You’ve played Super Mario 64. Everyone has. It’s that foundational 1996 masterpiece that basically taught the world how to move a camera in a 3D space. But honestly, playing it on original hardware or even the 3D All-Stars collection on Switch can feel… stiff. The camera fights you. Mario turns like a semi-truck sometimes. That’s where Super Mario 64 Plus comes in.
It isn't a ROM hack. It isn't an emulator trick.
It's a total overhaul built on the legendary PC port project. Back in 2020, the source code for Mario 64 was effectively reverse-engineered, and that opened the floodgates. Mors, the lead developer behind the "Plus" version, took that raw code and turned it into something that feels like a modern remake while keeping the soul of the N64 original completely intact. It’s the definitive way to play, and if you're still messing with jittery plugins on Project64, you’re missing out.
What is Super Mario 64 Plus exactly?
Most people get confused about the difference between a ROM and a source port. A ROM is a digital copy of a cartridge. A source port, like Super Mario 64 Plus, is the game rewritten to run natively on Windows or Linux. Because it’s running natively, it doesn’t have the limitations of 1996 hardware.
We’re talking 4K resolution. We’re talking 60 frames per second—or even 144Hz if your monitor supports it—without the game speed doubling. If you’ve ever tried to force an emulator to run Mario 64 at 60fps, you know it usually breaks the physics. Mario starts flying across the map because the game logic is tied to the frame rate. Mors fixed that. The interpolation in Plus makes everything buttery smooth while the gravity and jump height stay exactly as Nintendo intended.
It’s a massive technical achievement.
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The Camera: No More Fighting Lakitu
The biggest "Plus" in Super Mario 64 Plus is arguably the camera. In the original, you had those binary C-button movements. Click-clack. It was jerky. In this version, you have full 360-degree analog control. You can use the right stick on a modern Xbox or PlayStation controller to orbit Mario perfectly. It sounds like a small change, but it fundamentally changes how difficult the game feels. Those narrow beams in Rainbow Ride? Way easier when the camera isn't actively trying to kill you.
Features that actually matter for gameplay
It’s not just about looking pretty. The "Plus" version adds a dizzying amount of toggles. You can play it exactly like the original, or you can turn it into a pseudo-sequel with modern mechanics.
- The Move Set: You can enable the "Stay in Level" feature. This is a godsend. In the original game, every time you grab a star, you get kicked back to the castle. In Super Mario 64 Plus, you can choose to just stay in the level and go get the next one. It cuts out so much downtime.
- Permadeath Mode: If you’re a masochist, there’s a mode where dying once resets your entire save. Don’t do this to yourself unless you’ve mastered the 120-star run.
- Luigi is here: Not as a skin, but as a playable character with his own physics. He runs faster and jumps higher but has less traction—just like in the DS version, but without the awkward D-pad controls.
- Manual Wall Jumps: You can toggle a setting that makes wall jumping much more forgiving, similar to Super Mario Odyssey.
Addressing the Legality and Safety
Let’s be real for a second. Nintendo is notoriously protective of their IP. You can’t just go to a website and download an .exe of Super Mario 64 Plus that’s ready to play. If you find one, it’s probably malware.
The legitimate way this works is through a "builder."
You provide your own legally obtained ROM file (the "baserom"). The builder extracts the assets—the textures, the sounds, the models—and compiles them with the new "Plus" code to create an executable file on your computer. This is why the project has stayed online while other fan games get nuked by lawyers. The developers aren't distributing Nintendo’s copyrighted data; they’re providing the "glue" to put it together yourself.
Why the PC Port beats the Switch version
Nintendo released the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection a few years back. It was fine. But it was just an emulated version of the "Shindou" edition. That means no "so long-ay Bowser" (he says "Bye-bye" instead) and, more importantly, no real graphical upgrades beyond a resolution bump.
Super Mario 64 Plus supports:
- HD Texture Packs: You can make the grass actually look like grass instead of green static.
- Model Replacements: You can swap the low-poly "blocky" Mario for the high-fidelity model used in the game’s promotional art.
- Ray Tracing: There is a specific branch of the PC port that adds real-time lighting and reflections. Seeing the sunlight hit the water in Jolly Roger Bay is genuinely transformative.
Common Misconceptions
People often think this is a "mod." It’s deeper than that. A mod sits on top of a game. This is the game's skeleton being rebuilt with titanium.
Another misconception is that it’s hard to set up. It’s really not. If you can follow a three-step instruction list, you can get this running. You just need a copy of the US version of the ROM (the .z64 file) and the SM64Plus-Launcher. The launcher handles the heavy lifting. It even checks for updates automatically.
Nuance: Is it too easy?
Purists argue that some of these features, like the improved camera and the "Stay in Level" option, ruin the "intended" difficulty. They might be right. The original game was designed around the limitations of the N64 controller. When you remove those limitations, the game becomes significantly easier.
But is that a bad thing?
Honestly, no. After 30 years, we’ve earned the right to play this game without the camera getting stuck behind a wall in Big Boo’s Haunt. If you want the old-school struggle, you can just turn those features off in the menu. That’s the beauty of it—it’s modular.
Getting Started with Super Mario 64 Plus
If you’re ready to dive in, don't just search for "download mario 64 plus." You need to go to the official GitHub repository or the MFGG (Mario Fan Games Galaxy) page.
Steps to take right now:
- Locate your ROM: Ensure you have a clean "Super Mario 64 (U) [!].z64" file. The "U" stands for the US version, which is required for the builder to work correctly.
- Download the Launcher: Search for "Mors Super Mario 64 Plus" to find the latest release on GitHub.
- Configure Your Controller: Before you start your save, go into the "Input" settings. This version has native support for XInput and DirectInput, so your controller should work immediately, but you'll want to map your buttons to match your comfort level.
- Experiment with Toggles: Turn on "Analog Camera" and "Improved Hanging" right away. These two features alone make the game feel twenty years younger.
The project is constantly evolving. While the core game is "finished," the community is always finding ways to squeeze more performance or better visuals out of this engine. It isn't just a nostalgia trip; it's a look at what happens when a community loves a game so much they refuse to let it age.
Stop settling for the blurry, 30fps version. Give your eyes—and Mario—the upgrade they deserve.