120-star checklist and cap switches
Find missing stars by separating course missions, 100-coin stars and castle secrets.
Original Nintendo 64 game with 120 Power Stars; not Super Mario 64 DS.
Use the correct total
Each of the 15 main courses has six mission stars and one 100-coin star, for 105 course stars. The remaining 15 are castle secret stars. The DS remake has a different total and additional characters; its checklist does not fit the original Nintendo 64 game.
Activate all three cap switches
The Wing Cap switch is reached from the castle lobby’s light once the requirement is met. Metal Cap access comes through Hazy Maze Cave, while the Vanish Cap course is reached after draining the moat. Press the switches, not just collect the red-coin star, to activate their blocks throughout the game.
Plan 100-coin attempts
Choose an episode with useful enemies and coin access. Learn the blue-coin switch route before triggering it, since timed coins can be missed. Finish dangerous sections early where possible; losing a life near 100 coins is more expensive than restarting before a long collection loop.
Check secret stars methodically
Bowser stages, cap courses, secret rooms, the Princess’s Secret Slide and castle characters all contribute. Mark each separately. A room that looks familiar may contain a second reward with a different condition, so distinguish “visited” from “all rewards collected.”
Make a final audit
Compare the course pause-menu totals with your checklist. If every main course has seven stars, focus on castle secrets. If a course has six, confirm whether its 100-coin star is missing before replaying every named mission. Save after each successful cleanup step.
Check the edition note above before following a route. Suggested preparation and tactics are editorial recommendations; alternative teams and routes can also work.