Super Mario 64

Description

Super Mario 64 developed by Nintendo under Shigeru Miyamoto was the first Super Mario game in full 3D, moving away from side‑scrolling into expansive, explorable environments. The story begins with Mario arriving at Princess Peach’s Castle, only to discover that Bowser has invaded, stolen the castle’s Power Stars, and trapped Peach. Mario must enter magical paintings within the castle to access themed worlds, each containing multiple missions. Collecting Power Stars unlocks new areas of the castle, eventually leading to three major battles with Bowser.

Gameplay is built around freedom of movement. Using the N64’s analog stick, Mario can walk, run, jump, crouch, backflip, wall‑kick, and perform his now‑iconic triple jump. The game’s camera, controlled by the character Lakitu, was one of the first dynamic 3D camera systems, allowing players to adjust their view in real time. There are fifteen main courses, each with unique challenges, from Bob‑omb Battlefield’s open hills to Tick Tock Clock’s shifting gears and Rainbow Ride’s precarious platforms. In total, players can collect 120 Power Stars, though only 70 are required to reach the final battle. Secrets, hidden stars, and alternate routes encourage replayability.

Super Mario 64 was bundled with the Nintendo 64 in many regions and went on to sell nearly twelve million copies, making it the console’s best‑selling game. It received universal acclaim for its ambition, controls, and level design. Retrospectively, it is considered one of the greatest and most influential games ever made, shaping the design of 3D platformers for decades. A shindou (rumble) pack support version was later released in Japan, which also included patches from the international release. The game has been re‑released multiple times: on the Wii and Wii U Virtual Console, as Super Mario 64 DS (2004) with new characters and stars, and as part of Super Mario 3D All‑Stars (2020) on Nintendo Switch. It is also available via Nintendo Switch Online’s N64 library.