Ever get that feeling where you've spent three hours platforming across skyscrapers, dodging robotic caterpillars, and collecting hundreds of purple coins, only to get stuck on something as simple as a piece of street furniture?
Welcome to Metro Kingdom Moon 26.
In the neon-soaked, jazz-infused world of New Donk City, there are 81 Power Moons to track down. Some require the reflexes of a caffeinated ninja. Others require you to literally jump rope a hundred times without tripping. But Moon 26, officially titled "Bench Friends," is a weirdly quiet, almost existential breather in a game that usually moves at 100 miles per hour.
You’d think it would be easy. I mean, it’s just a bench. But for a lot of players, this is the one that stays grayed out on the list for way too long because they’re looking for a challenge instead of just... sitting.
Where is the Bench Friends Moon exactly?
Finding the actual location isn't too bad if you know where the city's "quiet zones" are. Basically, you want to head to the Main Street area. If you’re at the Odyssey, just head into the city and look for the street that has the Crazy Cap shop on it.
Most people zip right past this. You're looking for a New Donker—those tall, realistic-looking humans in suits who make Mario look like a confused potato—sitting alone on a park bench.
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- The Spot: It’s on the east side of the city.
- The Landmark: Look for the Rooftop Garden or the area near the Outdoor Cafe.
- The Vibe: There's a guy in a grey suit looking out at the city. He looks like he’s had a long week at the office.
Honestly, the hardest part is resisting the urge to triple-jump over him. Just walk up to the bench. There’s an empty spot right next to him.
How to actually trigger Metro Kingdom Moon 26
Here is where the "AI" brain of a gamer usually fails. We want to hit things. We want to throw Cappy at things. We want to ground pound the sidewalk until something sparkles.
Don't do any of that.
To get Metro Kingdom Moon 26, you just have to sit. Jump onto the bench next to the man. Don't touch the analog stick. Mario will do his little "sitting" animation. Then, you wait. It’s only a few seconds, but in "Mario time," it feels like an eternity.
The man will eventually acknowledge you. He says something like, "Boy, I tell ya. This city." It’s such a human moment. Two strangers, one a plumber in a wedding suit (if you’re dressed for the occasion) and the other a 9-to-5 office worker, just sharing a quiet moment of urban reflection. After the short dialogue, he’ll hand over the Power Moon.
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Why people get confused by Moon 26
So, why does this moon show up in search results so often? Why are people constantly googling "how to get Metro Kingdom Moon 26"?
Well, there’s actually a bit of a mix-up in the community. Depending on which guide you’re looking at or which version of the game's checklist you're following, some people confuse "Moon 26" with the Secret Path to New Donk City.
In Super Mario Odyssey, there are these "Portrait" moons. These are the ones where you jump into a painting in one kingdom and get spat out on a high, isolated ledge in another. If you went to the Wooded Kingdom before the Lake Kingdom (or vice versa), the numbering of your moons can feel "off" compared to your friends' lists.
But for the standard Metro Kingdom list, #26 is always our lonely bench friend.
If you are actually looking for the secret painting entrance that leads to the Metro Kingdom, that’s a whole different beast. Usually, that painting is found in the Sand Kingdom (behind a stone pillar near the Tostarena ruins) or the Luncheon Kingdom. But if you just want to sit on a bench, stay in New Donk.
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The "Bench Friends" glitch? (Not really)
I've seen some forums where people swear the moon won't spawn. Usually, it's because they aren't sitting right.
- You can't just stand on the bench.
- You can't keep moving the camera around like a maniac.
- You have to let the idle animation take over.
If you're still not getting it, try talking to him first, then jumping up. Sometimes the game needs that "interaction" flag to trigger before it realizes you're trying to be social.
Actionable steps to clear this off your list
If you’re staring at a gap in your Power Moon collection, here is the fastest way to fix it:
- Warp to the Main Street Entrance flag. It’s the easiest starting point.
- Run past the Crazy Cap shop and keep an eye on the right-hand side of the street.
- Look for the guy in the suit. He’s sitting on a plain brown bench, usually near some planters.
- Hop up and wait. Let go of the controller. Seriously.
- Collect the moon and then go back to jumping off buildings, because let's be real, that's what we're all here for.
Once you've grabbed this one, you're usually in a good spot to grab Moon 27 (the Crazy Cap shop moon) since you're already right there. Knocking them out in order makes the end-game grind feel way less like a chore.
Go find that guy. He looks like he needs the company.
Check your map for any other missed moons in the C2 quadrant while you're in the neighborhood, as there are a few hidden in the nearby alleys that are easy to grab once you're on foot.