The most circulated version of the iceberg, without any additions and with only five layers.
The Super Mario 64 iceberg is an image that circulated along the internet and associates with the Super Mario 64 conspiracy rabbit hole. The iceberg is split into layers that delve deeper and deeper into Super Mario 64's anomalies, easter eggs and past. The surface level topics are a lot more common and well-known, while the ones deeper down are less known and much more estranged.
Above the Surface
Backwards Long Jump
- Main article: Backwards Long Jump
The Backwards Long Jump (or BLJ) is a glitch which occurs because there is no backward speed limit while long jumping, this glitch is used very often among speedruns of the 16 and 0-star categories.
This glitch was patched in the Shindou version of the game and in Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a port of the game for the Switch which uses an emulated version of the Shindou version, but it is still in the Nintendo 64DD version of the game.
Impossible Coin
- Main article: Impossible Coin
The Impossible Coin is the name given to an uncollectable coin in Tiny-Huge Island by pannenkoek2012. Due to how group coin spawners work, one of the five coins that should be located on a slope in the large version of Tiny-Huge Island does not spawn since it would spawn underground. This coin has been deemed impossible because of it.
Originally, the Impossible Coin's name was held by another coin in the small version of Tiny-Huge Island that was erroneously placed inside the wall. However, pannenkoek2012 would soon collect this coin on June 12th of 2014 at 2:26 AM EST[1]. The Impossible Coin's name also belongs to the coin that resides within the Mystery Goomba.
Half A Press
A half A press is the name given to an A press which can leech off another A press. Some actions require the A press to be held rather than pressed, and some areas require the A press to enter. Henceforth, it would be more logical to hold down the A press after pressing it to get into the course, and then use the held A press to accomplish that task. When denoting the amount of A presses in a single level, this leeched A press is regarded as a half A press. This denotation is used within the A Buttonless Challenge. In Mish Koz's video the half a press is a term used in isolation to the star it's used on.
L is Real 2401
- Main article: Luigi#Eternal Star Statue
"L is Real 2401" is an interpretation of what the plaque texture reads inside the Castle Courtyard. Other interpretations have read it as "Eternal Star". The phrase "L is Real 2401" has become associated with the idea of unlocking Luigi in Super Mario 64, with the number 2401 being associated with how to unlock him. Coincidentally, 24 years and 1 month after the game was released, the July 25th 2020 leak revealed the unused model and textures of Luigi.
Mystery Goomba
- Main article: Mystery Goomba
The Mystery Goomba is a Goomba which spawns at the death barrier in Bowser in the Sky. This Goomba is part of a Goomba triplet, and because of how the spawner operates and is placed, one of the Goombas ends up spawning off the platform and therefore onto the nearest surface: the death barrier. Since this is outside the spawner's range, the Mystery Goomba disappears immediately meaning he is only present for one frame.
Parallel Universes
- Main article: Parallel Universes
Parallel Universes are a phenomenon and glitch in Super Mario 64. The values handling Mario's collision have less bits to work with than the actual value of Mario's position. Because of this, Mario is able to appear in invisible duplicate copies of the course far away from the level.
Spaceworld '95 Beta
- Main article: Super Mario 64/Spaceworld 1995 Beta
Whomp's Fortress 1-up
Maint article: Whomp's Fortress#Whomp.27s Fortress.27 1-Up
In Whomp's Fortress, on the tower featured in all Acts aside from the first Act, a 1-UP can be found hidden within the tower by breaking away the wall. This 1-UP went unnoticed by many players, and spurred the idea of personalization when discovered as many players did not remember this 1-UP existing.
Below the Surface
Blargg
- Main article: Blargg
Bugged Fire Texture
The smoke texture that emits from Mario after he has been burned is actually in the incorrect format, making it display incorrectly.
Dancing Flowers
- Main article: Dancing Flowers
There are many weather settings used in Super Mario 64 within certain levels, whether it be the snowing in snowy levels or the lava bubbling in levels with lava. One of the settings goes unused and creates dancing flowers on terrain nearby to Mario. The animated graphic of the dancing flower can still be found in game's files.
