Super Mario 64 Arrives on the Microsoft Zune HD via the sm64-zune Port

Microsoft’s Zune never matched the iPod’s hold on the culture, yet the Zune HD has just gained a new purpose as a Super Mario 64 machine through a fresh open-source port.

This week, developer rsheldiii released the sm64-zune repository, which takes the sm64ex decompilation and mashes it up so that the 1996 Nintendo classic Super Mario 64 can run on the 2009 Zune HD with full audio, touch controls, and save support, at least after coughing up a legally dumped USA cartridge ROM. You’ll need the proper build, with the correct checksum, no substitutions allowed.

Building this port begins on an x86-64 Linux box with Docker and git installed, and then you simply fire up a Zune HD running firmware 4.5, connect it via USB cable, and prepare to wait for a while, as the first compilation can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes to pull down Microsoft’s Visual C++ 2008 ARM toolchain and all of the libraries that come with it. Subsequent builds will be much quicker. Once your binary is ready, simply run the deploy script, and it will be pushed directly to the player. Be advised, only firmware 4.5 has received approval thus far, however the repository does include some useful error codes and recovery instructions for the various USB timing and connectivity issues that are bound to arise.

The game renders on the Zune HD’s crisp 3.3-inch 480×272 OLED screen, and virtual buttons appear on the capacitive multitouch surface for movement and activities. Builders can choose from a range of button styles, opacity levels, and frame-skipping behavior because the configuration is quite customizable. In terms of graphics, the shaders are pre-compiled with NVIDIA Tegra tools before being wrapped up, which may be a nuisance because the original graphics drivers for the Tegra APX 2600 do not support the dynamic compilation required by the PC version of the port. But don’t worry, it’s all wrapped up in a nice neat packaging with OpenZDK and a little bit of XNA launcher, because the device’s stock firmware can only launch XNA games directly.

Performance-wise, it’s mostly full speed throughout, although expect the occasional dip in some of the heavier parts. You also receive some useful logging and profiling tools, which allow you to stream data via Wi-Fi for debugging, and if you need to exit the game, a simple three-finger gesture will do the trick. Of course, this is only the latest in a long series of Zune HD homebrew projects, with games like DOOM being moved over before the device was even discontinued in 2011, utilizing the same OpenZDK technologies that power this Mario port. The best part is that you don’t have to mess around with any firmware modifications that could compromise the hardware; fantastic stuff.
[Source]