In this article, we present a TOP 5 of the best non-Pokémon Nintendo Rom Hacks. Is this a declaration of war against the famous pocket monsters? Not at all. In fact, we’ve already dedicated a full ranking to that franchise here.
We’ve decided to exclude Pikachu and friends from this selection for a simple reason: they are overwhelming. Do the test: type only “Rom hacks” on Google, and you’ll see many pages related to that saga.
This shouldn’t make us forget about the other Nintendo Rom Hacks. Some are real gems. They allow you to relive the magic of modified titles directly on your PC. For some, you can even consider an experience with the original hardware. The console, that is!
The following suggestions are obviously not the only ones worth your time. We’ve chosen them for their originality, popularity, and quality. Knowing that yes, mods can sometimes fail. Our five winners, on the contrary, have enough to entertain you for hours.
The team also made sure to include only complete games. Some have a longer lifespan than others, certainly. But none of them are demos. Don’t forget, in any case, that you are supposed to own the original title (for example, Super Mario 64 on Nintendo 64 for a hack of that game) to embark on the adventure. With that legal note… let’s begin!
5. Banjo-Kazooie: The Jiggies of Time
Mark Kurko is a big name in rom hacking. His specialty? The Banjo-Kazooie saga. The bear and the bird have been cruelly neglected by their creators/producers/distributors, leaving only the fans. “Only”? Given the titanic work done by these enthusiasts, that expression seems almost insulting.
Indeed, when he unveiled his project, Banjo-Kazooie: The Jiggies of Time, it almost seemed like a joke. The promise is crazy: to relive The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time… while playing as the feathered and furry duo!
The adventure game (some will say RPG – the debate remains lively 😉) The Legend of Zelda “lends” its universe for a pure platform game. You can visit Kokiri Forest, Gerudo Desert, or even the Water Temple (more pleasant to explore this time) by jumping, gliding, swimming, flying… and even shooting eggs from your butt. An unusual way to traverse Hyrule!
A Game (Sometimes) Difficult for Nothing
The result is very good. But not excellent, which is why we’ve placed this tribute in fifth place. There are still some dubious gameplay choices; they spoil a (small) part of the epic. For example, Mark Kurko filled the levels with… tentacles, for no apparent reason. It’s as if he wanted to artificially increase the difficulty.
Some levels, in the same vein, are excessively complex. An in-game character encourages you to take out a pen and paper at the entrance to the Forest Temple. You have to go as far as to note down an invented alphabet to progress. The fun, in our opinion, takes a hit.
But let’s not end on a bitter note. Banjo-Kazooie: The Jiggies of Time is overall enjoyable. The kingdom usually traversed by Link becomes an excellent playground for the two animals. The soundtrack is exceptional. It’s filled with secrets and references – if you were born in the 1990s and have a nostalgia for 3D platformers like “Collect-a-Thon,” then go for it.
👍 The Positives
- The brilliant meeting of two flagship titles from the 1990s
- Hours and hours of gameplay to enjoy (in the realm of fangames and romhacks, this is not always guaranteed)
- A love letter to the genre, full of secrets
👎 The Negatives or Debatable Points
- Unnecessarily increased difficulty (why all those tentacles?)
- Several zones from the original game are missing (no Fire Temple, a reduced Jabu-Jabu to a tiny room, etc.)
A Selection of Anecdotes
- You can get Rick Rolled in the game. Yes, really.
- This time, Gruntilda is the big bad! Ganondorf, meanwhile, ended up in prison.
4. Super Mario 64: The Cursed Mirror
With a few more weeks or months of work, Super Mario 64: The Cursed Mirror could have risen to the top of this ranking.
It’s fair to say that the founding idea is brilliant. Those who have played the first 3D game featuring the plumber probably remember the mysterious mirror on the second floor of the castle. It’s behind this mirror, in a sort of parallel dimension, that this romhack takes place.
The first hours are exceptional. The old formula is completely updated. Rovertronic, the developer, continually surprises the players. To avoid spoiling the surprises, we’ll only reveal the first one. In principle, “level 1” plunges us into a green meadow, right? Not here. Instead, you discover a volcanic level!
Unfortunately (and Rovertronic admits it himself), the end was a bit rushed. Some stars are very (too) tedious to collect. This adventure should please you straight through to the final boss. The 100% completion, however, seemed excessively frustrating to achieve.
👍 The Positives
- A surprising and captivating game
- An original concept that transcends the base game
- A tough difficulty, without being punitive
👎 The Negatives or Debatable Points
- The third quarter of the game is sluggish.
- Some stars are unnecessary; the associated challenge is a chore.
A Selection of Anecdotes
- There is a badge system like in Paper Mario
- Even mini-games are offered!
3. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door 64
Unlike the previous two games, this one doesn’t offer a completely new game. It’s more of a mod… but it would be a shame to overlook it!
I’ll use the first person for these few lines, as my personal experience helps to understand (I believe) the appeal of this Paper Mario romhack.
Recently, the second installment of the Paper Mario saga was released on Nintendo Switch. Theoretically, nurtured by the Gamecube as a teenager, I should have rushed to it.
However, the game remains too simple, aside from a few optional bosses. That’s at least what I understood from many players’ feedback. Was it already the case back then? In a way, yes. I don’t feel that Nintendo has “casualized” their game to make it even simpler.
