Well guys, I finally played the masterpiece that is Super Mario 64. Thanks to the wonderful collection they brought to the Switch titled, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, I was able to play through this wonderful game. Now, I picked at Super Mario 64 over the years but sadly never owned it for myself. Now that I do though, I am more than excited to be experiencing this piece of history and the ones to follow.
In typical Mario fashion, you are also given access to three power-up caps which, when unlocked, offer new and fresh gameplay experiences. The Wing Cap sends you to the skies and really brings these worlds to life. The Metal Cap offers invincibility as well as extra weight to help you walk under water. Finally, the Vanish Cap grants transparency, which allows you to pass through gates and other obstacles. One of my favorite things about this game was finding where to unlock these caps and running through the course that shows you how to use each one. Mario is already a joy to control, but these power-ups just give him so much more freedom.
Super Mario 64 defined 3D platformers forever and became the foundation of the genre we know today. This collect-a-thon boasts a whopping 120 power stars to find, all scattered across 15 different worlds. The hub world is located right inside Princess Peach’s castle and like classic Mario titles, you are here to save the princess from Bowser. Naturally, Nintendo does not hold your hand here. You are given a few tips and tricks through the signs around but otherwise you are on your own. This encourages the player to explore, experiment and excel at 3D platforming.
At first, the levels are not too hard. There are challenges of course, but as you progress you’ll notice that Nintendo was introducing you slowly to new techniques and ways to go about things. Finally you end up in worlds where you will need your whole arsenal of skills to surpass. Luckily, they are masterminds at this and you will soon be side-flipping your way to your last 120th power star just as I did.
That freedom however, does not make this game any easier. Nintendo is very particular about when to offer these caps and when to leave the player to control just Mario. They want to make sure you don’t get off easy here, and it pays off in the end. You are left with a much more rewarding outlook of the game when it isn’t handed to you on a silver platter. Another great thing about this game is that if you want to get all 120 power stars you can and absolutely should. If you don’t though, you don’t need to in order to beat the game. If there is a star that’s just too hard you can skip it. This works beautifully because Nintendo caters to the hardcore gamers and the lighter games all at once. They know they are going to have players of all ages and they give each one something to gain from playing and the opportunity to experience it. It has always amazed me that they continue to fit this formula into every Mario game.
My favorite world ended up being Rainbow Ride. It is the last course of the game and definitely where I spent most of my time. The satisfaction of completing it however, was absolutely worth the struggle. I was terrified of the last few worlds in this game but somewhere along the way it clicked with me and I responded to the challenge. It is definitely a final test and I finally passed it. It was exhilarating and breathtaking to the very end.
From the first flip to the last, Super Mario 64 lived up to its reputation and slid right into my favorite games of all time list. It is so easy to see how it made history and how timeless it truly is. It’s refreshing to sit back and enjoy gaming history and I cannot wait to see what the next in the series has to offer. If they are anything like this one, which I’m sure they will be, then I will be happy. I’m overjoyed to finally be able to say that I saw Super Mario 64 to the very end and with all 120 power stars under my belt. If you haven’t experienced this piece of history, please do. With it being on the Switch finally, it is easier than ever to have the wonderful joy of Mario in your house.
