Editing Secret exit

'''Secret exits'''<ref name=NSMBU_ENG_prima>{{cite|title=[https://archive.org/details/newsupermariobroswiiuprimaguidehqopenbookversion_202003 ''New Super Mario Bros. U'': Prima Official Game Guide]|page=8|quote=Most stages have only one Goal Pole, but a few feature two Goal Poles—the second one is found at the stage’s secret exit!|date=2012|publisher=Prima Games}}</ref> 
are secondary, alternate [[goal]]s found in several games in the ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' franchise. While most [[level]]s feature a single goal each, some games feature levels with another goal, often hidden or harder to reach. Secret exits might unlock alternate levels, shortcuts to further points in the game, optional bonuses, or they might even be required to progress through the game.

Secret exits have been called by many inconsistent terms throughout the franchise's history, including 
'''special goals''',<ref name=SMW_SNES_ENG_manual>{{cite|title=[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/common/pdf/CLV-P-SAAAE.pdf ''Super Mario World'' North American instruction manual]|page=6|quote=Some points on the map are red. These areas have a normal goal and a special goal (or secret keyhole).|date=1991|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
'''hidden goals''',<ref name=SMW_GBA_EURO_manual>{{cite|title=[https://www.nintendo.com/eu/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/game_boy_advance_8/Manual_GameBoyAdvance_SuperMarioWorldSuperMarioAdvance2_EN_DE_FR_ES_IT.pdf ''Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2'' European instruction manual]|page=7|quote=If a course has two goal icons displayed, that course has a hidden goal. (English)
<br>Erscheinen zu einem Level zwei Tor-Zeichen, heißt das, dieser Level hat einen Geheimausgang. (German)
<br>Si un parcours a deux icônes d'objectifs affichées, ce parcour a un objectif caché. (French)
<br>Als bij een level, twee uitgang-icoontjes woden weergegeven, is in dat level een uitgang verborgen. (Dutch)
<br>Si el nivel tiene dos iconos de meta, significará que una de ellas está oculta. (Spanish)
<br>Se vengono segnalati due obiettivi in uno stesso percorso, esso contiene un obiettivo nascosto. (Italian)|date=2002|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref><ref name=NSMBW_ENG_prima>{{cite|title=''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'': Prima Official Game Guide|quote=If you're still riding Yoshi, you can flutter jump from the ledge leading to Point 11 and get on top of the level! You'll be offscreen, but on a secret path that unlocks the path to the warp cannon in World 1! (page 25)
<br>Once there, hop up into the red pipe and you'll find the alternate exit! (page 47)
<br>This leads to an alternate ending to the level, which unlocks the path to the World 2 Cannon! (page 51)
<br>After grabbing the Star Coin at Point 5, go through to the end of this room to beat the level and open up an alternate route to World 4-Castle and a Toad House! (page 85)
<br>Enter the door in the secret area to unlock an alternate path on the World 5 map leading to the cannon! (page 105)
<br>If you repeat this process, but pass through the goal pole you'll open up a secret shortcut to World 7-5. (page 141)
|date=2009|publisher=Prima Games}}</ref>,
'''alternate exits''',<ref name=NSMBW_ENG_prima/>
'''alternate endings''',<ref name=NSMBW_ENG_prima/>
'''alternate routes''',<ref name=NSMBW_ENG_prima/>
'''alternate paths''',<ref name=NSMBW_ENG_prima/>
'''secret shortcuts''',<ref name=NSMBW_ENG_prima/>
'''secret paths''',<ref name=NSMBW_ENG_prima/><ref name=NSMBW_NOA_booklet>{{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 explore. (English)
<br>'''Cherche les secrets!''' Chaque niveau n’a pas nécessairement qu’un seul drapeau d’arrivée, Mario. Dans certains niveaux, tu pourrais trouver des arrivées cachées et des chemins secrets qui t’ouvriront les portes vers d’autres endroits sur la carte! N’aies pas peur d’explorer! (French) <br>'''¡Busca secretos!''' No necesariamente hay solo una meta por nivel, ¿sabes, Mario? ¡Hay algunos niveles con caminos secretos y metas ocultas que revelan nuevos sitios en el mapa! No dudes de explorar. (Spanish)
|date=2009|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref><ref name=SMBW_ENG_website>{{cite|title=[https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/super-mario-bros-wonder-heres-a-few-tips-for-secret-seekers/ Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Here’s a few tips for secret seekers!]|quote=Ah, something tricky is going on, isn’t there? This situation means that the course also has a '''secret path'''.|date=2024|publisher=nintendo.com}}</ref>
or referred to generically as one of '''two exits'''.<ref name=WL1_EURO_manual>{{cite|title=[https://archive.org/details/wlsml-3-eu-manual_20210805/page/n55/mode/2up ''Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3'' European instruction booklet]|page=17|quote=If a course is marked with a ◎, that course has two exits. (English)
<br>Ist eine Etappe mit einem ◎ gekennzeichnet, existieren hier zwei Ausgänge. (German)
<br>Si une étape est représentée par un double cercle, c'est qu'elle possède deux sorties. (French)
<br>Als een parcours met een ◎ is gemerkt, heeft het twee uitgangen. (Dutch)
<br>Si una ruta está marcada con un ◎, tendrá dos salidas. (Spanish)
<br>Se un particolare percorso è contrassegnato da ◎, significa che ha 2 uscite. (Italian)|date=1994|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
Many of these names have also been used inconsistently and interchangeably to refer to the second goal object within a level or the path unlocked by said goal. For this reason, this article reflects the most common term among ''Super Mario'' players.

