I wanted this game as soon as I saw it for the DS and was disappointed. You start off as Yoshi, of all characters, but get Mario right off the bat, so that's ok. What really bugs me is that I would never have noticed how much I needed that analog stick from the N64 to play this game right, and using the stylus just isn't the same. You'll find yourself frustrated at really only having one run speed throughout the game. A real shame, but it's all due to the technical limitations of a directional pad. Other than that, this game is great. It's just frustrating to lose so much control.… Expand

"Mario 64" is definitely one of the best DS game i've ever played up to date. It's a unique platform adventure that's not 2-D (oh joy!) and gives you tons of fun, challenging stuff to do. Overall a game any person of any age would enjoy. Must Buy!!!

A poor reincarnation of a good game. If jumping and exploring wasn't your thing eight years ago, this game won't change your mind. I immediately realised I do not posess the right number of fingers in the right positions to play. I found myself playing with my right hand "upside down" on the controls, as that was the only way I could make sense of them. (Yes, I tried all the control options, key and touchscreen) Looks like a good game, but I'd be on a course for the fastest RSI injury on record if I continued to play it. In the UK, this looked like the only game worth even looking at (if your not a fan of strange blocky jumpy puzzle games or poorly realised driving games) - with this unplayable (to me at least) and only Advance Wars Dual Strike on the horizon , i'm beginning to regret buying th DS. One year from initial release, and not a single game available in the UK that I actually want. PC… Expand

I want to like this game. I REALLY want to like it. I just cant play it. It looks great, but ican't play it. who came up with the controls needs a shoe where the sun doesn't shine.

Not the best game but still kind of good I would not recommend this game but if you are a super Mario fan than it is the game for you but if not there are many other good games out there.

I read Maria W.'s review and he is right. But also quite wrong. Calling Nintendo "greedy" is a huge leap. Like most people who play games, those who lose want to win. And they get frusterated that people like Microsoft is buying most of the production companies that brought good Nintendo games (ie. RARE). Thus, Nintendo moved into the handheld area, since nobody has done so. They brought 3D handheld!!! So Maria W., just wait for good games like any console. Super Mario 64 is great I find. I haven't played it in many years, so playing it again, AS YOSHI, is good! I forgot most of the maps, stars, etc, so it's like a new (not brand-new, but new) game. And it is! There are new stars! New secrets! Super Mario 64 was the best game for N64 and it's a great one for the DS. But I apologize on Nintendo's behalf, that it's not GTA: SA or Half-life 2.… Expand

Was fun but i cant get the last star.

Disappointing.

This game is sweet the best of the best for mario .....rock on!

Very good port with new levels and characters to play. DS controls can be very frustrating at times, but game play is fun.

A very good remake for the nintendo ds of the original super mario 64 Its like an upgraded or modified version of the original super mario 64 because there are 30 more secret stars and you can unlock characters like wario and luigi and in the beginning you play with yoshi!! The game is almost flawless only the controls can be frustrating at times.The game is very long and has nice graphics and sound and gameplay and it has multiplayer and it makes use of the touchscreen for camera control and moving your character. The minigames are also a lot of fun.… Expand

Who devised the control system ? I could cry... They've ruined a beautiful game.

I can't believe i trailed the Nintendo DS hype. Every launch game sucks. Innovative games, yes yes yes... but every DS game is poorly executed. And the best game of the DS is a fricking 8 year ole port, Mario 64. Wich btw is horrible to play with it's other control mechanics. If Nintendo was not greedy for once, they would have included a analog stick. Mario 64 is btw 0.1 out of 10 innovation. What's next.... A port of the brilliant Ocarina of Time? Forget the ports for christ sake (i already had enough with ports on GBA SP) and work on new things. I am considering selling the DS if i don't see games that make good use of it's "very touted" features. It's a good thing the Gamecube is not a "port filled" gaming machine. Don't believe the DS hype!… Expand

OMG This is the best handheld game ive ever played, it rocks!!!

Every bit as good as the addicting 64 version - and better. Why is this game called Super Mario 64 DS? It should be called Super Yoshi 64 DS. You play as Yoshi until you collect a hat. When this hat is collected you can transfer into the character that corresponds with the color of the hat. Both the controls and the aforementioned quirk made me feel slightly uncomfortable playing Mario 64 DS. Still, despite those minor issues, this game rocks.… Expand

I got the game and the ds for christmas and I have to say I'm disappointed, deeply. the controls on mario 64 ds are just annoying, after playing for just a little while I set it down and haven't felt the need to go back to again. The best thing about the ds is that i can at least play gameboy advance games, I recently bought Zelda, The Minish Cap, and love it completely, I've spent hours and hours playing it.… Expand

People might complain about the controls but once you get used to it, it's Mario 64 x10! And you dont even have to carry your bulky N64 and a TV around while you're playing it! They should have made a few more levels though, I mean seriously, at least make the bowser's levels a bit different!

