Secret Levels & Cap Switches
Super Mario 64 distinguishes itself with three unique secret levels, each playing a pivotal role in unlocking Mario's advanced abilities: the Wing Cap, the Metal Cap, and the Vanish Cap. These specialized levels are not immediately apparent and are accessed through cleverly concealed passages scattered throughout Princess Peach's Castle. Upon entering each secret level, players will encounter a giant, distinctive switch. Interacting with this switch, typically by performing a Ground Pound on it, activates the corresponding colored ! Block within the game world. Once activated, these ! Blocks will materialize in various courses, providing Mario with the temporary power-up associated with that cap. The Wing Cap allows for sustained flight, the Metal Cap renders Mario invulnerable and heavy, and the Vanish Cap makes him intangible and able to pass through certain barriers.
The discovery of these secret levels is often tied to exploration and sometimes requires a certain number of Power Stars to access certain areas of the castle. For instance, the path to some of these levels might be blocked by doors that only open after collecting a specific quantity of stars. The switches themselves are visually striking and are usually found at the end of a challenging platforming or puzzle sequence within their respective secret levels. Activating these switches is a sificant milestone, as it permanently enables the use of these powerful abilities across all applicable courses. The red ! Switch activates the Wing Cap, the green ! Switch activates the Metal Cap, and the blue ! Switch activates the Vanish Cap. Mastering the use of these caps is essential for collecting certain Power Stars and reaching hidden areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
The strategic placement of these ! Blocks means that players will often need to revisit courses after activating a cap switch to obtain previously unobtainable stars. For example, the Wing Cap is crucial for reaching high platforms or flying through specific rings to collect stars. The Metal Cap can be used to walk through dangerous environments or sink to the bottom of bodies of water. The Vanish Cap is often required to pass through grates or walls to access hidden areas or collect red coins. The secret levels themselves are desed as focused challenges, testing Mario's platforming skills in unique ways, often with a specific theme related to the cap they unlock.