Super Mario 64 is a game with an inherently magical and joyous quality. Criticism simply slides off the N64 hit like water off a duck's back. Go ahead, try and badmouth Super Mario 64 to someone, anyone. Odds are they'll punch you square in the face for being an idiot.
Back in 1996, Nintendo took its most famous character - best known at the time for starring in 2D platformers - and changed the world by near-effortlessly transferring him to 3D. Don't get me wrong, the formula has been improved on infinitely since Mario 64, with titles like Mario Galaxy and Odyssey... but there's just something special about the plumber's first 3D outing.
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The bad news is that an official sequel/remaster to Super Mario 64 is incredibly unlikely to ever materialise, as Nintendo would rather push forward and try new things. That's as it should be, of course. The good news is that those looking to return to the N64 classic, albeit with an exiting new twist, can now do so thanks to the excellent Super Mario 64 Land.
Via Kotaku, Super Mario 64 Land is the work of one dedicated modder, Kaze Emanuar. As you can see in the trailer for the unofficial sequel below, they've been incredibly busy. This spiritual follow-up to the N64 gem is essentially an entirely new game in its own right.
That means it comes with new music, power-ups, levels, bosses, enemies, and even a gorgeous Super Mario 3D World-style map from which to jump into levels. All told, the game boasts 32 new levels, 70 different areas to explore, 75 new music tracks, eight new bosses, and ten new power-ups. Mama mia, indeed.
Basically, that's a lot of new content that retains the essence of Super Mario 64 while offering a completely original experience. I'm into it.
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It looks like the perfect marriage of old and new Mario, with more modern powerups like the Cat Suit and tunes from Super Mario Galaxy all present with a deliciously nostalgic N64 twist. There's even one level that looks to be a 3D tribute to Super Mario World, complete with that game's SNES aesthetic. It's truly delightful.
There's no telling how long it'll take Nintendo to do what it usually does and shut this awesome piece of work down, of course. For now, you can follow the download and installation instructions in the video's description if you're interested in giving Super Mario 64 Land a whirl for yourself.
Featured Image Credit: Nintendo/Kaze EmanuarTopics: N64, Super Mario 64, Nintendo