The 95% Rule - Mario Kart Wii's Hidden Fail-Safe

In this video, I explain one recently conceived theory on how the checkpoint system works in its entirety.
Footage used in this video:
Luigi Circuit TAS by Malleo, Monster, Rocky, and Thomas: • (TAS) Luigi Circuit (S...
N64 Mario Raceway Flap TAS by Rocky: • [MKW TAS] N64 Mario Ra...
Coconut Mall TAS by Estaloy, Delta, and SwareJonge: • [MKWii TAS] Coconut Ma...
Maple Treeway TAS by Malleo, Luke, SwareJonge, RS, Rocky, and Thomas: • (TAS) Maple Treeway - ...
My Old Coconut Mall WR: • [MKW] Coconut Mall - 0...
Takemi's 33.334: • [MKW] Coconut Mall - 0...
Music used in this video:
Sonic Heroes - Ocean Palace
Donkey Kong Country 2 - Flight of the Zinger
Super Mario 64 - File Select
Frogger's Adventures: The Rescue - Molten Island Boss
Frogger's Adventures: The Rescue - Metro Mayhem Level 1
Paper Mario: TTYD - Pennington's Mystery
Sonic Mania - Studiopolis Zone Act 1
Super Paper Mario - Castle Bleck
Sonic Mania - Lava Reef Zone Act 1
Paper Mario: TTYD - Goodbye, Rogueport

[@ArsonRaboot]

"let's say we start at the finish line." Woah buddy I'm not the target audience for this.

[@pointpoint8445]

I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I guess I’m interested?

[@aturchomicz821]

Uhh I dont get it

[@user-hw4vf2sf9r]

Yeah who even wears shoes

[@cursedcancersurvivor]

Slow down there, Copernicus.

[@dezcubing5844]

3:25

[@superwooper5210]

You know they're going to get technical when they use the Mario 64 File Select song.

[@TheVeyron623]

"But first, we need to talk about Parallel Universes."

[@thomashanson3476]

Qpu realignment

[@MunkyCh33ze]

Papa pannen? Is that you? It's been ages!

[@skeetum2695]

TheVeyron623 help me I'm qpu misaligned how did i get here help me i can't see anything

[@TheUKNutter]

“After all, we do need to gain speed for 22 hours”

[@SCMabridged]

So, basically: Mario Kart Wii: Wo, wo, woo, hold up, there's something fishy going on here; I'm not going to count the lap. Mario Kart Wii: I see no problem here; add another perfectly-legitimate lap!

[@caseysunderland4927]

Thank you for the translation

[@vincenzofranchelli2201]

i think it was implemented to avoid some of the glitches in earlier games where u could just hop around at the finish line and instantly complete laps. they were more worried about someone somehow going from 1.01 to 1.99 instantly. if they were considering using that failsafe to block all shortcuts they couldve just made it block anything with 0.5 or even less completion and mkw would have no glitches

[@5MadMovieMakers]

I watched at least 95% of this video

[@jahdzki7490]

5MadMovieMakers same

[@Fig_Bender]

I speedran this video

[@NomoregoodnamesD8]

I only watched 4.9% of this video and jumped to the end. It didn't count

[@NStripleseven]

I removed 95% of my watch time.

[@ExtremeWreck]

@@Fig_Bender XD

[@TWD98]

This was always the one glitch that made very little sense to me, great video, Malleo!

[@marcosgutman6349]

Troy doing his homework

[@copper803]

Troy is the biggest mkwii youtuber Doesn't like super grinds Man troy truly doesn't show off too much

[@Diriector_Doc]

I love you trooooooy!

[@thecatmangaming5503]

Hey TROY!

[@doshalot7267]

Troy is a noob?? Confirmed OMG

[@naverilllang]

Nintendo: Alright guys, this is a phenomenal game we have made, but we need some way to prevent game breaking shortcuts Some guy: What if we make it so that shortcuts that take off more than a certain percentage of the lap don't count? Nintendo: Great idea! what percentage of the lap should players be required to complete? Guy: Five percent seems fair Nintendo: Guy: Everyone else: Nintendo: Works for me

[@owenkile6042]

Nathan Lang 95% is the general statistically significant number Vincennes is my guess as of why

[@jakeob28]

@@owenkile6042 Pretty sure Malleo got the reason wrong, and it's just there to prevent going backwards and counting a lap. Notice how when he doesn't get 95% the lap count jumps back by 1

[@owenkile6042]

Jake O'Brien oh I see

[@UltraLuigi2401]

@@jakeob28 I wonder if that means that going fast enough to go backwards more than 5% in one frame would count a lap.

