Super Mario 64: Great or Not?

[Kid Ice]

I was just perusing the "Ten Hugely Over-rated Games" on Games. Net (link and comments below). Mario 64 is number three. Funny, years ago when there was a DP thread compiling the 100 greatest games based on consensus, it seemed like Mario 64 was one of the more hotly debated titles.

M64 showed up at number 15 on my list, and if I had to do it again today it might crack the top 10. It was the first game done in the 3D platforming style, and I haven't seen it done better since (although I admit I'm not a big fan of that style of gaming). In fact I would say that M64 is my favorite Mario title save for SMB3. I still enjoy it (occasionally) today, it's one of those games I go back to from time to time and always have a great time with.

So what's your take? Great? Not great? Overrated? Just plain old? Done better? Discuss.

Link:

http://www.games.net/features/100761_2.shtml

(OK the rest of the list...#10 Half Life 2, appears in the same site's "modern classics" list, WTF?...#9 Duke Nukem 3D, always thought that was a cool game...#8 Halo, never played but intend to...#7 Jade Empire, never played, don't care, never heard that much hype about it so don't see how it could be overrated...#6 MGS 2, sorta overrated but as I recall everyone cried foul over the Raiden thing, the first MGS is far more overrated...#5 Doom 3, cool game, overhyped but not overrated...#4 GT4, haven't played but GT3 was sure overrated in my book...#3 M64...#2 Tomb Raider (PS2), how stupid, they praise the first Tomb Raider then pan the (universally panned) next gen sequels, so here we have poorly rated games that are overrated :roll: , #1 GTA San Andreas, I was really disappointed by this one but it's not the most overrated game ever (*cough* Pefect Dark *cough).

[joshnickerson]

Mario 64 was THE GREATEST GAME THAT EVER LIVED!!!1

Apparently the folks at Games.net spend their free time huffing paint fumes. NEXT!

[Muscelli]

halo was overrated fa sho

same w/ mario 64.. But lumines should have been #1.. I dont see what was so great about that game, yet... Its a decent game.. but its boring

Same with radiant silvergun.. It is supposed to be the best shooter.. whoa there.. Am I the only person in the world who didnt agree with this?

[Daft Punk]

I think it's a must have for n64.

I got it at launch and beat it in about a week with all stars.


Now the ds version has alot more to offer if you have a ds.

[roushimsx]

I think Mario 64 is every bit as great as when it first came out. 3d platforming done right. Not the best ever, but one of the best ever. It's a shame Nintendo hasn't been able to make another game quite on par with it :(

SuckerPunch and Ubisoft kept the badass 3d platformer train rolling with Rocket Robot on Wheels and Rayman 2....mmm....goodness...

so yea, I'd say it's not overrated.

Halo is by a longshot (just like Final Fantasy VII and Goldeneye before it, it was a case of right place at the right time). Having Half Life 2 on that list...why...that makes me want to go into hulk smash mode. You simply don't say bad things about the best. fps. ever. :(

Unique presentation of the storyline, amazing scripting AND AI (something that most companies only get one or the other of right), jaw dropping level design, and some of the best audio work I've seen in a game since Thief 2....

Sorry for the tangent :(

*hulk walking away theme*

[Kat604]

I bought my N64 used about a year ago, primarily because I heard how awesome Mario 64 was. I've tried to enjoy Mario 64. Every few months I pop it in and try to get into it. Everytime I get a few levels in and give up. I wish I had a great explaination for it, besides my neverending frustration with the N64's controller. The game just doesn't suck me in. I even like the generally crapped upon Mario Sunshine better. :embarrassed:

Luckily I have Paper Mario and Harvest Moon 64, which I love and were the redemption of the N64 for me.

[chicnstu]

The N64 version was awesome.

The DS version sucks. That game doesn't do well with a D-Pad, stylus or thumbstrap. The mini games sure were fun though.

[Cmosfm]

Super Mario 64 proudly sits atop at #1 my "Best games of all time" list.

