IronMario is a Super Mario 64 challenge created by DGR_Dave.
Inspired by the brutal difficulty of challenges like IronMon, created by iateyourpie, IronMario pushes players to their limits by combining extreme randomization with a no-damage rule.
If you do create other offshoots/rules of this challenge, please make sure to shout out this challenge.
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IronMario64 Runs to register your runs of the challenge!
GET IT HERE Created by: Arthurtilly & ZoeyZolotova
Challenge Creator: DGR_Dave
RomHack Developer: Arthurtilly
Core Team: MajinPhil
RomHack Developer: ZoeyZolotova
Core Team: WaffleSmacker
Core Team: Cheese
The base IronMario challenge for all gamers.
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Star Requirement | Collect 70, 100 or 120 stars and defeat Bowser (Bowser in the Sky) to complete the challenge. |
| No Damage Allowed | Taking any damage (except from losing air while swimming) results in an immediate reset. This includes hazards like frozen water in Snowman’s Land and toxic gas in Hazy Maze Cave. |
| Level Lockout | Once you enter a new level, the previous level you accessed becomes permanently locked—you cannot re-enter. Previously collected stars or bowser keys also lock the level. ✅ Exception: Re-entering Hazy Maze Cave after using the Metal Cap warp is allowed. |
| No Caps Allowed | All cap switches and cap blocks have been removed. No Wing, Metal, or Vanish Caps! --EXCEPTION-- WMotR has cannons unlocked by default and you are allowed to use wingcap here. |
| No Koopa Shells | Shells are completely banned, including water shells. No shortcuts here! |
| "Play it as it Lies" | No exiting a level through the menu to reset spawns or manipulate RNG—you play from wherever you land! Resetting your game to get a better spawn in not allowed. |
| No Hooters | No using the owl in Whomp's Fortress. You'll have to reach the top the hard way. |
| Stronger Throws | Enemies that toss you—Heave-ho, Chuckya, and King Bob-omb—now throw you with twice the strength! |
| Toad & MIPS | Toads and Mips are hidden in levels and give stars, good luck finding them! Not in bowser levels. |
| Green Demon | In each of the 15 levels, there is one [!] box that contains a green demon. |
| 120 Star Run Only: Make Your Choice | After collecting 100 stars, all previously locked levels become accessible again. Four switches appear outside the castle—choose two to unlock abilities (Wing Cap, Metal Cap, Vanish Cap, Koopa shell). |
Follow all Base Rules with these additional challenges:
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| MORE | There are now more enemies in levels. Good luck, gamers! |
| TWICE the SPEED | Some enemies move twice as fast and have red eyes. |
| Another one | One more additional Green demon per level |
| Swim Quickly | Mario's breathe meter depletes twice as quickly... swim fast! |
Yo! Phil! Finish the game! You can do it! 🙌🏻