Super Mario 64 DS is only just a remake of the Nintendo 64 game, "Super Mario 64," and thats all I expected. Turns out I was wrong, this game has changed in different ways, you never thought possible.
For one, the graphics are a lot cleaner and less grainy. As you may recall, if you have ever played Nintendo 64, the graphics were fairly grainy, and in some games, a poor attempt at 3D. In Super Mario 64 DS, you get a richer picture, with colorful and vibrant environments. Super Mario 64 DS also includes a map on the touch screen. It can show you were you can go next, or different items in the game you need to retrieve.
The whole "touching" aspect does not really apply here. This game could of held up well without the touch screen. Mainly the things the touch screen is used for is to navigate Mario quicker by dragging the stylus across the map to tell Mario to go there, and mini games. The touch screen also is used for the menus, or looking at statuses of levels. Like I said, the game would be almost just as brilliant without the touch screen, but it makes going through boring menus a little more fun.
Another major change is the switching of characters. Obviously, you are able to play as Yoshi, who you appear as in the beginning of the game. You can also play as Mario, Luigi, and Wario (Note: This is not a spoiler, as if you go into the character changing room, there are letters above the doors with the characters' initial, which is easy to infer). You have to find a way to release Mario, Luigi, and Wario, before you can play as them. This includes possibly beating a boss or finding a hidden level, to release these characters. If you are playing in a level, you sometimes will find different hats, which are Mario's, Luigi's, and Wario's hats. If you put one on, you become that character. You get their characteristics too, such as Wario, you will get heavier, etc. You can also get rid of the hat, which will allow you to change back to the character you entered the stage as. Sometimes, the enemies, such as goombas, will pick up these hats, and wear them. It is sometimes funny to see a goomba with Mario's hat on.
The storyline is almost the same as Nintendo 64's, as trying to free Princess Peach, just as in all Mario games. There are so many stars in each level, and you need to collect so many stars to move on to the next locked area in the castle. The idea is fairly basic, but getting the stars can be tricky and puzzling. Some stars can cause you to get shot out of a cannon, or make you race down a slide.
The gameplay of this game is almost identical to Nintendo 64, with using the D-Pad to move around, and using the L and R buttons to change camera, etc. You can also jump, and do things in the air, such as pound, which can allow you to break bricks and such easier.
The overall game is the same as Nintendo 64, but with some cool new perks and levels. Also, we cannot forget the new characters they implemented, which makes the game more challenging, and allows specialization in levels. If I had to rate this, flat out, it would be an A, or 95%. This game boasts a lot of area, and a lot of levels, which Nintendo has to get credit for cramming it all on that little cartridge. I would recommend this game to any adventure Nintendo fan, possibly even to Metroid fans, because you are still going around finding new places, and needing to come back to those places later. Great game!
