Mario 64 Secrets In The Shallows And Sky

Super Mario 64. Just hearing the name probably brings back a flood of pixelated memories! But even after all these years, the game is still full of secrets. Let's dive into some of the coolest, weirdest, and funniest ones hiding in plain sight.

Splish, Splash: Secrets in the Shallows

Ever noticed how weirdly deep some of the water is? Like in Dire, Dire Docks. Well, it turns out you can clip through the floor near the entrance to Bowser, and swim beneath the entire level!

It's a bizarre, unfinished world down there. Think of it like finding a behind-the-scenes peek at a movie set. It's not pretty, but it's fascinating.

And who could forget the endless staircase? It's in Bowser in the Dark World. Going up is an achievement, but the real secret is in what the game does to trick you!

If you don't have enough stars, the staircase keeps looping. It’s a simple way to prevent players from progressing too early, but it's also kind of funny, like Mario’s stuck in a cartoonish nightmare.

Don't Forget Dorrie!

Remember Dorrie in Hazy Maze Cave? Turns out, you can make her swim backwards! Just keep swimming in a circle around her. She gets confused and starts swimming in the opposite direction!

It’s a silly little detail, but it shows the attention to detail the developers put into the game.

Up, Up, and Away: Secrets in the Sky

Now, let's talk about flying. Specifically, flying where you shouldn't be able to fly. Glitches in Super Mario 64 allow you to reach insane heights.

One of the most famous is using the Wing Cap in Bob-omb Battlefield to launch yourself sky high. With careful maneuvering, you can escape the level entirely!

You’ll find yourself in a strange, empty void. It's a reminder that video games are just carefully constructed illusions.

Then there's the Tiny-Huge Island glitch. By manipulating the camera and doing some fancy jumping, you can shrink Mario down to an almost invisible size. This makes him able to enter areas he wasn't meant to explore.

Imagine a tiny Mario exploring giant-sized terrain, a glitch that turns exploration on its head.

The Humorous Side of Glitches

These glitches aren't just about breaking the game; they're often hilarious! Mario's flailing limbs, the weird camera angles, and the sheer absurdity of it all make for some genuinely funny moments.

Many players shared their glitches on YouTube, sparking a whole online community. These videos are a testament to the game's enduring appeal.

It's a reminder that sometimes the best part of a game isn't playing it perfectly, but messing around and seeing what happens. Super Mario 64 encourages this kind of playful experimentation.

“It’s-a me, stuck in the ceiling!” - A common Mario glitch experience.

And finally, let's not forget the hidden messages. Some levels contain cryptic text or images that are only visible by clipping through walls or floors. These are sometimes developer notes, jokes, or just random scribbles.

It's like finding a secret code left behind by the game's creators. A peek into their creative process that adds another layer to the game.

So, the next time you fire up Super Mario 64, don't just stick to the main path. Take a look around! You never know what secrets you might uncover lurking in the shallows or the sky. Happy exploring!