Downtown

Description
Downtown (which can also be called the Underground City or the Underwater City depending on the tide) is a hidden area in the game Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS, within the Wet Dry World. To get there, the player has to launch Mario into a very tall mesh cage when the level is at maximum high tide (it is inaccessable at any other tide level). Once within the cage, the player must swim through a tunnel with partially closed gates quickly before Mario loses all of his air reserve (his health while underwater). The city has the 8 Red Coins hidden, and the Power Star required to get all six stars for that world (7 in the DS remake). To get the Power Star, the player must obtain the Invisible Cap (or Power Flower for Luigi in the DS remake) and become invisible, then run through a cage which contains the Star. To retrieve all of the Red Coins, the player must look around by jumping on top of the buildings, balancing on thin walls, and breaking Bricks, all while strategically utilizing the Crystal Tap and the ! Switch (there are times when the player must use the Metal Cap or the Power Flower as Wario to get to and activate these important items). There are some enemies in Downtown as well, but they are fairly easy to avoid. Other Items found here include green and blue ! Blocks. In the DS remake of the game, a lone Bob-omb can be found, who gives the player advice; he reveals where the 8 red coins are.

History
The city is barren and somewhat small. It is unknown what species of creatures inhabited this place, though many are quite sure they were Mermushrooms. The latter is not confirmed but the city is quite modernized, so it could be a small pun on the Lost city of Atlantis. This place is currently being patrolled by a small fleet of Bowser's army. These special operation members include only a few Skeeters.

Appearance
Downtown is, as latter told, a modernized, yet small town having only 5 inaccessable buildings, plant life, and even a central park with thin stone walls and a statue of a pyramid. Another attraction is the shrine without an entrance that stands in front of the park. It has an opening where the player can collect the Star after gathering all 8 Red Coins. The closed area with the other Power Star was possibly something under construction, which could further induce the fact that there was life in the city.