Editing Goal Pole (secret)

{{rewrite|the article currently has light strategy writing}}
{{item infobox
|image=[[File:Flagpole secret.png|75px]]<br>Hidden goal sprite from ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''
|first_appearance=''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#2006|2006]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'' ([[List of games by date#2023|2023]])
}}
The secret variety of '''Goal Pole'''<ref>{{cite|author=von Esmarch, Nick|title=''New Super Mario Bros. 2'' PRIMA Official Game Guide|page=, 91, 93, 113, 130, 146, 149, 155, 177, 181, 195, and 196|language=en-us|date=2012|publisher=Prima Games|isbn=978-0-307-89552-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Stratton, Steve|title=''New Super Mario Bros. U'' PRIMA Official Game Guide|page=43|publisher=Prima Games|language=en-us|date=November 18, 2012|isbn=978-0-307-89690-2}}</ref> (also known as a '''red-flag exit''',<ref>{{cite|author=Loe, Casey|title=''New Super Mario Bros.'' Player's Guide|page=31, 42, 50, 57, 92, and 97|date=May 15, 2006|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|isbn=1-59812-009-3}}</ref> '''red flag''',<ref>{{cite|author=Knight, Michael|title=''Nintendo DS'' Pocket Guide|page=31|isbn=978-0-307-46760-7|language=en-us|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|date=March 16, 2010}}</ref> or '''hidden goal'''<ref>{{cite|title=''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' instruction booklet|page=21|quote='''Look for secrets!''' Each course doesn’t necessarily have just one goal, Mario. On some courses, there are hidden goals and secret paths that open up new places on the map! Don’t be afraid to do a bit of exploring.''" (PAL) / "''Don’t be afraid to explore.''" (NTSC)|date=2009|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>) is an uncommon exit introduced in the [[New Super Mario Bros. (disambiguation)|''New Super Mario Bros.'' series]]. Much like the [[keyhole]]s in ''[[Super Mario World]]'', secret Goal Poles often mark the locations of secret exits. Going down a secret Goal Pole into the secret exit creates a path to shortcuts, such as a [[Warp Pipe]] on the map, [[Toad House]]s, [[Warp Cannon]]s, and secret [[level]]s. The secret Goal Pole acts like a regular [[Goal Pole]]. From ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' onwards, after [[Mario]] jumps off the flagpole, he says, ''"Hoo hoo! This way!"'' and after [[Luigi]] jumps off the flagpole, he says, ''"Ho ho! Secret. Shh."''

Secret Goal Poles reappear in ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'', including one in [[Bulrush Coming Through!]] with an extremely tall pole. They award an additional [[Wonder Seed]] that is hidden from the overworld and level-selection screen. Five levels—[[Jump! Jump! Jump! (level)|Jump! Jump! Jump!]], [[The Final Trial: Zip Track Dash]], [[An Uncharted Area: Wubba Ruins]], [[Another Uncharted Area: Swaying Ruins]], and [[A Final Uncharted Area: Poison Ruins]]—feature normal Goal Poles with black bases and no [[fortress]]es similar to the secret ones to denote fake exits, which do not award a Wonder Seed.

==History==
===''New Super Mario Bros.''===
''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' contains 16 red-flag exits:

*[[World 1-2 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 1-2]]: On the second tilting platform, Mario must [[jump]] onto the terrain above the [[Brick Block|brick]]s and [[coin]]s. This leads to a small area with a Warp Pipe and the third [[Star Coin]]. Exiting through this pipe brings Mario to the red-flag exit. This leads to a Toad House and a shortcut to {{world-link|1|towern|World 1-Tower (New Super Mario Bros.)}}.

*{{world|1|towern}}: Reaching the secret exit requires [[Shell Mario]]. In the room with the second Star Coin and shifting blocks, the player can find a gap that never closes on the right side of the room. The player has to enter the gap and keep moving to an enclosure of bricks near a yellow Warp Pipe that must be [[shell dash|shell-dash]]ed into. After destroying a second set of bricks via shell-dashing, Mario must enter the red Warp Pipe, which leads him directly to the red-flag exit. This unlocks the Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to [[World 5 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 5]].

* [[World 2-3 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 2-3]]: When Mario hits the [[? Switch]] to raise the water level, he must [[swim]] upwards and hit another ? Switch in the room above. Once this room floods, he must swim to a small corridor in the top right of the room. Entering it brings Mario to the red-flag exit, which leads to [[World 2-A (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 2-A]].

*World 2-A: After Mario jumps off the final [[Spin Block (New Super Mario Bros.)|Spin Block]], he must time his landing correctly so he bounces off the [[Koopa Troopa]] in order to direct himself into the yellow Warp Pipe in the cavern directly above. Going into the pipe brings Mario to the third Star Coin, then a red Warp Pipe to the red-flag exit. This leads to the Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to World 5.

