In an extraordinary display of technical ingenuity, a retro gaming enthusiast known as Carl Does Tech Things has successfully enabled Super Mario 64, the iconic Nintendo platformer, to run cooperatively across both a Nintendo 64 and a PlayStation 2.
This groundbreaking feat, recently highlighted by Retro Dodo, bridges decades-old gaming rivalries and demonstrates the expanding possibilities within console modding and retro gaming communities. Nintendo and Sony have a storied history stretching back to the 1990s, when the two companies went head-to-head during the fiercely competitive console wars.
While Nintendo and Sega have since reconciled their gaming industry rivalry, Nintendo’s relationship with Sony remains emblematic of that era, especially since the original PlayStation almost supported Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games in its conceptual stages.
This historical backdrop makes the idea of Mario leaping onto Sony hardware not only unexpected but significant for gaming preservation and innovation. The achievement was made possible by combining a special PlayStation 2 recompilation of Super Mario 64 with a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller.
Carl’s project does more than just run the game on a PS2; he has engineered a setup that allows a Nintendo 64 and a PlayStation 2 to communicate, enabling true cooperative gameplay across the two competing consoles.
The modder’s video, which provides a step-by-step technical breakdown, reveals the complex process of enabling this unprecedented multiplayer experience. In a clear explanation for audiences, Carl shared that by leveraging the processing power and flexibility of the Raspberry Pi Pico, he managed to create a data bridge between the N64 and PS2 systems.
This unique approach allows input data and game state to be shared in real time, bringing Mario—and his adventures—to new hardware in a way that was once thought impossible. This feat is a testament not only to the technical skill of Carl Does Tech Things, but also to the growing movement of retro hardware community projects.
While Super Mario 64 originally launched on the Nintendo 64 in 1996, enjoying critical success before being re-released on numerous Nintendo platforms including the Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch, this marks the first time the legendary plumber has appeared, even unofficially, on PlayStation hardware. Such cross-platform projects highlight the enduring appeal of classic games and the creativity found in modding and preservation circles.
Innovations like this encourage gamers and developers alike to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within the realm of hardware and software compatibility, delivering new experiences by reimagining the classics for contemporary and rival platforms. For those interested in the intricacies of console modding or the history of gaming hardware, Carl’s YouTube demonstration offers an in-depth look at the delicate mechanics and creative solutions involved in this Super Mario 64 PS2 cooperative mod.
It’s an inspiring milestone for fans of Nintendo, Sony, and retro gaming at large.
This groundbreaking feat, recently highlighted by Retro Dodo, bridges decades-old gaming rivalries and demonstrates the expanding possibilities within console modding and retro gaming communities. Nintendo and Sony have a storied history stretching back to the 1990s, when the two companies went head-to-head during the fiercely competitive console wars.
While Nintendo and Sega have since reconciled their gaming industry rivalry, Nintendo’s relationship with Sony remains emblematic of that era, especially since the original PlayStation almost supported Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games in its conceptual stages.
This historical backdrop makes the idea of Mario leaping onto Sony hardware not only unexpected but significant for gaming preservation and innovation. The achievement was made possible by combining a special PlayStation 2 recompilation of Super Mario 64 with a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller.
Carl’s project does more than just run the game on a PS2; he has engineered a setup that allows a Nintendo 64 and a PlayStation 2 to communicate, enabling true cooperative gameplay across the two competing consoles.
The modder’s video, which provides a step-by-step technical breakdown, reveals the complex process of enabling this unprecedented multiplayer experience. In a clear explanation for audiences, Carl shared that by leveraging the processing power and flexibility of the Raspberry Pi Pico, he managed to create a data bridge between the N64 and PS2 systems.
This unique approach allows input data and game state to be shared in real time, bringing Mario—and his adventures—to new hardware in a way that was once thought impossible. This feat is a testament not only to the technical skill of Carl Does Tech Things, but also to the growing movement of retro hardware community projects.
While Super Mario 64 originally launched on the Nintendo 64 in 1996, enjoying critical success before being re-released on numerous Nintendo platforms including the Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch, this marks the first time the legendary plumber has appeared, even unofficially, on PlayStation hardware. Such cross-platform projects highlight the enduring appeal of classic games and the creativity found in modding and preservation circles.
Innovations like this encourage gamers and developers alike to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within the realm of hardware and software compatibility, delivering new experiences by reimagining the classics for contemporary and rival platforms. For those interested in the intricacies of console modding or the history of gaming hardware, Carl’s YouTube demonstration offers an in-depth look at the delicate mechanics and creative solutions involved in this Super Mario 64 PS2 cooperative mod.
It’s an inspiring milestone for fans of Nintendo, Sony, and retro gaming at large.
