Vanish Cap Under the Moat

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In Super Mario 64

Vanish Cap Under the Moat (called Vanish Cap Switch Course in the message that appears when first entering) is a secret course in Super Mario 64 that is accessed through the moat outside the castle after the water has been drained. To do so, Mario must ground-pound the two pillars in the basement, then go out to the newly-exposed door. He will find a hole in the drained moat near the waterfall that will warp him to the course. It consists of a massive slope at the start, 8 Red Coins, several moving platforms, and the switch that activates the Vanish Cap when pressed on. The switch is located at the end of the level. If the player falls off, they will exit from a hole near the moat and not die.

In Super Mario 64 DS, the course was retitled The Secret Under the Moat and the blue ! Switch was removed due to the Power Flower abilities.

Missions

There are two Power Stars in this level, one of which is exclusive to Super Mario 64 DS.

8 Red Coins

The first four coins are located on the slide ledges of the start, while the other four are located on the moving platforms along the path to the ! Switch. The final Red Coin is by the ! Switch. After collecting all the red coins and pressing the switch, Mario will have to grab a Vanish Cap and go through the cage to collect the star.

In the DS version, the player can use either Mario or Wario to collect the red coins on the slide or moving platforms (though controlling Mario is generally easier). By using Luigi's Cap, Wario can use a power flower, in place of the Vanish Cap, and go through the cage to get the star.

Switch Star (DS only)

A new area was added across the chasm at the bottom of the slide. By turning into Mario, Wario can use a power flower to float to the new area. By activating the Star Switch on the platform, the Power Star will appear in the Star Sphere above. Wario can reach it by either floating upwards to it or by using wall-kicks.

Enemies encountered

• Fire Spitter (Nintendo 64 only)
• Amp
• Fire Chomp (Nintendo DS only)

Trivia

Super Mario 64 DS - The Secret under the Moat without Wario-2

• This is one of the only three secret levels in Super Mario 64 DS that only one certain character can access, as only Wario can start the course because the entrance is covered under the black bricks, which only he can destroy. The others being Bowser in the Sky for Mario and Chief Chilly Challenge for Luigi.
  • However via glitches which involve building up speed and clipping, you can enter the course as any character. More info on this glitch can be found on the video to the right.

Gallery

Wario staring at a Fire Chomp in the course.

Wario in Mario's Cap jumping across the platforms.

Yoshi sliding down the slide in the Moat.