Can You Beat Mario 64 Without All Stars? Unveiling the Secrets
Yes, you absolutely can beat Super Mario 64 without collecting all 120 stars! While the game nudges you towards a completionist run, clever players have discovered ways to reach the final Bowser battle with far fewer stars, thanks to glitches, sequence breaking, and sheer determination. However, bear in mind, that the “intended” way to beat the game requires at least 70 stars to unlock the final Bowser level.
The Conventional Path vs. the Glitchy Route
The Intended Way: Gathering 70 Stars
Traditionally, Super Mario 64 is designed to be completed by collecting stars from the various levels within Peach’s Castle. These stars unlock doors and pathways, progressively leading you closer to Bowser. To access the final stage, Bowser in the Sky, you need a minimum of 70 stars. This is the game’s way of ensuring you’ve explored a significant portion of the content. If you try to enter this stage with 69 or fewer stars, the door will not open, effectively blocking your progress.
The Unconventional Path: Glitches and Sequence Breaking
This is where the fun begins. The limitations of the Nintendo 64’s hardware, combined with the ingenious minds of speedrunners and glitch hunters, have led to the discovery of numerous ways to bypass the star requirements. Methods like the Backwards Long Jump (BLJ) allow players to clip through doors and walls, skipping entire sections of the game.
BLJ is a technique where Mario long jumps backward with precise timing and positioning. This exploits a flaw in the game’s physics engine, granting Mario immense speed and allowing him to bypass collision detection. This has revolutionized Super Mario 64 speedrunning.
Other glitches, such as MIPS clips, are used to clip through doors and access normally inaccessible areas of the game. This kind of sequence breaking is what makes a low star run possible.
The 16-Star Run: A Speedrunning Spectacle
The epitome of this unconventional approach is the 16-star run. In this category, speedrunners aim to complete the game using only 16 stars, relying heavily on glitches to bypass the majority of the game’s content. The level of skill and precision required is astounding, showcasing an intimate understanding of the game’s inner workings.
A common glitch used in the 16-star run is known as the LBLJ (or Lobby Backwards Long Jump). This glitch allows players to skip getting stars in the lobby of The Castle because these stars are slower than the stars in the basement.
The Games Learning Society explores how games, like Super Mario 64, can be used to learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The discovery and execution of these glitches showcases how players can learn through experimentation and a deep understanding of game mechanics, as discussed in the GamesLearningSociety.org.
Considerations for Beating the Game with Fewer Stars
- Skill Requirement: Mastering the necessary glitches requires considerable practice and patience.
- Enjoyment: While impressive, a glitch-heavy run might not provide the same sense of accomplishment as exploring the game more fully.
- Game Version: Some glitches might be patched in different versions of the game.
- Personal Goals: Are you aiming for a speedrun record or simply curious to see how far you can push the boundaries?
Conclusion: A Testament to Player Ingenuity
Ultimately, whether you choose to collect all 120 stars or exploit glitches to beat the game with far fewer, Super Mario 64 offers a diverse range of experiences. The ability to beat the game without all stars is a testament to the ingenuity of players and the enduring appeal of a classic title that continues to be explored and redefined years after its release.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the absolute minimum number of stars needed to technically finish Super Mario 64?
Technically, with heavy use of glitches, it’s possible to reach the final Bowser battle and “beat” the game with as few as 1 star. The 16-star run is more common, and the number can depend on the specific route and glitches used.
2. Is the BLJ (Backwards Long Jump) the only glitch used in low-star runs?
No. While the BLJ is a prominent glitch, other techniques like corner clips, wall kicks, and manipulating enemy AI are also used to bypass obstacles and star requirements.
3. Why is the BLJ banned in some Super Mario 64 speedrunning categories?
The BLJ and other extreme glitches are often banned in categories like “No Major Glitches” or “70 Star” runs. These categories aim to showcase skill in playing the game as intended, rather than exploiting glitches.
4. Does beating Super Mario 64 with fewer stars change the ending?
No, the ending sequence is the same regardless of how many stars you’ve collected. The only difference is how you got there.
5. What happens if you collect all 120 stars in Super Mario 64?
Collecting all 120 stars unlocks a cannon outside Peach’s Castle. This cannon allows you to launch yourself onto the roof, where you can find a Yoshi who gives you a message and grants you 100 lives.
6. Is Super Mario 64 a rare or valuable game?
While not exceptionally rare in general, sealed and graded copies of Super Mario 64 can be incredibly valuable, fetching prices in the millions of dollars at auction.
7. What is the hardest star to get in Super Mario 64, according to players?
Opinions vary, but some commonly cited difficult stars include those in Tick Tock Clock (100 Coins), Rainbow Ride, Big Penguin Race and Elevator Tour in the Volcano.
8. Can you beat Super Mario 64 without Mario’s hat?
Yes, you can beat the game without Mario’s hat. Losing the hat makes Mario take double damage.
9. What is a “glitch star” in Super Mario 64?
The phrase “glitch star” doesn’t refer to a specific star within the game. It usually refers to using a glitch to obtain a star in an unintended way or to access areas that would normally require a star to unlock.
10. What is “sequence breaking” in Super Mario 64?
Sequence breaking refers to performing actions in a different order than intended by the game developers. This often involves using glitches or exploits to access levels or areas before you are supposed to.
11. Is there a 121st star in Super Mario 64?
No, there are only 120 stars in Super Mario 64. The reference to a “121st star” might come from other Mario games or be a misunderstanding.
12. How does the Super Mario 64 speedrunning community decide which glitches are allowed in different categories?
Rulesets for speedrunning categories are typically determined by the community. They are designed to balance accessibility, challenge, and entertainment value. Discussions and voting often determine which glitches are permitted or banned in specific categories.
13. What makes Super Mario 64 so special and influential?
Super Mario 64 revolutionized 3D platforming. Its innovative camera controls, open-world level design, and focus on exploration set a new standard for the genre. It is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential video games of all time.
14. What is the difference between Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS regarding the number of stars?
Super Mario 64 has 120 stars, while Super Mario 64 DS has 150 stars. The DS version includes additional playable characters (Yoshi, Luigi, and Wario) and new missions.
15. Which modern Mario game is most similar to Super Mario 64 in terms of gameplay and level design?
Super Mario Odyssey is often cited as the most similar modern Mario game. It features open-world levels, a focus on exploration, and a similar structure to Super Mario 64.