Side Quest — A Deeper Dive into Super Mario 64’s “Dire Dire Docks”.
Mostly when I get ideas for things to write up or talk about, it’s mostly a game as a whole much like a video game review. This time however, I’m going to be looking at a specific level in a video game rather than reviewing the entire game as a whole as I think there’s enough to talk about in this subject and there’s more to see here.
Without a doubt, when Super Mario 64 debuted as a launch title for the Nintendo 64, it changed not just the world of Mario, but all of gaming. Sure 3D games were done before this but Mario 64 was the first where it just felt… right. Mario’s movements were smooth as butter that has helped make it not only a great game in the past, but a thriving game in the current day a la the speedrun community. It’s clear to see how Super Mario 64 was very inspirational in other 3D platformers to follow.
However there’s one specific level or world I wanted to cover. A world that is often looked back to as one of the greatest water worlds in all of gaming. So for this read, I’ll be talking about Super Mario 64’s “Dire Dire Docks”
For the most part, we can mostly admit the most water levels in video games suck. Making your controls slugglish all while having oxigan and feeling like you’re on a timer. However, it’s safe to say Dire Dire Docks is not the kind of water world that makes you want to throw your game cart out the window.
About half way into Super Mario 64, Mario (that’s you!) needs enough stars to pass the star door to enter the second Bowser world and order to take on the evil Bowser for the 2nd out of 3 times. However when you go past the star door, you are put into a hallway with a wall of water in front of you. You can see the hole where to enter the second Bowser world but the water blocks the way. This teases the player in a “Not just yet, one more thing” sense.
You enter the waterwall and are met with a new world. Once you start the world you expect tons of things to jump on, walk around in, and explore. But this is what makes Dire Dire Docks a little bit different.
The world starts you right into the water where there’s really nowhere else to explore except swimming down. This is where the world starts to open up. In the water are a few chests with a water cyclone in the middle. There’s also a massive tunnel underwater as well. In classic Super Mario 64 fashion, you can’t help but to explore the underwater depths of Dire Dire Docks.
Another thing that really makes this world stand out is the music, as it’s one of the most chilled and relaxing song in all of gaming and has become quite popular for all gamers.
You hear this song in an earlier world in the game but as you swim underwater and progress in Dire Dire Docks, the music starts adding instruments and gaining more of a rhythm as the drums start kicking in as you dive deeper into this water wonderland. This shows progression as you swim and begin to wonder what’s on the other side of the tunnel. The calm music really helps with underwater sections as some games give the gamer a sense of panic when they are running low on air. Looking at you 2D sonic.
Once Mario enters the end of the tunnel, he is met with a much more wide open space with tons to explore. Here Mario can go back up and get some air as there’s more traditional platforming that can be done here. In the world’s first objective, there is a giant sub in this room. Mario must grab the star on top of the Sub in order to beat the level. Getting this star will push the water wall back, meaning Mario can now go into the second Bowser world to fight the king of the Koopas and progress the game’s story.
There are other objectives that involve you going underwater more and doing some puzzle solving along with swinging from poll to poll for the 8 red coins star.
Dire Dire Docks with its vast open waters mixed with the smooth swimming controls of Mario 64 easily make this a blueprint of what a 3D water level should be. The music sets the atmosphere perfectly and was a great idea to make this world a must play in the game.
