Hey there, fellow speedrunners and Mario fans! Ever watched a Super Mario 64 speedrun and thought, "How on earth do they do that?" You're in the right place. Today, we're diving deep into the incredible world of Super Mario 64 speedruns, focusing on the ultimate challenge: the 120 Star category. This isn't just about beating the game; it's about breaking it, understanding its deepest mechanics, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Get ready to learn the strats, the glitches, and the sheer dedication it takes to achieve a top-tier WR.
What is SM64 Speedrunning?
Super Mario 64, a titan of the Nintendo 64 era, is one of the most iconic and deeply analyzed speedrun games in history. Its 3D platforming freedom and intricate level design opened up a universe of possibilities for sequence breaking and optimization. Speedrunning SM64 involves completing the game as fast as possible, typically by collecting a specific number of stars or reaching the end credits through any means necessary. It's a testament to player skill, game knowledge, and relentless practice.
For many, the allure of SM64 speedruns lies in its accessibility and the sheer depth of its mechanics. Unlike games with heavily scripted events, SM64 allows for a high degree of player expression and emergent strategies. This has led to an incredibly dedicated community constantly discovering new techniques and refining old ones.
The Main SM64 Speedrun Categories
While the 120 Star run is often seen as the ultimate test, Super Mario 64 boasts several popular speedrun categories:
- 0 Star (or 16 Star): This category focuses on reaching the final Bowser fight as quickly as possible using major glitches and sequence breaks to bypass the need for most stars. It's incredibly technical and relies heavily on specific inputs and setups.
- 70 Star: A popular middle-ground category that requires collecting 70 stars to access the final Bowser fight. This category balances the fast-paced glitch execution of the 0-star run with more traditional star collecting.
- 120 Star: The pinnacle of SM64 speedrun. This category demands the collection of every single star in the game. It's a true test of endurance, precision, and comprehensive game knowledge, as every star must be collected as efficiently as possible.
Each category has its own unique set of challenges and optimal strategies. The 120 Star category, in particular, requires an intimate understanding of every level, every enemy, and every precise movement.
Mastering the 120 Star Run
The 120 Star run in Super Mario 64 is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires near-perfect execution across dozens of stars, each with its own optimal path. Achieving a top-tier PB (Personal Best) or even a World Record in this category is a monumental achievement. It's not just about speed; it's about consistency and minimizing downtime between stars.
In my experience, the key to success in the 120 Star run is breaking it down. Instead of trying to memorize one massive route, focus on mastering individual levels and the sequences of stars within them. For example, perfecting the triple jump and wall kick techniques in the early levels is crucial for saving precious seconds that add up significantly over the course of the run.
"The 120 Star run isn't just about collecting stars; it's about executing every single movement with absolute perfection. One tiny mistake can cost you the run."
Optimizing movement is paramount. This means mastering techniques like:
- Long Jumps: Essential for crossing gaps quickly.
- Triple Jumps: For reaching higher platforms and covering distance.
- Wall Kicks: Crucial for verticality and chaining movements.
- Dive Cancels: Used to maintain momentum and position Mario precisely.
Furthermore, understanding enemy patterns and object spawns can shave off valuable milliseconds. Knowing exactly when and where a Goomba will appear, or how a coin will be positioned, can make the difference between a good split and a great one.
Essential Strats and Skips
Even in a 120 Star run, efficiency is king. Certain "skips" or optimized strats are vital:
- Infinite Wall Kicks (IWK): While not strictly a skip, mastering the ability to chain wall kicks indefinitely allows Mario to ascend certain walls much faster than intended.
- BLJ (Backwards Long Jump): Though most famous in the 0-star category for breaking the game's progression, specific, shorter BLJs can still be used in 120-star runs to gain access to certain areas or stars slightly faster, provided they don't violate category rules.
- Object Duplication: Advanced techniques allowing players to duplicate objects, sometimes used to gain height or trigger events faster.
For the 120 Star run, the focus is often on optimizing the collection of each star rather than massive sequence breaks. For instance, knowing the fastest way to enter and exit each castle level, or the precise path through an obstacle course, is key. The "Princess's Secret Slide" star, for example, has a highly optimized route that relies on precise slides and jumps to finish in under 20 seconds.
Key Glitches and Exploits
While the 120 Star category generally aims to avoid major game-breaking glitches that skip entire sections, minor exploits and glitches are often necessary for optimization. These include:
- Mips Clip: A well-known trick where Mario can clip through Mips the rabbit to collect him faster in certain stars.
