GAMES: GameSpot | GameFAQs MUSIC: Last.fm | MP3.com MOVIES: Metacritic | Movietome TV: TV.com
Home | About Metacritic | About Metascores | What's New | Wireless Versions | Discussion Forums | Advertising Inquiries | Contact Us | RSS
Metacritic.com: We Deal With Criticism
     Help
> Switch to Advanced Search  
Film Video/DVD Music Games TV

Games

Playstation Reviews
PS3 | PS2 | PS One | PSP

Xbox Reviews
Xbox 360 | Xbox

Nintendo Reviews
Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64


PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast

How Metascores Are Calculated
Discuss Games In Our Forums

 

Upcoming & Recent Releases

sort by name sort by score

xx Animal Crossing Calculator
xx Animal Crossing Clock
69 Art Style: AQUIA
xx Art Style: BOXLIFE
77 Art Style: CODE
xx Art Style: KUBOS
xx Art Style: NEMREM
82 Art Style: PiCTOBiTS
xx Asphalt 4: Elite Racing
70 Avalon Code
xx Big League Sports: Summer
71 Bird & Beans
60 Black Sigil
72 Boing! Docomodake DS
69 Brain Age Express: Math
xx Brave: Shaman's Challenge
78 Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars - Director's Cut
xx C.O.R.E.
xx Challenge Me: Brain Puzzles
44 Challenge Me: Maths Workout
xx Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics
69 Dark Spire, The
xx Dawn of Discovery
xx Desktop Tower Defense
60 Dokapon Journey
71 Don King Boxing
76 Dr. Mario Express
xx Emergency! Disaster Rescue Squad
75 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time
66 Football Academy
xx G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
60 Gardening Mama
54 Ghostbusters: The Video Game
xx Giana Sisters DS
93 Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
xx Grey's Anatomy
74 Guitar Hero On Tour - Modern Hits
xx Hannah Montana: The Movie
xx Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
xx Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming
82 Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure
42 History Great Empires: Rome
xx Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
xx Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings
xx Jagged Alliance
xx Jake Hunter Detective Story: Memories of the Past
xx Jake Power: Handyman
xx Jewel Quest Solitaire
xx Junior Classic Games
78 Knights in the Nightmare
77 Legendary Starfy, The
67 LEGO Battles
48 Lux-Pain
70 Magician's Quest: Mysterious Times
xx Mario Calculator
xx Mario Clock
85 Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
xx Master of Illusion Express: Deep Psyche
xx Master of Illusion Express: Funny Face
xx Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games
xx Mega Man Star Force 3: Black Ace
xx Mega Man Star Force 3: Red Joker
56 Miami Law
85 Mighty Flip Champs
xx Military History Commander: Europe at War
xx Mixed Messages
47 Monsters vs. Aliens
59 My Pet Shop
64 MySims Party
67 MySims Racing
50 Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Council 4
48 Naruto: Ninja Destiny II
xx Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
xx Nintendo DSi Browser
57 Overlord: Minions
51 Paper Airplane Chase
xx Pass Your Driving Theory Test
52 PDC World Championship Darts 2009
71 Personal Trainer: Walking
xx Photo Clock
82 Pokemon Platinum
xx Pop Superstar: Road to Celebrity
73 Puchi Puchi Virus
xx Puzzle City
67 Puzzle Kingdoms
75 Real Soccer 2009 (DSiWare)
83 Rhythm Heaven
xx Roogoo Attack
xx Science Papa
xx Scrabble
68 Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis
85 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
xx Shorts
xx Space Bust-A-Move
xx Space Camp
63 Steal Princess
xx Sudoku 50! For Beginners
xx Sudoku Master
76 Suikoden Tierkreis
74 Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier
57 Tokyo Beat Down
54 Touch Mechanic
xx Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Autobots
xx Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Decepticons
xx Treasure World
xx Up
74 Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
53 WarioWare: Snapped!
xx World Championship Games: A Track & Field Event
55 X-Men Origins: Wolverine
73 Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship Tournament 2009
75 Zubo

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.



