It's fair to say that, after more than a quarter of a century, Super Mario 64 has visually aged somewhat. However, its legacy is still felt to this day. Containing one of the most memorable video game start screens, with the ability to stretch and morph the titular plumber's face, as well as helping to usher in 3D gaming, Super Mario 64 become a landmark entry in the long-running Nintendo series. Much of its appeal is down to it being suitable for all ages, but this team is working on making the classic N64 title more terrifying.
According to a report from Nintendo Life, a project called "Another Princess is in Our Castle" is currently in the works and essentially turns Super Mario 64 into a horror game. A video uploaded to YouTube gives a brief overview of what players can expect. Played from a first-person perspective, Mario can be seen wandering around the castle, lantern in hand. At one point, a ghostly Princess Peach bursts through the door, eventually killing the player. A retry shows that there is a chest in the room that Mario can hide in when the spectral princess arrives.
Playing in first-person, using a lantern to light the way, and the ability to hide from enemies are all reminiscent of the games like Amnesia: The Dark Descent which helped redefine survival horror. The video of this Mario 64 project does look pretty intriguing and even a little bit scary. Players also have a limited amount of stamina, so running away may not always be the best option. Currently, there doesn't appear to be a release date for the full game, but a demo that takes around 15 minutes to complete is available for anyone who is interested.
Given the sheer legacy of Nintendo's most lucrative franchise, it's hardly surprising that fans are modding the games or even making their own versions. Not long ago, someone even put Mario from Mario 64 into Garry's Mod. There are, of course, still people speedrunning the games as well, and there's a chance that Super Mario Bros. runners have already achieved the fastest possible time.
Given that it's considered one of the greatest 3D games of the 90s, up there with the likes of Ocarina of Time and Half-Life, Mario 64 helped shape the era of fully 3D titles in an industry that was still finding its feet. For anyone who is a fan of the iconic plumber and the horror genre overall, "Another Princess is in Our Castle" is an intriguing take on the family-friendly game.
Super Mario 64 was released in 1996 for the Nintendo 64.
Source: Nintendo Life, Alpha Beta Gamer