Hazy Maze Cave is actually horrifying... (Super Mario 64 Theory)

Hazy Maze Cave is one of my absolute favorite Mario 64 levels, but on closer inspection, it seems to have quite an intriguing yet disturbing history. Come along and witness the story of Hazy Maze Cave as pieced together by this idiot right here!
And thanks Booscaster for ripping the textures that I used and uploading them to textures resource!

[@fders938]

Fun fact: In the game's code, Hazy Maze Cave is internally known as "Horror Dungeon", so this was likely the intended atmosphere for the level. Also, minorly interesting and barely relevant fun fact: "Cave Dungeon" is the name of a scrapped beta level, which was then overwritten by a test level and then deleted from the final game (level #38 in the level select). This was likely the predecessor to Hazy Maze Cave and was the origin of the underground theme. That's why Hazy Maze Cave's official theme is named "Cave Dungeon", as seen in 3D All-Stars.

[@SplattyDS]

huh interesting, in SM64DS: the level is called "Cave" internally the music files are called "DUNGEON" (probably an unrelated name for the music itself) the sound group for HMC is called "YAMI" (apparently means darkness in Japanese)

[@StevenJones851]

Interesting nice to know

[@distractioncat7285]

lunch

[@PhilipGamez]

What’s funny is the Player’s Guide for Super Mario 64 takes note of that sign clarifying that Dorrie won’t eat you! An interesting fact I thought I’d mention! 😬😬😬

[@mellieg.7543]

I actually love this theory about a civilization from the cave. It got me thinking, mushrooms love damp environments, what if the explorers who dared to venture to the outside world are the ancestors of toads?

[@CafeCharlie]

Oh yeah that's a good point!

[@mellieg.7543]

​@@CafeCharlie We need answers, Nintendo. Where did the toads come from????

[@Naiverine]

Hmm, this gave me a interesting idea for a hack of sorts

[@KingYoshi93]

0:40 "There's someone working down here or at least there was". Ah, similar to Joley Roger Bay actually. The worlds all have lore yet they all seem abandoned. It does add to what I love about SM64 but sometimes I wonder what it'd be like if it were more like Odyssey where there are actually NPCs/inhabitants present.

[@Jose10614]

Actually your thinking of Wet-Dry World, where there is an abandoned town in that course. Jolly Roger Bay is an underwater course that has a sunken ship. I’d love to know more know about what happened to that ship in Jolly Roger Bay though! SM64 is a very interesting and mysterious game! As a kid I just played the game because I love it so much(and still do to this day) but as an adult I’d love to know more about the lore of each course just like this video about Hazy Maze Cave!

[@ethy_bates_art]

2:29 blew my mind! I never really thought this hard into it as a kid, but the various signs indicating people were monitoring or maintaining these abandoned mines and service shafts always intrigued me as well as the 'work in progress' nature of much of the constructions. What if the snufits are the ghosts of the missing miners with gas masks? makes you think! subscribed

[@GhabulousGhoti]

Yo that CGI model of the ancient city was awesome! Did you make that yourself?

[@CafeCharlie]

Yes I did, thank you very much!

[@GhabulousGhoti]

@@CafeCharlie You're welcome, you really nailed that weird 90's CGI look that defines Mario 64's visuals.

[@trippin2834]

i love the quality and effort you put into your videos

[@MrAnthoniii]

Thanks for scaring me! 😃

[@RealHalcyon]

Talking about mining I think I found a hidden gem in the deep caverns of KZbin

[@CafeCharlie]

Thanks!

[@StoneColdBowlingBall]

I'm thinking about some day making a sequel to Super Mario 64 that expands all of the courses and adds onto levels that just didn't do it for me and filling in where the levels end too soon. Hazy Maze Cave is a very atmospheric level and the underground town turned into a sinkhole is a very interesting and fun idea. And the old ruined village could work in an actual game, just make a simple portal wall in the stage and wham-o you're back in the past. How beautiful. You've truly inspired me, you own my credit for this creative project on making Super Mario 64 a full fledged world.

[@julianx2rl]

That's some serious* camera work.

[@peterengland8131]

You have an amazing imagination.

[@squibbley6]

I never made this connection before. It would be cool if Nintendo referenced it in some way later on.