If you've never played it before and decide to pick it up next week, you may feel different though. You have to have gotten it when the N64 was in.

[Drexel923]

It's one of my favorite games of all time. The first time I played this game I was blown away, and it's one of the few games thats really stood up over time (especially with a nice DS port). Hell, I'd take the original version over most of the platformers released today. (most of which still use elements from M64). This game was an amazing leap between the 16 and 32/64 bit eras.

[nate1749]

I'm playing through mario 64 for the first time right now, I never had played it before. I like it, but it hasn't got me hooked, some games I have to play them as soon as I'm done with work, I haven't picked up mario64 in a few weeks. I've only got like 8 or so stars.

Nate

[Kid Ice]

Same with radiant silvergun.. It is supposed to be the best shooter.. whoa there.. Am I the only person in the world who didnt agree with this?

Nope...I don't want this to turn into an RS thread, but RS seems to pop up on a lot of overrated lists...certainly not mine though, I think it's one of the very best games ever made! Maybe I just have a thing for "overrated" games LOL

[MegaDrive20XX]

Gawd! Idiot! Everybody knows Super Mario 64 is greater then a liger or a medieval warrior!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/12/01/images/jon_heder_napoleon_dynamite_interview_top.jpg

[PDorr3]

SM64 istotaly worth all of its praise. Easily makes my top 10 games of al time, and is the best 3d platformer ever made.

I loved the controls, camera, level designs, and collecting aspects. There are few games that make me want to collect everything upon finishing the main story, and getting all 120 stars was just addicting and fun.

Few games leave such a strong etching in my memory as this one, it is a classic.

[GrandAmChandler]

Super Mario 64 is what sold Nintendo 64 systems initially. It is one of the greatest games of all time, if not the BEST 3-D platformer of all time. No one still has gotten it quite as good as Nintendo did with Mario 64. I think Super Mario Sunshine would have sold crapmongous amount more if they just created a play mechanics engine Identical to mario 64. they got too wrapped up in innovation with jet packs, etc that it lost the mario flavor.

I remember sitting up with friends until all hours in the morning trying to beat this game. To this day I have yet to get all the stars (all coins in one level? Wow.) Great game Nintendo.

[Kroogah]

Super Mario 64 proudly sits atop at #1 my "Best games of all time" list.

If you've never played it before and decide to pick it up next week, you may feel different though. You have to have gotten it when the N64 was in.

This man speaks the truth. Nearly everyone that considers it one of the greatest games of all time had it when it was brand new (or close to it). Same with Zelda. Almost everyone who didn't (like myself) just thinks it's pretty good. I wrote about this in my blog.

[le geek]

I give Super Mario 64 a 5 out of 5, and prefer it to Super Mario Sunshine. But I don't think it would make my top ten...

Cheers,
Ben

[Famidrive-16]

I thought Sunshine was too much like 64, which turned me off. That and the jetpack thing too.

That games.net list is about as bad as Gamespy's list...

...which I can't for the life of me find on Gamespy's site. Anyone remember it?

[namzep]

I bought Super Mario 64 on the N64s launch. I was hugely addicted to it for the longest time. I need to get another copy of it as an ex-friend borrowed and never returned my copy. In my top 20 or so games of all time.

[namzep]

I bought Super Mario 64 on the N64s launch. I was hugely addicted to it for the longest time. I need to get another copy of it as an ex-friend borrowed and never returned my copy. In my top 20 or so games of all time.

[Jestr]

It was seeing Mario 64 running on a N64 at Toys R Us that provoked me to buy the console at launch. I remember staring at the graphics in awe while the kid in front of me was playing it. I stood there for about 5-10 minutes just waiting to play. It was for awhile the greatest game I had ever played. I need to hook up the 64 again.

[Jestr]

It was seeing Mario 64 running on a N64 at Toys R Us that provoked me to buy the console at launch. I remember staring at the graphics in awe while the kid in front of me was playing it. I stood there for about 5-10 minutes just waiting to play. It was for awhile the greatest game I had ever played. I need to hook up the 64 again.

