Super Mario 64
Description official descriptions
Mario is invited to Peach's castle, but when he arrives Peach is nowhere to be seen. He soon learns from Toad that Bowser has once again kidnapped her. The Koopa King has also put a spell on her castle, imprisoning her subjects. So it is up to Mario to break the spell and rescue Peach.
Super Mario 64 is the first Mario game done entirely with 3D graphics. The core gameplay is similar to previous platform installments, focusing on jumping, avoiding obstacles, and defeating enemies. Levels can be explored without time limits. Stars must be collected in order to unlock new areas, eventually gaining access to various parts of Bowser's castle. Defeating Bowser on each floor procures keys necessary to unlock big doors and enter other floors, which contain more areas.
Mario has more moves at his disposal in this installment. Besides running and jumping, he can now walk, crouch, crawl, climb, and punch enemies. Double and triple jumps, long jumps, wall jumps, and backflips can be executed as well. Swimming underwater now depletes Mario's oxygen level. Items must be picked up and carried in some instances in order to solve puzzles.
Power-ups include the Wing Cap, which allows Mario to fly; the Metal Cap, which protects him from damage (including environmental hazards such as poisonous gas); and the Vanish Cap, which makes Mario ethereal, allowing him to walk through certain obstacles (such as wire mesh). Mario can also enter cannons and be shot from them; combining this with the flying ability grants access to high areas.
Spellings
- スーパーマリオ64 - Japanese spelling
- 神游马力欧 - iQue-Player Simplified Chinese spelling
- 超级马里奥64 - Chinese spelling (simplified)
- 슈퍼마리오 64 - Korean spelling
Groups +
Screenshots
Promos
Credits (Nintendo 64 version)
46 People (43 developers, 3 thanks) · View all
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Camera Programmer | |
Mario Face Programmer | |
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Sound Composer | |
Sound Effects | |
Sound Programmer | |
3D Animators | |
Additional Graphics | |
Technical Support | |
[ full credits ] |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 94% (based on 53 ratings)
Players
Average score: 4.1 out of 5 (based on 339 ratings with 13 reviews)
The Good
The graphics really shone out for the N64, and although choppy and uncertain at times, it was still enjoying. The color use is excellent, and new worlds look amazing. The characters are back, from your Koopas to plain old Bowser. Another great aspect of this game was the sound, the sfx and music were excellent. The camera angle also always seemed to be where you wanted.
The Bad
SM64 did something I hate. It made you go back to levels to get different stars. This bored me easily, as I hated having to go back to the same old levels, over and over.
The Bottom Line
Still, SM64 was a well designed and almost flawless game, which deserves a
( 4 / 5 )
Nintendo 64 · by ThE oNe (180) · 2002
One of the Best Games on the 64.
The Good
Mario for the Nintendo was probably played by the more people than any other game. This game is also widely played and for a good reason. It is an awesome game. The graphics are beautiful, the sound is awesome. The levels have the same songs from the original except better. It has the same monsters and, of course, Bowser. It has an enormous amount of levels and plenty of things to explore.
The Bad
There was no Luigi! The least they could have done would have been to have him give Mario a star every once in a while. But they didn't even do that.
The Bottom Line
A great Mario game in 3D.
Nintendo 64 · by Attila (553) · 2001
Super Mario goes 3D, and he's never been better.
The Good
Running, jumping, flying, all went through buttery smooth. Fun worlds, clever puzzles, and killer bosses make up this game. amazingly clever sequences like the mirror had me in awe. And for some reason I just couldn't stop playing.
The Bad
The graphics were decidedly first-generation. Sometimes, due to unusual draw-distance routines, secrets are revealed before you should know about them. Aside from bosse enemies are mostly complete morons and more often than not inconsequential. occasionally the clipping does some wonky things that'll leave you wondering what just happened. And the camera is not always very responsive to player control.
The Bottom Line
Mario took the next logical step. It's like the other Mario games before, only better, and in 3D, and withmore to do than just get to the end. this time you also get to solve puzzles and do things like foot-races. fit all of that into 15 worlds and a handful of mini-worlds and you have super mario 64.
Nintendo 64 · by anon anon (16) · 2001
Trivia
1001 Video Games
The N64 version of Super Mario 64 appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.
Cancelled sequel
There was going to be a sequel done, for either the N64 or 64DD, that would have Luigi as a playable character too, but it was never completed. It is possible that this game later became Luigi's Mansion.
Collecting all stars
After collecting every star in the castle, Bowser will say a different message upon his defeat in the sky. Also, a cannon opens outside the castle to launch you onto the roof for a surprise.
First N64 game
Super Mario 64 was the very first game for the N64.
"L is real 2041"
One of the biggest mysteries surrounding this game is that of an inscription on the star statue in the castle courtyard (near the entrance to World 5). The inscription reads, "L is Real 2041" or "Eternal Star". However, a sign in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time also says this when you look at it (but reads something else when you read it). This sign is located in the Dodongo Dungeon, near the Gorons' home. Whether this was a gag by Nintendo or if they just decided to recycle textures is unknown.
Awards
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EGM
- September 1996 (Issue 86) - Game of the Month
- March 1997 (Issue 92) - Game of the Year (All Systems) + N64 Game of the Year + Adventure Game of the Year + Best Graphics and also Game of the Year (All Systems) (Readers' Choice) + N64 Game of the Year (Readers' Choice) + Adventure Game of the Year + (Readers' Choice) + Best Graphics (Readers' Choice)
+November 1997 (Issue 100) - ranked #10 (Titles That Revolutionized Console Gaming)
- November 1997 (Issue 100) - ranked #2 (Readers' Top 10 Games of All Time)
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November 1997 (Issue 100) - ranked #4 (Best 100 Games of All Time)
+February 2006 - #6 out of 200 of the "Greatest Games of Their Time"
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Game Informer Magazine
- Issue 100, August 2001 - #12 in the Top 100 Games of All Time (poll)
- Issue 138 - October 2004 - one of the "Top 25 Most Influential Games of All Time"
- GameSpy
- 2001 – #11 Top Game of All Time
- Retro Gamer
- October 2004 (Issue #9) – #17 Best Game Of All Time (Readers' Vote)
- Issue 37 - #4 in the "Top 25 Platformers of All Time" (poll)
Information also contributed by Big John WV, Brolin Empey, PCGamer77 and Tiago Jacques.
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Related Sites +
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Nintendo: Mario 64 DS
Official US Super Mario 64 DS website -
OC ReMix Game Profile
Fan remixes of music from Super Mario 64. -
Wikipedia: Super Mario 64
Information about Super Mario 64 at Wikipedia
Identifiers +
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Chris Martin.
Wii U added by Michael Cassidy. Wii added by Guy Chapman. Nintendo Switch added by Kam1Kaz3NL77.
Additional contributors: Unicorn Lynx, Sciere, Alaka, Opipeuter, gamewarrior, the_penguin, Luchsen, Big John WV, DreinIX, Patrick Bregger, Thomas Thompson, Deleted, Rik Hideto, FatherJack, lightlands.
Game added March 29, 2001. Last modified April 13, 2024.