Super Mario 64 definitely holds up in 2020 as being a fun and semi-mesmerizing 3D platformer. The movement offered in games since might be a little tighter, but the expansive moveset is impressive, especially considering this is essentially the first of it's kind. Levels can vary in quality with the more enclosed stages taking the lead, and larger stages surrounded by an endless void tending to feel more bland in comparison. Tiny Huge Island is a special case of a stage I'll dread on a replay.
While the game is definitely good, I think it's obvious that some games have done 3D platforming better in the time since. Context is important, though, and trying to imagine just how daring and risky the game's programmers and designers were for making such a landmark of game design is important. Super Mario 64 barely even feels like it belongs in the same franchise as those that came before it, with it's objective design being wildly different than most anything previously seen, and a large focus on exploration and experimentation, as opposed to just progressing towards a linear goal.
The game has a surprising amount of love and care put into it for what could cynically be viewed as simply a way to push more console sales for the big N. The primitive geometry of the levels and the inconsistent elements paint a picture of a confused and learning-as-they-went development team trying to adopt a whole new dimension of design. Nowadays, some may consider it as ugly, or lacking in good camera controls, or just a little too easy. Those claims make for good arguments, but all of them become mute noise when first hearing the music of Jolly Roger Bay as you drop into the stage, and the credits sequence paired with it's song never fail to put a smile on my face.
Not perfect, but a masterpiece nonetheless, and a monument to risk-taking
While the game is definitely good, I think it's obvious that some games have done 3D platforming better in the time since. Context is important, though, and trying to imagine just how daring and risky the game's programmers and designers were for making such a landmark of game design is important. Super Mario 64 barely even feels like it belongs in the same franchise as those that came before it, with it's objective design being wildly different than most anything previously seen, and a large focus on exploration and experimentation, as opposed to just progressing towards a linear goal.
The game has a surprising amount of love and care put into it for what could cynically be viewed as simply a way to push more console sales for the big N. The primitive geometry of the levels and the inconsistent elements paint a picture of a confused and learning-as-they-went development team trying to adopt a whole new dimension of design. Nowadays, some may consider it as ugly, or lacking in good camera controls, or just a little too easy. Those claims make for good arguments, but all of them become mute noise when first hearing the music of Jolly Roger Bay as you drop into the stage, and the credits sequence paired with it's song never fail to put a smile on my face.
Not perfect, but a masterpiece nonetheless, and a monument to risk-taking