List of Super Paper Mario glitches
This is a list of glitches found in Super Paper Mario. Glitches marked with an asterisk (*) are fixed in the PAL version and revision 2 releases. Unless otherwise noted, all names are conjectural.
Audio
Indefinite InterNed music exploit
The music that the InterNed plays in the Underwhere bar will typically stop upon exiting the building. However, if the player clips out of bounds and then walks along the back-wall seam to talk to the InterNed, it is possible to fall and respawn outside, which bypasses this check. Alternatively Mario can perform the 3-D Thoreau NPC pushing glitch to move the InterNed into the wall. After clipping out of the building, he can be spoken to from outside (without being moved, Garson will be spoken to instead).
The jukebox music will now play indefinitely even alongside other music tracks and will be preserved to other areas. Attempting to collect an item, use the Return Pipe, complete a puzzle, hitting a Star Block etc. will end the glitch, due to cues tied to their musical jingles. As such, this glitch cannot be initiated by simply Gold Bar clipping after talking to the InterNed.
Missing spinning sound effect glitch
While playing the Tilt Island minigame, the player must acquire a Flower and, while under its effect, press 
and 
. Then, they should go back to the game and unpause it. If done correctly, the sound effect heard while Mario is spinning stops playing.
Mr. L boss music glitch
Upon meeting Mr. L in the Whoa Zone, he initiates a boss fight and his music begins moments after he jumps back. If the room is entered as Bowser and his attack is enough to deal at least forty damage, then using 
his Fire Breath will immediately defeat Mr. L. This causes the "A Powerful Enemy Emerges" theme to continue playing until transitioning to the Brobot battle.[1]
No music after Tiptron glitch
When recruiting a Pixl, the game briefly silences the music and plays a short fanfare. If the player purchases Tiptron from Francis, then uses Dashell to leave the room before the fanfare finishes playing, the game never receives instructions to unmute the background music and as such no music plays throughout the castle.[2]
Stone block audio glitch
Before being dropped into their intended positions, the stone blocks beneath the River Twygz can be pushed against the walls and level boundaries. This will not move the block, however the walking sound still plays even if the character's animation does not appear to move. Continuously pushing the block against the wall will cause certain sound effects to not play, for example the additional noises for when the 3d bar gets low, the damage sound effect, and even the sound for pausing depending on the timing.
Freezes
Back Cursya out of bounds freeze
Falling out of bounds after touching a Back Cursya will cause the game to freeze once Mario is placed back in bounds. Receiving a game over from falling out of bounds will not freeze the game in this situation.
Boss out of bounds freeze
Attempting to throw a chapter boss out of bounds will cause the game to freeze once they fall to a certain height below the area. This glitch does not occur with high level enemies fought in the middle of a chapter, such as Bowser in The Bitlands, rather those enemies will respawn on the floor.
Count Bleck softlock
During the 1st phase of the fight with Count Bleck, it is possible to softlock if Count Bleck is far enough offscreen once when attempting to start the cutscene advancing to phase 2.
Flopside Pit of 100 Trials double chest freeze
After defeating Shadoo in the Flopside Pit of 100 Trials, the player should position themselves in 3-D such that Mario is in front of the chests. Then when jumping as Bowser into the space between two chests, if the player turns around while holding 
the game may attempt to open both chests to the left and right of Bowser. If this happens, the game will freeze.
Francis boss freeze
While fighting Francis as Bowser, when the player gets eaten by his tongue attack it is possible to be released such that Bowser falls through the floor. The game will freeze when attempting to respawn Bowser.
Hidden room freeze glitch*
If the player manages to shrink Mario at the same time he falls into a hidden room in Flipside, he will still be small, and he will fall through the spring. If the player tries to flip the game will freeze.
Merlee's Mansion freeze*
In chapter 2-2 Merlee's Mansion, if the player enters the spike ceiling room and decides not to grab the key, attempting to talk to Mimi will freeze the game. This glitch only occurs on early versions of the PAL release if the console language is set to UK English, German, or Spanish.
This glitch has been acknowledged by Nintendo.[3]
Mimi double death freeze
In chapter 2-4 Merlee's Basement, it is possible to defeat Mimi again while she falls to the ground by using Boomer and flipping to 3-D. Due to an oversight, this sets the game sequence to chapter 8-2, where Mimi's spider form is fought a second time. However, this results in the game attempting to move NPCs in the following cutscene that have not spawned, and thus the game freezes.