==History==
===Predecessors===
{{main|Warp Zone|Warp Zone (Super Mario Bros. 3)}}
Before the development of secret exits as a concept in ''Super Mario World'', previous games in the ''Super Mario'' series had experimented with other methods of nonlinearity in the form of Warp Zones, allowing the player to skip to later worlds through hidden passages inside levels. ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' would evolve on the idea by tying access to Warp Zones to an item, the [[Recorder]].

===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario World''====
[[File:DonutPlains.png|thumb|right|[[Donut Plains]], the location of the first secret exits in the ''Super Mario'' franchise]]
{{quote|The red dot areas on the map have two different exits. If you have the time and skill, be sure to look for them.|[[Message Block]] in [[Donut Plains 1]]|[[Super Mario World]]}}
''[[Super Mario World]]'' introduced secret exits (also known as '''special goals'''<ref name=SMW_SNES_ENG_manual/> or '''hidden goals'''<ref name=SMW_GBA_EURO_manual/> in the game's manuals) to the ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' series. Appearing as either a second [[Giant Gate]] or a [[keyhole]], they open an alternate path through the game's map when reached. Some secret exits unlock access to [[Switch Palace]]s, some provide shortcuts further into the [[world]], and many unlock entire secret levels (or in some cases, multi-level detours). 

A minimum of two secret exits are required to clear the game, due to their corresponding level's normal exit either [[Chocolate Island 3|leading back to the same level dot]], [[Forest of Illusion 4|a previously unlocked one]], or simply [[Star World|not creating any new paths]]. 24 out of the game's 96 exits are secret exits, and all of them are required for [[Completion|100% completion]].

Levels with a secret exit are denoted by red level dots on the overworld. Four of the game's six [[Ghost House]]s feature secret exits as well, despite not having a level dot. There are no secret exits to be found in any of the game's [[castle]]s or [[fortress]]es, or in any levels in [[Yoshi's Island (location)#Super Mario World|Yoshi's Island]] or the [[Special Zone]].