[kevincure]

Best console game ever made. Put it this way - how many games can claim, 9 years later, to still be the best game ever made in their genre? Rayman 2 and a few current gen games came close, but no 3D Platformer has surpassed Mario yet.

[kevincure]

Best console game ever made. Put it this way - how many games can claim, 9 years later, to still be the best game ever made in their genre? Rayman 2 and a few current gen games came close, but no 3D Platformer has surpassed Mario yet.

[Muscelli]

everyone thinks shenmue was over rated.. What u guys think? I loved the game.. And I like to pop it in just to hear the funny dialogue some times LOL

[Muscelli]

everyone thinks shenmue was over rated.. What u guys think? I loved the game.. And I like to pop it in just to hear the funny dialogue some times LOL

[tuxedojoe]

everyone thinks shenmue was over rated.. What u guys think? I loved the game.. And I like to pop it in just to hear the funny dialogue some times LOL

No! Shenmue is UNDERrated. There are way too many Shenmue haters around. I've played through Shenmue so many times that I have honestly lost count. Shenmue ranks higher than Super Mario 64 on my list. *points to avatar*

Everything about the game is fantastic! The exploration, the freedom, the fighting, the characters, the environment, the mood, etc.

I also love Shenmue II (the DC version, not the crappy dubbed xbox version), maybe a bit more than the original. I am anxiously awaiting Shenmue III (most likely in vain, however).

[tuxedojoe]

everyone thinks shenmue was over rated.. What u guys think? I loved the game.. And I like to pop it in just to hear the funny dialogue some times LOL

No! Shenmue is UNDERrated. There are way too many Shenmue haters around. I've played through Shenmue so many times that I have honestly lost count. Shenmue ranks higher than Super Mario 64 on my list. *points to avatar*

Everything about the game is fantastic! The exploration, the freedom, the fighting, the characters, the environment, the mood, etc.

I also love Shenmue II (the DC version, not the crappy dubbed xbox version), maybe a bit more than the original. I am anxiously awaiting Shenmue III (most likely in vain, however).

[boatofcar]

Here's a test to see if Mario 64 is underrated. Show me one 3d platform game from 1996 or 1997 that has stood up as well as Mario 64.

[boatofcar]

Here's a test to see if Mario 64 is underrated. Show me one 3d platform game from 1996 or 1997 that has stood up as well as Mario 64.

[Mattiekrome]

From all the games that I have played in my life, Mario 64 was probably one of the top 10 just based on fun. I loved that game. I eventually had to get a strategy guide to get some of the stars, but it always seemed to keep me satisfied. Not like some games where you get to a spot in the game and its just like "whats the point?"

[Mattiekrome]

From all the games that I have played in my life, Mario 64 was probably one of the top 10 just based on fun. I loved that game. I eventually had to get a strategy guide to get some of the stars, but it always seemed to keep me satisfied. Not like some games where you get to a spot in the game and its just like "whats the point?"

[Trebuken]

The most over-rated games....I think this "Sydney Shuman" whose name is attached to this list should be sent to the final levele of Doom 3 or something, she/he is nastier than most of the enemies in the game.

The aspect that seems to be overlooked in the reviews are the revolutionariness of half of these games. Mario 64 was the most incredible game ever on the day of it's release, and even for a couple yeasr after it's release...which N64 game or PS1 game even, surpassed it???

Duke Nukem??? overrated??? They don't even mention the multiplayer aspects in the review...we had some very intense Lan Parties with Nukem...idiot should have chosen the N64 version if they were even going to attempt this.

Halo??? come on. This was the greatest FPS ever at it's release (arguably). Halo 2 is better sure, Halo is still inb the top ten ain't it???

Doom 3 is a tough one though. I hear many people dissing it, yet I think it had the same revolutionariness that Mario 64 had (if you had a sufficient graphics card). The FPS aspects were ordinary, the multiplayer sucked, but the enviornments have yet (in my opinion, and until I install Half-life 2) to be equalled.

