Super Mario 64
| Super Mario 64 | |
|---|---|
| File:Super Mario 64 box cover.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Nintendo EAD |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Designer(s) | Shigeru Miyamoto |
| Released | Nintendo 64
Template:Japan June 23, 1996 iQue Virtual Console |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Ratings | ESRB: K-A ESRB: E (Wii) OFLC: G |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
| Media | 64 Mbit (8 MiB) cartridge |
| Input methods | Nintendo 64 Controller |
Super Mario 64 (スーパーマリオ64, Sūpā Mario Rokujūyon) is a Mario game and was one of the first games released for the Nintendo 64. As of May 21, 2003, Super Mario 64 has sold eleven million copies, and as of September 25, 2007, it is the seventh best-selling video game in the United States.
Super Mario 64 was the first 3D platform game in the Mario series, and it established a new archetype for the genre, much as Super Mario Bros. did for 2D sidescrolling platformers. Hailed as "revolutionary", the game left a lasting impression on the 3D game design, particularly notable for its use of a dynamic camera system and the implementation of its analog control.
By going from two to three dimensions, Super Mario 64 replaced the linear obstacle courses of traditional platform games with vast worlds in which the player must complete multiple and diverse missions, with an emphasis on exploration. While doing so, it managed to preserve many gameplay elements and characters of earlier Mario games. It is acclaimed by many critics and fans as one of the greatest and most revolutionary video games of all time.
Plot
Super Mario 64 begins with a letter from Princess Peach inviting 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 it using the power of 105 of the castle's 120 Power Stars. Many of the castle's paintings are portals to other realms, in which Bowser's minions keep watch over the stars. Mario searches the castle for these portals to enter the worlds and recover the stars. He gains access to more rooms as he recovers more stars, and will have to tackle three obstacle courses leading to a battle with Bowser. Defeating Bowser the first two times earns Mario a key for opening another level of the castle, while the final battle releases Peach and rolls the credits. Peach rewards Mario by baking the cake that she had promised him.
Super Smash Bros. series
Many elements from this game have been seen in the Super Smash Bros. games.
- Mario's standard A attacks are based on the "punch, punch, kick" move he used in this game.
- Mario's Smash Down A move is based on a move in the game which required Mario to crouch and press the attack button.
- Mario's Dash attack is based on a similar move from this game in which the player has to run, crouch, and attack.
- Mario's Back throw in all three games mimics how he threw Bowser in this game's three boss battles with him.
- Metal Mario, one of Mario's forms in this game, appears as a boss opponent in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee.
- The Metal Box from this game appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- The Peach's Castle stage and the Rainbow Cruise stage are both based on areas from this game.
- The "Slide" music from this game can be heard during in the music for the Rainbow Cruise stage (although it's also heard on Rainbow Ride in SM64, which is probably why it's heard on this stage).