Mushroom trap freeze
In chapter 8-2 Castle Bleck Foyer, there is a room with 3 Mushrooms hanging from strings, which reveal a trapdoor if the player attempts to take one. Positioning Mario on the Save Block and against the wall at the end of the room, if the player flips to 3-D and uses Fleep, the action will be canceled and Mario will collect all 3 mushrooms. Letting the transitions into the next rooms play out will cause the game to freeze.[4]
O'Chunks defeat softlocks
Sometimes, while fighting O'Chunks in Yold Desert, if the player defeats him while he is jumping, he will glide across the screen and the game will fail to end the battle. Similarly, if O'Chunks is defeated while he is landing from a ground pound, and then the player levels up from performing a stylish move, the boss performs the wrong animation and begins to ground pound repeatedly, softlocking the game.[5]
Room load freeze*
On Japanese releases of the game, a pre-caching error can cause the game to freeze when attempting to pre-load areas accessed from the current room. This issue was fixed in all later releases outside of the Japanese Wii U Virtual Console release.
Sammer Guy freeze
On the first visit to the Sammer Kingdom, a cutscene occurs involving the first Sammer Guy known as Jade Blooper. By holding Boomer in 3-D and performing the Super Boomer glitch, Jade Blooper is hit and his enemy behavior takes over. This causes the Sammer Guy to attack Mario in all cutscenes to no avail, among other interesting effects. Defeating the Sammer Guy in any way before the fight starts results in the game freezing.[6]
Similarly, it is possible to clip into the stage and grab certain Sammer Guys with Thoreau. If the game starts a cutscene after their battle, then defeating them beforehand will also result in the game freezing.
Sammer Kingdom disappearing Star Block softlock
In chapters 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 Sammer's Kingdom, completing the fight on the 25th room of a chosen section will spawn a Star Block. Due to an oversight if the player decides to return to the previous room, the Star Block will not be there anymore. This softlock can be resolved by resetting the game, dying, or using the Return Pipe to restart the challenge.[7]
Save Block in space softlock
In chapters 4-1 and 4-3, the game uses special physics where among other quirks, Pixl abilities can be used in midair. If the player uses either of Slim or Fleep's abilities while barely below the Star Block, Mario can both end the level and use the Pixl ability. The game does not properly play the end of chapter sequence and the player cannot cancel the action, resulting in a softlock.[8]
Attempting this setup with either Dottie or Carrie does not softlock; instead, the player will complete the level while shrunk/grown or while riding/dismounting Carrie respectively. Entering the next level the player will be of normal size and will not be riding Carrie.
Slim sliding softlock
When hitting the switches found inside The Dotwood Tree, they cannot be activated again until the red and blue platforms have finished swapping. This buffer allows the player to briefly stand atop a given switch without being pushed off. If Slim's ability is either activated or cancelled while standing on a switch, the animation gets interrupted, resulting in the character sliding across the floor. Trying to move while airborne or being hit by an enemy will end the glitch, however if those options are inaccessible, the player will be softlocked.
Graphics
Animation pivoting exploit
Animations such as swapping characters or using Pixl abilities typically cannot be turned around once activated until the action finishes or is disrupted. However, the game uses multiple values to manage the facing direction of the character, which can be abused through actions which inherently modify only one of these values. For instance:
- Performing Luigi's Super Jump and moving backwards in midair.[9]
- Using Fleep's ability while moving
up-left or down-right in 3-D.[10] - Using Slim’s ability, then taking 3-D bar or Poison damage while running and jumping.
- Riding a horizontally-moving platform and attempting to move during certain actions.[11]
- Being pushed by the hitbox of an enemy or NPC.
- Turning Cudge's hammer around via the previous two methods.
By performing any of the above actions, the player will be in a state where pressing either 
left or right will turn the current animation around, regardless of current facing angle and intended restrictions. This is mostly visual, but it does influence the behavior of Pixls such as Thoreau or Boomer since they rely on checking positions around the player. This allows the player to bypass the check that stops Boomer from being placed behind walls. Flipping, walking, turning around, or taking damage from an enemy will reset the glitch.
Backwards swimming glitch
By performing the Pixl switching method of the 0 HP glitch while underwater, the game is unable to change the player's facing direction, allowing them to swim forwards and backwards without turning around.[12]
Using Slim and switching Pixls again will allow the player to turn around while maintaining this state. Taking damage or using Luigi's super jump will fix the glitch.
Boomer's disappearing chest glitch
The player must get Boomer for the first time. They must blow up the wall to the left, flip to 3-D and go into the hole. The player must flip back into 2-D and they can see that the chest is gone. The glitch will only work if the player meets Boomer for the first time.
