Mario comes to full 3D, a true gaming experience. (Super Mario 64 (N64))

Member Name: chiefo

Product:	Super Mario 64 (N64)
Date:	15/05/09 (6 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Controls, graphics, audio, Castle secrets, Hours and hours of gameplay. Tons of variety.

Disadvantages: None

I can't believe this game is over 10 years old. It was the first real 3D adventure on the N64 and remained one of the best to the end of the consoles life.

Nintendo made a perfect game, it starred Mario and he had to save Princess Peach by collecting 120 stars. By doing this and defeating Bowser at the end Peach would be freed from within the walls of 'The Mushroom Kingdom'. Wow what a game.

So there are 15 main world levels, full 3D. The object is to collect the power stars by doing the mission. It could involve racing Koopa The Quick, to racing down a waterfall. Each star on each level had a clue on where to get it. But that is where it stopped, you had to do the rest on your own. There were 7 stars on each level, and a further 15 hidden around the Kingdom.

The game wasn't easy but it didn't get really hard until the last couple of worlds. You had to unlock switches to get Mario extra powers such as the ability to fly, or walk on the bottom of water..

It was a breath of fresh air and not many games have been able to touch it since in terms of controls or game play. It is a timeless classic that will never be forgotten. Surfing shells, trying to get the maximum amount of coins on a level, and even trying to collect the total 120 stars will be gaming memories I will always treasure. So many people thought they completed the game by just obtaining 70 stars which at that point gave you access to the final Bowser encounter, but true die hard Mario gamers wouldn't be satisfied until they have collected them all.

There is so much to write about each level, pyramids, Bowser's submarine but I won't because if you haven't already you should experience it for yourself first hand.

Pick up the game and console and give it a go.

5 out of 5.

One of the best platforming games in history.

Summary: It defined 3D plaftorm genre, maybe set the bar too high. Over 10 years old & still one of the best.