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Super Mario: The Power Star Journey is a ROM Hack made by Fares242. It contains 97 Stars and it was released on July 13, 2012.

As of late 2023, the hack was unoffically updated by LinCrash. Plus its star count is now raised to 101 stars by sheer discoveries, rendering the original count obsolete.

Changes[]

Like most hacks, this hack implements tons of changes to the levels in Super Mario 64. These include:

  • 15 new custom levels (though 1 is a modified version of a previous stage) 6 secret levels, and 4 HUB worlds are added.
  • Custom music for each level. Very few is retained from the original
  • Removal of the 100 coin Star. Almost every level in this hack has less than 100 coins, so it is not obtainable.
  • Only the specific star is obtainable for each level! Even if you can reach a section that houses a star, the star will be removed, so Mario must reach that area again during that stars mission only. In some levels, blocks, red coins, or secrets will be added to reach the star.
  • Somewhat of a new plot.

Problems[]

  • Whenever Mario completes or dies in a level, it returns him back to Overworld 1. This can become irritating during a level located far away from it (Course 4 and 15 in particular)
  • Every time Mario exits a level via the pause menu screen, it returns him to the TITLE SCREEN! Make sure you save before exiting a level.
  • The game crashes during the ending cut scene and rarely in levels (Course 7)

However these issues have been wiped from a Quality of Life update created by LinCrash himself as of late 2023:

[2023 QoL UPDATE - v1.1][]

  • Fixed warps for all courses
  • "Collectable" stars are now transparent when collected
  • No star spawn softlocks from level boundaries
  • No level intro textboxes
  • Buffed swimming + hangable ceiling speed
  • Somewhat improved music
  • General objects and stars are available in all acts for the most part
  • Renamed a few stars to have a clear hint
  • Exiting courses via the pause menu isn't leading the player back to the title screen anymore (sending you to Overworld 1 like normal)
  • Added a return warp to Toad Valley via Lava Valley (OW3)

Plot[]

"Once again, Bowser comes to Mushroom Kingdom to cause trouble! But this time, makes it to STAR VALLEY & steals the King Star that was holding the power stars together, thus letting them spread! Bowser then builds a base in space called STAR BASE. But, worse is still ahead! Bowser at the end intends to use the King Star's power to absorb all star power from the planet! To beat Bowser, Mario must reach STAR VALLEY & use its space-blast cannon that can blast him to BOWSER'S STAR BASE. To do that, Mario must collect 80 power stars to open the door that Bowser sealed in STAR VALLEY. STAR VALLEY has a HIDDEN entrance you have to find. Can Mario get the job done?". This description was taken from a notepad which the creator included when downloading the ROM from his YouTube channel.

The in game references back the plot up as, according to some toads in the first overworld, Bowser has stolen the King Star from the Star Valley and is planning to use its "unusual powers" to cause "catastrophic" problems. In addition, the King Star held the other power stars together, so now since it is stolen, the 97 stars have spread all over the area. Another toad located in the Star valley elaborates his plans by saying that he plans to "absorb all of the star power (apparently all planets have star power) from the planet". This will "overwhelm the planet causing a vicious reaction that will result in the destruction of the planet". Mario needs to collect the power stars in order to enter and reach the Star Valley. He must use a special "Space-blast cannon" (a normal bob-omb cannon) to shoot to the star in the sky where Bowser's base is located and defeat him.

Nothing is mentioned about the Princess AT ALL. So we can assume she is not involved, or Bowser has kidnapped her again.

Level Design[]

The level in this game ranges from simple grasslands to a haunted asylum to a rainbow palace. Even though the themes are different, the levels for each stage are very similar. Most of the stage's 6 stars are similar, consisting of multiple climbing missions, some finding missions, 8 red coins, 5 secrets, a mini boss, with the last one being a secret hidden star.

In terms of skills, this game requires a lot of side flips and wall kicks (with bad camera). Most of the jumps do not require triple jumps, but instead require side flips on small platforms in order to ascend higher. To even get to most of the stars, wall kicking up two vertical rectangular pillars in required. You will notice that almost all places that require wall kicks use the same two rectangles that Mario must wall kick up. The difficulty is not in the wall kicks though, the problem is either the terrible camera, or an unavoidable Goomba directly at the top.

Speaking of enemies, this game has TONS of enemies in each level. Instead of just the 1-3 goombas, there are up to 15 in a room along with other enemies. The enemies this game seems to focus on are Goombas and Fly Guys, which are almost in every level. This game also loves to put in mini bosses, as all of them besides Chill Billy are accounted for. There is no new abilities or difficulty added to any of them besides a fire shooter (Kuromame) or two added.

The levels themselves are on the smaller side. They usually contain a tower, mountain, or maze. They are all mostly linear, and you will need to revisit most of the level for multiple stars.The levels are also heavily inspired by other games. There is a small Hotel Delfino from Super Mario Sunshine, a desert modeled after Paper Mario, and much more.

There are also the three cap switches, but the caps are used very seldom (most are only used once or twice) and are not needed to beat the game.

