Super Mario 64 was a launch title for the Nintendo 64 and it completely revolutionized 3D gaming when it was released. With rock solid gameplay and flawless level design, Mario 64 sold like crazy and set a new standard in the video game industry in terms of quality and design. Several years later, Nintendo is releasing a remake of the same game with added extras for the launch of the Nintendo DS.

Facts and Features

• Added features to an already revoultionary title
  
• 30 new stars to collect
  
• New levels to explore
  
• Full use of the touch screen mimics analog control
  
• 4 playable characters
  
• New items enhance character abilities
  
• New multiplayer mode that supports 4 players on 4 DS systems with only one cartridge
  
• New mini-games that are unlocked along the way
  
• 3 save slots
  
• Available at launch
  

Presentation
Super Mario 64 DS is presented even better today than it was eight years ago. The menus are easily navigable and simple to understand. You'll never spend more than a few seconds finding your way to where you want to go. Moving from one game mode to another is seamless and easy. You can get from adventure mode to the rec room (the mini-games) in under 20 seconds, which is good because you'll be bouncing between both modes often. The implementation of the touch screen is phenomenal and will set the benchmark for future titles to shoot for.

Gameplay
Super Mario 64 burst on the scene eight years ago and really captured the hearts of anybody who was lucky enough to own it. Well, the game looks to do the exact same thing once again, but it's not a simple port, it's a full blown remake. While the core of the gameplay is the same, the additions freshen up the overall experience a lot. Instead of controlling Mario for the entire adventure, players will now begin playing as Yoshi. It seems that Mario and friends have been kidnapped by Bowser and it's up to Yoshi to save the day. As you progress in the game you will rescue Mario, Luigi, and Wario, and in turn they become playable. Each charater has his own unique abilities and because Nintendo has modified some of the levels a bit, swapping between the characters is necessary to collect all of the stars. Yoshi is able to eat enemies, toss eggs, jump high, and do his trademark airwalk. Mario is the most well-rounded character, and he brings back all the moves that made him so much fun to control in the original. Luigi is the best jumper, can run on water momentarily, but he isn't very powerful. Wario is the strongest character, but his jumping abilities are the weakest of the bunch. There are other abilities unique to each character, but finding those out yourself will be more fun than me trying to explain them here.

Another added gameplay element to the game is the power flower. The power flower is something that gives characters a momentary special attribute. For example, Mario inflates like a balloon as he did in Super Mario World and slowly floats around while the other characters have their own unique power-ups.

Super Mario 64 DS controls amazingly well despite the lack of an analog stick. The touch pad is able to mimic analog control quite well, but I found that the directional pad was sufficient for 90% of the situations I encountered. The lack of true analog is a little inhibiting, but it's overcome easily with practice. One thing that I was never fully able to adjust to was pulling off Mario's turnaround flip with the d-pad, it's just too awkward to execute on every attempt.