Mario needs no introduction. If you know gaming, you know this red overalled plumber and at least some of his escapades. Everyone has their favorite Mario game, it seems. Whether it be Super Mario Brothers 3 or Super Mario World, a lot of people can give you a whole spectrum ranging from the WiiU gamees to the Gamecube games. One game that has grown more and more of a following throughout the years is the Nintendo 64 main release that brought him into the 3D world. To many, that Mushroom Castle is as familiar as one's childhood home and they know all of the secrets, as well as all of the entrances with the paintings throughout its structure.
This game, from its amazing soundtrack to its level design, remains the basis for many 3D platformers of the time. If you weren't this good, your quality was called into question. The first level has you climbing an entire hill to face off with the King Bobomb. The ghost level has you going through a full dimensional version of the Mario Land Boo Mansion. You run into Boos of all sizes, as well as a piano with razor sharp teeth coming at you!
Every single time you face off against Bowser, you're going to need to face off against his castles first! These castles are some of the hardest levels in the game, some exceptions of course, but they are also the most fun. The traps and the fire pits they face you off with are some of the most inventive parts and it will take some serious hand-eye coordination. Some people have these levels down to a fine art with how much they have played them.
This game, to no one's great surprise, was a target for speedrunners who have found glitches and shortcuts through the entire game. The numbers that these guys pull off are amazing, but there are many who would rather just go through the entire game al naturale for the full experience. Mario 64 is one of those games that has aged like fine wine and there are so many people who hardly ever game who have fond memories of this title, as it was very common in households.
Along with MarioKart 64, this is one of those games that never seems to get old. Even the water levels are looked upon fondly with this title and that is an accomplishment. Where many first outings into the 3D territory has met with disaster, Super Mario 64 came along and showed people what the standard should be. Even with the challenges, this game is one of the most popular titles, especially when it was released on Super Mario 3D All Star. Even when it was ported to Nintendo DS, as frowned upon as that version was, has a lot of charm along with it. At least in that game, you can play as Yoshi and Luigi. You still heal with water, much like you do in real life. Virtua Water.
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