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Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64, released in 1996 for the Nintendo 64, holds a significant place in the history of video games. Its impact on the industry and its enduring legacy can be attributed to several key factors.
Super Mario 64 revolutionized the platforming genre by successfully transitioning the beloved 2D Mario franchise into a fully immersive 3D world. It introduced players to a free-roaming, three-dimensional environment that was a breakthrough at the time. The game's innovative camera control and fluid controls made navigating the 3D space a joy, setting a new standard for 3D platformers.
Beyond its technical achievements, Super Mario 64 showcased remarkable design innovation. Its expansive levels, interconnected with multiple objectives, encouraged exploration and rewarded curiosity. The game introduced various gameplay mechanics, like wall-jumping and long jumps, which added depth and complexity to the platforming experience. Each level was crafted with imagination and offered unique challenges, captivating players and setting a benchmark for level design in the industry.
Super Mario 64 had a profound impact on the gaming industry as a whole. Its success demonstrated the viability of 3D gaming, inspiring countless developers to explore the possibilities of the medium. The game's innovative mechanics, camera system, and control scheme became industry standards, influencing the design of subsequent 3D platformers.
Culturally, Super Mario 64 played a crucial role in popularizing video games and solidifying Mario's status as an iconic gaming character. It became a flagship title for the Nintendo 64, contributing to the console's success and amassing a dedicated fanbase. The game's imaginative worlds, memorable characters, and catchy music furthered its cultural impact, resonating with a broad audience beyond the gaming community.
Even after more than two decades since its release, Super Mario 64 continues to be regarded as a timeless classic. Its influence can be observed in subsequent Mario games and the broader platforming genre. The game's re-releases on various platforms have introduced new generations of players to its groundbreaking gameplay, ensuring its legacy lives on.
Platforms
The game can be played:
- Nintendo 64: The original platform for Super Mario 64, the game was designed specifically for the Nintendo 64 console. Playing it on the original hardware provides the most authentic experience.
- Nintendo DS: In 2004, Super Mario 64 was remade and released as "Super Mario 64 DS" for the Nintendo DS handheld console. This version included additional playable characters and other new features.
- Virtual Console (Wii and Wii U): Super Mario 64 was made available for download on the Virtual Console service, which was offered on both the Nintendo Wii (2006) and the Wii U (2012). These digital releases allowed players to experience the game on modern Nintendo platforms.
- Nintendo Switch: As part of the celebration for Super Mario's 35th anniversary, a remastered version of Super Mario 64 was released as part of the "Super Mario 3D All-Stars" collection for the Nintendo Switch in 2020. This version featured higher resolution graphics but retained the core gameplay of the original.
The PC port
SM64 was a successful attempt at reverse-engineer the source code for Super Mario 64. The game's assembly code was manually decompiled into C source code. The project also extracts game assets (such as backgrounds, sprites, maps, and text) from an original game copy into more modern formats. The C code and assets can then be recompiled to create a 1-to-1 ("matching": functions are matched against their ASM equivalent) copy of the game. Eventually SM64 got suppor for 4K, 60fps, lua scripting and multiplayer.
There is also a javascript port that supports a controller and multiplayer but I have never tested it.
Mods
There is a very big modding community around Super Mario 64, both for the DS, the PC version and the original version. Mods come in the form of lua scripts or custom compiled roms. They can extend or revamp:
- the moveset
- the graphic of the characters or other world elements
- levels and gameplay in general
- the audio system and the OST
Mods can be downloaded from different websites, personally I used:
Multiplayer
Multiplayer can be achieved either using the Nintendo DS rom with an emulator that supports online play or with the sm64ex-coop version of the game. In particular there are two versions of the sm64ex-coop port:
- vanilla
- the Robert Kirkman fork: this adds android support and touch screens controls, along with a new save file format. It breaks compatibility with some lua mods. Play this only if you plan on hacking the save file or want more modern textures.
I have included the precompiled vanilla port for Windows and Linux using the US rom. Personally I have played the vanilla version in multiplayer with the extended moveset.
Save file editor
The save file original format is partially documented here:
https://bryc.github.io/sm64eep/
A famous modder made a buggy save file editor that does its job properly on the
rare occasion that you can run it without crashing. I have included the
precompiled releases of the editor. In alternative you can use the
CompleteSave.lua mod and try to edit that if needed.
Files
Everything is under the Nintendo/N64/sm64 subpath of the games folder, except for the save file editor that is in the software folder; once there, take a look at some of the other projects related to this game.
