User:TurkeyCookTime/Version-exclusive ABC strategies

This page details any differences between versions of Super Mario 64 that are relevant for the A Button Challenge.

Currently Used

Spawning Displacement

This glitch is exclusive to the N64 JP 1.0 version of the game. It allows moving platforms to affect Mario for one extra frame when he exits a stage. It is possible to collect three stars in Tick Tock Clock while on a spinner, allowing it to move Mario for that extra frame. This is enough to allow Mario to land on top of the clock instead of on the floor below, allowing him to re-enter the stage without needing an additional A press. This saves three A presses over most versions of the game, making N64 JP 1.0 the optimal version for a 120 Star run.

Platform Drift

This glitch is exclusive to the Wii VC versions of the game. Those versions have a bug where numbers round to zero instead of to the nearest float value. This allows the oscillating platforms in Bowser in the Fire Sea to slowly rise, allowing Mario to bypass the pole without needing an A press. This saves one A press over most versions of the game, although it is not optimal for 120 Star as the JP 1.0 version saves three. However, due to Bowser in the Fire Sea being a required course, this does make Wii VC versions optimal for a 70 Star run, and the only versions where the entire game is beatable in 0 A presses.

TTC Glitchy Ledge Grab

This strategy is possible on every version of the game except for Wii VC. Due to the same round-to-zero bug, certain walls in TTC are aligned properly. In most versions, the wall just behind the Star 1 cage has two slightly misaligned triangles, allowing for a glitchy ledge grab. However, on Wii VC, those two walls are flush, meaning it is impossible to get enough height with a squish cancel ground pound chain to reach the ledge. This means that Wii VC versions require four more A presses in TTC compared to other versions.

Obsolete

Coin Counter Overflow

Versions: N64 JP 1.0

Camera in Parallel Universe

Versions: Wii VC JP, Wii VC US, Wii VC PAL, Wii U VC JP, Wii U VC US, Wii U VC PAL, 3D All-Stars, NSO JP, NSO US, NSO PAL

Bully Death Cancel

Versions: N64 JP 1.0, N64 US, N64 PAL, Wii VC US, Wii VC PAL, Wii U VC US, Wii U VC PAL, NSO US, NSO PAL

Table

Version	Spawning Displacement	Platform Drift	TTC Glitchy Ledge Grab	Coin Counter Overflow	Camera in PU	Bully Death Cancel
N64 JP 1.0	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌	✅
N64 US	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅
N64 PAL	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅
N64 JP 1.3	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌
iQue	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌
Wii VC JP	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌
Wii VC US	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅
Wii VC PAL	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅
Wii U VC JP	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	❌
Wii U VC US	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	✅
Wii U VC PAL	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	✅
3D All-Stars	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	❌
NSO JP	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	❌
NSO US	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	✅
NSO PAL	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	✅