You've probably spent hours scouring Tostarena. It’s huge. Between the rolling dunes, the Jaxi rides, and that massive hole in the ground where the Inverted Pyramid used to sit, the Sand Kingdom is a lot to take in. Most players breeze through the main story, grab a few easy Moons, and head for the Lake or Wooded Kingdoms. But if you’re a completionist, you eventually hit a wall. Specifically, you hit a wall when you look at your list and see a gap where Sand Kingdom Moon 63 should be.
It’s called "Found with Sand Kingdom Art."
Honestly, it’s one of those Moons that drives people crazy because it isn't even in the Sand Kingdom. That’s the trick. You can spend all day Ground Pounding every suspicious patch of dirt in the desert and you won't find a thing. Super Mario Odyssey loves to do this to you. It gives you a Hint Art, expects you to memorize a visual puzzle, and then travel halfway across the globe to actually claim your prize.
Where is the Hint Art for Sand Kingdom Moon 63?
First things first. You can't just go to the location and dig. Well, technically you can, but it helps to know what you’re looking at. The Hint Art for this specific Power Moon is located on the back of one of the stone pillars near the Tostarena Northwest Reaches.
It’s a simple image. You’ll see a depiction of Bowser’s Kingdom. Specifically, it shows a souvenir shop (the Crazy Cap) and a very specific stone tile layout. The art has an arrow pointing to a spot right in front of the shop.
If you haven’t found the art yet, don't sweat it. Just head to the northern part of the desert, past the ruins. Look for the pillars near the edge of the map. Once you interact with the art, Mario will do his little "Aha!" animation, and the Hint Art will be saved to your in-game album. This is crucial because you'll want to reference it later when you’re standing in the middle of a literal fortress of doom.
Finding the Secret Path in Bowser's Kingdom
Okay, so the art points to Bowser's Kingdom. Pack your bags. We’re leaving the heat of the desert for the neon-soaked, feudal Japanese aesthetics of Bowser's domain.
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When you land the Odyssey, you need to warp. Go to the Souvenirs Shop checkpoint. It’s right there in the Third Courtyard. This is where most people get tripped up. They see the "Sand Kingdom Moon 63" label and assume the Moon is in the Sand Kingdom. Nope. The game tracks Moons based on where you find the clue, not where you find the object. It’s a bit of a weird organizational choice by Nintendo, but hey, it keeps us on our toes.
Walk toward the Crazy Cap shop. Look at the ground.
See those stone tiles?
They aren't just random decorations. They match the Hint Art perfectly. You’re looking for a specific spot where the tiles form a pattern. In the art, there’s a line of tiles that looks like it’s leading away from the shop. You need to count the tiles. It’s exactly six tiles away from the shop’s entrance, specifically aligned with the third stone pillar.
Go to that spot. Stop.
Now, do a Ground Pound.
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If you timed it right and stood on the exact pixel, a glowing Power Moon will burst out of the rock. Congratulations. You just cleared Moon 63. It feels good, doesn't it? That little "jingle" never gets old, even after 500 Moons.
Why Hint Art Moons Are the Best (and Worst) Part of Odyssey
Nintendo’s design philosophy with Odyssey was all about "The Journey." They didn't want you to just stay in one zone until it was 100% clear. They wanted to force you to revisit old haunts with fresh eyes. Sand Kingdom Moon 63 is the perfect example of this.
It forces a perspective shift.
You’re looking at Bowser’s Kingdom, but you’re thinking about the Sand Kingdom. It bridges the gap between the different worlds. Some people find it annoying. I get that. Fast traveling between kingdoms just to Ground Pound one piece of floor feels like a chore if you're in a rush. But if you're taking your time, it’s a brilliant way to make the world feel interconnected.
There are several of these "Found with Art" Moons scattered throughout the game. Some are way harder than Moon 63. There's one in the Wooded Kingdom that sends you to the Luncheon Kingdom, and the visual clues are way more cryptic than a simple shop front.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't Ground Pound the wrong tile. The pattern is specific. If you're off by even a few inches, nothing happens. If the Moon doesn't pop, move slightly to the left or right and try again.
- Don't forget to look at the art first. While you can sometimes trigger these Moons without looking at the art, it’s much more reliable if you’ve actually "activated" the hint in the Sand Kingdom.
- Don't confuse the Crazy Cap shops. Bowser's Kingdom has a very distinct shop. Make sure you are at the main one in the Third Courtyard, not a random NPC standing somewhere else.
The Technical Side of Moon Hunting
If you’re struggling with the exact positioning, use your camera. Switch to the overhead view. This makes it much easier to line Mario up with the rows of tiles. The Hint Art shows a grid. If you treat the ground like a chessboard, you can pinpoint the exact "square" you need to hit.
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Also, keep in mind that these Moons don't appear on the map with a "X" marks the spot. Talk to Talkatoo (the bird) or Uncle amiibo if you really get stuck, but they usually just give you the name of the Moon, which—in this case—is just a hint to look at the art again.
Expanding Your Collection
Once you’ve grabbed Sand Kingdom Moon 63, you’re one step closer to the ultimate goal: 999 Moons.
Is it worth it?
Well, it unlocks the harder version of the Bowser fight and that final, brutal level: The Darker Side of the Moon. If you can handle the Hint Art puzzles, you’re developing the kind of observation skills you'll need for the platforming challenges ahead. The Sand Kingdom alone has 89 Moons (once you break the Moon Rock). Moon 63 is just one piece of a very large, sandy puzzle.
Go back to Tostarena after you get this one. There's likely more you missed. Did you get the one hidden in the cactus? Or the one where you have to lead a Goomba across a freezing swamp? The desert is deeper than it looks.
Actionable Next Steps for Completionists
To finish your Sand Kingdom checklist effectively, follow these steps:
- Open your map and check the list. If Moon 63 is still missing, warp to the Northwest Reaches in Sand Kingdom to view the art first.
- Travel to Bowser's Kingdom. Use the Odyssey and select the Third Courtyard/Souvenirs Shop warp point.
- Align with the third pillar. Count six tiles out from the shop and Ground Pound the specific intersection shown in your captures.
- Check for other Hint Art. While you're in the Sand Kingdom, look for the other art piece near the Odyssey that points toward the Dark Side of the Moon.
- Complete the Moon Rock. If you haven't smashed the glowing silver rock yet, you won't be able to access the "extra" Moons that appear in the post-game, so prioritize finishing the main story first.