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 the 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."