Super Mario Heartless

Super Mario Heartless is a fan-made Super Mario Bros. 3 ROM hack, also known as Super Mario Bros. 3.87 Heartless (The Burst Shoes Edition). It was created by Aubrey Hakomi for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The hack keeps the classic Super Mario Bros. 3 gameplay while offering five custom worlds, original level designs, and a unique movement mechanic called Burst Shoes.

The Burst Shoes mechanic changes how you approach many platform sections. Instead of relying only on traditional jumps, several stages are designed around this special movement ability.

👟 Burst Shoes Make the Difference

The Burst Shoes mechanic is the most recognizable feature in this ROM hack. You will use Burst Shoes to:

• Perform advanced movement
• Reach difficult platforms
• Cross obstacle-filled sections
• Complete stages designed around this mechanic

Learning how Burst Shoes work becomes an important part of your progress.

🌍 Five Original Worlds

Super Mario Heartless replaces the original Super Mario Bros. 3 stages with completely new ones. The ROM hack includes:

• Five custom worlds
• Original level layouts
• Different enemy placements
• New platform arrangements
• Hidden secrets throughout several stages

Each world offers its own platforming ideas while keeping the familiar Super Mario Bros. 3 style.

🍄 Classic Mario Gameplay

The game keeps the mechanics that made Super Mario Bros. 3 one of the most popular NES platform games.

• Run across platforms
• Jump over obstacles
• Defeat enemies
• Collect power-ups
• Find hidden areas
• Progress through the overworld map

The movement and controls stay very close to the original game.

🎯 Platforming Takes Center Stage

Super Mario Heartless focuses on carefully designed levels instead of changing the overall Mario formula. You will encounter:

• Precision jumps
• Creative obstacle layouts
• Custom enemy combinations
• Secret paths
• Platform sections that make full use of Burst Shoes

The adventure rewards good timing and careful movement.

🖼️ Familiar NES Presentation

The ROM hack keeps the classic visual style of Super Mario Bros. 3. Confirmed elements include:

• Original Mario sprites
• Familiar enemies
• Traditional power-ups
• NES pixel graphics
• Custom stage layouts

The focus remains on new gameplay rather than graphical changes.

📋 Quick Overview

🎮 Game Controls

EmulatorJS Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys – Move
• X – Jump
• Z – Run / Hold Item
• Enter – Start
• Backspace – Select

Mobile Controls

• Virtual D-Pad – Move Mario
• A Button – Jump
• B Button – Run or carry objects
• Start – Pause the game
• Select – Secondary system function