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Super Mario 64 (N64)
by Jeikobu88
Let's face it. When it comes to appeal, Super Mario 64 just doesn't make sense. Poor graphics, blocks of coloured pixels, an Italian plumber with a bushy moustache, a colourful outfit and a strange world where mushrooms give you extra lives and when you attack creatures there, they release coins.
Whilst all of this may sound ... a little unusual, it may surprise you to know that Super Mario 64 is considered one of the greatest games of all time. And it's easy to see why. The graphics are indeed poor compared to the power behind PS3 graphics, but at the time, the of the N64 were groundbreaking. Besides, Nintendo compensated the way in which they always do - by making objects simple in shape. SM64 can best be described as an adventure/puzzle game, where the aim is to rescue Princess Peach from the grasp of the evil King Koopa (Bowser). To do this, you must work your way around 15 different worlds within the castle, along with several hidden bonus worlds to collect the Power Stars necessary to face off against Bowser. The stars are obtained by completing the various challenges necessary.
Plenty of days worth of fun can be taken from this game and how you progress through the game is left mostly to the player. In what order you collect the Power Stars is mostly up to you, though certain ones require you to collect special items first.
Outwardly simple and weird, yet inwardly complex and fun, SM64 is a must-play for all gamers. It is a piece of gaming history that will no doubt remain loveable for ages to come. Look out for the special bonus of collecting all 120 Power Stars.
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Super Mario 64 (N64)
by TomRose
Mario was always a 2D kind of guy, but thanks to the N64, he was transformed in to a 3D masterpiece, blowing everyone away with a quality, well designed game. This is brilliant. Everything about this platformer is fun, colourful and entertaining.
The gameplay is wonderfully smooth, and Mario can perform a variety of movements, ... including higher jumps, triple jumps, wall kicks and even crawling. These are all very easy to pick up. The graphics are great for their time, and the colours are beautiful! All worlds are thought out excellently, and the music is instantly recognisable.
Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach, and it's your job to save her. There are around 15 worlds, each very different to each other, with each presenting you with different enemies. There are 7 stars to collect in each world (and some around Peach's Castle too.) Once you have enough, you can open doors to progress in the game. You'll have to fight Bowser 3 times - each time you fight him, it will be harder, so watch out!
Challenges include beating big bosses, retrieving things, or even races. Mario also has the ability to fly with a certain hat, and can also turn invisible and into metal!
Perhaps some of the challenges are a bit easy, but there are 120 stars to collect, so you'll be playing for a long time, and when you've completed it (and met Yoshi), you'll want to do it all again.
I would definitely recommend this, and seeing as it's only £6, you MUST get it. A gamer has not lived until they've played Super Mario 64. This is why it's probably the most famous platformer in the world. Definitely a timeless classic!
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Asterix (SNES)
by dangaroo
Asterix is the predecessor to the enjoyable Asterix and Obelix on the SNES. Released in 1993, it's nearing 20 years since it came out but the gaul with balls is a likeable chap and despite it's obvious lack of modern day graphics or complex game play, it's still makes an interesting game.
You can choose between four languages ... - English, French, Spanish and German. Asterix's chubby mate Obelix has been kidnapped by the Romans and the village council decide that Asterix should set off to rescue him. A simple screen to screen platform game, the game involves fighting soldiers and wild animals (that turn in to meat to be consumed) and jumping around breaking blocks and collecting coins.
Coins that form arrows lead you to hidden bonus levels where you can stock up on more money and lives. Of course the graphics are in no way realistic but they have that bright enjoyable look to them that many a platform game did back in the day.
The variety of enemies is endless, on the first level alone you come across bats, wild boars, spiders and black hedgehog like creatures. Angry crows swooping in from above attack you too so you have to be alert, of course the gameplay is not that difficult but it's fun and those simple pleasures like jumping from cloud to cloud or cliff to cliff without falling in the gap in the middle whilst trying to avoid enemies at the same time will keep you busy.
With a bit of practise you should be able to complete the game within about 90 minutes but you need a run of luck and a bit of experience to master it. When you lose all your lives, it's game over and time to start from the beginning, there were no game saves back in 1993 and this might frustrate the modern gamer.
Overall an enjoyable game, not quite as good as the follow up Asterix and Obelix but still a choice title from the early 90s.
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