Super Mario 64: Difference between revisions

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(I know paratext refers to them as "Big Keys", but the text in the game itself simply calls them keys.)
(→‎Courses: small tweaks, including subdividing chart and description for ease of subsequent edits. Found primary text using consistent language for each type of course and names for the MIPS and Toad stars.)
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===Courses===
===Courses===
[[File:SM64 Screenshot Entering a Painting.gif|x170px|thumb||right|Mario [[jump]]ing into the painting for the Bob-omb Battlefield]]
====Overview====
Most of the courses are accessed through [[painting]]s inside the Mushroom Castle, the {{wp|Overworld|hub world}} of the game. The surface of a painting ripples like water when near, and [[Mario]] is brought to the course it represents by {{wp|Chronotope|physically jumping through it}}. Accessing levels in this manner is a departure from the overworld system in previous platform games (see [[Super Mario 64#Mushroom Castle|below]]). However, the castle is divided into several sections that are analogous to the [[world]] structure of proceeding games, where multiple levels are available to the player on a single section and the player must complete a [[List of bosses|boss]]-dedicated course in order to gain access to the next one. As Mario advances through the castle, he encounters some courses that are accessed through portals other than paintings, such as Shifting Sand Land, which is accessed through what looks like a brick wall at a dead end in the basement, and [[Tick Tock Clock]], which is entered through a clock face. The locations of courses on subsequent floors are generally more complex and are puzzles in themselves, such as the painting for [[Snowman's Land]] that is viewable only through a mirror.<ref name=HubDoc>Design Doc. "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHguwARMcY8 What Makes a Great Hub World? - How Mario 64, Spyro, and Hades Made Theirs ~ Design Doc]". YouTube, youtube.com. Published 12 Oct 2020. Accessed 18 Aug 2023.</ref>
{{multiframe
|[[File:SM64 Screenshot Entering a Painting.gif|200px]]<br>[[File:Bob-omb Battlefield mission select.png|200px]]
|'''Top image''': Mario entering the painting for the Bob-omb Battlefield.<br>'''Bottom image''': The mission-selection screen.
|size=200
|align=right
}}
Most of the courses are accessed through [[painting]]s inside the Mushroom Castle, the {{wp|Overworld|hub world}} of the game. The surface of a painting ripples like water when near, and [[Mario]] is brought to the course it represents by {{wp|Chronotope|physically jumping through it}}. Accessing levels in this manner is a departure from the overworld system in previous platform games (see [[Super Mario 64#Mushroom Castle|below]]). However, the castle is divided into several sections that are analogous to the [[world]] structure of proceeding games, where multiple levels are available to the player on a single section and the player must complete a [[List of bosses|boss]]-dedicated course in order to gain access to the next one. As Mario advances through the castle, he encounters some courses that are accessed through portals other than paintings, such as Shifting Sand Land, which is accessed through what looks like a brick wall at a dead end in the basement, and [[Tick Tock Clock]], which is entered through a clock face. The locations of courses on subsequent sections are generally more complex and are puzzles in themselves, such as the painting for [[Snowman's Land]] that is viewable only through a mirror.<ref name=HubDoc>{{cite|author=Design Doc|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHguwARMcY8|title=What Makes a Great Hub World? - How Mario 64, Spyro, and Hades Made Theirs ~ Design Doc|publisher=YouTube|date=12 Oct. 2020|accessdate=18 Aug. 2023}}</ref>


Rather than present a unilateral scenario that leads to a single spatially fixed [[goal]], most courses in the game host multiple objectives called "[[mission]]s" that each have a goal in a different location from each other. For most courses, entering a painting (or equivalency) brings the player to a [[:File:Bob-omb Battlefield mission select.png|mission-selection screen]], where selecting one sends Mario to the course within the confines of the mission's specific scenario and its unique goal. In nearly all courses, this goal is a Power Star, a collectible token resembling the [[Super Star]] of prior entries. Touching one completes the level and returns Mario to the castle. The number of Power Stars collected is tracked by the game and communicated to the player on the {{wp|user interface}} in the upper right corner of the screen. Accumulating Power Stars is how new courses become accessible to the player. On the first floor, some [[★ door]]s that seal away certain paintings open only after Mario has collected a specified number of Stars. Mario can access a new floor only after clearing the current one's Bowser course, itself becoming accessible only after a specified number of Power Stars has been obtained. However, there are 120 obtainable Power Stars in a game that requires only 70 to access the final level. The player has some discretion on how many or which ones are obtained to finish the game, as well as the order.
