Historically, Nintendo has always released a Mario game with each new system launch, and Nintendo DS is no exception. In fact, they have chosen to take what is arguably the best Mario game ever, pack in a bunch of new extras, and release it to the gaming public itching for something worthwhile to do with those two screens before Animal Crossing DS, Puppy Times, and Wario Ware DS come out. With Super Mario 64 DS, they achieve the threshold of a system must-have but, unlike the original it's based off of, it falls way short of system-seller status.

Don't get me wrong, because the game looks fantastic. The hardware power of Nintendo DS is clearly shown in the game's vibrant graphics, animation, and level structure. In some ways, it even looks crisper than the Nintendo 64, and this bodes really well for future releases. And some of the graphics in the mini-games included in this package are pretty stellar. Just take a look at Luigi shuffling and dealing those cards in the casino... it really looks great.

The game itself is also faithfully recreated, and attempts to freshen it up with additional characters. Now you can (eventually) play as Yoshi, Wario, and Luigi, each with different attributes that hark back as far as Super Mario Bros. 2, with abilities like Yoshi's extra effort jump and ability to make eggs, as well as Luigi's high jump, now in your arsenal. It's pretty cool to play as those characters in the familiar playground of the Mushroom Kingdom and Peach's Castle.

The problem comes with the control, and there are a couple of ways to look at this. The first is to look at the fact that the original game actually affected the design of the Nintendo 64 controllers, adding an analog stick and camera buttons specifically to make Super Mario 64 as great an experience as it was. Unfortunately, the Nintendo DS doesn't have an analog stick on its system, but Nintendo has allowed for analog control through a thumb stylus (we'll talk more about that soon), as well as a digital control option.

Now, instead of being able to control your character's movement from tip-toeing to running, Nintendo is asking you to literally strap on a thumb stylus (a piece of plastic that is placed on the pad of your thumb) and use the touch screen as a substitute to the analog stick made for the game. As you can imagine, strapping on a piece of plastic and sliding your thumb around a smooth surface takes some time to get used to, and while it's a nice attempt at recreating the analog control, it falls woefully short. Instead, you'll probably find yourself opting for the digital pad control, even if the run button, jump button, and attack button are awkwardly placed for fast gaming.

Still, you have to give credit to Nintendo for a technologically impressive remake of one of the greatest games of all time. Even though the control can be aggravating and takes away from the overall fun to be had, Mario fans will more than gush about the new levels (some impressive, others seemingly thrown together) and the 30 new stars to obtain.

Mini-games are also a big part of Super Mario 64 DS, and these are unlocked by chasing rabbits you find in the castle ground and shaking a key out of them. For each key you get, another mini-game is unlocked. These mini-games are accessible through the Rec Room, and most of them are a lot of fun. Luigi's casino games are pretty standard card games, but the games associated with Yoshi, Wario, and Mario have a nice variety of mind and/or skill based games.

While the touch screen serves as a map and the analog control during the adventure mode, it's also the mini-games where you can see where Nintendo is going with this one. For example, take a look at the shell game where you're pretty much launching a green shell towards others to rack up some points. The control is responsive, many of the games are creative, and it makes you wonder what's next for the Nintendo DS.

As for multiplayer, it's an interesting experience to play against other Mario characters in a number of locations found in and around the castle. The object of the game is to capture as many stars as possible, and by any means necessary. That means you can hop on or punch other players, using the bottom screen to race to the next marker on the map. It's a pretty standard mode, but a lot of fun, especially if you have four people in the fracas.

Overall, if you're intent on buying Nintendo DS this holiday season, Super Mario 64 DS is the best game out there. Nintendo has taken what is arguably their best game ever, added a few new levels, a bunch of mini-games, and created a very sweet package that serves as a light tech demo for the dual-screened unit. While the control issues make this worse than it should be, it's tough to expect lightning to strike twice. Instead, be happy with a fantastic port of a home console legend, as well as the most technologically impressive handheld game to ever come out.