Super Mario 64 speedrunner reveals lightning-fast route to star 

A speedrunner has released a video showing an extremely fast and acrobatic way to get the ‘Get a Hand’ mission star in the Super Mario 64 stage Tick Tock Clock. Taking under 5 seconds, this is thought to be the fastest time so far. 

Released in 1996 on the Nintendo 64, the 3D platformer Super Mario 64 has continued to be highly popular with speedrunners, who are always seeking new ways to shave seconds off their times. For example, the 120-star run is fiercely contested. This involves collecting every star in the game as fast as possible – some have even attempted this feat while blindfolded. 

Speedrun styles include Real Time Attack (RTA), where the speedrun is timed in real-time, counting load screens and other pauses in gameplay as part of the total time. Tool-Assisted Speedruns (TAS) on the other hand use savestates, emulators and other tools. The focus is on creating perfect playthroughs and pushing the limit of what is possible in the game. 

Speedrunner AlexPalix is known for undertaking various TAS of Super Mario 64 that push the game’s boundaries. For example, he previously obtained a seemingly unobtainable 1UP mushroom without dying.  

AlexPalix has been honing his star collecting technique in the Tick Tock Clock stage for a while, posting videos of various attempts on YouTube. In his most recent attempt, he succeeded in obtaining the ‘Get a Hand’ mission star in just under 5 seconds. This would normally require the player to climb up from the bottom of the clock’s mechanics at the start of the stage until they reach the clock hands. They then jump on the clock hand and ride it until they reach the alcove where the star is hidden. 

AlexPalix somehow uses the pendulum and stairs to glitch up through the level with a series of long jumps and wall kicks, obtaining the star in record time. The feat has been met with awed and puzzled comments, with many praising AlexPalix’s efforts.