Disappearing Boomer glitch
This glitch can cause Boomer to be forced to go behind the background of a stage. It can only happen when one of the characters is in a background area near a Warp Pipe. First, the player must place Boomer in an area in which one of the warp pipes cannot be seen. Then, they must go down the unseen warp pipe before Boomer goes off. If this is done correctly, Boomer will go off and go behind the background. When the player is in the next area, Boomer will still be with them.
Enemy slide glitch
When defeating certain enemies that are walking (i.e. Goombas), they will stay in place and perform their damaged animation before poofing away. However, if jumping on them results in a Level Up, then the enemy will begin sliding while being defeated, missing the signal to stop moving.
Note that variants of the listed enemies are also affected by this glitch.
- Goomba
- Magikoopa
- Squiglet
- Boomboxer
- Crazee Dayzee
- Floro Sapien (Headless)
- Skellobait
Flipped enemy glitch
This glitch can be performed using any pipe that spawns enemies, however the following example is the easiest to replicate.
In the second room of Chapter 7-1, the player should enter the tall pipe next to left wall. The character will enter a room with a pipe that releases Squogs. If the player uses Boomer to defeat a Squog as it spawns from the pipe, it turns upside-down but walking normally. The Squog also throws rocks by its back. These enemies can be defeated by any attack including non-damaging ones like Peach's defensive parasol. If one of Merlee's spells activates while defeating the enemy, the game will freeze.[13]
If the player uses Fleep to perform this glitch, the enemy will visually spin around while otherwise walking and damaging the player normally. This can be extended by repeatedly using Fleep's ability on the enemy until it is no longer spinning.
Frozen item collect pose glitch
If the player collects an item right when initiating a throw 
using Thoreau, their character will stay in the pose used when collecting an item after closing the text. This glitch will end once the player moves or opens the menu.
Invisible Flipside glitch
The player should flip to 3-D with Thudley out in the area in front of Merlon's house. The player should then cross the bridge into the foreground but stop before actually making it across the bridge. The player should jump into the foreground layer but use Thudley's Infinite jumps glitch to flip back into 2-D before hitting the ground. Then the player should continue using it to proceed left until the player reaches a pit. The player should fall into the pit while in 2-D. If done correctly, the ground will disappear and the player will be standing on nothing. It is possible to explore the area in 2-D while walking on thin air, but the glitch will end if the player flips to 3-D.[14]
Invisible Swooper glitch
When using Fleep on a Swooper that is still hanging to the ceiling, the game fails to load a dizzy animation for that state. This causes the Swooper to become invisible for the duration of its dizziness, however it will return to normal behavior and regain its graphics afterwards.
King Croacus palette reset
If the player uses Thoreau to grab the wilted King Croacus IV, he will revert to his greener sprite palette and his facial features will no longer animate. King Croacus will be withered again upon leaving the room, and the glitch cannot be attempted after completing the game.[15]
No walking animation
To perform this glitch the player must pick up any enemy with Thoreau, and then flip to 3-D as soon as they release the enemy. This causes Mario's walking animation to not play, instead his feet will remain stationary. The glitch can end by flipping again, jumping, stopping entirely, or after a few seconds have passed. This will not work if the enemy is picked up in 3-D, but if the player switches to 3-D and back before doing the glitch, it will still work.
It is also possible for this glitch to randomly occur after completing the fight against Dimentio in Chapter 8-3.
Soopa Striker animation glitch*
Sometimes when the player kicks a shell and then jumps at a Soopa Striker swiftly, it will be spinning and sliding, acting like a shell. However, instead of being hidden in its shell, the Soopa Striker lies on its back with a dizzy appearance.
Spiny walking glitch
In the Pit of 100 Trials, the Spinies that can flip to 3-D do not walk correctly, instead using their idle pose when they walk. The other Spinies will walk correctly.
Tilted Thoreau glitch
The player should use Thoreau in midair and then quickly enter a pipe or one of the main elevators of Flipside Tower and Flopside Tower. If done properly, Thoreau's orientation will be stuck. After exiting out, Thoreau will continue to follow the player with this tilt until they either leave the area, switch Pixls or presses the button.
Through the treasure chest glitch
The player must stand on any open chest, then stand on the open part in 3-D. If they flip back, Mario should fall into the chest. From here Mario can be positioned to where part of him clips through the sides of the chest.
Thudley's missing eyes glitch
Before opening the large chest containing Thudley, set Boomer atop it and then open it. Thudley's eyes will not appear until he moves out from the front of the chest.[citation needed]
Yold Town fire in walls glitches
Barber shop
In the Barber Shop, the building in between the empty building and Howzit's Shop, the player should switch to Bowser and simply walk to the left toward the wall and try to breathe fire. The player will then notice Bowser's fire is going into the wall.
