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Secret Maryo Chronicles
Secret Maryo Chronicles
Secret Maryo Chronicles
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Secret Maryo Chronicles
DeveloperSMC Team
PlatformsAmigaOS, Windows, Linux, Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, Pandora
ReleaseJanuary 23, 2003
GenrePlatform
ModeSingle-player

Secret Maryo Chronicles is a free and open-source 2D platform game first released in 2003.[1] The game has been described as a Super Mario Bros. clone,[2] but with a gameplay reminiscent of Super Mario World (1990).

History

[edit]
Version 2 of Secret Maryo Chronicles

Secret Maryo Chronicles began as a SourceForge project in January 2003.[3] It was developed and is maintained by the Secret Maryo Chronicles development team, led by Florian Richter ("FluXy").[4] The game is OpenGL-based and has an original soundtrack and a built-in game editor. It has been released under the GNU General Public License, Version 3.[5] The game has been expanded up the latest release in 2009.[3]

The Secret Chronicles of Dr. M.

[edit]

After the Secret Maryo Chronicles game ceased development, there now exists a continuation called The Secret Chronicles of Dr. M. (TSC)[6] with its latest release being 2.1.0 on May 17, 2020.[7]

Reception

[edit]

Secret Maryo Chronicles was listed as the number one open source video game by APC in January 2008.[1] The game was named one of the most promising open source games of 2008 by El Heraldo.[8] In 2008, Stern praised the speed of the game and its puzzle solving,[9] and heute praised it as a well-made nonviolent game for children.[10] Secret Maryo Chronicles was selected in March 2009 as "HotPick" by Linux Format.[11] An in-detail review of the Free Software Magazine in 2015 called the game a "great way to procrastinate".[12]

The game became a popular title offered by many freeware download outlets; the game was downloaded over 3.4 million times just via SourceForge.net between 2004 and May 2017.[13]

See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Secret Maryo Chronicles

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Secret Maryo Chronicles is a free and open-source two-dimensional side-scrolling platform that draws inspiration from classic titles such as , featuring high-quality textures rendered via the Open Graphics Library, a comprehensive level editor, and cross-platform compatibility across Windows, , macOS, and other systems. The game was initiated as a community-driven project on January 1, 2003, when its source code repository was registered on SourceForge, marking the start of development focused on recreating the jump-and-run mechanics of early platformers with enhanced graphics, smoother animations, and additional content like new enemies, power-ups, and overworld maps. The first stable release, version 1.0, arrived on July 28, 2007, introducing features such as screen fading effects, text boxes for dialogue, and pipe-based level warping, while subsequent updates through 2009 added multilingual translations (including German, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese), advanced sprite animations, and specialized elements like moving platforms and boss encounters. Built using the (SDL) for platform independence and multimedia handling, Secret Maryo Chronicles emphasizes moddability through its integrated editor, allowing players to create and share custom levels, alongside optional music add-ons and support for controllers like the . In 2008, the game was recognized as the top by APC magazine for its addictive , refined design, and community contributions. Although development halted after version 1.9 on August 17, 2009—which included final enhancements like spikeball hazards and improved animation management—the title remains downloadable and playable, preserving its legacy as a prominent example of in gaming, with a successor fork, The Secret Chronicles of Dr. M., continuing development since around 2013.

Development

Origins and initial development

Secret Maryo Chronicles originated in early 2003 when Florian Richter, under the pseudonym FluXy, initiated the project as an open-source two-dimensional platformer inspired by the classic series. Richter aimed to recreate the engaging side-scrolling experiences of games like and , drawing on their level design, enemy behaviors, and core platforming elements while building a new title from scratch. The project was registered on on January 2, 2003, marking the formal start of development under the initial name Super Mario Clone FX. The initial goals emphasized creating a platform-independent game that could run across multiple operating systems, leveraging the (SDL) library for cross-platform compatibility in graphics, input, and audio handling. Richter prioritized principles, releasing the project under the GNU General Public License (GPL) to encourage open collaboration and ensure accessibility for users and contributors alike. Development began with basic features in version 0.00 on January 1, 2003, focusing on core engine functionality without advanced assets at the outset. Originally a solo endeavor by Richter, the project quickly evolved into a community-driven effort as the SMC Team formed through early contributions from volunteers. For instance, graphics artist maYO provided sprites and images, helping to flesh out the visual style. This collaborative shift aligned with the open-source ethos, transitioning from Richter's individual coding sessions to shared repositories on . The first public release came on January 23, 2003, with beta version 0.27, which introduced essential mechanics such as the enemy and basic level structures, alongside new imagery to evoke the aesthetic. Subsequent early betas, like version 0.29 on January 27, added interactive elements such as jumpable clouds and an additional level, laying the groundwork for the game's expansive world-building potential. These initial versions solidified the project's direction as a faithful yet original homage to 2D platforming traditions.

