**Super Mario 64** is a 1996 platform game for the Nintendo 64. Developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development and published by Nintendo, this game is the first Super Mario game to feature 3D gameplay that combines traditional Super Mario gameplay, visual style, and characters in a wide open world. The premise involves Bowser, the main antagonist of the Super Mario series, invading Princess Peach’s castle and hiding the Power Stars, the castle’s protective resources, behind magical paintings in various worlds. As Mario, the player collects Power Stars to unlock enough of Princess Peach’s castle to reach Bowser and rescue Princess Peach.
Director Shigeru Miyamoto designed a 3D Super Mario game during the production of Star Fox (1993). Development took about three years: approximately one year for design, starting from the design of a virtual camera system, and twenty months for production. The team continued to showcase 3D character models and improve character animations, which were relatively untested at the time. The game’s sound effects were recorded by Yoji Inagaki, and the music was composed by Koji Kondo.
Super Mario 64 was highly anticipated by video game journalists and audiences, supported by advertising campaigns and demonstrations at the 1996 E3 trade show. It received critical acclaim and is regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time. Reviewers praised its ambition, visuals, and gameplay, while some criticized the virtual camera system. With approximately twelve million copies sold by 2015, it became the best-selling Nintendo 64 game.
Many developers pointed out Super Mario 64 as an influence on 3D platform games, creating a new archetype for the genre with its dynamic camera system and 360-degree analog control, just as Super Mario Bros. did for side-scrolling platformers. In 2004, it was re-released as Super Mario 64 DS for the Nintendo DS and has since been ported to other Nintendo consoles. The game has drawn a cult following, spawning numerous fan games, a prominent speedrunning presence, and ongoing rumors about its game features.