This game is amazing. As soon as you turn it on, you'll be sucked in forever. The changes from are N64 version are mostly good, however there is certainly room for improvement in the touch control. Rainbow Ride is not very easy to get around, but then again, I had problems with the original one. It was a little too short for me. by the end of my first weekend, I had 95 stars, and finished it in less than 4 days. This will punish you severely for errors but when you finally pull it off, you'll feel like a king. A must for the DS, even if you aren't keen on Mario.… Expand

this game is really fun, but I can't get wario and luigi.

It's almost exactly the same as the original. If you still have SM64, this game isn't really worth it.

1up.com has sh*tty reviews - this game is amazing, and clearly he didn't have the DS long enough to get used to the control scheme. After one day it's just as good as a joystick. This game is a killer!

One of the best games ever, ruined by a terrible control system.

Come on now! This game is totally awesome! Sure, it's a replica of the older version, and I don't really care about the extra 30 stars, but truly, this game is a need! 4 characters to play with, extra mini-games ... BUY IT and see : )

Ok since every one else has adressed all the other issues in their reviews im not going to go over all of them. The one ill do is the conrol... now lots of people say that the controls suck or are disappointing, but omg other than that this game is great port with extras and some new stuff... Now the controls for this game i will say are...average. I cant beleive people who are giving this a bad score cuz o bad controls... omg deal with it, its not that hard to do. the controls are the best possible considering no analog stick. So with the controls the D-pad is just fine its not going to make you die SO much that you cant play.… Expand

best mario game so far love it playerbilitys amazing especially because of multiple player options.

This is a great game. The graphics are great for the handheld standards. The game is still great with 30 extra stars, 3 extra characters, and multiplayer. Its a huge game with solid gameplay. Yet there are problems like since the DS has no analog stick and the original did its harder to control Mario/Yoshi/Luigi/Wario which brings me to the big problem the controls are frustrating you9;ll be jumping off cliffs because the controls are too awkward and the camera can get get a little wonky. Yet this is a great game nonethless and the best game for the DS. If you have a Ds this is a must-buy.… Expand

It`s so dificult to play it without a joystick. The touch screen don´t helps anything. Is better to have a good joystick than a screachable touchscreen.

I think this game is like the original 64 game but better in a way because even thought the graphics arnt outstanding its a change from the usual mario with a hint of suspense. LOVED IT!!!.

Being my first ever ds game...jumbing on walking mushrooms,playing as our moustahced heros, playing as yoshi, collection stars and coins, has never been so fun, all those that dont like this game are losers screw u all those that dont like this game!!! ( i sent a full review of this game to a magazine hopefully ill make it to reader reviews page)

Nice game with very nice touchable minigames!

It was a lot better than the N64 one I liked Yoshi the best it was a great game.

If this is truly the fabled Super Mario 64, I'm honestly struggling to see what the fuss was about. Graphics and sound are nice, but what damns this game utterly is the controls. Since the DS lacks the N64's analogue stick, Nintendo have opted to give us the option to control Mario's movement either by using the touch screen as a substitute for the analogue stick, or by using the D-pad and a combination of buttons to simulate analogue movement. The problem is, the D-pad just isn't responsive enough, and the touch screen is much too fiddly thanks to the lack of tactile feedback. And a game like this lives or dies by its controls. SM64DS, unfortunately, dies. The saving grace of the game is the many minigames you can unlock over the course of the game, which make full use of the touch screen and are loads of fun. I never played the original SM64, and based on this, I don't think I ever want to.… Expand

This game is so awesome! It gave me so much fun! Some ppl say (This game is for little babeys Im gunnu go play GOD OF WAR!) Heck, this game is fine without blood! I think if you got a DS get this game, and if you do not have a DS get one, And get this game!

A very fun game, basicly the same as the 64 version with more gameplay and 30 more stars to get and what I thought was a lot of fun mini games. I think they should of at least mixed up the storyline a little though.

This game has took a step up from the original Super Mario 64 by adding more character, and stars to collect. I really like this game because you can use Yoshi in what was one of the greatest games of all time. You get the same quality as from the orignal, but with smoother graphic, and it can go anywhere with you. And the minigames added to this original classic are a really fun way to pass the time.… Expand

A good game, but the DS's crappy excuse for a d-pad makes the game only worth 5 stars.

