Super Mario 64 is an all-time classic game from Nintendo that has delighted fans for decades. While it was not the first 3D platformer, it would be the title that influenced how all 3D platformers would play going forward. The influence of Super Mario 64 was so long lasting that could be felt in games like Banjo-Kazooie at the time all the way to A Hat in Time on modern systems.
Going from the Mario games on NES and SNES, to a Mario game in full 3D like this for the first time was a gamechanger as there was no equal to it yet. What is notable is that despite the many years since release, the Super Mario 64 experience has stayed remarkably fresh, unlike many of its contemporaries. This is especially notable when compared to other 3D platformers that were acclaimed at the time.
In retrospect, Super Mario 64 was not a highpoint of the series but rather the second beginning of the franchise. The original Super Mario Bros on NES was the game that all other 2D platformers and sidescrollers tried to mimic and Super Mario 64 was the same for 3D platformers. Most other 3D platformers from that era have not aged particularly well, such as the first Crash Bandicoot while Super Mario 64 comes across like a finely aged wine. Yes, the visuals are dated, but they still manage to still retain their charm and look good today thanks to an excellent art style, something Nintendo has acknowledged through throwbacks in other games since then.
The controls are another reason the game aged well in comparison to other 3D platformers of the time, and this is especially true when looking at the N64 controller. The game was designed around the controller and the sad truth is that modern controllers do not handle many N64 games well, such as Ocarina of Time, so I am still amazed at just how well Super Mario 64 uses its control scheme. Super Mario 3D All Stars did make some changes to it for modern convenience, but they were not as extensive as other re-releases.
The game design in Super Mario 64 is so unique that people have still found new things to do with the game years after release such as new speed run tactics. In addition, new secrets are still being found decades later, which is mind-blowing compared this to other games of the era. Most 3D platformers simply were just what you saw on screen, but Mario 64 has taken on a life of its own.
While it is true that the game is a bit lacking when compared to the modern 3D Mario games, it is important to remember that Super Mario 64 was where all modern Mario derives from. It can even be argued that all of modern gaming derives from Super Mario 64 in some way, with its open-world exploration influencing many action-adventure games, including the Zelda series. Super Mario 64 is a game that has inspired and keeps inspiring people, whether it is through new secrets found, the memes, or just replaying a classic. It is no exaggeration to say that Super Mario 64 is an all time great.