Release history and updates

The development of Secret Maryo Chronicles (SMC) saw iterative releases from its in through major versions up to 2009, focusing on enhancing gameplay mechanics, graphics rendering, and level design. Early betas under the name Super Mario Clone FX began in January , introducing core platforming elements using the SDL library. By version 1.0 in July 2007, key additions included screen fade effects, particle animations, new ground tilesets, and improved level connectivity via pipe warping, laying the foundation for more dynamic worlds. Version 1.5, released on May 3, 2008, marked a significant expansion with the introduction of World 4, power jumps after extended ducking, particle emitters for , and ambient sounds to enrich the environment. These updates also optimized moving platforms and added new game elements like big moving platforms and thromps, alongside editor improvements for community-created content. Subsequent version 1.6, released September 29, 2008, incorporated basic translation support (initially German), geometry and texture detail settings for better performance, and Mac OS X compatibility starting from 10.4 , with further refinements to ambient sounds and background image handling. The pinnacle of active development came with version 1.9 on August 17, 2009, which implemented advanced animation management, new sprites such as rotated signs, cloud blocks, sand blocks, and slime blocks, and a resistant static enemy called the spikeball. This release also included Spanish translation support, updates to OpenGL version warnings for compatibility, numerous bug fixes (including crashes during world loading), and expansions to levels and world maps for greater variety. OpenGL acceleration, initially integrated in version 0.98 around 2004 for improved rendering, received ongoing enhancements across versions to support detailed graphics on hardware with OpenGL capabilities. An was available as a separate add-on package, with ambient and sound effects evolving through updates like those in 1.5 and 1.6. Development of SMC ceased around 2009 following the 1.9 release, as the primary maintainer shifted focus, though the project remains open-source with its code archived on GitHub for continued access and potential community use.

Transition to successor project

Following the stagnation of Secret Maryo Chronicles development around 2012, when lead developer Florian Richter (FluXy) abandoned the project, a community fork was initiated in 2013 to revive and evolve the game as a spiritual successor named The Secret Chronicles of Dr. M. (TSC). This transition was motivated by ongoing community interest in the platformer genre and a desire to introduce fresh content while distancing the project from its strict Mario clone constraints, thereby mitigating potential legal risks associated with the "Maryo" naming and thematic elements. The fork maintained the open-source ethos of the original, relicensing code under the GNU General Public License v3 while adapting artistic assets to align with new creative directions. The first stable release of TSC, version 2.0.0, arrived in August 2015, six years after SMC's final update, introducing a reworked C++ codebase for enhanced stability and a new mruby scripting engine to enable advanced level design. Subsequent development focused on broadening accessibility and gameplay depth, culminating in version 2.1.0 on May 18, 2020, which incorporated additional levels, refined physics for more responsive controls, and expanded cross-platform compatibility across Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Debian, as well as Windows. A beta version 2.2.0-beta1 was released on October 27, 2024, indicating continued active maintenance. Key enhancements in TSC included improved enemy AI for more dynamic behaviors, such as new foes like Larry and Pip with varied attack patterns, alongside the addition of fresh campaigns, including a dedicated tutorial world to onboard players. The project removed much of the original Mario-inspired graphics and music to foster an original identity, emphasizing environmental storytelling around the antagonist Dr. M. Maintenance continues actively on GitHub under the Secretchronicles organization, with contributions from developers like Marvin Gülker (Quintus), who led the initial fork efforts.

Gameplay and features

Core mechanics

Secret Maryo Chronicles is a two-dimensional side-scrolling in which players control the protagonist Maryo, a character who navigates horizontally scrolling levels by running, jumping, and avoiding or defeating enemies. Basic actions include jumping on enemies to stun or eliminate them, climbing vines, entering pipes to access hidden areas, and collecting coins to earn points and extra lives. The game emphasizes precise platforming, with Maryo able to perform variable-height jumps and maintain momentum for traversal across gaps and obstacles. Power-ups enhance Maryo's abilities and are obtained by breaking question mark blocks or discovering hidden items, with collected items stored in an on-screen inventory for later activation. Standard collectibles include the red mushroom, which enlarges small Maryo to super size for increased durability against one enemy contact; the fire flower, which allows super Maryo to throw fireballs as ranged projectiles to defeat distant foes; and the , granting temporary invincibility that enables Maryo to destroy enemies on touch while accessing restricted areas. Unique additions feature the ice mushroom, transforming Maryo to shoot freezing slushballs that immobilize enemies, and the (or ) mushroom, which reveals concealed blocks and items while allowing evasion from select threats. A green mushroom provides an extra life, while poison mushrooms pose hazards by shrinking or harming Maryo. The game's levels are organized into four worlds accessible via an overworld map, each comprising themed stages that progress in difficulty and environmental variety, such as grassy plains in early areas and underground caves with darker, tunnel-like layouts. Worlds culminate in boss encounters, exemplified by a giant boss requiring patterned attacks to defeat, and include secret exits that unlock bonus areas or alternate paths for additional collectibles and challenges. A total of 27 to 34 levels span these worlds, focusing on exploration, enemy patterns, and puzzle-like platforming elements without power-ups carrying over between individually selected stages.

