WIP SUPER MARIO BROS. Returns: An 8-bit like hack

[LMPuny]

NOTE: This project wasn't inspired by Super Mario Flashback. I started this on Super Mario World Central and I had no idea that that game existed. It isn't meant to compete or become better than it. I think Super Mario Flashback is a great project with a lot of potential. Please don't say things like "hey this looks like/ripped off super mario flaskback"

SUPER
MARIO BROS.
Returns
(still wip name and logo)

SUPER MARIO BROS. Returns is a project I started late in 2017 that aims to be a throwback to earlier Mario games with an old-school type vibe while at the same time meeting modern standards.

Features

* Features with this means that they are planned and are not in the demo.
** Features with this means that they are partially implemented in the demo.

• NES 8-bit styled aesthetics that aren't necessarily limited to NES limitations, much like Shovel Knight.
  • This hack takes advantage of the SNES' mode 0, which allows for 4 layers being displayed instead of the common 3 one usually sees. Layer 1 gets used for foreground, and the rest is used for backgrounds with one room in World 1-Fortreess being an exception for Layer 2.
    
• ** NES 8-bit styled soundtrack without DPCM samples nor "expansion chips", and in the style of some late NES OSTs.
  
• * Some callbacks to the Mario franchise's story, and possibly in the future to the whole Nintendo story.
  
• * Consistent mix of classic and modern Nintendo level designs.
  
• Three different powerups (for now): Fire Flower, Ice Flower, and Raccoon Leaf.
  
• Two HUDs to use: classic and modern. You can switch between them in the overworld with L/R. Switching to the classic HUD will play a coin SFX while switching to the modern one will play the "item coming out of block" SFX.
  • The classic one looks like Super Mario Bros.'s original HUD.
    
  • The modern one has a beam-like design and is on the upper left edge of the screen.
    
• Friendly pause menu that allows for easily exiting completed levels and displays lives and Star Coins to compensate for the classic HUD not showing them.
  
• One world to play, with only the final level being unfinished.
  
• Free overworld where the player can move anywhere on it.
  
• * Remove extra lives, and give coins a new use. (already have planned their new use, I just won't put it for the sake of not making this longer)
  

Plot

It doesn't have a plot yet, but I want this to be a story-driven game. When I finish redesigning World 1, I'll start thinking deeper about it but for what I have thought I'll put it here:

Code:

The plot for the story will be isnpired by Super Mario Bros. manual's one, where Bowser transformed the Toads from Mushroom Kingdom into unanimated objects and kidnapped Princess Peach, the only one who could unmake the spell. This is unlike modern Mario entries where Bowser kidnaps the princess just because he happens to like her (see Super Paper Mario and Super Mario Odyssey).

Now for what I have planned, Princess Peach will get kidnapped when you complete World 1 (or, if I implement it, when skipping it by some mean like magic flutes or cannons).

Screenshots

From the demo (called SUPER MARIO BROS. R at this point):



From World 1-1's redesign (unavaiable):



As you can see, between both versions the Mario sprites are different. You might recognize the first one, which was made by neweegee and is hosted here. Then there's the most recent one that was also made by him (possibly exclusively?) for this hack.
Also more flower types will be added to the background's flower field, as decoration will be added to the foreground.

SMWC's C3 demo downloads

Version demo0.0.8
Version demo0.0.8b

The difference between both is that demo0.0.8b contains every level and event completed. Just create a new save, reset the game, enter that save again, and every level and path will be avaiable.

Warnings

» Yoshi gets dismounted by using Up+A/B instead of A, to match the NES' control scheme.
» For some reason when I switched to GIEPY, Yoshi gets damaged by things that shouldn't damage him, specifically Star Coins and midway flags. Dismount Yoshi before touching any of those or else you'll lose him (especially in World 1-6's midway flag).
» Don't exit/reset the game while a platform is going up or down in the overworld. It will leave you stuck in the air. However, you can exit/reset the game while standing on the cloud. The platforms will be waiting for you.

Credits, changelog and old versions

[Mors]

Dude, I legit love what you did with the backgrounds and the colors.

so cool, so unique

[Evil Yoshi Toes]

I just tired it out and this game looks very beautiful and unique.

[Guscraft 808 Beta 2.0]

why i can't open correctly with lunar magic, also, how you can do thing not in smw , also when i pass world 1-2, i'm stuck with levels 1 and 2

[LMPuny]

why i can't open correctly with lunar magic

Sorry, I won't answer to that.

also when i pass world 1-2, i'm stuck with levels 1 and 2

Uhh, as I wrote in the main post...

SMWC's C3 demo downloads
[...]
The difference between both is that demo0.0.8b contains every level and event completed. Just create a new save, reset the game, enter that save again, and every level and path will be avaiable.

And thanks to all the other feedback.

[VinnyVideo]

One of the coolest graphical styles I've seen in a hack.

Course clear! You got a card.

[Q-Nova]

Welcome to MFGG, LMPuny!

