de- player presses the - button or to be an odd mix of Super Bell, the blue trees lighten at the feat it. The Cat Shine’s called the right-arrow button on the statue-like properties of the Ta- cat-ear tips, their leaves look- Fury Shadow by the Shore. left JoyCon. I realize Mario nooki Leaf, and coin-rewarded ing as fluffy as a Maine Coon’s This Fury Shadow reminds me doesn’t seem as trusting as I portion of the Gold Flower. pelt, while exploring. There’s a little of Shadow Mario from assumed. He’ll glare at Bowser I’m not sure I like that, but the these things called Cat Shards, Sunshine or the Cosmic Mario Jr. suspiciously every now and red-ribbon collar clashes nicely which seem to work like the from Galaxy; instead of chas- then, and even think carefully with Mario’s yellow pelt and Moon Shards in Odyssey or ing it down until it gives up or about what Junior’s saying. white paws, underbelly, tail-tip silver Stars in the DS release racing it, it’s defeating it while I return to Scamper Shores, and ears. of Mario 64 and the two Gal- he runs away. As Mario went and soon Cat Mario’s wear- At Pounce Bounce Isle, I axy games. I never collected all into battle against this fleeing a Propeller Box, so I can grab two Cat Shines: Make the five, since I never located the ing Shadow Fury, Bowser ap- pretty much only see the tips Lighthouse Shine and Climb final one, so it’s an educated peared. of his paws. While trying to to the Shine. The reason why guess that could easily be right. After Bowser’s anger sim- get the key to unlock this one it’s called Pounce Bounce Isle, On some of the buildings are mered once more, I walk Cat Shine, I climb up this tall is because there are Boomer- white question-marks, like the around, trying to get the clan ledge, and grab this strange ang Bros to be pounced on question marks on question- of cats up to the lighthouse, bell. It’s a little smaller than a and bounce panels to jump mark blocks, and these can and notice these Condors at normal Super Bell - in fact, it on. The Cat Shine Hurry! give the player power-ups to the wooden beam have now looks like a normal bell some Jump High, Climb Fast! isn’t a golden warp pipe with coins vanished. However, while people wave around during too hard. I did get some more in a golden room, another gold guiding the cats, some fell off Christmastime - and it’s not power-ups through finding warp pipe there for the player the ledge, and I was forced to yellow, but a bronze color with a Lucky Bell, and jumping to leave. try to get them back on higher just a hint of pink within its and ground pounding on this The slightly ominous music ground. This is when the Giga shading. When I purposely spring boost. In the stormy plays; the rain begins to drizzle March/April 2021 66 C H A R G I N G C O R N E R UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION CONT’D down, threatening a proper activating after I gather the five paws on it. I can get rid of half the lighthouse to Fury Bowser downpour; and the massive Cat Shards. Cat Shines Go with his health, but he moves away showing up. I spend five min- gold-spiked, black shell spins: the Floe and So Close Yet So from the fireballs, so Cat Mario utes on top of the lighthouse, I’m no longer surprised Fury Far weren’t too hard; Go with has to chase him then. vainly trying to avoid the Bowser pops out to a stormy the Floe just has Mario riding While snatching the Cat stream of flame, when I re- darkness. His anger simmered a small glacier to the Cat Shine, Shards Shine, rain pours; upon member I’m on the lighthouse, again, I find a clear pipe that and So Close Yet So Far is the grabbing the Cat Shine, Fury the Cat Shine in sight still, but takes me to Slipskate Slope, Cat Shine found once getting Bowser appears, but he does cats angrily prowl, looking for which is the snowy forest place. through Trickity Tower. give me Blast the Fury Blocks Mario. Fury Bowser’s health The level’s fun, with using the Slippery Skirmish is an- at Risky Whisker Island. The is lowered a bit by the light- ice skate to ride the ice to the other battle for the Cat Shine. spinning light blazing into house’s light. Luckily for Ma- Make the Lighthouse Shine Cat This time it’s some Cat Cheep Fury Bowser’s face, I notice, rio, but unluckily for Junior’s Shine, and I also got the Five Cheeps and Snow Pokeys, all does a dent of damage - a small father, he is yet again faced Cat Shards Shine on the way. on ice. The rain pours as the dent, but one, nonetheless. with the dangers of the light- While exploring Lake Lapcat wind whistles when I reach Fury Shadow Hops to It is the house decreasing health upon with Plessie, I found a small Crisp Climb Castle. After Cat Shine once defeating the Mario and Bowser Jr. snatching grate he couldn’t fit through, Bowser’s fury, I grab the light- Shadow Fury. Spin, Scramble, the Blue Coin Bustle Cat Shine but Mario and Junior sure can. house Shine, and seeing the Shine becomes my next Cat at Pipe Path Tower. It seems to be some kind of bat- pouring rain while seeing what Shine, since the goop’s cleared Orange-red lava roils with a tle arena, and it’s called Claw- else I can do, I ride Plessie to thanks to getting the Shadow gurgling sound - or it could be sipe Colosseum. While the rain the nearest Giga Bell, saying, Fury’s Shine. the goopy substance. Reddish- threatens its downpour and the “We’re leaving. We have to go Feasting on Fuzzies is a brown stone towers up to the music plays, Cat Boom Boom back.” simple, but a strangely fun slit-eyed cat face, the inside appears. Clash with Cat Boom Bowser’s health is only half, Cat Shine. The potted Piranha of its ears a beautiful blazing Boom Cat Shine was not too since he did retreat. He’s soon Plant returns, with cat ears that yellow-orange. I can see Fire hard; in fact, the rainy dark- defeated, and I did find out the look fluffy, and it’s up to Mario Bros. garrisoned on this moun- ness and hard-metal Mario 3D black goop slows Mario down. to allow it to gulp down its meal tain called Mount Magmeow. World theme just made an easy Junior says, “Aw, nuts! I really of Fuzzies. If Mario releases The clouds’ underbellies are fight a little anticlimactic with hoped he would change back the pot, this piranha plant goes bleeding from an orange light, how easy Cat Boom Boom is. this time . . . I mean . . . um . from swallowing Fuzzies whole seeming to be caused by how With this Cat Shine, I’m able . . of course, he didn’t! Nobody in one bite to wanting Mario’s low-hanging they are to the to fight Fury Bowser using the shrugs off a hit from Mario bet- blood, which could be as this bubbling lava. Under Mario’s Giga Bell. Bowser’s son says, ter than my papa, after all.” He potted plant’s way of saying, paws the grayish-brown land, once the fight’s over, “Aurg! I tells Mario to find more Cat “Mario, I’m still hungry; I think dusted with what seems to can’t believe he ran away again! Shines. I’ll bite into you, as you’re no be the same rusty orange-red I mean, um . . . Dad’s the best A slanted ship appears out longer feeding me my favorite from the wasteland, just add at everything. Of course he of the water, along with some- treat: Fuzzies.” to Mount Magmeow’s theme knows when it’s time to re- thing that looks like a fire stage, Pipe Path Tower was made of looking like a cute, cool, and treat! Heh heh. This Giga Bell upon Fury Bowser’s defeat. I more interesting, because I creepy mountain. It really does is all splotchy again. We need snatched Blue Coin Bustle Cat didn’t travel through the clear succeed at those three adjec- more Cat Shines! Maybe we’ll Shine at Trickity Tower and pipes. I traveled on top of them; tives, even without the ground find some hiding on the islands Surprise Prizefight Cat Shine clearly, the devs knew some the color that it is. we’ve already visited. Let’s go when looking for a way to get to players would do what I did, While reaching Cat Prince