Level editor and customization

The level editor in Secret Maryo Chronicles is an integrated in-game tool that enables players to create and modify levels directly during gameplay, a feature introduced in version 0.4 in February 2003. Accessed by pressing the F8 key while in a level or world, the editor provides a user-friendly interface with a left-side menu for selecting and placing various elements, including tiles for terrain, enemies such as furballs and krunch types, power-ups like fire and ice abilities in boxes, and special objects including warps for connecting levels. Users can also adjust global level effects, such as particle animations for rain or falling leaves, set the player start position, and incorporate half-massive sprites that interact dynamically with the environment, all while using keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+C/V/X for copy-paste operations, L to load files, and Ctrl+S to save changes. Levels created or edited in the tool are saved in an XML-like format, allowing for easy export and compatibility with the game's engine without requiring external software. These files can be shared through community channels, such as the project's repository or forums, where users upload custom worlds for others to download and play, fostering collaborative content creation even after official development ceased around 2009. For instance, contributed level packs have been distributed via repositories, extending the base game's content with user-designed campaigns that incorporate the editor's full range of objects. As an open-source project licensed under the GPL, Secret Maryo Chronicles supports through modifications to its source code, particularly for customization like texture packs that replace background or sprite replacements for characters and objects. Developers and enthusiasts can insert new graphic files directly into the game's data directories to alter visuals, enabling community-driven expansions such as custom enemy behaviors or environmental themes without relying on official updates. This modding accessibility has enhanced the game's longevity, allowing players to personalize experiences and maintain interest in long after the final release in version 1.9.

Technical specifications

Platforms and engine

Secret Maryo Chronicles is built using the (SDL) library, which provides cross-platform portability across desktop operating systems by abstracting hardware interactions for graphics, input, and audio. The game integrates an OpenGL-accelerated graphics renderer starting from version 0.98, enabling hardware-accelerated rendering for improved performance on compatible systems without requiring dedicated game engines. This setup allows the title to run efficiently on modest hardware while supporting detailed 2D visuals. The game officially supports and later), , and macOS (added in version 1.6, requiring 10.4 or higher for compatibility). There are no official ports to mobile devices or consoles, though the SDL foundation facilitates community adaptations to other platforms like handhelds. Released under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3), Secret Maryo Chronicles is fully , with its C++ codebase available for download and modification. The source code is hosted on for stable releases and archived on , with development having ceased after version 1.9 in 2009. It requires a C++ compiler such as GCC for building from source on supported systems. System requirements are minimal, reflecting the game's lightweight design: a 500 MHz processor, 64 MB -compatible 3D accelerated graphics card, and at least 256 MB of RAM for smooth operation on early 2000s hardware. These specifications scale well to modern systems, with support ensuring compatibility across updates without significant performance barriers.

Graphics and audio

Secret Maryo Chronicles employs 2D pixel art graphics reminiscent of the SNES era, featuring sprites designed to evoke classic side-scrolling platformers while incorporating original assets to avoid direct replication of Nintendo's series. The game utilizes a 16-bit color palette for its visuals, enabling vibrant and detailed environments, characters, and animations that support smooth scaling on high-resolution displays through acceleration. Animated backgrounds, such as scrolling layers in levels like jungles or overworlds, enhance immersion, with particle effects for power-ups—introduced in updates around —adding dynamic visual feedback during gameplay, such as sparkling trails for collected items. The art assets consist primarily of original creations, including over 100 enemy types inspired by but distinct from classic foes, alongside environmental tiles for diverse biomes like grassy plains, , and underground caverns. Player sprites depict Maryo in various states, such as , , or invincibility forms, with fluid animations for actions like jumping and running. These assets are rendered using the SDL library with for efficient , allowing for high-quality textures without performance loss on modern hardware. The audio design features optional music add-ons in Ogg format, featuring multiple tracks for different levels and events, including an upbeat theme and tense boss battle music, along with provided via separate optional add-on packages. Sound effects, such as coin collection chimes, jump boings, and enemy defeat grunts, are sourced from free, open-licensed libraries and integrated to provide responsive auditory cues, with no included to maintain the retro feel. Ambient sounds, like wind or water flows, were added in version 1.5 to deepen environmental audio layers. Later updates introduced enhanced resolution support, enabling the game to adapt to and higher DPI displays while preserving integrity through scalable rendering. Community-contributed sprite packs have further expanded customization options, allowing players to replace default assets with fan-made variants for personalized visual styles.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release and early updates, Secret Maryo Chronicles garnered positive attention from technology and open-source publications for its accessible and commitment to principles. In January 2008, APC magazine ranked it as the number one in its list of the top five best free open-source games, commending its speed, non-violent fun, and overall polish as an engaging . The game's adherence to the GPL license was particularly highlighted in free software communities, where it was praised for enabling user modifications and contributions while providing a high-quality alternative to titles. Linux Format selected Secret Maryo Chronicles as a "HotPick" in its March 2009 issue, specifically lauding the depth and usability of its built-in level editor, which allowed for extensive customization and community-driven content creation. It also featured prominently in 's top downloads, reflecting its popularity among developers and gamers seeking open-source entertainment. User ratings on averaged 5.0 out of 5, with reviewers emphasizing the game's ease of play and intuitive controls as key strengths. Criticisms were limited but centered on the game's design as a close homage to , with some outlets noting repetitive level structures and a lack of significant innovation beyond the established formula.

