Dust-Switch of Identity is the Vanish Cap level in Super Mario 74. It is located in the second overworld (Tower of the East), on top of the raised patch of ground that can be accessed by climbing up the pillars next to the pipe that leads to Haunted Factory. These stone pillars can be climbed using triple jumps or side flips.
This switch palace is a giant blue fortress divided into two structures. The Vanish Cap Switch is dead ahead of Mario's starting point, and requires some longjumps to reach.
From Mario's starting point, he can reach a platform/pillar that lies at the centre of the course. To the right of it lies a castle that Mario can either enter, or travel upwards using the path on the castle's facade. From the castle roof, Mario can reach a section high above the level. To the left of the central platform, there is another, more dilapidated structure.
Stars[]
All Star names are fan-made and are not official.
Star 1: Highest Point[]
From the starting platform, jump across the the pillar at the centre of the stage, and head to the castle on the right. Instead of going inside it, head around to the right and start climbing up the side of the castle using the platforms on its facade.
Once on top of the castle, wallkick up between the two walls in the centre, until Mario reaches the top. From there, Head straight forwards along the very high pathway, until Mario reaches the end of the platform. On the left, there are two walls facing each other; stand in the doorway cut into one of them and start wallkicking up between them. The Star is at the top of this platform.
Star 2: Narrow Pathway[]
For this Star, head to the structure on the left of Mario's starting point, rather than the castle to the right. Inside of this structure is a laughably thin path leading to the Star. You can either bounce off of the Fly Guy here and fly to the Star, or, navigate the path all the way around. If you are choosing the path, recommend taking out the Fly Guy first, to prevent it from knocking Mario into the void.
Star 3: Invisible Switch Jumping[]
Head into the castle on the right of Mario's starting point, and turn the camera around so that it is facing the castle entrance (Lakitu cam is recommended over Mario cam for this). The Vanish Cap is needed for this Star to pass through some webbing blocking Mario from reaching the timed switch's blocks.
Grab the Vanish Cap on the right, then run all the way over to the left and hit the timed switch. Next, jump up the platforms by the switch- a triple-jump can be very effective for reaching the higher platform. Then, longjump over to the right and land on the boxes, and jump along to the platform with the Star on it.
Star 4: More Invisible Jumping[]
Mario must head back to the pathway just before the wall-kicks that lead to Star 1 (wall kick up the wall on top of the castle). Instead of going to the end though, break the Vanish Cap block and long jump over the path of blocks ti reach the star. Even though the blocks are not timed, the timer for the cap is still short.
Star 5: Red Coins in the Dust[]
Mario must find the eight red coins located around the blue fortress. Their locations are as follows:
- Directly to the left of Mario's starting point.
- On a pillar left of the switch.
- On a platform to the left of the castle.
- Inside the castle, next to the block switch for Star 3.
- Around the outside of the castle- inside of a little hut/platform near the Chuckya.
- Behind the back-left crystal on top of the castle roof.
- On a small platform on the edge of the castle, near the front-left crystal.
- On a small platform at the top of the wallkicking segment on the castle roof.
The Star will spawn on the course's central platform/pillar.
Star 6: Behind the Start[]
From Mario's starting point, carefully drop down the back of the pillar and land on the platform far below. The Star is inside an alcove here.
Enemies[]
- Whomp
- Chuckya
Trivia[]
- Star 4 can be gotten without the Vanish Cap. Mario must simply long jump from the platform with Star 1 onto the top of the first wall. Mario can then long jump over the tops of the walls to reach the star.
- Interestingly, this is how the star must be obtained in the Extreme Edition version of this level, Dust Destination.
- The music in this level can glitch out and not play when you zoom in or when a star appears.