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
- ăčăŒăăŒăăȘăȘïŒïŒ - Japanese spelling
- ç„æžžé©ŹćæŹ§ - iQue-Player Simplified Chinese spelling
- è¶ çș§é©Źéć„„64 - Chinese spelling (simplified)
- ìíŒë§ëŠŹì€ 64 - Korean spelling
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Credits (Nintendo 64 version)
46 People (43 developers, 3 thanks) · View all
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Mario Face Programmer | |
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[ full credits ] |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 94% (based on 53 ratings)
Players
Average score: 4.1 out of 5 (based on 344 ratings with 13 reviews)
The Good
Great controls and levels
The Bad
The camera is not nice to use.
The Bottom Line
Starting off with a bang, one of the Nintendo 64âs launch titles just happens to be a revolutionary game thatâs one of the best games on the system. It didnât just show the world how platform games could work in 3D, but it set the standard for movement in 3D as well. Despite itâs legendary status, Nintendo have never given us the port that this game deserves. Super Mario 64 doesnât need a full remake, just a little bit of sprucing, widescreen and an updated camera.
The movement of Mario still feels amazing all these years later. His move set is brilliant with all of his moves (minus the special hats) available form the get-go, itâs just a case of learning it and figuring out the best way do move. Most people will start off ding taller jumps by doing the backflip, but then transition to the quick turn jump to get up to the tall platforms. Even now, itâs an absolute joy to control.
The camera from the original game is the main part of the game that now feels clunky. It was pretty amazing when the game came out, but itâs one aspect of games that has improved over time.
The levels are small, but itâs a style that really suits the game. Theyâre packed full of secrets, with six stars to find in each one (plus an extra star for collecting 100 coins). Once you collect a star, youâre thrown out of the level, which does mean you have to re-do parts of levels multiple times, but there are sometimes changed to the level depending on which star you collect. There is a mod that lets you remain in levels, but I feel like this alters the game too much, and is itself fiddly as you need to work out when you need to manually leave the level.
Each level has a very distinct feel to it and I enjoyed every level in the game, with the exception of two of the water levels. While some have generic themes (lava, water and ice), the levels are still built in unique ways, and even matching themes (like the two snow levels) donât feel like a reuse due to the level design.
Other than a couple of stars that include the wing, metal and invisible caps, you can also complete levels before moving on, or just do a couple of stars and try somewhere else. You only need 70 out of 120 stars to complete the game (far fewer if you choose to do glitches), but itâs enjoyable collecting them all.
To unlock different sections of the castle (and access more levels), you need to complete Bowserâs levels. There are three in total (the last one being to save Peach) and these are much more linear platform challenges, which creates a nice change of pace. At the end of these you have to face off against Bowser, grabbing his tail and spinning him to throw him into bombs, and Iâm still absolutely dreadful at aiming my throws.
The final section of the game has some outstanding levels.
Wet-Dry World is the third water level of the game, but this one stands out much more due to the mechanic of raising and lowering the water levels. There are different ways to move upwards depending on the water level, and youâll need to make use of these to collect all the stars.
Tiny-Huge Island has you using pipes to swap between a giant Mario and a mini Mario. You get to see cute tiny goombas or have to fight ones that are much larger than Mario. Itâs not Marioâs size that actually changes, but the level itself. Itâs an absolutely adorable level full of joy.
Tick Tock Clock is actually a lot smaller than I remember, but is focused on well timed jumps. The unique aspect of this level is that the level entrance is itself a clockface, and where the minute hand points alters the speed of the objects in the level, or even stops them completely. I have quite strong memories of trying to figure out what was happening when this happened as a kid.
The final main level, Rainbow Ride, is more linear than most levels, with different segments connected via magic carpets. Youâll need to jump off the carpets to avoid obstacles, but if you take too long, the carpets will vanish. This level requires you to have learnt how to master Marioâs moveset.
Super Mario 64 is still an absolute joy to play, especially so with an updated camera. I think a full remake would alter the game too much, as the level design and movement is integral to its identity. It just needs a bit of sprucing up, and I really hope we get an official version that does this at some point.
This was an amazing start for the Nintendo 64. Not only was this game integral to the development of 3D games as a whole, but the gameplay and levels still hold up today. Games keep trying to be bigger and better, but smaller and varies levels are also a great approach.
Nintendo 64 · by Cube1701 (41) · 2024
Putting The "Super" Back In Super Mario
The Good
The N64 was the last console to join the fray in the previous âConsole Warâ. 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 Playstationâs graphic prowess away.
Another first for the franchise, now Mario talks! The sounds are classic Mario, and Marioâs 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
Oomba goomba's have never gone out of fashion
The Good
The jump from Super Nintendo to Nintendo 64 really upped the graphics and when Mario 64 it impressed all Mario fans as well as other gamers. Mario 64 was changed alot from the other Mario brothers, namely the original where you just have to try and get through the level without dying or having your time run out (which rarely happend.)
You didn't just have to just get through the level and fight a fake bowser (or a real one) at the end. You actually had to use your brain and collect stars to try and bring the princes back and save the castle. Though obviously the graphics are not anything special today, they were a huge surprise back when the game first came out.
The Bad
It might seem like a complaint not worth saying but even though there were alot of Oomba goomba's in Mario 64 there were not many Koopa Troopas and they were pretty much what made up the original Mario (which is what I compare it to.)
The Bottom Line
It is definetly worth playing and I dare say that it could be classed as a classic.
Nintendo 64 · by Horny-Bullant (49) · 2003
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 â #11 Top Game of All Time
- Retro Gamer
- October 2004 (Issue #9) â #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.