Editing Checkpoint Flag

{{item infobox
|image=[[File:SMO Artwork Checkpoint Flag.png|200x200px]]<br>Artwork from ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
|first_appearance=''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#2006|2006]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)|Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'' ([[Nintendo Switch]]) ([[List of games by date#2024|2024]])
|effect=Lets the player continue from the checkpoint after they lose a life
}}
A '''Checkpoint Flag''' (also known as a '''midway point''',<ref>{{cite|title=''New Super Mario Bros.'' instruction booklet|page=15|date=2006|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite|title=''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' instruction booklet|page=15|date=2009|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref> '''midway flag''',<ref>{{cite|author=Knight, Michael|title=''Nintendo DS'' Pocket Guide|page=28|isbn=978-0-307-46760-7|language=en-us|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|date=March 16, 2010}}</ref> or '''Warp Flag'''<ref>{{cite|author=Walsh, Doug, and Epstein, Joe|date=October 27, 2017|title=''Super Mario Odyssey: Prima Collector's Edition Guide''|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|isbn=978-0-744-01887-5}}</ref>) is a recurring object that signifies a [[checkpoint]] in the platforming games of the ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' franchise. Checkpoint Flags are similar to the [[Midway Gate]]s from ''[[Super Mario World]]''. If [[Mario]] (or any other player character) loses a life after touching a Checkpoint Flag, he restarts where the Checkpoint Flag is. If Mario is in his [[Small Mario|Small form]], the flag almost always restores him to [[Super Mario (form)|Super Mario]]. When the player touches a Checkpoint Flag, they will be rewarded with 2,000 [[point]]s in some games.
==History==
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''New Super Mario Bros.''====
[[File:Midway_Point.PNG|frame|left]]
Midway points first appear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' as white flags with a picture of a [[mushroom]] on them. They are visible on the Touch Screen map only after Mario reaches a checkpoint zone (like in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''), although not all courses have checkpoints, such as [[Ghost House]]s. If Mario loses a life, he will restart the course from the checkpoint. However, if the player exits the course, plays another, then returns to said course, or gets a [[Game Over]], they will have to start from the beginning.

====''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''====
[[File:MidwayFlag.png|frame|left]]
Midway points reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''. In this game, they appear as black flags with [[Bowser]]'s symbol on them. The first character who touches a midway point changes the flag's design to their own (Mario and [[Luigi]]'s flags have the same colors and symbols as their caps (red with an "M" for Mario, green with an "L" for Luigi), and the [[Toad (species)|Toads]]' flags become their colors with their heads), and they gain 2000 points. Additionally, if a player character is in [[Small Mario|Small]] form when they touch the midway point, they are restored to Super form, similarly to the Midway Gates in ''[[Super Mario World]]''. Some courses, such as {{world-link|2|castle|World 2-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}} and the [[Ghost House]]s, do not have midway points.

If the character who touched the flag drops out of the multiplayer session after all players lose a life, the remaining players must start over from the beginning of the level. This is only possible with Luigi and the Toads, as Player 1 has to play as Mario and cannot drop out.
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====''Super Mario Galaxy 2''====
{{multiple image
|direction=horizontal
|footer=A Checkpoint Flag in ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'', before (left) and after being activated (right)
|width=150
|image1=SMG2 Unactivated Checkpoint Flag.png
|image2=SMG2 Activated Checkpoint Flag.png
}}
Checkpoint Flags make their 3D ''Super Mario'' game debut in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', replacing invisible checkpoints from [[Super Mario Galaxy|the previous game]]. Due to the game having a [[Health Meter|health meter]] and no score system, Checkpoint Flags merely save Mario's progress in the mission. Depending on which galaxy and mission the player is playing, there may be anywhere from one to several Checkpoint Flags positioned between the beginning and the end of the level. Some missions, such as [[The Perfect Run]], may not feature any Checkpoint Flags at all. In addition to having Checkpoint Flags activated by Mario or Luigi themselves walking into them, they can also be activated by the [[Co-Star Luma]] or by [[Yoshi]]'s tongue.

====''Super Mario 3D Land''====
Checkpoint Flags reappear in ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'' with a similar appearance as in ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'', acting similar to how they did in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' (as the game lacks a score system), and like before, some stages, like [[World 2-1 (Super Mario 3D Land)|World 2-1]], may not have Checkpoint Flags at all. [[World 8-Bowser: Part 2]] has an invisible checkpoint at the start of the final battle.

