Thanks to Davy8 for most of the info here.

This is the list of all the special items in the game...these are sometimes hard to find, and DON'T go in your standard item inventory once collected (so that you CAN'T toss them out or sell them!)

Gameplay Links

<Walkthru> | <FAQ> | <Button functions> | <Item guide> | <Armor Guide> | <Accessory Guide> | <Special Item Guide> | <Weapon Guide> | <Store Guide> | <Yoshi Cookie Guide> | <Allies' Magic Guide> | <Enemy Magic Guide> | <Major Enemies Guide> | <Bowser's Keep Puzzle Guide> | <Psychopath Guide> | <Secrets> | <Glitches> | <VIEWER Tips> | <Rumors> | <Main Page>

Alto Card -- Allows you to buy Elixirs at the Juice Bar. Win by playing Frogfucius' Suite #18 ("So la mi re do re do re") at Todovsky's place in Tadpole pond. The first card you can get; you can get it when you first enter Tadpole pond.

Bambino Bomb -- Opens passage in Coal Mines. Get by defeating Croco in mines.

Beetle Box -- Allows you to play Beetle Race on Booster Hill. Buy from Beetle's R us in Seaside Town after you beat Yaridovich (first shop as you enter the town).

Big Boo Flag -- One of the Musty Fears' flags. Find between "O" and "A" on Yoster's Isle.

Castle Key 1 -- Opens door to Birdo's room. Get it by going on the far left passage in a series of three, and talking to the Nimbus Land Guard.

Castle Key 2 -- Opens door in Birdo's room. Win by fighting and defeating the giant egg in the center of the room.

Cricket Pie -- Give to Frogfucius for the Froggie Stick. Buy in Mushroom Kingdom Inn with Rare Frog Coin you got from defeating Croco.

Cricket Jam -- Give to Frogfucius for 10 Frog Coins. To get this, you must jump in the cave while the smoke is coming out below the Sky Bridge at Land's End. Go through the path to Kero Sewers, where you go to that previously unreachable treasure box. This is what's in it.

DryBones Flag -- One of the Musty Fears' flags. Find under Mario's bed in Mario's Pad.

Elder Key -- Opens first locked door in Booster Tower. Get by looking at Booster's family pictures in order. Your prize for unlocking the door is a Chomp, Bowser's first weapon.

Greaper Flag -- One of the Musty Fears' flags. Find behind the wooden flower at the entrace of Rose Town.

Rare Frog Coin -- Get from beating Croco in Bandit's way.

Room Key -- Opens second locked door in Booster Tower. Get in the room where you jump to avoid the traps in the floor which bring up fireballs. Your prize for unlocking the door is the Zoom Shoes, which allow you to speed up by ten.

Shed Key -- Frees villagers in Seaside Town. Get it after you beat Yaridovich in Seaside Town.

Soprano Card -- Allows you to buy Kerokerocolas from the Juice Bar. Win by playing the Monstro Town song ("La Ti Do Re So Do Re Mi") at Toadovsky's place in Tadpole Pond. The last card you can get. You can get it after you've been to Monstro Town.

Temple Key -- Allows access to treasure room in Belome Temple.

Tenor Card -- Allows you to buy Megalixirs at the Juice Bar. Win by playing the Moleville Mountain Miners' song ("Re do so do re la ti do") at Toadovsky's place in Tadpole Pond. The second card you can get. You can get it after you've gotten the third star.