User:Nintendo101

Casual Nintendo historian. Otherwise an artist and a field ecologist. Bio degree. I've had an account here since 2012.

I wrote the character sections for Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and Super Mario Odyssey. I contributed much of the article for Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Sunshine.

I have been a fan of Nintendo since a very young age. My first Mario games (and three of the first video games I ever owned) were Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, Super Mario 64 DS, and Mario Kart DS. These games were good company for a young kid who moved around a lot and had difficulty keeping long-lasting friends.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I sequentially played some of my favorite games in the Super Mario series to 100% completion. This includes, in order, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and Super Mario Odyssey. It's been really fun! These are great games, and I always wanted to marathon a series like this before but never had the time. It has been interesting to see where the series began and where it has ended up. The design philosophies, the characters, the art directions, world building, level design, narrative, etc. All good stuff. It might be fun to write something about it some day.

My favorite video game character is Yoshi.

Sandbox for current project

Setting

A photograph of a hokaniwa (left) compared to a screenshot of Tiny-Huge Island (right). The design principals of the former is the cited influence behind the courses in the game.

Super Mario 64 takes place within the walls of Princess Peach's castle in the Mushroom Kingdom. It is the first Super Mario game to explicitly include the Mushroom Kingdom as a location since Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988). The game's levels, called "courses", are not naturally occurring places on Mario's world. They were created by Bowser using the Power Stars he stole from Peach. Most of them are accessed through paintings that hang in the castle's walls, but some are more cryptically hidden or require the player to accomplish a task in the castle before becoming accessible. Some paratextual material and subsequent titles present the courses introduced in this game as visitable places outside of the paintings.

Generally, a course is a sprawling location with interactive environmental elements and several levels of elevation. Course often have subareas and collectibles obscured in the landscape that passively encourage the player to rotate the camera and explore. Most courses feature prominent landmarks, such as the mountain in Bob-omb Battlefield or the volcano in Lethal Lava Land, that provides the player with a consistent point of reference that mitigates the chance of getting lost. Like its more immediate predecessors, courses are themed after real-life ecosystems (i.e. deserts, mountains, seas) and more fantastical settings (i.e. haunted houses, clock towers, rainbow roads in the sky). The theme informs the type of objects that can be interacted with in the level; the types of enemies that can be encountered; and the non-playable characters that can be spoken to. For example, cactus enemies, a condor, and quicksand are in the desert-themed Shifting Sand Land. Penguins, slippery ice, and deep snow appear in Cool, Cool Mountain and Snowman's Land. Most courses contain switches and strikable objects that modify elements of the course, such as the Crystal Taps in Wet-Dry World.

Unlike the levels of prior two-dimensional entries, the courses in this game are open-ended and largely do not funnel the player towards one goal. This was an intentional departure from the level design principals of prior games because the development team did not believe they could be replicated for a fun experience in a three-dimensional environment. Director and series creator Shigeru Miyamoto wanted Super Mario 64 to be a game where players "create their own vision", a decision partially influenced by the technical difficulty of making a precise jump in a 3D environment. This mindset manifested in levels where players were largely free to interact with the world in ways they wanted to, with larger platforms and sprawling spaces that encouraged exploration rather than carryout precise actions to reach a goal. The courses themselves were created using hakoniwa or "box garden" design principals. A hakoniwa is a intricately-arranged miniature garden within an enclosed space, with layers of depth and detail that become apparent to an onlooker when carefully examined. Applying these principals allowed the development team to create intricate levels to surprise players, another important tenet during development. In the West, where creating miniature gardens is not as culturally prevalent, these types of levels are most often likened to sandboxes.

Courses

Most of the courses are accessed through paintings hung within the walls of Princess Peach's Mushroom Castle, the 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 physically jumping through it. Accessing levels in this manner is a departure from the world system in previous platform games, where the player can select levels on a map-like menu with a cursor. The cursor itself may represent the player character themselves, as is done in Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995), but the degree of control the player has on the cursor is more limited than they would have in the actual levels. Super Mario 64 instead offers a fully interactive level with portals the other levels (REWRITE THIS LAST SENTENCE)

Rather than present a unilateral scenario that leads to a single spatially-fixed goal, most courses in the game host multiple objectives called "missions" that each have a goal in a different location from each other. In nearly all courses, this goal is a Power Star, a collectible token resembling the Super Star power-up 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 user interface in the upper right corner of the screen. Accumulating Power Stars is how new courses become accessible to the player, as denoted on the ★ doors that lead to the rooms that contain paintings. These doors become unlocked when Mario

In the normal courses, multiple Power Stars often appear and making contact with any of them completes the level and adds it to the player's total. This is tracked by the game and communicated to the player on the user interface in the upper right corner of the screen. Accumulating Power Stars progressively grants Mario access to new courses. The number of Stars required is on the ★ doors that seal off rooms containing paintings. The amount of Stars required to open a ★ door increases the higher Mario is in the castle. There are only two instances where touching a Power Star does not complete the course: in Bowser and Cap Switch courses, where the intended

Often present unique elements otherwise absent in the course.

