Every Super Mario 64 Level RANKED

[@JanKippersluis]

Literally everyone ranks hazy maze cave so low despite it being so vast and full of mysteries. I think a lot of levels are ranked high based om nostalgia, not level design/gameplay

[@Gelds67]

Hazy Maze Cave is underrated, while Bob-Omb Battlefield and Whomp's Fortress are overrated.

[@stevefred2694]

Yeah always loved hazey maze. On my first visit there were so many ledges I noticed that I didn't know how to reach and then me and my dad just wander into nessies layer and the metal cap straight after. And that was just the first visit

[@laser90]

Hazy Maze Cave is my favorite course. I am probably the only being on earth with this opinion, since Hazy Maze cave doesn't even reach top 5, or even top 10 in most people's lists Also, Lethal Lava take, Snowman's Land is my least favourite course in the game. The only thing saving it from being completely trash is the Moneybag enemy, which I honestly love.

[@ninja_tony]

It’s just an ugly, depressing level. Some of the stars are challenging, but it’s not an ENJOYABLE level.

[@zachbonebrake352]

Hazy is my favorite level. Lethal is probably second.

[@weepingdalek2568]

Big Boo's Haunt is also the only stage in this game that doesn't share its music with any other

[@MrDrBoi]

It would feel so out of place anywhere else.

[@weepingdalek2568]

@@MrDrBoi True Like I can kinda see it for Hazy Maze Cave but otherwise nah Still makes Big Boo's Haunt even more unique

[@airjodran]

What stage does LLL music share

[@weepingdalek2568]

@@airjodran Shifting Sand Land

[@goofybiscuit83]

The fact that reading this fact is the only way in 25 years ive noticed that some stages share music just goes to show how great a game it is that you dont really notice it while playing

[@SpinelessJohn]

Personally I think tiny huge island is the worst

[@Pladomiter]

Me too, I swear every star there is just infuriating to grab

[@613-shadow9]

it really highlights the terrible camera

[@Spanishdog17]

It really says something about the game when you never say that a level is outright terrible or bad. Despite being one of the earliest 3D platformers, to this day none of the levels are subpar.

[@MrDrBoi]

Agreed, at the end of the day, even a stage I've ranked low like Tall, Tall Mountain is still fun to play.

[@BMoser-bv6kn]

Dire Dire Docks is the only one they should've cut from the game, it exists solely to throw a submarine (that you don't even get to go inside, what's up with that) into the game. And the rainbow carpet level should have started you out in a central hub location, or at least changed your starting location based on which star you selected. Aaand that's the only outright objective mistakes in the entire game.

[@frizzyrascal1493]

@@BMoser-bv6kn Dire Dire Docks is one of my fav levels. Your opinion isn't subjective.

[@daniel_361]

@@BMoser-bv6kn I always felt like Dire, Dire Docks was never meant to be a full stage, but rather a mini level. Then, just a little bit before they had to ship the game, they filled it with five more stars so they reach the 120 stars in time. That at least would explain why the first star with the submarine is actually strong, and some of the others felt entirely not thought out. More proof would be that Dire, Dire Docks is the only main world in the game that has a separate exit leading to the hub world.

[@joshuawidener8407]

There are definitely awful levels like the mines and water big area

[@runthenumbers9698]

Why do they call that song "Dire Dire Docks" anyway? They clearly should call it "Jolly Roger Bay." Not only is it just a better and more fitting name, but Jolly Roger Bay is actually the first level to use the song anyway!

[@MrDrBoi]

I've always wondered the same thing. The only thing I can think of is that they made Dire, Dire Docks first in development.

[@Down_Triangle]

The song is called dire dire docks in the official soundtrack

[@Gojira-ri6rj]

i think dire dire docks fits more but maybe it’s because i don’t like the name jolly roger bay

[@stickfigure_gd1769]

​@@MrDrBoiDire docks came before JRB. It was the 2nd level in the beta.

[@lordnoodle2146]

It could be the case of the level is named after the soundtrack rather than the soundtrack named after the game.

[@esquiredan2702]

Today I learned my tastes in Mario 64 worlds are very different from the majority, I suppose. The Snowman world was always one of my favorites because it’s relatively compact and you don’t have to spend a ton of time simply running/swimming to get to the challenge for the star. Also you can shell surf. It’s far more fun than Cool Cool World IMO. Also Rainbow Ride has a special place in Hell.

[@MrDrBoi]

Haha you're not alone, if the comments have shown me anything, it's that everyone has wildly different lists for Super Mario 64. Just goes to show how great the game is if so many people can resonate with so many different stages.

[@John_Lee_]

Yes that was def one of my favorite levels.

[@shainahullihen1159]

The only thing I hate in Rainbow Ride is Tricky Triangles because you have to be quick to get the star. And, I'm not even going to try to get the switch star level in the DS one.

[@wellokayyes1266]

No way rainbow ride gets #11 it deserves to be last. Awful music, painfully slow, unforgiving in challenges with every star.