Simply awesome! One of the best games on the ds i've ever played. Platforming genius. The puzzles are really clever, and the graphics are very good, it's probably the best- looking DS game so far. The downside? Controls. I just use the D-pad, as the touch controls were still fiddly, but even using the d pad took a while to get used to. Anyway, a superb game. My favourite DS game, next to AC:WW.… Expand

Almost like having the console version on PSP, but the DS version has been enhanced with better graphics, more characters and more replay value, and a whopping 150 stars to collect. However, for kids, the main game difficulty of solving puzzles, having to use characters for certain areas and trying to get enemies without falling off the roof is just to much. Starting off the game as Yoshi isn't very good, and some people will get sick of Yoshi, like me.… Expand

A dedicated remake of a timeless classic. I must give kudos to the designers for staying so close to the original gameplay on most levels. The beauty and essence of this title, however, lies in the fact that with all of the new stars to find and levels incorporated into the game, you feel as if this is your first experience with Mario 64. Enhanced graphics are a plus (If you compare it to the original version, you'll see that the textures and character models on this game are simply astonishing; a true testament to how superior the DS system reigns over the N64 in visuals) and the DS' sound system still has not been showcased better, even 3 and a half years later. (The tantalizing feeling you got the first time you booted up your DS and heard the start up tone bouncing around the room, or the feeling you get when you here the birds in the Castle's Courtyard chirping [and physically looked around because it sounded as if the chirps were all around the room] was priceless). The mini-games mode could actually hold itself as a separate title, or at the time it could have, anyway. The collectibles keep you popping the game into your DS time and time again, reflecting dust off of your dual-screened console. All of these elements and features make Super Mario 64 the best launch title for the system. What weighs the game down? A terrible usage of the touch screen outside of the mini-games and a D-pad control scheme that takes a long while to get use to, and in the end, feels odd and EXTREMELY clunky and unpolished. So, the bottom line is: Besides for the horrible controls, the game was the best launch title for the DS (either this or Rayman DS which you should really check out). If you're looking for a superb 3D DS platformer, Rayman DS and Super Mario 64 DS are where it's at.… Expand

This was a great game. It was the first I bought for the DS. I know what people are talking about when they complain about the controls. Using the Dpad is a bit clumsy, so I used, and highly recommend, the touch mode.I thought it was great, although I did buy a stylus that wrapped around my thumb. I thought that control was extremely innovative (a virtual analog stick! What a concept!). The graphics were great, they appeared very polished yet polygonal enough to be noticeable. Disclaimer I did not play this game on the original Nintendo 64, though. However, on the whole, I think that this a great first title to buy for somebody. But get the wrapping stylus!… Expand

Definitely not a crappy remake. There's nothinig more to say about this rocking game except, there are better games.

I have never played with the original video game on Nintendo 64, but I am having fun with it. It's a huge game, and I can see some people getting tired of it, because you have to play and replay a lot of stages, just because you have different missions...

Is it a shameless port of an old game? Yes. Does it have minigames and pointless "extras" tacked on in order to appear "new?" Yes. Does it rock anyways? Hells yes. It may be old, and maybe it's been done before... But it's still worth buying. I'm not going to say that this remake add new depth with its multi-character system... it doesn't. It DOES, however, make it easier to "cheat" for stars - an issue that I appreciate. I loved Super Mario 64, and I love the DS version even more. The control scheme takes getting used to, but it's not NEARLY as bad as everyone says. If anything, get this game because you can carry the greatness of Mario's first 3D debut with you wherever you go. If you need another reason, the minigames are a nice perk, and they come in handy when you want to chew up time because your boring PoliSci professor shows up very late to class.… Expand

This game is just totally awesome. Unlike some people, I had no trouble with the controls. Probably because I have never owned a non-handheld gaming system. :( Some of the stars were tough, but still, this game was unbelievably awesome! :)

This game is the first game I ever got for the Nintendo DS. The game has an adventure mode and a mini game mode. In adventure, you can control four characters. Mario, Yoshi, Luigi and Wario. Mario is a balanced character and is great for beginners. Yoshi is considerably weaker than the other characters but his ability to breathe fire and flutter jump makes up for that. Luigi is the fastest character, and can actually jump high and then spin like a helicopter which slows his falls. Wario is the slowest character but he makes up for that by being the strongest character. Adventure consists of 15 levels, where you collect 7 stars in each and the 100 coin star. There are also 30 secret stars around the castle and can also be in the levels. The mini game part of the game is the most entertaining, because you can get super high scores and is also funny when your friends stuff up while playing them. There are 36 mini games in all and you start out with 8. To get more mini games, you have to collect the 7 rabbits for each character. This is a must have game...… Expand

Played it, done that!, ... but still a cool game. Addition of Yoshi and Wario is a nice twist twist to an old game. I especially like the mini games!!! Miss the analog controller though =(

First of all, the original SM64 was phenominal, the fact that they were able to improvew that much on it is ridiculous, however I thought beating it was severely easy. Maybe if they would have made more places to go and maybe 100 more stars instead of however many more they put in there so it would be more difficult.

