Navigating the Forest Maze in Super Mario RPG is a test of both memory and courage, where every wrong turn can send you back to the start. But with the help of Geno and a keen eye for hidden paths, you can uncover secret treasures, face off against the menacing Bowyer, and claim the second Star Piece to continue your epic journey. Ready to master the twists and turns of this iconic maze? Here’s how to get through it step-by-step.
How to get through the Forest Maze in Super Mario RPG
To get through the Forest Maze in Super Mario RPG, you need to follow a specific path, especially when following Geno, who leads you through the maze. The maze consists of six similar screens, each with four exits, and the correct route to the boss Bowyer is to take the exits in this order: right, up, up, right, up, left. If you lose track of Geno, you can use this sequence to navigate successfully. Additionally, there is a secret treasure path you can access by helping a Toad in Rose Town, which involves a different set of directions: left, left, straight, right, leading to a tree stump that acts like a pipe to a treasure-filled cave. Along the way, you’ll encounter enemies and puzzles, including waking a sleeping Wiggler to progress further. Defeating Bowyer at the maze’s end earns you a Star Piece and recruits Geno to your party.
After entering stumps and going through some of the more straightforward forest bits, you’ll be greeted with an actual labyrinth, where you’ll end up circling around unless you take the correct path.
Since the pathways are diagonal, here’s what we mean when we use directions, for reference:
The first time you go through the Forest Maze, you should just follow Geno. If you lose track of him, he walks in these directions: right, up, up, right, up, and then left. You can use this to go back through the Forest Maze whenever you need, though there’s little reason to do that. (Maybe you missed the hidden treasure in the last area? I don’t know.)
There is a hidden path that an NPC in Rose Town tells you about. From the starting point, you’ll need to go left, down, down, and then left. If you’ve done this correctly, you’ll see a stump that you can enter to get loot.
What secret tricks can help me navigate the Forest Maze faster
Secret Tricks to Navigate the Forest Maze Faster in Super Mario RPG
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Use the Hidden Path Tip from Rose Town NPC: From the maze’s start, move left, down, down, then left to find a secret shortcut that bypasses much confusion.
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Follow Geno’s Lead: After meeting Geno, follow him closely through the maze’s twists. Even if you return later without him, his path is the key to progressing efficiently.
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Enter Tree Stumps and Use Trampolines: Many stumps act like pipes to hidden areas, and trampolines help you jump to new zones quickly, skipping some maze sections.
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Exploit Warp Pipes and Ledges: Try the pipe on the right side first to reach a lower area with fewer enemies and treasure. Use ledges along walls to avoid tougher foes and find warp pipes that shortcut the maze.
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Use Items to Clear Enemies Quickly: Carry Pure Water to instantly defeat Boos and Rat Funks, and use a Super Star to bulldoze through groups of enemies, saving time on battles.
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Memorize Directions as Northwest and Southwest Moves: Instead of confusing left/right, think in terms of northwest and southwest directions to keep your bearings straight.
These tricks combined can significantly speed up your Forest Maze run, letting you reach Bowyer and the second Star Piece with less hassle.
How can I use Mario’s direction to find hidden paths in the maze
You can use Mario’s facing direction in each room of the Forest Maze to find hidden paths by following a secret route revealed by a Toad in Rose Town. The directions correspond to Mario’s orientation as you enter each new screen, guiding you through the maze with a sequence like left, left, straight, right relative to Mario’s position. More precisely, thinking in terms of compass directions-northwest, southwest, southwest, then northwest-helps keep your bearings and leads you to a secret treasure room filled with valuable items. This method leverages Mario’s perspective rather than fixed map directions, making it easier to navigate the confusing maze and uncover hidden chests and shortcuts.