* [[World 2-4 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 2-4]]: [[Mini Mario (form)|Mini Mario]] is required for this secret exit. After going down the staircase-like formation, Mario must go left and tread through the water to enter a [[small pipe]]. The pipe brings him directly to the red-flag exit, which in turn leads to a Toad House and a shortcut to [[World 2-6 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 2-6]].

* [[World 3-2 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 3-2]]: On the first moving mushroom after the [[Checkpoint Flag|midway point]], there is one green, one yellow, and one red Warp Pipe overhead. Mario must jump into the green pipe, then go down the next green pipe immediately after. After going down that pipe, he must jump across several [[Mushroom Platform]]s to reach the red-flag exit leading to [[World 3-B (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 3-B]].

* {{world-link|3|ghostn|World 3-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros.)}}: After hitting the ? Switch that reveals a [[Warp Door]], Mario must pass that door and travel down the large staircase to enter another door. This door leads to the red-flag exit, revealing the path to a Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to [[World 6 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 6]].

* [[World 4-1 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 4-1]]: When Mario gets to the long row of blocks while riding [[Dorrie]], he must jump on it and hit an [[Hidden Block|Invisible Block]] that contains a [[beanstalk|vine]], which leads to a green Warp Pipe. Mario must enter that pipe to be led to the red-flag exit, which leads to a Toad House and a shortcut to {{World-link|4|towern|World 4-Tower (New Super Mario Bros.)}}.

* {{world-link|4|ghostn|World 4-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros.)|}}: [[Mini Mario (form)|Mini Mario]] is required for this secret exit. When Mario is in the room with the final [[Balloon Boo]], he must [[Wall Jump|wall-jump]] up a narrow passage at the top right corner of the room. This leads to the third Star Coin as well as the door leading to the red-flag exit, unlocking a Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to [[World 7 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 7]].

* [[World 5-2 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 5-2]]: After the locations of all three Star Coins and the midway point, Mario must enter a down-facing green Warp Pipe with a [[Piranha Plant]] hiding inside it that leads him to the red-flag exit. Finding this exit unlocks a shortcut to [[World 5-3 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 5-3]].

* [[World 5-B (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 5-B]]: [[Shell Mario]] is required for this secret exit. After the third Star Coin, Mario must wall-jump over the top of the area. He must then shell-dash through both bricks and enter the Warp Pipe. Grabbing the red flag unlocks a shortcut to {{World-link|5|castlen|World 5-Castle (New Super Mario Bros.)}}.

* {{world-link|5|ghostn|World 5-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros.)}}: After hitting some [[? Block]]s not long into the level, Mario must hit some Invisible Blocks above them, then [[crouch|duck]] in the center Invisible Block to reveal a vine. Mario must wait for the [[Broozer]] above him to clear out the [[Hard Block]]s before entering the Warp Door this vine leads to. This leads to the third Star Coin in addition to the red-flag exit, revealing a Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to [[World 8 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 8]].

* {{world-link|7|ghostn|World 7-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros.)}}: After Mario hits the [[P Switch]] and heads left, he must find a brick containing a vine. Climbing up the vine and entering the corresponding Warp Door leads to the red-flag exit, which leads to a Toad House and a shortcut to {{world-link|7|towern|World 7-Tower (New Super Mario Bros.)}}.

* [[World 7-4 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 7-4]]: Mini Mario is required for this secret exit. After launching from the highest [[Spin Block (New Super Mario Bros.)|Spin Block]], Mario must clip the left edge in order to enter a small area and enter the Warp Pipe inside. This leads directly to the red-flag exit, which leads to a Toad House and a shortcut to {{world-link|7|castlen|World 7-Castle (New Super Mario Bros.)}}.

* [[World 7-5 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 7-5]]: Just before the only [[Banzai Bill Cannon]] in the level, Mario must use a few [[Bob-omb]]s or a [[Mega Mushroom]] to destroy the Hard Blocks blocking a green Warp Pipe, then enter it. This leads to the red-flag exit, which in turn leads to [[World 7-A]].

* [[World 7-6 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 7-6]]: [[Super Mario (form)|Super Mario]] or another form besides Mini Mario and [[Mega Mario]] is required for this secret exit. At the two rows of ? Blocks and bricks after the Checkpoint Flag, Mario must break the middle brick on the top row, then hit the middle brick on the bottom row to sprout a vine. Mario must climb it, then follow a moving Mushroom Platform to a Warp Pipe. This leads to the red-flag exit, which in turn leads to [[World 7-7 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 7-7]].

