# SMB Vanilla: a C reconstruction of two NES Mario games

> SMB Vanilla reconstructs the gameplay of Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 2 Japan in C. It runs against a user-supplied ROM for level and graphical data and aims to preserve original behavior, including many glitches. The author reports both games are beatable; refactoring of Ghidra-derived code, tests, and some audio remain unfinished.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-08
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/nukep/SMB-Vanilla>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/nukep/SMB-Vanilla/blob/20f4e02614412f9dbd407dd4e4fab4ade5eb79da/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/smb-vanilla-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/smb-vanilla-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/smb-vanilla-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** A legally obtained ROM dump is required to play.
- **Prerequisites:** Building requires C and C++ compilers, Meson, and SDL2 or SDL3.
- **Limits:** The Super Mario Bros. 2 Japan ending audio and regression tests are unfinished.
- **License:** GPL-3.0 license.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/nukep/SMB-Vanilla/blob/20f4e02614412f9dbd407dd4e4fab4ade5eb79da/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/nukep/SMB-Vanilla/blob/20f4e02614412f9dbd407dd4e4fab4ade5eb79da/CONTRIBUTING.md>
3. <https://github.com/nukep/SMB-Vanilla/blob/20f4e02614412f9dbd407dd4e4fab4ade5eb79da/BUILDING.md>

## More in Games

- [SMBDIS.ASM: a comprehensive Super Mario Bros. disassembly](https://awesomerea.org/resources/smbdis-super-mario-bros-disassembly-case/index.md) · Case study
- [smt-decomp: decompiling Shin Megami Tensei for PlayStation](https://awesomerea.org/resources/smt-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Snowboard Kids: decompiling the Nintendo 64 game](https://awesomerea.org/resources/sbk-decomp/index.md) · Case study
- [Sonic 3D Blast: a disassembly of game routines](https://awesomerea.org/resources/s3d-blast-disasm/index.md) · Case study
- [Sonic Adventure DX: a multi-version GameCube decompilation](https://awesomerea.org/resources/sadx-gamecube-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Sonic CD: reconstructing the Sonic Gems Collection version](https://awesomerea.org/resources/sonic-gems-sonic-cd-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.