diff --git a/include/sm64.h b/include/sm64.h
index 87c16546..5b9deb8f 100644
--- a/include/sm64.h
+++ b/include/sm64.h
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 #define INPUT_OFF_FLOOR              0x0004
 #define INPUT_ABOVE_SLIDE            0x0008
 #define INPUT_FIRST_PERSON           0x0010
-#define INPUT_UNKNOWN_5              0x0020
+#define INPUT_ZERO_MOVEMENT          0x0020
 #define INPUT_SQUISHED               0x0040
 #define INPUT_A_DOWN                 0x0080
 #define INPUT_IN_POISON_GAS          0x0100
diff --git a/src/game/bettercamera.inc.h b/src/game/bettercamera.inc.h
index 46a26fcc..884ffaf7 100644
--- a/src/game/bettercamera.inc.h
+++ b/src/game/bettercamera.inc.h
@@ -643,9 +643,11 @@ static void newcam_stick_input(void) {
 
 //Main loop.
 void newcam_loop(struct Camera *c) {
-    newcam_stick_input();
-    newcam_rotate_button();
-    newcam_zoom_button();
+    if (sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) {
+        newcam_stick_input();
+        newcam_rotate_button();
+        newcam_zoom_button();
+    }
     newcam_position_cam();
     newcam_find_fixed();
     if (gMarioObject)
diff --git a/src/game/camera.c b/src/game/camera.c
index 196165b2..53814e8c 100644
--- a/src/game/camera.c
+++ b/src/game/camera.c
@@ -1183,11 +1183,11 @@ void mode_8_directions_camera(struct Camera *c) {
 
     radial_camera_input(c, 0.f);
 
-    if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_CBUTTONS) {
+    if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_CBUTTONS) {
         s8DirModeYawOffset += DEGREES(45);
         play_sound_cbutton_side();
     }
-    if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & L_CBUTTONS) {
+    if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & L_CBUTTONS) {
         s8DirModeYawOffset -= DEGREES(45);
         play_sound_cbutton_side();
     }
@@ -2499,7 +2499,7 @@ s32 update_slide_or_0f_camera(UNUSED struct Camera *c, Vec3f focus, Vec3f pos) {
 }
 
 static UNUSED void unused_mode_0f_camera(struct Camera *c) {
-    if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & U_CBUTTONS) {
+    if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & U_CBUTTONS) {
         gCameraMovementFlags |= CAM_MOVE_C_UP_MODE;
     }
     c->nextYaw = update_slide_camera(c);
@@ -2514,7 +2514,7 @@ void mode_slide_camera(struct Camera *c) {
         sMarioGeometry.currFloorType == SURFACE_NO_CAM_COL_SLIPPERY) {
         mode_lakitu_camera(c);
     } else {
-        if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & U_CBUTTONS) {
+        if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & U_CBUTTONS) {
             gCameraMovementFlags |= CAM_MOVE_C_UP_MODE;
         }
         c->nextYaw = update_slide_camera(c);
@@ -2767,7 +2767,7 @@ s32 mode_c_up_camera(struct Camera *c) {
     sPanDistance = 0.f;
 
     // Exit C-Up mode
-    if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & (A_BUTTON | B_BUTTON | D_CBUTTONS | L_CBUTTONS | R_CBUTTONS)) {
+    if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & (A_BUTTON | B_BUTTON | D_CBUTTONS | L_CBUTTONS | R_CBUTTONS)) {
         exit_c_up(c);
     }
     return 0;
@@ -2792,7 +2792,7 @@ void mode_cannon_camera(struct Camera *c) {
     sLakituPitch = 0;
     gCameraMovementFlags &= ~CAM_MOVING_INTO_MODE;
     c->nextYaw = update_in_cannon(c, c->focus, c->pos);
-    if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & A_BUTTON) {
+    if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & A_BUTTON) {
         set_camera_mode(c, CAMERA_MODE_BEHIND_MARIO, 1);
         sPanDistance = 0.f;
         sCannonYOffset = 0.f;
@@ -3037,7 +3037,7 @@ void update_camera(struct Camera *c) {
             && c->mode != CAMERA_MODE_NEWCAM
 #endif
             ) {
-            if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_TRIG) {
+            if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_TRIG) {
                 if (set_cam_angle(0) == CAM_ANGLE_LAKITU) {
                     set_cam_angle(CAM_ANGLE_MARIO);
                 } else {
@@ -3214,7 +3214,7 @@ void update_camera(struct Camera *c) {
             || (sMarioCamState->action) == ACT_GETTING_BLOWN) {
 