[@nikosquared4123]

UltraLuigi I bet it’ll work if we build up speed for 12 hours

[@AlgernonCSwinburne]

I just renewed my degree in MKWii Checkpointology last night, what luck. Oh, and shoutouts to Pannen.

[@Neightr0]

Came here to say the same about Pannen. :D

[@rodimusmaximus3912]

*Shoutouts to simpleflips

[@Psychomaniac14]

*pannenkoek2012 intensifies*

[@nikoflow_fm9541]

@Mark MK Him because he talked about mkwii checkpoint degrees smh

[@Neightr0]

P A R A L L E L U N I V E R S E S

[@TheLaXandro]

2:40 oh yeah babe, maximum technical explaining music is ON

[@Vextrove]

Pannenkoek2012

[@bryanl6828]

Half an a press

[@Ifeno]

Coconut Mall completed in 2.5 mushroom boosts.

[@hieronymusnervig8712]

Sometimes, when learning math I think about MK Wii speedrunning science and I shiver and go back into the comfortable world of set theory, analysis, graphs and co.

[@cataclyx]

Hieronmus Nervig honestly tho

[@pointlesslylukesplainingpo1200]

90% of my calculus work is easier to understand than this shit lol

[@Dimitri_gdr]

@@pointlesslylukesplainingpo1200 😂

[@ramoelleusrs6678]

Could it be, that the 95% rule was implemented to avoid people going backwards through the finish line to the last checkpoint for the lap count?

[@ChristoMC03]

The game already has measures in place for that. If you go backwards over the line, the game takes a note and puts you back into the previous lap (without telling you)

[@ramoelleusrs6678]

Christo_MC But this might be how the game does it. You go from position ~0 to position ~100. Skipping more than 95%. It subtracts your lap number.

[@ChristoMC03]

You know what, you're right! Thanks for explaining that.

[@marcosgutman6349]

It probably is! Good thinking!

[@sypwn]

This makes far more sense than Malleo's reasoning of it being an anti-glitch mechanic. Why would Nintendo go to all the trouble to write this check to prevent unexpected shortcuts, only to leave the threshold at a whopping 95%? It should be no more than the percent distance of the two furthest key checkpoints in the game (30-40%?) if that was the goal.

[@TJ-Henry-Yoshi]

Remarkable discovery! I'm loving these new videos!

[@NelliSw]

A lap count is a lap count, you can't say its only 95%

[@catchara1496]

@@NelliSw and the memes roll in

[@xdeathcon]

I doubt TJ "Henry" Yoshi will ever be able to escape the memes lol

[@anonymousanonymous6214]

Probably not

[@tabnk2]

x DeathCon not anymore

[@Malleo]

I hope the change in audio quality isn't too bad. My microphone is starting to become faulty and it's seeing its last days. I have a new microphone on the way so future videos will have better audio.

[@CSharp__]

It's not terrible, its just your music is a bit on the loud side.

[@henrg]

Didnt notice it.

[@G.Aaron.Fisher]

Could you put a link in the description to the previous video you're referencing. It sounds like it's important to see first, but I couldn't find any easy way to navigate to it.

[@JayMemer194]

Congrats on 15k dude!

[@eudaimonistic]

Your microphone sounds fine IMO, but you might benefit somewhat from a slightly lowered balance across all sources. Your voice carries pretty well on it's own and music for example could serve better as an undertone and not at times competing with your voice. I offer this feedback because this video was absolutely fantastic in my eyes. I didn't pause the video or get distracted by other things, and immediately wanted to come to the comment section to say, "Today in awesome TAS knowledge I didn't know I needed but am grateful to stumble upon" and that says a lot about the effort you put into making this. Great insight into the MKW community too. Hit the like/subscribe pretty fast. Looking forward to seeing more from you.

[@listentomerantaboutuseless34]

I find it funny that they hard coded a fail safe to prevent ultra shortcuts from existing with this 95% rule, but it doesnt matter because most of the final key checkpoints are less than 95% through the stage.

[@darkdogzstudioz]

I dont think it was prevent ultra shortcuts. I think it was more to prevent a regular player who doesn't do this kind of advance gamebreaking speedrunning type stuff,from just rolling back and forward over the finish line a bunch of times. I mean this is the company that kept all the speedrunner glitches in the re-release of ocarina of time because they think it's cool that people learned to do that. lol

[@vincenzofranchelli2201]

it was to stop the glitch from previous games where ud just stay at the finish line do some manouvers and complete the laps

[@protonicnova]

I love how the Mario 64 file select music has become the official theme song for explaining obscure mechanics from Mario games, Pannen has truly defined a genre

[@Jumpyluff]

Why did they choose 95%? If it was to prevent cheating, 95% is still heavily abuse-able. Wouldn't something like 50% be okay? Are there any intended shortcuts that even skip that much?

