Courtyard (Peach's Castle)

The courtyard is an area found at the back of Peach's Castle in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. It is where Mario can access the fifth course, Big Boo's Haunt. The courtyard is a small symmetrical area surrounded by a brick wall. The location also appears as a hidden area in Super Mario Odyssey.

The courtyard is mostly empty, aside from four signposts and a fountain with a star statue in the very center. The middle, leftmost, and rightmost areas have white pavement (most of it appears gray due being under a shadow). There is grass growing between the center area and the leftmost and rightmost area. Several small trees are planted in the grass. Four small trees are in the center area, each planted in small patches of dirt; two are against the wall, behind the star statue, and the other two are planted next to the door.

Super Mario 64
In Super Mario 64, if Mario has at least one Power Star, he can find a Boo in a narrow hallway with a door at the end that leads into the courtyard. If Mario approaches the Boo, it moves down the hall and passes through the door. There are nine Boos in the courtyard, although if Mario has no Power Stars, there are no Boos in the courtyard. If Mario has at least 12 Power Stars, a Big Boo appears in the hallway instead of a regular Boo. When Mario enters the courtyard, he can find the Big Boo to the left. A small carousel is inside of the Big Boo, and Mario must defeat it to release the carousel, which takes him to the fifth course, Big Boo's Haunt.

Super Mario 64 DS
In Super Mario 64 DS, at least 15 Power Stars are needed for the Big Boo to appear in the courtyard. This also causes each of the eight regular Boos to contain a Red Coin instead of a regular Coin. Any character except Yoshi can defeat the Boos to obtain the Red Coins, causing a hidden Power Star to appear behind the fountain.

The remake has a few additional features within the courtyard. There are three Brick Blocks on the right side, which Mario, Luigi, or Wario can break to enter Battle Fort. An alcove was added into the castle exterior, directly above the door. One of Luigi's rabbits is found in the alcove. One of Wario's rabbits is found around the fountain.

Super Mario Odyssey
In Super Mario Odyssey the courtyard is a hidden location in the Mushroom Kingdom. It can be accessed from a locked red door on a hill by the Goomba Woods. The door is guarded by a Toad, who only allows Mario to enter the courtyard if he is wearing the Mario 64 Cap and Mario 64 Suit. The courtyard retains its design from the original Super Mario 64.

The courtyard has the Mushroom Kingdom's 27th and 28th Power Stars, titled "Totally Classic!" and "Courtyard Chest Trap" respectively. The former Power Star can be obtained by throwing and spinning Cappy on the star statue. There are eight Treasure Chests around the courtyard, and Mario can obtain the latter Power Star by opening them in a certain order.

Trivia

 * The courtyard is well known for its star statue, which several people have interpreted to read "L is real 2401". This led to several rumors of Luigi being unlockable in the original Super Mario 64.