This one is a tricky achievement but far from impossible, if anyone has 100% SMB you will find this much easier and if you haven't, well... get ready! It will take considerable time and patience but perseverance will reward you in the end.
Some general pointers:
- Insane mode is open from the very beginning but wouldn't recommend playing this mode first. My personal suggestion is first of all play a chapter on normal Solo mode first and try to A++ (or at least A) all of the levels, get the timing and patterns down, then switch over to Insane and run through the chapter again while everything is still fresh. I personally completed normal mode first but had to go back to normal to get the run smooth before attempting Insane again.
- You only need to get a C ranking in order to get this achievement which is just passing the level collecting 3 gems. Don't do what I do and try to A++ all the insane levels unless you want to get top in the leaderboards or have an OCD complex to satisfy, as its a rather frustratingly painful experience.
- The finales of each chapter are broken up into 2 levels, but if you die in the 2nd you don't have to re-do the first.
- The only weapons I found to be of much use are the dart gun and acid bubble for gaining height and the grenade (used carefully) for dispatching of enemies but these aren't vital.
- Thankfully, encores are not required for this achievement, so don't bother unless you are gods gift to the gaming world or a masochist, they'll only provide you with more gems and yarn which you certainly won't need by the end of Insane.
- For anyone having problems with any of the levels or like me and my OCD-riddled mind who need to A++ all the levels on Insane as well, see below for video guides to do so. None of the videos are my own and have credited them accordingly.
- Lastly, accept that you will fail often and stay calm, the only way to improve is through practice. I found that when tempers flair I make more mistakes so if you are having trouble like I did, go back to normal and A++ a few levels (feels great when its so much easier) or visit the gift shop and buy a few heads. Selecting random heads amused me and keeps the spirits up.
First videos go from 1-1 through to 6-6 and we can all thank 'BambaklopzGameGuides' for their amazing uploads, they certainly helped a ton!
Chapter 11-1 to 1-3:
1-4 to 1-6:
1-7 to 1-9:
Chapter 1 Finale:
Chapter 22-1 to 2-3:
2-4 to 2-6:
2-7to 2-9:
Chapter 2 Finale:
Chapter 33-1 to 3-3:
3-4 to 3-6:
3-7 to 3-9:
Chapter 3 Finale:
Chapter 44-1 to 4-3:
4-4 to 4-6:
4-7 to 4-9:
Chapter 4 Finale:
Chapter 55-1 to 5-3:
5-4 to 5-6:
5-7 to 5-9:
Chapter 5 Finale:
Chapter 66-1 to 6-3:
6-4 to 6-6:
Now from Level 6-7 to the finish line all videos have been uploaded by 'KoffeeGuy Gaming'. They are all done on normal but with an A++ ranking which helps prepare for your Insane run.
6-7:
6-8:
6-9:
Chapter 6 Finale:
Chapter 77-1:
7-2:
7-3:
7-4:
7-5:
7-6:
7-7:
7-8:
7-9:
Chapter 7 finale:
Chapter 88-1:
8-2:
8-3
8-4:
8-5:
8-6:
8-7:
8-8:
8-9:
Chapter 8 finale:
Best of luck to all! If anyone has any constructive suggestions for this solution please comment and i'll amend accordingly.