Power Stars

Power Stars

Power Stars are the primary collectible in Super Mario 64. There are 120 in total, and collecting them is necessary to unlock new areas of the castle and ultimately confront Bowser. Stars are earned by completing specific missions within courses, collecting 100 coins, finding red coins, or discovering hidden secrets. Each of the 15 courses in the game typically offers six Power Stars, with an additional 15 found through various castle secrets and challenges. Collecting stars is the core progression mechanic, gating access to new wings of the castle and eventually leading to the final confrontation with Bowser. The variety of ways to obtain stars ensures that players engage with different aspects of the game's mechanics, from precise platforming to exploration and combat. Some stars require a keen eye for hidden paths, while others demand mastery of Mario's acrobatic abilities. The sheer number of stars encourages thorough exploration and replayability of each course.