====''New Super Mario Bros. 2''====
Checkpoint Flags reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', acting as they do in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''. In [[Coin Rush]], touching the flag does not give points, but adds 50 or 100 seconds to the [[Time Limit|time limit]]. They also do not appear in every level of the game, like in [[Rainbow Course|Rainbow]], [[Ghost House]], and [[Warp Cannon]] levels, as well as [[World 6-A (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 6-A]].

====''New Super Mario Bros. U''====
[[File:NSMBUDX Unactivated Checkpoint Flag.jpg|left|thumb|70px|A Checkpoint Flag in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe]]'']]
Checkpoint Flags appear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'', acting as they did in prior 2D games. In the [[Coin Battle#New Super Mario Bros. U|Coin Battle]] mode, touching the Checkpoint Flag rewards the player ten coins. The hoist of the flag is now wrapped around the pole.
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====''Super Mario 3D World'' / ''Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury''====
[[File:CheckpointFlagSM3DW.jpg|thumb|125px|A Checkpoint Flag in ''Super Mario 3D World'']]
Checkpoint Flags reappear in ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' and its [[Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury|Nintendo Switch port]], with a revamped appearance based on the ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'' and ''Super Mario 3D Land'' ones, and acting as they did in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''. As in home console ''New Super Mario Bros.'' games, their color and emblem corresponds to the character who touched it. Mario and Luigi retain their flag designs, [[Princess Peach|Peach]] gets a pink flag with [[Peach's Crown|her crown]], [[Toad]] has a blue flag with his face, and [[Rosalina]]'s cyan-colored flag shows a [[Grand Star]]. If two players are in [[Small Mario|Small form]], and one carries the other and touches the Checkpoint Flag while doing so, both players will become their [[Super Mario (form)|Super forms]].<ref>{{cite|author=supermario35th|date=March 4, 2021|url=x.com/supermario35th/status/1367263522313408512|title=【３Ｄワールド】 コースの途中には、中間ポイントが設置されています。 2人がちび状態のときは、仲間を持ち上げて通過してみてください。一緒にパワーアップできますよ！ #スーパーマリオ3Dワールド #フューリーワールド|publisher=X|accessdate=March 4, 2021|language=ja|archive=web.archive.org/web/20220116092357/https://twitter.com/supermario35th/status/1367263522313408512}}</ref>

====''Super Mario Maker'' / ''Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS''====
{{Multiframe|&nbsp;[[File:SMM-SMB-Checkpoint-Flag.png]]&nbsp;[[File:SMM-SMB-Checkpoint-Flag-Mario.png]][[File:SMM-SMB3-Checkpoint-Flag.png]][[File:SMM-SMB3-Checkpoint-Flag-2.png]][[File:SMM-SMW-Checkpoint-Flag.png]][[File:SMM-SMW-Checkpoint-Flag-2.png]]&nbsp;|Checkpoint Flags in ''Super Mario Maker''.|size=180|align=left}}
Checkpoint Flags are included in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'' in an update released on November 4, 2015, and return as a base element in ''[[Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS]]'', gaining new sprites for the ''Super Mario Bros.'', ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', and ''Super Mario World'' styles; they replace the [[Midway Gate]] in the latter style, despite the [[Giant Gate]] still being present. They also appear slightly smaller than in ''New Super Mario Bros. U''. They can be placed in a course by shaking an arrow sign, and like an arrow, can be rotated. If a Checkpoint Flag is placed in a level, then in addition to clearing the course normally, players must also be able to clear the course from the checkpoint to upload their levels. Two Checkpoint Flags can be placed per stage, one in the main area of the course and one in a sub-area.{{br|left}}

====''Super Mario Run''====
Checkpoint Flags appear in ''[[Super Mario Run]]'' in Toad Rally mode, having the same design as in the ''New Super Mario Bros.'' games. They are placed roughly halfway through the level, and whichever of the two players passes by the flag first earns 10 coins. Once one player activates it, it has no effect on the other player if they pass by it themselves. If the player activates it first, the flag will change into the current character's respective emblem. If the opponent activates it, the flag will turn gray with Bowser's emblem still on it. Unlike previous games, Checkpoint Flags do not turn Small Mario into Super Mario.

