Super Mario 64

 Nintendo 64
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1818 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,635 out of 1818
  2. Mixed: 117 out of 1818
  3. Negative: 66 out of 1818
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  1. RolandJ.
    Feb 5, 2006
    10
    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 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.… Expand
  2. Descole
    Apr 6, 2020
    10
    This game is perfect. Everything in it is just perfect. Who hasn't played it missed one of the most revolutionary games ever
  3. AbeFiletti
    Nov 20, 2020
    9
    Super Mario 64 is still one of the best Mario games ever. This 3D platformer is over 20 years old and it holds up remarkably well. The controls(while on a bad controller) are fluid and control very well. Also some of the levels in this game are super iconic. I mean who doesn't love Bomb Om Battlefield, Whomp's Fortress, Lethal Lava Land, Shifting Sand Land, Tall Tall Mountain, Tiny hugeSuper Mario 64 is still one of the best Mario games ever. This 3D platformer is over 20 years old and it holds up remarkably well. The controls(while on a bad controller) are fluid and control very well. Also some of the levels in this game are super iconic. I mean who doesn't love Bomb Om Battlefield, Whomp's Fortress, Lethal Lava Land, Shifting Sand Land, Tall Tall Mountain, Tiny huge world, and I could keep going. This game pretty much reinvented platformers and it turned out so well. It is also super satisfying. You can't tell me it didn't feel good to finally grab that star. But just like Ocarina of Time, even though you're revolutionary, it doesn't mean you won't have faults. For example while I named so many iconic levels there are also some bland and forgettable ones as well. Dire Dire Docks, Wet Dry World, and Hazy Mazy Cave being the worst. These all just felt forgettable and I didn't care to get the stars in them. Other than that, this game is a masterpiece. I give Mario 64 a 9.5/10, and I would put it on the S tier. Even though Ocarina of Time is great as of 10/23/20 Mario 64 is my favorite N64 game.… Expand
  4. Focaccia
    Feb 14, 2017
    10
    Mario 64 has aged incredibly well. This game revolutionised gaming: the first Mario 3d platformer. And what a good game it was! I really enjoyed getting all 120 stars (twice because I loved the game so much). Despite the n64's controller (remember it?) The controls were actually good, and the different levels are varied have just the right difficulty. Although I prefer Super Mario GalaxyMario 64 has aged incredibly well. This game revolutionised gaming: the first Mario 3d platformer. And what a good game it was! I really enjoyed getting all 120 stars (twice because I loved the game so much). Despite the n64's controller (remember it?) The controls were actually good, and the different levels are varied have just the right difficulty. Although I prefer Super Mario Galaxy (which I have finished 4 times...) this game is the best n64 game and an incredible Mario game.… Expand
  5. ItsDaDoc
    Dec 6, 2020
    10
    The superstar 3D mario game is something that will be stuck in your head. Stars to collect are challenging and rewarding, and the courses are all memorable. You can beat the game without going through much griding and frustration, but 100% is challenging, and takes some time to complete.
  6. Pixarlover
    Oct 17, 2012
    10
    Forget the game being called "one of the best games ever made"; this is probably THE best game ever made. Super Mario 64 has aged so well it's almost surreal. Well Nintendo knows how to deliver the goods for their devoted fans.

    I've kept playing this game ever since I was about five or something. It is still so much fun to play and enjoy. This is what video games should be, although I    Forget the game being called "one of the best games ever made"; this is probably THE best game ever made. Super Mario 64 has aged so well it's almost surreal. Well Nintendo knows how to deliver the goods for their devoted fans.

    I've kept playing this game ever since I was about five or something. It is still so much fun to play and enjoy. This is what video games should be, although I do forgive some FPSs/other shooters if they have strong stories and entertainment value.

