Super Mario 64
Nintendo 64 • 1996 • Platformer
When Super Mario 64 launched alongside the Nintendo 64 in 1996, it didn't just port Mario into 3D—it invented the language of 3D platforming. Shigeru Miyamoto and his team at Nintendo solved problems that had stumped developers for years: camera control, movement in 3D space, and level design that felt natural rather than cramped.
Why It Still Holds Up
Super Mario 64's controls are remarkably fluid. The analog stick gave players precise movement, and Mario's moveset—long jump, backflip, wall kick—feels responsive even by today's standards. Each of the 15 main courses offers distinct challenges, from the watery depths of Jolly Roger Bay to the clockwork chaos of Tick Tock Clock.
Legacy
Countless 3D platformers owe their existence to Super Mario 64. Games like Banjo-Kazooie, Spyro the Dragon, and even modern titles like A Hat in Time trace their DNA back to this landmark release. For retro gaming enthusiasts in Canada and beyond, it remains an essential play.