====''Super Mario Odyssey''====
[[File:SMO Odyssey Checkpoint.jpg|thumb|200px|The Odyssey's Checkpoint Flag in ''Super Mario Odyssey'']]
Checkpoint Flags make a reappearance in ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', providing a fast travel system. Every kingdom has multiple Checkpoint Flags (except the [[Dark Side]] and [[Darker Side]], which have none), and one also appears on the exterior of the [[Odyssey]]. When Mario touches one of them, the area's name is displayed. The Checkpoint Flag permanently changes over to the Mario version, as in even touching future Checkpoint Flags or leaving the kingdom does not cause them to reset. The most recent Checkpoint Flag touched is the one that serves as Mario's respawn point, though this is overridden by any other kind of checkpoint, which for the most part are transitions between different maps in a kingdom. Checkpoint Flags only appear on the primary map for a kingdom, not in any place that is off that map. [[Cappy]] can [[warp]] Mario to any Checkpoint Flag he has ever touched by selecting it on the map, even if Mario is in a location that is not on the map. However, Mario must be on the ground and not locked within a boss battle to warp. All Checkpoint Flags that are underwater create a [[bubble]] on contact, refiling Mario's air. Touching an unused Checkpoint Flag restores Mario's health.

There are 85 Checkpoint Flags in the game. However, the position of certain Checkpoint Flags can change due to certain [[mission|objective]]s starting or being completed, as the geography of each kingdom can change under these circumstances. In some cases, Checkpoint Flags can outright vanish between objectives, meaning they can [[Missable content|never be activated]].

[[Toadette|Archivist Toadette]] has two achievements, and therefore two [[Power Moon]]s to give out, for activating specific numbers of Checkpoint Flags. "[[List of Power Moons in the Mushroom Kingdom#Checkpoint Flagger|Checkpoint Flagger]]" is rewarded for activating 40 Checkpoint Flags, and "[[List of Power Moons in the Mushroom Kingdom#Checkpoint Flag Enthusiast|Checkpoint Flag Enthusiast]]" is rewarded for activating 80 Checkpoint Flags. 

The color of the Checkpoint Flags' poles vary by kingdom, and correspond with the color of the kingdom's [[Power Moon]]. The Odyssey’s flagpole is always yellow, corresponding to either the [[Cap Kingdom]] or the [[Cascade Kingdom]].
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"style="text-align:center;width:50%"
|-
!colspan=3|Checkpoint Flags in ''Super Mario Odyssey'' &nbsp;
|-
!width="1%"|Kingdom
!width="1%"|Color
!width="1%"|Image
|-
|[[Odyssey]]<br>[[Mushroom Kingdom (Super Mario Odyssey)|Mushroom Kingdom]]<br>[[Cap Kingdom]]<br>[[Cascade Kingdom]]<br>[[Cloud Kingdom]]<br>[[Lost Kingdom]]<br>[[Ruined Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|#FFE000|Yellow}}'''
|[[File:SMO Yellow Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Sand Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|limegreen|Green}}'''
|[[File:SMO Sand Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Lake Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|#fa8aad|Pink}}'''
|[[File:SMO Lake Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Wooded Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|blue|Blue}}'''
|[[File:SMO Wooded Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Metro Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|#dd8861|Brown}}'''
|[[File:Metro Checkpoint.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Snow Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|orange|Orange}}'''
|[[File:SMO Snow Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Seaside Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|#C453E0|Purple}}'''
|[[File:SMO Seaside Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Luncheon Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|deepskyblue|Cyan}}'''
|[[File:SMO Luncheon Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Bowser's Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|#e64b4e|Red}}'''
|[[File:SMO Bowsers Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Moon Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|#c6bc94|Beige}}'''
|[[File:SMO Moon Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|}
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====''Super Mario Maker 2''====
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=horizontal
|footer=A Checkpoint Flag in the ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' (left) and ''Super Mario 3D World'' (right) styles
|image1=SMM2-NSMBU-Checkpoint-Flag.png
|width1=55
|image2=SMM2-SM3DW-Checkpoint-Flag.png
|width2=70
}}
Checkpoint Flags reappear in ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]''; in the ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' style, the flag is triangular instead of rectangular to better fit with the other checkpoint appearances in other styles. Despite the addition of slopes, Checkpoint Flags can now only be set in four directions instead of eight, and they provide no power-up effect by default in Course Maker. Instead, each Checkpoint Flag can hold a specific power-up, such as a [[Fire Flower]] or [[Super Star]], whose effect will be provided when the player character activates the checkpoint.
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====''Super Mario Bros. Wonder''====
Checkpoint Flags return in ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'', acting as they did in prior 2D games. Additionally, if a Small character touches the Checkpoint Flag while wearing any of the "All (form) Power" [[Badge (Super Mario Bros. Wonder)|badges]], they will immediately power up straight into the respective form, bypassing the Super form. However, as only a Small character transforms by hitting a Checkpoint Flag, hitting the Checkpoint Flag in any other form will not turn the player into the respective form.

