Introduction
Super Mario 64, released in 1996 for the Nintendo 64, is a landmark in 3D platforming. While the main quest revolves around collecting Power Stars from the game’s 15 courses, a significant portion of the game’s depth and replayability comes from its secret stars—hidden Power Stars scattered throughout Peach’s Castle and special stages. Whether you’re a completionist or just looking to unlock new areas, tracking down all secret stars is a rewarding challenge that showcases the game’s creativity and design.
What Are Secret Stars?
Secret stars are Power Stars that aren’t tied to the main missions of the 15 courses. Instead, they’re hidden in Peach’s Castle, secret levels, or awarded for completing unique tasks. Collecting all secret stars is essential for 100% completion and unlocking the castle’s final secrets, including the ability to meet Yoshi on the castle roof.
Secret Stars in Peach’s Castle
The Princess’s Secret Slide (2 Stars)
- Location: First floor, room with three stained glass windows. Jump into the rightmost window.
- How to Get:
- Complete the slide for one star.
- Finish the slide in under 21 seconds for a second star.
- More on the Princess’s Secret Slide
The Secret Aquarium (1 Star)
- Location: Room with the entrance to Jolly Roger Bay. Jump into the wall opposite the painting.
- How to Get: Collect all eight red coins in the underwater aquarium.
Tower of the Wing Cap (1 Star)
- Location: Stand on the sun symbol in the castle’s main hall and look up while standing in the light (requires 10 Power Stars).
- How to Get: Collect all eight red coins while flying with the Wing Cap.
- How to Unlock the Wing Cap
Vanish Cap Under the Moat (1 Star)
- Location: Drain the moat by ground-pounding the two pillars in the basement, then enter the exposed door outside.
- How to Get: Collect all eight red coins in the Vanish Cap course.
Cavern of the Metal Cap (1 Star)
- Location: In Hazy Maze Cave, find the door to the Metal Cap course in the underground lake area.
- How to Get: Collect all eight red coins.
Friendly Faces and Fast Feet
Toad’s Secret Stars (3 Stars)
Three Toads in the castle give you stars:
- Basement: Near Hazy Maze Cave entrance (after 12 stars)
- Second Floor: Near the entrance to Wet-Dry World (after 35 stars)
- Third Floor: Near Tick Tock Clock (after 70 stars)
- How to Get: Talk to each Toad.
MIPS the Rabbit (2 Stars)
- Location: In the basement, after collecting 15 and 50 stars, chase and catch MIPS the rabbit.
- How to Get: Catch MIPS twice for two stars.
- Tips for Catching MIPS
Bowser’s Red Coin Stars (3 Stars)
Each Bowser stage contains a hidden star for collecting all eight red coins:
- Bowser in the Dark World
- Bowser in the Fire Sea
- Bowser in the Sky
Guide to Bowser’s Red Coin Stars
The Ultimate Rainbow Challenge
Wing Mario Over the Rainbow (1 Star)
- Access: On the third floor of the castle, look for a small hole in the wall opposite the Tick Tock Clock entrance (requires 50 Power Stars and the Wing Cap).
- How to Get: Collect all eight red coins scattered on cloud platforms and rainbows. The star appears on a central cloud platform.
Summary Table
| Secret Star Location | Number of Stars |
|---|---|
| Princess’s Secret Slide | 2 |
| Secret Aquarium | 1 |
| Tower of the Wing Cap | 1 |
| Vanish Cap Under the Moat | 1 |
| Cavern of the Metal Cap | 1 |
| MIPS the Rabbit | 2 |
| Toad’s Secret Stars | 3 |
| Bowser’s Red Coin Stars | 3 |
| Wing Mario Over the Rainbow | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
Tips for Finding Secret Stars
- Explore every nook and cranny of Peach’s Castle.
- Talk to every Toad you see.
- Look for unusual paintings, walls, and light sources—they often hide secrets.
- Practice your platforming skills for the red coin challenges in cap courses and Bowser levels.
- Experiment with Mario’s moveset—long jumps, wall kicks, and backflips can help you reach hidden areas.
- Consult online resources like Super Mario 64 Wiki and IGN’s Super Mario 64 Guide for detailed walkthroughs.
Advanced Techniques
Some secret stars, especially those in challenging locations, may require advanced moves:
- Backwards Long Jump (BLJ): Used for speedrunning and accessing certain areas quickly.
- Wall Kicking: Essential for reaching high or awkward places.
- Precise Platforming: Especially important in red coin challenges.
// Simplified example of Mario's movement
void update_mario_position(float dx, float dy, float dz) {
mario.x += dx;
mario.y += dy;
mario.z += dz;
// Apply gravity
if (mario.y > ground_level) {
mario.y -= gravity;
}
}Note: This is a simplified representation; actual game code is much more complex.
Conclusion
Finding all the secret stars in Super Mario 64 is a rewarding journey that highlights the game’s enduring appeal and depth. With 15 secret stars hidden throughout Peach’s Castle and its special stages, you’ll need curiosity, skill, and a keen eye for detail. Once you’ve collected all 120 stars, don’t forget to visit the castle roof for a special surprise!
For more on gaming achievements and secrets, check out:
- Total number of achievements in Hollow Knight
- How many levels are there in Angry Birds 2 as of 2025?
- How many planets can you explore in No Man’s Sky?
- What is the highest level you can reach in Subway Surfers?
- How many islands can you have in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
- Legit ways to get free gems in Clash of Clans
- Total number of dungeons in Diablo IV
Happy star hunting!