Reception[]

In terms of difficulty, it is all artificial, as the game is quite easy besides a few parts. The main difficulty comes in the form of Fly Guys, wall kicks with the camera and goombas, some corner jumps, and the crypticness of the game. Another factor is the tedium. Unlike a normal game where if you find a star accidentally you can get it, Mario may travel to a star's location, but if he is on the wrong mission, it has no purpose. On some of the stages, these locations can be really out of the way, and going through them again is frustrating. The camera also does not help. Being in Mario Cam seems to have the best effect.

In terms of crypticness, it has its ups and downs. This game also tries to add a puzzle/logic aspect with its clues. On a lot of the stages, they will give you a small easy riddle or hint to find the star. Most of these are straight forward, but others require you to find a random warp. Most of these, though, and are signified by a line of coins.

Play this hack if: You like following hints and figuring out where star locations will be before they appear.

Avoid this hack if: You like exploration and hate repeating portions of levels.

Levels[]

Course Area Name Number of Stars Requirement Note
HUB 1 Mushroom Valley
M-Hotel 1
Course 1 Green Land 6
Course 2 Tutankoopa's Ruins
Course 3 King Whomp's Fortress 7 This is the only course where you can collect 100 coins.
Course 4 Snow Summit 6 It is really hard to get to this course by wall jumping and climb up obstacles.
Course 5 Apocal Valley There's a secret warp to the Wing Cap course.
It's entrance is indicated by a coin arrow pointing at a hole during Star 1.
Wing Cap Apocal Temple 1
Course 6 Flower Meadows 6
Bowser 1 Bowser's Lava Barrier 1 30 Stars
HUB 2 Toad Valley Key 1 Right before the entrance to Wet-Dry Valley, there is a hole on the wall marked by a blinking star leading to Star Valley.
Course 7 Deep Cavern 6 There is a secret warp to the Vanish Cap course.
Vanish Cap The Secret Cave 1
Course 8 Gloomy Swamp 6
Course 9 Shadow Temple
Course 10 Haunted Dungeon
Course 11 Secret Labyrinth
Course 12 Wet Dry Valley 40 Stars There is a secret warp to the Metal Cap course.
Metal Cap Spooky Lake 1
HUB 3 Lava Valley
Course 13 Boiling Lava Sea 6 Key 1
Course 14 Bob-omb's Battle Base
HUB 4 Star Valley 40 Stars
Course 15 Rainbow Palace 6 This is the only course located in Star Valley.
Bowser 2 Bowser's Star Base 2 80 Stars

Music[]

Used in V1.0 V1.1
Demo Screen Mario Kart: Double Dash!! - Rainbow Road (Grand Remix) Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Sky Station Galaxy
File Select Super Mario Galaxy - Star Babies Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Warp Pipe Room
Star Select Super Mario Galaxy - Grand Star Rescue Super Mario World - Overworld
Mushroom Valley
Toad Valley
Paper Mario - Koopa Village
M-Hotel Super Mario Sunshine - Hotel Delfino
Green Land Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Unused Song
Tutankoopa's Ruins Dry Dry Desert Trek - Paper Mario
King Whomp's Fortress Castle & Fortress - Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Snow Summit Mother 3 - Snowman Banjo-Kazooie - Click Clock Wood (Winter)
Apocal Valley The Legend of Zelda - Main Theme The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask - Termina Field
Apocal Temple
Flower Meadows Paper Mario - Flower Fields (Cloudy) Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga - Beanbean Kingdom
Bowser's Lava Barrier Super Mario 64 - Bowser's Road
Deep Cavern Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Space Storm Galaxy Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time - Thwomp Caverns
The Secret Cave
Gloomy Swamp Donkey Kong 64 - Hideout Helm
Shadow Temple The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask - Stone Tower Temple
Haunted Dungeon Donkey Kong 64 - Gloomy Galleon
Secret Labyrinth The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Shadow Temple
Wet Dry Valley BowieZ - Humongous Fungus Galaxy Super Mario 64 - Cave Dungeon
Spooky Lake Donkey Kong 64 - Frantic Factory (Lobby) Donkey Kong 64 - King K.Rool's Island
Lava Valley Super Mario Sunshine - Corona Mountain
Boiling Lava Sea Melty Molten Galaxy - Super Mario Galaxy
Bob-omb's Battle Base Battlerock Galaxy - Super Mario Galaxy
Star Valley Paper Mario - Chanterelle's Song Bomberman 64 - Credits
Rainbow Palace Sonic Colors - Starlight Carnival (Act 1) Sonic Colors - Reach for the Stars
Bowser's Star Base Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Hurry!
Boss Fight Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time - Princess Shroob Battle
Bowser Battle Super Mario 64 - Bowser's Theme
Final Bowser Battle Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story - In The Final
Power-Up Super Mario 64 - Powerful Mario [Dire Dire Docks Mix]
Metal Cap Super Mario Galaxy - Freezeflame Galaxy [Sped-Up] Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door - Doopliss Battle
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