Super Mario 64
Reviewed by Sylvia Thomas
Super Mario 64 is a great game with pros and cons. It full of great
graphics, good soundtrack but, hard control and a lot of frustration.
I got Nintendo 64 on my 14th B-day. (My B-day was March 29. I turned
14 in 1998.) My dad got for me with the game Mario Kart 64. He hooked
it in a week later. The day after it being hooked in me and my dad bought
Super Mario 64. I first sat down and read the instruction booklet. I went
through everything carefully trying to understand. I was used to the
controls already because at that time I was obsessed with Mario Kart
and knew how to handle the controller. so, that was easy. What was
hard was figuring out that A meant JUMP. B was so many different
things and that Z...well, Z was confusing to press. I would keep the
booklet in front of me and try the cool moves in the front yard. It took
me TWO days to figure out how to beat the Big Bob-omb and it went
uphill from there.
Graphics 9 out of 10
The graphics are amazing! (Maybe because before N64 I had a game system
in 1-D.) They put Mario in perspective in such a way, I have dreams with
Mario and the gang in it! My mom once was watching me play and said
that Mario was very athletic. That's true and the graphics prove it. Here's
my list of Pros and Cons:
PROS-
1. Mario seems like a real guy! Until, you realize he's made of square
edges. 2. Compared to Yoshi's STORY this has really, really great
graphics! (Sorry, Yoshi lovers.)
CONS-
1. For some reason, sometimes a wall or rock is cut off looking like a
light blue flat pool of water. 2. It's TOO realistic! I get little creeps in
the night with Bowser in my dreams. About his fire mouth and having
dreams about how bad Bowser's breath must smell.
Music and Sound 10 out of 10
MUSIC-
The music is AWESOME!!!!!!! The music gives you the feel of the place.
In Leathal Lava Land and the Desert World (It's level 8. I forgot the
name!) you have a feeling it's mysterious. In Bob-omb Battlefield you
have a feeling of an easy little nook. In my opinion my favorite level's
music is Hazy Maze Cave. (Level 6) I love that music! It feels all weird
in there. It has that metallic feeling to it.
SOUND-
The sound really adds a realistic kick to Super Mario 64! In my opinion
you don't need a Rumble Pack for Super Mario 64! You have the sound! Mario
doesn't say much but, here are some sounds Mario DOES make: **When
he falls asleep he snores!**
**After a while of Mario dozing you might here him sleep-talk! He says,
"Ahh, ravioli." "Ahh, spaghetti" 'Ahh, fenachitti"**
**When you lose a life in a level and you are booted out of the painting
you hear, "Mama Mia!"**
**When Mario falls from a level he have this scream that is SO annoying!
"AHHHHGGGGGGHHH!!!!!!!"**
The sound of him squishing things, the banging the head on blocks, tiny
foot-steps and hearing his belly's friction with the surface when he's
sliding are only some really great sounds that are included in this game.
Game Challenge 7 out of 10
The first level was a breeze. So, was Whomp's Fortress. Princess's
slide...a snap. But, progressing through the levels they get harder. You
need to use more of Mario's fancy moves to get through. Some ARE easy,
some aren't. I haven't finished the game yet! I only got 27 stars! But, I
still got a decent review on challenges. On Cool, Cool Mountain was
challenging at first but, now it's moderate. Some levels need a touch-up
on difficulty. Others are fine as they are. Others are TOO hard and need
to be a little easier. Where are the little kids? I got a 7-year-old sister
who is obsessed with Super Mario too!
Game Play-Fun 9 out of 10
This is a fun game, but, not the funniest. I happen to like Goldeneye more!
This is my fun list of N64 games I've played. From funniest to least funniest.
So, number 1 is the funniest in my opinion:
#1: Goldeneye
#2: Super Mario 64
#3: Mario Kart 64
#4: Yoshi's Story
Super Mario 64 is a lot fun and requires a skill and concentration. If a
sibling talks you're dead. That's minus half of a fun point. That's why
Super Mario 64 is a 9 out of 10. It requires too much concentration. All
games require concentration but Super Mario 64 requires TOO much.
(Goldeneye requires less. It needs some though! Especially aim!)
Frustration
The frustration points are high. If I fall off a world I go nuts. If I use
up my power meter I go nuts. Swimming: No control, I go nuts. Flying: Too
hard to control , I go NUTS! The frustration, you see, is high. Also, the
going nuts factor is also high. Minus a half fun-point. The frustration is
very high and extremely hard to control.
Replayability 4 out of 10
Replayability is low. It's a frustrating game. I got past Bowser One with
pure luck. I try again I die. The winning can be based on luckiness. The
levels are hard to repeat. Minus 2 fun points. Frustration makes the
replayability low also. People get VERY frustrated (Especially me) in
this game. Minus 2 fun-points. The longness of the game is tiring. Minus 1
fun-point. Repeating levels OVER and OVER to get a star. Minus half a
fun-point. Too much stars have to be collecting. That's pretty bad.
Minus half a fun-point.
Game Value 7 out of 10
If you want it for the graphics...it's worth it. If you want it for the
sounds...it's worth it. If you think it's gonna be easy...pass by it. You
think it's not gonna be frustrating...don't buy it. Want it for fun...buy it.
If you're buying it make sure you can handle a lot of frustration. Make
sure you know other Nintendo 64 games well before getting this game.
Make sure you can handle the difficulty.
Super Mario 64 2
If they want to make a sequel some certain things MUST be included.
It should be able to have 2 players. Mario and Luigi. This would make
the game funnier. If one dies there's a back-up. Besides, it's funnier
with two! It must have a better storyline. The princess is always
kidnapped! Something has to be changed! Good music can be recycled,
but, a storyline can't! They must put in more thought into the storyline!
They must work on about pictures being cut off. It's VERY annoying! You
think it's clear and suddenly the enemy shows up! It's extremely
frustrating! Let's hope if a sequel is made these changes shall be
included. Other things should be fixed. Like the difficulty of the secret stars.
Overall 8 out of 10
Overall, the game is okay. Just the pros and cons can affect big-time.
The game is basically good. It has great graphics and sounds and is fun.
It's frustrating and is difficult. I DO recommend it.