Cover artwork I generate from the game data. I do not use publisher artwork.
Game profile
Super Mario 64
This N64 milestone redefined 3D platforming and is playable today through Nintendo Switch Online or the Super Mario 3D All Stars collection. Free camera control and open level structures built around star collecting were groundbreaking.
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What kind of game this is
At its core this is Platformer, set in a fantasy world. Visually it is leaning into a retro look, and the overall tone stays light and upbeat. The structure is guided rather than open, so you are moved along instead of dropped into a map. Sessions of an hour or two sit at the sweet spot here.
Difficulty stays forgiving, so progress rarely depends on your reflexes. There is no story to speak of, the systems carry everything. It is a single player experience from start to finish. It is available on one platform. It sits in the budget bracket.
What stands out
- Groundbreaking 3D camera
- Open star based levels
- Timeless level design
This fits you if
- exploring for its own sake is the point for you
- you want to wind down rather than be tested
- cutscenes annoy you and you just want to play
- you want zero frustration and no difficulty wall
- you play alone and want a complete experience without other people
- you are watching your budget
Look elsewhere if
- you need real difficulty to stay interested
- you play mainly for narrative
- you want to play it side by side with someone
- you want something with real weight to it
What it costs you in time
About 15 hours in total. At three evenings a week and two hours each, you will be busy for roughly 3 weeks, or 8 sessions.
How the rating ranks
Critics settled on 94 out of 100, which puts it above 97 percent of the 1206 games here and at rank 33 overall. That is a strong score, comfortably above what most releases manage.
For comparison, Platformer averages 84 points across the database, so this one sits 10 points above its own genre. The figure rests on 2053 collected ratings.
Released in 1996, which makes it 30 years old. A genuine classic, and worth checking how the version you buy holds up today.
The facts
- Release year
- 1996
- Genres
- Platformer
- Playtime
- approx. 15 hrs.
- Difficulty
- Relaxed, forgiving
- Story weight
- None, pure gameplay
- Play with
- Solo
- Setting
- Fantasy
- Visual style
- Retro
- Price bracket
- Budget
- Platforms
- Switch
- Critic rating
- 94 / 100
Direct comparison
| Genres | Release year | Playtime | Critic rating | Price bracket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 | 1996 | approx. 15 hrs. | 94 | Budget |
| Kirby und das vergessene Land | 2022 | approx. 12 hrs. | 87 | Mid price |
| Spyro Reignited Trilogy | 2018 | approx. 20 hrs. | 84 | Mid price |
| Crypt Custodian | 2024 | approx. 10 hrs. | 84 | Budget |
If you liked this, try these
- Kirby und das vergessene Land Shared: Platformer, Fantasy
- Spyro Reignited Trilogy Shared: Platformer, Fantasy
- Crypt Custodian Shared: Platformer, Fantasy, shorter
- Super Mario Galaxy Shared: Platformer, Fantasy, rated higher
- Super Mario Sunshine Shared: Platformer, Fantasy
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Shared: Platformer, Fantasy