The Legend of the 1-Star Run
Ever since
Super Mario 64 first graced our screens, it has been a cornerstone of the speedrunning community. For years, the ultimate challenge for many was the legendary 120-star completion. But then came a twist, a curveball thrown by Nintendo that sent shockwaves through the speedrunning world: the release of
Super Mario All-Stars (specifically, the Super Mario 64 portion within compilations like the Super Mario 3D All-Stars). This reimagining, while fantastic for many, removed a crucial tool in the speedrunner's arsenal. However, where there's a will, there's a way, and the
Super Mario 64 speedrun community is nothing if not resilient. Today, we're diving deep into the "impossible": beating
Mario 64 with just one star, even after the infamous BLJ was patched out.
When Worlds Collide: Mario 64's All-Stars Dilemma
The Super Mario 64 segment included in the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection presented a unique problem for speedrunners. While offering a polished experience on modern consoles, Nintendo made some changes that significantly impacted established speedrunning **strategies**. The most impactful of these changes was the removal or alteration of the **Backwards Long Jump (BLJ)**. For those unfamiliar, the BLJ was a fundamental **glitch** that allowed players to gain immense speed by performing a long jump backward into a wall, repeatedly. It was the key to unlocking many early-game shortcuts and was absolutely vital for any serious speedrun attempt. Without it, the established routes for categories like "1 Star" became seemingly impossible.
The BLJ wasn't just a glitch; it was the foundation upon which many speedrun categories were built. Its removal forced the community to rethink everything.
The Backwards Long Jump (BLJ): A Speedrunner's Best Friend
Before the All-Stars version, the BLJ was the undisputed king of Mario 64 speedrunning **techniques**. It allowed players to bypass crucial doors and barriers early on, shaving precious seconds, even minutes, off their times. The most famous application of the BLJ was in the "1 Star" category, where players would perform a series of BLJs to reach the Star required to exit the castle’s main lobby, all without collecting any other stars. This demonstrated an incredible mastery of the game's mechanics and a deep understanding of its physics engine. It was a spectacle of precision and execution, a true testament to the dedication of
speedrunning.
When the BLJ is Gone: The Rise of New Strats
When Super Mario 3D All-Stars launched, the community initially thought the 1-Star category was dead in the water for that version. However, the spirit of innovation is what drives speedrunning. Instead of giving up, runners began to explore other less commonly used glitches and **skips**. This is where the true depth of
gaming strategies shines through. Players started experimenting with other movement **exploits**, object manipulation, and precise ledge grabs that, when combined, could replicate the effect of the BLJ. This led to the development of entirely new **routes** and **strats**, proving that even when a core mechanic is removed, the game still has secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Inside the 1-Star Speedrun: A Technical Breakdown
The Tool-Assisted Speedrun (TAS) video showcases a theoretical best-case scenario, meticulously crafted frame by frame. While not achievable by human players in real-time without assistance, TAS runs are invaluable for discovering new **glitches**, testing complex **strats**, and pushing the boundaries of what's considered possible within a game. The video you're seeing here demonstrates that even without the BLJ, the "1 Star" goal is achievable in the All-Stars version through a complex interplay of other mechanics.
Here’s a breakdown of what typically happens in such a run:
* **Objective**: Reach and collect the first star in Bob-omb Battlefield, the "Big Boo's Haunt" star, to exit the castle, all while collecting only that single star.
* **Initial Obstacles**: The main hurdle is bypassing the locked doors that require multiple stars. Without the BLJ, these doors remain impassable through conventional means.
* **The Solution**: The TAS utilizes a combination of precise movement, object manipulation (like using enemies or cannonballs), and potentially out-of-bounds glitches to navigate through areas that would normally be blocked.
Key Glitches and Skips in the 1-Star Run
The "BLJ-less" 1-Star run in the All-Stars version relies on a sophisticated set of alternative **techniques**. While the exact sequence can be highly technical and frame-perfect, some common **exploits** that might be employed include:
*
Object Clipping: Utilizing the game's physics engine to pass through walls or obstacles by carefully positioning and interacting with certain objects or enemies. This could involve manipulating enemy positions or using projectiles in very specific ways.
*
Ledge Grabs and Dashes: Extremely precise timing of jumps and grabs to gain unintended height or distance, effectively "skipping" sections that require normal progression.
*
Specific Enemy Interactions: Certain enemies might have unique behaviors that can be exploited for movement, such as being launched by their attacks or using their AI in unexpected ways.
*
"Sword Flying" or Similar Techniques: While not a standard part of the original Mario 64, some advanced speedruns might incorporate glitches that allow Mario to gain airborne momentum through specific actions, though this is less common in vanilla speedruns.
The "All-Stars" Challenge: What it Really Means
The "All-Stars" in this context refers to the version of Super Mario 64 included in the
Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection. This means the run is performed on a version with altered game code, specifically where the **Backwards Long Jump glitch** has been patched out. This makes it a distinct challenge from speedruns on original N64 cartridges or emulated versions where the BLJ is present. Runners must adapt their **strats** and find new ways to achieve the same outcome, showcasing the adaptability of the
speedrunning community.
Is This the Future of Mario 64 Speedrunning?
For the original N64 version, the BLJ remains a cornerstone and the BLJ-less challenge is more about exploring esoteric glitches. However, for players focusing on the All-Stars version, this 1-Star **speedrun** represents a fascinating evolution. It proves that games, even when "fixed," can still harbor secrets and allow for incredible displays of skill and ingenuity. It opens up new avenues for discovery and challenges the established meta. While it may not replace the classic BLJ runs, it offers a unique and equally impressive challenge for those who want to master this specific version of the game. This dedication to finding new **techniques** and **routes** is what keeps the
gaming speedrun scene alive and exciting.
The pursuit of the "impossible" in speedrunning often leads to the discovery of the game's deepest, most hidden mechanics. This 1-star run is a prime example.
FAQ
What is the Backwards Long Jump (BLJ) in Mario 64?
The BLJ is a famous glitch where Mario gains extreme speed by performing a backward long jump into a wall. It was crucial for many speedrunning shortcuts.
Why is the 1-Star run difficult in Mario 64 All-Stars?
Nintendo patched out the BLJ in the All-Stars version, removing the primary method for quickly bypassing locked doors and accessing stars with minimal collectibles. This requires runners to use alternative, often more complex, glitches and skips.
Can a human player perform this 1-Star speedrun without TAS?
While TAS runs show theoretical perfection, many of the discovered glitches and skips are being actively practiced and refined by human players. Achieving a competitive time would still require immense skill and dedication, but it is becoming more feasible.
What are other popular categories for Super Mario 64 speedruns?
Besides the 1-Star run, other major categories include 16 Star, 70 Star, 120 Star (collecting all power stars), and Any% (completing the game as fast as possible, often using BLJs or other glitches).
How do speedrunners find new glitches?
Speedrunners use a combination of extensive gameplay, careful observation of game physics, theoretical analysis, and sometimes specialized tools to discover new exploits and glitches. The community often collaborates and shares findings.
The journey to beat
Super Mario 64 All-Stars with a single star is a testament to human ingenuity and the enduring appeal of this classic game. It's a vibrant reminder that even after decades, there are still new ways to play and master the games we love. The community's ability to adapt and innovate when faced with technical challenges is truly inspiring.
What are your thoughts on this incredible feat? Have you attempted a low-star run yourself? Share your experiences and any mind-blowing **speedrunning** **strats** you’ve discovered in the comments below! Join our Discord server to discuss the latest in
gaming speedrun news and strategies!
