# Why was Super Mario 64 so influential?

> Super Mario 64 (1996) showed how 3D games should move and look: analog control, a player-controlled camera and open, mission-based levels.

Super Mario 64, released in 1996 as a launch game for the Nintendo 64, solved problems that other early 3D games hadn't: how a character should move in three dimensions, how the camera should follow, and how to build levels for exploration instead of a straight line. Its analog control, controllable camera and open courses with multiple objectives became the template for 3D action and platform games.

## What it got right

- **Analog movement.** The N64 controller's analog stick let Mario walk, run and turn smoothly depending on how far you pushed it. That felt natural in a way digital pads couldn't.
- **A camera you could control.** The camera is filmed in-game by Lakitu, and players could rotate and zoom it with the C buttons. The idea of a player-adjustable camera became standard.
- **Open, objective-based levels.** Each of the 15 main courses hides several Power Stars, so you return to the same space with new goals and explore it freely.
- **A hub world.** Peach's Castle connects the courses through paintings and doors, an idea countless games later copied.
- **A rich move set.** Long jumps, wall kicks, triple jumps and backflips gave players skillful ways to move, which also made it a lasting speedrunning favorite.

## Its legacy

Super Mario 64 influenced 3D platformers like Banjo-Kazooie and Spyro, and its camera and control ideas carried into action-adventure games, including Nintendo's own Ocarina of Time. It was remade for Nintendo DS in 2004 and has remained one of the most popular speedrunning games for decades.

## FAQ

**Why was the Nintendo 64 important?**
It popularized the analog stick on home consoles, offered four controller ports for local multiplayer, and hosted defining games like Super Mario 64, GoldenEye 007 and Ocarina of Time.

**How many stars are in Super Mario 64?**
There are 120 Power Stars. You need 70 to reach the final Bowser fight.

**Is Super Mario 64 still fun today?**
Yes. Its controls hold up well, though the camera feels dated next to modern games.

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https://gamevoyages.com/why-was-super-mario-64-so-influential/ · Game Voyage · Checked 2026-10-30