Mario Builder 64: Setup Tutorial

Mario Builder 64 is a Super Mario 64 ROM Hack developed by Rovertronic and arthurtilly, where you make your own 3D Super Mario levels in a very accessible way! It is playable via a N64 emulator and on suitable hardware (including the actual Nintendo 64 console).
Here's a video tutorial on how to setup the necessary ROM in order to run the game.
You can find a more extensive version of this guide in the link below. Special thanks to Vortoxium for creating this guide!
rentry.co/mb64-setup-guide
Download Parallel Launcher here: parallel-launcher.ca/
Download the Mario Builder 64 .bps hack file in either of these links:
romhacking.com/hack/mario-bui...
gamebanana.com/mods/514361
Alternative websites to patch your Super Mario 64 ROM:
www.romhacking.net/patch/
hack64.net/tools/patcher.php
Play and share Mario Builder 64 levels here:
levelsharesquare.com/levels
/ discord
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Mario Builder 64
0:28 - Index
0:40 - Best emulator to use
1:07 - How to Make the MB64 ROM
3:16 - Where to access your levels
4:20 - Where to play and share levels
4:42 - Outro

[@Mushy6462]

This is it… Super Mario Maker 3D is slowly coming true

[@cursedpotato64]

It is already true, we don't need Nintendo :D

[@SylkaChan]

@@cursedpotato64 error : Failed to patch ROM. The base ROM does not match what the patch expects.

[@RuairiOTuathail]

@@SylkaChan just download an another mario 64 rom from a different source

[@HehehehawYt]

@@SylkaChan rename your rom file format from .n64 to .z64

[@Popthatcorn14]

A much needed video. Thank you for covering this!

[@SylkaChan]

Does it have to be a ".z64" instead of a ".n64"?

[@blackstar5867]

​@@SylkaChan Yes

[@practicc]

thats actually really cool, never thought id see a level editor built into the sm64 rom

[@gamemandre28]

This is a awesome new project!!! 🔥 Oh and for those that are having trouble with the auto virtual SD card in Parallel Launcher due to the virus prompt........ Just go to your settings and turn off Windows Defender and then it'll work.

[@christophersholes1377]

As someone in IT, that is terrible advice. You can add exceptions if you know what you are doing. You should never turn off Windows Defender without something else in place to protect your device.

[@RedHatGuyYT]

thanks for featuring my level on the website 👍

[@LevelShareSquare]

No problem, our staff is working hard featuring the best of the best

[@Rudymc-du7or]

Slick and awesome video, 5/5 Stars

[@al4xb]

Thank you very much, I am not good at this type of thing so showing the steps instead of saying them is much of help 👍

[@SylkaChan]

Where the hell do you get a vanilla game rom?

[@HehehehawYt]

@@SylkaChan just search "super mario 64 rom" and you will find it

[@RoseQuartz692]

@@SylkaChan It's not that hard to find

[@jockyrhonson_]

This is so so cool!! --Just wish it would work for me. I try applying the patch and get an error: Could not patch ROM, The base ROM does not match what the patch expects. I've triple checked everything, the sm64 rom is in the bottom box, and the bps file is in the top, but it just isn't working. Do they need to be in the same folder?-- GOT IT! Apparently my rom was .n64 not .z64, got the correct one and it all works properly now!

[@Neo_Yoshi64]

My Rom is z64 and it still doesn't work.

[@EAJPP]

@@Neo_Yoshi64SAME!

[@2.x_92]

this is a realy good help thanks

[@FlameLFH]

Note: If Windows Defender gives you a virus message upon trying to browse your virtual SD card, just click "allow" under actions. Pretty sure it's a false-positive.

[@Emeraldboy-rj5dx]

I don’t know why but no matter what I try the Ss card just never works

[@SylkaChan]

Will dolphin emulator work? if not where do i get a virtual sd card?

[@HehehehawYt]

@@SylkaChan he literally said parallel launcher

[@kingofflames738]

What are the controls? I can't figure out how to rotate the camera or how to change what y level something is placed.

[@maxprime310]

Wow. Never thought that Mario 64 would have a level editor. 😂

[@giulytsme]

I'm having trouble finding the location of the screenshot of the levels thumbnails. Does anyone knows the directory?

