The Video Game Critic

Anyone play this?  I really want to buy it (I loved the original, and know it would take me a few months to beat), but I'm nervous about the whole lack of analog thing.  I know what the reviews say, but I was curious what ya'll thought...

 

 

While it's not a perfect replacement, the thumbstrap does it's job pretty well. The D-pad is completely impossible to play with, though.

[QUOTE=Adamant]While it's not a perfect replacement, the thumbstrap does it's job pretty well. The D-pad is completely impossible to play with, though.[/QUOTE]

Actually, I played exclusively with the D-pad and the only part I had a problem with was fighting with Bowser. For running perfect circles I whipped out the thumbstrap, but other than that I felt like the D-pad was completely natural. Of course, when I played 3d PSX games like Spyro I used the D-pad, so I suppose I'm used to it.

 

On the topic of thumbstraps, I found a really nice MadCatz thumbstrap. Instead of hooking through the DS it just has velcro and goes right around your thumb. It comes with 2 DS lite styluses, which is good because DS Lites don't have thumbstraps.

You're best off with the d-pad, if you ask me. Most people seem to struggle using the touch screen controls for this game. They're more trouble than they're worth.

I'm an average Super Mario 64 player, but I've managed to get the 150 stars in the DS game and unlock all the minigames using just the d-pad and never once felt like control issues were holding me back.

Get it, this game is awesome, and it's my favorite game on the DS.  While it doesn't control quite as well as the N64, it does a great job.   You won't miss the analog stick that much.   The added a bunch of new stars to get, and the ability to play as Yoshi, Luigi, and wario, and they all play very differently.  But the real star of the show is the new touch screen minigames they added.  There are about 20-30 of them I think.  Most of them suck and feel tacked on.   But there are about 4 or 5 really really goods ones.  There's one game where you control a slingshot using the touchscreen to destroy bombs that are attacking the castle.  The game is freaking amazing, and is worth the price of the game, just by itself.   But don't forget, it also includes one of the greatest games of all time, Super Mario 64.

I narmally do not like 3-D games, but this game came as a bundle with my first DS. I really enjoyed it, to my surprise! The graphics are gorgeous, the puzzlles are fun and I LOVE the minigames (many also are available on New Super Mario Bros., though). I had no control issues. The one downside is I wish you could start with Mario, as Yoshi is a weak character. If you can get it $20 or less, go for it. More than that... only if you do NOT own New SMB and are a huge SM64 fan.

[QUOTE=Edward M]Get it, this game is awesome, and it's my favorite game on the DS.  While it doesn't control quite as well as the N64, it does a great job.   You won't miss the analog stick that much.   The added a bunch of new stars to get, and the ability to play as Yoshi, Luigi, and wario, and they all play very differently.  But the real star of the show is the new touch screen minigames they added.  There are about 20-30 of them I think.  Most of them suck and feel tacked on.   But there are about 4 or 5 really really goods ones.  There's one game where you control a slingshot using the touchscreen to destroy bombs that are attacking the castle.  The game is freaking amazing, and is worth the price of the game, just by itself.   But don't forget, it also includes one of the greatest games of all time, Super Mario 64.[/QUOTE]

Just remember that most of those minigames are also on "New Super Mario Bros."  If you already have that game, you already have those minigames.

[QUOTE=Alienblue]The one downside is I wish you could start with Mario, as Yoshi is a weak character.[/QUOTE]

Play the original on the N64 (or on the Wii Virtual Console).  You play with Mario in that one from the very beginning.