Rather than present a unilateral scenario that leads to a single spatially fixed [[goal]], most courses in the game host multiple objectives called "[[mission]]s" that each have a goal in a different location from each other. For most courses, entering a painting (or equivalency) brings the player to a mission-selection screen, where selecting one sends Mario to the course within the confines of the mission's specific scenario and its unique goal. In nearly all courses, this goal is a Power Star, a collectible token resembling the [[Super Star]] of prior entries. Touching one completes the level and returns Mario to the castle. The number of Power Stars collected is tracked by the game and communicated to the player on the {{wp|user interface}} in the upper right corner of the screen. Accumulating Power Stars is how new courses become accessible to the player. On the first floor, some [[★ door]]s that seal away certain paintings open only after Mario has collected a specified number of Stars. Mario can access a new section only after clearing the current one's Bowser Course, itself becoming accessible only after a specified number of Power Stars has been obtained. However, there are 120 obtainable Power Stars in a game that requires only 70 to access the final level. The player has some discretion on how many or which ones are obtained to finish the game, as well as the order.


In most courses, one mission correlates with one Power Star, and its name on the mission-selection screen hints at the Star's location in the course. However, some Power Stars can be encountered outside their dedicated missions and collected. Some mission-dedicated Power Stars become available to the player only once they have cleared specific missions (e.g., [[Footrace with Koopa the Quick]] becomes available only after [[Big Bob-omb on the Summit]] has been completed) or accomplish tasks outside the paintings (e.g., striking the [[Cap Switch]] in the [[Behind the Waterfall|Cavern of the Metal Cap]] makes the titular [[List of power-ups|power-up]] accessible in [[Through the Jet Stream (Dire, Dire Docks)|Through the Jet Stream]], in which it is not optional). Certain actions completed within a course permanently change elements within it regardless of the mission subsequently played. Recurring examples are the [[cannon]]s found in most courses, which Mario can enter and launch from to reach distant areas. A cannon becomes useable in a course after Mario has spoken to a [[Bob-omb Buddy]], a friendly non-playable character that controls the cannon, and it remains accessible for all subsequent revisits.
In most courses, one mission correlates with one Power Star, and its name on the mission-selection screen hints at the Star's location in the course. However, some Power Stars can be encountered outside their dedicated missions and collected. Some mission-dedicated Power Stars become available to the player only once they have cleared specific missions (e.g., [[Footrace with Koopa the Quick]] becomes available only after [[Big Bob-omb on the Summit]] has been completed) or accomplish tasks outside the paintings (e.g., striking the [[Cap Switch]] in the [[Behind the Waterfall|Cavern of the Metal Cap]] makes the titular [[List of power-ups|power-up]] accessible in [[Through the Jet Stream (Dire, Dire Docks)|Through the Jet Stream]], in which it is not optional). Certain actions completed within a course permanently change elements within it regardless of the mission subsequently played. Recurring examples are the [[cannon]]s found in most courses, which Mario can enter and launch from to reach distant areas. A cannon becomes useable in a course after Mario has spoken to a [[Bob-omb Buddy]], a friendly non-playable character that controls the cannon, and it remains accessible for all subsequent revisits.
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There are two different types of courses in ''Super Mario 64''.
There are two different types of courses in ''Super Mario 64''.
*'''Main courses'''<ref name=booklet>''Super Mario 64 Instruction Booklet''. Großostheim: [[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe]], 1996. page 15.</ref> contain six dedicated missions and an unlisted 100-[[coin]] mission. Some of the dedicated missions build off each other environmentally or narratively. (This means the events that transpire in the completion of one mission are reflected in the events of the subsequent mission.) However, some Power Stars can be encountered before the mission-dedicated one and can be collected, resulting in some instances where the Stars are obtained out of the intended "order." These courses are the most intricate levels in the game. Most include objects that can enable quick traversal between areas, such as cannons and [[Warp|Warp Points]]. Some courses include accessible subareas, such as the volcano in Lethal Lava Land and the pyramid in Shifting Sand Land. There are 15 main courses in the game, and they are the only levels explicitly numbered and listed on the pause menu.
