Super Mario Bros. 4 (Read Post!)

[Danny]

All of my projects have failed because I never really devoted much time to them, some of you might know this. But, without further ado, I'd like to present to you, a slightly original concept. Super Mario Bros. 4.

Now, before everyone starts complaining about the lack of screenshots or progress, I'm not here to show you anything, only to ask. I researched it, and the reason why I'm not able to finish projects is because I'm the only one working on them, and I can't work on big things without being in some sort of collaboration. I see that most of you folks here are aspiring graphical artists, or talented level designers, and I'm here for that, and possibly another thing that will come into play later on, but most probably not.

I want to get together a team of graphical artists, level designers, and possibly music artists to work on a possible episode for SMBX, and I want to take this to a grand scale. MY envisioning of SMB4 (official abbreviation) is that it has original graphics (character design, tile design, etc.) and original levels, with a possible original soundtrack and custom sound effects (the chances of this happening are slim, but it would be extremely nice to have happen).

What I want from this project is the ability to make a brand new Super Mario Bros. game, only using the restrictions and flexibility of SMBX. I'm willing to pitch in for graphical design, guidance, and world/level design. I've been thinking about this project for some time now, but I would never be able to accomplish this on my own, and that's why I'm asking for everyone's attention.

What I currently seek is a team that can devote at least one level or tileset that can be utilized in the project itself, but I don't want everyone to go off and make whatever they want here, I want it done in sections. We can work on World 1, give it a few levels, custom graphical theme, possibly custom music, and a dungeon complete with a custom boss to top it all off, and we can move on to the next one. I would like to plan out this project firsthand, and then build the levels and graphics as we go along. I'm roughly looking for 9 worlds, complete with a star world or secret world. I want to change a few hardcoded graphics, such as the title that appears on the main menu of SMBX, but we can do that at the end of production.

If anyone is interested in devoting some time to a project like this, just let me know. Currently I'm working on the planning of this project, such as the storyline, the graphical approach, the world types, and a couple of other things. I'd really love all the help I could get on this, and I really want to make it an actual thing. Thanks for your time!

Also, before you go throwing levels and graphics up on this, can you please show me some of your work? I don't want to sound rude or anything, but I don't want a bad graphic or level to be thrown into this.

List of Worlds
Mushroom Kingdom - The starting world, made mostly of Plains and Mushroom themed levels, includes Peach Castle and Mario's Pad, along with Toad Town. Very short world.

Spoiler: show

Mushroom Kingdom Levels
Mario's Pad - Syndrilevosse
Level 1: Shroomy Grasslands
Level 2: Mushroom Gorge
Level 3: Pipeland/Toad Town Sewers
Toad Town - Syndrilevosse
Level 4: Peach Road
Peach Castle - Syndrilevosse
Level 5: Mushroom Docks - Syndrilevosse

2. Wiggler Woods - The first main world, made only of Forest themed levels, includes one dungeon. Average-sized world.
3. Lakitu Shores - Second world, made mostly of Beach and Water themed levels, includes two dungeons and first airship. Average-sized world.
4/5. Shifting Sand Lands - Third or Fourth world, made only of Desert themed levels, includes three dungeons and first ghost house. Average-sized world.
4/5. Shy Guy Jungle - Third or Fourth world, made mostly of Jungle and Subcon themed levels, includes one dungeon and second airship. Short world.
6. Frozen Wasteland - Fifth world, made only of Snow/Ice themed levels, includes one dungeon and one ghost house. Short world.
7. Desoritas Heights - Sixth world, made mostly of Mountain and Cave themed levels, includes two dungeons, one ghost house, and third airship. Long world.
8. Creepy Cavern - Seventh world, made only of Cave themed levels, includes one dungeon and two ghost houses. Average-sized world.
9. Lava Land - Eigth world, made mostly of Lava and Cave themed levels, includes four mini-dungeons, final airship, final dungeon, and a secret. Average-sized world.
Special. Star Road - Special world, made only of Special themed levels, includes a special dungeon and special airship. Short world. Not revealing anything about it. ;)

Each dungeon will contain a star after you defeat the boss. You must collect all 15 stars in order to have access to the final dungeon of the game. After the final dungeon, you will be awarded with a 16th star, which will give you access to Star Road.

