You've just landed in Fossil Falls. The music kicks in with that sweeping, prehistoric grandeur, and your first instinct is probably to chase after that massive Chain Chomp or stare at the waterfall. But if you’re a completionist, your eyes are darting around for those glowing, triceratops-stamped regional tokens. Cascade Kingdom purple coins are your ticket to the best prehistoric souvenir set in Super Mario Odyssey, but honestly, some of them are tucked away in spots that feel borderline mean.
There are exactly 50 of them. That's it.
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Unlike the sprawling sand dunes of Tostarena or the vertical nightmare of New Donk City, the Cascade Kingdom is relatively compact. It’s the "tutorial" world, in a sense. However, Nintendo used the verticality of the cliffs and the transparency of the water to hide these purple beauties right in plain sight. Most players end up with 47 or 48 and spend an hour running circles around the Odyssey. It's frustrating.
The Early Bird Coins Near the Odyssey
Right out of the gate, you’ll find a few easy ones. Look behind the Odyssey. Seriously. There are three coins tucked just behind the ship's landing spot on a high ledge. It’s such a classic Nintendo move to hide things right behind the starting point. You’ll need to do a simple wall jump or use the nearby rocks to gain enough height.
Then, head toward the water.
Under the first bridge you cross, there are more. Most people run over the bridge, chasing the path toward the first Power Moon. Don’t do that. Drop down. In the shallow pool near the base of the waterfall, you’ll find another cluster of three. Use the "Cappy roll" to move faster through the water, though it's shallow enough that it won't slow you down much.
Using the Capture Mechanic for Verticality
You can't get everything as just Mario. That’s the core hook of the game, right? To get the Cascade Kingdom purple coins hovering over the abyss near the stone pillars, you have to grab a Burrit—the little rock-stretching creatures. Or, more effectively, you need the Chain Chomp.
Think about the area with the four Chain Chomps lined up like a firing squad.
If you capture the one on the far left and pull back with the left stick, aiming it toward the breakable stone wall behind it, you’ll reveal a hidden alcove. It’s not just a Power Moon back there. There are purple coins tucked into the corner of the room. It's easy to grab the Moon and bolt, leaving the currency behind. Don't be that person.
The Great Waterfall Climb
The bulk of your collection happens as you scale the cliff toward the Boss Arena. As you’re climbing the series of stone platforms where the colorful "volcano" rocks are falling, look out into the void. There are three coins sitting on a very thin ledge that juts out from the cliff face. To get these, you have to be brave. A long jump from the main path will get you there, but make sure you have Cappy ready to perform a dive-jump if you undershoot the distance.
One of the most missed sets is actually hidden inside the 8-bit mural.
When you enter the warp pipe to become 2D Mario, don't just hold right. There’s a section where the path splits. If you jump "up" against the ceiling in one specific spot, you’ll find a hidden block that lets you reach a higher platform. There are three coins there. If you miss them in the 2D section, you have to go all the way back down and enter the pipe again. It's a total time-sink if you aren't paying attention the first time through.
The Secret Cave and High Ledges
Once you defeat Madame Broode and the puke-green Top Hat, the kingdom changes slightly. New paths open up. Or rather, you just have more freedom to explore without a giant golden chain chomp trying to end your career.
Go back to the area where you fought the boss.
Look over the edge of the arena. You’ll see a series of small, floating platforms trailing off into the mist. This is where most people lose their minds. You have to precisely jump across these tiny squares to snag a line of four coins. If you fall, you’re back at the checkpoint by the Odyssey. It’s not hard, just tense.
Also, check the Top of the Big Tree.
There’s a massive tree near the first Cappy capture point. If you climb to the very top—literally the highest leaves—you’ll find three coins floating in a triangle. The camera angle usually hides them unless you’re actively looking up.
Why Bother Collecting Them All?
You might be wondering if it's even worth the headache. Honestly, it depends on how much you love the aesthetic of this game. The purple coins in the Cascade Kingdom allow you to buy:
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- The Caveman Outfit: It’s iconic. You look like a prehistoric Mario.
- The Caveman Wig: Pairs well with the outfit, obviously.
- The T-Rex Statue: A miniature version of the big guy for your ship.
- The Cascade Kingdom Sticker: For the side of the Odyssey.
If you want that 100% completion star on your save file, you have no choice. You need all 50.
The shop is located right near the Odyssey, but it only opens after you’ve progressed a bit into the game. If you arrive and the Crazy Cap shop is just a small robot sitting on a rug, don't panic. Just keep playing. It’ll open up once you've secured the first "Multi-Moon" from the boss.
Pro-Tips for Frustrated Hunters
If you’re stuck at 47/50, check these three specific spots. They are the "Top 3" most missed locations according to community data from sites like Speedrun.com and various Nintendo forums:
- Under the "Hidden" Ledge: Near the area with the shifting stone pillars, there is a ledge you can drop down onto that is completely invisible from the top. You have to rotate your camera 180 degrees and look down the cliffside.
- Behind the Waterfall: Yes, it’s a cliché. But there are coins tucked behind the massive sheet of falling water. You have to capture a Cheep Cheep (the fish) later in the game or just swim very carefully to reach them.
- The High Pillars: Near the Odyssey, there are several high stone pillars. You might think you can’t get up there, but a well-timed triple jump followed by a Cappy toss and dive will get you the height you need.
Practical Steps to Finishing Your Collection
Stop running around aimlessly. If you are missing coins, follow this specific flow to save yourself twenty minutes of backtracking.
First, go to the Top of the Peak flag. Work your way downward. It is significantly easier to spot purple glints from a high vantage point than it is while you are staring up at a bright sky. Use the binoculars (the mechanical bird you can capture) located near the boss arena. Zoom in and scan the lower ledges. The purple glow of the coins is actually rendered from quite a distance, so the binoculars are a legitimate tool, not just a gimmick.
Second, check the 2D murals again. Seriously. Run through them one more time. It is the easiest place to overlook a coin because the camera is locked.
Third, if you have the Bowser Amiibo, use it. Scanning the Bowser Amiibo in Super Mario Odyssey shows you the locations of regional coins on your map. It’s not "cheating" if the developers put it in the game, right? It’ll place a small purple icon on your UI, leading you directly to your missing loot.
Once you have all 50, head to the Crazy Cap shop. Buy the Caveman gear first. It’s the most "Cascade" thing you can own. Then, grab the stickers. Your Odyssey will look much better with a giant prehistoric fish plastered on the side.
The Cascade Kingdom purple coins are a test of your observation. They aren't about mechanical skill or complex boss fights. They are about looking where the developers didn't want you to look. Happy hunting.