- Object Duplication Glitches: As mentioned, these can sometimes provide shortcuts or faster access to objectives.
- Menuing: Quick and precise navigation through menus to save time when quitting levels or switching cameras.
Understanding these glitches is crucial, not necessarily to break the game, but to perform the most efficient actions within the game's engine. It’s a delicate balance between pushing the game's limits and staying within the defined rules of the category. The community at speedrun.com meticulously documents these techniques.
"The beauty of SM64 speedrunning is how the community has uncovered abilities and exploits that even the developers might not have foreseen."
The infamous BLJ, or Backwards Long Jump, is perhaps the most famous exploit in SM64. While it's essential for categories like 0-star, its application in 120-star is much more limited, focusing on minor time saves rather than progression skips.
Understanding RNG in SM64
Random Number Generation (RNG) plays a significant role in SM64 speedruns, even in the 120 Star category. Things like enemy spawn locations, coin placement, and the behavior of certain interactable objects can vary. While top runners strive to minimize reliance on good RNG, understanding how to manipulate or adapt to it is vital.
For example, some stars require collecting a certain number of coins. The exact placement of these coins can sometimes be slightly randomized. A good runner knows the general areas where coins spawn and can quickly adapt their path to collect them efficiently, regardless of their precise initial positions. Similarly, the erratic movement of enemies like the Piranha Plants in "Fire in the Deep Freeze" can impact run times if not approached with the right strategy.
Training and Practice
Becoming a top SM64 speedrunner requires thousands of hours of practice. This typically involves:
- Segmented Practice: Focusing on mastering individual stars or small groups of stars until they are consistent.
- Full Run Practice: Attempting complete runs to build endurance and practice transitions between segments.
- Watching Top Runners: Studying the techniques and strategies of the best players, often found on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
- Utilizing Practice Tools: Some runners use external tools or in-game savestates to practice difficult tricks repeatedly.
The dedication needed is immense. Many runners spend hours each day refining their inputs, analyzing their VODs (Video On Demand), and discussing strategies with other players.
The Super Mario 64 speedrunning community is one of the most vibrant and established in the world. Platforms like Discord, Reddit, and Twitch are hubs for discussion, strategy sharing, and competition. Resources like speedrun.com provide leaderboards, guides, and forums that are invaluable for aspiring runners.
This community is what keeps the game alive and pushes its boundaries. New discoveries are made regularly, and existing records are constantly being challenged. Whether you're aiming for a world record or just want to improve your personal best, the SM64 community is often welcoming and supportive.
Engaging with the community is key. Don't hesitate to ask questions on Discord servers or forums. Watching streams of top players like Cheese, Simply, or Suigi is also incredibly insightful. You'll learn not just the "what" but the "why" behind their precise movements and decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the current world record for Super Mario 64 120 Star?
The world record is constantly being broken, but as of recent updates, it's held by elite runners pushing times under the 1 hour and 37-minute mark. Always check speedrun.com for the absolute latest record.
Q2: Is Super Mario 64 still popular for speedrunning?
Absolutely! It remains one of the most consistently popular and actively played speedrun categories across all games. Its depth and the ongoing discovery of new techniques keep it fresh.
Q3: What's the easiest star to get in SM64 for a beginner?
Stars in the first castle level, like "Back Wolfenback" or "Plummeting Platform," are generally considered easier due to simpler mechanics and less complex level design.
Q4: Do I need a specific version of Super Mario 64 to speedrun?
Yes, the most common and standardized version for speedrunning is the Japanese version of the game on N64, due to its optimal timing and lack of certain glitches present in other versions.
Q5: How long does it take to learn a 120 Star run?
Learning the route and achieving consistent execution can take months, if not years, of dedicated practice. Improvement is gradual but rewarding.
So there you have it! A deep dive into the exhilarating world of Super Mario 64 120 Star speedruns. It's a challenging, rewarding, and endlessly fascinating pursuit that showcases the incredible potential of player skill and game mastery. Whether you're inspired to start your own journey or just appreciate the dedication involved, the SM64 speedrunning scene is a testament to the enduring power of this classic.
What are your favorite SM64 speedrun tricks? Have you ever attempted a run yourself? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Join our Discord community to connect with fellow runners and discuss strategies!
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