Goal Pole (secret)

The secret variety of Goal Pole (also known as a red-flag exit, red flag, or hidden goal ) is an uncommon exit introduced and currently found only within the New Super Mario Bros. series. Much like the keyholes in Super Mario World, secret Goal Poles often mark the locations of secret exits. Going down a secret Goal Pole 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 secret Goal Pole acts like a regular Goal Pole. From New Super Mario Bros. Wii onwards, when Mario touches the flag, he will say, "Hoo hoo! This way!" and when Luigi touches the flag, he will say, "Ho ho! Secret. Shh."

New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros. contains 16 red-flag exits.

World 1-2
In World 1-2, on the second tilting platform, Mario must jump onto the terrain above the bricks and coins. This leads to a small area with a Warp Pipe and the third Star Coin. Exiting through this pipe will bring Mario to the red-flag exit. This leads to a Toad House on a shortcut to.

In, Shell Mario is required in order to reach the secret exit. 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 keep moving to an enclosure of bricks near a yellow Warp Pipe that must be shell-dashed into. After destroying a second set of bricks via shell-dashing, Mario must enter the red Warp Pipe, which leads him directly to the red-flag exit. This unlocks the Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to World 5.

World 2-3
In World 2-3, when Mario hits the ? Switch to raise the water level, he must swim upwards and hit another ? 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-flag exit, which leads to World 2-A.

World 2-A
In World 2-A, after Mario jumps off the final Spin Block, he must time his landing correctly so he bounces off the Koopa Troopa in order to direct himself into the yellow Warp Pipe in the cavern directly above. Going into the pipe will bring Mario to the third Star Coin, then a red Warp Pipe to the red-flag exit. This leads to the Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to World 5.

World 2-4
In World 2-4, Mini Mario is required for this secret exit. After going down the staircase-like formation, Mario must go left and tread through the water to enter a small pipe. The pipe will bring him directly to the red-flag exit, which in turn leads to a Toad House and World 2-6.

World 3-2
In World 3-2, on the first moving mushroom after the midway point, there will be one green, one yellow, and one red Warp Pipe overhead. Mario must jump into the green pipe, then go down the next green pipe immediately after. After going down that pipe, he must jump across several Mushroom Platforms to reach the red-flag exit leading to World 3-B.

In, after hitting the ? Switch that reveals a Warp Door, Mario must pass that door and travel down the large staircase to enter another door. This door leads to a red-flag exit, revealing the path to a Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to World 6.

World 4-1
In World 4-1, when Mario gets to the long row of blocks while riding Dorrie, he must jump on it and hit an Invisible Block that contains a vine, which leads to a green Warp Pipe. Mario must enter that pipe to be led to the red-flag exit, which opens a path to a Toad House and.

In, Mini Mario is required for this secret exit. When Mario is in the room with the final Balloon Boo, he must wall-jump up a narrow passage at the top right corner of the room. This will lead to the third Star Coin as well as the door leading to the red-flag exit, unlocking a Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to World 7.

World 5-2
In World 5-2, after the locations of all three Star Coins and the midway point, Mario must enter a down-facing green Warp Pipe with a Piranha Plant hiding inside it that will lead him to the red-flag exit. Finding this exit will unlock a shortcut to World 5-3.

World 5-B
In World 5-B, Shell Mario is required for this secret exit. After the third Star Coin, Mario must wall-jump over the top of the area. He must then shell-dash through both bricks and enter the Warp Pipe. Grabbing the red flag will unlock a shortcut to.

In, after hitting some ? Blocks not long into the level, Mario must hit some Invisible Blocks above them, then duck in the center Invisible Block to reveal a vine. Mario must wait for the Broozer above him to clear out the Hard Blocks before entering the Warp Door this vine leads to. This leads to the third Star Coin in addition to the red-flag exit, revealing a Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to World 8.

In, after Mario hits the P Switch and heads left, he must find a brick containing a vine. Climbing up the vine and entering the corresponding Warp Door leads to the red-flag exit, which reveals a shortcut to.

World 7-4
In World 7-4, Mini Mario is required for this secret exit. After launching from the highest Spin Block, Mario must clip the left edge in order to enter a small area and enter the Warp Pipe inside. This leads directly to the red-flag exit, which in turn leads directly to.

World 7-5
In World 7-5, just before the only Banzai Bill Cannon in the level, Mario must use a few Bob-ombs or a Mega Mushroom to destroy the Hard Blocks blocking a green Warp Pipe, then enter it. This leads to the red-flag exit, which in turn leads to World 7-A.