Secrets
Castle Secret Stars
In addition to the main courses of the game and the Bowser courses, there are also a few hidden courses that house several of the castle's Secret Stars, as well as the three Cap Switches.
-
the Princess's Secret Slide (2 Stars)
- the player must ride the slide all the way to the bottom and hit the yellow block to collect the Power Star
- this second Star will appear only if the player reaches the bottom of the slide in under 21 seconds. This Star will appear in front of the yellow block that contained the first Star
- The Secret Aquarium (1 Star)
- Bowser in the Dark World (1 Star)
- Toads' Stars (3 Stars): Three of the Toads in the castle each give Mario a Power Star when talked to. One of the Toads is in a corner near the entrance to the Hazy Maze Cave, another is under the staircase on the second floor, and the third is to the right of Tick Tock Clock.
- Tower of the Wing Cap (Wing Cap) (1 Star)
- Cavern of the Metal Cap (Metal Cap) (1 Star)
- Vanish Cap Under the Moat (Vanish Cap) (1 Star)
- MIPS (2 Stars): MIPS, also known as the Yellow Rabbit, is a minor character found in the basement of the Mushroom Castle in Super Mario 64. He is Princess Peach's pet rabbit. Along with Mario, MIPS was the first character created for Super Mario 64. He was used extensively in early Nintendo 64 test simulations and ultimately made it into the final game because the development team liked him so much. MIPS is named after the MIPS (Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages) microprocessor, the instruction set used in the Nintendo 64. Several of MIPS's lines reference the White Rabbit from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. MIPS can be first seen in Super Mario 64, after the player collects 15 Power Stars. He is found in the basement of the Mushroom Castle—when Mario approaches MIPS, he runs away. After Mario catches MIPS, the rabbit rewards him with a Power Star. MIPS appears in the basement a second time after Mario has collected 50 Power Stars, and Mario can catch MIPS again for another Power Star. MIPS does not reappear for the rest of the game after that. In the remake Super Mario 64 DS, MIPS does not make a reappearance, instead being replaced by the rabbits scattered throughout the castle for each player character to find. They are modeled after MIPS, but they do not give up Power Stars. Instead, they give up keys to unlock minigames in the Rec Room. Two of Mario's, one of Wario's, and one of Yoshi's rabbits can be found in the same location MIPS was in the original game. The rabbits are also internally named "MIP"[5] with their key known as a "MIP Key,"[6] with the former corroborated by the Shogakukan guide.
- Bowser in the Fire Sea (1 Star)
- Wing Mario Over the Rainbow (1 Star)
- Bowser in the Sky (1 Star)
Fall and take no damage
If you fall too far, you will lose some health. If you ground pound right before you touch the ground (or fall too far), you will take no damage.
Butterfly Rewards
In some courses, three butterflies may appear. If they do appear, try to catch one. One holds a hidden 1-Up Mushroom, while the other two conceal cannonballs. If a whole group appears, don't bother with them because they hide nothing.
Secret Warp Points
Some courses have secret warp points that will take you to hidden areas in a level. They can be hidden in the most unexpected places, and you never know when you may trigger one. The secret warp points are:
- In Whomp's Fortress, at the first Thwomp, walk to the Metal Cap Block and walk a little farther. It will teleport you to the "observation area" near the top of the fortress. This is a shortcut to Star 2, To The Top Of The Fortress.
- In Tiny-Huge Island, after pressing the red switch and running to the floating platform, the corner with a single coin teleports you back.
- There are two on Bob-omb Battlefield, one to the right of the wooden bridge at the start, near where Koopa the Quick is after you race him. If you stand in the flower garden you will be warped over to the field where the water bubbles are being shot. The second one is in the cannon holes going up the mountain; if you press against the back wall of the first one, you will be teleported to the second. This can help during the race with Koopa the Quick.
- Cool, Cool Mountain: from the start of the level head right and get as close to the corner of the slope and cliff as you can, and you will be teleported to the broken bridge near the penguin looking for her baby.
- Tall, Tall Mountain: go to the Scary 'Shrooms area. On one of the shrooms, there is a warp that takes you to the cannon.
- Rainbow Ride: there's one on the doorstep of the house. Just climb the stairs and stand outside and it will warp you to the top of the red coin area by the ! block.
- There are two more in Shifting Sand Land: standing next to the 1-Up palm tree on the water side will transport you to the wing cap near the cannon. The other is inside the Pyramid near the rolling thwomp thing near the pole and takes you to the 1-up on top of the cage.
