Use these red-flag routes to open hidden courses, Warp Cannons and shortcuts. Mini Mario is required for World 3-Tower’s exit; a Super Leaf helps with several high Vine routes.
World 1-Tower
Secret Exit — Go through the door after the Checkpoint Flag. In the room with blocks sliding from left to right, wait for a block to retract into the right wall. Walk through the temporary opening and enter the yellow pipe. The red flag unlocks World 1’s Warp Cannon, which leads to World Mushroom.
World 2-Ghost House
Secret Exit — Just after the second coin, reveal the hidden block containing a Vine. Climb it and follow the alternate route to the red flag. This opens World 2-B.
World 3-4
Secret Exit — When the poison is low, use a shell to break the Brick Blocks along the bottom route. Enter the red pipe behind them.
World 3-Ghost House
Take the second door from the right to the long platform. Keep heading right until you reach an opening in the wall. Use Raccoon Mario’s tail to break the Brick Blocks and enter the door behind them. The red flag opens a shortcut to World 3-Castle.
World 3-Tower
Secret Exit — Bring a Mini Mushroom. Before the Checkpoint Flag, enter the tiny pipe at the lower right as Mini Mario. Complete the small-character obstacle room and take the red flag to unlock the Warp Cannon to World Flower.
World 4-Ghost House
Secret Exit — Before the Red Ring, Wall Jump up to the hidden door. It leads to the red flag.
World 4-Tower
In the second section, enter the single blue pipe. It leads to the red flag and opens World 4-C.
World 5-1
Secret Exit — Near the third coin, reveal another Vine block above the rope on the right. Climb it, then bounce from the Koopas toward the red flag on the right. This unlocks World 5-Ghost House.
World 5-A
Secret Exit — Before the Checkpoint Flag, hit the two Brick Blocks from below to reveal a Vine. Build up running speed and fly back up to it as Raccoon Mario. Climb to the red flag to open a shortcut to World 5-Castle.
World 5-Ghost House
Secret Exit — Before the first door, reveal the hidden Vine block among the other blocks. You can also fly through the opening in the ceiling as Raccoon Mario. Follow the upper passage to the red flag to open World 5-A.
World 6-Ghost House
Secret Exit — From the third coin’s room, keep Wall Jumping higher until you reach the uppermost door. It leads to the red flag and opens World 6-A.
World Mushroom-1
Secret Exit — At the third coin, jump onto the block on the left and reveal the Vine. Climb to the red flag to unlock World Mushroom-A.
Back to World Mushroom Star Coins
World Mushroom-Ghost House
Secret Exit — Repeat the right, left, middle switch sequence and activate the switch above the ceiling again. This time go right to the newly revealed door. The red flag opens World Mushroom-B.
Back to World Mushroom Star Coins
World Flower-1
Secret Exit — Near the goal, land on the winged block and wait for it to carry you upward. Follow the sky route to the red flag, which opens World Flower-A.
Back to World Flower Star Coins
World Flower-Ghost House
Secret Exit — After taking the Super Star, descend along the right edge of the screen. Land on the ledge with the sign and enter the door to the right. The red flag unlocks World Flower-B.