Super Mario 64 was the first time Mario really felt alive in 3D—like, actually running around in a space where you could jump, climb, and even backflip if you nailed the timing. The castle hub is full of weird little secrets (that one creepy piano still gets me), and each painting throws you into these wild, open levels where you’re chasing stars in all kinds of ways—racing a penguin, riding a shell, or just straight-up yeeting Bowser off a floating island.

The controls take a second to click—tank-style movement feels janky now, but back then, it was pure magic. And honestly? Some of those later stars are brutal. You’ll spend way too long trying to nail that stupid clock level.

It’s messy by today’s standards, but you can see where every modern 3D platformer stole its homework from.