Pros: Additional Characters, New Stars To Collect
Cons: Touch Screen Controls, D-Pad Controls, Easier With Luigi's Jumping
The bottom line: Hardly Reason to Purchase the DS, But If You Already Own The System Than What Are You Waiting For?
The Nintendo 64 is viewed by many to have been a failure. Many hardcore gamers wouldn't even touch the machine, but these are the very people who missed out on the Nintendo "magic" when it was in it's prime. The basic selling point of the Nintendo 64 for much of it's early life was it's flagship title, Super Mario 64. This game was a breakthrough for it's time, with full blown colorful 3-D worlds and graphics that almost seemed ahead of their time. Needless to say, because of the console's problems numerous gamers missed out on this one. Now let's look at the present. Last May Nintendo unveiled their latest handheld, the Nintendo DS. In Nintendo's predictable handheld port manner, they had a past Mario title to accompany their system. This game was Super Mario 64 DS, and it went to become a launch title for this little system. Has the magic faded away over time? Read on to find out.

Super Mario 64 itself is a significant game in a number of ways. First off, it was one of the first truly immersive 3-D console platformer titles. Not only did it nearly single handedly launch the Nintendo 64 throughout the world, but it is still widely considered to be one of the best (if not the best) platform title in the last ten years. This bodes well for Nintendo's case of the lazies, as they haven't made an original true Mario game for any of their handhelds for quite some time. They've been quite content with just re-releasing their older titles, which is the case with Super Mario 64 DS. Is this a bad thing? Yeah, I'm beginning to think that simply re-releasing older titles just isn't enough anymore. I just couldn't help but pick up Super Mario 64 DS though, so I guess I'm a part of the problem.

Storyline
One of the first things you'll notice about Super Mario 64 DS is that you start the game playing as Yoshi, whereas Mario was the only playable character in the original Mario 64. Basically the game begins as Mario, Luigi and Wario head over to Princess Peach's castle to mow down on some cake. Unluckily for them, Bowser has captured the Princess, the castle stars, and now the three plumbers. Fortunately Yoshi was asleep outside of the castle, and he is now the only one who can save everyone from Bowser.

Already the differences from the original Mario 64 are noticeable. Firstly, anyone who played the original Super Mario 64 can see that the story has been tweaked to support the other three characters. What I wasn't expecting though was that Nintendo would completely change the beginning scenario, forcing you to start out the adventure as Yoshi. This turned out to be quite the pleasant surprise, especially when you get a feel for just how differently each of the characters controls in this game. The other characters are unlockable as you progress, but for now, you're stuck with Yoshi.

Gameplay
Upon beginning playing, you will quickly realize that the castle area plays as only a lobby of sorts. From here, you can adjust yourself to the controls and just generally mess around. The levels are cleverly accessed in the castle through jumping into magical paintings strewn around in the different rooms and floors of Peach's dwelling. There's also a few secrets located around the castle, but you will discover them as you become more familiar with the castle. Most of the levels are sealed off in the beginning, as nearly all doors feature a star symbol with a number inside of it. This number represents how many stars you must acquire before being allowed to enter and play through the level. You'll certainly be doing a lot of star seeking across the sometimes vast 3-D landscapes.

In the various 3-D worlds of Super Mario 64 DS you can jump, stomp, punch, and slide your way to victory. One of the elements I've always loved most about Super Mario 64 is travelling around in the various environments. You'll encounter plenty of opponents to punch or stomp across your travels, this works to keep you on your tows. The landscapes vary, as you'll find yourself trudging through a desert, through a lake with a sunken ship on the bottom, through a thwomp's fortress, and even a world where things are either tiny or huge. One of the greatest elements to the game is in just how the lanscapes are altered due to the different star tasks, to open up a new way. You don't alwyas have to go after the star you've selected, but it's the only way you'll get the clue.

One element I've always loved about Super Mario 64 is just how much linearity the game cuts out of the Mario games before it. This is no simple run and jump from one end of a level to the next; Super Mario 64 DS requires some serious hunting and exploration. Clues are given at the beginning of the level as to the whereabout of the selected star, but these are often vague and only really tell you where in the level you should be looking. Every star feels like an accomplishment in it's own, and since each level features multiple stars this game really makes you work hard at times in order to complete the given tasks. It adds a little to the pacing when some stars are nearly impossible to find, while others are practically handed out to you. The difficulty in acquiring stars does increase as you move on to later areas though.

As earlier mentioned, you begin the game as Yoshi. This doesn't mean that you'll be stuck with the green dino forever, but it does mean that you'll have to traverse across the first few levels as Mario's hungry pet. In the beginning you can already notice how different this remake is from it's N64 counterpart, as Yoshi handles slightly different and has some different abilities which differ from Mario's. As you progress a bit into the game you will unlock Mario, Luigi and Wario and will be able to play as them. As with Yoshi, these other two non-mario characters have different handling abilities which will best suit the quest for specific stars. Luigi features his trademark awkwardly slow but higher than normal jump, while Wario is quite a bit heavier and cannot jump as high. Luigi also has the ability to turn invisible, while Wario can break through specific objects. These litte differences in character will play a very big role in playing through the game. Sometimes you can simply switch your character by finding one of the other playable character's hats inside the levels. These caps are highlighted on the lower screen, and are necessary in order to complete certain tasks when you don't yet have all of the characters unlocked.

