Windy Hill Zone: Stage Research

[LiteralGrill]

In keeping with all of the other Stage Research Threads, I've decided to also take a stab at Windy Hill Zone, a simple stage that folks have wanted discussed.

Previously Covered
Garden of Hope
Mushroom Kingdom U
Wuhu Island
Mario Circuit
Skyloft
Wooly World
Norfair
Orbital Gate Assault
Luigi's Mansion
Kongo Jungle 64

Layout

This stage has a very interesting layout. the stage three static platforms along it's curved surface with two on the left side and one in the middle to the right. The curvature of the stage can have interesting reactions to various projectiles. On the far right there is a large windmill that can spin either left or right. The windmill can change directions mid match as well as speed, and does so randomly: there is no pattern or timer and does not start out in a set direction or speed at the beginning of the match. It does give a warning by stopping before it does change direction.

The other major thing of note are the springs that can show up on the stage. The stage always starts with the springs up, but after that they show up entirely at random, having no set timer of any kind and may show up and may either show up together or separately. These springs also spin at random, there is so timer or pattern to this as well. The springs are also sensitive, unless you are directly on top of the spring on the "star" there is a high likelihood they'll bounce you down instead of up.

Name|Picture|Notes
Basic Layout|

|The basic layout of the stage with no springs
Basic WITH Springs|

|The basic layout with springs on both sides.
Spring On One Side|

|The spring on only the right side.
Spring Spinning|

|An example of the spring spinning

Summary:

• The curvature of the stage interacts curiously with projectiles
• The windmill changes directions and speeds at random
• The springs appear, spin, and vanish at random

 

[ParanoidDrone]

According to ingame tips, the windmill stops before changing speed or direction, so it won't ever catch someone by surprise and suddenly whisk them away. If it's slowing down or stopped, you know something's up.

The curvature does alter projectile trajectories, similar to Mario Galaxy, but some like Thoron and I think Fox/Falco's lasers are immune to the effect. That's probably a separate topic, but a list of projectiles that don't care about gravity may be an interesting thing to compile further down the line.

 

[LiteralGrill]

According to ingame tips, the windmill stops before changing speed or direction, so it won't ever catch someone by surprise and suddenly whisk them away. If it's slowing down or stopped, you know something's up.

It does stop, but it does so still entirely at random. I tried to watch it over and over but there's no timer on the darn thing, and sometimes it even seems to stop, then continue in the same direction at the exact same speed.

 

[ParanoidDrone]

It does stop, but it does so still entirely at random. I tried to watch it over and over but there's no timer on the darn thing, and sometimes it even seems to stop, then continue in the same direction at the exact same speed.

Didn't say there was a pattern, just that it couldn't surprise anyone. All in how you phrase it.

 

[LiteralGrill]

Didn't say there was a pattern, just that it couldn't surprise anyone. All in how you phrase it.

I did update the guide to reflect that better

 

[Deleted member]

The biggest problem it has is that the springs bounce you downwards for an OHKO even if you only touch the side of it, working on the exact range.

 

[LiteralGrill]

The biggest problem it has is that the springs bounce you downwards for an OHKO even if you only touch the side of it, working on the exact range.

It is true, unless you seem to land right on the blue part with the star you tend to die.