Frosted Glacier-5, better known as Icicle Caverns, is one of those levels that looks way easier than it actually is. You’ve got the slippery physics. You’ve got the Ice Bros chucking projectiles. And then you have the massive icicles that are basically waiting for any excuse to crush you into a Mario-pancake. If you’re hunting for the Icicle Caverns star coins, you’re probably finding out that timing is everything. It’s not just about seeing the coins; it’s about having the guts to run under a several-ton spike of ice before it seals you off forever.
Honestly, it's kinda stressful.
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Most people miss these because they play it safe. They wait for the icicles to fall. By then? The path is blocked. You’re stuck on the wrong side of a wall, looking at a shiny gold coin you can't touch. I’ve spent way too much time in this level, and I can tell you right now: speed is your best friend here. If you hesitate for even a second, you’re basically signing up for a level restart.
The Secret to the First Icicle Caverns Star Coin
Right at the start, you’re going to see a pair of platforms that raise and lower. Classic Mario stuff. But keep your eyes on the ceiling. You’ll see a massive, "Huge Icicle" hanging right in front of a wall that looks just a little too suspicious.
Here is the trick.
Do not wait. If you wait for that icicle to drop so you can "be safe," you’ve already lost the coin. The icicle acts as a permanent door once it hits the ground. You need to dash under it while it’s still hanging or just as it starts to shake. Run straight into the right-hand wall. It’s a fake tile set—a hidden alcove. Inside, you’ll find the first of the Icicle Caverns star coins just sitting there. Grab it and get out before you get claustrophobic.
Getting Vertical for the Second Coin
The second coin is the one that usually trips people up because it involves an Ice Bro. These guys are annoying. They throw ice balls that freeze you solid, leaving you vulnerable to everything else in the cavern.
Shortly after you hit the midway checkpoint, you’ll see an Ice Bro perched on some bricks. Directly above him is a green pipe on the ceiling.
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- You have to use the Ice Bro as a spring.
- Wait for him to stop throwing for a split second.
- Bounce off his head to get enough height to reach that pipe.
- If you kill him too early, you're basically stuck unless you have a Super Acorn.
Once you’re in that sub-area, it’s a bit of a mini-puzzle. There are giant icicles here too. The coin is tucked away, and you have to trigger the icicles to fall so you can actually use them as platforms. It’s a "trigger and move" situation. Don't stand under the shadows. Once they land, hop across them like stepping stones to snag the coin.
The Final Dash: Coin Number Three
The third coin is all about momentum. Near the end of the level, the game tries to scare you with a series of falling spikes. It’s a gauntlet. You’ll see two green pipes at the very end.
The first pipe is the easy one. It takes you to the exit. But the second pipe—the one further to the right—is the one you actually want.
To reach it, you have to outrun a massive falling icicle. If you’re too slow, the icicle blocks the entrance to the second pipe entirely. If you have a Penguin Suit or a Super Acorn, this is a breeze. If you’re "Small Mario," you better have your running shoes on. Enter that second pipe, and it’ll spit you out in a high area outside near the Goal Pole where the last of the Icicle Caverns star coins is waiting.
Pro Tips for Not Dying
If you're struggling, stop trying to do it as base Mario.
The Super Acorn (Flying Squirrel Suit) is basically a cheat code for this level. It allows you to recover if you miss a jump off an Ice Bro, and you can glide over the gaps that usually eat your lives.
Also, keep in mind that New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (and the original Wii U version) has different physics than the older games. You slide further on the ice than you think you will. Light taps on the d-pad are better than holding a direction.
Realities of the Grind
Let's be real: you might not get all three in one go. And that’s fine. The game saves whichever ones you’ve collected even if you don’t get all three in a single run, as long as you finish the level.
- Grab the first coin and the checkpoint.
- If you die after the second, you don't have to go back for the first.
- Just focus on the one you're missing.
Completing the Icicle Caverns star coins set is mandatory if you want to unlock the secret levels in Superstar Road later on. Specifically, you need every star coin in World 4 to open up the corresponding challenge level. It's a grind, but the satisfaction of seeing that "3/3" on the map screen makes the slippery madness worth it.
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To make your next run easier, go back to World 1-1 and grab a Super Acorn. Having that extra glide and the "air jump" (ZR) makes the timing for the second and third coins significantly more forgiving. Once you have that, head back into the frost and claim your prize.