Super Mario Land – Second Subcon
About the Game
Super Mario Land: Second Subcon is a Game Boy ROM hack based on Super Mario Land. Herzgut created the hack with a new story, 12 custom levels, redesigned boss and bonus rooms, modified enemies and bosses, and a complete graphical overhaul. The project was released in version 1.0 on June 14, 2025.
The main theme comes from Super Mario Bros. 2. The story uses Subcon, Wart, and several ideas associated with the dream world. At the same time, the game retains the basic Game Boy foundation of Super Mario Land.
๐ A New Story Centers on Subcon
The story takes place after the events of Super Mario Lost Land, according to the hack's published description. Princess Peach plans a celebration for the Mushroom Kingdom. The situation changes when vegetables start falling from the sky. A large castle appears through the fog, and Subcon returns.
Wart has escaped from prison.
Three emerald-like gemstones are sent to different locations:
- Lost Land
- Atlantis
- The Mushroom Kingdom
Wart uses a fourth gemstone to release a huge shockwave. The event causes chaos across the affected areas.
๐น๏ธ Twelve Levels Form the Main Campaign
The hack contains 12 all-new levels. They replace the original Super Mario Land stage progression with a new campaign.
The developer also created special concepts for individual stages. The published feature list specifically mentions:
- A level where you must stay big
- A mirror level
- Hidden hint artwork
- Redesigned boss rooms
- Redesigned bonus rooms
- Modified enemy designs
- Modified boss designs
These details show that the project goes beyond a simple sprite replacement.
๐พ Enemies and Boss Rooms Get Their Own Changes
Second Subcon changes enemy and boss presentation rather than copying every encounter from Super Mario Land. The release description confirms tweaked enemy and boss designs. Boss rooms also receive new layouts. Bonus rooms receive changes as well.
The story gives the enemy changes a specific context. Wart's enlarged army becomes vulnerable to Mario's jump attacks under the unusual conditions in the Mushroom Kingdom.
That connection between story and gameplay is a nice detail to watch for during your run.
๐ฐ Wart Replaces the Usual Mario Villain Formula
Wart is the central antagonist in this hack. That choice is significant because Wart is strongly associated with Super Mario Bros. 2 and has rarely received a major role in later Mario platform games. Community discussions about Mario's older villains regularly mention Wart and the desire to see Subcon return.
Second Subcon uses that forgotten corner of Mario history as its central theme.
You therefore get a Mario adventure that focuses on Wart and Subcon instead of the usual Bowser setup.
๐ฎ How to Play Super Mario Land: Second Subcon
| Action | EmulatorJS Keyboard |
| Move Left / Right | Left / Right Arrow |
| Move Up / Down | Up / Down Arrow |
| Jump | X |
| Run / Fire | Z |
| Start / Pause | Enter |
| Select | Shift |
Mobile controls
- Select: Use when required by the game
- D-pad: Move your character
- A button: Jump
- B button: Perform the secondary action
- Start: Open or pause the game when required