[@JGB_iw]

the heck are you doing here jumpy small world dang

[@SuprRooster]

If you were to put a 50% you could potentially skip less areas, therefore the counter needs more values between checkpoints.

[@ramoelleusrs6678]

The 95% rule might not be meant as a failsafe, but instead how the game keeps track of you going behind through the finish line. I register your position increased by more than 95%, and subtracts the lap. The developers made a mistake that let ultra shortcuts be possible, but these shortcuts were never intended, so they didn't take time to create a failsafe for it. It just bites you in the back for CM ultra SC. This is all just speculation.

[@dracibatic2433]

Thanks for commenting. Now i dont have to watch the 16 minute version of the explanation

[@ramoelleusrs6678]

Dracibatic Would still recommend watching.

[@ragourus]

I think its so cool that this is being found out almost 11 years after the game came out, just the fact that no data miners or all the people developing strategies hadn't stumbled upon it years ago.

[@KlazGuy]

My ears: SM64 File Selection My eyes: An image of how things work My brain: WATCH FOR ROLLING ROCKS IN 0.5x A PRESSES - COMMENTED

[@acro9779]

@@Creeperboy099 TJ "Henry" Yoshi

[@inte4691]

Zol Sukhee TJ """"""""""Henry"""""""""" Yoshi needs to update his home to the death barrier

[@josephmyers2133]

You should explain quantum mechanic theories in the game at the subatomic level

[@randompianist8359]

Justin Hung not sure if ur joking or not but iirc there actually is some shit relating/referred to as quantum mechanics in mkwiis engine lol

[@narobii9815]

so like sub pixel manipulation, pretty sure that is a bigger thing in og super mario bros.

[@JorisMKW]

This is so interesting! Great job on finding this ;D Just crazy how in 2019 we still learn new things about this game..

[@cwigget8930]

Right

[@dijek]

3:06 is when Malleo transforms into Summoning Salt

[@cwigget8930]

This gives me summoning salt flashbacks

[@hudsonc466]

C Wigget same

[@emiliosanchez4610]

Really just felt like a recap for a while.

[@KevSB07]

@@emiliosanchez4610 Because he really couldn't just bank on the fact that everyone watching has watched and remembers well enough Summoning Slat's video.

[@missingno-xk7kp]

Absolutely

[@Lucas-pe6mf]

What to study for the test: Coconut mall What I studied: 95% rule What's on the test: 5% rule What I remember during the test: Mario 64 selection screen

[@TheSupremeRk9s]

Loved this!! Nice job explaining it dude MKWii is so wild omg

[@dsifriend]

I noticed that TTYD outro music, Malleo... stop teasing us and reveal Blimp ticket skip already!

[@missingno-xk7kp]

Never played ttyd but one song in there was from super paper mario as well

[@troit1550]

@@krs-two4329 N E V E R

[@SeraphOC]

@@missingno-xk7kp Specifically, i believe 8-2 or 8-3.

[@LazyBoi357]

"But first, we need to talk about key checkpoints..."

[@LMC_Jarred]

Some of this definitely goes over my head, as even though I'm currently studying computer science in college, speedrunning seems pretty disconnected from my field, lol. That said, I wanted to sincerely applaud your presentation of this information. You formatted your script for this video really well in my opinion, presenting facts, details, exceptions, etc. all in the proper order with great pacing. Well done, sir.

[@FireGazerR]

Had this video show up randomly in my autoplay list. Never played Mario Kart Wii, wasn't even watching a Nintendo video, but ultimately stuck around for that sweet ocean palace music. Now I know all about the super shortcuts, and checkpoint mechanics for a game I will likely never play. Kudos for getting me to stick around for so long. :)

[@Zudexa]

I don't speedrun MKW why am I watching this lol

[@TheNamesSnek]

because it's interesting

[@ExtremeWreck]

@@TheNamesSnek Agreed :).

[@LPS4dow]

It‘s so stunning that you guys are capable to pull off new records as a #TASgang. Have lots of admiration for you and thanks for holding this awesome game alive 👍🏽 Cheers!

[@logandihel]

I love how the tas speed run community is able to find every minor glitch in the game and exploit them at levels Nintendo never dreamed possible. I'd love to see more videos of these types of glitches in other games!

[@Blaze850]

Once again, amazing job on the video! Ever since the wall clip lap count strat was found on Coconut Mall, the way the last key checkpoint seemingly moved around depending on when you trigger the lap count was always infuriating, so it's great that the last piece to the checkpoint puzzle has finally been solved. Really shows that new stuff is still out there, hiding in the code, waiting to be found found 10+ years after the game's release.