find them!” the fire stage looking place. It since a Cat Shard or two was Bully for his Cat Shine (Back I stumble across Trick- turns out it’s not a fire stage at nowhere near a pipe exit, and Off, Cat Prince Bully!), -a cer ity Tower. When Fury Bowser all, but land a rusty orange-red the only way was by carefully tain furious father of Junior’s comes along, while I’m busy because it’s a wasteland. Many on top of them. Actually, trav- went back on his rampage. The hurling Fire Mario’s fireballs to cats prowl near the Giga Bell at eling on top of the clear pipes storm, literally and figuratively, see where the new path is - the the wasteland. is a little more fun; the chal- having simmered, I continued tower is completely invisible, “Risky Whisker Island,” I lenge was a little scarier than on my way, but fell into the except for this blue flooring read, then say, “Oh, no, not usually because black goop was lava below; I see I lost about that appears when Mario’s near you,” when a spiked ball turns constantly below Mario, so one 50 coins for the death. Though or on it - he actually makes into this Shadow-Fury Luigi, fall could lead to Mario being it’s mainly reaching the top of the path a little easier to navi- and runs on these platforms killed. Mount Magmeow, this is one gate. However, Fury Bowser is that begin to fall and vanish After being rewarded with the of the best lava-themed levels driven away by the lighthouse the moment Mario will put his Cat-Shard Cat Shine, I reach in a Mario game, from how the 67 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER UNDERRATED VIDEO GAME DUE TO HOME CONSOLE GETS ITS SPECTACULAR SWITCH DELUXE VERSION CONT’D mountain is cat-fifed, and be- Bowser’s Amiibo activates his “No! That’s it!” I add. After tries, Tanooki Mario’s hitbox ing a pretty decent challenge Fury right away, regardless of giving the momma cat her lost barely grazed the cloud’s hit- up - it’s not too hard nor easy, a drizzle or not. I use Bowser kitten at the Lakeside Giga Bell box to allow him entrance for especially snatching the Cat- Jr.’s during the storm, and I and grabbing the Key to the the Cat Shine: Dash and Smash Shard Shine. have no idea what he did, and Cat Shine at Pounce Bounce in the Clouds. It may not look I died a few times, and didn’t he wouldn’t even do it again Isle (the latter is the Shine like it, reader, but that jump is grab the fourth Cat Shard, but for me once his father’s rage that allowed Fury Bowser to truly a blind jump. I reached Cat Prince Bully. He’s has simmered. I’m guessing be blinded by the lighthouse), “His health is so low,” I say, the same as before in Mario 3D he gives the player a power-up, Junior decides to direct the Cat seeing a blinded Fury Bowser, World, but the fight feels dif- whether the player is close or Bullet Bill, which exploded out health a mere sliver, flee after I ferent - it could be because Ma- not to the needed 100 coins. I of its cannon, at Mario. Looks snatch the Fury Blocks Shine at rio’s out in the open air versus can see Bowser’s Amiibo being like I was right: Bowser Jr.’s try- Roiling Roller Isle. I’d gathered sequestered in a small room useful, as I’m trying to see if ing to sabotage Mario, even if the Lost Kitten near the Ruins with barred windows. Because it’s possible to defeat him with it’s not a plan by the two Bows- and Hurry! Slide through the the pelting rain began, I waited only the lighthouse; however, ers to get Mario cornered to be Sky! Cat Shines when Bowser for Fury Bowser to get blinded it looks like there’s some kind trapped. Once Mario grabbed appeared as Mario hopped on by the lighthouse; he’s now of timer on using Bowser, so the Cat Shines for the Fury Plessie. The belly flopping, about or at half health. This the player can’t abuse his Fury. Blocks and Cat Shards from strong swimming dino got Ma- got me to see if it’s possible to I soon grab both the Gaz- Pounce Bounce Isle, and Blue rio and Junior, shadowing his defeat Fury Bowser with only ing Down at Lava and Jump Coin Bustle from Slipskate father’s archrival, up a ledge the lighthouse, but I had to and Thump in the Clouds Cat Slope (which I found quite that’s in reality a tiny waterfall, see if the gathering of already- Shines. Fury Bowser came for hard), Bowser Jr. returned to which is aided by Fury Bowser, collected Cat Shines will light the former Shine, and I saw his helping. summoning a large slope with the tall lighthouse, or else this health close, but nowhere near I fought Cat Pom Pom for the an easy jump to it. I noticed already-slow decrease in Fury half health. The dark storm Shine Cat Pom Pom’s Counter- Fury Blocks, and Bowser took Bowser’s health will be slower. finishes raging when I snatch attack, and both the rematch care of them, and then I saw I Apparently, I can’t grab any the On the Floodgate’s Edge. with Cat Boom Boom and stumbled across Roiling Roller Shines I already gathered, so It took awhile finding the Fury Hurry! Watch Your Step! had Isle. it’s going to be slow then. How- Blocks Bowser has to destroy Fury Bowser come. I saw Fury This level is full of rotating ever, the first Cat Shine I can at Pipe Path Tower, but Ma- Bowser was past half health; platforms and lava, and though grab is Hurry! Hop Behind the rio and Junior found them. I he was pretty much dead. Just the parkour for moving from Wall! It has a strict 20 second find the Fury Blocks swiftly at a few more Cat Shines to end platform to platform looks and timer, and I can barely kick Mount Magmeow. him through the lighthouse’s sounds easy, it’s one of those the explosive soccer balls and “Hey! You sabotaged me!” I spinning, blazing lights. things that, in reality, is hard. I jump from one falling platform snap at Bowser Jr. “First you “Maybe,” I whisper, eyeing the struggled for a good long while, to another without Bowser’s get rid of that kitten’s ball, and cloud that would surely take hunting for Cat Shards and Fury activated, let alone do it now you throw a green shell at me to a Shine for the defeation getting to the lighthouse Cat with Bowser’s Fury storming Mario!” I’d completed several of all enemies. The trees that Shine. Even though there’s Cat through. Right on cue, after I Cat Shines - Wasteland Rab- are normally there have been Bob-ombs, Cat Goombas and a grab that Cat Shine, the father bit Plays Tag, Hurry! Slip to the destroyed by Fury Bowser, few stacks, and a Magikoopa or of Bowser Jr. comes rampaging Shine!, Shoreside Rabbit Plays and I didn’t feel like waiting two, the parkour is made bear- through. Tag, Climb to the Shine, and for them to respawn. There’s a able thanks to the Tanooki Leaf; I decide to see what the two the Blast the Fury Blocks and clear pipe, near Ruins Giga Bell, and there’s Fury Bowser to get Amiibos do. The one and only Five Cat Shards at Scamper that explodes the player over to in the way, too. Speaking about time I did use Amiibos for the Shore - when Fire Mario was the Gazing Down at the Islands Fury Bowser, once his health is Switch is for the Darker Side hit by a green Koopa shell by Cat Shine; it has fast boost pan- at a mere sliver because of the of the Moon in Mario Odys- none other than Junior. While els and clouds that appear un- lighthouses, it doesn’t decrease sey, back when I done it three contemplating if I should re- der Mario’s feet or paws. Using anymore. Looks like the devs to four years ago. I vividly recall move his privilege of aiding the boost panels to give Mario didn’t want the player to cheese pressing it against the Switch’s Mario for the rest of the review, extra speed before the jump, I the Giga Cat Mario portion of left JoyCon. Nothing; the right I did the Shine “Hurry! Dash can guide Mario in midair to the fight without abusing the one does nothing as well. I end and Dive!”, seeing the 20 sec- the cloud; I found the Super up asking the family mem- ond timer is actually quite tight Bell doesn’t have the needed ber who gave me the Amiibos for a Nintendo game rated E for height or distance, but the Ta- how to use it for the Nintendo Everyone. nooki Leaf might. Ten failed Switch. Now knowing, I find March/April 2021 68 CHARGING CORNER IMMORTALS FENYX RISING REVIEW This is Part 3 of a review of an action adventure video game released December 3, 2020 and put out by Ubisoft. This game can be played on the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox and other platforms. Can Demigod Fenyx’s Quest Stop Typhon’s Dark Curse From Greek Gods’ Home? Part 2 begins

