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.
- "Metal Cavern" redirects here. For the Super Smash Bros. stage commonly referred to as "Metal Cavern", see Meta Crystal.
| Behind the Waterfall | |
|---|---|
 Super Mario 64  Super Mario 64 DS | |
| 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,[1] is a cave that contains the Metal Cap Switch in Super Mario 64. 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 the Cavern of the Metal Cap, 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 has 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. Falling into it transports 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, and it 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[edit]
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, as well as 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[edit]
There are two Power Stars to collect in this area, with one being exclusive to the DS version.
Grab 8 Red Coins[2][edit]
There are eight Red Coins to be collected in this course, and several of them are just below a huge waterfall leading into the river. The player can reach them by becoming Metal Mario (Metal Wario in the DS remake). However, the player can ground-pound on specific parts of the river to collect the Red Coins. Once every Red Coin is collected, the Power Star appears 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)[edit]
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[edit]
The entrance to the Cavern of the Metal Cap in the Hazy Maze Cave in the N64 version
The entrance to Behind the Waterfall in the Hazy Maze Cave in the DS version
Mario in metallic form at the start
Metal Mario activates the Metal Cap Switch.
Metal Mario looking for Red Coins underwater
Mario obtains a Star in the level.
Names in other languages[edit]
Super Mario 64[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | メタルスイッチの たき[?] Metaru Suitchi no Taki |
Waterfall of the Metal Switch | |
| メタルのスイッチのコース[?] Metaru no Suitchi no Kōsu |
Metal Switch Course | ||
| Chinese (simplified) | 金属帽的瀑布石洞[?] Jīnshǔmào de Pùbù Shídòng |
Waterfall Cavern of the Metal Cap | |
| French | Mine des casquettes-métal[?] | Mine of Metal-Caps | |
| German | Grüner Schalterpalast[?] | Green Switch Palace | |
| Italian | La Grotta del Cappello di Metallo[3] | The Cave of the Metal Cap |
Super Mario 64 DS[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | たきのうらのひみつ[?] Taki no Ura no Himitsu |
Secret Behind the Waterfall | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 瀑布后面的秘密[?] Pùbù Hòumiàn de Mìmì |
Secret Behind the Waterfall | |
| French | Derrière la cascade[?] | Behind the Waterfall | |
| German | Hinter dem Wasserfall[?] | Behind the Waterfall | |
| Italian | Caverna di Metallo[?] | Metal Cave | |
| Dietro la cascata[?] | 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[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | メタルのどうくつ[?] Metaru no Dōkutsu |
Metal Cave |
References[edit]
- ^ Pelland, Scott and Dan Owsen (1996). Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 59.
- ^ Pelland, Scott and Dan Owsen (1996). Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 82.
- ^ November 15, 2018. Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia. Magazzini Salani (Italian). ISBN 889367436X. Page 91.
