Ok, I know I've been putting this off for a long time, but I'm finally going to play Super Mario 64. When Mario leaped to the third dimension in 1996, some people were skeptical. Mario was already a near perfect 2D side scrolling platformer, why ruin that by making it in 3D? I would have certainly felt the same way. It was like playing Rayman 1 then playing Rayman 2. At first, it didn't seem right. However, when you started playing the game, instantly it became a classic to remember for years to come. Let's have a look then into the game and see what really makes it timeless, and why people love this game so much.

Now, normally I start with the story, but before I can even set up a save file, a huge 3D Mario head pops up. Not only that, but he talks. As far as my gaming history goes, this was the first time we ever hear Mario speak (and not just cry like in Super Mario World 2). You could see some animations to show what the N64 was capable of, like sparkly starts bouncing off Mario's head as he can't do anything to stop them (it is just his head, nothing else), that was pretty charming, but the real charm gets to me as I set up a file save. See the wooden style layout, the different colours, hear the music in the background. This gives me a mixed feeling of simplicity and style, and not to mention untold mystery.  This screamed out loud that the game had a ton of secrets waiting to be discovered. I wanted to start a save file, but I also wanted to stay here, just in case something were to happen. I don't know what would, but I felt like it was going to happen. After ten minutes of waiting, I decided to just play the game.

The game starts off with you, Mario, receiving a letter from Princess Peach, asking you to come on over, she even made cake. Of course, you can't say no to that and make your way over to the castle via the iconic green pipe. The game does a huge rotation of the castle as a Lakitu with a camera records the settings. That's odd, an annoying enemy from previous games is being helpful and is controlling the camera for you. As you come out of the green pipe, you can start playing. This was one of the first games to incorporate in-game instructions. You could walk up to a sign, and read it to know what to do. Of course, the instruction booklet was there as well, but who reads those? Having it in-game would mean more people would know how to play the game.

You are free to explore the grounds. You might not be able to do much there, but having the freedom to do so makes an incredible environment to play with. It's also the perfect place to practice all the skills you'll need for the game ahead. As you enter the castle, you will notice that the princess has been kid-napped by the infamous Bowser and with it, all the Power Stars in the castle, making it impossible for you to get to the top. You need to collect these Power Stars in order to open doors. These doors will lead to more Power Stars, which will lead you, eventually, to Bowser, Princess Peach, and that cake you were promised. Now, I want to ask a few questions before we go on.

First off, where is the King and Queen of the Mushroom Kingdom? I have never seen them, nor do I think I ever will. If this is the case, should Princess Peach be Queen Peach? If there isn't a King or Queen ruling over the Kingdom, then that would make the Princess a Queen! Second off, why did Bowser only kid-napped Princess Peach? All over the castle, there are Toads. Why did Bowser leave them all behind? To annoy me as much as possible? Or did he just doesn't want them? And why do they fade in and out when you come close to them? Are they ghosts? Did Bowser savagely murder them all and their ghosts are trying to help Mario to get revenge? Na, that last one is too dark for a Nintendo game (excluding Mother 3, of course). Now, to be fair, the Toads don't speak in this game, which makes them very cute and loveable. It's when they talk that they annoy the heck out of me (thankfully that doesn't happen until Mario Kart 64, topping it with him being the best racer in the game......Urrrgggg......Must.....Suppress...Rage....).

Now that I have that out of the way.....You can explore doors so long as you have enough Power Stars. In that door is either another section of the castle (which I swear is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside), or a room with a level in. This is normally in the form of a painting. You jump in the painting and you start the level. I know, a little far fetched, but for some reason, it makes sense. This can range from anywhere from a watery level, to a desert level, to a fiery lava level, to an ice level, to even a huge clock. The list goes on, but that's not all. In the game are hidden Power Stars. If you explore enough, you'll come across a secret level within the castle, and with it, a hidden Power Star. These stars were the ones Bowser couldn't find when storming the castle. Since the castle and it's levels are full to the brim with secrets, you'll have a fun time exploring every nook and cranny to find each and every one of them. Be sure to look out for the secret coloured boxes.

