Super Mario 3D World pays homage to a plethora of classic Mario Games, including Super Mario Bros. 2 (with the ability to play as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach or Toad) and Super Mario Bros. 3 (the Tanooki Suit makes a welcome reappearance). Of course, this brand-new adventure has plenty of unique elements, beginning with the Super Bell that transforms your hero into a Cat; adorable, by the way.
With Bowser standing between you and victory, we dove into Nintendo’s charming adventure to create this free guide. In it, we’ll tell you how to find all three Green Stars per level, along with the collectible Stamp. On that note, get ready to master World 1, and remember to check out our Power-Ups and Items Guide.
For in-depth strategies and tricks, pick up Prima’s official Super Mario 3D World Collector’s Edition Guide.
For more level walkthroughs, visit Prima’s free Super Mario 3D World guide.
World 1
Super Mario 3D World: How to Beat World 1-1: Super Bell Hill
Run straight ahead towards the first ? Block. Hitting it causes a Super Bell to appear. Pick it up to become Cat Mario. Now you can use claw attacks to defeat enemies and climb up the sides of walls.
What can I do with Cat Mario?
Lots of cool things! Climb up a wall by jumping towards it and tilting the left analog stick in its direction. From there, hit enemies with the Claw Attack by pressing Y, or Pounce with ZL + Y. Finally, unleash Cat Mario’s Claw Dive by jumping and then holding the Y button.
Tip: The weather changes each time you return to the Super Mario 3D World Main Menu.
How do I find the Green Stars in Super Bell Hill?
Green Star #1
You’ll find it near the third Horizontal Pipe you come across. Notice that it has three openings, one on the left, middle and right. The Green Star sits just above the middle opening. Go through the first entrance and quickly tap or tilt Up to pop out the middle and automatically grab the Star.
Tip: Climb trees to find coins and Power-Ups. The game will automatically store an extra Power-Up on the lower left corner of the screen. If you need it, press the – (minus) button and it will magically appear. You can switch between two Power-Ups on the fly.
Green Star #2
After reaching the Checkpoint Flag, look for the rabbit standing to the right of a tree. Use Mario’s Dash ability to catch the rabbit and claim Green Star #2.
Tip: Touch the Checkpoint Flag to receive a Mushroom Power-Up.
Green Star #3
After locating Green Star #2, immediately climb the mountain and look for the large bunny. Chase after the rabbit and grab the Mega Mushroom. Now Mario is super sized! Drop down, go right and quickly stomp across the board until you reach a cobblestone bridge. It will automatically crumble, revealing a hidden room and Green Star #3.
Tip: Running out of time? Look for the + Clock near the giant bunny and collect it for an extra 100 seconds.
How long does the Mega Mushroom last in Super Mario 3D World?
Roughly 17 seconds, plenty of time to track down the third Green Star.
Where is the Stamp in Super Bell Hill?
Remember the second mountain where you found the giant bunny? At its base is a Green Pipe. Go inside to locate the first Stamp.
Tip: Run through bushes to grab the occasional gold coin.
Super Mario 3D World: How to Beat World 1-2: Koopa Troopa Cave
Immediately move left and hit the Item Block to reveal a Super Leaf. Pick this up to transform Mario into Tanooki Mario. From there, go down the green pipe to enter Koopa Troopa Cave.
What can I do with Tanooki Mario?
Hit enemies with Tanooki Mario’s Tail Attack by pressing Y. You can also deliver two complete Tail Spins by pressing ZL + Y. Lastly, you can Float by pressing and then holding the B button.
Tip: Did you know you can get Infinite Lives in World 1-2: Koopa Troopa Cave?
How do I find the Green Stars in Koopa Troopa Cave?
Green Star #1
Look for it between two sets of floating (and infinite) platforms; the left platforms move up, the right platforms move down. Green Star #1 just sits there waiting for you to collect it.
Tip: Immediately afterwards, jump into the next pipe to find a + Clock, which adds 100 seconds to the timer.
Green Star #2
Just beyond the Checkpoint Flag is a purple box. Touch it to enter a room with two Koopa Troopas, both of which charge towards Mario. Defeat them to reveal Green Star #2. Don’t waste time. You only have six seconds to collect it.
