IM SORRY WHAT

We figured it out! The hammer hitboxes actually freeze on screen after you grab the axe. It seems Mario is invincible during the cutscene, except for the moment when the mushroom is about to drop on him (game checks his powerup state, and he becomes vulnerable?)

Don't quote me on that, but I think you hit Bowser at the same time as the iFrames cut off on the axe... Then cutscene plays as intended, but... When Mario is "stopped", it does one last check to make sure you're still alive and it determined you did indeed die there.

I think you're right! Specifically, I think its during the small/big check since All-Stars feeds Mario a mushroom at that position if he's small.

Maybe because you touched Bowser and the axe at the same time?

I think so!

had a similar thing happen to me in smw the other day

It's the Poison Peach!

😫😫😫

This is a "Getting denied at the gates of heaven" kinda deal huh

I can't believe Mario had a heart attack, this is truly tragic