[@Unitale360]

Getting an error: "Failed to patch ROM. The base ROM does not match what the path expects". I have the mb64.bps and the Super Mario 64.z64 so I'm not sure what the issue is. Any help would be appreciated.

[@PolyesterMoustache]

yeah I had the same problem. it needs a rom with the .z64 file extension, a .n64 rom doesn't work

[@stickfigure_gd1769]

Make sure it doesn't have any data on it

[@garfieldnate]

Would love a follow-up showing how to play this on the console.

[@wawweris]

please y need help When you click to explore files it says that it cannot be done because it contains a virus or unwanted software

[@fudgethenumbers]

In MB64, many levels say, "Created in future version, update to play." Where can I find the latest version so I can play those levels? Is there a newer version than v1.0.0?

[@startrekmodelmaker4457]

Once the roms patched, will it just work straight away on real hardware via and everdrive or ED64?

[@kuyashiix]

So I'm having a bit of trouble getting this to work on my Everdrive 64. The game runs fine, but I can't save my levels? Can a dev confirm or deny if making and saving/building levels is possible on real hardware or can levels only be made via emulator? I'm getting the impression that you can play levels on hardware, but to save and build you have to use an emulator. Is this true?

[@LevelShareSquare]

you need to have the virtual sd card in order to save the levels, which is why parallel launcher is recommended

[@rovertronic]

Levels can be saved on ED64. You need to make sure your SD card is formatted to the FAT-16 filesystem.

[@rakabosh]

@@rovertronic​​⁠ hi, i needed to format an SD card to FAT32 for my ED64 to play other games, so would i need another SD card with the FAT16 format you noted? or will FAT32 work to play these levels? thank you so much for making this amazing ROM. incredible work.

[@gavindixon15]

@@rakabosh So far, until they update it differently, you will need a seperate SD card formatted in FAT16 in order to save created levels etc, it will play on FAT32 but wont save, thats what I have found so far.

[@rakabosh]

@@gavindixon15 thank you for the information!

[@BebjaCT]

Thanks!!

[@ChristoferVillalobos]

I followed the tutorial Step by step, but when i open the rome, the screen becomes white by some seconds and the Emulator stop the emulation, and does not generate the SD Virtual Card file.

[@0OH_NO0]

Is it possible to get this set up on a modded 3ds?

[@piggyboss992]

tysm i can play mario bulider 64 now

[@FfReAkDude]

Is there a way to play and save the levels with an original n64 with everdrive?

[@Jopl1904]

When i am trying to open the sd card folder it says no folder found.What can i do?

[@melaometalico9730]

Is there anyway to make the sd card thing work on mobile? I wanted to play other people levels, but i only have an phone.

[@skeetermagee2487]

I am having a massive big problem with this rom and it's been bugging me for days and i hope you guys can help! How do i remap buttons in parallel launcher? I remap with retroarch and it's the worst button configuration ever with it being so complicated and i have no clue on how to remap.. Even when i change buttons it always resets to default!? PLEASE HELP!!!! I am using a keyboard and the buttons are just stuck on w a s d

[@lukehbarton]

I patched the v1.0 rom and put it on my Everdrive. I get the title screen then it’s just a black screen. Not sure what I’m doing wrong?

[@_justasnail]

seconded

[@Azure64248]

"Operation did not complete successfully because the file contains a virus or potentially unwanted software" This popped error up when I tried browsing the mb64 rom files, please help!

[@donkeyshspittle]

ye same i dunno how to get past it

[@chie47896]

got the same thing just tell windows defender to allow it it's safe

[@LevelShareSquare]

Its a false positive! Getting roms is the only risky part, MB64 itself is safe

[@JaeyKae]

@@LevelShareSquare The same happens to me when i try to browse the files of the virtual sd card, and I cant find the mount sd card.exe file to allow it Edit: Sry my fault i didnt look in the FAQ Part in the Guide

[@gamemandre28]

Turn off Windows Defender and it'll let you browse the files.

[@Emeraldboy-rj5dx]

When I try the glide and 64 engine for the graphics plug-in, it always crashes the emulator I use parallel even though no matter what I try to use glide it just never works

[@Emeraldboy-rj5dx]

Never mind, I got it working. It was the wrong driver.

