A softlock occurs when the game is put into a state where, though it has not crashed or ceased functioning, it has been put into a state from which there is no way to exit without resetting the console.

Known Softlocks

  • Repeatedly bonking within a glitchy wall[1]
  • Getting stuck in a Black Room of Death[2]
  • Activating a death, star, sign text, or painting entrance cutscene at the same time as a specific type of star activation cutscene (mainly item box stars)[3]
  • Being grabbed by Heave-Ho or Chuckya while releasing its clone
  • Being grabbed by Chuckya while in Timestop
  • Being thrown by a Heave-Ho while underwater[4]
  • Collecting a star in vertical wind
  • Activating a star in a PU
  • Talking to Yoshi with negative lives (while having 1000 coins) (J only)[5]
  • Talking to Yoshi while falling off the roof[6]

References

  1. Bonking into a Glitchy Wall in Peach's Castle: https://youtu.be/g7lFIBxsjV0
  2. All Black Rooms of Death: https://youtu.be/pZYHMY6tyeU
  3. MIPS painting softlock: https://youtu.be/IjTY2eo6LZg
  4. Heave Ho Water Softlock: https://youtu.be/vYw0cMVY8as
  5. Talking to Yoshi with negative lives https://youtu.be/AbCSED_FqjA
  6. Yoshi Falls Off the Roof Glitch: https://youtu.be/3UDDdbXaGx0?t=5m40s