SNES Romhack 'Boxguy Adventure 3' Receives Festive Update
The SNES romhack 'Boxguy Adventure 3: Super Boxguy World' has received a major festive 'Christmas Update', bringing new winter-themed content to this custom Super Mario World modification. Created by PoyoPoyo1985, the hack features completely original graphics, music.
A new, expansive romhack for the Super Nintendo classic Super Mario World is currently in development, offering a complete graphical and musical overhaul starring the custom character Boxguy. According to the project page on ROM Hack Plaza, the hack, titled Boxguy Adventure 3: Super Boxguy World, is the work of creator PoyoPoyo1985 and has just received its fourth major update, dubbed the 'Christmas Update'.
📜 The Enduring Legacy of Super Mario WorldReleased in 1990 in Japan and 1991 in North America, Super Mario World was a launch title for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It introduced Yoshi and the iconic Ghost Houses, and its robust, accessible level design has made it one of the most popular games for the romhacking community for over 30 years.
The project transforms the 1990 Nintendo platformer, replacing Mario with the titular Boxguy and introducing entirely new level designs, sprite art, and a soundtrack pulled from other 16-bit classics. The hack's narrative, a playful parody of classic gaming tropes, finds Boxguy inexplicably transported to Dinosaur Land after the events of two previous hacks. The creator notes the challenge level is higher than the original Super Mario World, with World 1 now mostly complete and work underway on World 2. The latest V4 update adds a snowy theme to the Donut Plains map, new levels, and winter-themed music.
Credit: PoyoPoyo1985 / RomHackPlaza
This kind of fan-driven project highlights the enduring creative potential of the SNES's flagship title, over three decades after its release. The technical craft on display, from custom sprite work to imported music tracks from games like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic 3D Blast, demonstrates a deep understanding of the console's hardware. It follows in the tradition of the vibrant Super Mario World hacking scene that has flourished online since the late 1990s, using tools to push the original game's engine in new directions long after official development ceased.
For enthusiasts of 16-bit era craftsmanship, hacks like this serve as a living archive of the community's skill. The patch file, which requires an original Super Mario World ROM to apply, is available for download from the ROM Hack Plaza page, with further development updates shared on the creator's YouTube channel.
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