User blog:ROBLONIUM/Patent Build

The Patent Build is a mysterious build of Super Mario 64. It looks very different from the final game in this version

Title Screen

 * The game starts up with a simple red Nintendo logo.
 * The disembodied interactive Mario face is missing from the title screen.
 * The title screen background is written in Japanese.
 * There is text reading "PRESS START TO PLAY" in the middle in an orange, more standard font.
 * The text "ULTRA MARIO" is present.
 * When exiting the title screen, it fades to black instead of white.
 * Instead of the file select menu, there is a player select menu with text reading "SELECT YOUR PLAYER", "MARIO GAME" and "LUIGI GAME". A 1995 copyright date is also present here, alongside the build date (1995/07/29).

Sound

 * The title screen music has very different instruments, but a very similar melody. It is also faster-paced too.
 * Sound for entering a painting is higher-pitched.
 * There are no bird chirps, however, the sound for the birds flapping their wings is still present.
 * A different walking sound is used when Mario runs.
 * Mario's voice clips are the most striking difference, being placeholders taken from the Warner Bros. Sound Effect Library.
 * Different sound effects play for splashing into water, swimming in water, walking on shallow water, and jumping out of the water.
 * The theme for getting onto a Koopa Shell/getting a power-up (except for the Metal Cap) is faster and is a combination of "Powerful Infant" from Yoshi's Island, "Starman" from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, and "Credits" from Super Mario Bros. Deluxe.
 * When Mario dies, Bowser does not even laugh.
 * Goombas do not use their walking or jumping sound effects.
 * The Bob-omb walk sound effect seems to be replaced by the Koopa Troopa walk sound effect.
 * Waterfalls do not produce sound.
 * The coin sound is a single sample and is very different from its final version.
 * The "whoosh" sound that plays when doing a triple jump is lower-pitched. The opposite is true for the punching "whoosh", where it is higher-pitched.
 * Different sounds play for opening/closing doors.
 * The castle theme uses a slightly different melody.
 * Thwomps use a deep, thunderous thud for their grunt.
 * The sound that plays when a Thwomp crushes the ground is totally different.
 * Piranha Plants have different sounds for biting.
 * Bullet Bills don't have a sound for getting shot out of a cannon.
 * When Mario flies, no flying sound plays.
 * Bob-ombs don't have a sound for when they are about to explode.
 * Piranha Plants don't have a sound for shrinking.
 * No sounds play for a coin appearing out of nowhere and a loose coin dropping down.
 * The Bob-omb Battlefield music is faster-paced and uses different drums.
 * The snow level theme is an arrangement of Sherbet Land and Frappe Snowland's music from Mario Kart 64.
 * Different sounds play for walking on the snow and sliding.
 * There is not a sizzle sound when Mario gets burned.
 * Penguins do not have voices and use different sounds for walking.
 * Mario does not speak when he punches or kicks.
 * Bully grunts are missing and the sound for enemies drowning in lava is...different.
 * Bullies don't have a walking sound.
 * The jingle for getting a star is the "Character Unlock!" jingle from Super Mario 64 DS.
 * The sound for switching between cameras is replaced by the coin sound.
 * Spindrifts don't have a noise for dying.
 * The Dire Dire Docks music uses slightly different instruments.
 * The drums in the Bowser fight theme are higher-pitched.
 * Bowser's fire-breathing noise is higher-pitched.
 * Bowser has a different walk sound.
 * The explosion sound is different.
 * The mine explosion sound is different.
 * When swinging Bowser by the tail, a simpler "whoosh" sound is played.
 * Bowser sounds more tiger-like.
 * Bowser's death sound plays when he hits the bomb instead of after he hits the bomb.
 * When talking to a Bob-omb Buddy, they don't have a voice clip.
 * Boos don't have their iconic laugh, nor do they make a noise while dying.
 * Mr. I has a different sound for shooting his projectile. He also does not make a noise while shrinking.
 * The merry-go-round music uses slightly different instruments and is lower-pitched.
 * Chain Chomp lacks its sound effects.
 * The slide theme is a slightly lower-pitched version of the Bob-omb Battlefield theme.
 * Scuttle Bugs don't make a noise while dying.
 * The underground theme is an arrangement of "Hide and Boo Seek" from Super Mario 64 DS.
 * Scuttle Bugs don't have a walk sound.

