Editing Unwinnable state
From the Super Mario Wiki, the Mario encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
This list does not include scripted boss battles that the player cannot win in [[Genre#Role-playing games|RPG]]s, such as the first battle with [[Bowser]] in ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and the [[Hollijolli Village]] [[Shroob]]s in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'', as the game still advances despite the player losing. | This list does not include scripted boss battles that the player cannot win in [[Genre#Role-playing games|RPG]]s, such as the first battle with [[Bowser]] in ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and the [[Hollijolli Village]] [[Shroob]]s in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'', as the game still advances despite the player losing. | ||
==Examples of unwinnable situations== | ==Examples of unwinnable situations== | ||
{{construction|section=yes}} | {{construction|section=yes}} | ||
Line 13: | Line 14: | ||
If Mario or Luigi was to squeeze themselves into the gap above the exit pipe at the end of any underwater level by jumping and ducking into it at the same time, they will become stuck and unable to escape until they lose a life by running out of time. However, the ''Super Mario All-Stars'' version, as well as the European version of the game, adds an extra block above the exit pipe to prevent this from happening. | If Mario or Luigi was to squeeze themselves into the gap above the exit pipe at the end of any underwater level by jumping and ducking into it at the same time, they will become stuck and unable to escape until they lose a life by running out of time. However, the ''Super Mario All-Stars'' version, as well as the European version of the game, adds an extra block above the exit pipe to prevent this from happening. | ||
====''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]''==== | ====''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]''==== | ||
[[File:SMB2 Trapped In A Pit.png|thumb|Peach is stuck in the pit.]] | [[File:SMB2 Trapped In A Pit.png|thumb|Peach is stuck in the pit.]] | ||
If the player digs up all the [[soft sand]] at the left side of the splitting path in [[World 2-2 (Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 2-2]], they will be unable to jump out. The ''[[Super Mario Advance]]'' remake fixes this by adding a | If the player digs up all the [[soft sand]] at the left side of the splitting path in [[World 2-2 (Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 2-2]], they will be unable to jump out. The ''[[Super Mario Advance]]'' remake fixes this by adding a vase that can be used to reset the sand by entering and leaving it. | ||
Another softlock can happen when playing as [[Luigi]] in [[World 7-2 (Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 7-2]] during the final battle against [[Wart]]. Due to how defeating a boss locks the screen in place, if Luigi defeats Wart from the ceiling of his boss fight, the player will be unable to finish the game.<ref>DidYouKnowGaming? (August 3, 2019). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwMww4NxHLU Mistakes in Mario Games - Did You Know Gaming? Feat. Dazz]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 25, 2022.</ref> | Another softlock can happen when playing as [[Luigi]] in [[World 7-2 (Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 7-2]] during the final battle against [[Wart]]. Due to how defeating a boss locks the screen in place, if Luigi defeats Wart from the ceiling of his boss fight, the player will be unable to finish the game.<ref>DidYouKnowGaming? (August 3, 2019). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwMww4NxHLU Mistakes in Mario Games - Did You Know Gaming? Feat. Dazz]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 25, 2022.</ref> | ||
In | In Revision 0 of ''Super Mario Bros. 2'', if a [[Small Fry Guy]] is hit with a [[Mushroom Block]] while the player is shrinking in [[World 4-3 (Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 4-3]], then said Small Fry Guy will fall off the screen as opposed to disappearing in a puff of smoke. This causes the game to think that there are still Small Fry Guys left; due to this, the door to exit World 4-3 does not appear, rending it unbeatable. This glitch was fixed in subsequent rereleases.<ref>TCRF contributors. (May 4, 2022). [[tcrf:Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES)#Fryguy Glitch|Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES) § Fryguy Glitch]]. ''The Cutting Room Floor''. Retrieved May 25, 2022.</ref> | ||
====''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''==== | ====''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''==== | ||
