The worst Sonic the Hedgehog romhack

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.