I Love Mario 64

It is probably a quite well-known fact in the gaming community that there are 120 stars to collect in Mario 64. I played this classic for the first time about a year ago. Dispite being almost ten years old, the sheer quality of the game was amazing. The castle is a wonderful setting; one that Super Mario Sunshine's beaches could never live up to. The whole feeling of the game is just great. Cheerful, but not over the top. I admit that I haven't been playing too many platformers since the PSX days, but it's definitely my impression, that very few games have surpassed the glory of Mario 64, with perhaps Banjo-Kazooie as the only one who comes close.

The fact that the draw distance is a bit limited is the only negative point I can mention from the top of my head. The level design is inventive and varied, the game is very big, but not overwhelming. In every possible way, this game is as fresh and impressive as anything released on the newer consoles.

Actually, the reason I'm writing about Mario 64 right now is that I've just managed to beat the final boss for the first time. I had 102 stars at the time, so the final star is in sight. Will I ever get all the stars, or will I lose interest before I can actually finish this wonderful game? Time will tell.

May Galaxy be as fantastic as 64.