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Any gamers of the N64 era remember this classic. A launch title for the N64, Super Mario 64 changed the face of gaming. It introduced Mario to 3D, for one thing. But nonetheless, with the release of Nintendo's new DS portable, it's almost like the N64's release all over again. Super Mario 64 DS is more than a port of the original. With new characters, levels, minigames, multiplayer, and 30 more stars than the original, it's a whole new ballgame.

Story: 10/10

Anyone who played the original would remember that Princess Peach bakes a cake for Mario and when he arrived to pigout, she has been kidnapped. M64DS takes this and adds a little more. Mario arrives at the castle, followed my his brother Luigi and doppleganger Wario. After a small scuffle between them, they enter the castle, while our pal Yoshi rests on the roof after *SPOILERS* the end of the original Mario 64 *SPOILERS*. Lakitu then wakes Yoshi up a small time later telling the dino that the plumbers haven't returned yet. Yoshi goes to investigate and it turns out they've all been sealed away. Now, as Yoshi, you must save Mario, Luigi, and Wario, who in turn will help you save the Princess.

Graphics: 10/10

With a remake on a new system comes better graphics, and Mario 64 DS is no exception. Mario now looks more like his Sunshine model, as does Luigi and his Mansion model. Wario and Yoshi look just as great. The colors and textures all look clearer (Bob-Omb Battlefield's grasses are more yellowish this time). The Goombas, Bob-Ombs, and Koopas all look much better, although I think the prize for best improvement in graphics goes to big Bowser; never has the big lug ever looked so good.

Controls: 8/10

Here's where things go bad. The one flaw of the DS is no joystick, which Mario 64 solely depended on. Now, in order to run, you must hold down a button while using the D-Pad. While I would've preferred for you to hold the button to Walk, and D-Pad was Auto-Run, this is easy to adjust to. The game has an option where you can use the touch screen as a makeshift joystick, but it doesn't do justice. The camera also gets annoying sometimes, as it seems to move by itself even if you are standing still. One last complaint I have is Yoshi's flutter jump; if you even turn slightly off course, the Flutter Jump might cost you. Many times have I gone off course and tried to get back to solid ground and instead just hung in midair before falling.

Game Play: 10/10

Okay, back to good stuff. As I said before, you start as Yoshi, who has trademark moves like the gravity-defying Flutter Jump and the ability to eat enemies and crap them out as eggs. These eggs can then be tossed at other enemies. Using these abilities you must collect our old friends the Power Stars. 150 of them this time, but still easy to get (barring the Rainbow Ride; *Shudders*). 150 means that there must be new levels. Unfortunately, only three out of these are even remotely large. These three also belong to the kidnapped plumbers. As Yoshi, you must first gain enough stars to reach one of the paintings. Once you trounce a certain boss, you'll unlock one of the new characters to use; these new characters must be used to unlock another new character.

Which reminds me; you can't just use Yoshi in this game; they require all characters to get all the stars. But what if you forgot to switch to another character before going into a level? Don't worry; with in the levels you'll find hats belonging to the three plumbers. Grab these hats and you'll transform into that plumber! You'll have all his moves (but not his grunts and other sounds). But make sure not to get hit, or you'll lose the hat and have only a few seconds to reclaim it before it disappears and goes to a different part of the level.

The good old Metal and Vanish caps are now gone, but their memories, and powers, live on in a new item; the Power Flower, which comes out of the Red Switch block (strangely, the block now has a "?" mark on it rather than a "!"). Each character gets a power (Mario gets two). Yoshi can turn into a fire-breathing dragon, Luigi gains the Vanish cap ability, Wario gains even more weight with the Metal cap, and Mario gains an old ability in the Balloon form (which originates from Super Mario World). But fans of the Wing Cap, don't fear; it's still here. In levels requiring it, Mario's switch block produces a Feather that gives him the Wing Cap's ability. One other very cool power up is an old friend; the Mushroom. The Mushroom can be found in crates in various levels; red crates can be broken by all three plumbers (but not Yoshi), while bricked blocks can only be broken by Wario. In later levels the Mushroom can be found in other places, like in a wooden post (you must pound it down). Whatever the method, when you get the Mushroom you'll instantly grow to a larger size, have invulnerability, and be able to crush anything in your path. Whatever you crush will count as a number; get enough numbers and you'll get a 1Up. So go lay the smackdown on the defenseless Goombas and Bob-Ombs or even play soccer with the Chained Chomp in the Battlefield. BUT, be careful; when the special music in the background begins to reloop, you're about to shrink.

As you can see, Nintendo did their best to add more classic additions to Mario 64, and did a great job. BUT, the best part is that Mario 64 finally has something it didn't have 8 years ago; Multiplayer. Following the genre of the E3 demo 64x4, you must collect as many stars in the level within the time limit and beat the stars out of your opponents if they have any. Thing is, the time limit is incredibly short, the levels are limited to only four, and you don't actually play as Mario, Luigi, or Wario; you become one of four colors of Yoshi and grab the hats around the level to become the plumbers. While I don't have anybody to play Multiplayer with, this is still a flaw for those who do.

Finally, aside from the main gameplay, we have a new addition; Minigames! Each character has a handful of minigames (although the start out small, you can catch rabbits a la MIPS from the original to gain keys that unlock more games). Mario has a game where you must make three of him bounce onto three Fly Guys in order to pass, and if three Marios fall off screen, you lose. Yoshi has a neat "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not" flower picking game, mostly to show off the DS' touch screen abilities. Luigi now deals cards and a roulette in his casino-styled minigames. Play the slots, match the cards, etc. Wario has an addictive slingshot game in which you must use........a slingshot.....to destroy the parachuting Bob-Ombs before they blow up 4 of the Toads' flowers.


Sound: 10/10

One of the best parts. With the Surround Sound speakers of the DS, the classic sounds, music, and etc. sound even better. Mario has his classic grunts, quotes, and screams, along with a few new ones. The other three characters, of course, have new sounds. For example, Yoshi has his classic "HAAAAUMMMM" for the Flutter Jump and "AH-WAH-WAH-WAH" when he respawns outside a level. Newer but classic sounds include the sound when you click or punch a Goomba and the 'Growing' sound from when you get a Mushroom.

The Music is as nostalgic as ever, with a few new pieces as well. The multiplayer level Sunshine Isles has the Delfino Plaza number from Mario Sunshine as its background music, due to the whole level being Sunshine-ish. Also from Sunshine is the Retro levels' music, which plays during a few minigames.

There is also new music for the Power Flower power-ups. Yoshi's fire breath gets a Lethal Lava Land-esque make-over of the Metal Cap theme, while Mario's Balloon gets a slower, more-soothing version of the Wing Cap tune. The Vanish and Metal abilities retain their music, as does the Wing Cap. The Mushroom is a remake of the Metal Cap music, which starts with that Growing sound I mentioned earlier.

Anyone who loved the music from the original will love this one's music even more.


Overall: 9/10

If you get a DS, make this one of your games. If you never played the original Super Mario 64, this game will still be fun. Even after you beat the Adventure mode, you'll still have lots of fun with the minigames.