The very best Nintendo DS (game so far)
User Rating: 9.5 | Super Mario 64 DS DS
It’s a given that with every new console Nintendo releases there is going to be a Mario game. In the case of the Nintendo DS, we have Super Mario 64 DS. Obviously, you get the same game that forever changed the face of platform gaming on your new portable system. However, this is not a direct port; far from it. It’s the N64 game, but with many twists. Of course, they original was a fantastic game that anyone with an N64 should have played. Little things such as multi-player and mini games have been added in to make this a different game. So how does this DS version of a console game fair up against the rest? Well, let’s take a more in-depth look. Graphics Super Mario 64 DS is essentially graphically equal to it’s N64 counterpart. However, there is a higher polygon count within the models. In terms of comparison, this is not a game with the best graphics that you may find on the other launch titles. However, that’s not to say that it looks ugly. In fact, it’s one of the more graphically pleasing of the games so far. This game lives within a fully 3D world that you can explore. I might even go as far as saying that this very game may have better graphics than the original. Due to the DS’ lack of any filtering, though, there are occasions in which you may find some “shaky” textures on the walls. This is really only noticeable when looking at brick walls and the like. Besides these few graphical errors, there is nothing to really complain about. Like I said earlier, this game is not going to win any beauty contests, but it stands out well. The areas that seem most graphically capable are the mini games. I have not found any graphical flaws that seem to immediately jump out at you. The mini games are beautifully rendered and equally compelling to play. Something else that surprised me was the detail in the maps that appear on the touch screen. The colors and shadows used are brilliant and help the maps pop out into a 3D figure. Moving to textures, the quality of each varies. Some are actually impressive and clear. Others are pixilated and bring the view of certain areas to a halt. All these tiny details are easier to stomach thanks to the small screen size of the system itself. There are no slowdowns while playing as the game keeps a constant and high frame rate that is visually appealing. When we compare this game towards its 1996 counterpart, I believe that it is safe to say that the DS version is much more graphically detailed than the other. It actually surprised me how Nintendo managed to pull of such detail while porting it over. Sound What Super Mario 64 DS lacks in graphical power is virtually iminished when you actually hear the game itself. The DS is known as having stereo speakers onboard with surround capability. How do you test such an ability? Well, you can play this game. Super Mario 64 DS takes full advantage of the DS’ speakers and puts out the best sound you have ever heard in a handheld. Even while listening to the game wearing headphones, you can still hear sounds coming from any direction. You can tell that Nintendo spent a good amount of time orking on the sound division of Super Mario 64 DS. The only thing that sort of bothers me is actually listening to some of the characters voices. There are instances in which a character lets out a grunt or something similar and it sounds a bit muffled. My guess is the “voices” were ported to the game at a lower bit rate. There really is no problem with the sound at all because of the life it puts into the game. Such wonderful sound puts you into the game with such a depth that is really indescribable. A good example of testing the sound is the initial start up. You see the star moving around and the sound moves around as well from speaker to speaker. There’s no doubt that the sound is definitely on of the best parts of the game. Gameplay What’s there to say about gameplay? This game holds out just as its console version did back in the days of the N64. If the graphics and the sound were fantastic, the gameplay is too, right? Well, yes and no. You will still find your favourite Super Mario gameplay within this game. This is the game that changed the face of platformers in a good way. You are still the hero who must save the princess as in the other games, but there’s a twist. In the original Super Mario 64, you began as Mario in front on Princess Peach’s castle. However, this game puts a twist immediately into the game as soon as you start. First, Mario pops out of his classic mode of transportation; the pipe. What’s this? Two more pipes emerge from the ground. Who have they brought with them? Why, its Wario and Luigi of course! Well, our heroes set off and the camera pans out to the top of the castle. What could possibly be on top of the castle that is more important than Mario, Wario, and Luigi? It’s a sleeping Yoshi. After some quick dialogue we begin our adventure controlling Yoshi. Our heroes have suddenly disappeared. From here you continue the adventure to collect some stars. Of course, you can unlock all three moustachioed heroes after playing through the game a bit and can interchange between them whenever needed. Each character has his own set of special abilities that come in handy in different areas. Yoshi can take in enemies with his tongue and turn them into eggs, and Mario can punch and kick other enemies. Wario has the powerful punch and Luigi has the jump. Of course, there are many other features to each character that I’ll leave you to discover. The mini games also provide many good times for you to enjoy. You begin with 8 and as you progress through the story you find rabbits that will give up their keys that unlock new mini games. What else is there? Multiplayer has been added to this game that will have you and your friends competing against each other. The multiplayer isn’t the most enjoyable thing in the world, but it does take advantage of one of the DS’ unique features. You only need one game cartridge to play with up to four players, which uses the DS’ wireless download to download game data to its memory allowing you to play. All in all, Super Mario 64 features some breathtaking gameplay that will keep you busy for a good while. With all the magnificent gameplay Super Mario 64 DS provides, there are a few weak spots. One such weakness is the in-game camera. You have the option to move the camera around or centering it behind your character, but it still becomes a hassle having to control the camera while simultaneously controlling your character. Another issue that I had was the controls themselves. The original Super Mario 64 relied on the analog stick. The DS version makes up for this by making use of the touch screen. However, the controls will take some getting used to. You can use your thumb to move your character around, but you may find that it tends to move to other areas of the screen, slowing down the movement. The controls could have definitely used a little more work, and you will notice it during your experience playing it. Other than that, the rest of the gameplay is really solid. This game is definitely a keeper for your Nintendo DS. Lifespan This is a game that was originally built for console gaming. As such, this game will require a great deal of time to complete. This game will keep you at your DS for many, many hours on end. It’s not a game that is short and quick like many portable games these days. There's always something to do while you have the game on hand. There are many mini games to unlock and those will almost definitely keep you busy no matter how long you play. If that won't keep you busy, then you always have multiplayer. Just find someone else (up to four people) and you are good to go. The game is simply addictive in the fact that it's fun and simple- and that works. So no matter how long you may have this game, iit's safe to say that it will keep you busy a long, long time. Summary This is THE flagship title for the Nintendo DS. Nintendo ensured that this game would make the most out of the DS’ features. It shows as well. The graphics are superb, even with its minor flaws. The game is extremely impressive from a visual perspective. The sound is amazing as well. It makes full use of the Nintendo DS’ stereo speakers and gives you a true appreciation for the speakers, compared to the sounds that previous hand helds have offered. The gameplay offers many hours of play time from the original. Extra features such as wireless multiplayer and touchscreen oriented mini games. The game ensures that you won’t put it away by offering much more than many of the launch titles currently available. Story twists and bonus features keep the overall appeal of the game high. The DS’ touch screen is fully utilized in this game which is a big plus for the game. If not for a few flaws holding it back, this is a game that deserves a high rating. 