    In terms of pure fun and joy, Super Mario 64 is the best game ever made. Well done Nintendo for making the perfect game, and for letting Mario have Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 as the equally perfect sequels to this groundbreaking game.    … Expand
  7. zeta204
    Aug 16, 2012
    10
    No game collection is complete without Super Mario 64, one of the defining games of the entire genre and a benchmark for all future game. Super Mario 64 was done right, especially considering the fact that the N64 had very limited memory, this game was pretty big and impressive.
  8. chronoT
    Sep 5, 2012
    10
    I will always remember where I was when I first saw Mario 64 a few days after it came out. It was one of the most amazing sites I'd ever seen. I had to wait months to get it myself for Christmas, but it was well worth the wait! Mario 64 was the most innovative video game at its' birth, bringing gamers into a magical 3D world. The graphics at the time were the best we'd ever seen and evenI will always remember where I was when I first saw Mario 64 a few days after it came out. It was one of the most amazing sites I'd ever seen. I had to wait months to get it myself for Christmas, but it was well worth the wait! Mario 64 was the most innovative video game at its' birth, bringing gamers into a magical 3D world. The graphics at the time were the best we'd ever seen and even makes for a fun adventure to this day. Every aspect of this game is perfect for what it is, a Mario game. No matter which painting you take the leep into, the world is amazing, filled with awesome puzzles, and challenges you to the core. Collecting all 120 stars was a REAL feat and rewarding as well. This game brings back memories of a time when life was so much simpler.… Expand
  9. TehBwitzie
    Feb 8, 2014
    9
    A truly great game with amazing aspects. It's quite a blast to play through fully, although the experience is a bit overrated by fans of the game back in the day.
  10. nando_u
    Nov 6, 2017
    10
    Super Mario sempre se supera em todas as gerações, a Nintendo tem um carinho e um cuidado com os jogos dele que são incríveis, o 3D World continua com exploração em mundos belíssimos em 3D e quebra cabeças de tirar o folego de tão criativos. Os mundos, planetas, cometas, estrelas, tudo é tão bem feito, harmonioso que temos vontade de não parar de jogar de tão lindos que são feitos osSuper Mario sempre se supera em todas as gerações, a Nintendo tem um carinho e um cuidado com os jogos dele que são incríveis, o 3D World continua com exploração em mundos belíssimos em 3D e quebra cabeças de tirar o folego de tão criativos. Os mundos, planetas, cometas, estrelas, tudo é tão bem feito, harmonioso que temos vontade de não parar de jogar de tão lindos que são feitos os mundos. Uma obra de arte incrível!… Expand
  11. GamecubeLover
    Jul 3, 2016
    10
    My 2nd favorite Mario game is this one. The controls feels so free. Not in the bad way. The levels are awesome and the bosses are too. This has to be the 3rd best nintendo 64 game. I recommend everyone play it. It's 100% awesome!
  12. PyroFierceDeity
    Dec 1, 2020
    10
    Do I really have to explain why this game is a masterpiece? Emulate it, pirate it on wii u, whatever, just stop reading reviews and go play this masterpiece.
  13. Leontorres7
    Nov 15, 2018
    10
    A Masterpiece, loved everything about this game, it is definitely a must play!
  14. W-Lights
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    First game I ever played, usually I'd stay away from reviewing it due my nostalgia but I replayed it to the end and must say it holds up for a reason other than rose tinted glasses:
    pros:
    -all the worlds, all the enemies, all the bosses -mario mobility -the castle base world and how you can look for secrets to find more in there -the challenge factor cons: -redoing the same level    First game I ever played, usually I'd stay away from reviewing it due my nostalgia but I replayed it to the end and must say it holds up for a reason other than rose tinted glasses:
    pros:
    -all the worlds, all the enemies, all the bosses
    -mario mobility
    -the castle base world and how you can look for secrets to find more in there
    -the challenge factor
    cons:
    -redoing the same level over and over to get stars again may get tiresome
    -getting thrown back all the way when dying is very tiresome
    -the hats take too long to be unlocked, taking some of the fun they have as power-ups    … Expand
  15. Vexyy
    Nov 27, 2018
    8
    UHUUU !!
    It's Mario being successful!
    What a game delight, huh?
    I love 64, just as I love your biggest game ...
  16. Robbinsfam
    Jul 22, 2020
    9
    Just play it, it is of the utmost quality. Very possibly the best game that nintendo has ever released.
  17. Bcap1415
    Mar 1, 2020
    9
    If not for the camera, this would be a ten. At the time it came out I got frustrated with the camera and the fact that you basically had to guess what you had to do to get the stars. The name of the star before the level started would give a clue but not a great one. I would have also liked to be able to get Yoshi without having to get all the stars. Other than that, the game ages well andIf not for the camera, this would be a ten. At the time it came out I got frustrated with the camera and the fact that you basically had to guess what you had to do to get the stars. The name of the star before the level started would give a clue but not a great one. I would have also liked to be able to get Yoshi without having to get all the stars. Other than that, the game ages well and is still a great game to play nearly 25 years later… Expand
  18. Pardoow
    Feb 10, 2021
    10
    I played this for the 2020 switch version, and at first glance, it just felt weird because I had played Odyssey beforehand and basically it looked like it was gonna feel “dated”. But it is mesmerising how well it stands after more than 20 years. The music is great and the level design is clever and interesting. Absolute classic
  19. bigchocolate69
    Jun 28, 2022
    10
    Amazing 3D platforming and soundtrack make Mario 64 one of the greatest video games of its time!
  20. JamesDrawsThngs
    Jul 30, 2020
    9
    The grand daddy of all 3D Platformers. The OG. One of the most revolutionary games ever created. A true trend-setter. Super Mario 64 is unquestionably worthy of respect and admiration for how much it moved the industry forward and for just being a kick a** game. Close to 25 years after its initial release, SM64's DNA is still felt within modern day platformers. However, 25 years is enoughThe grand daddy of all 3D Platformers. The OG. One of the most revolutionary games ever created. A true trend-setter. Super Mario 64 is unquestionably worthy of respect and admiration for how much it moved the industry forward and for just being a kick a** game. Close to 25 years after its initial release, SM64's DNA is still felt within modern day platformers. However, 25 years is enough time for other games to come along, refine its formula and in some ways even surpass it. SM64 may be the king, but it's not immune to criticism. More and more of its age has shown itself over time, but that doesn't mean its not still worth experiencing.

