Welcome to Mario Adventure 3, the newest NES adventure starring Mario, released after an incredible 12 years of development. Packed with innovative features, this fan-made game stands out with custom gameplay mechanics, new power-ups, and more. Whether you’re a retro gaming enthusiast or a new player, this guide will help you dive into Mario’s latest journey with tips, tricks, and everything you need to know.
Download Mario Adventure 3
Downloading Mario Adventure 3 is easy! Since it’s a fan-made project, the game is distributed as an IPS patch file that you will need to apply to an original Super Mario Bros. 3 ROM. Keep in mind that these patches do not contain any copyrighted content, meaning you must provide your own legally obtained ROM.
Steps to Download:
Head to the official Mario Adventure 3 website.
Navigate to the Versions section and download the latest IPS patch file.
Ensure you have a clean Super Mario Bros. 3 ROM, which is essential for applying the patch correctly.
The latest patch file, v1.2.5, is available as of September 24, 2024, and includes all recent bug fixes and enhancements.
How to Install Mario Adventure 3?
Installing Mario Adventure 3 requires patching the Super Mario Bros. 3 ROM with the provided IPS patch file. You’ll need a patching tool to apply the changes to the ROM, but don’t worry—the process is simple.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide:
Download Lunar IPS: This is the recommended tool for applying IPS patches to ROM files. You can download it from various retro gaming tool websites.
Obtain a Clean ROM: Ensure that your ROM is an unmodified, clean version of Super Mario Bros. 3. The IPS patch will not work if the ROM is pre-modified.
Apply the Patch:
- Open Lunar IPS.
- Select Apply IPS Patch.
- Choose the Mario Adventure 3 IPS file you downloaded.
- Select your Super Mario Bros. 3 ROM.
Once the patch is successfully applied, you will have a new file that contains Mario Adventure 3.
Load the newly patched ROM into your preferred NES emulator or flash it to an NES cartridge for real hardware.
Additional Installation Tips:
Be sure to back up your original ROM before patching, just in case.
If you run into issues, double-check that the ROM is clean and matches the patch version.
Follow the instructions provided on the Mario Adventure 3 website for any troubleshooting tips or FAQs.
How to Play Mario Adventure 3?
Mario Adventure 3 offers a mix of classic Super Mario mechanics with new and exciting features. The game requires exploration, clever use of power-ups, and mastering advanced techniques to progress through its vast worlds.
Getting Started:
Start the Game: After applying the patch and loading the ROM into your emulator or NES, you’ll be greeted by the familiar Mario Adventure 3 title screen. From here, you can either start a New Game or continue from your previous save.
Understand the Basics:
- Saving: The game offers a save system. Save your progress on the world map screen by pressing START and selecting SAVE.
- Level Navigation: Use the directional pad to navigate the world map, select levels, and visit shops.
Explore the World Map: As Mario, you’ll traverse different areas on the world map, unlocking levels, purchasing items at the Item Emporium, and trading cherries for badges at the Badge Hut.
Key Gameplay Mechanics:
Collecting Magic Stars: Every level contains 3 Magic Stars that are vital for progression. Hidden within levels, you must explore and solve puzzles to uncover them.
Utilizing Power-ups: Throughout the game, Mario will encounter new and returning power-ups like the Fire Flower, Super Leaf, and Poison Frog Suit. Each power-up has unique abilities, such as flight, fire immunity, or enhanced swimming.
Dealing with Hazards: Each world features environmental hazards like lava, spikes, and munchers. Many can be overcome with the right power-up or technique, such as using Ice Balls to freeze munchers and walk across them.
Advanced Techniques:
Wall Jumping: Available with the Ninja Mushroom, wall jumping allows Mario to scale vertical walls, adding a new dimension to platforming.
Swimming and Object Use: Mario’s swimming abilities vary depending on his suit. The Poison Frog Suit allows Mario to swim without losing air and navigate certain hazards.
Special Features:
Day/Night Cycle: Pay attention to the Sun Dial in the status bar, which shows the current time of day. Certain levels will have different effects depending on whether it’s day or night.
Shop for Items: Visit the Item Emporium on the world map to buy power-ups, health items, and more with the coins you’ve collected.
About Mario Adventure 3
Mario Adventure 3 is a fan-made expansion for Super Mario Bros. 3, built for the NES but with a host of modern features. It improves upon the original Mario Adventure projects, adding a day-and-night system, weather effects, and exploration mechanics. The game encourages players to explore, backtrack, and collect hidden items. It also introduces a tile collision system, new power-ups, and a completely revamped enemy roster.
