Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64
Information
Developer(s)	Nintendo EAD
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Release date	Nintendo 64: June 23, 1996 September 29, 1996 1997 (Player's Choice) December 10, 1997 / March 1, 1997 1998 (Player's Choice) iQue: November 17, 2003 Virtual Console (Wii): December 2, 2006 (Shindō Pak Taiō version) November 19, 2006 December 8, 2006 December 7, 2006 Virtual Console (Wii U): April 8, 2015 (Shindō Pak Taiō version) April 1, 2015 April 1, 2015 April 2, 2015 Nintendo Switch: September 18, 2020 September 24, 2020 (Super Mario 3D All-Stars) October 26, 2021 (Nintendo Switch Online) October 25, 2021
Genre(s)	Platform
Mode(s)	Single-player
Ratings	ESRB: Everyone
Platform(s)	Nintendo 64, Virtual Console Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch
Navigation
Predecessor	Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995)
Successor	Super Mario Sunshine (2002)

Super Mario 64 (スーパーマリオ64, Sūpāmario 64^?), commonly abbreviated as SM64, is a Super Mario game for the Nintendo 64. It was released as the main launch title for the console in 1996 in Japan and North America, and in 1997 for the rest of the world. On July 18, 1997, a Rumble Pak-compatible re-release of the game, titled Super Mario 64: Shindō Pak Taiō, was released in Japan. It is the sixth main installment of the Super Mario series, and also the first game in the Mario franchise to use fully 3D graphics.

One of the most highly anticipated games of its age, similar to its contemporary The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time released two years later on the same console, Super Mario 64 was a revolutionary hit during its release. It received widespread critical acclaim and had defined the 3D platform genre by being one of the first well-made games of its type. Essentially, it is a repeat of the original Super Mario Bros. released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in terms of innovation but setting the standard for three-dimensions, for not only the Mario series itself but the video game industry as a whole. Therefore, this title is widely considered one of the most influential and important games ever made as well as among the greatest of all-time. With 11.91 million copies sold, it is not only the best-selling N64 game but also the best-selling title of the 32-bit era of video gaming. Super Mario 64 remains a fan-favorite pick among the 3D installments of the Mario franchise, due to its main setting being Princess Peach's Castle and the first major game to feature Charles Martinet as the iconic voice of Mario (and most other prominent male characters), in which his role would last until Super Mario Bros. Wonder for the Nintendo Switch in 2024, 28 years after its release. Notably, this game, at least the original version, does not feature Luigi, making it the first in the Super Mario series to do so, as it is exclusively for one-player.

The game has since received a remake on the Nintendo DS in the form of Super Mario 64 DS in 2004. There was also going to be a planned sequels to be made, such as Super Mario 64 2 and Super Mario 128, but it was canceled. The Super Mario 64: Shindō Pak Taiō re-release is the version included in Super Mario 3D All-Stars for the Switch, though with upscaled graphics and a redrawn HUD.

Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and Super Mario Odyssey would follow a similar gameplay and ruleset as this title.

Story

Title screen

Princess Peach sends Mario to come to her castle to have a cake via a letter. When Mario arrives, he meets the Lakitu Bros., who are filming Mario. They go inside the castle and hear a familiar voice telling him to get out of the castle. Toad informs him that the Koopa King Bowser has kidnapped the princess again and is holding everyone hostage inside the castle walls.

He has also stolen the Power Stars and give them to his minions who are hiding in paintings spread all over the castle. Mario hops in the magical paintings and retrieves the Power Stars in order to defeat Bowser and save the Princess.

During the journey, Mario makes his way to more areas of Peach's castle. When he eventually finds out he has enough stars, he goes into Bowser's third final level. Once he makes his way through the long course, Mario sees Bowser and the two battle. When Mario ultimately defeats Bowser, he gives up and hands him a Giant Power Star, before he vanishes. Mario grabs the star, and has been given the Wing Cap and flies away back to the castle.

As Mario's Wing Cap disappears, he uses the Giant Power Star to make Princess Peach finally appear. Peach wakes up and thanks Mario, by kissing him on his nose, and makes the cake she had promised to him as the credits roll. After the credits end, Mario, Peach and two Toads break the fourth wall, waving as a goodbye, while the Lakitu Bro. leaves the castle.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot of Mario performing a Ground Pound on a stump in the first course, Bob-omb Battlefield

Although rather slightly outdated in comparison to the latest 3D Super Mario installments, the gameplay of Super Mario 64 introduced a revolutionary level of gaming for its time that has since become standard for the series' three dimensional titles (and other games inspired by it). Among its innovations include a fully exploreable world with 360-degree motion controls, voice acting, a dynamic camera system, the ability of Mario able to manually attack enemies with punches or kicks (something which rarely appears in any subsequent Mario titles), and a unique health point system where unlike the previous 2D games the plumber can take hits multiple times by foes or hazards without shrinking into his Small form. It has arguably made an impact on the franchise more so than any of its predecessors.

