Goal Pole (secret)

A Red Flagpole is an uncommon exit introduced in the New Super Mario Bros. Series. Red Flagpoles are often found when a secret exit is discovered. Going down a Red Flagpole and into the secret exit makes a path to shortcuts, such as a Warp Pipe on the map,Toad Houses, Cannons, and sometimes, secret levels. The Red Flagpole acts like a regular Flagpole, but marks the way to a secret exit.

World 1-3
Just before Star Coin #3 is a secret area the Player can access high above the ground which is on revealed when Mario stumbles into it -- there are several coins in the hidden 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 Star Coin #3, into a hidden pipe. On the other side there is the first Red Flagpole signifying the hidden exit.

World 2-4
Mario will need the Propeller Suit 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 sealed off from the level, 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, 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 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 and Co. must climb across the room on a rope. The player must guide Mario to where there is a moving platform. Instead of dropping onto the platform, Mario must drop down, to where a secret door is hidden. Past the door, there is an elevator where 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-Castle 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 fall and then run over it and into the secret passage. A warp pipe will take you to the area with the red secret exit flag.