Super Mario 64 is the first videogame I can rememberreallyplaying seriously, and at the time its 3D world and movement was a technological marvel.
Now you canplay one of Nintendo’s bestfrom pretty much any modernBowserbrowser — as if it were something as basic as Pong or Tetris. That’s technology for you.
Someone managed to stick what appears to be a complete version of Mario 64 in a browser (viaNintendoLife,PureXbox). And apparently, it’s been around sinceApriland somehow Nintendo has not managed to take it down yet. It seems to work with a variety of modern browsers — both desktop and mobile.
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In fact, the reason I learned about it in the first place is that PureXbox pointed out the game works in the Xbox’s browser:
Don’t mind me. Just playing Super Mario 64 on my Xbox Series X.pic.twitter.com/ak57JVEBOr
— Daniel Hollis (@DanielAJHollis)August 20, 2021
You can use either a keyboard or a Bluetooth controller to play the game. There’s no way to customize the controls that I can see, but the game feels pretty responsive even using a keyboard. You can also save your progress too, so it can serve as more than a casual one-time escapade.
Of course, if you want to experience the game properly, the best way is probably to just buy Super Mario All-Stars for the Switch. Or, you know, find a Nintendo 64. It’s a game I’ve returned to every few years because it remains one of the most joyful expressions of 3D movement in gaming.
Truth be told, this isn’t the first time Mario 64 has shown up in a browser; there was even aUnity-powered HD remakefor a while back in 2016, but that was a single level. The fact that this site has managed to stay up since at least April is rather impressive, but I imagine the renewed attention means Nintendo will see that it doesn’t stay up for much longer.
Story byNapier Lopez
Napier Lopez is a writer based in New York City. He’s interested in all things tech, science, and photography related, and likes to yo-yo in(show all)Napier Lopez is a writer based in New York City. He’s interested in all things tech, science, and photography related, and likes to yo-yo in his free time. Follow himon Twitter.
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