Super Mario 64

The Cover For Super Mario 64

Publisher: Nintendo

Creator: Shigeru Miyamoto

Console: Nintendo 64

ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

         Look at the title of this review! I never grew up in the N64 era but geez, did Nintendo have to put ‘64’ at the end of most of their games? I get it, Nintendo had a 64-bit console (which was better than that piece of shit Atari Jaguar) but it’s such a gimmick. Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that it was one BEAST of a system!

         The Nintendo 64 (or just N64) was a console that was full of innovations like the a rumble feature called the Rumble Pak and Transfer Pak. Even if the N64 wasn’t the first, it also popularized the use of the analog stick for 3D games since digital pad limited the 360 Degree movement. Now on to the review of Mario 64…

         Revolutionary when it came out, this game showcased what the N64 was capable of. Mario was an actual 3D polygon and he could move in 360 Degree environment, with many multiple areas to explore. The game had a camera system which paved the way for 3D platforming games in the future. This was one heck of game when it came out, especially seeing the creepy Mario Head on the Start screen, now that sure woke you up in the morning. Many fans and critics argue that this ranks up to the best Mario game of all time but let’s see how it holds up today.

         Princess Peach writes a letter to Mario telling him she baked a cake for him and invited him to come over to her castle. But of course, King of the Stinkers, Bowser is up to no good and imprisons the Princess in the castle. He also has most of power of the Castle’s 120 Stars, and it is up to Mario to save the princess and find the 120 Stars located in throughout the castle. Hmm, I wonder if Mario is saving Princess Peach just for the cake.

         When you first jump out of the pipe in the beginning, you can begin to explore the outside of the castle and practice some of the controls. When you walk in the castle, you have a choice of doors you can enter depending on the stars you have. These doors have entrances to courses which you must either jump into paintings or holes to appear in the course. You have a life bar that is also your oxygen gauge. Lose all your health bars and you lose a life, with no more lives it is game over. You can collect coins throughout the level that will heal Mario. Get him an extra life when collect 50 coins or a star for the course when you collect 100 coins. You must explore different courses and complete different missions to obtain all the stars in that course. The more stars collected, the more accessible other areas will be. There are many secrets throughout the castle so explore as much as you can. Also, defeating Bowser in the big sliding doors will make Mario able to proceed deeper into the castle by obtaining a key. You will have power ups like the Wing Cap, The Invisible Cap and Metal Cap that will help you finish the area. Other power ups include the 1-Up mushroom and the Koopa Shell you can surf on, believe me doing that’s fun. Also friends like the Pink Bob-omb Buddies will open cannons for Mario to use throughout levels. The analog stick controls the movement of Mario, moving it lightly makes him walk while moving at full force makes him run. The A button makes him Jump while the B button makes him punch or while moving Mario can do a dive. The Z button can make Mario crouch, while still, do a ground pound, when in the air, and perform a long jump while running. The C Buttons will change the direction of the camera but sometimes it can be a pain to get it in the right direction.

         The N64 graphics are kind of dated but have a sort of charm to them, with the 3D polygons and the semi 3D objects. The characters can sometimes look alright or look weird, for example the Goombas and Bowser. The texture and environment is ok but the worst thing is that the N64 has a thing of making things disappear when you are gone from a certain perceptive and can be a challenge when a mission asks for you to look for these things. I do like the ripple animation when you jump into a painting and even the animation on Mario when you idle or lose a lot of health. For sound though, the music is one of the most memorable throughout the Mario franchise. I love all the music throughout the game. From the music in the castle, to the water theme and even Bowser’s level, the music will never keep you bored even when you are stuck in a level. You’ll probably start humming the tunes.

         This game is popular in people’s childhoods, as well as in mine, and is a favourite among gamers everywhere. It is a solid 3D plat former which gives a person an adventure and free choice to choose what level to complete. You are not done until you collect all the stars, so even if you beat the game you have more to complete. Beyond the camera problems and sometimes frustrating game play, it is a blast to play through this wonderful experience of a game. Luckily for everyone, Nintendo even made a remake of the game called Super Mario 64 DS. In this game, not only are graphics improved but you even have the option to play as not only Mario but Yoshi, Luigi, and Wario. Released for Nintendo DS go get your hands on it even if you have the original, which you should go buy as well. I’d recommend this game for E, as in E for Everyone.

         This has been a Wawa911 review, and until next time…GAME ON!

      

- Wawa911

9.5/10

Gameplay