A comprehensive introduction for beginners
Welcome to the exciting world of Super Mario 64 speedrunning! This guide will help you learn the fundamentals, basic techniques, and routing strategies to start your speedrunning journey in one of the most iconic speedrunning games of all time.
Speedrunning is the practice of playing a video game with the goal of completing it as quickly as possible. Speedrunners use knowledge of game mechanics, movement techniques, and route optimization to achieve faster times.
Super Mario 64 has several established speedrun categories. As a beginner, you'll want to focus on one of these:
| Category | Description | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Star | Collect 16 stars and defeat Bowser | Medium (Recommended for beginners) |
| 70 Star | Collect 70 stars and defeat Bowser | Easy (Longer but more forgiving) |
| 0 Star | Complete the game without collecting any stars | Very Hard (Advanced techniques required) |
| 120 Star | Collect all 120 stars and defeat Bowser | Medium (Long but comprehensive) |
We recommend starting with either 16 Star or 70 Star categories. 16 Star is shorter but requires more technical skill, while 70 Star is longer but more forgiving for beginners.
Mastering Mario's movement is essential for speedrunning. Here are the fundamental techniques to practice:
Z + B while running
The Long Jump is your primary movement option. It's faster than running and covers more distance. Chain long jumps together for optimal movement.
Z followed quickly by A + left/right on the control stick
Side flips give you good height and can be used to reach higher platforms when a wall kick isn't possible.
Press A three times in succession while running forward
Gives extreme height, useful for reaching high places.
Jump at a wall, then press A when Mario touches it while holding away from the wall
Essential for vertical movement and accessing certain areas quickly.
B while in the air
Covers distance quickly and can be canceled into a roll.
Press A immediately after diving
Cancels dive animation and allows you to keep your momentum.
Face backward on stairs, hold Z and repeatedly press A while holding backward on the control stick
This technique allows you to build up massive speed by exploiting the game's physics. It's essential for 16 and 0 star runs as it lets you skip doors requiring more stars.
A precise wall kick technique to reach the island in Bob-omb Battlefield without using the cannon
Saves time by skipping the cannon animation sequence.
A precise technique to gain considerable speed from a single backwards jump
Useful in specific scenarios where full BLJ isn't possible.
This route is optimized for beginners while still being reasonably fast:
Complete this stage to get a key for the basement.
Complete this stage to get a key for the upper floors.
Use BLJ on the stairs to the endless staircase to get to Bowser in the Sky with only 16 stars.
Complete the final stage and defeat Bowser to finish the run.
For a 70-star run, you'll generally collect stars in this order:
Once you have 70 stars, proceed to Bowser in the Sky and defeat Bowser.
Use long jumps and dive recoveries to maintain speed. Take the shortcut by dropping off the main path near the start and cutting through the field.
Perform a precise triple jump into a wall kick from the small island to reach the floating island without using the cannon.
Use a triple jump and perfectly timed dive to reach the floating island without the owl.
Skip talking to the mother penguin by directly grabbing the baby penguin and taking it to the bottom.
Aim to throw Bowser at the closest bomb for each battle. For the final Bowser, use the "fast grab" technique by pressing B just before grabbing his tail.
Spend time in Bob-omb Battlefield just practicing basic movement techniques: long jumps, dive recoveries, side flips, and wall kicks.
Practice individual stars repeatedly rather than full runs when starting out. Focus on one level at a time.
Practice BLJs on the basement stairs first as they're more forgiving. Move to the endless staircase when comfortable.
If practicing on an emulator, use save states to repeatedly practice difficult tricks without having to replay the entire section.
Study runs from experienced speedrunners, both world records and runs by players closer to your skill level.
Starting with routes that are too optimized or technical. Begin with a more straightforward approach and add optimizations gradually.
Not mastering the basics before attempting advanced techniques. Focus on consistent long jumps and dive recoveries first.
Poor camera control causing missed jumps or disorientation. Learn the optimal camera positions for key sections.
Rushing difficult tricks instead of ensuring proper setup. Take the extra second to align properly for BLJs and precise jumps.