Video shows modder running the Super Mario 64 engine in Minecraft

Nintendo's Mario is without a doubt one of the most famous video game characters in the world. That is no surprise, because the Italian plumber has been jumping across TV screens for the past 40 years. For many gamers, playing Mario titles is one of the most cherished childhood memories. An ingenious modder is now bringing these memories back to life by reviving the classic Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64 console in a mod for Minecraft (from US$29 on Amazon).

In a first sneak peak video that was shared on Twitter, the modder gives insight into the early development stage of his intriguing modification. The character skin for Mario has already made it into the game, and the running, jumping and swimming animations have also been integrated. The mod also features the authentic sound effects from the original game that was released in 1996.

But therein lies the one significant obstacle for this project. Due to licensing issues, Nintendo often takes legal action against fan projects and mods like this, which is why the developer does not promise to ever release a downloadable version of his creation. For players who still want to enjoy classic Mario games, the Polymega all-in-one retro console may be worth a look. Even though it cannot play Nintendo 64 titles, the Polymega can run NES and Super Nintendo games with its software emulator.