What's up, fellow runners and Mario fanatics! Ever stared at a Super Mario Maker 2 level that seemed mathematically impossible, only to realize it's all about the *strat*? You're in the right place. This isn't just about beating levels; it's about mastering them, shaving off every precious frame, and achieving that coveted World Record (WR). Today, we're diving deep into the "99% Impossible" levels that litter the Mushroom Kingdom, breaking down the strategies, the glitches, and the sheer grit it takes to conquer them. Whether you're a seasoned speedrunner or just looking to understand how these insane feats are accomplished, get ready to level up your knowledge.
What Makes a Super Mario Maker 2 Level "99% Impossible"?
It's easy to label a level as "impossible" when you first see it. Usually, this means the creator has pushed the game's mechanics to their absolute limit, often relying on precise inputs, obscure glitches, or seemingly random sequences of events. These levels aren't just difficult platforming challenges; they are intricate puzzles designed to test not just player skill but also player *knowledge* of the game's engine.
Some common elements that contribute to this "impossibility" include:
* **Frame-Perfect Inputs**: Requiring button presses at incredibly specific, millisecond-accurate moments.
* **Rube Goldberg Contraptions**: Chains of events where one small mistake can derail the entire sequence.
* **Hidden Mechanics Exploitation**: Using glitches or unintended interactions between game elements to bypass intended challenges.
* **Extreme Precision Platforming**: Jumps that require pixel-perfect positioning and momentum control.
* **Adversarial Design**: Levels intentionally designed to trick or punish players, often with invisible blocks, unexpected enemy placements, or misleading pathways.
The Speedrunner Mindset: Strategy Over Stamina
In speedrunning, especially for games like Super Mario Maker 2, the approach is less about brute force and more about surgical precision. We're not just trying to finish the level; we're aiming for the absolute fastest time possible. This involves:
* **Route Optimization**: Identifying the most efficient path through the level, often involving shortcuts or skips that the creator never intended.
* **Glitches and Skips**: Actively searching for and exploiting bugs in the game's code to bypass sections or gain an advantage. This is where much of the "impossible" truly comes into play.
* **Consistent Execution**: Developing muscle memory and a deep understanding of the level's mechanics to perform complex maneuvers reliably.
"The beauty of speedrunning these impossible levels is finding the solution where others see only a wall. It's about breaking the game to beat the game."
Key Speedrunning Techniques in Super Mario Maker 2
Super Mario Maker 2, built on the Super Mario engine, offers a wealth of techniques that speedrunners exploit. Mastering these is crucial for tackling the most demanding levels:
* **Crate Pushing/Juggling**: Manipulating crates to create platforms, block projectiles, or trigger mechanisms. Some advanced strats involve juggling multiple crates in the air.
* **Shell Jumps**: Using thrown Koopa shells as temporary platforms. This often requires precise timing and angle control.
* **P-Switch Glitches**: Exploiting the behavior of P-Switches, sometimes in conjunction with other elements, to achieve unexpected results like passing through walls or gaining extra height.
* **Vine Climbing Tricks**: Optimizing vine climbs for speed, sometimes involving mid-air jumps or specific positioning to skip parts of the ascent.
* **On/Off Switch Manipulation**: Using the switches to alter the level layout rapidly, creating opportunities for advanced movement.
* **Spin Jump Mastery**: The spin jump in *Super Mario World* and *New Super Mario Bros. U* styles can be used for extended airtime and precise adjustments.
Breaking Down Impossible Strats: A Case Study
Let's imagine a hypothetical "99% Impossible" level. Imagine a section requiring Mario to navigate a series of moving platforms suspended over lava, with Bowser Jr. firing cannons from above. A "normal" player might try to dodge everything and land precisely. A speedrunner, however, looks for exploits.
Perhaps the optimal route involves a *shell jump* off a specific shell launched by Bowser Jr. to reach a high ledge, skipping several tricky platforms entirely. Or maybe there's a *wall clip* possible by precise movement against a certain block type, allowing Mario to phase through a barrier. The key is meticulous frame-by-frame analysis, often using save states in emulators or frame advance tools to isolate the exact inputs needed. The first time someone pulls off such a strat, it looks like pure magic, but it's the result of hours, sometimes days, of dedicated practice and analysis. I remember a specific level that required a 'mid-air spin jump cancel' into a dive – sounds crazy, right? But it shaved off nearly 10 seconds!