[@thesmellofadventure5370]

15: Dire Dire Docks (Ugh! More boring water levels?! NEXT!!!) 14: Jolly Roger Bay (Great music and atmosphere, terrible level) 13: Rainbow Ride (Infuriatingly difficult final challenge!) 12: Snowman’s Land (Blends in with the superior Cool Cool Mountain) 11: Wet Dry Land (I like it, but I certainly do not love it) 10: Tall Tall Mountain (Fairly forgettable aside from the slide) 9: Shifting Sand Land (Surprisingly solid for a desert stage) 8: Tiny Huge Island (This concept is iconic at this point) 7: Tick Tock Clock (One of the most innovative stage ideas) 6: Leathal Lava Land (It’s cursed that lava is Course 7) 5: Bob-Omb Battlefield (A perfect tutorial level!) 4: Hazy Maze Cave (Notable for getting me lost as a kid) 3: Whomp’s Fortress (The gold standard of platforming in this game) 2: Big Boo’s Haunt (This level scared many back in the day) 1: Cool Cool Mountain (From the slide to the ice to the baby penguin! Wow!)

[@noahfalke9762]

LLL being #1 is criminal

[@jaker721]

I actually really like TTM! It may be repetitive to scale the mountain, but I also really enjoy scaling the mountain lol - it reminds me of house music: repetitive, but enjoyable. I always look forward to it when I play through this game

[@MrDrBoi]

Haha that makes sense

[@sand-attack]

A couple of the stars also have fun alternate routes (like long jumping off the log instead of using the cannon)

[@chriswhetton3584]

Additionally there are secret warps that you can use to get up the mountain quickly. Although you kind of have to know they are there to use them. I would look through the guides at the store as a kid to see where they were lol.

[@Cyber_Cheese]

Dire dire docks booting you outside the castle entirely if you swim through that opening though was great

[@MrDrBoi]

I totally forgot about that little detail!

[@19Szabolcs91]

Yeah, that's one of the main reasons it's my most hated stage in the game :P The 100 coin star is already tedious enough, and this damn thing resets your progress AND even baits you with coins right in front of that hole. Pure evil.

[@dimentiorules]

My list would be: #15: Dire Dire Docks #14: Tick Tock Clock #13: Rainbow Ride #12: Tall Tall Mountain #11: Snowman’s Land #10: Jolly Roger Bay #9: Cool Cool Mountain #8: Wet Dry World #7: Hazy Maze Cave #6: Whomp’s Fortress #5: Shifting Sand Land #4: Lethal Lava Land #3: Bob-Omb Battlefield #2: Tiny Huge Island #1: Big Boo’s Haunt

[@lorebroker52]

I think Shifting Sand Land is the point where difficulty ramps up and this could be why you rate it lower than you feel it deserves. Compared to the lava in the world before the insta-kill quicksand and being crushed under the boxes plus the ability to loose your hat to the vulture means you can't be as care-free as before while it is still quite a bit to the end-game levels without floors.

[@MrDrBoi]

Those are some good points, probably also contributes to why you might spend more time in this stage as others. Though the LLL is still pretty easy to die in as well

[@ShadowMarioXLI]

This was a great video and I agree with a lot of the points that you mentioned regarding the respective level designs. I also appreciated the variety of game footage shown. Too often with video essays like this on other channels, it's the same gameplay loop repeated over and over while points are being made. That amount of work that you put in does not go unnoticed.

[@MrDrBoi]

Really glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for all the kind words!

[@tetermc]

I don't agree with every pick here but I'm happy to see I'm not the only one who loves Lethal Lava Land. It's a blast to tear through. And your description of it kind of being a symbol of how you have evolved as a gamer was fantastic, it was the exact same for me in the exact same order of events lol. Nailed everything I love about the level.

[@MrDrBoi]

Glad I was able to capture what makes it great!

[@44i80]

I love lethal lava land!!!!!!!

[@Robben12]

I love it too, including the music

[@spazerdazer8421]

Did you seriously just imply that anyone in the course of history has played Shocking Arrow Lifts as intended?

[@MrDrBoi]

Haha there are definitely a lot of other ways to get it

[@squeallymaniac]

​@russellhunter9951 I think most people can relate

[@brettvogel8418]

It kinda annoys me how they made it so easy to get without using the arrows lol

[@layzeegamerj4197]

Tick tock clock is #1 for me. It's always been my favorite level because it's challenging. It take everything you've learned from the previous levels to test your skill. You can also use the different clock speeds to explore the level better if needed. TTC is 3D platforming at its finest. My other favorites are Big Boo's Haunt, Wet Dry World, and Bob-omb Battlefield. Tall Tall Mountain is dead last to me. It was a pretty stale, and wasn't memorable compared to the others. The two main water levels (DDD and JRB) are also at the bottom of my list.

[@MrDrBoi]

Tick Tock Clock has always been one of my favorites, I actually had it in my top 3 when I began this list cause it's so good!

[@hexenshadow5642]

I just got done saying I didn’t know wet dry worlds painting effects the map depending how you entered; and as I’m typing that, I find out the clock also effected the flow of time! I had no idea all these years! I haven’t played since I was like 18 but as a 6 year old I was so grossly underprepared! Plus the lack of online guide videos back then but I had the Primal Guide book and I’m surprised it didn’t say anything about it (that I remember)

[@Enzebeta888]

I think the absolute opposite of that.