Ghoul Medal
In Big Boo's Haunt, one of the signs outside of the large mansion reads that if the player makes it out alive, they deserve a "ghoul medal", a play on the term "gold medal". A ghoul medal is never received in game, so it was likely that this was just a throwaway line to taunt the player. However, some have claimed seeing and collecting this supposed ghoul medal. It could also be related to the unused key objects that were originally intended to be within this course.
MIPS Throwing
Main article: MIPS#MIPS Throwing
Shigeru Miyamoto has stated that Mario was originally able to throw MIPS by his ears in earlier development. This was later removed, but it is still possible to throw MIPS by glitching him into the room where the moat gets lowered and throwing him while underwater.
Mirror Room
- Main article: Princess Peach's Castle/Second Floor#Mirror Room
The Mirror Room has been the subject to speculation and anomalous activity for a long time. One of the most common points of contention and speculation was "what's behind the mirror and the door on the other side?". This was answered in Super Mario 64 DS when playing as Luigi and using the Power Flower, where the door leads to an entirely blank white room with one of the Castle's Secret Stars.
"Shhh! Please walk quietly in the hallway!"
The sign in question.
On the second floor of the castle, a billboard can be found nearby the stairs that lead up to the third floor. It reads "Shhh! Please walk quietly in the hallway!" The sign has raised many suspicions as to what it is referring to, as the player isn't needed to be quiet within this floor and it isn't even a hallway. This makes it unique as every other sign that can be read in the Castle has advice or hints to offer, whereas this sign doesn't have any clear purpose or benefit. It could be that this sign was originally intended for another area but was left in this area by accident. It could also be that there was some kind of unique mechanic present in the upstairs area that was hinted at by this sign (similar to the sign hinting at how the player can lower the moat), or that it was just a throwaway line from the developers to fill in space, build the atmosphere of the castle, or just make a joke. It could also be intended to hint/show off the mechanic of walking slowly with analogue controls to players who hadn't discovered it yet. This makes sense, as it is one of the only flat, "circuit"/"donut" shaped areas in the game
Secret Aquarium
- Main article: Secret Aquarium
The Secret Aquarium is home to one of the Castle's Secret Stars and can be accessed via a small alcove in the Jolly Roger Bay, right of the door. Its placement on the iceberg is questionable, since it is a well-known secret level and is mandatory in getting all 120 Stars. However, there have been some anomalies relating to the aquarium, such as the darker Aquarium Limbo. Furthermore, the aquarium is a flooded windowed box, seemingly floating in the middle of the sky. This setting seems bizarre when compared to the other levels accessed from the ground floor of the Castle, which mostly have a far more realistic setting (a field and hills; an icy mountain; a bay of water).
The Big Dud
- Main article: Big Bob-omb
"Big dud" is what the Pink Bob-ombs of Bob-omb Battlefield refer to King Bob-omb after his defeat in the first Act. Coincidentally, a third rolling ball is added to the pit at the bottom of the mountain, which shares the same texture with the black Bob-ombs that litter the stage. This has led some to believe that King Bob-omb has become a "dud" and has been relegated to a rolling ball at the bottom of the mountain.
Volcano Blocks
- Main article: Lethal Lava Land#Volcano Blocks
Volcano blocks refer to a bizarre formation of blocks at the end of the volcano in Lethal Lava Land. The placement of these blocks is out of place amongst the brimstone of the volcano and are speculated to be the remains of a lost civilization of sorts, however they are most likely just decoration. That being said, they do bear quite a resemblance to carved bricks, and have been purposefully stacked.
Unagi's Tunnel
Main article: Jolly Roger Bay#Unagi's Tunnel
This is an area only seen in personalized copies of Super Mario 64. It can be entered by a tunnel in the deep section of Jolly Roger Bay, typically the same tunnel that Unagi can be found hiding in for most of the Acts. In one copy, this area appears to be a graveyard of eels resembling Unagi, with many sticking out of the ground at strange angles. In other copies, it has a clam that opens to reveal a manta ray, which is guarding a diamond-shaped water switch that can change the water level on the tunnel. In yet another copy, there is a cave with Goombas in the tunnel. Another copy featured a long underwater tunnel that steadily curves upwards, with sunlight streaming down from the end and short seaweed along the tunnel's sides.
