Look, let’s be real. We’ve all been there. You’ve cleared the boss, you’ve chased the T-Rex around, and you think you’ve scrubbed every inch of Fossil Falls. Then you look at the list. Moon 25: Sphynx Traveling to the Waterfall. It’s just... not there. You’re running around the dinosaur nest, checking behind the falls for the tenth time, and coming up empty.
Actually, the problem isn’t where you’re looking. It’s how you’re looking.
Most moons in Super Mario Odyssey are about platforming or clever puzzles. This one? This one is about the sky. It’s one of those "hidden in plain sight" moments that Nintendo loves to throw at us to make us feel slightly unobservant. Honestly, if you didn't know to look for a flying lion-man in the clouds, why would you?
The Post-Game Prerequisite
First things first. You can’t just roll into the Cascade Kingdom for the first time and snag this moon. It’s not happening. You have to actually beat the main story first.
Once you’ve finished the showdown with Bowser and the credits have rolled, the world opens up. A lot of people think the "real" game starts after the credits, and they aren't totally wrong. When you return to the Cascade Kingdom post-game, several new moons become available, and Moon 25 is one of the trickiest because it’s not tied to a physical location on the ground.
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How to Find Sphynx Traveling to the Waterfall
To get started, warp back to the Odyssey. You don't need to go far. In fact, if you walk just a few steps southwest of where your ship is parked—near that first power pole you used to enter the kingdom—you’ll see a pair of Binoculars sitting on the ledge.
Capture them.
Now, here is where it gets a bit like a game of Where’s Waldo. When you’re looking through the binoculars, you’ll see the typical Cascade Kingdom scenery. To the lower left, you’ve got the top of the waterfall. In the center, you might see a Bonneter airship (those top-hat-looking ships) floating way off in the distance.
Forget the airship. You’re looking for something weirder.
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Slowly move your view diagonally up and to the right. Scan the horizon. You’re looking for a small, moving shape that looks out of place. Eventually, you’ll spot it: a Sphinx floating through the air with a sail attached to its back.
The "Stare Down" Method
It’s not enough to just see the Sphinx. You have to prove you’re actually watching it.
- Zoom in using the right stick or motion controls.
- Keep your eyes on it. Don’t look away.
- After a few seconds of staring, the Sphinx will start to glow.
- Suddenly, it’ll launch a Power Moon right at you.
The moon doesn't just appear in your inventory; it actually travels through the sky and lands on the ground very close to the Odyssey. Just exit the binoculars, run over to the landing site, and claim your prize.
Common Mistakes and Why It Ranks High on "Most Missed" Lists
The biggest reason people miss Cascade Kingdom Moon 25 is because they expect it to be a reward for a physical challenge. We’re trained to look for glowing spots in the dirt or secret pipes. We aren't always trained to stop and stare at the sky for five seconds.
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Also, the title is a bit of a trick. "Sphynx Traveling to the Waterfall" sounds like the Sphinx is coming to you or that you have to meet it somewhere. In reality, it's just a celestial delivery service.
Interestingly, this isn't the only kingdom where the Sphinx pulls this stunt. If you’ve spent any time in the Sand Kingdom, you know the Sphinx usually sits on the ground and asks you riddles. Seeing it flying in the air in Cascade—and later in the Seaside and Moon Kingdoms—is part of a larger "Tourist" theme where characters from one world show up in another.
Pro Tips for Completionists
If you’re trying to 100% the Cascade Kingdom, remember that Moon 25 is essentially the "capstone" of the standard list. Once you grab this, you’re usually ready to move on to the Moon Shard objectives or the much harder Moon Pipe challenges that appear after you smash the Moon Rock.
- Check your quadrants: If you're using the in-game map, this moon is technically located in Quadrant E4.
- Don't rush the zoom: Sometimes the game is picky about the "lock-on." If the Sphinx isn't glowing, zoom out and back in again.
- Listen for the chime: There’s a distinct sound effect when the moon is triggered. Even if you lose sight of it, the sound tells you it worked.
Basically, if you’re stuck at 24/25 moons and you’re losing your mind, stop looking at the grass. Look at the clouds. The Sphinx is there, it’s vibing, and it’s got your moon.
Your Next Moves
To wrap this up, head to the Binoculars near the Odyssey and start scanning the upper-right quadrant of the sky. If you’ve already grabbed this one, check the Sand Kingdom or Seaside Kingdom next—the Sphinx is a frequent traveler, and he usually brings a moon with him wherever he goes. Once you’ve mastered the "stare down" technique, these sky-based moons become the easiest ones in your collection.