===''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''===
[[File:NSMBW World 1-3 Secret Exit.png|thumb|left|The first hidden goal in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'', located in World 1-3]]
''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' contains 14 hidden goals:

* [[World 1-3 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 1-3]]: Just before the third Star Coin is a secret area with several coins in it revealed when Mario walks into it. The hidden exit is found above this secret area. Mario can get up there with the help of [[Yoshi]] or a [[Propeller Mushroom]]. Mario has to [[dash|run]] to the right at the very top of the screen, past the third Star Coin, into a hidden pipe. On the other side, there is the first hidden goal signifying the hidden exit. This leads to unlocking the Warp Cannon, which shoots the player to [[World 5 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 5]].

* [[World 2-4 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 2-4]]: Mario needs the Propeller Mushroom to get to the end of the secret stage. At the very end of the level, just before the pipe leading to the area with the [[Goal Pole|flagpole]], there is an area high above with a pipe in it. It is offscreen, but Mario can access this area from the left side, with the help of the [[wind]]. Mario's starting point for this maneuver is the platform with the [[Spike Top]] below the secret area. Mario must wait for the wind to begin to pick up and then run, jump, and spin towards the secret area. The wind pushes Mario into the wall, allowing him to [[Wall Jump|wall-jump]] out of sight above the screen, falling into the secret area. The red pipe leads to a hidden goal that leads directly to {{world-link|2|castle|World 2-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}.

* [[World 2-6 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 2-6]]: Towards the end of the level, a red [[Warp Pipe]] is at the top of the screen. Mario must use a Propeller Suit to [[fly]] into the pipe. Past the pipe, the hidden goal is found. This secret exit leads to a Warp Cannon, which in turn leads to World 5.

* {{world-link|3|ghost|World 3-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}: Near the middle of the level, there is a room that Mario must climb across on a rope. The player must guide Mario to a moving platform. Instead of dropping onto the platform, Mario must drop down to where a secret door is hidden. Beyond the door is an elevator in which Mario must avoid multiple [[Boo]]s. After the elevator, a door that leads to the next hidden goal is found. It takes Mario to a Warp Cannon leading to [[World 6 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 6]].

* [[World 3-4 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 3-4]]: The player must follow the path regularly to the end of the level. This leads to [[World 3-5 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 3-5]] and a red Toad House. In the [[Prima Games]] guide, this exit was mistakenly labeled the normal exit, while the exit available after the switch was activated was mistakenly labeled the secret exit.

* World 3-5: Mario must make it to the top of the level, where [[Red Block]]s appear after the red switch on the world map has been hit. Mario must enter the red pipe and get to the top of the new elevator. Mario can access the hidden goal after beating the rest of the secret level. This leads to a yellow Toad House.

* {{world-link|4|tower|World 4-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}: In the falling block area where the final Star Coin resides, the player can find a secret passage that leads to the hidden goal. Mario should wait until the block nearest to the wall under the coin falls, and then run over it into the secret passage. A Warp Pipe takes Mario and company to the area with the hidden goal. This unlocks a Warp Cannon, which leads to [[World 6 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 6]].

* {{world-link|4|ghost|World 4-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}: In the first row of rising platforms, Mario must backtrack from the starting point and grab the [[Super Star|Star]] from the [[Hidden Block|Invisible Block]]. Mario and company must run to the right. Mario must stand on the ninth rising and lowering platform, found under two coins and a ? Block, until it lowers to reveal a door. Mario must head through the door, run all the way to the end of the area, and enter the final door. Mario finds the hidden goal on the other side. This unlocks a shortcut to {{world-link|4|castle|World 4-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}.

* {{world-link|5|ghost|World 5-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}: Mario must make his way through the "main room" with all the doors to the various areas in the [[Ghost House]]. When Mario comes to the fourth red [[Arrow Sign]] across the way from a few coins and a door, he must drop below the sign. Mario can walk through a wall here to his left to find an area with a door. Mario and company must hop across the [[Light Block]]s to the far right in this new area. The [[? Switch]]es light the Light Blocks, but Mario can walk on them even if they are turned off. Mario then must follow the path to the hidden goal. This leads to a Warp Cannon, leading to [[World 8 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 8]].

* [[World 6-5 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 6-5]]: A pool of water with four [[Mega ? Block]]s floating in it contains an Invisible Block in between the middle Mega ? Blocks. Hitting the block reveals a [[beanstalk|vine]], which Mario must climb to reach the secret area. The hidden goal is found to the right of the area. This leads directly to {{world-link|6|castle|World 6-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}.

* [[World 6-6 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 6-6]]: When Mario and company come across the [[Fire Bro]]s. tossing [[fireball]]s at Mario's raft, there is a red pipe hanging from the ceiling. It is found between the first two Fire Bros. at the top of the area. Mario must head to the right through the dark passage past the [[Swoop]]s and find a pipe to the surface. A hidden goal is found in this area, which unlocks a path to a Warp Cannon that takes Mario to World 8.

