| Version | Developer | Key Features | Best For | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Softendo (Buzhou) | 7 main worlds + 1 hidden world. Classic 8-bit style with smoother 16-bit-like graphics. | Beginners to the series. | | Mario Forever 4.4 (or 4.5) | Softendo | More polished physics, extra levels, and bug fixes. | The definitive original experience. | | Mario Forever Galaxy | Softendo | A sequel. New hub world, power-ups (like the Bee Mushroom), and space-themed levels. | Players who beat the original. | | Mario Forever Remake (MFR) | The Mario Forever Community | A fan-made expansion with 10+ worlds, new bosses, and custom music. | Veterans seeking endless content. | | Mario Forever: World 9 and Beyond | Various fan modders | Challenge packs that include “impossible” levels. | Masochists and speedrunners. |

If you grew up playing Super Mario Bros. on the NES, you’ve likely dreamed of more levels, tougher challenges, and a modern twist on the classic formula. Enter Mario Forever —a legendary fan-made tribute that has become a cornerstone of the Mario fangame community. This article will explain what Mario Forever is, why it’s worth playing, and how to navigate its many versions. What is Mario Forever? Originally created by a Chinese developer known as Buzhou (or Softendo) around 2003, Mario Forever (originally Mario Forever 4.0 or Mario Fantasy ) is a freeware PC game built with Clickteam Fusion. It’s not a ROM hack; it’s a standalone game that recreates the look, feel, and physics of classic Mario while introducing original levels, new mechanics, and a significantly higher difficulty curve.