Watchitt's house
In Watchitt's House, the player should flip to 3-D and hop on the chair closest to the door, and then switch to Bowser. From this position it is possible to breathe fire outside of the house.
Physics
These glitches result from how Mario and/or other characters and objects interact with the world.
0 HP glitch
While at low health, the player must use either Dottie, Carrie, or Slim's ability, then select another Pixl right before an enemy touches them. While the ability canceling animation is playing, damage is inflicted and HP reaches 0, but the player is still alive and the beeping noise no longer plays. Taking damage normally results in a Game Over.
Additionally, the 0 HP glitch can occur by jumping on an enemy and taking damage at about the same time, often involving a projectile. The Back Cursya out of bounds glitch returns the player to Flipside at 0 HP if the textbox is closed before the Game Over sequence.
3-D Thoreau NPC pushing
Typically when attempting to grab an NPC with Thoreau, the NPC will be dragged away for a moment before returning to their position. However, this was not properly implemented in 3-D; if Mario jumps towards and grabs an NPC from the left/right or a diagonal direction, that character will be shifted in the same direction. This makes it possible to move the positions of 3-D NPCs repeatedly, even into walls and above ledges.[16]
This glitch is similar to the Bombette NPC pushing glitch from Paper Mario.
Bowser bumps
As Bowser and riding Carrie, if the player presses jump 
and down simultaneously, then presses jump when Bowser stops crouching, that 2nd jump will be performed in midair. It is possible to chain this jump trick multiple times, though it cannot be performed if Bowser is offscreen.[17]
Box clipping
At any place in Flipside or Flopside, Mario should flip into 3-D near one of the boxes that are placed at an angle. He should walk up to the side of the angled box that is visible in 2-D. Mario should then flip back into 2-D and walk left or right (toward the angled side of the box) and flip back into 3-D. He can now walk through the angled box. This glitch also works with pipes.
Corner clipping
By ducking and jumping into a corner, it is possible to clip into the collision. Additionally by taking 3-D bar damage it is possible to clip into a corner while underwater.
Disappearing Mimi glitch
During the chase sequence in Merlee's Basement, if the player uses Slim after Mimi appears in a room she will leave after a few seconds. After this she is unable to reappear in another room until Mario finds Merlee.
Fleep cancel glitch*
While in 3-D, attempting to use Fleep will bring Mario back into 2-D and also activate Fleep's ability. However, unlike using the 
button to flip manually, collision can cause the player to regain control while still transitioning. Specifically, Fleep's ability can be canceled by: being aligned with bricks, having Mario's head inside a ceiling, standing just far enough on a ledge for the drop shadow to disappear, or otherwise being positioned/moving on a surface in such a way that he is pushed and briefly becomes airborne.
During this transition the game runs as if in 2-D, making it possible to remotely open doors and chests, talk to NPCs, and collect items. Using a ledge to perform this trick is referred to as a Fleep Ledge Cancel, or FLC for short. Climbing a ladder during the transition can cause the game to use the otherwise unused side-profile climbing animation.[18]
Flipping after spring glitch*
In Chapter 2-1 near the Star Block, there is a hole accessible in 3-D with a spring at the bottom. If the player flips after using the spring to escape, the cursor selection will be offset from Mario.
Gold Bar clipping
NOTE: While the following applies to all items, Gold Bar and Gold Bar x3 can be thrown and recollected on command, making them ideal for performing the glitch in specific areas.
This glitch involves a Gold Bar and Slim (or alternatively Bowser using fire while riding Carrie). After throwing the Gold Bar, use Slim's ability and land on the item. The player will have collected the item and canceled the Slim state at the same time. From here the player must pull up the quick menu using + , and either switch characters or Pixls. During this switch, the player can move slowly in the air, and collision is not checked so it is possible to completely clip through any wall, including the invisible walls acting as level boundaries.[19]
Infinite jump glitch
Alternatively called Thudley Jumps. Using Mario and Thudley, the player should Ground Pound with the button and as Mario descends, cancel the Ground Pound and quickly press to Flip. The mechanic of jumping in midair after flipping allows this trick to be performed repeatedly to gain height.[17]
This can be used to skip reuniting with Princess Peach in Chapter 7-3 and avoid finding the three orbs in 7-4. Peach will automatically re-appear in the party after defeating O'Chunks in 8-1.
Inside pipe glitches
NOTE: The player needs Mario and the Pixl Dottie to perform the these glitches.
Horizontal
Once again, Mario has to flip to 3-D and shrink with Dottie. Then Mario has to get on the very edge which is the back. If done right, flip back to 2-D and let Mario fall. Grow with Dottie, and flip into 3-D again and head into the center of the pipe.
