N64
Super Mario 64
The revolutionary 3D platformer that defined a generation. Explore Peach's Castle and collect Power Stars across vibrant worlds in Mario's first true 3D adventure.
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Story
Princess Peach uses a letter to invite Mario to come to her castle for a cake she has baked for him. When he arrives, Mario discovers that Bowser has invaded the castle and imprisoned the princess and her servants within its walls using the power of the castle's 120 Power Stars. The Power Stars are hidden in the castle's paintings, which serve as portals to other worlds where Bowser's minions keep watch over the Stars. Mario explores the castle and enters these worlds, gaining access to more rooms as he recovers more Stars. Mario unlocks three doors to different floors of the castle with keys obtained by defeating Bowser in hidden worlds. After getting at least 70 of the 120 Stars, Mario breaks the curse of the endless stairs that block the entrance to Bowser's final hiding place. After Mario defeats Bowser in the final battle, and Bowser escapes, swearing revenge, he obtains a special Power Star which gives him the Wing Cap, and he flies back to the castle's courtyard. Peach is released from the stained-glass window above the castle's entrance, and she rewards Mario by kissing him on the nose and baking the cake that she had promised him. Once Mario earns all 120 stars, he is able to access the roof of the castle via a cannon on the castle grounds, where Yoshi awaits him. Yoshi congratulates Mario on securing all 120 stars and grants him 100 extra lives in order to continue playing the game.
Gameplay Systems
Controls Super Mario 64 has been described as a 3D platformer and action-adventure game in which the player controls the titular character Mario through various courses. Mario's abilities are far more diverse than in previous games. He can walk, run, jump, crouch, crawl, climb, swim, kick, grab objects, and punch using the game controller 's analog stick and buttons. He can execute special jumps by combining a regular jump with other actions, including the double and triple jumps, long jump , backflip , and wall jump . The player can adjust the camera—operated by a Lakitu broadcasting Mario—and toggle between first-person and third-person view.
Awards & Honors
Game of the Month (June)
Maximum • 1996
Game of the Month (September)
Electronic Gaming Monthly • 1996
Adventure Game of the Year
Nintendo 64 Game of the Year • 1996
Best Graphics
Nintendo 64 Game of the Year • 1996
Game of the Year
Nintendo 64 Game of the Year • 1996
Best Use of Innovative Technology
Spotlight Awards • 1996
Best Console Game
Spotlight Awards • 1996
Golden Joystick Awards
Computer and Video Games • 1997
Best Looking Game
Computer and Video Games • 1997
Best Nintendo 64 Game
Official Nintendo Magazine • 1997
Gold Award
ECCSELL Awards • 1998
Media Reviews
IGN
9.8/10
GameSpot
9.4/10
Famitsu
10/10
Edge
64
Game Informer
9.75/10
Electronic Gaming Monthly
9.5/10
Some information sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 3.0.
