The
Super Mario 64: 1995
Prototype is a fictional
prototype of the game for the Nintendo 64, named Super Mario 64.
Not much is known about this prototype, aside from the fact it was VERY experimental, testing out new AI that Nintendo got from another Japanese company, thatallowed the game to change itself to fit one's 'Cognitive Desires', which means this prototype is different on every cartridge. Deisgn wise, it didn't look like your happy-go-lucky Super Mario game. The player model was a
low poly, featureless man. The castle itself was rather eerie, with few light sources, and the basement was an elaborate mess of hallways.
Testers were called in to experiment with the technology, and it was working fine, except from one odd observation. Prolonged exposure to the basement in the prototype casued severe migraines. One tester, when Nintendo
checked in on them after leaving them overnight, they were found in a delusional state, mumbling to themselves, in which they had to be wheeled away to hospital.
New
testers were warned to NOT go to the basement for whatever reason.
After new testers were developing stroke-like symptoms from overexposure, Nintendo stopped new testers coming in, and cut all cartridges with the
personalised AI.
If you've ever played a friend's Super Mario 64 cartridge, and felt something was off, now you know why.