New abilities have also been added to the roster, and are sure to strike up a nostalgia note with classic Nintendo fans. Each of the characters use these power-ups differently, and they are gained through touching a Power Flower. Mario gains the classic blow up and float move, Luigi can turn invisible, Yoshi can breathe fire, and Wario gains a more powerful punch. This doesn't leave out the original Super Mario 64 power-ups though, as Mario can still gain the wing cap, Luigi can gain the invisibility cap, and Wario the metal hat. Because of the differentiating powers from each of the characters, their skills become necessary at specific times during the quest for stars. There's no way you will be able to avoid changing characters now and then which can be a slight hassle at times, but the added diversity never wears out it's welcome.

The aforementioned characters are really what sets this 'remake' of sorts apart from the original content. Often times additions take away from the feeling the original title retains, yet in this case it really seems as if this was the original vision that Nintendo may have had for Super Mario 64. Not only is there now more diversity in gameplay, but there's more to do and experience with the new stars. Another addition (though much less important than the new characters) are the bonus games. These little distractions could have been a separate package themselves. The mini-games work quite well at making use of the various Nintendo DS features, such as the double screen configuration and touch capabilities. Though really only a minor distraction, these are still the second best new element to the game.

Dual screen integration isn't as thorough as one may expect for a game highlighting on a new system. Basically the second screen displays stats, a map, and gives you room for the touch screen controls. The map is actually rather helpful, as it shows you where the stars are located, and also where to find the various caps. I think we were all expecting better dual screen integration with this, being the Nintendo DS' flagship title, but it's better than if Nintendo had simply left the bottom screen blank. The various mini-games make good use of the two screens, making them into one large verticle screen which is actually kind of cool for the way that they are played, using the touch screen and all. Here's to hoping that Nintendo comes up with some better ideas, because while a map is a decent feature, it's nothing unique.

A single cartridge multi-player mode has also been integrated into the game. Admittedly, I haven't had a chance to give it a whirl because it's hard to find someone else with a DS. From what I hear there are four courses to choose from where you and as many other players as you wish must race to find a star, gathering caps to transform into the other characters to help you fight off your friends. When I do get a chance to try it out, I will update with more information.

Graphics, Sound, Controls, and Replay Value
As far as the use of polygons go, Super Mario 64 DS is a decent improvement. Not only do the character models have a lot more rounded edges, but a lot of the enemies and such were completely remodeled. This is most noticeable with the chain chomp in the first level, as it now has individualized teeth. There is a problem in this department however. One of the things that made Nintendo 64 games look great was the use of a graphics filter, built right into the hardware. The DS lacks this, and thus Super Mario 64 DS looks a little pixelated and jaggy. It actually sort of reminded me of that old look of 3-D games on the Playstation. Overall though, the game looks quite good for a first generation DS game.

Audio-wise Super Mario 64 was always quite a good game, with rich melodies and happy tunes. This has been retained pretty well, and is a bit difficult to tell any big differences between this and the N64 version. The character voices still do get old after a while, but that's to be expected. Super Mario 64 DS actually still retains one of my favorite video game songs ever; the Dire Dire Docks theme. It's like a wave of nostalgia, and so of course I'm going to think that this game's rich, detailed melodies are enjoyable.

Controls are an issue with this title, but it's understandable why. Super Mario 64 at it's release really showcased the analog stick of the N64 controller, and put it to terrific use. The DS lacks this control feature. The game does however give you two options for control; you can either rely on the old fashioned d-pad, or through a new touch system of controls. Basically this simulates a joystick on the touch screen, and is made to be used with the thumb strap included with the DS. I prefer the D-pad, as the touch system takes quite a bit of getting used to and I still haven't given it the patience. It's a bit difficult to get used to the lack of resistance on the touch screen as compared to how the analog stick actually feels.

Honestly, this is a game that you can revisit plenty of times. Not only is the single player mode a blast, but collecting every single star (to get the last mini-game) is quite the challenge. One drawback is the inclusion of Luigi's jumping style makes some of the past elements a bit easier. The included multi-player mode is a blast (from what I hear) just as long as you can gather up enough players.

Final Recommendation
If you own a DS, than you probably have at least looked at Super Mario 64 DS as a viable option. Stop looking, unless you hated Mario 64. Not only does this remake retain all the good vibes from the original, but it also adds quite a bit to the game's already established universe. Recommended for DS owners, but not quite reason in itself to pick up the system.

Overall Score: 9.4