This year marks the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., a milestone that has left an indelible mark on the history of video games. Among the various installments of the saga, Super Mario 64 stands out for having revolutionized the 3D platforming genre, and its legacy persists in the community, where many players continue to seek secrets and curiosities of the game.
Discoveries arise from experimentation
Recently, content creator Kaze Emanuar made a fascinating discovery. By leaving the game on for 14 months, he managed to activate a glitch that allows players to hear a hidden sound effect associated with the shark known as ‘Sushi’, present in the Great Pier level. This sound, which normally repeats at regular intervals, becomes accessible due to a hidden counter in the game’s system, which, when exceeding certain limits, causes unexpected changes in its behavior.
These secret counters, which do not reset after certain events occur, lead to particular situations, such as the case of the ‘Sushi’ sharks that emit a sound every 16 frames, but whose audio files are longer than what the player can hear in a normal game. Due to the bug generated by the prolonged wait, the shark is freed from the repetition of its sound, thus allowing for its complete listening.
It is important to note that the findings of Emanuar and other creators do not criticize Nintendo’s original programming, but rather expand the understanding of a title that continues to enchant new generations. Although this type of experience may seem like a whim, they reveal the rich complexity and mysteries that still surround Super Mario 64. Fans continue to explore every corner of this classic, reaffirming its legendary status in the world of video games.