===Super Nintendo World===
Checkpoint Flags appear in [[Super Nintendo World]], where they bear red flags with [[Mario]]'s [[emblem]]. Upon interacting with the leaderboard kiosks beneath the Checkpoint Flags, visitors using Power-Up Bands will earn the "Checkpoint Flag" stamp on the official Universal Studios smartphone application.

===''Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope''===
{{main|Teleport Flag}}
Objects similar to Checkpoint Flags, named Teleport Flags, appear in ''[[Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope]]'' in every planet except [[Cursa's stronghold]], used as a fast travel system like Checkpoint Flags in ''Super Mario Odyssey''.

===''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' (Nintendo Switch)===
{{multiple image
|align=right
|footer=An active Checkpoint Flag (left) and an inactive variant (right) in the Nintendo Switch remake of ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong''
|image1=MarioVsDKSwitch CheckpointFlagActive.png
|width1=80
|image2=MarioVsDKSwitch CheckpointFlagInactive.png
|width2=67
}} 
Checkpoint Flags appear in the [[Easy Mode|Casual]] play style of the [[Nintendo Switch]] remake of ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)|Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'', where they are always red and bear Mario's emblem. If a player is caught in situations where they would be normally defeated in Classic Style, they will float back in a [[bubble]] to the last active Checkpoint Flag. In some levels, there are multiple inactive Checkpoint Flags which the player can unfurl and use as a new checkpoint by coming into contact with one. As such, only one Checkpoint Flag can be active at a time, and can be activated multiple times without any consequence. However, getting defeated while having no more bubbles left will instead cause the player to spawn back at the beginning of the area.
<gallery>
MarioVsDKSwitchCasualMode2.jpg|Mario being transported back to a Checkpoint Flag while in a bubble
</gallery>

==Profiles==
===''New Super Mario Bros.''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''When you reach a midway point on a course, a flag will appear on the action screen, and the midway point will appear on your progress bar. If you replay the course, you'll start from the midway point. However, if you play another course and then return to this course, you'll have to start from the beginning.''

===''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''Courses have flags at their midway points. When you pass a midway point, the image on the flag will change. Then, if you make a mistake and lose a life later in the course, you can start from the flag when you replay the course.''
**''<font color=chocolate>When you pass a flag, you will power up to Super Mario.</font>''
**''<font color=chocolate>Even if you've passed the midway point, if you play another course and return to this course, or if your game ends, you'll have to start over from the beginning.</font>''

===''Super Mario Galaxy 2''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''As you progress through a galaxy, you will eventually see a flag like the one to the right. Touching this flag changes it from a Bowser icon to a Mario icon, and if you lose a life, you will restart from this point until you finish or clear the level.''
**''Returning to the map or getting a game over will force you to restart the mission from the beginning.''

===''Super Mario 3D Land''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''If Mario touches a Checkpoint Flag during a course, you can try again from that point if you lose a life.''
**''<font color=blue>Note:</font> If Mario touches the Checkpoint Flag as Small Mario, he'll transform into his normal size.''
*'''European website bio:''' ''Touching a Checkpoint Flag allows you to continue your game from that point should you make a mistake.''

===''New Super Mario Bros. 2''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''Touch this flag to start at this point if Mario loses a life.''
**''If you play another course and then return to this course, you'll have to start from the beginning.''
**''If Small Mario touches a Checkpoint Flag, he will transform into Super Mario.''

