Super Mario 64

Platform videogames are some of my favorite games.  The 3D platformer sub-genre can have 2 turnouts, good or bad.  Super Mario 64 was probably the first one to be good. 

 

GAMEPLAY

Super Mario 64 mixes the classic Mario jump n' stomp, with 3D enviroment's.  You have to guide, Mario through the course to find Power Stars.  Power Stars are collected by completing platforming challenges, defeating bosses, and by acompishing certain tasks.

Courses are opened, by jumping into paintings on the wall's, in the calstle's many room's.

Mario collects different kinds of cap's, which grant him a special ability for a short time, rather than the mushrooms and flowers of the earlier games.   Blocks contanin coins, 1up mushrooms, caps, and sometimes Power Stars.

 

STORY

Mario recives a letter from Princess Peach, saying that she has baked a cake for him and that he must come to her castle.  It turns out that Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach again, and the letter is a fake.  Bowser also stole the princesses power stars, which are required to open most doors in the castle.  Mario must find all 120 power stars, defeat Bowser, and rescue the Princess.

 

GRAPHICS

When Super Mario 64 was released for the N64 in 1996, nothing really compared at the time.  Now, in this day and time, the graphics aren't that great, but can hold up compared to other 3D games released in the 1996 period.  The DS version is a complete remake, sporting better graphics than the N64 version, more maps and stars, plus a bunch of mini games that use the touchscreen.

 

AGE

Mario has no offensive content, though you would need to know how to read, because the story is not spoken, but written.  I think you should at least be 7 to play Super Mario 64.

 

CONCLUSION

When speaking of classics, there is not a game more classic than this.  Super Mario 64 has great gameplay, fun challenges, and the pudgy plumber himself.  If you have a system that has this game, you can's miss it.  I give this 8.4 out of 10.

 

DETAILS

Realeased in 1996, for N64.  Has been re-released in 2004 for the DS, and later for the Wii Virtual Console.  It is rated E by the ESRB. 

 

 

  



Donkey Kong for NES, Arcade, and Wii

As mentioned with Galaga, the early 80s saw some of the best arcade games ever.  One of these was Donkey Kong.  

GAMEPLAY
The gameplay of Donkey Kong, is to guide Mario, to the top platform.  The ultimate goal of the game is to save Pauline, a damsel in distress.  The 3 levels include some platforming, but sadly they loop, and you keep playing the exact same levels.

Level 1
is the slanted frame of a building, at a construction site.  Donkey kong is trowing barrels down the frame.  Mario must climb ladders, and successfully dodge the barrels to reach the top.

Level 2

Mario must reach the platform closest to Pauline.  This stage includes a pully system, which you must time the jumps just right for, or die. Other challenges include seperated platforms, fires, and a jumpy thing that can hit you. 

Level 3

You must walk over the yellow squares, while dodging the fires.  Once all of the squares are gone, Donkey Kong will fall to the ground, leaving you and Pauline safe.

AGE

Donkey Kong has no offensive content.

CONCLUSION

Donkey Kong is a great arcade game, in which I really do love.  The graphics are not that great, but it is 1981 here.  The only bad thing I have against the game is the Mario was a Carpenter, not a plumber.  I give this classic 8 out of 10.  And remember that when you pop this game in, it's not just on, but "it's on like Donkey Kong".