The Super Mario 64 PC port got another round of updates recently: co-op, ray tracing, and HD visuals across a fresh build. The mod scene has been busy since. If you want to actually run these mods without wasting an afternoon on setup, you need a proper PC toolkit. Here are the eight desktop apps we use to install SM64 mods, launch custom builds, and record the results.
What to look for in an SM64 modding stack
- Base port that compiles cleanly on your OS
- Co-op fork if you want to play with friends
- Mod manager that handles patch and profile switching
- Renderer overlay for HD textures and shader effects
- Recorder that captures at a stable framerate
- Community server for build recommendations and troubleshooting
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Starting price/mo | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sm64ex | Base PC port | Yes | Free | Native Windows and Linux binaries |
| sm64ex-coop | Two-to-sixteen player co-op | Yes | Free | Custom Lua modding hooks |
| Render96 | HD texture pack | Yes | Free | Restores 1996 concept-art visuals |
| Vortex Mod Manager | Profile-based mod switching | Yes | Free | Handles ROM hacks and shader packs together |
| OBS Studio | Recording runs | Yes | Free | Replay buffer for parkour moments |
| Discord | SM64 modding servers | Yes | $10 | Voice for co-op sessions |
| RetroArch | Emulation fallback | Yes | Free | Runs base SM64 if the PC port fails to build |
| ReShade | Post-process shaders | Yes | Free | Depth-based effects on any DirectX build |
| DXVK | DirectX to Vulkan translation | Yes | Free | Fixes stutter on modern GPUs |
Why the PC port keeps changing
The Super Mario 64 PC port is a moving target. sm64ex started as a decompilation project, then sm64ex-coop forked to add multiplayer, then Render96 forked again to focus on visual fidelity. Each fork has its own build instructions, its own mod compatibility list, and its own community.
The tools below help you keep those forks straight, install mods without breaking your existing setup, and record the results at a framerate that isn’t 30fps.
The apps
1. sm64ex — Best for the base PC port
sm64ex is the decompilation project that started the PC-port scene. It compiles from the game’s C source and produces native Windows and Linux binaries. Every mod on this list assumes you have sm64ex or one of its forks installed.
Where it falls short: You need to provide your own ROM to extract assets from, and the build process requires a command-line toolchain.
Pricing:
- Free: Open-source, MIT-adjacent license on the ex-specific code
- Paid: None
Platforms: Windows, Linux
Download: sm64ex on GitHub
Bottom line: Start here. Every fork builds on it.
2. sm64ex-coop — Best for co-op multiplayer
sm64ex-coop is the fork that added the multiplayer everyone wanted. It supports up to 16 players in a shared castle, with a Lua modding layer that lets community members add new game modes on top of the base co-op runtime.
Where it falls short: Requires port forwarding or a hosted server. Setting up your own game with friends takes a few minutes of network config.
Pricing:
- Free: Open-source, MIT-adjacent license
- Paid: None
Platforms: Windows, Linux
Download: sm64ex-coop on GitHub
Bottom line: The main reason to run SM64 on PC right now.
3. Render96 — Best for HD visuals
Render96 is the visual overhaul that restores the game’s 1996 concept-art aesthetic. HD textures, updated model geometry, higher-poly Mario, and a redone lighting pass. It ships as a mod loader compatible with sm64ex, so you drop the pack into your build folder and boot.
Where it falls short: Some textures fight the original game’s lighting. Screen-space effects can help. So can turning off select overrides in the settings menu.
Pricing:
- Free: Open-source, community-maintained
- Paid: None
Platforms: Windows, Linux
Download: Render96 on GitHub
Bottom line: The prettiest SM64 you can run on PC.
4. Vortex Mod Manager — Best for profile switching
Vortex Mod Manager is Nexus Mods’ own mod manager, and it handles Super Mario 64 PC port mods alongside the more traditional Skyrim and Fallout lists. Profile-based switching means you can keep a co-op setup, a Render96 setup, and a vanilla setup separate without breaking each other.
