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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Super Mario 64
Universal acclaim
Based on 13 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 73 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre(s): Action, Platform
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: September 26, 1996
Summary
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]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro GameSpot GameSpot Guide
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
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...
Electric Playground
It has quickly grown to become the standard by which almost all other games are measured.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Gaming Maxx
This is definitely a game no game collection should be without...Seriously!
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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!
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 73 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Shane95 gave it a9:
I like this game a lot, the graphics are good, for N64, the gameplay is awesome, and the story, to the people who give 0s and 5s, The Story has been the same for 20 years, also the camera angle is good, N64 fans and Mario fans, and others should play this game, or you fail. By the way, anyone who gives this game 0s to 5s are not gamers, i'm sorry but thats what it makes you: Not Gamers
Will T gave it an8:
Now I've been a die-hard mario fan since the NES days, but really come on! just because this game was the first real 3d platformer does not mean it's good, It's okay... obviously it was more enjoyable back in the day, but if your looking to play it now you won't be impressed too many stars in levels and just plain boring I never liked it, not even in my top 20 N64
Jordan C gave it a10:
Epic game. As if that didn't say enough, god I wish i still had an n64.
CST gave it a9:
This Game is definitely a very revolutionary game because it is the first great 3-D plat former, that means it has some mistakes because it didn’t learn from certain mistakes. When you complete an episode, you get kicked out of the level so you got to come back into the level yet again. At certain points the game's camera gets stuck when it hits a solid object or wall. And the game is too easy if you do not go for the 120 stars. But the practically perfect controls, great 3-D versions of the Mario, Mario 3, and Mario World levels, and unique tasks you have to do, Super Mario 64 is one of the best games for the N64 ever. Get N, or get OUT!
Anthony E gave it an8:
This is a fantastic game. Fans of Mario will love it for the nostalgia, and non fans will love it because it is a game full of charm, wit, fun and even with a few spooky moments thrown in! (the ghost house). A must, as it is available on the Wii virtual console for 1,000 points (£10).
Patrick P gave it a9:
Even after over a decade, Super Mario 64 still holds up with pure, sweet fun. The controls are tight, though flawed, and there isn't much here that Galaxy didn't build on or improve. However, it retains a classic feel while still being able to stand the test of time. It kick-started the 3-D world of video games, effortlessly transformed the prior Mario worlds into a new 3-D environment, and most of all, it gave us a taste of things to come. Once a classic, always a classic.
joe s gave it a10:
definitely THE best Mario game, followed closely by galaxy.
