What's up, fellow speedrunners and Mario fans! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most iconic and, let's be honest, sometimes infuriating, parts of the Super Mario 64 speedrunning scene: the Dire, Dire Docks 100 Coin objective. This particular star has seen more evolution than a Pokémon in a speedrun. As the race for the 120 Star World Record (WR) intensifies, runners are constantly pushed to discover new, mind-bending strategies and optimize routes. This is the story of how the Dire, Dire Docks 100 Coin star has transformed over the years.
Table of Contents
The Evolution of the Route
Dire, Dire Docks, specifically the 100 Coin star, is a notorious bottleneck for many Super Mario 64 runners. It's a level that demands precise movement, careful coin collection, and often, a bit of luck. The quest for the fastest time means shaving off milliseconds, and this star is a prime candidate for optimization.
In my experience, this star was one of the first major hurdles I encountered when I started learning the 120 Star route. The sheer number of coins and the tricky placement of some of them can lead to frustrating attempts. You think you've got a perfect run going, and then you miss a few crucial coins in the currents or underwater, costing you valuable time.
The initial strategies were straightforward, focusing on collecting coins efficiently without relying on complex glitches. However, as the community pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in Super Mario 64, new techniques and understanding of the game's mechanics brought about revolutionary changes.
Early Strategies and Struggles
Back in the day, runners would typically enter the Docks and meticulously collect coins. This involved swimming through the currents, grabbing the coins around the pipes, and carefully navigating the underwater sections. The biggest challenges were:
- Coin Conservation: Missing even a handful of coins meant having to backtrack or spend more time searching, significantly impacting the overall time.
- Movement Optimization: Efficient swimming and avoiding unnecessary movements were key. Early runners developed techniques to maintain momentum and reduce air-swimming where possible.
- RNG (Random Number Generation): While not as prevalent in this specific star as in others, certain coin spawns or enemy movements could still add minor unpredictable elements.
I remember watching older WR attempts and seeing runners take a much more deliberate approach. There wasn't the same aggressive optimization we see today. It was about consistency and avoiding major mistakes. The focus was on the core gameplay loop: enter, collect, exit.
"The early days of SM64 speedrunning were about discovering what was possible. Dire, Dire Docks 100 Coins was a testament to patience and clean execution."
The introduction of the 120 Star category naturally put more pressure on every single star, including this one. Runners knew that a slow Docks run could cost them the WR. This spurred innovation and the relentless pursuit of faster methods.
Glitches and Skips Emerge
As the Super Mario 64 speedrunning community delved deeper into the game's code and mechanics, players began discovering and exploiting glitches. These discoveries dramatically altered established routes for many levels, and Dire, Dire Docks was no exception.
One of the most significant advancements was the development of strategies that allowed runners to obtain the 100 Coin star without collecting all the coins traditionally. This often involved:
- Out of Bounds (OOB) Exploits: Finding ways to get Mario outside the intended playable area to clip through walls or reach intended coin locations faster, or sometimes to skip entire sections.
- Object Duplication/Manipulation: Advanced techniques that could manipulate game objects to create shortcuts or trigger events differently.
- Damage Boosts and Clipping: Utilizing enemy hits or specific environmental interactions to move faster or pass through barriers.
These new strats, while requiring immense practice and frame-perfect execution, offered substantial time saves. They shifted the focus from methodical coin collecting to mastering complex, often risky, maneuvers.
"Discovering a new glitch or skip for a level like Dire, Dire Docks feels like unlocking a cheat code that the developers never intended. It's pure speedrunner genius."
The "BLJ" (Backwards Long Jump) became a foundational technique in many speedruns, and while not directly applicable to *collecting* coins in Docks, the understanding of movement exploits it fostered led to other discoveries.
Modern-Day Strats
Today's top Super Mario 64 runners employ highly optimized routes for Dire, Dire Docks 100 Coins. These strategies often combine precise swimming, careful management of the currents, and sometimes, very specific inputs to grab coins with minimal wasted movement. The goal is to enter the level, grab the necessary coins as quickly as possible, and exit, often without ever touching the bottom of the main underwater area.
The optimal route now usually involves:
- Fast Entry: Minimizing time spent in the loading zone and getting into the water immediately.
