Games Guru: It’s SpongeBob racing with demolition-derby features … under the sea. Here are some tips for the Wii version:

- Boost right before crashing into an opponent to get more points.

- Drive in reverse if your Boatmobile has taken serious front-end damage. Watching your damage indicator might help you achieve victory.

- It’s harder to turn while boosting. During races, save your boost for the straight-aways and let go during the corners. To turn quickly, simply tap the Hand Brake.

- You can collect boat parts that are from opponents, even if you didn’t cause the damage.

- Try getting multipliers like wall check x 2, KO x 3, Air hit x 2 to get maximum possible D.R.I.V.E. points.

- Keep away from opponents and jellyfish when playing Escape.

- Don’t overlook knocked-out vehicles. Some might have parts that if knocked off can be collected. You can earn all of an opponent’s Boatmobile parts if you push them out of the arena, in Destruction mode.

- Pushing an opponent in a ditch will award you with Ring out/Knock out bonuses.

- Earn maximum Drive points by playing Quick Play and Learn to D.R.I.V.E. to unlock new drivers, boats, levels and game options.

Games Guru: It’s not that hard. Move about 40 feet away from the tree, then walk around it. You’ll find three areas where the ground is vibrating. Just put the shards on the places where the ground is vibrating.

Games Guru: If you placed the sensors properly early on in the level, go back to Club Candy, talk to the people there and then work on the speaker. The box automatically opens when you near the left speaker.

Do you have any tips?

Games Guru: This fun mystery yarn is part James Bond and part Sherlock Holmes. Here are some tips for the Wii:

- Unsure of where to go or what to do next? Talk to Buddy. He might have some helpful hints.

- Keep an eye out for objects you can salvage with your wrench and techno tool. Take any parts you find. They’ll probably come in handy later.

- The key to Forensics puzzles is placing the four-dot pieces first and the one-dot pieces last.

- Use strategy when decorating your headquarters. Most objects you unlock will boost your abilities, such as alien ESP. These “interests” help your squads on missions.

- When sending agents on a dispatch mission, pick a squad that matches the mission’s interests.

- Click on the eye in your headquarters’ arcade machine for a secret mini-game.

Games Guru: That’s would take a lot more space than we have here. But I’ll tell you how to find the last three stars. Find the Mushroom People and talk to them. They’ll give you stars. There’s one near the entrance to the Hazy Maze Course; one on the floor near the painting leading to Tall, Tall Mountain; and one on floor three just to the right of the big clock.

How do you get past Big Boo’s balcony?

Games Guru: First, don’t fall off the balcony, or you have to start the level again. Get behind Big Boo and give him a good punch three times. When the star leaves him, your goal is to jump up and grab it. See the rooftop that’s protruding on your right? You have to perform a running jump to get on it. Once you do, press and hold the Z button and crawl across the roof. You’ll find an exclamation mark block with the star on it. Grab that sucker and enjoy the rest of one of the great Mario games.

How do you get Waluigi?

Games Guru: Most people, like me, think that Waluigi isn’t in the game. In fact, it’s probably a big, fat hoax. There are some very difficult hoops you have to run through to get Waluigi, and even if you do these tasks, you probably won’t get him. But I’m willing to be convinced. Readers, have you ever unlocked Waluigi in the DS version of Super Mario 64? If so, tell us how you did it.

What do I do when I get the eel out of the hole? When I did it the hole was closed.

Games Guru: If you swim in front of the eel, crossing the hole from a few feet away, the eel will get mad and swim out. He is not particularly mean; you swim past the hole a few times and he will come out without going after you, then you swim in. Also, FYI, he has a star on his tail. If you can touch it, you get an easy star.

Where does the key go after you beat Bowser the first time?

Games Guru: Head down the stairs and into the lower level, and you should see a Boo ghost. (Did you know that Boos are known as Teresa ghosts in Japan? I asked Shigeru Miyamoto about that, and he told me that the Japanese word “Teresu” means “shy.”) Follow that Boo! It will lead you into an outdoor courtyard where you can find the hidden entrance to the next big world.

Where is the red box that unlocks the caps?

Games Guru: For the winged cap, you head to the entry hall of the castle and stare into the mural of the sky on the ceiling. If you have 12 stars or more, you will be transported into that sky. There you will find the box which activates the winged cap. There are other switches for the metal and invisibility caps.

All my friends say there is a Rainbow Bowser. If there is one, please tell me where he is.

Games Guru: I think they are referring to the Bowser Mario fights in the final battle of the game.

How do you beat the third and final Bowser? I tried over 100 times! Do you have an easier way than the regular way to beat him?

