Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 cover art

### Platform

Nintendo 64 (N64), Nintendo DS (SMG4 For DS), Nintendo Switch Online, Wii & Wii U, Virtual Console

## System requirements

one of the item(s) listed under Platform(s).

***Super Mario 64*** (スーパーマリオ64, *Sūpā Mario* *Rokujūyon*), commonly abbreviated as ***SM64***, is a game for the Nintendo 64. It was released as a launch title for the console in 1996 in Japan and North America and in 1997 for the rest of the world. On July 18, 1997, a Rumble Pak-compatible re-release of the game, titled *Super Mario 64: Shindō Pak Taiō*, was released in Japan. This is the first 3D installment of the *Super Mario* series, let alone the *Mario* franchise in general.

At the time, it received widespread critical acclaim and has been often said to have defined its genre by being one of the first well-made games of its type. The game has since received a remake on the Nintendo DS in the form of *Super Mario 64 DS*. There was also going to be a sequel made, called *Super Mario 128*, but it was canceled. The *Super Mario 64: Shindō Pak Taiō* re-release is the version included in *Super Mario 3D All-Stars* for the Nintendo Switch, though with upscaled graphics and a redrawn HUD. At 11.89 million copies, *Super Mario 64* is the best-selling Nintendo 64 game.

## Story

Princess Peach sends Mario to come to her castle to have a cake. When Mario arrives, he meets the Lakitu Bros., who are filming Mario. They go inside the castle and hear a familiar voice telling him to get out of the castle. Toad informs him that Bowser has kidnapped the princess again and is holding everyone hostage inside the castle walls.

He has also stolen the Power Stars and give them to his minions who are hiding in paintings spread all over the castle. Mario hops in the magical paintings and retrieves the Power Stars in order to defeat Bowser and save the Princess.

During the journey, Mario makes his way to more areas of the castle. When he finds out he has enough stars, he goes into Bowser's final level. Once he makes his way through the long course, Mario sees Bowser and the two battle. When Mario defeats Bowser, he gives up and hands him a Giant Power Star, before he explodes. Mario grabs the star, and has been given the Wing Cap and flies away back to the castle.

As Mario's Wing Cap disappears, he uses the Giant Power Star to make Princess Peach appear. Peach wakes up and thanks Mario, by kissing him, and the cake she had promised before.

## Gameplay

The aim of the game is to collect enough Power Stars to progress to new, previously inaccessible areas of the castle. The primary goal is to collect enough to reach the final battle and save Princess Peach from Bowser. Each level, or "course", holds six stars, plus one for collecting one hundred coins, which are obtained by completing a certain mission. The only clue to what this may be is in the star's title, which is often cryptic. Aspects of each course vary with each star; beyond this, the player is given free rein in exploring each world.

*Super Mario 64* introduced several abilities to the series, allowing Mario to crawl, Ground Pound, punch and kick, backflip, sideflip, wall-kick, long-jump, and slide, amongst others. These moves give the player greater freedom than in past games as regards ways that Mario can be controlled, introducing the idea of there being a number of alternative routes to arrive at any one place. These are additionally used to perform actions such as pressing down switches as well as harming enemies or reaching high or distant places. The game's use of the Nintendo 64 Controller's Analog Stick is another first for the *Mario* franchise, and allows the player to move Mario at different speeds by controlling the stick. This allows Mario to walk slowly, which, as opposed to running, does not awaken sleeping enemies.

Caps are another aspect introduced to the gameplay in *Super Mario 64*, giving Mario the ability to fly, walk underwater or walk through certain barriers. They are turned on in short bursts and made available when activated with the switch associated with each one.

## Characters

### Main Characters

* Mario
* Toads
* Princess Peach