Super Mario 64

aka: Chaoji Maliao 64, SM64, Shindou Super Mario 64
Moby ID: 3533
Nintendo 64 Specs
Buy on Nintendo 64
$27.49 used on eBay
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Conversion (official)

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

Promos

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

A True N64 Classic

The Good
This game was a release title for the N64. One of the most anticipated games of all time, the game boasted graphics ahead of its time, along with superb gameplay.

Honestly, I can say that it lives up to its name. The game features Mario, in his first 3D adventure, facing Bowser, who has trapped everyone in the castle and stolen all of the castle's star power. He has hid them in worlds behind secret paintings. Its up to Mario to take back the stars Bowser stole and free the Princess and the rest of the castle.

The game leaves you off in front of Peach's castle. After you venture in, Bowser explains what he has done, and the game gets going. Mario must find 7 stars in each of the 15 levels (6 objectives, 1 for collecting 100 coins), as well as 15 other "secret" stars (for a total of 120).

The game style is platforming, but most of the game varies in challenge and type. One level you will be racing a Koopa to the top of the mountain, and another time you will be helping a snowman find his body. Its stuff like this that make the game interesting.

Mario now has health, instead of his traditional one hit kill. Mario will take damage by getting attacked by enemies, touching them, falling from tall heights, touching lava, etc. There are also a number of one hit kills in the game such as drowning or falling in an endless pit.

One problem of the game is its lack of twists in the story. Its pretty much the same throughout the game: "Collect enough stars to rescue Princess Peach". However, the game makes up for this hugely by added sub-quests and side-stories to each individual world. Other than that, the game is very straight-forward.

Bosses and enemies, are, different. They pretty much don't stray much from "Kill Mario regardless of personal safety" theory. However, bosses vary nicely, each with different weaknesses. While enemies are mindless, it would have been nice if they put some thought into their actions.

The game is very open. If you do not feel like getting one star on a certain level, you can leave the world, go to another painting in the castle, and get stars there. This leaves a very open-ended gameplay feel to the game, because you do not have to get all of the stars to face Bowser (only about half is needed), however a reward is given to those who collect all of them. Levels are no-longer straightforward. Levels are literally massive, expansive areas, where all of the stars can be acquired. Even though you usually choose the star you are aiming for before the level starts on a select screen, this rule can, and is usually, broken.

Controls are done exceptionally well. They can be mastered fairly easy. All of Mario's moves are given from the start, so there is no backtracking to get stars you missed. The exception is the caps, which are generally gained less than a quarter length through the game. Besides that, they are not used in levels before they were discovered.

Sound is one of the best features of the game. Mario does not talk much, however this is the first time in history where he yells "Ouch!" or "Woah!" when damaged. The sound effects are nice, but pretty basic. The main feature is the brilliantly composed music, ranging from fast paced to slow and sober. They become part of the game itself.

The Bad
The story line did not stray much from the typical "rescue princess peach" storyline. However, varying challenge types and sub-quests help to break the monotony.

Another annoying feature was jumping. This really got on your nerves when you had to time the jump JUST RIGHT, or else you would fall back down to restart, or worse, die.

Finally, the enemy AI is mediocre. The AI is perfect for an adventure, but you will find that the enemies are more annoying....than challenging. However, variety and numbers make up for this.

The Bottom Line
Super Mario 64 is a classic platformer, adventure game that will never die out. In my opinion, this is one of the best games ever made because it is innovative in so many ways. I think it is worth buying an N64 over, especially since they are so cheap. An updated version has recently come out for the DS, however, This will always be the game that kicked off the 3D platformer series.

Nintendo 64 · by Matt Neuteboom (976) · 2005

Every ardent gaming boy in the 90s grew up with this classic!

The Good
It's Super Mario in 3D and as open-ended as gaming can be. IT brought the character into the modern era of polygonal gaming adventures. It came right off the success of Tomb Raider and Resident Evil in 1996 and soon became the best-selling game of the fifth generation: selling 11.62 million copies, beating the Playstation's best-sellers Gran Turismo (10.85 million) and Final Fantasy VII (9.72 million). The game's still impressive on a technical level: here was an open-world game where no loading screens were present jumping from painting to painting, world to world, and still Mario's an absolute blast to control.

The Bad
The speed of the PAL version of the game can mess up the timing of certain 'glitches' in the game which is a little annoying for speed-running purposes. Oh: and of course the camera is still a bit clunky, even for the standards of the time, but it doesn't cripple the experience of the platforming.

The Bottom Line
I'd call this game Super Mario's Greatest Leap: they took a 2D side-scrolling character and made him a seamlessly playable character on a then-brand-new 3D system. Super Mario 64 is a slice of the gaming pie you must try out as soon as possible.

Nintendo 64 · by John H. (52) · 2019

[ 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.