30 Years Ago Today, The Greatest 3D 'Super Mario' Game of All Time Came Out

There was no greater jump in gaming than going from the pixelated 2D graphics of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System to the 3D models of the Nintendo 64.

The game that served as the conduit into the future was Super Mario 64. Nintendo's mascot propelled out of a green pipe and into the front lawn of Peach's Castle three decades ago today, and the video game industry has never been the same.

Some games literally force the entire medium to go to places it's never gone before. Mario's first outing on the Nintendo 64 did that and more, creating an experience that remains nostalgic yet sharp and responsive to play in 2026.

The sandbox gameplay of Super Mario 64 has been emulated by Nintendo's other franchises and even by companies you would never expect. Grand Theft Auto wouldn't exist without Super Mario 64. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and every subsequent Zelda title wouldn't be here without it.

Technological leaps weren't the only thing that made the game special. The soundtrack by Koji Kondo might be the best on the console. Taking full advantage of the Nintendo 64's expanded audio capabilities, the songs in the game were evolutions of the tracks heard on the SNES with Super Mario World, but they had their own personalities. Mario's adventure was bigger, and the music that accompanied it made the moment all the grander.

Nintendo's fans still associate Super Mario 64 with the highest peak Mario can go. It's been almost 10 years since the last 3D Mario game, and many expect the next one on the Switch 2 to use many of the components from Super Mario 64 to create a modern re-imagining or retooling of the game, at least in spirit.

Whether you still play this game today, or you prefer the newer games in Mario's history, just know that Super Mario 64 is a pioneer in the truest sense of that sentiment.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 12:00 AM.