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Yoshi’s Archipelago is the result of a community effort to collaborate and somehow make a solid Mario game. It's the sixth entry of the long-running Super RMN Bros. series, and the bar was raised higher than ever before. Months of testing and revising have paid off; it stands as one of the best!

This game uses its own version of Super Mario Bros. X (SMBX). It runs in v.1.3.0.1 and replaces several default assets. Once you download and extract it, open the program, click ‘Start Game’, and you’re ready to play!


The Plot
The Mario Bros. are on vacation with Peach in Yoshi's Archipelago, a group of exotic islands far from the Mushroom Kingdom. Of course, wherever they go, trouble soon follows. Bowser and his minions crash the party and kidnap the princess! The mission is clear, but something seems off about Bowser…whatever it is, there's work to do! Mario and Luigi hop to it with the help of Peach's bodyguard, Agent Toad!


So Many Islands
Yoshi’s Archipelago boasts a wide range of locales. From the lush plains of Green Grass Island to the frozen wastes of Slip Drip, all manner of alliterative areas await you! With 90 stages spread across 10 different islands, there's just tons to see!


Yoshis Everywhere!
As one may expect, the archipelago is home to many types of Yoshi. In fact, each island has its own local color! On top of a strong showing of everyone’s favorite dinosaur, this game is designed with Yoshi in mind. Levels are ride-friendly, and you'll never be forced to ditch your dino pal. You may have to dismount to climb a vine secret or two, but Yoshi will wait patiently for your return. Even bosses can be fought on green-horseback! Ride your rainbow of steeds to victory!


Flower Mode
Like its namesake, each stage contains five flowers (but almost no red coins, so don't worry). Gather all five and a star will appear at the end of the level. Stars can unlock bonus items, extra stages, and entire new islands! Although midpoints can’t save flowers, you can activate Flower Mode to gain additional power-ups for the hunt. There are 100 stars and more than 450 flowers, so there’s plenty to find and many rewards to be had! Even Lakitu’s shoe is an accessible prize!


Unlockable Characters
Only Mario and Luigi are available at first, but more characters can be unlocked as you progress. Peach may be kidnapped, but if you can save her from Bowser, she'll join you on the quest! Her hover ability and higher health give her an edge with flower gathering. With her help, you can discover all the archipelago’s secrets! Including other new allies...


Newbies and Veterans Welcome
This game offers something for all players. Newcomers will find the tutorial stage informative, while veterans will be happy they can skip it. Flowers and stars aren’t needed to complete the main quest, but there are challenges waiting for those who seek them. Each stage already contains what you need to find the flowers, but bonus items can make the search much easier. And for those who really want to go all-out, try the All Five All Five Challenge: get all five flowers as all five characters in every level. Some are much harder than others!


Two-Player Compatibility
If you have a local friend to play with, this game fully supports two-player mode. The only thing better than a grand adventure is having someone to share it with! Work together and conquer in co-op!

Latest Blog

raocow's LP

Exciting news, my friends! Well-known Mario Let's Player raocow has begun a playthrough of Yoshi's Archipelago! Here's a link to the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQhrpbbm5TDLwCSbNRup0sJ5k4Itv4LiF

Posts

My only concern with moving to a new engine is lack of experience in that engine.
Not knowing which engine you guys would go for when I've already got SMBX 1.3.0.1 on my computer feels a little disheartening because if I knew which one you guys would choose I'd be able to at least jump in and try out stuff. I'm afraid jumping to a new engine will merely sacrifice the game's actual potential quality than it would give the level makers more to play with.
I guess it's comparable to bigger developers having to move to a new console generation, and if we consider the jump between SMB3 and SMW from the NES to the SNES, debatably it's proven that better hardware(or in this case a debatably better program) will most certainly mean a better game if work is put into it, I just can't help but imagine an "RMN Bros. 1 but Polished and with more experience" to come from it.

I'm already worrying that if another SMBX project starts and I'm still stuck in my current deadzone, I won't be able to participate. As someone who enjoys SMBX it'd be disappointing to be left out because I wasn't there on time or just flat out wasn't available due to lack of internet.
There are things more important than SMBX for me(Clearly, because like Super Mario Seasons in in a perpetual state of "meh, i'll do it later"), but I wouldn't want to miss being that guy with the average Sonic-inspired levels, carefully selected music, and dumb-but-alliterative titles.
.3.
NeverSilent
Got any Dexreth amulets?
6299
I'm going to try and take on world 3 and 4 in today's stream, which will be starting in about 15 minutes. Come join me!

http://www.twitch.tv/theunsilentforce/
halibabica
RMN's Official Reviewmonger
16903
Hey you, stop spreading filthy lies about my SMB2 snakes. You absolutely can pick them up!

Good stream though, dude. I won't be able to attend next time 'cuz I work a day shift. Best of luck!

