Hazy Maze Cave



Hazy Maze Cave is an underground cave level and course six in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. In both games this course is located in the basement of Princess Peach's Castle.

Hazy Maze Cave is an underground cave. A map can be found in many areas of the course. The course has many hidden ledges, nooks, crannies, and alcoves, countless bottomless pits, and even an underground lake complete with a large but friendly sea monster named Dorrie.

The Hazy Maze, the level's namesake, is located deep within the cave. The Hazy Maze is a labyrinth whose passageways are clouded with a highly toxic yellow gas (purple in the remake). Mario's health is slowly depleted the longer he stays in the maze, and he will eventually suffocate if he is unable to get fresh air. To make matters worse, the Hazy Maze is full of Snufits, Monty Moles, and Swoopers that can hinder Mario's progress. Fortunately for Mario, there are small areas of higher ground scattered throughout the maze, a Metal Box (Metal Mario is unaffected by the poisonous fumes), and several escape routes that are clearly marked on the map just outside the entrance. Obtaining certain Stars requires the use of certain escape routes.

Some people mistakenly believe that the entire course is the Hazy Maze, however the Hazy Maze title only applies to the aforementioned maze.

There is a special hidden area in this course called the Metal Cavern that can be accessed through a door near the underground lake. The Metal Cap's ! Switch is located here, along with eight more Red Coins that can be collected to receive one of the castle's Secret Stars.

This is one of the few levels not accessed via a painting; instead, Mario must enter the door to the right of the entrance to Lethal Lava Land and jump into a pool of liquid metal inside.

Star 1: Swimming Beast In The Cavern
As the name implies, Mario has to go to deep into the cave to the area where Dorrie lives. At the beggining of the mission, the plumber has to go immediately to the left and perform a long-jump to pass over a gap. Going up the way where the rolling rocks are coming at the black hole zone, Mario will find a door where an elevator leads directly to the subterranean lake found in the bottom of the cave. Upon Mario has sighted the plesiosaur, he can get on Dorrie's back to lead him to the small isle in the center of the lake. Making a Ground Pound on Dorrie's back, will cause the plesiosaur to lower his head, allowing the hero to stand over his head and arrive on the isle to obtain the Power Star.

In the DS version of the game, Dorrie will be wearing a Wario's Cap. Taking the yellow cap, the character will become Wario, who is needed to punch a boulder on the lake's isle. Breaking it, a Power Star is revealed.

Star 2: Elevate For 8 Red Coins
By going down the right corridor upon first entering the level, Mario can access the other side of the course. After leaping over fire pits, and avoiding pesky Scuttle Bugs, Mario finds a door at the end of the corridor. Entering it and sliding down a long pole, Mario arrives in the underground "plaza" area of the course. In one corner of this area is a staircase formation that leads to an unusual floating platform. This platform has four arrow switches on it, and will move in the direction of the arrow switch that is pressed. Mario must collect the eight Red Coins by navigating a midair obstacle course. Once all eight Coins have been collected, a Star appears over the Star Marker on the floor.

Star 3: Metal Head Mario Can Move
After activating the Metal Cap switch, Mario should return to the level and take the left corridor. After avoiding the falling rocks, Mario should reach the elevator. Looking around, the player should see a metal cap block. Hitting it will release the cap and turn Mario full metal. Using the added weight to sink to the floor, Mario should enter the water and follow the path. He'll reach a large ! Switch and stepting on it will open up the crate doors allowing access to the door behind it. The star will be behind the door across the two pits.

In Super Mario 64, it is possible to ground pound from the edge into the water and hit the switch without the metal cap (however it is difficult to achieve).

In Super Mario 64 DS, Wario is needed as he is the character with the metal powers.

Star 4: Navigating The Toxic Maze
As the name implies, the player has to go to the area of the toxic maze. The player should turn into Metal Mario(Wario in DS version) to aviod losing health. (Luigi's invisibility also avoids losing health) and head towads the second door from the left. (it has a few gaps so it can be difficult to jump to the door) It will lead to an elevator that goes to the star.

Star 5: A-Maze-Ing Emergency Exit
For this star, the player will have to return to the toxic maze, and head towards the first door from the left, which will lead to an elevator. The elevator will go to a door that opens into the area above the rolling rocks. The player should grab the metal bars above the ground, and head towards the star.

Star 6: Watch For Rolling Rocks
To find this star, the player must take the left corridor and navigate his/her way pass the falling rocks. Before they reach the door, the player should wall jump between the two walls, and jump into one of the acloves. The aclove on the right contains the 6th Powerstar of the level.

In the DS version, Wario will be needed for this one. The player must wait for the rock that contains the star to appear. When it's closing in, the player should punch the rock and it'll break revealing the star.

Star 7: Underground Switch Star
In this level the player has to go to the area with the work elevators. The player need to be Wario, and go near the black brick and smash it. It reveals a star switch. The player will then have to step on it and get to the star.

Trivia

 * In Super Mario 64, the pool shows a reflection of Princess Peach after Mario jumps in.