Bugs:Mario Kart 64

This page details bugs of Mario Kart 64.

Post-Battle Item Use Bug

After you complete a race, the AI will take control of your character and you won't be able to use items. This doesn't happen in the battle mode and you can continue to use items after the battle has ended. If you're on an item box spawn point when the battle ends, you'll be able to continuously use items at the results screen. Doing so will result some of the items having glitched properties like banana peels or fake item boxes with smoke surrounding them. The game will eventually crash after a random amount of items but only on the N64 original.

(Source: Ferrox)

Lap Skips/Shortcuts

Frappe Snowland

As soon as the race begins, drive backwards until you reach the bridge. While on the bridge, jump from the bridge and land on the snow on either side of the track. While off-road, drive past the starting line and then go out-of-bounds. If done correctly, Lakitu will place you back on the bridge and you'll be on the next lap.

Another, less useful lap skip. After the jump, land on snow and keep driving off-road until you reach the red and white arrow sign. Once you reach the sign, go out of bounds and if done correctly, Lakitu will place you behind the starting line and you'll be on the next lap. This glitch has a chance of not working correctly which will cause Lakitu to place you far below the track, resulting in a partial softlock as there's no way to get back onto the track at this point.

Wario Stadium

The first shortcut can easily be done just after the starting line. Drive towards the wall on the left side with enough speed and jump and you'll go over the wall and land on the track on the other side, skipping about half of the track. From here, it's possible to jump back over to the other side, making sure to land behind the starting line.

Another shortcut can be done a little bit before the large jump by driving into the red and white arrows with enough speed and jumping. This allows you to skip the large jump section of the track.

And the last shortcut can be done just after the large jump by driving into the red and white arrows with enough speed and jumping.

DK's Jungle Parkway

When inside the tunnel, drive into the wall on the left side of the exit and you'll go out of bounds. If the angle is just right, you'll skip to the next lap.

Rainbow Road

Just after the starting line, it's possible to jump over the barrier on the left side and land on the track below, skipping around 25% of the track.