[Namyrr]

I need screenshots or proof or something to allow this topic to live in the Project forum. Otherwise, locked unless proof/you want a move to General or something.

edit: moved to General

[Magician]

My envisioning is that SMB4 can't truly exist. I mean, not even the NSMB series could live up to the name of SMB4, by Nintendo's own standards. If anything currently exists that deserves the title of SMB4, official or otherwise, it would probably be SMBX itself, barring some of its difficulties.

By all means do it, but you're playing to very high standards by using that title.

If you want story ideas/ideas for episode gimmicks, though, I'm your guy. Can't really cite qualifications without revealing a lot of my project ideas for SMBX, but perhaps you could inspire some more ideas from me that I'd gladly offer.
If nothing else, consider that you might want to do away with certain Mario conventions and come up with ideas that might be alien to common SMBX episodes but might be found to fit well in a Mario game. After all SMB3 was a leap from SMB2, as the NA version of SMB2 was a leap from SMB1.

[Danny]

My envisioning is that SMB4 can't truly exist. I mean, not even the NSMB series could live up to the name of SMB4, by Nintendo's own standards. If anything currently exists that deserves the title of SMB4, official or otherwise, it would probably be SMBX itself, barring some of its difficulties.

SMBX itself is only a Level Editor, and it can't be classified as any official Mario game in the franchise. My goal is to make an actual Mario game using SMBX.

If you want story ideas/ideas for episode gimmicks, though, I'm your guy. Can't really cite qualifications without revealing a lot of my project ideas for SMBX, but perhaps you could inspire some more ideas from me that I'd gladly offer.
If nothing else, consider that you might want to do away with certain Mario conventions and come up with ideas that might be alien to common SMBX episodes but might be found to fit well in a Mario game. After all SMB3 was a leap from SMB2, as the NA version of SMB2 was a leap from SMB1.

I'd gladly take story ideas from some people, I have a general concept. If I'm correct, the boss in SMB1 was only cited as King Koopa, never Bowser (correct me if I'm wrong). The boss in SMB2 was Wart, the boss in SMB3 was Bowser. What I want to accomplish in SMB4 is a completely different boss, while remaining true to the SMB line of games.

What I plan to do is not only make a great graphical leap, but also a leap in terms of gimmicks and enemies, sort of a step-up from SMB3. It will feature certain things from SMW and SMB3, as well as SMB2, along with a small deal of brand new, original Mario-themed enemies.

I plan to act as a guide when people start work on levels, graphics, and possibly music, if they ever want to help contribute to this project. Everyone will be credited in the final product depending on their devotion to the project, I have something in mind for crediting others.

My hopes might be too high for this project, but I really hope it comes together by the end of Summer.

[RudeGuy]

I can help you, if you want. I'm good when I make levels.

[FanofSMBX]

Bowser was called King Koopa in SMB3 too.

[Murphmario]

Is it ok if I'm a level designer?

Edit: If you accept, can I have a world list?

[Danny]

I can help you, if you want. I'm good when I make levels.

Do you have a sample level I can check out? I don't want to sound extremely rude about this, but like I said in the OP, I want the level quality to be really good for this project.

Bowser was called King Koopa in SMB3 too.

I'm fairly certain they referenced him as Bowser as well, I'll have to read up on it anyway.

Is it ok if I'm a level designer?

Edit: If you accept, can I have a world list?

I'd have to see a sample level from you before I throw you on the list.

Right now I'm working on the main planning of this project, dealing with the main plot and the concepts of each world. I'll throw the world list up on the first post, but expect it to change during production.

[TLtimelord]

Can I suggest Shikaternia's and CatezeeY's graphics as a starting point for graphics?

[Danny]

Can I suggest Shikaternia's and CatezeeY's graphics as a starting point for graphics?

I'll consider it, but I essentially want to make the project have it's own original graphical style and colour palette.

Also, if anyone wants to start helping with levels, send me a sample of your work. I'm putting up a list of levels for World 1, if you want to work on that level, let me know and I'll reserve you a spot for it. I want to finish up World 1 before working on the graphics and fully completing the plot.

[Imaynotbehere4long]

You'll have to change the name, though. There's already at least one SMBX episode that's already called "Super Mario Bros. 4"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfHJ31K5CpU

[Danny]

BUMP!

I have a progress update here, I'm currently working on Mario's Pad. It's going to feature free power-ups based on the amount of stars you have collected, it will have various other rooms within the house, and it will also feature a few interact-able features inside. There will be no exterior to the house, however, as I have no real plans for that. The door that makes you leave the house will place you on the world map (once it's finished).

