The Forgotten Stars (full title: Ztar Attack - Lost Episode: The Forgotten Stars) is a ROM hack created by TheGael95. This is the creator's first hack ever made back in 2014 and was never released since then, which was passed over by Luigi and the Forest Ruins 64. It was designed as a openworld hack, in the same vein as The Missing Stars and Star Revenge 4 as its main inspiration, and holds over 20 expansive, interconnected worlds to explore around and clear missions in respective areas without a guide or specific hints.
It is one of the earlier hacks where Mario starts off an adventure and has to discover new worlds outside the Mushroom Kingdom without needing any requirements or accessing via Peach's Castle portal system through paintings.
Eventually, the hack was released in a semi-complete condition with half of its contents being unfinished or removed. It was edited by LinCrash to be playable from start to finish and features 78 stars in total. Also, it is called a lost episode due to some unrelated connection to the Ztar Attack timeline.
Plot[]
One day in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario heads off to Peach's Castle and suddenly meets Toad in front of the castle gate. Toad tells him the castle is locked up and has to search for the lost key. But, it seems as though there's more to it beyond searching...
Levels[]
| Name | Stars | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossroad Plains | 5 | None | This course is apparently present in SM64 1.5: Ztar Attack! and remade under the name Ruined Plains' Domain. |
| Gigantio Forest | 6 | This course holds a 100 coin Star. Behind the Cascade is located in this level. | |
| Koopa Beach | This course holds a 100 coin Star. | ||
| Shiversummit | |||
| Shroom Gorge | |||
| Ombro Cave | 4 | In the Underthere is located in this level. | |
| Whomp Streets | This level is inaccessible via Crossroad Plains and is unmodified from the original game. | ||
| Lake of Hope | 4 | ||
| Lost Wasteland | 6 | Frozen Inferno and Bowser's Sand Tower are located in this level. | |
| Volcano Ruins | 4 | Bowser's Castle Keep is located in this level. | |
| Blue Sky Pass | 2 | Key 2 | |
| Rainbow Road | 50 Stars | Bowser's Space Gauntlet is located in this level. |
Secret Levels[]
| Name | Stars | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toad Town | 3 | None | One of the stars is practically not a collectable but a "Save Star" to record the game's progress. |
| Mario's House | 1 | A secret passageway leads to Castle Courtyard, although this level is modified as a subarea connected to Mario's House. One of the main warp pipes lead to Windy Valley Zone. | |
| Behind the Cascade | 2 | This level is nearly unchanged from the original game and has edited objects. The Metal Cap Switch is inside this level. | |
| Windy Valley Zone | 6 | ||
| In the Underthere | 3 | The Vanish Cap Switch is inside this level. | |
| Bowser's Sand Tower | 1 | 15 Stars | |
| Frozen Inferno | 5 | ||
| Bowser's Castle Keep | 1 | Key 1 35 Stars |
|
| In the Overthere | 3 | Key 2 | Rainbow Road is located in this level. The Wing Cap Switch is inside this level. |
| Bowser's Space Gauntlet | This level is unfinished but has a pipe leading straight to the final fight against Bowser. | ||
| Peach's Castle Ruins? | 1 | This is the ending area where Mario defeats Bowser in the final fight. |
Miscellaneous[]
| Name | Stars | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peach's Castle | 2 | Key 2 | This area is nearly unchanged and acts as the warp zone to all the levels. |
| ??? | 4 | This level is unchanged from the original game but is slightly edited (it can be entered later via Peach's Castle). | |
| 75 Stars | Both levels are left unused and unfinished in this version (they can be entered later via Peach's Castle). |
Music[]
| Used in | Track | Source |
|---|---|---|
| File Select In the Overthere |
Vaati's Palace | The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords |
| Castle Grounds | Sky & Sea | Super Mario Sunshine |
| Toad Town | Let's Meet in the Mysterious Forest (Dimble Woods) | Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story |
| Mario's House (Outside) | Lake Hylia | The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess |
| Mario's House (Inside) | House | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time |
| Crossroad Plains | Listen Up, Now | Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time |
| Gigantio Forest | Opening [Edit, Short Version] | The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask |
| Koopa Beach | Koopa Troopa Beach | Mario Kart 64 |
| Windy Valley Zone | Forest Trail | Kirby's Adventure |
| Shiversummit | Monkey's Delivery Service | Mother 3 |
| Shroom Gorge | Thwomp Volcano | Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time |
| Ombro Cave Behind the Cascade |
Krook's March | Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest |
| In the Underthere | Endless Stairs | Super Mario 64 |
| Lake of Hope | Aquatic Ambience | Donkey Kong Country |
| Lost Wasteland | Sandopolis Zone (Act 1) | Sonic 3 & Knuckles |
| Bowser's Sand Tower | Sandopolis Zone (Act 2) | |
| Frozen Inferno | Deepwood Shrine | The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap |
| Volcano Ruins | Lava Rock Lair | Super Mario 3D World |
| Volcano Ruins (Caves) | Lava Reef Zone (Act 1) | Sonic 3 & Knuckles |
| Bowser's Castle Keep | Bowser's Road | Super Mario 64 |
| Blue Sky Pass Peach's Castle |
Sky Tower | Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red/Blue Rescue Team |
| Rainbow Road | Rainbow Road | Mario Kart 7 |
| Bowser's Space Gauntlet | Potential for Anything | VVVVVV |
| Boss Battle | They're Pretty Tough, Should We Be Careful? | Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story |
| Bowser's Sand Tower - Battle | Boss | Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards |
| Bowser's Castle Keep - Battle | Never Let Up! | Mario & Luigi: Dream Team |
| Final Bowser Battle | King Bowser | Super Mario Galaxy |
| Peach's Castle Ruins? | End Credits B [Edit] | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time |
| Power Up | Special Stage | Sonic Advance |
| Metal Cap | Metallic Mario | Super Mario 64 |
| Vanish Cap | Invincibility Candy | Kirby (Series) |
| Star Jingle | Stage Clear | Kirby's Adventure |
| Star Catch Fanfare | Extra Life | Sonic 3 & Knuckles |
| Star Select | Carrot Castle / Moonlight Mansion | Kirby & The Amazing Mirror |
| Piranha Plant's Lullaby | Astral Observatory | The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask |
| Activated Cap Switch | Puzzle Solved | The Legend of Zelda (Series) |
| Koopa Race (Unused) | Ball Rolling | Super Mario Galaxy |
| ??? - Course 13 (Unused) | Throwback Galaxy | Super Mario Galaxy 2 |
| ??? - Course 14 (Unused) | Minish Village | The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap |
| ??? - Course 15 (Unused) | Dark World | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past |