World 7-6
In World 7-6, Super Mario or another form besides Mini Mario and Mega Mario is required for this secret exit. At the two rows of ? Blocks and bricks after the Checkpoint Flag, Mario must break the middle brick on the top row, then hit the middle brick on the bottom row to sprout a vine. Mario must climb it, then follow a moving Mushroom Platform to a Warp Pipe. This leads to the red-flag exit, which in turn leads to World 7-7.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
New Super Mario Bros. Wii contains 14 hidden goals.

World 1-3
In World 1-3, just before the third Star Coin is a secret area with several coins in it revealed when Mario walks into it. The hidden exit is found 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 hidden goal signifying the hidden exit. This leads to unlocking the Warp Cannon, which shoots the player to World 5.

World 2-4
In 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 area with the flagpole, there is an area high above with a pipe in it. It is offscreen, 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 pushes Mario into the wall, allowing him to wall-jump up out of sight above the screen, falling into the secret area. The red pipe leads to a hidden goal. This leads directly to.

World 2-6
In 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 hidden goal is found. This secret exit leads to a Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to World 5.

In, near the middle of the level, there is a room that Mario must climb across 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, a door that leads to the next hidden goal is found. It takes Mario to a Warp Cannon leading to World 6.

World 3-4
In World 3-4, the player must follow the path regularly to the end of the level. This leads to World 3-5 and a red Toad House. In the Prima Games guide, this exit was mistakenly labeled the normal exit, while the exit available after the switch was activated was mistakenly labeled the secret exit.

World 3-5
In World 3-5, Mario must make it to the top of the level, where Red Blocks appear after the red switch on the world map has been hit. Mario must enter the red pipe and get to the top of the new elevator. Mario can access the hidden goal after beating the rest of the secret level.

In, in the falling block area where the final Star Coin resides, the player can find a secret passage that leads to the hidden goal. Mario should wait until the block nearest to the wall under the coin falls, and then run over it into the secret passage. A Warp Pipe takes Mario and company to the area with the hidden goal.

In, in the first row of rising platforms, Mario must backtrack from the starting point and grab the Star from the Invisible Block. Mario and company must run to the right. Mario must stand on the ninth rising and lowering platform, found under two coins and a ? Block, until it lowers to reveal a door. Mario must head through the door, run all the way to the end of the area, and enter the final door. Mario finds the hidden goal on the other side.

In, 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 company 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 hidden goal.

World 6-5
In World 6-5, a pool of water with four Mega ? Blocks floating in it contains an Invisible Block in between the middle Mega ? Blocks. Hitting the block reveals a vine, which Mario must climb to reach the secret area. The hidden goal is found to the right of the area.

World 6-6
In World 6-6, when Mario and company come across the Fire Bros. tossing fireballs at Mario's raft, there is a red pipe hanging from the ceiling. It is found between the first two Fire Bros. at the top of the area. Mario must head to the right through the dark passage past the Swoops and find a pipe to the surface. A hidden goal is found in this area, which unlocks a path to a Warp Cannon that takes Mario to World 8.

In, in the second section of the fortress, there is a hidden passage on the right wall with a moving platform. When Mario enters it, he ends up outside with several Bullet Bills firing from Bill Blasters. If Mario keeps running, he finds the hidden goal. This leads to World 7-6.

In, just below the second Broozer is a secret area. It is much like the one with the first Star Coin, but the player cannot see the bricks blocking it. Mario must lead the Broozer down and then through the blocks. Mario must then enter the door and climb the shaft by using the P Switches and platforms. Mario also must hit some Brick Blocks to make vines appear. The door at the very top leads to the hidden goal.

World 8-2
In World 8-2, after Mario passes the midway point, 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 enters a secret passage that leads back to a Warp Pipe. The hidden goal is found at the end. This leads to World 8-7.

New Super Mario Bros. 2
New Super Mario Bros. 2 contains 15 secret Goal Poles.

In, at the Checkpoint Flag, there is a door that Mario can enter. Mario must then follow the Snake Block and move to the right, where there is a pipe leading to the roof of the fortress, where the secret Goal Pole is found. It leads to a cannon that leads to.

In, near the second Star Coin, Mario must go to the lowest floor and hit a Hidden Block containing a vine. This leads to a door, which leads to the secret Goal Pole when entered. This secret exit unlocks World 2-B.

In, near the third Star Coin, Mario must bounce off some Koopa Troopas to the top of a stack of blocks. There are two Hidden Blocks, one with a coin and the other with a vine. The vine leads to an area with Flying ? Blocks and Koopa Paratroopas. The secret Goal Pole is found in this area, and it unlocks.