By Katie Stafford on page 65 in our February issue. Staff Reporter tacking without considering showed the viewer, where the lasting twice as long before re- A creature with a snake-like for the blows Fenyx’s suffer- place to do the bonus A Tale setting body, striped with glowing ing, and even a lot of carefully of Fire and Lightning quest, The vault is full of these yellow scales, with her snake- planned strategy of mount- and marked it with one of the purple-jeweled golden cubes body thick as a tree trunk, and ing Philon to avoid blows and in-game customized pins. I that Fenyx can make float with looking as powerful as an oak. attacking when I see a likely headed over there, when my a blow of bow, axe, or sword, As the body climbs up, it turns opening. Nothing worked. screen blackened, and I knew and she can grab them with into something scarier than a I hadn’t tried swiftly climb- I was entering a cutscene. A her bracers. A little while later giant snake. Gleaming yellow ing the rocky ledge, and releas- bear, all muscle and brown fur, of several puzzles, she comes spikes protrude from her arms, ing Apollo’s Arrows from the who seems to be Ares, god of across a statue bound by glow- hands tipped with claws, Spot- Bow of Odysseus to damage war, tells Fenyx, who’s being ing red chains, trapped by ted with the same yellow blaz- her. The only thing that could respectful to him, he’s going red rock. The ruby can be de- ing against the dark scales are thwart my plan is if her code to eat her. While I’m trying to stroyed with those cubes once four snakes - blue-eyed, green- is programmed to maintain a process the threat Fenyx’s been they slam onto them once they eyed, red-eyed, and yellow- certain distance from Fenyx. given, a chicken with red and stop floating (the fun way) or eyed - hissing and glaring at My plan seems to be working, gold feathers and plumage ap- the axe or sword (the not fun Fenyx from atop her head. She but I soon died, but I did much pears, telling her to finish him way). The puzzles weren’t too shields her opaque purplish- more damage to her than I did off . . . or they will. hard, but I did use a tutorial white eyes with her claws, and my other failed attempts. Her Two of Typhon’s warriors ad- when I couldn’t think of what revealing them again, a beam teleporting is super annoying, vance upon Ares and Fenyx. to do (thanks to Mighty Noob’s of purple light flies at Fenyx, especially when an arrow has The battle was stupidly easy. video on that vault). who smoothly dodges it. Me- just loosed from the Bow of The fight was at the War’s Den Trembling, I watch the stone dusa the Mythical Gorgon is Odysseus, and my target just - yellow grass, crumbled build- crumble off Kottos the All- ready to strike with her claws vanished in a blaze of whitish- ings, and rocky ledges every- Seeing. With six spindly arms and gleaming fangs, two of green light. Nearly three hours where. Once it’s over in a few tipped with claw-like nails, which protrude from her lower later, I realized her health was blows, I say, “I can do this. I glowing red patches on its bald lip. returning to full, and whatever don’t need those tutorials.” head, gray skin and a small In a glaring green light blaz- small dent I made in Medusa’s However, I’ll use them if need mouth that must be filled with ing against the nightly dark health, it wasn’t worth it. I left be. sharp teeth, it’s quite night- forest, she teleports from close her alone, seeing I wasn’t mak- Being the literal and figurative mare inducing. I’ve begun to to Fenyx to away from her. Her ing much effort. Not long after chicken that he is, Ares, now wonder if Kottos the All-Seeing first attack - and it’s the same I left that terrible place (I’d de- outraged she’ll tell his wife, is more scary than Medusa; it’s attack first - is to fire beams of cided to call it Medusa’s Dark Aphrodite, he wasn’t going to really a close call between the purple light, able to turn Fenyx Forest), I got a helmet - more of help stop Typhon, he tells Fe- two. Anyway, this thing sud- to stone! Though it’s not an in- a cloth hood with what seems nyx where the vault is to get his denly charges at Fenyx so fast stant death blow, it slows her to be goat horns attached to essence. However, there’s no she dies, and the moment she down, her body caked in gray it - called Horns of the Rev- way to clear the debris. With died, Zeus says, “Finally, the stone that crumbles soon that els. It gives me “+10% damage the help of the brown bear, story gets good,” or something feels like an entirety; even sum- while Stamaia is full”. Plus, I she and him are able to make along those lines; I’d been too moning her mount seems to found a new purple bow, called a massive spear fly through horrified by this thing and take longer, and it does, in fact, the Resistance, and even does: the air with enough to destroy shocked Fenyx was slain within slow her mount as well while “Charged shot inflicts 175 stun the debris. Ares the godly seconds to fully take in what the stone’s crumbling off her. and knocks back small en- chicken isn’t too happy the Zeus said. Her other attacks, so far, are emies”. All enemies have some spear was conveniently placed I’d soon realized three things. beams of red light exploding kind of stun meter that will there for Fenyx and the bear to One: it’s sheer luck if I actu- out the ground with sudden cause them to be too disorient- use. Grudgingly, he gives her ally dodge his sudden charge upward motion with her hand, ed to fight if that bar’s full, so a “0.1” realistic chance of liv- roll attack. Two: There are no a fast blast of blue balls of light, I guess that means it adds 175 ing, though his blessing; and high places I can reach to camp and a charged multi-colored points in said bar on the larger, a blessing is something good and loose arrows from, and ball of light that explodes near more powerful foes. a god bestows on the player. doing a slow and tedious pro- Fenyx, if she’d dodged it. I tried I’d paused the video by He gives her Ares’s Command, cess of wounding him. Three: dashing blindly forth and at- thyFrostBite on the map he which has the Combo Meter I can’t skip this boss battle, 69 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER IMMORTALS FENYX RISING REVIEW even though he doesn’t seem I felt like I was the one rolled and battle and pain, Kottos the I didn’t know which one is to regain health anytime he’s onto. Whatever was happening All-Seeing. The thief flees the closer, but I headed to the one wounded. where I could feel a video game vault, soon followed by Fenyx. that’s closer to me. It turns out Bit by bit, death by death, protagonist’s pain was becom- After all the pain and time I’d to be the vault with Typhon’s I’d soon learned a somewhat ing downright terrifying. suffered to defeat that darn melody of tribute; it’s full of decent strategy to kill it. The Five hours later, my right in- boss, no way a simple-minded retreating spikes wishing to moment Fenyx spawns, im- dex finger, the one that’s been thief was going to stop me from kill Fenyx. There’s a few bat- mediately loose an arrow, spamming the ZR or R buttons, helping Ares reunite with his tles here and there, but noth- then swiftly dodge, as it can is flaring with pain each time I essence. ing close to an actual boss or either summon pillars of rock