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Which 3D Mario should I start with?
- Thread starter big fake
- Start date
GamePlay Johnny
Member
Only go with 64 if you can stomach rough visuals. It's not for everybody at this point.
Sunshine looks awesome and is an amazing game, so I would probably start there.
Sunshine looks awesome and is an amazing game, so I would probably start there.
galaxy 1/2 interchangeable both great
Godzilla's Left Toe
Member
Start with 64 the GOAT.
Holy crap lol
Look man, I loved Super Mario 64 back in the day, and it's still a great game, but the people saying it's better than Galaxy are forgetting its rough edges.
Choose Super Mario 64 if you want to see where it all started, but go with Galaxy if you want the best game.
Choose Super Mario 64 if you want to see where it all started, but go with Galaxy if you want the best game.
(I actually prefer Galaxy 2,
but the first game is a better place to start)
but the first game is a better place to start)
othersteve
Member
IMO, Galaxy 1 and 2 are probably legitimately -- as of today -- the best 3D Mario games out there. Mario 64 was absolutely revolutionary, and it's certainly not aged all that poorly, but Galaxy 1/2 are (if you ask me) the absolute epitome of fun-first, mind-bending, unbridled creativity in a modern platforming game.
And that music too... oh, that music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhNdvIdpEoM
And that music too... oh, that music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhNdvIdpEoM
CrimsonCrescendo
Banned
Depends. Do you want to see where it all started and are up for more exploration? Mario 64. Do you want to have a great time with a more guided yet still amazing experience? Galaxy. Do you want the most recent? 3D World. Sunshine is probably the most contested of the 3D Mario's, so I wouldn't start there. It's not a bad game by any means, there are few if any truly bad Mario games. And it really is only a significant step down if you are going for 100% completion due to the Blue Coins. Nonetheless, I'd start with the other three. Galaxy 2 is a direct sequel, so not starting there is self-explanatory.
othersteve
Member
Also I want to clarify, in case OP is wondering, that both Galaxy 1 and 2 are equally incredible. It's just that people are likely recommending you start with 1 because... well, I suppose that's chronologically correct.
In truth, you could start with either. Each one has its place in the top games of all time.
In truth, you could start with either. Each one has its place in the top games of all time.
higgsboson1997
Member
The essentials:
1. Super Mario 3D World (best Mario game and greatest game ever made)
2. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (incredible game)
You can skip or play Mario 64, Mario Galaxy, Mario 3D Land, and Mario Sunshine depending on if you still want to play more Mario after those games or not.
1. Super Mario 3D World (best Mario game and greatest game ever made)
2. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (incredible game)
You can skip or play Mario 64, Mario Galaxy, Mario 3D Land, and Mario Sunshine depending on if you still want to play more Mario after those games or not.
Jack The Nipper
Banned
Have you played 2d mario
Is say you can definitely skip the 3d world games
Mario 64 is the essential.
2d mario are the true great games and the ones other devs feared. The recent stuff isn't that.
Is say you can definitely skip the 3d world games
Mario 64 is the essential.
2d mario are the true great games and the ones other devs feared. The recent stuff isn't that.
Requoting this poster with an excellent answer. If you play only one, make it Galaxy 2.
Rapscallion
Member
In most series not choosing X game would be a problem for some, but in 3d Marios there's really no wrong answer: they're all terrific games. Even Sunshine, which is easily the weakest, is a great game.
Definitely start with 64. Still an amazing game that was remarkable for Nintendo's first foray into 3d. The amount of little touches they put into the game is mind boggling, and it's still plays amazing well for a 20 year old game.
Damn, I wish I could play all the Marios for the first time again.
Dion Blaster
Member
Listen to the people telling you to skip Sunshine. At least at first. It has some highs but the game really drags if you play the whole thing. Start with 64, then the Galaxy games. After that you can mess around with Sunshine and the 3D games.
wandering goat
Member
Mario 64, only the greatest video game ever made. To be fair, I don't know exactly how well it plays from today's perspective if you play it normally vs. other, more modern games in the series as I haven't played it normally for a while (though I would think it's still great - it surely was an absolute revelation when it came out), but playing it skillfully (ie. speedrunning style) really brings out its utter genius. The controls are IMO unmatched - some people refer to it as Super Mario Parkour for a reason, it's just an absolute joy to play and you have such freedom in how you approach each star. You will have to work around the camera controls admittedly, but the gameplay is just so goddamn fun - for my standards anyway, nothing else matches up to how good the controls feel and how replayable it is. Like anyone who spends a shit-ton of time with a game though, I am probably biased. But regardless, it is definitely a classic and I think a must-play for every gamer.
Dion Blaster
Member
I'm not sure what your setup is but try to play Mario 64 with a GameCube controller for best results.
Listen to this person.
Greatest Ever
Member
Abso-fucking-lutely.
If you don't want to get turned off by this series, skip Sunshine as a beginner's game. I don't recommend playing it at all, but if you do, do it at the very end. Shit's the definition of tedium.