* {{world-link|7|tower|World 7-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}: In the second section of the [[fortress]], there is a hidden passage on the right wall with a moving platform. When Mario enters it, he ends up outside with several [[Bullet Bill]]s firing from [[Bill Blaster]]s. If Mario keeps running, he finds the hidden goal. This leads to [[World 7-6 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 7-6]].

* {{world-link|7|ghost|World 7-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}: Just below the second [[Broozer]] is a secret area. It is much like the one with the first Star Coin, but the player cannot see the bricks blocking it. Mario must lead the Broozer down and then through the blocks. Mario must then enter the door and climb the shaft by using the P Switches and platforms. Mario also must hit some [[Brick Block]]s to make vines appear. The door at the very top leads to the hidden goal. This unlocks a shortcut to [[World 7-5 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 7-5]].

* [[World 8-2 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 8-2]]: After Mario passes the midway point, he encounters a series of rotating circular ground and [[Spike Ball|Spiked Ball]]s rolling toward him. When Mario heads down an incline with Spiked Balls on every side, the player should look for a row of Brick Blocks at the bottom. Mario should turn around here and head left. Mario enters a secret passage that leads back to a Warp Pipe. The hidden goal is found at the end and leads to [[World 8-7 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 8-7]].

===''New Super Mario Bros. 2''===
''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' contains 15 secret Goal Poles:

* {{world-link|1|towern2|World 1-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}: At the [[Checkpoint Flag]], there is a door that can be entered. Mario has to then follow the [[Snake Block]] and move to the right, where there is a pipe leading to the roof of the fortress, where the secret Goal Pole is found. It leads to a Warp Cannon that leads to {{world-link|mushroom|1|World Mushroom-1 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}.

* {{world-link|2|ghost|World 2-Ghost House}}: Near the second Star Coin, Mario must go to the lowest floor and hit a [[Hidden Block]] containing a [[vine]]. This leads to a door, which leads to the secret Goal Pole when entered. This secret exit unlocks [[World 2-B (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 2-B]].

* {{world|mushroom|1}}: Near the third Star Coin, Mario must bounce off some Koopa Troopas to the top of a stack of blocks. There are two Hidden Blocks, one with a coin and the other with a vine. The vine leads to an area with [[Flying ? Block]]s and [[Koopa Paratroopa]]s. The secret Goal Pole is found in this area, and it unlocks {{world-link|mushroom|A|World Mushroom-A}}.

* {{world-link|mushroom|ghost|World Mushroom-Ghost House}}: In the last room, Mario must hit the following ? Switches:
**The left and right ? Switches can be pressed if Mario is [[Raccoon Mario]]. Mario must fill the [[P-Meter]], then [[fly]] to the top route.
**The middle and right ? Switches can also be pressed to reach the area without Raccoon Mario. Mario can then wall-jump on the second hole and hit the ? Switch. The wall moves, but it does not move back when it wears off. A secret door appears, leading to the secret Goal Pole, which unlocks {{world-link|mushroom|B|World Mushroom-B}}, whose own completion unlocks a Warp Cannon that leads to {{world-link|flower|1|World Flower-1 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}.

* {{world-link|3|towern2|World 3-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}: [[Mini Mario (form)|Mini Mario]] is required for this exit. When the walls move, there is a small pipe that leads to an area full of moving walls, [[Fish Bone]]s, and [[Skewer]]s. At the top of the tower, two Brick Blocks and a ? Block can be found through a small crevice that can be accessed by Mini Mario. The Brick Blocks yield [[1-Up Mushroom]]s, while the ? Block yields a coin. Going through the red pipe leads to the secret Goal Pole. This unlocks a Warp Cannon that leads to {{world-link|flower|1|World Flower-1 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}.

* [[World 3-4 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 3-4]]: Before the green Warp Pipe, there is a red Warp Pipe that is blocked by Brick Blocks. Mario must use a nearby [[Koopa Troopa|Koopa]] shell and toss it near the Brick Blocks. He must [[slide]] under the Brick Blocks before the [[Poison (obstacle)|poison]] rises up. The Brick Blocks can also be destroyed by [[Raccoon Mario]] and [[Gold Mario]]. The secret exit unlocks [[World 3-B (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 3-B]].

* {{world-link|3|ghost|World 3-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}: Raccoon Mario or Gold Mario is required to access this exit. Mario needs to enter the door immediately to the right of the second Star Coin in the fourth room. Mario needs to ride on the leftmost platform in the next room, where he is taken to a door that is enclosed by Brick Blocks. He needs to break the blocks to access the door. This door leads outside, where a single moving platform can be found. This is followed by the secret Goal Pole. This leads straight to {{world-link|3|castlen2|World 3-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}.