But...not that I expect you to move around your schedule just for me, but if you were able to stream on Sunday instead, I could always be there...
NeverSilent
Got any Dexreth amulets?
6299
The next installment of the stream for this game is going to start in one hour! Feel free to join me as I Yoshi-jump my way through the rest of world 4 and hopefully world 5:
http://www.twitch.tv/theunsilentforce/



author=halibabica
Hey you, stop spreading filthy lies about my SMB2 snakes. You absolutely can pick them up!

Whoops, sorry. I'll try that out this time.

author=halibabica
Good stream though, dude. I won't be able to attend next time 'cuz I work a day shift. Best of luck!

But...not that I expect you to move around your schedule just for me, but if you were able to stream on Sunday instead, I could always be there...

I really would like to make it easier for you to watch the stream, but unfortunately I regularly have other stuff planned on Sunday evenings. Sorry.
halibabica
RMN's Official Reviewmonger
16903
Alas! Then there's nothing to be done. Well, at least next week I was randomly scheduled 9 to 1:30, so I can watch the whole thing!
I'm defiantly willing to learn a new engine for the next RMN Bros game provided its something that can be decently easy to grasp. I'm not the best when it comes to learning new things.
Seiromem
I would have more makerscore If I did things.
6375
I've dabbled a bit in SMBX 2 and the editor itself has some newfangled UI and a bunch of other organization things you'll have to get used to (haven't figured out custom graphics or music yet) but it also has an UNDO BUTTON.
AN UNDO BUTTON.
It also adds a bunch of extra shit.
Like, tons of extra shit.
Not trying to make it sound like a bad thing but, it's kinda overwhelming and we might be best just... not using most of it.
Either way, it's still in beta so, might wanna wait on the full release? Unless it's like Minecraft, where it's going to just update with new things... always.
Deckiller, played your level. Enjoyed it. Interesting premise, well made. I don't remember too many specific things, except getting confused at one point because of lots of doors in a small space, and I may have been slightly inebriated. But I remember enjoying it.

We played a few other levels but didn't find anything amazing. Might try again another time.
author=Seiromem
I've dabbled a bit in SMBX 2 and the editor itself has some newfangled UI and a bunch of other organization things you'll have to get used to (haven't figured out custom graphics or music yet) but it also has an UNDO BUTTON.
AN UNDO BUTTON.
It also adds a bunch of extra shit.
Like, tons of extra shit.
Not trying to make it sound like a bad thing but, it's kinda overwhelming and we might be best just... not using most of it.
Either way, it's still in beta so, might wanna wait on the full release? Unless it's like Minecraft, where it's going to just update with new things... always.


That's just it, SMBX 2.0 is basically a perma-beta project (kinda like RPG Maker MV right now). When I looked at the list of things they plan to add in the future (a LOT of things that should've been done already), it will never see a FINAL release, they'll just keep adding things to it. And as for Wohlstand is concerned, he's just using 2.0 as a testing ground to further develop his PGE engine which will also never be finished (at least not in our lifetime at his rate).

Heck, I bet JKB's Megaman X: Corrupted will be finished before 2.0 or PGE ever will.
NeverSilent
Got any Dexreth amulets?
6299
Since there was some confusion as to the starting time for the stream last time because of timezones and daylight savings, I'm announcing this new session a bit earlier: Two more hours from now until I get started. We're already at the start of world 7! Get ready to place your bets on how many times I'll fall into lava.

http://www.twitch.tv/theunsilentforce/
halibabica
RMN's Official Reviewmonger
16903
And it rounded out at an even 12 lava deaths! I was going to say how I can't be here next week, but I see you won't be around either! Catch you next time, then! Looking forward to W8!

Oh, but you shouldn't skip Princess Etiquette. There's a star in there, after all, and I worked so hard to make those sprites for Peach.
I'm thinking of doing a no commentary playthrough of this game on youtube, would it also be alright if I put it in media section possibly once I get around to doing it?
Seiromem
I would have more makerscore If I did things.
6375
Nope! There can be only one playthrough posted, and Animebryan and Darklord are still in the middle of the deathmatch to decide the one true Yoshi's Archipelago Let's Player! Unless you want to join them in a hunger-games-esque survival game in space with aliens.
halibabica
RMN's Official Reviewmonger
16903
from lonestarluigi
I'm thinking of doing a no commentary playthrough of this game on youtube, would it also be alright if I put it in media section possibly once I get around to doing it?

Don't listen to sassy owls. Of course you can!
author=Seiromem
Nope! There can be only one playthrough posted, and Animebryan and Darklord are still in the middle of the deathmatch to decide the one true Yoshi's Archipelago Let's Player! Unless you want to join them in a hunger-games-esque survival game in space with aliens.

Deathmatch? I'm pretty sure I ran through that game & completed it before he did. And as for the game play, I've been around the SMBX neighborhood long enough to run circles around most players, and of course, I had the unfair advantage of being the main beta tester that played these levels to death to have them mostly memorized.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm not saying I'm the best player ever, since my playing style is often 'reckless & impatient', but it gets the job done most of the time.
I think it would be interesting to have a contest to see who is the best SMBX player haha Instead of rating levels, everybody runs through the same set of levels and their performance is judged. 3 lives per stage, can't see it before hand, you get the level sent and have to record it right away. Maybe even record yourself opening the PM and loading the game.

