Super Mario 64 DS

Publisher: Nintendo

Platform: DS

Category: Action / Adventure

Rating Info

Release Date: 11/03/2005

Member Rating:

Number of Players: 1

Super Mario 64 DS Description

Microsoft's J Allard once said, "Mario 64 is the literature of videogames". The Xbox head man might well have regretted this, given that now Nintendo is hawking a re-work of the classic N64 game. Given that the Nintendo DS is essentially a shrunk-down N64, albeit with a few high-brow PDA inspired augmentations, a revised back catalogue is par for the Nintendo course. With Mario 64 DS, Nintendo delivers to a fresh audience one of the greatest videogame experiences of all time, and throws in a few freshly-unearthed gems for the already indoctrinated. Now a launch title for two platforms, Mario 64 is simply the greatest 3D platform game of all time. There really isn't much debate on this point, even amongst the most hardcore elements of gaming. Although it might be knocking on for a decade, it was so ahead of its time as to be fresher and more entertaining than almost anything to have been offered on current platforms within its genre. Key additions include the ability to tackle to 150 challenges as different characters. Luigi, Yoshi and Wario are all playable, all with trademark moves from their respective solo outings. Nintendo has also spent a great deal of time tricking out the Mario 64 DS cart with a plethora of minigames, enough to rival even the dedicated mini-game offerings for the DS, of which there are many. As the control element and camera angles - so key to the original version's success - have been stripped out, the DS, without the analogue stick of the N64, has to botch the job somewhat. The D-pad works to a playable degree though it does lack that certain precision that Mario 64 demands for success. Enter the touch screen and thumb-pad. With the thumb pad the game is revolutionised, with startlingly accurate analogue control that feels unnatural only for the first minute of play. There is a simple fact about Mario 64 DS. It's one of the greatest videogames of all time. If you buy a DS and you're looking for something to accompany the Metroid Prime: Hunters demo, buy it. It's not really an option, more your duty to support a work of videogame genius.

Screenshots

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Reviewed by:	Date: 01/04/2006	Rating:
Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64 was one of the first, if not the first, to offer up a true 3D adventure. No more linear gameplay. A fully open 3D environment to roam around and solve whatever puzzles came across your path. Fast forward to the present day and we have for the DS a faithful recreation of the classic N64 game. This game is a Nintendo developed title and it shows. The graphical quality and overall presentation are excellent and it shows what the DS can really do if the software is written well. In terms of the gameplay, nothing much has really changed from when it first appeared on the N64. A few tweaks here and there have freshened things up and a selection of unlockable mini-games show off the DS's touch screen functionality. Its only failing is its control scheme. The touch screen is used as a psuedo analog control stick and it fails miserably. Okay, its a first attempt at it by Nintendo, but I think they would have been better adding full blown digital control to the d-pad. That said, its still a cracking title and worth having in your collection just to show off what the DS can do !

Reviewed by:	Date: 14/08/2006	Rating:
THIS GAME IS NOT ONLINE ENABLED - there is no online component to this game. The only four online enabled DS games are shown here: http://www.nintendowifi.co.uk/global/index.jsp?locale=en_GB

Reviewed by:	Date: 07/08/2006	Rating:
everyone must have played mario 64, that but better

Features

Play as Mario, Yoshi, Luigi and even Wario. You'll need to use each one's unique abilities to find 150 Power Stars hidden in the castle and grounds.

Play through Adventure mode and try your stylus-wielding hand at tons of new touch-sensitive mini-games.

Battle up to three friends in Wireless Versus mode, which you can play with only one Super Mario 64 DS game card.

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