Super Mario 64 Review.
Score is out of 4.
Graphics: 3
Sound/Music: 3
Gameplay: 4
Control: 4
Multiplayer: N/A
Challenge: 3
Overall: 4.5
Super Mario 64 was the first game for the Nintendo 64. A lot of people called it "The game of the century." And they had good reason too. This game has excellent graphics, music and control. But most of all, it was the first time you could control Mario in 3-D, and actually explore worlds. The best thing, you don't have a Time Limit, like in the original for the NES, so you can explore the worlds as long as you want.
Graphics: 3
SM64 features some pretty nice eye candy. The worlds are sharply
detailed, and don't have that many glitches, or blurred colors.
Bowser's troops that you in counter could've had a few more
details, or have been a bit bigger. Also, some worlds seem empty,
and placing a tree or mound of brown dirt in the area just
doesn't work. However, other worlds, such as the Ghost House, and
the two Ice Worlds have vast amounts of items, and enemies.
Sound/Music: 3
For the most part, the music is great. But on a few certain
levels, the music is low-grade, and annoying after a while. Also,
some music is reused on a few levels, which is a disappointment.
The sounds on the other hand, are top notch and are definitely no
disappointment there. It would've been nice to here Bowser talk
though. Peach's voice fits her well.
Gameplay: 4
This is SM64's strongest ability. The Gameplay doesn't differ to
much from the NES and SNES games, but it does introduce some new
features. You still jump over holes, and jump on platforms. But
you now also have to scale mountains, walk through quick sand,
and even race a way overweight penguin! As I said, the Gameplay
is outstanding.
Control: 4
The control is tight and responsive. What some games lack today.
Mario has many new moves, as well as old. You need responsive
control when flying on the Wing Cap, or riding the Turtle Shell.
Swimming would also be a pain, if you couldn't swim the way you
wanted too. Some people wish the game would've supported the
D-Pad, but it doesn't affect Gameplay at all. The game is
perfectly made for the Joystick. Although, sometimes when
running, when you would try to stop, Mario would slide for a
while, very bad if a cliff would be ahead. But that is only a
minor flaw.
Multiplayer: N/A
None, which really is a downfall. According to Nintendo, they
didn't have enough time to add any type of 4- player mode. It
would have really added more replay to the game, since once you
collect 120 stars, there's nothing much more to do. And you
probably won't play the game much after that. Anyway, the game
still is great with it.
Challenge: 3
Collecting 120 stars is no easy task. Some stars are really hard
to get, and could be really frustrating, like those annoying Wall
Jumps. While others are so easy, it's ridicules. The levels are
fairly large, and have many challenges with in them. It will take
you awhile too actually get everything in the game. What is good,
is that most of the stars are fun to get, and not frustrating. A
very good move by Nintendo. The bosses are fairly easy to beat,
and even Bowser doesn't pose much of a challenge. It would have
been nice to have a longer, and more involved battle. But then
again, there was a lot of things Nintendo wanted to include, but
were just out of time, and had to release the game the way it
was.
Overall: 4.5
SM64 is a really fun and challenging game. But the lack of a
multiplayer mode, and reused music does affect the replay value
in the long run. There is a lot too do in the game, and will keep
you busy for a while. The game still does hold up well against
the coemption today, but not as many people enjoy playing for the
first time today, since they have already played games such as
Zelda and Banjo-Kazooie. However, SM64 still holds, and always
will have a place in Video Game history