Reviews

    Super Mario 64 DS was probably the most anticipated of the Nintendo DS launch titles. 

    The most obvious change is the addition of the second screen.  In Super Mario 64 DS, the second screen contains a map, that at times shows you where critical things are, such as the star you are going after, red coins, or even a cap that lets you temporarily change which character you are playing as.  The bottom screen also uses its touch screen capabilities, allowing you to change the camera view by touching one of four arrows on the screen, and it can also be used as a makeshift analog stick if you are more comfortable with that method of play rather than using the cross pad.  The touch screen takes a little getting used to as a method of control, but after getting used to it, the screen is a lot more precise than the cross pad is and allows for much better control. 

    In addition to the use of the touch screen, Super Mario 64 DS differs from its Nintendo 64 counterpart in other ways as well.  First off, instead of 120 stars in the game there are now 150.  There's an extra star in each level along with a few hidden levels that you can get stars from.  The new levels play very well and are integrated into the castle very well.  If you had never played the original Super Mario 64 game you would never know they were missing from the game's original version.  Aside from the extra levels there are a lot of mini games that you can unlock, all of which involve the touch screen and show off its true usefulness.  The games range from matching cards (touch the card to flip it over) to using the stylus to pull back a slingshot and fling a cannonball at Bob-ombs dropping from the sky.  Although there is no reward for doing well at the mini games, they are fun to play and an element that was not present in the original game.  Another new addition is multiplayer options.  Using the wireless feature of Nintendo DS up to four players can play through special multiplayer levels together, competing to get the most stars in a specific time limit.  If you don't have anybody to play against you can still play through all the multiplayer levels by yourself for practice.

    The graphics in Super Mario 64 DS are a huge improvement over those in the Nintendo 64 version.  They demonstrate the Nintendo DS is clearly more powerful than Nintendo 64 is.  Although there is no texture filtering, leading to somewhat blocky textures in some areas, the textures are a higher resolution and more detailed than the Nintendo 64 ones ever were.  The game also is nowhere near as fuzzy as the original was.  The framerate is very solid with no slowdown whatsoever, whereas the Nintendo 64 version would slow down from time to time.  As you can see in the above screenshot, the sky is more detailed.  In the Nintendo 64 version (pictured on the left) the sky is basically a blue background with some white blobs as clouds, but the Nintendo DS version (on the right) has different shades of blue used in the sky, as well as much more detailed clouds that look a lot more realistic.  The characters and enemies are also more detailed than ever before, leading to a much better looking game.

    The sound in Super Mario 64 DS is outstanding.  All the classic music tracks from the original game are included and sound as great as they always did.  The sound effects are what really set this game apart from its Nintendo 64 counterpart though.  Nintendo DS features stereo speakers, one on each side of the screen and in the case of Super Mario 64 DS it simulates surround sound with them very well.  As you pass through certain areas you may hear a bird chirp, a jet of flame, or even a boo make its trademark sound, and as you move it really sounds as if the sound is coming from left / right / behind Mario, whatever the case may be. 

    Super Mario 64 is one of the all-time classics games.  Super Mario 64 DS takes one of the best games ever made and improves upon it in virtually every way possible.  If you have a Nintendo DS or plan to get one, this title is a must have.  Not only does it contain a classic game, but it also has extra levels, wireless multiplayer, and new mini games that all enhance the gameplay experience.  Ten years from now, Super Mario 64 DS will also be recognized as a classic, just as Super Mario 64 is today.