    Most of SM64's age come from its overall design. Obviously, the game visually could be considered ugly, but really it's unfair to compare the game to standards set even a console generation after this so it's a moot point to make. Besides, I still really dig the blocky, simplistic style this game goes for. It's what helps add a lot to this game's charm and memorable presentation. When it comes to design, I'm not talking simply about the general design of the courses themselves, but rather the game's structure. The general goal is to collect power stars in each stage. Upon collecting one, you are immediately booted from the level and you'll have to start back at the beginning to start the next task. In more open-ended stages like Bob-Omb Battlefield, Shifting Sand Land or Dire, Dire Docks this isn't an issue. It's when you get to more linear stages like Womp's Fortress, Tick Tock Clock and Tall, Tall Mountain where this starts to become more of an issue and a majority of the missions simply require to climb to the top at a certain point and collect the star. It can feel tedious having to climb all the way back just to go a little further, finish the mission and repeat the process. Thankfully, a majority of the levels do not follow this philosophy so this is not at all a game-breaker. However, the one consistent problem that every stage has is the 100 coin star missions. Early in the game, it's not that big of a deal, but once you start reaching higher floors in the castle it can become an absolute chore as coins become more and more spread out, and you struggle to find those last handful that you need. God forbid you get that last coin in a spot that is either dangerous or damn near impossible to reach.

    General controls have also started to show their age, particularly with the camera. For a first crack at it, they did a darn good job. Unfortunately, there will be times where the camera either doesn't give you a proper view of your surroundings or gets stuck in a position to where you can't turn it around any further to try and improve your view.

    That's really about it as far as personal gripes, because for everything wrong with this game, everything else more than makes up for it. For starters, Mario is an absolute dream to control. He's got such an incredible amount of moves at your disposal for you to take full advantage of and to finish missions in a multitude of ways. There few things as satisfying in life as getting good at playing this game. While I may have an issue with the general mission structure, SM64 gives players an insane amount of wiggle room when it comes to unlocking new areas of the castle. Every star in the game is of equal value. As long as you collect enough to reach new areas, you grab whichever ones you feel like getting. You can avoid entire levels you don't like this way if you're thorough. Personally, SM64 just isn't the same unless I collect everything, but I'm glad that Nintendo gives you the option regardless. You'll also find scattered about a few power ups that, while situational, are enjoyable to use. I also love most of the levels themselves. Many are the standard Mario flare, but obviously they would want to keep things a little safe to ease people into it. They are simply fun to explore about, and a majority of the star collecting is very satisfying. This game also houses some of the most memorable and fun secrets in gaming, some you'll discover on you own while others take a bit of know-how.