The object of the game is to collect enough Power Stars to progress to new, previously inaccessible areas of the castle. The primary goal is to collect enough to reach the final battle and save Princess Peach from Bowser. Each level, or "course", holds six hidden stars, plus one for collecting one hundred coins, which are obtained by completing a certain mission. The only clue to what this may be is in the star's title, which is often cryptic. Aspects of each course vary with each star; beyond this, the player is given free rein in exploring each world. Upon starting for the first time, Mario begins outside of the Mushroom Castle, a multi-floor hub mostly devoid of enemies and obstacles. Inside the castle are multiple rooms with paintings and other surfaces concealing portals to the game's various courses. There are a total of 120 Power Stars in the game, though only 70 are needed to be collected in order to complete the game. The Power Stars are split between the fifteen main courses, nine secret courses that are smaller and usually contain only one or two Stars, and various secrets inside the Mushroom Castle. Only a limited portion of the castle is explorable at first, but as Mario collects more Stars, he is able to open more rooms and unlock Bowser levels. Defeating Bowser in his first two levels opens the castle's basement and top floor, respectively.

Super Mario 64 introduced several abilities to the series, allowing Mario to crawl, Ground Pound, punch and kick, backflip, sideflip, wall-kick, long-jump, and slide, amongst others. These moves give the player significantly greater freedom than in past games as regards ways that Mario can be controlled, introducing the idea of there being a number of alternative routes to arrive at any one place. These are additionally used to perform actions such as pressing down switches as well as harming enemies or reaching high or distant places. The game's use of the Nintendo 64 controller's Analog Stick is another first for the Mario franchise and allows the player to move Mario at different speeds by controlling the stick. This allows Mario to walk slowly, which, as opposed to running, does not awaken sleeping enemies.

Caps are another aspect introduced to the gameplay in Super Mario 64, giving Mario the ability to fly, walk underwater or walk through certain barriers. They are turned on in short bursts and made available when activated with the switch associated with each one.

This game employs an eight-sided health meter called the Power Meter, which is depleted when Mario makes contact with enemies or obstacles, and is replenished by collecting coins, running through Spinning Hearts, or submerging Mario in a body of water. If Mario's health reaches zero, he moans and collapses in defeat before being thrown out of the stage into Peach's Castle (or the entrance if outside). Like the previous games, Super Mario 64 employs a life system, although as the game saves after most progression tasks, the effect of a Game Over is marginal.

Characters

Main characters

• Mario
• Toads
• Princess Peach

Supporting

• Lakitu Bros.
• Bob-omb Buddies
• Koopa the Quick
• Hoot the Owl
• Mother Penguin
• Tuxie
• Big Penguin
• Headless Snowman
• MIPS
• Dorrie
• Yoshi

Enemies

New

• Amps
• Bomps
• Bookends
• Bubs
• Bubbas
• Bullies
• Chuckyas
• Fire Spitters
• Fwoosh
• Grindels
• Heave-Hos
• Killer Chairs
• Klepto
• Kuromames
• Mad Pianos
• Moneybags
• Mr. Blizzards
• Mr. Is
• Scuttlebugs
• Skeeters
• Snufits
• Spindel
• Spindrifts
• Sushis
• Tox Boxes
• Tweesters
• Unagis
• Whomps

Returning

• Banzai Bills
• Banzai Bill Blaster
• Beach Koopas
• Big Steelies
• Bob-ombs
• Boos
• Chain Chomp
• Grand Goombas
• Goombas
• Koopa Troopas
• Lakitus
• Micro Goombas
• Monty Moles
• Piranha Plants
• Podoboos
• Pokeys
• Spinys
• Swoopers
• Thwomps
• Ukikis
• Venus Fire Traps

Mini-Bosses

• Big Mr. I
• Big Bully
• Chill Bully

Bosses

• King Bob-omb
• Whomp King
• Bowser
• Big Boo
• Eyerok
• Wiggler

Courses

Main courses

• Bob-omb Battlefield
• Whomp's Fortress
• Jolly Roger Bay
• Cool, Cool Mountain
• Big Boo's Haunt
• Hazy Maze Cave
  • Cavern of the Metal Cap
• Lethal Lava Land
• Shifting Sand Land
• Dire, Dire Docks
• Snowman's Land
• Wet Dry World
• Tall, Tall Mountain
• Tiny-Huge Island
• Tick Tock Clock
• Rainbow Ride