Where it falls short: Overkill if you only run one mod. Vortex assumes you’ll build a stack.
Pricing:
- Free: Full-featured, Nexus account required
- Paid: Nexus Premium at $6/mo adds faster mod downloads
Platforms: Windows
Download: Vortex Mod Manager
Bottom line: The cleanest way to run multiple SM64 forks in parallel.
5. OBS Studio — Best for recording runs
OBS Studio captures the port’s output at whatever resolution your GPU can push. Set up a game capture source on the sm64ex window, enable the replay buffer, and you’ll never miss a parkour clip again.
Where it falls short: Requires manual scene setup the first time. After that it’s set-and-forget.
Pricing:
- Free: Full-featured, open-source
- Paid: None
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: OBS Studio
Bottom line: The recorder every SM64 speedrunner already uses.
6. Discord — Best for community troubleshooting
Discord is where the SM64 PC port scene lives. Servers like the official sm64ex-coop hub have channels for build errors, mod requests, and co-op matchmaking. When your build fails to compile, this is where the fix comes from.
Where it falls short: Requires you to sift through channel history to find answers. Search is limited on free tiers.
Pricing:
- Free: Everything a small server needs
- Paid: Nitro at $10/mo for HD streams and higher upload limits
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: Discord for PC
Bottom line: Join the sm64ex-coop server before you install anything.
7. RetroArch — Best for base emulation fallback
RetroArch is a multi-system emulator front-end, and it can run the original SM64 ROM if the PC port build fails on your machine. It’s a fallback rather than a replacement, but a good one.
Where it falls short: No PC-port features. You’ll get 30fps, no co-op, and no HD textures.
Pricing:
- Free: Open-source
- Paid: None
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: RetroArch
Bottom line: Keep it installed for the day sm64ex won’t compile.
8. ReShade — Best for post-process shaders
ReShade injects post-process shaders into any DirectX game, including sm64ex. Add depth-of-field, sharpening, colour grading, or SMAA on top of Render96 for a cinematic take.
Where it falls short: Wrong presets can tank framerate. Start with lightweight shaders and layer up.
Pricing:
- Free: Full shader library
- Paid: None
Platforms: Windows
Download: ReShade
Bottom line: The finishing touch on a modded SM64 setup.
How to pick the right one
- If you want to play SM64 on PC at all: sm64ex.
- If you want to play with friends: sm64ex-coop.
- If you want the HD visual pack: Render96.
- If you want multiple mod setups without breaking things: Vortex Mod Manager.
- If you want to record parkour clips: OBS Studio.
- If your build fails: RetroArch as a fallback plus Discord for troubleshooting.
- If you want shader eye-candy: ReShade.
Most modded SM64 PC players end up with sm64ex-coop, Render96, and OBS Studio installed together, plus Discord for co-op scheduling.
FAQ
What’s new in the latest Super Mario 64 PC port?
Recent updates to the PC port added co-op multiplayer, ray tracing, and HD visual overhauls. The community forks now support up to 16 players and a full Lua-scripted modding layer.
Do these mods work on macOS?
The base sm64ex code compiles on macOS but binaries are less common. Most modders use Windows or Linux. RetroArch, OBS Studio, and Discord all support macOS if you want the surrounding toolkit.
Is the Super Mario 64 PC port legal?
The port’s code is a clean-room decompilation and is legally distributed as source. You provide your own game copy to extract assets from, which follows the same pattern as most emulator ROM requirements. Distribution of the compiled binary with assets included is not legal.
Which fork should a beginner start with?
sm64ex-coop is the most active fork and includes co-op, mod support, and better performance than the original sm64ex. Start there and add Render96 if you want the visual overhaul.
Do I need a beefy GPU?
Not for the base port. Render96 with ray tracing enabled asks for a modern GPU with hardware ray-tracing support. The vanilla port runs on integrated graphics comfortably.