Super Mario World [SNES] Playthrough #09, World 9: Special Zone; Switch Palaces

This is video #09 in my playthrough of Super Mario World. We rejoin the action in the Valley of Bowser from just before Mario infiltrated Bowser's Castle through the Back Door. Now, Mario will explore the challenging Special Zone, which is accessible through the secret exit from Star World 5. Mario first explores Gnarly, the first stage of the Special Zone (time 0:17). He can collect seven Dragon Coins in this area by collecting four coins in the first section, tripping the P switch, and taking the green pipe to the second section. Then, Mario explores the second stage, Tubular (time 2:40). This is one of the most irritating aerial stages in the game. Techically, Mario is supposed to use a P balloon to get through, but it is possible with a Blue Yoshi and a Red Koopa shell. After that, Mario goes through the third stage, Way Cool (time 3:37). The first three Dragon Coins can be accessed by taking the appropriate routes on the lift. Near the middle, Mario and Yoshi can grab some wings and fly into the sky. With some skill, they can nab up to to eight Dragon Coins in this stage! Next, Mario explores the fourth stage, Awesome (time 6:03). This icy stage presents a nice challenge. Flying the friendly skies with Yoshi is not a bad way to go here. Afterwards, Mario visits the fifth stage, Groovy (time 8:06). This is the stage that is showcased in the game's opening, and it can be quite fun. Grabbing the Starman near the middle can really rack up a lot of lives, as if that was really needed. Unfortunately, two Baseball Chucks guard the ending gate. Then, Mario goes on to the sixth stage, Mondo (time 9:54). The water covering the ground will rise and fall throughout this stage and will continually push Mario toward the left. The third Dragon Coin can be reached by going down the pipe directly after the second coin. The seventh stage is Outrageous (time 12:20). This is a forested stage. The only thing outrageous about it is being forced to leave poor Yoshi behind just to get over a tall pipe. Before moving on to the final stage, Mario goes back to pick up another Blue Yoshi. Then, Mario explores the final stage, Funky (time 15:46). The main challenge here is that Mario starts off with only 200 on the timer. To get additional time, Mario must get Yoshi to eat the green apples. There is a very nice message written in coins just before the gate. Thank you very much, game designers! The Star Road after Funky takes Mario back to Yoshi's Island. What's this? It looks like autumn has fallen! Cool. From this point, several enemies in the game will take on different forms. Now, Mario will trip the switches at the Switch Palaces, even though it is no longer really needed. First, he will visit the Yellow Switch Palace north of Yoshi's Island 1 (time 18:35). Very easy. Just go to the end and step on the Yellow Switch. This makes the yellow blocks solid. Mario next visits the Green Switch Palace west of Donut Plains 2 (time 19:41). Here we can see that after completing the Special Zone, Koopa shells now look like Mario faces! Cute. Mario can abuse the Koopas down below to earn a 1-up before he trips the Green Switch. This makes the green blocks solid. Afterwards, Mario heads into the Vanilla Dome and visits the Red Switch Palace southeast of Vanilla Dome 2 (time 20:39). After Mario triggers the P switch, he can manipulate the flashing Koopa into knocking out its fellows for a 1-up. At the end, he trips the Red Switch to solidify the red blocks. Finally, Mario visits the Blue Switch Palace east of Forest of Illusion 2 (time 22:00). The gray and blue P switches can help Mario transform the Spinies into coins and collect those coins. Tripping the Blue Switch makes the blue switches solid. Afterwards, Mario returns to the Valley of Bowser via the Star Road. The final challenge awaits: the Front Door of Bowser's Castle! Thanks for watching! This video is part of my Super Mario World [SNES] Playthrough playlist. This is the version originally released with the SNES in 1991. I am playing on the SNES 9x emulator. All characters, story, music, artwork, and other components of this game are the property of their respective owners. Played and recorded in SNES 9x version 1.53. Produced with Adobe Premiere Pro CS6.