Super Mario World : The Other Quest -- GRAVITORBOX

 















Release of the original game : november 21, 1990 in Japan - august 23, 1991 in the United States - april 11, 1992 in Europe

Original game developer : Nintendo
Original game publisher : Nintendo
Genre : platforms

Start of creation of The Other Quest : october 2008
First release of The Other Quest : august 2013 (v.1.0)
Support : 24 Mb ROM (3 MB)

Level creation : iiYama
Additional creation of levels : Aquel
Creation of the overworld : iiYama
Beta testing : Aquel - Mugiwara - iiYama


Download the ROM of
Super Mario World : The Other Quest

Vous aimez GRAVITORBOX et vous voulez le soutenir ? Alors vous pouvez nous adresser vos dons via PayPal en cliquant simplement sur le bouton ci-dessous.















Les sites partenaires :













Pages vues (depuis avril 2016)




Visiteurs uniques (depuis avril 2016)

Super Mario World
The Other Quest

The official page



   

Sélectionnez votre langue / Select your language
(currently : page in english)



Sorry for the quality of translation of this page. I'm just a modest game creator, and my level of English is not very high. I hope that despite everything, you enjoy this official page of Super Mario World: The Other Quest and that you will test our game...



Summary

01 : Introduction
02 : The genesis of the project
03 : A long development
04 : Finish quality
05 : Emulator, Linker or mini console ?
06 : The many new features of The Other Quest
07 : The story of The Other Quest
08 : Launch trailer
09 : Screenshots
10 : The final word









Introduction

Do I really need to introduce Super Mario World ? A unanimously appreciated platform game, having received rave reviews and which put the Super Nintendo into orbit from its launch, given that in most countries, it was delivered as a bundle with the console ? In my opinion no, or you come from another planet because even the youngest gamers know this legendary title which confirmed, once again, all the talent and genius of Shigeru Miyamoto and the small EAD team (Entertainment Analysis & Development) from Nintendo (and among these we already found Takashi Tezuka as well as Koji Kondo). In short, you probably already know this, but Super Mario World is in the Top 5 best 2D platform games of all time ! This is why one fine morning, long before Nintendo developed Super Mario Maker (released on WiiU in 2015), a certain FuSoYa decided to give us a publisher for this timeless title. Because let's be clear, Super Nintendo games are not the most complex to decipher and obviously, our brave Super Mario World (also known as Super Mario 4 in the United States) would even be one of the simplest. Lunar Magic is therefore software that allows you to create your own game, of course based on the Nintendo title.




Lunar Magic, a powerful level editor for Super Mario World
(click to enlarge)




The genesis of the project

It was in October 2008 that I became interested in the project. Although the software has existed since September 2000, I had never heard of it before. Loving to create, that's why I run a website (GRAVITORBOX for those who sleep ^.^), I composed music from 1997 to 2013 (under the nickname UFO EMP) and and I have already created a game with DIV Game Studio (on PC) : an old software that allowed me to create my own Asteroids, punctuated by my compositions. Unfortunately the project never came to fruition because if the BASIC language was easy to learn, making a complete game (intro, levels, sound effects) is another story. The other problem is that at that time my PC was running Windows Millennium (don't say anything, I already know) and when I switched to Windows XP, this software was totally incompatible with the new OS. Anyway, this was all in 2001.



 

The 2 Lunar Magic editing windows : on the left the
levels, on the right the overworld (the world map)


Back in 2008, casually, Aquel (my brother) introduced me to Lunar Magic during a casual discussion. Knowing how to tickle my curiosity (as Roswell had done in 1997 with Techno Studio - my first music creation software), he told me that there is a level editor for Super Mario 4, another for Zelda III and that it there is even software to make your own Sonic ! Huge, in a few seconds the craziest ideas cross my mind but I start with the most affordable project : Super Mario World. Indeed Lunar Magic is a very powerful editor, while being very easy to access. Rather than starting something only to stop it a few weeks later, I prefer to finish my creations. You have the example of this with my site, which has existed for more than a decade as I write these lines...




