The scariest Nintendo game, apparently.
Most people don’t think of Super Mario 64 as a scary game. The title is full of vibrant colors, happy characters, and is topped off with that Mario charm. I think it’s because of the game’s upbeat nature that I was taken by surprise at one point, and can now say that Super Mario 64 is one of the few games to literally scare the garbage out of me.
The event took place in the stage Big Boo’s Haunt, a haunted mansion level full of Boos and other ghostly enemies. Big Boo’s Haunt also has some very creepy music playing during the level, adding to the atmosphere.
So there I am back in September 1996, the Nintendo 64 launch weekend, controlling Mario through a haunted mansion. It’s not long before I come to a room containing only a piano. Upon seeing this object, I wondered if I could play or interact with it.
I threw caution to the wind and ran up to it. Then it happened. The piano sprang to life, violently opening and closing its top, complete with teeth, and came towards Mario while making a horrific piano key-smashing sound. It was at that point that I nearly had a heart attack and had to quickly maneuver Mario out of that room, but not before taking some damage due to my state of complete shock.
It took me several minutes before I got the courage to enter that dreaded piano room again. Sure it was a cheap scare, but I know I’m not the only one who has fallen prey to the trick that gave me my biggest gaming scare ever.