move it. My wrists, especially Meanwhile, near a stone mini-boss fight. However, once to tower in existence or do its my right, are aching from hold- building, Ares the chicken and putting a slab from its pillar in sudden roll attack. The dodge ing my Switch, but I’ve been Bear the brown bear sit on what place, a battle with a minotaur will allow Fenyx to avoid dam- giving myself breaks, not be- used to be a red-stoned path, ensues. This fight was painful age from the rocks, if that’s the cause of the physical pain (that playing what seems to be chess for me, since I had no items to case, or it’ll allow the player to I can handle, even somewhat), with black and white stones heal Fenyx, which means ev- get their bearings before the but to charge my Switch for a and lines drawn with chalk. At ery blow she’s received could charge-roll. Was I still getting while before returning to com- the news about the thief and lead to her death. To add to hit by the charge-roll? Yes, bat. In all this time, the boss asked about what Fenyx should my pain, my right index finger but not as much. I was getting hasn’t been defeated, and usu- tell Aphrodite, Ares dejectedly aches anytime I pressed down much better reading his moves, ally towards the end, I make says, “Tell her I’m on my way to on something, so I was still re- which was, steadily, winning some stupid panic-stricken be flattened on a chariot track,” covering from what my father me the battle. Instead of aim- mistake, as I am so close to which I find darkly humorous. calls “gamer’s thumb.” ing to stun him, I would focus victory, and do one thing out The darkness is lightened con- Not long later, I find a mas- solely on lowering his health, of sheer terror that either kills siderably by Zeus asking, “Can’t sive skeleton of a giant snake, trying to avoid Fenyx receiving Fenyx or helps result in her even cross the road, can he?” its body traveling for quite a wounds herself. death. After awhile of failing, Realizing Fenyx is about while through the yellow sway- Phosphor can even attack, whenever Fenyx screams when to leave, Ares then explains, ing grass and rocks. Once put- too. Pressing both the L and A she’s wielding her axe or sword, though “it’s a longshot,” an ting its teeth in its three places, buttons, the firebird will expel it sounds like she’s screech- Amazon, one of Ares’ daugh- I can grab the salphix. How- three blazing balls of yellow- ing my frustration for me, so ters, can track the thief with ever, Prometheus and Zeus ex- orange flames to do 45 damage I don’t have to make a sound, “uncanny trackers with uncan- plain Ares’ child and the pro- each (135 in total). It doesn’t other than crying out in horror ny tracking devices.” Though tector or his realm, the snake do much of a dent, but I’ll take when I die and so darn close to his daughters don’t talk to Ares named Draken Ismenios, died what I can get, especially when victory. for some long dark episode in one year; the god of war placed he’s attacking while Fenyx’s “Yes!” I cry out in delight. A his immortal life he doesn’t exits body on the Golden Isle to dodging. However, Phosphor moment ago, I’d silenced my plain, he does, however, have mourn. Kadmos, one of the has to be near Kottos the All- war whoop at seeing the boss an Amazon tracking kit he’d famous beast slayers, knocked Seeing, which isn’t often, and become stunned at the right gotten as an offering, located out Draken Ismenios’ teeth, it uses a lot of stamina. It’s moment to be defeated. I was in his fortress. Although he which was later finished by Ja- risky using it twice in a row, thinking I’ll be in battle against is locked out of it by Typhon, son of the Argonauts. When- if the firebird is still there- af him the next day; I was wrong, who forced Pan (some kind ever the teeth are planted like a ter the first round, as she has but that was seven hours of my of half-human, half-goat god flower seed, it sprouts soldiers, no stamina for several life-or- life I’ll never get back, since who plays a pan flute, which which would be corrupted by death seconds. It’s going to be Kottos the All-Seeing took is how the instrument got its Typhon. Fenyx surviving and this mon- all that time to finally defeat. name, through Pan) to play a Ares tells Bear to go home, strosity dying under her hands Nothing now could end the tune that can open the fortress, which he does, though grudg- and Phosphor’s wings - not the flood of warm pride that I’d de- Fenyx is told to play Typhon’s ingly. The god of war, his other way around! feated him at last. melody of tribute at the for- golden feathers and ruby-red “There’s something wrong; “Hey!” Fenyx and I snap at the tress gate to open it. However, plumage somewhat hidden in something seriously wrong same time. A cloaked figure she first needs to get Ares’ sal- a red-leaved bush, tells Fenyx, with me,” I whisper, having just snatched what I guess is phix to play Typhon’s melody who just showed up, not to Fenyx, nearly dead, race away the god of war’s essence. Seems of tribute; Ares, not wanting go calling out his name, since from the boss. The charge-roll, like a thief stealing what Fe- Typhon to get it, secreted his there’s little to no cover for him which was what had harmed nyx, Ares, and I need is just the salphix. With my orders given, to hide. Fenyx points out it’s her so greatly, had me cry out, thing to end that warm pride I have to retrieve the salpinx his fortress, and Ares tells her, tears burning my eyes, when filling me when I’d successfully and breach the vault to find Ty- “I don’t rule the roost anymore, the blow had been dealt, as defeated, after hours of work phon’s melody of tribute. do I?” With Fenyx explaining March/April 2021 70 CHARGING CORNER IMMORTALS FENYX RISING REVIEW he’ll take control again once and blows. It sounds like it’s had passed, when the Wraith timed, so if the player makes he has his essence, Ares vents warning Typhon of our arrival of Herakles fell, thanks to Fe- one mistake that slows him or about Aphrodite married to with a bullhorn-like blast, and nyx’s bow Resistance. And if I her down, they might as well Hephaistos and even Zeus hat- not the lullaby I’d thought it wanted to flee out of terror, I return to the lever, ready to try ing him. Zeus then interjects: would be. couldn’t: Enemies waited for again. In what seems to be a “Not true! I just prefer Athena’s The statue I’d scouted on me behind me, not able to see room to start one of the mech- war making . . . leadership . . . what now seems like a lifetime me, and racing past Herakles, anisms, is two metal boxes on a maturity . . . Apollo’s music . . ago, raises its arms at the call, even running without harming tile. All the player has to do is . oh my gods, I’ve become my trembling the ground and has Fenyx in one successful sprint, to remove the metal box from father.” Fenyx slightly off balance for had him hunt me down. In the the tile, throw it up the higher Fenyx sighs, turning to the a heartbeat. Stone shackles Wraith Zone, he’ll have hunt- landing, climb up while avoid- statue of Ares she scouted on trapping its arms towards the ed me down like a lion does a ing the lasers (appearing once what seems so long ago. “Ares, ground, has the links snap; gazelle. How do I know about the box was then picked up by look at yourself. That’s the real soon, I see the statue of Ares him hunting Fenyx down in Fenyx), and carry the box to the you.” She then turns to the has a sword’s blade seeming to the Wraith Zone? Answer: I’d new tile. gold-and-red chicken. “You touch the starry sky and a tele- tried to flee in terror before In the second part, it seems don’t care what people think - scope to his eye, hunting for his stationing her across the very to be the same thing, but I you act! You raze entire cities to foes, which would be Typhon narrow moat, while the gate’s had no clue what to do. I wan- the ground when you don’t