Super Mario 64 - More Than a Game

Super Mario 64 is more than a game in the modern day. This videos examines the game's legacy through its outstanding gameplay, speedrunning, content creation, and obsession over the little secrets we once dreamt were real.

Special thanks to my Dad for allowing me to record him playing Super Mario 64 for the first time. Also, special thanks to my brother for helping me film shots of the controllers.

Speedrunners I featured in this video:

Featuring music by

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:37 Development
13:49 The Game
39:05 Speedrunning
52:41 How the Game Has Aged
1:12:29 Beyond the Castle Walls
1:21:22 Enduring Mysteries and L is Real
1:39:03 Every copy of Super Mario 64 is personalized
1:48:01 Conclusion

[vinesauce]

This video makes me appreciate a game I already deeply appreciate even more.

[jonbourgoin]

Hearing how excited and supportive Simply's parents were when he achieved the world record was just so wholesome and touching.

[OptimistPrime]

Man, to be 9 years old again and having Bowser as the biggest stress in my life. 90's kids, I LOVE YOU. KEEP GOING!!!

[stevedietemann]

Whenever I feel sad, I'm going to come back to the moment of Simply telling his parents about his WR. Such a pure and touching reaction.

[bullfrogjay]

This and Ocarina of Time are two of my most cherished gaming memories. Growing up in a less than ideal environment these two games made life bearable and magical even. SM 64 is etched into my heart.

[LonkinPork]

51:06 Simply's mom bursting out with such sincere and honest love, pride, and support makes me cry every single time I see it. It's so hard to get into a niche activity like speedrunning and have the people in your life empathize with how intense it can be to chase records and grind like hell for that fleeting taste of glory.

[Wyattporter]

Finally, my recommendations have been so dry for days

[tetermc]

Simply's parents cheering him and showing their support when he got the WR might be one of the most wholesome things I've ever seen. Love him and all the speedrunning community for keeping this game alive. This video really shows why this is my favorite game of all time. I never get tired of replaying it.

[anthus]

That "24 years and one month" bit kind of gave me chills. I know it's a coincidence, but it's still kind of crazy to think about lmao.

[AlexanderFromTheStarDimension]

I'm impressed by his analysis of "The Game" at 14:00. Usually people just discuss the "plot" (or lack thereof), and give a brief rundown of how to access different levels. But Liam is one of the few people I've seen who go IN DEPTH about what you actually DO in Super Mario 64... like, what is expected of you? What kind of skills are required? Unlike other analyses, Liam actually spent 20 minutes describing the SPECIFIC movements, puzzles, and strategizations you'll encounter in the game. Very technical explanation. Very impressive.

[baileyt]

I grew up with the DS version, and it 100% solidified my love for exploratory games. Also, love the Red vs Blue name drop, one of my favorite shows <3

[DJTS]

I'm floored that even 25 years later, the game has gone from a three dimensional marvel in game design to a frightening, existential phenomenon that gamers and YouTubers alike project their thoughts and feelings onto. It's cultural significance is astounding. Fantastic video, L.T.

[Seeker_of_Truth_and_Beauty]

My first experience with SM64 was actually with the DS remaster, which had several gameplay additions and tweaks. For example, you start as Yoshi, and unlock Mario, Luigi and Wario as playable characters as you progress, each with their own strengths and unique power up you can get from the "!" Blocks.

You even hear Mario say "Bye bye!" If you close the DS while it was on. :D

I must've put in at least 400 hours into that game as a kid.

[jamesprimmer]

I was five years old. We had a big car accident in November and I was in traction for Christmas. My parents got me a Nintendo 64 and it came with this game. We didn't have a lot of cash but that's the kinda shit you do for your kid when they're stuck in a hospital for the holidays. I didn't find that out until my teen years and it legit made it hit even harder.
The entire thing was so magical. The music, the atmospheres and how it brought me and my father incredibly close. I'll never forget any of the happy memories we made with this game. Looking back on it, I know he held back and nudged me toward the goals rather than telling me what to do. He'd always pretend to be surprised when me or him made a discovery and he'd always find the time to do the hard parts for me. Me and my old man are still best friends to this day. I love him and this game so fucking much.

[NickMcC]

I’m just old enough to remember playing Mario 64 for the first time when it launched. My dad had a connection at a local electronics store and got the N64 a few days early. I think we stayed up all night playing it. It’s a core memory for sure. It’s hard to forget seeing Mario walk *into* the background for the first time.

[eppinizer]

I remember visiting my rich cousins house and seeing the n64 for the first time mid 90s. They had a giant CRT and massive speakers. I vividly recall us trying to get into the door underwater in the moat. The loud ""Whah!" over those big speakers, the foot taps as we walked around, the sliding sound as we rubbed against things.

They handed me the controller and for the first time I got to move mario in 3D for myself. It was ground breaking and life changing. It would be over a year until I got my own n64, and in the interim I would read about everything in Nintendo power, each issue now worn and torn from multiple reads. My favorite "bathroom reading".

My parents made a rule that I had to read a minute for every minute of video games I played, but whenever I wasnt playing I was reading about games. That and Calvin and Hobbes. Good times.

[gamemaster]

Being a kid in the 90's and witnessing the evolution of video games was truly a wondrous time. Going from being wowed at Daytona and Virtua Fighter 2 in arcades to controlling characters in 3D spaces at home just a couple years later was mind blowing to 9-12 year old me. The mid to late 90's will always be my favorite time for video games, with 1996 in particular being notable for Mario 64, Crash, Tomb Raider and Resident Evil all games that amazed me seeing and playing them for the first time.

[chrisv]

I don't have to imagine, I remember having that experience at a Blockbuster with a N64 kiosk. I was blown away by this game as a kid back in 1996.

[jakechristensen]

I've always felt that Mario 64 is the game that perfectly encapsulated "videogame magic", not only through it's gameplay, but how fun it was to talk about it with friends. So many good memories.

[ZimmervisionCZ]

I am incredibly grateful that you highlighted the game's predecessor's in the 3D platforming space. While Super Mario 64 is often credited as the dawn of the genre, and I wasn't familiar with the titles you highlighted, it's nice to see that multiple people were taking their own approach to solving these problems, and that Nintendo's solution didn't just emerge fully formed from the ether.