For years, the idea of playing Super Mario 64 with a friend was just a playground rumor. Today, thanks to dedicated modders, it’s a reality. You can now experience this classic in local split-screen mode or even online through various fan-made projects. Popular Multiplayer Mods Depending on your hardware and preferred playstyle, there are two primary ways to play: SM64 Splitscreen Multiplayer (The "Kaze" Hack): This is the classic two-player local mod. Player one controls Mario and player two controls Luigi. It splits the screen horizontally, allowing both players to explore levels independently. SM64 Co-op DX (PC Port): Built on the reverse-engineered PC port, this is the most modern and feature-rich version. It supports up to 16 players, online play, and even local split-screen using secondary tools like Nucleus Co-op . How to Download and Set Up Since these are fan-made mods, you must provide your own legally obtained Super Mario 64 ROM (usually in .z64 format). 1. For the Traditional ROM Hack (Emulator/N64)
Download Super Mario 64 Splitscreen Multiplayer: The Ultimate Guide to Local Co-op Chaos Published by: The Retro Gaming Workshop Reading Time: 8 minutes For nearly three decades, Super Mario 64 has stood as a monolith of 3D platforming. Yet, for all its brilliance, it harbored one fatal flaw: it was a lonely affair. While console competitors like Crash Team Racing or GoldenEye 007 embraced the couch co-op era, Mario’s first 3D adventure forced friends to simply pass the controller. Today, that changes. Thanks to a passionate team of modders and decompilation experts, you can now download Super Mario 64 Splitscreen Multiplayer and experience the nostalgia of Princess Peach’s castle with up to three friends on the same screen. This guide will walk you through what the mod is, where to find it, how to install it, and how to tweak it for the ultimate chaotic party game.
Part 1: What is "Super Mario 64 Splitscreen Multiplayer"? Do not confuse this with the official Super Mario 64 DS (which still lacked simultaneous splitscreen). This is a PC-native mod built from the ground up using the "Super Mario 64 Decompilation Project"—a legal, clean-room rewrite of the game’s source code. The most popular version is known simply as "SM64 Splitscreen" or the "Co-op Deluxe" mod. Here is what it offers:
4-Player Local Splitscreen: Each player gets their own camera (dynamic or fixed quadrants). Shared Objective: All stars collected count toward a shared total. You win together—or sabotage each other. Collision Physics: You can jump on your friends’ heads, throw them, or ride on Lakitu’s cloud together. No Emulator Needed: This runs natively on Windows, Linux, and Mac. No ROM hunting required (legally, you dump your own). Download Super Mario 64 Splitscreen Multiplayer
Version Spotlight: As of 2025, the gold standard is SM64CoopDX v1.2 (Co-op Deluxe), which includes the splitscreen mode as a native feature.
Part 2: Is It Legal? (The Important Question) Yes—with one caveat. The mod itself is legal because it uses the decompiled source code . However, Nintendo’s EULA technically forbids running their assets (Mario’s model, music, level geometry) on unlicensed platforms. To play without legal guilt:
Dump your own ROM from a physical Nintendo 64 cartridge (using a Retrode or similar device). Extract the assets using the builder script included with the mod. For years, the idea of playing Super Mario
In practice, most players use a provided builder that converts a vanilla SM64 ROM (US version) into the splitscreen executable. We cannot link to ROMs directly, but a quick search for "SM64 US ROM checksum" will guide you.
Part 3: How to Download Super Mario 64 Splitscreen Multiplayer (Step-by-Step) Step 1: Requirements
A Windows PC (10/11), Linux, or macOS (Apple Silicon or Intel). A legal Super Mario 64 (USA) ROM – file name typically sm64.us.z64 (MD5: 20B6A5B6F2D4F... ). 4 input devices (keyboard + 3 controllers, or 4 USB controllers). Xbox/PlayStation/Switch Pro controllers all work. Popular Multiplayer Mods Depending on your hardware and
Step 2: Download the Mod Do not search sketchy "ROM hack" sites. Go directly to the source:
Navigate to GitHub and search for sm64coopdx (by the "djoslin0" team). Click the "Releases" tab on the right sidebar. Download the latest sm64coopdx-windows.zip (or your OS variant).