Super Amazing 50th Post Extravaganza - Super Mario 64 Finale

This is half a celebration, and half a message of defeat. For yes, I have managed to type out 50 pages worth of words, with pictures and videos for everyone to look at and admire. But at what cost, I ask you? The cost...of defeat. For I am waving the white flag. We can go home now, but will the nightmares end? Will the burning question of "What if?" ever fade away? I already know the answer to these questions...it's a bloody video game stop taking it so seriously, me. So, I've decided that there's no point in getting all 120 Stars in Super Mario 64, who cares. I should be happy enough, I got over a hundred and my save file will be there another day.

Honestly, the past month I just really having had the patience for Mario 64. It's a great game, don't get me wrong, but playing the later levels is more frustrating than anything else. I've never pretended to be the world's most skilled gamer and SM64 isn't the hardest game in the world, but I don't know the later levels and they do require some skill to totally complete. So whatever, it's time to end this and move on to Dark Forces before I hate Mario forever. So, for the very last time, let's look at the levels...

Tiny, Huge Island

Stars - 7/7

I like the idea of this level more than I like this level. In fact, it was my pursuit of getting all seven stars that made me decide it just wasn't worth it any more. The biggest problem with this level is that it is really easy to die if you make a slight mistake. On Tiny Island it is easy to slide off into oblivion, or be pushed there by a tiny Goomba. The actual stars were fine to get, but getting 100 coins was the most frustrating part as I just kept dying. The worst came at 99 coins and then being pushed by a tiny Goomba into a bottomless pit. I definitely had 99 problems after that, and they're all Tiny Goombas.

Tick, Tock Clock

Stars- 4/7

I'm on the fence about this level. Perhaps I should give it more time (har har) but if there's anything more frustrating than tiny Goombas, it's getting near the top of this level, missing a jump or getting forced off an obstacle and then falling to your death. I had a lot of experience falling in this level, though when everything was going well I was having fun until I got to the clock hands. Sure, you can make them go faster depending at what "time" you go into the level in, but having to wait for it to arrive is hardly what I call a good time. I missed out on three stars: the 100 coins, Stomp the Thwomp (never managed to actually reach it, must have kept going the wrong way) and "Timed Jumps on the Moving Bars", which I did reach once but then died somehow. Still, it's not a terrible level.

Rainbow Ride

Stars - errr...

No. Just no. I have nothing to write here, I tried to get the first star twice, didn't manage. That was a week ago at the time of writing and I've had no urge to play any more of this. Luckily, my main goal in any game is to merely beat it, and I have over thirty more stars then I need in order to finish this. So, I'm going to take a break from writing and come back when I've defeated Bowser once and for all*!

(*won't actually be 'once and for all')

Bowser in the Sky

I didn't do too badly on this, died twice because of a stupid fire-spitting ball, but other than that I got through it fine (though if I was actually going for the red coins, that might have been different). And of course, at the end of it all we've got...

Who knew Bowser and Mario were swingers?

The hardest Bowser boss of them all, which makes sense since it's the last one. You have to throw him into the bombs three times in order to win. At first I had problems trying to throw him into the bombs, I blamed the camera though once I realised they were placed in the shape of a star I could mentally map out where they all were, even when the camera barely gives you a clue. After the second time, Bowser will do something that causes most of the stage to fall, leaving behind a star-shaped platform. This makes it harder to evade his 'charge' attack, as well as his 'rain fire' attack. Honestly my tactic throughout the whole fight was to keep my distance, try to goad him into chasing me and then when he stops it gives you a chance to grab his tail. 

And finally...it is done. We've saved Princess Peach and her castle from the grasps of Bowser, and now we can finally enjoy that cake. And I can enjoy moving on to the next game: Star Wars: Dark Forces. Until then allow me to play you out...

Super Mario 64 - Progress Report 4

So, after a short break to recharge me batteries it's time for some more Super Mario 64!