Just picked up Half-Life 2 at CompUSA for $20, and I'm willing to bet this game is not overrated.

The rest of the list looks legit though (any Tomb Raider title can be substituted here). Tough call on Grand Theft Auto (if you like it it's great, but the hip-hop homey atmosphere does not work for me).

Gran Turismo and Metal Gear are outside my experience...what do you guys think of those games being on this list...?

Trebuken

(Jade Empire? why not Fable too?)

[Trebuken]

The most over-rated games....I think this "Sydney Shuman" whose name is attached to this list should be sent to the final levele of Doom 3 or something, she/he is nastier than most of the enemies in the game.

The aspect that seems to be overlooked in the reviews are the revolutionariness of half of these games. Mario 64 was the most incredible game ever on the day of it's release, and even for a couple yeasr after it's release...which N64 game or PS1 game even, surpassed it???

Duke Nukem??? overrated??? They don't even mention the multiplayer aspects in the review...we had some very intense Lan Parties with Nukem...idiot should have chosen the N64 version if they were even going to attempt this.

Halo??? come on. This was the greatest FPS ever at it's release (arguably). Halo 2 is better sure, Halo is still inb the top ten ain't it???

Doom 3 is a tough one though. I hear many people dissing it, yet I think it had the same revolutionariness that Mario 64 had (if you had a sufficient graphics card). The FPS aspects were ordinary, the multiplayer sucked, but the enviornments have yet (in my opinion, and until I install Half-life 2) to be equalled.

Just picked up Half-Life 2 at CompUSA for $20, and I'm willing to bet this game is not overrated.

The rest of the list looks legit though (any Tomb Raider title can be substituted here). Tough call on Grand Theft Auto (if you like it it's great, but the hip-hop homey atmosphere does not work for me).

Gran Turismo and Metal Gear are outside my experience...what do you guys think of those games being on this list...?

Trebuken

(Jade Empire? why not Fable too?)

[Gamereviewgod]

Always hated the game.

What was so tight about the controls in the 2-D Mario's was gone in 3-D. Turning in the air from a jump for instance was screwed because of the neccesity for a "camera." It was hard just to jump on a Goomba and they realized it, so now Mario kicks and punches. That's weak. The collect-a-thon with the stars was annoying, forcing you to replay the same stages over and over. It artificially extends the length.

There is one thing I liked and that was swimming. I can easily recognize why someone would enjoy it, but there has yet to be a 3-D platformer I really enjoyed. It's probably the only genre that comes to mind that has yet to find a home in 3-D.

[Gamereviewgod]

Always hated the game.

What was so tight about the controls in the 2-D Mario's was gone in 3-D. Turning in the air from a jump for instance was screwed because of the neccesity for a "camera." It was hard just to jump on a Goomba and they realized it, so now Mario kicks and punches. That's weak. The collect-a-thon with the stars was annoying, forcing you to replay the same stages over and over. It artificially extends the length.

There is one thing I liked and that was swimming. I can easily recognize why someone would enjoy it, but there has yet to be a 3-D platformer I really enjoyed. It's probably the only genre that comes to mind that has yet to find a home in 3-D.

[Zing]

Super Mario 64 is the only game that makes me wish I had my N64 hooked up. What a fantastic game.

I really tried to like the N64, but I was repeatedly disappointed in the games, except for the 3 launch titles (Pilotwings, Mario, and Waverace). Eventually I sold off my collection after getting 90% of the way through Ocarnia of Time and being bored to tears almost the whole time.

[Zing]

Super Mario 64 is the only game that makes me wish I had my N64 hooked up. What a fantastic game.

I really tried to like the N64, but I was repeatedly disappointed in the games, except for the 3 launch titles (Pilotwings, Mario, and Waverace). Eventually I sold off my collection after getting 90% of the way through Ocarnia of Time and being bored to tears almost the whole time.