Vertical
Mario has to flip into 3-D and shrink with Dottie. Then Mario has to head to the pipe slant which is the front. Then the player has to flip back into 2-D while on the pipe slant and grow inside the pipe. Flip into 3-D again, and head into the center of the pipe.
Item failure glitch
When the player uses an attack item on an enemy, such as an Ice Storm, it sometimes fails and gives the message "no enemies to attack," despite there being an enemy on the screen. This can occur in bosses, usually when they are hurt or performing unique animations.
Life Shroom jump glitch
There is a single frame after being revived by a Life Shroom where the game considers the player as grounded while in midair. This allows the player to jump again in the air, essentially performing a double jump.[17]
Light Prognosticus glitch
It has been requested that this section be rewritten and expanded to include more information. Reason: descriptions are too vague
In Merlon's house, Mario should use Dottie to shrink himself, flip into 3-D, and jump behind the Light Prognosticus. Then, the player must go as far to the right as possible, then flip back. The player needs to grow to normal, and Mario should be squished. The player must jump two times, but not too high, and then flip back into 3-D. Mario will shake and stop. When he stops, he must flip, and Mario will be partly through the book. Mario can walk, and crouch. Crouching will send Mario in front of the book, but not permanently. If Mario turns into Princess Peach, the Light Prognosticus glitch will continue. However, if Peach turns into Mario again, the glitch will end. When Mario flips back into 3-D, he should move toward the wall, and then the glitch will return. Same as Mario, Peach can crouch, but the glitch will still happen. Luigi, however, will go behind the book, but can redo the glitch, with the same routine with Mario. Bowser will end the glitch completely.
Mega Koopa glitch
In Chapter 3-1, after the Koopa Troopa hits the block containing a Mega Star the player should press the button to open the home menu. Upon returning to the game, the Mega Star will be dancing on the block and fail to reach the Koopa. The player must either press the home button again or reset the game to end the glitch.
Mega Mario throughout Yold Town glitch*
This glitch requires Dottie. First, the player must shrink and flip to 3-D to walk behind the Warp Pipe that leads to Red's or Green's house. Then the player must flip to 2-D, grow back to normal size, and then flip back to 3-D. The camera will come in line with the background. If the player then flips to 2-D, the screen will view the entire area in 3-D. However, Mario can only walk left and right. If the player jumps, the screen will zoom back in on Mario, but will be viewed from the back, and will still be in 3-D. The glitch will end if Mario enters a door.
If the player changes to Bowser before flipping to 2-D after flipping to 3-D after growing back to normal, Bowser will slip further through the background and automatically revert to 2-D. Bowser will be behind the background. If Bowser walks behind the buildings, the camera will turn slightly and the game will freeze.[citation needed] However, if Bowser jumps onto the walkable background, he will be in the background at normal size, not tiny size. If he enters the tiny pipe in the background, the glitch will end.
This was fixed in later versions of the game by moving the pipe away from the background.
Merlon's house shadow world glitch*
At Merlon's house, the player should perform the The Light Prognosticus glitch, standing closer to the wall. If Mario flips and walks to the wall, he will fall down and a black screen will appear. Mario will lose 1 HP. While respawning, the camera will go in unusual directions and Mario will not make his "Oof!" sound effect.
Merlon's house dark town glitch*
After performing the Merlon's house shadow world glitch, when Mario goes through the wall, the player must make him jump diagonally up-left. If done properly, the camera will switch to 3-D view from Flipside. Upon going into a building, the town will reappear, but the inside of Merlon's house can still be seen in 3-D, identically to the Yold Town Shop Shadow World glitch. If Merlon is in the house, he can be spoken to at any point in Flipside floor 2, including the Outskirts. If the player enters Tinga's Inn, it will reload Merlon's House, but will switch to the inn view once the door closes. This does not end the glitch, however.
Mini high jump glitch*
The player must perform the Merlon's house shadow world glitch. Then, they must use Dottie to shrink Luigi. The player needs to have him do his high jump and he will fly through the walls. He will later respawn.
Peach's Parasol underwater exploit
When holding an enemy underwater with Thoreau, the player will not be in a swimming state. This can be abused if Peach throws the enemy while descending and then holds the button, allowing her to float down using her parasol. The glitch ends after landing on the ground or when damaged.
Pipe clipping
The player must high jump up to a platform with bricks blocking a pipe in Flipside's first floor and then flip into 3-D and break the bricks with Cudge, only they must not break the ones actually blocking the pipe. The player must slip through the gap between those bricks and the pipe, flip back and the character will be inside the pipe.
