Toy Codes were a scrapped feature that would have been tied to Super Mario 64 merchandise and would be used to unlock special features in the game. The codes appear to have never been released except for alongside very early merchandise, as well as a recent leak revealing several scrapped features tied to the Personalization A.I. in some shape or form. The Toy Codes appear to be reimplemented in some personalized copies, mainly being the interface used to enter these codes, though codes have also been found in various ways in some copies.
List of Codes[]
The Toy Codes are usually input via a combination of pressing C-Up, C-Down, C-Left and C-Right on the Nintendo 64 controller when the interface for the Toy Codes are accessed. Below is a list of confirmed codes, connected merchandise, and usual effects. Due to codes occasionally swapping depending on personalized copies, the original codes are not known.
Banpresto UFO Catcher Plushies[]
This set of plushies consist of 6 plushies: Mario with the Wing Cap, Bowser, a Goomba, a Koopa, Big Bob-omb, and Mario with the Metal Cap. These plushies were released exclusively in UFO Catcher machines in Japan during 1996 by the company Banpresto. This set supposedly would have had multiple codes for each plushies, though this has gone unconfirmed.
The code or codes believed to be attached to these plushies can reportedly unlock the Wing Cap early, unlock a Bowser level regardless of requirements, unlock a third race with Koopa the Quick that can potentially give a 121st Star, unlock an anomalous manifestation of Goomboss Battle or an unrelated level themed around goombas, unlock a second fight with Big Bob-omb similarly to Super Mario 64 DS, and/or unlock the Metal Cap early. Due to the simplicity of these unlocks, these codes could potentially be tied to other merchandise of a similar nature.
Mystery Toy Metal Collection[]
In 1996, this set of merchandise was released consisting of figurines of various characters from Super Mario 64 made out of metal, potentially as a reference to the Metal Cap. There were several different colors, and many different characters used. This set supposedly had a code for each figure, though this is unconfirmed.
When the code or codes tied to this set are input, several textures corresponding to the characters in the set can reportedly have their textures replaced with the Metal Cap texture. If they are an enemy or boss, they can supposedly become invincible and instantly kill the player, and if it affects Mario, they can supposedly unlock the Metal Cap early or unlock it permanently with the ability to toggle it on or off.
Large Metal Mario Toy[]
Similarly to the Metal Collection, this large toy takes the appearance of Metal Mario. It would require the customer to assemble it themselves. It would also have a coin that would come with it, that could be inserted into the toy and then shot out by pulling the arm.
The corresponding Toy Code to this toy appears to be similar to the Metal Collection, allowing a permanent Metal Cap, or allowing the player to unlock it early. However, in fewer reports, the coin ability is carried over, usually by collecting a blue or anomalous coin and then throwing it at an enemy or boss to damage it. This coin could also reportedly be used to destroy things, and also reportedly can appear without the Metal Cap ability or without the Toy Code at all.
Super Mario 64 Pinball Machine[]
This machine was a standard pinball machine covered with art related to Super Mario 64, including the box art and logo, as well as various renders of objects and characters. It also had various sound effects from hitting the bumpers, which are oddly all standard sound effects and not connected to Super Mario 64. The machine otherwise functioned the same as a standard pinball machine.
The Toy Code believed to correspond with this pinball machine can reportedly unlock a special level consisting of a pinball machine that could be navigated by using a Koopa shell or special pinball power-up, and the star in this level would most commonly be collected by obtaining 8 red coins or hitting all of the bumpers. However, most reports say this level can be broken or glitchy, potentially due to Personalization A.I. limitations or the file containing the level was partially corrupted when it was scrapped.
KellyToy Mario Plushie[]
Main Article: The SM64 Special Edition
This limited time plushie of Mario created by KellyToy was going to be given out alongside The SM64 Special Edition. The tag of this plush would have a code on it that would make the Personalization A.I. become more aggressive in the Special Edition. The code, if acquired, reportedly does not function with the standard Toy Codes menu, or will activate an unrelated bonus.
35mm Disposable Camera[]
This camera was a one-time use camera covered in Mario images. This camera was notably released in 1998, so it is unclear how it would have a corresponding Toy Code, though there appears to be a code unlocked by using the disposable camera.
The code corresponding to this camera appears to unlock several modes related to the in-game camera. It can reportedly unlock a free cam mode, or a mode that allows the player to take pictures throughout the levels, occasionally allowing for a limited level editor to set up the images, allowing for some objects to be rearranged.
Mario's 4 Area[]
Mario's 4 Area is a large adventure ball Super Mario 64-themed toy with 4 different levels that appear to be very different from any level in Super Mario 64, potentially being based off of a personalized copy or unused levels. There are various buttons and objects around these levels that are used to get the ball throughout the levels, with the objective being to get through every level. There are also various decoration pieces and special mechanics, such as using a battery to make the machine spin.
The code tied to this toy usually unlocks 1 to 4 levels that appear to be based off of the toy, with the levels usually be interconnected. The objective of the level(s) are usually to reach the end, though others such as red coins or 5 secrets have been reported. Notably, a Big Steely or other object has also been reported to appear, with the player being able to move it throughout the levels, and making it reach the end is also another reported way to collect the star(s) in the level(s).
Unreleased Super Mario 64 Merchandise[]
Main Article: Unreleased Super Mario 64 Merchandise
The Unreleased Super Mario 64 Merchandise supposedly are tied to several discovered Super Mario 64 Toy Codes, despite there being few reported instances of someone being in possession of the merchandise.
The first reported code causes Motos, Blarggs, and/or Hoppers to appear, believed to be tied to the unused enemy plushie set. The second code appears to make most enemies in Whomp's Fortress appear similarly to those in the Shosinkai 1995 Build of Super Mario 64, and is believed to be tied to the beta character figurine set. The third and final confirmed code appears to make the Enemy Discoloring anomaly become more prevalent, and is believed to be connected to the Enemy Discoloring Goomba plushie set.
Theorizing[]
It is not entirely understood why the Toy Codes were scrapped, potentially due to Super Mario 64 slowly losing relevancy or difficulties in distributing the codes to the companies producing the codes. Alternatively, the Toy Codes could have been cancelled due to Nintendo attempting to cover up the Personalization A.I. Strangely, several toys were released from around 1997-1998 reportedly have corresponding codes, despite the fact the Toy Codes were cancelled around the time of release.