So, you’ve basically mastered the 15 main worlds. You’ve outrun Koopa the Quick, bullied the Big Bully, and probably fallen off Rainbow Ride more times than you’d like to admit. But then you look at your star counter and realize it’s not adding up. You’re missing something. That’s because Princess Peach’s castle is a bit of a maze, hiding exactly 15 "Secret Stars" that don’t belong to any specific painting.
Honestly, some of these are legendary. Others are just kind of annoying if you don't know where to look. We aren’t talking about the 100-coin stars inside the levels here—those are part of the standard 105. We’re talking about the Mario 64 secret stars that exist in the hallways, the basement, and the literal sky.
Let's break down where these things are actually hiding.
The Stars Hiding in Plain Sight (Toads and Rabbits)
You’ve probably sprinted past these a dozen times. Nintendo decided to reward you just for being a completionist by sticking stars in the pockets of the mushroom people.
The Three Generous Toads
There are three specific Toads who will just hand you a star if you talk to them, but only after you’ve hit certain milestones. They don’t even ask for anything.
- The Basement Toad: Right near the entrance to Hazy Maze Cave. He shows up once you’ve got about 12 stars.
- The Second Floor Toad: Standing near the entrance to Tall, Tall Mountain. You’ll need 25 stars for this one to trigger.
- The Top Floor Toad: Hanging out near the Tick Tock Clock entrance. He won't give it up until you have 35 stars.
MIPS: The Most Famous Rabbit in Gaming
Then there’s MIPS. That little yellow rabbit in the basement. He’s named after the MIPS architecture of the N64, which is a neat bit of trivia, but catching him is a test of patience.
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He appears twice. The first time is when you hit 15 stars. You have to dive (Press B while running) to grab him. It’s janky. You’ll miss. You’ll get frustrated. Just keep at it. Once you hit 50 stars, he spawns again in the same basement area for a second star.
Mario 64 Secret Stars: The Hidden Courses
If you thought the paintings were the only way to enter levels, you've missed the best parts of the game. Some of the most iconic Mario 64 secret stars are tucked away in mini-levels that require some platforming finesse.
The Princess’s Secret Slide
This is usually the first one people find. Go to the room with the 1-star door on the mezzanine. Jump into the stained-glass window of Peach on the right.
- Star #1: Just make it to the end and hit the yellow block.
- Star #2: This is the kicker. You have to finish the slide in under 21 seconds.
Tip: Don’t just hold forward the whole time. You actually need to pull back slightly on the joystick to take the sharp corners without slamming into the wall, which kills your momentum.
The Secret Aquarium
Across from the Jolly Roger Bay painting, there’s a small hole high up in the wall. You have to jump in there to find a literal aquarium. You’ll need to collect all 8 red coins while holding your breath. It’s not hard, just a bit claustrophobic.
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Tower of the Wing Cap
Once you get 10 stars, a light shines on the castle floor. Look up, and you’re transported to the sky. While you’re there to hit the big red switch to activate the Wing Caps globally, there are 8 red coins floating in the sky. If you grab them all, a star appears on the center tower.
Vanish Cap Under the Moat
You have to drain the castle moat first by ground-pounding two pillars in the basement. Once the water is gone, head outside and look for a hole in the ground. This level is all about the Vanish Cap. Collect 8 red coins (most are on the elevator platforms or behind the cage you need to phase through) to get the star.
Cavern of the Metal Cap
Inside Hazy Maze Cave, ride Dorrie (the blue dinosaur) to the double doors. Behind them is the Metal Cap area. Like the others, grab 8 red coins while being a heavy metal Mario to snag the star.
The Bowser Level Red Coins
Most people forget that the three Bowser gauntlets actually have stars in them. They aren't just for getting the key.
- Bowser in the Dark World: 8 red coins. Watch out for the crystal area; the hitbox there is weird.
- Bowser in the Fire Sea: This is in the basement. The coins are scattered across tilting platforms and poles. It’s arguably the hardest of the three.
- Bowser in the Sky: The final climb. There’s a red coin hidden under the stairs at the very end. Most people miss that one because they’re too focused on the green pipe.
Why Does "Wing Mario Over the Rainbow" Exist?
Seriously, this level is a nightmare. It’s located on the top floor of the castle, in a small hole opposite the Tick Tock Clock room. There are no walls. No safety net. Just clouds and a Wing Cap.
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You have to collect 8 red coins by flying between clouds and using cannons. If you miss a landing, you don't die—you fall out of the sky and land in the castle moat outside. Then you have to run all the way back up to the third floor. It’s a massive time sink.
Pro Tip: Talk to the Pink Bob-omb on the starting cloud immediately. Without the cannons, this star is basically impossible for a casual player.
The Final Count
If you've followed this, you should have all 15.
- 2 from the Slide
- 1 from the Aquarium
- 2 from MIPS
- 3 from Toads
- 3 from the Cap Switches (Wing, Metal, Vanish)
- 3 from the Bowser Levels
- 1 from the Rainbow Clouds
Basically, if you’re stuck at 119 stars, it’s almost always either the 100-coin star in Tiny-Huge Island or that second MIPS rabbit.
To finish your collection, go check the basement for that rabbit first. If he's not there, head to the third floor and talk to the Toad near the clock. Those are the two most common "missing" stars that keep people from seeing Yoshi on the roof.
Once you’ve grabbed all 15 of these, you’re officially a master of the castle’s layout. Now, go find those remaining 100-coin stars and get that 120-star ending. You've earned it.
Next Steps for Your 100% Run:
- Check your pause menu to see which main stages are missing the "100 Coin" star.
- Head to the castle basement and ensure you've caught MIPS twice (once at 15 stars, once at 50).
- Re-visit the Princess’s Secret Slide to verify you actually have both stars (the finish line block AND the speedrun star).