Super Mario 64 DS Review

First off, I know it's a DS game but it can be played on the 3DS with the circle pad which I at least think is better so I'm putting it here.

I decided that just for fun to write some reviews and encourage discussions from it. My first game is obviously, Super Mario 64 DS. This is also meant for people who wish to purchase this game and want a non-biased opinion. So, here it is:

I've always been a huge Mario fan. Mario has been one of my favorite series for a very long time but I haven't been around long enough to try out Mario 64 so I purchased the DS version. I'll split the review into catagories sort of like IGN does so I can give a good opinion on each section.

Gameplay/Presentation:
This is very much like every standard Mario game. Peach gets kidnapped and you have to save her. But this time it's not a side scroller, it's a 3D platform. The first in the Mario series but this version was made for the DS system. The game hasn't changed regular Mario gameplay. You still find Goombas, Koopas, and everything else. You battle Bowser, collect coins, and so on. But, M64DS has a hub world. You unlock new sections when you defeat Bowser in each. Also, you don't have to beat the game by collecting every star (you get one at the end of each level). But, if you want to go for 100% you have to collect every star. Also, there are hidden characters throughout the game to unlock and play as too. They're required to get every star but not all are required to just beat the game as is. Unlike M64, you start of as Yoshi, rather than Mario. You are required to unlock him later though. Then, you can unlock Luigi and Wario as well. The gameplay is great but nothing outstanding or new to the Mario franchise but with a great task to collect every single star to get 100%: 7/10

Graphics: The graphics are nothing incredible. But, the DS has never been good with 3D graphics so I wasn't too shocked. And another problem I had was that the camera wasn't always the best responding and on a few occasions, caused me to die in a level. But, the graphics are somewhat better than the N64 version: 5/10

Controls: This is what made me MAD!!!!!!!!! The controls are horrendous!!!! The game was designed for an analog stick not a D-Pad. Now, the 3DS Circle Pad improves the sour thumb, the controls are sometimes off, unresponsive on occasion, and slow acting. The lava levels require you to be on your toes in the game, I was on my toes but the game wasn't at some points. You'd think they would make the controls more responsive as a remake. I have never played the original but I'm positive that it was better control wise. But, they're is a virtual analog stick that you can use on the touch screen but I didn't enjoy that either. The problem lies in the game, not the buttons: 2/10

So, this was a breakthrough in the gaming world back when the original came out but for the DS, meh... It's still a good game. The graphics are okay but don't expect to get blown away. And the controls flat out suck for 3DS and DS because the game isn't responsive to them. I think you'd be better off going for the Virtual Console version. Overall: 5/10

Hope you all can share your own opinions. I think I'll do Pokemon Black and White Versions next if you'd like it.

Hope I helped