[@OrangeBunt]

Your videos are sick! You kind of remind me of Scott the woz’s younger brother or something, diving into more niche topics, it’s epic!

[@CafeCharlie]

Thank you, that means alot!

[@joshslater2426]

Most levels in Mario 64 are unsettling and creepy. HMC is up there with Wet Dry World and Big Boo’s Haunt. Someone was working in the cave, but has either given up or is taking the day off whenever you play the level. All that’s left is Dorrie and random enemies.

[@gommyboi380]

Mans is really franchising out here

[@NatetheNintendofan]

Well people do say Mario is a demigod he sure has the strength of one

[@Bubbafanforever]

Can you do dire dire docks next

[@GraniteStateVictoria]

First I heard this theory, I like it! I think maybe some of the cave people stayed behind and didn't go back, those who stayed on the surface became Toads.

[@hatkidshawn4952]

Love this theory I also found another theory that says Hmc is an abandoned mineshaft Did YT delete my other comment?

[@CafeCharlie]

Thanks! And yeah I don't see another comment by you.

[@hatkidshawn4952]

@@CafeCharlie YT Deleted my comment again. Any way else I can share with you the link to the theory site? It's a good site with many other rabbit hole theories.

[@CafeCharlie]

@@hatkidshawn4952 Maybe split the URL up with spaces or something

[@scotgrig6840]

Favorite level music in the game

[@KingYoshi93]

Your second cafe? I thought your default background was just a desk. But now the coffee machine makes sense... as well as the name of the channel. 😅

[@CafeCharlie]

My old background was just a desk lol, but I've got a new one as of the MK8 details video last week. It actually resembles a cafe now lol.

[@aljoshuahell131]

HMC is the castles sewer sytem

[@seivax_mkw6756]

Why does this not have more views! So entertaining to watch!

[@supernintendobros9596]

that's Just a game theory

[@peenurmobile]

this level has my favorite song in the game, it's just so chill and fits the level very well. it feels almost surreal, like i was somewhere i wasn't supposed to be, not meant to be found. thanks for making this i enjoyed it!!

[@CafeCharlie]

I think it's my favorite song too, maybe tied with Dire Dire Docks.

[@peenurmobile]

@@CafeCharlie definitely a tie!

Whoa, this is something else! Great camera work and amazing ancient city model!

[@CafeCharlie]

Thank you!

[@Kameron87]

Gotta love head canon.

[@randyrhoades8751]

I would like to see similar content that captures similar details I missed in the SM64 levels! Because I never thought to question why the doors had those symbols on them! Now it sort of makes sense.

[@pidza_hub7532]

where's that meme of spongebob on the kiddie coaster when i need it

[@themariomaster5207]

I haven't watched you to much lately, i forgot about this channel.😢 Sorry!

[@CafeCharlie]

Don't worry lol, I just appreciate you checking in!

[@tamperedtrap]

this is fun! ill definitely be thinking about this next time i travel down there

[@GPotatoGD]

neat

[@growlie2676]

????

[@SplattyDS]

Great video as always! Maybe I could use some of your lore in my SM64DS hack.

[@CafeCharlie]

Thanks, that would be awesome!

[@AustynL]

nice, there are not nearly as may 64 ds hacks as there should be

[@NerkMineRaiste]

Thank you, again a super video

[@CafeCharlie]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@NatetheNintendofan]

You are like swankybox

[@distractioncat7285]

lunch

[@AbsnormalCoolest]

munch on lunch

[@HippoEatTortoise]

The toxic maze

[@PaulLeCrone]

Dude your videos rule

[@CafeCharlie]

Hey thanks man!

[@BrainyTB]

This level used to terrify me, Mostly because of dorrie

[@asherjohnson1964]

Spooky

[@adderalladmiral]

no, just no.

[@ariabritton9669]

Not watching, but is this the "septic tank theory"?

[@CafeCharlie]

The disrespect to tell me you won't watch my 6 minute video but to still expect me to reply to your comment on it lol.

[@ariabritton9669]

@@CafeCharlie with that clickbait title? hell nah. thanks for the screenshot though, homie.

[@CafeCharlie]

No problem