There are three different types of levels:

• "Normal courses" that contain six dedicated missions and a 100-coin mission. Most of the dedicated missions build off of each other environmentally or narratively. (i.e. 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 grabbed out of "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 Points. Some courses include accessible subareas, such as the volcano in Lethal Lava Land or 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.
• "Bowser courses" that lead to an arena where Mario must defeat Bowser. Unlike normal courses, these ones are narrow obstacle courses that emphasize precise platforming. Each Bowser course features a Power Star obtained by collecting all of the Red Coins, but this does not complete the level. In the first two courses, defeating Bowser allows Mario to collect a Big Key, a different kind of token that completes the level when touched. The Big Key can be used to permanently unlock the door to another floor in the castle. In Bowser in the Sky, the final course, defeating Bowser releases a 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.
• Secret Courses that are hidden throughout the castle. There are six in the game, half of which are analogous to the Switch Palaces in Super Mario World.

Courses
First Floor and Mezzanine
01. Bob-omb Battlefield ×7 ×6 ×1	Missions
	Big Bob-omb on the Summit	Footrace with Koopa the Quick
	Shoot to the Island in the Sky	Find the 8 Red Coins
	Mario Wings to the Sky	Behind Chain Chomp's Gate
	Treasure in the Sky
Grassy fields surrounding a spiraled mountain. A battle is waged here between the peaceful Bob-omb Buddies and the enemy Bob-ombs. Once the battle is over, the Bob-omb Buddies allow Mario to access their cannons. There is a floating island in the east, and a barred cave towards the center with a Chain Chomp leashed in front of it. Unlock criterion: enter Mushroom Castle
02. Whomp's Fortress ×7 ×1 ×1	Missions
	Chip Off Whomp's Block	To the Top of the Fortress
	Shoot into the Wild Blue	Red Coins on the Floating Isle
	Fall onto the Caged Island	Blast Away the Wall
	Whomps and Flowers
A fortress in the sky. It is ruled by a Big Whomp who sits at the top of the fortress. The path leading to him has falling platforms and stone enemies. Once defeated, a climbable spire appears at the top. A chain of floating islands are in the northeast. They can we reached with the help of Hoot, a sleepy owl found in the course's single tree. Unlock criterion: collect a Power Star
03. Jolly Roger Bay ×7 ×1	Missions
	Plunder in the Sunken Ship	Can the Eel Come Out to Play?
	Treasure of the Ocean Cave	Red Coins on the Ship Afloat
	Blast to the Stone Pillar	Through the Jet Stream
	Pirates' Plunder
A cove containing the wreck of a sunken ship. A giant moray eel nests in the ship and stirs when approached. An underwater corridor in the northwest leads to a cave that holds treasure chests. Solving the puzzle of the chests reveals a Power Star. Unlock criterion: collect 3 Power Stars
04. Cool, Cool Mountain ×7 ×3	Missions
	Slip Slidin' Away	Li'l Penguin Lost
	Big Penguin Race	Frosty Slide for 8 Red Coins
	Snowman's Lost His Head	Wall Kicks Will Work
	Dough in the Snow
A snow-covered mountain inhabited by penguins and snowpeople. Wooden bridges and moving gondolas are built into the side of the mountain. A cabin is near its peak. This cabin contains the Snow Slide, where Mario is challenged by a big belly-sliding penguin. Unlock criterion: collect 3 Power Stars
Bowser in the Dark World ×1 ×1	Missions
	First battle with Bowser	8 Red Coins
A winding path in a cavernous void. The path bears Amps and shifting platforms. It ultimately leads to Bowser, who is fought on a circular platform surrounded by floating bombs. Unlock criterion: collect 8 Power Stars
The Princess's Secret Slide ×1	Missions
	The Princess's Secret Star	Second Star
A carpeted slide hidden on the mezzanine. Reaching the bottom of the slide gives Mario access to a Power Star - the first Secret Star available to the player. Reaching the bottom within 21 seconds awards him with a second one. Unlock criterion: collect a Power Star
The Secret Aquarium ×1	Missions
	The Secret Aquarium
A closed tank housing blue fish and Red Coins. Collecting all of them reveals a Secret Star. The aquarium is accessed through a little alcove in the same room that holds the painting for Jolly Roger Bay. Unlock criterion: collect 3 Power Stars
Tower of the Wing Cap ×1	Missions
	Flying for Coins
Towers in a sea of clouds. The turret in the middle holds the Wing Cap Switch that makes the Wing Cap permanently available in normal courses once struck. Red Coins appear around the towers and can only be collected by Mario in his wing form. Unlock criterion: collect 10 Power Stars