* {{world-link|4|ghost|World 4-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}: After the area with the platforms that rise and lower early in the level, there are two ? Blocks, one of which contains a [[Super Leaf]]. After the Boos reverse and return to their normal direction, Mario must climb above these blocks, and when they are about to go offscreen, he must quickly wall-jump between the two Boo-driven walls to find a secret door. He then must enter the door and continue on to find the secret Goal Pole, which unlocks [[World 4-B (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 4-B]].

* {{world-link|4|towern2|World 4-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}: In the third room, where another ice platform can be found, Mario needs to enter a blue pipe with a [[Bone Piranha Plant]] inside it, which is differently colored from the other green pipes to the left of the [[Big Bone Piranha Plant]]. Entering the pipe takes Mario to a small room with coins, [[Donut Block|Donut Lifts]], and another blue Warp Pipe on the ceiling. Entering that pipe takes Mario to the roof of the fortress, where several Donut Lifts and rectangular ones can be found, followed by the secret Goal Pole. This exit unlocks a [[Toad House#Star Toad House 2|yellow Toad House]] and [[World 4-C]].

* {{world-link|flower|1|World Flower-1}}: After the Checkpoint Flag, there are two ? Blocks. Mario must hit the one on the right and hop on it. It moves up, and the secret Goal Pole comes ahead. This is best achieved when the player [[Ground Pound|ground-pounds]] the ? Block without it flying. This leads to {{world-link|flower|A|World Flower-A}}, whose own completion unlocks a Warp Cannon that leads to [[World 6-1 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 6-1]].

* {{world-link|flower|ghost|World Flower-Ghost House}}: When the player collects a [[Super Star]], they must slide on the right wall, where there is a small platform. To the right, there is a door. The door leads outside, where Mario must traverse the [[web]]s to reach the secret Goal Pole. This unlocks {{world-link|flower|B|World Flower-B}}.

* [[World 5-1 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 5-1]]: Mario can find a [[Rope#Tightrope|tightrope]] beside a ? Block. Mario must bounce on it, allowing him to reach a second tightrope. There is a Hidden Block containing a vine between the two coins. Mario must climb on it, allowing him to access another tightrope with fifteen coins, a hidden 1-Up Mushroom, and the third Star Coin. Mario must bounce on the Koopa Paratroopas and collect or pass by it, where there is another tightrope. Mario must jump in the middle to make another vine appear. Mario must go down and bounce on the Koopa Paratroopas in order to reach the secret Goal Pole. This leads to {{world-link|5|ghost|World 5-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}.

* {{world|5|ghost}}: In the first room, there is a hole. Mario must hit a Hidden Block with a vine and climb it, where he sees a door. More swinging platforms appear. At the end of the room, Mario must hit the ? Switch (although it is a switch, it does not switch off). There are four doors and a [[Big Boo]]. The correct door is the top right door. It leads to the chimney of the Ghost House and [[Peepa]]s. Mario must climb up the pole at the right time and reach the secret Goal Pole. This leads to [[World 5-A (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 5-A]].

* World 5-A: At the normal [[Goal Pole]], there are two Brick Blocks, one with a coin and the other with a vine. The player can use either [[Gold Mario]]'s fireball or the [[trampoline|springboard]]. Mario must climb the vine, and a secret area is found. This is followed by the secret Goal Pole. This unlocks {{world-link|5|castlen2|World 5-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}.

* {{world-link|6|ghost|World 6-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}: After collecting the third Star Coin, Mario must keep wall-jumping for about three screens. There is a door that leads to the secret Goal Pole that unlocks {{world-link|6|A|World 6-A}}.

===''New Super Mario Bros. U'' / ''New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe''===
''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'' and ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe]]'' contain 12 secret Goal Poles: one in [[Acorn Plains]], [[Layer-Cake Desert]], [[Sparkling Waters]], [[Frosted Glacier]], [[Meringue Clouds]], and [[Peach's Castle (world)|Peach's Castle]]; four in [[Soda Jungle]]; and two in [[Rock-Candy Mines]]. The game cannot be cleared without finding at least one of them.

[[File:NSMBU Tilted Tunnel Secret Passage.png|thumb|The path to the secret Goal Pole in Tilted Tunnel]]
*[[Tilted Tunnel]]: Towards the end of the stage, a purple crystal shifts upwards. The player can use this to reach the top of the course. As this is presumably a path to the secret Goal Pole, the player must jump up another crystal to actually go to the secret exit. Following the path without jumping simply leads the player back down. The secret Goal Pole leads to the secret level [[Blooper's Secret Lair]], which, when completed, unlocks Soda Jungle, skipping [[The Mighty Cannonship]].

*[[Spike's Spouting Sands]]: After getting the last [[Star Coin]], the player has to jump up and keep heading to the exit. They come to a platform with a signpost pointing to the right. They must keep running and run down the side of the platform. There is a hidden area at the bottom that leads to a [[Warp Pipe|pipe]]. The player must follow this new area right to the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole leads to the secret level [[Piranha Plants on Ice]], which in turn unlocks Soda Jungle, skipping The Mighty Cannonship.

