How to Play Super Mario 64

Start the game by creating a file to save the game under. You will then be able to play as Mario and wander around outside the castle. Use this free space to get used to the control before you start playing a level. Use your analog stick to move in any direction. When you light press on the analog stick, Mario will walk very slowly.

Press the "A" button to jump at any time or swim when you're in water. To defeat villains in the game, jump on their heads. Press the "B" button to punch and kick, or dive while running. Press the "Z" button to crouch.

Switch into different camera views by pressing the "R" button. You can see Mario close-up or from far away, or you can play in a first-person view. Zoom in and out of the view by pressing up and down on the C-stick. Move the C-stick left and right to move the camera view. It's helpful to switch your camera views when fighting villains and to view hidden items such as coins or stars.

Perform a special move to defeat villains and find new stars. Press on the "Z" button and then the "A" button quickly to do a back flip or a long jump if you're running. Press on the "Z" button and then the "B" button quickly to do a spin kick or slide if you're running. Press on the "A" button and then the "B" button quickly to do a jump kick or a jumping dive if you're running. Press on the "A" button and then the "Z" button to do a butt stomp. Use this move to stomp down tree stumps to earn extra coins. Press the "A" button twice to do a wall kick when running to a wall.

Go to the first level in the castle and enter the first room. Jump through the painting to play the first level. When you press the "Start" button, you'll pause the game and be able to see a list of tasks to complete in the level to earn all the available stars. After you earn more stars, you'll be able to enter new levels within the castle. Collect all 120 stars to get to the final level where you must defeat Bowser to win the game.