Hideo Kojima, the renowned creator behind iconic franchises like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, has shared his reflections on his beginnings in the video game industry and his deep cinematic influences. In a recent interview, Kojima revealed that his passion for video game development was triggered by an unexpected classic: Super Mario Bros. The famous platform game, released over four decades ago, became a defining experience during his college years, where he played it obsessively, even skipping classes. If he is dedicated to video games, it is thanks to […]
Hideo Kojima, the renowned creator behind iconic franchises like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, has shared his reflections on his beginnings in the video game industry and his deep cinematic influences. In a recent interview, Kojima revealed that his passion for video game development was triggered by an unexpected classic: Super Mario Bros. The famous platform game, released over four decades ago, became a defining experience during his college years, where he played it obsessively, even skipping classes.
If you are dedicated to video games, it is thanks to Nintendo
Despite the fact that the first Super Mario practically lacked a complex narrative, Kojima felt that the medium of video games had a narrative potential capable of surpassing cinema. “Without Super Mario, I probably wouldn’t be in this industry,” he stated, emphasizing how the game, despite its simplicity, made him feel like he was living an adventure. This initial conviction was fundamental to his decision to enter game development.
Kojima also spoke about the cinematic influences that have shaped his unique style as a creator. He named renowned directors such as Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, and Akira Kurosawa, but particularly highlighted John Carpenter, whom he considers a master at challenging film genres with works like Halloween and The Thing.
Regarding his most emblematic work, Metal Gear Solid 2, Kojima clarified a common misunderstanding: many interpret it as a story centered on artificial intelligence, when in reality it encompasses broader themes about “what human life could become in the digital age”. These statements remind us of the innovative and philosophical approach that Kojima has brought to the art of video games, establishing him as a key figure in the evolution of interactive narrative.
Nintendo is not going to go down in history for celebrating the best anniversaries. If you want someone to plan your birthday, don’t call Kyoto. If for the 35th anniversary of Super Mario they gave us three ROMs in a cartridge for Switch for a limited time, for the 40th anniversary it seems that with the trailer of…
Nintendo is not going to go down in history for celebrating the best anniversaries. If you want someone to plan your birthday, don’t call Kyoto. If for the 35th anniversary of Super Mario they gave us three ROMs on a cartridge for Switch for a limited time, for the 40th anniversary it seems that with the trailer for their new movie, the port of two Wii games, and a new Yoshi game should be enough. This makes us wonder if they really understand the purpose of celebrating an anniversary: to honor the person being celebrated. In this case, the Super Mario Bros. franchise.
But since Nintendo is not very good at celebrating anniversaries, it’s better not to talk about Luigi; it seems that the fans have kept that in mind. That’s why a group of dedicated fans has decided to align the release of their remaster of Super Mario Bros. with the birthday of the planet’s favorite plumber.
A remaster like the one we would expect from Nintendo
Super Mario Bros Remastered is a native PC port that allows you to play the original Super Mario Bros. on your computer completely legally and for free. For that, you just need to download the files they offer on their website and have a Super Mario Bros. ROM extracted from your original NES cartridge. Once you do that, you will be able to play the game they have created: a recreation made entirely from scratch that does not reuse any elements from the original game, with new sprites, levels, and audio, featuring an almost perfect recreation of the original game’s physics and mechanics.
Being able to play Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2 (better known in the West as Lost Levels), a selection of new levels created for the occasion, and also levels created by the community, the content offered by this remaster is practically infinite. Especially because it includes an editor with which new levels can be created, allowing anyone to create new content for the game, just like in Super Mario Maker.
Additionally, like in the best remasters, it allows us to customize our experience down to the smallest detail. Being able to choose element by element of the game whether we want the classic or modernized experience, we can choose a mix of modern or old elements, allowing us to create a remaster to our liking from the options menu. This includes support for modern controllers, a 16:9 screen, and a new soundtrack inspired by the Super Mario All Stars version of SNES.
Cada juego tiene sus pequeños problemas
All of this sounds ideal, but it has its disadvantages. Although you probably won’t notice them unless you’re a true fan of Super Mario Bros. And we don’t mean that you just played it when you were a child.
The behavior of enemy AI and traps has changed, resulting in unusual behaviors, or making them pose no challenge in some cases, especially when playing in 16:9 due to their behavior. When we collide with an enemy, we lose only one upgrade, not all the upgrades we have, which is a substantial decrease in difficulty compared to the original game. And some physics have been slightly altered, both due to the change in object behavior and FPS in 16:9, as well as the arrangement of objects in general, making some jumps and the control of fire shooting and movement when we have the flower less fluid than it should be.
Estos son problemas que el 99% de los jugadores ni siquiera notará, pero están ahí y son detalles que cambian el comportamiento de una manera más o menos sustancial en algunos casos. Por eso no se puede afirmar que sea la mejor o más fiel manera de jugar los juegos originales, aunque sea una excelente manera de jugarlos para aquellos que no los han jugado antes, o para aquellos que no tienen un problema con esa fidelidad extrema a la idea original de sus creadores.
Because I mention these details, Super Mario Bros. Remastered is exactly the kind of project one would expect for an anniversary. A demonstration of the love and affection felt for the honoree. Something that Nintendo has not shown, but that its fans have undoubtedly managed to convey with this remaster.
