Top 10 Hidden Secrets in Mario Games
Top 10 Hidden Secrets in Mario Games
10 Hidden Secrets In Super Mario Games
Leave no pipe or block unturned. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Hidden Secrets in Mario Games. For this list, we’ll be looking at hidden worlds, achievements, and details that only the most diehard “Mario” fans discovered without the internet or a magazine subscription.
#10: Music Heard Round the Globe
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“Super Mario Odyssey” (2017)
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With so many vibrant environments to explore, “Super Mario Odyssey” inspires players to search every nook and cranny. You don’t have to travel far to uncover one of the game’s coolest secrets, though. Outside of the Odyssey is a globe that Mario uses to travel to other kingdoms, but it’s so much more. When Mario jumps on the globe continuously, it will operate as a music box that can play two different tunes. In some kingdoms, you can hear the game’s theme song, “Jump Up, Super Star,” emanating from the globe. In other locations, the theme from Fossil Falls will play. No matter where you are, music truly is a universal language.
#9: Stage Select
“Super Mario Land” (1989)
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Mario’s first platform game on a handheld console is a relatively short one. If you know what you’re doing, you can complete the main story in about an hour. The catch is that “Super Mario Land” has no save feature, meaning you have to finish it in a single playthrough. Beating the game once unlocks Hard Mode, which is where matters get really stressful. For those who make it through the game twice, you’ll be rewarded with the stage select feature. Now you can venture to any level of your choosing. Unfortunately, the stage select will be lost after your Game Boy shuts off and you’ll have to start all over again. We love the Game Boy, but it was such a cruel console.
#8: The Impossible Coin
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“Super Mario 64” (1996)
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Collecting all 120 Power Stars is no easy task, but there are a few coins in “Mario 64” that are even harder to obtain. One in particular that we want to highlight is located in “Tiny-Huge Island.” In 2002, somebody on a GameFAQs message board pointed out an underground coin that seemingly couldn’t be reached. It’s been deduced that this was likely an error on the programmers’ behalf. Nevertheless, completionists spent well over a decade trying to catch the quote-unquote “Impossible Coin” to no chagrin. In 2014, though, a YouTuber named Scott Buchanan, aka pannenkoek2012, discovered a single frame in the water where Mario can jump and kick forward. This allowed Buchanan to reach the coin, although he couldn’t have pulled it off without tool-assistance.
#7: Secret Luigis
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“New Super Luigi U” (2013)
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The Mushroom Kingdom’s most unsung hero was finally given his due in 2013. The Year of Luigi, as it was called, saw Mario’s brother take center stage in this expansion pack. And since there’s no such thing as too much Luigi, the developers snuck a little surprise into every level. 82 secret Luigis can be found throughout the game, most of which are in his old school pixelated form. Where some of these stick out like a green thumb, others will require you to think outside the box… and break a few boxes as well. You might not get a special prize for tracking down each secret Luigi. Of course, the journey is a reward in itself for completionists.
#6: Throwback Mario
“Super Mario RPG” (1996)
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“Super Mario RPG” is another game that sneaks in its fair share of retro references. Mario spends a majority of this adventure in 3D… or at least what passed for 3D on the Super Nintendo. At Booster Tower, however, you’ll find a pair of curtains in one room. If Mario walks through one curtain, he’ll exit the other side in his 8-bit form. Some familiar music will play as well, but this isn’t a permanent change. When Mario attempts to leave the room, he’ll begin to shrink down. Mario will then rush back to the curtains and revert back his previous form, much to his relief. It’s a clever throwback to Mario’s NES days, although you can only do it once per playthrough.
#5: Vacation Attire
“Super Mario Sunshine” (2002)
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Mario’s plans for a tropical vacation may get sidetracked, but that doesn’t mean he can’t clean up the island in style. After gathering 30 Shine Sprites, seek out a particular Pianta near the beach at Delfino Plaza. He’ll reward you with a pair of sunglasses, which will naturally darken Mario’s surroundings. If you want to complete Mario’s look, be prepared to beat the entire game. Once Mario takes Bowser down, go to the sunglasses vendor again. Now he’ll give you a pair of shades and a blue Hawaiian shirt. With exception to Sirena Beach and Noki Bay, the vendor can be found at every Isle Delfino location. Now Mario is ready to get some sun!
#4: Autumn Overworld
“Super Mario World” (1990)
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If you play this SNES classic long enough, you’re bound to stumble across one of the five entries that will take you to the Star World. What some players fail to realize is that in Star World 5, you can access a Special Zone. These final eight levels take the difficulty into overdrive. If you can make it through the final level, you’ll find a pleasant surprise waiting in Dinosaur Land. It’s now autumn and the overworld isn’t the only thing that’s changed accordingly. Koopa Troopas will get into the Halloween spirit by wearing Mario masks. Piranha Plants now have jack-o'-lanterns for heads. Instead of Bullet Bills, Pidgit Bills will be shot out of canons. Kind of ironic that saving Dinosaur Land makes it spookier.
#3: Luigi Bros.
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“Super Mario 3D World” (2013)
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Having come out in 2013, it only makes sense that “Super Mario 3D World” would work in a special tribute to Luigi. This Wii U game also contains a remake of the 1983 “Mario Bros.” arcade classic. Instead of Mario and Luigi, however, both playable characters are Luigi in this version. There are two ways that you can play “Luigi Bros.” If you want to do it the long way, complete “Super Mario 3D World.” Those looking for a shortcut just need to download “New Super Luigi U” onto your Wii U. “Super Mario 3D World.” will recognize the save file, granting you instant access to double the Luigi and double the fun.
#2: Yoshi
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“Super Mario 64” (1996)
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Luigi is sadly nowhere to be found in the original “Super Mario 64,” but there is another green sidekick hidden in the game. You know that caged off cannon outside of Peach’s Castle? Once you’ve collected every Power Star, the cannon will open up. Shoot Mario to the castle roof where you’ll find Yoshi. Apparently he’s been up there for a while, waiting for Mario. We’re not sure why he didn’t just wait in the castle lobby. We mean, we sunk like 20 hours into this game. Was Yoshi just patiently roasting out in the sun that whole time? In any case, Yoshi will leave Mario with a message and 100 lives. You’ll also find that Mario’s triple jump has a sparkle to it now.
#1: The Minus World
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“Super Mario Bros. (1985)
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This secret level has been talked about so much that it's hardly even a secret anymore. That doesn’t make it any less legendary, however. For those who didn’t read Nintendo Power growing up, you can access the Minus World in World 1-2. Instead of taking the pipe up to the goal post, jump back while ducking and try to slip through the brick wall. It may take a few attempts, but the first pipe on the other side will take Mario to World -1. In the U.S. version, Mario will find himself in a neverending body of water. In the Japanese version, there are three worlds to explore. Once word got out about this glitch, every gamer had to test it out.
