How Well Do You Know Super Mario 64?

By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024

If you’re of a certain age, you remember what it was like unboxing a Nintendo 64 when it first came out in 1996. Seeing the new unique controller and playing some of your favorite Nintendo games made for some of the best times. One of the most innovative games to come out in the early days of the Nintendo 64 was Super Mario 64. Part of the Super Mario Bros series, you played as Mario and got to explore new worlds inside Bowser’s Castle. Of course, you were trying to save Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches. But what made this game so special was all the special abilities Mario now had, thanks to the new style of Nintendo controller.

You may have not played this game in many years, but it’s hard to forget leaping into paintings of new worlds to collect more stars. Of course, you would still collect coins, but now you were also changing caps to become new versions of Mario. You tried to beat your enemies and progress upward in the castle until the final battle. But just how well do you remember those in-between worlds? We’ll put your knowledge to the test in this quiz.

Super Mario

Super Mario 64 was a video game released in September 1996 that featured one of the Super Mario Bros, Mario, as the main character. This Mario game introduced many to the new console, Nintendo 64. The original Super Mario Bros were on NES and Super Nintendo. It was later followed by landmark games like Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario Galaxy on the Nintendo Switch. Other games like Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Sunshine have been playable on Wii U, Game Boy Advance, and more. In the game Super Mario 64, Nintendo ditched the warp zones, jumping into a warp pipe, and flag pole climbing for more immersive gameplay that involved new power-ups, better sound effects, and different ways to boost your play.

Each world required you to collect up to six stars through missions as well as 100 coins to gain an additional star. You made your way up Bowser's Castle to save Princess Peach who was captured by Bowser. In order to play courses throughout the game, you had to unlock them with a certain amount of stars. The final boss level is the hardest. This is undoubtedly one of the most beloved Super Mario games and went on to be restored on Nintendo Switch years later. It is by far the best-selling video game on the Nintendo 64 console.

How Well Do You Know Super Mario 64?

Dusting off the cobwebs from our Nintendo 64 memories, we've all got a soft spot for the plump plumber in blue overalls who made our childhood a whimsical adventure. Super Mario 64 was a game-changer, literally. Remember how we gasped the first time Mario leapt into one of Peach's castle paintings? That was the moment we realized our classic controller was a portal to magic. If you believe you can recite the incantation to unleash the Wing Cap or draw a map of Bob-omb Battlefield with your eyes closed, you might just be the Super Mario 64 guru you claim to be at parties.

But let's get down to brass tacks. How well do we actually remember the stomping of Goombas, the epic face-off with Bowser, and those heart-pounding sprints to save the ever-captured Princess? The nostalgia is as heavy as a Thwomp, and it's easy to declare oneself a Mario maestro. However, it takes more than a few 'Yahoo!' echoes to truly hold the title.

So, it's time to put those power stars on the table, folks. Ready to prove your knowledge in the ultimate Super Mario 64 showdown? Grab your imaginary classic controller, it's time to jump back into the Mushroom Kingdom – let's see if we are really as savvy as we tell our reflection in the morning. And who knows? By the end, we might need to hand over our title as the ultimate Mario aficionado—or maybe we'll just level up!

Diving Into the Mushroom Kingdom

Ready your jumping skills and pack some extra 1UP Mushrooms, because we're about to take a nostalgic leap into the vibrant world of Super Mario 64. This iconic adventure set in the Mushroom Kingdom is a treasure trove of secrets, with every nook and cranny of Peach's Castle offering a gateway to whimsical realms. It's a trip down memory lane where every painting is not just a piece of decor but a portal to another dimension! Let's dust off our N64 controllers and see just how well we remember the timeless classic that essentially wrote the book on 3D platforming.

Navigating the Castle and Its Realms

The noble halls of Mushroom Castle serve as our trusty hub world, folks. Each lavishly decorated room, each solemn corridor, heck, even the castle's backyard is filled with paintings, and not the kind that just sit pretty. These magnificent canvases are your golden tickets to worlds unknown, like Bob-omb Battlefield where you'll chase King Bob-omb on a summit, or Whomp's Fortress where you dodge rolling stones like it's no big deal!

Bob-omb Battlefield: King Bob-omb reigns over this explosive landscape.
Whomp's Fortress: Watch your step, or you'll be flatter than a Goomba in a stomping contest.
Cool, Cool Mountain: Sliding with penguins? Yes, please!

