Super Mario 64 DS
Platforms: N64, DS, Wii(VC)
Players: 1-4
Original Release Date(s): Nov 20 2004(US), Mar 11 2005(EU), Feb 24 2005(AU), Dec 2 2004(JP)
What started off as a simple four player tech demo of what the DS was capable of became a full on game, and while it's not a full blown remake it certainly adds enough to be considered it's own game when compared to the N64 classic.
Presentation
Very much the same in many ways to the original except of course the story now changes ever so slightly to having to rescue Mario, Luigi and Wario first before you can rescue the princess which is a nice addition to the game as it mixes thing up for those who have played and beat the game before, as such Yoshi now becomes the main controllable character for the early part of the game.
Other than that story change with the characters everything else is pretty much in line with the original game and doesn't attempt to change it too much but just enough to help it feel like a new game.
Graphics
In one respect they are much better than the original as they have clearly higher polygon counts for all of the character models, enemy models and really every little thing just looks that much better even the way the newer things are design they fit right in as if they were always there, from the new characters to the new levels everything looks excellent and at the time Nintendo really under played just what the DS could do from a visual standpoint, but it could clearly match anything that the N64 could do.
Maybe the only area that it looked worse than the N64 game was up close when you have big blocky textures but that is more to do with the hardware than anything and from an overall perspective it actually manages to completely out do the original which is nice that they went that route but I am sure even a direct port at the time wouldn't have been a bad thing but the upgrade is definitely noticeable a in a good way.
Sound
This is the one area of the game that hasn't really changed at all from the original everything sounds as it did the first time around and you will remember all of your favourite tunes and love them as much as you did the first time around, really it is the same high quality that you should have came to expect from the series now.
Gameplay
Certainly the biggest overall difference from this version and the original is the fact that the controls are vastly different when it comes to just moving the characters as there is no analog stick at all, but you have one of two choices and that is via the d-pad or the touch screen neither of which is prefect, the touch screen while the most accurate is often hard to control as the time when you hit the edge of the screen mean you will have to stop and recentre yourself and the two methods of doing that with either a thumb strap or stylus are far from the most natural feeling. The you have the d-pad which is overall the best of the two options but is much less accurate and as a result sneaking up on enemies is much harder too, as well as running in circles as the d-pad doesn't always match the character movement fast enough, at least mapping the running to a button seems to have worked out well enough though.
Camera control can be pretty tricky too as the free controls are again mapped to the touch screen and using them involves coming to a stop and looking at what you are doing, you can though auto position the camera behind you with a press of the L button which is the best option but not really on par with the original.
Unlike previous Mario handheld ports that have been pretty similar overall when it comes to how they control to the original this seem to be a case of make the system fit the game where as making a game designed for that particular system would be to make the game fit that system.
So while it is by no means perfect and doesn't quite match how it was meant to be played the first time around, to be able to play the game with the level of control you can with a d-pad is an impressive feat.
Lasting Appeal
Those who have played it before will more than likely breeze through the game even with the inclusion of 30 more power stars and some new levels and new twists on the older ones when it comes to collecting the new stars, but even then you will definitely want to beat the game and get all those power stars as it does feel like there are enough new additions to make it worth playing all over again.
Then there is the inclusion of both the multiplayer mode where up to four players can compete to see who can get the most power stars in the time limit, not the greatest mode but fun and one the really cam about from the original four player tech demo the was originally shown off, and the rec room which is a collection of mini games unlocked through out the main adventure with each of the four main characters and some are actually quite addictive and challenging and show how well the touch screen can be used on such games and actually add something to the package.
Overall
In many ways it is both better than the original and worse at the same time, but it is still a great game despite a few control issues that take a little getting used to as they are by no means crippling to the overall game just not as good as the originals, definitely worth picking up even if you have played the original to death though for the new content alone just don't expect a better experience this time around, that addition of the mini games also gives it a quick pick up and go moment too as they can be quite addictive at times and can pass the time.
