Oh Super Mario 64. This game brings back nostalgia to many players myself included. And it's easy to see why. This game has so much charm and it is very enjoyable. This game and I go way back. I first played this game when I was 5 and back then I didn't even know how to control really. I just wandered in the castle. But I remember enjoying it. Even if I was an utter n00b.
Back when it first came out its graphics were amazing and revolutionary.....But it did not age well.
The graphics aren't much to look at but it does make you realize how far we came in that area from 1996. The same can be said about the controls. They did not age well. But thankfully it's Wii virtual console release and DS remake fix both of these issues. Now my favorite part of the game is its sense of scope and exploration. It's no Skyrim but back then the idea was very new and Mario 64 executed this very well. As good as possible for a 1990's game but that's beside the point; the worlds are big and full of exploration. In some stars you can do them out of order like for example in Bob-Omb Battlefield you can get the first star first of course....Or you can free Chain Chomp. This isn't true in all cases and in some stars you have to get later on in the game but this gives players a minor sense of choice that I enjoy. As expected from a Mario game the story isn't much either. You control Mario, a fat Italian plumber who craves a cake and a kiss from the Princess, and you have to collect stars by jumping into paintings throughout the castle. Some of these stars are optional thankfully but for completionists you're going to have to collect a whopping 120 stars. The game does get challenging especially in the upper stage of the castle. And you fight the king of Koopas, Bowser, to access the next part of the castle. Defeating him is simple enough. All you have to do is rotate the control stick and throw him into a bomb. Easy right? WRONG. While the first fight is easy the next 2 times won't be so easy. And finally another of my favorite parts of the game is its soundtrack. The game is full of songs that suit the level you find them in and on top of that are really good. From the Bob-Omb Battlefield theme to the Jolly Rodger Bay theme to the final Bowser theme the soundtrack is full of tunes that will get stuck in your head for a while.
Overall this game is a must have for any N64, Wii (You can download it from Virtual Console), or DS (Super Mario 64 DS) owner and it is a blast to play. I highly recommend it for anyone in these categories.
My verdict is 9.75/10
Back when it first came out its graphics were amazing and revolutionary.....But it did not age well.
The graphics aren't much to look at but it does make you realize how far we came in that area from 1996. The same can be said about the controls. They did not age well. But thankfully it's Wii virtual console release and DS remake fix both of these issues. Now my favorite part of the game is its sense of scope and exploration. It's no Skyrim but back then the idea was very new and Mario 64 executed this very well. As good as possible for a 1990's game but that's beside the point; the worlds are big and full of exploration. In some stars you can do them out of order like for example in Bob-Omb Battlefield you can get the first star first of course....Or you can free Chain Chomp. This isn't true in all cases and in some stars you have to get later on in the game but this gives players a minor sense of choice that I enjoy. As expected from a Mario game the story isn't much either. You control Mario, a fat Italian plumber who craves a cake and a kiss from the Princess, and you have to collect stars by jumping into paintings throughout the castle. Some of these stars are optional thankfully but for completionists you're going to have to collect a whopping 120 stars. The game does get challenging especially in the upper stage of the castle. And you fight the king of Koopas, Bowser, to access the next part of the castle. Defeating him is simple enough. All you have to do is rotate the control stick and throw him into a bomb. Easy right? WRONG. While the first fight is easy the next 2 times won't be so easy. And finally another of my favorite parts of the game is its soundtrack. The game is full of songs that suit the level you find them in and on top of that are really good. From the Bob-Omb Battlefield theme to the Jolly Rodger Bay theme to the final Bowser theme the soundtrack is full of tunes that will get stuck in your head for a while.
Overall this game is a must have for any N64, Wii (You can download it from Virtual Console), or DS (Super Mario 64 DS) owner and it is a blast to play. I highly recommend it for anyone in these categories.
My verdict is 9.75/10