[@The__Corner]

for some reason parallel launcher, and ONLY parallel launcher will not recognize any inputs from my controller, despite recognizing the controller itself

[@LevelShareSquare]

try using third party software to detect your controller inputs if it doesnt work

[@The__Corner]

@@LevelShareSquare yeah I made it a steam application and that worked. Posting this here for anyone having the same issue!!

[@angeredturnip6527]

once you download the levels how do you play them?

[@blackstar5867]

Your using 7.5.3 but the lastest version is 7.6.0. I can't find the vertual as card on pararel launcher

[@SeveredLegs]

Every time I try, no matter which rom that I patch, it's a black screen after the main logo. N64 with Everdrive x7.

[@DiamondEmpyrean8273]

Very useful, but I had to guess the controllers myself. It would be nice to know some of them since I am on laptop.

[@LevelShareSquare]

You can always plug in your own controller if needed, though generally with emulation the software used decides how it translates your key inputs

[@VerkatosEnsei]

Can you play this on Wii? Like through vWii on WiiU or something

[@estrellinxd]

It dosn't appear the "play" button when i play it

[@zeebpc]

how does it work on original hardware??? what about space?

[@Beleth420]

How do I get into that discord? If its active maybe the levels will be better.

[@MinecraftlerDan]

This should be flashable to a real cardridge, right? How are the Levels saved there? Is there any chance to "upload" levels to the Real Cardridge? I want it to real console :D

[@LevelShareSquare]

try asking in rovert's server, your question is getting a lil more on the complex side for us to answer :/

[@paralyzedpig]

this is badass

[@SnifferDogBen]

Why does an exe file need to be ran in order to view this "virtual SD card"? Surely theres a better way for this to be done? Windows Defender certainly isn't happy with the file.

[@jameskardys3452]

I'm stuck at opening the ROM on Project 64. I created the new ROM exactly as instructed with no problem at all, but when I try to start it up I get a "Fatal Error: Stopping Emulation."

[@fjl05]

You're suppsoed to run it on Parallel Launcher not Project 64.

[@jameskardys3452]

@@fjl05 I used Parallel Launcher to compile the file. I have to use it again to start the ROM up?

[@Quixium]

ok but how do i find my levels so i can add them to the webpage

[@popsicleisbored3890]

how do you load custom levels?

[@glacierwolf2155]

I'm trying to set this up properly, but my laptop is having issues running emulation on Parallel Launcher. It opens up the RetroArch emulation window, sits on it for about 16 seconds, then closes. I genuinely do not know how to fix this issue. If anyone can help me figure it out, that would be heavily appreciated.

[@LevelShareSquare]

Try rovert's discord for issues like these

[@glacierwolf2155]

@@LevelShareSquare Will do.

[@jamiecal11]

I don't get the launcher thing. Can I use it on linux/steam deck?

[@LevelShareSquare]

I do believe parallel launcher is svailable on linux yes

[@SilverSonicvxD]

Is it possible to play this on Netplay64?

[@RonRon0110]

Anyone know how good of a pc you need i have a ryzen 5 2600 and gtx 1660 would i be able to run it smoothly?

[@HehehehawYt]

you can probably run it on potato

[@user-fn6mn4pv3u]

is there a save way to aquire the ROM file savely? i tried getting it but got a virus alert

[@LevelShareSquare]

I cant advice you further on this since sharing roms is technically illegal

[@OblivionWalkerVerified]

@@LevelShareSquareit’s funny. In Australia it’s not illegal. It’s only illegal if you don’t have the original rom.

[@shirleymaemattthews4862]

I'm working the game properly, but keeps lagging and the screen won't move!

[@inceptoadepto6055]

How do i play levels dowloaded in the site?

[@AdrinTheWBAFan360]

Will there be Super Mario Construct 2 with the Super Mario 3D Land game style, Just like Super Mario Maker 2?

[@AdrinTheWBAFan360]

Here are the Super Mario Construct 2 game styles: Game Styles: Super Mario Bros. (Original/SMAS style) Super Mario Bros. 3 (Original/SMAS style Super Mario World New Game Styles: New Super Mario Bros. Wii Super Mario 3D Land

[@LevelShareSquare]

we're not planning on making a new game nor adding any new gamestyles as of now

[@SuperMarioSplashy]

uhh i dont have the mb64sdalt virtual sd card

[@Commander_64]

They said you could play on console. Where do i get the cartridge for n64?