*[[Haunted Shipwreck]]: Before leaving the ship, the player has to look for an opening in the ceiling. A [[Boo]] is up there. Luring it away makes this section a bit easier. The player needs to wall-jump up the ceiling where a door to the secret exit is found. The secret exit leads to the secret level [[Skyward Stalk]]. Skyward Stalk's completion unlocks Rock-Candy Mines.

* [[Swaying Ghost House]]: In the room with the long platform that moves upward when the player jumps, all the way to the door at the top to the regular exit, there is a secret. The player must not stop jumping, even past the first door. If they manage to jump high enough into the ceiling, they will instead find a hidden area with a second door. This will provide the player with access to the secret exit. The player can alternatively use a [[Balloon Baby Yoshi]]. The secret Goal Pole leads to the secret level [[Fliprus Lake]]. Fliprus Lake's completion unlocks Rock-Candy Mines.

* [[Bridge over Poisoned Waters]]: After the third Star Coin, at the end of several pillars rising up out of the [[poison (obstacle)|poison]], there is a solitary block against one pillar. The player must use a Koopa Shell to hit it, making a [[beanstalk|vine]] pop up into the air. The player must then take it to the next area, where they find the secret exit on the other side of a large gap; it can be crossed only with a [[Super Acorn]], a [[P-Acorn]], or [[Peachette]]. The secret Goal Pole reveals a shortcut to [[Seesaw Bridge]] and [[Wiggler Stampede]].

* [[Which-Way Labyrinth]]: In the main room, the player has to take the door on the left and start making their way through the house until they get to an area where the floor keeps rising. When it gets to the top, the player should not take the door and instead wait for the floor to reach the ceiling and stay to the left to find a secret area with another door. The player must then drop down in the next area where the third Star Coin is and leave through the door at the bottom. The secret Goal Pole leads to the secret level [[Flight of the Para-Beetles]], whose own completion unlocks [[Meringue Clouds]].

* [[Painted Swampland]]: After the player passes the [[Red Ring]], they should collect all the coins. When the player collects the final coin, there is a slanted pipe floating in the water next to a red pipe. The player has to land on the slanted pipe and walk under the platform to find a hidden area that leads them to a pipe that takes them to the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole reveals the true path through the forest and unlocks the levels Seesaw Bridge and Wiggler Stampede.

* [[Deepsea Ruins]]: Instead of taking the pipe at the top to leave the underwater ruins, the player must wait for a statue to move over to the left, then jump over the statue and move to the right wall to find a pipe that takes them to the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole reveals the true path through the forest and unlocks the levels Seesaw Bridge and Wiggler Stampede.

* [[Grinding-Stone Tower]]: When the player first starts climbing the tower, there is a moving green pipe on the left wall. The player must jump onto the pipe and move left to find a hidden area with a block holding a [[Mini Mushroom]]. The player must stay in Mini form because right before the end of the level, they spot another [[small pipe]] on the top right. The player must avoid all the [[Grrrol]]s and enter the pipe. In the next area, the player must time their jumps to dodge the Grrrols to the top of the area. The secret Goal Pole leads to the level [[Thrilling Spine Coaster]].

* [[Walking Piranha Plants!]]: Towards the end is a series of [[lift]]s with a pair of [[Stalking Piranha Plant]]s on each. Just past these is a chain that the player can swing on. Instead of jumping for the chain, the player should slide down the cliff wall to the lower left of it. A tunnel here leads to a secret Goal Pole. The secret Goal Pole creates a path to a red switch that helps unlock the second entrance to [[Roy's Conveyor Castle]].

* [[Spinning Spirit House]]: After clearing the top floors of the house, the player must go back to the middle floor and use the [[trampoline]] on the far left to jump up and find a secret door. They must then go through the next area to find a path to the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole reveals a shortcut to [[Ludwig's Clockwork Castle]].

* [[Meteor Moat]]: When the player reaches the P Switch, they must hit it and run as fast as they can. As they near the end, several coins are block platforms, leading to a platform just under a pipe. The player must quickly jump onto the platform and through the pipe before time runs out to reach the secret exit. The secret Goal Pole leads to the level [[Firefall Cliffs]].

===''New Super Luigi U''===
''[[New Super Luigi U]]'' contains 12 secret Goal Poles, just like the previous game. All of them are found in levels at exactly the same places on the world map:

* [[Crooked Cavern]]: Right after the third Star Coin, the player must ground-pound the spot where the Arrow Sign is and follow the signs to a Warp Pipe that leads to the secret exit. This leads to the secret level [[Cheep Chomp Chase]], which, when completed, unlocks Soda Jungle, skipping [[All Aboard!]]

