Super Mario 64 is one of the finest video games ever made, but aside from a Nintendo DS remix, it has rather been forgotten by Nintendo.
Thankfully, dedicated fans still love the title enough to bring it back from the dead, and four such individuals -- Aryoksini, mStuff, Callum Martin and Chadtronic -- are currently working on an unofficial HD remake of the N64 classic.
The core team are appealing for additional help with the project via a Facebook page, and are keen to stress that the venture is entirely not-for-profit -- not that it will help if Nintendo's legal team decides to get involved.
Still, the footage shown so far is absolutely gorgeous, and makes you hope that some day Nintendo will choose to officially revisit this seminal title. Until then, this is looking like the next best thing.
Comments 61
Awesome Sauce!
HD = more purple.
I'll never understand why fans choose to start these projects, get just far enough along to have something that looks nice, and then show it off to the world, garnering tons of attention and inevitable C&Ds. I understand the desire for these things, but you're better off making an homage than a remake.
Looks cool.
Meh. Still waiting on Nintendo to remake the Donkey Kong 64 game.
Not a good idea to show it off now when it is nowhere near done just gives Nintendo time to shut it down.
The DS version was fine. It also plays well with the 3DS's circle pad, as if Nintendo were planning to include an analogue-stick-style control on it, but decided not to at some point.
How long until Nintendo shuts it down?
Still, pretty cool stuff. Just makes me want the next 3D Mario even more.
Can't see this getting close to completion without getting a cease and desist letter from Nintendo since they still plan to make money off this game.
That said, I'd like to see a version with a more SM3DW or SMG control scheme. Although it's a great game SM64 controls like a pig compared to those games. Nintendo has made massive strides in getting the controls of a 3D Mario just right since this game was released.
Cool, the question is does this game really needs a remake? Nintendo could do an official one probably for a rather small cost using SM3D World assets and a little bit updated/enhance gameplay/controls.
I guess there's a bigger chance for original SM64 to be released for Wii U VC in some future.
Still my favorite Mario game, and this is coming from someone who loves the SNES and NES much more than the N64. I, too, hope Nintendo will one day remake this masterpiece.
Yeah, Nintendo should do this themselves.
Thats enough for most people and it doesn't matter that its the same game. People enjoy going through such a remake and seeing how much better it looks now than it used to. Its why people played Ocarina of Time 3D and will be buying Majora's Mask 3D.
this video reminds me why i dont like the HD era of gaming. developers make objects way too shiny. looks totally unrealistic and out of place. they just do it because they can.
@Robotron2084 here it is: March 2014 https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/03/weirdness_this_super_mario_64_fan_remake_is_fairly_impressive
Looks pretty pooooooooooooooooooooopy to me.
@RedDevilAde where does it say they plan to make money off this?
I really hope this gets by, unless Nintendo actually makes an HD remake. SM64 will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'd love to replay it with such pretty graphics.
@ShadJV the "they" in my statement meant Nintendo. They are still making money off SM64 (albeit very little via the Wii VC release on their Wii shop). It that's the case I wouldn't want fan remakes around if I were in their shoes.
This done by nintendo would be awesome, they should do this with loads of the N64 library
This looks kinda dirty. I dunno if it's the shading, but that Red Lakitu and Spiny look like they were dragged through a chimney. They also need to work on the animations for Mario's hands, since he never opens them, not even for a wall jump. Taking over the Super Mario Sunshine/Galaxy animations might've helped.
Also: sloppy mistake! They took the Peach design from Smash instead of the simple one from the main Mario games, but not the head, and the cartoonish-looking face and hair clashes with the overly-detailed dress. There's a reason Peach is kept simple, even in SM3DW: that's her default design, while Smash technically has a redesign.
@Jazzer94 If its something that doesn't make profit for the fan, then its not considered a threat for Nintendo. There's pokemon online for PC and that's still going on because it doesn't make any profit.
Why can't nintendo do this themselves? Better yet, how about a sequel?
@ZenTurtle Agreed. But I don't get the same feeling of the N64 version, of course. It's so more epic, because it's the game of my childhood. What I don't understand is Nintendo never doing this kind of awesome remakes in HD. I mean, look at Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time 3D and Starfox 64 3D. Now imagine Mario 64 HD. Why not? I'd buy that instantaneously.
It looks great, but they really need to update his running animation. It looks sooo awkward now.
Dear fan developers who are seeking to do this kind of things, make sure to get permission first before you go through with this otherwise all your work will be for nothing. First of all the dev needs permission to license the game and the game must be developed exclusively for a Nintendo platform, Nintendo doesn't like their IPs appearing on PC, PS3, PS4, iOS, Androids, etc.
@Bryon15 They already did this last gen, it's called Super Mario 64 DS. They can't just remake this every gen.
Cease and desist order in 3... 2... 1...
Would of be neat if the DS version was in HD, more content and stuff, still looks pretty awesome.
Super 64 Mario?
