A Full Fan-Made Super Mario 64 PC Port Has Been Released
A fan-made PC port for the classic Super Mario 64 has been released. The ever-popular Nintendo game has been kept alive in the two decades since its release, with some modders even recreating other Mario games within Super Mario 64. The popularity surrounding the Nintendo 64 smash hit has also driven the publisher to remaster Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo Switch.
It isn't just Nintendo who is pushing to continue the game’s longevity, as another fan of recently recreated the opening for Super Mario 64 in Unreal Engine 4 and made it available in a downloadable demo. Furthermore, with the popularity of 2017’s Super Mario Odyssey, another modder overhauled Super Mario 64 and turned the game into the former’s colorful sand world.
According to VGC, yet another fan has taken it upon themselves to release a PC port for Super Mario 64. The port does not function as an emulator as many other ports do, but rather is powered by DirectX 12. Therefore, interested parties can run the game at higher resolutions, including “native 4K or in ultra-widescreen mode.” Moreover, players can use an Xbox One controller to play and can apply upgraded textures using Reshade, a third-party “post-processing injector for games and video software.” This means a rudimentary form of ray tracing is available for Super Mario 64’s fan-made PC port. Check out the video, posted by Unreal on YouTube, below:
Super Mario 64 was the first 3D and open world game of the franchise, as well as the best-selling game on Nintendo 64. Many gamers have kept their Nintendo 64s functioning over the last two decades for the sole purpose of being able to go back and play high caliber classics such as Super Mario 64, Goldeneye, Mario Kart 64, and more. For a fan to finally make a PC port that isn’t an emulator and release it to the public is not only indicative of the commitment and love the gaming community has for classics, but also of the passion and nostalgia that drives the larger sphere of players to relive their childhood, and encourages them to pass those memories on to the next generation of fans.
This fan-made port doesn’t just make a game available on PC, it also reminds the gaming industry of its roots. It’s a reminder of how elementary 3D engines were in the ‘90s compared to today, at the time considered marvels of technology. Everything from the game’s open world exploration aspects to its story-driven quests that all tie into one end goal are precursors to the intricate designs and plots showcased in modern RPGs and other titles, and seeing Super Mario 64 in native HD is just something worth celebrating.
Source: Unreal/YouTube, VGC