Super Mario Sunshine/Gelato Beach

Episode 1: Dune Bud Sand Castle Secret

 * Objective: Complete the sandy obstacle course

When you get to this glorious beach, you find there are many Cataquacks (the duck-shaped things)walking around. They won't hurt you for a while, but it is very unpleasant to be thrown in the air, so avoid these. Get near the Dune Bud that was on the introduction clip and spray it until it explodes and a huge sand castle pops out. Go through the archway of the sand castle to be taken to an obstacle course.

The course is a long path made of blocks of sand, which start to dissolve when you step on them - so don't hang around. The dark orange blocks are solid so you can stop on them for a breather. Run all the way to the sand towers at the end and ascend toward the shine, or if you prefer, the 1-up mushroom if you are worried of dying. This is one of the easier courses in the game, so don't worry. Grab the Shine.

Episode 2: Mirror Madness! Tilt, Slam, Bam!

 * Objective: Remove the cataquacks from the giant mirrors

In the intro to this level you see a lot of little red critters crawling all over some large mirrors. Your job is to go and remove them so the mirrors can go back to doing what they normally do. There are 3 mirrors: one has one monster on it, the next has two and the third mirror has three monsters. To get on to a mirror use the surrounding trees and the near by tower, with the coins on its ledges. When on the mirror, you need to spray the bad guys until they are close to falling of the edge and they go off-balance. Then running to the high side of the mirror and Ground Pound it to flip them high into the air. Once you clear all 3 mirrors of baddies they while re-align and destroy the Wiggler on the tower. A Shine will land on the beach for you to collect.

Episode 3: Wiggler Ahoy! Full Steam Ahead!
Remember that huge catepillar you injured in the last episode on the Sand Egg? Well, he's really angry, and stomping all around Gelato Beach. So it's time to take him down. Watch Wiggler's path and make sure you don't get in the way of it. Then find a Dune Bud that's in his path and spray it to create a sand mountain. When Wiggler runs into the sand pile, he'll roll over on to his back. Now look for the a big red arrow over one section of his body, jump on to that section and Ground Pound it. He'll get really mad and start running around even faster and in a different path, but just find a Dune Bud and do the same as before.

When you've stomped on him 3 times, you've beaten him and a Shine will appear on the beach for you to collect.

Episode 4: The Sand Bird Appears

 * Objective: Collect 8 red coins in the Sand Bird mini-level.

The Sand Bird has now hatched and flown away. From the start point go straight forward to the far side of the level until you reach a cliff face. Look along the cliff face for an indent where a Dune Bud is hiding. Spray the Dune Bud to create some sand steps up to the level above. Follow the footpath to the left and up the hill until you reach a little arena where there are 2 Nokis and 2 Piants sitting down, enjoying the view.

Look down the hill and you'll see a muddy trail with coins on it, which conveniently lines up with a huge trampoline and a big crack in the Glow Tower. Can you guess what comes next? Line yourself up with the trampoline and press to dive down the hill. When you are near the bottom, jump on to the trampoline and then use the hover nozzle to float into the crack in the tower. Once inside the tower you will be transported on to the back of the Sand Bird, high above the island.

Please be aware that from here on in, this level is one of the most infuriating and tedious you will ever play in a Mario game! Now, there are 7 red coins on the Sand Bird, which you need to collect, while it's flying about. You need to be careful of flapping wings/tail, wind and clouds; all these things can send you falling to your doom in the blink of an eye. On top of that there are certain times when the Sand Bird decides to bank hard to the left and is flying pretty much vertical! The only way to survive is to stand in front of one of the little solid blocks on its wings. That way the block will be under you when the bird is vertical. Also, be careful of the wind while standing on this tiny ledge.

Once you've collected the 7 coins on the bird, wait until it approaches the central tower where the final red coin is waiting. When you are within range, run along its wing and jump on to the tower, using the FLUDD to hover if you have to. Grab the final coin followed by the priceless Shine. Then save your game, quick, so you never have to go through that again!

Episode 5: Il Piantissimo's Sand Spirit

 * Objective: Beat Il Piantissimo in a race to the top of the hill.

From the start point, run straight ahead and slightly to the right and you'll see a man in a pink Pianta costume. This is Il Piantissimo. Go over to him and he'll challenge you to a race to the flag (it's where you slid from to get into the Glow Tower in Episode 4). One difference this time is that there is not Dune Bud around to create those handy steps up to the footpath, so just use Wall Kick jumps to get up there. It's not too tricky to beat him as long as you don't make any slip-ups. When you win the race, he'll hand over the Shine.