Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64)

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Description

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.

Screenshots

Alternate Titles

• "超级马里奥64" -- Chinese spelling (simplified)
• "SM64" -- Common abbreviation
• "Shindou Super Mario 64" -- Rumble Pak version title
• "Chaoji Maliao 64" -- Chinese title
• "スーパーマリオ６４" -- Japanese spelling

Part of the Following Groups

• Game Center CX challenge games
• Mario games
• Super Mario series

User Reviews

A True N64 Classic	Matt Neuteboom (941)
Did we really need a ‘Mario Raider’ game?	PCGamer77 (3030)
Putting The "Super" Back In Super Mario	MasterMegid (900)
Delayed this for way too long.	Pixelspeech (943)
Great Mario Game to kick-off the N64!	darthsith19 (65)
Oomba goomba's have never gone out of fashion	Horny-Bullant (56)
Its got all you need	ThE oNe (178)	unrated
One of the Best Games on the 64.	Attila (496)
Super Mario goes 3D, and he's never been better.	Josh Merker (11)
itsa me! Mario!	Robert Pragt (26)	unrated

The Press Says

Total! (Germany)	Feb, 1997	1 out of 6	100
X64	Oct, 1997	96 out of 100	96
Nintendo Difference	Sep 01, 2003	19 out of 20	95
GamesCollection	May 28, 2008	9.5 out of 10	95
Nintendo Land	2003	94 out of 100	94
PGNx Media	May 21, 2002	9.3 out of 10	93
Computer and Video Games (CVG)	Aug 15, 2001	9 out of 10	90
Retroguiden	Feb 22, 2010	9 out of 10	90
Game Revolution	Jun 06, 2004	B+	83
Gamer's Pulse	Feb 24, 2001	75 out of 100	75

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Trivia

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
  • 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.

Related Web Sites

• 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