I'll release screenshots once I finish Level 1. When World 1 is finished, I'll release a small teaser demo for you to play around with. I'm still looking for help regarding music and graphics, as I am fine designing levels by myself for the mean time. Please note that the teaser demo won't feature all of the sound effects, music tracks, and graphics that the final product will have. I plan to recreate the HUD, as well as the title screen of the game (if anyone is willing to show me how to get to the hard-coded graphics, that is). I want this project to be as epic as possible.

I'll spoil a little bit right now. Goombas and Koopas will not be the enemies featured in World 1! I plan to create an original enemy that has the set properties of Goombas and Koopas, only they are of the same species (Mushroom-Goomba hybrids, possibly). I won't spoil much else right now, so just wait!

[silent_]

BUMP!

I have a progress update here, I'm currently working on Mario's Pad. It's going to feature free power-ups based on the amount of stars you have collected, it will have various other rooms within the house, and it will also feature a few interact-able features inside. There will be no exterior to the house, however, as I have no real plans for that. The door that makes you leave the house will place you on the world map (once it's finished).

I'll release screenshots once I finish Level 1. When World 1 is finished, I'll release a small teaser demo for you to play around with. I'm still looking for help regarding music and graphics, as I am fine designing levels by myself for the mean time. Please note that the teaser demo won't feature all of the sound effects, music tracks, and graphics that the final product will have. I plan to recreate the HUD, as well as the title screen of the game (if anyone is willing to show me how to get to the hard-coded graphics, that is). I want this project to be as epic as possible.

I'll spoil a little bit right now. Goombas and Koopas will not be the enemies featured in World 1! I plan to create an original enemy that has the set properties of Goombas and Koopas, only they are of the same species (Mushroom-Goomba hybrids, possibly). I won't spoil much else right now, so just wait!

If you need musical suggestions, I'd be willing to apply, since I have a high quality Youtube to MP3 converter so there's a huge variety of selections.
About graphics, I'm not a professional so I couldn't assist with that. =P

[Danny]

By music, I'm actually referring to creating custom music for the game. Drluigi has already created a track for Mario's Pad/Toad Town, it's a medley from what I've heard. I want many of the things here to be original, including the Mario and Luigi character designs.

[Imaynotbehere4long]

I want many of the things here to be original

...but not the title?

[Danny]

I want many of the things here to be original

...but not the title?

>Mario game
>Original title

I don't see how that's ever going to happen. And by "original", I'm referring to stuff not from other Mario games (mostly graphics, music, and sound effects). The Enemies are okay, but I just don't want all of the graphics/music/sound effects to be from past Mario games.

[Shadow Yoshi]

If this is going to be serious, I'll help. It seems like a pretty good idea, if it's done the right way.

By "new graphics and gimmicks", would you mean something like The Second Reality Project Reloaded? That hack had almost entirely redrawn graphics and custom music, if I remember correctly.

Also, SMB1's King Koopa is Bowser. Bowser is also referred to as King Bowser in some places, as well as definitely being Bowser in the SMB1 remakes.

[FanofSMBX]

Also, isn't SMW Super Mario Bros 4: Super Mario World in Japan?

[Danny]

If this is going to be serious, I'll help. It seems like a pretty good idea, if it's done the right way.

Yes this is a serious thing, I don't know how often I can work on it because I've been busy lately, but progress is going smoothly so far.

By "new graphics and gimmicks", would you mean something like The Second Reality Project Reloaded? That hack had almost entirely redrawn graphics and custom music, if I remember correctly.

I've actually never seen The Second Reality Project Reloaded to be honest with you. But yes, I want this to have entirely redrawn graphics and custom music, my aim is to make it look like it has it's own original artstyle.

Also, SMB1's King Koopa is Bowser. Bowser is also referred to as King Bowser in some places, as well as definitely being Bowser in the SMB1 remakes.

Wasn't entirely sure about that.

Also, isn't SMW Super Mario Bros 4: Super Mario World in Japan?

Super Mario Bros 2 was known as Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels here in the USA, just as Super Mario Bros 4 is known as Super Mario World.

[Anphiba]

Also, isn't SMW Super Mario Bros 4: Super Mario World in Japan?

SMW.png