Hi!
So let me start with my backstory. I SMB3 was my favorite game as a kid, I'll never forget the Christmas I got it. Anyway, somwhere along the line I lost my copy of the game. Recently, I picked up a new (used) copy. Before I got it, my NES broke down (same one I have owned since 86). So I picked up a retron 3 as a placeholder until I get something better (Maybe the HDMI AVS). I plugged it in and all my games work in it, of course some colors display a little off.

When I put Super Mario Bros. 3 in, it's acting ridiculously weird. The game plays as normal but Mario is invincible. He can't be killed by enemies. Someone on reddit suggested that maybe it's a prototype copy but I am not sure. I ended up returning my retron, thinking that was the problem. Sure enough it still happens!
I don't have a working NES to test if it's the retron or the game...anyone know?

Here's a youtube I took of it in action.





Any ideas anyone?

I find that to be very awesome, actually! lol

Not sure about it being a proto, but it could either be some random glitch on that particular revision that the Retron can't properly emulate or something either dirty or damaged on the cart that's not allowing it to function correctly.

Could be that you're using a Retron system all together. They're not known for 100% perfect emulation. If you ever get a chance to play it on real NES, try it on that and see what you can come up with.

Thanks for your response!

I'm not sure if it's the retron itself. People on Reddit claim their Mario 3 works fine on retron. I'm thinking of taking the cart to my local retro game store to see what happens.

I'm also going to search for another Mario 3 to see if it's the system or game.

I am no expert, but you should open up the cart. The board should let you know if it is a proto right?

I've opened it up and cleaned it. It's a legit Nintendo cart. I don't know if it's Proto or not. I just want to know why this game is doing that. I'm desperate to try it out on a working NES and or get a second Mario 3 to try on the retron.

That's really strange.

On the one hand, the challenge is gone.

On the other, you could destroy a speedrun record.

Pics of the board?

Protos are generally pretty obvious no? Like the board should be really big?

Like I said, I am no expert, but that is my understanding.  

If it is supposed to be obvious that it is a proto, then it is not. It looks like a standard NES board. I will upload a pic as soon as I can.

 

is there a cheat code in smb3 for this ? if not its prety amazing. but pics of the board should be clear out a lot i think. if you at it make some of the fron and back of the cartridge shell as well

It's definitely the Retron. My brother and I encountered this Retron 2 at a Fleamarket earlier this summer:




Blocks were somehow invincible!

wow crazy that that can happen