Super Mario 64 was the first time Mario really felt alive in 3D—no more stiff side-scrolling, just wide-open worlds to run, jump, and dive into. You start off in Peach’s castle, and right away, the sheer freedom of movement is wild—wall kicks, triple jumps, even just sliding down slopes feels weirdly satisfying.

The levels are these little self-contained playgrounds, each with its own gimmick. One minute you’re climbing a mountain with a grumpy penguin racing you, the next you’re swimming through a sunken ship while dodging eels. And yeah, collecting stars is the goal, but half the fun is just messing around—like seeing how long you can ride that stupid magic carpet before it flings you into lava.

Controls take a minute to click if you’re used to modern games (that camera… oof), but once they do, it’s still one of the best platformers ever. The music’s catchy, the worlds are packed with secrets, and that first time you unlock a new painting and jump into it? Pure magic.