While it does look very nice and intriguing and in nice shiny HD, I feel like they're trying too hard to make it look realistic, which a Mario game should absolutely not be. Eh, we'll see. If it ever gets off the ground.
Incoming C&D, although they switch to maryo instead of mario- they might get by. Look up Secret Maryo Chronicles
Nintendo needs to do this themselves. They did it for Wind Waker, now do it for one of the best games that they've ever made and include Game Cube controller support, much like with the Wii Virtual Console.
That is definitely a game I'd love to see remade in HD and would pay full retail price for it! Shoot, I paid $75 USD for SM64 back in '95, I'm sure I'd pay $60 USD for it 20 years later.
If only this was an official one... Or why not a sequel?
I love SM64!
Since Nintendo fans rallied around the mantra of "graphics don't matter" to defend the under-powered Wii, I doubt any "true" Nintendo fans would actually be interested in something just because of graphics...
...apparently my new year's resolution is "more sarcasm."
@CharleSketch What are you talking about, the number 64 has always been located next to the title.
Does anyone remember Nintendo saying that they were looking at other HD remakes beyond WWHD?
Still haven't heard anything regarding that....
The music was the standout for me I still hate the sound effects for Mario's footsteps when he runs.
Another fail. I am only saying this because I had this idea in mind. Considering the Mario NDS fan remake ( for PC ). I mean why???? Why not just do something different or newer or something unusual at all? Instead another Mario 64? I remember when we had the Zelda GB DX version out people was like. Was it an new game or not? It was not an new game but an enhancement. To make things worst Capcom rolled out this random GBC dual game. Enough of the remakes; just make something unique. Even on iphone they have people and their Mario clones selling.
Haha. Guys, Nintendo already confirmed their IPs can be used for fan-created content.
http://mynintendonews.com/2014/11/17/nintendo-ips-can-now-oficially-be-used-for-fan-projects/
@Speed_Stick_2600 I think that only applies to fanart, "let's play" videos, etc. I think playable games are still taboo.
As far as HD remakes, I think Super Mario Sunshine would be the perfect candidate. The visuals on the original are still gorgeous even by today's standards.
@StarDust4Ever I thought it also meant game projects when it said much more, but that could be my fault.
More related to the article, I think the game looks really good and I might try it out once it's released.
@Speed_Stick_2600 secret maryo chronicles is opensource, but they had to switch from mario to their own character
Interesting...would rather see a Nintendo-made version, though. The visuals are beautiful, though.
And it was was never heard about again.
@Franklin Gahh I love being purple!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIc4hr3uvHI
Yeah, Mario still looks like he's made out of plastic. Why is he so shiny?
@BooJoh Non-profit projects don't get C&Ds from Nintendo.
I must say I love the Intro and the view of the Castle. The character design could use some work though. But this almost makes me want an HD Remake of this on the Wii U rather than Super Mario Sunshine.
Hopefully it will see the light of day
I was expecting much more negativity in these comments, though I was glad to be wrong This is some fantastic work. I sure hope Nintendo doesn't smite it!
@Melkac Well Princess Rescue (aka Super Mario 2600) got pulled from AtariAge in 2013 despite using different names for the charaters. Yay for Nintendo to bully the guys making homebrew games...
Something like this, would be awesome:
https://www.facebook.com/NintendoClassics/photos/a.317834134970733.76348.317814908305989/769614009792741
@Speed_Stick_2600 The problem is Super Mario 64 HD remake here isn't a new fan project (meaning it's not something new from the fans), it's a work from Shigeru Miyamoto himself which the fans are plagiarizing, making it their own and releasing it to other platforms. Had this game been a new game (with the Nintendo IP) from the fans by the fans (such as Super Smash Flash), Nintendo wouldn't had care.
@retro_player_22 you're right. Maybe Nintendo is gonna put a stop to this. Just connect you're 64 or play it on the 3ds. It would be more exciting if Nintendo makes this remake but they already said that the next big Mario game is for the next console.
Mario looks like his Smash Bros. Brawl model.
@StarDust4Ever That seems like a pretty different situation. For one, they straight up ripping...off? SMB.
@Melkac The ROM is still available for download. I'll also confess they were selling loose and CIB copies which may have been why Nintendo frowned upon it. I own a sealed CIB Princess Rescue and a loose player's copy. Nintendo pulled it from the AA store. Bam, instant collectors item!
And yes I do agree the M64 project is uber cool but is also blatant plagarization. They are probably also ripping the timings, physics, and coordinate data strait out of the ROM as well to ensure it plays exactly the same.
Unrelated, but do the guys behind this project have a publicly accessible web page? I don't use facebonk.
Pretty nice.
OH, THE MOST OVERRATED GAME OF ALL TIME IS GETTING A HD REMAKE. BIG WHOOP. Meanwhile REAL gems from the early 3D era continue to slip through the cracks.
That Mario model needs the shading readjusted. He looks wet all the time. It does look good though. I can see Nintendo stepping in though.
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