This was the first game released for the venerable N64. Not all consoles are so lucky as this one to have AAA game released on its first day!
Super Mario 64 is the standard against which all 3D platform games can be measured. Sure the graphics were blocky, but they were 3D! What Nintendo really nailed was the play control. Control is very responsive and the number of moves that Mario has available to him is astounding... Somersaults, Backflips, Wall Kicks and more are in your repertoire... stuff that is cool in 2D... but AMAZING with the third dimension.
It's 14th on my all time list and a Player's Choice title. This is truly one of the best games ever made.
Simply put, Super Mario 64 is the pioneer of 3D console gaming.