If there are some of you who, like myself, have no partner for two-player mode but have to do everything yourself, this trick has helped me a TON. Frankly, it would help you even more if you DID have a partner due to the increased ease with which you could pull it off, but I know for myself, this little gem has gotten me out of many a tight spot.
First, on easy levels, find a ledge that you know the second player can't get hit, put him there, keep him there, and finish the level off with just the first player. Safe spots also mean that the second player isn't in danger of getting hit with projectiles, obviously. Some levels have these spots, some don't. Learn which ones do, and use them.
Second, on levels that don't have safe spots, move the players in unison. It's a lot easier to dodge a projectile or saw when both players jump the same time, as opposed to having to time two jumps at different times. Also easier to focus on one area of the screen than two. In addition, if you have your second player standing right behind or in the same spot as your first player, you can use the first player to "protect" the second from any enemies that might come towards you.
Finally, and this is the REAL trick that I learned (and since I never see it mentioned in here I'm actually not sure how many people know this) but here's something that has helped me clear boards a lot more efficiently: If player one creates a bomb, and player two kicks it, IT WILL DOUBLE IN SIZE AND EXPLOSION RADIUS, WITHOUT HURTING OR KNOCKING OFF BALANCE EITHER PLAYER.
It's like having unstable explosives turned on, without the "unstable" part of being knocked over if you get caught in your own bomb.
The same works if player two creates a bomb and player one kicks it.
For those of you who don't mind using a game up, try it on the very first level...it actually looks quite cool.
Anyways, thought I'd share, because I know that playing two-player mode with only one person is terribly difficult (especially in the later levels) and that these tricks have helped me immensely in my quest to unblock the two-player mirror and nightmare star.
Good luck!
- Joe
