Super Mario 64 DS (Nintendo DS)

story 8/10 this is just a pretty basic Super Mario storyline really, the usual Princess getting kiddnapped by Bowser again. Nothing much new from storylines in previous Mario games.But this didnt actually bother me too much as other aspects of it are great

graphics 9.5/10 As soon as i saw marios face pop up on the title screen i was very impressed by the graphics. This isnt exactly Playstation 2 graphics but its quite rare that portable games are proper 3D and technology can only go so far, so people shouldnt be dissapointed. I would also say that the graphics are slightly improved from the original for N64 because it looks less blocky and the environment stands out more apart from the trees.

Gameplay 10/10 this is great too. The objective of the game is to complete a series of fun filled tasks on each level in order to gain stars as either of four playable Characters, Yoshi, Mario, Luigi and Wario each of these character have there own set of unique abilities . The tasks include, red coin searching, races and many many more. Note that this is not the only thing you can do, you can also play mini games using the touch screen if you choose the rec room option on the title screen i found these extremly fun and entertaining. these involve playing picture poker with luigi, playing the traditional love me loves me not game with Yoshi, rolling a snowball through a race course with Wario and keeping up Marios in the sky in order to hit the flying shy guys.

Replayabily 9/10- The begging segment of the game is fairly easy and shouldnt take long to get through but later on the amount of stars required to open doors will be harder to reach. however once you complete it aiming to get all 150 stars will be sure to keep you busy, it can often be diffucult but youve really got to keep at it as of course it is no easy task.

Overall 10/10- This game is a great opening to a new gerneration of handheld video gaming and is a very decent remake of the N64 version.

Well, I ain't in the new generation of gamer. I remember playing this when I got my Nintendo 64 back in Christmas '97, and so like many others, am compelled to compare this to the original, or at least the impact the original had on us. So, how does the game hold up? The short answer is remarkably well, and I would still rather play this than most games available today. In truth, it has lost little of its magic over the years. Whilst in many ways better than the original (notably through improved graphics and the inclusion of new playable characters and levels), it doesn't have the same oomph as the original - maybe because it gaming formula is so tried and tested these days.

For me, playing this was like a walk down memory lane, although a little has changed. Basically, Princess Peach has been kidnapped by the evil Bowser, and it is up to Mario and company to rescue her, through capturing the stars littered throughout her castle and the Mushroom Kingdom's various worlds. This time round, there are 30 more stars to collect (bringing the total up to 150), although disappointingly, these are to largely to be found in the games existing worlds, rather than any all-new environments. That said, a couple of new worlds have been included, and these are where the playable characters are to be unlocked. Initially, you begin as Yoshi, who, after waking up on the roof of the castle ( a nod to the second ending of the original), discovers that Mario, Luigi and Wario, as well as Princess Peach, have also been kidnapped. Despite initially controlling Yoshi, gameplay is almost identical. Each character has their own set of basic moves, although through the use of magic caps, can either morph into another character, or use a special power. The special powers are Mario's cap powers of the original (metal Mario, invisible Mario and flying Mario), and it is a little annoying that you have to repeatedly change characters to find stars that require use of them.

On the gameplay front, whilst I was a little rusty, I could still remember how to collect certain stars. People who played this before should not find it too taxing. Moreover, Nintendo have jigged the game a little by making some stars easier to collect. despite this, the game can still be quite unforgiving, in that there are not many hints as to where specific stars can be found. Instead the gamer must explore the vast castle and game worlds until they have discovered them, and this can be quite rewarding. The biggest gripe with this game seems to be with the new control method. Obviously, digital touch screen control and Mario 64 don't go hand in hand, seeing as the Nintendo 64 controller and its analog stick were specifically designed for the game. Controlling Mario and the others does not feel as intuitive as before, and camera control can become a pain. That said, the 'thumb stick' that is included with the DS makes a pretty good substitute for the N64 analog stick, and with three control schemes available, there is surely something for everyone.

Super Mario 64 DS is as amazingly addictive as the original, and it has been tweaked just enough for those who played the original to enjoy it. The graphics see a marked improvement on the original, and the surround-sound capabilites of the DS do the chirpy soundtrouck justice. It is obviously a must-have for the DS, and given the star-collecting nature of the game, it is suitable to play in bit parts either on the train or bus. Interruptions will not deter from the overalll gaming experience. Additonally, the new touch-screen mini-games are fun to play, although aside from this, the game does not make much of the DS' unique capabilities.

Children and adults alike will enjoy this, and for those who missed it first time round, there is an even bigger reason to buy it now!