In, in the last room, Mario must hit the following ? Switches:
 * The left and right ? Switches can be pressed if Mario is Raccoon Mario. Mario must fill the P-Meter, then fly to the top route.
 * The middle and right ? Switches can also be pressed to reach the area without Raccoon Mario.

Mario can then wall-jump on the second hole and hit the ? Switch. The wall moves, but it does not move back when it wears off. A secret door appears, leading to the secret Goal Pole, which unlocks.

In, Mini Mario is required for this exit. When the walls move, there is a small pipe that leads to an area full of moving walls, Fish Bones, and Skewers. At the top of the tower, two Brick Blocks and a ? Block can be found through a small crevice that can be accessed by Mini Mario. The Brick Blocks yield 1-Up Mushrooms, while the ? Block yields a coin. Going through the red pipe leads to the secret Goal Pole. This unlocks a cannon that leads to.

In World 3-4, before the green Warp Pipe, there is a red Warp Pipe that is blocked by Brick Blocks. Mario must use a nearby Koopa shell and toss it near the Brick Blocks. He must slide under the Brick Blocks before the poison rises up. The Brick Blocks can also be destroyed by Gold Mario. The secret exit unlocks World 3-B.

In, 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 fourth room. Mario needs to ride on the leftmost platform in the next room, where he is taken to a door that 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 secret Goal Pole. This leads straight to Wendy's Castle.

In, after the area with the platforms that rise and lower early in the level, there are two ? Blocks, one of which contains a Super Leaf. After the Boos reverse and return to their normal direction, Mario must climb above these blocks, and when they are about to go offscreen, he must quickly wall-jump between the two Boo-driven walls to find a secret door. He then must enter the door and continue on to find the secret Goal Pole, which unlocks World 4-B.

In, in the third room, where another ice platform can be found, Mario needs to enter a blue pipe with a Bone Piranha Plant inside it, which is differently colored from the other green pipes to the left of the Big Bone Piranha Plant. 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 secret Goal Pole. This exit unlocks a yellow Toad House and World 4-C.

In, after the Checkpoint Flag, there are two ? Blocks. Mario must hit the one on the right and hop on it. It moves up, and the secret Goal Pole comes ahead. This is best achieved when the player ground-pounds the ? Block without it flying. This leads to.

In, when the player collects a Super Star, they must slide on the right wall, where there is a small platform. To the right, there is a door. The door leads outside, where Mario must traverse the webs to reach the secret Goal Pole. This unlocks.

In World 5-1, Mario can find a tightrope beside a ? Block. Mario must bounce on it, allowing him to reach a second tightrope. There is a Hidden Block containing a vine between the two coins. Mario must climb on it, allowing him to access another tightrope with fifteen coins, a hidden 1-Up Mushroom, and the third Star Coin. Mario must bounce on the Koopa Paratroopas and collect or pass by it, where there is another tightrope. Mario must jump in the middle to make another vine appear. Mario must go down and bounce on the Koopa Paratroopas in order to reach the secret Goal Pole. This leads to.

In, in the first room, there is a hole. Mario must hit a Hidden Block with a vine and climb it, where he sees a door. More swinging platforms appear. At the end of the room, Mario must hit the ? Switch (although it is a switch, it does not switch off). There are four doors and a Big Boo. The correct door is the top right door. It leads to the chimney of the Ghost House and Peepas. Mario must climb up the pole at the right time and reach the secret Goal Pole. This leads to World 5-A.

In World 5-A, at the normal Goal Pole, there are two Brick Blocks, one with a coin and the other with a vine. The player can use either Gold Mario's fireball or the springboard. Mario must climb the vine, and a secret area is found. This is followed by the secret Goal Pole. This unlocks Ludwig's Castle.

In, after collecting the third Star Coin, Mario must keep wall-jumping for about three screens. There is a door that leads to the secret Goal Pole. This unlocks, the only secret level in World 6.

New Super Mario Bros. U
New Super Mario Bros. U contains 12 secret Goal Poles: one in Acorn Plains, Layer-Cake Desert, Sparkling Waters, Frosted Glacier, Meringue Clouds, and Peach's Castle; four in Soda Jungle; and two in Rock-Candy Mines.

Tilted Tunnel
In 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. As this is presumably a path to the secret Goal Pole, 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 secret Goal Pole will lead to the secret level Blooper's Secret Lair, which, when completed, unlocks Soda Jungle.