A long development

Lunar Magic is therefore a software that has realized a dream that many share : to become a level designer ! Aquel serving as a beta tester (he tests each level and pushes the possibilities), for my part I was looking to make a New Super Mario World. Of course, as I am not Mr. FuSoYa, at first I did not know how to take 100% advantage of the software and I was content to create new levels, by adding new music (which many do not do). Easy solution some will say... There is some truth in all that, but importing the decorations turns out to be quite complex. So I started by creating a simple spin-off of Super Mario World, with the basic settings and even the original map. In addition, it must be recognized that the tutorials are sometimes very obscure and often only in English (as a reminder, I am French and my level of English is not very good).
Lunar Magic allows you to do almost everything : change the scenery, put new music, modify the world map, create new events and of course, modify each level in depth. You probably already know that Super Mario World has 75 relatively short levels for 96 outings. For our part, New Super Mario World has become Super Mario World : The Other Quest and it offers 89 levels (for 284 sub-levels!), still with 96 exits, but also 11 tutorials, a prologue and lots of internal modifications, which we will discuss a little later.



 

With Lunar Magic and a little mastery, we can create
an absolutely brilliant custom game !


The lifespan has therefore been greatly extended because each level is now much longer than originally, which means that we offer a backup at each of our exits (instead of having it only following the castles, Switch Palace and Ghost Houses). Little by little the game grew in scope. Originally I only wanted to modify the levels and leave the rest as is. Then as the project grew, we started to modify the title screen, then the texts (even those coded in "hard"), we created a real prologue, then by accelerating we created a new overworld (the world map), 2 times, because the first was considered too simplistic. We have of course implemented new music and modified the game almost 100% (only certain bosses, the scenes that follow and the epilogue have remained as originally). After spending 4 long years developing the game, we "finally" understood how to change the scenery and how to modify the most complex facets of the game such as the intro music or the boss music.




Differences between the original game's title screen (left)
and that of The Other Quest v.1.3 (right)




Finish quality

After almost 5 years of development, Super Mario World : The Other Quest was finally launched, in this beautiful month of August 2013 ! The game has been tested hundreds of times, but we are never safe from various bugs, plus we always have something to correct or something new to implement over time. And bugs, the original game was full of them, and despite all the care we took in our development, and despite the updates, there may still be some (afterwards know that certain glitches are inevitable because on top of that, each emulator reacts a little differently depending on the situation). That said, in more than 4 years, the game has reached a high level of polish ! Every corner has been thought out and rethought, tested and retested dozens of times so that the difficulty is balanced and the player does not experience unpleasant bugs, such as crossing the scenery and stupidly losing a life. On a level that lasts a minute at most, it's already annoying, but given that some of our levels require more than 10 minutes of exploration, we had to avoid that at all costs !
We also fine-tuned the sets, where in our eyes, every detail counts. But the highlight of the show is obviously the import of the new backgrounds : no less than 55 new backgrounds and/or foregrounds have been implemented in order to give a unique character to our game. Like all the developers on Lunar Magic, we used the "supermarket", the SMW Central site, which is a real database for modifying your game. So if you are used to playing hacks / homebrew / bootleg game, you will inevitably recognize certain settings.





And the decors, like the music, were imported from various universes : naturally Super Mario Bros 1, 2 and 3 All-Stars version, Yoshi's Island, New Super Mario Bros, Sonic (episodes 1, 2 and 3), Donkey Kong Country, Zelda III, Wonder Boy V, Final Fantasy (I can't say which episode exactly), Kirby, Mega Man X, Chrono Trigger and I'm probably forgetting some ! All this gives a unique graphic touch which has sometimes inspired the level design. The level design is unique because nothing has been taken from what our colleagues have done and to avoid being inspired by their creations, we simply haven't touched it !
Therefore, we are happy to offer you "our creation", our gameplay and level design findings, as well as our ideas (even if once again, it is possible that you will find certain concepts elsewhere... but that would only be pure coincidence). In short, between the new settings, completely recreated levels, the new overworld, new music and some original concepts, it is clear that you will completely rediscover the excellent Super Mario World. And that's even the goal since The Other Quest is in a way the "unofficial sequel" of the original episode.


The overworld of Super Mario World : The Other Quest,
with a 100% original design, an open-world map
and new "events" (click to enlarge)




Emulator, Linker or mini console ?

