At the end of each non-boss level, if you hit the flagpole at the very top, you'll be taken to a bonus game. There are two types of bonus games:
- Coin Game: You'll see a series of blocks. You get to choose one block to hit. These blocks can contain a varying number of coins (usually 10, 20, or 30). This is a good way to rack up coins towards an extra life.
- Life Game: Similar to the coin game, but the blocks contain either a Super Mushroom (which acts as a 1-Up if you're already Super Mario) or a 1-Up Mushroom directly. This is the best way to gain extra lives quickly.
Strategy: The contents of the blocks are random, but if you consistently hit the top of the flagpole, you'll get more opportunities to play these games. Prioritize the Life Game if you're low on lives, otherwise, the Coin Game helps you reach 100 coins faster.