The Secret Under the Moat

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The Secret Under the Moat
Mario in the Vanish Cap Under the Moat
Super Mario 64
Wario in The Secret Under the Moat
Super Mario 64 DS
Area Vanish Cap Under the Moat (N64) / The Secret Under the Moat (DS)
How to unlock Clear Bowser in the Dark World to access the basement and drain the castle's moat.
Stars Super Mario 64:
Star icon in Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 DS:
Star SM64DS.pngStar SM64DS.png

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 two brick pillars in the basement, then go outside through the newly exposed door. After he does so, there is a hole in the drained moat by the waterfall that warps him to the course.

In Super Mario 64 DS, the course was retitled The Secret Under the Moat, and the Cap Switch was removed. However, a second Power Star was added. Also, a Black Brick (in a rectangular shape, containing three coins) covers the entrance to the course, requiring only Wario's strength to enter. This is one of the three secret levels in the remake that only one certain character can access, the others being Chief Chilly Challenge for Luigi and Bowser in the Sky for Mario. There is a known 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 in Super Mario 64 DS

When Mario first enters the course, he is atop a large slide, with several ledges located scattered throughout. Upon entering, Mario is also Vanish Mario, though nothing happens to Wario in the DS remake. 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. Once Mario pushes the Vanish Cap Switch, all the blue blocks in the game become solid, making the Vanish Cap usable. If Mario falls off, he will not lose a life, but he will come out of a gaping hole near the waterfall. In the DS version, if the player falls off, the same will happen, but the Black Brick will respawn.

Missions[edit]

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

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 the DS version, 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 (DS only)[edit]

In the DS version, 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. By activating 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.

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Super Mario 64[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese おほりのとうめいスイッチ
Ohori no Tōmei Suitchi
とうめいスイッチのコース
Tōmei Suicchi no Kōsu
Transparent Switch of the Moat

Transparent Switch Course

Chinese 护城河里的隐身帽
Hùchénghé Lǐ de Yǐnshēnmào
Vanish Cap Under the Moat

French Invisible sous les Douves
Invisible under the Moat
German Blauer Schalterpalast
Blue Switch Palace
Italian Il segreto del fossato[2]
The secret of the moat

Super Mario 64 DS[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese おほりのしたのひみつ
Ohori no Shita no Himitsu
Secret Under the Moat

Chinese 护城河下的秘密[3]
Hùchénghé xià de Mìmì
Secret Under the Moat

French Le secret des douves
The secret of the moat
German Geheimnis im Schloßgraben
Secret in the castle moat
Italian Il segreto del fossato
The secret of the moat
Korean 해자밑에감춰진비밀
Haeja Mit e Gamchweojin Bimil
Hidden Secret Under the Moat

Spanish El Secreto del Foso
The Secret of the Moat

References[edit]

  1. ^ Video of the glitch being executed.
  2. ^ Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia, pag. 91
  3. ^ From the pause menu of the level in iQue's localization of Super Mario 64 DS.