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Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64) artwork

Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64) review


"Super Mario 64 did a move that few would've expected, and that was switching to a 3D type of game. Instead of basically depending of jump, Super Mario 64 is an exploring game. Really the only thing similiar with the classic Mario and this one, is the fact that Mario/Peach/and Bowser are in it. However with all these changes Super Mario 64 is definitely a great game, and met with much success when it was released with the N64. And well, it better have bee good, cause it was the only game at the r..."

Super Mario 64 did a move that few would've expected, and that was switching to a 3D type of game. Instead of basically depending of jump, Super Mario 64 is an exploring game. Really the only thing similiar with the classic Mario and this one, is the fact that Mario/Peach/and Bowser are in it. However with all these changes Super Mario 64 is definitely a great game, and met with much success when it was released with the N64. And well, it better have bee good, cause it was the only game at the release date really worth owning. However I do not like it as much as the original Mario Bros, and maybe the change to 3D wasn't the greatest move.

STORY (1/5): I never did really figure out the story in the game. Now videogames are reaching the modern days, and story is much more important to even platform videogames. So in this game I guess you are saving Peach from Bowser, and you need to collect stars to move on through the level.

GRAPHICS (20/20): Like Luigi's Mansion for Gamecube, Super Mario 64 was made to showoff the Nintendo 64 graphics. This game was beautifully made, and at the time were really eye catching. Super Mario 64 looks and feels beautiful. The enviroments shine, and our very beautiful.

SOUND (8/10): To think some people believed the Nintendo 64 was a weak system. When it came out it was very powerful, it just didn't end that way for the new systems one uping it. The sound on this game also showed the power the Nintendo 64 was capable of. Mario had some endgame voices, but basically only catch phrases. The music isn't greatly rememorable, but it is very good.

GAMEPLAY (39/50): Honestly this game goes by preference. If you love the old school Mario sidescrollers, and are not into Banjo Kazzoie games, then Super Mario 64 was probably a dissapointment for you. However if you are into that exploring thing this game is great, cause alot of searching and thinking is required to get some of the stars, specially the later ones. This is the first console game I saw that you really needed a guide for, but maybe that's cause I am just weak. Mario punchs, buttstomps, and jumps he's way through beautifully made worlds to collect the stars in them. There are enemies about, some old school like Goombas, some not, however they do not frequent the screens like the old school Mario games. You can obviously can tell I am not into the change really, for Mario should be a 2D adventure, and well, there are too many exploring games around. I do not find it to entertaining searching every little area for Yellow Stars, however this game had it's moments. It is a long game with many detailed levels, and 5 stars per level to collect. It is not an impossible feat to pull off, and it is definitely entertaining at times.

REPLAYABILITY (7/10): Long, Long, Long game. There are over a hundred stars to collect in this game, 5 per world. You have to perform various actions and stunts to collect all the stars, and you will have to travel back to get them. After beating it, it is fairly good fun to throw the game back in and explore some more. It's an exploration game, and well the changes are neither good nor bad.

DIFFICULTY (4/5): The later stars are just too annoying to get, so I quit trying to get them all. Also the final fight against Bowser is very annoying, and this is the game that started the unbeatable final boss problems. Sure it is the end of the game, but it should be possible to win.

OVERALL (79/100): This is a great game to start off the Nintendo 64 system, but I believe it could've been better, and was a minor dissapointment. Some people love Super Mario 64, and maybe you could be one of them so it doesn't worth the luck. I do love this game, although it doesn't list on my favorites or anything. Super Mario 64 was a very popular and good game, so give it a look I say.



ratking's avatar
Community review by ratking (July 22, 2002)

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