Mario 64 DS

[gizmo1990]

See. Ive actually spent more time writing about the DS rather than playing it. I played the Metroid Prime Hunters demo last night but other than that iv been taking pictures of it, writing about it and not playing it!

Heres my latest blog update devoted to the DS

Ginza, I dont want to rain on your parade but that blog is pretty, how should I put this... information lite!

[Ginza]

Its more of a bit of background info about the DS for my friends that know nothing about it more than anything else. See, this way I could get some new converts added to the load of us that love the DS already.

[rgraves]

BTW Ginza, Perrin Kaplan is a woman. Might wanna correct that

[Ginza]

Tsk. Woman eh.

[rgraves]

Tsk. Woman eh.

Indeed.

[Earl]

After spending hours on it yesterday, I'm up to 18 stars. Have to say I'm really enjoying it. There really isn't a control issue for me as I find the D-pad pretty easy to use. Thought I might have had a problem on one of the Bowser levels but I was running an jumping like a pro. No accidental deaths caused by bad controls, or dogy camera for that matter. You can set the camera behind Mario with the L button and this goes a long way in helping out with those narrow walkways.

Even though I'm not too far in, I've played quite a few new areas. Some are hidden around the castle and some are the regular paintings. All have been really enjoyable so far, one in particular had a great new boss that you faught with Yoshi. Nice to see the different abilities being put to the test.

One thing that I wasn't ready for were those mini-games. I think I need help, I played one of Luigi's card games for around an hour last night. Really addictive stuff. After unlocking about 6 more I'm dying to find new ones. Can definitely see myself playing these long after the 150 stars are mine.

[taurusnipple]

I'm over 60 stars right now. I think it's perfect mobile gaming here, you can grab a star or two within 20 mins time. Then you've got the tricky stars to aquire, through ise of new skills and levels. For me though, again, the music is great! Prolly the best videogame music IMO.

[JamesS]

Which control method is everybody using for this? I've been trying (in the hour or so I've had to play the game so far) to use the thumb strap thing to control it, but I can't really find a way to hold the DS which makes this at all comfortable. It's too much of a stretch to reach the screen. The dpad doesn't really seem like a particularly good way to control the game either.

Really nice conversion, though. The mini games seem like a lot of fun, too.

[Hodge]

Well if your using the thumb strap i recommend you don`t attach it to the ds as it just get in the way and feels better loose. As for control method well i`ve tried it for abit with the thumb strap but overall i can`t get to grips with it so i stick with the d pad which i find fine for most of the time.

[martTM]

I'm using the stylus to play, as opposed to the thumb strap or D-pad and I'm having absolutely no problems with the controls whatsoever - it takes a few minutes to master it but now I'm whizzing around the levels just like the N64 version. I've switched the controls to 'Touch' in the options, so now the camera controls are on the X and Y buttons rather than the screen, and getting around is a piece of piss. In fact, I'm tempted to say that anyone who says the stylus method is broken or doesn't work is a bit of a lame ass - what they mean to say is 'I can't do it, so it must be rubbish'.

[Square]

^^

Glad to hear it Mart - I can't wait for this to drop through my letterbox (assuming I get it before Christmas...)

[Hodge]

I`m about 50 stars in now and am finding the game a blast. If you liked the n64 version you will lap the ds version up. Having mastered the d-pad controls i`m pulling of my complete repitore of moves with ease and controls really aren`t an issue once you adapt as there`s 3 sorts of controls which will suit all.

As for the game well i`m liking what they have done with the multiple characters, spliting up marios various powers from the n64 version like metal mario and invisible mario onto other characters. Also a new star has been added to each level where you got to hit the star switch and get to it before the timer runs out. This star requires wario on quite a few (you`ll see when you play it). Also the new areas are pretty good aswell and hold up well to the rest of the game. The only downer is these aren`t full blown levels but more short levels like the ones where you face bowser at the end. They are still enjoyable nether the less. Also theres the addition of chasing the rabbits to unlock mini games which will take a while so there`s plenty of content in there to keep you going. Then theres the mini games which range from poor to excellent from the ones i`ve unlocked. I`m really liking some of warios pinball ones, mario has a couple of nice ones where you have to draw in lines and trampolines and really show of the touch screen capabilities nicely. Another nice little touch is on the start menu where you can manipulate mario and yoshis outline drawing or even draw your own picture and manipulate it.

Overall Mario 64 DS is a very polished product and is suited perfectly for the handheld with you being able to get a star here and there or stick on a mini game for a quick blast.

On another note has anyone found the secret star in the mirror room yet? I thought the game had semi crashed You`ll see what i mean when you experience it yourself

[Ginza]

Last night I was playing the mini games for most of the night. Luigis card game is immense

[Hodge]

I`ll tell you one mini game i really like and think it`s one of yoshi`s where you got to pair the sounds together and it comes into it`s own around lvl 4 where you got to listen to the panning of the sound (left to right/ right to left) and match them. Very clever. Also Enjoying the slingshot games which make good use of the touch screen and dual screens. Luigi card games are fun but but theres not alot to them really with the ones i`ve unlocked upto yet. But there`s definately a vast range of mini games in there to suit most though.

[replicant]

I dont want to be too negative, but does anyone else find the DS to be a huge disappointment. I really can't be bothered with mine. Now the PSP on the other hand..../me melts at the thought of Ridge.