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submitted by Modojo Staff
posted January 30, 2005
One of the greatest games of all time hits Nintendo's new handheld, but does it lose some of its magic in translation?
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submitted by GamerGeorgeposted 1 week agoOne of the greatest games to ever be released for Nintendo's 64-bit powerhouse, the Nintendo 64, gets a dual screen makeover with Super Mario 64 DS for the Nintendo DS. Featuring improved graphics over its N64 sister, several new characters to play as, 30 additional stars to find and collect, and newly-added mini-games that use some of the DS' unique features quite nicely, Super Mario 64 DS proves to be a very competent update to the legendary Nintendo 64 launch title.
If you're not familiar with the original N64 version, here's a quick rundown of the necessary-to-know facts. In addition to being a visually superb game at the launch of the Nintendo 64--one that demonstrated more than a mere glimpse of what was possible with the at-the-time unsurpassed hardware--Super Mario 64 was also a tremendously excellent game in terms of controls. Taking full advantage of the Nintendo 64's analog stick, which was the first time a stick of its nature was a mandatory part of the controller packed in with a video game console, the title was absolutely brilliant gameplay-wise as the controls never seemed bothersome at all as they quickly became second nature for almost instantaneously addicted fanatics. The creator, legendary "magician" Shigeru Miyamoto, showed the world just how good his games could get, as well as the undeniable potential the analog stick had hidden, waiting to be unlocked by those capable enough to unlock it. As well as that, it also displayed viewers and players alike that Mario could definitely make a successful (and nearly seamless) transition from the world of 2D sprites to 3D polygons.
Unfortunately, though, since the Nintendo DS does not have an analog stick (or even an "analog nub", like the one featured on the competing Sony PSP), the controls take a bit of a hit in the translation from console to handheld entry. The clear omission of such a stick on the dual-screened handheld more than implies that the nature of moving Mario and his pals around the title's vast amount of areas won't be quite as enjoyable. Now, with that said, I still happened to get an admittedly remarkable sum of fun simply using the d-pad to move around, which is actually not as bad as you might imagine it to be, considering this is a 3D Mario, not a 2D side-scroller. If you're not fond of using a d-pad to move around in a three-dimensional world, then you can use a staple of the DS, the stylus, in conjunction with the face buttons to move around and pull off abilities. Finally, if both the d-pad and stylus just don't cut it for you, you also have the option of using the basically forgotten about thumb strap, if that's your style. All in all, while the absence of the much-respected analog stick is missed at times, it still won't prevent you from enjoying Super Mario 64 DS.
The basic theme of the original version of the game is still fully intact, as you'll have to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of the evil and always-gotta-be-doing-something-wrong Bowser. It's there where the similarities end, at least in terms of story and introduction. You see, instead of beginning the game as Mario, you'll rather be fitted in as Yoshi. As Yoshi, you'll have to help Mario out of his holding by trying to locate a key that will free him. That's also how you'll free the game's other playable captives, Luigi and Wario.
Mario and his controllable pals each have their own unique set of skills that you'll be able to use at times to advance throughout the many challenges you'll encounter. There are these red boxes which specifically house these flowers that enable the character you're currently engaged as to do or become one of a number of things. For instance, if you're Mario and you use one of these flowers you'll grow to around three times your normal size and also simultaneously gain the ability to float and move around in mid-air temporarily. Luigi, meanwhile, will become invisible should he utilize one of these aforementioned flowers. Moving on, Wario's body will become a frame of steel which will allow him to walk underwater, since he's so heavy (not that he isn't heavy to begin with). Lastly, Yoshi will be granted the ability of spitting fire when he ingests a flower.
Super Mario 64 DS features a greatly diverse amount of levels to traverse and explore. You'll find yourself venturing through a battlefield, swimming with the fishes underwater, seeking supernatural spirits in a ghost house, avoiding being burned by volcanoes, and even avoiding the hands of time, among many others. Simply put, if a highly solid amount of explorable areas if what you're looking, then you've come to the right place.
It wouldn't be a Mario game without some bright and colorful worlds, and Super Mario 64 DS doesn't disappoint in that regard either. The game has a vibrant, almost radiant charm to it that is full of life. Not only does the game sport better-looking worlds, the characters themselves--both good and bad--also look noticeably improved. It does help that there's an eight-year gap between the release of the Nintendo 64 installment and the release Nintendo DS version, allowing Nintendo's developers to fine-tune their graphical skills. And since this is basically a sign of what's to come regarding the future of graphically-intense games on the DS, Super Mario 64 DS is a very nice start.
It also wouldn't be a Mario game without some truly exceptional music, and the game also manages to definitely impress in that particular category. From the laidback music that plays while you swim around in Jolly Roger Bay, to the upbeat music that's on as you plot your plan of action in Bob-Omb Battlefield, to the ominous tune that plays while you battle Bowser, you can't knock the game's composer Koji Kondo in any possible way when it comes to the soundtrack he's expertly crafted.
The almost never ending list of greatness attributed to this title continues as there's a plethora of things to do; specifically, in the form of unlocking stars. With a hundred-fifty in total, all spread across fifteen separate areas--not including the stars that are unlocked in other manners--you'll undoubtedly be spending a whole lot of time making your way through Super Mario 64 DS numerous challenges, trying to nail down every last star.
Even if you've managed to gain every single star, though, there's still the little matter of the "Rec Room". Basically, this mode is limited exclusively to mini-games that are unlockable through the capturing of various rabbits located throughout the title. Examples of mini-games you can unlock and play include "Wanted!", which sees you looking for the face of a particular individual in a crowd that can expand from storing only a handful of faces to one that has an overwhelming amount, "Mario's Slides", which has you guiding Mario down slides toward a capturable star with the stylus, drawing lines on the touch screen to move him closer to the destination, and "Memory Match", which simply has you memorizing where certain cards are and picking the correct set of two consecutively. Clearly, Nintendo has packed Super Mario 64 DS, their flagship title for the Nintendo DS, with plenty of stuff to keep you occupied.
Overall, Super Mario 64 DS is an absolutely great and just plain fun title for the DS, just like it was so many years ago on the Nintendo 64. It's a very solid port of the N64 legend, with some improvements (more playable characters, better graphics and a nice batch of unique mini-games) and some downgrades (the lack of an analog stick hurts the controls a bit). If you've ever had an itch to play some portable Super Mario 64, consider that itch scratched. Super Mario 64 DS has arrived, it's portable, and it's worth it.
submitted by yoda2162posted 3 months agoyou have got to play this game, it is a remake of the original game, "Super Mario 64" this is the best game ever. DO IT, DO IT
