Star Switch

Template:Item-infobox A Star Switch is a special type of switch that is introduced in Super Mario 64 DS. They are an additional gameplay element exclusive to the remake and did not appear in the original game, Super Mario 64. Star Switches resemble yellow Stars and have an exclamation mark imprinted on them. They appear in ten of the fifteen main courses, where they are necessary for one of the seven course missions respectively. Each of these missions has the term "Switch Star" somewhere in its name. Five more Star Switches can be found in the other secret levels. Fifteen Switch Stars can be found throughout the entire game. Most of them require Wario to be collected, as the Star Switch, or the actual Power Star itself, is usually obstructed by some sort of strong material that the other characters are not strong enough to break.

Any playable character is able to activate the Star Switches by stepping on them. Once activated, they will make a Power Star appear in a Star Sphere within the same level. The Power Star only remains there for a short time, so the player needs to hurry in order to reach the Star in time, or else they will have to press the switch again. The time limit varies depending on the respective switch.

Star Switch locations

Image	Course Star	Location
	Whomp's Fortress Switch Star of the Fortress	In an alcove below the Moving Bars. The switch is hidden under a Brick Block accessible to anyone but Yoshi.
	Jolly Roger Bay Switch Star of the Bay	Behind a rock in the underwater cave with the falling stone pillars, near where the third Star is located, accessible only to Vanish Luigi. This Switch Star has the shortest timer.
	Cool, Cool Mountain Switch Star of Cool, Cool Mountain	On a floating isle near the lift that connects the snowman head area with the penguin pond area.
	Big Boo's Haunt Switch Star in the Basement	In the shallow water outside the merry-go-round in the basement. The switch is located under a Black Brick that only Wario can break.
	Hazy Maze Cave Underground Switch Star	Under a Black Brick in a corner of the elevator area.
	Shifting Sand Land Tox Box Switch Star	On the course roamed by Tox Boxes above a field of quicksand. The switch is located under a Black Brick.
	Dire, Dire Docks Koopa Surfin' Switch Star	Near the access point of the level, on a small shoreline. The switch is located under one of the three Black Bricks.
	Tiny-Huge Island Switch Star on the Island	In the cave underneath the area where Wiggler is fought.
	Tick Tock Clock The Pendulum Switch Star	On the platform patrolled by a Heave-Ho and two Goombas, near the two large pendulums.
	Rainbow Ride Switch Star of the Manor	On the far end of a wooden platform, outside the giant floating manor, where the second Star is.
	Goomboss Battle	On a long platform next to the huge caged shaft, accessible only by Mario's wall jump.
	The Secret Under the Moat	On a remote area opposite the large slope at the beginning, accessible by either Mario's floating ability or wall-jumping. This Switch Star has the longest timer.
	Bowser in the Dark World	Behind the Warp Pipe that leads to the boss battle with Bowser.
	Bowser in the Fire Sea	On top of the obstacle course with the rising and sinking grid platforms near the end of the level.
	Bowser in the Sky	On the far end of the platform underneath the first set of Ferris wheel platforms.