Super Mario 64

So long, gay Bowser!

The fact the base gameplay hasn't changed in 20 years should tell you all you need to know about what an incredible achievement this was and how it still holds up today.

In '96, the race was on to come out with the games that would define the platforming genre's direction in 3D. Unsurprisingly, Nintendo's entry was the clear front-runner. There are big, colorful environments, reasonably fluid controls, and the element most other developers would take quite a while to pick up on: a successfully exploration-focused structure. Its weakest point is something anyone familiar with the earliest generations of 3D games knows as their nemesis: awkward camera controls.

One of the greatest video games ever made.

This shit still holds up! I'm impressed by how sleek and easy and kinetic and intuitive Nintendo was able to make controlling Mario right out of the 3D gaming gate. In many ways the latter games - yes, even Sunshine - are more impressive. But there's a ton of fun to be had here too, and I remember my first time playing 3D with the same vividness I remember the first time I touched a boob.