[@gashclaw6748]

Lethal Lava Land is pretty low on my list, if I had to rank them myself. It just feels so... cobbled together and incoherent. It's still really fun, as are all the levels in this ICONIC game, but I never found myself looking forward to specifically LLL

[@MrDrBoi]

That's fair, someone else mentioned it looked like legos were thrown around the map lol. To me it's like a little lava skate park with an awesome volcano section. What's your favorite?

[@PhilipGamez]

My favorite course in the game would have to be Hazy Maze Cave due to the amount of secrets the course has along with the various enemies, not to mention the amount of nostalgia I had trying to find Waluigi in the DS version here.

[@MrDrBoi]

Plus it has a banger of a theme!

[@joebykaeby]

I agree with the placements on this list more than any other list I’ve seen. Might quibble a place or two up or down for some of the levels in the middle of the pack, but bottom 5 and top 5 are 100% agree.

[@MrDrBoi]

Glad you enjoyed! And tbh, I could probably rearrange a few up or down in the middle too, they're all pretty close.

[@mkgeostar]

i completely agree about the bottom, me and my cousin made a list and it was remarkably similar to this

[@KurtisC93]

Tall, Tall Mountain at #14? _Whaaaat?_ That's, like, my favorite. 😲

[@LilHaseProductions]

especially the secret slide was awesome.

[@katt-the-pig]

For me, from best to worst, it's... 1 Hazy Maze Cave 2 Snowman's Land 3 Tall, Tall Mountain 4 Wet-Dry World 5 Cool, Cool Mountain 6 Dire, Dire Docks 7 Lethal Lava Land 8 Jolly Roger Bay 9 Big Boo's Haunt 10 Bob-omb Battlefield 11 Tick Tock Clock 12 Shifting Sand Land 13 Whomp's Fortess 14 Rainbow Ride 16 Tiny-Huge Island

[@MrDrBoi]

Interesting list! Usually don't see Whomp's Fortress so low.

[@katt-the-pig]

To me, it feels like a less-good Bob-omb Battlefield. It doesn't feel as open-ended. At the least, nothing on the same level as releasing the Chain Chomp first. Landing in the cage is also kinda awkward, and you gotta wait for the owl to get back down if you miss. And I think it's kinda lame how you take damage blasting into the wall, even if I'm not likely to die from it. I will say that I don't hate the level. And it was definitely neat to see it remade in Mario Galaxy 2, but I always wondered why this level in particular was chosen. I guess because of its more linear nature.

[@MatthewCampbell765]

19:26 Personal guess on why most of us did this: There's a surprised realization that the game will actually *let* you throw the baby off the ledge. It's clearly not what you're supposed to do, but you can. And it clashes so heavily with the tone of the game that the fact you can do it is kind of hilarious. At least as children (and this instinct doesn't fully go away) there's a desire to explore boundaries and to playfully transgress those boundaries. We can just barely hear a voice from beyond say "You silly, that's not what you're supposed to do" Or, to put it another way: It was our way of trolling Miyamoto even if he couldn't literally see us.

[@whomgod420]

I agree to the most part but honestly Hazy Maze Cave coin star doesn't feel like a drawback to me. Yeah, you can randomly die, but if you're careful it didn't happen, and the whole level being so huge made it really feel like a long journey to the coin star. As a kid I loved it. I've not revisited it since admittedly but it felt very rewarding doing such a long level.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmMicrowav]

You know a game has amazing game design when it's "worst" level isn't even all that bad, just a bit slower than the rest of the game

[@WaterKirby1994]

Agreed 64 doesn't have any bad levels the game was incredibly balanced nearly 30 Years Ago & there are aspects the DS Version does even better like the lower section of Whomp's Fortress.

[@jonathanhatfield9847]

Bro I got 120 stars as a kid and again when the all star game came out and I never realized wet-dry world would change based on how you enter. Crazy

[@MrDrBoi]

Glad I could teach you something you didn't know!

[@thesnazzycomet]

I really like all the levels in game. Dire Dire Docks I'd put last, followed by Cool Cool Mountain and then Tiny Huge Island. My Top 3 would be controversial: Tick Tock Clock, Shifting Sand Land and Hazy Maze Cave

[@Evan64m]

Interesting list! I always considered Rainbow Ride a pretty atrocious level that I always dread having to play, meanwhile I never really minded Dire Dire Docks.

[@TheXPR3]

I think one of these would be great for Sunshine! Loved your breakdown

[@MrDrBoi]

Thanks! Sunshine will definitely come out in the future!

[@theoriginalamvgirl]

My three favourites: . Dire Dire Docks - great name, beautiful music, a SHARK. . Wet Dry World - has a mildly creepy vibe because it’s an abandoned town, and the height that you jump in equaling the water-level is pure genius! Big Boo’s Haunt - ghost house. Honorary Mentions: . Tall, Tall Mountain - I just LOVED the slide! . Tiny-Huge Island - lots of fun. Best Power-Star Names: . The Big House In The Sky . Stop Time For Red Coins . Can The Eel Come Out To Play? . Tricky Triangles! . Wall Kicks Will Work . Scary ‘Shrooms, Red Coins . Metal-Head Mario Can Move! . Go To Town For Red Coins

[@giancarlofelicianocastaned9316]

When I first played this game I misread Shifting Sand Land as "Sniffing The Sand Land" for 2 years.

