- rainbow colored note blocks take you to bonus levels in the sky
- worlds have 4 to 5 levels each
- they usually have a castle or ship, and sometimes a Toad House or a Secret Box
- find power-ups in Toad Houses
- Secret Boxes are challenges that have you collecting as many items as possible
- these last for 10 seconds
- pick up coins, power-ups and even Star Medals
- each world also has an additional level to explore if you have enough Star Medals
- three medals in every level
- later in the game these Medals become crucial
- Boomerang Bros. suit lets you toss one boomerang at a time
- take out enemies and pick up items with the boomerang, Star Medals included
- Invincible Tanooki Suit will appear in levels when you fail too many times
- tease of something 'truly classic' that you get when your quest is wrapped up