The game has a softlock where, should an [[Enemy Course]] land on top of an [[N-Mark Spade Panel]], the two combine and move across the overworld map indefinitely, preventing the player from going any further after clearing a course when the panel appears. | The game has a softlock where, should an [[Enemy Course]] land on top of an [[N-Mark Spade Panel]], the two combine and move across the overworld map indefinitely, preventing the player from going any further after clearing a course when the panel appears. | ||
====''[[Super Mario World]]''==== | ====''[[Super Mario World]]''==== | ||
Line 37: | Line 30: | ||
By collecting a power-up, the game temporarily freezes during the power-up animation. If this occurs at the same time that [[Yoshi]] eats a berry, the game freezes. If the player has already beaten the level, they can escape the freeze by pressing {{Button|snes|select}} and {{Button|snes|start}}. However, if the player has not beaten the level, they must reset the console. | By collecting a power-up, the game temporarily freezes during the power-up animation. If this occurs at the same time that [[Yoshi]] eats a berry, the game freezes. If the player has already beaten the level, they can escape the freeze by pressing {{Button|snes|select}} and {{Button|snes|start}}. However, if the player has not beaten the level, they must reset the console. | ||
There exists a glitch that allows the player to obtain a [[ | There exists a glitch that allows the player to obtain a [[Magic Ball]] in their [[Item storage|Item Stock]]. If the player performs this glitch and then collects the [[Magic Ball]] while in a [[Bonus game (Super Mario World)|bonus game]], the player is taken to a glitched bonus game that is impossible to complete. The only option at this point is to reset the console. | ||
====''[[Super Mario 64]]''==== | ====''[[Super Mario 64]]''==== | ||
Line 54: | Line 47: | ||
On the missions [[Purple Coins on the Battlerock]] and [[Battlestation's Purple Coins]], if the player leaves behind any of the [[Purple Coin]]s, they will be unable to obtain the [[Power Star]] as the platforms that the player rides throughout the level do not backtrack. Although Mario will lose a life for doing so, he can end the softlock by talking to the [[Gearmo]]s who host the event. | On the missions [[Purple Coins on the Battlerock]] and [[Battlestation's Purple Coins]], if the player leaves behind any of the [[Purple Coin]]s, they will be unable to obtain the [[Power Star]] as the platforms that the player rides throughout the level do not backtrack. Although Mario will lose a life for doing so, he can end the softlock by talking to the [[Gearmo]]s who host the event. | ||
====''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''==== | ====''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''==== | ||
Line 64: | Line 54: | ||
If Mario freezes the [[Shiverburn Galaxy]]'s Starting Planet with the [[Ground-Pound Switch]] in [[Prince Pikante's Peppery Mood]] and gets to the Volcano Planet at the centre with the [[Cloud Mario|Cloud suit]], he will be forced to lose a life to escape unless either he has any clouds in stock or the player quits the level. This softlock no longer occurs after Mario gets 120 [[Power Star]]s, as he can just grab the first [[Green Power Star]] (which is in the crater of the volcano) to escape without losing a life. | If Mario freezes the [[Shiverburn Galaxy]]'s Starting Planet with the [[Ground-Pound Switch]] in [[Prince Pikante's Peppery Mood]] and gets to the Volcano Planet at the centre with the [[Cloud Mario|Cloud suit]], he will be forced to lose a life to escape unless either he has any clouds in stock or the player quits the level. This softlock no longer occurs after Mario gets 120 [[Power Star]]s, as he can just grab the first [[Green Power Star]] (which is in the crater of the volcano) to escape without losing a life. | ||
====''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''==== | |||
If a player under the effects of the [[Super Star]] lands on a moving block in the middle of a somersault on the frame the Star runs out, they will be stuck in their somersault animation, unable to move. | |||
====''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]''==== | ====''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]''==== | ||
In {{world link|1|castle3d|World 1-Castle (Super Mario 3D Land)}}, if the player uses the [[Super Leaf]] to jump over the gap between the platform and the bridge during the boss fight against [[Tail Bowser]] and then presses the button while he jumps to the left, the bridge will collapse with Bowser off-screen, causing the game to freeze.<ref>Akfamilyhome. (November 5, 2012). [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-eIBZ19JMc Super Mario 3D Land - Bowser Game Lockup Glitch]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 25, 2022.</ref> | In {{world-link|1|castle3d|World 1-Castle (Super Mario 3D Land)}}, if the player uses the [[Super Leaf]] to jump over the gap between the platform and the bridge during the boss fight against [[Tail Bowser]] and then presses the button while he jumps to the left, the bridge will collapse with Bowser off-screen, causing the game to freeze.<ref>Akfamilyhome. (November 5, 2012). [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-eIBZ19JMc Super Mario 3D Land - Bowser Game Lockup Glitch]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 25, 2022.</ref> | ||