[@MrDrBoi]

LOL

[@shainahullihen1159]

Oops, lol, 😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. I may be sad today, but, that made my day, lol😅.

[@ripscort1896]

When i didn't know english i thought that "Cool Cool Mountain" meant that it was a very awesome mountain

[@Maj9183]

Lethal Lava Land at 1???? What??? It’s my absolutely least favorite level by a mile!

[@Mr-Dr-Payne]

You’ve got a bad opinion

[@scrubbl3dubbl391]

It was refreshing to see a Mario 64 level ranking that didn't put Rainbow Ride at the bottom or second to last placement. Ive always had a soft spot for that course

[@gamble777888]

It's one of the most fun games to do tricks and shortcuts. Hated it when I was young but it's probably top 5 for me today.

[@ryanperrault8174]

Hmm...cool video but I'd have to disagree personally...I love Dire Dire Docks...did then, still do now. The music is amazing and it adds to the coolness of the atmosphere of Mario 64...it's got it's own mood/vibe and I love what Dire Dire Docks adds to it. It has it's own kind of pace. Solid video though.

[@MrDrBoi]

Thanks! And that's fair, I suppose I just don't vibe with it the way I do others.

[@ryanperrault8174]

@@MrDrBoi Yea I'm like that with certain things too. Solid video

[@TheCrankyTechnician]

Great video and a list similar to my taste! Touching on the beginning of your video, I think that SM64 is still almost universally loved for the fact that it is and always will be one of the most revolutionary games ever made. There's a definitive "before and after" SM64 and for all of us who are old enough to have first played on the NES and/ or SNES, seeing Mario in 3D, jumping, running and kicking it was mind boggling. That very first impression of seeing the castle and Mario from all angles is a feeling that will never fade away. When thinking about it, I still remember being 6 years old and not believing what I'm looking at.

[@MrDrBoi]

Gotta agree, Super Mario World was my very first game, and seeing the jump to Super Mario 64 is something I'll always remember!

[@Mawae602]

I have 100%’d this game at least 10 times and am just now learning you can set the starting water level in Wet-Dry world. I always through it was random

[@PopcornBunni]

The number of people that have trouble with star 1 on JRB always baffles me. The way it works is you go down to the ship so the eel sees you, then swim up and away from the ship (usually simultaneously to come up for air) and that lures him out.

[@MrDrBoi]

I didn't realize you had to swim up, I just assumed that as long as he was off screen after seeing him that he would come out. That makes sense though!

[@joshuabonesteel2303]

Why would I swim straight up when I can just grab coins behind the ship or go to the cavern? It just seems counterintuitive to swim back up. It's probably why I always had issues with the eel.

[@19Szabolcs91]

Yeah, that's completely unintuitive, especially because you can't see behind you to see what is going on while going up for air. No wonder they changed it in the DS remake so that it works like Star 2 and you can actually see the eel reacting to you swimming close. They also changed the star in that they removed the trial and error chest order thing, which I also agree with, since it should have been AFTER the 3rd mission that teaches you the concept in a more safe environment, not in an enclosed underwater space.

[@5BBassist4Christ]

Really, BombOmb Battlefield and Rainbow Ride are the two greatest testimonies of the game's success. BB is very simple and fun to play. It introduces the player to almost every aspect of the game perfectly, and having to wait until you unlock the wing-cap forces you to come back to this course at a later time, helping it be more memorable. It really is the perfect introduction level, -up there with Super Mario Bros 1-1. RR is the perfect end-game challenge that pushes you on almost every aspect of the game, while also requiring you to have patience, and yet quick reaction time. Every detail of the level is designed to punish you for carelessness, with a few opportunities for lucky landings when you do mess up. Each star is unique and has you explore a different part of a well designed level. The way these two stages jux-oppose each other highlights the progress you've made throughout the game.

[@Yoshihelicopter]

As the 1# fan of Bob omb battlefield,I’m so happy you put it high on the list

[@Wiiguy1606]

14:08 Wow! I played the game since 2000 And I never knew that you could warp right up next to the cannon like that !

[@MrDrBoi]

It blew my mind when I found this for the first time too!

[@LordOfNothingreally]

All-in-all, a very good list. I agree with pretty much all the placements except I would put Jolly Roger Bay above Tall Tall Mountain, I'd swap Shifting Sands Land and Tick Tock Clock, and I'd put Hazy Maze Cave as my #1 pick. (but then, HMC is my personal favourite so I'm biased!)

[@MrDrBoi]

Outside of the 100 coin, Hazy Maze Cave is fantastic.

[@sckanis]

Wet Dry World is hilarious. I still remember finally reaching the top only to be thrown off by the big purple enemy, only to land ontop of each of the other "throwers" on each level until I was all the way at the bottom again. That was some outstanding coordination on their part.