Yellow Cap Switch
- Main article: Yellow Cap Switch
Yoshi's Saddle
- Main article: Yoshi#Yoshi.27s Saddle
Yoshi, who appears atop the castle after collecting all 120 stars, has a different saddle design in Super Mario 64. Notably, the white rim that should be around his saddle is missing. The modelling of Yoshi's saddle implies that the white rim was supposed to be there, but was erroneously colored red.
Bottom of the Iceberg
Bob-omb Village
- Main article: Bob-omb Village
Bowser Broke the Door
The door into the Castle Courtyard is bricked up, as if it was broken through and quickly patched up. This has led some people to assume that Bowser broke into the Castle through the back door.
Cold Cold Crevasse
- Main article: Cold Cold Crevasse
Cold, Cold Crevasse is an area off-handedly mentioned within Cool, Cool Mountain on a sign nearby the spawn area of the course. It does not appear to match up to anywhere near where the sign is, leading many to believe that it is the remnant of a scrapped sub-area for Cool, Cool Mountain.
Debug Menu Names
Some levels within the game's debug level select have different names from their localized or Japanese counterparts. The most notable changes are as follows:
- Big Boo's Haunt is called TERESA OBAKE, translated as "Boo Apparition".
- Hazy Maze Cave is known as HORROR DUNGEON.
- Wet-Dry World is known as POOL KAI, translated as "Pool Stage".
- Jolly Roger Bay is known as WTDG % TINBOUTU, which appears to be shortened from "Water Dungeon & Submersion".
- Tiny-Huge Island is known as BIG WORLD.
- Tick Tock Clock is known as CLOCK TOWER.
Haunted Dirt Texture
There is supposedly a dirt texture with a face.
How Bowser got into the Castle with his Sub
- Main article: Dire Dire Docks#Theorising
Mario enters Wet-Dry World early in the Got Milk Commercial
A false statement claiming that Mario entered Wet-Dry World early in the Got Milk commercial, starring Super Mario 64. In the commercial, Mario has 37 stars which is more than the required amount to access the second floor (31 stars).
Original Resolution Textures
The textures used in Super Mario 64 are downsized to 32x32 (sometimes 32x64 or 64x32) to save on file size, although many of these textures can be sourced back to pre-existing images or textures[2].
Removed Courses
Unused Level 1 as seen in pre-release footage. This used to be the only imagery relating to the level before the iQue leak.
- See: Unused Levels or Removed Areas
In the game's debug level select, there are seven slots that are empty and don't relate to any levels within the final game. Unused Level 32 is the only level in the final release to have any code relating to it, and it has to do with cap switches and fishes. Some of these levels were recovered in the July 25th 2020 leak, which revealed that some are test levels and others seem to be proper levels that were seen in early pre-release footage. In addition, many level concepts did not make it into the final game and can be found in pre-release interviews about the game or concept art.
THE END Screen
The screen that appears at the end of the credits has unsettled many for its odd perspective and empty atmosphere. Behind the cake, some weird shapes can be seen. Many have assumed it is Yoshi, but it could also be a somewhat questionably drawn image of a smiling child.
True Locations of the Painting Worlds
The worlds within the paintings are not tied to the painting and exist as separate worlds. This can be seen with Whomp's Fortress, which reappears in Super Mario Galaxy 2 as Throwback Galaxy. Excluding Rainbow Ride's appearance in the Super Smash Bros. series, this is the only time a course from Super Mario 64 has been revisited in another Mario game. It also implies that the painting worlds are situated in completely separate galaxies to the one where Mario's planet is.
Additionally, the pool of water outside of Princess Peach's Castle can be accessed through a tunnel within Dire, Dire Docks. While not one of painting worlds, Cavern of the Metal Cap is known to be located behind the waterfall to the left of Princess Peach's Castle, and Wing Mario Over the Rainbow is situated far above the castle's moat as that's where Mario spawns when falling off the stage.