Power-ups

• Wing Cap
• Metal Cap
• Vanish Cap
• Koopa Shell
• 1-Up

References to earlier Super Mario games

• Super Mario Bros. – Carvings of Mario and Bowser from this game appear on several pillars in Bowser in the Sky. An arrangement of the Ground Theme plays on the title screen, and the Underground Theme can be heard in the music for the Hazy Maze Cave and Wet-Dry World. There is also a small jingle used at the Power Star select screen that sounds identical to the first few notes of the Ground Theme from this title.
• Super Mario World – The idea of Switch Palaces is, in a way, brought back. Also, when Yoshi is met up completing the game with all 120 Power Stars, he says to Mario "It has been so long since our last adventure!" likely referring to the Super NES game. Also, the soundtrack follows the same composition technique used in Super Mario World in a similar way where there is a signature melody in the game that is heard across different levels in several variations ("Super Mario 64 Main Theme," "Snow Mountain," "Slider").
• Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island – The theme used for invincibility in this game, specifically the string instruments playing in the background, is reworked into Wing Mario/Vanish Mario's theme for Super Mario 64. The idea of collecting Red Coins first appeared in this title as well. Fly Guys reappear as enemies. Ukkikis also reappear as non-playable characters. The grunts made by certain enemies and bosses, such as Bullies and the Whomp King, are based on those made by the bosses of this game when hit by Mario.

