Like anyone who began gaming in the ’90s, I have a fondness for N64 visuals and collectathon platformers, but it has undeniably been a while since I’ve found a game as enchanting as Kero Quest 64. This indie platform title arises from a team skilled in modifying Nintendo classics, and after spending a little time with the demo, it’s clear their efforts are paying off.
Kero Quest 64 draws heavily from Super Mario 64. The main character possesses a striking resemblance to Mario’s entire moveset, down to the delightful nuances of the long jump that comes from crouching and leaping, or the sideways flip you can execute by jumping while changing directions. Critically, it feels fantastic, and the few fresh moves—such as a tongue-based grappling hook and a spinning attack—introduce some enjoyable distinctions from Mario.
Kero Quest 64 – Kickstarter and Demo Announcement Trailer – YouTube
I was captivated by Kero Quest 64 the moment I heard the cheerful, upbeat sounds of its title theme, and I was fully convinced by the time I reached the midpoint of its introductory level. The stages here are compact yet rich with platforming challenges, often looping back on themselves to offer multiple routes to each objective. It’s pure joy, and I’m not afraid to admit I was slamming that ‘wishlist’ button by the time I finished, and it’s easy to see why the game breezed past its Kickstarter goal in no time.
Level designer BroDute possesses considerable talent, having crafted numerous custom Super Mario 64 levels over the years. “It still feels somewhat surreal after 12 years of creating content for free to see such a great amount of support,” BroDute states in a Kickstarter post. “I’ll always love just creating levels with the hope of seeing someone enjoy playing them eventually.”
Kero Quest 64 began development “as a way to fill the time” when lead programmer MelonSpeedruns—a seasoned modder who has worked on projects like randomizers for various Zelda games—was let go from his day job as a game developer, according to another interview. The team expanded with modeler TheRidiculousR and composer Jamphibious, and now the project is being published by GalaxyTrail, the team behind the beloved Sonic-like Freedom Planet.
For now, Kero Quest 64 is projected for release around August 2026, though the number of Kickstarter games that actually hit their original deadlines is unfortunately scarce. You can visit Steam to check out the demo for yourself in the meantime.
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