The Role of RNG (Random Number Generation)
While speedrunners strive for consistency, RNG plays a significant role in many Super Mario Maker 2 levels, especially those that incorporate elements like:
* **Item Dispensers**: The order of items appearing can drastically alter a run.
* **Enemy Spawns**: Random placement or timing of enemies can force adjustments.
* **Moving Objects**: While some are scripted, others might have slight variations in their patterns.
For "99% Impossible" levels, the goal is often to create strats that are either completely immune to RNG or that can be adapted quickly to different RNG outcomes. If a level relies too heavily on luck, it becomes less of a speedrun and more of a lottery, which isn't ideal for competitive play. However, sometimes, a specific RNG manipulation is part of the intended strat.
"Dealing with RNG is part of the challenge. You learn to accept the bad RNG and celebrate the good. Sometimes, you even learn to manipulate it."
Executing these near-impossible feats requires more than just skill. It demands the right tools and approach:
* **Practice Tools**: Utilizing in-game checkpoints (if the creator allows) or external tools (like save states in emulation) is vital for practicing specific, difficult segments.
* **Replay Analysis**: Watching your own replays, and those of top players, is crucial for identifying mistakes and discovering new optimizations. Websites like
Speedrun.com are invaluable resources.
* **Frame-by-Frame Analysis**: Slowing down footage to understand the precise timing and inputs required for a specific trick.
* **Community Knowledge Sharing**: Discord servers and forums dedicated to Super Mario Maker 2 speedrunning are goldmines for discovering new strats and getting help.
Community and Competition
The Super Mario Maker 2 community is vibrant, especially among speedrunners. Players share their incredible creations, challenge each other, and collaborate to discover the most optimal ways to complete levels. Participating in leaderboards on
Speedrun.com provides a competitive edge, pushing everyone to improve. Seeing a new
WR is always exciting, especially when it involves a level previously thought unbreakable. This spirit of innovation and competition is what makes
speedrunning so captivating. It’s a constant evolution of knowledge and execution.
FAQ: Super Mario Maker 2 Speedruns
What is the hardest type of level to speedrun in Super Mario Maker 2?
Levels that rely heavily on unpredictable
RNG, require obscure glitches with inconsistent execution, or demand frame-perfect inputs across multiple demanding sequences are generally the hardest.
Do official Nintendo games have levels as hard as "99% Impossible" SMM2 levels?
While Nintendo's official Mario games are challenging, they are typically designed for a broader audience and focus on skill progression. "99% Impossible" levels in SMM2 are often made by players pushing the boundaries of what's considered possible within the game's engine, sometimes exploiting intended design limits or unintended bugs.
How do speedrunners practice incredibly difficult sections repeatedly?
Speedrunners often rely on tools like save states in emulators or, in cases where the creator implements them, in-game checkpoints. Watching frame-by-frame analysis of successful runs is also a key practice method.
Is it cheating to use glitches in speedruns?
No, using glitches and unintended mechanics is a fundamental part of
speedrunning for many games. The goal is to complete the game as fast as possible using any means allowed by the specific game's ruleset. "Glitches allowed" or "glitches optional" are common categories.
Where can I find leaderboards for Super Mario Maker 2 speedruns?
The primary resource for official speedrun leaderboards is
Speedrun.com.
The world of "99% Impossible" Super Mario Maker 2 levels is a testament to the creativity of players and the dedication of speedrunners. It's a space where the impossible becomes possible through sheer ingenuity, practice, and a deep understanding of game mechanics. Whether you're aiming for your own
PB or just enjoy witnessing incredible feats of gaming skill, these levels offer endless fascination.
What's the most insane Super Mario Maker 2 level you've ever encountered or speedrun? Did you find a mind-blowing strat? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below! Let's keep the conversation going and push the boundaries together. Join our
Discord to connect with other speedrunners and share your runs!
