AI Degradation is a rare glitch where if the AI is slightly corrupted and detects missing data that is either lost or deleted, then it usually begins removing assets from the game's files. There are some rare cases where levels or enemies can be deleted, lost, or have different behaviors. Losing data can occur from the cartridge being worn out due to its age, tampering with it via a device, or physical damage on the Cartridge.
Phases of AI Degradation[]
Replacement[]
The first phase of AI Degradation occurs when the AI notices that data is slowly being lost from the cartridge. During this phase, the AI starts deleting assets from the game. In parallel to this happening, the AI replaces the lost assets with different assets, hence the name "Replacement". Since the AI is replacing textures, this can make objects look identical to others, like the bridges in Bob-Omb Battlefield having the dirt texture, enemies behaving differently, but with the same texture, levels having the same music, etc. In most cases of AI Degradation, it would stop here, with the AI deleting and replacing several assets, then abruptly stopping.
The Downward Spiral[]
However, in fewer cases, the Downward Spiral phase, the second phase of AI Degradation, can happen. This causes the AI Degradation to get worse, causing deletion of full levels. In this phase, it may delete a part of the game's engine, rendering the game unplayable. When the AI detects that the game is no longer playable, it may assume that the copy is pirated and displays the Anti-Piracy Screen. However, if the game continues to be running, multiple strange bugs may occur. Not necessarily anomalous phenomena, but things like entities having corrupted animations, objects not having textures, or bugs and glitches occurring throughout the game.
The AI Breaks Down[]
The final phase of AI Degradation currently has no known documentation and can only be speculated about. It is predicted that if the AI has deleted most of the game, it would eventually delete itself, causing unknown effects for the game. The most common theory of what would happen to the game if the AI was deleted would be that a CDW occurs.