Spike's Spouting Sands
In Spike's Spouting Sands, after getting the last Star Coin, the player has to jump up and keep heading to the exit. They will come to a platform with a signpost pointing to the right. They must keep running and run down the side of the platform. There is a hidden area at the bottom that leads to a pipe. The player must follow this new area right to the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole will lead to the secret level Piranha Plants on Ice, which in turn unlocks Soda Jungle.

Haunted Shipwreck
In Haunted Shipwreck, before leaving the ship, the player has to look for an opening in the ceiling. A Boo will be up there. Luring it away makes this section a bit easier. Mario needs to wall-jump up the ceiling where a door to the secret exit will be found. The secret Goal Pole will lead to the secret level Skyward Stalk. Skyward Stalk's completion unlocks Rock-Candy Mines.

Swaying Ghost House
In Swaying Ghost House, in the room with the long platform that moves upward when the player jumps, all the way to the door at the top to the regular exit, there is a secret. The player must not stop jumping, even past the first door. If they manage to jump high enough into the ceiling, they will instead find a hidden area with a second door. This will provide the player with access to the secret exit. The player can alternatively use a Balloon Baby Yoshi. The secret Goal Pole leads to the secret level Fliprus Lake. Fliprus Lake's completion unlocks Rock-Candy Mines.

Bridge over Poisoned Waters
In Bridge over Poisoned Waters, after the third Star Coin, at the end of several pillars rising up out of the water, there will be a solitary block against one pillar. Mario must use a Koopa Shell to hit it, making a vine pop up into the air. He must then take it to the next area, where he will find the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole will reveal a shortcut to Seesaw Bridge and Wiggler Stampede.

Which-Way Labyrinth
In Which-Way Labyrinth, in the main room, Mario has to take the door on the left and start making his way through the house until he gets to an area where the floor keeps rising. When it gets to the top, Mario should not take the door and instead wait for the floor to reach the ceiling and stay to the left to find a secret area with another door. He must then drop down in the next area and leave through the door at the bottom. The secret Goal Pole will lead the player to the secret level Flight of the Para-Beetles. The player can collect the third Star Coin in the drop-down room.

Painted Swampland
In Painted Swampland, after Mario passes the Red Ring, he should collect all the coins. When he collects the final coin, there is a slanted pipe floating in the water next to a red pipe. Mario has to land on the slanted pipe and walk under the platform to find a hidden area that will lead him to a pipe that will take him to the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole will reveal the true path through the forest and will unlock the levels Seesaw Bridge and Wiggler Stampede.

Deepsea Ruins
In Deepsea Ruins, instead of taking the pipe at the top to leave the underwater ruins, Mario must wait for a statue to move over to the left, then jump over the statue and move to the right wall to find a pipe that will take him to the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole will reveal the true path through the forest and will unlock the levels Seesaw Bridge and Wiggler Stampede.

Grinding-Stone Tower
In Grinding-Stone Tower, when Mario first starts climbing the tower, there will be a moving green pipe on the left wall. He must jump onto the pipe and move left to find a hidden area with a block holding a Mini Mushroom. Mario must stay as Mini Mario because right before the end of the level, he will spot another small pipe on the top right. Mario must avoid all the Grrrols and enter the pipe. In the next area, he must time his jumps to dodge the Grrrols to the top of the area. The secret Goal Pole will lead the player to the level Thrilling Spine Coaster.

Walking Piranha Plants!
Near the end of Walking Piranha Plants! is a series of lifts with a pair of Stalking Piranha Plants on each. Just past these is a chain that Mario can swing on. Instead of jumping for the chain, Mario should slide down the cliff wall to the lower left of it. A tunnel here leads to a secret Goal Pole. The secret Goal Pole will create a path to a red switch that helps unlock the second entrance to Roy's Conveyor Castle.

Spinning Spirit House
In Spinning Spirit House, after clearing the top floors of the house, Mario must go back to the middle floor and use the trampoline on the far left to jump up and find a secret door. Then he must go through the next area to find a path to the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole will reveal a shortcut to Ludwig's Clockwork Castle.

Meteor Moat
In Meteor Moat, when Mario reaches the P Switch, he must hit it and run as fast as he can. As he nears the end, several coins will be block platforms, leading to a platform just under a pipe. Mario must quickly jump onto the platform and through the pipe before time runs out to reach the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole will lead to the level Firefall Cliffs.

Trivia
Every Level that is a Ghost House will always have a Secret Goal Pole.