    If for whatever reason you have yet to experience SM64, it is a definite must. Make no mistake, it's aged a fair bit, and there are just some things that are hard to forgive when you've played other games similar to this that came afterwards and refined it, but really there's a charm to this game that can never be matched.    … Expand
  21. Veronoobbutpro
    Nov 19, 2020
    10
    The first 3d mario game, the OG one, the most nostalgic and without this game there will be no sunshine, galaxy, 3d land, 3d world, and odyssey. and one of the best 3d mario game.
  22. SupraMayro
    Dec 3, 2020
    10
    Not exaggerating when I say it's my favorite game of all time, it literally is. Nothing about this game has aged poorly, it's still insanely fun and just a joy to just plug in and 100% over and over again, I know I have. It's not even a nostalgia thing either, I wasn't even born in the 90's. People give the camera a lot of **** but I personally havent had many problems with it, you justNot exaggerating when I say it's my favorite game of all time, it literally is. Nothing about this game has aged poorly, it's still insanely fun and just a joy to just plug in and 100% over and over again, I know I have. It's not even a nostalgia thing either, I wasn't even born in the 90's. People give the camera a lot of **** but I personally havent had many problems with it, you just gotta get used to it. Not to mention its the first of its kind so they did the best they could have possibly done. If you haven't played this, what are you doing with your life?… Expand
  23. natesacid
    Dec 19, 2020
    10
    Better than sex and Persona 5, but it’s not saying much that it’s better than Persona 5. WAHOOO
  24. Datonemarioguy
    Jan 25, 2021
    10
    Mario 64 introduced how 3d games are supposed to be, open space, moving anywhere like northwest, southeast or northsouth westeast, and how to make a simple thing like collecting stars so much fun. The controls are very revolutionary at the time because no other games let u go at z axis other than mario 64 (this was before ocorina of time, goldeneye, and banjo and kazooie). Before odyssey,Mario 64 introduced how 3d games are supposed to be, open space, moving anywhere like northwest, southeast or northsouth westeast, and how to make a simple thing like collecting stars so much fun. The controls are very revolutionary at the time because no other games let u go at z axis other than mario 64 (this was before ocorina of time, goldeneye, and banjo and kazooie). Before odyssey, Mario 64 was my favorite game because of how well mario controls, Mario's movesets, the settings, music, and peach's castle. I enjoyed playing 64 this was such a fun game to play because of how mario controls even tho he's kinda slippery most of the times, the paintings in peach's castle, the music, the wing cap which is my favorite, the metal cap, and the insvisibilty cap. One huge thing that's keeping this game alive is the speed running community. Oh my god there are so many speedrunners playing this game just because they wanted to beat it in under an hour or so but the way they do it is absolutely nuts, theres the blj, the wallglitches and so much more idk them yet but everytime I see a speedrunner playing 64 all I can do is just smile how one of my favorite games is getting this much attention despite how old it is. Honestly I'm convinced that this is the best speedrunner game ever made (also minecraft).… Expand
  25. wesker3407
    Sep 5, 2022
    10
    A game that defines the word classic, tight and responsive controls great level design. Don't forget the dedicated speed running community behind this game.
  26. RANDOMJUKE
    Jan 4, 2023
    10
    This is an absolute must-play that defines whether or not a reviewer can be trusted. The movement takes center-stage yet the levels remain masterfully innovative and filled with secrets. The game perfectly balances complexity with accessibility. There’s so much charm and passion crammed into this ancient cartridge that I can’t help but wonder how they managed it. It felt like I was notThis is an absolute must-play that defines whether or not a reviewer can be trusted. The movement takes center-stage yet the levels remain masterfully innovative and filled with secrets. The game perfectly balances complexity with accessibility. There’s so much charm and passion crammed into this ancient cartridge that I can’t help but wonder how they managed it. It felt like I was not only playing a game but experiencing a piece of history. There are definitely a lot of things (the camera, the water physics, platforms that are too small, etc.) that prevent 64 from holding up today but that doesn’t stop it from being a legendary masterpiece that set the standard for 3D platformers and all Mario games to come.… Expand
  27. Shinglinhg
    May 17, 2023
    10
    One of the best games I've ever played in my life, each of the levels is incredible and memorable, the soundtrack is impeccable, and the game is a lot of fun.
  28. Shane95
    Jan 2, 2010
    9
    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
  29. SwitSwat
    Sep 2, 2012
    9
    One of the best 3D platformers that have ever existed. Super Mario 64 stays true to the Mario series by giving you the usual objective of rescuing Princess Toadstool/Peach. But, this game, is very unique compared to other Mario games. First released in 1996, it was immediately a huge success! And It's no wonder. As it includes, 15 amazing levels with 120 different objectives to collect allOne of the best 3D platformers that have ever existed. Super Mario 64 stays true to the Mario series by giving you the usual objective of rescuing Princess Toadstool/Peach. But, this game, is very unique compared to other Mario games. First released in 1996, it was immediately a huge success! And It's no wonder. As it includes, 15 amazing levels with 120 different objectives to collect all 120 "Power Stars" and defeat Bowser. The 3D graphics are wonderful (Even compared to games of our Era, it still presents wonderful, colorful graphics.) Amazing, addicting gameplay keeps you at it for hours and hours. Days and days. Weeks and weeks. And that's a very nice thing about the game. If you're one for wanting to collect ALL the stars in the game, it may take weeks to finish. The game is still a gem even after all these years. It receives a very high 9 from me.… Expand
  30. mbele
    Mar 3, 2013
    10
    The perfect Mario. The controls, the environments, the "open world levels", the castle with its secrets... I could go on!

    Id buy an HD remake in an instance!
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best N64 Game of 1996
1
#1 Most Discussed N64 Game of 1996
1
#1 Most Shared N64 Game of 1996

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Nintendorks
    80
    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.
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  2. Electric Playground
    100
    It has quickly grown to become the standard by which almost all other games are measured.
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  3. Gaming Maxx
    99
    This is definitely a game no game collection should be without...Seriously!
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