Super Mario 64 DS

Publisher: Nintendo

ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

Review by: bard

Super Mario 64 DS Overview:

+ Same great 3D platforming.

+ New levels, stars and challenges.

+ Tons of mini-games.

+ New characters add a different feel.

- Control without analog stick can be clunky.

For the historic launch of a new system, what better mascot than the red-capped plumber? He's been at the forefront of new technology since his creation in the 80's, so it's only fitting that he lead the way to a new generation of handheld, touch screen gaming. This 3D platformer was originally released on the Nintendo 64 in the mid 90's but has now been miniaturized for the DS. This game is far from just a port of the original; enough new features have been added to give toughened veterans a strong reason to pick this one up.

It's-a Him, Yoshi!

Mario is invited to the castle by Princess Peach who has baked a cake for him. Never one to turn down confections from a princess, he agrees and hops to it. But Wario and Luigi somehow hear the news and crash the party. The three sprint to the entrance and the door ominously slams behind them.

Napping atop the castle, Yoshi realizes something is amiss. Why hasn't anyone come out of the castle yet? He climbs down and enters, quickly discovering that Bowser has imprisoned the heroes, kidnapped the Princess and stolen the castle's power stars.

Well, this won't do! Yoshi sets out to save the castle, the Princess, and Mario, Wario and Luigi. He has a very long day ahead of him.

On the Cutting Board

As you fire up your DS and get ready to play this game, you'll have three options to choose from: VS, Adventure, Rec Room. Versus is one of the more exciting additions to this game, allowing you and three friends to face off in a hunt for stars. Play occurs in several different arenas using the wireless multiplayer feature the DS is so famous for. This alone is a great reason to pick up this game. But wait, there's more!

The Adventure mode is essentially the game ported from the Nintendo 64. Playing as Yoshi, you enter the many paintings in the castle to re-capture the hidden stars from Bowser's baddies. Key differences include 30 extra stars to find (a total of 150), a few new stages, and minor cosmetic/gameplay tweaks to accommodate the new playable characters. The tiny changes will come as a huge surprise to veterans, so be sure to take a good stroll through the game to see what's new.

After you locate and rescue the other characters, you'll find their hats scattered throughout the stages. Grab one to play as that character until you take a hit. Each one has slightly different abilities that add some flavor to the game. For example, Luigi is the high-jumper and can walk on water for a few moments, Yoshi can nab enemies with his tongue, etc. It's entertaining to explore with the characters' different abilities.

The third major change to the game is the addition of mini-games. Yoshi learns early on that rabbits have stolen the keys to Princess Peach's gaming cabinet. Nab a bunny and you unlock one of the games. Each character has 9 mini-games, so you've got some rabbits to catch. The games make heavy use of the touch screen and are quite diverse. Again, having these alone on a cart might justify the purchase on its own.

Do You See What I See?

The graphics and sound have survived the shrinking process very well. The atmospheric birds chirping on the castle grounds sounds as good as ever, and the music is the usual toe-tapping Mario fare.

Graphically the game looks a little grainier in places than it's older brother. However, because the polygons are smaller, the overall look is much less blocky. Some effects have been added to smooth sprite transitions through the camera. Everything looks great on the small screen.

Analog?

One of the main concerns gamers have with a 3D game on a handheld system is the lack of an analog control stick. Nintendo swears the touch screen is a good substitute, but most gamers beg to differ. Using either the stylus or the thumb-nub, you have to stretch around the DS in order to reach the lower screen. Moving in a 3D world with a 2D screen takes some getting used to. After some time you'll be proficient, but it never feels the same as the good ole analog stick. It's as close as possible to the original experience, though, and a worthy sacrifice to have Mario on the go.

Conclusion

So what's the verdict? Super Mario 64 DS is about 70% old material and 30% original content. Is it worth it to buy a game that may only be partially new? Strangely enough, yes. The three new playable characters, 30 new stars and slight terrain changes make much of the game an entirely new experience for veterans. And of course it's an absolute treat having one of the greatest 3D platformers in your pocket. Super Mario 64 DS is a definite purchase for any DS owner, hands down.