[@fjl05]

amazon

[@arnausanchismateu9537]

The "Browse files" button doesn't show up for me

[@mikolamy2677]

me too

[@JJLarge]

Is there no way for this to work on Project 64?

[@drob8371]

Someone help me, when I try to extract the files from the sd card, I get that the file could not be found :( Help Please

[@LevelShareSquare]

Make sure you're using the correct launcher if you havent already

[@drob8371]

Parallel Laucher?

[@SMG6VIDEO]

Parallel Launcher Not on Mobile And No SD on My Phone

[@jocelynflores2098]

Is this available to android

[@ericklostreloaded]

It remmbers me of the Toadstool 64 engine😂😅

[@jakethefox3893]

can it work for pc builder2?

[@archerdeluxe2]

what site to download the rom, i dont have the cart and idk how to dump game files

[@LevelShareSquare]

unfortunately we cant directly link to sites with game roms, you'd have to look for them on your own

[@archerdeluxe2]

I’m screwed

[@HehehehawYt]

from emulatorsgames or any other site because literally no one puts viruses on these sites

[@tre4ygotbanned]

​@@archerdeluxe2search up sm64 USA z64 rom download

[@utuber87]

when i try to access my levels, it gives me an error, but my files are all good

[@LevelShareSquare]

make sure you got access to the virtual sd card

[@Ralsrags]

I wonder how long it’s gonna take until someone makes a refreshing level

[@_MrLee]

Next we'll have Everything Builder 64

[@aaronrivera2511]

For some reason, every SD card I make via Parallel Launcher gets corrupted despite making it with the FAT16 format with a 255 MiB file size. If anyone knows how to create an uncorrupted SD card, let me know.

[@TheLoginatoR]

simply running the game without having a previously set up virtual sd card should have the game automatically make one for you

[@Kuvertu]

@@TheLoginatoR eee

[@gamemandre28]

The game itself will automatically make a virtual SD card right after playing it. If you're on windows, you'll see a virus prompt that won't let you browse files. To fix this, go to your settings and turn off Windows Defender.

[@aaronrivera2511]

@@gamemandre28 And yet the game is still refusing to open due to the launcher thinking the rom is corrupt. Also, given this info, the problem might not entirely lie in the SD card creation like I thought.

[@aaronrivera2511]

@@gamemandre28 Nvm, got it running on mupen64.

[@murmiel]

3.16 y en android???

[@fireyoriginal]

i cant find the mario 64 rom..

[@matcots222]

i can play it in a wii?

[@tyshawnhart1976]

So do anybody know about playing the game mobile I got the emulator in the game works fine on phone but idk if it's possible for the SD card part? Plz help if anybody knows

[@fjl05]

you need an emulator that supports Virtual SD card. They said this on the video.

[@tyshawnhart1976]

@@fjl05 Thanks bro

[@laneapelite8338]

If Super Mario Construct gets a snapshot 28, here are some things I wanna see Sledge Bro Shy Guys Sniffits Flame Chomp Foo Mega Mushroom Blue Shell Power-Up Cloud Flower Power-Up An all-new game style (Super Mario Bros 3) The Koopalings Bowser Junior Big Dry Bones Shoe Goombas Paragoomba in SMB Boomerang Flower Power-Up Waddlewing Cooligan Pom Pom Ice Piranha Plant Scuttlebug Wiggler in SMB

[@Spat856]

The patcher says that my SM64 isn't the right version for the Mario Builder patch.

[@LevelShareSquare]

Sounds like an unusual problem, try popping round rovert's server for help

[@stickfigure_gd1769]

Make sure the rom has no data on it or make sure it says ".z64" and not ".N64"

[@benjaminstudios61604]

How do you set this up on a Homebrewed Wii on Not64

[@LevelShareSquare]

might be best to pop into rovert's discord to ask

[@benjaminstudios61604]

Which channel on discord is the questions/Assistance channel?

[@bluSeven]

​@@benjaminstudios61604 That would be #mb64-help, under the MARIO BUILDER 64 category

[@benjaminstudios61604]

@@bluSeven thanks. 👍

[@Reaktron88]

What if the Mario 64 game file is .n64 instead of .z64?

[@bluSeven]

If you try to use a .n64 game file, Parallel Launcher it will prompt an error window. Your vanilla SM64 ROM must be a .z64 file

[@Reaktron88]

@@bluSeven For some reason the game just stopped opening. I tried it many times and it only opened a few of the times.

