[Demo] [SMBX] [Demo Release] The Legend of Darkness + A 40th Anniversary Level Mash-Up Sneak

**HengShao** · 08-22-2025, 12:40 PM

The Legend of Darkness is a SMBX-38A episode made by Hel Studio, whose members are mostly from China.
For details, you can click HERE.

[Image: lzdIK]

The project was initially started by me in the summer of 2015. However, due to academic commitments and the team members' personal responsibilities, progress was slow. By 2022, dissatisfied with the earlier level designs, we made the decision to rebuild the entire episode from scratch. Thanks to our collective effort, we are now proud to present this playable demo—we hope you enjoy it!

The Legend of Darkness offers a wealth of unique features, including diverse characters with distinct personalities, innovative gameplay mechanics, vibrant, dynamic cutscenes, and, most importantly—challenging and fun levels!

TRAILER

SCREENSHOTS
[Image: lyjbX]

STORY
The princess has mysteriously vanished! When the Mario brothers rushed to the castle upon hearing the news, all they witnessed was Bowser's shadowy figure retreating into the distance—and the sudden appearance of a mysterious mask shrouded in dark mist.
The moment the mask manifested, the world twisted in chaos: the sky was swallowed by darkness, thunderbolts split the clouds, and howling winds lashed the land with torrential rain. Mario tried to intervene—only to be blasted away by a surge of dark energy, leaving him unconscious...
Where has Princess Peach disappeared to? What was Bowser's true purpose at the castle? And most chilling of all—what unholy force commands this mask of darkness?
To rescue the princess and uncover the truth, the Mario brothers must now embark on a dark adventure beyond imagination!

About 40th Anniversary Special Levels...
In addition to the demo, we're creating special levels to celebrate Mario's 40th Anniversary, set to release on September 13 this year. These stages blend elements from Super Mario Bros. 1 with other classic 2D Mario games, offering a fresh yet nostalgic experience for players. Stay tuned!

Preview Screenshots and GIFs for 40th Anniversary Special Levels