Uploaded January 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

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UPDATE: It has already been found, I just didn't know, but I still think there is potential for a new ultra shortcut. Just keep in mind I wasn't the first to find this out, even though I did make the discovery completely on my own.

The timing couldn't be more perfect. What better way is there to start out the new year than with a new ultra shortcut, or an undiscovered glitch at least!

I found this while messing around with the wall skip, and couldn't find it anywhere else on the internet, so I thought I'd make a video on it.

The Dilemma:

I measured it out and it DOES skip more than half the lap, and is definitely unintended by Nintendo, so it meets both of those requirements of an ultra shortcut.

The problem is that it might actually be slower than the regular route (so it wouldn't be a shortcut, just a lap count glitch), but it needs to be fully optimized until we can say for sure. It also saves a little bit of time the previous lap, as it lets you do the wall skip and take an inside line, so that should be taken into account as well when calculating the time save.

Remember, it just has to be faster than the no-glitch lap time, as the lake skip is also an unintended shortcut, so that shouldn't be included as part of the intended route.

The Impact:

This creates a very weird scenario. It would be the first time (at least that I know of) that a glitch shortcut is probably faster than it's ultra shortcut counterpart. If that turns out to be the case, then it would really only be an ultra shortcut for the sake of breaking another track, and having another ultra shortcut. It would be the 16th track to be broken (if you include SNES Ghost Valley 2), making half of the tracks have ultra shortcuts!

If this was to be implemented in time trials it would be done going into the final lap, so no mushrooms would be wasted, with the lake skip being used the first two laps. Even if it's just a little bit slower, it would still be a much more reliable method than going for the glitch a third time.

What YOU Can Do:

It would be very helpful if as many people as possible could try to brainstorm ways to cut down the time, so it can be officially called an ultra shortcut. The BKS for no-glitch is 31.232, so that's the time to beat (that would guarantee that it's faster). Any TASers who want to try this are greatly appreciated as well.

This glitch is different from any other seen before it, so it would be lengthy and difficult to explain here, so if you have any questions, please put them in the comments section. I'm going to be looking for more similar shortcuts, so stay tuned!

I'm also planning to post a guide with a lot of glitch-hunting resources, so please stay on the lookout for that as well!