Tip Off
Take your game play to the next level with these tips and tricks for five popular VGs
New Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo
Nintendo DS
Having trouble getting into World 4 and 7? Maybe that’s because you’re too darn big. Try eating a tiny blue mushroom and beating the bosses in World 2 and 5 as Mini Mario. Now you can fit through the small opening in the next room and descend to the game’s lower levels. Also, land on all the level-ending flagpoles when the timer reaches a multiple of 11 for extra treats.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Bethesda/2K Games
Xbox 360, PC
The best way to earn gold is to sell the weapons and armor of fallen enemies, but you can only carry so much, right? Wrong.
Join the Mages Guild and level up enough to learn "Alteration" spells such as Lighten Load, Pack Mule and Beast of Burden, which lets you to carry an extra 75, 150 and 250 pounds worth of goodies. The first two can be bought from Orintur at the Cheydinhal Mages Guild, while the latter is sold by Borissean at the Praxographical Center in the Imperial City's Arcane University.
Kingdom Hearts II
Square Enix
Playstation 2
Two, schmoo. What about Kingdom Hearts III? Well, it's not being worked on just yet, but at the end of this second Disney and Final Fantasy mash-up there is a hidden CGI movie that's a teaser trailer for the eventual follow-up.
If you've completed the game in beginner, you’re out of luck. But if you played in "proud" mode you merely have to finish all the levels. In "standard" mode you must complete all worlds and everything in Jiminy's Journal before the movie will play. Alternately, you can be lazy and do a YouTube search.
Super Dragon Ball Z
Atari
Playstation 2
This cell-shaded fighting game has more heroes and villains from the long-running Japanese cartoon than you might think. Winning fights will earn you Dragon Balls and once you collect seven, go to the Dragon Shenron who will grant you a wish. After your second wish, you will get an enhanced set of wishes that allows you to unlock new characters Majin Vegeta, Ultimate Gohan and King Piccolo. After five wishes you can unlock Videl and after 10 wishes you can finally access Mecha Frieza.