Piranha Plant bump glitch
During certain animations of a Piranha Plant or its variants being outside of a pipe, if Peach shields herself with her parasol close enough to bump the enemy, then the Piranha Plant will go past the bottom of the pipe and continue falling until despawning offscreen, essentially being defeated albeit without receiving points or coins. It can still be targeted/defeated with items while falling.
Platform clipping
The player must be Luigi and must be under a platform moving down. To start the glitch, Luigi must high jump and hit the platform moving down. The platform will keep moving, and when Luigi starts falling, he should jump immediately. Luigi should be on the platform.
Shell glitch
If the player kicks a Shell and attempts to run into it from behind using Dashell, they will not be damaged.
Super Boomer glitch
If Mario Flips from 3-D to 2-D and Boomer explodes during the transition, the explosive range will extend very far from left to right. This is capable of damaging long groups of enemies, however it no longer activates switches nor destroys blocks in the blast.[20]
Underhand glitch*
In the River Twygz section of The Underwhere, select Barry and find an Underhand not attached to the ground. Use Barry on the hand and it will fall to the floor and become stuck. It will writhe and twitch but will not be able to really move anywhere.
Another exploit involves getting a free-roaming Underhand to follow the character out of the river. They will follow as expected but twitch if they touch the ground, or become stuck between Charold's boat and the river's edge.
Upside-down chest opening glitch
In the Whoa Zone, it is normally impossible to open a chest if its orientation is different from the player's. However, taking damage while next to the chest will bypass this restriction and allow the player to open the chest.
Through the counter glitch
The player should go to either a card shop or a kitchen , then flip and jump behind the counter. When the player flips back and walks, Mario will automatically walk through the counter and eventually end up in front of it again.
Walk through floor glitch*
The player must go to the Flipside B1 Outskirts. They must then head right in the middle of one of the half-circular openings and flip into 3-D. The player must flip back again and Mario should be through the floor. After a while, he will reappear, but he will be stuck in the opening.
Yold Town shop shadow world glitch*
In the shop in Yold Town, the player must first do the Yold Town Shop Void glitch but when Mario does his "falling" pose, they must jump left and Mario will be in a world of black. The player should stay in 3-D because in 2-D, Mario will be back in the shop.
Another way to perform this is performing the first version, but instead of going left, go to the front side. The camera will flip to the normal side, out of the shop. The player will be on a totally black Yold Town and can walk in this way in 2-D or 3-D and even reach the Star Block in this way. (This will not occur if the player did not complete Chapter 1-2, however.) The gameplay will not be affected. If the player flips to 2-D, they will see a 2-D version of the shop from a different angle.
Another result is to walk into the black void until the player comes to an invisible door and go through it. They will come out of another building next to the shop; the glitch will seem to have ended. However, if they go in 3-D and run to the start of Yold Town, they will see the shop is still visible from the 2-D angle in 3-D.
Yold Town shop void glitch*
In the shop in Yold Town, the player should use Mario. The player should then flip to 3-D, and go behind the small sign next to the counter. Then, in 2-D, the player should walk towards the counter. If done right, Mario should go through the sign, and be partially inside of it. Then, if they flip back to 3-D, Mario will do his "falling" animation, and fall through the floor. If the player moves the control pad, the screen will scroll away from the shop and into the void behind it. After about 10-15 seconds, Mario will reappear.
Z-jumping glitch
When transitioning between 2-D and 3-D, Mario will begin flailing his arms and float in place, giving the brief chance for the player to jump in midair before he falls down. While jumping like this in 2-D, if up is held on the d-pad, Mario will begin moving in the direction away from the camera. This trick can be exploited to clip into the front of certain objects, or through horizontally moving objects such as the electrical barriers in Merlee's Mansion and the lifts found in various levels.
Sequence breaks
These glitches allow the player to access areas or skip over story segments through unintended methods.
Block puzzle skip
In chapter 5-1 Downtown of Crag, there is a set of 3 blocks towards the end of the level, which must be hit in a lengthy sequence to create a pipe and reach the other side of the wall. By performing either Thudley Jumps and going over the wall,[17] or the Gold Bar clipping glitch to instead clip through the wall, it is possible to bypass this puzzle and reach the Star Block.
Merlon switch skip
In chapter 8-2 Castle Bleck Foyer, there is a room with Mimi disguised as Merlon, and the game intends for the player to hit the blue switch block. If instead the player uses Thudley to perform the Infinite jump glitch and enter the hole in the ceiling, they can obtain the key to the locked door early.[17]
Dotwood Tree skip
At the top platform of the interior section of chapter 3-3 Dotwood Tree, by taking damage next to the wall while using Slim as Bowser and then switching to Mario, the player can clip out of bounds and activate the blue switch from above.[21] The Gold Bar clipping glitch can also be used to accomplish this, and instead of falling on the switch directly, it is possible to blow it up with Boomer while staying on the top platform.
