Super Mario 64 DS Review
Super Mario 64 DS is a 3D platformer that has the option of four playable characters. It's a remake of the N64 game released in 1996. It was released as a launch title for the Nintendo DS. The game was released in 2004 for Japan and North America, then it was released in Europe and Australia in 2005. Some of the new features of this game include the addition of 30 new
power-stars, taking the total to collect to 150 stars. The ability to
play as four different characters. Unlockable minigames, a multiplayer
mode for up to 4 people, touch screen controls. This is one of my favourite Nintendo DS games. I still enjoy replaying through it every once in a while. So, here's a review of this classic game.
The story has changed a little bit from the original game. The game starts with Mario, Luigi and Wario all arriving at Peach's castle. They are all shown running towards the entrance before the camera switches focus to Yoshi (who is fast asleep). Lakitu, who's operating the camera in this game, wakes Yoshi up and informs him about how the trio have all disappeared. So, Yoshi enters the castle to try and save the others. It is then revealed that Bowser hs stolen all of the castle's power-stars and hid them in various different levels of the game. So, you have to find them.
Like in the original game, you have the enter different rooms of the castle and jump through paintings inside the rooms to access each world. Each time you complete a differen task in a level, you are given a power-star. Different rooms will be unlocked once you collect a certain amount of power-stars needed to enter each room. Eventually, one you collect 12 power-stars, you'll unlock Mario as a playable character. It's revealed that him, Luigi, and Wario are all locked inside various rooms by different boss level characters. Mario was captured by a giant Goomba, Luigi by King Boo, and Wario by a huge ice cube monster. You unlock Luigi and Wario as playable characters later on in the game.There are caps you can pick up that are on the floors of each level. These three caps can turn you into a different character and you'll get to use that character's abilities. So, if you're playing as Mario, but need to use Luigi to complete task on a level, you just go the where the Luigi cap is on the level, pick it up and then you have his abilities and can unlock the star. The location of where each cap is located can be seen on the display map on the bottom screen of your Nintendo DS.
Some stars in the game are only obtainable by using certain characters. There is an item in the game called the 'Power Flower', which gives each character a different ability needed to unlock various stars. Mario gets a one that lets him float in the air, Luigi becomes transparent and can walk through metal cages, while Wario becomes metal and can walk underwater, while being invincabkle from enemy attacks. There is also another item in the game 'Mushroom' which increases the character's strength and size to make them able to detroy and not take damage from items like huge boulders, goombas, and other hazards.
The minigame mode, which is a new addition, has 36 different playable mingames to unlock. You originally have the option of 8 games to choose from , but you unlock more by finding keys (that were stolen by rabbits that you have to catch) in the main single-player mode of the game. The rabbits are located both outside and inside the castle and once you approach them to take the key back, they'll try to hop away, so you have to run after them. All the minigames use the touchscreen and range from games like curling, poker, find a character on the DS's screen, puzzles, and much more.
The game has also added a multiplayer mode to the game. Up to four players can play together (via the DS's download play mode) off one person's cartirdge of the game. In the multiplayer mode, is it a battle to win as many power-stars as you can and collect more than your opponents. There are four different stages, each containing five power-stars. The aim of the multiplayer mode is try and collect the power-stars before your rivals do, and whoever has the most stars after 1 minute wins the game. During the games, each player stars as a Yoshi, but can pick up hats in the level to transform into either Mario, Luigi, or Wario. And players lose stars each time they take damage from an opponent in the game.
Overall:
Super Mario 64 DS is one of the best Mario games, in my opinion. It has many different levels, - all with different tasks and challenges to collect stars. You can earn a star from a boss fight, or from a small puzzles, having a race against another character, or finding a star that's hidden on the map. And even once you've collected the required amount of power-stars to complete the main story mode of the game, (80 power-stars) there are still another 70 power-stars to find. And there's also the challenge of unlocking the 28 locked minigames too. This game is packed with so much great content. The new gameplay additions, such as four characters, extra stars to find, add a lot to the game in a great way. The music soundtracks in this game are great and often work well with the level they're featured on.
The minigames make use of the DS's touch screen well, and they're a lot of fun to play. My favourite is the curling minigame. These minigames are good if you want to do something completely different in the game. And the minigames all range in genres, from puzzles to timing. I think it's a great addition to the remake.
The multiplayer was a great addition, in my opinion. I used to have a lot of fun playing it with my friends years ago when the DS was the latest Nintendo handheld console. It's good to play if you want to take a break from the main story mode, or get friends involved in playing the game. However, I do think the multiplayer mode could have been improved, by psosibly having more than four stages, and possibly having the option to increase the time limit and number of power-stars for each game in the multiplayer mode. But for what it is, a multiplayer mode that let's 4 people play when only one person has a cartidge of the game, it's a great addition to the game.
However, one problem with the game is the controls. The DS doesn't had an analogue control, so you have to use a D-pad, which isn't greta for a 3D platformer. There is the option of using the touch screen to control the direction you want to move in, but that can be tricky to use and requires a lot of practise to be able to move perfectly with the touchscreen. The D-pad makes it harder to move diagonally in the game, but once you get used to playing with the d-pad, it doesn't feel like such a problem anymore. Alternatively, if you're playing the game on a 3DS, then this won't be a problem, since that device has an analogue stick on it, which makes the controls feel much better.
To sum up the review, Mario 64 is one of my favourite Nintendo DS games. With it's huge amount of content, variety of levels and tasks, multiplayer mode, minigames, great soundtracks, content to unlock, it's a must play if you own a Nintendo DS, or Nintendo 3DS system. I couldn't recommend this game enough.