This is Mario's greatest adventure ever!
User Rating: 9.6 | Super Mario 64 DS DS
I never had an N64 so I missed out on Super Mario 64 back in '96. But, with the DS getting an enhanced port of the game I knew I couldn't pass it up again and I'm definitly glad I didn't. Gameplay: Mario 64 DS plays just like Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. Princess Peach's castle is the main area and you access all other areas from there. Inside the castle there are many doors that contain paintings, you have to enter the painting worlds, which each contain 7 missions that all end up giving you a power star upon completion. The painting worlds come in wide varieties, you'll visit Egyptian themed deserts, a mountain covered in snow and ice, dive under water, fly thru the sky, etc. Like past Mario games you'll have to navigate thru jump puzzles making precise movements. The puzzles featured in the game aren't unfairly hard and you should be able to get thru them with some practice. If you do happen to come across a puzzle that is a bit too hard it could be that you are using the incorrect character for the job. A new addition to the DS version is the ability to play as either Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, or Wario. Initially you will start the game as Yoshi and proceed to rescue the others. When you want to switch your character you simply return to the castle and enter the specific character's room to play as them (this can only be done after they are rescued). If you get a little bored with the main adventure the game also features more than 30 mini games that you play using the stylus. The mini games provide a great way to amuse yourself when you can't find anything else to do. You start the game with only a few mini games, but when playing the main game you'll come across rabbits, if you catch a rabbit you'll be given a key that unlocks a mini game. To get all the mini games you'll have to play as all the characters and catch all of their specific rabbits. Super Mario 64 DS also features a multiplayer mode that is quite different than the ones found on the GameBoy Advance Mario games. In this multiplayer mode four people can play at once using a single Super Mario 64 DS game card. There are only four maps to choose from, but they're all pretty good. The object is to be the one to collect the most out of 5 stars in a 60 second round. Everyone is a different color yoshi, but you can pick up either Mario, Luigi, or Wario's hat in order to play as them. Control: The control in the game is a bit weird a first, but after some practice it will become second nature to you. Though many reviewers hated the D-pad while playing the game, I think it works the best of all the choices. It takes some time to get used to playing a 3D game with a D-pad, but it works just fine. The touch screen control works a lot more like a joy stick, its pretty responsive, but I just don't think its as refined as it could be. Sound: The sound in the game is all top notch. All of Mario's hoots and hollers are found in this portable version and they all sound great. The tunes are catchy and they stay with you in a good way. I really don't have any complaints here, everything just sounds great. Overall, Super Mario 64 DS is a top notch game that is a perfect launch title. I always wanted to play the game, and now I have to chance to play it better than it was originally. If you own a DS or plan on getting one you can't go wrong with Super Mario 64 DS. 