[smokehouse]

Gamereviewgod, I got your back on this one. I simply cannot stand Mario 64. To me it lost everything that was Mario, the controls were frustrating, you had to play a single world over, and over and over again to get those stupid stars and you spent more time simply not trying to fall off the level than anything else. I found it to be a complete failure. I bought it on release day, returned in less than a week and have never played it since. To me Super Mario World is where it’s at, not Mario 64. I hear “best game ever” time and time again and simply don’t get it.

On a side note I tried to play Sunshine and….found it to be too much like 64, I returned it and have never played it again.

[smokehouse]

Gamereviewgod, I got your back on this one. I simply cannot stand Mario 64. To me it lost everything that was Mario, the controls were frustrating, you had to play a single world over, and over and over again to get those stupid stars and you spent more time simply not trying to fall off the level than anything else. I found it to be a complete failure. I bought it on release day, returned in less than a week and have never played it since. To me Super Mario World is where it’s at, not Mario 64. I hear “best game ever” time and time again and simply don’t get it.

On a side note I tried to play Sunshine and….found it to be too much like 64, I returned it and have never played it again.

[CreamSoda]

Super Mario 64 is only the best 3D platform game ever. ;)

Is it overrated? Unlike most games it actually derservers all the credit it gets, This will always be on my top 10 list!

[CreamSoda]

Super Mario 64 is only the best 3D platform game ever. ;)

Is it overrated? Unlike most games it actually derservers all the credit it gets, This will always be on my top 10 list!

[jdc]

Mario 64? It's still playable, that's for sure. But....the camera is still as annoying as it was at launch.

It was always a good benchmark to gauge how good you were as a gamer. Many people never finished it beyond fighting the third Bowser. Good gamers got all 120 stars. Great gamers went up to the roof to see Yoshi. HARDCORE gamers discovered the huge secret at the end of the game.

You can pop this game in anytime and experience near perfection.

[jdc]

Mario 64? It's still playable, that's for sure. But....the camera is still as annoying as it was at launch.

It was always a good benchmark to gauge how good you were as a gamer. Many people never finished it beyond fighting the third Bowser. Good gamers got all 120 stars. Great gamers went up to the roof to see Yoshi. HARDCORE gamers discovered the huge secret at the end of the game.

You can pop this game in anytime and experience near perfection.

[Nature Boy]

I definitely wouldn't call SM64 overrated. It was the first of it's kind, and it's stood up better than most of what came after it IMO. The praise it gets is well deserved.

My vote for most overrated DP game would be Katamari Damacy, but as always these things are opinion based and I just don't enjoy KD to the extent others seem to.

[Nature Boy]

I definitely wouldn't call SM64 overrated. It was the first of it's kind, and it's stood up better than most of what came after it IMO. The praise it gets is well deserved.

My vote for most overrated DP game would be Katamari Damacy, but as always these things are opinion based and I just don't enjoy KD to the extent others seem to.

[NintendoMan]

Wow, if you don't think Mario64 is a great game, there is something wrong with you. I am not talking about whether you like the game or not, give the game the respect it deserves.
Other than pioneering 3-D games, to me, it's one of the best games of all time, as well as the most fun!

[NintendoMan]

Wow, if you don't think Mario64 is a great game, there is something wrong with you. I am not talking about whether you like the game or not, give the game the respect it deserves.
Other than pioneering 3-D games, to me, it's one of the best games of all time, as well as the most fun!

[legov8]

Super Mario 64 is GREAT.

[legov8]

Super Mario 64 is GREAT.

[Nesmaster]

the feeling i got when i first played this game... has yet to be exceeded or even matched. I love the game, and it was the very reason i got a DS. I just had to see and play/live the extra stuff. The only games that really even came close to the greatness of mario 64 for me (from the n64 era) were goldeneye and zelda oot/mm

[Nesmaster]

the feeling i got when i first played this game... has yet to be exceeded or even matched. I love the game, and it was the very reason i got a DS. I just had to see and play/live the extra stuff. The only games that really even came close to the greatness of mario 64 for me (from the n64 era) were goldeneye and zelda oot/mm

[tuxedojoe]

Mario 64? It's still playable, that's for sure. But....the camera is still as annoying as it was at launch.