Gameplay and Mario's Moveset

 * Mario's kick is replaced by Mario jumping in a Y-pose.
 * There are only two camera modes, the Lakitu and C-Up camera modes.
 * Mario gets to keep his coins after his defeat or when he exits a level.
 * Mario's health regenerates slowly if he gets hurt.
 * Mario cannot dive in this build.
 * Long-jumps have a disgustingly low vertical speed.
 * When Mario does a ground-pound, the camera does not focus on Mario, nor does Mario pause when does a ground-pound.
 * Sideflips and backflips have worser height.
 * Mario's triple jump is a mid-air twirl in this build.
 * The animation for sideflipping is different.
 * The punching animation is less powerful and more akin to a slap.
 * Mario doesn't lean forward when he runs.
 * When Mario slides, he is completely still.
 * Mario doesn't cover his head with his hands when he crouches.
 * When Mario takes fall damage after falling from a very tall height, he seems to struggle getting up.
 * A multi-player mode is present, alongside Luigi being playable.
 * Mario's head uses a different model, his shading is also different as it looks like he is darker on the sides.
 * The camera does not focus on various objects or Mario during various events.
 * The Star selection screen is not present.
 * Mario's level entry animation is different, looking similar to the triple jump that Mario gets from Yoshi in the final game when getting all 120 stars.
 * A lot of kicks are missing, such as the roundhouse, air, and sweep kicks.
 * When Mario gets shot out of a cannon, he can fly in the air.
 * Mario's victory animation is definitely different from the final version.
 * Mario has an underwater turning animation.
 * Mario doesn't jump when hit by fire or ice
 * Mario's punching routine is "punch-kick" instead of "punch-punch-kick"
 * When Mario is pulling Bowser by the tail, he is positioned much closer to Bowser than the final game, causing his head to clip through Bowser's tail. Also his pulling animation is different.

HUD

 * The icons and font look much more cutesy than the final game.
 * There is no "X" in between the icon for and the amount of lives, coins, and stars.
 * The star counter is where the coin counter is in the final game, while the coin counter is placed underneath the star counter to make room for a minimap.
 * There are no camera options in the HUD, however, the player can still freely move the camera.
 * The health meter is placed where the minimap is (the minimap can't be toggled on if Mario has lost some health), and looks different, as "POWER" is in a basic font, the shape of the meter is like the Philips logo rather than an iteration of Mario's face, and there is a number inside the pie chart. The health also decreases clockwise instead of counterclockwise.
 * The numbers are double-digits instead of triple-digits.

Misc.

 * Coins have a rectangular indentation instead of a star insignia and are coloured orange.
 * Likewise, Power Stars and transparent Power Stars are 2D sprites like coins and take on a more flat appearance.
 * The "Dear Mario" cutscene is missing.
 * Removed levels are present, such as the test levels, a sewer level, a bunker level, a city level (which is merely just a level for testing polygons), and a forest level.
 * The Koopa Shell uses a different model, is textureless, and has a blue bottom.
 * Red coins don't exist yet.
 * There's a different, more aggressive explosion effect.
 * The Mario transition is replaced by a big star transition. This also applies to the final's star transition.
 * A skull wipe transition is present instead of a Bowser death transition.
 * Power stars free-float in certain areas.
 * The pause menu and level select from the Shoshinkai builds are present.
 * Bob-omb Buddies' textboxes are placed in the middle of the screen.
 * The puff of smoke seen when defeating enemies is missing.

Castle Grounds

 * A Clock is present on the castle exterior instead of stained glass window featuring Peach's imagery. The upper quarter of the clock seems to be a lighter colour.
 * The brick texture of the castle is noticeably simpler than the final game.
 * Underneath the clock, the brown brick texture seen in the final version of the castle interior can be seen.
 * There is a single door leading to the castle, rather than the double door seen in the final game
 * A "cloud" is present on the upper half of the castle.
 * The windows of the castle are not vaguely mushroom-shaped like the final game.
 * The bridge is fairly simpler; using the same bricks as the castle itself, lacking guards, and having stone pillars.
 * There is an alcove right under the bridge, leading to the castle basement.
 * The rusty metal door leading to the moat is missing.
 * There seems to be land behind the castle. This features a yellow Toad statue on top of two small bricks, three Goombas, a Bob-omb Buddy, some white bricks, a sign, and some butterflies. Speaking of Goombas, they have a darker head and a slightly different face texture. The Bob-omb Buddy is also yellow, has red angry eyes, and walks in circles when Mario is not in his radius.
 * All other butterflies and signs are missing.
 * The platform containg the cannon is missing.
 * The water uses the unused water texture seen in the final game's data.
 * The graphics for the trees are missing, but their shadows (which appear much sharper) are in place.
 * A Koopa Shell is present next to the castle.
 * The fencing around the castle's moat is missing.
 * The flags of the castle are different and have no animations.
 * Doors appear to have orange handles instead of yellow ones.
 * Lakitu is missing on the bridge.
 * The wooden bridge uses a different texture.

