Sparkle Gems are a key collectible in Princess Peach Showtime, as you need to hand an increasing amount over at the end of each floor to unlock access to the game’s bosses.

Every Sparkle Gem In Princess Peach: Showtime

Each level has up to ten, and while some are given to you for progressing the story, many need to be found by searching around the level. Here’s how you find every Swordfighter Gem across the three levels: The Castle of Thorns, The Ghostly Castle, and The Dark Swordfighter & The Arena.

Every Sparkle Gem In The Castle of Thorns

This is the first level in the game, and as a result, the Gems are not all that hidden. However, you can still miss a couple if you’re not paying attention, so keep your eyes peeled.

The Castle of Thorns Sparkle Gem 1

This is an unmissable Gem given for opening the tent at the end of the first stage.

The Castle of Thorns Sparkle Gem 2

You’ll find this gem on a raised ledge after you give the first villager a sword. You’ll need to backtrack up the stairs to get there. Doing this, you’ll also walk past the blue curtains that lead to the hidden Ribbon. Check out this guide on all 30 hidden Ribbons for more!

The Castle of Thorns Sparkle Gem 3

After you help two more villagers grow strong, don’t go through the curtains. Instead, keep going up the step to the man in the hat. Use the ribbon on the nearby bushes and he’ll give you the third Gem.

The Castle of Thorns Sparkle Gem 4

This is an unmissable Gem for winning your first fight as Swordfighter Peach. Hurray, and other such things.

The Castle of Thorns Sparkle Gem 5

This one is also unmissable, for clearing the thick thorny vines from the castle door. You’re good at this swordfighting lark.

The Castle of Thorns Sparkle Gem 6

You won’t believe it. Also unmissable. This time for winning your next fight as Swordfighter Peach.

The Castle of Thorns Sparkle Gem 7

The next one is also for fighting, but it is missable. Right after the destructible boxes, there are two steps. Go to the highest one and pose using ZL. This takes you to a hidden floor with four enemies. Slay them and the Gem is yours.

The Castle of Thorns Sparkle Gem 8

Another unmissable one for defeating the large shielded guard. Dodge his slam attack with A to jump behind him.

The Castle of Thorns Sparkle Gem 9

When climbing the tower, backtrack when you reach the thick vine blocking your path. Jump onto the higher ledges with Up+A and you’ll find the Gem at the top.

The Castle of Thorns Sparkle Gem 10

A final unmissable gem for clearing the level. Jump over the swinging vine to attack it, then jump over the head’s slam attack to attack it. Well done, but the challenge has only just begun - the Gems get harder and harder to find later on.

Every Sparkle Gem In The Ghostly Castle

On the second floor, you’ll get your second Swordfighter level before some costumes have even had their first outing. This level takes a spooky turn with purple ghouls swarming the halls, and despite only having seven Sparkle Gems to find, they are better hidden than The Castle of Thorns, so keep this guide close and your wit raised.

The second floor also has a guy that says “Sparkle? More like Blargle!”, and he’s my favourite character in the game. Say hi to him for me.

The Ghostly Castle Sparkle Gem 1

After breaking out of jail, head upstairs and smash open the first jail cell, then break the vase inside to free the Gem.

The Ghostly Castle Sparkle Gem 2

Unmissable, given after defeating the first wave of enemies when the ghostly knight appears. Note that you should counter the spear enemies by waiting until they attack then attacking before they hit you, and that the spectral bats must be killed too.

The Ghostly Castle Sparkle Gem 3

Collect the fragments of the Gem while running along the falling floor, and be sure to jump to the metal platform to grab the last two.

The Ghostly Castle Sparkle Gem 4

After going up the falling stairs, don’t go right as the game wants you to, but go left into the corner to find the cracked tile. Pose with ZL on this tile to head to the hidden stage. Kill the bats here and the Gem is yours.

The Ghostly Castle Sparkle Gem 5

After returning from this hidden stage, advance and the ghost will drop two chests on you. The Sparkle Gem is in the chest on the left, while the right chest has a Heart. Before this, in the first set of falling chests, the chest only has a Heart. However, the painting second from right has trapped the ribbon man, so attack it to free him. Remember that we have a guide on all 30 ribbons for you colourful fashionistas out there.

The Ghostly Castle Sparkle Gem 6

Once the ghost stops dropping things, you’ll reach a barred gate. Before breaking it and heading up the staircase, smash the three pots in the corner to find another Gem.

The Ghostly Castle Sparkle Gem 7

Unmissable, earned for clearing the level. You must land three hits on the boss to do this, by jumping over each of his attacks as he charges from the side. When he charges from the front, just avoid him.

Every Sparkle Gem In The Dark Swordfighter & The Arena

This is the first Basement level you’ll unlock, where you must free the Sparkla. Never mind all that though, you also must grab every Gem in sight. How will you ever complete the album if you don’t?

The Dark Swordfighter & The Arena Sparkle Gem 1

There is a shelf of five pots behind the first slice of combat. Destroy these, and your enemies, then pose on the circle carpet glowing in the middle to access the secret floor. Defeat the bats in here and gather the Gem.

Attack them as they swoop, or jump directly beneath them.

The Dark Swordfighter & The Arena Sparkle Gem 2

During the second fight, the Gem is hiding behind the fallen pillars and destructible pots. Deal with the enemies, then jump over and collect it.

The Dark Swordfighter & The Arena Sparkle Gem 3

Unmissable, given for defeating each enemy in the narrow section where the curtain drops.

The Dark Swordfighter & The Arena Sparkle Gem 4

In a vase on the right-hand side of the steps before you through the final gate. Head to the right before you even reach the steps to free the ribbon man too, and as always, here’s our guide on all 30 ribbons.

The Dark Swordfighter & The Arena Sparkle Gem 5

An unmissable gem given for defeating the boss and freeing the Swordfighter Sparkla. But we all know the real prize is that snazzy album snap, right?