Developer gets Super Mario 64 running on original SNES hardware

NicoGG September 29, 2026 0 comments 2 min read

Developer Game of Tobi built Super Mario FX, a custom engine running Super Mario 64 assets on original SNES hardware using the Super FX chip.

Running a Nintendo 64 title on a 16-bit console defies the hardware limits of the era, offering retro gamers a glimpse of what might have been. Game of Tobi has built Super Mario FX to prove that the original SNES can handle 3D graphics when paired with the right expansion chip. This project matters because it challenges our understanding of the console's capabilities and highlights the ingenuity of modern homebrew developers.

Homebrew project runs N64 assets on 16-bit console using Super FX chip

The core of this achievement is a custom engine that repurposes assets from the original Super Mario 64. Tobi designed this software to run on original SNES hardware, specifically leveraging the Super FX chip to manage the complex 3D rendering tasks. The system effectively bridges the gap between two generations of Nintendo gaming technology.

Target Hardware: Original SNES with Super FX chip
Engine Type: Custom engine using N64 assets
Level Size Limit: 2MB
Playable Areas: Peach's Castle, Bob-omb Battlefield

Performance requires significant compromises due to the strict storage constraints of the SNES cartridge format. Levels must be shrunk to fit within a 2MB limit, forcing developers to adjust textures and geometry for acceptable frame rates. Despite these restrictions, several areas are already functional, including Peach's Castle and Bob-omb Battlefield, demonstrating that the engine can handle varied environments.

The project also hints at broader ambitions for retro porting, with Tobi developing a Game Boy Advance version of the N64 title that is described as very playable. This work references a long-standing rumor that Nintendo once planned a 3D Mario game for the SNES, though such plans were never confirmed by the company. The current build serves as a technical proof-of-concept rather than a commercial release.

Super Mario FX stands as a verified technical milestone for retro computing enthusiasts. It confirms that the Super FX chip can successfully render N64-era assets on original hardware when supported by a custom engine. The project provides a tangible example of how far original console hardware can be pushed with modern development techniques.