Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development, who produced the original version of the game, first displayed the game as a multiplayer demonstration at the 2004 E3 titled Super Mario 64 ×4. In addition to updated graphics, the remake includes new characters, a multiplayer mode, and minigames. As with the original title, the plot of Super Mario 64 DS centers on rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser, with slight changes to accommodate the additional characters. Yoshi is the initial protagonist in this version.
Overall, the game was critically and commercially successful. It won video game awards, and received positive comments from the gaming press, that focused on elements of the single-player mode. The multiplayer mode and lack of analog controls used in Super Mario 64 were common complaints among reviewers. The game sold well in territories, was ranked on best-selling lists, and, as of March 2008, has sold 6.12 million copies worldwide.
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[edit] Plot
The game begins with a letter from Princess Peach inviting Mario to come to her castle for a cake she has baked for him.[1] Mario travels to her castle, and is followed by his brother Luigi and greedy counterpart Wario. After entering the castle, the three disappear, and Lakitu, the game's camera operator, finds Yoshi to inform him of the disappearance. Yoshi begins to explore the castle and its courses to find his friends.[2] Scattered throughout the castle are paintings and secret walls, which act as portals to other worlds where Bowser's minions guard power stars. By recovering the stars and defeating bosses, Yoshi acquires keys to other areas of the castle and rooms holding his friends captive. He first defeats Goomboss to free Mario who assists him as the two continue searching the castle and collecting power stars. They then defeat King Boo to free Luigi who uses his invisibility power to get to Wario's key by defeating Chief Chilly. During the course of the adventure, they tackle three obstacle courses leading to a battle with Bowser. Defeating him the first two times earns them a key that opens other levels of the castle. After collecting enough stars, Mario accesses the top room of the castle to defeat Bowser. Once he is defeated, Peach is freed and appears in front of the castle. To thank the four protagonists, she bakes them the cake that she had originally promised. The game finishes with Mario, Peach, Luigi, Yoshi and Wario standing at the front of the castle waving goodbye to the player as Lakitu films and then flies away.[edit] Gameplay
See also: Gameplay of Super Mario 64
Bottom: Overhead map of the "Cool, Cool Mountain" level displaying the location of the character and special hats.
Power-ups in Super Mario 64 DS take the form of special hats resembling those worn by Mario, Luigi, and Wario, and are available in some levels. Acquiring one such hat will change the player's character into the corresponding character. The hats fall off if the character is hit physically, but can be reacquired. Yoshi is able to start a level wearing the hat of any of the available characters.[3][4][5] Another power-up item, the "Power Flower", provides each character with a different ability: Mario is able to float, similar to Super Mario World's balloon item; Luigi becomes invisible and transparent, similar to the invisible hat in the Nintendo 64 version; Wario becomes coated by metal, similar to the metal hat in the original version; and Yoshi is able to breathe fire. Each ability is necessary to complete specific areas in the game. Other items include the "Super Mushroom", which increases the character's size and strength, and the feather, which allows the character to fly in the same fashion as in Super Mario 64.[6]
The game uses both of the system's screens to offer new options. The top screen displays the normal gameplay, while the bottom touchscreen can function as an overhead map and touch controls. The overhead map displays the current course the player traverses and displays item locations. The touch controls include virtual buttons, which rotate the top screen's camera angle, and directional character controls, which can operate with either the DS stylus or the player's thumb using the DS wrist strap.[6] In addition to the single-player adventure, the game includes minigames and a multiplayer mode. Minigames are made accessible by catching rabbits in the main game.[3][6] Each minigame use the touchscreen to play, and are based on different themes: racing, card games, puzzles, and so forth. The multiplayer mode uses the wireless Download Play option to allow two to four players compete against each other using Yoshi—character hats appear in the stage allowing players to transform into either Mario, Luigi, or Wario.[6]
[edit] Development
See also: Development of Super Mario 64
[edit] Reception
Super Mario 64 DS has been commercially successful. Following its release in Japan, the game sold 241,000 copies by December 19, 2004, and was the fifth best-selling title on the weekly sales chart of that week.[17] Sales continued to increase, and Super Mario 64 DS had sold 639,000 units by February 20, 2005.[18] The game frequently appeared on Amazon.com's sales charts. In the first week of June 2006, it was listed as the sixth best-selling Nintendo DS title, and had risen to number three by the last week of the month.[19][20] The game appeared again near the end of July 2006 as the eighth best-selling title.[21] At the beginning of 2008, Amazon.com charts listed the game as the seventh best-selling Nintendo DS title in the United States.[22] By November 2006, the game had sold over one million units in Europe, and, by the end 2007, over two million copies in the United States.[23][24] As of March 31, 2008, Super Mario 64 DS has sold 6.12 million copies worldwide.[25][edit] Critical response
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 86%[26] |
| Metacritic | 85 out of 100[27] |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| 1UP.com | B[5] |
| Edge | 8 out of 10[28] |
| Eurogamer | 9 out of 10[29] |
| Game Informer | 8.5 out of 10[30] |
| GameSpy | 5 out of 5[3] |
Reviewers praised the game's accurate recreation of the Nintendo 64 title, additional features, and upgrades. Phil Theobald of GameSpy lauded Super Mario 64 DS, calling it "fantastic" and complimenting the new features: minigames, use of a second screen, and extra stars. He also commented that the gameplay of the original game holds up ten years after its original release.[3] Harris said the original feel of Super Mario 64 is retained, while the new challenges and features build upon it in a way that added to the game's longevity. He complimented the graphics and audio, and considered the game a good demonstration of the Nintendo DS's capabilities.[4] Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot also complimented the graphics, specifically the higher polygon count and smooth frame rate. He called Super Mario 64 DS a "great update of a classic game", and felt the changes and additional features offered a new experience to fans of the original.[8] In contrast, 1UP.com's Jeremy Parish felt the game did not offer enough new content to warrant a purchase. He praised the inclusion of extra characters, calling them a "nice twist", but concluded his review by calling the game a "poorly-conceived port" that should be played on the original system.[5]
Other criticism focused on the game's controls and multiplayer mode. Theobald felt the lack of an analog stick made the controls more difficult than the original game and required a short period of adjustment. He further stated that the digital pad and touchscreen's virtual analog control were "tricky" and required practice.[3] Harris echoed similar comments and noted the touchscreen does not provide physical feedback like an analog stick. He added the game was never intended to be played without proper analog controls.[4] Gerstmann referred to the multiplayer mode as "uneventful" and considered it lacking longevity, but commented that it was a good extra that demonstrated the system's wireless multiplayer capabilities.[8] Theobald agreed it was a nice addition, but considered it a "diversion" that players would tire of quickly.[3]
