How is Mario 64 DS compared to the original?

[Mr Durand Pierre]

This is my conundrum: I picked up Mario 64 at the gamecrazy sale back in the spring, but I have yet to actually get around to purchasing an N64 (as Mario and Star Fox are the only game I'd care about playing with it anyway, since I own the Zelda CE for the cube). I also own a DS. Buying Mario 64 DS costs about the same price as just buying the N64 system. I'll probably buy an N64 eventually, but there's no telling when that will be. I hear the DS has better graphics and new bonus features, but the control isn't as solid. So which version of Mario 64 is better? any advice would be helpful. thanks.

[Pancake Rabbit]

Honestly, I found Mario 64 DS to be unplayable. Mario 64 on the n64 practically invented 3d platforming with an analog stick. Take away the analog and the game is not good at all. I sold it after a few days of messing around with the frustrating d-pad controls and the useless touch screen "analog stick".

[AHEADAMUS]

Better graphics, better sound, more characters/variety. Definitely worse controls, though I did find the thumbstrap to be more than serviceable. The d-pad also worked well when the touch screen didn't.

That being said, it's way at the bottom of my favorite DS games, just because I've really liked the portable system for pick-up-and-play titles. Still, I'd recommend 64 DS if you're set on trying the game.

[j.elles]

You see I was frustrated by the controlls on the N64 and played it for a bit before beating it. I beat 64 DS in a about 2 days. I found the controlls to be the best part of the game. Plus the mini-games are a neat diversion and team play is fun if you know people who will play it with you.

Note: I'm left handed and do own a palm pilot. But I could stop, run, and do the race type activities with much greater ease on the system. Plus Luigi, Wario, and Yoshi combined with the extra stars and crisper graphics make it a great game.

Heres hoping games with graphics as nice as this one become more prevelent on the DS. Anyone know of ones that can at minimum match it at the moment.

[AHEADAMUS]

I agree that the multiplayer (single-cart) is great.

[Lobsterjohnson]

The controls weren't THAT bad, missing an analog kind of stinks but the D-pad serves well. The game is awesome tho, and portable.

[SpottedNigel]

It is completely playable, but you dont get the sense of fun that the analog stick and amazingly well done control setup of the N64 afforded

[s3v3n777]

The game better graphics? When did this happen. From my recollection, there weren't any blocks (pixels) on Mario's face in the 64 version but on the DS there are. Whatever enough nitpicking. The graphics are quite nice though and overall they are very nice. The controld COULD be better but I found it takes time to get used to. After a while I was fingering Mario up and down...wait...that sounds sick. No, but seriously, it's a great game. A must have for the DS.

[Parathod]

The multiplayer and minigames are pretty good, but the main game is more frustrating because of the controls. Also, the whole changing characters for their different skills thing isn't that great.

Edit: Another thing I should mention is that my girlfriend really enjoyed the game and it made her go out and get a DS.

[Kaijufan]

Controls aren't quite as good in the DS version, but the multiplayer, extra stars, and minigames make up for that.

[j.elles]

Yep i'm definetly in the minority. It's probably my ambidexterity,(partial mostly a lefty) and Palm pilot ownership that made me have greater ease with the stylus play with this game.

Plus the greater Jump Yoshi has made certain Stars a snap. Look at a side by side picture on 1up or something the graphics are better on the DS.

[gambitmachete]

The original is better.

[Chris in Cali]

I actually just went back and played the N64 version after years of not having an N64. I have to say the the DS version does not do the game justice. The DS version never felt right to me, and I don't mean just control-wise. The DS version feels lifeless to me, and never felt 3D like the n64 game. For both games technically being the same game, they play and feel totally different. I can't wait until the Revolution comes out so I can download the "real" version on the virtual console.

[b3b0p]

Do you guys who like the DS version better use the D-Pad or the touch screen?

[j.elles]

I thought it was clear I used the touch screen. I don't know why anyone would use the d-pad. I used it almost never. I think maybe once for walking really slow on a bowser level.

Plus the 30 new stars. And you guys who dis the ds version. I think you just like the bigger screen and aren't giving the controll schyme a chance. And you didn't like playing as Wario, Luigi, and Yoshi. That combined with the mini games, extra stars, and crisper graphics made it a must buy I think for any fans. I'll provide a picture link at request to a site that shows them side by side.

[SpottedNigel]

I thought it was clear I used the touch screen. I don't know why anyone would use the d-pad. I used it almost never. I think maybe once for walking really slow on a bowser level.

Plus the 30 new stars. And you guys who dis the ds version. I think you just like the bigger screen and aren't giving the controll schyme a chance. And you didn't like playing as Wario, Luigi, and Yoshi. That combined with the mini games, extra stars, and crisper graphics made it a must buy I think for any fans. I'll provide a picture link at request to a site that shows them side by side.

Dont care about screen size (I own a micro), and I gave both control schemes many great chances...but it does NOT feel at all the same or even in the same league as the N64 version. I'm fine with Palm Pilots and I tried both the stylus and the thumb strap...there is just no way to get the dead on controls especially if you have to reach your thumb halway over the console.

I love the minigames...a lot. I like the IDEA of having more characters, but it really seems tacked on in the sense that the game was really only made for one of those characters.

As far as extra stars go, if it was fun to run around and just play like the original i'd be all for it, but it seems like a chore now.

[j.elles]

I wasn't able to get dead on contolls with the original and was in this one. Just personal preference I guess. It's a circle on the screen you don't need to reach over. My stylus never left the screen while I played. I controll with my left hand and press the buttons with my right. I also have fairly big hands. Any of those reasons sound right to you as to why I have an eaisier time with it.

[kill3r7]

I'm a righty and controlling mario with my left hand sucks. But the d-pad isn't that terrible once you get the hang of it. I enjoyed the game immensely, although I must say it didn't quite feel like the original.

[AdamInPlaidum]

I would say buy it for the minigames, but you have to actually play the game to get all the minigames. If you could a buy a cheap one on eBay that had all the minigames already unlocked, that'd be the way to go.

[SpottedNigel]

I wasn't able to get dead on contolls with the original and was in this one. Just personal preference I guess. It's a circle on the screen you don't need to reach over. My stylus never left the screen while I played. I controll with my left hand and press the buttons with my right. I also have fairly big hands. Any of those reasons sound right to you as to why I have an eaisier time with it.

Personal Opinion is the only excuse needed for your situation, but for anyone else who couldnt get into the control scheme as it was presented it does cripple the game quite a bit.

[jacobv]

Yeah, controls weren't that bad but I'd stick with the original.

[j.elles]

All you righties You can controll the game with your right hand and use the d-pad and left shoulder buttons in place of the right side. I heard that somewhere. Either way Mario 64 is great and very fun.

Since it's not a port i.e. re4 for ps2, I don't see why they don't do SM Sunshine on ds. That would be great. Graphics wouldn't be great but who cares I'd get it.

[dougstill]

I liked the control scheme much better on the DS. I found the control to be precise and easy to use after the first hour learning curve. I received it for Christmas. 76 starts later and I am having a blast with it.

Some of the mini games are great fun too.