Super Mario 64 (n64: 1996): Reviews

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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Super Mario 64


9.0

based on 13 reviews
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How did we calculate this?

based on 45 votes
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Official Website

The action begins when Mario goes to visit the Princess, but finds her castle eerily empty. Leaping through pictures hanging from the walls, he enters 15 magical worlds to search for 120 Power Stars. Mario has more than a dozen moves, including running, jumping, swimming, stomping and punching, and even performing a backward somersault! When troublemakers swipe Mario's cap, he'll have to grab it back! [Nintendo]

PUBLISHER:	Nintendo
DEVELOPER:	Nintendo
GENRE(S):	Action, Platform
PLAYERS:	1
ESRB RATING:	E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE:	September 26, 1996

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Electric Playground

It has quickly grown to become the standard by which almost all other games are measured.

100

All Game Guide

As the first true 3D platform game, the game does everything right. Super Mario 64 is a masterpiece in the truest sense of the word.

Gaming Maxx

This is definitely a game no game collection should be without...Seriously!

IGN

Complete in every way, and the challenging experience of working toward each new level is far greater than the game's minimal flaws. Nintendo's craftsmanship and zeal for creating fantastically enjoyable games has never shown through more than in Super Mario 64.

Nintendojo

I haven't met anybody who hasn't wasted at least half an hour just running around outside the castle, sliding, jumping, stomping, diving, swimming... There are no enemies here and there's really nothing to do, but boy is it fun!

Electronic Gaming Monthly

There'll never be another Mario game that will make the same impact as Super Mario 64. [Jan 2004, p.189]

GameSpot

A game that rewards the curious, the original, and in some cases the bludgeoningly stubborn and tenacious.

TotalGames.net

The sheer scale of the achievement, in originality, variety and technological muscle earns it a 'Best Game Ever' acclamation through sheer muscle, almost regardless of its undoubted and typically Nintendo artistry.

Computer and Video Games

The graphics are so finely detailed that you'll soon forget you're playing a game - it's more like taking part in the best cartoon you've ever seen.

Games Domain

The five years it took to write have been well used and it is easily in contention for being one of the best games of the decade.

GameShark

It was the first game on the system, and regretfully, it was also the only great game for the system that could stand the test of time.

Game Revolution

While we've seen some more creative and impressive world design, no game yet has had this kind of crystal clear 3D graphics, remarkable texture mapping, absence of pixillation, and a frame refresh rate that makes your PC look like the toy.

Nintendorks

The distribution of power stars in the levels is horrendous. I think 7 stars in one level is more than enough, don't you think? I understand that there are memory constraints, but there either could have been less stars overall, or 1 (maybe 2) more level(s). Definately a problem.

The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 45 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Daniel D. gave it a10:
Its a game.... that grows on you.... like you play the game when your 5 like me.... and play it on the DS. It doesnt feel the same. Its a game that you should pass it on your kids and see the great times you had when you were a kid..... (I'll never forget how great this game is. It gets a 10.)

Zack C. gave it a10:
Even after all these years and even though it is on the N64 console, it could still be the greatest game of all time.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
I just recently downloaded this on the Nintendo Wii and it is still the best game I have ever played! It makes Half Life 2 look like Superman 64.

Joshua L. gave it a10:
Probably the funnest game for N64,I dislike the N64 too but this game was so good, I used 1000 Wii points to buy it.

Michael F. gave it a10:
This game lacks at nothing and is the pure definition of 3-d mario. as classic as it is, this game is outstanding with its length, difficulty, and gameplay. While not boasting great graphics, the game's classic tunes should never be forgotton and its themes to be the base of many modern gaming themes. A recommendation, classic, and superior game indeed.

Beau Q. gave it a7:
A classic game after all these years.

Roland J. gave it a10:
If you want to play the very best 3D platform game that has been made, play Mario 64. This is the flagship title for the console at the peak of console gaming. It is not just a superb game; it's a piece of history. If you want to know about videogames, you must play this game. Console gaming grew up around platformers and this is the only thing resembling a blueprint for platforming in the 3D era. You don't know where videogames have got to unless you play this.