Story Mode Progression

Using the Maps

We’ve done our best to make the Walkthrough maps as detailed and informative as possible. Here are some important notes regarding the maps:

• Power-Up icons show the best possible Power-Ups that can be obtained from Blocks. However, small characters will often find Super Mushrooms instead of these Power-Ups.
• Moving platforms are usually shown in their starting (or neutral) positions.
• Hidden areas, such as crannies concealed behind false walls, are always revealed.
• Dark areas are fully illuminated and exposed.
• Areas that undergo significant changes during a level are shown in the state that offers the most information. For example, if a platform must be moved in order to discover something valuable, that platform might be shown in a different position than its original starting position.
• Hidden Blocks are shown by the used Blocks that are left behind after you’ve discovered them.
• P Switches, ? Switches, and Trampolines are shown on the maps, even when they’re concealed within Blocks.
• Useful temporary platforms are also shown on the maps. This includes platforms and Blocks that only appear while a P Switch or ? Switch is active.

Clearing Levels

Story Mode is the main game mode in New Super Mario Bros U. In Story Mode, you explore a vast, troubled kingdom that features several unique zones. Each zone has its own feel and features multiple levels (or stages), and you must clear each stage to unlock the next. Simply enter a level, then make your way to the Goal Pole at its end. Touch that Goal Pole to clear the stage!

Star Coins

Every Story Mode stage contains three precious items known as Star Coins. These prizes are often hidden, so be sure to search everywhere! Collect all three Star Coins on every stage to unlock bonus Story Mode levels that can be played after you beat Peach’s Castle Finale—The Final Battle.

Treats from Toad

Take a close look at your time when you touch the Goal Pole. If the last two digits of the timer are the same, such as two fives or two eights, then Toad will appear and give you a present! These presents are Power-Ups that you may keep until you wish to use them. Simply call up the Items menu on the World Map to view all of your Power-Ups, and choose which one you’d like to use before entering the next stage.

Secret Exits

Most stages have only one Goal Pole, but a few feature two Goal Poles—the second one is found at the stage’s secret exit! These secret exits are always cleverly hidden, so you need to search high and low to find them. Discover these secret exits and touch the Goal Pole at the end to unlock a hidden path on the World Map!

Some of the World Map’s hidden paths provide shortcuts through a zone, while others lead to secret levels. Beat those secret levels, and you’ll unlock some serious shortcuts around the World Map. The following table reveals every stage that features a secret exit, and where the exit will take you.

Story Mode Secret Exits

Profile Stars

Each time you accomplish a major feat in Story Mode, a star will be added to your profile. Here’s how to earn all five profile stars:

• 1st Star - Beat Story Mode (clear Peach’s Castle Finale—The Final Battle)
• 2nd Star - Clear all courses (this does not mean you have to find all the secret exits!)
• 3rd Star - Collect all Star Coins up through Peach’s Castle
• 4th Star - Collect all Star Coins in Super Star Road to open the final stage (Super Star Road 9 - Follow That Shell!)
• 5th Star - Collect all Star Coins in the game, find all the secret exits (94 flags on player file select screen), and catch Nabbit in every zone at least once (Nabbit only appears in World 1 - World 7).

Profile Flags

Every time you touch a new Goal Pole, you’ll earn a profile flag. There are 82 levels, but 12 of them have two exits instead of one. This means there are 94 profile flags to collect in all! Your profile flag number changes from silver to gold after you’ve found all 94, so you know when you’ve found every Goal Pole.

Toad Houses

Swing by Toad Houses to play minigames with Toad for fun and profit! Visit red-roofed Toad Houses to play for Power-Ups, and pop by green-roofed Toad Houses to try for some lovely 1-Ups. Toad’s games are simple and fun, and most challenge either your reflexes or memorization skills.

Boo Houses

Spooky Boo Houses are filled with false walls, trick doors, and of course, plenty of Boos. These zany stages can be quite confounding, but Boo Houses must be braved if you want to advance through Story Mode. All Boo Houses feature more than one exit, so it’s worth exploring them thoroughly. Rely on the Walkthrough to help you navigate these peculiar places!

Towers

Most Story Mode zones features at least one tower that must be scaled. Just keep climbing, and when you finally reach the tower’s apex, be prepared to battle a formidable mini-boss—usually a big bully named Boom Boom. Towers can be tough because you’re constantly fighting against gravity, and you must clear them on your way to the zone’s distant castle.

Castles

Every Story Mode zone ends with a creepy castle that must be overcome. Reach the end of the castle, and you’ll often be drawn into a battle against one of Bowser’s beloved Koopas. Every castle boss is different, but they all share one thing in common: You must stomp them three times to defeat them!

Enemy Battles

Enemies aren’t restricted to levels—some also roam the World Map, hungry for would-be heroes. Touching a World Map enemy draws you into a brief battle in which you must defeat the enemy, along with its fellow fiends. Simply stomp all of the baddies, or wait for a winged ? Block to appear so you can collect a vital Power-Up that allows you to defeat them. Then carry on with your adventure!

Catching Nabbit

A rascally rabbit named Nabbit periodically appears on the World Map. Whenever you see Nabbit’s icon hovering over a stage, head there to attempt to catch the furry fellow. Simply speed through the stage in pursuit of Nabbit, and catch the little guy to complete the challenge. Nabbit will then flee to another zone—catch Nabbit on every zone to earn a profile star!

Warp Pipes

After you’ve made a little progress in Story Mode, you’ll be able to start using the World Map’s Warp Pipes. Simply pop into a Warp Pipe and pick a zone to quickly travel there. Every zone has a Warp Pipe, so this is a swift way to travel the World Map!

Secret Island

Beat Story Mode by clearing Peach’s Castle Finale—The Final Battle, and a special island will appear on the World Map. Use a Warp Pipe to visit the island and then enter the small house you discover there. This hut looks like it belongs to Nabbit, but he isn’t home right now. Still, he’s kept a careful record of all of your accomplishments—read the message boards and see for yourself!

Game Modes

Story Mode

Story Mode is the main game mode in New Super Mario Bros U. In this mode, up to five players can journey across the Mushroom Kingdom, struggling to save the land from the evil clutches of Bowser. One player can even use the gamepad to assist their friends by messing with enemies and placing useful Boost Blocks!

Challenges

Challenge mode presents you with five different categories of skill-stretching events. These inventive minigames are all single-player affairs, except for Boost Mode, which is designed for two players. Beat each Challenge to unlock the next—and if you get stuck, check out our tips in the "Extra Modes" section.

During multiplayer games, all players must use Wii Remotes. No one can use the Wii U GamePad to control a character while others use Wii Remotes.

Boost Rush

In Boost Rush, up to four players must make a mad dash for Coins across a number of unique courses. The more Coins the players collect, the faster the screen will scroll, which makes the match more and more frantic! Like Story Mode, one player may use the gamepad to stun enemies and place helpful Boost Blocks for his pals. See the "Extra Modes" section for some nifty tips that will help you maximize your Coinage!

Coin Battle

Coin Battle is a competitive multiplayer mode in which up to four players (or two teams of players) battle to collect the most Coins. Rush around these special stages and strive to snag more Coins than your rivals! Star Coins are worth big bonuses, but you’ll lose Coins if you’re hit or defeated. The player or team with the most Coins at the end of the event is the winner!