Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64) Review
7Visit my other channel @83chrisaaronextra for more video reviews!
Visit chrislovesjapan.com for more content.
Support my work by sharing with others, or tossing a tip to my Ko-Fi page https://ko-fi.com/chrisaaron83176
Since the dawn of sluggishly rendered wire-frame polygons, the promise of immersive 3D gaming was constantly romanticized across pop-culture, but often exceedingly awkward when attempted. In the summer of 1996, I was stunned when the longing experienced while viewing CG rendered stills or watching ReBoot was magically fulfilled by Super Mario 64. The actual graphics weren't quite as detailed, but the tangible feeling of being inside another world with Mario, exploring 3D space according to the nuanced manipulation of the N64's analog stick, was even more mind blowing than first experiencing Super Mario Bros. in the 80s.
The occasional awkwardness of such bold design, chiefly the camera management, is easily overridden by the pleasure and engagement from Mario's physics and rich moveset. Evolving beyond the clumsy 'tank controls' of earlier 3D platformers, he snappily changes direction within full 360 degree movement. Successfully connecting a weighty punch to an irritable goomba, timing wall kicks to reach a hidden ledge, or courageously long jumping across the abyss are all small wins on the journey to 120 Power Stars. There's a constant tension in predicting how Mario's momentum will clash with a far more dynamic 3D world. Richly varying slopes and surfaces affect your footing. Nailing the right angle to leap between moving platforms demands greater calculation. Combating the array of loveable, zig-zagging enemies is more delicate than a quick hop.
Slightly unnerving in its ransacked state, the iconic hubworld of Peach's Castle contains 15 sizeable main worlds, plus additional Bowser gauntlets and mini-stages. Bomb-omb Battlefield is the perfect introduction; a huge environment with numerous fields and a sizable mountain to scale. Whomp's Fortress demands more methodical control as you master increased vulnerability up in the heavens. Cool Cool Mountain and Jolly Roger Bay venture into the brisk elements. No matter your favorite, each location offers something magical. Survive the quicksand of the dunes and you can sneak into a pyramid! An astonishingly tranquil lava hell contains a habitable volcano. Exploring the foreboding grounds of Boo's Mansion, one can sense it was an early test for Zelda's equally important transition to 3D. The only less than stellar experience was the overly ambitious Mini Giant Island. Comparable to Goldilocks and the Three Bears; Mario was either too small, too large, or just the proper size to navigate that treacherous world.
Mind blowing upon release, the graphics are still pleasing with vivid colors and memorable, solidly rendered stages. The dynamic views, camera angles and details like Mario's footsteps changing according to the surface brought a heightened sense of craftsmanship to the series. Impressively utilizing percussion and the sitar in particular, Koji Kondo's soundtrack is almost entirely original; more varied and emotionally stirring than previous princess rescues.
Revisiting the castle yet again, I was nearly brought to tears by how much magic can still be experienced decades later. One could always turn off Super Mario 64 and go visit an art gallery, but what better way to truly appreciate a masterpiece...than leaping directly into the paintings?
Other Videos By 83Chrisaaron
Other Statistics
Super Mario 64 Statistics For 83Chrisaaron
There are 28,425 views in 9 videos for Super Mario 64. His channel published less than an hour of Super Mario 64 content, less than 0.50% of the total video content that 83Chrisaaron has uploaded to YouTube.