Goal Pole (secret)



A Red Flagpole is an uncommon exit introduced and currently found only within the New Super Mario Bros. series. Red Flagpoles often mark the location of secret exits. Going down a Red Flagpole and into the secret exit creates a path to shortcuts, such as a Warp Pipe on the map, Toad Houses, Warp Cannons and secret levels. The Red Flagpole acts like a regular Flagpole.

World 1-2
On the second tilting platform, Mario needs to use it to jump onto the terrain above the brick blocks and coins. This leads to a small area with a pipe and the third star coin. Exiting through this pipe will bring Mario to the Red Flagpole. This leads to a Toad House on a shortcut to the.

In order to reach the secret exit, Mario must be Shell Mario. In the room with the second Star Coin and shifting blocks, the player can find a gap that never closes on the right side of the room. The player has to enter the gap and jump upwards to find a 1-Up Mushroom, and then jump onto five more blocks. After destroying all the blocks with the Shell Dash move, the player has to enter the pipe. Next the player will fall to the right after exiting. The player has to jump onto a block to grab another 1-Up while unlocking the Warp Cannon which will shoot the player all the way to World 5.

World 2-3
When Mario hits the ? orange switch, he needs to swim upwards and hit the red ! switch in the room above. Once this room floods, he must swim to a small corridor in the top right of the room. Entering it will bring Mario to the Red Flagpole, which leads to World 2-A.

World 2-A
After Mario jumps off the final Spin Block, he must time his landing correctly so he jumps off the Koopa Troopa on the small strip of land. Once he bounces off of the Koopa, he must direct himself into the pipe in the cavern directly above. Going into the pipe will bring Mario to the third Star Coin, then to the Red Flagpole, which leads to the Warp Cannon which will shoot him to World 5.

World 2-4
After going down the staircase-like formation, Mario must go left and use a Mini Mushroom to enter a mini pipe. The pipe will bring him to the Red Flagpole, which leads to a Toad House and World 2-6.

World 3-2
On the first moving mushroom, there will be one green, one yellow, and one red pipe overhead. Mario must jump into the green pipe, then go down the green pipe when he reaches the clouds. After going down that pipe, he must jump across several moving platforms to reach the Red Flagpole leading to World 3-B.

After hitting the switch that reveals the exit door, Mario must pass that door and go back down the large staircase to enter another new door. This door leads to a Red Flagpole, revealing the path to a Warp Cannon that leads to World 6.

World 4-1
After the checkpoint, Mario will ride Dorrie, but when Mario gets to the long row of blocks, he will have to jump on it and find an invisible block that contains a vine that will take him to a green pipe. Then, Mario will jump into the pipe and that will lead him to the secret exit, reveling a shortcut to a green toad house and.

World 1-3
Just before the third Star Coin is a secret area revealed when Mario stumbles into it, and there are several coins in the area. The hidden exit is actually above this secret area. Mario can get up there with the help of Yoshi or a Propeller Mushroom. Mario has to run to the right at the very top of the screen, past the third Star Coin, into a hidden pipe. On the other side, there is the first Red Flagpole signifying the hidden exit. This leads to World 1-.

World 2-4
Mario needs the Propeller Mushroom to get to the end of the secret stage. At the very end of the level, just before the pipe leading to the last stretch with the flag, there's an area high above with a pipe in it. It's seemingly off-screen, but Mario can access this area from the left side, with the help of the wind. Mario's starting point for this maneuver is the platform with the Spike Top below the secret area. Mario must wait for the wind to begin to pick up and then run, jump, and spin towards the secret area. The wind will push Mario into the wall, allowing him to wall-jump up out of sight above the screen, falling into the secret area. The red pipe will lead to a Red Flagpole.

World 2-6
Near the end of the level, a red Warp Pipe is at the top of the screen. Mario must use a Propeller Suit to fly into the Pipe. Past the pipe, the Red Flagpole is found.