Printer-Friendly Version Email This Page Discuss In Our Forums
Super Mario 64 DS ds Game Reviews
Super Mario 64 DS
Critic Score
Metascore: 85 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
7.8 out of 10
based on 54 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 81 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

Super Mario 64, the genre-defining Nintendo 64 classic, arrives on the Nintendo DS with all-new features that take full advantage of the new portable system's dual screens, touch screen and wireless multiplayer capability. Play as Mario, Yoshi, Luigi and even Wario. You'll need to use each one's unique abilities to find 150 Power Stars hidden in the castle and grounds. Play through Adventure mode and try your stylus-wielding hand at tons of new touch-sensitive mini-games. Battle up to three friends in Wireless Versus mode, which you can play with only one Super Mario 64 DS game card. Each of the four main characters has multiple jumping moves that cover great horizontal and vertical distances. Each has unique moves: Yoshi can eat enemies and turn them into eggs that he can throw; Mario can punch, kick and wall-jump to great heights; super-strong Wario can break certain blocks; and Luigi can jump incredibly high. Power Flowers give each character even cooler powers, like invisibility, fire breath or the power to float through the air. [Nintendo]

PUBLISHER: Nintendo
DEVELOPER: Nintendo
GENRE(S): Action, Platform
PLAYERS: 4
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: November 21, 2004