''Super Mario World''’s secret exits are:
*[[Donut Plains 1]] to [[Donut Secret 1]]
*[[Donut Secret 1]] to [[Donut Secret House]]
*[[Donut Secret House]] to [[Star World 1]]
*[[Donut Plains 2]] to [[Green Switch Palace]]
*[[Donut Ghost House]] to [[Top Secret Area]]
*[[Vanilla Dome 1]] to [[Vanilla Secret 1]]
*[[Vanilla Secret 1]] to [[Star World 2]]
*[[Vanilla Dome 2]] to [[Red Switch Palace]]
*[[Cheese Bridge Area]] to [[Soda Lake]]
*[[Forest of Illusion 1]] to [[Forest Ghost House]]
*[[Forest of Illusion 2]] to [[Blue Switch Palace]]
*[[Forest of Illusion 3]] to [[5 Roy's Castle|#5 Roy's Castle]]
*[[Forest Ghost House]] to [[Forest of Illusion 1]]
*[[Forest of Illusion 4]] to [[Forest Secret Area]]
*[[Chocolate Island 2]] to [[Chocolate Secret]]
*[[Chocolate Island 3]] to [[Chocolate Fortress]]
*[[Valley of Bowser 2]] to [[Valley Fortress]]
*[[Valley Ghost House]] to [[7 Larry's Castle|#7 Larry's Castle]]
*[[Valley of Bowser 4]] to [[Front Door]] and [[Star World 5]]
*[[Star World 1]] to [[Star World 2]]
*[[Star World 2]] to [[Star World 3]]
*[[Star World 3]] to [[Star World 4]]
*[[Star World 4]] to [[Star World 5]] and [[Front Door]]
*[[Star World 5]] to [[Gnarly]]

====''Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins''====
[[File:Macro zone.png|thumb|right|[[Macro Zone]], with the path through [[Secret Course 3]] marked with a dotted line]]
''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'' features secret exits as well, through alternate [[Goal (Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins)|Goal]]s marked with a star above them. Unlike ''Super Mario World'', all secret exits lead to optional secret levels, all but one of which do not unlock any paths forward or aid in progress. Nevertheless, they are still required for 100% completion. Also unlike ''Super Mario World'', secret exits are not marked in any way in the overworld. [[Mario Zone]] is the only zone in the game to not feature any secret exits (ignoring the zone-less [[Mario Land (Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins)|Mario Land]] levels), and [[Pumpkin Zone]] is the only one to feature more than one.

''Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins''’ secret exits are:
*[[In the Trees]] to [[Secret Course 1]]
*[[Moon stage]] to [[Secret Course 2]]
*[[The Ant Monsters]]  to [[Secret Course 3]]
*[[Pumpkin Zone Level 2]] to [[Secret Course 4]]
*[[Pumpkin Zone Level 3]] to [[Secret Course 5]]
*[[Turtle Zone (level)|Turtle Zone]] to [[Secret Course 6]]

====''New Super Mario Bros.'' series====
[[File:NSMBW World 1-3 Secret Exit.png|thumb|right|[[World 1-3 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 1-3]]'s secret exit in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'']]
Secret exits are featured in all ''New Super Mario Bros.'' games, functioning similarly to ''Super Mario World''{{'}}s incarnation, unlocking the path to shortcuts, optional stages, and, new to the series, [[Warp Cannon]]s that send the player to later worlds. Unlike ''Super Mario World'' and more like ''Super Mario Land 2''{{'}}s version, they are completely unmarked in the overworld.

Instead of the standard black-flagged [[Goal Pole]] and brown [[fortress]], they are marked by a [[Goal Pole (secret)|red-flagged Goal Pole]] and (from ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' onwards) a dark gray fortress. Just like in previous games, they are required for 100% completion. Every Ghost House in the ''New Super Mario Bros.'' series contains a secret exit. Conversely, there are no secret exits in castles or [[airship]]s. In the ''New Super Mario Bros.'' series starting with ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'', after [[Mario]] jumps off a secret exit's Goal Pole, he says, ''"Hoo hoo! This way!"'' and after [[Luigi]] jumps off a secret exit's Goal Pole, he says, ''"Ho ho! Secret. Shh."''

=====''New Super Mario Bros.''=====
''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' features 16 secret exits, and none of them are mandatory to finish the game. Neither [[World 6 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 6]] nor [[World 8 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 8]] feature any secret exits.

Additionally, [[World 4 (New Super Mario Bros.)|Worlds 4]] and [[World 7 (New Super Mario Bros.)|7]] are unlocked by defeating [[Mummipokey]] and [[Petey Piranha]] respectively as [[Mini Mario]], although this is not counted as a secret exit by the game. While neither is technically required for 100% completion, World 4 can only be accessed through this method, rendering its optionality moot. World 7 can instead be accessed through World 4's Warp Cannon, thus making Mummipokey the only boss that must be beaten as Mini Mario to fully complete the game.

