Yesterday, during one of my classes at a Japanese junior high school, I found out that not a single student has ever played Super Mario 64. I was shocked. I thought that video games were an integral part of Japanese history. I guess I am wrong. My image of Japan is now forever warped.

We're getting old, man.

Super Mario 64? I never played those new-fangled games. How about Ultima 5 or The Secret of Monkey Island?

@ Dependable Skeleton

lol... I don't know either game. I grew up with Nintendo. However, in my defense, neither one of them changed the industry the way Mario has. Super Mario 64 was a seminal game. It revolutionized platform gaming. As such even non-gamers -- at least here in Japan -- should be aware of it.

Super Mario 64 came out over 15 years ago, so it wouldn't be surprising if junior high kids don't know a game that is as old as they are, right?

It was Super Mario Bros for the original NES system that was the epic one, in my opinion.

With as many new releases (over 100 titles since Mario 64, that feature Mario), I would bet that young kids have no interest in playing such an old game. If they know the name Nintendo, they certainly know the name Mario. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_games_featuring_Mario

The ultima series is fun, and available in Japanese too!

When I taught elementary school in America, many children had intimate knowledge of the original Star Wars movies. Star Wars is even older than Mario.

Age is not a valid reason. Almost every word -- and each letter -- that I write was first written before I was born.

Anyway... My whole point is this: The leap from 2D gaming to 3D gaming is worth studying for many reasons. I'm a bit shocked that the students parents' don't feel the same way. You should play classic video games before contemporary ones in order to appreciate them.

BTW: Your list is flawed. Many of those "games" are just tweaked or ported or a derivitive from some original.

I asked one of my young friends if he everbplayed the original super mario bros. He replied "Do you mean the one woth Yoshi?"

Playing Mario 64 for the first time is one of my fondest memories. Never again has a game made such a positive and lasting impression on me. I still remember the pure joy I felt just running around the castle.

Mario 64 is probably nothing special to the new generation. Mario Galaxy 2 probably comes closest.

Looks like I'm the only one here who hated Mario 64 with a passion :P 3D ruined platformers! The 2D ones were so good, I was so excited about the new 64 version ... and then that monstrosity appeared ... heart breaking.

Original 2D Mario's (especially the Gameboy one), Commander Keen, original Prince of Persia, original Duke Nukem, Captain Comic and Dangerous Dave are where its at :P

(/rant)

PS. None of my nieces/nephews have ever played anything before PS2 games ... they also gave me a blank stair when I quoted Who's on Frist lines at them ... the horror.

Super Mario 64, Super Mario RPG and all the 2D platforms styles I thoroughly enjoy(ed). Well.. maybe not the lost levels, they always frustrated me.

@kaysik, I must disagree with your hatred of Mario 64 based on it not being 2D. Yes it was 3D, but it still had the Mario feel; jumping on things like platforms and goombas, collecting coins, breaking things and special abilities. I will agree that once it started to deviate from that basic structure like in Super Mario Sunshine with a water pack and water level I lost interest.

Now to stay more on topic. I blame the current generation for it... well somewhat haha. I mean my youngest brother wouldn't know much about it, but I used to make him take turns playing levels on the NES, SNES and N64 versions passing the controller after a level was complete or a life was lost.

The age matter here because, I can go to any shop around here and buy a Star War blu-ray or DVD but if I want to play Mario 64...I need to buy a N64 or a Wii

"You are likely to be eaten by a grue."

...

Finally! The whole point of my earlier post was to set someone up to pine for even older games.