Remember blowing on a cartridge and passing a single controller back and forth so your friend could try that one star? That was the “multiplayer” of Super Mario 64 in 1996.
But what if I told you that today, you can play SM64 on a couch, splitscreen, normally — as in, two or more Marios running around the same castle, collecting stars simultaneously, without any janky camera wars?
Let’s talk about SM64 Splitscreen, the mod that turns a solitary masterpiece into a chaotic, joyful party game.
The Super Mario 64 Splitscreen Multiplayer mod is a ROM hack that transforms the classic single-player game into a cooperative two-player experience. Created by modder Kaze Emanuar, it allows players to independently explore the original game world as Mario and Luigi on a vertically or horizontally split screen. Key Features
Independent Play: Players do not need to stay together and can explore different parts of a level simultaneously.
Characters: Player 1 controls Mario, and Player 2 controls Luigi, who features a taller model, green outfit, and unique voice lines. Shared and Separate Stats: Coins: Shared between both players.
Lives: Each player has their own life count, which resets when entering new areas.
Stars: Stars are synchronized; if one player collects a star, it counts for both. Collecting a star typically kicks both players out of a level, except for 100-coin stars.
Co-op Mechanics: When a player dies, they float in a bubble and can be revived if the other player touches them. Super Mario 64 Splitscreen Multiplayer -Normal ...
Camera System: Each character has their own independent camera. Technical Requirements
Hardware Compatibility: The mod is designed to run on original Nintendo 64 hardware (requiring an Expansion Pak) and popular emulators like Project 64.
Patcher: You must use a patch file (typically in .bps or .aps format) and apply it to a legally owned US version of the Super Mario 64 ROM using a web-based or software patcher.
Performance: Frame rate may dip in complex areas, and some visual artifacts like screen flickering or disappearing objects may occur due to the increased hardware demand of rendering two screens. Setup on PC (Emulator)
Obtain Mod: Download the patch from community hubs like Romhacking.com.
Patch the ROM: Use a tool like Flips (Floating IPS) to apply the patch to your original Super Mario 64 ROM.
Emulator Configuration: Load the patched ROM in Project 64. Ensure you have two controllers configured in the input settings.
Super Mario 64 Splitscreen Multiplayer is a prominent ROM modification, primarily developed by Kaze Emanuar Remember blowing on a cartridge and passing a
, that transforms the classic single-player experience into a two-player cooperative adventure. In "Normal" mode, two players—controlling Mario and Luigi—can explore the game's levels together to collect all 120 Power Stars. Core Gameplay Mechanics Characters
: Player 1 controls Mario, while Player 2 takes charge of Luigi. Luigi is visually distinct with a taller frame, green clothing, and a higher-pitched voice. Independent Exploration
: Unlike many co-op games that force players to stay on the same screen, this mod utilizes a vertical split-screen
. Players can move independently within a level to tackle different objectives simultaneously. Shared Progress
: Stars collected by either player count toward the total goal. While coins are shared, each player has their own set of lives. Cooperative Interaction
: Players can interact with each other; for instance, if one player dies, their character floats in a bubble and can be revived by the other player. Key Features of the "Normal" Mode Original Experience
: The "Normal" designation typically refers to playing the standard Super Mario 64 campaign without additional difficulty modifiers or "chaos" patches. Multi-Star Collection
: It is possible for both players to collect different stars at nearly the same time. If one player grabs a star, the other has a brief window to collect another before the stage exit animation finishes, allowing players to leave a level with up to three stars (two regular and one 100-coin star). Updated Dialogue I cannot post direct ROM links, but here
: Princess Peach's letters and NPC dialogue are slightly modified to address both "Mario and Luigi" instead of just Mario. Technical Setup and Compatibility The mod is distributed as a
that must be applied to a legal Super Mario 64 (USA) Z64 file.
I cannot post direct ROM links, but here are the legitimate sources:
Do not download from “ROM sites” – Most are outdated or contain malware. Stick to GitHub releases.
Super Mario 64 Splitscreen – Normal isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a reimagining of a classic through the lens of modern couch multiplayer. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories with a sibling or introducing a new generation to Princess Peach’s castle, this mod delivers genuine joy.
Grab three friends, ignore the camera glitches, and go kick some Koopa shells.
Have you tried splitscreen SM64? Share your best (or most disastrous) multiplayer moment in the comments below. ⭐🕹️
Last edited by MarioModder64 on [Date]; edited 1 time in total (fixed controller mapping instructions).