Power Stars and movement basics
A starter guide to Super Mario 64: practise movement in the castle grounds, use the mission title as a clue, plan the 100-coin star, include castle secrets.
Original Nintendo 64 game with 120 Power Stars; not Super Mario 64 DS.
Practise movement in the castle grounds
Learn the long jump, backflip and side somersault where a missed landing is harmless. Settle the camera before committing to a narrow jump.
Use the mission title as a clue
Each course has named star missions. Read the selected mission before entering, then identify its landmark rather than exploring without a goal.
Plan the 100-coin star
Each main course has a 100-coin star. Choose a route with reliable coin sources and leave dangerous jumps until you are comfortable with the layout.
Include castle secrets
The 120-star total includes secret stars outside the main course missions. Check castle rooms and cap courses as well as your painting-world totals.
This is a starter reference, not a complete walkthrough or item database. Use the linked game reference for detailed routes and collection lists.