One Button Challenge

The One Button Challenge is a challenge where the player is only allowed to use one button on the N64 controller.

(The Joystick does not count as a button, so it can't be used.)

Because we can only use one button, there are tons of restrictions and disadvantages involved with this challenge.

Overall Stars Collectible: 0

Individual Stars Collectible: 3

Usable Buttons

The Nintendo 64 Controller has 14 different buttons.

(Excluding the joystick since it is not a button.)

The D-Pad Buttons

The D-Pad Buttons have no use during normal gameplay, and therefore can't be used to control Mario.

The L Button

The L Button has no use, and therefore can't be used to control Mario.

The R Button

The R Button is used to switch between Lakitu Cam and Mario/Fixed Cam.

While this can sometimes be convenient, it only adjusts the camera and therefore can't be used to control Mario in a useful way.

The C Buttons

The C Buttons allow the player to adjust the camera and enter or exit First-Person Mode.

While entering First-Person mode does change Mario's action, it doesn't let him move in any way, and therefore can't be used to control Mario in a useful way.

The Start Button

The Start Button is used to pause and unpause the game, and therefore can't be used to control Mario.

The A Button

The A Button lets Mario jump.

While jumping is fundamental in normal play, without using the joystick, the A button only lets Mario jump in place, and therefore can't be used to control Mario in a useful way.

The B Button

The B Button lets Mario punch.

Punching moves Mario forward slightly, and therefore can be used to control Mario in a useful way because punching lets him move around.

While the B Button is the only button in the One Button Challenge that actually allows us to collect stars, it still presents tons of restrictions.

The Z Button

The Z Button lets Mario crouch.

While crouching can let Mario backflip, (which we can't do with just the Z Button) and crawl, (which we can't do without using the joystick) we can't do any of these when restricted to just one button, and therefore the Z Button can't be used to control Mario in a useful way.

Disadvantages

Because we can only use one button, there are a ton of disadvantages and restrictions involved using this playstyle. Only disadvantages when using the B Button will be shown since it is the only button that can be used to control Mario in a useful way.

- Our only method of moving forward (i.e. punching) is extremely slow, which leaves Mario vulnerable to enemies and other obstacles that would normally be simple to avoid.

- Mario can only move forward, not backwards.

- Vertical movement can only be done in specific circumstances.

- Mario cannot turn in a reliable way. (e.g. moving the joystick)

- Mario cannot move up slopes in a reliable way. (e.g. Frame Walking or Jump Kicking up slopes)

- We cannot progress through the game in a full-game run, because we can't start the game, or scroll through the starting textboxes. (If we choose start as the button to use.) Therefore, this challenge can only be performed or analyzed on a single-star basis.

- Most courses just result in Mario just reaching a dead-end where he can't move anywhere, or falls to his death.

- Mario cannot use any actions or move while holding objects other than just throwing the object.

- Any kind of platforming is virtually impossible due to not being able to jump or move quickly.

- Mario cannot move to many parts of courses due to the limited movement options we have with just the B Button.

Possible Stars

Only 3 stars have been collected in the One Button Challenge so far, all of which being in Shifting Sand Land.

In the Talons of the Big Bird

By punching into the quicksand near the tornado (which we can't use since we have to be on the first mission to get this star which doesn't have the tornado near the pillar), we can have the Fly Guy hit Mario to redirect his angle towards the pillar, then burn Mario to have him get up the pillar. From there, we can have Mario punch off the pillar to twirl onto the pyramid with a manipulated angle. After punching into the water and redirecting Mario's angle with slopes, we can then use knockback to redirect Mario's angle towards the pillar. After getting redirected a few more times by a Pokey, we can then use the Crazy Box to jump into Klepto, and fall right onto the star. This star takes just over 18 minutes in total.

Shining Atop the Pyramid

By using the tornado to get on the pyramid, we can then use the Fly Guy to burn Mario and have him run up the pyramid next to the small cubby with the star. Then, by punching the wall next to the star over and over for 2 minutes straight, Mario eventually reaches the star to collect it. This star takes over 22 minutes to collect.

100 Coins

We can collect this star by using the Breaking/Disappearing Cork Box Glitch to collect infinite coins, combined with manipulating RNG by punching (to create sand particles) to reach 100 Coins and once again using enemy knockback to redirect Mario's angle. This star takes over 8 hours to collect in total with over 9,000 B Presses. It took Pannenkoek2012 over 3 months to create the TAS for it.