PC Gamers mod Mario 64’s PC port to deliver superior visuals

Last month we reported on a fan-created PC port of Super Mario 64, a version of the 1996 Nintendo 64 classic which requires no emulation to operate on modern PCs. While Nintendo has taken action against websites which distribute this unofficial port, that hasn’t stopped PC gamers from modding the game, adding new models, updated textures and more to the game. 

Thanks to these new fan-created mods, PC gamers now have what could be seen as an HD remaster of Mario 64, with PC Gamer highlighting an in-progress AI upscaled texture pack from CrashCourse and a Mario model replacement from Armando Arredondo.      

The video below showcases Super Mario 64’s AI Upscaled texture pack, which replaced Mario 64’s original textures with more detailed replacements, making characters and environmental details appear less blocky and pixelated. When combined with the high resolution rendering offered by modern PCs, this makes Mario 64’s unofficial PC port look like a full-on remaster of the game. If Nintendo were to make an official Switch version of Mario 64, we would love to see it offer these graphical upgrades.