From the castle's front door, enter the door just to the left of the stairs and then go down into the basement on your right. Note that you get the basement key after defeating Bowser in the Dark World.
From here, go right down the hall and through the door. Instead of jumping into the painting with the flame on it, hang a right and enter the door with a Star on it. You'll find an inky black pool surrounded by checkered flooring. Jump into the pool to start the level. Need help figuring out how to get all of the Hazy Maze Cave Stars? Keep reading below.
Star 1: Swimming Beast in the Cavern
Upon entering this level, take a left at the map. Long jump over the pit and go through the door. Make your way around the room and go up the hill with the rolling stones. Enter the next room and go on the elevator to head underground.
Take the path down into the water and swim until you reach the Nessie-like creature. Ground-pound on its back to make it lower its head. Jump onto the head and wait for the beast to raise its head once more. Now, direct Nessie to the island in the middle of the lake and then jump over to get your Star.
Star 2: Elevate for 8 Red Coins
You'll need to collect Hazy Maze Cave's eight Red Coins to get this Star. Here's where you can find the eight Red Coins.
Upon entering the level make a right. Head down the path jumping over gaps and dodging flames until you make it to the door. Enter this new room and slide down the pole on your left. Now go up the grassy steps on the right.
- Jump on the floating platform with buttons on it and direct it to the pole directly in front of you. Climb the pole and jump on the checkered platform. Ride it around the room while smashing any blocks or jumping over any obstacles that get in your way. You'll obtain four Red Coins this way.
- Now return to the platform with the arrows. Get Mario to smash all of the brown blocks in the room to reveal three Red Coins.
- The last Red Coin will be on a cliff in the back left corner of the room.
Star 3: Metal-Head Mario Can Move!
Make a left when you get to the map and enter the room at the end of the hall. Make your way around this next room and up the hill with the rolling stones. Enter the door at the end and take the elevator down. Walk down the dirt path and jump into the water.
Get on Nessie's back and ground-pound to make her lower her head. Get on her head and point her in the direction you want her to go. There's a double door in this cavern. Lead Nessie to it and then enter the doors.
Jump into the inky pool in this new room. (Note that collecting the Red Coins in this area will result in you earning a Castle Secret Star). Upon jumping into the pool, you'll be turned into Metal Mario. Run through the course defeating enemies and jumping over platforms until you reach the massive Green Button at the end of the cave. Jump on this to activate the Green ! Blocks in the cavern.
Now exit this area and return to the room with Nessie. Hit a Green ! Block to turn into Metal Mario near the top of the dirt path and then walk to the Purple ! Button next to the gated door. This will open the gates and let you enter the door. Long jump across the floating platforms and get your Star.
Star 4: Navigating the Toxic Maze
From the entrance, take a right at the map. Go all the way to the end and enter the door. Drop down the floor below and take the first door on your right. Now drop down the hole in this room.
You'll be brought into a maze with toxic gases. Use the Green ! Block to turn into Metal Mario and temporarily be immune to the poison. After hitting the block, head right and then follow the maze as it turns left. Shortly after encountering a Monty Mole, there will be two alcoves that you can jump up to on the left side. Jump up to the further one and enter the door.
You'll see an elevator on the far end of the room. Stand on it and it will raise you to the floor above. Touch the Star to collect it.
Star 5: A-Maze-ing Emergency Exit
From the level entrance, make a right at the map. Head to the back of the path and enter the door. Go down the pole on the left and then enter the first door on your left. Drop down into the hole at the back of the room. Hit the Green ! Block to turn into Metal Mario.
After hitting the Block, head right and follow the curve of the cavern. An alcove will be above you shortly after you encounter a Monty Mole. Jump up into the alcove and enter the door. Now wind your way through this next room and hop on the elevator.
Head through the door on the higher level. Now jump and cling to the underside of the red platform. Follow the red caging until it takes you to the Star.
Star 6: Watch for the Rolling Rocks
From the entrance, head to the right at the map and enter the door at the far end. Head to the right and wind your way towards the rolling rocks. Now wall-jump back and forth in front of the door until you get on the right ledge above. There's a Star hidden on a platform up here.
Star 7: 100 Coin Power Star
You'll need to collect 100 Coins scattered throughout the Hazy Maze Cave level to get this Star. Here's how to get 100 Coins:
- Killing a spider gives you three Coins, there are several scattered throughout the level.
- The cavern that houses Nessie features an island with eight Coins.
- The poison maze features plenty of enemies that will give you Coins when defeated.
- Head to the toxic maze and defeat all of the enemies you encounter. If you're running around as Metal Mario, they'll die as soon as they touch you. There's also a Blue Coin Button down here that reveals 7 Blue Coins when gound-pounded. If you can collect the Blue Coins before they disappear, it will add 35 Coins to your total.
- Collecting all of the Red Coins will add 16 Coins to your total.