* [[The Walls Have Eyes]]: Right after passing the three [[Stone-Eye]]s, the player (who must be in at least [[Super Mario|Super form]]) must ground-pound the piece of land between the third Stone-Eye (left) and a [[small pipe]] (right). They break some Brick Blocks and reveal a hidden [[Pipe Cannon]] that blasts them to the secret Goal Pole. The secret exit leads to [[Slippery Rope Ladders]], which in turn unlocks Soda Jungle, skipping All Aboard!

* [[Haunted Cargo Hold]]: The secret exit of this level is found in the water under the pipe leading to the Goal Pole. The player must find a secret opening at the bottom to access the secret exit. The secret exit leads to the secret level [[Beanstalk Jungle]]. Beanstalk Jungle's completion unlocks Rock-Candy Mines.

* [[Peek-a-Boo Ghost House]]: The player must get to the first group of [[Boo Buddies|Circling Boo Buddies]] and wall-jump above to reveal a platform with the second Star Coin. Afterwards, the player must run left of the platform to reach a door that leads to the area with the first Star Coin and the secret Goal Pole. This secret exit leads to [[Fliprus Floes]]. Fliprus Floes' completion unlocks Rock-Candy Mines.

* [[Dancing Blocks, Poison Swamp]]: After the set of triangular brick formations, the last one is breakable and has a [[? Block]] on the bottom. Hitting this by [[Ground Pound|ground-pound]]ing makes a [[? Switch]] drop from the sky onto the nearby Bean Platform. Upon being pressed, it reveals a path to a [[Warp Pipe]] that takes the player to the secret Goal Pole. The secret Goal Pole reveals a shortcut to [[Sumo Bro Bridge]] and [[Wiggler Floodlands]].

* [[Boo's Favorite Haunt]]: The player requires a [[Super Acorn]] or a [[P-Acorn]]. The player needs to go past the exit door and glide over the large gap to find a painting of Luigi, the third Star Coin, and another door. Entering the door leads to the secret Goal Pole. The secret Goal Pole leads to the secret level [[Para-Beetle Parade]], whose own completion unlocks [[Meringue Clouds]].

* [[Painted Pipeworks]]: Towards the end, the player must climb atop a swinging Warp Pipe to find a red Warp Pipe. Entering it takes the player to an area with the secret Goal Pole. The secret Goal Pole reveals the true path through the forest and unlocks the levels Sumo Bro Bridge and Wiggler Floodlands.

* [[Deepsea Stone-Eyes]]: To the far right of the first area, the player needs to jump atop the Stone-Eye and ground-pound. Doing so reveals a secret area that leads to the secret Goal Pole. The secret Goal Pole reveals the true path through the forest and unlocks the levels Sumo Bro Bridge and Wiggler Floodlands.

* [[Smashing-Stone Tower]]: The player requires a [[Super Mushroom]]. Near the end of the level after the two [[Grrol]]s, the player must work their way to the green [[Warp Pipe]] in the top left. After entering the pipe, the player must ground-pound two Brick Blocks in a slanted area to fall onto a [[Pipe Cannon]]. After the player enters it, it shoots them to the secret Goal Pole. The secret Goal Pole leads to the level [[Spine Coaster Stowaways]].

* [[Rising Piranhas]]: After the second Star Coin, the player must use a lift with a Big Piranha Plant on it to reach a rocky platform above. The player then enters an area with a Stalking Piranha Plant and the secret Goal Pole. The secret Goal Pole creates a path to a red switch that helps unlock the second entrance to [[Roy's Ironclad Castle]].

* [[Vanishing Ghost House]]: After the second Rotating Block drops down, the player should jump to the left to find a hidden door. After entering it, the player finds the secret Goal Pole. The secret Goal Pole reveals a shortcut to [[Ludwig's Block-Press Castle]].

* [[Magma Moat]]: When the player encounters the Brick Blocks above them, they should wait for the [[meteor]]s to break them. Then, the player must use the remaining Brick Blocks to reach a Warp Pipe in a hidden alcove. Entering it leads to the secret Goal Pole. The secret Goal Pole leads to the level [[Firefall Rising]].

