Introduction: Breaking Down Mario Mastery
In the world of competitive gaming, MitchFlowerPower stands in rare air. With dozens of broken world records across every category, Mitch‘s platforming skills in the 1988 NES classic Super Mario Bros 3 remain virtually unmatched over 30 years later.
Speedrunning – completing games quickly under special rules – has exploded in popularity thanks to live streaming. Top performers like Mitch demonstrate the immense depth and mastery possível in even older tile.
In this guide, we will unpack the art and science behind Mitch‘s speedrunning success. We‘ll study SMB3 mechanics and top runner strategies. Analyzing Mitch‘s approach shows how small optimizations compound into utterly untouchable times. Let‘s dive in!
Defining a Speedrunning Legend
MitchFlowerPower first exploded onto the SMB3 scene in 2011, claiming and defending records across all categories. His innovative techniques and deep game knowledge soon made him a household name in speedrunning circles.
After losing the prestigious 100% SMB3 category in 2013, Mitch returned in dominant fashion to reclaim his title. Since then, whether playing 100% runs requiring mastery of all levels or risky Any% runs utilizing every shortcut possível, Mitch has demonstrated rare versatility matched only by consistency.
By examining Mitch‘s play, we gain insight into achieving platforming perfection. Now over to 2,500 hours of SMB3 game time, Mitch makes the impossíbe look routine. Let‘s break down his magic!
The Making of an NES Masterpiece
Before analyzing Mitch‘s speedtech, first some history. The Super Mario series dramatically impacted both platformers and gaming overall. Super Mario Bros 3 built upon its iconic prequel‘s success in nearly every way.
Beyond selling over 18 million copies, SMB3 set new benchmarks for graphics, sound, replayability and innovation. New powerups like the raccoon tail-granting Super Leaf expanded movement options. The overworld map system added hidden secrets and branching level paths. Stylish Princess Toadstool even showcases abilities like the ground pound.
This heavy emphasis on unlocking player creativity and leverage skill established a rewarding skill curve with seemingly limitless potential. Streamlined controls meeting multifaceted level challenged cemented SMB3‘s legacy as a platforming pillar.
It‘s this enduring combination of style and substance that built the foundation enabling modern speedrun innovations – especially from masters like MitchFlowerPower.
Rules of the Road: Speedrunning Gamecategories
The special categories and rulesets governing speedruns deserve explanation given their central impact on strategy:
| Category | Rules | Run Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | Complete all levels properly | Longest runs, about 1 hour |
| Low % | Beat the game with minimum content | Under 5 minutes |
| Glitchless | No coding exploits | 20-30 minutes |
| Any% Warpless | Anything goes but no warp whistles | 25 minutes |
The choice of which category to pursue drastically alters a runner‘s approach. For example, a world record-pace Low % run would intentionally skip powerups that a 100% run would methodically collect in each level.
Understanding categories helps frame the mindsets, incentives and styles of top runners. Now let‘s examine the keys to Mitch‘s personal dominance.
Anatomy of a Record Breaking SMB3 Speedrun
All SMB3 runs require expertise in core mechanics – P-Speed, Clips and Hammer Bros manipulation – that Mitch has clearly mastered:
P-Speed
- By continuously running without stopping, Mario builds up "P-speed" enabling super speed
- Mastering acceleration techniques and maintaining P-speed allows bypassing obstacles
- Critical for both regular levels and overworld route optimization
Clips
- Performing pixel perfect position "clips" into walls triggers glitches that warp Mario ahead
- Clips exploit coding oversights – sliding along walls to skip chunks of levels
- Their precision makes them highly inconsistent risks, even for experts like Mitch
Hammer Bros Manipulation
- Hammer Bros‘ randomized overworld movement directly impacts record viability
- Intricate early game setups like Mitch‘s "Early Hammer Manip" aim to reduce later RNG impact
- If solid RNG alignment in late game occurs by chance, massive time saves are possível
The perfect run balances risk/reward in leveraging these key mechanics. Now let‘s break down Mitch‘s personal strategies.
Mitch‘s Signature Techniques and Strategy
Among the many innovative tricks Mitch employs, these two particularly demonstrate his creative spirit:
Early Hammer Manipulation
One of Mitch‘s biggest contributions to WR progression involves manipulating RNG elements like Hammer Bros using meticulous setups. The "Early Hammer Manip" technique works as follows:
- Upon entering a level, the game timer starts counting individual "frames"
- The frame count when exiting a level partially seeds overworld RNG like Hammer Bros movement
- By exiting on specific frames timed to coin score digits, runners steer RNG in their favor
This initial setup costs time but saves more later by better optimizing overworld movement. In a run where frames decide records, these optimizations prove essential.
Damage Boosting
Veteran SMB3 runners occasionally use Damage Boosts – intentionally taking hits to gain temporary speed increases. Mitch leverages this technique in key spots to maintain pace.
However, sacrificed health from Damage Boosts can complicate later sections if powerdowns occur at inopportune times. Only master class runners can properly balance risk/reward here – a key element of Mitch‘s signature style.
Console Choice Matters Too!
Even the chosen console and ports impacts run viability, as Mitch‘s past rivalry with fellow runner Kirua proved:
| Runner | Platform | Result | Time Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitch | Original NES | Record pace | gains fractional speed from higher NES framerates |
| Kirua | Virtual Console | Slower pace | Loses over 20 seconds by run end |
The original NES version‘s barely faster framerates granted Mitch‘s play a noticeable timing edge that compounded by the late game. This shows how every fraction of a second proves essential at the top runner level.
Level By Level Analysis
Let‘s examine Mitch‘s world record run itself, noting key moments and pivotal strategies across various levels displaying Mitch‘s talents:
1-1
- Only 28 seconds to clear the very first level, thanks to easily maintained P-speed granting a major movement boost immediately
- 72% of the level is skipped solely thanks to leveraging momentum mechanics
5-3
- Uses Damage Boost to barely make a long jump over deadly pits
- If jump failed, not only would time be lost from the death, but losing the powerup before Boom Boom boss would cost additional time
Overworld
- Gets ideal Hammer Bros RNG luck following an Early Hammer Manip setup
- This allows instantly moving between levels without any map movement delays
6-7
- Attempts challenging clip into back wall, misses twice costing over 8 seconds
- Finally succeeds on third try, bypassing nearly the entire castle level
7-2
By carrying P-speed between levels, skips having to separately build momentum up again in the start of 7-2. This allows instantly bursting ahead.
Final Bowser
- Subtly damage boosts off final Bowser hammer hit to launch faster through the bridge to the axe
- Avoids danger narrowly by mere pixels!
Studying MitchflowerPower‘s world record runs highlights the immense skill and situational awareness required to truly master this game. Tiny optimizations in controlling momentum, routing and positioning that would go unnoticed by casual players end up saving half seconds that cumulatively make untouchable record times possível.
Now 30 years removed from SMB3‘s launch, new techniques and shortcuts continue being discovered thanks to dedicated runners like Mitch pushing known boundaries. What fresh records or game-changing tricks will Mitch uncover next? For now, he cements his status among the platforming pantheon not just of SMB3, but gaming history. Give the video a watch and witness genius at work!