[@GambeTama]

You know a video is fascinating when it makes you really interested in pedantic math. Not just math, PEDANTIC MATH. Good job!

[@SuprRooster]

I think I understand this better. I tried making something similar in a program where you needed to go through some checkpoints and keep track of your movement. However, it seems MKWii uses the movement track "locally" and "globally" to update it as soon as you touch a checkpoint and a part of the track. There is a certain reason why it is 5% on Coconut Mall and, I believe, that is because the last key checkpoint expects you to come from the previous checkpoint (that is not loaded) at a value of .05 more or less (theorically reaching previous trigger at .90 while reaching the last checkpoint at .95). The reason why GV always counts .83 is because that's the distance you're in, not because you made .83 in a circle. Every key checkpoint in the game updates the "global" tracker with an approximate number based on the distance, while at the same time checking your "local" tracker to confirm any oddities.

[@radioactivejackal]

I love niche discoveries like this. You’re doing excellent work with this game and I can respect that.

[@AmberSkitty3]

2:40 but first we need to talk about parallel universes

[@MonsterUpTheStairs]

Hey Malleo! Really nice video, love seeing these explanations from you :) Just one thing: I had to watch the 4.9% rule part twice to get what you wanted to say. Maybe 30 seconds more to explain what the 4.9% rule was about would have made it clearer. Otherwise, great work! Looking forward to the next video

[@henke37]

Or why not a clear, formal, statement on screen?

[@logert3921]

You did this very well, it reminded me of a summoning salt video. I look forward to more videos in the future; keep up the good work!

[@Baby_boodle]

Very fun to watch! I've never been a bonafide speedrunner, but these deep dives into mechanics or glitches always interest me, and you presented it in a very appealing way.

[@placeholder1308]

Love how you use the Mario 64 file screen theme when you explain something technical as a non-blatant nod to pannenkoek

[@AlphaCore_]

Finally KZbin recommendation doing the right thing. This is something that I'm interested in AND something I want to watch. Also, great video, dude!

[@josephmyers2133]

One would never imagine that such detail was incorporated into the game back when it was created

[@viridisspielt]

Great video, and awesome choice of music!

[@TheEclipsedLock]

This is some amazing work and research into this, fantastic video!

[@Fulag]

Great job discovering all this stuff, really good video ! Keep up the good work

[@sammichu1906]

Quick thing to note is that at 4:05 you don't need to do the ultra shortcut like that, if you turn around as soon as the race begins and shroom into the lava behind the starting line, you spawn at the last ramp before the starting line, from there do a stand still mini turbo and go off the ramp and onto the rock, from there do the ultra shortcut as normal and then you hopefully will have done it successfully. This allows you to do the grumble volcano ultra shortcut as most characters/vehicles

[@theokurpierz]

Wait. Dude. This is so cool! Really great job for finally finding this!

[@Cooltrix]

I'm loving this type of video, keep it up!

[@nikoflow_fm9541]

I really like this style of informational video... mkwii definitely needs more of these- heard zak is working on a tech video, can't wait for that too!

[@k123ason]

I was watching a tuba performance, how did this show up on my recommended?

[@electrictiti]

Very interesting. I find it amazing that after this many years we are still finding how the game works, thanks a lot for this video!

[@Fuzzthefurr]

That's some good information that will doubtless assist future attempts at glitches on this game. Good job.

[@eGilla]

Please start a series on in depth analysis of interesting glitch mechanics in different games. Id watch that

[@johnathanrichardson]

when i was a kid i saw somebody do the grumble volcano glitch on the world records and i was really confused. i tried to copy what he did and i actually managed to get it to work. i never understood why it worked though and its really nice to finally have an explanation.

[@MellorineKnight]

I don't even speedrun or play this game, but your explanation is a joy to listen to.

[@Wingcapman]

That's pretty interesting...! The more knowledge, the better. Thanks for finding this out and thanks for sharing. :)

[@joses5292]

You might have skipped 95% of the map, but you got 100% of the details. Awesome video

[@jojotansey9510]

We love you malleo! So glad to see a new vid :)

[@Flesox73]

Very interesting video, good Job Malleo👍

[@rockoman100]

Your music choice in this video is making me cry of nostalgia. Oh my god, castle bleck!

[@arman1313]

so basically the devs made a failsafe they didn't know how to use

[@aggroknight4259]

SuperSniperMan1134 I wouldn't expect anything more from the makers of such an atrocious game.