Anyway, this looks really cool! The NES style is really well-done and the new Mario sprites are looking great! I think I prefer the original World 1-1 design, but this is just a personal preference and I do understand that you're doing more work on the World 1-1 redesign. Keep up the good work!

Quillax Ship - Where you can download all of my cool, keen mods and super-marvelous fangames!

[OssieTheOstrich]

This looks really cool, though i was confused if this was a hack or a fangame. BTW, the art style looks awesome!

List of projects I eventually plan to finish after the indefinite hiatus is over, assuming I don't abruptly cancel them:

Spoiler

Mario's Rather Unusual Trilogy (Mario's slightly unusual Boss Rush (Completed), Mario vs. Some Unusual Foes (In development), Mario's VERY Unusual Final Frontier (In development))
Sonic's Foray into Random/Unusual Zones (spin-off of Unusual Trilogy, in development)
Angry Birds Slingshot Frenzy (In development)
Super Mario Flashback: Really Good Edition (In development)
Super Hilda DX (In only conceptual phase)

Yes, I am aware that I have about 6 or so fangame projects currently in development at the same time. And yes, I am also aware that all of this is very ambitious.

+ List of projects I'm helping out with in some small capacity during my hiatus:

Spoiler

Super Mario Bros Dimensions 2 (as a spriter, only for Mario's sprites)
MFGG Community Fangame Project 3 (as a spriter)
WordGirl ReWired (as a artist)

[Hyper]

Whoa! Like Mors said, I love the parallax background effects and the colors. I will definitely give this a try when I got time.

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Main Site | YouTube | Bluesky | My OC

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[Yakibomb]

This looks and plays amazing! Mario feels nothing like SMW, and the animations are just divine.

If I could be a pessimistic critic for a moment and point out two pet-peeves:
- I couldn't jump on the bubble enemies. I was kind of half-expecting to jump off them like note blocks.
- The Raccoon Leaf is hard to flutter down in the air. I think it's the delay before being able input another button press. Was thinking it'd be like SMB3, where you could mash it and it'd just refresh the timer for fluttering downward.

Not to discredit anything else, because again it looks and plays amazing! Keep it up!

My Twitter | My YouTube | Find me on Discord: Yakibomb#0890

[Hungry San]

It looks magic/fun! Maybe a bit like Commander Keen.

The difference between both is that demo0.0.8b contains every level and event completed.

I guess that means b contains level selection, or is it better?

[LMPuny]

This is what I've done in world 1-1 so far (aside from fixing bugs in the hack).

CLICK

I've tried to implement branching paths/alternate routes in it, dunno if I should remove them and make the level more linear. Also another thing someone told me was that I should focus more on introducing global mechanics rather than using level gimmicks for the first level. What do you think?

I hope the wait is being worth.

[Evil Yoshi Toes]

Looking good! I agree with that person that the best way to go about the first level would be to have it simple and straightforward, introducing all the key global mechanics. If the first level jumps into complex alternate routes and paths, it could scare away some players. I'd prefer to have the first level introduce me to Mario's controls and how the engine works and feels.

[Doopah]

Looks really cool!

[SonicKade2048]

This looks really great so far! I really like the art style, but one thing I would change about the background pipes in the caves is their shadow. You appear to be using the lighter color of the pipe's highlights for their shadow, but maybe using the black like the main/foreground pipes could be of use.

(Edited screenshots)



Again, this project is really great! I hope to play it someday, this is catching my eye quite a bit.

Twitter / YouTube / Bandcamp / Neocities

[OssieTheOstrich]

Then there's the most recent one that was also made by Neweege (possibly exclusively?) for this hack.

Is this going to be the art style of the future demos? Cause it looks sooo good!

List of projects I eventually plan to finish after the indefinite hiatus is over, assuming I don't abruptly cancel them:

Spoiler

Mario's Rather Unusual Trilogy (Mario's slightly unusual Boss Rush (Completed), Mario vs. Some Unusual Foes (In development), Mario's VERY Unusual Final Frontier (In development))
Sonic's Foray into Random/Unusual Zones (spin-off of Unusual Trilogy, in development)
Angry Birds Slingshot Frenzy (In development)
Super Mario Flashback: Really Good Edition (In development)
Super Hilda DX (In only conceptual phase)

Yes, I am aware that I have about 6 or so fangame projects currently in development at the same time. And yes, I am also aware that all of this is very ambitious.

+ List of projects I'm helping out with in some small capacity during my hiatus:

Spoiler

Super Mario Bros Dimensions 2 (as a spriter, only for Mario's sprites)
MFGG Community Fangame Project 3 (as a spriter)
WordGirl ReWired (as a artist)

[Great Destination Tracks 3]

Ooooooh that good!!!

Hullo there, I am Great Destination Tracks 3, but you can call me JC The Slug. I am a Slug.

•  I draw
  
•  I model
  
•  I animate
  
•  I exist
   
  

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Favourite cartoon:

Spoiler

other favourite cartoon:

Spoiler