*'''Normal Courses''',<ref name=n64site>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo of America]]|deadlink=y|date=1998|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/19980610064137/http://www.nintendo.com/n64/super_mario64/strategy.html|title=Super Mario 64 Strategy|publisher=Nintendo Official Site}}</ref> or '''main courses''',<ref name=booklet>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe]]|title=''Super Mario 64 Instruction Booklet''|location=Großostheim|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|date=1996|page=15}}</ref> contain six dedicated missions and an unlisted 100-[[coin]] mission. Some of the dedicated missions build off each other environmentally or narratively. (This means the events that transpire in the completion of one mission are reflected in the events of the subsequent mission.) However, some Power Stars can be encountered before the mission-dedicated one and can be collected, resulting in some instances where the Stars are obtained out of the intended "order." These courses are the most intricate levels in the game. Most include objects that can enable quick traversal between areas, such as cannons and [[Warp|Warp Points]]. Some courses include accessible subareas, such as the volcano in Lethal Lava Land and the pyramid in Shifting Sand Land. There are 15 Normal Courses in the game, and they are the only levels explicitly numbered and listed on the pause menu.
*'''Mini courses'''<ref name=booklet/><ref name=upchurch>David Upchurch (ed). "Super Mario 64 The Essential Player's Guide". ''Official UK Nintendo Magazine''. London: East Midland Allied Press, (54): 31. Published Mar 1997.</ref> are smaller and structured more like traditional obstacle courses that emphasize precise platforming. They lack dedicated missions to select, and most contain only one Power Star. Power Stars obtained in mini courses are counted together as "Secret Stars" on the pause menu. Mini courses can further be classified into three subtypes, as detailed below.
*'''Mini courses'''<ref name=booklet/><ref name=upchurch>{{cite|author=Upchurch, David, editor|title="Super Mario 64 The Essential Player's Guide" from ''Official UK Nintendo Magazine''|location=London|publisher=East Midland Allied Press|format=54|page=31|date=Mar. 1997}}</ref> are smaller and structured more like traditional obstacle courses that emphasize precise platforming. They lack dedicated missions to select, and most contain only one Power Star. Power Stars obtained in mini courses are counted together as "Secret Stars" on the pause menu. Mini courses can further be classified into three subtypes, as detailed below.
**'''Bowser courses'''<ref>Upchurch, p. 30</ref> lead to an arena where Mario must defeat [[Bowser]]. Each Bowser course features a Power Star obtained by collecting eight [[Red Coin]]s, but this does not complete the level. In the first two courses, defeating Bowser awards Mario a [[key]], a different kind of token that completes the level when touched. The key is used to permanently unlock the [[Key Door]] to another floor in the castle. In [[Bowser in the Sky]], the final course, defeating Bowser releases the [[Jumbo Star]]. Collecting it does not contribute to the player's Power Star total, instead freeing Princess Peach. There are three Bowser courses in the whole game, one for each floor.
**'''Bowser Courses''',<ref name=n64site/> also lowercased,<ref>Upchurch, p. 30</ref> lead to an arena where Mario must defeat [[Bowser]]. Each Bowser Course features a Power Star obtained by collecting eight [[Red Coin]]s, but this does not complete the level. In the first two courses, defeating Bowser awards Mario a [[key]], a different kind of token that completes the level when touched. The key is used to permanently unlock the [[Key Door]] to another section of the castle. In [[Bowser in the Sky]], the final course, defeating Bowser releases the [[Jumbo Star]]. Collecting it does not contribute to the player's Power Star total, instead freeing Princess Peach. There are three Bowser Courses in the whole game, one for each section.
**'''Secret courses'''<ref>Upchurch, p. 32</ref> are cryptically hidden in the castle. All secret courses have at least one Power Star to collect, with the sole exception being [[The Princess's Secret Slide]], which has two. None of these courses are accessed through paintings, and they often require the player to investigate a space within the castle to find.<ref name=HubDoc/> There are three in the game.
