Best Super Mario 64 ROM Hacks Worth Trying in 2024
The persistence of creators of ROM hacks and mods for their favorite games has always amazed me. It’s really beautiful that it was made by the fans, for the fans.
Because all of these designers are so loving, ROM hacking communities manage to survive despite Nintendo’s reputation for being tough on them. And let’s not forget about Super Mario 64, which is undoubtedly one of the best platformers in Nintendo’s collection.
I can’t help but be impressed by the amount of work put into Super Mario 64 hacks, as I’ve only recently gotten interested in them.
This is especially notable in light of the strange and distinctly primitive way the game is coded — to be expected from a pioneer of the 64-bit era.
I will present my thoughts on the top 10 Super Mario 64 ROM hacks created in an effort to help spread the word about ROM hacking. Now, let’s begin!
1) Super Mario 74
The first on the list of Super Mario 64 ROM Hacks is Super Mario 74. Sometimes, we just want a more challenging gaming experience—something we’ve always loved.
If so, you might want to check out Super Mario 74 by Lugmilors.
It has multiple custom levels with 120 extra stars, all of which are much more difficult than the normal vanilla SM64 scenarios.
This includes most of the boss fights, which now come with additional difficulties, such as swinging Bowser high to reach explosives.
After completing it, you can play Super Mario 74 Extreme Edition, a ridiculous Kaizo-level task.
2) Super Mario 64 Sapphire
Considering the handcrafted nature of ROM hacking as a whole, I would conclude that the majority of these games are, to put it mildly, of varying quality.
However, NebulaSM64’s Super Mario 64 Sapphire hack is the best on the internet most of the time. This is a short but delicious game with 30 stars scattered over six amazing levels.
Additionally, this 64-bit engine’s levels have some of the most breathtaking scenery you’ve ever seen.
If you’re looking for a short Mario fix on the SM64 with a twist, this is the game for you.
3) Super Mario: Star Road
I think important work in any profession should be respected and recognized. It’s also a real joy when they’re as good as Skelux’s Super Mario: Star Road.
It was one of the first major ROM hacks to gain widespread recognition outside of the dedicated ROM hacking community.
It adds new opponents, has a redesigned soundtrack that makes it feel like a proper sequel, and has 130 stars to explore some really cool levels.
It’s important to recognize the effort that went into making the camera friendlier than the original, especially in light of the emphasis on precision platforming.
4) Super Mario 64: The Missing Stars
Frauber’s SM64: The Missing Stars is another great hack that reinvents some of the game’s essential technical components.
It features an improved camera, a day/night cycle, and several other gameplay-enhancing changes.
If you’re sick of his plumper brother, you can also go through all ten levels as Luigi.
With revised bosses, new foes, and revamped music that includes some unique compositions made just for the hack, it feels like a whole new take on the SM64 formula. are
5) Super Mario 64: Last Impact
Kaze Emanuar’s ROM hack Last Impact is the only one that can truly be called a sequel to SM64.
It has a ton of unique assets, freshly created bosses, and even brand-new power-ups. Everything from Super Mario Sunshine, including rideable Yoshi and FLUDD, is pretty awesome.
What a technical marvel this game is!
Each of the new levels is completely different from the ones we’ve seen before. Additionally, each of the 130 new stars comes with a number of special difficulties.
There’s even a level where you need to play Mario Party games to get the desired Astral Body!
6) Super Mario 64: The Green Stars
If you want to experiment with ROM hacks and determine if they are right for you, then GreenStars by Campbell64 is a good choice.
It expands the game significantly and shows a lot of what can be achieved with these changes.
There are 130 stars to be earned in multiple personalized stages. Some of which you’ll have to discover by using a detective’s perspective to explore the overworld, as the author has purposefully hidden every secret.
The quality of the level design varies more than it should, which is the only reason it isn’t rated as highly.
While some sections demand highly precise moves and feats that only an experienced player can pull off after 200 tries, others are boringly simple.
7) Super Mario 64: Kirby Edition
Consider starting with something less ambitious, like Dudaw’s SM64: Kirby Edition.
With this hack, the lovable Kirby replaces the traditional red-capped plumber.
Although character hacking is becoming increasingly popular, this was the first full character hack released on the SM64, and the degree of optimization is still impressive.
Not only does Kirby have a decent range of motion and grace. Additionally, power-ups are changed by changing Pink Puff’s copying ability to Boo or Thomp.
At certain stages, you can even ride Kirby’s famous Warp Star. Very cool!
8) Super Mario 64 Land
For those who follow the SM64 ROM hacking community, Kaze Emanuar is a well-known figure. He is the visionary behind many surprising and exciting hacks for the classic game.
One of his earliest works is Super Mario 64 Land. It has the same ultimate quality but a smaller scope than the others.
With 33 extra, much more linear levels than vanilla, it plays a lot like Super Mario 3D Land.
To navigate them more efficiently, Mario has also learned some new tricks. In particular, two incredibly helpful ones you’ll find: a butt bounce and an aerial dive.
9) Super Mario 64: Star Revenge Redone
One of the most popular hack series ever created is the Star Revenge series, created by ROM hacking celebrity BroDute and other contributors. Counting several major releases in addition to several remakes.
The latest iteration of the SM64: Star Attainment original hack is called Redone. There are over 125 new stars to collect in over 13 levels.
Aside from the quirky humor and self-deprecation, the complexity of this hack lies in its complex backstory and overarching story, which you’ll have to play through each release to fully understand.
If you want to go on this quest, this is the place to start.
10) Super Mario Bros. 64
The last on the list of Super Mario 64 ROM Hacks is, Super Mario Bros. 64 by Kaze Emanuar is a surprisingly simple game that recreates the nostalgic side-scrolling platformer gameplay of classic Mario titles like Super Mario World.
But developed using SM64’s 3D engine. Good, huh?
I like how the camera is angled slightly to allow you to see depth without completely giving up the side-scrolling perspective.
You can play as the most beloved Waluigi, Luigi, Wario and Mario characters from the Mario universe.
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Yes, it gets a little annoying at times. Additionally, there are quite a few bugs.
However, that’s to be expected for a project of this size, and you can usually ignore it because this ROM hack really is the next big thing for SM64.