- The warp point in Lethal Lava Land is located in the middle of the island toward the beginning with the wing cap. This takes you in the pocket beneath the closest eye. This is more useful to return to the wing cap after making the eye roll.
- Snowman Land has a warp point by standing next to the tree in the South East corner that warps you to another tree next to the cold water with snow waves.
Floating Penguin
Enter Cool, Cool Mountain in the Lil' Penguin Lost level. Bring the baby penguin at the beginning to the mother penguin at the end and grab it again. Jump into the star while still holding the penguin and voila, the penguin is floating.
After getting all 120 stars
The Castle Cannon, Roof, and Yoshi's Reward
If you explore the courtyard outside Peach's Castle, you'll find a closed-up cannon. Unlike the other cannons you'll find, this one is special. It will only open if you restore the castle's Star Power completely. In order to do that, you need to obtain every last Power Star in the game, a whopping 120! Once you've collected all of them, the cannon will open. When it does, hop into it and aim it at the castle roof. If you land on the roof, you'll find three 1-Up Mushrooms, and none other than Yoshi! If you talk to him, he'll compliment you on your achievement, and give you a present from the Super Mario 64 Staff! You'll be given 101 lives, and your Triple Jump will change so that you never get hurt! Unfortunately, if you save the game and turn it off, both your super triple jump and your 101-life upgrade will be gone, but Yoshi will be back!
The Big Penguin Became Fat!
Once you've obtained all 120 Power Stars, go into Cool, Cool Mountain and race the big penguin. However, you'll be in for a surprise: he's gotten fat! You can still race him, only he's bigger and harder. You won't get anything for the race, except for the shock that the big penguin decided not to slide for a while and let himself go!
Compliments from Bowser Himself
If you defeat Bowser in the final level - after you've obtained all 120 Power Stars - he'll insult his troops for handing over all the Power Stars and compliment you on your work to get them all, even the secret ones he missed!
Level-specific secrets
L9: the changes in Dire, Dire Docks
If you return to Dire, Dire Docks after completing Bowser in the Fire Sea, you will notice three changes:
- Bowser's Sub disappears. People have a theory that this happens because Bowser has left the fire sea and gone to the sky, and the Dire, Dire Docks portal is in the same room, so he takes his sub with him.
- Moving poles appear at the framework of the docks.
- The gate blocking the passageway to the pond outside Princess Peach's Castle is open.
Super Mario 64 DS
There are four changes in the DS version. In addition to the three in the original, the Bill Blasters disappear.
L11: adjusting the water level in Wet-Dry World
Depending upon where you jump into the painting that leads to Wet-Dry World, the water level will rise or fall to that point. This way, you can reach the Bob-omb Buddy in the level by jumping into the highest area of the painting. In Super Mario 64 DS If you talk to one of the toads near the level, he'll tell you that you can change the water level in Wet-Dry World: if you triple-jump into the painting, the level will be flooded, with the water level at it's highest. L13: small island or big island?
There are two paintings you can enter that will allow you to enter Tiny-Huge island on the tiny-sized island or the huge-sized island. The one on the left takes you to the tiny island, and the one on the right takes you to the huge island.
L13: shortcut on Tiny-Huge Island
If you enter Tiny-Huge Island from the left entrance, where everything is tiny, swim over to the island with the ! Block on it at the start of the level. Line yourself up almost against the wall and parallel to the ! Block and do a Backwards Somersault.
If you did it correctly, you should end up on top of the ! Block and be able to hop onto the top of the island in a big shortcut. You can also do the reverse direction back flip to achieve this, although it works better on the second platform with the Tube and Piranha Plant.
L14: odd timing
There is a secret to how the Tick Tock Clock's mechanisms behave. Watch the position of the big hand on the grandfather clock before you enter the level!
- If the big hand is on 3: the clock's mechanisms will move at a slow, steady, and predictable pace, making the clock easier to navigate.
- If the big hand is on 6: the clock's mechanisms will be moving at unpredictable speeds, making going up the clock wacky and hard. Sometimes, the mechanisms will even reverse!
- If the big hand is on 9: the clock's mechanisms will move at a fast and frenzied but still predictable pace, making the clock harder to but still possible to go up.
- If the big hand is on 12: the clock's mechanisms will come to a complete halt, and be stopped the entire time you're in the clock. This makes the clock very easy to traverse, but makes it a challenge to reach the very top of the clock.