Super Mario World - Hakurei Adventure Mission is one of those weird, unofficial Mario hacks that somehow feels both familiar and totally fresh. You still get the classic SMW physics—tight jumps, floaty spins—but the levels? Way harder, way weirder. Found myself falling into hidden pits I never saw coming, and the enemy placements are just mean sometimes. But in a good way, like when an old game finally decides to fight back.

First thing you’ll notice is the overworld map’s been completely redone, with new paths and secrets tucked everywhere. Some of the power-ups feel tweaked too—Yoshi handles a little differently, and I swear the fireballs arc weird now. Took me a few tries to adjust, but once it clicks, it’s weirdly satisfying to blast through these remixed stages.

Definitely not for beginners, but if you’ve played the original SMW to death and need something that’ll actually make you sweat, this’ll do it. Just don’t throw your controller when you hit the third ghost house.