Wet-Dry World Skybox
The skybox
The Wet-Dry World skybox is different to any other skybox used in the game- it resembles a completely submerged city with a distant, bright light filtering through the water. This is part of the Wet-Dry World#Negative Emotional Aura theory.
Zelda 64 Beta Assets in Wet-Dry World
Early screenshots of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, known as 'Zelda 64' at the time, feature a town-like setting that bears a striking resemblance to Wet-Dry World's town. This is most evident with the door textures used, which are the exact same between the two games. The only noticeable changes are that the sky is visible in this build. This theory is essentially confirmed with the July 25th, 2020, iQue leak, revealing that the level is internally known as "11ZLDCITY.bin".
These two games sharing assets is expected and not unheard of, as the two were developed at the same time. For instance, the plaque that can be seen on the Eternal Star Statue is reused in Ocarina of Time.
Deep Waters
"Ally with Info"
- Main article: Toad#Ally with Info
Only in Super Mario 64 DS, a Toad can be found on the second floor who refers to an "ally with info" within the mirror room. This supposed ally with info does not appear to be referring to Wario, as Toad will still talk about them when talking to Wario. It is not an error either, as Toads have different sets of dialogue depending on which of the four characters is being played. The Toad will mention this ally with info to all four characters, even Wario.
Brain Diagram
- Main article: Wet-Dry World
Wet-Dry World supposedly has a brain texture within its files; most depictions of this texture resemble one of the paintings seen in the game. The level itself is speculated to be a physical representation of a brain, where the level's structure is meant to simulate a brain and its activities, with the hidden town underwater separate from the level meant to represent the subconscious mind. The fact that it is initially underwater could theoretically be related to the condition of Hydrocephalus[3].
Hazy Maze Cave Conspiracy Theories
- Main article: Hazy Maze Cave#Sewage Conspiracy
The entrance room for Hazy Maze Cave has pipes all across the walls, leading some to believe that the room is related to the Castle's sewer system. Others have jokingly speculated that Hazy Maze Cave is also the Castle's very own sceptic system, comparing the presence of poisonous gas to methane (flatulence) and the rolling boulders to large lumps of feces.
Metal Mario Texture
The original texture that was used to create Metal Mario's texture in Super Mario 64.
The texture used for Metal Mario is the default texture for metal in the SGI workstation. Interestingly, this texture would never be reused for any of Metal Mario's future appearances, even with his old Super Mario 64 model returning as a costume in Super Mario Odyssey.
The Bowser Room
The most infamous image of the Bowser Room, created by one of the members of OneyPlays.
- Main article: The Bowser Room
The Bowser Room is a famous speculated room, with plain white walls and a picture/window of Bowser looking in on the player. The intention of this room is entirely unknown, and its appearance and nature vary from copy to copy. In some instances, it has been an extension of another area, but mostly, it has either served as accommodation for Bowser to stay in, a trap for Mario, or as a base of operations for Bowser.
The Course in the Bowser Painting
On both the first floor and third floor, there is a painting of Bowser. Unlike the other unique paintings, these cannot be entered at all. This has led many to believe, and some to claim that there is a level behind the painting that not everyone can access. What this level could be varies between theories and accounts, but many usually claim that it's the Bowser Room (see above), a fourth Bowser level, or even the Eternal Fort.
Toads Literally Trapped in the Walls
Upon entering the castle, Toad tells Mario that Bowser has trapped the inhabitants of the castle in the walls. It's unknown if he's being literal or not, however Bowser has canonically used his magic to transform Toads into brick blocks in the original Super Mario Bros. Additionally, some Toads only appear after a certain number of stars have been collected, which could potentially mean that they were freed from the Castle walls by Mario (either on purpose or as a consequence of Bowser losing the power of the Stars).
Wario Apparition
The original image of the Wario Apparition, seen in Nintendo's E3 1996 panel "Focused on Fun".