There are 4 main ways to play Super Mario World : The Other Quest. The easiest way is obviously to use an emulator. But I admit, playing on your PC, with a USB controller (probably an Xbox gamepad) lacks a little charm, even if ultimately, that's how the experience will be the most stable. If everyone worships certain programs such as SNes9x or ZNes, personally I developed/tested the entire game with SNesGT which is, in my opinion, the best of all ! Quite little known, this emulator is very reliable, efficient, super easy to access (the Windows interface is pleasant) and it perfectly transcribes the reactions of the console. It is no longer very young since the version I use (v.0.218) dates from May 2007 but the software is compatible with Windows XP/7/8/10, and remains, in my opinion, a reference of the Super NES emulation. You can download it from us, AT THIS ADDRESS.



   

The SnesGT emulator


The second way to play it is the Linkers because if you want to rediscover the authentic sensations and performances of a "real" Super NES game, then you have to play on an original console, with your buttocks carefully pressed into the sofa, with this wonderful SNES controller in your hands. This is how you get the most out of your game. On Super NES, there are several offers (Super Ufo 8, Super Everdrive, SNES Power Pack, etc.) but they are not all of the same quality. I myself had a Super Ufo8 and an Everdrive, and I cannot recommend the second solution enough. For those who don't know, a Linker is a special cartridge where you insert your ROM (usually on an SD card) and run everything on a "real Super Nintendo", playing with the real pad in hand. The Linker then makes the console believe that it is a real game that is inserted into its cartridge port. The experience is transformed ! However, who knows why, but with a Linker (especially if it is a little old), we sometimes encounter problems that any emulator avoids. For example, some music doesn't work and some bugs literally crash the console !




Everdrive type Linkers exist for all cartridge consoles : Super Nintendo,
Genesis, Lynx, Game Boy, NES, Neo-Geo, GBA, Master System,
Nintendo 64, Jaguar, Game Gear, TurboGrafx-16...


But our original goal was that : to play on the original console ! So many will find our game easy but I can tell you that it's not ! We're already challenging anyone to complete a super-play of less than an hour (it takes 45 minutes just to do the last castle so...) and then we wanted to make a game that was a little more "intelligent". We wanted to make our players think, for exploration to be highlighted, for our players to be more "smart" than gifted with a pad. And then when you play on an emulator, it's easy to cheat (because yes, quick-saves are cheating !) whereas with an original pad, playing on your TV and not on your PC, we can no longer cheat. So the difficulty was adapted with this in mind because we didn't want a masochistic difficulty that makes players suffer from the first level (as is sadly the case with many Lunar Magic developers). We wanted those who play our game, above all, to find pleasure in it, to really rediscover Super Mario World and not to tear their hair out.



 

The Super Ufo Pro 8 Linker


Finally there are 2 other solutions, which have appeared more recently : microcomputers and mini consoles. The microcomputers are of the Raspberry Pi type, new models are regularly released which are more and more efficient, to the point that today they perfectly emulate certain large machines like the PlayStation, the DreamCast or the Nintendo 64. This ultra-small computer works with a software suite such as RecalBOX, which supports more than 100 media and is completely free ! So it will only cost you the purchase of the Raspberry Pi, which is completely affordable and will give you the possibility of emulating some of the most legendary video game media.




The Raspberry Pi is a perfect microcomputer for emulating retro games,
notably thanks to the RecalBox software suite. You can even dress it up
a shell bearing the image of a known console (like the NES here)


Finally, since the launch of Nintendo's NES Mini in 2016, the craze for mini consoles has continued to grow. I myself have several at home (PlayStation, NES, Genesis, Super Nintendo, Neo-Geo, PC-Engine...) and you are aware that these machines are very easily hacked. So here is the ultimate solution with which I enjoy my game : the Super Nintendo Mini ! Once the console is hacked and the Hakchi software installed, playing Super Mario World : The Other Quest is child's play. I benefit from a pleasant interface, the excellent Super Nintendo pad and perfect emulation in every way. In my eyes it is now the ideal medium to enjoy Super Nintendo titles, and even more this unique game that we created with our hands...



