Retro Gamer Reimagines Super Mario 64 for Game Boy Advance

A dedicated modder is painstakingly recreating Super Mario 64 for the Game Boy Advance. Given the significant hardware limitations of the GBA compared to the original N64, this feat is remarkably ambitious. Despite the challenges, impressive progress is being made on this ambitious project.

Super Mario 64, released in 1996, holds a cherished place in gaming history as not only a top-tier Nintendo 64 title but also a landmark achievement in 3D platforming. This pioneering title, Nintendo's first foray into 3D for its flagship franchise, achieved phenomenal success, selling nearly 12 million copies.

Recently, Joshua Barretto, a passionate Super Mario enthusiast, unveiled a video showcasing their GBA recreation. Initially attempting a direct port, Barretto encountered significant obstacles, leading to a complete code rebuild. The results are astonishing. From a rudimentary red triangle in early May, the first level is now playable within just a couple of months.

GBA Super Mario 64 Progress Update

Barretto's GBA port currently boasts a respectable frame rate of 20-30 FPS, with Mario exhibiting several key moves including long jumps, crouching, and somersaults. While imperfections remain, the achievement of running this classic on the GBA is truly remarkable. Although still in its early stages, Barretto aims for a fully playable GBA version. The hope is that Nintendo, known for its sometimes aggressive stance on fan projects, will not intervene.

Super Mario 64 has experienced a recent surge in popularity, fueled by the incredible achievements of modders and dedicated players. Earlier this year, a player completed the game without using the A button to jump – a feat attempted for over two decades, requiring an 86-hour playthrough exploiting a rare Wii Virtual Console glitch.

Prior to this, another player achieved the seemingly impossible: opening Super Mario 64's infamous, previously unopenable door in the Snow World, utilizing an extraordinarily complex method.