Super Smash Bros Nintendo 64 Weird Error...Help?

Hi guys, I'm having a strange issue with my copy of Super Smash Bros for the Nintendo 64.

Basically, when I play the first play story mode, no matter who I pick, it gives me Mario.

This error does effect training modes, or two player modes, just the first player story.

I cleaned the crap out of the cartridge.

I opened it up and looked for any kind of obvious corrosion but saw nothing.

Does anyone have any idea what is causing this and if its fixable?

Thanks.

 

Try erasing the saved data. It is a known issue how cheat codes can cause this effect to remain long term. Why I don't know.

Something the game program finds when checking the save file, triggers story mode to only have Mario. But that's stating the obvious...

 

Well, that did it. Thanks buddy.

 

is this some sort of protection against cheating ??

 

I noticed that game won't start with a GameShark attached, so...maybe?

 

The later lockout chip, I believe Super Smash Bros. needed a boot emulator to work on my V64 when it was working...