''New Super Mario Bros.''’s secret exits are:
*[[World 1-2 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 1-2]] to {{world link|1|towern|World 1-Tower (New Super Mario Bros.)}} and a red [[Toad House]]
*{{world link|1|towern|World 1-Tower (New Super Mario Bros.)}} to the [[Warp Cannon]] to [[World 5 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 5]]
*[[World 2-3 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 2-3]] to [[World 2-A (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 2-A]]
*[[World 2-A (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 2-A]] to the Warp Cannon to [[World 5 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 5]]
*[[World 2-4 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 2-4]] to [[World 2-6 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 2-6]] and a red Toad House
*[[World 3-2 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 3-2]] to [[World 3-B (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 3-B]]
*{{world link|3|ghostn|World 3-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros.)}} to the Warp Cannon to [[World 6 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 6]]
*[[World 4-1 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 4-1]] to {{World link|4|towern|World 4-Tower (New Super Mario Bros.)}} and a green Toad House
*{{world link|4|ghostn|World 4-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros.)|}} to the Warp Cannon to [[World 7 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 7]]
*[[World 5-2 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 5-2]] to [[World 5-3 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 5-3]]
*[[World 5-B (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 5-B]] to {{World link|5|castlen|World 5-Castle (New Super Mario Bros.)}}
*{{world link|5|ghostn|World 5-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros.)}} to Warp Cannon to [[World 8 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 8]]
*{{world link|7|ghostn|World 7-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros.)}} to {{world link|7|towern|World 7-Tower (New Super Mario Bros.)}} and a green Toad House
*[[World 7-4 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 7-4]] to {{world link|7|castlen|World 7-Castle (New Super Mario Bros.)}} and a green Toad House
*[[World 7-5 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 7-5]] to [[World 7-A]]
*[[World 7-6 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 7-6]] to [[World 7-7 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 7-7]]

=====''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''=====
''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' features 14 secret exits. The game's official instruction booklet and [[Prima Games]] guide refer to them with a variety of names.<ref name=NSMBW_ENG_prima/><ref name=NSMBW_NOA_booklet/> 

By design, at least one secret exit must be found to complete the game; [[World 3-4 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 3-4]]'s secret exit is required to allow access to its regular exit; while [[World 1 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|Worlds 1]] and [[World 2 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|2]]'s Warp Cannons can be utilized to skip [[World 3 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 3]] entirely, they too require a secret exit to unlock. However, World 3-4's normal exit can technically be reached before its secret exit through a precise exploit using [[Ice Mario]] or [[Penguin Mario]];<ref>BigCheeseSR (October 31, 2024). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS5FWS5rqhc First Ever Completion of New Super Mario Bros. Wii Without Secret Exits ]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved June 21, 2023.</ref> if this is done, World 3-4 will appear as red on the world map until its secret exit is reached.

''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''’s secret exits are:
*[[World 1-3 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 1-3]] to Warp Cannon to [[World 5 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 5]]
*[[World 2-4 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 2-4]] to {{world link|2|castle|World 2-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}
*[[World 2-6 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 2-6]] to Warp Cannon to [[World 5 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 5]]
*{{world link|3|ghost|World 3-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}} to Warp Cannon to [[World 6 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 6]]
*[[World 3-4 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 3-4]] to [[World 3-5 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 3-5]] and a red Toad House
*[[World 3-5 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 3-5]] to a yellow Toad House
*{{world link|4|tower|World 4-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}} to Warp Cannon to [[World 6 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 6]]
*{{world link|4|ghost|World 4-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}} to {{world link|4|castle|World 4-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}} and a yellow Toad House
*{{world link|5|ghost|World 5-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}} to Warp Cannon to [[World 8 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 8]]
*[[World 6-5 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 6-5]] to {{world link|6|castle|World 6-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}
*[[World 6-6 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 6-6]] to Warp Cannon to [[World 8 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 8]]
*{{world link|7|tower|World 7-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}} 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)}} to [[World 7-5 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 7-5]]
*[[World 8-2 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 8-2]] to [[World 8-7 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 8-7]]

=====''New Super Mario Bros. 2''=====
''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' features 15 secret exits. Although secret exits are required to reach the optional [[World Mushroom (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|Worlds Mushroom]] and [[World Flower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|Flower]], they are not required to finish the game.

