Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Dark Aspects of Super Mario 64 is an analysis of all the scary moments that make up Nintendo's premiere 64-bit game. Topic include unsettling enemies like Unagi the Eel of Jolly Roger Bay & the Mad Piano of Big Boo's Haunt, the underwater city of Wet Dry World, Mario's many true-to-life death animations, and internet creepypastas like every copy of Mario 64 being personalized.

Where did the Wario Apparition come from? What makes the endless stairs so anxiety provoking? And why does Bowser's laugh still haunt my dreams? Find out the answers to these questions and more...

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If you enjoyed this, please check out these other playlists & videos of mine:

► Dark Aspects of the Paper Mario series: youtube.com/watch?v=2n8XbcoURMY&list=PLK37aGUr9BMWmBCq49u-_-KmuOIHKdzMk&ab_channel=ThaneGaming
► Dark Aspects of Luigi's Mansion: youtube.com/watch?v=6d36buMc1-o&list=PLK37aGUr9BMXe9VbUPortyBD-UntYKwhg&ab_channel=ThaneGaming
► Dark Aspects of The Legend of Zelda series: youtube.com/watch?v=tknOcoUxK5s&list=PLK37aGUr9BMVHKHDKs9Wqp43L9q06mjHF&ab_channel=ThaneGaming
► Dark Aspects of Banjo-Kazooie & Banjo-Tooie: youtube.com/watch?v=l9btrWvKP18
► Dark Aspects of the Donkey Kong Country series: youtube.com/watch?v=my2Q8dwQx0w&t
► Dark Aspects of MOTHER: The Complete Series Analysis youtube.com/watch?v=W9-oYGtLxdo
► Full Dark Aspects playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK37aGUr9BMWJoNhhmPce99yCPpl6B82W

Sources & further reading:

Images & video

⍟ Super Mario 3D All-Stars Japanese commercial
youtu.be/cJOCZ3fSzss
⍟ Nintendo 64 & Super Mario 64 commercial
youtu.be/fdLnBnDgeSE
⍟ Super Mario 64 American commercial
youtu.be/kFE7pZPwybQ
⍟ Super Mario Bros. Mercedes-Benz GLA commercial
youtu.be/jKSD2mgRAX4
⍟ Super Mario 64 Official Player's Guide - fauwf (archive .org)
⍟ Super Mario 64 manual by Nintendo
m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NUS/USA/NSME/NSME_E.pdf
⍟ Super Mario Galaxy skeleton model - Mr Buddy (The Models Resource)
⍟ Super Mario 64 Scuttlebug model - alecpike (TMR)
⍟ Super Mario 64 jigsaw puzzle artwork - GamingMitch1990 (Twitter)
twitter.com/gamingmitch1990/status/1301796638667702273
⍟ Art of Super Mario Odyssey eel comparison - Supper Mario Broth
suppermariobroth.com/post/653537195566710784/the-art-of-super-mario-odyssey-book-reveals-that
⍟ Super Mario Kodansha manga scan - Borp (Super Mario Boards)
marioboards.com/threads/36335
⍟ Super Mario 64 Got Milk? commercial
youtu.be/ul2Cw9PL5Q4
⍟ Super Mario 64: Skip Endless Stairs Glitch
youtu.be/jD0558UFZQ8
⍟ Super Mario Land 2 commercial - PenguinNintendoAge
youtu.be/gZm5cXRShO4
⍟ Breaking The Barrier
youtu.be/sEKZ0UkezP4
⍟ Spaceworld 1995 Nintendo 64 Demonstration
youtu.be/cg8dzVg6Fow
⍟ Methods of Revolution [Day 21]
youtu.be/X0DlwVMVSyw
⍟ Nintendo - Focused on Fun E3 1996
youtu.be/vaquvsK0u40
⍟ Return of the White-eyed Chomp
youtu.be/hKQwEK0d8lY
⍟ 09.02.97
youtu.be/_gkZ7mIgzAk
⍟ Wario Land commercial
youtu.be/VxvHVHTX4Lk

Music & Sound FX

⍟ Mario 64 sound clips via The Mushroom Kingdom by Deezer and nintendoexpert89

Research articles & books

⍟ "A Composer's Guide to Game Music" by Winifred Phillips
winifredphillips.com/composersguide.htm

0:00 - Opening
0:54 - Mario's many death animations
3:38 - Disturbing enemies
5:07 - Bowser's intimidation
6:03 - Unsettling locations
8:39 - The endless stairs
9:27 - Li'l Penguin Lost
10:03 - Creepypastas & conspiracies
11:59 - End screen

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