===''New Super Mario Bros. U''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''Touching this will allow you to retry from this point after losing a life.''
**''If you enter a different course, you will lose your checkpoint in the current course.''
**''If you touch a Checkpoint Flag for the first time as Small Mario, you will transform into Super Mario™.''
**''There are no checkpoints in New Super Luigi U.''

===''Super Mario 3D World''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''Once you touch a Checkpoint Flag, you'll be able to start from that point if you lose a life.''
**''If you enter a different course, you'll lose your checkpoint in the current course.''
**''When you touch a Checkpoint Flag as Small Mario, you will transform into Super Mario.''

===''Super Mario Maker''===
*'''[[Play Nintendo]]:<br>''Checkpoints'''<br>Tired of having to start hard levels over from the start? Checkpoint flags let players resume play at a select point rather than going back to the beginning, which should save a lot of hair-pulling during some of the more challenging courses!''<ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20151030235135/http://play.nintendo.com/news-tips/news/super-mario-maker-new-software-update|title=Super Mario Maker just got even more super|publisher=Play Nintendo|accessdate=December 5, 2020}}</ref>

==Gallery==
{{Main-gallery}}
<gallery>
SMG2 Artwork Checkpoint Flag.png|Artwork from ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''
SMG2 Asset Sprite Checkpoint Flag.png|Sprite from ''Super Mario Galaxy 2''
CheckpointSM3DL.png|Artwork from ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]''
SM3DW-MidwayFlagStamp.png|Stamp from ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]''
</gallery>

==Trivia==
*Checkpoint Flags closely resemble [[Goal Flags]] because they start of with a Bowser symbol and when touched end up with a Mario Symbol.

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap={{ruby|中間|ちゅうかん}}ポイント<ref>{{cite|url=m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NTR/JPN/A2DJ/A2DJ_J.pdf|title={{ruby|New|ニュー}} スーパーマリオブラザーズ (''Nyū Sūpā Mario Burazāzu'') instruction booklet|page=15|accessdate=August 31, 2022|date=2006|language=ja|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
|JapR=Chūkan Pointo
|JapM=Middle Point
|ChiS=中间点
|ChiSR=Zhōngjiān Diǎn
|ChiSM=Middle Point
|ChiT=中間點
|ChiTR=Zhōngjiān Diǎn
|ChiTM=Middle Point
|Dut=Checkpointvlag
|DutN=''Super Mario Odyssey''
|Dut2=Halverwegepunt
|DutM=Checkpoint Flag
|Dut2M=Halfway point
|Fre=Drapeau relais
|Fre2=Point de mi-parcours
|Fre3=Drapeau de mi-chemin<ref>{{cite|title=''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' instruction booklet|page=32}}</ref>
|FreM=Relay flag
|Fre2M=Mid-term point
|Fre3M=Halfway Flag
|Ger=Rücksetzpunkt
|Ger2=Halbzeitflagge
|GerM=Reset Point
|Ger2M=Midway Flag
|Ita=Punto intermedio
|Ita2=Tappa intermedia
|Ita2N=''New Super Mario Bros.''
|ItaM=Intermediate point
|Ita2M=Intermediate stop
|PorA=Bandeirinha
|PorAM=Little Flag
|PorE=Ponto de Controlo
|PorEM=Control Point
|Rom=Steag de punct de control<ref>{{cite|url=www.lego.com/ro-ro/product/creativity-toolbox-maker-set-71418|title=Set de creator Cutia de unelte pentru creativitate § Specificații|language=ro|publisher=lego.com|accessdate=January 10, 2023|archive=web.archive.org/web/20230107021847/https://www.lego.com/ro-ro/product/creativity-toolbox-maker-set-71418}}</ref>
|RomM=Control point flag
|Rus=Контрольный флаг
|RusR=Kontrol'nyy flag
|RusM=Checkpoint flag
|Spa=Banderín de etapa
|SpaM=Stage pennon
}}

==References==
<references/>

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[[Category:Checkpoints]]
[[Category:LEGO Super Mario objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. 2 objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. U objects]]
[[Category:New Super Luigi U objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. Wii objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario 3D Land objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario 3D World objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Bros. Wonder objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy 2 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Maker objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Maker 2 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Odyssey objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Run objects]]
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