[@TheCasualGM]

Definitely agree with your #1 pick, the openess of the level truly lets you play it however you want! My suggestion for a future ranking video would be ranking all of the levels in DK64 :)

[@MrDrBoi]

I've actually never played DK64 but I keep getting requests for it, so I might just have to play it soon!

[@mkgeostar]

​@@MrDrBoimaybe you could do the galaxies from super mario galaxy

[@MrDrBoi]

@@mkgeostar Definitely a possibility!

[@Dethbytrain]

May be controversial, but Dire Dire Docks is my favorite level in SM64. I personally like it because of the feeling it gives me. I'm not quite sure how to describe it but it has always stood out to me for some reason. Maybe I'm just crazy but, hey aren't we all?

[@Joe_Parmesan]

Not sure how I'd rank every level, but my top 5 favorites are (in no order): Bom-Omb Battlefield (where it all started), Jolly Roger Bay, Shifting Sand Land, Hazy Maze Cave, and Big Boo's Haunt. Next up is a combination of Lethal Lava Land (my brothers and I used to call this place Hell, while Bowser 2 was my personal Hell), Whomp's Fortress, Wet/Dry World, and Cool, Cool Mountain.

[@q.h.s5051]

Hazy Maze Cave has been my favorite level since I was kid followed by Wet Dry world. They perfectly capture exactly what I loved about the N64 with games from Mario, Goldeneye, Turok, Fighting Force, Off-Road Challenge, and Perfect Dark. While I’m not mentioning many popular games these are staples for me that all have a unique atmosphere, fun and memorable gameplay, great levels, and some of the best music in video games for me. Whenever I hear the first few seconds of Hazy maze cave I’m transported back to the early 2000’s playing these games not knowing what to do well but just having fun playing them. I can literally see all the levels of those games I love on that system as I did when I was younger Good times all around

[@MorrisseyMuse]

Bob-bomb Battlefield is by far the best level, one of the best intros in gaming history!

[@MrDrBoi]

It's so iconic!

[@certifiedsiren]

Here’s my personal subjective ranking 1. big-boos haunt 2. wet-dry world 3. Hazy Maze cave ( I love courses that have a eerie vibe to them) 4. cool cool mountain 5. snowman’s land 6. bob-omb battlefield 7. whomps fortress 8. Tall tall mountain 9. tiny-huge island ( the concept is so cool and unique which makes me wanna rank it higher , but I hated collecting the stars ) 10. Shifting sand land ( I like the inside of the pyramid but the sand around it can be such a pain) 11. Jolly Roger Bay ( kinda forgettable in my opinion) 12. dire dire docks 13. Lethal lava land ( I’m sorry but the stars inside the volcano actually made me throw my controller against the wall 😭) 14.tick tock clock ( same reason as for lethal lava land , even tho I just quit playing it instead of abusing my controller) 15. Rainbow Ride ( such a painful level , I hate it sm)

[@drbuni]

Good list. I like that you were able to criticize your least favorite levels without straight up trashing them. It is very easy to praise the good stuff in games, but much harder to properly criticize the bad stuff.

[@MrDrBoi]

Thanks! I always try to give credit where it's due because even if I may not like something, I understand that it still has value.

[@joevaghn457]

DDD has “special” creepy history IYKWIM

[@stevewelsh__]

I don’t think I’ve ever flown that owl before in whomps fortress. I feel like I remember firing out of a canon to get that star!?

[@MrDrBoi]

It's funny you mention that because that was actually the last method I discovered as an adult. But yeah totally works!

[@NoxWyatt]

I like how Shifting Sand Land is ranked at 8, Cool Cool Mountain is ranked at 4 and Whomp’s Fortress is ranked at 2, which are also their respective course numbers in-game. Also, I actually really don’t like Dire Dire Docks and it’s the one course in the game I have in the same spot. Screw that level.

[@waltermercado9152]

Super Mario 64, Mystical Ninja Goemon, and Ocarina of Time were all ahead of their time. I can't imagine how awesome it would be to get remakes of those 3 games.

[@MrDrBoi]

@waltermercado9152 man I gotta replay Mystical Ninja, haven't played that game in well over 10 years. Would love a remake!

[@gamble777888]

Props for calling out MNG, it's a great game that never gets talked about.

[@RescueHornet]

Every level of this game was such a great time, but definitely the boo mansion is my favorite

[@MrDrBoi]

Love Big Boo's Haunt

[@mikeligouri6239]

I generally agree with your ranking. For me, it comes down to "What levels for me are stressful, annoying, or a pain in the butt?". Those for me are Dire Dire Docks, Tall Tall Mountain, Rainbow Ride, Hazy Maze Cave, Tiny Huge Island, and Tick Tock Clock. My favorites were always Wet Dry World because I do parkour and this level is basically a parkour paradise, and Big Boo's Haunt because I like spooky things.

[@rodrigoochoa2868]

I love that I was going through your ranking with a speedrunner mentality and some of the levels you called slow, are very high paced in speedruns (HMC 100 and SSL). But I totally agree that from a casual gameplay perspective some levels are more tedious.

