Video games - Super Mario 64

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	Video games - Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 is a video game for the Nintendo 64. It debuted in Japan on June 23, 1996, in the U.S. on September 29, 1996 and in Europe on March 1, 1997. Along with Pilotwings 64
, it was made available as a launch game for the console. As the Nintendo 64's flagship killer game, it drove initial sales of the console, and has sold over 11 million copies in total.

Super Mario 64 was the first 3D game in the Mario series, and though it was not the first-ever 3D platformer, it revolutionized and defined the genre, much as Super Mario Bros.
defined the 2D sidescrolling platformer. Indeed, Super Mario 64 was considered so revolutionary that many consider it the benchmark for all later games in the genre.

In going from two to three dimensions, Super Mario 64 replaced the linear obstacle courses of traditional platform games with vast worlds set up with multiple and diverse missions, with an emphasis on exploration. While doing so, it managed nonetheless to preserve the feel of earlier Mario games, including many of their gameplay elements and characters. It is widely acclaimed by critics and players alike as one of the greatest video games of all time.

Gameplay

Mission

As in the earlier Mario titles for the NES and SNES, Mario has to save Princess Peach from Bowser. To do this, Mario must find power stars scattered throughout Peach's castle, of which there are 120. Collecting 70 stars allows Mario to fight Bowser for the final time, and finish the game, but a secret reward awaits players that collect all 120. The castle itself serves as a central hub; most stars are found in numerous courses, which are often accessed by jumping into paintings found in the castle. If collected all 120, Yoshi is on top of the castle to talk to Mario.

Basic controls

Mario can perform a large variety of actions. He can walk, run, crouch, crawl, swim, climb and jump at great heights or distances using the game controller's analog stick and buttons. As jumping was Mario's signature move in earlier games, particular attention was paid to this category of moves. In addition to regular jumping, there are multiple special jumps that can be executed by combining a regular jump with other actions, including the extra high double and triple jumps (jumping two and three times in a row, respectively), the long jump, and somersault. There are also special maneuvers, such as wall jumping, jumping from one wall to another in rapid succession to reach otherwise too high areas.

Additionally, Mario has a number of physical attacks other than jumping. Mario's standard attack is the punch, and attacking in the air becomes a kick jump. Attacking while running will cause Mario to lunge forward. Crouching while in the air will execute a power stomp (also called the ground pound). Crouching while running and then immediately attacking will execute a slide kick. Mario is able to pick up certain items and carry them around, an ability which is used to solve various puzzles. Mario can also swim underwater at various speeds. Mario's life slowly diminishes while underwater (representing how long he can hold his breath), and he must either find coins or air bubbles to replenish it, or return to the surface so as not to drown.

Tasks, aids, and obstacles

Each course is an enclosed world of its own. The player is free to wander around and discover the environment, and may go in all directions within the boundaries of the world. The worlds are filled with enemies that attack Mario as well as friendly creatures that provide assistance or information, or ask him for a favor. In order to gather the stars, Mario must find and pass various challenges in each stage. The challenges themselves vary; generally, Mario needs to defeat a boss, overcome obstacles, race an opponent by running or sliding faster than it, or accomplish tasks such as finding a baby penguin for its mother or opening treasure chests in the right order.

Some elements appear in multiple levels:

; Caps : Numerous stars throughout the courses can only be obtained by using one of three special caps. The first is the Wing Cap, which enables Mario to fly. The Metal Cap makes him immune to ordinary damage (including drowning and fire, but not falls) and allows him to withstand wind gusts and walk normally underwater. Finally, the Vanish Cap renders Mario partially immaterial, allowing him to walk through some obstacles such as wire mesh. The caps are obtained from cap blocks found around the courses, which must be activated from special cap courses before they can be used.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Super Mario 64 ]

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Video games - Super Mario 64

Gameplay

Mission

Basic controls

Tasks, aids, and obstacles

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