TL;DR
- Complete six distinct puzzle rooms to gather letter clues for the final password
- Use Mallow’s Thunderbolt ability for efficient enemy clearing in corridors
- Navigate the challenging 3D Maze using audio cues and strategic jumping
- Input ‘PEARLS’ as the password despite ‘Corals’ also fitting the clues
- Prepare thoroughly before the King Calamari boss fight after solving the password
Venture into the submerged vessel’s lower decks where six intricate puzzle chambers await your problem-solving skills. Each room presents unique mechanical challenges that test different aspects of your platforming abilities.
Enemy mobs guard puzzle rooms.
The corridor connecting these puzzle rooms remains heavily patrolled by spectral adversaries including floating jellyfish, skeletal warriors, and ethereal guardians. For optimal efficiency in clearing these hostile encounters, include Mallow in your active party formation. His Thunderbolt special ability delivers exceptional area damage against the aquatic-themed enemies inhabiting this zone.
Pro Tip: Stock up on healing items before entering, as the consecutive battles can deplete your resources quickly.
Upper Hallway
Sunken Ship Puzzle #1: Block Pillar
Your initial challenge features a Koopa Paratroopa circling a stacked block formation with a suspended green activation switch. Position Mario directly beneath the flying Koopa’s flight path, allowing the creature to inadvertently dislodge the balancing sphere. The falling ball must connect with the switch plate to succeed.
Clue #1: The adventurer Indigo’s memo: “There is an ‘S’ in the word.”
Sunken Ship Puzzle #2: Springs
This chamber contains three horizontally oscillating spring platforms with interruptible blocks. Initiate the sequence by striking the leftmost block when it reaches the midpoint of its trajectory. Subsequently, time your impacts on the remaining two blocks to create adequate spacing between them. Proper execution results in a metallic orb rebounding across all springs before landing on the terminal switch.
Clue #2: The adventurer Indigo Jr.’s memo: “It is found on the bed of the ocean.”
Puzzle rooms #1 (left) and #2 (right).
Sunken Ship Puzzle #3: The 3D Maze
This notoriously disorienting puzzle room conceals Mario from view within a complex block structure. Navigate using spatial awareness and audio feedback from collisions.
- Access the maze through the narrow entrance and proceed toward the rear right section. Execute a jump maneuver when encountering obstructions in the lower region.
- This transports you to the central platform area, though Mario remains invisible. Perform a leftward jump to exit the structural confines.
- From this exterior position, advance to the bottom-right ledge and continue circling backward, executing interior jumps when necessary.
- Upon reaching the summit, activate the pressure plate to secure your next vital clue.
Common Mistake: Many players attempt to rush through this maze, but patience and methodical movement yield better results.
Clue #3: The second expedition team’s memo: “It has two vowels.”
You’ll have to go around the 3D Maze even if you can’t see Mario (left). You’ll then reach the outer section (right), which then leads to the top.
Lower Hallway
Sunken Ship Puzzle #4: Coins
Enter the first left-side chamber to encounter a primary coin that generates trailing duplicates as it traverses the room. Pursue the coin stream while collecting the spawned currency, maintaining careful timing. Avoid capturing the lead coin prematurely and note that secondary coins will vanish if not gathered promptly. Success requires obtaining the terminal coin after it completes its path.
Clue #4: The search party Onyx’s memo: “It is very valuable.”
Sunken Ship Puzzle #5: Cannons
This artillery-themed puzzle presents four elevated blocks with a cannon mechanism. Strike the leftmost block to initiate cannon fire, then position yourself beneath the subsequent three blocks sequentially. Time your jumps to coincide with the cannonball passing underneath each platform. Optimal technique involves aligning with the block’s shadow projection during the jump sequence.
Clue #5: The fourth investigation crew’s memo: “‘It’ is actually a ‘they.'”
Sunken Ship Puzzle #6: Barrel and Floor Panel
The terminal chamber contains a save point alongside two pressure-sensitive floor plates. First, vault onto the right-side barrel stack to dislodge one container. Next, mount the grounded barrel to shift it leftward. Once the barrel rests on one plate, step onto the complementary plate to achieve door activation.
The solutions for puzzle room #4 (left), #5 (middle), and #6 (right).
How to solve the password puzzle in the Sunken Ship
Assemble your collected intelligence to crack the cryptographic challenge. The chamber contains six lettered blocks numbered sequentially for systematic input.
- The Sunken Ship password is “PEARLS.”
- Position yourself beneath block number one and repeatedly strike it until the letter “P” appears highlighted.
- Advance to block two and continue jumping until “E” becomes selected.
- Repeat this methodology for the remaining blocks to complete the “PEARLS” sequence.
Hit the blocks until the correct letters are highlighted.
Upon completion, interact with the vocalization device so Mario can articulate the decrypted password. This action unseals the portal to the King Calamari confrontation, necessitating thorough combat readiness assessment.
Spell out the password–PEARLS–to reach the next chamber.
Important Note: While both “Pearls” and “Corals” satisfy all the gathered clue conditions logically, only “PEARLS” functions as the operational password. Attempting to input “CORALS” will not grant access to the subsequent area.
Beyond this pivotal puzzle sequence, numerous additional secrets await discovery throughout your maritime exploration, including the rewarding Melody Bay Tadpole Music sequences that offer valuable gameplay enhancements.
Action Checklist
- Clear all enemy encounters in the corridor to access the six puzzle rooms
- Solve Upper Hallway puzzles: Block Pillar, Springs, and 3D Maze
- Complete Lower Hallway challenges: Coins, Cannons, and Barrel/Floor Panel
- Collect all six letter clues from completed puzzle rooms
- Input ‘PEARLS’ as the password on the numbered letter blocks
- Prepare your party with healing items and optimal equipment for King Calamari
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Super Mario RPG – Sunken Ship Puzzle Answers Guide Master the Sunken Ship's six puzzles and password riddle to unlock King Calamari's chamber in Super Mario RPG
