cheat-master30
15th June 2007, 09:23 PM
Super Mario 64 DS, A Classic Game returns in style!
Back when the Nintendo 64 launched, there was Super Mario 64, an iconic game which some say launched the modern style of 3D platforming adventures that were to come. And now, with the DS comes an enhanced re-make of that classic game. But is this re-make as good as the original, better or far worse?
Graphics and presentation
Well, this is just one of the best looking games on DS, and also an amazing job as a whole. What is really good is not just that the same kind of graphics from the original were ported over, but that they were improved since the Nintendo 64 era. Boos no longer look like weird spirits, Bowser looks more like Bowser should and Mario looks less like a man made from lego. And be relieved the horrible Nintendo 64 Thwomp character model is dead, and the nice, new classic styled modern one has been brought in, which is not blue, has spikes but does the same thing. All in all amazing, unless you were honestly expecting Super Mario Sunshine or Super Mario Galaxy graphics, in which case you shouldn't be looking for a handheld videogame.
Sound and Music
Good, but not great. It's good enough that it doesn't drive you insane, like some of the music from Yoshi's Island DS, but not all of it is 100% classic like Luigi's Mansion, Mario and Luigi Partners in Time or Paper Mario music.In all with this aspect, most is satisfactory to good music, while some is extremely cool music, the final battle theme being a pretty good example.
Controls
Now, these are NOT a let down. Regardless of how rubbish IGN and Gamespot reviewers obviously are at playing videogames, the controls are fine for the semi decent gamer. Sure, a three year old may have some minor trouble moving and jumping, but most gamers are a lot better than the average infant. As for alternate control modes, they are okay, but not great. You can surely use them well, but classic is the all time favourite choice by gaming professionals for this game as it allows you to control the gaming action how it was meant to be played, like on the Nintendo 64 and the countless Mario games which didn't use the control pad or touch screen features before this was released. Mini games are perfectly playable with the touch screen, and are well suited to it though.
Gameplay
Amazing as usual. Because to be honest, this game had very few enjoyment flaws, if any while on the Nintendo 64 and that plus the changes involing more stars and characters is truly a great thing. And if you have only played the original, then still buy this, because the new stars and changes are well worth the cost, especially have three neat characters to play as. Plus, mini games are extremely addictive to play, and
will have you returning time and time again for high scores (still not as fun as playing Warioware though for mini games). Truly perfection, just as the amazing original was.
Changes
I can say as a whole these are positive in most ways, but if there is one thing I must do it is question the effort put into the new level additions. The characters were well thought out and play well, the mini games were mainly good ideas and the controls were thought out. However, my only criticism is that the new levels have extremely poor level design in my opinion, which can hamper it, Big Boo Battle being the best case in mind of boring design and Sunshine Isles being slightly below par in mimmicking Sunshine. Not that these will hamper it too much, but I honestly feel this could have been a wasted chance, one which could be used to include proper new worlds to the equation.
Length
This is fine. With 150 stars to collect, coin collecting possible, hidden 1-ups in levels, mini games to open and perfect and multiplayer, the length cannot really be beat, and has no flaws as such.
Overall
In all, this game is an amazing effort by Nintendo. It was ported to the small screen extremely well, the controls work in the scenario, presentation has been improved in many ways and much new content has been included. My only gripe here though is that some of the new content feels extremely bland and tacked on. A good effort overall though.
95%
Back when the Nintendo 64 launched, there was Super Mario 64, an iconic game which some say launched the modern style of 3D platforming adventures that were to come. And now, with the DS comes an enhanced re-make of that classic game. But is this re-make as good as the original, better or far worse?
Graphics and presentation
Well, this is just one of the best looking games on DS, and also an amazing job as a whole. What is really good is not just that the same kind of graphics from the original were ported over, but that they were improved since the Nintendo 64 era. Boos no longer look like weird spirits, Bowser looks more like Bowser should and Mario looks less like a man made from lego. And be relieved the horrible Nintendo 64 Thwomp character model is dead, and the nice, new classic styled modern one has been brought in, which is not blue, has spikes but does the same thing. All in all amazing, unless you were honestly expecting Super Mario Sunshine or Super Mario Galaxy graphics, in which case you shouldn't be looking for a handheld videogame.
Sound and Music
Good, but not great. It's good enough that it doesn't drive you insane, like some of the music from Yoshi's Island DS, but not all of it is 100% classic like Luigi's Mansion, Mario and Luigi Partners in Time or Paper Mario music.In all with this aspect, most is satisfactory to good music, while some is extremely cool music, the final battle theme being a pretty good example.
Controls
Now, these are NOT a let down. Regardless of how rubbish IGN and Gamespot reviewers obviously are at playing videogames, the controls are fine for the semi decent gamer. Sure, a three year old may have some minor trouble moving and jumping, but most gamers are a lot better than the average infant. As for alternate control modes, they are okay, but not great. You can surely use them well, but classic is the all time favourite choice by gaming professionals for this game as it allows you to control the gaming action how it was meant to be played, like on the Nintendo 64 and the countless Mario games which didn't use the control pad or touch screen features before this was released. Mini games are perfectly playable with the touch screen, and are well suited to it though.
Gameplay
Amazing as usual. Because to be honest, this game had very few enjoyment flaws, if any while on the Nintendo 64 and that plus the changes involing more stars and characters is truly a great thing. And if you have only played the original, then still buy this, because the new stars and changes are well worth the cost, especially have three neat characters to play as. Plus, mini games are extremely addictive to play, and
will have you returning time and time again for high scores (still not as fun as playing Warioware though for mini games). Truly perfection, just as the amazing original was.
Changes
I can say as a whole these are positive in most ways, but if there is one thing I must do it is question the effort put into the new level additions. The characters were well thought out and play well, the mini games were mainly good ideas and the controls were thought out. However, my only criticism is that the new levels have extremely poor level design in my opinion, which can hamper it, Big Boo Battle being the best case in mind of boring design and Sunshine Isles being slightly below par in mimmicking Sunshine. Not that these will hamper it too much, but I honestly feel this could have been a wasted chance, one which could be used to include proper new worlds to the equation.
Length
This is fine. With 150 stars to collect, coin collecting possible, hidden 1-ups in levels, mini games to open and perfect and multiplayer, the length cannot really be beat, and has no flaws as such.
Overall
In all, this game is an amazing effort by Nintendo. It was ported to the small screen extremely well, the controls work in the scenario, presentation has been improved in many ways and much new content has been included. My only gripe here though is that some of the new content feels extremely bland and tacked on. A good effort overall though.
95%