Peach sent a letter about cake. You showed up, and suddenly there’s a giant floating head named Bowser telling you to get lost. It’s been decades, but honestly, that opening sequence of Super Mario 64 still hits like a ton of bricks. If you’re dusting off the old charcoal-gray console or firing up an expansion pack, you probably realize pretty quickly that this game doesn't hold your hand. It’s easy to wander around the castle lobby wondering why the doors are locked.
Basically, this super mario 64 walkthrough n64 is here to stop you from running in circles. We aren't just talking about jumping into paintings. We’re talking about the weird physics, the camera that hates you, and the specific stars that everyone remembers being a total nightmare.
Getting your bearings in Peach’s Castle
The castle is a character itself. It’s huge. It’s confusing. Most people think they can just beat the first few levels and call it a day, but the game is structured around "Star Doors." You need power. Specifically, you need the energy trapped in those gold stars to break Bowser’s enchantments.
You start with zero. You need 70 to finish the game, but 120 if you want to see Yoshi on the roof. Don't stress the 120 right away. Just focus on the basement, the ground floor, and the upper stairs. Each area is gated by a big Boss Bowser fight. Beat him, get a key, move higher. Simple, right? Not really.
The first few stars are a trap
Bob-omb Battlefield is where everyone starts. It’s the painting on the far left of the ground floor. King Bob-omb is a pushover. You just run behind him and throw him three times. Just don't throw him off the mountain, or he'll call you a cheater and make you start over.
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But here’s what most people miss: the 100-coin star. Every single level has one. It’s often the hardest star to get because if you die at 99 coins, you get nothing. Zip. Zero. It’s heartbreaking. My advice? Do the 100-coin run at the same time you do the "Red Coins" star. It saves you a trip.
Mastering the movement (because the N64 stick is stiff)
The Nintendo 64 controller was a pioneer, but let's be real—the joystick felt like it was made of sandpaper and prayers. To navigate a super mario 64 walkthrough n64 effectively, you have to master the Long Jump. Hold Z while running and hit A. Mario flies. It’s the fastest way to move and the only way to clear the massive gaps in levels like Shifting Sand Land.
Then there’s the Wall Kick. It’s finicky. You have to hit the wall and then immediately jump away. If you’re a millisecond late, Mario just slides down like a wet noodle. Practice this in the courtyard with the Boos. You’ll need it for the higher-tier stars in Rainbow Ride later on.
The Wing Cap is a literal game changer
You see that sun rug in the main lobby? Look up. Seriously, just press the C-Up button and stare at the ceiling once you have about 10 stars. You’ll get teleported to a secret stage. Hit the giant red switch. Now, every red block in the game is active. This gives you the Wing Cap. Without it, you aren't finishing the game. Period.
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The mid-game slump: Basement blues
Once you beat Bowser in the Dark World, you get the basement key. This is where the difficulty spikes. Lethal Lava Land and Shifting Sand Land are brutal.
Hazy Maze Cave is particularly annoying. You have to find a literal sea monster (Dorrie) to ride across a lake of grape juice—well, it looks like grape juice, but it’s actually toxic. To get the "Metal Cap" here, you have to find the hidden path inside the cave. The Metal Cap lets Mario walk underwater and resist wind. It's cool, but it has a tiny timer. You’ve gotta move fast.
Why Big Boo’s Haunt scares everyone
It’s not the ghosts. It’s the piano. You know the one. You walk into a side room in the mansion, and the piano starts chomping at you with giant teeth. There isn't even a star there! It’s just pure psychological warfare from Nintendo.
For the stars in this level, remember that you can't punch ghosts from the front. You have to backflip or ground pound them. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, just run in a circle around them until they get dizzy and vanish.
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The road to 70 stars (and beyond)
As you move to the upper floors, the levels get abstract. Tiny-Huge Island is a trip. You jump into a small painting, and you’re a giant. Jump into the big one, and you’re a bug.
Tick Tock Clock is the ultimate test of patience. Pro tip: The position of the clock hands when you jump into the painting determines the speed of the level. If the big hand is on the 12, everything freezes. This makes the level ten times easier. Most people try to platform while the gears are spinning like crazy, and honestly, life is too short for that kind of stress.
Bowser in the Sky
The final gauntlet. You need 70 stars to even enter the door. The platforming here is unforgiving. One slip and you’re falling back to the castle grounds. When you finally reach Bowser, the strategy is the same as the first two fights: grab the tail, spin the joystick, and chuck him into a bomb. The catch? You have to hit three bombs this time. And he starts breaking the arena.
Hard-earned secrets for completionists
If you’re going for the full 120, you can't forget the "Secret Stars." These aren't in the paintings.
- Catch MIPS the rabbit in the basement. Twice. He gives you two stars.
- Talk to the Toads. Specific Toads in the Hazy Maze Cave room and the third-floor hallway just give you stars for being a nice guy.
- Slide down the Princess’s Secret Slide. It’s behind a 1-star door in the lobby. Do it under 21 seconds for a second hidden star.
Actionable steps for your next run
- Prioritize the Red Switch: Don't even try to play the middle levels without the Wing Cap. It’s a waste of time.
- Abuse the Camera: Use the C-buttons constantly. The "Lakitu" camera mode is usually better for wide-open spaces, while the "Mario" mode (fixed behind his head) helps with narrow bridges.
- Coin Management: Always get the 100-coin star last in a level. It ends the level immediately if you don't collect another star first, so make sure you’ve cleared the other objectives so you don't have to re-enter.
- Save the Basement for Last: If a level is frustrating you, move on. You can get 70 stars without ever touching the "100 Coin" stars if you just play through most of the worlds normally.
- Check the Water: In Dire, Dire Docks, make sure you've moved the submarine by beating the second Bowser fight, or one of the stars will be literally impossible to reach.
Forget the modern remakes for a second. Playing the original version is about feeling that specific friction of 1996 game design. It’s hard, it’s a bit janky, but landing that final throw on Bowser after hours of hunting stars is a top-tier gaming moment that hasn't aged a day.