- Main article: Wario Apparition
The Wario Apparition is perhaps one of Super Mario 64's most infamous anomalies. Appearing as a floating Wario head in the hallway to Dire, Dire Docks, the existence of the Wario Apparition is reported to induce feelings of paranoia and trauma into any player who spots it, likely due to the Wario Apparition's bizarre and shocking appearance. The reason behind the Wario Apparition's appearance is unknown but speculated to be the A.I. pulling unused Wario assets to create a boss of sorts. The Wario Apparition would go on to be referenced in an E3 1996 panel, "Focused on Fun".
The Depths
Delicious Cake
- Main article: Delicious Cake
"Delicious Cake" is an unused string of text within Super Mario 64 that has no known correlation to anything else within the game. Some people assume that it has something to do with either a cut course, or the game's ending due to its proximity with strings relating to those objects. Others presume it's related to the cake that Princess Peach promises Mario at the start and end of the game.
Enchanted SC-88 samples used in the soundtrack
Apparently, some Roland SC-88 samples were enchanted and were able to gain several weird effects on the one who's listening to the samples or the songs that the samples are used in.
Internal Plexus of the Castle
- Main article: Princess Peach's Castle#Internal Plexus
The Internal Plexus of the Castle is a mysterious entry on the iceberg which can refer to many things. Commonly, it refers to how the Castle is arranged in a bizarre and nonsensical way and may reflect the A.I.'s programming and arrangement with how the rooms overlap one another and stretch beyond the Castle's limits. Other interpretations of the Internal Plexus site it as what's behind the Castle walls, such as a series of misshapen and strangely formed rooms that have an unsettling and bizarre appearance.
Miyamoto Stole Mario 64 from Argonaut
Main article: Argonaut#Phenomena
Before the existence of Super Mario 64, Argonaut pitched a 3D game featuring Yoshi. Miyamoto initially turned down this game, but went onto create Super Mario 64 which, according to Jez San of Argonaut, "had the look and feel of our Yoshi game - but with the Mario character, of course". However, Miyamoto later apologized for not picking up the Yoshi game too shortly after.
NFR Cartridge Differences
The "Not For Resale" cartridges of Super Mario 64 are presumed to have differences in comparison to the retail release of the game. This could include beta content, changes to the personalization's algorithms, and much more.
Sequel Was Cancelled Due to Temporal Leakage
A sequel to Super Mario 64 was in the works for the Nintendo 64DD, but was cancelled with the console's commercial failure. However, some theorize that the sequel was instead cancelled due to a temporal leakage.
- Main article: Shared Nightmares
Shared Nightmares is a concept which spans outside of Super Mario 64, although it heavily relates to conspiracy theories. Many people who played Super Mario 64 claim to have nightmares which are strikingly similar to those other users in their communities have. The most common of these nightmares relate to the Haunted Piano, and a Kellogg's partnership with Super Mario 64 in which the beta versions of the game's penguins were put on the box art for their cereal. These penguins were unsettling to many, and spurred nightmares in which they would babble in an unintelligible language. However, it may be worth noting that the descriptions of those penguin nightmares sound an awful lot like a description of Pengu, which has also caused nightmares with its somewhat unsettling animation style.
Lavender Town & Polybius were cover-ups for Mario 64
Around the time of Mario 64's release, rumors of a CIA-developed arcade game called Polybius spread across the internet. Allegedly, the game was designed to suppress the player's emotions and alter their personality. Players became hopelessly addicted and began to suffer violent outbursts, all while men in black suits took notes and copied data from the machine.
A year after Mario 64's release, Pokémon Red and Blue arrived in America, containing Lavender Town, famous in the world of Pokémon for a tower where deceased Pokémon may be interred. The music in Lavender Town, an eerie high-pitched track, is said to have caused shared nightmares and emotional disturbance, allegedly leading to a compulsion towards suicide in children that had experienced abuse.
Both of these urban legends are untrue. No evidence has emerged supporting the existence of a game called Polybius, and Lavender Town's music has no psychological effect beyond that which music typically has. However, both sets of symptoms may be caused by Anomalies, and the suspicious timing has led some to theorize that Nintendo spread the rumors intentionally, to protect the reputation of its blockbuster Nintendo 64 launch title.