====''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]''==== | ====''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]''==== | ||
[[File:NSMBU-Unwinnable State Bramball.png|thumb|220px|Getting stuck under an immovable [[Bramball]], in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe]]''.]] | [[File:NSMBU-Unwinnable State Bramball.png|thumb|220px|Getting stuck under an immovable [[Bramball]], in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe]]''.]] | ||
In the ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'' level [[Bramball Woods]], it is possible to get stuck underneath the third Bramball in the level. Normally, [[Brick Block]]s move into position when the player is nearby, allowing the Bramballs to move. However, returning to this Bramball after dying and respawning from the [[Checkpoint Flag]] without going too far left prevents the blocks from appearing. This allows the player to take a hit and stand on the [[Mega Block|Big Block]], trapping them. Jumping against the Bramball has no effect, and if the player is in [[Small Mario|small form]] or [[Mini Mario (form)|mini form]], they cannot escape without losing a life. | In the ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'' level [[Bramball Woods]], it is possible to get stuck underneath the third Bramball in the level. Normally, [[Brick Block]]s move into position when the player is nearby, allowing the Bramballs to move. However, returning to this Bramball after dying and respawning from the [[Checkpoint Flag]] without going too far left prevents the blocks from appearing. This allows the player to take a hit and stand on the [[Mega Block|Big Block]], trapping them. Jumping against the Bramball has no effect, and if the player is in [[Small Mario|small form]] or [[Mini Mario (form)|mini form]], they cannot escape without losing a life. | ||
====''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''==== | ====''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''==== | ||
If the player skips the first [[Power Moon]], activates a checkpoint past it, comes back and collects the Power Moon, and warps to the checkpoint, the game shows Mario walking towards the [[Odyssey]] and stopping in front of it before softlocking. The softlock can be fixed by closing and then reopening the game. This glitch was fixed in the version 1.3.0 update.<ref>BeardBear (April 14, 2018). [https://youtu.be/7jnF9L72Md4?t=108 7 Ways to Crash or Softlock Super Mario Odyssey]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved August 4, 2022.</ref> | If the player skips the first [[Power Moon]], activates a checkpoint past it, comes back and collects the Power Moon, and warps to the checkpoint, the game shows Mario walking towards the [[Odyssey]] and stopping in front of it before softlocking. The softlock can be fixed by closing and then reopening the game. This glitch was fixed in the version 1.3.0 update.<ref>BeardBear (April 14, 2018). [https://youtu.be/7jnF9L72Md4?t=108 7 Ways to Crash or Softlock Super Mario Odyssey]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved August 4, 2022.</ref> | ||
===''[[Super Mario Bros. Special]]''=== | ===''[[Super Mario Bros. Special]]''=== | ||
Line 90: | Line 74: | ||
If the player has only one [[taxi token]] in their possession and uses it to travel to [[Alcatraz]], Luigi will be stuck on Alcatraz since the only way to get to and from the area is by taxi. | If the player has only one [[taxi token]] in their possession and uses it to travel to [[Alcatraz]], Luigi will be stuck on Alcatraz since the only way to get to and from the area is by taxi. | ||
==='' | ===''Yoshi'' franchise=== | ||
====''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''==== | ====''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''==== | ||
[[File:GO! GO! MARIO!! unwinnable.png|right|frame|Yoshi gets trapped in [[GO! GO! MARIO!!]]]] | [[File:GO! GO! MARIO!! unwinnable.png|right|frame|Yoshi gets trapped in [[GO! GO! MARIO!!]]]] | ||
[[GO! GO! MARIO!!]] has a [[Super Star]] that [[Yoshi]] can reach by jumping off a [[Shy Guy|Shy-Guy]]. However, unless he has any [[Yoshi's Egg|Yoshi Eggs]] or [[watermelon]]s, he will be unable to get out of the area and must quit out of the level. This is fixed in ''[[Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3]]''. | [[GO! GO! MARIO!!]] has a [[Super Star]] that [[Yoshi]] can reach by jumping off a [[Shy Guy|Shy-Guy]]. However, unless he has any [[Yoshi's Egg|Yoshi Eggs]] or [[watermelon]]s, he will be unable to get out of the area and must quit out of the level. This is fixed in ''[[Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3]]''. | ||
