GBA Receives Retro Mario Makeover

A dedicated modder is recreating Super Mario 64 for the Game Boy Advance, a feat seemingly impossible given the GBA's less powerful hardware compared to the original N64. Despite this significant challenge, impressive progress is being made on this ambitious project.

Super Mario 64, a 1996 classic, remains a beloved title and a landmark achievement for Nintendo, marking their successful transition of the iconic franchise to 3D. Its N64 release sold nearly 12 million copies.

Recently, modder Joshua Barretto showcased a video update of their GBA recreation. Initially attempting a direct port, Barretto encountered difficulties and opted for a complete code rebuild. The results are astonishing. From a rudimentary red triangle in May, the first level is now playable in under two months.

Modder Joshua Barretto's GBA Super Mario 64 Progress

Barretto's version currently runs at a respectable 20-30 FPS, with Mario capable of performing key actions like somersaults, crouching, and long jumps. While not flawlessly optimized, the progress is remarkable, showcasing a beloved title on unexpected hardware. The project is ongoing, with Barretto aiming for a fully playable GBA version. The hope is that Nintendo, known for its stance against fan projects, will not issue a cease-and-desist order.

Super Mario 64 has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with modders and dedicated players constantly pushing the game's boundaries. A recent example includes a gamer completing the game without using the A button to jump – a feat attempted since the early 2000s, finally achieved after an 86-hour playthrough exploiting a rare Wii Virtual Console glitch.

Another recent accomplishment involved opening a previously unopenable door in the Snow World level without any mods, a puzzle that had baffled the community for years, solved through an exceptionally complex method.