You've probably been there. You are halfway up a vertical shaft in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the music is pumping, and suddenly you see it—a purple glow tucked behind a wall that looks totally inaccessible. If you are playing the Sunbaked Desert world, specifically the level Screwtop Tower, those Star Coins (officially known as 10-flower coins) can be a real pain.
It's a vertical climb. Everything moves. Honestly, if you miss your jump or the screen scrolls too fast, you're basically out of luck until you restart the stage. Most players breeze through the tower just trying to stay alive, but if you're aiming for that 100% completion badge, you need all three.
Getting them isn't just about jumping. It's about understanding how the "screw" mechanic actually works. You see those handles? The ones you have to spin? They aren't just for progression. They are the key to the secrets.
Finding the First Screwtop Tower Star Coin
The first one is usually the "gimme," but in Screwtop Tower, even the easy one requires a bit of timing. As you start your ascent, you’ll encounter the main gimmick of the level: the screw platforms. You jump on them, you spin, the platform rises. Simple, right?
Well, look to your left early on.
You’ll spot the first 10-flower coin floating in a small alcove. The trick here isn't just reaching it; it's making sure you don't get crushed by the rising platforms or knocked off by a stray enemy. If you're using the Elephant Power-up—which, let's be real, everyone does because hitting things with a trunk is satisfying—your hitbox is a bit wider. Be careful. Just wall-jump off the left side, grab the coin, and get back to the center before the screen leaves you behind.
Wait.
Did you notice the rhythm of the spinning? If you jump as you finish a spin, you get a slight height boost. It’s a tiny detail, but it makes these vertical stages way less stressful.
The Second Coin: Don't Trust the Ceiling
This is where people usually mess up. The second Star Coin in Screwtop Tower is hidden behind a breakable barrier.
As you keep climbing, you’ll see a section with a few more screw handles. Most players just spin and move on. Don't. Look for the glowing point or the slightly "off" looking blocks on the right side of the tower.
You need to use the momentum of the rising platforms to reach a higher vantage point. If you have the Drill Mushroom equipped, this part becomes a joke. You can just burrow into the ceiling or the floor and bypass the platforming entirely. Honestly, the Drill suit is basically a cheat code for this specific level.
If you don't have the drill, you’re going to have to do it the old-fashioned way. Wall-jump. Precision. Panic.
Why the Drill Power-up Changes Everything
Let's talk about the Drill Mushroom for a second. In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Nintendo introduced this to specifically mess with how we perceive vertical levels. In Screwtop Tower, there are sections where the "intended" path is a series of difficult jumps between spinning screws.
But if you’re a drill?
You just pop into the ceiling. You’re safe from almost every enemy in the tower. More importantly, the second Star Coin is tucked into a spot that is infinitely easier to reach if you can just slide along the ceiling. If you’re struggling, go back to an earlier stage, grab a Drill Mushroom, and bring it into the tower in your reserve slot.
It’s not "cheating." It’s using the tools provided. Nintendo wants you to experiment with how power-ups interact with the environment.
The Third Screwtop Tower Star Coin: The Wonder Flower Twist
The final coin is almost always tied to the Wonder Effect. In Screwtop Tower, the Wonder Flower completely changes the perspective.
You find the flower by spinning a specific screw handle that looks like it's just part of the background. Once you hit it, the tower starts to stretch or tilt. Everything gets weird. The third Star Coin will appear during this sequence.
You have to move fast.
During the Wonder Effect, the coin isn't just sitting there waiting for you. It’s often moving or requires you to follow a specific path of appearing blocks. If you miss it during the Wonder sequence, you can't just go back. You have to finish the level and restart.
Actually, there’s a small trick. If you feel like you've missed the window for the third coin, let yourself take a "fall" before the next checkpoint. It's better to lose a life and retry the sequence than to finish the level and have to watch the entire intro animation again.
Pro Tips for Screwtop Tower
Most people forget that your Badge choice matters immensely here.
If you're struggling with the verticality, use the Wall-Climb Jump badge. It gives you that extra bit of height when you hit a wall, which is a lifesaver when the screen is scrolling and you're about to get squished. Alternatively, the Grappling Vine can help you snag a coin from a distance if you’re not confident in your landing.
- Check the corners. Nintendo loves hiding things just off-camera.
- Watch the enemies. Often, an enemy's placement is a "hint" that something is nearby.
- Use the handles. Not every handle is mandatory to progress; some are just there to reveal coins.
The "Screwtop" mechanic is basically a physics puzzle. The faster you spin, the higher the platform goes, but the less control you have. Finding that middle ground—spinning just enough to see what's above you without launching yourself into a spike—is the secret to finding the Star Coins without dying ten times.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't rush.
I know, it’s a scrolling level (mostly), and there’s pressure to keep moving. But most players die because they over-jump. They see the Star Coin, they freak out, and they jump before the platform is high enough.
Also, don't ignore the hidden blocks. If a gap looks too big to jump, there is almost certainly a hidden block in the way. Just jump around like a madman. You'll find it eventually.
Actionable Steps for 100% Completion
If you want to clear Screwtop Tower with all three Star Coins and the Wonder Seed in one go, follow this sequence:
- Equip the Drill Mushroom: Keep one in your reserve. Use it for the second coin and for safety during the Wonder sequence.
- Pick the right Badge: Wall-Climb Jump or the Boosting Spin Jump are your best friends here.
- The First Coin: Stick to the left side during the initial climb.
- The Second Coin: Look for the breakable blocks on the right before you hit the midpoint.
- The Wonder Flower: Don't miss the screw handle tucked in the middle of the ascent; it triggers the event that leads to the final coin.
- The Final Stretch: Stay centered. The third coin usually appears during the vertical "stretch" animation of the Wonder Effect.
Getting every Star Coin in Mario Wonder is a badge of honor. Screwtop Tower is one of those levels that tests your patience more than your skill. Once you know where they are, it's just a matter of execution.
Go back in there. Get your coins. Move on to the next world. You've got this.