References to later Mario games and other media

• Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! – A possible theme for Wrinkly Kong's Save Cave known as "Inside the Castle Walls", is the music for Peach's Castle, suggesting that Wrinkly is actually playing this game. This is reinforced by the fact she is playing a Nintendo 64.
• Mario Kart 64 – The Mushroom Castle is hidden on Royal Raceway, and its appearance is identical to its design in this game. The Castle Grounds are also there and unchanged between the two games. As a drawback, the castle itself is inaccessible. Penguins in Sherbet Land have an identical appearance and come in various sizes.
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – This equally revolutionary game was created using a modified version of Super Mario 64's engine, and it was developed alongside it, containing several Easter Eggs. Additionally, the notes for the Song of Storms are coincidentally displayed as stars in the night paintings of the second floor in the Mushroom Castle.
• Mario Party – The board Mario's Rainbow Castle is similar to the secret course Tower of the Wing Cap. Mario's title screen (if he is the most recent winner of a board game) depicts him with the Wing Cap flying with the other playable characters, a direct reference to Super Mario 64.
• Super Smash Bros. – Most of Mario's moves, animations, and voice clips in this game are derived from the ones in Super Mario 64. Metal Mario appears as a boss. Two levels based on places here are also accessible, namely Peach's Castle and Metal Mario's stage. Although Luigi did not appear in the game, his moves, animations, and voice clips are identical to Mario's in Super Mario 64, except his voice clips are higher-pitched versions of Mario's.
• Trade & Battle: Card Hero series – One of the collectible monsters introduced in the first game resembles the Big Bob-omb and shares the same name in Japanese, ボムキング ("Bomb King"). The monster's redesign in Kousoku Card Battle: Card Hero makes the similarities even more apparent.
• Paper Mario – This game starts the same way as in this title, with a letter being sent from Princess Peach. Peach's Castle design in this game is similar to that used in the box art of Super Mario 64. Also, the main room is nearly identical (however, the doors lead to different rooms).
• Mario Kart: Super Circuit – Peach's Castle reappears in the background of Peach Circuit, Mario Circuit 1, and Mario Circuit 4. The music for the Bowser's Castle courses is a sped-up arrangement of Bowser's battle theme from this game.
• Super Smash Bros. Melee – Two stages based on areas from Super Mario 64 appear: Princess Peach's Castle (which also appears as a trophy) and Rainbow Ride. Metal Mario reappears as a boss and a trophy. Additionally, the Metal Box returns in this game as an item and a trophy. Mario still has his voice clips, moves, and animations, and Luigi still has Mario-like voice clips, moves, and animations. One of Kirby's Stone forms is based on the Thwomp's design first used in this game.
• Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 – A section of the music played inside Peach's Castle plays on the status screen.
• Super Mario Sunshine – A brief clip of Mario's fight with Bowser from this game alongside Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3 is seen when FLUDD scans Mario himself. A few of Mario's voice clips are reused in this game.
• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga – In Woohoo Hooniversity, a room with four blocks can be seen in it; one of them is a block from Super Mario 64. The name of the game is even mentioned in the description of the blocks, and the professors are trying to figure out why the block vanishes when struck.
• Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door – The game starts in the same way as in this title and Paper Mario: Peach sends Mario another letter.
• Mario Power Tennis – The music that plays during the minigame Artist On the Court is an arrangement of "Inside the Castle Walls."
• Mario Party 5 - King Bob-omb appears in this game in one of the mini-games.
• Mario Kart DS – Tick Tock Clock appears as a racetrack in this game. Several bosses found here also reappear in this game.
• Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time – The theme for Peach's Castle is a cover version of this game's castle theme.
• New Super Mario Bros. – This game uses many things that originated in Super Mario 64, such as Dorrie, and a silhouette of Bowser's face closes in on the screen when Mario loses a life (but without the evil laugh). Also, the Wing/Vanish Cap theme is present for invincibility in this game. This is largely because many assets in this game were reused from its remake, Super Mario 64 DS.
• Mario Strikers Charged – A cover of the music that plays in Big Boo's merry-go-round is featured in this game, as the theme associated with Boo sidekicks.
• Super Mario Galaxy – The game starts in the same way, with Peach sending Mario another letter. Also, "Bowser's Road" is covered for Bowser's Star Reactor and Bowser's Dark Matter Plant. Also, the falling asleep idle animation returns.
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl – The music from the Bob-omb Battlefield is unlockable, and the Rainbow Ride stage and Metal Box from the previous game return as well. Mario retains the moves and animations that originated in Super Mario 64.
• Mario Super Sluggers – Both songs that play when the player plays in Peach Ice Garden and goes into said place in the Challenge mode are arrangements of the music for Peach's Castle from this game.
• Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story – The music for when the Mario Bros. first enter Peach's Castle and when everyone is removed from Bowser's Belly is a cover of the Peach's Castle theme. Also, both games end in a view of a cake with Mario and Peach figures on it.
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games – In the Wii version, an arrangement of Cool, Cool Mountain's and Snowman's Land's theme is used in Dream Snowball Fight. The main theme and the Bowser stage theme are also used. In the DS version, the Cool, Cool Mountain theme is also rearranged as the second part of the Mario & Sonic Download Medley in Ultimate Figure Skating.
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii – Peach's Castle reappears in the game. Winning a Toad House minigame plays the jingle heard after Mario exits a course with a Power Star, and when the player reveals a pair of Bowser or Bowser Jr. icons in the minigame Power-up Panels, the short tune that plays when Mario tries to enter a locked door is heard.
• Super Mario Galaxy 2 – In both Tall Trunk Galaxy (on the mission Tall Trunk's Big Slide) and Rolling Coaster Galaxy, an arrangement of "Slider" plays at a moment. Also Whomp's Fortress reappears as the Throwback Galaxy, alongside Bob-omb Buddies and the Whomp King. Both games start with Princess Peach sending a letter to Mario. Also, an orchestral cover of "Bowser's Road" plays in Bowser's Lava Lair and Bowser's Gravity Gauntlet.
• Super Mario 3D Land – The sound effect of Mario falling from a high place is reused, plus the platforming style is mixed together with Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Galaxy. Also, when Mario waits outside a purple Mystery Box on the map screen, the infamous endless stairs music from Super Mario 64 can be heard.
• Mario Kart 7 – Metal Mario appears as a playable character.
• Mario Tennis Open – A cover of the music for Peach's Castle is used for Peach's Palace. On the Bowser's Castle court, a cover of the Bowser battle music is played.
• New Super Mario Bros. 2 – The first few notes of the theme for Peach's Castle are played during the intro.
• Paper Mario: Sticker Star – The theme "Slider" is covered during the minecart part of Bowser's Snow Fort.
• Super Mario 3D World – A cover of the theme "Slider" plays when the player rides Plessie. In Shifty Boo Mansion, a level from Super Mario 3D World, a Green Star hidden behind a portrait of a Boo can be entered like the pictures in Peach's Castle in this game.
• Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – The merry-go-round music from Big Boo's Haunt can be heard near the Aqua Cups ride in Water Park. As part of their promotion of Wave 2 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, several official Mario Kart Facebook pages localized for European audiences posted a screenshot showing Tanooki Mario driving near a Penguin in GBA Snow Land, with descriptions that translate to "Penguins never forget" or "A penguin never forgets" together with the picture, likely referencing a popular gameplay act in Super Mario 64 wherein players would intentionally drop the Baby Penguin off-bounds in Cool, Cool Mountain, implying that Mario is culpable for this act and that Penguins hold a grudge against him as a result.
• Mario Party: Island Tour – A cover of "Koopa's Road" plays in Bowser's Peculiar Peak.
• Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U – Peach's Castle (N64) appears as a DLC stage, which returns from the original Super Smash Bros.. In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the original version of the main theme returns, and an arranged version of the theme is featured in the DLC stage in both games.
• Super Mario Maker – The victory theme and the Game Over theme from this game are used when the Mario, Silver Mario, and Gold Mario Mystery Mushroom costumes complete a level or lose a life, respectively. Additionally, when a Super Star is obtained, the Wing Cap theme is played for the Mario costume and the Metal Cap theme is played for the Silver Mario and Gold Mario costumes.
• Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam – King Bob-omb reappears as a boss in this game.
• Super Mario Odyssey – The game marks a long-awaited return to the non-linear, open-ended style of gameplay for 3D Super Mario series platformers established by this game since Super Mario Sunshine. An arrangement of Bowser's theme can be heard in the song "Break Free (Lead the Way)." The Mushroom Kingdom is filled with many references to Mario's past, mostly Super Mario 64. Its regional currency is based on the design of the coins from this game. Additionally, Mario can dress up as the original Super Mario 64 model of himself by buying the hat and costume separately at the Mushroom Kingdom Crazy Cap shop. Also, the Metal outfit is just the Super Mario 64 suit but with a metal coat. The jingle that plays when Mario collects a Power Moon is an arrangement of the course jingle from Super Mario 64. Also, the brochure held by Hint Toad and in the Odyssey depicts the Bob-omb Battlefield.
• Mario Tennis Aces – An arrangement of Bowser's level and battle themes is played during the final battle against Bowcien in Adventure Mode.
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – The Peach's Castle stage returns in this game, along with Princess Peach's Castle and Rainbow Cruise.
• Super Mario Maker 2 – The original theme "Slider" is featured as a sound effect under the "Musical" category, represented by the Nintendo 64 logo.
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie – A cannon from Super Mario 64 appears. The game's main theme and "Inside the Castle Walls" are arranged into the film's score. The Bob-omb Battlefield appears in the film when Mario, Princess Peach, and Toad are journeying to the Jungle Kingdom. The sun floor pattern surrounding the map is similar to the floor pattern in the first floor of Peach's Castle. King Bob-omb appears at Bowser and Peach's wedding. A Maw-Ray appears. Bowser's laugh is used in "Press Start." One of the attacks used by the Mario Bros. against Bowser in the final battle involves grabbing him by his tail, spinning him, and tossing him upwards, very similar to the attack used to defeat Bowser from this title.
• Pikmin 4 – The "Mechanical Harp (Lullabies)" treasure found in the second sublevel of the Cavern for a King plays "Piranha Plant's Lullaby" when being carried by Pikmin or interacted in the Treasure Catalog.
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Part of "Koopa's Theme" plays when Bowser is transformed into Castle Bowser from the effects of the Wonder Flower. An arrangement of "Slider" plays during the level Bonus: Coins Galore!. A new variant of the Metal Mario power-up theme plays when characters turn metal under a Wonder Effect.

