Lecture Notes: The Evolution of the A Button Challenge in Super Mario 64

Introduction

• Super Mario 64: A pivotal game in transitioning Mario into 3D.
• The A Button Challenge: A challenge to complete the game using as few presses of the A button as possible.

Origins

• Initial Challenge: Created by Alex Pennev in 2000, aiming to get stars in Bob-omb Battlefield with minimal A presses.
• Early Community: Originated on IRC channels and early websites like Waltendell's.

Key Developments

1. The Early Years (2000-2010)

• Alex Pennev: Set foundational strategies and challenges.
• Chris Holdfield (Human Tree): Created a webpage dedicated to the challenge.
• Curtis Bright: Compiled community contributions and improved the challenge.

2. The Renaissance (2013-2015)

• Pan & Koek 2012: Revolutionized the challenge with new techniques.
• Key Discoveries:
  • Cloning: Holding and transporting objects via glitches.
  • Star Dance Clip: Using the 100 Coin Star to clip to higher platforms.
  • Vertical Speed Conservation (VSC): Preserving vertical motion across frames.
  • Parallel Universes (PU): Leveraging Mario's position glitches to travel across level boundaries.

3. Modern Era (2016-Present)

• Community Growth: Expansion of contributors and techniques.
• Key Contributors:
  • Tyler Kinney: Found several major breakthroughs.
  • Marbler: Innovated on high complexity strategies.
• Technological Advancements:
  • Stroop: A tool for observing and manipulating game memory.

Notable Techniques and Strategies

• Goomba Cloning: Used for creating bridges and platforms.
• Spawning Displacement: Using rotational displacement on spawning to manipulate Mario's position.
• Squish Cancel: Using ceiling and floor interactions to reset Mario's state and preserve speed.

Current State of the Challenge

• 14 A Presses Remain: Including the infamous pole in Bowser in the Fire Sea.
• Real-Time Runs: Attempts to complete the game with minimal A presses in real-time are ongoing.
• Community and Innovation: Continues to explore new strategies and potential improvements.

Cultural Impact

• Inspiration for Other Games: Led to similar challenges in other Mario games and beyond.
• Internet Memes: Became a cultural phenomenon, particularly the half A press explanation.

Conclusion

• The challenge embodies a unique blend of creativity, technical skill, and community effort.
• Despite the high complexity, the community remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in Super Mario 64.