[@MrDrBoi]

Speedruns of Shifting Sand Land absolutely blow my mind! The movement and tricks on that stage are incredible.

[@SeveredLegs]

I loooooove Tall, Tall Mountain! It felt like a real place as a kid. Hard to rank this behind the one I hate the most...the glitch-fest that is Tiny Huge Island.

[@gamble777888]

Tall Tall is great. Starts off tedious but mastering it and learning the shortcuts is so satisfying.

[@shamra1245]

Super Mario 64 was one of the very first video games I ever played as a child and Big Boo's Haunt has always been my favorite so I'm thrilled to see it ranking so high!

[@AstralTaurus]

For my money rainbow ride will always be the absolute worst stage in the game lol. That level just does not agree with the camera movement making each jump unfairly risky. It's a level that almost always requires players to farm lives beforehand. Def the bane of my 120 star run lol

[@moavideogamer8417]

Whomp's Fortress is my favorite

[@four-en-tee]

God, i really need to finish that WDW video

[@thebananagamer56]

Honestly i would've put snowmans land in last. It was the only stage in the game that i felt wasn't finished. Even as a kid i never really liked it, which I can't say about any of the others aside from rainbow ride and hazy maze cave (which i only disliked because i wasn't a fan of the "hard" stages in the game). I always remember skipping those stages to get to final bowser, lol.

[@gamble777888]

It has the laziest designed star in the entire game by far. Basically just there at the beginning of the level for you to grab lol.

[@hotaruishere2133]

*-Cries in Jolly Roger Bay being my favorite level(s) as a kid-* ;u;

[@relativelynormalguy]

15# Rainbow ride: i do not care if it has some cool platforming challenge if a level is designed in a way were you are forced to do nothing for 5 minutes then its gonna go at the bottom immediately. 14#: Dire dire docks: Hot take but i do not mind the water controls in this game. The real reason this level is so low is because it has literally nothing intresting about it (outside of the vanish and metal cap star that one is a cool concept at least) 13#: Tall tall mountain: Pretty much agree with the video. Only reason its above dire dire docks is because it has 2 decent stars instead of 1 (the monkey and slide ones) 12# Snowman's land: Cool cool mountain but with worse stars. The snowman one and igloo one are decent but the rest are too easy. 11#: Jolly roger bay: Now we are getting to the good stages. Like i said i personally dont mind underwater controls and this level has some pretty decent stars to go along especially the ones related with the eel. 10# Bomb bomb battlefield: Quite possibly the most overrated level in the entire video game history. This is a really good first level but its just that a first level. When you compare it to the ones above (and take of your nostalgia glasses before doing so) this level is a lot less interesting. 9# Wet dry world: I really like the abadoned town vibe of this level along with the rising water gimmick. I just wish the stars were centered around the gimmick more instead of having random ass stars like the shocking arrow tile one. 8# Big boo's haunt: I have always been a sucker for confusing maze levels and this one fits that criteria along with some good puzzle oriented stars. I do wish big boo himself wouldn't harass us throughout 3 of them as he kinda sucks at his job as a boss but its still a good level 7# Womp fortress: This one is also a bit overrated although i can understand it as it is really good. Thowmps and Womps are fun enemies to avoid and the stars are all great. I just think the levels above are even better. 6# Cool cool mountain: Nothing to say for this one expect that the layout and stars are all amazing. I especially like the penguin and snowman one as they give us some neat npc interaction in a game that could definitely use more. 5# Tiny huge island: Another gimmicky level like wet dry world although this time its used a lot better as the stars play around the gimmick more along with also being all unique and fun to get. 4# Tick tock clock: In terms of platforming difficulty this is easily the hardest level and i like it for it. The layout is really unique and it would have honestly been a better penultimate level than rainbow ride as this one believe or not is actually good. 3# Hazey maze cave: Another maze level like big boo's haunt and this time its a lot better imo. All of the stars in it are unique and fun to find and it even has the metal cap hidden inside it. 2# Lethal lava land: Fits all the criteria for a good level. Unique stars , fun enemies , good layout and good platforming challenges. My only complain is the 2 stars dedicated to killing bullies when only one was needed but thats a tiny nitpick. 1# Shifting sand land: Take what i said about the previous level and make it even better. The pyramid is one of the best parts in the game along with eyerock being one of the only good bosses in the game. Pair that with the fun to avoid quicksand and the high quality of atars and you got yourself what is in my opinion the best level in the game.

[@showyurdudes9903]

in no possible way is wet dry world better than tall tall mountain

[@ogre706]

Scaling a mountain is repetitive, but riding a magic carpet slowly isn't? Eh, to each their own. 🙃

[@MrDrBoi]

I mean that's the first thing I said about Rainbow Ride lmao

[@ogre706]

@@MrDrBoi Yeah but one of those courses is a bit higher up the list..!

[@13nessuk]

addicted to this videos

[@MrDrBoi]

Glad you're enjoying!