It was always a good benchmark to gauge how good you were as a gamer. Many people never finished it beyond fighting the third Bowser. Good gamers got all 120 stars. Great gamers went up to the roof to see Yoshi. HARDCORE gamers discovered the huge secret at the end of the game.

You can pop this game in anytime and experience near perfection.

OH NOES!

I know I went to go see Yoshi, but I don't think I know exactly what this huge secret is... are you referring to the new triple jump thing? or maybe something else?

please tell!

[tuxedojoe]

Mario 64? It's still playable, that's for sure. But....the camera is still as annoying as it was at launch.

It was always a good benchmark to gauge how good you were as a gamer. Many people never finished it beyond fighting the third Bowser. Good gamers got all 120 stars. Great gamers went up to the roof to see Yoshi. HARDCORE gamers discovered the huge secret at the end of the game.

You can pop this game in anytime and experience near perfection.

OH NOES!

I know I went to go see Yoshi, but I don't think I know exactly what this huge secret is... are you referring to the new triple jump thing? or maybe something else?

please tell!

[smokehouse]

Wow, if you don't think Mario64 is a great game, there is something wrong with you. I am not talking about whether you like the game or not, give the game the respect it deserves.
Other than pioneering 3-D games, to me, it's one of the best games of all time, as well as the most fun!

Hey now, that’s kind of a thick-headed statement. As far as respect, here’s some for it. The game is a frustrating/boring title where you repeat worlds, fight the camera AND the shit controller and while doing all of this it looks like your TV is out of focus.

I love Nintendo but HATE Mario 64 and…for the most part the N64 (other than Paper Mario). Its all opinions so don’t go casting stones.

[smokehouse]

Wow, if you don't think Mario64 is a great game, there is something wrong with you. I am not talking about whether you like the game or not, give the game the respect it deserves.
Other than pioneering 3-D games, to me, it's one of the best games of all time, as well as the most fun!

Hey now, that’s kind of a thick-headed statement. As far as respect, here’s some for it. The game is a frustrating/boring title where you repeat worlds, fight the camera AND the shit controller and while doing all of this it looks like your TV is out of focus.

I love Nintendo but HATE Mario 64 and…for the most part the N64 (other than Paper Mario). Its all opinions so don’t go casting stones.

[NintendoMan]

Hey now, that’s kind of a thick-headed statement. As far as respect, here’s some for it. The game is a frustrating/boring title where you repeat worlds, fight the camera AND the shit controller and while doing all of this it looks like your TV is out of focus.

I love Nintendo but HATE Mario 64 and…for the most part the N64 (other than Paper Mario). Its all opinions so don’t go casting stones.

Oh didn't mean anything by it. But you can still not like a game, but still respect the game.
The only part I do agree with you is yes, the tv does look out centered, or out of focus sometimes. LOL But, I guess cause I love the game so much it just doesn't matter at all to me.

I am guessing you only like the 2-D Mario's? Do you like anything 3-D though?

[NintendoMan]

Hey now, that’s kind of a thick-headed statement. As far as respect, here’s some for it. The game is a frustrating/boring title where you repeat worlds, fight the camera AND the shit controller and while doing all of this it looks like your TV is out of focus.

I love Nintendo but HATE Mario 64 and…for the most part the N64 (other than Paper Mario). Its all opinions so don’t go casting stones.

Oh didn't mean anything by it. But you can still not like a game, but still respect the game.
The only part I do agree with you is yes, the tv does look out centered, or out of focus sometimes. LOL But, I guess cause I love the game so much it just doesn't matter at all to me.

I am guessing you only like the 2-D Mario's? Do you like anything 3-D though?

