10 Pioneering Video Games That Were Way Ahead Of Their Time
6. Super Mario 64
In terms of 3D gameplay, the 90s were an awkward, transitional phase for gaming, the vast majority of companies struggling to make the jump successfully from two to three dimensions. As a result, the period was somewhat defined as an experimental time, in which everything from Bubsy 3D to Croc: Legend of the Gobbos tried and failed to make the transition, and nothing seemed to be getting it right.
Released in 1996, Super Mario 64 managed to successfully integrate gratifying gameplay into a 3D environment, pioneering 3D platforming an entire decade before it would become otherwise perfected. To date, the game completely holds up – besides a few camera issues – and is generally considered the best in the series, despite being released over two decades ago.
In fact, the game got nearly everything spot on, preserving the personality of previous 2D instalments, whilst emphasising exploration within a non-linear 3D environment.
As such, the game is considered an archetype of the genre, and is generally considered one of the most influential games ever made, released several years ahead of its time.