Super Mario 64 - A Game That Changed the Gaming Landscape Forever

Super Mario 64 is a landmark game in the video game industry. It was the first game to feature the iconic Italian plumber - Mario - in a 3D open world environment. Developed and published by Nintendo in 1996, this game revolutionized the gaming experience.

The game opens with a letter from Princess Peach inviting Mario for a cake at her castle. We’ve all been there, right? And like us, Mario probably thought it was a good idea to skip his cardio because, to his surprise, when he arrived, the castle was under attack by Bowser, the ultimate villain! The princess was nowhere to be found, and Mario must now rescue her while collecting stars in various courses to unlock new stages.

The graphics, for its time, were top-notch. It was so detailed that you could make out the individual polka dots on Mario’s overalls. But let’s talk about the real star of the show: Mario’s polygonal face. It looked like a stretched-out marshmallow that someone smacked with a frying pan. Honestly, putting on the game and seeing Mario’s face pop up for the first time was probably more terrifying than whatever Bowser had in store for him.

The game brought with it a slew of iconic Mario tunes that still pop up in our heads to this day, such as the haunting, catchy, and captivating theme music of the “Hazy Maze Cave” and who could forget the beat you heard whenever you got the green shell in Bob-omb Battlefield. We all have a soft spot for that time we got the wing cap and then proceeded to jump off the edge, plummeting to our doom. Truly, it’s a classic gaming moment every player can relate to.

However, the game also had its flaws. The camera controls were a complete disaster. Unless you enjoyed spinning around in circles, trying to get a handle on your surroundings, you likely wanted to snap the controller in half. And, let’s not forget the water stages. Those were the bane of every gamer’s existence. No one wanted to constantly deal with the swimming and the drowning (which is an all too relatable struggle in real life).

To sum it up, Super Mario 64 was revolutionary, hilarious, and almost frustrating. It’s an experience that every gamer, from veterans to newbies, should indulge in. The game set the standard for future 3D platformers and remains a firm favourite in most gamers’ childhoods. We’ll always look back at Mario 64 with fondness and hear that soothing tune from Peach’s castle with a smile.