Super Mario 64

aka: Chaoji Maliao 64, SM64, Shindou Super Mario 64
Moby ID: 3533
Nintendo 64 Specs
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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

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Screenshots

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Credits (Nintendo 64 version)

46 People (43 developers, 3 thanks) · View all

Game Director
Assistant Directors
System Programmers
Programmers
Camera Programmer
Mario Face Programmer
Course Directors
Course Designers
Sound Composer
Sound Effects
Sound Programmer
3D Animators
Additional Graphics
Technical Support
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 94% (based on 52 ratings)

Players

Average score: 4.2 out of 5 (based on 333 ratings with 13 reviews)

Putting The "Super" Back In Super Mario

The Good
The N64 was the last console to join the fray in the previous “Console War”. As it had a lot of ground to gain it came out and hit the market hard. And with great games like Super Mario 64, is it a wonder that they quickly caught up with the Playstation? The first 3D game in the series, it is also one of the best.

In Mario 64, the diabolical Bowser, King Of The Koopas, has once more abducted Princess Toadstool, or Peach whatever the hell her name is now. This time to free her Mario must collect 100 stars. Only then will he be able to face Bowser in final combat.

This means that you will have to play a level repeatedly, in order to collect all of the stars. Which can be tedious. Yet it is not too bad as most of the levels are well designed, and fun to play. Furthermore, the objectives of each return to the level is different. From fighting a boss, to collecting red coins.

Mario basics, remain the same. Collect coins, 100 gain a 1-up. Grab power ups. There is new stuff as well. All power ups are new, from Wing Caps, to Metal Mario. There is also the addition of red and blue coins. And of course the new 3D.

New Graphics add new challenges. From precise game controls, to camera views. Thankfully these work quite well. You occasionally get a bad view. But the controls are tight and responsive. You would think that this was not the first 3D Mario game.

The Graphics are good. A little dated now. But amazing for the time. It blew the Playstation’s graphic prowess away.

Another first for the franchise, now Mario talks! The sounds are classic Mario, and Mario’s voice is good. The music is also classic Mario, so no complaints here.

The Bad
As I mentioned above the gameplay can get tedious. More so when the level is one that you dislike.

The game does not pose a challenge until, about the tenth level or so. It could have been a more gradual change.

The occasional bad camera view. Can put a damper of the gameplay.

The Bottom Line
This is a solid game. As well as the basis for all other 3D Mario games, as well as all 3D platformers in general. If you missed it the first time you can try it now on the Nintendo DS.

Nintendo 64 · by MasterMegid (723) · 2006

Great Mario Game to kick-off the N64!

The Good
Another save Princess Toadstool game, but this time in 3-D, much longer and much more challenging. With terrific music and extremely hard, but still fun, this game delivers! Go around and jump in paintings to collect Stars. There are 6 stars in each painting. There are four floors in the game and you must fight Bowser a total of three times. Very exciting, with lots of fun challenge's and tricky areas.

The Bad
The majority of the enemies were really easy to kill. At places it gets really frustrating when you must to something absolutely perfect or you die or have to try again. And, mainly, the camera sucked. Like, sometimes, like on the second Bowser level, it showed a box that you were in instead of you and it doesn't move all the way around, only 180 degrees, so sometimes you can't get the angle that you want, which is dumb. Also, the graphics are good but nothing compared to Mario Kart, which was released 6 months later.

The Bottom Line
A fun Mario Game, despite the bad camera work.

Nintendo 64 · by darthsith19 (62) · 2006

Its got all you need

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

[ View all 13 player reviews ]

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

  • 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)
    • 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"

  • 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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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 February 17, 2024.