[@Nickbronline]

Therapist: Cbum Mario isn’t real he can’t hurt you Cbum Mario: 1:25

[@manquail2361]

I can agree with the tall, tall mountain criticisms, but I've always liked that level a lot just because I find scaling the mountain to be a fun task and I like that there are a couple different ways to do so

[@kai9213x]

I loved the Tall Tall Mountain slide. In my opinion more söides would have been better. Jolly Roger Bay: I loved the feeling. Somehow it gabe of some vibe of mystery which was intriguing. There was nothing special happening but this feeling...

[@rukeyburg1084]

I like for what you considered low and high ranked levels by the factor of freedom, creativity and unique level design. I also think these are great factors for me too, and I always have thought that the place of a level was understandable.

[@MrDrBoi]

Thanks! What's your favorite level?

[@rukeyburg1084]

Don't really have a favorite, but I think Tick Tock Clock and Rainbow Ride are likeable to me because those take a bit more platforming challenge compared to other levels. Maybe not as high as you have it. I like the creativity Rainbow Ride has even though it doesn't *_really_* have a theme despite how big and free the level feels. Tick Tock Clock has a really nice theme although it does sometimes feel a bit too narrow. Still, I think these are quite likeable to me. Lethal Lava Land kinda deserves his spot, because it plays with hazards and benefits at the same time which you explained quite nicely.

[@hexenshadow5642]

Played this game so much as a kid but I never knew jumping into Wet Dry worlds painting at different heights effected anything. Of course I was like 6 or 7 when I first got the N64 but nonetheless… I’m amazed

[@michaelfryers1914]

This was a really great video. Even though I've never really gotten along with Super Mario 64 that well, I somehow still agree with all your points. Except Lethal Lava Land, I've died so many times in that damn volcano 😭 For a ranking video, I'd love to see all the Galaxies or Kingdoms ranked from Galaxy or odyssey respectively

[@MrDrBoi]

Thank you! And doing an Odyssey video might give me a good reason to replay that game finally lol

[@gcree20]

Not a huge fan of lethal lava land but that's my favourite 100 coin star to get.

[@gamble777888]

Entire level is salvaged by the Koopa shell.

[@caldera11]

I'd never put lethal lava land that high but I'd put Boo's Haunt at #1 always look forward to unlocking that level since you can't fall to your death in a void or lava unlike many other levels.

[@GlobalWarmingSkeptic]

I'd argue that Mario 64 is more popular now than when it first came out. Even back then with the launch of the N64 I've never heard it talked about so much.

[@MrDrBoi]

Have to agree, especially with the rise of speedrunning over the last decade. This new Suigi record has been all over my recommendations and twitter.

[@pretzelboi64]

Exactly. People are still making mods for this old ass game too as of today. Like, tens of hours of extra content that is quite possibly as good as the original

[@WaterKirby1994]

Did people actually use the internet in 1996? To be fair Last Impact, Star Revenge, & other famous mods can be argued as entirely new games using Mario 64 as a skeleton to build off of. We have no records of how popular Mario 64 was when it released, although I assume it was a huge deal for a short time before being usurped by the next big game. Sunshine & 64ds started the revival of 64.

[@Newbie_John]

Before watching this video, here's my ranking. I feel like I was more biased towards levels that just breathed atmosphere when I was younger. I remember this game being pretty darn difficult, too. I'm very curious how my ranking is gonna differ 'cause each of the levels all have their own unique gameplay mechanics. Even the worst ones have some cool things going on. I hated Wet-Dry World, but I can appreciate the fact that I was blown away discovering that there's a SECRET hidden city in the corner of the map. 15. Dire, Dire Docks 14. Wet-Dry World 13. Tiny-Huge Island 12. Tall, Tall Mountain 11. Tick Tock Clock 10. Big Boo's Haunt 9. Rainbow Ride 8. Jolly Roger Bay 7. Cool, Cool Mountain 6. Lethal Lava Land 5. Snowman's Land 4. Bob-omb's Battlefield 3. Shifting Sand Land 2. Hazy Maze Cave 1. Whomp's Fortress

[@MrDrBoi]

That was always one of my favorite features of that world too!

[@Fusiontron]

Interesting list . . . I generally agree on the 2nd floor courses outside of Wet-Dry World being weaker but really, really enjoy the basement/backyard and third floor levels, as much or even more than the first floor levels of which you put 3/4 into the top 5.

[@thebigbean8783]

Dire Dire Docks is my favorite. I've been playing SM64 since I was 3. Meaning I'm going on 23 years with it this year. I think Dire Dire Docks is the best once you get comfortable with it. It's great. I wouldn't die on the hill of it being the best, but it's certainly my favorite

[@jetman152307]

I remember rainbow ride feeling like a fantasy. That would've been my top pick

[@MrDrBoi]

It does have a dream like quality to it, definitely a great level!

[@aplive58]

Solely my opinion, based on the DS port: 15. Rainbow Ride 14. Dire Dire Docks 13. Jolly Roger Bay 12. Snowman's Land 11. Hazy Maze Cave 10. Big Boo's Haunt 9. Cool Cool Mountain 8. Wet Dry World 7. Tiny Huge Island 6. Tall Tall Mountain 5. Lethal Lava Land 4. Bob Bomb Battlefield 3. Shifting Sand Land 2. Tik Tok Clock 1. Whomp's Fortress

[@MrDrBoi]

I really need to play the DS port again! Wonder if they'll ever re-release it someday.

