Super Mario 64 DS Review (no fat)

Game Description

Game Description:

He's back! America's most talked about (and probably the only talked about) plumber is back in arguably the best game of all time! Experience the legendary platforming game that started the polygon revolution on Nintendo DS. Now it's on two screens and features enhanced graphics, new playable characters, and much more.

Introduction:

Super Mario 64 was the game that kicked off the arrival of the Nintendo 64. With that in mind, this is truly an eight year old game that has survived the test of time. No other game has superseded the standard it set in the realm of 3D games. It is the mold from which all other action and adventure games build from. And though many have copied its formula, none have accomplished what Nintendo did with Super Mario 64.

With confidence, I can say that Super Mario 64 DS is as good today as it was in 1996. What many will find is a world that is as lively on handheld as it was on the TV screen but with more detail. The Nintendo DS plays the meanest game of Super Mario 64 around, and the audio is clean, crisp, and in stereo. Not present in the original Super Mario 64 are new levels, new characters, and dozens of bonus games that promise to extend the life of an already lengthy platform/exploration game.

It is a better Super Mario 64.

Graphics:

While many console games have made the jump to handheld in recent years, not many of them have successfully maintained the level of graphical quality achieved on their native platform. Games like Donkey Kong Country, while faithfully reproduced on Gameboy Advance, have not equaled the graphics produced on fifteen year old hardware. The point this proves is the level of difficulty involved in making a game that ran at 480i, the standard TV resolution, fit on a three-inch screen.

This is not an issue for Super Mario 64 DS. Not only does it conform to the three inch screen, it looks clean. The plain-colored textures are gone, and in their place is detail. The new textures might be the ugliest we've seen in years, but they are textures and an obvious upgrade over the absence of real textures in the original game. It's fair to say Mario looks much more modern now.

In all, the game has more visual features and an overall better look. The worlds are faithfully intact, and there are even some surprises to be found including new levels that might be cause for a double-take. One thing is certain, Nintendo is not afraid to compare their remake on DS with the much newer Mario titles.

Sound:

The most noticeable difference in the transition from console to handheld is the drop in sound quality. In most cases, handheld speakers and headphones won't compare to the sound a TV outputs, and we won't even bother to consider surround sound systems. Still, a fair assessment of the sound in Super Mario 64 DS gets a thumb up. The DS features stereo speakers, which are better than decent for this game.

In Super Mario 64 DS, the whole soundtrack from the original has been reproduced. It sounds much like the original, and that's worth praising. The only gripe is that some sounds in the game don't always sound right on the DS speakers. At certain volume levels, the sound can become distorted beyond recognition. But who is going to really notice this if he or she has to turn the volume up that loud? Most of my encounters with this sound issue have occurred while on a big loud city bus where the DS is incapable of producing an audible sound. I'd hedge my bets most never discover the volume issue, and I've yet to encounter it with headphones.

Gameplay and Control:

The important question here is how well Super Mario 64 DS plays in comparison to the original. In that regard, it comes down to how much a person likes the Nintendo 64 controller and analog stick. In fact, the biggest gripe toward the game has been the lack of an analog stick on the DS. So, before proceeding with gameplay comments, let one thing be understood: the controls in Mario 64 DS are meant to be a different experience. It's why we have a touch screen in addition to the game screen.

I found myself alternating between the D-pad and the thumb strap. It seems as though most have deemed the thumb strap as the solution to the D-pad. I found myself using the D-pad to make up for the thumb strap. Any sense of touch-screen analog control may as well be thrown away, but to anyone who cannot tolerate D-pad control in 3D environments, Nintendo offers you the challenge of virtual analog control on the touch-screen. I actually like using the D-pad for Super Mario 64, and either are a viable control solution.

Getting back to the basis of gameplay, we must confront the original question. One glance at the DS reveals the absence of quite a few buttons that were vital to the Nintendo 64 experience. The jump to fully 3D worlds necessitates control over the viewpoint. Yet, the control scheme of the Nintendo DS more closely resembles the Super Nintendo! No matter which control scheme one chooses, the touch screen becomes a vital part of the gameplay. It offers the best control over the camera, and it promises to cause plenty of thumbprint smudges on the touch screen.

To Mario 64 DS's benefit, the touch screen allows for better feel of the free floating camera and offers an overhead map. Navigating levels has never been less of a headache, and playing the game is a pleasure whenever the controls aren't a hindrance. Both serve to simplify a game that has also been credited with complicating a series that was popular because of simplicity.

To bolster the experience of playing (or replaying in most cases) Super Mario 64 DS, Nintendo has added three new characters who offer slightly different takes to each level. Starting the game, everyone will play through the first handful of levels as Yoshi. Yoshi is completely unique from Mario and changes the way the game is played. He is able to jump much higher with his midair jump. And, in some instances, swallowing enemies will lead to Yoshi creating eggs, which he can then use as ammunition to launch at nearby enemies. With each character's unique abilities, getting stars can become a matter of strategy and problem solving as opposed to simple skill with the controls.

Moreover, unlocking the different characters is now a primary goal of the game. In the game's premise, Mario, Luigi, and Wario have shown up at Peach's castle on invitation. Once Yoshi has unlocked his three allies, gamers will have the choice of which character to use to solve each level. Mario is as true to the original game as ever, but using the other characters creates a whole new experience. And anyone who hopes to attain all of the bonus games will at least run around a fair bit with each character to earn them.

Super Mario 64 DS is a very faithful remake of the original with numerous additions and plenty to keep even the most radical fanatic entertained for a couple of weeks. At that point, however, there aren't likely to be any new features to find in the game. Still, there is plenty to do and much enjoyment to be had during idle time.

Value:

Super Mario has always been about fun. Playing each level is supposed to be fun. For those who love Super Mario 64, this is the same game remade for DS. The bonus games in Peach's game room are a huge addition to the game, though. While most are small and incredibly simplistic, there are a half dozen of these games that are worth playing. Some of them are extremely intense, and all of them make use of the touch screen in some fashion. The best use of the stylus thus far has been in the bonus games. In addition with Super Mario 64, the bonus games are an experience worth paying for.

Also new to Mario 64 is the wireless multiplayer mode. Up to four people can battle it out for stars in the network mode. While this is not the sort of deep, multiplayer battle arena that hordes of gamers will play endlessly, it's a fun feature that puts to use the DS's local wireless capabilities.

Final Verdict:

Super Mario 64 DS is an improvement over the original in every way. However, this is not the revolutionary leap that made the Nintendo 64 a must buy. The controls are likely to have a major bearing over enjoyment of the game but should not be much of a hassle. What remains is the best version of Super Mario 64 to date, and it's packed to the brim with goodies that make this the ultimate first purchase for new DS owners. I wouldn't be without this game if I owned a DS.

Rating: 9/10

Review by: Donny Simpson