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While Super Mario 64 certainly wasn't the first 3D game, it was the first to fully realise the possibilities of three dimensional platforming, with a dynamic camera players could fully control, genuine analogue controls and a wealth of colourful challenges that forced experienced gamers to think in completely new ways. It was the first reason to buy an N64 (especially considering the disappointment that was Mario Kart 64) and vies for the title of best Mario game ever. On the downside, Super Mario 64 was also the catalyst for a million pale imitations, none of which matched Nintendo's gloriously inventive gameplay, charming characters and sharp sense of humour.

Memorable for...
Boss battlin'. The heart-pumping terror of swinging Bowser by the tail in the final challenge, and taking your finger off the action button at precisely the right moment to hurl him into a fizzing bomb. And the controller-smashing frustration of cocking it up the first 100 times…

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