Meet the Characters: Friends and Foes

This Mushroom Kingdom soirée is a mix of friends and foes, each more memorable than the last. There's the royal highness herself, Peach, often idling in a painting until her hero arrives. And who could forget our friendly neighborhood dinosaur, Yoshi, waiting on the castle roof like the cherry on top of a sundae?

Friends

Peach: The princess with a penchant for pink and a proclivity for getting kidnapped.
Yoshi: The adorable dino who rewards perseverance and a ton of Power Stars.

Foes

Bowser: Big, bad, and partial to lava baths. Steer clear unless you fancy a scorch!
Goombas: They may look cute, but they'll headbutt you into next week!

The Quest for Power Stars

Gather 'round, star hunters! The true test of our Mushroom Kingdom mastery lies in the pursuit of Power Stars—those glittering symbols of triumph. From the depths of Hazy Maze Cave to the shifting sands of Shifting Sand Land, each course is a puzzle waiting to be solved. And remember Wet-Dry World? Only a master of hydrodynamics and impeccable timing can conquer its challenges to claim the celestial prize.

Hazy Maze Cave: Navigate the maze and beware the noxious fumes!
Shifting Sand Land: Mind the quicksand and keep an eye out for mirages, maybe you'll find a star!
Wet-Dry World: The water level has a mind of its own. Now, who brought the goggles?

As we romp through these magical doors and leap into vibrant realms, we realize that every Power Star is a story, every character a friend (or foe) for life, and every flip, jump, and hop a step toward saving the Mushroom Kingdom. Can you recall which painting leads to the world of endless stairs? Do you remember how to drain the moat, or where to find the invisible cap? If so, then you might just ace our quiz on Super Mario 64. But don't let it go to your head—we wouldn't want King Bob-omb to get jealous of your superstar status!

Mastering Mario's Moves

If you think you know your way around Peach’s Castle, it's time to prove it by mastering Mario's most iconic moves. We'll break down the basics, sprint through advanced techniques, and explore some of the game's hidden quirks that might just aid aspiring speedrunners or those seeking some nostalgic fun.

Breaking Down the Basics

Before you start your quest for Stars, it’s crucial that we get a grip on Mario’s foundational maneuvers. Trust us, knowing your A Button from your analog stick can mean the difference between soaring through levels or tumbling into the abyss (not that we've ever done that, of course).

Walking & Running: Simply tilt the analog stick a little for a leisurely stroll, or crank it full tilt to break into a run.
Jumping: The A Button is your best buddy here. A light tap equals a small hop, while a firmer press launches Mario higher into the air.
Triple Jump: Time three rapid jumps in a row to send Mario into an acrobatic flip that reaches even greater heights. That's a move worthy of Charles Martinet’s enthusiastic "Wahoo!"
Backflip: Crouch with 'Z' and then hit the A Button to backflip. Style points are not officially counted, but we know they matter to you.

Advanced Techniques for Aspiring Speedrunners

Now let's get serious. We’ve seen our fair share of Goombas and Koopa Troopas, but to snag those Stars faster than you can say "Let's-a-go," you'll want to master these tricks:

Wall Kick: Direct Mario to jump at a wall, then when he hits it, press the A Button again to spring off it. It’s wall defying and entirely gravity-disrespecting.
Backwards Long Jump: A glitch in the matrix, or just a neat trick? Either way, speedrunners use this move to skip half the game. Simply long jump backward up a slope, and watch as the laws of physics weep.
Special Cap Acrobatics: Using the Wing Cap, Metal Cap, or Vanish Cap not only makes Mario look snazzy, but also unlocks unique abilities that savvy players exploit to shave seconds off their run times.

Glitches and Easter Eggs Galore

For those who love to nudge the edges of the game world, Super Mario 64 is a treasure trove of glitches and hidden surprises that'll make you question the fabric of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Vanish Cap Under the Moat: A little bit of wall kick action, a pinch of perfect angle, and suddenly, you're walking underwater. Makes perfect sense... in another castle.
Endless Stairs Glitch: Ready to face Bowser but short on Stars? No problem! A well-timed backwards long jump can zip you up the 'endless' stairs to confront the big baddie himself. Talk about gate-crashing a party!

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