Piranha Plant Pond is the third main stage in the hack Super Mario Star Road. The level entrance is outside the castle in a pipe in a fenced area after an arch. Most players assume this is the first level as the pipe is the closest one to the starting point of the game. This stage is a swamp infested by Piranha Plants and Shy Guys. The stage also is populated by ruins and water.
Notable features include: The cave, the ruins, the house/steeple, the hedges, and the pond.
Acts[]
Star 1: Climb the Ruins[]
When Mario enters the stage go straight to find a tan path. Immediately you will encounter a steep slope, which can prove very tricky to climb. Mario can either triple jump up this slope, use the Fly Guy near it, or jump of the wooden "stairs" that are visible, though Mario could go around it if he so choose. Directly when Mario reach the top of the slope, you will see a ruined stone building. The Power Star is located at the top of this structure. Mario must jump up onto the building (you can also use the rubble around the building), then jump on small pillars until he reaches the tall pillar. Beware, the pillars are very small, and it is extremely easy to fall.
Star 2: The Flooded Cave[]
Instead of following the path up the slope, cross the wooden bridge slightly to the left and Mario will find a cave entrance with a sign that warns you that the camera will be a problem. The cave consists of a couple of islands, with a "?" box at the end containing the star. However, Mario can not get on the platform unless with a very precise long jump. The intended way to get to the box is to push a grey block as close as possible to the island, while avoiding fire from the Kuromames, and then long jump from the top of the box to the platform with the boxed Star.
Star 3: 8 Red Coins of the Pond[]
In this mission Mario must collect the 8 red coins scattered throughout the level. Their locations are as follows:
- In the water under the wooden bridge.
- In the water in the small cave.
- On a slanted stone block near the stairs on the path.
- On a block in the pillars behind the tall building.
- On a block in the pond.
- On top of one of the big brown trees near the house/steeple with the hedge surrounding it.
- On top of a hedge near a warp pipe.
- In the corner of the level on a slope behind the pond.
Once Mario collect all 8, the star spawns in a patch of sand surrounding the pond.
Star 4: Shoot to the Tower Top[]
This level requires the cannon to shoot yourself to the ruined tower. The Bob-omb Buddy for the cannon can be found on top of the dam at the end of the river. To get to it either follow the path and use the warp pipe, or swim across the pond and climb the pillars until Mario passes the house surrounded by the hedge. Go towards the green pipe surrounded by the hedges and from the outside of it you should be able to locate the dam.
The cannon is located directly in front of the starting point on a raised stone slab. Mario will see a tower with two power stars in site. Shoot yourself towards the tower and you should land on a small stone ledge or the roof. Mario has to perform a side flip in a very small area to reach the platform with the Star.
Star 5: Underwater Metal Dash[]
Requires Metal Cap. Make Mario way past the cannon towards the dock with the Metal Cap box next to it. Once you get the cap quickly dive into the water and hit the switch, activating timed blocks. Quickly head up the arrow ramp in front of Mario, then jump onto the platforms and the blocks until he reach the "?" with the Star in it.
Star 6: The Owl's Dinner Time[]
Only available during Act 6. This Star requires Mario to use the Hoot the owl in order to get to the star. Directly after Mario walks up the slope staircase, make you way up the next hill to the green pipe. Handstand on the tree that is parallel with the pipe, which will lure out Hoot and use him to go to the top of the tower where Star 4 was and drop on top of it. There is another strategy to get this star involving back wall kicking up the roof from where star 4 is, thus not using Hoot.
Enemies[]
- Fly Guy
- Goomba
- Keronpa Ball
- Piranha Plant
- Shy Guy
Trivia[]
- The Shy Guys are re-textures of Goombas, despite the fact that normal Goombas appear in the level as well.
- The level features one of the fastest way to softlock in the whole hack: by jump diving in a corner, close to where the red coin Star appears.
- The owl says that he moved from Whomp's Fortress to Piranha Plant Pond after being sick from all the noises the inhabitants make. But in Super Mario 64 DS, Hoot also appears in later levels including Tall Tall Mountain, Cool Cool Mountain, Tiny Huge Island, and Snowman's Land.
Softlock
