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« on: November 29, 2004, 04:28:11 AM »
Finally I feel I can write a short review on this game. Please note I have not beaten the game yet. I am about 72 stars into the game, and I have unlocked all the characters. I have also for the most part have completed the first half of the game.
Here is my brief review:
For those of you whom may not know, or may not have played Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64, Mario 64 DS is a port with some major enhancements and gameplay additions. To call it a port is almost doing it disservice, as it feels much more like a remake than anything else.
GAMEPLAY:
Mario 64 pioneered the 3D platforming gameplay. It's influences on the genre are still easily seen today. Gameplay consists of obtaining power stars within the worlds 3D stages. However, this isn't a simple means of treasure hunting throughout the levels. Most stars are centered around a specific challenge or boss battle. In fact, finding and obtaining these stars often feels like you are solving puzzles then playing an action game.
New to this version of Mario 64 is the inclusion of 4 playable characters. Mario, Luigi, Wario and Yoshi. Yoshi is character that is most varied of the four and brings a newness to the game. The "three Marios" all play very similarly with one of two unique moves and modified controls. In fact the 3 original powerup in Mario 64 have been divided among these three, forcing you to use different characters to obtain different stars. Only three new powerups are in this game; Yoshi's ability to breathfire, a power mushroom to grow in size and Mario's ability to balloon up as he did in Super Mario World for the Super Nintendo. Some might complain that this represents a lack of thought on the design team, but I see it as a clever way of working the new characters within the game, without it being a gimmick or breaking the original game.
CONTROL:
The biggest contraverse with this game is why no analog control stick. For those who never played Mario 64 before you picked this game up it won't be a problem but for those who remember the tighter controls will miss the original feel of the game. Mario 64 DS comes with three control types. Each one offers its own shortcomings and benefits over the other. All of them can be mastered relatively easily with time and practice. My personal preferance is the touch mode controls. I started the game with this mode and it has become second nature to me. In fact the only issue I have with control right now is that the Flip Turn jump is still hard to perform 100% of the time. This was always a fun move to do in the original game, however it is a pretty useless jump for advancing through the levels. It has not be missed.
Dispite the lack of a control stick Nintendo has done an amazing job cleaning and tweaking other aspects of control within the game. Swimming feels smoother and more responsive in this game than in the original. As well the design team included the wall slide from Super Mario Sunshine to make Wall Jumping easier and more enjoyable. Luigi and Yoshi also add a flutter jump that helps you land very difficult jumps with little to no problem. These inclusions make the game easier, however they don't make the experience too easy or less enjoyable.
NEW STUFF
Running through the old levels of Mario is a blast. Each level has an additional Star to find, and many times you will find other new additions and surprises. New enemies have been placed into levels. Some are brand new to the series and add a fun challenge. Throughout the levels you will find just small inclusions of new items to make the virtual playground feel fresh again. Be it a new turtle shell that wasn't there before, or a beach added to a level the new additions are enjoyable and feel like they should be there instead of just placed there for no reason.
There are no new full blown levels within the game. However there are several additional minilevels. These challenges remind me of the original castle secret bonus sections, however a built with much more difficulty in mind. Its in these sections that you will unlock the captured hereos, find several castle secret stars and fight new and exciting boss battles.
MINI GAMES:
Completely new the the Mario 64 DS are minigames. These are simple touchscreen controlled games that feel like flash games or old arcade games. Most are surprisingly addicted. I have found when I people play my DS they go straight for those minigames and will play for hours. My wife is completely addicted to several of them. They are a fun diversion, aren't enough to warrant a purchase if you do not enjoy 3D platformers.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:
I am overall incredibly impressed by this remake. Nintendo took a game and really tweaked the experience. It has enhanced every aspect of the game, except perhaps the control. I am also reminded just how good the original level design was for this game that was original released 10 years ago. Incredible. This is the DS launch game that is required purchase with the system. It will keep you busy for several weeks, and will be a game that is enjoyable to play on the go even after you have beaten and unlocked everything within the game.
Out of 10 Stars.
I would give it about a 9.5
Here is why. Control isn't really an issue in this game, but having a move that is difficult to pull off is still frustrating. I can't give a perfect score when that is in place.
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