This project spans 12 years of hard work, building on 20 years of ideas. Some of the gameplay mechanics are evolutions from previous fan projects like Luigi’s Coin Quest and Luigi vs Mario.
Key Features:
Day/Night and Weather System: As time flows, levels change from day to night with different environmental effects.
Exploration: Travel back and forth through various worlds without any cutscenes, offering a smooth gameplay experience.
New Power-ups and Techniques: Four brand-new power-ups and expansions on classic abilities like the Fire Flower and Super Leaf.
Game Versions
Mario Adventure 3 is distributed through IPS patch files, which must be applied to an original Super Mario Bros. 3 ROM. The latest version, v1.2.5, was released on September 24, 2024, and fixes a series of bugs and gameplay tweaks.
Latest Updates:
v1.2.5 (Sept 24, 2024):
- Fixed a bug with Big Bully dying too early.
- Tweaked Shy Guy’s brick-throwing mechanics.
- Adjusted level layouts for smoother gameplay.
v1.2.0 (Sept 23, 2024):
- Health adjustments for Banzai Blooper and explosive mechanics.
- Wall jump mechanics made more forgiving.
- Fixed bugs in vertical-oriented stages and boss battles.
Basics: Game Overview
Game Saves
Levels completed
Magic Stars collected
Current map position
To save, press START on the map screen and select SAVE. You can continue your saved game or start a new one from the title screen.
Status Bar Elements:
P-Meter: Indicates Mario’s power level and ability duration.
Air Meter: Keeps track of air when underwater.
Sun Dial: Displays the current time of day.
Badge: Shows the currently equipped badge.
Level Stars: Represents the number of stars collected in a level.
Experience and Currency:
Coins: Collect these to buy items at the Item Emporium.
Cherries: Exchange these for badges.
Magic Stars: Essential for unlocking certain levels and bosses.
World Map
Mario traverses between levels, shops, and fortresses on a world map that reflects the time of day and other environmental conditions. Look out for the Magic Stars needed to progress through fortress barriers.
Power-Ups in Mario Adventure 3
New Power-Ups:
Fox Leaf: Grants Mario invulnerability to fire and lava, and lets him dash forward with fire-based attacks.
Poison Frog Suit: Allows Mario to swim without losing air, and grants temporary invincibility.
Koopa Shell Suit: Lets Mario enter a shell, breaking bricks and bouncing off hazards.
Ninja Mushroom: Enables Mario to throw shurikens and wall-jump off vertical surfaces.
Returning Power-Ups:
Super Mushroom: Upgrades Mario to Super Mario, enabling brick-breaking.
Fire Flower: Throws fireballs to defeat enemies and melt ice.
Super Leaf: Allows Mario to fly and use a tail attack.
Items and Collectibles
Collectibles:
Coins: Up to 9999 coins can be collected and used for shopping.
Cherries: These are traded for badges that offer temporary abilities.
Magic Stars: Each level contains 3 hidden Magic Stars, required to access fortress levels.
Usable Items:
Stop Watch: Freezes enemies temporarily.
Saving Wings: Gives Mario a second chance when falling into a pit.
Advanced Techniques
Carrying Objects: Mario can carry items like shells and keys by holding the B button. Use this mechanic to solve puzzles.
Advanced Kicks: Hold the directional pad to influence the angle and speed of Mario’s kicks when throwing objects.
Wall Jumping (Ninja Mushroom): Use this to scale tall walls by sliding down and jumping off at the right moment.
Game Elements and Hazards
Environmental Elements:
Vines, Webs, and Chains: Climb these to reach higher areas.
P-Switches: Change blocks into coins and vice versa.
Hazards:
Munchers: Indestructible plants that can be frozen with iceballs.
Lava and Fireballs: Avoid these classic dangers or use the Fox Leaf to gain immunity.
Oil Blobs: Make surfaces slippery, affecting Mario’s movement.
Level Guide and Progression
Checkpoints
Most levels feature checkpoints to save your progress. If you die, you’ll respawn at the last checkpoint. To reset a checkpoint, hold SELECT when entering a level.
Item Emporium and Badge Hut
Purchase items at the Item Emporium or trade cherries for badges at the Badge Hut. Some days, discounts are available!