[@yoshilover765]

This channel is rad as hell. I have an itch to watch level/world/dungeon rankings and this is a brilliant scratch

[@MrDrBoi]

Awesome, glad you've been enjoying!

[@EcneBanjo]

I beg to differ on Lethal Lava Land not having an iconic music track. That track is very recognizable and the percussion and mystical vibe is awesome

[@ManofMystery89]

A pretty solid list! I mostly agree with it, and your #1 stage is also my #1. Personally thought i would have ranked Hazy Maze Cave and Shifting Sand Land much higher, and Tiny Huge Island and Tick Tock Clock lower. Other then that i completely agree with your list.

[@vincentlavoie8761]

Idk why the horrible fire level isnt appearing far worse on this list I absolutely hated everything about it.

[@philjohnson5154]

1. Whomp's Fortress 2. Bo-omb's Battlefield 3. Jolly Rodger Bay 4. Tick Tock Clock 5. Cool Cool Mountain 6. Hazy Maze Cave 7. Tall Tall Mountain 8. Lethal Lava Land 9. Shifting Sands Land 10. Wet Dry World 11. Tiny Huge Island 12. Snowman's Land 13. Big Boo's Haunt 14. Rainbow Ride 15. Dire Dire Docks

[@Hercules_Flexing]

Super Mario 64 as an elite bodybuilder is the greatest comparison ever.

[@MrDrBoi]

It's what Mario looks like under the overalls.

[@Hercules_Flexing]

@@MrDrBoi I knew I liked that plumber. 💪

[@Aka60thChip]

Everyone always mentions the eel in Jolly Roger Bay as their nightmare inducing enemy as a kid (only taking Mario, cause let's be honest, Zelda's dead hand and floormasters were the true op), but nah we all collectively chose to forget about the piano in Big Boo's Haunt. The adrenaline rush I specifically remembered getting as a kid when you brought up that thing up... I know I was terrified of that thing n I chose to forget that dang thing

[@adammatis5527]

I'm surprised to see tall tall mountain that close to the bottom tbh. That was one of my favorites back in the day.

[@Mevenda1]

Lovely video. Interesting list. I always loved Lethal Lava Land and the Boo level as well. That eel scared the heck outta me when I first got the game, though. Easily scarier than anything the Boos had to throw at me.

[@gamble777888]

Tall Tall Mountin is probably my second or third favorite level. I think it says alot that outside of Dire Dire Docks there really isn't a consensus on the other levels.

[@squilldx5055]

24:21 this part has aged so funnily now that it’s the sound for the curse of the pharaoh

[@pretzelboi64]

There's something I appreciate about the low-poly geometry of this game. It makes the movement system predictable in a way modern games just can't replicate with their grass and branches that block your every move at random

[@andrewmarsh8909]

Great work on this! Good to see another video from you. Are you familiar with Danganronpa? I'm a bit of a Danganronpa fan (been writing fanfiction for it for several years now) and if possible, I'd love to see you rank the Class Trials in DR 1, 2, and V3 (whether all at once or separated by game is up to you of course). Hope you like my suggestion, and regardless of what it is, I'll be excited to see your next video!

[@MrDrBoi]

Thanks a lot! And I'll have to look into those games, never played them.

[@andrewmarsh8909]

Ah okay. If you do play them I’d recommend the PS4 or Steam versions if possible. While the core games I mentioned have been ported to mobile platforms and Switch, in my experience the ports have been…less than stellar

[@ghost_undead]

LLL was definitely fun. I had the most fun getting mario stuck under the log to hear a rapid version of his burning butt laugh.

[@whoeverofhowevermany]

2:16 I don't even know if I remember this at this point but this still made me groan in frustration 😂

[@minirop]

The eel'is the bane of my existence 😢 even after having watched Pannenkoek's video "seeing the invisible" (i think) I still have a hard time. And speaking of wet dry world. Thanks to the decompilation project, I learnt that ALL painting are separated into 3 parts, where they all do the same thing (except for wdw), so I made a hack to test where each painting sends you to a different world based on the height of enter. 😅

[@MrDrBoi]

Reading your comment made realize how cool it'd be if each world had three starting points depending on where you jumped into the painting.

[@OleanderRainbow]

Big Boo's Haunt is my favorite level only because Boos are my favorite enemies. Also because the music gives me a Joy Division vibe. The main theme music. Not the carousel music. Also on an unrelated to levels note, the Piranha Lullaby deserves love as a piece of music.

[@MrDrBoi]

LOVE the piranha lullaby

[@TeganCantEven]

I have never once thrown the baby penguin off the side of the stage.

[@MrDrBoi]

That's so surprising!

[@zachbonebrake352]

The fact that everyone has different favorites just goes to show how good this game is overall.

[@derekrequiem4359]

This was a good video with some interesting takes! Most other videos I've seen ranked Rainbow Ride and Tick Tock Clock much lower so it was good to hear your analysis on those two in particular!

[@MrDrBoi]

Thanks!