Scores
Players: 1-4
Original Release Date(s): Nov 20 2004(US), Mar 11 2005(EU), Feb 24 2005(AU), Dec 2 2004(JP)
What started off as a simple four player tech demo of what the DS was capable of became a full on game, and while it's not a full blown remake it certainly adds enough to be considered it's own game when compared to the N64 classic.
Presentation
Very much the same in many ways to the original except of course the story now changes ever so slightly to having to rescue Mario, Luigi and Wario first before you can rescue the princess which is a nice addition to the game as it mixes thing up for those who have played and beat the game before, as such Yoshi now becomes the main controllable character for the early part of the game.
Other than that story change with the characters everything else is pretty much in line with the original game and doesn't attempt to change it too much but just enough to help it feel like a new game.
Graphics
In one respect they are much better than the original as they have clearly higher polygon counts for all of the character models, enemy models and really every little thing just looks that much better even the way the newer things are design they fit right in as if they were always there, from the new characters to the new levels everything looks excellent and at the time Nintendo really under played just what the DS could do from a visual standpoint, but it could clearly match anything that the N64 could do.
Maybe the only area that it looked worse than the N64 game was up close when you have big blocky textures but that is more to do with the hardware than anything and from an overall perspective it actually manages to completely out do the original which is nice that they went that route but I am sure even a direct port at the time wouldn't have been a bad thing but the upgrade is definitely noticeable a in a good way.
Sound
This is the one area of the game that hasn't really changed at all from the original everything sounds as it did the first time around and you will remember all of your favourite tunes and love them as much as you did the first time around, really it is the same high quality that you should have came to expect from the series now.
Gameplay
Certainly the biggest overall difference from this version and the original is the fact that the controls are vastly different when it comes to just moving the characters as there is no analog stick at all, but you have one of two choices and that is via the d-pad or the touch screen neither of which is prefect, the touch screen while the most accurate is often hard to control as the time when you hit the edge of the screen mean you will have to stop and recentre yourself and the two methods of doing that with either a thumb strap or stylus are far from the most natural feeling. The you have the d-pad which is overall the best of the two options but is much less accurate and as a result sneaking up on enemies is much harder too, as well as running in circles as the d-pad doesn't always match the character movement fast enough, at least mapping the running to a button seems to have worked out well enough though.
Camera control can be pretty tricky too as the free controls are again mapped to the touch screen and using them involves coming to a stop and looking at what you are doing, you can though auto position the camera behind you with a press of the L button which is the best option but not really on par with the original.
Unlike previous Mario handheld ports that have been pretty similar overall when it comes to how they control to the original this seem to be a case of make the system fit the game where as making a game designed for that particular system would be to make the game fit that system.
So while it is by no means perfect and doesn't quite match how it was meant to be played the first time around, to be able to play the game with the level of control you can with a d-pad is an impressive feat.
Lasting Appeal
Those who have played it before will more than likely breeze through the game even with the inclusion of 30 more power stars and some new levels and new twists on the older ones when it comes to collecting the new stars, but even then you will definitely want to beat the game and get all those power stars as it does feel like there are enough new additions to make it worth playing all over again.
Then there is the inclusion of both the multiplayer mode where up to four players can compete to see who can get the most power stars in the time limit, not the greatest mode but fun and one the really cam about from the original four player tech demo the was originally shown off, and the rec room which is a collection of mini games unlocked through out the main adventure with each of the four main characters and some are actually quite addictive and challenging and show how well the touch screen can be used on such games and actually add something to the package.
Overall
In many ways it is both better than the original and worse at the same time, but it is still a great game despite a few control issues that take a little getting used to as they are by no means crippling to the overall game just not as good as the originals, definitely worth picking up even if you have played the original to death though for the new content alone just don't expect a better experience this time around, that addition of the mini games also gives it a quick pick up and go moment too as they can be quite addictive at times and can pass the time.
Scores
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