The Castle

The castle is the level containing the majority of the other levels in SM64, along with the Castle Grounds.

The Castle
Course Info
Terrain	Grassy/Default
Setting	Varied
Water	Some
Course Items
Coins	6 (  ×6)
Enemy Coins	9 (  ×9)
Caps	×1
Star Navigation
Overview

Coins

Although the castle is not an actual course and the score cannot be saved, it still has coins which can be collected but not saved. Because coins are not reset when the castle is exited, the actual maximum coin count is 999. Thus, this list enumerates the coins that can be collected in the castle.

Location	Count
(Outside the Castle) 2 yellow coins hidden underneath the bridge over moat	2
Total	2

Location	Count
(Inside the Castle) In the main entrance room, 2 pairs of coins beside the staircase	4
Total	4

Location	Count
(Castle Courtyard) 9 Boo Buddies (with yellow coins)	9
Total	9

The Castle

Outside The Castle

Outside the Castle is the starting location when creating a new file, reopening the game, or dying anywhere within the castle. It features a sunny environment with birds and water sfx in the background. There is also a cannon next to the lake that unlocks at 120 Stars, which is meant to allow you to get onto the castle roof. However, it can be bypassed with precise movement. It contains one secret stage, Vanish Cap Under the Moat.

First Floor

The 1st floor is the introductory area of the castle. It contains 4 main courses (Bob-omb Battlefield, Whomp's Fortress, Cool, Cool Mountain, and Jolly Roger Bay), and three secret courses (The Princess's Secret Slide, The Secret Aquarium, and Tower of the Wing Cap). The Star Door on this floor requires 8 stars, and leads to Bowser in the Dark World, the first Bowser stage. Additionally, there is a key door to the 2nd floor, as well as one leading to the basement (the intended next area) and a regular door leading into the courtyard.

The Courtyard

This courtyard is the location of Big Boo's Haunt, whose entrance is hidden inside of one of the several Boos in the area. The boos won't show up if you have less than 12 stars.

The Basement

The Basement has 4 main courses (Shifting Sand Land, Lethal Lava Land, Hazy Maze Cave, and Dire, Dire Docks). It also contains the pillars normally required to unlock Vanish Cap Under the Moat, although they can be bypassed with moat door skip. The Star Door in this area requires 30 stars which can be skipped with a SBLJ, and leads to the 2nd Bowser stage, Bowser in the Fire Sea, and Dire, Dire Docks.

The Second Floor

The 2nd floor has 4 main courses (Tall, Tall Mountain, Wet Dry World, Snowman's Land and Tiny-Huge Island, along with a Star Door that requires 50 stars to enter, which leads to the third floor.

The Third Floor

The 3rd floor contains 2 main courses, Tick Tock Clock and Rainbow Ride, along with one secret stage, Wing Mario over the Rainbow. Although there are endless stairs on this floor that require 70 stars to pass, it can be easily skipped using BLJs. These stairs lead to the final Bowser stage, Bowser in the Sky.