Super Mario 64: This Plumber Has Hat Wings?

As requested, we take a trip back through time to the days of Nintendo's Super Mario 64. Although not a big fan of what Nintendo has had to offer us throughout the ages, the days when our friendly neighbourhood plumber was still fresh and new reminds me of the publisher's glory days.

As the name would suggest, Super Mario 64 was developed for the Nintendo 64 console and follows a strict platform genre much like the other games following suit at the time and was one of the first launch titles for the console's release. Many of you who own a DS will also be aware that a more buffed up replica was released, aptly named Super Mario 64 DS. But of course, we arent discussing the DS version now are we? We, my chums, are reviewing the real deal which kept many of us away from the harsh glare of the warming summer sun and away in the shadows where we truly belonged. Pfft, sun, who needs it eh? Anyway...

As previously stated, SM64 is a charming little platform game in which main Italian protagonist Mario must delve deep into the heart of Princess Peaches Castle where antagonist King Koopa Bowser has locked away your friends with the magic of Power Stars and over run the grounds with beasties. As can be expected its up to you, the height deprived plumber, to retrieve all power stars, keys and all the other bits and bobs in between in order to save your friends and return the castle to its original peaceful state. Sounds easy huh? I thought that too. Then I found out I was extremely mistaken.

Lets start with the aesthetics of the game, characters, scenery, Whomps, everything. To say the N64 is now older than time itself the graphics of the game could not exceed higher expectations. Although rather choppy in appearance compared to present day games, Super Mario boasted a bright, colourful world with a menagerie of characters to boot. You'll find no Gears of War browns or Call of Duty greys in this game, no sir!

The game play on the whole is stunning, sporting open worlds to explore generally at your own leisurely pace with a range of secret areas to discover as the game progresses also through the crafty use of portal paintings dotted around the castle. Another remarkable point to add is the games use of both 2D and 3 Dimensional graphics that in turn create an experience to gaming previously unheard of which to this day can still be argued as revolutionising the games industry all together, well how about that!

Taking a break from escaping the jaws of Chain Chomps, ducking out of the way of Fly Guys and grabbing what would appear to be hallucinogens of which make Mario believe he is a racoon or that his hat has wings, I thought I'd comment on the catchy tunes this game delights us with. Rather than the common sound of 8 bit buzzing gamers of its time would normally hear when playing games such as Jurassic Park Rampage Edition, Super Mario 64 boasts a variety of sound tracks that change according to the location Mario is exploring. From the charming elegant feel of Princess Peaches Castle, to the icy chill of the wintry wastelands, the tunes of Super Mario 64 really do immerse the gamer further into the mushroom kingdom. Sweet ear nectar.

Repeated on the previous Blue Dragon review, its time for my final thought scores:

Graphics: 8.5/10
Creativity: 9/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Music: 8/10

Total Rating: 9.5/10

So there we are, a trip down memory lane for us all, I love nostalgia. Sweet sweet nostalgia...Until the next time guys!

Jess~