When looking at the Super Mario franchise from a modern lens, one of the most distinct aspects is the parallel existence of both traditional 2D entries alongside the more open 3D iterations. This side-by-side formula didn’t always exist, though; the jump to 3D would need a bit over a decade from the series’ conception to happen. It did so in the form of the groundbreaking release of Super Mario 64, which not only set the stage for the future of Mario, but the framework for 3D platformers as a whole. Of course, it wasn’t an easy venture to embark on for those working on it, as has been discussed in interviews over the years.
In one such interview from a Japanese strategy guide translated by Shmuplations, Shigeru Miyamoto and a handful of the team behind Mario 64 discussed what went into making the jump to 3D possible. From the game’s origins as more of a blocky movement demo to what it eventually became, the basic Mario formula had to be remade pretty much from scratch. One of the most obvious challenges was movement, which in a 3D space has to be more intuition-based rather than mathematical and measurable like in 2D. Making sure it felt good to play called for a lot of playtesting, including from Miyamoto’s own son, who apparently wasn’t great at it.
“My child was one of them, actually… but seeing him try dozens of times, over and over, to get up this unclimbable hill, as a parent I couldn’t help but think, ‘Geez, does this kid have any brains?’ (laughs) Afterwards we asked the children what they thought of the game, and they said it was fun, and that they wanted to play it again.”
As pointed as that may seem, I think we were all kids like that once, struggling our way through a game and loving every second of it. Ultimately, the fact that the game is still enjoyable is the most important part. As Miyamoto himself put it: “I figured that if a game was this fun to play even if you weren’t getting anywhere, well, it must be alright.” That’s ultimately the spirit that Mario 64 embodies, taking the game at your own pace, playing it how you want to, and enjoying the little moments there are to be had across the Mushroom Kingdom.
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Written by Abbie Maxwell
Lifelong Nintendo fangirl, Abbie holds a special place in her heart for video games. She has always strived to provide tips and tricks to make the experiences of those who share her passions that much better.
