Innnnnnn the red corner, wearing red and blue dungarees and a spiffy cap, the legend from the Mushroom Kingdom – Super Mario 64! And in the blue corner, wearing red and blue dungarees and a spiffy cap, the legend from the Mushroom Kingdom – Super Mario 64 DS!
It’s the same game, but different!
The first contender is the word-for-word, pixel-for-pixel port of the N64 classic Super Mario 64, now available on the Nintendo Wii’s Virtual Console for download at the cost of 1000 points (£7). His opponent is the modern day remix for the Nintendo DS, in store for an RRP of £24.99 (3570 points, if it was relevant). The games may be the same (ish), but which one is better? There’s only one way to find out! FIGHT!
The Fighters’ Stories
Essentially, the story here is the same as any other randomly picked Mario title, besides Mario Kart and possibly Mario Paint, although I’m not sure. Princess Peach has been kidnapped, and it is up to you to rescue her dumb ass. While the Virtual Console version puts you in the size 10s of Mario as he raids the castle in search of her, the DS version starts you off as dinosaur pal Yoshi. His job is to rescue Mario, Luigi and Wario from the cursed castle, and then finally the Princess. That’s cool, but there’s no real reason for Luigi and Wario to be there, and that bugs me for some reason.
First Punch!
(The Graphics)
Who makes the strongest impact when the screen flickers on and the punches start flying? The graphics are spruced up for the DS, but they’re squashed to the pocket-sized screens. Therefore, the N64 version is bigger, but looks older.
Virtual Console: 6 fire flowers out of 10. DS: 8 fire flowers out of 10.
Round Two!
(The Gameplay)
Mario 64 was one of the first proper 3D platformers, and is of course one of the best. As one of the four characters (all-rounder Mario, speedy Luigi, strong Wario and the bizarre Yoshi), your job is to explore all of the hidden worlds locked away in the Princess’ castle. Hop through a portrait, secret wall, hole in the floor or magic window into a new environment, which will usually be based on a standard platformer cliché, like an ice world or lava world.
Hidden in these levels are stars which your characters needs to collect – either by finding them, winning them, or collecting items to unlock them. As there are so many missions for each level, you will find yourself going back to the same worlds repeatedly, but this isn’t a major gripe as the worlds are big and varied enough to stay interesting.
A fully malleable camera is vital for a good 3D romp, and the camera here is one of the best. There are occasional perspective problems, so some patience is needed, but nothing should slow you down too much and there are very few challenging leaps of faith. In short, there aren’t too many cheesy deaths.
The DS adds touchscreen compatibility, but this hinders more than anything else. Using the stylus is awkward and, quite frankly, useless. Thankfully, it’s mostly optional, and you can get your thumbs dirty old school style if you like. There’s a nice map on the bottom screen, but it shows you the location of the red and silver bonus coins – this runs the risk of making things too easy for accomplished players. Of course, I don’t have that problem.
Virtual Console: 8 green-spotted dinosaur eggs out of 10. DS: 8 green-spotted dinosaur eggs out of 10.
Round Three!
(Value For Money)
The DS version wins here, without a doubt. As the Virtual Console mix is just a straight-up port of the original game, there has been no need to add anything extra to the recipe. The DS version, however, loads on the extras like hundreds and thousands and strawberry sauce in a Pizza Hut Ice Cream Factory. Not only are there more stars to collect (although this is flogging the longevity of the core game a little), but there is a secret Rec Room to open up, which includes a gaggle of bonus games.
Fans of New Super Mario Bros will recognise most of the games on offer here, as they are mostly the same. They feature a crack team of Mario characters in a variety of unlikely scenarios that will test your memory, reflexes, observation skills and ability to throw a turtle shell. The games are mostly fluff, their sole aim in life seeming to be to show you how much you can do with a stylus without enjoying it, but there are a couple of golden ones here that you can share with your mates. Nice, but not super nice.
The only potential bonus the N64 version could give you, given its status as a vanilla version of the game, would be an economical price. At £7, we’re not looking at a very economical price. It’s not too bad, but it is cheaper to get the old N64 cartridge, which should be your first choice if you’ve got the console knocking about. However, if you don’t have one, what can you do? On the other hand, £25 for the DS cart is a bit steep too. Pick it up second-hand somewhere and you’ll be experiencing real value for money, but avoid shelling out RRP.
Virtual Console: 6 lost penguins out of 10. DS: 7 lost penguins out of 10.
Lasting Power
(Another Weak Boxing-Based Category)
Provided it takes a while for you to get bored of the same locales and tasks, you’ll get a good few weeks out of both versions of Mario 64. There is a massive list of things to do and find. With the extra stars to collect, new characters and time-sucking mini games, the DS version just about pips the VC.
Virtual Console: 8 bo-bombs out of 10. DS: 9 bo-bombs out of 10.
And the winner is…
Virtual Console: 7 kidnapped princesses out of 10.
DS: 8 kidnapped princesses out of 10.
The Virtual Console version holds up well, even after all these years, but the DS version just about wins on points. Why? Because it looks better, it plays better, it offers more and it fits in the palm of your hand. Plus, if you don’t like it, you can sell it! You can’t do that with a download.
Of course, it depends on what console you have available to you, but there should be no real reason for you not to treat yourself to this classic. Just avoid paying ‘new game’ prices for it. Despite all of the extra goodness it adds, the DS version is not worth the better part of thirty quid, and don’t let them convince you otherwise.