Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 262
 More Than A Nintendo Port - A Nintendo Miracle November 16, 2004
Ketay (Auburn, WA USA)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
Nintendo has surprised us by not only bringing back an old favorite, but by improving it at that. This new DS version not only provides us with the stunning visuals, huge world, and hours and hours of fun found in the original, it does it all in a compact size.
Graphics--
The graphics in this game are more than the average gamer could hope for. Nicely textured worlds in complete 3d, full moving models of hundreds of characters (4 of which are playable), and quick frame rate allow for all the graphic goodness of the n64 in a portable size. The only drawback is the smaller screen, but Nintendo makes up for that by providing the extra needed info on the bottom screen to give as much viewing space as possible.
Gameplay--
The gameplay is the best part of this game, as it is with all platformers. You begin as Yoshi and can turn into other characters by collecting new "cap" boxes throughout the level. You must use their various abilities to solve puzzles and defeat enemies in an attempt to collect the stars that Bowser has spread out throughout the castle. Speaking of stars, Nintendo has provided us with an extra 30 stars more than was in the original game. This doesn't only include more stars in the old levels; it also provides us with new levels to conquer. What's more is that even once you've beaten the game, there's a new "Rec Room" that contains dozens of mini-games. Each character has their own mini-games, and there are enough of them to keep you occupied for hours on end. What more could you ask from a new system's launch lineup?
Story--
There isn't much story to this game, but only because it's a platformer. The majority of the game is focused on the intense gameplay, and doesn't contain many story elements to slow it down. The only noticeable story scenes are the intro, where you begin your quest as Yoshi, and the ending, when you bring down the infamous Bowser. But with all the star-searching in between, you couldn't ask for a better mix of story and gameplay.
Overall--
Overall this game is going to be one to remember. Every aspect of it is perfect, and it all fits into the new game "cards" for the DS. So if you're thinking of getting a DS this holiday season, you can't go wrong with nabbing this title while you're at it. Perfect for any ages, and with the new system console size, its perfect to play anywhere. Literally.
 Caution: Too Much Hype November 29, 2004
J. Morrison (Sachse, TX)
10 out of 37 found this review helpful
To be fair, let me first say this game looks amazing, even better than it did on the Nintendo 64.
Now, the other reviews are more than covering the good points, but let me cover the bad, so that you have the full story before you buy...
If you are expecting a new Mario Adventure, DONT BUY THIS GAME. This game is essentially the same Nintendo 64 game. They have added a few new things here and there, so it is a bit different, but overall it's the same game.
Now for the worst part...this game is hard to play...very hard.
On the 64 you had an analog stick to move your character around. On the DS version you HAVE to use the touchpad. You have no other option. They give you 3 options for controls but all 3 force you to move your character using the touchpad. Based on the positon of the touchpad, it essentially takes one of your hands away, leaving you to hold the DS and control the buttons with the other...not an easy thing to do. On the 64 game, moving the character without falling off of objects was often the toughest part of the game. Now on the DS, it's even worse.
The demo of Metroid Prime Hunters that came with the DS uses the touchpad brilliantly, as an aiming device for your weapon. This prooves the touchpad is a good thing and should be used. Mario DS fails. Having played the 64 game, I was disappointed to find it the same on the DS. I was completely turned off from the DS version because of the difficulty using the touchpad. If you have never played the 64 version, this game might be worth a look. If you have, expect it to be a strange and tough transistion.
a great game November 30, 2004
bryan sullivan
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
This is definatly one of the best games I have ever played. The graphics are awesome, I'd say better than those on the nintendo 64. The stereo sound is great too, if someone is sneeking up on your right side, you hear a noise from that side, and are able to react quickly. It is a little bit easier noticing these noises with headphones, but the speakers on the system do a great job without headphones. I would also like to point out that J. Morrison is incorrect, you can switch between using either the control pad to control mario, or the touchscreen,(I like the control pad because my hands are big).
I think that this game deserves 5 out of 5 stars, and long time gamers or newer ones will enjoy this classic game.
 The best game for DS so far, and probably for a long time March 1, 2005
Ben Bousquet (Winchester Virginia USofA)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
Wow. this is an awesome game. It really keeps you interested and wanting do get more stars and beat bowser! This is definatly the best game out there for DS, and like I said, it will be for a long time. The graphics are amazing. The 3D characters just will blow you away. Heres the main story line:
Oh yeah u guessed it. Bowser steals Princes peach and blah blah blah. Well yeah, thats pretty much the story line. But, this time Yoshi, Luigi, and even Wario are along to help rescue the princess. You start of as Yoshi, and earn power stars as you go along in different levels, and you can enter new rooms when you get the needed stars. ( for example, the room with an 8 on it reqires 8 stars to enter.) There are 150 stars in all, and a whole bunch of "secret stars" that are a lot of fun to find and get. All together there are 15 levels and I know that seemes like nothing, but it really doesnt seem like it.
The levels each have 7 main power stars, and one other star that you can retrieve from it by getting 100 coins. ( those little yellow things that heal you.) Hmmm, lets see that only makes .... the 15 levels times 8 stars... 120 stars in the levels. So as you see, there are 30 "secret stars" that Ill leave you to find on your own.
The multiplayer in this game is not one of its best parts, but hey at least it has multiplayer right? Ok, the multiplayer is baisicly up to four people can play, and you always start out as Yoshi, but wherever you go there are hats of Mario Luigi and Wario. ( if you pick up a hat of a different character than who you are, you turn into that character)
There are mini games that you can unlock by finding rabbits around the castle and catching them. Each rabbit will give you a key that unlockes new minigames. In the "rec room" on the main menu, the minigames that you have unlocked will be displayed. Each character has their own unique set of minigame of which to coose from. Sure its kind of cheesey with catching the rabbits and all, but the minigames are pretty entertaining.
This game is not one of those games like Wario Ware Touched that you can beat in less than 24 hours. Oh no, this is the kind like when you were little and you played Pokemon for like 100 hours before you beat it kind of games. Ok, maybe not 100 hours, but it took me about two months of hard work all the time to get 80 stars and beat bowser for the last time. If you liked any preveous Mario games, you will like this one twice as much grarenteed! * Heres how I rate it:
Graphics - 9/10
Gameplay - 9/10
Story line - 4/10 Yeah, its all the same!
Replay Value after you beat it - 5/10 while still working - 8/10
Sound - 6/10 The same music and noises but its not bad.
Multiplayer - 6/10
Mini games - 7/10
Overall - 8/10
I hope that you enjoyed this reveiw and that it will help you!
PS- please tell if this reveiw helped you!
Happy gaming - BeN
 Good Buy October 20, 2006
J. Hoover (Chicago, IL)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is a tough review. First off, I played the original SM64 back when Nintendo still thought cartridge systems were a good idea. The DS version adds enough to this new version to truly warrant the buy.
The added puzzles and different beginning add another level of playability for older gamers as well as people new to the game.
The controls are what get in the way of this being the perfect game.
Kudos to Nintendo for trying to do the pseudo-analog control on the touchscreen, but it just isn't the same. There have been too many times where I'm running around trying to do something and I'll fall off a cliff because, well, there's not true analog control. There is the standard digital D-pad, but there's just not enough tactile response or accuracy for my taste.
Ultimately, the game is a blast. The controls can get extremely frustrating (I can be tricky, but it's never been THAT hard to stomp on a goomba.) If you own a DS Lite, [...](I was lucky enough to get one as a free gift.)
Again, this is a very good game. With all the DS titles available now, though, I'd put this lower on your video game shopping list. It's not a waste of money, but DS games have evolved over the years since SM64 was released. Still good, but definately not the best.
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