Near the middle of the level, there is a room in the Boo House where Mario must climb across the room on a rope. The player must guide Mario to a moving platform. Instead of dropping onto the platform, Mario must drop down to where a secret door is hidden. Beyond the door is an elevator in which Mario must avoid multiple Boos. After the elevator, the door leads to the next Red Flagpole.

World 3-4
This "secret" Red Flagpole is the easiest. Just follow the path regularly to the end of the level. The red switch must not be activated to do this. This will lead to.

World 3-5
Mario must make it to the top, and after hitting the Red Switch on the World Map, there are red blocks. Mario must enter the red pipe and get to the top of the new elevator. Mario can access the Red Flagpole after beating the rest of the secret level.

In the falling block area where the final Star Coin resides, there's also a secret passage to this fortress's red flag exit. Mario should wait until the block nearest to the wall under the coin falls and then run over it and into the secret passage. A Warp Pipe will take Mario and Co to the area with the red secret exit flag.

In the first row of raising platforms, Mario must backtrack from the starting point and grab the Star from the invisible block. Then Mario and co. must run to the right, and the player must count the raising and lowering platforms. The ninth one is under two coins and a ? Block. Mario must stand on this platform until it lowers to reveal a door. Mario must head through the door and run all the way to the end of the area and enter the final door. Mario will find the Red Flagpole on the other side.

Mario must make his way through the "main room" with all the doors to the various areas in the Ghost House. When Mario comes to the fourth red arrow sign across the way from a few coins and a door, he must drop below the sign. Mario can walk through a wall here to his left to find an area with a door. Mario and co. must hop across the Light Blocks to the far right in this new area. The ? Switches light the Light Blocks, but Mario can walk on them even if they are turned off. Mario then must follow the path to the Red Flagpole.

World 6-5
A pool of water with four Giant ? Blocks floating in it contains a invisible block. Between the middle two Giant ? Blocks is an invisible block with a vine in it. The invisible block is easy to swim up to when the tide is high. Mario must swim between the middle two blocks and jump to hit it. Mario then must climb the vine to the secret area. The Red Flagpole is just to the right.

World 6-6
When Mario and co. come across the Fire Bros. tossing fireballs at Mario's raft, there is a red pipe hanging from the ceiling. It's right between the first two Fire Bros. at the top of the area. The player may want to use the Propeller Block from earlier in the level to get up to it. Mario must head to the right through the dark passage past the bats and find a pipe to the surface. A Red Flagpole sits here.

In the second section of the fortress, there is a hidden passage on the right wall with a moving platform. Mario will then be outside with several Bullet Bills firing from Bill Blasters. If Mario keeps running, he will see the Red Flagpole. This leads to World 7-6.

Just below the second Broozer is a secret area. It's much like the one with the first coin, but the player can't see the bricks blocking it. Mario must lead the ghost down and then through the invisible barrier. Lead the ghost back out and enter the secret door. Climb the shaft using the P-Switches and platforms. Mario will also need to hit some bricks to make vines appear that will take him higher. The door at the very top leads to the Red Flagpole.

World 8-2
After Mario passes the Checkpoint Flag, he encounters a series of rotating circular ground and Spiked Balls rolling toward him. When Mario heads down an incline with spiked balls on every side, the player should look for a row of Brick Blocks at the bottom. Mario should turn around here and head left. Mario will enter a secret passage that leads back to a Warp Pipe. The Red Flagpole is found at the end.

At the checkpoint flag, there is a door. Get in. Follow the snake block and move to the right, then there is a pipe leading to the roof of the Fortress. After that is the red Flagpole. It leads to a cannon that leads to.

Near star coin 2, go to the lowest floor and hit an invisible block containing a Beanstalk. This leads to a door that leads to the red flagpole and unlocks

Near star coin 3, bounce off some Koopas and to the top of the mushroom blocks. There are two invisible blocks, one with a coin and other with a beanstalk. This leads to an area with Flying Question Blocks. This unlocks.

At the last room, hit the following ? Switches:


 * 1. Left and Right (For Raccoon Mario).
 * Fill the P-Meter and then fly to the top route.