Nolrem cutscene skip
Atop the Flopside Tower prior to chapter 8, Nolrem stops Mario and company for a lengthy cutscene. This can be skipped by using the Gold Bar clipping glitch against the right-side invisible wall, switching to 2-D and holding up-left to enter the door during the cutscene. Alternatively, the player can perform a Fleep Ledge Cancel on the elevator-side ledge to open the door from there.[22]
Peach skip
In chapter 7-3 Overthere Stair, the intended progression is to collect a Black Apple to wake Princess Peach and a Red Apple given to Cyrrus to reach the top of the room preceding the ending Star Block. Instead, it is possible to use Thudley Jumps to bypass both the gap meant for Peach's float ability and the bounce from Cyrrus.[17] Peach rejoins the party after battling against O' Chunks in Castle Bleck.
Pixl skips
Any sequence breaks that allow the completion of a level without obtaining a Pixl have no adverse effects unless stated otherwise, as the game has a failsafe for the following Pixls that forces them to join the party after completing the levels containing them. Each entry is listed in the order of when they are obtained in the story.
| Description | Level message | |
|---|---|---|
Thoreau skipChapter 1-2 |
Alternatively called Green Bridge skip; the gap separating Yold Town from the Star Block is too far to cross as Mario, and the intended solution is to obtain Thoreau then speak to both Old Man Watchitt and Green, creating a bridge. This gap can be skipped using either a Life Shroom jump,[17] or performing the shop sign clip and navigating along the seam, then positioning Mario in a precise location to climb up a seemingly vertical plane, and finally jumping across to the Star Block.[23] | This Pixl heard all about your adventures while waiting in a basement in Yold Town. Thoreau the throwing Pixl is now your friend! |
Boomer skipChapter 2-1 |
The player is normally required to obtain Boomer and destroy bricks blocking a blue switch from the top, which opens a yellow door permitting access to the rest of the level. Using either a Life Shroom to perform a Life Shroom jump,[17] or a Shell Shock thrown with precise timing and positioning, it is possible to activate the switch from the room below. | This Pixl heard all about your adventures while waiting beneath Gloam Valley. Boomer the exploding Pixl is now your friend! |
Slim skipChapter 2-3 |
Slim is needed to avoid the electrical barriers sliding along the upper corridor to a Rubee safe. Instead by lining up Mario onto the metal bracket of the laser wall as it moves towards him and performing the Z-jumping glitch, or alternatively using a Life Shroom,[24] Mario will clip through the first laser wall. Running to the right while both barriers sandwich Mario will gain him access to the safe. Finally, the bars that cage the Star Block can be jumped above with a precise diagonal jump, due to an oversight with their collision. | This Pixl heard all about your adventures while waiting in Merlee's Mansion. Slim the slimming Pixl is now your friend! |
Carrie skipChapter 3-4 |
The player is meant to rescue Carrie from the dungeon to get across the spike floor and obtain one of two keys required to reach Francis. It is possible to cross the gap using Thudley Jumps, though it is difficult. Alternatively, the player can use the Gold Bar clipping glitch to go out of bounds and simply go around the spike floor. | This Pixl heard all about your adventures while waiting in Fort Francis. Carrie the carrying Pixl is now your friend! |
Dottie skipChapter 5-4 |
The key card used to reach O'Chunks is separated by a tiny corridor. Normally, this requires first obtaining Dottie and using her shrink ability, but landing on a Gold Bar next to the wall while using Slim as Bowser, then switching to Mario and ducking allows the player to slide into the corridor without Dottie.[25] She can also be avoided by circumventing the scanner without a Floro Sprout. | This Pixl heard all about your adventures while waiting in the Floro Sapien Caverns. Dottie the minimizing Pixl is now your friend! |
Rainbow Bridge skip
Warning! Performing this action may corrupt your game's save file.
In chapter 7-4 The Overthere, the intended progression is to collect the three orbs and use them to construct a rainbow bridge. However, this gap can instead be crossed using Thudley Jumps.[17] Attempting to return to the level afterwards and enter certain rooms related to the orbs will freeze the game.
Ruins key early glitch
In chapter 1-4 Yold Ruins, there is a Key surrounded by blocks removed by a blue switch found in another room. If the player instead performs a corner clip and navigates to the left seam of the room, they can jump into the block structure and obtain the key early.