The Castle Basement and Courtyard
05. Big Boo's Haunt ×7 ×4	Missions
	Go on a Ghost Hunt	Ride Big Boo's Merry-Go-Round
	Secret of the Haunted Books	Seek the 8 Red Coins
	Big Boo's Balcony	Eye to Eye in the Secret Room
	Beat the Boos!
The haunted house hidden in Princess Peach's courtyard. The rooms of the house contain ghosts and animated furniture that try to strike Mario. Navigation requires solving puzzles and memorizing patterns in the halls. Failing to do so often brings Mario to the house's flooded basement, where a spinning carousel filled with Boos can be found. Unlock criteria: clear Bowser in the Dark World, collect 12 Power Stars, and defeat the Big Boo that holds the cage in the courtyard
06. Hazy Maze Cave ×7	Missions
	Swimming Beast in the Cavern	Elevate for 8 Red Coins
	Metal-Head Mario Can Move!	Navigating the Toxic Maze
	A-Maze-Ing Emergency Exit	Watch for Rolling Rocks
	Blue Coins in the Haze
An underground labyrinth filled with dead ends, traps, and bottomless pits. There are two floors. The first one has a large chamber in the southeast with a controllable elevator, hallways with rolling Boulders in the the northwest, and a maze with toxic clouds in the northeast. The lower floor leads to a pool that holds a friendly sea dragon. Unlock criterion: clear Bowser in the Dark World
07. Lethal Lava Land ×7 ×2	Missions
	Boil the Big Bully	Bully the Bullies
	8-Coin Puzzle with 15 Pieces	Red-Hot Log Rolling
	Hot-Foot-It into the Volcano	Elevator Tour in the Volcano
	Surf the Lava
Platforms in a lava sea. Some of them shift back and forth or can be manually rolled. They surround a small volcano that can be physically entered. Bullies appear in this course and will knock Mario into lava on contact. Sparkies and other fiery obstacles also appear that burn him when touched. Unlock criterion: clear Bowser in the Dark World
08. Shifting Sand Land ×7 ×1 ×1	Missions
	In the Talons of the Big Bird	Shining Atop the Pyramid
	Inside the Ancient Pyramid	Stand Tall on the Four Pillars
	Free Flying for 8 Red Coins	Pyramid Puzzle
	Once More into the Pyramid
Desert sands surrounding a pyramid. A condor flies through the sky here. Much of the course is covered in quicksand and steep dunes. Little tornados can be used to avoid obstacles. Narrow walkways are found in the northeast and a small oasis in the northwest. The pyramid can be entered, where a labyrinth leads to the stone boss, Eyerok. Unlock criterion: clear Bowser in the Dark World
09. Dire, Dire Docks ×7	Missions
	Board Bowser's Sub	Chests in the Current
	Pole-Jumping for Red Coins	Through the Jet Stream
	The Manta Ray's Reward	Collect the Caps...
	Above the Submarine Pen
Deep water. A whirlpool is at the center of the seabed and is circled by sharks and a manta ray. A corridor in the east leads to an wider area where Bowser has hidden a submarine. Unlock criterion: collect 30 Power Stars
Bowser in the Fire Sea ×1 ×1	Missions
	Second battle with Bowser	8 Red Coins
Three narrow pathways surrounded by lava. Portions of the course gently rise and fall in lava, making traversal challenging. The pathway leads to the the second battle against Bowser. Unlock criterion: complete "Board Bowser's Sub"
Cavern of the Metal Cap ×1	Missions
	Grab 8 Red Coins
An underground streambed that holds the Metal Cap Switch. Striking it makes the Metal Cap accessible in other courses. The water moves rapidly in this course. If Mario is swept up in it, he is brought to the Castle Grounds. Unlock criterion: clear Bowser in the Dark World
Vanish Cap Under the Moat ×1	Missions
	8 Red Coins
A hidden area only accessible once the castle's moat is drained. When Mario enters the course he is in his vanish form, and he must navigate the course while the power-up is still in effect to access the Vanish Cap Switch. Striking it makes the Vanish Cap accessible in other courses. Unlock criteria: clear Bowser in the Dark World and drain the castle's moat
Upper Floors and Tower
10. Snowman's Land ×7 ×1 ×1	Missions
	Snowman's Big Head	Chill with the Bully
	In the Deep Freeze	Whirl from the Freezing Pond
	Shell Shreddin' for Red Coins	Into the Igloo
	Coin Cold Storage
A chilly land surrounding a giant Snowman. Slippery ice and freezing ponds occur in this course. Chill Bully occurs on a floating island of ice in the east. Narrow paths allow Mario to ascend the Snowman, but he will begin to blow gusts of air when he nears his head. An enterable igloo is near the base of the Snowman. Unlock criterion: clear Bowser in the Fire Sea
11. Wet-Dry World ×7 ×1	Missions
	Shocking Arrow Lifts!	Top o' the Town
	Secrets in the Shallows & Sky	Express Elevator--Hurry Up!