''New Super Mario Bros. 2''’s secret exits are:
*{{world link|1|towern2|World 1-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} to {{world link|1|cannonn2|World 1-Warp Cannon (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} and a green Toad House
*{{world link|2|ghost|World 2-Ghost House}} to [[World 2-B (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 2-B]] and a red Toad House
*{{world link|mushroom|1|World Mushroom-1 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} to {{world link|mushroom|A|World Mushroom-A}} and a red Toad House
*{{world link|mushroom|ghost|World Mushroom-Ghost House}} to {{world link|mushroom|B|World Mushroom-B}}
*{{world link|3|towern2|World 3-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} to {{world link|3|cannonn2|World 3-Warp Cannon (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} and a green Toad House
*[[World 3-4 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 3-4]] to [[World 3-B (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 3-B]]
*{{world link|3|ghost|World 3-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} 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)}} to [[World 4-B (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 4-B]]
*{{world link|4|towern2|World 4-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} to [[World 4-C]] and a yellow Toad House
*{{world link|flower|1|World Flower-1 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} to {{world link|flower|A|World Flower-A}}
*{{world link|flower|ghost|World Flower-Ghost House}} to  {{world link|flower|B|World Flower-B}}
*[[World 5-1 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 5-1]] to {{world link|5|ghost|World 5-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}}
*{{world link|5|ghost|World 5-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} to [[World 5-A (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 5-A]]
*[[World 5-A (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 5-A]] to {{world link|5|castlen2|World 5-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} and a green Toad House
*{{world link|6|ghost|World 6-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} to {{world link|6|A|World 6-A (New Super Mario Bros. 2)}} and a green Toad House

=====''New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe''=====
''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'' and [[New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe|its ''Deluxe'' version]] feature 12 secret exits.<ref name=NSMBU_ENG_prima/> As the game does not feature Warp Cannons, secret exits between worlds create long and elaborate paths to physically connect the levels. ''[[New Super Luigi U]]'' reuses its sister game's overworld, so it shares the same secret exits in its equivalent levels.

At least one secret exit is required to finish the game, as [[Painted Swampland]]/[[Painted Pipeworks]] and [[Deepsea Ruins]]/[[Deepsea Stone-Eyes]]' regular exits lead back to themselves, and a secret exit in a previous world is required to bypass either of them.

''New Super Mario Bros. U''’s secret exits are:
*[[Tilted Tunnel]] to [[Blooper's Secret Lair]]
*[[Spike's Spouting Sands]] to [[Piranha Plants on Ice]]
*[[Haunted Shipwreck]] to [[Skyward Stalk]]
*[[Swaying Ghost House]] to [[Fliprus Lake]]
*[[Bridge over Poisoned Waters]] to [[Seesaw Bridge]] and [[Wiggler Stampede]]
*[[Which-Way Labyrinth]] to [[Flight of the Para-Beetles]]
*[[Painted Swampland]] to [[Seesaw Bridge]] and [[Wiggler Stampede]]
*[[Deepsea Ruins]] to [[Seesaw Bridge]] and [[Wiggler Stampede]]
*[[Grinding-Stone Tower]] to [[Thrilling Spine Coaster]]
*[[Walking Piranha Plants!]] to [[Screwtop Tower]] and a red switch
*[[Spinning Spirit House]] to [[Ludwig's Clockwork Castle]]
*[[Meteor Moat]] to [[Firefall Cliffs]]

''New Super Luigi U''’s secret exits are:
*[[Crooked Cavern]] to [[Cheep Chomp Chase]]
*[[The Walls Have Eyes]] to [[Slippery Rope Ladders]]
*[[Haunted Cargo Hold]] to [[Beanstalk Jungle]]
*[[Peek-a-Boo Ghost House]] to [[Fliprus Floes]]
*[[Dancing Blocks, Poison Swamp]] to [[Sumo Bro Bridge]] and [[Wiggler Floodlands]]
*[[Boo's Favorite Haunt]] to [[Para-Beetle Parade]]
*[[Painted Pipeworks]] to [[Sumo Bro Bridge]] and [[Wiggler Floodlands]]
*[[Deepsea Stone-Eyes]] to [[Sumo Bro Bridge]] and [[Wiggler Floodlands]]
*[[Smashing-Stone Tower]] to [[Spine Coaster Stowaways]]
*[[Rising Piranhas]] to [[Sumo Bro's Spinning Tower]] and a red switch
*[[Vanishing Ghost House]] to [[Ludwig's Block-Press Castle]]
*[[Magma Moat]] to [[Firefall Rising]]

