GBA Maestro Embarks on Super Mario 64 Revival

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. However, modder Joshua Barretto is making remarkable progress on this ambitious recreation.

Super Mario 64, released in 1996, is a beloved classic and Nintendo's groundbreaking foray into 3D platforming for its flagship franchise. Its N64 release sold nearly 12 million copies.

Barretto recently unveiled a video update showcasing their GBA adaptation. Initially attempting a direct port, they encountered significant challenges, leading to a decision to rebuild the game's code from the ground up. The results are impressive. Progress has been rapid; from a rudimentary red triangle representing Mario in early May, to a playable first level just a couple of months later.

The current GBA version runs at a respectable 20-30 frames per second, with Mario performing several key actions like flips, crouches, and long jumps. While imperfections remain, the project's progress is astounding. Barretto aims for a complete, playable GBA version of Super Mario 64, though the risk of a cease-and-desist from Nintendo remains a concern.

Super Mario 64 has experienced a recent surge in community interest, with modders and dedicated players consistently pushing the game's boundaries. Recent achievements include a completion without using the A button to jump (a feat requiring 86 hours of gameplay on the Wii Virtual Console to exploit a specific glitch) and the first-ever opening of an unopenable door in the Snow World level using only in-game mechanics.