get and his minions in these night- metal spikes protrude out of dered around aimlessly, and your way. You protect your peo- marish times for the goddesses the water, to do a long, slow fell through a hole, into a new ple and your family at the ex- and gods, the lost heros, and battle against him. puzzle room. I didn’t do it, and pense of everyone else. You’re Fenyx. I have to find and ac- My heart pounding faster instead looked around until an . . . !” (and here she calls tivate the mechanisms inside and harder than it did during I found a Quest Zone, which him something that I can’t put the fortress; there’s only two. the long and slow Battle at the turns out to be the room I left into words, since it’s not school How hard can it be, with the Gate Threshold, I leap over an- to look around before re-enter- appropriate). “And you were al- gate now open? other stream of water, sloping ing it. The room is full of tiles ways one of my favorites.” Ares “Wait! What’s hurting me? down and up to red tiles rest- Fenyx has to step on in a certain tells her he questions her taste, Who are you?! Did Typhon ing crookedly before merging order; using Somewhat Awe- and explains if the old him did send you?” I shout, as a mas- smoothly into a somewhat de- some Games Youtube video, I one thing right, it was to lock sive figure towers over Fenyx, cent path, and I climb a statue was able to activate them in or- the fortress, rigged to perfec- his skin a mottled red, flecked of Ares. There, I release Apol- der, after I tried for ten minutes tion. Fenyx tells him to be safe, with white, where his sparse lo’s Arrows from Resistance, to no avail. The only trouble as she’ll get the Amazon track- black outfit reveals his flesh. slaying the minotaur curled with the puzzle is there’s lasers ing kit herself. The game tells me this is the on the ground nearby, but far Fenyx deactivates by moving Knowing it’ll be crawling Wraith of Herakles. A narrow enough away he doesn’t try to metal boxes onto another tile, with Typhon’s minions, Ares ribbon of deep reddish-blue come over to me. Another bat- allowing her to reach one of gives her another blessing. water becomes a border be- tle commences several minutes the order-tiles. The blessing is Ares’s Prowess, tween Herakles and I; he hurls later; this one I had to wait for Sounds easy deactivating which her wings’ (in this case, rocks at me, and I loose ar- several minutes before I can those lasers, right? She has to the Wings of Zeus) power re- rows from Resistance. I’d also slay the warriors and Cerberus, break open the end of the laser- plenishes after an Air Combo realized, while the Battle at since it was easier than releas- ridden hall to reach the second finisher with either her Axe of the Gate Threshold was being ing an arrow up, and trying to box to put enough weight on Atalanta or her Sword of Achil- fought, Herakles wears a lion harm the foes after trying to the tile. I did find having a lot les. head on his head. Wasn’t there find them, wasting precious of healing items, and moving When I was looking for the some kind of lion no one could stamina. the first box in front of the low- place to play Typhon’s melody slain, and only Herakles was Once the battle was over, I ac- est laser closest to a crouching of tribute, the sun was lower- able to; wasn’t that also one of tivated the lever, seeing the red Fenyx, so she can sidle past to ing in a sky bleeding orange, his first labors, or his very first glass barring her outside van- charge through the last set of rose, and purple; now, with Fe- one? ishes, but purplish-white la- lasers to reach the wall works nyx there, the inky sky is star- For some reason, my JoyCons sers appear. The first set is only well. Break it open, do the flecked. She takes the salphix, wouldn’t allow me to move Fe- two, and the second is three; same with the box that was a trumpet-like instrument that nyx, unless she had unneces- the first is easily jumped over, recently trapped, and put the reminds me of those trumpets sarily dodged or ran first, which while the second isn’t so easy, metal boxes on the tile. Why played just before a medieval heightened the paramount fear as the furthest usually kills Fe- did I say the player needs heal- character calls out, “Hear ye, I felt when, bit by bit, Herakles’ nyx. However, running onto ing items? Answer: If Fenyx’s hear ye,” before announcing a health lowered one arrow after the wide stone slope beside the health is too low, she’ll be killed royal ball or jousting match, another. Finally, ten minutes stairs works just as well, but it’s by the lasers, not race through, 71 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER IMMORTALS FENYX RISING REVIEW CONT’D somewhat hurt. the ground, her wings retreat- she’s no longer a child. I’ll have signed cup, Ares’ essence, and With the right order done, ing from the wind’s eddies, to say Fenyx is either in her the green liquid Fenyx saw him Fenyx can go through a thresh- Fenyx follows in to land into late teens to early-mid twen- stealing just moments ago, the old, recently barred by iron another puzzle room, and the ties; young, but definitely not vials clinking. bars. The room’s vast, and I ex- Quest Zone. a child, so Ligyron can’t find a Fenyx crosses her arms, pected to be ambushed. Truly, Surprisingly, I was able to do reason to keep her in the dark, pointing out he’s the thief. Her it was the place to be attacked the puzzle without a tutorial. leaving her shielded from the brother explains he was merely by some of Typhon’s warriors, Grab the small crate, heave it scary and crazy adult world. being resourceful, since they’re maybe a single minotaur, al- to the top where the tiles are, Each time he tries to make on a big island. Though they’re though nowhere close to a cy- then throw it into the room himself sound like the hero, less than a foot apart, he tosses clops or a Cerburus. Nothing with the heavy box. Put the I say, “Mr. Arrogant, are you her Ares’ essence, telling her there to greet Fenyx besides crate on the tile, and push the missing anything?” I realize to leave the rest up for him crackling flames illuminating box to one tile, and throw the Fenyx has wings; she’s still the to tackle, since she’s a shield the dimness with claws of yel- box out to put it on the other. I hero, no matter what her older bearer and not much of a fight- low-orange light, and a gold- guess I needed a day or two to brother says. Ligyron says she’s er. Her arms crossed over her brick hallway. Though many think of how in the world I do no child, but not every proph- chest still, she half-turns away, places at Ares’ fortress are the puzzle; a small break from ecy is 100-percent accurate; explaining the gods have asked gleaming with golden bricks, it was all I needed. With the yeah, let’s see how you like it, her to get their essences so she this one hallway has a bend, second horse snorting out bil- Ligyron, once you realize it’s can battle Typhon. He tells her and it seemed daunting to me, lowing hazy clouds of breath, about your sister. Fenyx seems she can carry on finding all of even when hazy white sunlight it’s accessing the treasury. to have followed my same the essences, but he wishes to poured into the hall through Sneaking past Typhon’s war- thought process, as she says he help her take on Typhon af- the fortress’ cracks. riors, I’m able to position my- doesn’t have the “winged her- ter she’s done with the gods, My heart pounding so fast self just outside the treasury. ald’s aid.” However, as it turns by meeting him at the top of and hard I thought it would There on a high ledge, I do an out, I thought and Fenyx spoke King’s Peak. explode out my chest, I had instinctive charged shot and I too soon: Ligyron shows off “No!” I cry, while Fenyx says, Fenyx travel down the hallway, control the arrow to view the winged shoes that must belong “Oh. Okay. Sounds good.” I re- sprinting. I