Song of the Day

Snow Mountain - Koji Kondo

Progress Report IV

(all the level images taken from www.mariowiki.com)

Snowman's Land

Stars - 5/7

(Missing Stars: Star #6 - Into the Igloo, 100 Coins)

Snowman's Land marks a return to a snowy level, but this time with a gimmick. Usually if you go into water and pop out, all your health is restored (as your health doubles as your "oxygen"). However, the water here is so cold it hurts you even if you're above water. There's even one pond that acts the same as lava. Yet the only star I really seemed to struggle with was the first one. You see that snowman there? Well, try to cross that bridge and the snowman will get pissed at someone climbing all over him, and he'll try to blow you off. In order to pass him you'll have to take cover from a penguin. However, since penguins in this game are bastards, he doesn't just walk in a straight line. About halfway he'll start walking backwards for a bit, and if you're not ready for this you'll get blown off. Lovely.

I was planning to get the 100 coins star along with the last one, but I had no actual clue where the igloo was. However, I'll get these two during my "clean-up" once I finish the main game. I've come this far, I may as well aim for 120!

Wet-Dry World

Stars - 7/7

I definitely do not hate this level. In fact, I really liked it. No star really posed much of a problem for me (with the exception of "#2 Top O' the Town", I didn't realise that the height you jumped into the portrait changed the level of the water in the level). The elevator star also took a couple of attempts to get right, and it was slightly annoying going all the way back up. Plus it introduces an enemy that, while the game calls them "Heave-Ho", I can't help but see them as Max Payne.

Maybe I'm just going crazy though.

Tall, Tall Mountain

Stars - 3/7

I'm really not good at this level. I played it this morning, and I had hoped in getting at least five or six before I had to leave for work, but sadly I could only get three of them. It seems this level was designed with all of my gaming weaknesses in mind. I do have a terrible habit of panicking when jumping from platform to platform over a bottomless pit. Not so much in a "OH MY GOD, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO, NOOO!" kind of way, but I mean "Jump! Position myself! Jump! Jum, wait no position oh no I'm dead".

For that reason I made sure to get the red coin star first. And for some reason the log in this level gives me all the problems. There's a log you run across and it will move, however I seem only to be able to run straight off it. I'm probably just being stupid. Then there's the god damn monkey.

The second star requires you to go high up the mountain and catch a monkey. This legitimately took my ten minutes to do. I should really stop playing games at six in the morning when I've just woken up and I'm a bit cranky. You can't even corner the monkey since he'll just jump over you. And then I try to dive to catch him and I end up falling. Thankfully there's a pool at the bottom of the level that broke my fall, but that's little consolation when you've fallen all the way to the bottom of the mountain. When I finally caught him I almost did a little dance, but I did not since I was sitting down and it was too early in the morning.

What you are staring at right now is evil personified.

Then I fell off the log again on star 4 and I decided "screw this". I'll either get the other four stars with the next (last) update, or I'll just keep it for the clean-up.

Star Total - 89/120

So, the next report, hopefully up by Monday, will be the last regular one of the game. Three last levels; Tiny Huge Island, Tick Tock Clock and Rainbow Ride. Then one final battle with Bowser! See you then!

Super Mario 64 - Ports & Remakes

Have you never played Super Mario 64 before? Never owned a Nintendo 64? Or maybe you'd just like to play it again. Either way Nintendo have you covered.

Super Mario 64 is, of course, on Wii's Virtual Console, in fact it is the second most popular purchase (behind Super Mario Bros), which is impressive since N64 games cost a fair bit more than the rest of them, but the cost isn't too bad, 1000 'Wii Points' (I think that's between 8-10 pounds, but I can't be 100% sure).

Maybe you've played the original Super Mario 64 to death, collected 120 stars numerous times and are looking for something new. Yet again Nintendo are there to help. In 2004 Nintendo released 'Super Mario 64 DS'. It's basically an enhanced version of the original game, with newer graphics and more stars (while changing some of the more horrible stars from the original). Not only this you can now play with three other characters; Luigi (who can jump higher and thus is probably the best character), Wario (who can break certain blocks other characters cannot) and Yoshi...who's practically useless.