I own the original and I love it,but this one blows the first out of the water I really enjoy it.Its new playable charaters make it that much more fun if you enjoyed the first one than this is a must have.

I am a Mario Bros fan, I have all the Mario games and love them all; this is one of my favorite games.

Awesome, it takes a while to get used to the controls, but overall- great!

A game that went very well from the N64 to the DS. Tonnes of additional content. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the controls. Using the D Pad is terrible cause you can only walk or run...nothing in between. The touch screen virtual joystick is an excellent alternative that works flawlessly. It is just that the learning curve is really really high. It will take you a while to get used to it, and you might just give up and use the D Pad, but once you get the hang of it, it works really well. The only bad thing is that there's no physical restraints obviously but like I said it just takes getting used to. Graphics look way better too! Mario isn't cross-eyed anymore.… Expand

I thought this game was absolutley brilliant. It kept me interested for hours. If you enjoyed the N64 version you will definantly enjoy this with a few extra twists. There a a few complaints that the plot is lame, but hey its Mario! Everybody knows that Bowser kidnapped Princess Peach and Mario has to rescue her. The controls aren't the greatest but the game is so fun that you barely notice.

This game is amazing! No idea why everyone complains about the control scheme? I use the D-pad, that's right! The only thing that took time to get used to was the fact I had to hold a button to run. That took about 5 minutes to master, then it took me no time to start the collectathon. It didn't take me long to amass all 150 stars in the game, about 10hrs of gametime. The mini-games however, are what brings me back to this game. They're amazing!… Expand

A challenging and fun game. You won't miss the analog controls after about 5 minutes. Too many critics have decided to blast this game for the short comings of the DS as if they are one in the same. I wonder if they will continue this trend when rating FPS that come out on the PSP (way to go Sony, put the analog and the directionals on the left).

The graphics are more refined then the 64 game. More characters is always good. I didn't even care about the analog. I had no problem with it at all. I didn't even notice. Yoshi or luigi is my favorite. The mini-games rule! Multiplayer is so much fun! More stars makes the already long game even longer. It is better then the already awesome original, in so many ways! Why does metacritics even post 1up reviews? If it isn't halo 2, 1UP hates it.… Expand

I have played both versions of Super Mario 64 and gotten 100% on each, and honestly I think that this version is actually better in terms of design. There were some god-awful character designs in the original, and the graphics are much improved. The controls are annoying, but otherwise this is an awesome port of a classic.

I hate Super Mario 64 DS. First of all, what is up with the controls with this game! There is more than 25 different combos for each of the four characters to preform (i.e. "direction pad forward + y button, then direction pad backward + b button" is the side somersault)! It is like the combos are supposed to be cheat codes-oh, wait that's impossible because cheat codes are shorter! I would really want to like this game, but it is too much memorization of the moves. Another funky thing about this game is the whole thing is one huge labyrinth though Princess Peach's butt-ugly castle, which leads to continent of Nowhere, and takes about an hour or two to walk through it! There's these portraits in the wall you go through to get to each of the boring levels that await you to waste all your lives on them. I think the reason I kept the game for more than a week is because it helped me to go to sleep really well! The mini games were funner than the actual game itself! Super Mario 64 DS is way overrated, but if one was to memorize each of the 28 combos (not including the regular controls like walking, running, swimming, crouching, etc.), and become an expert at it; it might-a be-a pretty-a goood! ;)… Expand

Great game. Super Mario 64 DS allows you to play as Yoshi, Mario, Luigi, and Wario. This, I feel, is the biggest jump. In the original, Mario was the only playable character. And with new levels, new Stars, and new abilities, the game rocks! Controls can be slightly wonky at times, and it's not like the idea for this game is 100% brand new for Nintendo, but that doesn't stop Super Mario 64 DS from being an amazing game with amazing ideas.… Expand

the first game i remember getting is sensational, so obviously 96% and a 10, cause its got more levels and its awesome and get it asap cause youll want it then, so gogogo!!!