====''Super Mario Bros. Wonder''====
[[File:SMBW Courses BulrushExpress.png|thumb|right|A screenshot of the Courses screen from ''Super Mario Bros. Wonder'', showing a seemingly-complete [[Bulrush Express]] missing its green checkmark]]
Secret exits (known as '''secret paths''' in [[Nintendo]]'s news section<ref name=SMBW_ENG_website/>) return in ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'', once again represented by a [[Goal Pole (secret)|red Goal Pole]] and a dark gray [[fortress]]. Like regular Goal Poles, reaching one for the first time will award the player with a [[Wonder Seed]] from the rescued [[Poplin]], meaning that levels with secret exits hold three Wonder Seeds instead of the usual two. Although they are unmarked in the overworld, the player can verify if a level has a secret exit by checking for a green checkmark in the Courses screen. 

Due to the game's more open structure compared to its predecessors, secret exits are deemphasized, serving more as bonus objectives within a level to obtain an extra Wonder Seed and/or unlock optional levels. They are still required for 100% completion, as they provide Wonder Seeds and access to new levels. 

There are only seven secret exits in the entire game, with the [[Petal Isles]], [[Shining Falls]], [[Fungi Mines]], and [[Special World]] lacking any. Additionally, five levels in the game ([[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 a second Goal Pole with a black flag, dark gray base, and no fortress/Poplin house. These do not grant a Wonder Seed, and are therefore not required to achieve 100% completion. 

Although they do not quite function like secret exits, [[Royal Seed Mansion]] and [[Operation Poplin Rescue]] unlock an extra path leading to their world's respective Special World level ([[Shining Falls Special Triple Threat Deluge]] and [[Fungi Mines Special Dangerous Donut Ride]]) when revisited.

''Super Mario Bros. Wonder''’s secret exits are:
*[[Piranha Plants on Parade]] to an encounter with [[Captain Toad]]
*[[Bulrush Coming Through!]]
*[[Bulrush Express]] to [[Sproings in the Twilight Forest]]
* [[Outmaway Valley]] to [[Break Time! Kick It, Outmaway]]
*[[Secrets of Shova Mansion]] to [[Flight of the Bloomps]]
*[[Where the Rrrumbas Rule]] to [[Badge Challenge Boosting Spin Jump II]]
*[[Hot-Hot Hot!]] to [[Break Time! Hot-Hot Rocks]]

===''Wario Land'' series===
====''Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3''====
Secret exits return in ''[[Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3]]'' from ''Super Mario Land 2'', in the form of an extra [[Goal door (Wario Land series)|goal door]] within some levels. They are now marked in the overworld by a double-circle dot. Once again, they allow access to optional levels, many of which hold some of the game's [[Treasure (Wario franchise)|Treasure]]s, but they are not required to finish the game.

An entire world, [[Sherbet Land (world)|Sherbet Land]], is hidden behind a secret exit. It is also the only world to contain more than one secret exit, while every world from [[SS Tea Cup]] onwards does not feature any secret exits at all.

''Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3''’s secret exits are:
*[[Course No.03]] to [[Course No.06]]
*[[Course No.08]] to [[Course No.14]]
*[[Course No.15]] to [[Course No.17]]
*[[Course No.16]] to [[Course No.18]]
*[[Course No.23]] to [[Course No.24]]

====''Wario Land II''====
''[[Wario Land II]]'' adapts its predecessor's secret exits to its unique "branching storyline" structure. By finding a secondary goal door within a story, Wario can proceed to the first story of an alternate chapter. Some of these detours lead back to the main storyline, while other lead to alternate endings.

Due to their nature as branching story paths, secret exits are not required to finish the game, but they are required to find all 50 treasures and complete the Picture Panel, which unlocks [[Steal the Syrup's treasure!!]] and the [[Flagman D-D]] minigame.