[smokehouse]

I think some titles scream to be made into a 3-D title. Others don’t (again this is my opinion). Games like Final Fantasy (I also love I, II and III though), Metal Gear and Sonic came to life once they were changed to 3-D but other like Mario, Contra, Metroid, Castlevania and Mega Man really suffered. I like Mario titles to be like they were. Metroid on the GC is not Metroid to me; it’s like a hybrid puzzle/FPS with a Metroid theme. The same goes for Mario. Super Mario World is the pinnacle of Mario goodness where 64 just is too different and does not feel like a Mario title in any way. So many loved this game so there’s got to be something about it. What that something is I must have missed.

Something else, it may be an age difference; I’m 28, how old are you? (believe me, this makes a huge difference)

[Rev. Link]

SM64 overrated? Slightly, yes.

It's a great game, certainly. It did a good job moving Mario into 3D. But it didn't exactly age well. The camera especially seems bad going back to it now. At the time of its release though it was awesome.

However; I found Super Mario Sunshine to be a better game. Better control of the camera, better control of Mario, and just plain more fun. I loved SM64, but SMS was just a better game, imo, and I could never understand why so many people hated it. I chalk it up to the whole Nintendo-hating trend these days.

All that said, though, my favorite Mario game is and ever shall be Super Mario World. I am very much looking forward to the new 2D Mario DS game. It's been way too long since we've gotten one. I mean, they still make 2D Zelda and Metroid games, where's the Mario love?

[segarocks30]

2nd greatest game of all time enough said (number 1 for me is streets of rage 2)

[Rev. Link]

I think some titles scream to be made into a 3-D title. Others don’t (again this is my opinion). Games like Final Fantasy (I also love I, II and II though), Metal Gear and Sonic came to life once they were changed to 3-D but other like Mario, Contra, Metroid, Castlevania and Mega Man really suffered. I like Mario titles to be like they were. Metroid on the GC is not Metroid to me; it’s like a hybrid puzzle/FPS with a Metroid theme. The same goes for Mario. Super Mario World is the pinnacle of Mario goodness where 64 just is too different and does not feel like a Mario title in any way. So many loved this game so there’s got to be something about it. What that something is I must have missed.

Something else, it may be an age difference; I’m 28, how old are you? (believe me, this makes a huge difference)

Oh man, I totally agree with you about Metroid and Castlevania! I enjoyed playing Metroid Prime, but it never once felt like a Metroid game to me. I still haven't gotten Prime 2.

And Castlevania should never leave 2D either. I got very excited when I heard Konami is making a direct sequel to Symphony of the Night with Alucard as the main character, but then I heard it was 3D and almost cried.

[scooterb23]

I really don't like Mario 64 at all. Most of the reasons why have already been mentioned. I find the game itself boring and the camera horrific (I feel this way about almost every single "platforming" game since the 16 bit generation). I have never found any enjoyment in the game at all.

[Jumpman Jr.]

To me, Super Mario 64 is probably the 5th best game ever made. So it sounds silly to hear somebody say that it is an over-rated game. Other than Ocarina of Time, its the best game on the N64.

[RetroYoungen]

Ahh, Super Mario 64... I really never got into 3D platformers, the camera angle and always jumping the wrong way without being able to tell where I'll end up drives me crazy. SM64 wasn't bad though, probably the best one I've played.

Overall though, I think it's a tad overrated. Good game, but I wouldn't put it up with the best of all time. The NES SMB games just stand up so much better over time I think.

But that's just me.

[Cmosfm]

However; I found Super Mario Sunshine to be a better game. Better control of the camera, better control of Mario, and just plain more fun. I loved SM64, but SMS was just a better game, imo, and I could never understand why so many people hated it. I chalk it up to the whole Nintendo-hating trend these days.


I went into SMS fully ready to love the living shit out of it, I had that game preordered a full year before release, and I absolutely LOVE Nintendo.

Why did I hate Super Mario Sunshine?

That damn Water Pack. I was managing fine up until around when I had to start using it as a cannon to launch myself up in the air. Frustrating just does not cut it, it was much more so than just that, unplayable more like it. If they removed the water pack, I'd have loved it so many times more.

