New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is about to see a new update to the Nintendo Switch port version of the game. Although the current addition includes both Mario U and Luigi U, the newest release will also include a new story and world to explore with Bowser’s Fury. While the new addition is extremely exciting, getting back into the Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe can be a little tricky.
The game holds a lot of secrets. There are hidden exits and world skips that you can easily miss. Luckily, we can direct you toward the right areas to find some of the game’s best-kept secrets.
Further reading
- Master New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe with these tips and tricks
- All of the secret exits and world skips in New Super Luigi U
- There’s a secret character in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
- Our New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe review: 2D platforming wizardry
In each of the eight worlds, there is at least one level with a secret exit to be found. Once you find it, you’ll pull down a red flag instead and proceed to unlock secret levels or skip levels altogether. Some of these secret exits also build bridges to different worlds, effectively allowing players to skip significant chunks of the game.
Secret exits and world skips in New Super Mario Bros. U
While we recommend playing every single level in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (it’s phenomenal), finding and using secret exits provides a bit of added fun, too. Plus, to actually play every level, you have to find the secret exits. In this guide, we’ll tell (and show) you how to find all 12 of the secret exits in New Super Mario Bros. U.
World 1: Acorn Plains
Tilted Tunnel
Past the checkpoint flag and near the end of Tilted Tunnel, you’ll jump on a large boulder that will shift upward. A red ring will be above you. Above that will be a secret area that lets you run across the top of the level. Keep running until you get to a little ramp, jump again, and you’ll find yourself on an even higher ledge. Run until you drop down to a green pipe, and head for the red flag on the other side.
The first secret exit in New Super Mario Bros. U opens up a path to a secret level called A Blooper’s Secret Lair. Complete that level and a path to the Soda Jungle, world 5 (!), opens up.
World 2: Layer Cake Desert
Spike’s Spouting Sands
Right before the exit, you’ll run past a tall green pipe (the last star coin is right below it) and a final red arrow. Drop down from the red arrow pillar and run into the false wall. The warp pipe shoots you into the air toward the secret exit flag.
A new level in Layer Cake Desert, A Piranha Plants on Ice, will open up on the map. Complete that level to open a path to Soda Jungle once again.
World 3: Sparkling Waters
Haunted Shipwreck
When you get to the room with all of the false walls, look for a sign pointing right at the top of a ledge. Get on top of that platform, turn back around, jump down, and quickly jump again. You need to wall jump twice to reach a secret area with a hidden door. Watching the video for this one really helps.
Reaching the secret exit unlocks a new level in Sparkling Waters called A Skyward Stalk. Complete the hidden level to get a new path to world 6, the Rock Candy Mines.
World 4: Frosted Glacier
Swaying Ghost House
This one is tricky. In the final room of the house, you have to hit a P Block, jump on temporary blocks, and scale to the top. The regular entrance is surrounded by a giant Boo and a circling group of smaller ones. To reach the secret exit, though, you have to go to the very top to reveal a false ceiling and secret door. To do so, you may need a power-up like the squirrel suit (or just mad jumping skills). The secret door leads to a different exit with the red flag (and the final star coin).
The secret exit unlocks a new level in Frosted Glacier called A Fliprus Lake. Complete the secret level and you’ll open a path to world 6, Rock Candy Mines.
World 5: Soda Jungle
Bridge over Poisoned Waters
You almost definitely need the squirrel suit for this one. After crossing over the two shifting bridges of blocks, you’ll see a lone block under a ledge. Knock out the nearby Koopa Troopa, grab his shell, and zip it down there to reveal a vine that stretches to the sky. Climb it and then hop up the ledges on the left. From the top ledge, glide across the sky to the right to reach the flag.
Using the secret exit lets you skip to a new level in Soda Jungle, Seesaw Bridge.
Which-Way Labyrinth
Go through the door on the second platform to the left when you enter the ghost house. This will bring you to an elevator ride room. Instead of going through the visible door when you reach the top, keep riding and hang to the left side. A false ceiling with a pathway to a secret door will be revealed. Go through the door and proceed to finish the level as usual, dropping down to the bottom door.
The secret exit opens a path to a new level in Soda Jungle, A Flight of the Para-Beetles. Complete that level to open a path to world 7, Meringue Clouds.
Painted Swampland
Right past the red ring is a series of swaying pipes to navigate. At the end, there’s a jutted-out edge with a Boo guarding it. Hop down and run into the false wall to reveal a warp pipe. Run through the small cave and up the warp pipe on the right side of the wall to appear right next to the secret exit flag.
The secret exit opens a path to a new level in Soda Jungle, Wiggler Stampede.
Deepsea Ruins
Rather than entering the pipe at the top of your final swim upward to safety, swim all the way to the right. Another large pillar will drop down, revealing the third star coin and a warp pipe that leads to the secret flag.
The secret exit opens a path to Wiggler Stampede as well.
World 6: Rock Candy Mines
Grinding-Stone Tower
For this one, you need to be miniature (via a mini mushroom as shown in the video). Once you reach the top of the tower after scaling the green pipes, you’ll see a tiny green pipe to the right. Head through it to skip the boss fight, scale the next room (don’t forget the star coin on the left!), and head through the pipe to the secret flag.
The secret exit grants you access to a new Rock Candy Mines level, Thrilling Spine Coaster.
Walking Piranha Plants
Once you’re past the three moving platforms with Piranha Plants, you’ll see a lofty ledge with a wall edge at the bottom of the opposite side. The jutting edge is a fake wall that will take you to a warp pipe and the hidden exit.
This exit takes you to a shortcut to the next entrance to Roy’s Conveyor Belt.
World 7: Meringue Clouds
Spinning Spirit House
Travel to the mid-level of the house by taking the stairs located to your right. Find the spring and grab it. Carry it to the next room on the left, and place it beside a green door. After you’ve placed the spring, you can use it to ascend back up to the highest level of the house. From there, take the secret concealed door. Make sure to dodge ghosts wherever you can. Finally, after navigating this obstacle-course of space, you’ll get outside—race to the secret flag for safety.
Once you’re there, you’ll unlock a new, private entrance to Ludwig’s Clockwork Tower.
World 8: Peach’s Castle
Meteor Moat
It’s essential that you grab a P Block to unlock the secret bricks that will give you access to an overhanging pipe. The P Block can be found toward the end of a platform. Don’t worry, though. As you move around, bricks will appear just as you need them; They’ll catch you when you destroy the block. To find the exit, jump from the secret brick into the pipe to run out.
After you’ve accomplished this task, you’ll unlock a new level in Peach’s Castle: Firefall Cliffs.
