10 Video Games That Were Never Better Than Their First Levels
3. Super Mario 64
As with many of the titles on this rundown, Super Mario 64 is a blast from start to finish. The game’s reputation speaks for itself; it’s one of the most highly regarded games on Mario’s celebrated CV. After all, the first jump to 3D was a heck of a difficult move for just about every series that tried it, and to get it so right is nothing short of remarkable.
It’s exactly this quality that makes Super Mario 64’s opening the most awe-inspiring part of the game (arguably). There are several defining moments in a long-time gamer’s life; moments that solidify their love for video games. For a lot of players, that first venture onto the grounds surrounding Peach’s castle is one of them.
Today, the game’s visuals are… well, less than stunning, but we can’t hold the passage of time against the game. The freedom to play around with Mario’s abilities while that great structure loomed in front of us was just amazing.