In Super Mario 64 DS there are 150 stars instead of 120. There is also a multiplayer mode available over 'Download Play'. The game was a commercial success, selling over six million copies and although the game was critically well received there was some criticisms. Although they felt the game did stay true to the original, the lack of analogue sticks on the DS meant that controlling was a problem. Another criticism at the time was the fact this was a launch title, and it was a little disappointing to have a remake launch Nintendo's new console. 

Comparison: DS (left) - N64 (Right)

Now, I haven't actually played this game either, I don't own it at all and I doubt I ever will. But it's another alternative for those who want it.

Super Mario 64 - Progress Report 3

Song of the Day

Dire, Dire Docks - Koji Kondo

Progress Report III

(all level images taken from www.mariowiki.com)

Lethal Lava Land

Stars - 7/7

My biggest problem in this stage is the Bullies. One Bully can be beaten no problem, you just have to push it over the edge into the lava. But there's a small section with two of them in this level and for some reason I lost a couple of lives trying to beat them (before finding out I didn't need to...they were the wrong group). The only other star I had any issue with was the last one inside the volcano. All you really have to do is ride two elevators, jump from pole to pole and then jump to the star. However I'm really bad at precision jumps and I always press the wrong button when trying to 'butt stomp'. I don't mind this level, but it's not one of my favourites either.

Shifting Sand Land

Stars - 7/7

I'm not a fan of this level. I don't like how half the ground is an instant death trap and I don't like how half the stars require the use of the wing cap. I don't like that stupid bird that steals my hat, I don't like shy guys, I don't like anything about this level. Inside the pyramid is a bit better since I can't instant die as easily, but getting the "Pyramid Puzzle" star wasn't exactly fun since I fell. Three times. I know I'm a bit crap at this game, but I've learned that if I do something wrong it's not actually my fault. So I'm blaming the Lakitu Bros for being terrible cameramen.

YOU'RRRRRRRRRRRE FIRRRRRRRRRRRRRED!

The past two levels I've had to really battle the camera to see what I need to do next, and during the "Pyramid Puzzle" star I basically had to take a leap of faith. Going into 'Mario cam' or First-Person doesn't help much, especially since I can't move with the latter on. Och well, at least they weren't water levels...oh crap...

 

Dire, Dire Docks

Stars - 7/7

See that whirlpool? In that room you're almost always being pulled into it. If you do it's instant death. For the first star you have to open four chests in order. The one closest to the whirlpool is the last one. Twice I managed to get that chest open (which isn't that easy since you're being pulled away from it) only to be sucked into the whirlpool, at which point the game pauses to tell you "hey, you won the star!" but by this point you can't collect it and you have to start over again.

Also, the third star "Pole Jumping For Red Coins" took me too long to complete...in fact I thought it was impossible. Because it was...you can't beat this star without first beating the second Bowser fight (which is unlocked from getting the first star "Board Bowser's Sub". Once you beat Bowser, the submarine goes away and the second room looks like this:

But I'm an idiot so I kept trying to long-jump to get all the red coins (I got four...) before giving up and looking it up. I felt stupid after that.

There's another trap in this room though. I thought it would take me to another part of the level but NO, it takes you to the moat. Outside the castle. You don't lose a life, but you have to do the whole level again. Dick move, Nintendo.

This level is terrible (I'm fighting with all my willpower to stop myself saying it's "dire"). It's boring, it's mostly underwater which is slow. The poles up there? They move slowly and it's just not fun. I liked the last star though, where you have to wear both the vanish cap and the metal cap at the same time. I like the idea of mixing different power-ups and I don't know many games that do that actually.

But it's not all bad...