             // If this is the first frame that R_TRIG is held, play the "click" sound
-            if (c->cutscene == 0 && (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_TRIG)
+            if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && c->cutscene == 0 && (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_TRIG)
                 && cam_select_alt_mode(0) == CAM_SELECTION_FIXED) {
                 sCameraSoundFlags |= CAM_SOUND_FIXED_ACTIVE;
                 play_sound_rbutton_changed();
@@ -3236,7 +3236,7 @@ void update_camera(struct Camera *c) {
             }
         }
     } else {
-        if ((gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_TRIG) && cam_select_alt_mode(0) == CAM_SELECTION_FIXED) {
+        if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_TRIG) && cam_select_alt_mode(0) == CAM_SELECTION_FIXED) {
             play_sound_button_change_blocked();
         }
     }
@@ -3895,6 +3895,7 @@ void shake_camera_handheld(Vec3f pos, Vec3f focus) {
  * Updates C Button input state and stores it in `currentState`
  */
 s32 find_c_buttons_pressed(u16 currentState, u16 buttonsPressed, u16 buttonsDown) {
+    if (sCurrPlayMode == PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) { return 0; }
     buttonsPressed &= CBUTTON_MASK;
     buttonsDown &= CBUTTON_MASK;
 
@@ -4903,7 +4904,7 @@ s32 radial_camera_input(struct Camera *c, UNUSED f32 unused) {
     if ((gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_ENTERED_ROTATE_SURFACE) || !(gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_ROTATE)) {
 
         // If C-L or C-R are pressed, the camera is rotating
-        if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & (L_CBUTTONS | R_CBUTTONS)) {
+        if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & (L_CBUTTONS | R_CBUTTONS)) {
             gCameraMovementFlags &= ~CAM_MOVE_ENTERED_ROTATE_SURFACE;
             //  @bug this does not clear the rotation flags set by the surface. It's possible to set
             //       both ROTATE_LEFT and ROTATE_RIGHT, locking the camera.
@@ -4912,7 +4913,7 @@ s32 radial_camera_input(struct Camera *c, UNUSED f32 unused) {
         }
 
         // Rotate Right and left
-        if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_CBUTTONS) {
+        if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_CBUTTONS) {
             if (sModeOffsetYaw > -0x800) {
                 // The camera is now rotating right
                 if (!(gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_ROTATE_RIGHT)) {
@@ -4942,7 +4943,7 @@ s32 radial_camera_input(struct Camera *c, UNUSED f32 unused) {
                 play_sound_cbutton_up();
             }
         }
-        if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & L_CBUTTONS) {
+        if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & L_CBUTTONS) {
             if (sModeOffsetYaw < 0x800) {
                 if (!(gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_ROTATE_LEFT)) {
                     gCameraMovementFlags |= CAM_MOVE_ROTATE_LEFT;
@@ -4974,7 +4975,7 @@ s32 radial_camera_input(struct Camera *c, UNUSED f32 unused) {
     }
 
     // Zoom in / enter C-Up
-    if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & U_CBUTTONS) {
+    if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & U_CBUTTONS) {
         if (gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_ZOOMED_OUT) {
             gCameraMovementFlags &= ~CAM_MOVE_ZOOMED_OUT;
             play_sound_cbutton_up();
@@ -4984,7 +4985,7 @@ s32 radial_camera_input(struct Camera *c, UNUSED f32 unused) {
     }
 
     // Zoom out
-    if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & D_CBUTTONS) {
+    if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & D_CBUTTONS) {
         if (gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_ZOOMED_OUT) {
             gCameraMovementFlags |= CAM_MOVE_ALREADY_ZOOMED_OUT;
 #ifndef VERSION_JP
@@ -5022,7 +5023,7 @@ void handle_c_button_movement(struct Camera *c) {
     s16 cSideYaw;
 
     // Zoom in
-    if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & U_CBUTTONS) {
+    if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & U_CBUTTONS) {
         if (c->mode != CAMERA_MODE_FIXED && (gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_ZOOMED_OUT)) {
             gCameraMovementFlags &= ~CAM_MOVE_ZOOMED_OUT;
             play_sound_cbutton_up();
@@ -5037,7 +5038,7 @@ void handle_c_button_movement(struct Camera *c) {
     }
     if (c->mode != CAMERA_MODE_FIXED) {
         // Zoom out
-        if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & D_CBUTTONS) {
+        if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & D_CBUTTONS) {
             if (gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_ZOOMED_OUT) {
                 gCameraMovementFlags |= CAM_MOVE_ALREADY_ZOOMED_OUT;
                 sZoomAmount = gCameraZoomDist + 400.f;
@@ -5053,7 +5054,7 @@ void handle_c_button_movement(struct Camera *c) {
 
