Microsoft’s Zune, which couldn’t hold its own against Apple’s iPod, made an interesting comeback in 2026: thanks to [rsheldiii], it can now run Super Mario 64. The sm64ex-based software does not include the game’s ROM file; installing a ROM taken from a legally copied cartridge onto the Zune HD is quite easy. Players use a control interface on the touchscreen; in the background, NVIDIA’s Tegra tools pre-compile the shaders so that the 2009-era processor can handle the game.
The Zune, whose production ended in 2012, still has an active user base; Bluetooth has been added to the device, and solid-state drive upgrades have been available almost since the day it first launched.
Why it matters
The fact that a device whose production ended more than a decade ago can run a classic game shows that hardware can keep on living even after its manufacturer ends support. Such projects primarily appeal to retro technology enthusiasts and independent developers; the fact that the community around the Zune has kept it alive for years with Bluetooth additions and storage upgrades suggests that this is not just a one-off experiment. The fact that the ROM file is not distributed with the software provides a concrete example of how fan-made ports strike a legal balance against copyright risk. On the other hand, how much further the limits of a 2009-era processor can be pushed and whether these efforts will resonate beyond the device’s niche audience remain open questions.
Background
Microsoft is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 27 stories mentioning this name in the last 90 days; the most recent is dated October 9, 2026.