Community impact and downloads

The open-source nature of Secret Maryo Chronicles (SMC) has fostered a dedicated community focused on , particularly through its integrated level editor, which enables the creation and sharing of custom levels and modifications. Fan-contributed levels have extended the game's lifespan beyond official releases, with examples hosted on repositories like , demonstrating sustained engagement in level design and asset customization. The project's repository reflects ongoing community interest, alongside contributions from five developers and archived discussions on issues and enhancements. Although official development ceased after version 1.9 in 2009, community views characterize the project as "finished" with a complete campaign, rather than abandoned, preserving its role in open-source gaming culture. The repository points to forks and ports, including mobile adaptations, highlighting its influence on subsequent projects. SMC's popularity is evidenced by its distribution on platforms like , where it received a 5.0/5 rating from 36 user reviews, underscoring its appeal as a free, accessible . While exact totals vary, the game achieved significant downloads through such outlets, establishing its scale within the libre software gaming ecosystem. As an early open-source built with SDL and in C++, SMC has influenced the genre by serving as a model for cross-platform development and community-driven extensions, inspiring forks like The Secret Chronicles of Dr. M. (TSC), which continues active development with its latest stable release in 2020 and beta updates thereafter, including version 2.2.0 beta in October 2024. Today, SMC remains playable on modern systems, with native support on via packages like AUR and compatibility on Windows through Wine, ensuring for new users. Its archival on dedicated libre gaming resources further sustains interest, positioning it as a enduring example of collaborative open-source game preservation.

References

  1. http://www.secretmaryo.org/
  2. https://sourceforge.net/projects/smclone/
  3. https://libregamewiki.org/Secret_Maryo_Chronicles
  4. http://www.secretmaryo.org/index.php?page=game_history
  5. https://libregamewiki.org/The_Secret_Chronicles_of_Dr._M
  6. http://www.secretmaryo.org/index.php?page=new_1_5&sid=
  7. http://www.secretmaryo.org/index.php?page=new_1_6&sid=
  8. http://www.secretmaryo.org/index.php?page=new_1_9&sid=
  9. http://www.secretmaryo.org/index.php?page=new_98&sid=
  10. https://github.com/FluXy/SMC
  11. https://secretchronicles.org/en/news/2015/08/17/2/
  12. https://github.com/Secretchronicles/TSC/issues/92
  13. https://libregamewiki.org/The_Secret_Chronicles_of_Dr._M.
  14. https://secretchronicles.org/en/news/2020/05/18/tsc21-released/
  15. https://secretchronicles.org/en/download/
  16. https://github.com/Secretchronicles/TSC
  17. https://www.mobygames.com/game/35028/secret-maryo-chronicles/
  18. http://www.secretmaryo.org/index.php?page=powerups
  19. https://www.godmindedgaming.com/reviews/secret_maryo_chronicles.html
  20. http://www.secretmaryo.org/index.php?page=editor
  21. http://www.secretmaryo.org/index.php?page=about
  22. https://smcgamer.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/review-secret-maryo-chronicles/
  23. https://github.com/Luiji/Secret-Maryo-Chronicles-Contributed-Levels
  24. https://www.linuxlinks.com/secretmaryochronicles/
  25. http://www.secretmaryo.org/index.php?page=game_download_music
  26. http://apcmag.com/top_5_best_free_open_source_games.htm
  27. http://freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/secret_maryo_chronicles_wonderful_gnulinux_game/
  28. https://ultimatepopculture.fandom.com/wiki/Secret_Maryo_Chronicles
  29. https://sourceforge.net/projects/smclone/reviews/
  30. https://sourcegaming.info/2016/12/10/attack-of-the-clones-super-mario-bros/
  31. https://secretchronicles.org/en/news/2024/10/27/tsc220beta1-released/
  32. https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=8962
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