GBA fan remake recreating Super Mario 64 to handheld glory

A Game Boy Advance port of Super Mario 64 is underway, a feat seemingly impossible given the GBA's less powerful hardware compared to the original N64. Despite this, the modder, Joshua Barretto, is making significant progress in their ambitious recreation.

Super Mario 64, a 1996 classic and Nintendo's groundbreaking foray into 3D platforming, remains a beloved title, selling nearly 12 million copies on the N64. Barretto's approach, after initial difficulties with a direct port, involved rebuilding the game's code from the ground up. The results, showcased in recent video updates, are astonishing. What began as a rudimentary red triangle in May has, within months, evolved into a playable version of the game's first level.

Modder's GBA Super Mario 64 Update

Barretto's GBA version currently boasts a frame rate of 20-30 FPS, with Mario executing various moves like somersaults, crouches, and long jumps. While imperfections remain, the progress is remarkable, showcasing a beloved title running on unexpectedly humble hardware. The project, though early in development, aims for a complete, playable GBA version. The hope is that Nintendo, known for its stance on fan projects, will not issue a cease-and-desist order.

Super Mario 64's recent resurgence is fueled by dedicated modders and players achieving remarkable feats. Just months ago, a player completed the game without using the A button to jump—a challenge attempted since the early 2000s and only conquered after an 86-hour playthrough exploiting a rare Wii Virtual Console occurrence. Another player recently achieved the seemingly impossible, opening a previously unopenable door in the Snow World level without mods, utilizing an extraordinarily complex technique.