Super Mario Bros. Remastered, a Fan-Made Classic Reborn on PC, Now Available for Download

Super Mario Bros. Remastered has just been released on PC and it’s a fan made project that feels like a full blown celebration of Mario’s 1985 debut. Available for free on Windows, Linux and even Steam Deck, the game requires an original NES ROM to run, a clever move to sidestep legal trouble from Nintendo’s watchful eye, or so the dev thinks.

This remaster starts with the classics: Super Mario Bros., The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. Special and a reworked All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros. Each is rebuilt from scratch using the Godot engine, so it’s smooth and compatible with modern systems. The physics have been adjusted to allow for tighter jumps and smoother sprints while still feeling like the NES game you know and love. Graphics are clearer and higher resolution, and widescreen compatibility expands the Mushroom Kingdom across your monitor, allowing you to view more pipes, foes, and secrets at a glance. Audio is improved with upgraded chiptune tracks and classic sound effects.

Customization is where this project shines since resource packs let you change the game’s appearance and sound, swap in Super Mario World’s SNES era visuals or totally new themes created by the community. Do you want Mario to run through a landscape that looks like the 16-bit era’s vibrant sprite work? There’s a pack for that. Want to change up the soundtrack? You can do it as well. This adaptability gives each game a unique experience and allows you to personalize the Mushroom Kingdom to your liking.

The built-in level editor is the true show-stopper because it allows you to explore Mario’s world and construct custom stages complete with platforms, enemies, and power-ups. Whether you’re building a tough gauntlet or a leisurely stroll through a Goomba infested landscape the editor has almost endless options. Level sharing through Level Share Square, a hub for community projects, is not currently working but the team plans to fix it in future versions. Even without sharing the ability to create and play your own levels adds a level of depth the original NES cartridge could only dream of.

Beyond the main games the remaster has Super Mario Bros. Deluxe extras like You Vs. Boo and challenge hunts which have been added to The Lost Levels and Special. These give players more ways to test their skills whether it’s racing against Boo’s ghostly antics or taking on specific challenges. All Night Nippon, a Japan only release, feels like a bonus for die hards since it’s been rebuilt to sit alongside the other games.

Legal issues always hang over fan projects especially when Nintendo is involved. The team behind Super Mario Bros. Remastered sidesteps this by not using any original Nintendo assets. Instead you supply your own NES ROM, just like N64 recompilation projects that have survived the company’s scrutiny. This approach, combined with the open source nature of the project, means it’s built to last. You can grab the demo from the team’s Discord server, in the “announcements” channel.
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