Super Mario 64
JP release: 23rd June 1996
NA release: 29th September 1996
PAL release: 1st March 1997
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
N64 Magazine Score: 96%
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.
Luckily, fans of the game have done this themselves by fully recreating the gameâs engine on PC, with lots of options to set it up the way you want. Thereâs some much more graphically impressive options than what I chose, but I wanted it to look similar to the original game, with just crisper textures and some of the 2D objects replaced with 3D ones.
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. Luckily, the version I played lets you turn on a more modern analogue camera, which (along with widescreen) is really all Super Mario 64 needs to feel modern.
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.
âThe best game ever?â Possibly, but then itâs so far ahead of anything that comparisons seem meaningless.
- Zy Nicholson, N64 Magazine #1
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Remake or Remaster?
As the fan-made PC version shows, Super Mario 64 still holds up really well and just needs some basic improvements. A remastered Super Mario 64 would be perfect.
Official Ways to get the game
There is no way to buy a new copy of Super Mario 64, the only official way to play is to rent it via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pak.
Other versions
2004: Super Mario 64 DS. This version featured altered levels, more stars and extra playable characters. The extra content was well received, but forcing previous stars to certain characters was frustrating. The controls also donât work very well on the DS. The touch screen minigames were a brand new addition and were well liked.
My next project is playing every Nintendo 64 game.