[@jigglybuff7505]

How to die from alcohol poisoning: Take a shot every time he says "checkpoint" NOTE: If you want the process to be faster, also take a shot every time he says "key"

[@ramoelleusrs6678]

95%+5%=100%

[@renakunisaki]

That's how mathia works.

[@gyra732]

Shaggy created the checkpoint system

[@aidenhanson884]

Illuminati confirmed

[@timvideo326]

I was born in the right generation.

[@midas8877]

a

[@JPGaming1]

If you could explain the correlation between speed, momentum, and wallclips

[@flamingpaper7751]

Where can I find the checkpoint maps for all courses in this game? I want to see how all ultra shortcuts work and maybe even be able to improve records if I start speedrunning this game

[@hornyperson9602]

I dunno I just watch here

[@lukenawrocki5042]

Hasło Tomasz why the heck would you comment if you didn’t know? 😂

[@PhilTruthborne]

Always nice to come across a speedrun science video every now and then

[@wulfherecyning1282]

TASser? Check. Mario game? Check. Messing with way game determines position? Check. *Mario 64 File Select Music?* Check. Perfection.

[@Runningwritingreading]

I don't follow MKWii at all, nor did I know about most of these glitches, but this is incredible and very entertaining!

[@kakaaaaaaaaaapups]

Some fresh Pannenkoek vibes going on here

[@LetsPlayKeldeo]

Thats so great to learn here ! Love thos vids keep it up !

[@darrylhurtt4270]

DAAAAAAAMN Fine Music selection, sir.

[@nathangamble125]

2:40 The best music for explaining obscenely complicated mario glitch mechanics!

[@togawe]

Randomly found this video and this is super cool! Subbed :D

[@dyssil249]

This entire video went over my head but I still enjoyed it

[@millieblyth155]

I think it’s insane how the grumble volcano trick only cuts like 83%... I thought it would be something like 97 🤨

[@korben669]

Malleo: "this 95% rule isnt useful on any other track: rsl glitch: And i took that personally

[@thatvidwasweet]

I probably haven't played Mario Kart Wii since Mario Kart 8 came out, but these videos are fascinating!

[@NickCasper]

Thanks Malleo, I've been curious about this

[@dandyfeller]

Take a shot every time the phrase "key checkpoint" is uttered.

[@anonymousanonymous6214]

*dies of alcohol poisoning*

[@missingno-xk7kp]

Goes broke buying fireball

[@jayjay86443]

Well that didn't last long. At least I only had 70 proof whiskey. If I had Evan Williams, I would've died.

[@dandyfeller]

Extended Oof 10 hours

[@Daniel-bj3if]

Mkwii a game I played when I was five Never though a checkpoint system could be so complex

[@zDevil753]

you deserve more subscribers. great video :).

[@HottieTobby]

im so happy to see more and more of this stuff on youtube

[@glitchy_weasel]

Awesome video!

[@ianmoore5502]

*starts with ocean palace by crush 40* Yeah this video is gonna be good.

[@madisonhudak8626]

These speedrun videos are so incredibly interesting

[@GaelLazerYT]

realy nicely explaned man nice job

[@mkdasher]

that's super weird. Great video with the explanation!

[@DavesDomeTube]

Very detailed and well explained video. Thanks kind sir.

[@cucumbersalad9063]

Oh and thank you for using Frogger 2 music! its bringing me back

[@cucumbersalad9063]

S U N K E N T E M P L E

[@brony4869]

wow, its facinating that even after a decade, people are still learning new things about these older games

[@dylanfrasher6781]

I purposely skipped the ad so you would not get any money, eric told me tooo

[@homermartin1]

Awesome video! Maybe you could make a video about the history and evolution about some tas strats ;)

[@kylelevy2534]

So intriguing! I remember playing this map... if only I knew this lol. 10/10 vid

[@will9788]

Summoning salt does a great video on ultra shortcuts and the check point explaination is very good

[@KooperMKW]

Really interesting concept here! Also 13:50 Ds Desert Hills does have an ultra now if I’m not mistaken.

[@goombaboi1542]

Epic video bro!!!!

[@marcobonera838]

Using The same music pannenkokek used is a touch of class.

[@VestedUTuber]

This does actually change a few things. It means we can now accurately predict which tracks that don't already have ultra shortcuts could still have them and which tracks definitely do not have ultra shortcuts simply based on lap completion values at the final key checkpoint.

[@pr1mord1al]

i dont even care about mario cart i just love hearing about how games work and deal with unexpected things

[@StepBaum]

awesome vidoe man

[@pausmth]

Never played this, only knew about it from summoning salt and I have to say this is fucking incredible work. Damn that's amazing, I love the speed community. Keep up the cool work!