Portrait Secrets

Discover how to alter level starting conditions in Super Mario 64 DS by jumping into portraits differently! Learn secrets for Wet-Dry World, Tiny Huge Island, and Tick-Tock Clock.

Hey there! So, you've probably noticed those cool portraits scattered around the castle in Super Mario 64 DS. Turns out, they're not just for show! How you jump into them can actually change things up inside the levels. Let's break down these little secrets so you can get the most out of your adventures.

Wet-Dry World Secrets
This one's pretty neat. For Wet-Dry World, the altitude at which you enter the portrait matters. If you jump in from a high spot, you'll start the level with the water level already high. Conversely, if you enter from a low altitude, you'll begin with the water level low. This can really change how you approach the level right from the get-go!

Tiny Huge Island Secrets
Tiny Huge Island has a similar trick. There are two ways to enter the portrait for this world. Jump into the 'huge' portrait, and you'll find yourself in the giant version of the island. If you opt for the 'tiny' portrait, you'll start in the miniature version. Easy enough, right? Just pick the size you want!

Tick-Tock Clock Secrets
Tick-Tock Clock is where things get a bit more time-sensitive, literally! The position of the minute hand on the clock face when you jump into its portrait dictates how time behaves inside. Jump in when the minute hand is on the 12, and time will be completely stopped. If you jump in with the minute hand on the 6, time will be unaligned, meaning things might move a bit erratically. What's really cool is that you can also control the speed of everything in the level. If the minute hand is on a lower number when you enter, the whole level will move slowly, perfect for precise platforming. Jump in when the minute hand is on a larger number, and everything speeds up considerably. This offers a lot of flexibility depending on what you're trying to accomplish in the clock tower!