LogFAQs > #950441253

#51 Super Mario 64 (N64, 1996)


With the leap to 3D, there were some growing pains for Nintendo series. Some fared very well in their foray into 3D (Star Fox, Pilotwings) while others struggled (Mario Kart, Legend of Zelda) to various degrees. Super Mario was the rare case of a series coming off a string of high-quality titles and then began the 3D era with another high-quality title worthy of the name.

Making Super Mario 64 an open-ended experience was an astounding choice. From the moment you gain control of Mario, the choice is (for the most part) yours. I mean, there are progress requirements to open doors throughout the fantastic Peach's Castle, but you do have substantially more freedom to craft your own path than games before it.

I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but it feels great controlling Mario. I also hate to use the same buzzwords, but fluidity and responsiveness has always been a staple of the series, and they didn't lose that going to the N64. With additional threats that can come from all sides, added moves like the punch, jump kick, and ground pound were just as fun and easy to get used to.

Something that I feel is overlooked is how great and varied the methods for getting stars are. Until Odyssey came along, 64 might have received my vote for being the best in that department. It was almost as if they wanted to test out all they could do in a 3D space as the hardware and their minds allowed.

Not everything is a home run, and there were some frustrating hiccups (some related to the jump to 3D, some not), but relative to the time/era it came out, this is one of the most impressive games of all-time.

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KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
If you smell what the rock is cooking he's cooking crap - ertyu