Castle Interior

 * In this build, the interior of the castle somewhat resembles the DONJON test level.
 * Nearly all paintings are somewhat different from the final game.
 * The paintings appear to be in the same room.
 * When Mario enters a painting, the star transition appears and the "jump in hole" sound plays.

Whomp's Fortress

 * The starting grass area is a small extension of wood with another even smaller extension next to it.
 * The textures of the level are fairly different from the final game.
 * A small fence is present at the start.
 * There are no flower beds, butterflies, or Piranha Plants at the start.
 * The white brick wall connecting the Bomps is a grass-and-dirt wall. The ground also appears to have grass on top too.
 * There are no Bomps in this build.
 * The moving platforms and the thick platforms next to the Bomps is replaced by a bridge with three coins on it.
 * There are less coins and no arrows here.
 * The Thwomp area uses the same sloped surfaces as the Shoshinkai '95 demo. The Thwomps are also missing from this area, and the brown brick wall (grassy dirt wall in this build) is closer to the steps than the final game. There is also no Metal Box, sign, or secret teleporter.
 * The path leading to one of the Piranha Plants on the fortress is a red carpet. Both Piranha Plants are also missing, with a Thwomp in place of the first one on the fortress.
 * Thwomps use a darker blue colour and have more menacing, angrier faces. They also have circular shadows and horrible seams on the sides, as well as the face.
 * Many floors use circular stone textures.
 * The rotating platforms with red coins don't exist yet.
 * The caged and arrow-shaped platforms also don't exist, and the position of the floating platform made of bricks is different.
 * The wooden platform leading to the spinning wooden platform also doesn't exist yet.
 * There is no pool in the fortress, nor is there are coin ring in the pool.
 * The spinning wooden platform is just normal ground with a coin line and a Thwomp.
 * The area with the blue coin block is completely missing.
 * The position of the cannon is slightly different.
 * The first Whomp is missing and replaced by a coin line and the second one is replaced by a Piranha Plant.
 * The brown brick texture underneath the Piranha Plants is missing.
 * King Whomp and the tower have not been implemented yet.
 * There are two Bob-ombs on top of the fortress, where they have a blue body and red angry eyes.
 * Turtle Cannon that shoots out Bullet Bills uses different textures, and the Bullet Bills themselves lack a shadow.
 * The first pole is missing and another pole takes place of the elevators.

Lethal Lava Land

 * Mario starts on the right side of the map instead of the left side.
 * All rock structures with 1UPs and coins are missing.
 * The entire rolling log section is missing.
 * When Mario enters this level the camera angle starts out rotated so Mario can make eye contact.
 * Skybox has a more sinister look.
 * The platforms seem to be spammed all across the level, some of which are floating!
 * There seems to be a lot more coin lines than the final game.
 * The arch structures are missing
 * The first Bully is placed next to the drawbridge (which is missing in this version). Motos (a cut enemy assembled from Super Mario 64's source code) is also in this level.
 * Bullies only have one spike atop of their head instead of two horns.
 * Mr. I is missing from this level, and there is no teleporter on the hole Mr. I is in the final game. The Hole is also missing.
 * The long bridge that goes unused IS used in this version.
 * There is no Crazed Crate in this build.
 * There is no big, Bully on the platform he's on, instead there is a star floating out in the open.
 * The volcano level is not present at this point, if Mario tries entering the volcano he will get burned.

Cool, Cool Mountain

 * The level is completely different in this build. Mario starts on top of the mountain with a coin line and a big chunk of ice.
 * The level has multiple sliding sections, and Mario can go inside the mountain, where he ends up next to a line of coins.
 * Speaking of coin lines, there are multiple of them, and a sideways sliding path is present with a coin line too.
 * A section exists featuring an ice pool with ice blocks. The ice pool can damage Mario. Some of these ice blocks feature coins.
 * There also appears to be a single stray coin next to the mountain.
 * There is a grey segmented pyramid connecting the mountain. The area with the grey pyramid resembles the final version essentially, with penguins, a water pool, and snow.
 * Penguins use a different model, their eyelids are droopy and their eyes lack specular highlights

Dire, Dire Docks

 * Appears as a level with two large holes and some water. There are also no enemies in the level either.
 * The water appears very white.
 * When Mario swims underwater, water particles appear on screen.