The problem is that in twenty years, fans have taken over Paper Mario. Frustrated by the disappearance of pure turn-based combat, they created new versions of episode 1, on Nintendo 64. Meanwhile, the Moonsprout studio published Bug Fables, an excellent revival. Admittedly, it doesn’t feature the mustachioed character – but the combat system and many other elements are the assumed heirs of Paper Mario 1 and 2.
A Romhack That Closes the Loop
Over the course of these “remakes,” the DNA of the classic games has been pushed to its peak. The romhack we’re interested in here, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door 64, merges the 64 game with the gameplay of the Gamecube game.
To this are added many improvements, secrets here and there, mini-games… and you probably have the best version of this RPG for now.
Of course, not everyone is looking for a daunting challenge. That’s why ElDexter, the main developer, offers several difficulty levels. This allows you to enjoy the journey in your own way, according to your level. Something the decision-makers at Nintendo stubbornly refuse to consider.
This is what allows this unofficial game to earn the third place. It respects the players more than a recently released official title.
👍 The Positives
- Relive Paper Mario 64 with the gameplay of TTYD, or The Thousand Year Door.
- New features to discover, including some new sections
- A wide range of settings to customize the experience
👎 The Negatives or Debatable Points
- Once you’ve found your technique, even on hard mode, it becomes too easy
- We await a new full adventure – this is yet another game that settles for bonus segments instead of creating 100% different environments.
- No boss rush.
A Selection of Anecdotes
- Star pieces are much more numerous and hidden everywhere.
- The partner system is entirely modeled after TTYD.
2. Conker’s High Rule Tail
Let’s start with a little health ministry message: we remind you that drug consumption is dangerous.
Conker is probably aware of this, but doesn’t care. You could control him completely drunk in Conker’s Bad Fur Day on the 64. He returns high in this totally crazy romhack. A real UFO that no one would have thought of. Or maybe SePH, its author.
Initially, nothing very provocative. The developer simply wanted to follow in the footsteps of another fan game, Parallel Worlds, based on the Zelda 3 engine (The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past). Apparently, fate decided otherwise.
Overall, the creation of this unofficial work lasted eight years. Eight years of adjustments, corrections, testing… This is evident in the final product, which is extremely enjoyable to play.
On the Menu
A variation of traditional Zelda games in terms of gameplay, with new dungeons to explore, puzzles to solve… but a whole new tone, a quirky, sometimes crude humor, making for an adult experience.
We’ll let you discover everything this romhack has to offer. Get ready for a huge collection of references, nods, and secret areas to uncover.
When Chance Works Well
Did you know that the Carambar came from a failed attempt? The person was simply
trying to create a caramel bar. It didn’t work out, and the only way to remove the caramel from the mold was to roll it up.
To some extent, we can talk about the same phenomenon here. SePH didn’t start with the idea of making Conker’s High Rule Tail. He had to adapt based on many factors (including a devastating data loss in 2013). But ultimately, the end result is excellent. Perhaps better than initially planned. This creativity, combined with countless technical prowess, earned the game second place.
👍 The Positives
- A Zelda unlike any other
- Dozens of hours of gameplay
- A multitude of hidden secrets
👎 The Negatives or Debatable Points
- Some might find it too eccentric, even more so if they are young and were expecting a traditional Zelda.
- A few sequences are very (too) difficult.
A Selection of Anecdotes
- You can buy an extension pack for your wallet in-game.
- A sequence parodies the universe of James Bond (Goldeneye 64 in mind).
1. Super Mario Bros. 3Mix
We’ve arrived at the top of our ranking. To find our winner, we need to go back to basics. At least in terms of titles, since Super Mario Bros. 3 is a landmark game. Arguably one of the most appreciated in the 2D Mario franchise.
It’s with great skill that developer Southbird created his project: Super Mario Bros. 3Mix. The first thing that stands out? The three characters are playable: Mario, Luigi, and Toad. Toad is as slow as in Mario 2, which makes him quite hard to control, but it’s still a nice addition.
The second remarkable point: Southbird kept the classic spirit of the title while adding a touch of Super Mario World and Super Mario Galaxy (notably with Yoshi’s appearance).
Thus, over about thirty levels, you experience a fun mix of familiar elements and new twists. The levels are well thought out, with several secrets to discover. The overall difficulty is balanced, even if the final level poses a significant challenge.
A Touch of Nostalgia
What makes 3Mix so enjoyable is that it feels like a natural extension of the original Super Mario Bros. 3. The game uses the same engine and graphics, but with enough creativity to make it feel fresh. The power-ups are varied, and the level design is often brilliant.
In short, it’s a romhack that deserves to be experienced. If you have fond memories of playing Super Mario Bros. 3, this will be a delightful journey down memory lane, with some pleasant surprises along the way.
👍 The Positives
- Faithful to the original while adding enough new elements to keep it fresh
- Multiple playable characters
- Excellent level design and secrets
👎 The Negatives or Debatable Points
- Some might find it too similar to the original game
- The final level’s difficulty spike can be frustrating
A Selection of Anecdotes
- Yoshi appears in several levels, with different abilities based on the color of his shell.
- The game includes a nod to the Super Mario Bros. Super Show with a hidden level based on the live-action segments.
Conclusion
These are just five examples of the amazing creativity and dedication of the romhacking community. Each of these projects brings something unique to the table, whether it’s a fresh take on a classic game or an entirely new adventure. So, grab your controller (or keyboard), and dive into these fantastic worlds!