braced myself to inside for some foes. No one to the golden-haired Hermes ally didn’t want to scale King’s crash into enemies; I knew I’d there, so I go on ahead and he snatched off a griffin. My Peak. Her brother comments either charge into battle with- enter. I notice the thief at the heart sinking, I say, “I couldn’t that was the spirit, and two out thought or flee in terror if I same time Fenyx watches him have put it better, Zeus,” a swords were better than one. spotted some of Typhon’s war- snatch some green liquid in a heartbeat after he exclaims, He then corrects himself, riors. Around the bend, no one vial. I see how tall this stranger “Hades alive, he snatched the “Well, maybe a sword and a was there, but there was a large is; he’s about four or five, may- limited edition pair! Can’t half.” The treasury trembles, gap so Fenyx could go outside . be six, inches taller than Fenyx. Hermes keep his shoes on?” and brother and sister gasp, . . not down the hall, but to the She tackles him to the ground She stares at the shoes, look- with Fenyx more obviously side, creating a corner for foes and sees it’s her brother, Ligy- ing a little lost and forlorn. Li- trying to stay on her feet. Ty- to hide behind. My heart rate ron, thieving. If there was ever gyron asks if she had thought phon’s voice roars, saying how calming down, but nowhere a walking, talking stereotype it meant her; she shakes her it’s a family reunion that leads close to a normal rhythm, I had of the brawny man with little head, saying she didn’t. Al- to her getting Ares’ essence, Fenyx get ready to do a charged to no brains, he would be it. though her actions screams, but asks if someone brought shot once she loosed an arrow Ligyron, after tentatively hug- “Yes!” to me, her brother seems some pie. He reassures them from Resistance. ging his sister, explains he was content to swallow her saying, he’ll cut himself a slice a mo- No one was there, but a stand smoking something with the “No. No I didn’t.” ment before a yellow warrior of with a blue gem is. Activating Oracle (though Fenyx agrees Ligyron then tells her not to Typhon’s appears in a blaze of it, shows a massive statue of a with me he’s just a crazy old worry, since he’ll take care of red light. horse with its breath billow- man, as she points out he’s not “that huge red monster thing,” I swallow hard, knowing this ing in a misty cloud. I’m told an Oracle). Told only about and Fenyx, clearly knowing wasn’t going to be a piece of pie I completed one mechanism. the situation, he says he’s the more, says it’s Typhon. He - I mean, a piece of cake - at all. While flying to the second and hero, since he’s the eldest child asks her if she knew that gods “But -” I sputter when Ligyron final one, Fenyx calls out, “Hey, (“eldest of Thetis”) and, mean- were actual here. Fenyx tells questions, “What? But -” after you!” as I ask, “Who are you?” while, the “wise child con- her brother, “Yeah, I do. Actual Fenyx tells her brother she’ll to the dark-haired stranger. At vinced” has to be Fenyx, since doing one a favor. I’m looking take care of it. Telling him least I now know it isn’t fair- Ligyron has to convince Fenyx for a tracking kit to tail a thief she’d like to fight on her own haired Hermes thieving from he’s the hero. Racing to block who stole a vial from Ares.” In I’m even more horrified he’s us. The stranger falls down a his way, she folds her arms a nonchalant way, he unabash- leaving her. He can be a great hole, and once she’s landed on across her breasts, pointing out edly reveals a strangely de- ally in battle. The moment the March/April 2021 72 CHARGING CORNER IMMORTALS FENYX RISING REVIEW CONT’D cutscene ends, a minotaur and have caressed!” She tells him spend the next three minutes inside, dappling Fenyx’s face in several others appear. I shiver, she has an idea. “They don’t do fleeing from every battle in ter- light and shadow, depending saying, “I need somewhere to damage anymore, they don’t do ror. Thank you, poor memory on how she turns her head. camp,” then I scream in shock anything. And I just can’t live of mine and the second god as Keeping it, she walks outside and the pain of feeling Fe- with that. So, cluck it! I’m done well. with Hephaistos, who asks if nyx’s pain when she’s crushed being a chicken.” A clattering moving armor she’s confused or raptured by under the Minotaur’s hooves. Finally, seeing his essence, with no hands and steam bil- his sculptors, some seeming Now nearly blind with terror, Ares squawks, “BAGOK! I can lowing out of his back from frightened, defeated, or sad. I have her sprint to the nearest feel its power peck . . . I mean, metal pipes wonders aloud if Fenyx asks how he can do art column, and scaling it to only beckoning me. Here. The gift he should put a happy smile with the end of the world with drown; I wanted her to have a of my blessing in return. You on some kind of statue. He gods having lost their essences, ledge where I can loose arrows, deserve it, warrior.” He gives reminds me a little of bodyles a lot of monsters garrisoned not a way for her to die. Fenyx his final blessing: Ares’s Al from Fullmetal Alchemist. everywhere, and Typhon free; After a few moments of bat- Fury, which is “Combo Meter Though his voice is cheery and Hephaistos explains he does tle, I’m told I killed a ghost of gains a fourth combo stage af- an aura of welcomeness sur- not know what’s been going Tartaros. I start to put Fenyx ter 84 hits.” Knowing he’ll be rounds him, I can’t help but on. in a corner to either cower going from “eggs to epic” (he feel a little at ease. I eye him She asks if he has no memory there in defeat, or to fight my uses three more, but I found nervously; he turns to greet Fe- of what happened; his answer: way through with all of them that one the second funniest, nyx, who explains she’s a war- “Why need the past when you attacking me, when another but the first one I deem the rior, or more likely she’s war- can shape the future?” While I cutscene plays: Surrounded, most funny is a little inappro- rior-adjacent with her being a question, “How can you shape she’s saved from a warrior leap- priate), he tells her to meet sibling of a warrior. the future if there might not be ing for her by Ares. Squawking him at the Hall of the Gods. He tells her, because he’s art- a future worth living in?” Fenyx first, he jabs his beak into the I realize I was meaning to do ing, he’s an artist, and because wonders aloud if Typhon stole warrior, who vanishes. A smear the bonus quest, and that was she’s appreciating his art, she his hands, making him unable of pink across his eye like a where I was heading right be- must be an appreciator. For to shape his future without slanted cut, he rushes over to fore Ares. I see I can save an- some reason I can’t fathom, hands. She asks if Typhon tor- Fenyx, as I ask, “Are you hurt?” other god on the way; I’ll do there’s really something scary tured him endlessly, and this Curious about his fortress, he that god before I do A Tale of about his simple, grammatical- bucket of bolts tells her she entered, seeing it teeming with Fire and Lightning. At the Hall, ly correct sentences along with really needs to sit down with Typhon’s warriors. He ques- I say, “I prefer you as a chicken,” his echoing, lilting voice that Typhon and talk it out. Like tions if she got the tracking kit, when I see how big brown- is just creeping me out, not to Typhon would ever talk; he’ll while using a wing to wipe away haired, battle-scarred Ares is. mention he seems a little too laugh, tell us why he’s doing at the pink across his face. Fe- He looked better as a chicken; happy-go-lucky for a god who it, and then destroy us. Long nyx tells him she didn’t need it, no offense, Ares, but you did. just lost his essence not too story short, talking it out is not since her brother was the thief. In a blaze of yellow light, the long ago. After