A 3D Reimagining of a Classic: Super Mario World
There are few games more iconic than Nintendo’s Super Mario World. A game that premiered in 1990 on the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), it’s a classic version of a platform game, entirely in 2D – my favourite kind – and full of characters that have infiltrated popular culture.
A Year of Hard Work
Recently, a game dev has reimagined Super Mario World in 3D – recreating every element in Unreal Engine 5. The result retains the core design of the original, but adds 3D texture to offer a new perspective. It’s a whole load of fun, and an amazing display of creativity. There are actually two videos to watch, the one explaining how he made the game (see below), and a gameplay video as well (see further down the page and then try making your own with the best animation software).
How It Was Made
The videos themselves are beautifully made by dev Bobby Ivar, with excellent sound effects and narrative throughout. Bobby takes us through his process of making levels 1 and 2, and Yoshi’s island. He begins with 3D-ifying Mario himself and then sets his movement. He treats each part of the scenery separately, such as platform tiles, tree assets, and those iconic clouds. A highlight is watching him explain the Monty Mole’s movement patterns, and negotiating the how the Piranha Plants should interact with Mario as he runs past them. Bobby even makes tweaks like introducing multi-coloured Yoshis in Level one because "they’re so cute" he just couldn’t help himself.
The Gameplay Video
Bobby’s explanations of his process is fascinating, and a genuinely entertaining watch – as well as being inspirational to other devs. He’s been true to the original design, while injecting new life through a fresh perspective. Hearing his design decisions and insights into the original designs, such as the Koopa colours, or the way different parts of the game works shows how fond he is of the game (as we all are), and makes the final gameplay video even more interesting to watch.
Conclusion
Unreal Engine 5 is opening up so many possibilities for people to create using the free software, and this is one of the best examples I’ve seen. Comments on both videos agree, with many people asking Bobby to make the entire game in 3D as it looks so playable.
FAQs
Q: What is Super Mario World?
A: Super Mario World is a classic 2D platform game developed and published by Nintendo, released in 1990 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).
Q: Who is Bobby Ivar?
A: Bobby Ivar is a game dev who reimagined Super Mario World in 3D using Unreal Engine 5.
Q: What is Unreal Engine 5?
A: Unreal Engine 5 is a game engine developed by Epic Games, used to create 3D and 2D games for PC, consoles, and mobile devices. It is free to use, making it accessible to developers of all levels.