         // Rotate left or right
         cSideYaw = 0x1000;
-        if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_CBUTTONS) {
+        if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & R_CBUTTONS) {
             if (gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_ROTATE_LEFT) {
                 gCameraMovementFlags &= ~CAM_MOVE_ROTATE_LEFT;
             } else {
@@ -5064,7 +5065,7 @@ void handle_c_button_movement(struct Camera *c) {
                 sCSideButtonYaw = -cSideYaw;
             }
         }
-        if (gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & L_CBUTTONS) {
+        if ((sCurrPlayMode != PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) && gPlayer1Controller->buttonPressed & L_CBUTTONS) {
             if (gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_ROTATE_RIGHT) {
                 gCameraMovementFlags &= ~CAM_MOVE_ROTATE_RIGHT;
             } else {
diff --git a/src/game/level_update.c b/src/game/level_update.c
index 0e1c3a2a..497abef8 100644
--- a/src/game/level_update.c
+++ b/src/game/level_update.c
@@ -1189,7 +1189,7 @@ s32 update_level(void) {
             changeLevel = play_mode_normal();
             break;
         case PLAY_MODE_PAUSED:
-            changeLevel = play_mode_paused();
+            changeLevel = play_mode_normal() | play_mode_paused();
             break;
         case PLAY_MODE_CHANGE_AREA:
             changeLevel = play_mode_change_area();
diff --git a/src/game/mario.c b/src/game/mario.c
index 40c6d6fb..290840f2 100644
--- a/src/game/mario.c
+++ b/src/game/mario.c
@@ -1317,7 +1317,7 @@ void debug_print_speed_action_normal(struct MarioState *m) {
  */
 void update_mario_button_inputs(struct MarioState *m) {
     // don't update remote inputs
-    if (m != &gMarioStates[0]) { return; }
+    if (m->playerIndex != 0) { return; }
 
     if (m->controller->buttonPressed & A_BUTTON) {
         m->input |= INPUT_A_PRESSED;
@@ -1369,7 +1369,7 @@ void update_mario_joystick_inputs(struct MarioState *m) {
     }
 
     // don't update remote inputs past this point
-    if (m != &gMarioStates[0]) { return; }
+    if ((sCurrPlayMode == PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) || m->playerIndex != 0) { return; }
 
     if (m->intendedMag > 0.0f) {
 #ifndef BETTERCAMERA
@@ -1452,11 +1452,20 @@ void update_mario_inputs(struct MarioState *m) {
     m->particleFlags = 0;
     if (m->playerIndex == 0) { m->input = 0; }
 
+    u8 localIsPaused = (m->playerIndex == 0) && (sCurrPlayMode == PLAY_MODE_PAUSED);
+
     m->collidedObjInteractTypes = m->marioObj->collidedObjInteractTypes;
     m->flags &= 0xFFFFFF;
 
     update_mario_button_inputs(m);
     update_mario_joystick_inputs(m);
+
+    // prevent any inputs when paused
+    if ((m->playerIndex == 0) && (sCurrPlayMode == PLAY_MODE_PAUSED)) {
+        m->input = 0;
+        m->intendedMag = 0;
+    }
+
     update_mario_geometry_inputs(m);
 
     debug_print_speed_action_normal(m);
@@ -1469,7 +1478,7 @@ void update_mario_inputs(struct MarioState *m) {
     /*End of moonjump cheat */
 
     if (m->playerIndex == 0) {
-        if (gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_C_UP_MODE) {
+        if (!localIsPaused && gCameraMovementFlags & CAM_MOVE_C_UP_MODE) {
             if (m->action & ACT_FLAG_ALLOW_FIRST_PERSON) {
                 m->input |= INPUT_FIRST_PERSON;
             } else {
@@ -1478,7 +1487,7 @@ void update_mario_inputs(struct MarioState *m) {
         }
 
         if (!(m->input & (INPUT_NONZERO_ANALOG | INPUT_A_PRESSED))) {
-            m->input |= INPUT_UNKNOWN_5;
+            m->input |= INPUT_ZERO_MOVEMENT;
         }
 