**'''Secret Courses''',<ref name=n64site/> also lowercased,<ref>Upchurch, p. 32</ref> are cryptically hidden in the castle. All Secret Courses have at least one Power Star to collect, with the sole exception being [[The Princess's Secret Slide]], which has two. None of these courses are accessed through paintings, and they often require the player to investigate a space within the castle to find.<ref name=HubDoc/> There are three in the game.
**"'''Switch courses'''" are where Mario is under the effect of a power-up immediately upon entering a course and is needed to reach a Cap Switch. When one is [[Ground Pound|ground-pound]]ed, it causes the power-up to permanently become accessible within the main courses. They are analogous to the [[Switch Palace]]s in ''[[Super Mario World]]'', though unlike in them, striking the switch does not make Mario exit the course. These are the only courses in the game where Mario can fall down a [[pit]] without losing a life; he is instead brought back to the castle.
**'''Switch Cap Courses'''<ref name=n64site/> are where Mario is under the effect of a power-up immediately upon entering a course and is needed to reach a Cap Switch. When one is [[Ground Pound|ground-pound]]ed, it causes the power-up to permanently become accessible within the Normal Courses. They are analogous to the [[Switch Palace]]s in ''[[Super Mario World]]'', though unlike in them, striking the switch does not make Mario exit the course. These are the only courses in the game where Mario can fall down a [[pit]] without losing a life; he is instead brought back to the castle.
There are a number of courses on each floor. At least four of them are main courses, and at least two are mini courses. One of the mini courses is always a Bowser course. Including the Mushroom Castle, there are 25 courses in the game. The chart below lists all of them. Each one is provided with a screenshot, a brief description, and a list of its missions. The order that the courses and missions are listed follows their organization in the ''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide.<ref>Scott Pelland and Dan Owsen. ''The Super Mario 64 Player's Guide''. Redmond: [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]], 1996.</ref> Only the names of the missions in main courses are provided in-game. When available, the missions that lack in-game names, such as the 100-coin missions, are also derived from the ''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide. Where no such name exists, the mission assumes the name of its course.
 
====Chart====
There are a number of courses in each section. At least four of them are Normal Courses, and at least two are mini courses. One of the mini courses is always a Bowser Course. Including the Mushroom Castle, there are 25 courses in the game. The chart below lists all of them. Each one is provided with a screenshot, a brief description, and a list of its missions. The order that the courses and missions are listed follows their organization in the ''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide.<ref>{{cite|author=Pelland, Scott and Dan Owsen|title=''The Super Mario 64 Player's Guide''|location=Redmond|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]|date=1996}}</ref> Only the names of the missions in Normal Courses are provided in-game. When available, the missions that lack in-game names, such as the 100-coin missions, are also derived from the ''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide. Where no such name exists, the mission assumes the name of its course.
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{|width=65% class="wikitable"
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|colspan="2"align=left|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} Flying for Coins<ref>Pelland and Owsen, p. 45</ref>
|colspan="2"align=left|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} Flying for Coins<ref>Pelland and Owsen, p. 45</ref>
|-
|-
|colspan="3"align=center|Towers in a sea of clouds. The turret in the middle holds the [[Cap Switch|Wing Cap Switch]] that makes the [[Wing Cap]] permanently available in main courses once struck. Red Coins appear around the towers and can be collected by Mario only in his [[Wing Mario|Wing form]].<br>'''Unlock criterion:''' Collect 10 Power Stars.
|colspan="3"align=center|Towers in a sea of clouds. The turret in the middle holds the [[Cap Switch|Wing Cap Switch]] that makes the [[Wing Cap]] permanently available in Normal Courses once struck. Red Coins appear around the towers and can be collected by Mario only in his [[Wing Mario|Wing form]].<br>'''Unlock criterion:''' Collect 10 Power Stars.