Secret Stars

Bowser in the Fire Sea

Stars - 1/1

Collecting the red coins here is much easier than the first boss arena because you can't instant-die (just add water) here. In fact falling into the lava just gives you another chance to make certain jumps easier, and there are a couple of 'hearts' lying around (they heal you and are infinite). There's no really difficult coins either, just one that is kind of hidden by the geometry. 

Bowser has a couple of new tricks, he can teleport and stomp the the arena to cause you to fall, but he's still not difficult. Just keep running around him, eventually he'll stop keeping up with you to try and hit you with a fireball and from there just grab his tail and...

So long, King Bowser!

Star Total - 74/120

Basically I can skip the rest of the game and finish it now...but I've gotten 7/7 in all nine so far...why would I quit now?

Next: A look at the remake for the DS: Super Mario 64 DS!

Super Mario 64 - The Birth of 3D Platforming

Song of the Day

Inside the Castle Walls

The Birth of 3D Platforming

Since the early 80s, platform games has been the king genre of home video game consoles. The aim of the classic platformer is to get from A to B while jumping over obstacles such as enemies, gaps, barrels, spikes and various other traps. While there was plenty of platform games by the time the NES rolled around it would be a certain plumber in 1985 who created the blueprint of what a 2D platformer should be. It helped that 'Super Mario Bros.' was the biggest selling game of all time until recently (Wii Sports holds the record now-a-days, due to it being packed with every Wii...).

I'm sure just about all of you have seen this screen at least once...

SEGA would find success with their own 2D platforming mascot Sonic the Hedgehog. Both the Mario and Sonic franchises were the kings of their respective consoles, but it would be the transition into 3D that would truly see who the superior franchise was.

In 1996 Nintendo released Super Mario 64, a launch title for their new Nintendo 64. The game was a critical and commercial hit, it pretty much wrote the rulebook as to what 3D Platforming should be. However, it was not the first attempt at a 3D platformer. There was a few games in the 1980's that could be classed as a 3D platform game, but being the 80s, most were pseudo-3D at best. In 1990 a game was released for the Atari ST (though later ported to the Amiga). The game looks dated to hell 22 years later, but it can be considered the first 3D platformer game. I've never played it myself, but the way it's described you have a 3D field and you have to jump onto a platform which acts as a trampoline to allow you to jump to the next platform until you reach the level goal.

The levels were "abstract". You don't say...

It even has a few things that would be a common 3D Platform feature, such as a movable camera and the ability to move in any direction. Despite this, it is not particularly remembered as a game that influenced the genre. A game was released in 1995 called Jumping Flash. It is considered to be the gameplay continuation of another game called Geograph Seal, which was never released outside of Japan. Both games are a hybrid of a first person shooter and 3D platformer. It was released originally on the Playstation to some fantastic reviews, but it was soon to be completely overshadowed. It's another game I've never played, but it is available on the PSN under it's 'PSOne Classics' banner.

The precursor to Metroid Prime? (Image: MobyGames)

There was a few other games released during this time, 'Bug' for the SEGA Saturn was very similar to the classic platformer, but it did allow you to walk in all directions. "Fade to Black" was the sequel to "Flashback" and featured a fully 3D characters and environment. However, despite retaining some of it's platform-like features, it resembles a shooter more than anything as well as the inability to jump.

Nintendo, SEGA and new boys in the console war Sony were in a rush to get a 3D Platform game for their respective new consoles. After all platformers were still big money-makers in the gaming world.

Sony would put their trust into Naughty Dog, seen as a risky move at the time as they had just released 'Way of the Warrior" which was not a well received game at all. But, with the backing of Universal Interactive Studios, Naughty Dog's game would be 'Crash Bandicoot' and it would go on to sell over 6.8 million copies. 

We'll be seeing this fella soon enough...

SEGA had their own game in development for the Saturn. It was to be called 'Sonic Xtreme', developed by SEGA's American studio, STI. The game was eventually cancelled however, after much squabbling with the Japanese team. 'Sonic Xtreme' was to be a very different kettle of fish compared to previous Sonic platformers, however in the end the SEGA Saturn didn't even get a proper Sonic game. It wouldn't be until the Dreamcast, and 'Sonic Adventure' that we'd see the blue hedgehog in 3D.