         if (m->marioObj->oInteractStatus
diff --git a/src/game/mario_actions_automatic.c b/src/game/mario_actions_automatic.c
index 0012a2e8..5e5f9256 100644
--- a/src/game/mario_actions_automatic.c
+++ b/src/game/mario_actions_automatic.c
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ s32 act_hang_moving(struct MarioState *m) {
 
     if (is_anim_past_end(m)) {
         m->actionArg ^= 1;
-        if (m->input & INPUT_UNKNOWN_5) {
+        if (m->input & INPUT_ZERO_MOVEMENT) {
             return set_mario_action(m, ACT_HANGING, m->actionArg);
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/game/mario_actions_moving.c b/src/game/mario_actions_moving.c
index c6605fde..67d97a25 100644
--- a/src/game/mario_actions_moving.c
+++ b/src/game/mario_actions_moving.c
@@ -810,7 +810,7 @@ s32 act_walking(struct MarioState *m) {
         return TRUE;
     }
 
-    if (m->input & INPUT_UNKNOWN_5) {
+    if (m->input & INPUT_ZERO_MOVEMENT) {
         return begin_braking_action(m);
     }
 
@@ -907,7 +907,7 @@ s32 act_hold_walking(struct MarioState *m) {
         return set_jumping_action(m, ACT_HOLD_JUMP, 0);
     }
 
-    if (m->input & INPUT_UNKNOWN_5) {
+    if (m->input & INPUT_ZERO_MOVEMENT) {
         return set_mario_action(m, ACT_HOLD_DECELERATING, 0);
     }
 
@@ -949,7 +949,7 @@ s32 act_hold_heavy_walking(struct MarioState *m) {
         return drop_and_set_mario_action(m, ACT_BEGIN_SLIDING, 0);
     }
 
-    if (m->input & INPUT_UNKNOWN_5) {
+    if (m->input & INPUT_ZERO_MOVEMENT) {
         return set_mario_action(m, ACT_HOLD_HEAVY_IDLE, 0);
     }
 
@@ -982,7 +982,7 @@ s32 act_turning_around(struct MarioState *m) {
         return set_jumping_action(m, ACT_SIDE_FLIP, 0);
     }
 
-    if (m->input & INPUT_UNKNOWN_5) {
+    if (m->input & INPUT_ZERO_MOVEMENT) {
         return set_mario_action(m, ACT_BRAKING, 0);
     }
 
@@ -1276,7 +1276,7 @@ s32 act_crawling(struct MarioState *m) {
         return TRUE;
     }
 
-    if (m->input & INPUT_UNKNOWN_5) {
+    if (m->input & INPUT_ZERO_MOVEMENT) {
         return set_mario_action(m, ACT_STOP_CRAWLING, 0);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/game/mario_actions_submerged.c b/src/game/mario_actions_submerged.c
index b71cf548..9b1cceb7 100644
--- a/src/game/mario_actions_submerged.c
+++ b/src/game/mario_actions_submerged.c
@@ -1239,7 +1239,7 @@ static s32 act_metal_water_walking(struct MarioState *m) {
         return set_mario_action(m, ACT_METAL_WATER_JUMP, 0);
     }
 
-    if (m->input & INPUT_UNKNOWN_5) {
+    if (m->input & INPUT_ZERO_MOVEMENT) {
         return set_mario_action(m, ACT_METAL_WATER_STANDING, 0);
     }
 
@@ -1279,7 +1279,7 @@ static s32 act_hold_metal_water_walking(struct MarioState *m) {
         return set_mario_action(m, ACT_HOLD_METAL_WATER_JUMP, 0);
     }
 
-    if (m->input & INPUT_UNKNOWN_5) {
+    if (m->input & INPUT_ZERO_MOVEMENT) {
         return set_mario_action(m, ACT_HOLD_METAL_WATER_STANDING, 0);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/pc/network/network.c b/src/pc/network/network.c
index b4e80f43..7f047935 100644
--- a/src/pc/network/network.c
+++ b/src/pc/network/network.c
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ void network_update(void) {
     // figure out which update loop to run
     if (gInsidePainting && sCurrPlayMode == PLAY_MODE_CHANGE_LEVEL) {
         network_update_inside_painting();
-    } else if (sCurrPlayMode == PLAY_MODE_NORMAL) {
+    } else if (sCurrPlayMode == PLAY_MODE_NORMAL || sCurrPlayMode == PLAY_MODE_PAUSED) {
         network_update_player();
         network_update_objects();
     }