==='' | ===''Paper Mario'' series=== | ||
====''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]''==== | ====''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]''==== | ||
The [[Kamek]] curse battles may result in situations that make the battle impossible to win (for example, forcing the player to only use [[Hammer]] cards against a flying enemy). The only solution is to exit the game (as the Kamek curse battles disable the Flee command) or waste one's entire supply of cards (which will re-enable the Flee command).<ref> Fatguy703 (October 11, 2016). [https://youtu.be/hOwKQ7mVc2g Paper Mario: Color Splash - Developer Oversight]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved March 11, 2019.</ref> | The [[Kamek]] curse battles may result in situations that make the battle impossible to win (for example, forcing the player to only use [[Hammer]] cards against a flying enemy). The only solution is to exit the game (as the Kamek curse battles disable the Flee command) or waste one's entire supply of cards (which will re-enable the Flee command).<ref> Fatguy703 (October 11, 2016). [https://youtu.be/hOwKQ7mVc2g Paper Mario: Color Splash - Developer Oversight]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved March 11, 2019.</ref> | ||
Line 117: | Line 97: | ||
It is also possible to be unable to win a multiplayer ScareScraper round from a common glitch that stops a necessary key from appearing in the level. If this happens, the players are forced to lose the game. | It is also possible to be unable to win a multiplayer ScareScraper round from a common glitch that stops a necessary key from appearing in the level. If this happens, the players are forced to lose the game. | ||
==='' | ===''Mario & Luigi'' series=== | ||
====''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]''==== | ====''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]''==== | ||
At a certain point in the game, the [[Warp Pipe]] that leads to the [[Peach's Castle Dungeon]] becomes accessible by going to a question marked spot in [[Peach's Castle]]. Later in the game, the player will have to go back to Peach's Castle via Peach's Castle Dungeon from the [[Time hole]]s in the [[Star Shrine]] or [[Toad Town]]. If the player did not activate the Warp Pipe at Peach's Castle beforehand, the player will be stuck at the dungeon as the pipe that connects to Peach's Castle and the dungeon does not appear. This only happens in the American version; the Japanese and European versions | At a certain point in the game, the [[Warp Pipe]] that leads to the [[Peach's Castle Dungeon]] becomes accessible by going to a question marked spot in [[Peach's Castle]]. Later in the game, the player will have to go back to Peach's Castle via Peach's Castle Dungeon from the [[Time hole]]s in the [[Star Shrine]] or [[Toad Town]]. If the player did not activate the Warp Pipe at Peach's Castle beforehand, the player will be stuck at the dungeon as the pipe that connects to Peach's Castle and the dungeon does not appear. This only happens in the American version; the Japanese and European versions managed to fix this glitch. | ||
====''[[Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]]''==== | ====''[[Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]]''==== | ||
Line 125: | Line 105: | ||
Since this game allows players to retry a battle after losing, it is possible for Mario to essentially get stuck in a "loop of death"<ref>Mindez. (August 23, 2013). [https://youtu.be/AT3_wD5wLeA?t=1190 Mario And Luigi: Dream Team Bros. - Part 52 - Loop Of Death]. ''YouTube''</ref> should he [[trip]] at the start of a Dream World battle with minimal HP and less Speed than the enemy. As Mario has no way of defending the enemy's attack, he is doomed to get KO'd over and over until the player restarts the battle on [[Easy Mode]], in which the Bros. will always start with full HP and BP when activated. This does not work if Mario is currently wearing the Guard Shell or Guard Shell DX [[List of Mario & Luigi: Dream Team gear|accessories]], and cannot be performed at all in the [[Hard Mode]]. | Since this game allows players to retry a battle after losing, it is possible for Mario to essentially get stuck in a "loop of death"<ref>Mindez. (August 23, 2013). [https://youtu.be/AT3_wD5wLeA?t=1190 Mario And Luigi: Dream Team Bros. - Part 52 - Loop Of Death]. ''YouTube''</ref> should he [[trip]] at the start of a Dream World battle with minimal HP and less Speed than the enemy. As Mario has no way of defending the enemy's attack, he is doomed to get KO'd over and over until the player restarts the battle on [[Easy Mode]], in which the Bros. will always start with full HP and BP when activated. This does not work if Mario is currently wearing the Guard Shell or Guard Shell DX [[List of Mario & Luigi: Dream Team gear|accessories]], and cannot be performed at all in the [[Hard Mode]]. | ||
