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6) Tower of the Wing Cap (Super Mario 64)
Mario had flown before in games, but nothing could have prepared players for the sheer thrill of soaring through the sky in Super Mario 64. A pillar of sunlight poured onto the ground at the entrance to Peach’s Castle, when players swiveled Mario’s head to look up into it and unexpectedly found themselves in a hidden world. In typical Nintendo fashion, the player is expected to learn by doing, as the level begins with Mario in mid-flight! Though flying required a sort of rocking motion to keep Mario gliding along, the action felt so perfect, so smooth, that it was as natural as making the plumber walk. Mario swirls around the large platform below, snagging red coins until landing and stomping on the big red switch to send the Wing Cap into stages throughout the game. Wonderful.
Having only recently started Super Mario Galaxy 2, I don’t know how you can choose. Every level in this game feels so brilliant and original and purely entertaining… it’s literally a joy to play.
:)