ScarlettVixen has officially released Mario Adventure 3, a ROM hack (the legality of playing games with ROMs is nebulous at best) for Super Mario Bros. 3, which has been in development for 20 years. The developer stated, “It’s been an extremely long project, but after 12 years, it’s finally here. Many of this game’s elements are iterations and polishes on concepts found in prior projects. Mario Adventure 3 is more than a 12-year project, it’s a 20-year amalgamation of ideas waiting to see fruition.”
The first version of Mario Adventure debuted in 2002, and subsequent hacks like Luigi’s Coin Quest and Luigi vs. Mario continued to build on its foundation. In Mario Adventure 3, ScarlettVixen integrates features from earlier projects, while adding new elements to the game. Check out a trailer below.
The hack includes a variety of features, such as a day-and-night cycle, weather effects, an item shop, and exploration-heavy mechanics. Players can traverse and backtrack through worlds without cutscenes, a concept introduced in Luigi’s Coin Quest. Hidden collectibles unlock access to otherwise blocked areas, encouraging players to explore deeply.
In addition, Mario Adventure 3 features major technical upgrades, including a custom level format, an optimized tile-collision system, and rebuilt enemies. ScarlettVixen shared in an SMW Central forum post that “roughly 75% of the game has been rewritten from the ground up.” New power-ups, like the Ninja Mushroom that allows wall-jumping, and a revamped item system are also introduced. The hack pushes NES hardware by displaying up to 28 colors on screen at once and features a full save system, allowing players to revisit completed levels.
The game’s plot centers on the Malice Mushrooms invading Bowser’s Kingdom, with Bowser blaming Princess Peach’s kingdom for the infestation. Mario must clear the Malice to prevent a war between the kingdoms.