Bowser in the Dark World

 * This level is entered through a painting, rather than a trapdoor.
 * The start of the level immediately takes Mario to Bowser's arena.
 * The yellow spheres are lower than the final game.
 * The skybox is a dark blue sky rather than a menacing black-and-green sky.
 * Bowser sports some different textures. His horns, spikes, and teeth are yellow, he has a different shell pattern, and he has blue eyes.
 * Bowser's behaviour is different too. He has no dialogue, and he shrinks into coins and a star when defeated.

Castle Courtyard

 * Boos are present, but they have a different face texture that is more close to Boos in modern Mario games.
 * The texture for the ground is different, implying dirt instead of grass.
 * Most textures are different here.
 * There does not appear to be any trees or tree shadows.
 * Boos appear to have black lighting instead of blurple lighting.
 * The fountain that is usually here is missing, as well as the plate that holds it.
 * Skybox is pure black, this could just be a placeholder.
 * Boos can be defeated by jumping on top of them.
 * Mr. I is present here, he was removed from the courtyard in the released version (and also appears slightly darker too)

Big Boo's Haunt

 * The entire level appears very mazelike, and uses the merry-go-round music.
 * There is a steep slope going down leading to the mansion in this build.
 * In this level, there are square-shaped lights in the room leading to the main area.
 * There is not a second floor of the mansion. There is, however, a library with the Mad Piano blocking the way.
 * The Boos in this version always contain yellow coins or Boo Keys.
 * Bookends do not come out of the bookshelves, nor are there any flying chairs.
 * Big Boo contains a key, has a different face texture, and is fought in the library.
 * The mansion doors are normal doors in this build.
 * Big Boo doesn't shake when he gets hit.

Bob-omb Battlefield

 * The starting platform appears sloped and has a circular stone texture.
 * There are no Bob-omb Buddies, meaning that the cannons are already activated.
 * The first Goombas are further away from the dirt path and the wooden bridge.
 * Many areas sport different textures.
 * Koopa the Quick doesn't exist in this build.
 * The wooden bridge at the start is straight.
 * There is a river present in this level, remnant of a pre-alpha build of the game.
 * The starting area appears to be raised to the same height as the Chomp part.
 * All the fences near the start are missing.
 * A part of grass in front of the first wooden bridge is slightly sloped.
 * There is a Whomp present in front of said wooden bridge, it has a completely different set of textures and has a different falling animation.
 * Enemies are different. There appears to be more Goombas around the cannon rock.
 * The rock containg the cannon uses a circular stone texture.
 * The rock surrounding the Chomp is missing, same goes for the cage holding the star and the sign.
 * Chain Chomp lacks a post, lacks textures for the insides of its mouth and its teeth, lacks the shine, is coloured dark blue, and has angry eyes.
 * The seesaw and rock stairs are replaced by a dirt path.
 * A good amount of trees are missing.
 * The floating island is missing.
 * Much of the blue rocks are missing.
 * The rock bridge appears as a wooden bridge.
 * The mountain has had multiple revisions throughout versions of the game.
 * Arrow signs have a smaller head, like the readable signs.
 * Big Bob-omb is missing on top of the mountain.
 * The top of the mountain has a rock spike, a cannon, and a Wing Cap box (which looks different).
 * The level appears to have bad lighting.

Rainbow Ride

 * Just appears as multiple platforms, nothing else.

Hazy Maze Cave

 * The entire level appears differently, with lakes, and a water cave.
 * Dorrie does not appear in this version.
 * There appears to be a climbable ceiling in this build.
 * No rolling boulders are present. However, there is a dark area with some Swoopers.
 * Swoopers appear much closer to their Super Mario World appearance, with a green body, maroon wings, and a red nose.

Scuttle Bug

 * This Scuttle Bug uses a placeholder appearance, with a reddish-brown, fully three-dimensional, mahogany body, no legs, very large angry bushy eyebrows, and rainbow melons for eyes.
 * It also doesn't jump torwards Mario when he gets close, it doesn't go faster, and it doesn't drop anything.