Cavern of the Metal Cap (called Metal Cap Switch Course in the message that appears upon first entering) or Metal Cap Cavern is a secret course in Super Mario 64 which houses eight Red Coins and the switch that activates the Metal Cap's ! Switch. Once the green switch is hit, the Metal Cap becomes available to use. The entrance is located within the Hazy Maze Cave course behind a set of doubled doors in the underground lake area. In order to reach it, Mario has to get on top of Dorrie's head, and then steer him over to the small patch of ground outside the double doors. Upon entering the double doors, you will have to go through a short hallway, at the end of of which is another pool or liquid metal, much like the one used to enter Hazy Maze Cave in the first place. Jumping into it will transform you to the area. When you first enter the doors, Mario will start as Metal Mario. Then he will have to defeat a couple of Shifts guarding it. After Mario hits the green switch, the Metal Cap can be used. Through here, Mario enters the Cavern of the Metal Cap. It is a small cave with only a Snifit, Amps, a Goomba in the DS version, and several coins. Inside the cavern is a fast flowing stream. If the player falls in the water and does not get out in time, the player will be transported to the waterfall outside the castle, and into the lake and moat.
In Super Mario 64 DS, the area is retitled Behind the Waterfall and and the green ! Switch was removed due to the Power Flower abilities. However, a second Power Star was added, which can only be reached by Mario using a Power Flower. A sign, however, continues to refer to the cavern as the Metal Cavern.
There are two Power Stars to collect in this area, with one being exclusive to the DS version.
8 Red Coins[]
There are 8 Red Coins to be collected here, and several of them are just below a huge waterfall leading into the stream. The only way to reach them is by becoming Metal Mario (Metal Wario in the DS version), it is possible to obtain them without the metal suit but it is more difficult to do so. Two are located in a small niche and one is located on the end island near the waterfall. Once every Red Coin is collected, the Power Star will appear at the Star Marker underwater near the waterfall at the back of the cavern.
Balloon Mario (DS only)[]
Using Mario, the player must hit the ? Block by the waterfall to obtain a Power Flower. By floating upwards from the spot, they can find a Power Star up above.
It is the only level to be entered inside another level in the N64 version and one of the only two levels to be entered in another level in the DS version; the other being Big Boo Battle in Big Boo's Haunt.
Slip Slidin' Away • Lil' Penguin Lost • Big Penguin Race • Frosty Slide for 8 Red Coins • Snowman's Lost His Head • Wall Kicks Will Work (N64)/Mario's Super Wall Kick (DS) • Switch Star of Cool, Cool Mountain (DS)
Big Boo's Haunt
Go on a Ghost Hunt • Ride Big Boo's Merry Go Round • Secret of the Haunted Books • Seek the 8 Red Coins • Big Boo's Balcony • Eye to Eye in the Secret Room • Switch Star of the Basement
Hazy Maze Cave
Swimming Beast in the Cavern • Elevate for 8 Red Coins • Metal-Head Mario Can Move! (N64)/Metal-Head Wario Can Move (DS) • Navigating the Toxic Maze • A-Maze-Ing Emergency Exit • Watch for Rolling Rocks • Underground Switch Star
In the Talons of the Big Bird • Shining Atop the Pyramid • Inside the Ancient Pyramid • Stand Tall On the Four Pillars • Free Flying For 8 Red Coins (5th Star, N64) (7th Star, DS) • Tox Box Switch Star (DS) • Pyramid Puzzle
Snowman's Big Head • Chill with the Bully • In the Deep Freeze (N64) • Yoshi's Ice Sculpture (DS) • Whirl from the Freezing Pond • Shell Shreddin' for Red Coins (N64) • Snowman's Silver Star (DS) • Into the Igloo • Red Coins in the House (DS)
Wet-Dry World
Shocking Arrow Lifts! • Top o' the Town • Secrets in the Shallows and Sky (N64)/5 Secrets in the Shallows and Sky (DS) • Express Elevator--Hurry Up! • Go to Town for Red Coins (N64)/Go to Town for the Red Coins (DS) • Quick Race Through Downtown! • Soaked Silver Stars (DS)
Tall, Tall Mountain
Scale the Mountain • Mystery of the Monkey Cage • Scary 'Shrooms, Red Coins • Mysterious Mountainside • Breathtaking View from Bridge (Star 5, N64)/Breathtaking View from the Bridge (Star 7, DS) • Blast to the Lonely Mushroom (Star 6, N64) (Star 5, DS) • 5 Secrets of the Mountain
Roll into the Cage (N64) • Luigi in the Cage (DS) • The Pit and the Pendulums (N64) • The Pendulum Switch Star (DS) • Get a Hand • Stomp on the Thwomp •Timed Jumps on Moving Bars • Stop Time for Red Coins • Tick Tock Silver Stars
Rainbow Ride
Cruiser Crossing the Rainbow • The Big House in the Sky • Coins Amassed in a Maze • Swingin' in the Breeze • Tricky Triangles! • Somewhere over the Rainbow • Switch Star of the Manor