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
GameSpy
Its greatness holds up almost ten years later. It's a treat having an enhanced (both gameplay-wise and visually) version of the game that you can toss in your pocket and play on the go. This is easily the best launch title in the DS lineup.
Read Full Review
100
Cinescape
The minigames are easily one of the high-lights of the game.
Read Full Review
100
DS Central
From the unlockable minigames to the multiplayer mode and the new stars to find, this latest installment in the Mario series is a shining example of gaming at its best.
Read Full Review
100
AceGamez
I can't tell you how impressed I am with the quality of sound, not only that this game produces but from the DS itself. It rivals anything your television can put out and it even has a surround sound option.
Read Full Review
93
Gamezilla!
A hoot of a game.
Read Full Review
93
Next Level Gaming
Who would have thought you would be playing a portable version of this game with better graphics, more levels, more characters, wireless gaming and new bonus games. Nintendo took a great game and added more greatness to it.
Read Full Review
92
Nintendojo
With a huge adventure that will take dozens of hours to complete, along with 36 different mini-games and single-card multiplayer, Super Mario 64 DS is easily the best title on the Nintendo DS right now.
Read Full Review
92
N-Insanity
Control worries aside, I found tons to enjoy from the many mini games available to even the weak multiplayer mode.
Read Full Review
91
Nintendophiles
THE must-own launch title. There are a couple of issues keeping it from being a definitive killer-app for the system, such as the problematic control scheme, but it’s as close as any of us could have hoped for, and certainly close enough to warrant a purchase.
Read Full Review
91
Gaming Age
With 30 extra stars to collect, a few new levels thrown in, unique power-ups and characters, addictive mini-games, and even a multiplayer battle mode, the game truly delivers a great experience for Nintendo’s new handheld.
Read Full Review
90
Gamestyle
It's the game we all fell in love with when the N64 launched - and it's looking extremely likely to happen again this holiday season. Unmissable.
Read Full Review
90
GameCube Europe
As much a joy to play now as the original ever was. What it now lacks in the single player adventure (but in all honesty, it’s not lacking much at all) is more than made up for thanks to the competitive multiplayer whilst the minigames alone make this game a must-have.
Read Full Review
90
EuroGamer
Even pointlessly simple card matching games like Luigi's "Pair-A-Gone" and "Memory Match" had us playing relentlessly, whiling away Tube journeys and whiling away stolen moments at all manner of the day and night.
Read Full Review
90
NintendoWorldReport
It makes rather poor use of the dual screen displays (the map feature is largely useless), the touch screen control isn't exactly perfect, and it runs the risk of establishing a long trend of N64 ports that might crowd out original games on the system. Yet, on its own merits, SM64DS is an exciting, revamped version of a monumental game.
Read Full Review
90
GMR Magazine
Takes an excellent original game, loses some ground on control, but gains it back with variety. [Feb 2005, p.109]
90
GameBiz
All the extra and different stars, compiled with the new playable characters, multiplayer, and the dozens of mini-games makes Super Mario 64 DS THE launch title to pick up, hands down.
Read Full Review
90
Gamers Europe
Even today it's an absolutely essential gaming experience.
Read Full Review
89
WHAM! Gaming
If not for some small issues with the control, it would have been a great expansion on the original, and deserving of the same accolades the original had.
Read Full Review
89
eToychest
The developers at NCL have done a lot with the original game to give players a considerable amount of new content to keep the experience of playing a title that originated back in 1996 still feeling fresh and fun.
Read Full Review
89
IGN
The fix, a touch-screen Analog Stick emulator, is a good idea that's entirely functional...if just a little flawed due to the lack of physical restraints.
Read Full Review
89
GameZone
Could have been titled Mario 64 Plus. Plus new characters. Plus new stages. Plus new mini-games. Plus touch screen controls. Plus new music, not to mention incredible sound quality that blows Game Boy Advance out of the water.
Read Full Review
89
Nintendo Insider
The main adventure will keep you busy for dozens of hours, but the mini-games and Vs. mode are nice extra treats as well.
Read Full Review
88
Nintendo Power
The minigames alone are reason to buy this title. [Feb 2005, p.111]
88
Play Magazine
In a perfect world, wouldn't it have been great to get an original Mario game? Isn't that the way it used to be? [Jan 2005, p.84]
88
Da Gameboyz
Control issues aside, the look and overall feel of this game is very solid.
Read Full Review
86
Armchair Empire
May not be as groundbreaking as the original Super Mario 64 but as a launch title and a full-featured game you absolutely get your money’s worth.
Read Full Review
85
Game Informer
I think it's ironic that what will no doubt be the best of the DS launch lineup is a game that makes little use of its unique technology. [Jan 2005, p.144]
85
Play.tm
It's just a shame that time and time again it's the controls that you'll be telling your mates about as much as the game itself.
Read Full Review
85
3DAvenue
Within the adventure mode the stylus control is a somewhat weak idea that shifts the learning curve upwards steeply, making a very accessible game a great deal less so. If you stick to digital control - and it's not that precise a game, to be honest - then you'll find Mario 64 DS to be a great title.
Read Full Review
85
Gamer's Hell
Thanks to the additional features and a galore of fun mini games that focus on the new hardware features Super Mario DS 64 is a really good title and definitely worth buying.
Read Full Review
85
Worth Playing
The 3D graphics are amazing in comparison to the flat sprites from earlier systems.
Read Full Review
84
GameSpot
A great update of a classic game. While some portions of the game have aged better than others, and while the control could've been a little tighter, the game is done right enough to make it a faithful update for fans of the original; new players will certainly find a lot to like here, as well.
Read Full Review
83
Electronic Gaming Monthly
