Super Mario 64

A triumph. In this day and age, it's easy to take for granted how much of a big deal this game is, with all the copycats and honest improvements over its overall format, and as the first big experiment with 3D platforming as we know it, it has its share of flaws, namely the wonky camera, yet, for such a pioneer job and a pretty old game, what Nintendo has accomplished with it is nothing short of remarkable, and still impossibly fun. I can't think of any other game where even the simple act of movement is fun in itself, i could spend a good amount of time just screwing around in the castle with the simple but expansive moveset, which is put to the test in a variety of scenarios with some of the most captivating collectables in games, in the form of stars, and some of the best and most memorable levels in platformers. Every single star feels like an achievement, with the trial and error making the player evolve and master the game as they go along, making the rush to get 70-120 stars all the more satisfying and the appreciation and fondness for every level grow exponentially, including the masterful hub world full of secrets. It's very clear a lot of love has been put into making the experience this magical and memorable, with unforgettable moments such as the search for the baby penguin; the secret slide; the red switch course; the boss inside the pyramid; Big Boo's haunt; the final bout with Bowser; it's so many to even count, and coming back to them all is always as great a time as the first. The beginning of greatness for 3D games, and perhaps games in general.

PROS:
-Near-perfect controls
-Peak platforming level design
-A lot of attention to detail and secrets
-Memorable narrative and art direction
-Amazingly handled collectibles

CONS:
-Dated camera controls