	Go to Town for Red Coins	Quick Race Through Downtown!
	Blue Coin Collecting
A flooded, empty town. There are colorful switches at several locations in the town that cause the water level to rise or fall. There is a hidden Downtown area that can only be accessed through the cage in the southeast. Unlock criterion: clear Bowser in the Fire Sea
12. Tall, Tall Mountain ×7 ×1	Missions
	Scale the Mountain	Mystery of the Monkey Cage
	Scary 'Shrooms, Red Coins	Mysterious Mountainside
	Breathtaking View from Bridge	Blast to the Lonely Mushroom
	Challenge the Slide!
A tall mountain surrounded by mushrooms high above the sea. Gusts of wind and the Fwoosh enemy make ascending the mountain challenging. The entrance to a secret slide can be found near the summit. Ukkikis live in this course, one of which attempts to steal Mario's cap. Unlock criterion: clear Bowser in the Fire Sea
13. Tiny-Huge Island ×7 ×1 ×1	Missions
	Pluck the Piranha Flower	The Tip Top of the Huge Island
	Rematch with Koopa the Quick	Five Itty Bitty Secrets
	Wiggler's Red Coins	Make Wiggler Squirm
	Stomp the Giants
An island that presents itself in two different ways depending on which painting it is accessed from in the castle. One is large with vast areas and giant versions of normal enemies. Mario can easily access the interior of this version of the island, which is home to Wiggler. The other is tiny with small enemies. Changing the terrain in one version of the island affects the other two and doing so is required to obtain all of its Power Stars. Unlock criterion: clear Bowser in the Fire Sea
14. Tick Tock Clock ×7	Missions
	Roll into the Cage	The Pit and the Pendulums
	Get a Hand	Stomp on the Thwomp
	Timed Jumps on Moving Bars	Stop Time for Red Coins
	Multi-Coin Blocks
A vertical obstacle course within the tower's clock. Moving platforms are found throughout the clockwork that can help Mario reach hidden alcoves or throw him back towards the bottom. The speed of these platforms (and whether they move at all) is determined by where the clock's hands are positioned when he enters the course. Unlock criterion: collect 50 Power Stars
15. Rainbow Ride ×7 ×1	Missions
	Cruiser Crossing the Rainbow	The Big House in the Sky
	Coins Amassed in a Maze	Swingin' in the Breeze
	Tricky Triangles!	Somewhere Over the Rainbow
	Blue Coins Atop the Maze
Floating islands and moving platforms high in the sky. Magic Carpets travel along rainbows in large stretches of the course, one of which feeds through a floating palace. The Rainbow Cruiser can be found in the northeast. Unlock criterion: collect 50 Power Stars
Bowser in the Sky ×1 ×1	Missions
	Final battle with Bowser	8 Red Coins
A challenging obstacle course that leads to the final confrontation with Bowser. Some of the platforms on this course allow Mario to walk up walls if he maintains momentum while others shift under his weight. Bowser will start to break the arena he is fought on, leaving it in the shape of a five-pointed star. The reward for defeating him, the Jumbo Star, is not incorporated into Mario's total Power Star count. Unlock criterion: collect 70 Power Stars
Wing Mario Over the Rainbow ×1 ×2	Mission
	Cloud Hopping for Coins
Clouds and checkerboard platforms in the sky. The platforms are bridged by rainbows. Unlock criterion: collect 50 Power Stars
Other
Mushroom Castle ×6	Missions
	A Gift from Toad (basement)	A Gift from Toad (second floor)
	A Gift from Toad (third floor)	That Wascally Wabbit! (after collecting 15 Power Stars)
	That Wascally Wabbit! (after collecting 50 Power Stars)
Princess Peach's castle in the Mushroom Kingdom. Toads and Peach's pet rabbit MIPS are sealed inside the castle. Some of them will give Mario a Power Star when spoken to. Unlock criterion: begin a new save file
Level chart information and legend: The normal courses are designated with the unique number they are given in-game. Bowser and secret courses lack numerical designation and are listed in the order they present in Pelland and Owsen (1996). Three symbols convey attributes about each course: denotes the total number of obtainable Power Stars; denotes the total number of accessible cannons; and denotes the number of boss battles. The name of each mission is accompanied by a symbol that indicates what type of mission it is. denotes a normal mission where the reward is a Power Star; denotes a mission where the reward is a Jumbo Star; and denotes a mission where the reward is a Big Key.

Mushroom Castle

• Offers a space for the player to familiarize themselves with controls; devs noted it was important to make Mario fun to simply move around, so having a space for the player to make their own fun was important