Steam Gardens is weird. Most people land in Super Mario Odyssey’s forest world and expect a standard "nature level," but instead, they get a surreal mix of rusted machinery, red soil, and some of the catchiest lounge music ever put in a video game. If you are hunting Wooded Kingdom moons, you already know the frustration. You’re looking at a map that says there are 76 Power Moons, but you’re stuck at 40, staring at a giant iron wall or a flower that won't bloom.
It's a vertical maze. Honestly, the Wooded Kingdom is probably the most layered kingdom in the entire game. You have the forest floor, the interior Iron Mountain path, the Deep Woods—which is a terrifying nightmare zone where a T-Rex stalks you in the dark—and the post-game Moon Shards. Getting 100% completion here isn't just about platforming; it’s about understanding how Nintendo hides things in plain sight using "Capture" mechanics that most players forget exist after the first hour.
Why the Wooded Kingdom Moons are So Tricky
Most players struggle here because they don't look up. Or down.
The verticality is intense. You might be standing right on top of a moon icon on your map, but it's actually 200 feet below you in a hidden alcove or 300 feet above you on a thin metal beam. The Uproot is your best friend here. If you aren't constantly stretching Mario’s legs to poke at the ceiling, you’re going to miss about a third of the total moons.
The Deep Woods Dilemma
Let’s talk about the Deep Woods. It's that "secret" area you fall into if you jump off the edge of the map. No map. No sunlight. Just a giant dinosaur. Many players think there's only one or two moons down there. Nope. There’s a whole handful, including some that require you to bring seeds from the upper world or use the T-Rex to smash very specific rocks. If you’re missing moons #28 through #36, they are almost certainly lurking in the dirt down there.
Crucial Wooded Kingdom Moons You’ve Probably Missed
The first 20 moons are easy. They’re the story moons. You beat the Broodals, you climb the tower, you fix the machine. But then the game stops holding your hand.
Moon 54: The Invisible Road
This one is a classic Nintendo troll. It's located in the Nut-filled room near the Secret Flower Field. You have to use the Fire Bros to light torches, but the actual path is invisible. Most people try to long-jump it and fail. Use the Cappy throw to "feel" out the platforms.
Moon 49: Direct to the Point
You need a Glydon for this. You find him high up on the Observation Deck. If you don't glide toward the distant iron fence—the one that looks like it's just background scenery—you’ll never find the hidden alcove. It requires a level of trust in the game's physics that feels wrong until you actually land it.
The Nut Moons
There are nuts everywhere. Metal nuts, wooden nuts, nuts stuck in walls. If you see a nut shape, break it. Use an Uproot to smash them from below or a Ground Pound. Moon #18, "The Nut in the Robot," is a prime example. You have to find a specific, non-hostile robot and realize he's basically a treasure chest.
The Post-Game Expansion (The Moon Rock)
Once you finish the main story and crack open the Moon Rock, the Wooded Kingdom Moons jump from 54 to 76. This is where things get genuinely difficult.
The "Master Cup" Freerunning race is a common roadblock. The Koopa is fast. To beat him, you have to stop playing the game the "intended" way. Don't follow the path. Triple jump over the railing at the start, use the Uproot shortcut through the charging stations, and dive-jump your way to the finish line. If you run the path the Koopa takes, you lose. Every time.
Secret Path to Steam Gardens
Don't forget the paintings. There is a warp painting in another kingdom—usually the Luncheon Kingdom or the Bowser’s Kingdom, depending on your play order—that drops you on a high, isolated ledge in the Wooded Kingdom. This is Moon #52. You literally cannot get it by exploring the Wooded Kingdom normally. You have to travel through the multiverse (or just a magical canvas) to grab it.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
People think the "Talkatoo" or "Hint Toad" are cheating. They aren't.
Nintendo designed the Wooded Kingdom moons to be a collective effort. Some of these are so obscure that they were meant to be shared on forums and school playgrounds. For instance, the "Vanishing Road" challenges. They aren't just about speed; they are about rhythm. If you're struggling with the timing of the moving platforms, stop looking at Mario. Look at the shadows. The shadows in Odyssey are 100% accurate to the platform position, even when the perspective makes the jump look impossible.
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Another big one: The Sherm (Tank) captures. You'll find a few moons where you need to shoot distant targets. Most players aim too low. The projectiles in this kingdom have significant gravity drop. Aim higher than you think.
Technical Tips for Completionists
If you are stuck at 75/76 and the Hint Toad isn't helping, check the "Art" moons.
- Find the Hint Art in the Wooded Kingdom.
- It usually depicts a location in the Sand Kingdom or the Metro Kingdom.
- You have to go to that other kingdom and ground pound the exact spot shown in the picture to get a Wooded Kingdom moon.
It’s counter-intuitive. You’re looking for a moon for the forest, but you’re standing in the desert. That’s just Odyssey.
Actionable Next Steps for 100%
To wrap this up and get your 100% star, follow this specific order. Start at the "Forest Charging Station" and work your way clockwise around the perimeter. Don't enter the middle until the edges are clear.
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- Capture an Uproot immediately. Use it to check every single overhead beam. If there’s a nut or a glowing spot, hit it.
- Drop into the Deep Woods. Do this once and stay there until you’ve cleared the T-Rex rocks, the treasure chest, and the "Sprout" moons. It’s a pain to fall down there multiple times, so do it in one sweep.
- Check the shop. Remember, one moon is literally just sitting in the Crazy Cap shop for 100 coins.
- Buy the Wooded Kingdom outfit. There is a room near the start that only opens if you’re wearing the Explorer hat and outfit. If you don't have the local purple coins, go find them first. You can't get the moon inside without the "costume check."
- Use the Map filter. Hit the '-' button and toggle to the list view. If you have gaps between Moon 40 and 50, you know you're missing "Challenge Room" moons, which are usually hidden behind grey pipes or doors with hats on them.
The Wooded Kingdom is a masterclass in level design because it rewards curiosity over raw mechanical skill. Take your time. Listen for the "twinkle" sound of a nearby moon. And for heaven's sake, stop falling off the map unless you're doing it on purpose.