When I wrote about DOOM running inside a PDF file back in January of 2025, I wasn't that surprised. People have got DOOM running on everything from a lawnmower to a pressure cooker, so putting it in a PDF was just the next natural step, obviously.
But seeing Super Mario 64 being played in a PDF, well that's something on a whole other level!
Yes, Super Mario 64 has been shown running in a PDF file. Game of Tobi has documented how they've ported the game into a single 23.5mb file in a video on their YouTube channel, and while the gameplay is pretty slow and certain characters like King Bob-Omb appear as just a crown and a moustache, it's definitely Super Mario 64.
I'm actually impressed by the details of Peach's Castle that manage to come through in PDF form. It's all recognisable enough, which is wild to say that it's made up of dots and question marks.
It's all done using JavaScript features built into the PDF, which in turn recreate the processing system used to play the original game we know and love. It's a very impressive feat, and while it might not be the best way that you chose to play the game, it's the niche kind of thing that we love here at Retro Dodo!
