After having been successfully ported to PC, Super Mario 64 can now be played flawlessly on the Nintendo 3DS. This is not an emulated ROM but is a fully functioning reverse-engineered port that utilizes Super Mario 64's recently leaked source code. Gamers with a homebrewed 3DS can play a handheld version of Super Mario 64 at 30 fps with zero graphical hiccups.
A PC port of Super Mario 64 was created in May of this year by a group of fans who started the project in 2019. The members of this recompilation project reverse engineered Super Mario 64's source code. While Super Mario 64's source code was part of a massive leak known as the Nintendo Gigaleak, it's undetermined whether the port was made using any of those leaked assets. Nevertheless, the port plays fantastically and the graphics can even be scaled up to 4k and can support ray-tracing.
According to Video Game Chronicle, the 3DS port was created in the same way. A group of fans reverse-engineered the Super Mario 64 source code to work specifically on the 3DS hardware. VGC also claims that because the port was made in a "clean room" environment, it is technically a legal game to own as long as it does not, in fact, use any official game assets. Additionally, because the port was made in a similar way to the unofficial PC port, the graphical quality of the port is susceptible to see significant upgrades.
A now-deleted video from Stranno shows the fully-functioning port on the 3DS. Being built to work natively on the 3DS and not as a port, the game runs at a smooth 30 fps with zero graphical errors. Sadly, the port requires users to modify their systems' software in order to play, which isn't as legal as simply owning the port. Players can still play Super Mario 64 on their 3DS if they can find a copy of the 2004 DS port, but it may not run as smoothly as the fan-rebuilt port.
For those who don't want to play the DS port or who don't want to modify their systems, an alleged remaster of Super Mario 64 is coming to the Nintendo Switch later this year. However, the Switch version is only a half-corroborated rumor that may not happen. While it may not be the most legal way to play, the 3DS port shows the lengths fans are willing to go to play this classic title. If anything, Nintendo needs to release a Switch port of Super Mario 64 to appease Mario-hungry fans.
Sources: Video Game Chronicle, Stranno