Tip: After running into the Checkpoint Flag, place Mario between the two flames and jump to reveal a rectangular block. Jump on top of it, position Mario in the center and jump again to hit an invisible ? Block, which produces a Fire Flower.
Green Star #3
You can’t miss it. The third Green Star sits amongst a horizontal stack of Goombas. Now’s a great time to use Tanooki Mario’s Tail Attack.
Tip: Hitting a Koopa Troopa with a Tail Attack automatically makes it disappear. No green shell to worry about.
Where is the Stamp in Koopa Troopa Cave?
Go through a big Horizontal Pipe. Position Mario near the right side of the wall and jump to reveal a horizontal block. Jump on top of it, position Mario to the right and jump again to reveal a second horizontal block. Do this again for a third horizontal block. Jump into the pipe on the wall, which transports Mario to a secret room with gold coins and the Stamp.
Super Mario 3D World: How to Beat World 1-A: Chargin’ Chuck Blockade
Look for the football helmet wearing bozo on the World Map. Walk up to him and press the A button to enter World 1-A. Here, you’ll need to defeat two enemies by jumping on each of their heads twice, once to knock off the football helmet, and again to put him away for good. Do that to reveal gold coins and a Green Star.
Tip: You can defeat these guys using other Power-Ups, like Tanooki Mario’s Tail Attack, for example.
Super Mario 3D World: How to Beat World 1-3: Mount Beanpole
It’s time to head upwards in this vertical course. The Super Bell is without question the best Power-Up to have.
How do I find the Green Stars in Mount Beanpole?
Green Star #1
When the course begins, immediately climb the tall tree on Mario’s left to find the first Green Star. Doing this also lets you tilt the Wii U GamePad to get a better look at the stage.
Tip: See the horizontal row of moving blocks? Hit the POW Block to remove the nearby Piranha Plant and get a Super Bell.
Tip: Immediately afterwards, you see another row of blocks with a POW Block. Hit it to destroy the Piranha Plant and reveal an invisible ? Block containing a 1-Up.
Green Star #2
When you see the third horizontal row of moving blocks in the stage, hit the POW Block to reveal a green pipe. Go inside, then quickly collect all of the Blue Coins to reveal the second Green Star.
Green Star #3
You’ll see four cloud platforms. Use them to reach the next area. Head to the right and you’ll see a large tree. Climb it to discover a stone totem with a wheel directly in front of it; the wheel contains a symbol of a Cat Paw. Hit this wheel a few times and watch as the totem grows. Climb it as quickly as possible, then jump into the cloud with the smiley face.
To collect the third Green Star, you must clear the obstacle course. Best way to do that? Hit the ? Block to score a Super Star, which makes Mario invincible. From there, charge through the Piranha Plants and jump across the gaps. You’ll need to make one final jump at the end to grab the Green Star.
Where is the Stamp in Mount Beanpole?
It’s right next to the third horizontal row of moving blocks you encounter. Position Mario directly underneath its shadow and then wall jump to collect it.
Super Mario 3D World: How to Beat World 1-4: Plessie’s Plunging Falls
This level is all about hopping on top of Plessie and riding the dinosaur to the goal. To control the speed, use the Left Stick or Up and Down on the D-pad. You can jump by pressing the B or 2 button, depending on the controller you use.
We can’t stress this enough: you need to know when to speed up and slow down.
Tip: Each Gold Ring you pass through gives you three Gold Coins.
How do I find the Green Stars in Plessie’s Plunging Falls?
Green Star #1
It’s right above the second group of enemies you encounter. Zip across the speed ramp and then jump to collect the Green Star, but be careful. It’s easy to miss.
Green Star #2
Ascend the cascading waterfall to collect the green 1-Up at the top, then charge down via the ramp. There will be a waterfall on the right. Head through it to locate the second Green Star.
Tip: Going after Green Star #2 means missing the Stamp. You’ll need to replay Plessie’s Plunging Falls to collect everything.
Green Star #3
You’ll charge down a large section of water full of dash panels and enemies. You’ll be able to see the third Green Star at the bottom, sitting above a wooden ramp. Flying off the ramp is no guarantee that you’ll collect it. It’s higher in the air than you think. Your best bet is to hit the dash panel and then press the jump button as you fly off that ramp.
Where is the Stamp in Plessie’s Plunging Falls?
