Did the N64 Underperform? - An Ode to Super Mario 64 | Gaming Through the Years

Super Mario 64 was the highest-selling title in gaming's fifth generation. So why did the N64 lose so much steam?

Time codes:
0:00 - Nintendo Steps Up Their Game
3:38 - The Release of the Nintendo 64
5:26 - The Castle Courtyard: Movement in 3D
7:08 - Reinventing Mario for 3D
9:04 - Why the Changes Were Necessary
11:44 - The Camera 14:43 - Levels, Soundtrack, and Voice Acting
17:55 - Why It All Works So Well
21:37 - The N64 Stumbles, Part I: The Components
24:06 - The N64 Stumbles, Part II: The Cartridges
27:41 - The N64 Stumbles, Part III: The Controller
29:39 - The N64 Stumbles, Part IV: The Culture
31:39 - Conclusion: Mario 64 Remains a Classic

Endcard Artwork by OcaRockaRina (Twitter)

Super Mario Bros, Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time © 1985, 1996, 1998 Nintendo
Star Fox © 1993 Nintendo, Argonaut Software
Banjo Kazooie © 1998 Nintendo, Rare
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars © 1996 Nintendo, Square

Final Fantasy VI: Interactive CG Demo, Final Fantasy VII © 1995, 1997 Square
Sonic & Knuckles © 1994 SEGA, Sonic Team
Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2 © 1996, 1998 Capcom
Suikoden, Metal Gear Solid © 1995, 1998 Konami
Dragon Quest VII © 2000 Enix, Heart Beat Inc.

Featuring Music by Koji Kondo

This video exists for the sake of analysis and review and is thus protected under Fair Use.