The world of this game is very rich to explore. There are eight Power Stars in every normal level, six of them are acquired via defeating a boss, or getting to the top of a giant ice penguin, or setting a chin chompa free. One is found when you collect all eight red coins in the level, and the last one is found when you collect at least 100 normal coins in a level, which is easier said than done. When your exploring the level, you might come across a nice secret like the teleporting flowers, which adds to the game play when you think you've found it all. Some places in the castle might seem useless at first, but then as you defeat Boswer the first time, you'll notice a Boo, and you follow it and bam, another level for you. You know, the one with the star, and the plaque that says "Eternal Star" on it.....Wait....is that an L? L to Rest 2401 M MM r? What does that mean? Well, I did a bit of research, and it (supposedly) is meant to say "L is real 2401", and the bottom line is just gibberish. They say if you can collect every coin in the game, you will end up with 2401 coins in total, and given the chance to play as Mario's brother, Luigi. As I search this up further, it was just a hoax. You don't get even get 2100 coins when you collect every coin, and even if you did, Luigi isn't a playable character. As I take a step back, I do see the "eternal star" wording, although the text underneath it is still gibberish to me.

The graphics of this game are a little blocky. They're going to be, it's one of the first N64 games out there, but for some reason, I can't bring myself to hate them (not that I would). The colour choice fits the level designed. For example, the Lava level is very "stuffy" feeling with the red clouds and lava everywhere, while the Ice level generally feels like it's snowed in your room with the freezing feeling when you go in the water. I really did feel I was whisked away into a new, eerie, and completely unnatural world when I was in the first level with Bowser. It's quite hard to make the graphics on its own make you feel like your in the game, as normally the game play and music help with that. I can't hate that face on Mario. All the graphics in this game are either charming you, or they are creating an appropriate environment.

The music is very catchy when it wants to be, but quite sinister as well. The music you get when you obtain a star is a great sensation. It feels like I've achieved something pretty spectacular, like I really am getting one step closer to rescuing the Princess. The hub world music is quite calming, so much so, I nearly flinched when the tone changed when trying to open the start door with Bowser laughing in the background, even if it was for a brief second. Since the levels are big, it makes you glad the music is very enjoyable to hear over and over as you explore the vast area of each and every level.

The controls are surprisingly fluid. Each move is easy to execute (after a little practice), and the camera is very smooth to move. You just press on the yellow arrows on the right of the controller to move it, and what's better, it moves a big section at a time, so you can quickly move the camera and fight the enemy head on almost instant. Now, this would be a pain if you needed the camera pointing in a certain direction and the yellow arrows always over shoot the angel you want, but the truth is, I've never had the problem. if you wanted to move the camera more precisely, then there is a mode for that.

Overall, I give this game a 9.7/10       This is the highest rating I have ever given to a game. Does this mean I consider it the best game ever? Not really. Although it is a absolute joy to play, some other games top this slightly for me. I have given this rating, however, because it differently is the best 3D platformer I have ever played. It is the perfect example of a 3D platformer, a rich world to explore, secrets around every corner, very enjoyable graphics and music, a fair difficulty setting that is challenging to those who haven't played 3D platformers before, but still provides a challenge for the avid gamer looking to collect every star, and easy to use controls. Top that with that old charm of Mario, have some adorable and menacing enemies, insert some factors of danger and you got yourself an instant classic that many will consider a masterpiece of not only then, but for the present and always will be in the future.

Great review dude, kind of long but good enough to read about. I liked this game a lot since I first got the N64.

xxblackwarriorxx : I thank you for the comment, but I can't help but feel that it is a review in itself. You might want to submit that as a review so others can read it. It isn't bad.

In the fifth paragraph, should the first h be an n?Darkpower508:

mlb789 : Ahaha.....Yes, yes it is. Thanks.