Super Mario 64 is the perfect example of how a 3D platformer should be made.
THE GOOD
-Incredible level design
-Solid controls
-Exciting musical score
-Getting all 120 stars opens up to lots of fun exploring
-Fun power-ups
THE BAD
-Some camera angle / depth perception problems
OVERVIEW
Mario has been through a lot in his day. He has had many adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom and rescued Princess Peach a bunch of times from the evil Bowser. It's finally time for our hero to relax so our fair Princess has invited Mario over to the castle to enjoy a cake she has baked for him. Unfortunately, when Mario reaches the castle, via warp pipe, he finds out that Bowser has yet again captured the Princess. On top of that, Bowser is using power stars to keep Mario from spoiling his plans. Now, it is up to our favorite plumber to re-collect these power stars, defeat Bowser and rescue the Princess once again. Super Mario 64 offers, for the first time, a 3D world for you to explore. Also, you won't be plagued by a time limit which lets you enjoy this excellent adventure at your own pace.
GAMEPLAY
For the most part the same concept, which was used in Mario 3 and World, is implemented as far as choosing which level you want to play. Mario uses the castle as a "home base" in order to warp to the various levels. In order to progress to different stages and ultimately Bowser fight levels, Mario must obtain a minimum amount of power stars and keys respectively. Each level has a set amount of stars which include objective type missions and collect coin missions. Typically, Mario just has to jump through a painting and select which mission he wants to do in order to begin. As you play through the game you'll be amazed on how vast and fun each world is. You'll aid Mario as he travels to places like the desert, an under water cave and even a rainbow ship in the sky. The level design is incredible and lends itself to plenty of exploration. There are a total of 120 stars, in Super Mario 64, which can prove to be hours and hours of excitement. You don't need to collect all 120 to finish the game so don't worry.
Controlling Mario is handled very well in Super Mario 64. You'll have various jumps, dives, and attacks to help you dispatch enemies, solve simple puzzles and perform "death defying" leaps. The camera angles, however, can really hinder your depth perception. You have a near and far viewing option and can maneuver the camera around using the C buttons but in tight corners it tends to lend itself to some bad viewing. Along with solid controls, this game offers three unique power-ups and a few fun mini games. In Super Mario 64 it's all in the cap. Scattered through out the entire game are red, green and blue power-up boxes that produce the same colored caps for Mario. The red "winged" cap gives Mario the power of flight. The green "metal" cap gives Mario partial invincibility to damage, wind, and water currents. The blue "invisible" cap lets Mario walk through just about anything. You'll have lots of fun with each of these power-ups and they'll prove to be helpful in finding power stars.
Aside from running around and finding power stars, Mario can have some fun with the mini-games. There is a running race with a Koopa Trooper and a sliding showdown with a Penguin. These are just a couple of examples of the mini-games in Mario 64. Most of them are in the form of a race of some sort and can prove to be quite challenging.
GRAPHICS & SOUND
Mario never looked so good. This game took the already great visuals from its predecessors and transformed them from 2D to 3D.
All the other Mario games have been known to have an amazing musical score and Super Mario 64 won't disappoint here. There are some fun fanfares mixed with a couple jazzy pieces that kick up the excitement of the gameplay.
CONCLUSION
Super Mario 64 is an extraordinary 3D platformer. This game offers great gameplay like the other Super Mario's in the series. There is plenty of replay value here and I would recommend this one to everybody. Even though you have to rescue the Princess, yet again, you're still in for one fun journey. And remember "it's a me, Mario"!!