Super Mario 64 sees Mario skip 59 entries jump into 3D and 64-Bit gaming as a launch title for Nintendo 64. Remember when Super Mario 64 title was a “work in progress”? Anyway, it’s a classic, remembered fondly by many, it’s important and influential like many of Nintendo’s works, so of course it had to be included in Nintendo’s Super Mario 3D All-Stars to celebrate 35th anniversary of Mario and his 3D gaming history. Most importantly, is the game any good? Well, unfortunately, I personally didn’t find as much joy in playing it.
My biggest gripe with the game is it’s controls. Even towards the end of the game, I never felt confident in controlling Mario, never quite grasped the game’s physics. When I thought I could maneuver the levels well, I would get stumbled by something, like not grabbing the ledge, or bonking off the wall or not turning properly, or anything in-between. There were a few moments where I could get stuck in a landed-airborn state and slide towards my doom (when at the very edge of some platform). The air control is not very good, it feels pretty stiff, kinda similar to the original Super Mario Bros.. Now, this is a Super Mario 3D All-Stars version, and I heard it has some input lag, which no doubt contributed to some of my frustration, but even then, even if I didn’t have input lag issues, that wouldn’t fix clunky control (you can also argue the controller layout also contributes to this, since it’s obviously different, compared to the original N64). The flying with winged cap is similar to the cape feather from Super Mario World, but it just doesn’t feel as good to maneuver in air. Another big issue, which I’m sure most of you can actually agree with, is the game’s camera. The rotation is quantized, instead of modern smooth scrolling, but the camera isn’t very intelligent, there’s little vertical camera control, aside from panning the camera further or closer, and it likes to show unhelpful angles where you’re behind some object. Sometimes, the camera won’t even scroll further, usually when it doesn’t really make sense. Like, when I was fighting Bowser, I REALLY wished the camera would show me those bombs, or just kept full arena in view at all times.
The graphics are also a little dated, which is understandable since this is a Nintendo 64 launch title. Mario himself looks a little odd, where he is made out of multiple chunks that are clearly visible (though you get used to his look), and Bowser, well… he is Bowser, alright. However, I think the bigger issue is the game’s textures, or more specifically, how some of them are stretched to look smeary and ugly on surfaces, Super Mario 3D All-Stars and it’s resolution bump makes them more apparent. Again, this is an early 3D game for Nintendo, so the artwork is a little rough as the company was gaining experience in 3D modelling, and you can see their experience improve over time, most apparent in the game’s remake, Super Mario 64 DS. The game does have a charming early 3D look, which can be nostalgic, but I’m not going to pretend that the graphics are greater than they really are.
Don’t get me wrong, the game is not a bad one. When controls and level design work, the game can be fun to platform through. And there are some enjoyable levels, like the very first level – “Bob-Omb Battlefield”, or “Big Boo’s Haunt” or “Raibow Ride” (despite latter having some slow carpet riding). The game’s open nature is also to be commended. I was stuck early on, trying to win the penguin race at “Cool Cool Mountain”, and I kept sliding off, which was really frustrating. Then I simply decided to move onto a different level, like “Jolly Roger Bay”, and I started enjoying myself far more. If you find some stars difficult, you have plenty of options in different stages, though if you’re going for 100% completion, you’ll have to contend with everything. You can also collect stars out of order in the same stage – most of them aren’t locked, and even though you don’t receive a tip on how to obtain them, you’re free to explore around, which is great, really contributes to the open sandbox gameplay the game offers. Ultimately though, I just didn’t enjoy that much, thanks to the control issues, camera and other tidbits. It’s just another classic that I didn’t vibe with to the pile. I don’t find it to be a timeless masterpiece, but I also don’t find it to be “overrated” – it has it’s merits and fans. It's dated, janky, yet legendary.
My biggest gripe with the game is it’s controls. Even towards the end of the game, I never felt confident in controlling Mario, never quite grasped the game’s physics. When I thought I could maneuver the levels well, I would get stumbled by something, like not grabbing the ledge, or bonking off the wall or not turning properly, or anything in-between. There were a few moments where I could get stuck in a landed-airborn state and slide towards my doom (when at the very edge of some platform). The air control is not very good, it feels pretty stiff, kinda similar to the original Super Mario Bros.. Now, this is a Super Mario 3D All-Stars version, and I heard it has some input lag, which no doubt contributed to some of my frustration, but even then, even if I didn’t have input lag issues, that wouldn’t fix clunky control (you can also argue the controller layout also contributes to this, since it’s obviously different, compared to the original N64). The flying with winged cap is similar to the cape feather from Super Mario World, but it just doesn’t feel as good to maneuver in air. Another big issue, which I’m sure most of you can actually agree with, is the game’s camera. The rotation is quantized, instead of modern smooth scrolling, but the camera isn’t very intelligent, there’s little vertical camera control, aside from panning the camera further or closer, and it likes to show unhelpful angles where you’re behind some object. Sometimes, the camera won’t even scroll further, usually when it doesn’t really make sense. Like, when I was fighting Bowser, I REALLY wished the camera would show me those bombs, or just kept full arena in view at all times.
The graphics are also a little dated, which is understandable since this is a Nintendo 64 launch title. Mario himself looks a little odd, where he is made out of multiple chunks that are clearly visible (though you get used to his look), and Bowser, well… he is Bowser, alright. However, I think the bigger issue is the game’s textures, or more specifically, how some of them are stretched to look smeary and ugly on surfaces, Super Mario 3D All-Stars and it’s resolution bump makes them more apparent. Again, this is an early 3D game for Nintendo, so the artwork is a little rough as the company was gaining experience in 3D modelling, and you can see their experience improve over time, most apparent in the game’s remake, Super Mario 64 DS. The game does have a charming early 3D look, which can be nostalgic, but I’m not going to pretend that the graphics are greater than they really are.
Don’t get me wrong, the game is not a bad one. When controls and level design work, the game can be fun to platform through. And there are some enjoyable levels, like the very first level – “Bob-Omb Battlefield”, or “Big Boo’s Haunt” or “Raibow Ride” (despite latter having some slow carpet riding). The game’s open nature is also to be commended. I was stuck early on, trying to win the penguin race at “Cool Cool Mountain”, and I kept sliding off, which was really frustrating. Then I simply decided to move onto a different level, like “Jolly Roger Bay”, and I started enjoying myself far more. If you find some stars difficult, you have plenty of options in different stages, though if you’re going for 100% completion, you’ll have to contend with everything. You can also collect stars out of order in the same stage – most of them aren’t locked, and even though you don’t receive a tip on how to obtain them, you’re free to explore around, which is great, really contributes to the open sandbox gameplay the game offers. Ultimately though, I just didn’t enjoy that much, thanks to the control issues, camera and other tidbits. It’s just another classic that I didn’t vibe with to the pile. I don’t find it to be a timeless masterpiece, but I also don’t find it to be “overrated” – it has it’s merits and fans. It's dated, janky, yet legendary.