he’s told she’s going to be the case. I know Now knowing of the “sketchy god appears to her, a picture of a warrior-adjacent, he tells her violence is not the answer, but mortal” talking to her, Ares the him under her feet before I re- not to be offended if he tells in this case, it is. chicken asks if her brother has alize how aggressive-sounding her she didn’t seem much of an He explains his hands popped a death wish with him wanting he is. I do talk to him again, appreciator. off his wrists and scurried off. to help fight Typhon as well. and he requests Fenyx find him He poses beside a statue, “I’d love to say good riddance Fenyx tells him her brother can a bronze pot and defeat some but it doesn’t look right with- to the both of them, but an art- do anything, especially with his enemies for some loot. Now, if out his hands. Fenyx spots a ist without hands is like an ap- track record. I was trying to complete this box grasped by the statue. She preciator with a Typhon-obses- Ares tells her she did some- fully, then I would be more holds it, examining it, and the sion: useless,” Hephaistos tells thing he deemed impossible. tempted, but I’ll just save the god tells her she can keep it, Fenyx. A spark of ire rushes in Looking at his statue, he wait- gods, do the bonus quest, and since it was so his last phase. to flood me, but just as quickly ed for her to fail. “I thought, maybe talk to Ligyron at the Though it’s signed by him and as it tried to blaze through me, Fenyx doesn’t know she’ll suc- top of King’s Peak. he asks for no thanks, she can’t it’s smothered by the dark wa- ceed, and yet, she keeps go- The heartbeat I enter the read the writing; however, she ters of knowing I wanted to put ing. That’s bravery. And just place to meet my second god, realizes he’s a sculptor, and he my Switch on the dock and go like that - I would snap my I realize I was planning to see must be Hephaistos. The god to sleep; it’s about nine-thirty fingers if I didn’t have feath- if I had enough blue, red, and/ of the forge clatters away, say- at night. I can feel my eyelids ers - I was tired of being such or yellow shards to upgrade ing he has others, and it’s fine if drooping; I want to snuggle a cuckoo bird. You have no idea my bow’s power; I guess after, she doesn’t like it. She flips the down under a nice heavy blan- the wreckage these hands once I’ll fast travel to the Hall of lid, seeing a vase sitting in the ket in my cold room, just the dealt. The shivering flesh they the Gods to see if I can, then gold light emitting from the way I like it. 73 March/April 2021 CHARGING CORNER IMMORTALS FENYX RISING REVIEW CONT’D She says his hands couldn’t his godly life. I chuckle, then more cautious doing this re- harder than necessary, espe- have gone far, and if she gives groan, seeing this god doesn’t view, and I was hesitating at cially with the annoying turn- them back to him, they might just have memory loss; he the title screen before I pressed about I have to do rather than jog his memory. While his seems to be suffering an iden- the button to start this journey risk an arrow aimed down, handless arms clang togeth- tity crisis as well. and article! then a near pixel-perfect sharp er, looking a little like what Knowing this isn’t working, On my way to tackle the wa- turn to damage him. I grew I imagine is how T-rexs clap she asks if he knows how to terwheels, the sky darkened, both bored and impatient, with their little stubby arms, start the forge. Yellow sparks and I’m forewarned the Wraith and with the one I was try- Fenyx tells him to save his ap- blaze where his wrists are. Al- of Odysseus is hunting me. I ing to kill about half health, I plause for when she returns. though he doesn’t even know never saw him, as I somehow then charged into battle. I died The hands aren’t too far, and I he’s even a god, he explains got to the first waterwheel un- twice, but I beat it. I got some- grab them both; only a simple without the slightest hesita- harmed, though frightened. thing called Heartless, but no fight blocks me from outright tion or doubt: “Ventilation However, I thought Odysseus matter where I looked - Axes, snatching them without any shafts channel air to four coal- had no blood from the gods, Swords, Wings, Bows - it wasn’t issues. Nothing too hard, con- burning furnaces. A network of and he was only a cunning there; however, I noticed I have sidering Ares had me infiltrate canals must feed frigid waters mortal able to deceive some a new helmet. Wearing it gives his fortress and had countless through waterwheels to the of the gods and the mythical Fenyx plus 20% damage when doubts about Fenyx and I. It’s summit. Central combustion is monsters. Or am I wrong? To her godly skills of Ares’s Wrath nearly ten-fifty at night by the controlled through two mech- move the waterwheels just de- is active. It’s a silver-furred time I put my Switch away, so I anisms in the forge core.” stroy the ruby-red stone trap- bear with glowing icy blue eyes can get some shut eye. She asks how he knows that. ping part of it. Not too hard, with sharp teeth on her head; The next morning, I contin- “Know what?” he questions. but on the final one I tackled it looks cool on her, so it stays ue, seeing Fenyx, once putting She tells him to forget it, then there were a few foes to take on until I find something with his hands back on, be given a repeats what he said; she needs down. a good buff like that, and look- “glowy, blessing thingy” (her to unblock vents, start fires, do I see two - maybe three - of ing even more cool than this. words, not mine) called Hep- the two mechanisms, and spin those enemies who look a lot The helmet’s name is even hestos’s Spark, which creates a the waterwheels. After telling like Hephestos. I try to get on cool: Grizzled Jaws of War. spark, inflicting 66 damage to him to keep his hands while he top of the building they’re in, To start the burners, put balls nearby enemies, when doing a stays put, I see I have multiple and even settle near the side of of coal in the furnaces, catch an perfectly timed dodge. If only things to do. I decide to the it on a pillar, to destroy them arrow on fire (in flight is usu- I had that when I battled Kot- vents, since they’re the furthest without entering. I’m merely ally how it is), and have it land tos the All-Seeing, as I was able away. Before leaving, Hephes- wasting precious stamina, on where the coal is. Nothing too to do perfectly timed dodges tos asks if he should paint a top of them moving around, hard. It took until my second every now and then, and some picture with fruit in it, instead so it takes a while to find them. furnace, and an enemy fallen, additional damage on him of painting on a pot that has I’m nine out of ten times miss- to realize if the yellow-orange would have been nice. With his fruit in it. ing to land Apollo’s Arrows fires clawing at what I guess is hands, Hephestos doesn’t have The first vent - a large area at them. Looks like charging hot air, then better run or fight, his memory back, but he does with holes dug into the metal inside and attacking is the because all of those foes spawn know he worked at the forge. - was easy. Just a simple battle only way. But I’ll be fighting the moment the fire’s lit. And She, eyeing the big forge, real- got in the way, but nothing too two against one, and that isn’t the two mechanisms are more izes the forge is mentioned in big, since it’s destroying the fair. I like to try and fight fair, of the same as the four furnac- the prophecy: “A pearl in rough ruby-red stone, and activating so why not destroy one with es, just with puzzles there. The seas, forge fires lit, a wise child the vent by pressing the but- Apollo’s Arrows before charg- left one is lighting torches be- convinced, a feather’s weight of ton. The second one is nearby, ing in for the final one? I re- fore a timer runs out, and the wit . . .” and I