Alexis Kestler
For over 35 years, Mario has starred in some of the most beloved video games ever created. And throughout his adventures, collecting shiny coins has always been a core part of the experience. Coins can grant you extra lives, unlock secrets, and lead to all kinds of surprises. But in some levels, finding every last coin can be extremely tricky – requiring top-tier platforming skills, observation, and deduction.
One such sneaky coin can be found in the Search Party Puzzling Park level of the recent Super Mario Bros. Wonder for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch. Trust me, as a long-time Mario superfan since the NES days who has now collected over 50,000 coins across the series, this one gave me trouble!
In this detailed guide, I‘ll share pro-strats for tracking down that evasive 2nd coin in Puzzling Park. You‘ll also learn expert-level techniques and history trivia that will help you locate ALL of the deviously hidden collectibles throughout Super Mario‘s latest adventure. Let‘s-a-go!
Coins Through Mario History: The Importance of Collecting
Before we focus on Wonder, let‘s take a quick nostalgic trip back through earlier Mario games. Grabbing coins has been a staple activity of the series from the very beginning!
In the original Super Mario Bros., collecting 100 coins got you an extra life – an important milestone when continues were limited. Mario 2 and 3 added mini-games and bonuses for banking certain coin amounts. Later, Super Mario World introduced dragon coins and Yoshi could snack on enemies to reveal more coins in Yoshi‘s Island.
By the time Mario went 3D on the N64, the rewards for nabbing coins got even bigger. Snagging the 8 red coins in a level could unlock cannons and shortcuts. Mario Sunshine took it further, with 100 coin shine sprites to find in every level. And don‘t forget the thrill of walking away from a level with 999 coins in Mario Galaxy!
This brings us to Wonder, which has some of the most plentiful and creatively hidden coins yet! With all that history in mind, it‘s clear these shiny bits of treasure are meant to be sought after. So whether it‘s gaining lives, accessing secrets, or just the satisfaction of being a completionist – stay vigilant in grabbing each one.
Coin-collecting in Super Mario Bros. Wonder
In Wonder, reaching 100 coins earns Mario an extra life as usual. But with levels containing 300-400 apiece, that‘s just the beginning! Collecting all five lettered coins in a level‘s name grants a bonus 50 coins. Snagging every last coin in a level unlocks cool extras – like concept art and music for that world.
Most levels have 8 bonus "Wonder Coins" tucked away in hard to reach spots. There are even mysterious apparitions named the Wonder Coin Kings and Queens you can track down. Outside regular levels, you can spend coins to play special mini-games and challenges on the world map – with rewards like power-ups.
All in all there are over 10,000 coins to find across Wonder‘s worlds and levels! So whether you‘re grinding 1-Up‘s, completion, or covering Mario‘s overalls in shiny gold; stay vigilant in grabbing each one. Just ask the max coin king SpeedRun64 – who pulled off the astonishing feat of collecting 9,999 total coins. Truly next level!
Now, let‘s see how that dedication to coin-op mastery pays off in tackling one of Wonder‘s trickiest hidden coins next…
Inside Search Party Puzzling Park
Puzzling Park is the 7th level located in Wonder Land – the lush opening region of Mario‘s adventure. It comes fairly early, but introduces platforming challenges not seen in previous levels. This includes rising and sinking air platforms, blowing fans and tubes, fruit balloons that contain coins, and breakable blocks concealing items.
Enemies here are a step up too. You‘ll face Tweesters, a new wind spirit foe that changes direction suddenly. Spinies roll down slopes and spikes poke out of tubes. Hammer Bros, Piranha Plants and all the other usual baddies are on patrol too.
However, the most unique feature are the green Warp Pipes and your ability to manipulate them as Elephant Mario. Pushing these pipes around reveals shortcuts and hidden alcoves – including the location of that troublesome 2nd coin we‘re hunting!
This clever gimmick has shades of the classic Tubular level from Super Mario World, where you needed to carefully balance on a moving platform to swerve down a long tube. So even veteran Mario fans can‘t rely on old instincts here – you‘ll need sharp thinking to uncover all Puzzling Park‘s secrets. Let‘s break it down step-by-step next.
Step 1: Reach the Far Left Edge as Normal Mario
When the level begins, head left past the first gaps by using the floating air platforms. Use the triangle formation of blocks by the third platform to time your jump and land on the left edge.
