- Hints and Tips

Always be on the lookout for hidden rooms and passageways. Look for different patterns in the walls. Your character can smash open some barriers by Spin Dashing.

Beware of Badniks that shoot projectiles. Even if you keep your distance from the Badnik, their weapon can reach you and cause you to lose a life. If you must get past a series of Badniks, spend a few moments watching them and learn how they move. Be sure to time your attack perfectly.

Prepare yourself to travel underwater in the various Zones. Remember, your character can't last too long under water without breathing, so jump into the giant air bubbles that rise from the ground. If you wait too long, you'll drown.

When you lose all your Rings, you'll start flashing and become temporarily invincible. If you re-collect your scattered Rings, you can safely attack enemies while you're invincible. As long as you have at least 1 Ring, you won't lose a life when the invincible effect wears off.

When you are in a Special Stage (a bonus stage accessed through Giant Rings), the music will eventually speed up and you'll start moving much faster, making your character more difficult to control over time. If you're having trouble, pausing the game and taking a break may be a good idea. That way, you can plan routes to journey through a Special Stage.