====''[[Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam]]''==== | ====''[[Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam]]''==== | ||
Line 135: | Line 113: | ||
Additionally, it used to be possible to make the game unwinnable by backtracking as solo Luigi after Mario got captured, since a glitch would result in him getting stuck in a certain area of Dimble Wood and being unable to leave. However, after the first update for the game, this was patched, and any affected save files were also fixed to allow progress. | Additionally, it used to be possible to make the game unwinnable by backtracking as solo Luigi after Mario got captured, since a glitch would result in him getting stuck in a certain area of Dimble Wood and being unable to leave. However, after the first update for the game, this was patched, and any affected save files were also fixed to allow progress. | ||
===''[[WarioWare (series)|WarioWare]]'' series=== | ===''[[WarioWare (series)|WarioWare]]'' series=== | ||
Line 149: | Line 124: | ||
In [[Super Mario World (WarioWare: Get It Together!)|Super Mario World]], 18-Volt can get stuck in Level 2 since he cannot move, despite being a neutral fit, which makes it impossible for him to win.<ref>Shadowcat (September 25, 2021). [https://youtu.be/RTpPlhaC9fA?t=373 WarioWare: Get it Together! - Nintendo Classics using only the VOLT GANG - Score 105]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved October 26, 2021.</ref> | In [[Super Mario World (WarioWare: Get It Together!)|Super Mario World]], 18-Volt can get stuck in Level 2 since he cannot move, despite being a neutral fit, which makes it impossible for him to win.<ref>Shadowcat (September 25, 2021). [https://youtu.be/RTpPlhaC9fA?t=373 WarioWare: Get it Together! - Nintendo Classics using only the VOLT GANG - Score 105]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved October 26, 2021.</ref> | ||
In [[Pop Goes the Party]], it is possible to destroy too many of the pins in Level 3, making it impossible to win | In [[Pop Goes the Party]], it is possible to destroy too many of the pins in Level 3, making it impossible to win. | ||
In [[Balance the Scales]], it is possible to destroy too many of the cracked blocks, making it impossible to win | In [[Balance the Scales]], it is possible to destroy too many of the cracked blocks, making it impossible to win. | ||
In [[Archer Assist]], [[9-Volt]], who is a bad fit for the microgame, can overshoot the target in Levels 1 and 3, and he cannot move the archer in these levels, making it impossible to win with him. | In [[Archer Assist]], [[9-Volt]], who is a bad fit for the microgame, can overshoot the target in Levels 1 and 3, and he cannot move the archer in these levels, making it impossible to win with him. | ||
In [[ | In [[Duelius Maximus]]' speed-based Lightning Round, winning a microgame causes anyone who did not complete it to get softlocked until the [[Bomb (WarioWare series)|timer]] expires, unless the microgame is a survival microgame like [[Boxed Up (WarioWare: Get It Together!)|Boxed Up]]. | ||
====''[[WarioWare: Move It!]]''==== | ====''[[WarioWare: Move It!]]''==== | ||
If Medusa catches a player with her gaze in [[Stony Look]], all players are softlocked until the [[Bomb (WarioWare series)|timer]] expires. | |||
==='' | ===''Mario Kart'' series=== | ||
====''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''==== | ====''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''==== | ||
In [[Ninja Hideaway]], if the player lands on top of the sign after the final moving spike platform, they will be unable to move. When this happens, they will be forced to either lose the current race or quit the game.<ref>Gaming Reinvented (April 6, 2022). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHgsA5jDt5M You Can Softlock Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in Ninja Hideaway (Glitch)!] ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 15, 2022.</ref> | In [[Ninja Hideaway]], if the player lands on top of the sign after the final moving spike platform, they will be unable to move. When this happens, they will be forced to either lose the current race or quit the game.<ref>Gaming Reinvented (April 6, 2022). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHgsA5jDt5M You Can Softlock Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in Ninja Hideaway (Glitch)!] ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 15, 2022.</ref> |