10 Best Super Mario 64 ROM Hacks (2023)

We are glad you are here to read about the interesting world of Super Mario 64 ROM hacks!

Get ready to encounter something genuinely unique if you have ever been enthralled by the famous plumber's adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Super Mario 64 ROM hacks give the timeless game a fresh and thrilling touch while letting players explore a world where imagination knows no limitations.

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What are Super Mario 64 ROM Hacks?

ROM hacks, often known as "Read-Only Memory hacks," are alterations done to a video game's original code that result in a totally different gameplay experience. The breakthrough video game Super Mario 64, which was published in 1996 for the Nintendo 64, completely changed the platforming genre. Today's ROM hacking community have elevated this cherished game to new heights by introducing novel concepts and advancements.

Best SM64 ROM Hacks

We are brilliantly are transported into a world of limitless possibilities by Super Mario 64 ROM hacks. These fan-made additions add fresh stages, difficult riddles, distinctive power-ups, and occasionally even an entirely new plot.

The innovative minds behind these hacks combine their love of video games with technological know-how to bring Mario's world to life, giving gamers the chance to rediscover their favorite games in exciting new ways.

10. Super Mario 64: The Green Stars

The critically renowned Super Mario Galaxy series is referenced and included in Super Mario 64: The Green Stars as a sequel to the first Super Mario 64 game. Bowser's obstinate quest of power serves as the central theme of the story. The evil Bowser has once more taken the stars, using their energy to assemble a monster army and kidnap Princess Peach.

Your platforming skills will be put to the test with the outstanding selection of new levels in Super Mario 64: The Green Stars. Here is a sample of some of the fascinating locations you will see a ton of secret levels and brand new Bowser challenges.

You really can't go wrong with one of the best Super Mario 64 rom hacks available.

9. Super Mario 64: Kirby Edition

The labor of love known as Super Mario 64: Kirby Edition includes a number of innovative additions and changes. Playing as Kirby in any area of the game is one of this mod's most noteworthy features.

Players can now experience the game from the perspective of the charming pink puffball and are no longer constrained by Mario's recognizable red cap. The traditional Super Mario 64 experience is given a new layer of excitement and freshness thanks to this whole new way to interact with the game's landscapes and foes.

Super Mario 64: Kirby Edition updates the characters and adds a ton of new sound effects to the game. The carefully selected sound effects perfectly reflect Kirby's jovial and joyful nature, drawing players deeper into the fantastical world of Dream Land's favorite hero.

But the good times do not end there! By enabling users to take on the roles of other well-known Super Mario characters, this hack goes above and beyond. With the desired Metal Cap, take command of Thwomp, or the cunning Boo with the Vanish Cap.

These extra character choices give the game even more variety and amusement while providing a new perspective on tried-and-true problems.

8. Super Mario 64 Land

The story starts with the Toads gathering at Princess Peach's castle to celebrate and eat cake on her birthday. But in the middle of the celebrations, Bowser unexpectedly shows up, chasing one courageous Toad away and stealing the Grand Ztar for his evil schemes. Mario must now retrieve the Grand Ztar before Bowser can carry out his evil plan.

The goal of Super Mario 64 Land is to advance through stages by collecting stars. A star in the matching Toad House can be unlocked by achieving an A rank (17500 points) in each level within a globe.

Obtaining a Superstar rank (20000 points) in every level unlocks an additional star for an even greater challenge, but only after completing the difficult Champion's Road.

You embark on an exciting journey through eight distinct planets in Super Mario 64 Land, each filled with creative level layouts and supported by upbeat music from previous Mario games.

You'll be blown away at how good of a SM64 ROM hack this actually is once you pick up that controller and give it a go.

7. Super Mario 64: Star Revenge Redone

This hack has 105 stars in total and is a major recreation of the original Star Revenge 1. The game was updated throughout time, increasing the number of stars and incorporating interesting new components.

After collecting 100 stars in Star Revenge Redone, players are given a password that allows them to access two additional files in the hack's folder. The game credits are in one file, while a letter from Bowser invites Mario to an epic battle in his hexagon world is in the other.

This one-of-a-kind addition adds a new level of excitement and purpose to the gameplay by allowing players to save the princess, who was previously absent from the original game.

After its first release, Star Revenge Redone received considerable improvements. With the initial update on June 17, 2013, the star count was increased to 106.

The game then received its third update on September 13, 2022, bringing the star count to 111. These upgrades show how dedicated the designers, BroDute and LinCrash, are to improving and enhancing the game experience for players.

6. Super Mario Bros. 64

If you like the legendary Super Mario Bros on the NES and have ever wondered what it would be like to play it in 3D, you are in for a treat.

Kaze Emanuar's Super Mario Bros 64 ROM hack brings the legendary NES classic to life in the world of Super Mario 64.

This hack, which was released in December 2018, faithfully mimics all of the stages from Super Mario Bros, providing a nostalgic experience with a modern twist.

Super Mario Bros 64 is built on the foundation of Super Mario 64, thus gameplay mechanics and visuals will be comparable. This ROM hack converts Super Mario Bros' 2D side-scrolling action into a 3D environment with free movement.

You will go across familiar terrain, jump on foes, and gather power-ups, but keep in mind that the addition of the Z-axis adds a layer of complexity to controls, especially when executing precise turns or gaining momentum.

Super Mario Bros 64 is a charming ROM hack that faithfully recreates the iconic Super Mario Bros experience within the Super Mario 64 environment. It is extremely amazing to see how Kaze Emanuar recreated the functionality of elements that did not exist in Super Mario 64, such as Bowser's mobility, Hammer Brothers, and even the iconic fire flowers (albeit they still have their mushroom appearance in this hack).