Skirt past or stomp on the Koopa Troopa and Tweester enemies along the way. That pesky wind spirit will try to blow you onto the spikes below! For the final gap, carefully bounce off the last air platform to reach the far left ground.
Step 2: Transform into Elephant Mario with the Power-Up
Here you‘ll find the Wonder Fruit, spinning in the classic Mario "?" block. Jump up to hit the block, transforming Mario into an Elephant for this level.
This powerful pachyderm form can smash through multiple blocks at once with his trunk. Even better, he has the strength to push and pull massive objects – like those green warp pipes. This will be key in the next steps!
Step 3: Push the Pipe Right to Create a Platform
Still in elephant form, walk right along the ground to find a green pipe. Use your trunk to start shoving this pipe steadily along the ground to the right. Keep pushing until the pipe slides off the edge.
Position yourself to the pipe‘s right and hop on top. Since you removed its anchor, the pipe now lifts up automatically like an elevator platform! Ride this makeshift lift to reach a higher level. Pretty clever plumbing, Nintendo!
Step 4: Jump off the Rising Pipe to Continue Ascending
As the pipe platform carries you upward, wait for it to reach maximum height then jump off to soar even higher. Land on the blocks above and walk left to spot a vertical green pipe along the left wall.
Step 5: Bounce Up the Vertical Pipe to the Hidden Platform
Hop on this pipe and bounce rapidly upward to ascend the vertical shaft. At the top, you‘ll land on a hidden floating platform that can‘t be reached any other way!
Step 6: Claim the Sneaky 2nd Coin on the Hidden Platform!
Stuck all alone on this isolated platform is the 2nd coin for Puzzling Park! With all that tricky pipe platforming, it‘s no wonder very few ever stumble across it. Give yourself a 1-Up on the back for making it this far. Now enjoy the shine of adding a hard-earned collectible coin to Mario‘s stash!
But don‘t stop now. There are still more secrets left to uncover…
What Comes After Grabbing the 2nd Coin
With the 2nd coin acquired, now is the time to keep exploring Puzzling Park thoroughly before moving on. There are still Wonder Coins, 1-Up mushrooms and other goodies to track down.
For example, by pushing pipes in different combinations you may reveal new hidden alcoves. And if you continue right along the platforms from the 2nd coin, you‘ll reach a power-up at the top center of the map that makes coin-collecting even easier.
Don‘t forget you can re-enter levels later with abilities like Propeller Mario to reach new areas. Maybe there are coins in the sky only accessible by flying? Thoroughness pays off in Mario!
Master Strategies For Finding All Coins
Now that you‘ve got the sneaky 2nd Puzzling Park coin under your belt, let‘s review general tips and pro strats that will help you find ALL coins in Super Mario Bros. Wonder levels:
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Thoroughly search the outer edges of levels for concealed blocks and pipes leading to hidden coin stashes.
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Use power-ups like the Elephant Fruit, Propeller Box and more to access new areas and pathways. Think multi-dimensionally!
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Defeat enemies like Shy Guys and Hammer Bros to make them relinquish shiny red coins worth 5 a pop.
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When riding shifting platforms or climbing vines, look closely above and below for any coins in concealment.
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Break any suspicious blocks – if they crack apart, there are probably coins inside!
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Collect all five of the Letters that spell out a level‘s name to receive a 50 coin bonus.
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Return to levels later after unlocking different Mario forms to reach new coin-holding areas.
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Consult guides and YouTube videos to see how expert players reveal 100% of a level‘s coins.
See Mario vets like DGR, GameXplain and Ceave Gaming for next-level coin hunting tactics. Study their routes! With dedication, you too can achieve max coins.
The Rewarding History of Chasing Coins
Over 35 years and across countless games, collecting coins has always been central to the Mario experience. With thousands waiting to be found in Wonder, the thrill of the hunt continues! Just remember your new pro skills when tracking down that sneaky 2nd Puzzling Park coin.
Grab it as a tribute to Mario‘s long legacy of coin-op mastery. Let it be your first big milestone on the long (but fun!) journey toward becoming the Max Coin King. Then get back out there and keep honing your platforming skills on the road to uncovering every last shiny reward the Mushroom Kingdom has to offer!