 * 2. Middle and Right (in the absence of Raccoon mario)

Next, wall jump on the second hole and hit the ? Switch. The wall will move but it will not move back when it wears off. A secret door appears that leads to the red flagpole, which leads to.

Mini Mario is required for this exit. When the walls move, there is a mini pipe that leads to a dangerous area full of moving walls, Fish Bones and Skewers. At the top of the tower, there are 2 brick blocks and a Question Block. The Brick Blocks yield 1-Up Mushrooms while the Question Block yields a coin. They can only be accessed by Mini Mario. Going through the red pipe leads to the flagpole. This unlocks a cannon that leads to.

Before the green pipe, there is a red pipe (blocked by Brick Blocks). Use a nearby Koopa shell and toss it near the brick blocks. Slide under the brick blocks before the toxic water rises up. Alternatively, Gold Mario can destroy the brick blocks in a safer way (without sliding). This leads to.

Raccoon Mario or Gold Mario is required to access this exit. Mario needs to enter the door immediately to the right of the second Star Coin in the room where Mario comes to a fork (that is, the fourth room). Mario will need to ride on the leftmost platform in the next room, where he will be taken to a door which is enclosed by Brick Blocks. He needs to break the blocks to access the door. This door leads outside, where a single moving platform can be found. This is followed by the flagpole. This leads straight to Wendy's Castle.

After the area with the platforms that rises and lowers early in the level, there are two ? Blocks, of which one of them has a Super Leaf. After the Boos reverse and return to their normal direction, climb above these blocks and when they are about to go offscreen, quickly wall kick between the two Boo-driven walls to find a secret door. Quickly enter the door and continue on to find the flagpole.

This exit unlocks World 4-B.

In the third room, where another ice platform can be found, Mario needs to enter a blue pipe infested with a Bone Piranha Plant which is differently colored from the other green pipes to the left of the Big Bone Piranha Plant. To make it easier, Fire Mario can exhaust the black pipe on the right wall earlier in the level to release a Super Star. Entering the pipe takes Mario to a small room with coins, Donut Lifts and another blue Warp Pipe on the ceiling. Entering that pipe takes Mario to the roof of the fortress, where several Donut Lifts and rectangular ones can be found, followed by the flagpole.

This exit unlocks a yellow Toad House and World 4-C.

After the checkpoint, there are 2 Question Blocks, hit the one on the right and hop on it. It will then go up and the Flagpole comes ahead. This is best achieved when the player ground pounds the ? Block without it flying. This leads to.

When the player collects a Super Star, slide on the right wall and there will be a hidden platform. Go in and you see a door. Go further in and you see 40 coins and a brick block containing a 1-Up Mushroom. The door leads to the Red Flagpole. This unlocks.

There is a tightrope beside a Yellow Block. Bounce on it and you will see another tightrope. There is a hidden block containing a beanstalk (between the two coins). Climb on it and you see another tightrope with 15 coins and a hidden 1-Up mushroom and the third Star Coin. Bounce on the koopas (though this is a good way to get another 1-Up) and collect or pass by it and there is another tightrope. Bounce on the middle and another beanstalk appears. Go down and bounce on the koopas. Then the red flagpole appears. This leads to (a.k.a. World 5-Secret House).

At the first room, there is a hole. Hit a hidden block with a Beanstalk and climb it and you see a door. More swinging platforms appear. At the end of the room, hit the ? Switch (although it is a switch, it does not switch off). There are four doors and a Big Boo. The correct answer is the top-right door. It leads to the chimney of the Ghost House and Peepas. Climb up the pole (at the right time) and the Red Flagpole. This leads to.

At the normal Goal Pole, there are two brick blocks, one with a coin while the other with a Beanstalk. Use Gold Mario's fireball or use the springboard. Climb the beanstalk and a secret area is found. This is followed by the Flagpole. This unlocks Ludwig's Castle.

After collecting the third Star Coin, keep wall jumping for about 3 screens. There is a door that leads to the Red Flagpole. This unlocks, the only secret level in World 6.

