Super Mario 64 Review

Super Mario 64:
Release Date:  June 23rd 1996
Platform:  N64, DS, Wii U
ESRB:  E

Super Mario 64, the game that started 3D gaming.  

Super Mario 64 Box Art

Considered a masterpiece among fans and critics,
Super Mario 64 has made it's way from the N64 to the
Wii U while aging great at the same time.  Let's take a look
on how one of the greatest 3D games of all time, should appeal to
you.

STORY:  Princess Peach, ruler of the mushroom kingdom, invites Mario to her castle for a cake she baked for him.  Upon arrival, Mario realizes that the princess has been kidnapped by Bowser!  Therefore, Mario sets out to save her from the koopa king.

GAMEPLAY:  The Mario franchise went from taking players on a side-scrolling adventure to giving them the freedom of roaming a castle in all directions.  Mario 64's controls were very comfortable and have aged so well, they are standards in every 3D Mario game today.  You can long jump, crouch, run, jump and more.  Not to mention the camera, another revolutionary function also used in most Mario games  today.

GRAPHICS:  In 1996, Super Mario 64's graphics were great.  Although, today, not so much.  Super Mario 64's 64 bit graphics have aged pretty badly over the years.  Thankfully, in 2004, Super Mario 64 was given a remake on the Nintendo DS:  Super Mario 64 DS with all new graphics that look al little bit more like Mario games do today.  But for fans of the original like me, the graphics stand out as a large step for gaming.

LENGTH:  Super Mario 64 consists of you running around collecting 120 stars!  It can be long and hard.  It really depends on how good of a gamer you are.  Since there is no map, it may make the experience tougher.  Super Mario 64 is a very long game if you want to fully complete it.  But there are ways to beat without collecting all 120.  The main story can be beat in 14 hours.  Although completing it could take up to 26 hours.

MUSIC:  Super Mario 64's music can be repetitive, but it's very catchy.  You will find yourself singing these tunes a lot.  From the happy Bob omb battlefield theme to the dark and eerie Bowser theme, This soundtrack is sure to please anyone.

FINAL RATING:  Super Mario 64 is a revolutionizing title for the N64.  Whether your playing it at home or on the go with the DS remake, if your a Mario fan, this game is definitely for you.

-10/10 -Gamer's Club