''Wario Land II''’s secret exits are:
*[[Turn off the alarm clock!]] to [[To the castle!!]]
*[[Defeat the giant snake]] to [[Defeat the giant spear man (Go to the cellar!!)|Defeat the giant spear man]] ([[Go to the cellar!!]])
*[[Drop the anchor!!]] to [[Escape from the Tea Cup!]]
*[[Escape from the factory!]] to [[Defeat the giant spear man (Mysterious Factory!)|Defeat the giant spear man]] ([[Mysterious Factory!]])
*[[Anyone for B-ball?]] to [[Defeat the giant spear man (Uncanny Mansion)|Defeat the giant spear man]] ([[Uncanny Mansion]])
*[[Escape from the ruins!]] to [[Stop that train! (In Town)|Stop that train!]] ([[In Town]])

====Other ''Wario Land'' games====
{{main|Treasure chest|Secret Map}}
While no other ''Wario Land'' game has featured secret exits, two of them have similar concepts. ''[[Wario Land 3]]'' features four exits in every level through its four colored treasure chests, and ''[[Wario Land: Shake It!]]'' features Secret Maps, fulfilling a similar role in unlocking optional levels.

===''Paper Mario'' series===
====''Paper Mario: Sticker Star''====
''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'' features the introduction of secret exits to the ''[[Paper Mario (series)|Paper Mario]]'' series in the form of additional [[Comet Piece]]s in a level. [[Water's Edge Way]]'s secret exit is the only that is not required to finish the game, with all others being mandatory.

While [[Wiggler's Tree House]] features three separate Comet Pieces that unlock a different level each, they do not function as secret exits.

''Paper Mario: Sticker Star''’s secret exits are:
*[[Water's Edge Way]] to [[Whammino Mountain]]
*[[Sandshifter Ruins]] to [[Damp Oasis]]
*[[Strike Lake]] to [[Holey Thicket]]
*[[Loop Loop River]] to [[The Bafflewood]]
*[[Holey Thicket]] to [[Whitecap Beach]]
*[[Snow Rise]] to [[Whiteout Valley]]
*[[Long Fall Falls]] to [[Chomp Ruins]]

====''Paper Mario: Color Splash''====
{{main|Paper Mario: Color Splash#Locations}}
A large number of levels in ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]'' feature another exit in the form of [[Mini Paint Star]]s, with a select few having three exits. However, they do not function as secret exits, being utilized closer to [[Power Star]]s in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''.

===''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''===
Secret exits make their ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' series debut in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'', functioning near-identically to their appearance in the ''Super Mario'' series. They are represented by a second [[Slot Machine Barrel]] in each stage, reached by finding a hidden portal.

Once again, they are not required to complete the game, exclusively unlocking optional stages. Only [[Rockin' Relics]]' secret exit serves as a shortcut, with all other paths either taking an equal or greater amount of levels to reconnect with the standard path. Additionally, the game features the only instance of two secret exits in the same level, that being [[Twilight Terror]].

The game's Time Attack mode ignores secret exits; the goal is always to reach the regular Slot Machine Barrel.<ref>{{cite|quote=On levels with multiple Slot Machine Barrels, your goal is the regular one and not the hidden one.|title=''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' Wii U electronic manual|language=en-us|format=PDF|date=2014|page=8|publisher=nintendo.com|accessdate=February 17th, 2025|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20170110153828/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/manual-WiiU-Donkey_Kong_Country_Tropical_Freeze.pdf}}</ref> 

''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''’s secret exits are:
*[[Shipwreck Shore]] to [[Zip-Line Shrine]]
*[[Canopy Chaos]] to [[Busted Bayou]]
*[[Sawmill Thrill]] to [[Crumble Cavern]]
*[[Twilight Terror]] to [[Rickety Rafters]]
*[[Twilight Terror]] to [[Bramble Scramble (Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze)|Bramble Scramble]]
*[[Deep Keep]] to [[Rockin' Relics]]
*[[Rockin' Relics]] to [[Shoal Atoll]]
*[[Fruity Factory]] to [[Beehive Brawl]]
*[[Panicky Paddles]] to [[Jammin' Jams]]
*[[Frozen Frenzy (level)|Frozen Frenzy]] to [[Dynamite Dash]]

===''Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition''===
[[File:PDSMBE-W1-4BranchingPath.jpg|thumb|right|Yellow [[Warp Pipe]] leading to a branching path in [[World 1-4 (Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition)|World 1-4]]. There are no yellow orbs in the course naturally.]]
{{main|List of secret exit courses in Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition}}
''[[Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition]]'' features secret exits in the form of branching paths that require [[Orb (Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition)|Orb]]s of a color not present in the course itself. These paths can be taken by using teammate skills to change the orbs' color.