I'm more serious than not about this.
halibabica
RMN's Official Reviewmonger
16903
That could be fun, but it depends on the levels. If they're the over-hard rage-inducing types, I wouldn't be too keen on it.
Opening the PM while recording would be impossible for me since I have to come to a library to get on the internet & there's no way I'm getting away with recording in a library, but I all for doing a blind run of some levels.
The levels would have to be designed to showcase the players ability. Simple, straight forward obstacle courses. Very few deaths from enemies. Judged on multiple aspects:

1- Time. Doing it fast gives a slight bonus to points. There could be a par, and every second under par gives a point.
2- Finesse. Example, doing non stop jumps across gaps instead of stopping for a moment on each platform. Using turtle shells and items in various ways. There could be a list of things to look for, judge on, and give a single point value from 1-5.
3- Lose points on mistakes/errors. If you throw an item but miss. Or if you mess up a jump and fall down, having to climb back up to try again.
4- Bonus points for pulling off some unexpected trick/move. Like if you bounce off something, this could be almost anything.
5- Have targets that can be hit with anything (fireballs, bombs, touch, throwing items), that give points. Green easy ones worth 1 point, in easy to reach places. Blue medium ones worth 3 points, harder to reach. Red, hard, 5. Do you sacrifice time for targets? Maybe even have hoops/rings to go through for points.

So basically it's mostly quantifyable with points, with a little wiggle room for objective skill. It could have a Mario and Sonic at the Olympic gamess theme. Mario and RMN at the Olympic games. RMN at the Olympic games.

As for recording, if you can record the gameplay you should be able to record opening the PM. And if you can't do it at the library find another computer I guess. The download could come with the software to record, something simple and small like hypercam 2.
Hm.
The idea sounds really fun and I could imagine doing it myself.
That set up seems pretty cool as well - maybe make it the next non-"RMN Bros." SMBX event where people make an Olympic Games-styled SMBX game for let's players to compete on and be judged.

But there are a few things:
  • From experience, not all computers can handle recording well. I'm homeless and only have my laptop and while not everyone is homeless, I still say that requiring recording as part of the event makes the idea kinda... meh? The only way we could tell they aren't lying unless it's blatant lying or unless one of the judges somehow goes to the competitor's house to make sure they aren't cheating is through recording but by it's very base not everyone can join based on the need of a good computer for recording.
    This does also affect people's gameplay - from experience if you try to record on a bad computer(even if it's the only computer you have available) the game will lag like shit, or worse, you'll get input lag. Even minor lag of either type can screw you over - hell, sometimes lag could help you meaning you'd have an unfair advantage for some obstacles. What do you do then?

  • For getting the program in the download? Well... unless it's an external download, I wouldn't suggest that, unless you want to sacrifice locker space for this event and I'd assume you'll immediately delete it from your locker afterward. But also, referring back to the earlier point, how do you know what program is best for who, and don't most programs cost money? You're legit just gonna give free versions of programs that may cost money(which you'd probably know if you're giving it out)? This may sound a little asinine, maybe you're giving a demo version, or maybe the program you'd give would be completely free, but uh... yeah, it still just feels awkward.

  • Also, not everyone can record right off the bat. People have lives outside of RMN and definitely outside of SMBX, so suggesting that the moment they get the program they should soon after start recording just feels a little weird. Once again, sounds a small bit asinine, and so does this next thing I'm gonna say but trust me, I feel it's all stuff we'll need to consider - you say people should probably record themselves opening the PM, downloading the stage(...and the recording software), then record them playing the game to make absolutely sure it's the first playthrough. You can see the problem with that - if you need to download the recording software, then how are you going to record you downloading everything from the mailbox the first time(Which BTW feels like a major breach of privacy - yeah, I know, the internet, but still) when you don't have the recording program yet? And this is all done just to make sure no one cheats?

  • Silly question: What if someone does something ridiculous like this... just to be an ass? They download the level, they test it out without recording, they delete it from their PC completely, then they start recording and record them downloading everything and start then, pretending like it's a blind run. Unless it's something blatant, like the designer being an ass and putting a highly unexpected obstacle intended to catch the player off guard and the cheating player not reacting appropriately(assuming they'd react the first time - not everyone makes their surprise obvious, so even then that's an issue), how would we know they are cheating?

  • In my opinion, there is also an issue with the blind run point. Even great SM64 speedrunners shoutouts to simpleflips have to do a practice run before doing a new hack.


I fully support the idea if we can find a way to make it work - currently, you're asking a lot of people to not only certainly have a decent computer to record games without too much lag, but also the time to constantly play SMBX and the ability to basically see the future so that they can do their best performance for when they get judged.
In actual Olympics, recording isn't an issue, they train pretty much their whole lives, and by their very nature have to train to get as good as they do - the events aren't a surprise for them.