None of the different control options on the DS come close to providing the effortless precision the analog stick delivers. Also, outside of the occasionally entertaining Wario Ware—style micro minigames, Mario DS doesn't make good use of the hardware's unique features.
Read Full Review
80
GamePro
You can never get enough of a classic. Super Mario 64 is essentially here with enough DS goodies to make a compelling dual-screen package.
Read Full Review
80
Gamer.tv
The whole affair feels like a slightly slower more elegant version of the recently released "Wario Ware."
Read Full Review
80
GamerFeed
Unfortunately, this game still isn't as good as Super Mario 64 due to the fact that there is no substitute for the controller built around that classic. It is the best game Nintendo DS has to offer, though, and hints at the possibilities for the future of the system.
Read Full Review
80
G4 TV
Though gameplay is really one big scavenger hunt though a diverse set of worlds, there are so many memorable moments, from racing down corkscrew slides to surfing lava on a koopa shell, that you can’t help but grin with giddy delight.
Read Full Review
80
Edge Magazine
Mario 64 DS is a magnificent execution of entirely the wrong content. Happily, despite its age, that content is so robust and remarkable that the result is still surprising, spectacular and, yes, downright Super. [Jan 2005, p.78]
80
games(TM)
By far the most pleasing aspect of Super Mario 64 DS is the consistent quality of the new mini-games, with the bombs and the catapult game adding something to dip into alongside the lure of the main adventure itself. [Jan 2005, p.121]
80
Stuff
The Mario faithful will no doubt rejoice, since it's easily the best of the launch titles. But if you're not a Mario lover, you may want to hold out a few more weeks for something better.
Read Full Review
80
Total Video Games
The main issue is naturally the control which brings up one or two occasionally frustrating moments, however we’d personally liked to have seen a game that made more of the “innovative” features of the DS – how about Mario’s face on the title screen responding to comments you make to demonstrate the voice recognition features Nintendo???
Read Full Review
80
Gaming Nexus
If you can overlook some control issues you’ll find quite a lot of game play that will have you going for months to come.
Read Full Review
80
Yahoo! Games
Even gamers who have played the "parent" game to death can find something to love in this promising -- if not entirely coordinated -- bundle of joy.
Read Full Review
80
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
If only the machine's best game actually showed off the possibilities of the touch screen rather than highlighting its lack of an analogue stick. [NGC Pocket]
Read Full Review
80
PALGN
With a lengthy single player adventure and 3 dozen mini-games to enjoy, Super Mario 64 DS is well worth the cash, despite its minor control issues.
Read Full Review
80
DarkStation
For those of you who never got the privilege of playing the original, or want to relive those fond memories, the game is a good purchase for you!
Read Full Review
80
NTSC-uk
The important part is that the game is still as fun, enjoyable and challenging as it was when it first came out; everything else is icing on the three-tiered cake, with the mini-games happening to be a rather thick layer of icing at that.
Read Full Review
76
My Gamer
Without a doubt, the Nintendo DS is an amazing new piece of hardware. It is just a shame that Nintendo has a port for their launch game. Plus, the game does not even use some of the system’s specialties like the microphone.
Read Full Review
75
Game Revolution
It’s a little odd looking so far back into Nintendo's past as we invest in its future, and you can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu while traipsing through what is essentially a port. That's not exactly riveting for a launch title.
Read Full Review
75
1UP
I'm honestly pretty underwhelmed...Mario 64 DS is a poorly-conceived port of an otherwise good game.
Read Full Review
70
Cheat Code Central
Just keep in mind that your enjoyment of this cart will be in direct proportion to how easily you adapt to the less than stellar control scheme. With analog control built into the DS, this game would have been off the charts, but as it is I think a lot of people who played the original will be shocked to discover just how different it feels.
70
GameShark
While the main game in Super Mario 64 DS does seem a bit dated to be a launch title for the Nintendo DS, it is still a fun action/adventure that will satisfy the handful of people that have always wished they could have Super Mario 64 on a handheld.
Read Full Review
70
RewiredMind
An undeniable classic tainted by an awful control mechanism that still doesn’t feel natural after some ten hours’ play, with a few fun extras more suited to the input method.
Read Full Review
70
RealGamer
An undeniable classic somewhat ruined by a terrible, terrible (though unavoidable, really) control system, accompanied by a few fun extras showing off what the console can do.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 81 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Scott L. gave it an8:
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.

Matthew P. gave it a5:
A good game, but the DS's crappy excuse for a d-pad makes the game only worth 5 stars.

James R. gave it a6:
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.

Caz C. gave it a10:
Absolutely amazing game. You get to play as your favourite character this time instead of just Mario and quite frankly the moves that some of the others can do makes Mario look untalented! New levels added, extra stars, more fun glitches such as being able to swim under the castle and even mega addictive mini games; especially Luigi's card games! This is definately a game worth adding to your collection, 100% guarenteed to enjoy this game even if you don't like other mario games!

Isabel B. gave it a10:
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.

Boo gave it a10:
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.

Recardo B. gave it a9:
Very good port with new levels and characters to play. DS controls can be very frustrating at times, but game play is fun.

Read more user comments...

Discuss this game in our forums

Return to top of page
Home | FILM | DVD/VIDEO | MUSIC | GAMES | TV | Forums | About Metacritic metacritic.com

Popular on CBS sites: iPhone 3G | Fantasy Football | Moneywatch | Antivirus Software | Recipes | E3 2009

About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use