The Secret Under the Moat

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Vanish Cap Under the Moat
The Secret Under the Moat
Mario in the Vanish Cap Under the Moat
Screenshot from Super Mario 64
How to unlock Complete Bowser in the Dark World*
Complete Chief Chilly Challenge*
Stars Super Mario 64:
Power Star
Super Mario 64 DS:
Power StarPower Star
Music track "Slider"

Vanish Cap Under the Moat (called the Vanish Cap Switch Course in the message that appears upon the player first entering the course) is a secret course that contains the Vanish Cap Switch in Super Mario 64. In order to access the course, Mario must drain the water in the moat of the Mushroom Castle by ground-pounding the two brick pillars in the basement, then go outside through the newly exposed door. Once the moat is drained, the grate covering the hole leading to the course is removed, allowing access.

In Super Mario 64 DS, the course was retitled to The Secret Under the Moat, and the Cap Switch was removed. However, a second Power Star was added. Additionally, a Black Brick (in a rectangular shape, containing three coins) covers the entrance to the course, which only allows Wario to enter. This is one of the three courses in Super Mario 64 DS that only one certain character can access, the others being Chief Chilly Challenge for Luigi and Bowser in the Sky for Mario. However, there is a glitch that, when performed, allows any character to enter the moat by going out of bounds at high speeds.[1]

Layout[edit]

Map of The Secret Under the Moat
Map of The Secret Under the Moat

When the player first enters the course, they are dropped atop a large slide, with several ledges located scattered throughout. Upon entering, Mario is also Vanish Mario, though nothing happens to Wario in Super Mario 64 DS. At the bottom of the slide is a path consisting of various moving platforms and teetering platforms that lead to the Cap Switch. There are several Amps and flame throwers on the path. In Super Mario 64, once Mario pushes the Vanish Cap Switch, all the blue blocks in the game become solid, making the Vanish Cap usable. If the player falls off, they will not lose a life, but rather emerge from a hole in the pool where the waterfall drains in.

Missions[edit]

There is one Power Star to collect in this course, with one being added in Super Mario 64 DS.

8 Red Coins[edit]

There are eight Red Coins in the course. The first four are located on the slide's ledges at the start, while the other four can be found along the path to the Cap Switch. The Star Marker is inside a cage next to the Cap Switch, so after collecting the final Red Coin and pushing the switch, Mario has to don a Vanish Cap to pass through the cage and get the Power Star.

In Super Mario 64 DS, by collecting the Luigi Cap, Wario can use the Power Flower at the end of the course in lieu of a Vanish Cap and go through the cage to collect the Power Star. Alternatively, by collecting the Mario Cap, Wario can use the Power Flower to float under a thin gap inside the cage.

Switch Star (Super Mario 64 DS only)[edit]

In Super Mario 64 DS, there is a new area across the chasm at the bottom of the slide. By turning into Mario, Wario can use a Power Flower to float over to the new area. Wario can also do a precise Triple Jump and dive to reach that area. When he activates the Star Switch on the platform, the Power Star appears in the Star Sphere above. Wario can reach it either by floating upwards to it or by using Wall Kicks.

Enemies and obstacles[edit]

Gallery[edit]

  • The entrance to Vanish Cap Under the Moat in Super Mario 64
    The entrance to Vanish Cap Under the Moat in Super Mario 64
  • Mario becomes transparent at the start
    Mario becomes transparent at the start
  • Mario activates the Vanish Cap Switch
    Mario activates the Vanish Cap Switch
  • Vanish Mario near a Red Coin
    Vanish Mario near a Red Coin
  • Mario obtains a Star in the level
    Mario obtains a Star in the level
  • The Secret Under the Moat in Super Mario 64 DS
    The Secret Under the Moat in Super Mario 64 DS
  • The entrance to The Secret Under the Moat in Super Mario 64 DS
    The entrance to The Secret Under the Moat in Super Mario 64 DS

Names in other languages[edit]

LanguageNameMeaningNote(s)Ref.
Japaneseとうめいスイッチのコース
Tōmei Suitchi no Kōsu		Transparent Switch CourseSuper Mario 64, location[2]
おほりのとうめいスイッチ
Ohori no Tōmei Suitchi		Transparent Switch of the MoatSuper Mario 64, level[3]
おほりのしたのひみつ
Ohori no Shita no Himitsu		Secret Under the MoatSuper Mario 64 DS[4]
Chinese (Simplified)护城河里的隐身帽
Hùchénghé Lǐ de Yǐnshēn Mào (Mandarin)
Wuhsìhnghòh Léuih dīk Yánsān Móu (Cantonese)		Vanish Cap Under the MoatSuper Mario 64[5]
护城河下的秘密
Hùchénghé Xià de Mìmì (Mandarin)
Wuhsìhnghòh Hah dīk Beimaht (Cantonese)		Secret Under the MoatSuper Mario 64 DS[6]
Chinese (Traditional)深窟中的隱形開關掣
Shēnkū Zhōng de Yǐnxíng Kāiguān Chè (Mandarin)
Sāmfāt Jūng dīk Yányìhng Hōigwāan Jai (Cantonese)		Press the Waterfall's Invisible Switch[7]
FrenchInvisible sous les DouvesInvisible under the MoatSuper Mario 64[8]
Le Secret des DouvesThe Secret of the MoatSuper Mario 64 DS[9]
GermanBlauer SchalterpalastBlue Switch PalaceSuper Mario 64[10]
Geheimnis im SchloßgrabenSecret in the Castle MoatSuper Mario 64 DS[11]
ItalianIl segreto del fossatoThe secret of the moatSuper Mario 64[12]
Il Segreto del FossatoThe Secret of the MoatSuper Mario 64 DS[13]
Korean해자밑에감춰진비밀
Haeja Mit e Gamchwojin Bimil		Hidden Secret Under the Moat[14]
SpanishEl Secreto del FosoThe Secret of the Moat[15]

