There are a handful of video games that regularly come up when the best video games of all time are under discussion, but there’s an extra level of love and nostalgia for Super Mario 64. Nintendo has done surprisingly consistent work with the growing Super Mario franchise and each new title is typically one of the best releases for their console. Super Mario 64 helped define the Nintendo 64 and it’s still viewed as one of the console’s very best offerings, despite it being a launch title.
Super Mario 64 represents an apex in Nintendo’s achievements and a passionate affirmation that Mario would continue to dominate in a world of 3D games. Super Mario 64 is a breakthrough in technology, but in a franchise and lore perspective it’s also a significant entry in the grander Super Mario canon.
10 Princess Toadstool’s Name Officially Switches To Peach
One of the very first details that audiences are exposed to when they start Super Mario 64 is the sweet letter that Princess Peach sends to Mario, which invites him over to her castle and kicks off the whole adventure.
This invitation is nothing out of the ordinary, but what is a major change for Western audiences is that Mario’s princess refers to herself as Peach rather than Toadstool, which had been the running trend up until this point. Moving forward, Princess Peach remains the standard name for this leader of the Mushroom Kingdom.
9 The Collection Of Power Stars Becomes The Mark Of Progress In Games
The various Super Mario games have always had different levels with a clear beginning and end to complete, but Super Mario 64 begins the franchise’s larger tradition of using Power Stars as the rubric for success. Power Stars may shift to Shine Sprites and then later Power Moons, but the concept remains the same.
There are an extra number of these items to collect, which don’t just advance Mario’s progression in the game, but also signify the player’s total completion. It brings forward a whole new level of challenge to the Mario experience.
8 Mario's Cap Becomes More Than Just A Fashion Accessory
Mario has many tricks up his sleeve that help advance his platforming skills prior to Super Mario 64, but up until this point his transformations are largely expressed through costumes. Super Mario 64 centralizes the focus to Mario’s iconic cap and uses it as the conduit for greater power.
Super Mario 64 introduces the Wing Cap, Metal Cap, and Vanish Cap, which are all incredible powers. Future Mario games adopt a hybridized approach where both costume power-ups as well as cap-based abilities are present for Mario.
7 Mario Is Able To Drown
Underwater levels have been a staple of the Super Mario series from the very beginning, but Super Mario 64 gives the player agency on when they want to submerge themselves rather than levels that exist entirely underwater.
This change to the formula also means that water is now a threat to Mario in some respects and that he’s able to run out of air and drown if he’s not careful. Such a realistic hazard was never previously present, but it becomes a staple as the series moves forward and features more levels that contain underwater sections.
6 Many New Enemies, Like Bullies & Whomps, Enter The Series
Each new Super Mario game adds to every element of the series in major ways, whether it’s through Mario’s abilities, the level designs, or the different enemies that Mario encounters. Super Mario 64 brings back many familiar enemies, albeit in a new 3D context, but the game also introduces several new threats that go on to become permanent fixtures of the Mario universe.
Super Mario 64 marks the debut of Bullies, Whomps, Chuckyas, Skeeters, Snufits, and even more fresh foes. The evolving range of enemies in Mario’s world continues to be fascinating.
5 Red & Blue Coins Are Developed
Super Mario 64 incentivizes the collection of coins more than ever before since it results in a Power Star when 100 coins are reached. Super Mario 64 does a lot with both Red and Blue Coins and makes them more vital items.
Red coins were previously present in Super Mario World 2 and Blue Coins show up in Super Mario Bros. 3, but they serve the purpose of what’s now essentially fulfilled by Purple Coins in the series. More worth is added to the Red Coins in each game, but they’re at their most prominent here.
4 New Varieties Of Piranha Plants Are Introduced
Piranha Plants are one of the oldest enemies that have plagued Mario on his many adventures and the opponent has gained such notoriety that it’s somehow even a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. fighting series. Super Mario 64 takes the foundation of this iconic enemy and does some new things with it.
The game brings both Piranha Flowers and Small Piranhas into the mix, which begins the series’ fascination with Piranha variants. This goes on to culminate in Petey Piranha, but wouldn’t be possible without Super Mario 64’s innovations in the area.
3 Mario Becomes Much More Acrobatic
Mario often has some freedom when it comes to how he chooses to defeat the enemies that get in his way, but superlative jump skills are typically part of the equation. Mario’s jumping abilities are a crucial aspect of the character and Super Mario 64 seriously develops his talents in the field.
The game establishes Mario’s triple jump, long jump, and ground pound, which have all gone on to become the staples of Mario’s agility. Super Mario 64 also gives Mario a series of punches and kicks, which are less popular, but still a significant development.
2 It Establishes Charles Martinet As The Official Voice Of Mario
Video games have evolved in such drastic ways and a substantial factor in the evolution of the Mario character and his series of games is what becomes possible through advancements in technology. The Nintendo 64 makes full dialogue a reality and while Mario isn’t a character that runs his mouth, the audience is still able to hear him speak in a way that was previously impossible.
Super Mario 64 establishes Charles Martinet as Mario’s voice, which has gone on to define the character and his attitude for decades now.
1 Lakitu Becomes Mario's Documentarian
One of the biggest changes that Super Mario 64 needs to take into consideration is the camera and how it’s controlled. Previous Super Mario games were 2D sidescrollers where the player couldn’t manipulate what they’re looking at and from what angle. Lakitu has a reputation as a low-tier enemy that uses his high altitude to drop projectiles down on Mario.
This principle is also played around with in Mario Kart 64. However, Super Mario 64 introduces the idea that Lakitu is the series’ resident cameraman and his role as an enemy greatly diminishes as a result, too.