spied movement. Heart ally don’t like that plan, but right one is finding the right “Flattery! I think you’re great, thumping in my chest, I loose it’s a lot better than charging combination by having the too,” Hephestos says, pointing an arrow, hitting one of the into battle to fight two in close torches lit with bluish-white to her with his metal hands, things I thought moved. Two combat. Luckily, yellow-orange fire. Truthfully, I didn’t use a which look a little like those things that look like Hephestos flames claw at what I presume tutorial for the latter one; I claws from those claw ma- spring to life, and advance to- is cool air with the stars scat- was planning on looking at one chines, once she tells him he’s wards Fenyx. If I’d raced in the tered across the night sky, so I when the mechanism allowed a god. She explains she told vent’s large area without no- can just have an arrow catch on me to put the coal in, then stories about him back home, ticing the movement, I would fire, release it, and hopefully, it burn said coal. since he’s the actual god of the have been given a very nasty reaches its target, doing more With each mechanism done, forge. “I always thought I was a jumpscare that I wouldn’t have damage. a glyph appears against the Jerry. Paul, maybe,” he remarks fully recovered from, which The fire’s on top of the build- wall; one, to Fenyx and I, when asked if he remembers would have made me even ing, so making my job a little seems to be the fire, while the March/April 2021 74 CHARGING CORNER IMMORTALS FENYX RISING REVIEW CONT’D other is the forge. Fenyx com- thrown into the air to crash Prometheus then explains: especially Mount Olympos ments Hephestos used to have onto the ground. Typhon fin- “Of course, he did not know amongst the other gods and the strongest hammer. When ishes, “Your potential is out- what it was, but in their pos- goddesses. both are done, Fenyx and I weighed by your foolishness. session was Pandora’s Box.” Fenyx believes Typhon stole have to talk to the god of the A pity I have to balance the However, before he can con- his suffering, and with it his forge, who came over to see scales.” tinue, Zeus then tells Pro- memories, and the box is the his forge once more, with the The battle starts. Not only can metheus about how chaining final clue. “. . . Will mean feel- forge calling to him, which he he stomp the ground and toss him to the rock was his justice ing the pain that’s been locked couldn’t ignore. For the first Fenyx in the air, he can also bury for giving mortals fire, and away,” she then warns, right af- time since entering the forge’s himself up to his waist, and Pandora’s Box was the mortals’ ter he’s trying to make it sound core, I notice the anvil sliced spin, causing yellow lasers to justice. The chained god hotly bearable by pointing out he’ll cleanly in half, while on the try and get to him; also, he can demands, “So you forced your have his talent and memories way to Hephestos. Before talk- swipe for her if close enough, son Hephaistos to forge a box back. However, I can’t believe, ing to him, he then says, “For fire his arms at the player, blast capable of unleashing every if Hephaistos goes through my next piece, I’m seeing snow, a shockwave at the gamer when conceivable evil upon them? with getting his essence back, but trapped in a globe. I’d call he gets up from being stunned. That’s justice?” And when Zeus he’ll be that courageous to go it ‘inclement weather bubble’ . I found the best way to deal explains his son was happy to through with it. . . maybe, ‘snow sphere’ . . . no. with him is either fast blows do so, Prometheus points out, Think about it, reader: With- But I’m close.” with the sword, or blows with “He did what was ordered to do out his essence, he seems She explains she did every- the axe to do more damage; the after you tortured him for his happy enough, with not know- thing, but nothing happened. axe was my method. That’s the entire existence!” ing what suffering is; he can’t Hephestos, having talked to way to eat away at his health: Zeus tells him not to talk even fathom the concept of his hands, explains he has to close-range blows, with a little about his son. “Pandora acted suffering. Sure, it’s bad he has touch things. Fenyx tells him long-range sprinkled in to add with innocent curiosity by no memory, but he can create the stories say he built the to the damage, if the player can opening that box, you acted new memories, and he seems forge; the god of the forge com- find an opening. What about with vile contempt,” Pro- talented without his essence as ments, “Me? But it’s so grim, so when he’s stunned? By keep- metheus adds hotly, but Zeus it is. Although, suffering is how dirty. And that lighting.” While ing an eye on the stun meter at isn’t done going down without we humans grow. It isn’t age studying the glyphs once pass- all times, the player can safely a fight. He points out he did that ages us; it’s how we handle ing the anvil halves like a door, dodge (if he or she doesn’t go warn about what was in the and battle through hardship Fenyx turns after she hears the in for the final blow before he’ll box, and the mortals were the and suffering that truly ages clanging of metal hands hit- climb to his feet), or release ar- ones to destroy their world, us. If we didn’t know pain, we ting an anvil; meanwhile, the rows at it, safely at a distance. since Pandora’s Box was just wouldn’t know the true power player can see the moment he With the fight over, Fenyx the beginning of the end. of love, since no one can have strikes it, Hephestos flames tells the god of the forge he can Fenyx asks for a hammer, and love without pain close by. red. She turns. come out. They both study the to her disbelief and amaze- With suffering, we become “Wait! We don’t know what glyphs, which she calls “real ment, the god of the forge re- more wise, and wisdom comes that does!” she warns, as the art,” since his past self was try- veals one right away. She thinks through experience. Reader, god of the forge places his ing to tell them something ter- his past-him wanted the ham- I know depression, so I truly hands on the anvil halves. The rible happened. She asks if he mer to be imbued with the know one terrible, life-chang- two merge together, a glyph ap- can understand it, since she forge’s fire, and break through ing form of suffering. pears, and the forge fully works can not read it; she thinks his something solid, while eyeing now. Right after it works, Ty- past-him was leaving a clue on a statue. She says his essence phon tells his “Little One” how how to recover his own memo- must be underneath that. She she’s now industrious, but her ry, and one darn good message points out she told him about labors were focused and wast- that Typhon couldn’t read. Pandora’s Box, which has all ed on mediocrity. He looks at it, saying it’s kinds of suffering, and even “The disfigured god’s past is incomplete. She exclaims, the rejection from Mount a cesspool . . . His future, the “Hephaistos, you genius! Now, Olympos, forced to be alone, cleansing fires of the forge . . . where did I put it . . .” She then like Hephaistos suffered, all Turn away, leave him to burn in reveals the box with the signa- because he was different from its flames!” Fenyx turns when ture. “This isn’t your signature, the other gods. All because, a massive Hephestos-enemy Hephaistos. It’s the rest of the by my understanding, he was clatters to life, lifting his foot puzzle. Hammer. A forge’s fire. merely being himself, his gen- This article will con- to stomp the ground in front The statue. And this box. Do erous and hard-working self, tinue in our next issue. of her. She tells the god to you know what this is?” The and that’s a terrible reason to Stay tuned! run, which he does, and she’s god of the forge stares at it. be kicked out of something, 75 March/April 2021 March/April 2021 76