Sammer Guy fight skips
Most fights in the Sammer Kingdom cannot be skipped, as even after avoiding the trigger to start battling, the exit door is already locked. However, for unknown reasons, the rooms with cutscenes after the battle do not share this behavior. This makes it possible to skip Fights 17 and 20, using either corner clips or the Gold Bar clipping glitch.
In addition, most Sammer Guy fights can be skipped by clipping beneath the stage, then jumping and using Thoreau to grab the Sammer Guy before landing. This causes the game to defeat the held enemy which ends the fight during the cutscene. In order to not softlock with this method, the player should wait for the second dialogue box to appear before advancing through the textboxes, allowing one to be closed when the round is about to begin.[26]
Scanner skip
In chapter 5-4 Floro Caverns, the intended progression is to locate and recruit Dottie, collect a key card and fight O'Chunks to obtain a Floro Sprout and walk through the scanner. There is a complex tool-assisted setup,[27] however, the Gold Bar clipping glitch can be used to accomplish a similar feat.[28] The skip is performed by using the Gold Bar clipping glitch against the wall next to the entrance door, and lining up on the seam and performing a Fleep Ledge Cancel to enter the exit door from afar, bypassing the scanner completely.[29]
Note: This skip requires a more tedious setup when playing the game at 50 FPS, due to differences in fall speed and the Fleep cancel glitch being fixed on PAL releases.
Water switch skip
In the first visit to The Underwhere, the path to unite with Luigi is a waterway that normally must be drained and refilled multiple times. However, it is possible to use 3-D damage to clip through a corner and swim out of bounds both getting to Luigi and when leaving the area.[30]
References
- ^ ZanyWitch7 (Feb 22, 2011). Super Paper Mario: Mr. L Battle w/ Music Glitch YouTube. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ PTL (May 15, 2020). SPM Tiptron Sound Glitch YouTube. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ Ryan Steddy (September 20, 2007). Super Paper Mario Recall. Nintendo Life. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ^ Zaku! (October 28, 2021). Fleep Ledge Cancel (Shroom Trap + Save Crash) YouTube. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ Lucatso King. Commented about ground pound softlock in a YouTube glitch catalogue video.
- ^ Zaku! (October 28, 2021). A Sammer Guy of Immense Determination YouTube. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ AuraChannelerChris (September 2, 2013). Sammer's Kingdom Glitch YouTube. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ Zaku! (November 7, 2021). Fleep Star Block Softlock YouTube. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ Zaku! (November 19, 2023). Pivoting with Luigi Super Jump (Boomer Trick) YouTube. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ Zaku! (November 20, 2023). Pivoting with Fleep YouTube. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ Zaku (July 14, 2024). Pivoting with Moving Platforms & Cudge YouTube. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ bRADynelson (June 27, 2007). Super Paper Mario Swimming Backwards Glitch YouTube. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
- ^ MJ, the Spirit (August 13, 2019). Found a new way to crash the game! Squog crash YouTube. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ Invisible Flipside glitch
- ^ MrCattyWolf. Commented about the wrong palette in a YouTube glitch catalogue video.
- ^ Moonrise (September 28, 2024). "NPCs in 3d dont have their position reset correctly if you use thoreau on them, meaning you can move them around the room freely" Posted to SPM Speedrunning Discord. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i TheWario (June 25, 2011). some glitches I found while I was doing a non-TAS run. TASVideos. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ Zaku! (October 27, 2021). Unused Ladder Animation Ingame! via Fleep Ledge Cancel YouTube. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ Igrmi (October 1, 2021). Posted universal Gold Bar Clip discovery to SPM Speedrunning Discord. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ zilence (October 7, 2021). Posted Super Boomer discovery to SPM Speedrunning Discord. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ mohoc _ (Oct 25, 2019). 3-3 tree inside skip YouTube. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ zilence (October 28, 2021). Norlem cutscene skip has become a bit faster now thanks to Zile finding this! Twitter. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ mohoc and roblox8192 (May 7, 2019). Posted position and setup discoveries respectively to SPM Speedrunning Discord. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ MaturedSinner (Sep 2, 2013). 2-3 Laser Skip Without Slim YouTube. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ JohnP55 (May 22, 2020). 5-4 Dottie Skip YouTube. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ Igrmi (January 10, 2023). Posted Sammer Guy skip (Thoreau method) to SPM Speedrunning Discord.
- ^ JohnP55 and roblox8192 (July 12, 2020). Scanner Skip YouTube. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ JohnP55 (October 1, 2020). Scanner Skip RTA Has Been Found YouTube. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ roblox8192 (October 28, 2021). SPM Scanner Skip with Fleep YouTube. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ NMFlash8 (April 27, 2018). SPM - 100% - "I just did Water Switch Skip" Twitch. Retrieved 1 March 2022.