Super Mario 64[a] is a 1996 platform video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It is the first Super Mario game to use three-dimensional (3D) graphics. Along with Pilotwings 64, it was one of the launch games for the console.[3] It was released in Japan on June 23, 1996, and later in North America, Europe, and Australia. It is the best-selling game on the Nintendo 64, with more than eleven million copies sold.[4][5] An enhanced remake, Super Mario 64 DS, was released for the Nintendo DS in 2004.
In the game, Mario explores Princess Peach’s castle and must rescue her from Bowser. As one of the earlier 3D platform games, Super Mario 64 is based on open world playability, degrees of freedom through all three axes in space, and relatively large areas which are composed primarily of true 3D polygons as opposed to only two-dimensional (2D) sprites.[6][7] The game established a new archetype for the 3D genre, much as Super Mario Bros. did for 2D sidescrolling platformers. In the evolution from two dimensions to three, Super Mario 64 places an emphasis on exploration within vast worlds that require the player to complete multiple diverse missions, in addition to the occasional linear obstacle courses as in traditional platform games. While doing so, it still preserves many gameplay elements and characters of earlier Mario games,[8] and the same visual style.[9]
Super Mario 64 made a lasting impression on the field of 3D game design, featuring a dynamic camera system and 360-degree analog control. It is acclaimed as one of the greatest and most revolutionary video games of all time