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names

|Dut="twee uitgangen"
|DutM="two exits"
|DutC=<ref name=WL1_EURO_manual/>
|Dut2=Verborgen uitgang
|Dut2M=Hidden exit
|Dut2C=<ref name=SMW_GBA_EURO_manual/>

|FreA=Arrivée cachée<br>Chemin secret
|FreAM=Hidden goal<br>Secret path
|FreAC=<ref name=NSMBW_NOA_booklet/>
|FreA2=Sortie secrète
|FreA2M=Secret exit
|FreA2C=<ref name=SMBW_FRE_website>{{cite|title=[https://www.nintendo.com/fr-ca/whatsnew/super-mario-bros-wonder-voici-quelques-astuces-pour-les-friands-de-secrets/ Super Mario Bros. Wonder : Voici quelques astuces pour les friands de secrets !]|quote=Ah, y a quelque chose de pas clair qui se passe, n’est-ce pas? Cette situation signifie que le niveau a aussi une '''sortie secrète'''.|date=2024|publisher=nintendo.com}}</ref>

|FreE="deux sorties"
|FreEM="two exits"
|FreEC=<ref name=WL1_EURO_manual/>
|FreE2=Objectif caché
|FreE2M=Hidden objective
|FreE2C=<ref name=SMW_GBA_EURO_manual/>

|Ger="zwei Ausgänge"
|GerM="two exits"
|GerC=<ref name=WL1_EURO_manual/>
|Ger2=Geheimausgang
|Ger2M=Secret exit
|Ger2C=<ref name=SMW_GBA_EURO_manual/>

|Ita="2 uscite"
|ItaM="2 exits"
|ItaC=<ref name=WL1_EURO_manual/>
|Ita2=Obiettivo nascosto
|Ita2M=Hidden goal
|Ita2C=<ref name=SMW_GBA_EURO_manual/>

|PorA=Caminho secreto
|PorAM=Secret road
|PorAC=<ref name=SMBW_POR_website>{{cite|title=[https://www.nintendo.com/pt-br/whatsnew/super-mario-bros-wonder-aqui-vao-algumas-dicas-para-os-que-adoram-um-segredinho/ Super Mario Bros. Wonder: aqui vão algumas dicas para os que adoram um segredinho!]|quote=Ah, boa pergunta! Parece que tem algo estranho acontecendo por aqui, não é mesmo? Bom, isso significa que aquela fase tem um '''caminho secreto'''.|date=2024|publisher=nintendo.com}}</ref>

|SpaA=Camino secreto<br>Meta oculta
|SpaAM=Secret road<br>Hidden goal
|SpaAC=<ref name=NSMBW_NOA_booklet/>
|SpaA2=Ruta secreta
|SpaA2M=Secret route
|SpaA2C=<ref name=SMBW_SPA_website>{{cite|title=[https://www.nintendo.com/es-mx/whatsnew/super-mario-bros-wonder-tenemos-algunos-consejos-para-los-buscadores-de-secretos/ Super Mario Bros. Wonder: ¡Tenemos algunos consejos para los buscadores de secretos!]|quote=Esta situación es algo confusa, ¿verdad? Pero en realidad esto significa que el nivel además tiene una '''ruta secreta'''.|date=2024|publisher=nintendo.com}}</ref>

|SpaE="dos salidas"
|SpaEM="two exits"
|SpaEC=<ref name=WL1_EURO_manual/>
|SpaE2=Meta oculta
|SpaE2M=Hidden goal
|SpaE2C=<ref name=SMW_GBA_EURO_manual/>
}}

==References==
<references/>

{{Goals}}
[[Category:Game mechanics]] [[Category:Goals|*]]