Mario 64 - initial thoughts

[marurun]

OK, to everyone who says the camera is right on most of the time... I just don't see it. I'm constantly having to reposition the thing, and it never stays where I put it. I want it at point X for crossing a set of narrow surfaces or whatever, but when I get it to X, it immediately starts drifting back to some other point. It won't stay where I put it, and it doesn't matter whether I'm moving or standing still, it insists on going where IT wants to be, not where I place it. Camera is starting to drive me batty. Every time I try to navigate a tricky area the camera starts drifting one way or another and throws me off.

This game is starting to really exemplify for me why I have so much trouble finding 3D platformers that I get along with.

[Violent By Design]

Crash Bandicoot is considered a 3D platformer, but you're essentially in a tunnel when you play those games.

Mario 64 was a big deal because it gave the feeling that you were in an open world, which was quite the novelty back then.

I do find it strange when people say Super Mario 64 was the first 3D game, when it really was not. Some of the old school FPS capture the feeling of 3D better, and they got a few years on 64.

But its camera was quite revolutionary for its time, and it was awesome to see Mario in 64 bits (which was also a novelty at the time, the n64 was the strongest thing out on the market).


As for the game in itself, I think it's a good game still. Don't have any issues with the camera other than a few hiccups once in a while. I do agree that Mario's vast array of moves are not really put properly to the test, but it's a well rounded, versatile and charismatic game - as well as aesthetically pleasing. I'm not sure if I'd give the game a 10, but it'd certainly get no less than an 8 from me.

Ocarina of Time on the other hand...well just check out my post in the unpopular opinion thread.


Also, Mario 64 is nothing like the 2D Mario games (or any of the 3D mario games really). I kind of find it arbitrary when people ask what the best Mario game, and they'll neglect the kart racing/sports but have no problem mixing in the 2D and 3D platformers, when they're really different genres. Especially 64 which is heavily exploration based.

The only 3D Mario Game that really captures some of the essence of the 2D ones (outside of just the aesthetics and narrative) is 3DS Land.

[DinnerX]

OK, to everyone who says the camera is right on most of the time... I just don't see it. I'm constantly having to reposition the thing, and it never stays where I put it. I want it at point X for crossing a set of narrow surfaces or whatever, but when I get it to X, it immediately starts drifting back to some other point. It won't stay where I put it, and it doesn't matter whether I'm moving or standing still, it insists on going where IT wants to be, not where I place it. Camera is starting to drive me batty. Every time I try to navigate a tricky area the camera starts drifting one way or another and throws me off.

This game is starting to really exemplify for me why I have so much trouble finding 3D platformers that I get along with.

Have you tried changing the camera setting in the pause menu as described here? The second setting allows you to lock the camera in a certain spot by holding R. It works pretty well in tricky situations, although I tend to forget about the option existing.

[Ziggy]

I do find it strange when people say Super Mario 64 was the first 3D game, when it really was not. Some of the old school FPS capture the feeling of 3D better, and they got a few years on 64.

No one here said that. A few people have said it was the first 3D platformer. Whether it was or it wasn't doesn't matter, the point was that the game was groundbreaking.

[jay_red]

Even though I had an n64 during that generation (as opposed to the PS1) I never had Mario 64, when I did try it, I found it to be kind of difficult, and it didnt hook me like other people. My Wife, on the other hand, had this as a kid as well, and she loved it, she remembers seeing the graphics for the first time, and not being able to believe that games could look like that. She had gotten all the stars multiple times, and could do most levels purley off memory. I played it for a few minutes recently testing out a controller, and it has held up pretty well IMO. it doesnt look too dated (some n64 games look terrible now) and the controls are tight and responsive.

[Retrogamer0001]

Wow, you have issues with the music too? I personally don't find the music to be all that generic at all - one of my all-time favorite video game tracks is the one in Dire Dire Docks. I think it's actually quite an impressive soundtrack when you consider the time, but is obviously a much different animal than the previous generation's machines. Still, as far as music on the N64 goes, it's fantastic.

[o.pwuaioc]

Even though I had an n64 during that generation (as opposed to the PS1) I never had Mario 64, when I did try it, I found it to be kind of difficult, and it didnt hook me like other people. My Wife, on the other hand, had this as a kid as well, and she loved it, she remembers seeing the graphics for the first time, and not being able to believe that games could look like that. She had gotten all the stars multiple times, and could do most levels purley off memory. I played it for a few minutes recently testing out a controller, and it has held up pretty well IMO. it doesnt look too dated (some n64 games look terrible now) and the controls are tight and responsive.

Did you get Diddy Kong Racing as the pack-in title?

[marurun]

Wow, you have issues with the music too? I personally don't find the music to be all that generic at all - one of my all-time favorite video game tracks is the one in Dire Dire Docks. I think it's actually quite an impressive soundtrack when you consider the time, but is obviously a much different animal than the previous generation's machines. Still, as far as music on the N64 goes, it's fantastic.

Dire Dire Docks sounds like a generic 80's synth pop backing track. I'm occasionally finding tunes that are OK, but compared to other Mario tunes, they are rather non-memorable. I'm not familiar with the N64's audio capabilities, so I can't say how this game compares to others on the system. I'm playing Mario 64 on the VC and my wife is playing the first N64 Zelda. Majora's Mask is on the backburner for her when she finishes the first one.

[Retrogamer0001]

Wow, you have issues with the music too? I personally don't find the music to be all that generic at all - one of my all-time favorite video game tracks is the one in Dire Dire Docks. I think it's actually quite an impressive soundtrack when you consider the time, but is obviously a much different animal than the previous generation's machines. Still, as far as music on the N64 goes, it's fantastic.

Dire Dire Docks sounds like a generic 80's synth pop backing track. I'm occasionally finding tunes that are OK, but compared to other Mario tunes, they are rather non-memorable. I'm not familiar with the N64's audio capabilities, so I can't say how this game compares to others on the system. I'm playing Mario 64 on the VC and my wife is playing the first N64 Zelda. Majora's Mask is on the backburner for her when she finishes the first one.

You, sir, are gross.

[Opa Opa]

Have you tried Super Mario Sunshine, marurun?