 

The Super Nintendo Mini




The many new features of
The Other Quest


Here is the list of the main changes made to Super Mario World, thus becoming The Other Quest.


  • Presence of a hidden store ! We wanted to do something more RPG (like the coins collected are used to buy items) but it's difficult to achieve without deeply tinkering with the game code
  • There are 12 new songs just for Bowser's Castle and a level that lasts at least 45 minutes ! Epic you say ?
  • Changing the intro and prologue music (and Lunar Magic users know that it's not easy to do ^.^)
  • The reserve item no longer automatically goes down when you get hit (and that's really handy !)
  • Changed the music for P-switch, invincibility and mini-intros ("no Yoshi", Castle or Ghost-house)
  • There are no more congas when you take a Yoshi (that would have been out of place with most music)
  • The world map is more or less open-world ! We don't have to play the game in a prescribed order
  • Change of all texts : message box in the levels, post-boss cut-scenes, intro message, end credits...
  • There are 11 tutorials which remind you of the basics of the game + 5 optional levels
  • Lowering the checkpoint bar... this is just one small detail among many others
  • Time is no longer limited and score has been removed
  • Implementation of a real prologue to the adventure
  • You can exit most levels by simply going left
  • Implementation of 134 new music !
  • Save game at each level crossed
  • Implementation of 55 new decors
  • Modification of some bosses
  • 89 levels for 96 outputs




  • The story of The Other Quest

    On New Yoshi's Island everyone leads a peaceful life. Although plumbers by trade, Mario and Luigi (2 brothers) live in the Mushroom Kingdom. Not far from there, at the castle, live Princesses Peach and Daisy, as well as Toad, the King's advisor. Little by little, bonds and even feelings are formed, making Peach and Mario, Daisy and Luigi, much more than friends. But without knowing why and without warning signs, it seems that Bowser is preparing to attack. He forms the ranks, prepares his henchmen, trains each recruit for an imminent attack. Worried about the residents of the castle, Luigi goes ahead and intends to avoid a tragedy... but once there, it is already too late ! Bowser has already kidnapped the Princesses and destroyed their castle ! On the way back to the Dark Valley, Bowser even stole the Yoshis' eggs ! Arriving late, Mario arrives at the scene of the tragedy. The castle is nothing but ruins, and no one is there anymore... not even Luigi who probably went ahead to catch up with Bowser and save his beloved, as well as his friends. In turn, Mario heads to the Dark Valley, because Bowser must answer for his actions ! It is now up to him to save the Princesses as well as Toad, perhaps even on the road he will find traces of his brother. And in this long adventure, he will surely find new allies ready to help him...







    Launch trailer








    Screenshots


       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       





    Download the ROM of
    Super Mario World : The Other Quest

    (v.1.4 US/ENG version)





    The final word

    I would particularly like to thank my brother Aquel, who supported me more than any other, who tested every level, found every bug and who even managed to understand the most obscure tutorials that allow you to obtain the most advanced modifications of the game. Without him, we would undoubtedly have offered a relatively basic game but he pushed me to make a new overworld (twice !), a new intro (twice too ! what a torturer ^.^) and he made me encouraged to implement new decors. Finally he completed 2 levels himself. In short, a big thank you to my brother, who is partly responsible for the quality of this game.
    In his name and mine, I would also like to thank all those who have followed and encouraged us for so many years because this support allowed us to not give up when sometimes the difficulties seemed insurmountable. Obviously, before encouraging you to download our game, we must point out that you must own a copy of Super Mario World (on Super Nintendo) in order to be in compliance with the law. Likewise, this game is delivered free of charge and is in no way supported by Nintendo, the sole holder of the operating rights.
    Now that my legal obligations are written, don't hesitate. We provide you with an excellent emulator and to download the ROM, simply click on the link below (don't worry, the archive is guaranteed virus-free, we are here to share our game, share our passion, not to annoy people :). We will conclude by hoping that many of you will download the fruit of our labor, that you will enjoy playing it and, we hope, finishing it.
    Good game to all... ^__^





    Download the ROM of
    Super Mario World : The Other Quest

    (v.1.4 US/ENG version)



    Game and article created by Aquel & iiYama

    last update : January 2024



    Seen pages