Behind the Waterfall

This article is about the place in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. For the Power Moon in Super Mario Odyssey, see List of Power Moons in the Cascade Kingdom § Behind the Waterfall.

Behind the Waterfall
Area	Cavern of the Metal Cap (N64) / Behind the Waterfall (DS)
How to unlock	Clear Bowser in the Dark World.
Stars	Super Mario 64: Super Mario 64 DS:

The Cavern of the Metal Cap (called the Metal Cap Switch Course in the message that appears upon the player entering) or Metal Cap Cavern is a cave in Super Mario 64 that contains the Metal Cap Switch. The entrance is located in the Hazy Maze Cave, behind a set of double doors in the Underground Lake area. It is the only level to be entered inside another level in the N64 version, and one of the only two levels to be entered inside another level in the DS version, the other being Big Boo Battle in Big Boo's Haunt. In order to reach it, the player must traverse to the underwater cavern in the Hazy Maze Cave. The player then has to get on top of Dorrie's head and then steer him over to the small patch of ground outside the double doors. Upon entering the double doors, the player will have to go through a short hallway, at the end of which is another pool of liquid metal, much like the one that is used to enter the Hazy Maze Cave in the first place. Falling into it will transport the player to the Cavern of the Metal Cap.

In Super Mario 64 DS, the area was retitled Behind the Waterfall, and the Cap Switch was removed. However, a second Power Star was added, which can be reached only by Mario using a Power Flower. Signs, however, continue to refer to the area as the Metal Cave or Metal Cavern, which is a holdover from the original version.

Layout

Map of Behind the Waterfall in Super Mario 64 DS

The cave is decorated with large glittering crystals and has a stream of water running through the middle. In the original game, upon entering the cave, Mario is automatically turned into Metal Mario and is therefore invulnerable to the stream's current. The water is moving very fast and can sweep Mario out the cave's one-way exit (which will lead him to the waterfall outside the Mushroom Castle) if he is not careful. Directly before the exit through the waterfall is a yellow block containing a 1-UP Mushroom as well, which can be obtained only if Mario gets a Metal Cap. The only enemies that appear are Snufits, and a Goomba in the DS version. The DS version also has a Bob-omb Buddy. If the player presses the Metal Cap Switch, all of the green blocks in the game will activate, granting access to the Metal Cap in later courses.

If the player gets swept out of the course, they will be brought to the Castle Grounds with no life lost.

Missions

Behind the Waterfall in Super Mario 64 DS

There are two Power Stars to collect in this area, with one being exclusive to the DS version.

8 Red Coins

There are eight Red Coins to be collected here, and several of them are just below a huge waterfall leading into the stream. The only way to reach them is by becoming Metal Mario (Metal Wario in the remake). Once every Red Coin is collected, the Power Star will appear at the Star Marker underwater near the waterfall at the back end of the cavern, surrounded by a circle of Yellow Coins.

Balloon Mario (DS only)

By using Mario, the player must hit the red block by the waterfall to obtain a Power Flower. By floating upwards from that spot, they can find a Power Star above a triangular set of coins.

Gallery

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  The entrance to the Cavern of the Metal Cap in the Hazy Maze Cave in the N64 version

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  The entrance to Behind the Waterfall in the Hazy Maze Cave in the DS version

Names in other languages

Super Mario 64

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	メタルスイッチの たき[?] Metaru Suicchi no Taki	Waterfall of the Metal Switch
	メタルのスイッチのコース[?] Metaru no Suicchi no Kōsu	Metal Switch Course
Chinese	金属帽的瀑布石洞[?] Jīnshǔmào de Pùbù Shídòng	Waterfall Cavern of the Metal Cap
German	Grüner Schalterpalast[?]	Green Switch Palace

Super Mario 64 DS

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	たきのうらのひみつ[?] Taki no Ura no Himitsu	Secret Behind the Waterfall
Chinese	瀑布后面的秘密[?] Pùbù Hòumiàn de Mìmì	Secret Behind the Waterfall
German	Hinter dem Wasserfall[?]	Behind the Waterfall
Italian	Caverna di Metallo Dietro la cascata[?]	Metal Cave Behind the Waterfall
Korean	폭포뒤편의비밀[?] Pokpo Dwipyeon ui Bimil	Secret Behind the Waterfall
Spanish	Tras la cascada[?]	Behind the Waterfall

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	メタルのどうくつ[?] Metaru no Dōkutsu	Metal Cave