Gallery

To view Super Mario 64's image gallery, click here.

Reception

Aggregate scores
GameRankings	96%
Metacritic	94/100
IMDb	9.1/10
Review scores
AllGame	5/5 stars
Computer and Video Games
Electronic Gaming Monthly	38/40
EP Daily	10/10
Famitsu	39/40
Game Informer	9.75/10 (1996) 9/10 (2007)
GameFan	400/400
GamePro	5/5
GameRevolution	B+
GameSpot	9.4/10 (N64) 8/10 (Wii)
Hyper	95%
IGN	9.8/10
N64 Magazine	96%
Next Generation	5/5 stars
Nintendo Life	10/10
Official Nintendo Magazine	95%
Total!	100/100
Digitiser	96%
Maximum	5/5 stars

Super Mario 64 received enthusiastic pre-release reception. GamePro commented on the 1995 prototype's smoothness, and how the action "was a blast", despite the game being only fifty percent complete at the time. Ed Semrad of Electronic Gaming Monthly agreed, praising the new 3D animation of Mario characters shown in only 2D before. Larry Marcus, a source analyst for Alex. Brown & Sons, recalls Super Mario 64 being the most anticipated game of E3 1996, remembering a field of teenagers "jostling for a test run".

Super Mario 64 received critical acclaim, with a score of 94 out of 100 from review aggregator Metacritic based on thirteen reviews, and a score of 96% from review aggregator GameRankings, which ranked it the eighteenth best video game of all time based on twenty-two reviews.

