The worst Sonic the Hedgehog romhack (featuring mario)
The worst Sonic the Hedgehog romhack (featuring mario) - Platformer Classic
This is a fan-made romhack of the original SEGA Genesis Sonic the Hedgehog, submitted to the Sonic Hacking Contest Expo 2022. The title proudly declares itself 'the worst Sonic the Hedgehog romhack,' and it delivers on that promise by swapping Sonic out for Mario. The hack was likely created by an individual participant in the contest, though the author isn't widely credited outside the entry page. It's a deliberately janky take on the classic platformer, designed as a joke or a curiosity for the hacking community.
The player controls Mario through the familiar Green Hill Zone, but don't expect tight physics or polished level design. Mario runs, jumps, and collects rings (or coins) just like Sonic would, but the movement feels off and the spritework is crude. The core loop is still about reaching the end of the act while avoiding enemies and obstacles, but the whole experience is intentionally broken for comedic effect. There are no new levels or mechanics - just a straight swap of the player character and a few visual tweaks.
Today, this hack is worth a look if you're into bizarre fan creations or the history of Sonic ROM hacking. It's not a good game by any measure, but that's the point. It shines a light on the creativity and humor within the community, offering a silly five-minute distraction rather than a serious platformer. If you've ever wondered what Mario would look like in a Sonic game, this is the most authentic - and worst - answer you'll find.
How to Play The worst Sonic the Hedgehog romhack (featuring mario) Online
Getting Started
Load the ROM in your emulator with the default key bindings. The game boots directly into the title screen showing the hack's name. Press Start to begin - you'll be dropped into Green Hill Zone as Mario. The objective is the same as any Sonic game: reach the giant ring at the end of the act before time runs out. Collect rings to survive hits, avoid spikes and enemies, and use the momentum to roll through loops.
Because this is a romhack rather than a polished release, expect quirks. Mario moves a little differently than Sonic - jumping feels floatier and the spin dash might not work as expected. Don't worry about hidden secrets or alternate paths; the hack keeps the original level layout but with Mario's sprites and a few swapped graphics. Just run to the right and try not to get hit by the weird collision glitches.
If you get stuck or find the game too broken, remember that that's intentional. There are no checkpoints or save states built in, but your emulator's save state feature is handy for skipping past particularly janky sections. The fun here comes from laughing at how bad it is, not from mastering it.
The worst Sonic the Hedgehog romhack (featuring mario) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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