Nintendo has confirmed that Donkey Kong Bananza, a new title that will be exclusive to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console, is in development. This game is being developed by EDP Tokyo, the same studio responsible for Super Mario Odyssey, a title that has sold over 29 million copies and has redefined the platforming genre since its release in 2017. Donkey Kong is great, but where is Mario? The news has sparked a debate among fans. While Donkey Kong Bananza promises to be a unique experience, many followers of the Super Mario saga feel anxious […]
Nintendo has confirmed that Donkey Kong Bananza is in development, a new title that will be exclusive to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console. This game is being developed by EDP Tokyo, the same studio responsible for Super Mario Odyssey, a title that has sold over 29 million copies and has redefined the platforming genre since its release in 2017.
Donkey Kong is great, but where is Mario?
The news has sparked a debate among fans. While Donkey Kong Bananza promises to be a unique experience, many followers of the Super Mario saga feel anxious about the lack of information regarding a new 3D game featuring the iconic plumber. Former marketing directors of Nintendo, such as Kit Ellis and Krista Yang, have speculated that, given EDP Tokyo’s commitment to Bananza, fans may have to wait several years to see a new Mario title. According to Yang, the development process of this team is not quick, suggesting that a new 3D Mario game may not arrive until the middle or even the end of the next generation of consoles.
Despite these concerns, the community also speculates that the nearly eight years since the release of Odyssey may have allowed EDP Tokyo to work on several projects in parallel. In fact, it is rumored that Nintendo might release a package that includes a new Super Mario 3D game, along with the Switch 2, to coincide with the premiere of the second Super Mario Bros. movie in April 2026.
Meanwhile, fans will be able to enjoy Donkey Kong Bananza, which will be released on July 17. This announcement has generated excitement among the series’ followers, who not only expect a great video game but also wonder when Mario will return in his own 3D adventure.
The recent update 1.2 of Zelda 64: Recompiled has marked a milestone in the gaming community by allowing the installation of mods, offering a renewed experience of the classic Majora’s Mask. This new mod support makes it easier for players to enhance their interaction with the original game, incorporating features from the 3DS version, interface improvements, and graphical changes. A notable example is the ability to swap masks while Link is transformed, as well as the option to jump to a specific time using the Song of Double Time. The possibility of mods opens up when reaching […]
The recent 1.2 update of Zelda 64: Recompiled has marked a milestone in the gaming community by allowing the installation of mods, offering a renewed experience of the classic Majora’s Mask. This new mod support makes it easier for players to enhance their interaction with the original game, incorporating features from the 3DS version, interface improvements, and graphical changes. A notable example is the ability to swap masks while Link is transformed, as well as the option to jump to a specific time using the Song of Double Time.
The possibility of mods opens up upon arriving on PC
Among the available mods, players can enjoy unconventional content such as the ability to play as CJ from GTA: San Andreas or use a Mario mask that not only transforms Link but also grants him the abilities of the iconic plumber. Additionally, some modders have managed to bypass the draw distance restriction, allowing users to see enemies and objects without limitations.
The installation process for these mods is simple, as players only need to drag the .zip files into the game. Soon, the game is expected to incorporate a mod browser that will further simplify installation. This advancement is also being considered for future ports developed with the N64: Recompiled engine, which is already being used to adapt other Nintendo 64 titles like Kirby 64 and Super Smash Bros.
The potential of Zelda 64: Recompiled extends beyond Majora’s Mask; the N64: Recompiled tool is designed to facilitate the release of multiple ports, enhancing the accessibility and quality of these classics that have captivated generations. The community anticipates a wave of projects that will enrich the legacy of the Nintendo 64, transforming the way players experience these iconic titles.
Terraria, one of the longest-running indie successes in history, has reached an impressive milestone by surpassing Super Mario Bros. in sales numbers. This achievement highlights the game’s popularity and longevity since its release. Despite this significant advance, Terraria still has a way to go to catch up to other industry giants in total sales. This milestone reflects not only the dedication of its player community but also the game’s continuous evolution and expansion over the years.
There are games that sell in a way we can’t imagine. And they are played so much that we can’t even conceive it. This is helped by the fact that the longevity of video games nowadays is much greater compared to a decade ago, but that doesn’t take away from how surprising it is to see how the best-selling and most played video games are changing. How timeless classics are making way for new games.
This has recently happened when Re-Logic, the studio behind the indie success Terraria, has confirmed that it has surpassed the total sales of the original Super Mario Bros.. Having sold 58.7 million copies, 32 million of them only on PC, this game published in 2011 and generally referred to as the pixelart Minecraft, has proven to be an absolute silent success. Surpassing the approximately 50 million copies that the original Super Mario Bros. has sold to date.
Is Terraria close to the best-selling games in history? We’re afraid it has a harder time. First, it would have to beat Wii Sports, with 83 million units sold, then Tetris, with 100 million, and then two giants like GTAV and Minecraft with over 200 and 300 million respectively.
That doesn’t take away from the amazing numbers of Terraria. Hardly any game stays alive for almost fifteen years and manages to sell almost 60 million copies. And that deserves recognition.