The design, variety of controls and use of 3D gameplay received praise from video game publications. Maximum found its strongest points were the sense of freedom and its replayability, comparing it to Super Mario World and citing its similar gimmick of allowing access to new areas upon finding switches. One of GameFan's four reviewers, E. Storm, cited the water levels as "overjoy[ing]" and showed how Super Mario 64 delved into an "entirely new realm of gaming". Official Nintendo Magazine called it "beautiful in both looks and design". Doug Perry of IGN agreed that it transitioned the series to 3D perfectly. Electronic Gaming Monthly discussed the levels in their initial review, praising them for their size and challenge, and later ranked it the fourth best console game of all time, arguing that it had breached the entire genre of 3D gaming while working virtually flawlessly.

Computer and Video Games editor Paul Davies praised the 3D environment, and said that it enhanced the interaction, and described the control scheme as intuitive and versatile. Total! hailed the gameplay as being so imaginative and having such variety that their reviewers were still "hooked" after one month. Writing for AllGame, Jonti Davies commented on the diversity of the gameplay and the abundance of activities found in each course. Nintendo Life's Corbie Dillard agreed, calling the variety the game's "greatest genius". Writing for GameRevolution, Nebojsa Radakovic described Super Mario 64 as one of the few "true" 3D platform games. N64 Magazine likened it to an enormous playground which was a pleasure to experiment in, but opined that the exploration element was slightly brought down by how many hints and tips there were. Victor Lucas of EP Daily agreed, praising the freedom, but suggesting players "skip all the sign posts".

Super Mario 64 also received praise for its graphics. GameSpot praised the graphics for being "clean yet simple" and not detracting from the details of the game world. GamePro particularly praised the combination of unprecedented technical performance and art design, calling it "the most visually impressive game of all time". Paul Davies described the graphics as "so amazing to see, you find yourself stopping to admire [them]". Jonti Davies called the visuals phenomenal, and the frame rate respectable. Doug Perry found the graphics simple but magnificent, a sentiment shared by Next Generation. Hyper reviewer Nino Alegeropoulos called it the best-looking console game to date and opined that its high resolution and frame rate for the time made it look "infinitely better than a cartoon". Total! said that the graphics' lack of pixellation and jagged edges made it look like they were from a "top of the range graphics workstation".

The camera system received mixed reviews. Next Generation found that Super Mario 64 was less accessible than previous Mario games, frustrated by the camera's occasional erratic movements and lack of optimal angle. Nebojsa Radakovic and Doug Perry added that the camera was sometimes blocked by or went through objects. Electronic Gaming Monthly's Dan Hsu, Shawn Smith, and Crispin Boyer all removed half a point from their scores, claiming that the camera sometimes could not move to a wanted angle or rapidly shifted in an undesirable manner, a criticism that returned in Electronic Gaming Monthly's 100 Best Games of All Time list. Game Informer stated in their 2007 re-review by present-day standards the camera "would almost be considered broken". Nintendo Power also noted the learning curve of the shifting camera. In contrast, Corbie Dillard claimed that the camera did not have any problems, and that it succeeded at helping the player traverse complex environments. This sentiment was shared by Total!, claiming that there were very few occasions where the camera was at a suboptimal angle. Paul Davies acknowledged that he was critical of the camera, saying that in some occasions it was difficult to position ideally, but ultimately dismissed it as "one hiccup" of a "revolutionary" game.

Awards

Super Mario 64 won numerous awards, including various "Game of the Year" honors by members of the gaming media, and in Nintendo's own best-selling Player's Choice selection. It has been placed high on "the greatest games of all time" lists by many reviewers, including IGN,Game Informer, Edge, Official Nintendo Magazine,Electronic Gaming Monthly,and Nintendo Power.Electronic Gaming Monthly awarded it a Gold award in its initial review,and it won Electronic Gaming Monthly's Game of the Year for both editors' pick and readers' pick, and Nintendo 64 Game of the Year, Adventure Game of the Year, and Best Graphics.At the 1997 Computer Game Developers Conference, it was given Spotlight Awards for Best Use of Innovative Technology, Best Console Game, and Best Game of 1996.Maximum gave it a "Maximum Game of the Month Award" before its international release, ranking it the greatest game the magazine had ever reviewed. Digitiser ranked it the best game of 1997, above Final Fantasy VII as runner-up.