Games Guru: You always beat Bowser the same way in this game: You grab his tail, swing him around and toss him at the bombs along the edge of the platform. The problem is that this time he can send shockwaves (jump them), rain fire (dodge it and pick up the coins for renewed health), and break off parts of the platform (don’t fall off). That’s the bad news. The good news is there’s a 1UP hidden behind the pillar on the last platform before you enter the pipe and fight Bowser—and there will be a new 1UP in that same spot every time Bowser beats you and you start again on that very platform. In short, you’ll never run out of Marios for this final battle!

How can you get to Snowman’s Land?

Games Guru: Once you beat Bowser in his Fire in the Sea arena, you will find a key to open the second floor of the castle. You’ll find the portal to Snowman’s Land on the second floor.

In Tall Tall Mountain, how can I get into the monkey cage?

Games Guru: Zoinks! You pretty much need to get to the top of the mountain to get in the cage. Climb the mountain, jump the gaps, scale the platforms. If you’ve been to the top of the mountain before, this should all be review. The monkey awaits you for a race at the top.

How can I get the eight red coins in Cool Cool Mountain?

Games Guru: This quest can only be done by Yoshi. Try swallowing some fire and melting some ice…who knows what opening you may find?

How do you beat Mr. I in Big Boo’s Haunt, and how do you beat the Quest Mario’s Super Wall Kick in Cool Cool Mountain?

Games Guru: To beat Mr. I, run around him very quickly. He will get dizzy and go away. As for beating Super Wall Kick, this is a challenge. You need to ride the gondola up to a platform where you will find a Bob-omb Buddy who will open the cannon at the base of the mountain. Once the cannon is open, ride the gondola back down and hop in the cannon. When you aim, you will see a lone tree beside a mountain. Fire yourself at the distant tree for a safe landing. You will find a gap in the face of the mountain that can only be climbed using the wall kick. Near the top of that gap, you will find the star you seek.

Where do you find all the castle’s secret stars?

Games Guru: Since 30 stars are hidden in Princess Peach’s castle, I’ll just tell you about two of the coolest:

• Have you found Princess Peach’s secret slide in the main hall? If so, you probably know you get a star for completing the slide—it’s waiting for you in the box at the base. You can receive a second star for completing the slide in 21 seconds.
• In the mirror room where you find the Wario painting, you can walk through the mirror if you go as Luigi and turn yourself invisible. You will find a star behind the mirror.

How do you find the red switch?

Games Guru: There is a red switch in the level where Mario gets his flying cap. If you have 10 stars, go to the entryway of the castle, look into the mural of a sky on the ceiling and hit your X button. Once you are in, fly to the top of the tower and you’ll find a red switch.

How do you get to Big Boo’s balcony?

Games Guru: O.K., I’m assuming we’re talking about Super Mario 64 and that you’ve defeated Big Boo and now wish to claim your star. No problem. If we’re on the same page, the platform in the middle of the room will turn into a staircase the moment you beat Big Boo. Those stairs will take you right to your star.

O all-knowing Games Guru, how do you get Luigi?

Games Guru: You will need to complete the Big Boo Challenge in Big Boo’s Haunt. Once you have eight stars, you can enter the Haunt, then earn one star in the Haunt to reveal stairs leading to a painting of Luigi. Enter the painting, compete the challenge, and Luigi is yours.

Games Guru: Try this: Get onto its leg to get close to the body. Double jump on the turret. Use some lightsaber strikes to demolish it. Now the leg won’t be stuck. Jump back down and avoid the shooting. Soon the next leg will be stuck. Do the same thing for the second turret. Get on the third turret to jump atop the droid to kill it.

Games Guru: Here’s one for the Tower of Spirits. To cross the lava, place Zelda into the hot stuff near the platform. With your stylus, tap Zelda once. Link will get on her shield. To move off, tap the ground two times.

Games Guru: Weapons do greater damage: Hold -, then press 2, 1, 1, 2

Open all missions and planes: Hold – and +, then press Left, Right, 1, 2, 2, 1

Games Guru: Walk up to that door, but make sure it’s with your back to it. Head left. The key is on the rooftop. Jump there and get that key.

Games Guru: Here are some tips:

- When riding Yoshi, you can eat projectiles thrown by enemies. Spit them out to give them a taste of their own medicine!

- You can carry other players to help them get through challenging areas of the game.

- If four players are playing at the same time, jump together and simultaneously press down on the + Control Pad to perform a Ground Pound. It creates a huge tremor that eliminates all land-based enemies.

- When flying with the Propeller Suit, shake the Wiimote as you fall to increase the range of your horizontal descent.

- Use frozen enemies as platforms to gain access to hard-to-reach areas. Make sure you jump off before they melt!

- Players riding Yoshi can jump higher and longer if they continue to hold the “2″ button after leaving the ground.

- Jump on other players’ heads to reach areas you wouldn’t be able to access on your own.

Games Guru: No codes, but here’s how to unlock the Golden Wheel: Use the Wii Wheel in all modes. After that, go online. You’ll see the Golden Wheel is unlocked – right next to your name.