[@Aaronelxd1234]

I want to try this on phone

[@alfonproo]

how to download and play levels?

[@LevelShareSquare]

visit our site to find levels to play!

[@olimar6738]

"The emulator exited shortly after launching. If you are able to launch other ROMs without issues, then this ROM may contain invalid or unsafe RSP microcode that cannot be run on console accurate graphics plugins. Alternatively, if you have a very old onboard graphics card, it is possible that Vulkan is not supported on your system. In either case, using another graphics plugin might resolve the issue" WHERE IS THE PLUGIN???????????????????

[@Minty_Warior]

I get an error when I try to show files

[@LevelShareSquare]

Make sure you have a virtual sd, it gets automatically made upon bootup. You need to make an exception for your virus scanner

[@hunter00143]

really cool, however I cannot for the life of me get my controller to work with the emulator

[@stickfigure_gd1769]

Can i use a real sd card? 🤔

[@himynameishi302]

Can i use project64?

[@LevelShareSquare]

It doesnt support a virtual SD card from my knowledge.

[@plushieandfriends]

awwww tooo much

[@takyo8283]

Can i save my levels on mobile?

[@LevelShareSquare]

i dont believe thats possible as of now, although i suggest you check in on rovert's server to see if that will change

[@Ylia-fg1ee]

А как скачать????????????

[@Fallou-ov9xp]

Mario Maker 3d is finally here😍😍😍 in your face Nintendon't

[@SylkaChan]

Where do I get a "sd card emulator"? ⁉

[@LevelShareSquare]

Parallel launcher offers this

[@SylkaChan]

@@LevelShareSquare Parallel Launcher doesn't work on my system. Why is this? Project N64 on the other hand plays normally on even my system.

[@LevelShareSquare]

if you run into technical difficulties i highly advice to join rovert's discord server, theyre ready to help with things like these since MB64 is difficult to set up

[@SylkaChan]

@@LevelShareSquare Where is this discord server? Who is Rovert? Sorry, I don't know this. 💦☣

[@TeamBacon660]

i only get n64 got it

[@erinadenicola5153]

i cant open parallel launcher

[@LevelShareSquare]

if you run into issues with parallel itself then its your best bet to look for help from the community/creators behind parallel itself, rovert's discord server might also be of help.

[@tre4ygotbanned]

How do i play it on android

[@stickfigure_gd1769]

For now you have to use save states.

[@LittleBigDraco]

why wont my levels upload??

[@LevelShareSquare]

There is an issue where some browsers block uploads of mb64 files

[@NISASSASASS]

too work in retroarch

[@bfYTGAMER]

Tutorial for android please

[@fatswordsmanslej]

Can someone post a video on how to make a virtual sd card on an android device?

[@stickfigure_gd1769]

You can't but just use save states for now.

[@fatswordsmanslej]

@@stickfigure_gd1769 can I save them to physical SD card? I am using mupen64. Thanks for responding

[@fatswordsmanslej]

​@@stickfigure_gd1769can I use a physical SD card?

[@NinjaXFiles]

Won't run on windows 7 y_y Sigh...

[@user-il4tw7kw7t]

Super Mario Maker N64 Ver.

[@inceptoadepto6055]

parallel launcher deletes the created sd card with all the levels

[@LevelShareSquare]

check the FaQ if you run into issues, rovert's discord can help you further

[@MX12347]

How do I do that on Android?

[@LevelShareSquare]

it doesnt work on android unfort

[@stickfigure_gd1769]

You can still make levels but you can't share or play anybody else's. (You have to use save states to save your lvls btw)

[@henker3305]

Can you Show how to run this on wii (idk how to emulate SD Card)

[@artmanstudios7037]

I can't believe these people actually made us and before Nintendo ever did or will make something like this all they were able to pull off after all these years was a Mario maker which is not bad but they should have gone all out they could have just made a Mario maker 3Dor a mario maker that has all the Mario games and they'll keep updating it they should call it the Mario Master building Sweet Suite or something Along those lines!

[@LevelShareSquare]

Mario Builder 64 is a mod, not a standalone game

[@thepinkcoin1512]

so what's the deal with the trojan thing

[@chie47896]

It isn't, that's a false positive