In order for Mario to obtain the Vanish Cap, go to the bottom floor of the castle and go to the room where there are 2 pillars. Ground Pound on both pillars to lower the water level, allowing you to walk to the moat, which was filled with water. Go to the square hole in the moat to enter the secret course Vanish Cap Under the Moat. At the end is the Blue Switch, which must be activated so that every blue Cap Block can be solidified, therefore allowing Mario to be able to wear the Vanish Cap. Aside from Vanish Cap Under the Moat, the Vanish Cap can be found in three main courses: Jolly Roger Bay, Snowman's Land, Wet-Dry World.
When putting the Vanish Cap on, Mario becomes Vanish Mario, making him nearly invisible for a short period of time. During this time, Mario can run through enemies, meshes, barriers, and certain types of walls. He is also invulnerable to enemy attacks.
The Vanish Cap is unlocked after completing the Darker Side of the Moon. Unlike its previous appearances, the Vanish Cap causes Mario to be invisible for an unlimited period of time until he changes to a different cap. The suit is purely for aesthetic effect, so abilities such as walking through mesh walls are not retained while wearing a Vanish Cap.
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
Binoculars • Boulder • Bowser Statue • Cactus • Jizo • Letter • Manhole • Meat • Mini Rocket • Picture Match Part • Pole • Puzzle Part • RC Car • Spark pylon • Taxi • Tree • Zipper