You’re sweating. Your thumbs are cramping. You've just watched Mario plummet into a bottomless pit for the fifth time because a moving platform decided to betray you. Honestly, Slide Lift Tower is one of those levels in New Super Mario Bros. U (and the Deluxe version on Switch) that feels like a personal insult from the level designers. It’s vertical, it’s fast-paced, and if you’re trying to grab all three Star Coins, it’s a total nightmare.
Most players just want to get to the top and kick Boom Boom in the face. But you? You want that 100% completion. You want the shiny stuff. Getting the Slide Lift Tower Star Coins isn't just about platforming skill; it’s about knowing exactly where the game is trying to trick you. If you blink, you’ll miss the first one, and if you're too slow, the rising lava or the scrolling screen will eat you alive.
It’s tricky. Seriously.
The First Star Coin: Timing or Death
Right out of the gate, the game tests your patience. You’ll see the first Star Coin pretty early on, tucked away on the right side of the screen. It’s sitting there, mocking you, behind a set of sliding platforms—those titular slide lifts.
Here is the thing: most people rush. They see the gold and they jump. Don't do that. You need to wait for the slide lifts to retract or extend in a way that creates a clear path. Usually, this involves a quick wall jump or a very precise flutter if you’re playing as Toadette (Peachette). If you’re playing the original Wii U version, you don't have the Peachette safety net, so your momentum has to be perfect.
I’ve seen people try to "cheese" this by taking a hit and using the invincibility frames to run through, but honestly, that’s a waste of a power-up. Just watch the rhythm of the blocks. They move in a set pattern. One-two, slide. One-two, slide. Grab it and get back to the center immediately because the screen isn't waiting for you.
Why the Second Coin is a Secret (Literally)
The second of the Slide Lift Tower Star Coins is the one that ruins "no-guide" runs. It is not out in the open. It’s hidden in a fake wall, which is a classic Nintendo move that still feels cheap even thirty years into the franchise.
As you ascend the tower, you’ll reach a point where there are pipes and more sliding blocks. Look at the right wall. There’s a section that looks just a little bit too solid, or maybe just a bit too suspicious. You have to jump into the wall to reveal a hidden alcove. Inside, the second Star Coin is waiting.
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- Pro Tip: If you have the Ice Flower, use it on the nearby Dry Bones.
- It makes the platforming much easier when you aren't dodging bones while trying to find a secret door.
- Also, keep an eye on the lava. In some versions of this vertical climb, the "scrolling" is your biggest enemy, but in the Tower levels, it's often the pressure of the rising screen that makes you miss the visual cue for the hidden path.
Actually, the hardest part isn't finding the hole in the wall. It's getting back out. Since the platforms are constantly shifting, you can easily get crushed against the "real" ceiling if you linger in the secret area too long. Grab it. Move. Now.
The Final Stretch: High Altitude Stress
The third coin is the grand finale. It’s located near the top of the tower, just before you hit the boss door. You’ll see it floating in the air, usually guarded by more sliding lifts and likely a few well-placed enemies.
This one requires a leap of faith. Or, more accurately, a very calculated wall jump. You have to bounce off the sliding blocks as they extend. If you jump too early, you hit the side and fall. If you jump too late, the block retracts and you fall. It’s all about the apex of your jump.
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Most expert runners suggest keeping the Super Acorn (Flying Squirrel suit) for this specific moment. Having that extra glide makes the horizontal distance much easier to manage. If you’re small Mario? Good luck. You’ll need pixel-perfect positioning.
Technical Nuances of the Slide Lift Mechanics
The physics of the slide lifts are actually pretty interesting if you're a nerd about game engine mechanics. They don't just move; they carry momentum. If you jump as the block is extending outward, you get a slight boost to your lateral velocity.
This is crucial for the third coin.
If you're struggling, try to time your dash so you're at full speed before you even hit the lift. The game calculates your jump arc based on the platform's movement. It’s why sometimes you feel like you’re flying and other times you feel like you’re jumping through molasses.
Common Mistakes People Make in Slide Lift Tower
- Ignoring the Dry Bones: You think you can just dodge them. You can't. Their hitboxes are deceptive, and getting knocked back usually means falling into a pit or getting crushed.
- Panic Jumping: When the screen moves, people panic. They jump before the slide lift is fully out.
- Forgetting the Midpoint: There is a midway point. If you grab two coins and die before the checkpoint, you have to get them again. If you get them after the checkpoint and die, you keep them. Plan your "suicide runs" accordingly.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
To actually clear this with all coins in one go, stop playing aggressively.
First, enter the level with a power-up. An Ice Flower or a Penguin Suit is ideal because freezing enemies creates makeshift platforms. Second, stay in the middle of the screen. Being too high or too low limits your reaction time when the Star Coins appear.
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Third, and this is the big one: use the sound cues. The sliding blocks make a specific mechanical "thud" right before they move. Use that audio cue to time your jumps instead of just relying on your eyes.
Go into the options, turn up the SFX, and listen. You'll find the rhythm of the Slide Lift Tower Star Coins much faster that way. Once you grab the third one, don't celebrate yet. You still have to deal with Boom Boom, and nothing is more embarrassing than losing your Star Coins because you got cocky at the boss. Focus. Jump on his head three times. Then you're done.