This is apparently what it would have looked like...

Finally, with the release of the Nintendo 64, 'Super Mario 64' was released changing the entire game on 3D Platforming. It was not the first one, not even close, but it terms of lasting influence, it may as well have been. Carry on plumbin' Mario!

Super Mario 64 - Progress Report II

Song of the Day

Bowser's Road

Progress Report II

(all level images taken from (www.mariowiki.com)

Cool, Cool Mountain

Stars - 7/7

I thought this would be the first level I'd have trouble with, being the first level I had not played much, but for the most part I managed okay. Except for one star...

THIS GOD DAMMED PENGUIN CAN GO TO HELL. Seriously, I'm terrible at these slides the last thing I want to do is have a race on them. Especially with this bastard. No matter how good you are at this, you will fall behind at some point because Nintendo decided to give him rubber banding. This means that no matter how well you do, he will always catch up. This penguin also on two occasions managed to knock me off the damn the stage. I no longer likes penguins (as evident of my notes reading "F**K PENGUINS" and nothing else).

Bowser in the Dark World

Star - 1/1

Bowser gave me no trouble, predictably since he tells you how to defeat him. But collecting the red coins seemed to really get me for some reason. Mainly the last one, I was long jumping when I didn't need to and then using normal jumps when I shoulda long jumped. Basically, playing it at 5 in the morning makes me stupid. More so than usual. After a sleep I managed to get it in one shot.

Big Boo's Haunt

Stars - 7/7

Star #5. after defeating Big Boo (for the third time), they decide to put the star on the roof. Honestly, it's as simple as long-jumping to the side and then crawling to the star, but dumb-me just could not figure it out. For ten minutes. Which is a long time to be doing the same exact thing in a Mario game. Other than that, easy enough level. Thus completes the ground floor of the castle!

Hazy Maze Cave

Stars - 7/7

I HATE this level. It's, to me, the dullest thus far and I just didn't enjoy most of the stars. The one that gave me the most trouble was Star #2 (the red coin one), mainly because of that stupid elevator and the barrier before the third red coin that kept knocking me off because I couldn't tell how far it was away. The camera is the worst enemy of this level, which is something I'll be talking about later. I may have complained about each level before this one, but I still enjoyed the majority of them, but this level is largely forgettable. Except Dorrie, he's a cool dude...

Everyone knows dinosaurs are a man's best friend...

Secret Stars

Vanish Cap Under the Moat

I have no idea why but this gave me real trouble. My tired brain (it was another "5ish in the morning" deal) just would not comprehend the moving platforms. When they reach the top, they flip over and go back down, the idea is simple, move to the next one before it does that. Twice I managed to do it correctly only to panic and fall off. There is three 1-up mushrooms at the beginning of the level, by the time I finished I had nearly 30 lives (I entered with 2...). That was after I started ignoring them. Not my proudest moment...

Cavern of the Metal Cap

Now this one was easy! Just hit the big green switch and get the red coins. The swerve is that some of them are underwater, and to make things easier you can use the Metal Cap to turn into Metal Mario, who can walk underwater with ease. Metal Mario is the best Mario.

Star From the Toad in the Basement (he's in the same room as the entrance to Hazy Maze Cave, if I remember correctly)

Catch the Rabbit #1 (I didn't have too much trouble catching him, but I did notice there will be a second time. I envision it being much harder and more annoying...)

Star Total
50/120

Tomorrow: A look at the Birth of 3D Platformers...

Super Mario 64 - Progress Report I

Song of the Day

Bob-Omb Battlefield/Whomp's Fortress BGM

Progress Report I

(all following Level images are from www.mariowiki.com)

Bob-Omb Battlefield

Stars Obtained - 7/7

Whomp's Fortress

Stars - 7/7

Jolly Roger Bay

Stars - 5/7

Stars To Get - Through The Jet Stream*, 100 Coins

*Note - I can't actually get this one yet until I unlock Metal Mario. 

