Pause Tech is an intermediate trick used in Super Mario Maker that allows the player to perform various different unintended actions by pausing the game.
As of version 1.46, most variations no longer work, meaning that any level that required them is retroactively impossible.
How It Works[]
Pause Tech exploited a likely coding error that resulted in some entities or actions incorrectly processing (or not processing) in the frames before and after pausing.
Main Variations[]
Delayed Damage[]
Note: This was partially globally patched in Super Mario Maker version 1.46 and fully patched in Super Mario Maker 2.
Pausing just before touching something hazardous allows Mario to move slightly deeper into the hitbox before taking damage.
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Delayed Door/Pipe Entry[]
Note: This was globally patched in Super Mario Maker version 1.46.
Pausing just before entering a door or pipe would delay the entry which allowed the following actions to occur:
- Pick up a POW while standing on it and entering a door.
- Activate a P Switch while standing on it and entering a door.
- Jump while entering a door.
- Unlock a key door while entering a different door, or vice-versa.
- Land on Yoshi after entering.
- Dismount Yoshi after entering.
| Jumping | POW Grab | P Switch Activate | Door Wrong Warp | Yoshi Mount | Yoshi Dismount |
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Delayed Transformation[]
Note: This was globally patched in Super Mario Maker version 1.46.
Pausing just before collecting a power-up will delay the transformation.
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Other Variations[]
Time Save[]
Note: This was patched in Super Mario Maker 2 version 1.0.
On a level with a frame-perfect timer, pausing the game on the last frame will allow the player to save time on their run. This does not allow the player to complete a level when they would have timed-out otherwise and is entirely world record based. Pausing on the last frame will cause the players time to end in .985.
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