Some of you guys are nuts, I swear.
Tarextherex
Banned
Release order, simple
If you want to skip some just skip the Wii U/3DS games. Basically NSMB games (which are SMB3 rehashes) with fixed 3D. They are far from what Odyssey is attempting to do, which seems to be an evolution of pretty much any other 3D Mario
Oh just saw the poll. 64 is definitely the best choice. Galaxy games are fun but they lack in the adventure aspect which seems to be a big part of Odyssey.
If you want to skip some just skip the Wii U/3DS games. Basically NSMB games (which are SMB3 rehashes) with fixed 3D. They are far from what Odyssey is attempting to do, which seems to be an evolution of pretty much any other 3D Mario
Oh just saw the poll. 64 is definitely the best choice. Galaxy games are fun but they lack in the adventure aspect which seems to be a big part of Odyssey.
some people hate sand
Strangelove77
Member
Galaxy 2 and 3D World. They're good all the way through. They're not "rough" or antiquated in any way. There's no debate whether they were ever good or if they aged well or not.
They're just good. No excuses or explanations.
They're just good. No excuses or explanations.
NorthAndSouth
Member
As someone who got into the series after 64... don't start with 64.
Sunshine is fun, but so much of the game depends on references to other games that you won fully enjoy it if it's your first 3D Mario.
I would start with galaxy series, move into sunshine then 64
Sunshine is fun, but so much of the game depends on references to other games that you won fully enjoy it if it's your first 3D Mario.
I would start with galaxy series, move into sunshine then 64
thats a VERY weird commrnt to make considering m64 is dtill the mario game that feels the best to play, has perfect weight, and mario has so many movement options compared to the other mario games and every jump feels good
If yiu only got time for 1, play 64.
You should play Galaxy 1 then follow it up with Galaxy 2 when you have the time. Great games to play back to back.
Sir Ilpalazzo
Member
This is baffling. Weight and momentum are probably the most core elements of the Mario series, even going back to the first Super Mario Bros.
Mister Wolf
Member
Mario 64 is too old and ugly, play Galaxy 1. Its the best one to date until Odyssey comes out.
supermarioworldE
Banned
64 is fairly easy to get into and wont take very long to beat.
100% completion though, is a different beast entirely.
100% completion though, is a different beast entirely.
You're not entirely wrong. It has many levels competing for best 3D platforming level. Same with 3DLand. They lack a sense of 'worlds', of different settings and visuals, context, but they feature some of the best gameplay of the series.
Baron Doggystyle von Woof
Member
This is the correct order. I wish I could play 64 for the first time again. Truly a masterpiece.
You Pay This Much
Member
All the people saying skip sunshine are lying. But sadly emulated Sunshine doesn't work very well. Spraying and running is a problem. So.... maybe skip sunshine....
unless there is a way to make it work outside of my knowledge
Team Filler
Member
Y'all did the OP dirty by voting SM64 to the top. It's place in history is undeniable, but as of now Mario Galaxy 2 is such a better game.
Don't scare meeee! The Poll has spoken, what else is there ?!?!?
This opinion is just that, an opinion. Surely you must understand these types of discussions are always subjective?
I'd agree not a good game for a beginner, but it's easily my favourite in the series and a worthy sequel to 64.
Aw man, emulated Sunshine doesn't work well? I was planning on replaying it soon, but I reeeeally don't want to have to reconnect my wii for it. I mean I will if I have to, but damn.
very much this.
If OP can only find the time to complete one game of the series, i wouldn't go for 64 :/
I actually liked Galaxy 1 better, though, because i enjoyed its hub-world quite a bit more
AkimbO_Arcana
Banned
If you only have the time for one of them,I recommend Galaxy 1.
It's better than 2 and as amazing 64 and Sunshine still are, you can tell their age. That shouldn't be a deal breaker but I don't know OP's stance on this. Galaxy is a garanteed good time.
It's better than 2 and as amazing 64 and Sunshine still are, you can tell their age. That shouldn't be a deal breaker but I don't know OP's stance on this. Galaxy is a garanteed good time.
People voted SM64 of nostalgia reasons, don't do this mistake.There it is folks, Mario 64 it is! I'll be doing an LTTP for this once I'm done, whenever that is. Thanks for all your help GAF!! I really appreciated the insight!
Not true, with a ds4 controller I can play the game just fine (and run and spray at the same time)
As long as you have a controller with analog triggers you can set it up perfectly.
Infuriating controls.
Honestly if you've narrowed it down to 64 and Galaxy 1 and 2 then it doesn't really matter which you start with, they're all excellent. They have their differences though, Galaxy 2 for instance on the opposite side of the spectrum from 64 in terms of level design, so don't turn yourself off to all of them if you don't like the first one you go with.
64 would be the most interesting to play before Odyssey imo, as you'll get to get to see how they evolve and modernize the structure, concepts, and level design:
