Introduce
I played Super Mario 64 for about three weeks. Before I played this game, I have played Super Mario Galaxy which is one of the popular games now day, so when I played Mario 64, what I felt is that in a certain sense, Super Mario Galaxy borrowed from Mario 64. Super Mario N64 released in 1996 in Japan for Nintendo64. It was the first 3D Mario game in Mario series. We can image that in 1996, 3D games have not lead the game mainstream, how big step did Mario cross at that time. Think out of the box is the always way for Mario’s father Shigeru Miyamoto. For people who is used to see that Super Mario go through from left to right, they need to get used to a new game interface, because the players can see Mario in 360 degrees.
Graphic & controlling & camera
People who play Mario today will sad that the graphic of it is really suck; you can even see the poly on character. Compare to any game today, no one is going to like it, however, this is a game in 1996, which was sold over eleven million copies, at that time, and it was definitely a miracle in game industry.
During the game play, I used Nintendo N64 simulator instead of using Nintendo 64 to play, this means that the control is a bit different to the original control. Beside the normal moves like walk, run, jump and crouch Mario 64 can also make Mario, crawl, swim, climb, or punch. Especially for the swimming part, not like old Mario game, Mario can under water as long as he wish, In Mario 64, Mario has a breath time. This new function is really amazing and also be used into Mario Galaxy.
View is always a big problem in 3D Mario series. Super Mario 64 used dynamic camera system, however when players play the game, there are two camera angle for them to choose, shot distance to see Mario or long distance to the one view by using the camera where the little tortoise handle in the sky. The camera can not just well follow the character directly; it is a bit hard to handle for the first play of game. When I was in first course, I fall from the rotating bridge because I am not control well the camera.
Story & Game play
I think that no one of game players would not know the story of Super Mario. Yes, princess is always kidnapped by Bowser, and Mario and his friend need to save her. The normal way for Mario game is Mario need to go through the 8 worlds, win Bowser. In Super Mario 64, the game plot become to princess’ castle. Bowser occupied the castle, and Mario need to collect the star power and save princess and her castle.
Abandon the old way- follow the map, players can not see the map any more; different world and different course is hiding behind the different pictures and walls in castle. The mission for Mario is no longer be the finish level in time, some puzzle elements have been put into the game, such like players need to find something or doing some racing competition. Usually one picture has more than one mission to play, and principle of repayable is perfectly incarnated.
Beside the mushroom reward, special cap become another big part of the game, I haven’t finished all the level, I found some game play video for caps function use. The flying cap is a king of basic for Mario Galaxy (flying between different galaxies).
For enemies and friends, Nintendo also put more character into the game. For example, cannon is not only just shot by time, there also has cannon combines with caps function. And Mario has new partner like Yoshi, although he is a non-playable character in game, of course he always has Luigi for help.
Music & Sound
In game principles, music and sound are soul of a game. Mario’s father do really pay attention to this part, every Mario games has a good sound and music, of course include Mario 64.This is why every time the top Mario game can always publish the sound album. Music and sound is always exactly the right, I do really like the water part of the game, when Mario diving under the water, the sound makes you feel you really diving though you are playing game.
Summary
Although Super Mario is an old game, it made his game myth in its time. In 1996, most of Super Mario 64 did is out of the box,(3D game, dynamic camera, flying), which is the profound meaning of and triple A level game design. So all in all, I think it is a successful cannon game for both players and game history.
========================Presentation Script===========================
H: Hi, guys welcome to Super Mario 64 quiz final competition. Today we will see the winner of the quiz. And he or she will get a free travel to China as a reward. Let’s introduce our two contestants, princess peach and Bowser!! Before we start, two constants, please talk about the feeling at this moment. Lady first, princess peach
P: Ok Mario is always the hero in my mind, I know him a lot, I think I will win today.
H: Thanks my lady. So what about you, Bowser?
B: Mario is my old enemy. He always stops my plan. I did many researches for fighting him after so many fails. So I think I knew him, I can win. Omaha!
H: ok, both of them are confident that they can win, so let’s start our quiz now. The rules did not change, after I read the question, people who press the bottom first can answer first and right answer will get 100 points. And people who get the highest mark will win. Here we go!
Question 1
What is the genre of Mario 64? Which company developed it? Why the name is called Super Mario 64? Oh, princess peach please answer.
P: I think it is a Platform game, developed by Nintendo for Nintendo 64.Like Pilotwings 64,it was one of the Launch title for the console
H: perfect 100 points
H: Question 2
When was Super Mario 64 released? Bowser.
B: It was released in Japan on June 23, 1996
H: bingo! 100 points
B: Haha!
H: Question 3
What kind of innovation did Super Mario do in Mario Series? Princess Peach
P: It was one of the first 3D platform games, but it is the first one in Mario Series. The game left a lasting impression on 3D game design, particularly notable for its use of a dynamic camera system
H: more 100 points
H: Question 4
Different from other Mario series, where is Mario 64 to be set in? Princess Peach again
P: My castle. Bowser invaded and occupied my castle, Mario come and save me
H: Excellent, you got 300 points by now. Bowser, be carful
H: Question 5
Where are the most entrances of different world in castle? Bowser?
B: Ha-ha! They are secret walls and paintings. I set my followers to keep watch over the stars at that time
H: well done! 100 points
H: Question 6
Describe the Game play of Super Mario 64.
P: Mario said he should through several courses. Each course is an enclosed world in which the Mario is free to wander in all directions and discover the environment without time limits. The worlds are filled with enemies that attack Mario. There are also friendly creatures that provide assistance, offer information. Mario needs to gathers stars from course; as more stars are collected, more entrance that Mario can enter. En……
H: Bowser
B: If Mario needs to open locked doors in castle, he should win me in game and get keys. However I hate some special caps which rise Mario's abilities in some course. The Wing Cap allows Mario to fly; the Metal Cap prevent him to most damage, allows him to withstand wind, move underwater, and be health by harmful gases; and the Vanish Cap gives him partially immaterial and allows him to walk through some obstacles such as wire mesh, and not be hurt in some forms of damage.
I also put cannons in some courses. But in these courses Mario can access by speaking to a pink Bob-omb Buddy. After entering cannon, Mario can be shot out to reach distant places. When Mario has the Wing Cap equipped, cannons can be used to reach high altitudes or fly across most levels quickly. That’s really bad to me~
H: Bowser well done 100 point
Ok before last question, let’s see the score of each person. Princess Peach 300points, Bowser 300points. That is so excited. The last question will decide who will win, listen carefully?
H: Question 7
Describe Mario’s abilities in super Mario 64. Oh Princess Peach
P: Mario can walk, run, jump, crouch, crawl, swim, climb, or punch. Special jumps like double jump, triple jump and back flip can be executed by combining a regular jump with other actions, there are also special movements, such as wall jumping; jumping from one wall to another in rapid continually to reach areas that would be too high. Mario can pick up and carry certain items and swim underwater at various speeds. Mario's life energy slowly reduces while underwater, representing how long he can hold his breath. His power meter refills when he surfaces.
H: Fantastic. You got totally 400 points. Ladies and gentleman; here is the winner today, princess peach. Congratulation!! She will get a free travel to China~ if you want to get free travel, welcome to our new season Super Mario Galaxy quiz!! Bye bye
