10 Pre-Internet Video Game Secrets Everyone Fell For

Bowser's Castle, which has featured in every Mario Kart instalment, is known for being among the hardest recurring racetracks in the series. Mario Kart 64's Bowser Castle sticks out in terms of difficulty, due to its tight turns, lava pits, and driver-squashing Thomps.

However, there's another reason why this incarnation of Bowser's Castle is remembered. Near the start of the race, a green Thwomp (nicknamed Marty) can be spotted inside a cage embedded into the wall. Although there's no reference to this blocky henchman, players assumed the imprisoned Thwomp bared some significance. After all, why else would he be there in the first place?

As such, it was only a matter of time before the rumour mill went nuts, suggesting that Marty would become a playable racer if he was released from his prison.

The most common theory to releasing the emerald Thwomp was to drive through Bowser's Castle backwards. Even though this is an impossible task, this falsehood gained momentum when fake videos were uploaded, showing players pulling it off.

Even though footage like this is convincing, there's no truth to it.