A Button Challenge
What is the A Button Challenge?
The A Button Challenge is a project being led by the TASer Moosh, in which the aim is to use broken physics, exploits, glitches and avant-garde tech to find the lowest amount of A presses required to beat each of the two games.
SMG ABC Tech
There are many glitches and tricks that are mainly/only used in the A Button Challenge. Here are some examples:
Reverse Gravity Floating
Commonly known as Crystal Floating.
By holding specific angles at certain points after flipping on the top of NPC objects (e.g. most crystals, signs, even enemies in some scenarios), Mario/Luigi will begin floating upwards. This is useful in a couple of stars, such as Sky Station 1. Crystal Floating was discovered by PurpleSun in early 2020. Our knowledge on floating off objects such as crystals is currently very limited, but there is a theory about 'NPC' sphere objects that have a 'push' function to prevent walking on NPCs. This pushing can mess with Mario/Luigi's gravity, typically by slowing down a fall.
Flipbug Raising
By bombarding a Flipbug with Star Bits, its position can be manipulated in our favour to get a bounce off of it and gain height/distance without use of the A button. This is used in many places, such as Tall Trunk 2. Flipbug Raising was discovered by Annoying in late 2018.
Lily Pad Raising
By constantly crouch-spinning the side of a Lily Pad, it will slowly rise into the air for unknown reasons. This can be used in a few places to gain height without having to press the A Button, such as Honeyhive 1. Lily Pad Raising was discovered by Annoying in late 2018.
Goomba Raising
By bombarding a Goomba with Star Bits, it can gradually be raised or hovered across a gap. This can be useful to bring Goombas to places they can't reach so they can be used for bouncing, such as in Rolling Green. Goomba Raising was theorised by Annoying in late 2017, and fully proven by BillyWAR in 2021.
Boo Mario Raising
By shooting Boo Mario with Star Bits, he will be boosted upwards without having to use the A Button. This saves a substantial number of A Presses in Boo Moon 2. Boo Mario Raising was theorised by Blooperio and first tested by Linus in Late 2017.
Shore Launching
By spin-swimming out of shallow water and falling back in, it is possible to clip inside the ground. By spin-swimming again while getting ejected out of the ground - if ejected straight up to the water's surface - Mario will launch out of the water with the ejection speed, reaching huge heights, as seen several times in Beach Bowl's purple coin comet. Shore Launching was found by Peteyboo in May 2014.
Miscellaneous Links
Super Mario Galaxy ABC Discord Server
