Dire, Dire Docks is the ninth level in the games Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS and is the game's second water-based level. Much of it is underwater, as are the majority of the stars. It consists of two main areas connected by an underwater passageway: the first is a relatively empty drop off with some marine life and a massive whirlpool in the center. The other location is the docking point where most of the stars are located. Watch out for the big black hole in the wall underwater in the second area of the level because really strong currents can suck Mario in and bring him back outside the castle.
Like Jolly Roger Bay, this course takes place in and about a large, deep body of water. The entrance to the course is above a large pool of water connected to a submarine dock by an underwater passageway. A variety of marine life, including Sushis, Bubs (Cheep-Cheeps in the remake), and a Manta Ray, live in the first big drop off. The course is notable as the only course which changes based on the completion of another: Bowser's Sub sits in the docking area of this world until Mario defeats him in Bowser in the Fire Sea, after which Bowser's submarine disappears, the gate blocking the passageway to the pond outside Princess Peach's Castle opens, and moving poles appear in the framework of the docks. Additionally, the level contains only 106 Yellow Coins, making it one of the most difficult levels to collect one hundred coins in. In the DS remake, this total has been increased to 147 making it more manageable. Excluding secret courses, this is the smallest level in the game.
A flat, watery portal leading to the docks is located in the basement of Princess Peach's Castle, separated from the rest of the castle by a Star Door. When Bowser invaded the castle, he sealed the door and used the location of the portal to his advantage. After Mario defeats him in Bowser in the Dark World, Bowser retreated to another area, Bowser in the Fire Sea. The connection between the castle and his new hideout was behind the portal to Dire, Dire Docks. Bowser also kept a submarine at the docks. When Mario breaks the spell on the Big Star Door with the combined power of thirty Power Stars, he jumps into the watery portal and finds himself in Dire, Dire Docks. After collecting the first Star, Board Bowser's Sub, located on top of Bowser's submarine, the portal moves backwards, revealing the connection to Bowser in the Fire Sea. After defeating Bowser there, Yoshi, Mario, Luigi, or Wario could return to Dire Dire Docks to find that the sub is gone, the gate to the pond opened, and moving poles now moving on the ceiling.
While swimming underwater, there is calm music which adds extra layers as you traverse halfway through the tunnel. When on land in the docking point, there is a beat to the music.
Star[]
Star 1: Board Bowser's Sub[]
Starting your journey, make your way down, and find the passage where there's ring of coins. Follow it to the next part of the stage, where you board the submarine. Find the ? Switch to turn on the stairs, and climb the ones nearest to you to climb on top. Alternatively, swim to the back of the submarine and jump on top of the fin at the back. Then, long jump, or dive, to the top of Bowser's submarine. The star is located behind the fin where Bowser's picture is shown.
After you beat Bowser in the Fire Sea, the Submarine will disappear permanently making it much more difficult to reobtain the Star. In the DS remake, via glitches in Bowser in the Sky, it is possible to make the submarine appear again.
Star 2: Chests in the Current[]
Swim down to the bottom (Careful not to be sucked into the vortex!), and find the chests. Touch the locks on them in the right order to make the star appear. The correct order for each chest goes from the furthest to the closest to the whirlpool. In the original, there are four chests while in the remake, there are three. A tip: the treasure chests release bubbles when opened refilling air when snagged.
Star 3: Pole Jumping For Red Coins[]
Return to the area where Bowser's Sub was, except, when you hit the ? Switch, climb the stairs furthest from you to get to the upper platforms. From there, jump from the different poles and platforms to get all 8 red coins. Most of the Red Coins are in midair requiring you to use the poles to obtain them. Four of the Red Coins are in midair requiring the use of either the poles or Luigi's backflip to obtain, the fifth one is located inside a mesh cage which can be accessed via either the poles or Luigi's backflip. The last three are behind mesh cages in front of the Sub which can be reached with either the poles or a long jump. The Star should show up on the second platform nearest the first one you climb on. The poles only appear once the Submarine is gone after you beat Bowser in the Fire Sea requiring you to finish that mission first.
In the remake however, this mission can be done before beating Bowser in the Fire Sea (and as a result, without the need for the poles) due to Luigi's backflip spin. You can utilize this trick to spin from platform to platform and grab all the Red Coins easily. Aditionally, Mario's balloon powers from the Power Flower can also be used to obtain the Red Coins.
Star 4: Through the Jet Stream[]
Returning once more to the area where the Submarine was, swim to the jet stream and make it through 5 conclusive rings. After this, the Star will appear, to snag it, grab a metal cap (Near where the ! Switch is found), and go down underwater. Walk over to where the jet stream is, and grab the Star. In the remake, Wario is required for this Star as he is the only one who can obtain the Metal Powers via the Power Flower.
Alternatively, Yoshi can also get this Star (but this can only be done while the Submarine is still there). Swim through the 5 rings as usual to make the Star appear. After this, swim up to the Submarine and jump underneath one of the paddles at the back near the propellor and then quickly ground pound. You should now be walking underwater, next approach the Star and use Yoshi's tongue to grab it. The currents push your character away from the Star preventing you from grabbing it normally (without the use of Yoshi's tongue).
Star 5: Koopa Surfin' Switch Star (DS only)[]
Enter the level as Wario (Or Yoshi in a Wario cap), and swim over to an area where three black blocks and a ! Block are. Smash the ! Block to let a Koopa Shell out, and break the middle black block to reveal the Star Switch. Step on it to make the star appear, and then, get on the Koopa Shell and ride to the star, this all needs to be done quickly as the Star isn't present for too long.
Star 6: Inside The Cage[]
In order to get this star, you must go one more time to where the sub was, and grab a vanish cap and a metal cap (It doesn't matter what order), and jump down to where a cage is, and grab the star behind the walls. Additionally, the use of the Vanish Cap on it's own can also be used.
In Super Mario 64 DS, you must enter as Luigi (Or Yoshi with a Luigi cap on), and then grab a Power Flower to turn transparent. Then, just swim down into the cage, and grab the Star.
Star 7: The Manta Ray's Reward (Star 5 in 64)[]
Find the Manta Ray near where the chests where found, and swim through the rings he leaves behind to get the Star. You must swim through five rings in a row. The star will spawn over the vortex, so be careful when grabbing it.
Enemies encountered[]
- Skeeter (Nintendo DS only)
- Sushi
- Manta Ray
- Clam
- Bub (Nintendo 64 only)
- Cheep Cheep (Nintendo DS only)
- Bullet Bill (Nintendo DS only)
- Fire Spitter (Nintendo 64 only)
- Fire Chomp (Nintendo DS only)
Trivia[]
- Dire, Dire Docks is the smallest normal course in the games.
- The song heard in Dire, Dire Docks is a remix to the theme heard in Peach's Castle.
- Dire, Dire Docks is one of the levels in the game that doesn't contain a true painting leading to the level, the others being Big Boo's Haunt, Shifting Sand Land, Snowman's Land and Rainbow Ride.
- In 2024, WatchMojo placed the theme of Dire, Dire Docks at the #2 spot in their "Top 20 Super Mario Songs and Themes" list countdown, just right behind the iconic Ground theme from Super Mario Bros.[1]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Alden, G. (2024, November 5). Top 20 Super Mario Songs And Themes | Articles on WatchMojo.com. WatchMojo.
