I'm sure you have heard of Mario 64. You know, that little game that was released on the Nintendo 64 in 1996? I'm pretty sure most of you reading this review have played it as well. Whether it be on the N64, the Nintendo DS or the Wii's Virtual Console, most Nintendo gamers have experienced this game. But if you haven't, I hope this review will inspire you to do so. That's the purpose of this review.

Super Mario 64 was one of the first 3D platformers ever created. Because of that, you might expect it to be filled with bugs and glitches, and just layign the ground work for future Mario platformers. But that's a horrible thing to think. This game is near perfect gameplay wise. There are a few glitches, but these just add to the fun. There are no glitches that directly affect the gameplay or hinder you from completing a level. The main gameplay involves running around Princess Peach's Castle, jumping into paintings to enter a level. Once you jump in the painting, wall, or whatever, you will choose a "mission". In each level you only start out with one objective, but once you complete one and get a star, you will unlock the next objective. Each main level has 6 missions, plus a bonus star for getting 100 coins, and sometimes there are hidden levels inside of levels. Once you get enoug hstars, you can open new doors and areas of the castle, fighting Bowser along the way. It's a simple idea, but it's executed perfectly. There are also hidden single mission levels around the castle. Each level is perfectly designed, and you can spend hours exploring all the game's levels without following your objective, and have just as much fun. The game ha sdifferent "caps" you can get from coloured blocks, after you hit the according switch in a hidden level. You can get a hat that turns Mario invisible, a hat the lets Mario fly through the skies and one thta turns him into solid metal. These hats, once you hit the switch for a certain one, can be used to solve puzzles and can be used to create strategies to help you get a tricky star, some stars can only be reached with a certain hat. But that's not all you can do. You will have to climb mountains, defeat many different enemies. race Penguins, fight awesome bosses, fly around the skies with a Wing Cap and much more. The vareity of the levels is stunning, without straying far from the platforming form. Needless to say, Mario 64's gameplay is perfect, and is probably the most fun I've had with any game in my life. Thankfully, nothing has been changed on the Virtual Console.

Mario 64's graphics were amazing for their time, and still look really good today. I can't tell if they have improved anything for the Virtual Console, but it doesn't matter. They still are very good, especially for over 10 years ago. Some textures might get muddy when you get close to them, but it doesnt matter. The average Mario player does not spend their time staring at walls and grass. The game never slows down, and everything is bright and vibrant. Although not as great for today's standards, it holds up really well.

This game has some of the best video game music I have ever heard. The theme for levels such as Bob-omb Battlefield and Whomp's Fortress is one of my favourite video game tunes of all time. Each song fits the level perfectly, and matches the hectic pace of some levels such as Tick Tock Clock and Snowman's Land, or the relaxed pace of some levels such as Jolly Roger Bay. The music, like most of this game, is basically perfect. there are a number of soundeffects as well, such as Mario's little "exclamatiosn" he makes when he jumps, and the scream he lets out when he's bouncing around on fire. The sound effects match everything brilliantly, and it really adds a level of immersion to the game.

I have replayed this game on the DS and N64 numerous times, having just as much fun as the time before, and finding small secrets I may not have ever noticed. The game is packed with secrets, and you get this feeling that there's just one more thing that you have to find, causing you to search through the game's levels again and again. Also, there are 120 stars in the game, and you can beat the game with much less than 120 stars. Getting all the stars is a much greater challenge than just playing through the game getting the minimum amount, but it's just as fun. It's fun enough so you want to go back and get them all, and when you do, there's a little surprise waiting for you.

There's no doubt about it. Not only is Super Mario 64 one of the greatest Mario games ever created, it is one of the greatest games of all time, nearly perfect in every way. If you haven't played it, you're missing out greatly. Don't take my word for it though, the game is only 1000 Wii Points, and definitely worth your time, even if you're a little un sure about the game. Even if you don't like Mario, this game is worth your time. Check it out.