Behind the Waterfall

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This article is about the place in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. For the Power Moon in Super Mario Odyssey, see List of Power Moons in the Cascade Kingdom § Behind the Waterfall.
"Metal Cavern" redirects here. For information about the Super Smash Bros. stage commonly referred to as "Metal Cavern", see Meta Crystal.
Behind the Waterfall
Mario in the Cavern of the Metal Cap.
Super Mario 64
Wario in Behind the Waterfall
Super Mario 64 DS
Area Cavern of the Metal Cap (N64) / Behind the Waterfall (DS)
How to unlock Clear Bowser in the Dark World
Stars Super Mario 64:
Star icon in Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 DS:
Star SM64DS.pngStar SM64DS.png

The Cavern of the Metal Cap (called the Metal Cap Switch Course in the message that appears upon the player entering), or Metal Cap Cavern,[1] is a cave that contains the Metal Cap Switch in Super Mario 64. The entrance is located in the Hazy Maze Cave, behind a set of double doors in the Underground Lake area. It is the only level to be entered inside another level in the N64 version, and one of the only two levels to be entered inside another level in the DS version, the other being Big Boo Battle in Big Boo's Haunt. In order to reach it, the player must traverse to the underwater cavern in the Hazy Maze Cave. The player then has to get on top of Dorrie's head and then steer him over to the small patch of ground outside the double doors. Upon entering the double doors, the player has to go through a short hallway, at the end of which is another pool of liquid metal, much like the one that is used to enter the Hazy Maze Cave in the first place. Falling into it transports the player to the Cavern of the Metal Cap.

In Super Mario 64 DS, the area was retitled Behind the Waterfall, and the Cap Switch was removed. However, a second Power Star was added, which can be reached only by Mario using a Power Flower. Signs, however, continue to refer to the area as the Metal Cave or Metal Cavern, which is a holdover from the original version.

Layout[edit]

Map of Behind the Waterfall
Map of Behind the Waterfall in Super Mario 64 DS

The cave is decorated with large glittering crystals and has a stream of water running through the middle. In the original game, upon entering the cave, Mario is automatically turned into Metal Mario and is therefore invulnerable to the stream's current. The water is moving very fast and can sweep Mario out the cave's one-way exit (which will lead him to the waterfall outside the Mushroom Castle) if he is not careful. Directly before the exit through the waterfall is a yellow block containing a 1-UP Mushroom as well, which can be obtained only if Mario gets a Metal Cap. The only enemies that appear are Snufits, as well as a Goomba in the DS version. The DS version also has a Bob-omb Buddy. If the player presses the Metal Cap Switch, all of the green blocks in the game will activate, granting access to the Metal Cap in later courses.

If the player gets swept out of the course, they will be brought to the Castle Grounds with no life lost.

Missions[edit]

There are two Power Stars to collect in this area, with one being exclusive to the DS version.

Grab 8 Red Coins[2][edit]

There are eight Red Coins to be collected here, and several of them are just below a huge waterfall leading into the river. The player can reach them by becoming Metal Mario (Metal Wario in the remake). However, the player can ground-pound on specific parts of the river to collect the Red Coins. Once every Red Coin is collected, the Power Star appears at the Star Marker underwater near the waterfall at the back end of the cavern, surrounded by a circle of Yellow Coins.

Balloon Mario (DS only)[edit]

By using Mario, the player must hit the red block by the waterfall to obtain a Power Flower. By floating upwards from that spot, they can find a Power Star above a triangular set of coins.

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Super Mario 64[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese メタルスイッチの たき
Metaru Suicchi no Taki
メタルのスイッチのコース
Metaru no Suicchi no Kōsu
Waterfall of the Metal Switch

Metal Switch Course

Chinese 金属帽的瀑布石洞
Jīnshǔmào de Pùbù Shídòng
Waterfall Cavern of the Metal Cap

French Mine des casquettes-métal
Mine of Metal-Caps
German Grüner Schalterpalast
Green Switch Palace
Italian La Grotta del Cappello di Metallo[3]
The Cave of the Metal Cap

Super Mario 64 DS[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese たきのうらのひみつ
Taki no Ura no Himitsu
Secret Behind the Waterfall

Chinese 瀑布后面的秘密
Pùbù Hòumiàn de Mìmì
Secret Behind the Waterfall

French Derrière la cascade
Behind the Waterfall
German Hinter dem Wasserfall
Behind the Waterfall
Italian Caverna di Metallo
Dietro la cascata
Metal Cave
Behind the Waterfall
Korean 폭포뒤편의비밀
Pokpo Dwipyeon ui Bimil
Secret Behind the Waterfall

Spanish Tras la cascada
Behind the Waterfall

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese メタルのどうくつ
Metaru no Dōkutsu
Metal Cave

References[edit]

  1. ^ M. Arakawa. Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Page 59.
  2. ^ M. Arakawa. Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Page 82.
  3. ^ Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia, pag. 91