Ever stared at a green block in Hazy Maze Cave and wondered why on earth Nintendo chose that specific name? Metal-Head Mario Can Move! It sounds like a mistranslation or a weirdly aggressive demand from a developer who’d had too much caffeine. But if you grew up with a Nintendo 64 controller glued to your hands, you know this isn't just a quirky sentence. It's the title of the third mission in one of the most iconic levels of Super Mario 64.
People search for this phrase constantly because, honestly, the physics of being a 500-pound silver plumber are kinda weird.
Why the name is so weird
First off, let's address the elephant in the room. The mission title literally uses the phrase "Metal-Head Mario." In almost every other context—Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, or even the newer Mario Odyssey—he’s just called Metal Mario. The "Head" part is an anomaly.
It’s one of those 1996 quirks. Back then, localization was a bit of a Wild West. You've got a giant metal man who needs to walk underwater to hit a switch, and the game just wants to make sure you know that, yes, he can actually move despite looking like a literal statue.
The actual mechanics of the metal cap
When you grab that metallic hat, Mario doesn't just change color. The game's engine completely rewrites how he interacts with the world. You’ve probably noticed he sinks like a stone. That’s because the "Metal Mario" state sets his buoyancy to a negative value.
In the Hazy Maze Cave mission, metal head mario can move across the floor of the underground lake where Dorrie hangs out. If you try to reach that purple switch without the cap, you’ll just bob around on the surface like a cork. You need the weight to stay grounded.
📖 Related: Opposite of Rough NYT Mini: Why This Clue Always Trips People Up
- Invincibility: Most enemies just go "poof" if you touch them.
- Airless Breathing: You don't have to worry about the oxygen meter. Metal Mario doesn't need to breathe.
- Weight: He can walk against strong currents and heavy winds that would normally push regular Mario back.
- Speed: Here’s the kicker—he doesn’t actually run slower on land. His horizontal speed remains the same, which is physically impossible but great for gameplay.
How to beat the mission (The right way)
To actually finish "Metal-Head Mario Can Move," you have to be fast. The cap only lasts for about 20 seconds.
- Head to the Underground Lake. It's the area with the big blue dinosaur, Dorrie.
- Find the green ! Block near the entrance of the cavern.
- Punch it, grab the cap, and sprint toward the water.
- Don't jump into the deep end immediately; follow the path into the shallow water and walk toward the large purple switch on the floor.
Once you hit that switch, a massive gate opens. You have to navigate through the door before the metal wears off, or you'll be stuck swimming against a current that won't let you back in. Inside, you’ll find a series of platforms and two long jumps that stand between you and the Power Star.
Common misconceptions and glitches
A lot of people think you must have the metal cap to get this star. Technically? You don't. Speedrunners and high-level players have found ways to bypass the metal cap entirely. You can actually use a precise "Side Somersault" into a ground pound or a perfectly timed triple jump to hit that underwater switch without being metal.
It’s incredibly hard.
🔗 Read more: How Old is Phil Hellmuth? The "Poker Brat" at 61
Most of us should probably just stick to the green block.
Another thing: Metal Mario isn't a separate character in Super Mario 64. He’s a state. It wasn't until Super Smash Bros. on the N64 that Nintendo decided to treat him as a unique boss entity. That's where the legend of his "stiff" movement started. In Smash, he doesn't dash; he only walks. He’s a tank. But in his home game, he’s still got those acrobatic Mario legs.
The DS Version: A different story
If you’re playing the Super Mario 64 DS remake, things change. Mario can’t even use the Metal Cap. Instead, that ability is given to Wario. The mission is even renamed to "Metal-Head Wario Can Move."
Wario is already the "heavy" character, so making him metal turns him into a literal wrecking ball. He can break certain black blocks that Mario can't even scratch. It adds a layer of character-switching strategy that the original didn't have, though many purists still prefer the snappiness of the 1996 N64 controls.
👉 See also: Nihilanth: Why the Half Life End Boss Is Still a Total Nightmare
Actionable Steps for Completion
If you're stuck on this star right now, here is the most efficient path:
- Unlock the Metal Cap first: You can't even see the green blocks until you've visited the "Cavern of the Metal Cap" hidden behind the waterfall in Hazy Maze Cave.
- Master the Long Jump: The final room after the underwater switch requires two consecutive long jumps ($Z + A$ while running). If you miss, you fall into the abyss and have to start the whole level over.
- Watch the Timer: When the music starts to speed up and Mario begins to flicker, you have about three seconds left. If you aren't through the gate by then, you're toast.
The beauty of the "Metal-Head Mario Can Move" mission is that it teaches you how to layer mechanics. It’s not just about jumping; it’s about timing, weight, and environmental awareness. Once you get the star, you’ve basically mastered the movement of the most heavy-duty version of everyone's favorite plumber.