References[edit]

The Secret Under the Moat coverage on other NIWA wikis:
  1. ^ Really_Tall (January 16, 2018). Super Mario 64 DS - The Secret under the Moat without Wario. YouTube (English). Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  2. ^ 【N64】スーパーマリオ64【エンディングまで】
  3. ^ 【N64】スーパーマリオ64【エンディングまで】
  4. ^ From the pause menu of the level in the Japanese version of Super Mario 64 DS
  5. ^ [#345-1] Super Mario 64 (iQue Player)
  6. ^ From the pause menu of the level in iQue's localization of Super Mario 64 DS
  7. ^ The Official Mario 64 Chinese Strategy Guide
  8. ^ MARIO 64 - LES 120 ÉTOILES #2 + FIN
  9. ^ From the pause menu of the level in the French localization of Super Mario 64 DS
  10. ^ From the pause menu of the level in the German localization of Super Mario 64
  11. ^ From the pause menu of the level in the German localization of Super Mario 64 DS
  12. ^ November 15, 2018. Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia. Magazzini Salani (Italian). ISBN 889367436X. Page 91.
  13. ^ Gli ultimi mondi di Super Mario 64 DS (Finale)
  14. ^ From the pause menu of the level in the Korean localization of Super Mario 64 DS
  15. ^ From the pause menu of the level in the Spanish localization of Super Mario 64 DS
[Edit]
Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS
Playable characters Mario • Yoshib • Luigic • Warioc • Red Yoshic • Blue Yoshic • Yellow Yoshic
Forms Wing Mario • Metal Mario/Metal Wario • Vanish Mario/Vanish Luigi • Fire Powerc • Balloon Marioc • Super Marioc
Non-playable characters Lakitu Bros. • Princess Peach • Toad • Toads • Bob-omb Buddies • Koopa the Quick • Hoot • Penguins • Baby Penguins • Mother Penguin • Big Penguin • Penguin Defender • Snowman • Rabbits • MIPSa • Glowing rabbitsc • Dorrie • Ukkiki
Enemies Amp • Bob-omb • Boo • Bookend • Bub • Bubba • Bullet Bill • Bully • Chain Chomp • Chair • Chuckya • Clam shell • Flame thrower • Fly Guy • Fwoosh • Goomba • Goombette • Grand Goomba • Grindel • Heave-Ho • Klepto • Koopa Troopa • Lakitu • Mad Piano • Manta Ray • Money Bags • Monty Mole • Moving Bar • Mr. Blizzard • Mr. I. • Piranha Flower • Piranha Plant • Podoboo • Pokey • Scuttle Bug • Skeeter • Small Koopa Troopa • Small Piranha • Snufit • Spindel • Spindrift • Spiny • Spiny bomb • Sushi • Swoop • Thwomp • Tox Box • Ukkiki • Unagi • Unshelled Koopa • Whomp
Obstacles Casket • Cold water • Current • Deadly quicksand • Endless stairs • Falling pillar • Fire bar • Fireball • Flamethrower • Hidden smasher • Ice • Ice block • Iron ball • Lava • Moving sand • Pendulum • Pit • Quicksand • Rolling rock • Slide Box • Spiked orb • Strange toxic cloud • Tornado • Turtle Cannon • Water bomb • Water tide • Whirlpool • Wind
Bosses Big Bob-omb • Whomp King • Bowser • Big Boo • Big Mr. I. • Big Bully • Eyerok • Chill Bully • Wiggler • Goombossc • King Booc • Chief Chillyc
Items and power-ups 1-UP Mushroom • Blue Coin • Bubble • Crate • Crazed Crate • Jumbo Star • Key • Koopa Shell • Luigi Keyc • Luigi's capc • Mario's cap • Mario's Keyc • Metal Capa • Mushroomc • Power Flowerc • Power Star • Red Coin • Silver Starc • Spinning Heart • Vanish Capa • Wario Keyc • Wario's capc • Wing Capa • Wingsc • Yellow Coin • Yoshi Eggc