===''Super Mario Bros. Wonder''===
''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'' has seven secret exits:
* [[Piranha Plants on Parade]]: The level's [[Wonder Flower]] is required to reach the secret exit. On the ceiling where pipes protrude out during the [[Wonder Effect]], the player is able to reach the top of it by jumping on the [[Marimba Block]]s and going left through a red pipe. The player then warps to the foreground, where they can run past the Goal Pole and reach a pipe that leads back to the normal plane on the other side, where the secret Goal Pole is. The secret exit unlocks a path to a [[Warp Pipe|pipe]], which takes the player to a small area in the [[Petal Isles]] where [[Captain Toad]] is.
* [[Bulrush Coming Through!]]: The level's Wonder Flower is required to reach the secret exit. It is located after the Checkpoint Flag, inside some glowing blocks floating in the air. The player should continue right to find a [[Bulrush]] that will leap towards the blocks, breaking them and revealing the Wonder Flower. Touching it triggers the level's Wonder Effect, causing a herd of Bulrushes to stampede the stage. The player can stand on them and follow them across their path. They knock down the regular Goal Pole, taking the player to a large incline behind. The stampede runs up the incline to some [[Cloud Lift]]s and [[Cloud Block]]s the player must jump on to find the [[Wonder Seed]] at the end. The secret Goal Pole is located immediately after that and rewards the player with a secret third Wonder Seed. The Goal Pole here is around three times as tall as a regular Goal Pole.
* [[Bulrush Express]]: The level's Wonder Flower and the [[Elephant Mario|Elephant form]] or [[Drill Mario|Drill form]] are required to reach both the normal and secret exits. The secret exit is found by breaking or passing through some [[Brick Block]]s to the right of the course's Wonder Seed. This leads to a pipe taking the player to an area with a Bulrush on top of some spikes. This Bulrush can be ridden to reach the secret Goal Pole, granting access to the course [[Sproings in the Twilight Forest]].
* [[Outmaway Valley]]: The level's Wonder Flower is required to reach the secret exit. It is located inside a sole giant ice block under an area with various icicles. Breaking it by ground-pounding twice spawns the Wonder Flower, and the Wonder Effect gets activated. This causes the screen to shake and a massive snowy hill that rotates clockwise to appear, destroying the terrain. This knocks down the regular Goal Pole, which then appears upside-down after half a rotation, with the Wonder Seed on top. The hidden goal is found shortly after.
* [[Secrets of Shova Mansion]]: The secret exit is found near the end of the level. The player must break the Brick Blocks and push the pushable block below them to reveal a pipe, taking them to the foreground. There is another yellow pipe with a platform on the right that has two [[flower coin]]s on it. The pipe takes the player to the Goal Pole with some blocks and a [[Shova]] to the left of it. The goal unlocks a path to [[Flight of the Bloomps]].
* [[Where the Rrrumbas Rule]]: The secret exit can be found at the large shaft just before the Checkpoint Flag. The player must wall-jump to burrow into the ceiling in their Drill form and pass over the shaft into a hidden passage. This takes the player to a pipe leading to the hidden goal, which in turn reveals a path to [[Badge Challenge Boosting Spin Jump II]].
* [[Hot-Hot Hot!]]: The secret exit is located in a secret sub-area. By reaching a platform to the left of the dry [[Wow Bud]] that holds the Wonder Flower, there are two platforms before a long platform with Cloud Blocks, some jars, and a Wow Bud. It can also be reached by using the Elephant form to hit a [[Hidden Character Block]] that only [[Yoshi (species)|Yellow Yoshi]] can see on the first [[Hot-Hot Rock]] after the Checkpoint Flag, which contains a vine. The platform's Wow Bud releases another Wow Bud that guides the player to a Hot-Hot Rock near the start of the level, which has a [[Warp Door]] behind it. The player then enters an inverted version of the course up to the first checkpoint, referencing [[Subspace]] from ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]''. The secret Goal Pole replaces the Checkpoint Flag, and it unlocks [[Break Time! Hot-Hot Rocks]].

==Gallery==
<gallery>
NSMBW 2-4 Secret.png|The hidden goal in World 2-4 from ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''
NSMBW World 2-6 Secret Exit.jpg|The hidden goal in World 2-6 from ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''
NSMBW World 3-GH Secret Exit.jpg|The hidden goal in {{world|3|ghost}} from ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''
NSMBW World 4-T Secret Exit.jpg|The exit to the hidden goal in {{world|4|tower}} from ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=隠しゴールポール<ref>{{cite|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|language=ja|date=2015|title=''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook''|page=118, 149, 199, 215}}</ref>
|JapR=Kakushi Gōru Pōru
|JapM=Hidden Goal Pole
|Ita=Traguardo segreto
|ItaN=''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'',<ref>{{cite|''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' Italian instruction manual|page=34}}</ref> ''Super Mario Bros. Wonder''
|Ita2=Asta del traguardo nascosto<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia]]''|page=118, 149}}</ref>
|Ita3=Bandierina nascosta<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia]]''|page=199, 215}}</ref>
|ItaM=Secret goal
|Ita2M=Hidden goal pole
|Ita3M=Hidden flag
}}

==References==
<references/>

{{Goals}}
{{NSMB}}
{{NSMBW}}
{{NSMB2}}
{{NSMBU}}
{{SMBW}}
[[Category:Goals]]
[[Category:New Super Luigi U objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. 2 objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. U objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. Wii objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Bros. Wonder objects]]
[[de:Versteckter Zielpfahl]]