- Current Manipulation: Using the currents to Mario's advantage for speed, rather than fighting against them.
- Precise Coin Grab Order: A specific sequence of coin collection that minimizes travel time between coin clusters. This might involve jumping out of the water at precise moments or using wall kicks.
- Skip Strategies: Depending on the specific run category (e.g., 120 Star), certain sections or coin clusters might be skippable if their time cost outweighs their coin value, relying on other stars to compensate.
The difference in time between a beginner's attempt and a WR holder's attempt at this star is staggering. It highlights years of dedicated practice, route discovery, and community collaboration. This constant push for optimization is what makes #speedrunning so captivating. If you're interested in seeing these strats in action, checking out WR attempts on speedrun.com is a must.
The Importance of RNG
While Dire, Dire Docks 100 Coins is largely a skill-based star, there are still elements of RNG that can influence a run. The exact positioning of some of the floating coins, especially those in the main open water area, can vary slightly. Additionally, the movement of certain passive elements or the timing of environmental cues could, in rare cases, affect the optimal path.
However, the community has worked hard to develop strategies that are robust against most RNG variations. The best runners can adapt on the fly, making minor adjustments to their path if a coin spawns slightly differently. It's this adaptability, combined with near-perfect execution of the known optimal path, that leads to world records.
"You can't control the RNG, but you can control your reaction to it. That's the essence of a good speedrunner."
For anyone looking to improve their PB in Super Mario 64, understanding these RNG elements and how to mitigate their impact is crucial. It’s not just about memorizing a route, but about truly understanding the game.
Practicing Dire, Dire Docks
Mastering Dire, Dire Docks 100 Coins requires dedicated practice. Here’s how I recommend approaching it:
- Watch Top Runners: Study current WR attempts and top player VODs. Pay close attention to their movement, coin collection patterns, and any specific tricks they use.
- Isolate the Level: Use save states or the game's level select feature (if applicable in emulation or specific setups) to practice the Docks star repeatedly.
- Break It Down: Focus on mastering one section of the coin collection at a time. Perfect the underwater currents, then the pipe coins, then the open water.
- Practice Without Collecting All Coins: If you're aiming for a 120 Star run, practice the specific route that requires only the necessary coins, rather than collecting all 100 every time.
- Analyze Your Mistakes: Record your attempts and review them. Where are you losing time? Are you missing coins? Is your movement inefficient?
This star, like many others in Super Mario 64, is a rite of passage. Conquering it not only shaves time off your overall run but also provides an immense sense of accomplishment. It’s a perfect example of how the speedrun community constantly innovates and pushes the limits of classic games.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get the 100 Coin star in Dire, Dire Docks?
The fastest strategies involve highly optimized routes that often use specific swimming techniques, current manipulation, and precise coin collection orders to minimize time. Some advanced strats might incorporate glitches or skips, but for most runners, focusing on efficient, clean movement through the intended level design is key.
How many coins are in Dire, Dire Docks?
There are exactly 100 coins available in Dire, Dire Docks to obtain the star.
Is Dire, Dire Docks 100 Coins a difficult star in SM64 speedruns?
Yes, it is considered one of the more challenging stars, especially for 120 Star runs, due to the precise movement required, the layout of the level, and the need to collect all coins efficiently within a tight time limit.
How has the strategy for this star changed over time?
Early strategies focused on methodical coin collection. Over time, the community developed more optimized routes, discovered glitches, and refined movement techniques, leading to significantly faster methods that shave off precious seconds.
Can RNG affect my Dire, Dire Docks 100 Coin run?
While the core strategy is skill-based, minor variations in coin placement can occur, introducing a small element of RNG. However, top runners have developed routes that are robust against most common RNG fluctuations.
The evolution of the Dire, Dire Docks 100 Coin star in Super Mario 64 speedruns is a microcosm of the speedrunning community itself: a relentless drive for optimization, creative problem-solving, and a deep love for pushing games to their absolute limits. From clunky early attempts to near-flawless modern runs, this star has seen it all.
What are your memories of this star? Did you struggle with it when you first started playing? What's your favorite trick or strat for Dire, Dire Docks? Let us know in the comments below! And if you want to join the discussion, check out our Discord server – we're always talking about the latest strats and WRs!