|-
|-
|colspan="3"style="background:#B49936;color:white;"|[[File:SM64 Asset Texture Castle Wall (Basement).png|25px]] '''{{color-link|Peach's Castle#Basement|white|The Castle Basement}} and {{color-link|Courtyard (Peach's Castle)|white|Courtyard}}'''
|colspan="3"style="background:#B49936;color:white;"|[[File:SM64 Asset Texture Castle Wall (Basement).png|25px]] '''{{color-link|Peach's Castle#Basement|white|The Castle Basement}} and {{color-link|Courtyard (Peach's Castle)|white|Courtyard}}'''
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|-
|rowspan="3"align=center style="background:#FFFFFF"|[[File:SM64 Screenshot Mushroom Castle.png|x100px]]
|rowspan="3"align=center style="background:#FFFFFF"|[[File:SM64 Screenshot Mushroom Castle.png|x100px]]
|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} [[Toad (species)#Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS|A Gift from Toad]]<ref name=secret2/> <small>(basement)</small>
|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} [[Toad (species)#Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS|Toad near Course 6]]<ref name=bonus>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo of America]]|deadlink=y|date=1998|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/19980610035413/http://www.nintendo.com/n64/super_mario64/bonuses.html|title=Bonus Stars - Super Mario 64 Strategy|publisher=Nintendo Official Site}}</ref>
|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} A Gift from Toad <small>(second floor)</small>
|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} Toad near Course 12<ref name=bonus/>
|-
|-
|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} A Gift from Toad <small>(third floor)</small>
|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} Toad near Course 15<ref name=bonus/>
|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} [[MIPS|That Wascally Wabbit!]]<ref>Pelland and Owsen, p. 83</ref> <small>(after collecting 15 Power Stars)</small>
|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} [[MIPS|Catch the Yellow Rabbit (1st time)]]<ref name=bonus/>
|-
|-
|colspan="2"|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} That Wascally Wabbit! <small>(after collecting 50 Power Stars)</small>
|colspan="2"|{{chart icon|SM64-Star}} Catch the Yellow Rabbit (2nd time)<ref name=bonus/>
|-
|-
|colspan="3"align=center|[[Princess Peach]]'s castle in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. [[Toad (species)|Toads]] and [[MIPS]] are sealed inside. Some of the former give Mario a Power Star when spoken to. The [[Castle Grounds]] are the first area of the game and where Mario initially appears every time the player loads their save file. Nearly all other courses are accessed from inside the castle, with the Cavern of the Metal Cap and Vanish Cap Under the Moat being the sole exceptions.<br>'''Unlock criterion:''' Begin a new save file.
|colspan="3"align=center|[[Princess Peach]]'s castle in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. [[Toad (species)|Toads]] and [[MIPS]] are sealed inside. Some of the former give Mario a Power Star when spoken to. The [[Castle Grounds]] are the first area of the game and where Mario initially appears every time the player loads their save file. Nearly all other courses are accessed from inside the castle, with the Cavern of the Metal Cap and Vanish Cap Under the Moat being the sole exceptions.<br>'''Unlock criterion:''' Begin a new save file.
|-
|-
|colspan="3"style="background:#E4E4E4;color:black;"|'''Level chart information and legend:''' The main courses are designated with the unique number they are given in-game. Bowser, secret, and switch courses lack numerical designation and are listed as they appear in the ''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide. Three symbols convey attributes about each course: {{chart icon|SM64-totalS}} denotes the total number of obtainable [[Power Star]]s, {{chart icon|SM64-totalC}} denotes the total number of accessible [[cannon]]s, and {{chart icon|SM64-totalB}} denotes the number of boss battles. The name of each mission is accompanied by a symbol that indicates what type of mission it is. {{chart icon|SM64-Star}} denotes a mission where the reward is a Power Star, {{chart icon|SM64-StarJ}} denotes a mission where the reward is the [[Jumbo Star]], and {{chart icon|SM64-Key}} denotes a mission where the reward is a [[key]].
|colspan="3"style="background:#E4E4E4;color:black;"|'''Level chart information and legend:''' The Normal Courses are designated with the unique number they are given in-game. Bowser, secret, and Switch Cap Courses lack numerical designation and are listed as they appear in the ''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide. Three symbols convey attributes about each course: {{chart icon|SM64-totalS}} denotes the total number of obtainable [[Power Star]]s, {{chart icon|SM64-totalC}} denotes the total number of accessible [[cannon]]s, and {{chart icon|SM64-totalB}} denotes the number of boss battles. The name of each mission is accompanied by a symbol that indicates what type of mission it is. {{chart icon|SM64-Star}} denotes a mission where the reward is a Power Star, {{chart icon|SM64-StarJ}} denotes a mission where the reward is the [[Jumbo Star]], and {{chart icon|SM64-Key}} denotes a mission where the reward is a [[key]].
|}
|}
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