Project Overview

What is SM64: The Missing Stars? Released on April 18, 2009, Super Mario 64: The Missing Stars holds the historic title of being the very first major, complete custom ROM hack for Super Mario 64. Rather than just shifting objects in existing environments, it completely removed the original worlds to present 10 entirely custom levels, a 38-star quest, a dynamic day/night gameplay cycle, custom music compositions, and a brand-new final boss battle.

Who is Frauber? Frauber (also known as Messiaen) is the visionary programmer and modder behind this milestone project. In an era when early level editors and ROM tools were incredibly restrictive, Frauber pushed the absolute boundaries of the Nintendo 64 architecture, inventing custom script routines and memory lookup tables that paved the way for the massive SM64 ROM hacking scene we know today.

Walkthroughs & Game Trailer

Official Trailer (2009 Frauber)
Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1

Browser Compatibility

Chrome 2008 Chrome Firefox Firefox Opera Opera
Optimized for modern desktop engines. Legacy platforms may render visual effects differently.

Installation & Setup

LEGAL COMPLIANCE WARNING: Provide your own valid, original copy of the game. We strongly forbid hosting or linking to any copyrighted ROM files.
  1. Secure a verified original SM64 (U) [!] cartridge backup.
  2. Launch ROM Extender: ROM size must be set to exactly 24MB.
  3. Utilize PPF-O-Matic to apply the Missing Stars PPF patch file.
  4. Inside Project64 emulator core options, adjust memory size to 8MB.

Wii & PC Tutorial Guide

How to get and play it on Your Wii/PC

Essential Software & Patches

Project64 1.6
The specific emulator needed for the 2009 mod ecosystem. Portable.
Download
The Missing Stars
The official PPF mod patch containing the Luigi and Star levels.
Download
ROM Extender Utility
Required to safely expand your base ROM before applying patch.
Download
PPF-O-Matic v3.0
The designated tool to write the PPF data directly to your expanded ROM.
Download