Update #1: April 22, 2019 – 3:53 pm: Due to a DMCA takedown notice we had to remove the Super Mario Bros 64 download link from our blog post.
Update #2: April 23, 2019 – 8:57 PM: Additional information addressing the Super Mario Bros. 64 DMCA Takedown Notice.
After 7 years of development by C64 programmer ZeroPaige, we now have a Commodore 64 port of the 1985 game Super Mario Bros. for the Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System.
The game contains the original Super Mario Bros version that was released in Japan and United States, as well as the European version. It also detects and supports a handful of turbo functionalities and has 2 SID support.
Included in the zip file is a D64 disk-image that contains 2 programs:
- SUPER M. BROS.64 – the game (everything in one file)
- SMB.64 DOCS – user manual
There’s also a cartridge image provided in the zip which can be loaded onto a EasyFlash 3 cartridge for use on your C64, SX-64 or C64GS gaming computer.
Before the Super Mario Bros game starts, an option menu will let you:
- Select a version of the game
- Disable turbo (if detected)
- Configure a second SID-chip
- See the background (based on Shigeru Miyamotos artwork that was used for the Japanese and European release).
The option menu is controlled using a joystick (or gamepad) in either control port.
The original Super Mario bros game was released in two versions:
- Japanese/US-release – the original for NTSC, 60 Hz video systems.
- European-release – adjusted for PAL, 50 Hz video systems.
This Commodore 64 port will try to run the game at the intended speed (as well as having the sound in the correct pitch); this means you can play either version on any type of C64. It also means that the Japanese/US-release will not play 20% slower on a PAL-system. Likewise, the European-release will not play 20% faster on an NTSC-system.
The program will automatically detect your hardware (including any turbo functionality). Based on this, it will suggest the best version for you.
The reasoning behind the suggested version is as follows:
- If you play on a stock C64 (PAL, Drean or any NTSC) without any turbo functionality, the European-release will give you the least slowdowns, since the original game-engine is tuned for a 50 Hz refresh-rate which uses less CPU-cycles per second than the original Japanese/US-release.
- If turbo functionality is detected, the version aimed for your video-system will give you the smoothest scrolling. This means: Japanese/US-release on any NTSC C64, European-release on PAL and Drean C64.
You can override the suggested version, if you wish.
The game is controlled using joystick (or gamepad) in either control port and supports 2 button joysticks (using POT X, like the C64GS joystick).
The joystick used to start a game will control Mario. If a 2 player game is selected, the other joystick will control Luigi.
You can press F1 or F3 to toggle between the 4 modes for control port 1 or 2 respectively. A message on the screen will display what mode you have selected. These modes are:
- Mode 1 – Up > Jump (Default)
- Mode 2 – Up > Jump, buttons swapped
- Mode 3 – Standard
- Mode 4 – Standard, buttons swapped
The mapping scheme is by default setup for 1 button joysticks, where pushing up will trigger jumping (and swimming).
On the C64, this is the most common way to control your character in platform games. Examples: Bubble Bobble, The Great Giana Sisters, Mayhem in Monsterland, Turrican, Wonder Boy.
If you have a joystick which supports 2 individual buttons, the second button will also trigger jumping (and swimming) in mode 1 and 3.
Depending on the physical layout of your joystick, you can change the control scheme to swap the action of the buttons (mode 2 and 4) so that they correspond physically with a NES-controller.
Reference of a NES-controller:
- The A-button (placed to the right) is jump (and swim)
- The B-button (placed to the left) is throw fireballs (and accelerate)
For 2 button joysticks it is also possible to use mode 3 and 4 which disables the UP > Jump-mapping. Do not use these modes on 1 button joysticks as you will not be able to either jump or throw fireballs.
Here are some addition key descriptions:
- <- - Exit to title-screen (during a game)
- RUN/STOP – Pause game
- F1 – Toggle joystick mode for control port 1
- F3 – Toggle joystick mode for control port 2
- F5 – Decrease SID volume
- F7 – Increase SID volume
Now it’s time to go play some Super Mario Bros on the Commodore 64… huzzah!
- Super Mario Bros 64 (108.75 KB) * (download link removed)
* Update #1: April 22, 2019 – 3:53 pm: Due to a DMCA takedown notice we had to remove the Super Mario Bros 64 download link from our blog post.
* Update #2: April 23, 2019 – 8:57 PM: Additional information addressing the Super Mario Bros. 64 DMCA Takedown Notice.
Original Story Source: Super Mario Bros 64 released
Original article: Nintendo Super Mario Bros. has been released for the C64
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