You're running around the Steam Gardens, looking at those massive iron structures and red flowers, and you realize your moon count is stuck. It happens to everyone. Specifically, Wooded Kingdom Moon 31 is one of those Power Moons in Super Mario Odyssey that feels like it should be obvious, but it’s tucked away in a spot that most players sprint right past while they’re chasing after the Broodals or trying to scale the Secret Flower Field.
It’s called "Nut in the Iron-Heart: Entrance," and honestly, the name is a bit of a giveaway if you know the geography of the Wooded Kingdom. But if you don't? You’ll be circling the Iron Mountain Path for an hour getting nowhere.
Most people get frustrated because the Wooded Kingdom is vertical. It’s dense. There are layers upon layers of walkways and rusted metal beams, and Moon 31 is hidden in a literal crack in the foundation. It’s not about platforming skill or beating a difficult boss; it’s about having a sharp eye for a specific, glowing nut embedded in a wall.
Where Exactly is Wooded Kingdom Moon 31?
To find it, you need to head toward the Iron Mountain Path: Entrance Crazy Cap checkpoint. If you haven't unlocked that yet, just head toward the large mountain structure in the center of the map. You’re looking for the path that leads up toward the top of the kingdom where the giant mechanical "heart" of the forest resides.
Stop at the entrance to the ramp system. Don't go up the main path yet. Instead, look at the metal walls surrounding the base of the structure. There’s a specific spot near the start of the incline where the iron plating looks a little... off.
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The "Nut" Mechanic
In the Wooded Kingdom, "nuts" are these large, metallic pods that Mario can break open by hitting them with Cappy or by kicking them. Usually, they’re sitting on the ground or on top of a crate. For Wooded Kingdom Moon 31, the developers decided to be a bit more creative. They stuck it inside a niche in the iron wall.
Walk along the right-side wall as you approach the ramp. You’ll see a small alcove or a recessed section in the metal. Inside that little nook sits the nut. It’s not moving. It’s just vibrating slightly with that golden glow we all recognize.
How to Crack it Open
Once you’ve spotted it, the process is simple, but the camera can be a pain. Since it’s tucked into a wall, a standard Cappy throw might clunk against the exterior iron if you aren't lined up right.
- Stand directly in front of the alcove.
- Flick your Joy-Con or press Y to toss Cappy straight into the nut.
- One hit is all it takes.
The nut shatters, and the Power Moon pops out. It’s an easy grab, but the "Entrance" part of the name is what trips people up—they keep looking at the actual doors to the interior buildings instead of the start of the mountain path.
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Why This Specific Moon Matters for Completionists
If you're trying to hit that 100% mark, the Wooded Kingdom is one of the more taxing areas. It has 76 standard moons (and more once you hit the Moon Rock). Moon 31 is part of the "base" set, meaning it's required if you want to unlock certain outfits or just see that counter hit its first major milestone for the region.
I've seen plenty of forum posts on sites like Reddit or GameFAQs where players are at 75/76 and this is the one they missed. It's because it’s a "passive" moon. You aren't rewarded for a challenge; you're rewarded for poking your nose into a corner.
Common Mistakes Near the Iron-Heart
People often confuse "Iron-Heart: Entrance" with the "Secret Flower Field" or the "Iron Mountain Path: Station."
- Looking too high: Some players spend ages climbing the beanstalks or using the Uproot capture to look under the high ceilings. Moon 31 is low. It’s practically at ground level relative to the mountain’s base.
- Overthinking the "Iron-Heart": The Iron-Heart is the massive structure, but the "entrance" refers to the literal beginning of the metal walkway system, not the door at the very top.
- Missing the glow: If you're playing in handheld mode on an original Switch (not the OLED), the contrast in the Wooded Kingdom can be a bit muddy. The rusted browns and reds of the walls can swallow up the yellow glow of the nut if your brightness isn't up.
The Nuance of Wooded Kingdom's Design
Nintendo's level designers, led by Kenta Motokura for Odyssey, used the Wooded Kingdom to teach players about "peripheral scanning." In the Cap Kingdom, everything is black and white, so moons stand out. In the Sand Kingdom, the desert is vast and flat. But the Wooded Kingdom is cluttered.
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Wooded Kingdom Moon 31 is a test of whether you're actually looking at the environment or just following the coins. The coins lead you up the ramp. The moon is three feet to the right of the path, hidden in shadow. It’s a classic "distraction" layout. You see the path, your brain says "go that way," and you miss the prize hiding in the periphery.
Is There a Shortcut?
Not really. You can’t "glitch" through the wall to get it, and there’s no way to trigger the moon from a distance without physical contact (or Cappy contact). However, if you're speedrunning or just in a rush, you can grab this moon while heading toward the "Path to the Secret Flower Field" moon. It adds maybe four seconds to your route.
Just remember: Iron Mountain Path: Entrance checkpoint. Turn around, look at the wall on the right, and smash the nut.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
If you're currently staring at your screen wondering where that last 1% went, here is exactly what to do:
- Warp to the Iron Mountain Path: Entrance. * Ignore the Uproots. Don't bother capturing one; you don't need the height for this specific moon, and their slow movement just makes the search more tedious.
- Hug the right wall. As you face the ramp going up, walk along the metallic base.
- Look for the indent. It’s a small square hole in the ironwork.
- Check your Moon List. In the map menu, make sure Moon 31 is actually the one you’re missing. If 31 is checked but 32 is missing, you're looking for the "Nut in the Iron-Heart: Exit," which is a completely different (and much higher) location.
Once you grab this, you're one step closer to the Dark Side of the Moon—literally. The Wooded Kingdom is a grind, but knocking out these environmental "nut" moons early makes the post-game cleanup much less of a headache. Grab the moon, hit the checkpoint, and keep moving toward the summit.