Year	Award publication	Category	Result	Ref.
1996	Maximum	Game of the Month (June)	Won
	Electronic Gaming Monthly	Game of the Month (September)
		Gold Award
		Nintendo 64 Game of the Year
		Adventure Game of the Year
		Best Graphics
		Game of the Year
		Game of the Year
	Game Informer
	Spotlight Awards
		Game of the Year
		Best Use of Innovative Technology
		Best Console Game
1997	Digitiser	Game of the Year
	Computer and Video Games
	Golden Joystick Awards
		Game of the Year
		Best Looking Game
	Official Nintendo Magazine	Best Nintendo 64 Game
1998	ECCSELL Awards	Gold Award

Fan Reception

WatchMojo ranked Super Mario 64 as the second best Super Mario game in their "Top 10 Mario Games of All Time" list countdown, right behind Super Mario Bros 3.. WatchMojo also ranked it as the seventh most hardest game in the series in their "10 HARDEST Super Mario Games" list countdown over on MojoPlays, and at the #2 spot in their "Every 3D Super Mario Game Ranked" video (right behind Super Mario Galaxy 2).

Trivia

• Contrary to popular belief, this game was technically not Charles Martinet's debut as Mario's voice actor - this instead happened in Mario's FUNdamentals. However, it is the first mainstream Mario game he voiced, and thus, is regarded as his effective debut in the role.
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time from The Legend of Zelda franchise uses a heavily modified version of Super Mario 64's engine, a coincidental repeat of their 2D equivalents on the Nintendo Entertainment System, The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros., respectively. Several Mario elements can also be seen in-game as Easter Eggs.
  • Ironically, during early development, this iconic Zelda title's plot was originally going to be very similar to that of this game, with Ganon's Castle used for the only setting in the same manner as Princess Peach's Castle. Although this idea was ultimately scrapped for the final release, one dungeon, the Forest Temple, does contain leftover elements.
• Though false, the Gamers edition of the Guinness Book of World Records 2011 states that Super Mario Bros. was ported to the Nintendo 64, vaguely referencing Super Mario 64 being one of its sequels.
• The innovate 3D graphics and gameplay of Super Mario 64 were the result of Shigeru Miyamoto being confident by the experiences of developing Star Fox and is unreleased sequel of the Star Fox series for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
• Super Mario 64, alongside The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, had brought enough impact to the game industry that many 3D game developers from other franchises say that no title's gameplay since then hasn't borrowed a mechanic from either game, as they "blazed trails".
• The Japanese version of the game is known to have several features missing from the international release, appearing unpolished.
• This is the first Mario game to feature a method of invincibility other than a Starman.
  • Although the Starman's music was retained for certain bonus stages, as well as when Mario possesses the Wing and Vanish Caps, or surfs on a Koopa Shell. The iconic Metal Mario form produces a remixed version of the theme.
• Mario's famous "It's-a me, Mario!" quote heard upon starting the game is one of the most widely recognized lines in video game history.
  • In addition, "So long, eh-Bowser!" when throwing Bowser in the original version is a popular meme among social media.
• This was the first Mario platformer to not feature Super Mushrooms and the first since Super Mario Bros. 2 to not feature Fire Flowers.

  

  Princess Peach's Castle in-game

• Although not technically the debut of Princess Peach's Castle, as Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars had already featured it, this is the first Mario game to have its traditional appearance seen in later games.
• As a cameo, Wrinkly Kong can sometimes be seen playing this game in her Save Cave in the original Super NES version of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, due to the "Behind the Castle Walls" music explaining it all.
• Super Mario 128 was supposed to be its sequel, but the game got cancelled and got repurposed for Pikmin, which technically makes this Nintendo-related title on the Nintendo GameCube Super Mario 64’s "sequel".
• Pressing the A button on the "Press Start" screen that has Mario's face on it will cause a hand to appear, allowing the player to comically stretch Mario's ears, nose, cheeks, mouth, and the top of his head. At the time of the game's release, this was seen as a novelty among fans.
  • Holding the R button will lock Mario's face in the stretched position.
• There are three grammar mistakes in the game:
  • When Yoshi speaks to Mario at the end of the game, he says "Mario!!! It that really you???".
  • When the player is one Star short of opening a Star Door, the game says, "You need 1 more stars".
  • When trying to go through the Star Door on the third floor with less than 70 Power Stars, the game will say that you need 70 stars to unlock the door that leads to the endless stairs. However, the door will still open regardless of how many Stars the player has collected.
• The sound effect of Boo's laugh is actually a sped-up version of Bowser's laugh, most likely to save space. This would be reused until Mario Power Tennis where Boos have their own distinctive voice since.
  • Interestingly, Bowser's laugh itself is supposedly an edited stock sound of Charles Martinet himself laughing but slowed down drastically and therefore technically being the two characters' laughs heard a normal speed. It should be noted, however, that the recording was taken a few years before he was officially taken the role of Mario and it is not yet outright confirmed by Martinet or Nintendo itself that he actually performed this laugh.
  • The Legend of Zelda series has a parallel to this phenomenon where its equivalent, Poes, have their laugh being a sped-up version of Ganondorf's in Ocarina of Time.
• The sound of the Thwomps grunting is a slowed down version of an unused audio file of Mario dramatically grunting. This same sound effect is also used for the Whomps, Bullies, and Eyerok, although slightly edited.
• Tiny-Huge Island is a reference to Giant Land/Big Island from Super Mario Bros. 3.
• If the game was completed with all 120 Power Stars, Bowser will give a different reaction towards Mario that he is utterly beaten and realizes that there are some stars that he himself had missed. In addition, the special cannon that allows the plumber to reach the top of Peach's castle and encounter Yoshi will become available.
• The song titled Bowser's Road from this game was remixed at certain parts in Super Smash Bros. Melee. This was later remixed for Super Mario Galaxy.
• Interestingly, when using both the Wing and Metal Cap at the same time, an unused texture of a metal wing for the Wing Cap will appear. But this is impossible to perform in-game, as both power-ups are not featured in the same course. Therefore, this can only be seen by glitches or hacking effects.