[NESVIDIOT]

The N64 Mario 64 is undoubtedly one of the best games of all time. The DS update is a nice touch like Allstars was for the SNES. I can't say I rate it as #1 because I love the orginals from NES and SMW from SNES as much. But it did make me drop almost 400.00 CAN the first time I saw the demo running on a monitor at a London Drugs store. Never regretted spending one cent.

[smokehouse]

I think what really gets to me is the repetition in Mario 64. I don’t like repeating something again and again. I don’t mind revisiting worlds to accomplish some task but going into the same world over and over gets boring. I also don’t like fighting the actual level. Stuff like falling off a platform and having to climb up some wall or mountain or whatever just to get to the platform again only to fall off once again is frustrating and in my opinion, a waste of time. Fighting the camera and the controller only added to the frustration. Stuff like the sled racing against a penguin over and over is ridiculous and I got tired of it quickly. To me this is not Mario, its just Miyamoto screwing around.

[mizarkgram]

I picked up M64 nearing teh end of the N64's life.... and I still get engrossed in it (Never have beat it yet... man I suck at video games...)

[Streetball 21]

This is one the best games for the N64 and one of my favorites games personally. This game was so awesome when it came out. Yea, you do have to revisit stages, but the challenge kept me interested. If you haven't played this game, I suggest you try it out!

[dbiersdorf]

Whoever wrote that list needs to be shot and killed.

Halo 2 is overrated, it did nothing to make Halo better aside from a detailed online scheme. GTA San Andreas doesn't rely on controversy to sell either, the game was made that way before it became popular and focused around killing and drugs.

And Super Mario 64 is damn near perfect.

[Dji]

Super Mario 64 is okay at best, and certainly one of the most overrated games of all time. It had its moments (namely the three Bowser stages), but collecting stars is not my idea of fun, especially when the game is so easy (life meter, enemies which run away, almost no pits and no way to die) and way too long. Backtracking/going through levels multiple times sucks. A lot. Worst Mario game ever, except Sunshine. And I'm a huge fan of the good Mario games, namely all the other ones. Most of the time, the game is just plain bad, with horrible controls, horrible camera angles, horrible music, horrible graphics, and horrible design. Plus, it was the genesis of a plethora of similarly horrible games (only worse), so its disgusting influence can be seen almost everywhere. I remember that awful game mag Next Generation (also hugely overrated in its own right), which proclaimed it was the single best game of all time in their Top 100 in 1996, even though they admitted to having only played halfway through the Japanese version only. :roll:

[Lothars]

I will disagree with you about perfect dark being overrated, it's an awesome game easily the best fps on the 64 nothing compares to it,

But Super Mario 64 though it's overrated it's really good

the same said about GTA:SA I would say that's not as overrated as say GTA:3 which is a way worse game and way more overrated.

the controller on the 64 takes some getting use to but it's definitly nto a shit controller, and IMO you are definitly wrong if you say it is,

it's a great controller for the games on the system.

[GamecubeFreek]

I got all the stars on both Mario 64 and Mario 64 DS, and I cannot believe that there are people who do not like this game! MAYBE it might be slightly overrated at a number 3 position, but it is definitely worthy of the top 10. The only problem I can find with the game is that the level layout can be a little bland (probably due to lack of memory)...and that problem was fixed with Mario Sunshine, which had levels that were just plain fun to run around in. If It weren't for the strange and annoying placements of the blue coins (the collection of which is necessary to get all the shines, which I did by the way), Sunshine may have been a better game.

[SegaAges]

Mario 64 is an amazing game. I say is because it was good enough to even get a DS remake (we don't have to talk about that).

Mario 64 is one of those "must own" games for the n64. there are some very fun games out there that I would not consider to be "must own", but mario 64 would definately be a must own

[Diatribal Deity]

Like has been touched on many times, if you did not witness the launch of this game, your opinion is limited. To see first hand the impact a game has when it originally first comes out is dramatically different than playing a game 5, 10, 15 years later and trying to compare it to everything else out there. Like the Beatles (who I personally believe are overrated---mind you I was not around to witness their "invasion") games like this were innovative and unique and have the ability to withstand the test of time.