Super Mario 64

Designer Shigeru Miyamoto's Mario sequel is considered by many to be one of the greatest videogames of all time. The title successfully proved that the famously polished, tried-and-true 2D play mechanics of the Super Mario Bros. series could be translated to 3D and, indeed, even in some cases improved upon. It also simultaneously helped define 3D gaming as a whole and pushed Nintendo's plumber mascot even further into the spotlight as one of the most recognizable figures in the games industry. Mario explores Princess Peach's castle and hunts for stars in a variety of differently themed stages. The platformer remains, even by today's harsh standards, a true masterpiece.

The game that launched the Nintendo 64 system stands the test of time as one of the first and best exploratory action/adventure games. Guide the legendary plumber through an incredibly vast magical world with never-before-seen movement and camera-angle freedom. Mario's got the moves with graduated speeds of running and walking, jumps, super jumps, bounce attacks, swimming, and more. The more you play, the more moves you'll discover.

This industry milestone game lets gamers play at their own pace, encouraging them to explore new nooks and crannies of its many levels with a Zen-like approach where the journey is as important as the goal. Other N64 games such as Zelda, Banjo-Kazooie, and Donkey Kong 64 all owe much of their inspiration to this gem of a game. A showcase for the system's graphics and processing speed capabilities, Super Mario 64 is a must-have for any N64 owner. --Jeff Young

Pros:

• Huge world makes for enduring game experience
• Plenty of room for replay
• State-of-the-art graphics for its time
• Imaginative levels keep you guessing, and helpful characters act as an in-game tutorial

Cons:

• First-generation game doesn't feature as much texture or detail in graphics