Objects 15-Piece Puzzle • ★ door • Accordion-like platform • Arrow Lift • Arrow Sign • Big House • Big Star Door • Block • Blue Coin Block • Brick pillar • Bubble ring • Butterfly • Cannon • Cap Block • Cap Switch • Conveyor belt • Crystal Tap • Drawbridge • Falling Block • Fish • Flagpole • Flipping block • Gondola • Ice sculpture • Key Door • Lift • Log • Magic carpet • Merry-go-round • Metal crate • Minute hand • Mushroom • Paddle wheel • Painting • Pole • Purple Switch • Pyramid • Pyramid platform • Rainbow Cruiser • Rotating bar • Rotating bridge • Rotating disc • Secret point • Seesaw • Semi-visible block • Shrinker Pipe • Sign • Square • Stake • Star Marker • Star Spherec • Star Switch c • Swing • Tapering platform • Track • Treasure Chest • Tree • Volcano • Warp pipe • Warp Point • Waterfall • Wire net • Wired platform • Wobbly platform • Wooden beam • Work Elevator • Yellow block
Locations First floor and mezzanine Bob-omb Battlefield • Whomp's Fortress • Jolly Roger Bay • Cool, Cool Mountain • Bowser in the Dark World • The Princess's Secret Slide • The Secret Aquarium • Tower of the Wing Cap • Sunshine Islesc • Goomboss Battlec
Basement and courtyard Big Boo's Haunt • Hazy Maze Cave • Lethal Lava Land • Shifting Sand Land • Dire, Dire Docks • Bowser in the Fire Sea • Cavern of the Metal Cap/Behind the Waterfall • Vanish Cap Under the Moat/The Secret Under the Moat • Big Boo Battlec • Battle Fortc
Upper floors and tower Snowman's Land • Wet-Dry World • Tall, Tall Mountain • Tiny-Huge Island • Tick Tock Clock • Rainbow Ride • Bowser in the Sky • Wing Mario Over the Rainbow/Over the Rainbows • Chief Chilly Challengec
Other Castle Grounds • Mushroom Castle • Princess's room • Courtyard • Rec Roomc • Switching roomsc
Moves Backward Somersault • Body Slide • Crawl • Crouch • Double Jump • Egg Throwc • Flutter Kickc • Fly • Jump • Kick • Long Jump • Pound the Ground • Punch • Scuttlec • Side Somersault • Slide • Slide Kick • Spin Jump • Stomp • Swallowc • Sweep Kick • Swim • Swing and Flingc • Triple Jump • Wall Kick
Gameplay elements Completion • Letter • Mario's face • Missions • Power Meter • Slide • Switch Cap Course
Minigamesc Luigi Lucky Stars • Mario Slot • Memory Master • Memory Match • Mushroom Roulette • Pair-a-Gone • Pair-a-Gone and On • Picture Poker • Super Mario Slot
Mario Bounce and Pounce • Bounce and Trounce • Connect the Characters • Mario's Slides • Shell Smash • Shuffle Shell • Sort or 'Splode • Trampoline Terror • Trampoline Time
Wario Bingo Ball • Bob-omb Squad • Coincentration • Giant Snowball Slalom • Intense Coincentration • Lakitu Launch • Psyche Out! • Slots Shot • Snowball Slalom
Yoshi Boom Box • Hide and Boo Seek • Loves Me...? • Mix-a-Mug • Puzzle Panel • Puzzle Panic • Tox Box Shuffle • Wanted! • Which Wiggler?
Music "Big Boo's Haunt" • "Bowser's Road" • "Bowser's Theme" ("Bowser's Message") • "Dire, Dire Docks" • "The Endless Stairs" • "File Select" • "The Final Battle" • "Game Start" • "Hazy Maze Cave" • "Lethal Lava Land" • "Main Theme" ("Cool, Cool Mountain" · "Course Clear" · "Game Over" · "Opening" · "Slider") • "The Merry-Go-Round" • "Metal Mario" • "Peach's Castle" ("Peach's Letter") • "Piranha Plant's Lullaby" • "Staff Roll" • "Stage Boss" • "Title Theme" • "Toad's Message" • "Star Catch Fanfare"
Adaptations Álbum Super Mario 64 • Super Mario (Super Mario 64 1 · Super Mario 64 2 · Super Mario 64 3 · Super Mario 64 4 · Super Mario 64 (Pocket Camera) • Super Mario 64 (Forever Mario)) • Super Mario-kun (Volumes: 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19)
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Further info Gallery (DS) • Glitches (DS) • Las mejores bandas sonoras de Nintendo 64 • Multimedia (DS) • N64Y2K Millennium Trax • Nintendo Music (soundtrack) • Original soundtrack • Pre-release and unused content (DS) • Quotes • Staff (DS) • Super Mario 3D All-Stars
a Exclusive to Super Mario 64
b Present in both games, but has different roles in each
c Exclusive to Super Mario 64 DS
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