  

  The infamous screen effect seen whenever Mario is defeated, showing Bowser's classic symbol slowly zooming in into black

• In spite of Bowser himself being an iconic primary antagonist among Nintendo fans in general, the screen transition effect of the Koopa King's angry face and himself wickedly laughing anytime Mario dies and loses a life (except for falling in pits) in this title is known among the Mario community as one of the most frightening events in the entire franchise when caught off-guard, to the point it is called the "Death Screen" and some claim to even suffer nightmares. Likewise, the original version of the archvillain's emblem was reused again as a screen transition for Mario Party and Mario Party 2 when a player encounters him or lands on a Bowser Space (accompanied by a screeching sound). Since the era of the Nintendo GameCube, the symbol was slightly revamped, and although the silhouette still occasionally appears in later Mario games including its remake, Bowser's laugh is now rarely heard and the zoom in fade-effect plays at a faster pace to make it less terrifying among younger fans.
  • Due to its notoriety, a user on YouTube created the death transition in reverse, which resulted in fans of the game saying it is even worse to look at it this way.
  • Another unpleasant case known to the fandom occurs in Big Boo's Haunt, where an indestructible enemy called Mad Piano is found. It appears to be an ordinary piano at first, but when approached, the Mad Piano suddenly begins charging toward Mario and angrily chomps at him similar to a Chain Chomp. Many unsuspecting players are often startled by it and therefore is considered the scariest enemy of Super Mario 64.
• Following the above note, Super Mario 64 does contain several elements that are rather bizarre or dark for a Mario game. For example, some of Mario's death animations are surprisingly realistic compared to later 3D games, the endless stairs had ominous music, and even the Game Over screen, though comical, is also considered to be creepy unlike other games.
• There is a glitch known to speed runners of Super Mario 64 as the "BLJ" or Backwards Long-jump, which when performed, causes the player to gain incredible speed. This is used to skip many parts of the game including the Endless Stairs. This was patched in the Shindou version, which left speedrunner fans disappointed when this game was re-released in Super Mario 3D All-Stars.
• Super Mario 64 is one of the two mainline 3D Mario games in the series to not feature Luigi; the other being Super Mario Sunshine. However, he is playable in the Nintendo DS remake.
  • Despite this, there have been many rumors of Luigi being playable in the original N64 game. It was said that a player would have to run around the fountain 2401 times to unlock him, as fans believed that the translation on the fountain in the castle courtyard said, "L is real 2401", though these rumors was later proven false. This is very similar to when Waluigi was rumored to appear in the DS remake.
    • More interestingly, Luigi was initially discussed for the game during the development period, but never went beyond discussion as the game was already proving to be quite a test on the Nintendo 64's hardware just with Mario alone, so Luigi was cut.
      • Luigi has actually been discovered in the code of Super Mario 64 and therefore was indeed originally planned to appear in the game, but he is unfinished.
• Area 64 in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga may be a reference to Super Mario 64 as well as Area 51 - the infamous real life U.S. military base.
• Super Mario 64 is currently the only mainline 3D Super Mario game where Mario is the only playable character and doesn’t have any ally assistance.
  • In Super Mario Sunshine, Mario gets assistance from F.L.U.D.D, in Super Mario 64 DS, Yoshi, Luigi, and Wario are also playable characters, in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, Mario gets assistance from Baby Luma, additionally Luigi is also a playable character, in Super Mario 3D Land, Luigi is also a playable character, in Super Mario 3D World, Luigi, Peach, Toad (and later Rosalina as well) are playable characters, and in Super Mario Odyssey, Mario gets assistance from Cappy.

See Also

• Super Mario 64 at Super Mario Wiki
• Super Mario 64 at Wikipedia