Secret Stars

Princess Peach's Slide

Stars 2/2

Note: Star #2  requires you to complete the slide in less than 21 seconds. I figured this one would take me a few attempts so I wrote down the times for each attempt I took. It wasn't as painful as I thought it'd be though.

Star 1 time - 0'21"3

Star 2 Attempts

1. 0'21"4
2. 0'21"3
3. 0'21"1 (this one was heartbreaking)
4. 0'20"9

I was rather happy with myself with this one, I'm usually rubbish at these slides (fun fact: Cool, Cool Mountain was as far as I played to in the past...sigh).

Secret Aquarium (in the Jolly Roger Bay room)

Stars - 1/1 

Wing Cap Tower

Stars - 1/1

Note: This was the one star that gave me real trouble. I'm terrible at controlling Mario with the Wing Cap. I actually gave up at one point and went to get the "Mario Wings To The Sky" star in Bob-omb Battlefield before I eventually got this one.

Star Total - 23/120

Random Thoughts

Well I'm already at a higher star total than I've ever been before, so there's that. I'm still unsure if I'm going for all 120 stars yet though, if there's any stars that troubles me enough that it stalls my progress then they will be left. Otherwise I will be actively trying to get as much stars as possible.

I have a few ideas for articles, the first of which will come in Friday's update. I'm planning to make this a five or six part, with the sixth basically being the final "clean-up" report. 

Also, the music in Jolly Roger Bay is so chill, I could listen to that forever.

Super Mario 64 - An Introduction

Super Mario 64

Year: 1996 

Platforms: Nintendo 64, Virtual Console

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

Super Mario 64. Released as a launch title for the Nintendo 64 along with Pilotwings 64, Super Mario 64 managed to sell over eleven million copies and later became the second most popular game on Wii's Virtual Console (behind the original Super Mario Bros.) Super Mario 64 was arguably the first 3D platformer, but it was definitely the first successful one. The game was praised by critics, gamers and even key figures in the gaming industry as a revolutionary game.

Despite the fact that everyone knows this game, I have barely played it. This is mainly due to the fact I had a Playstation as a child, I only played this game for the first time a few years back. Although I did own the cartridge for it, I gave it to a friend when he got himself a N64 because I'm nice like that and yes he was meant to give it back at some point. Instead I'll be playing the Virtual Console version, using a Gamecube controller. I've never played past Jolly Roger Bay before, so this will largely be a new experience for me.

Since a lot of people have already played this one I won't be going into great detail about the game itself, I'll talk about my general progress in the game and mention the stars I get. However, I will have little articles accompanying each report just to give a bit of background of the game, Mario and Nintendo in general.

So, join me in a day or two when I'll start my Super Mario 64 adventure! Until then, allow me to play you out...

The Intro

My Backloggery

In order to keep track of what's left to do, I've compiled a list in Backloggery. I'm pretty much finished, though there'll still be a handful of games I've forgotten, but I'll add them in when I come across. The list is here: http://www.backloggery.com/SuperLemons 

The website also has a handy feature that picks a game from your "unbeaten" list for you, and that is what I'll generally be using to figure out what comes next. There will be a couple of exceptions, mostly when I simply want to play a certain game, or if I no longer own the game. In the latter, I'll do my best to replace them. There are also games I refuse to play for the sake of my sanity. Also, if it is a direct sequel then I'll change it to the first game of the series I've not played.

So, with that in mind, Backloggery has told me that the next five games I should play are: 

1. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (PS2/PSP)
2. Puzzle Quest (PC)
3. Super Mario 64 (N64/Wii (VC))
4. Star Wars: Dark Forces (PC)
5. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)

It's been rather kind to me. Thanks, Backloggery!

Now, back to Assassin's Creed II...