Tilted Tunnel
Near the end of the stage, a purple crystal will shift upwards. The player can use this to reach the top of the course. Presumably a path to the Red Flagpole, Mario must jump up another crystal to actually go to the secret exit. Following the path without jumping will simply lead the player back down. The Red Flagpole will lead to the secret level, Blooper's Secret Lair.

Spike's Spouting Sands
After getting the last Star Coin, jump up and keep heading to the exit. You will come to a platform with a signpost pointing to the right. Keep running and run down the side of the platform. There is a hidden area at the bottom that leads to a pipe. Follow this new area right to the secret exit. The Red Flagpole will lead to the secret level, Piranha Plants on Ice.

Haunted Shipwreck
Before leaving the ship, look for an opening in the ceiling, a boo will probably be up there, lure him away before doing a wall jump up to the ceiling, where you'll find a door to the secret exit. If you can't make the jump, try getting a Super Acorn. The Red Flagpole will lead to the secret level, Skyward Stalk.

Swaying Ghost House
In the room with the long platform the moves upward when you jump - all the way to the door at the top tothe regular exit, there is a secret. Do not stop jumping, even past the first door. If you mange to jump high enough into the ceiling, you will instead find a hidden area with a second door. This will provide you with access to the Secret Exit. The Red Flagpole will lead to the secret level, Fliprus Lake.

Bridge over Poisoned Waters
Towards the end of the level, at the end of several pillars rising up out of the water there will be a solitary block against one pillar. Use a koopa shell to hit it, making a beanstalk pop up into the air. Take it to the next area, where you will find the Secret Exit. The Red Flagpole will reveal a shortcut to Seesaw Bridge.

Which-Way Labyrinth
In the main room, take the door on the left and start making your way through the house until you get to an area where the floor keeps rising. When it gets to the top - do not take the door, instead wait for it to reach the ceiling and stay to the left to find a secret area with another door. Drop down in the next area and leave through the door at the bottom. The Red Flagpole will lead the player to the secret level, Flight of the Para-Beetles.

Painted Swampland
After you pass the Red Ring, collect all the coins. When you collect the final coin, look below you to a slanted pipe floating in the water next to a red pipe. Land on the slanted pipe and walk under the platform to find a hidden area that will lead you to a pipe. Take the pipe to the Secret Exit. The Red Flagpole will reveal the true path through the forest and will unlock the level Wiggler Stampede.

Deepsea Ruins
Instead of taking the pipe at the top to leave the underwater ruins, wait for a statue to move over to the left. Jump over the statue and move to the right wall to find a pipe which will take you to the Secret Exit. The Red Flagpole will reveal the true path through the forest and will unlock the level Wiggler Stampede.

Walking Piranha Plants
Near the end of Rock Candy Mines-5 is a series of moving platforms with a pair of walking piranha plants on each. Just past these is a chain you can swing on. Instead of jumping for the chain, slide down the cliff wall to the lower left of it. A tunnel here leads to a red flag. The Red Flagpole will create a path to a red switch.

Grinding-Stone Tower
When you first start climbing the tower there will be a moving green pipe on the left wall. Jump on to the pipe and move left to find a hidden area with a block holding a mini mushroom. You may be tempted to ditch Mini Mario for a regular mushroom, but don't. It may be harder, but right before the end of the level you will spot another mini pipe on the top right. Avoid all the grinding stones and enter the pipe. In the next area, time your jumps to dodge the grinding stones to the top of the area. The Red Flagpole will lead the player to the level, Thrilling Spine Coaster.

Spinning Spirit House
After clearing the top floors of the house, go back to the middle floor, and use the trampoline on the far left to jump up and find a secret door. Go through the next area to find a path to the Secret Exit. The Red Flagpole will reveal a shortcut to Ludwig's Clockwork Castle.

Meteor Moat
When you reach the P-Switch, hit it and run as fast as you can. As you near the end, several coins will be block platforms, leading to a platform just under a pipe. Quickly jump on to the platform and through the pipe before time runs out to reach the Secret Exit. The Red Flagpole will lead to the level, Firefall Cliffs.