Main Speedrun Categories
120 Star
The 100% completion category. Requires deep knowledge of movement mechanics and optimal routing for every star in the game.
- Estimated Time: ~1h 37m
- Difficulty: Very High
- Glitch Level: Moderate
70 Star
The standard completion route. Collects the intended amount of stars to face the final Bowser without using star-door bypass glitches.
- Estimated Time: ~46m
- Difficulty: Medium
- Glitch Level: Low
16 Star
The most popular beginner category. Utilizes MIPS clip and BLJs to bypass standard star requirements and reach the end rapidly.
- Estimated Time: ~14m
- Difficulty: Low (to complete)
- Glitch Level: High
Essential Techniques & Glitches
Backwards Long Jump (BLJ)
The foundation of SM64 glitching. By performing long jumps backward on stairs or slopes and rapidly pressing the jump button, Mario breaks the game's negative speed cap, allowing him to bypass collision and doors (e.g., the 50-star door and endless stairs).
MIPS Clip
Crucial for the 16 and 0 star routes. By grabbing MIPS the rabbit in the basement and positioning him against the 30-star door, Mario can glitch through the door's collision without having the required stars.
Lakitu Skip
Saves ~10 seconds right at the start of the game by jumping over the bridge trigger to avoid the introductory camera sequence with Lakitu.
Optimal Movement
Beyond glitches, saving frames relies on dive-recovers, precise wall kicks, and slide-kicks. Maintaining top speed across flat ground without breaking momentum is critical for world record pace.
Community & Resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Speedrun.com Leaderboards | The official hub for verifying and ranking SM64 times globally. | Visit Site |
| Super Mario 64 Speedrun Video | Super Mario 64 Speedrun Video | Visit Site |
| Usamune Practice ROM | Essential modified ROM for practicing specific stars and saving states on N64 hardware. | Download |