If you appreciate vintage NES platformers as well as Super Mario 64, this hack provides a unique and delightful blend of nostalgia and modern gaming.

So grab your controller and get ready for a trip down memory lane in the Mushroom Kingdom!

5. Super Mario 74

If you appreciate a good challenge and are a fan of Super Mario 64, Super Mario 74 is a ROM hack worth checking out. This hack, developed by Lugmillord and launched in June 2011, takes the traditional Super Mario 64 recipe and increases the challenge without sacrificing the enjoyment.

Super Mario 74 provides an engrossing experience from start to finish, with 151 stars to collect and a gradually demanding gameplay curve.

The developer created an Extreme Edition of Super Mario 74 for those looking for an even higher challenge. This version pushes the already difficult levels to wicked extremes, providing a thrilling gameplay experience.

This hack has also spawned several adaptations, including a DS version called Super Mario 74 DS by Amit Sujauddin.

Super Mario 74 is a testament to ROM hackers' ingenuity and perseverance.

This hack provides a unique and delightful experience for Super Mario 64 fans, with its hard gameplay, comic tone, and self-awareness.

4. Super Mario 64 Sapphire

Nebula's SM64 Sapphire is a lovely ROM hack that offers a unique twist on Super Mario 64. This hack, which was released near the end of 2017, quickly gained popularity due to its entertaining gameplay and ease of speedrunning.

SM64 Sapphire provides an accessible and engaging game for players of all skill levels, with six levels, one secret level, and a total of 30 stars to acquire.

SM64 Sapphire gained popularity after Kaze, a notable person in the Super Mario 64 hacking scene, highlighted the hack in a video just two days after its debut. This support by Kaze drew attention to the hack, causing it to gain popularity.

Players appreciated the hack for its manageable difficulty level and similarities to the design of the original Super Mario 64. Some users remarked that Course 3 Star 1: Submerged Button had a somewhat higher level of difficulty than the rest of the hack, requiring a more complex platforming move.

We found SM64 Sapphire to be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

If you are seeking for a fun and easy-to-use Super Mario 64 ROM hack, SM64 Sapphire is a great option.

3. Super Mario: Star Road

The unusual level entrances in Super Mario Star Road are one of the game's most recognizable features. Entrances range from simple pipes and paintings to more innovative options such as vases and easels.

The hack adds an intriguing twist by replacing all but one of the Bowser boss bouts. Instead, in Bowser's Slippery Swamp, players battle the fearsome "Pernicious Piranha Plants" and the crafty "Blueberry Bully" in Retro Remix Castle.

Super Mario Star Road features a diverse set of levels with a variety of obstacles and surprises. Each level features unique gameplay mechanics and breathtaking environments, ranging from Bob-omb Islands and Gloomy Garden to Mad Musical Mess and Melting Snow Peaks.

The hack offers secret stages with Star Replicas, adding an extra degree of exploration and achievement for dedicated players.

Super Mario Star Road is a testament to ROM hackers' inventiveness and enthusiasm.

2. Super Mario 64: The Missing Stars

Even years after its release, Super Mario 64, the legendary Nintendo game that revolutionized the platforming genre, continues to enthrall players. Among the innumerable fan creations, Super Mario 64: The Missing Stars stands out as the first legitimate big ROM hack of Super Mario 64 ever developed.

This hack, first launched in April 2009, gives gamers to a new and exciting gameplay experience, complete with 38 additional Stars to gather and a variety of inventive gimmicks and challenges.

The Missing Stars stands out from the crowd thanks to its amazing inventiveness and intriguing gameplay. The hack deviates from usual Super Mario 64 norms by including stars not only in standard courses but also in large overworld sections.

These regions are loaded with unusual objects and platforms, posing unique traversal problems to Mario or Luigi on their search for Stars and money.

With its unique stages, clever gameplay mechanics, and intriguing plotline, Super Mario 64: The Missing Stars is an outstanding ROM hack that revitalizes the classic Super Mario 64 experience.

1. Super Mario 64: Last Impact

What a great conclusion to our list of the best Super Mario 64 ROM hacks of all time! If there was ever a way that Super Mario 64 could have a sequel on the Nintendo, there could easily be a case for it to have been Last Impact.

SM64: Last Impact adds a slew of new features that distinguish it distinct from previous hacks and the original game.

Players will uncover previously unseen power-ups, special music, one-of-a-kind artifacts, and exciting boss encounters. The hack strikes a balance between difficulty and exploration, allowing players to proceed through the game while still offering a gratifying experience.

The game begins with two meteors collapsing and morphing into Prickly Piranha Plants, which threaten Princess Peach.

Mario sets off on a mission to fight them and save Princess Peach from peril. Mario gathers stars, unlocks new planets, and finally faces off against Bowser as the game advances.

You'll have a blast with the best Super Mario 64 ROM hack of all time in Last Impact.

Conclusion

Super Mario 64 ROM hacks provide a fascinating and unique gaming experience for both nostalgic fans and novices to the Mario universe. These fan-made versions have given the cherished classic fresh life, broadening its bounds and unleashing an entirely new level of inventiveness.

We have seen the gaming community's enormous dedication and enthusiasm via our research of the fascinating realm of Super Mario 64 ROM hacks. These hacks stretch the edges of what we believed was possible in the Mario universe, from difficult level designs to inventive tales.

Because Super Mario 64 ROM hacks are so versatile, users can personalize their gameplay experience.

Do you want to play as a character from another franchise?

Go ahead and do it!

Want to see a meticulously replicated real-world location?

You have got it!

The possibilities are practically endless, owing to the passionate modders and enthusiasts who pour their hearts and souls into making these masterpieces.