When Mario Kart and Smash Bros Just Aren't Cutting It: MODS

Late on the draw...

Are you tired of playing single player games by yourself?

Yeah...
Do you grow bored of slaughtering your friends in multiplayer death matches?

Yeah...

Then have I got news for you, there's a modding scene that exists for multiplayer hacked single player games. That's right! Now you too (two?) can adventure as both Mario and Luigi in the original Super Mario 64, or gallantly save Zelda as Link, Link, Link and Link.

 GamesRadar has the scoop too!
 Vizzed.com too!

These are by far some of the most iconic games from my childhood, and I am crazy excited to try them out with friends behind the other wheels! I haven't yet though, but I've watched some short videos on them and already figured out some details on their draws and such.

Ocarina of Time Multiplayer features four links each with identical inventories to player 1. Part of the problem here is that they can't all take advantage of the inventory, but they will drain it. Players 2-4 do not have access to the bow or slingshot, or rather, they can't make use of it, but they certainly can fire off rounds and deplete your resources. There is also a lack of Z-targeting and some shield related glitches that present themselves with the "Four Swords" version of Ocarina of Time, along with the fact that the game was designed with a focus on the first player, and the camera continues to center on player 1. Plus...I think you can't push blocks...unless that's been patched...but that and a lack of Z-targeting and first person aiming can be crippling...

Super Mario 64 Co-op mod on the other hand offers a very smooth multiplayer session, with Luigi taking nothing away from the game and being able to fully interact with the game. There are still some issues, for instance, first person cannon sighting is no longer an option with Luigi tagging along. But the other problem might be seen as more beneficial than harmful. The AI do not detect Luigi, this immediately leads to an advantage in boss fights, since Mario can just lead the baddies around while Luigi sneaks around behind them and does...whatever need be done. Plus, the camera is NOT centered on Mario. As the two move further away from each other and closer together, Lakitu (the flying camera guy) adjusts the camera accordingly! Plus, if it comes to a head where Luigi needs to do something but can't be seen, or the two need to split up temporarily, they can focus the camera using an assigned camera control button!

So yeah, plus I'm sure there are others, like Sonic Classic Heroes, where you get all three members of the Sonic team in one party. I'll be on the lookout for more of course, I can only hope some day I find Donkey Kong 64 or Banjo-Tooie Co-Op mode!