Super Mario Utopia Looks Like The Best 3D Mario In Ages

Published Sep 14, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT

Paul Farrelly is a Contributing Writer for Screen Rant’s Gaming section and the founder of GeekGasm.org, a site dedicated to celebrating all things gaming, from triple A blockbusters to weird and wonderful indie hits. Based in Louth, Ireland, Paul has spent years writing about games, pop culture, and tech, turning his lifelong love of gaming into a career that lets him talk (probably too much) about what makes this industry so endlessly fascinating.
He’s previously written and collaborated with several entertainment outlets, including LADbible, gaining a wide perspective on how gaming fits into today’s pop culture conversation. His work blends genuine enthusiasm with thoughtful analysis, exploring how design, storytelling, and community have made gaming one of the most creative mediums around.
When he’s not glued to a controller or keyboard, Paul’s usually spinning vinyl, plotting his next horror marathon, or debating which Resident Evil entry really reigns supreme.
 

Sign in to your ScreenRant account

If you're old like me, then not only do your knees creak every time you stand up, but you also have very fond memories of the N64. It was a golden era for gaming and some of the greatest Nintendo titles first came to life on our old CRT TV screens. Super Mario 64 was the king of them all. Not only did it help launch the N64, it was also the first game to feature our portly plumber in full 3D. The rest is history. Fans have been enjoying 3D Mario games ever since and even creating Mario games themselves. Let's get into it!

Mario 64 Utopia is a fan-made mod that transforms the original Super Mario 64 into something truly special. With new assets, varied color palettes and some creative tinkering, Mario 64 Utopia offers fans of the Super Mario franchise something new to experience. The latest update, which was revealed on X on September 2, 2026, offers a reworked version of the original game. The overhaul is extensive, and it's fair to say that Mario 64 Utopia looks completely new and fresh and unlike anything in the original Super Mario 64 adventure.

YouTube

Mario 64 Utopia isn't the first modded version of Super Mario 64 that we've seen. In fact, rom hacking has been a popular practice among creatives for many years. WIth the popularity of Super Mario 64, many fan-created projects now exist. Rom hacks like Super Mario 128, Super Mario: Star Road and Super Mario Odyssey 64 are just a few fan-made projects that breathe new life into a 30-year-old game. As long as there is a fan base for projects like this, we'll continue to see new iterations of Mario for years to come.

Fan response to Mario 64 Utopia was overwhelmingly positive on X. With nutta64 revealing his latest video clip to the world, the comments are glowing and numerous, with everyone praising the amazing amount of work that has gone into the project. One commentor said the following:

Honestly this looks way more interesting and fun, that pretty much all of the next gen graphic looking games. I want games to actually feel like they look like a game, rather than a playable movie looking games.

YouTube

And in response to nutta64 saying they struggle to compete with modern graphics, a commentor said:

Old/lofi graphics have a completely different aesthetic from new games and that should be celebrated!! Also, who cares what "impresses" the average person, imo make something YOU feel is cool and let it find its audience. What you have so far looks great but don't feel trapped :)

Creating a modded game like Mario 64 Utopia takes dedication and hundreds of hours of hard work. Whether we ever get a fully complete version of Mario 64 Utopia remains to be seen, but the regular updates and teasers do look very promising. A playable version that features a fully reworked 1st level is available to download for free over on romhacking.com. It is recommended you own a copy of the original game before downloading the rom hack to avoid piracy claims.

Mario 64 Utopia feels like the perfect time killer while we wait for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TIme remake to release in November 2026. Until Nintendo decides to do a Super Mario 64 remake, fan-made projects like this will have to do. Who doesn't love getting brand-new games for the ever aging N64 though? With hardware prices skyrocketing every day, perhaps it's time to dust off the N64, blow into the cartridge and slap on Super Mario 64 for one more go around.