Goal Pole (secret)

A Red Flagpole is an uncommon exit introduced in New Super Mario Bros. and later re-appeared in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Red Flagpoles are often found when a secret exit is discovered. 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, Cannons and secret levels. The Red Flagpole acts like a regular Flagpole, but marks the way to a secret exit.

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 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.

World 3-Ghost Icon.png
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.

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 axcess the Red Flagpole after beating the rest of the secret level.

World 4-Fort_Icon.png
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.

World 4-Ghost Icon.png
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.

World 5-Ghost Icon.png
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 Glow Blocks to the far right in this new area. The ? Switches light the Glow 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.

World 7-Fort_Icon.png
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.

World 7-Ghost Icon.png
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.

Trivia

 * All the Ghost Houses have a Red Flagpole hidden in each of them.