One Button Challenge
| One Button Challenge | |||
| Abbreviation | OBC | ||
| Individual stars collectible | 3 | ||
| Overall stars collectible | 0 | ||
| Is beatable | No | ||
| Star Details | |||
| BoB |
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| WF |
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| JRB |
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| CCM |
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| BBH |
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| HMC |
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| LLL |
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| SSL |
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| DDD |
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| SL |
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| WDW |
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| TTM |
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| THI |
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| TTC |
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| RR |
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| Secret |
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| Castle |
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| Bowser |
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The One Button Challenge, OBC for short, is a challenge where the player is only allowed to use one button (e.g. the B Button) on the N64 controller, and you get unlimited presses of that one button. Because we can only use one button, there are tons of restrictions and disadvantages involved with this challenge. The Joystick does not count as a button, so it can't be used.
The One Button Challenge is unique in that it aims to only allow one button, and everything else is off-limits. While in other challenges, like the A Button Challenge, only one button is off-limits, (i.e. the A Button) and everything else is allowed.
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 during normal gameplay 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.
Switching camera modes only adjusts the camera angle and therefore can't be used to control Mario.
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 around and therefore can't be used to control Mario in a useful way.
The Start Button
The Start Button is used to pause 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 move Mario horizontally.
The B Button
The B Button lets Mario punch in water or on land and throw an object while holding it.
Punching moves Mario forward slightly which can be used to control Mario in a useful way because punching lets him move around horizontally.
Even though the B Button is the only usable 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.
- Our only reliable 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 with all the buttons.
- Mario can only move forward with just the B button, not backwards.
- Vertical movement can only be done in specific circumstances.
- Mario can only turn in specific situations. (e.g. getting hit by an enemy)
- Mario can only go up slopes in specific circumstances. (e.g. being burned and running up a slope)
- We cannot progress through the game in a full-game run, because we either can't get past the title screen, (If we choose any other button besides start as the button to use) or scroll through the starting textboxes. (If we choose start as the button to use.) Therefore, this challenge can only be 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 perform 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.
Stars
3 stars have been collected in the One Button Challenge so far, all of which being in Shifting Sand Land.[1]
- SSL - In the Talons of the Big Bird: Since we can't use one of the tornadoes near the four pillars because we have to be on the first mission to get this star, we can instead have a Fly Guy redirect Mario’s angle towards a pillar, then burn Mario to have him run up the pillar. From there, we can have Mario punch off the pillar to land on the Fly Guy and twirl onto the pyramid and land with a precisely manipulated angle. After punching into the water and redirecting Mario's angle with slopes and a Pokey, we can then punch to one of the pillars which is near a Crazy Box. After waiting for Klepto to move into position, we then use the Crazy Box to jump into Klepto, and fall onto the star. This star takes just over 18 minutes in total.[2]
- SSL - Shining Atop the Pyramid: By using the tornado to get onto a pillar, then using a Fly Guy to get on the pyramid, we can then use another Fly Guy to burn Mario and have him run up the pyramid to the small cubby with the star. Because Mario’s angle is facing slightly towards the star, by punching the wall next to the star over and over for 2 minutes straight, Mario eventually gets close enough to the star to collect it. This star takes over 22 minutes to collect.[3]
- SSL - 100 Coins: Because we can’t collect enough coins normally, we instead have to use the Breaking/Disappearing Cork Box Glitch to collect extra coins, combined with manipulating Goomba RNG (to make them move to redirect Mario’s angle) by repeatedly punching or having Mario fall asleep and then wake up (to create sand particles) to help collect enough coins to reach 100. 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.[4]
References
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