You’ll approach a section with two steep and dangerous drops, the first one on the left and the second on the right. Once you clear this, the Stamp is on the right, just beyond a wooden fence. Slow down to avoid going off the edge.
Super Mario 3D World: How to Beat World 1-5: Switch Scramble Circus
To beat this course, you’ll need to step or jump onto blue ? Tiles to turn them into yellow ! Tiles. You can do this in no particular order, and you’ll need to make them all yellow to proceed through different parts of Switch Scramble Circus.
How do I find the Green Stars in Switch Scramble Circus?
Green Star #1
Mario will run towards a purple curtain with three question mark switches built into the floor. Jump on either the left or right switch, then wall jump until you land on the platform with the first Green Star. Jump down and into the ! Box to proceed.
Green Star #2
Wait until you see the large red ring about midway through the course. Run through it and then quickly collect all eight red coins in no particular order to receive a Fire Flower. Move to the left and jump into the ? Box. Use the fireballs to destroy the boxes on the left to reveal the second Green Star, but make sure you collect it as quickly as possible. If the time runs out, you get booted to the spot where the ? Box used to be.
Green Star #3
Easily spotted immediately after collecting Green Star #2 and reaching the top of the mountain. One of Bowser’s goons will use a magic wand to fire projectiles, so keep that in mind while trying to reach the third Green Star.
Where is the Stamp in Switch Scramble Circus?
This Stamp is right at the end. Step on each blue tile switch once to lower the platform next to the flagpole. Then you simply need to perform a wall jump to collect it.
Tip: Cat Mario is the best way to reach the top of the flagpole in Switch Scramble Circus, especially if you collect the Stamp. You may need to replay this course for 100 percent completion.
Super Mario 3D World: How to Beat Captain Toad Goes Forth
Throughout Mario and the gang’s journey, you’ll encounter special courses that make up Captain Toad’s Adventures. Each one challenges you to collect five Green Stars with the fearless Captain Toad, but there’s a catch. Captain Toad cannot jump, only Dash. On top of that, you’ll need to adjust the camera by physically tilting the GamePad. Good luck!
In Captain Toad Goes Forth, you’ll see a Green Star as soon as you turn the corner, but leave it alone for now. Instead, collect the one underneath the floating platform. From there, walk up the ramp and step onto that moving platform to collect the next Green Star. Now hitch a ride on that same platform and walk on the other side of the dirt column.
You’ll see two entrances. Walk into the one on the left and pop out the other side for the next Green Star. Now enter the one on the right and come out the other side, but avoid the enemies. Take the ramp up and stand on the grate. Blow into the Wii U GamePad microphone to make it go up. Avoid the second group of enemies and collect the fourth Green Star, then walk the plank and nab the fifth and final Green Star. That’s it! You’re done!
Super Mario 3D World: How to Beat Bowser’s Highway Showdown
Hold on there, Mario. You’ll need 10 Green Stars to unlock Bowser’s Highway Showdown. Make sure you collected enough.
How do I find the Green Stars in Bowser’s Highway Showdown?
Green Star #1
As soon as the course begins, you’ll see a Green Star Ring on the left. Walk into it and quickly collect the eight green coins, and the first Green Star will appear.
Tip: There’s an invisible block right beneath the Green Star Ring, against the wall.
Green Star #2
There’s a wheel with a paw print symbol. Climb up and hit this switch repeatedly to raise the platforms. Use Cat Mario to quickly ascend, and you’ll find the second Green Star to the right.
Green Star #3
You can’t miss Green Star #3. It’s right between a stack of Goombas. By now, you know what to do.
Where is the Stamp in Bowser’s Highway Showdown?
Right beneath the wheel with the cat paw symbol. Send one of those exploding Kick Bombs in its direction to break the stone and reveal the Stamp.
How do I beat Bowser in Bowser’s Highway Showdown?
Check out Bowser’s ride! This boss fight is easy, especially if you’re Cat Mario. Bowser throws explosive Kick Balls at Mario, and you need to hit them with a Claw Attack to send them back, whereupon which they’ll blow up and damage the car. It takes three direct hits to defeat Bowser, and you need to be patient while avoiding his flame attacks; Kick Bombs to the right or left will chip away at Bowser, and it will take more hits to win.
