Goal Star

Goal Stars, also known as Gold Stars, Goalpost Stars, Bonus Stars, or simply Stars, are special points found in Super Mario World and its remake, Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2. They are earned by touching the moving tape on a Giant Gate. The higher Mario or Luigi touches it, the more Goal Stars he will get (from 1–30, then 40, then 50 at the top, which also gives him three 1-Ups). These Goal Stars are saved from level to level, and earning 100 of them will let Mario or Luigi go to the bonus game, where he can earn 1-Up Mushrooms.

If Mario or Luigi does not touch the tape, he will get only a coin from the tape.

Super Mario World

 * Wii U Virtual Console manual bio: "Collect 100 Gold Stars to unlock the bonus stage."