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which is the best version of mario 64?

The N64 original is best.

The Virtual Console version is next, because the GameCube and Classic Controller are just not made for this game.

DS version is in dead-last place. This game sucks. Don't even fucking consider it. These people saying "The controls suck, but..." are totally missing the point of playing the fucking game.
 
The DS bonus content is really good stuff, and the controls are workable, but workable controls vs. the original controls is going to have a predictable outcome every time.

Go for the VC one, unless the PAL stuff borks it somehow.
 
zbarron said:
PC with 360 pad or classic controller if you prefer. The HUD looks bad but is easily forgiven with the rest of the improvements.

Click to expand...
PC? so you are saying he should emulate it for the better visuals, right?
 
I've been playing through this again recently on my PC with a high res texture pack for the HUD/icons. I tried hooking up my n64 to my plasma but it was too ugly. :) Might have to give the VC release a look though.
 
Diablohead said:
PC? so you are saying he should emulate it for the better visuals, right?
Click to expand...
Better visuals, better audio, save states, more control options, screenshots, videos, mods and cheats if you're into that sort of thing. And there is also the convenience to factor in.
 
play the VC/N64 game if you have to play one. The DS game is surprisingly different for remake and I'd say to still play it after the N64 game.
 
There are a few issues.

1) DS version has extra content. But the control, the entire point of Mario64 is trash. Avoid at all costs.

2) VC version is the original in all of its glory at 480p. But the GC controller is not the same as the N64. No, it won't die on you in three months like the N64 analogue stick, but it isn't the same.

3) N64 version with an N64 controller. Looks like ass today, but if you happen to have an N64 pad with a good analogue stick, well... it still feels best.
 
I've only played the DS version, so I'd have to go with that one. I didn't have that much of a problem with the controls, of course, that's probably at least partially attributable to the fact that I wasn't comparing it to the original.
 
I really loved the DS version. I never got all 120 stars on the N64 original, but when the game hit the DS I not only got all 120 stars, I got all 150. The game adds 30 all-new stars, several all-new worlds, three new playable characters (Yoshi, Luigi and Wario, each with their own powers), a real-time map that doubles as analog character and camera control when you use the thumbstrap, and a host of sweet minigames (the bob-omb slingshot game is probably still the best use of the touchscreen to date).

The DS version has the best graphics, too. This is fact. For proof of this, simply compare the N64's Bowser to the DS Bowser. The DS one looks GameCube quality, like they lifted the boss battle from Luigi's Mansion and stuck it on a portable. He has nice textures on his shell, a higher polygon count and better skinjob, and superior fire effects (no more smudgy one-color flames!). Another good example is Thwomp; on the DS he has the spiny ridges he has in Galaxy, as opposed to the blue blocks of the N64 original.

The new gameplay dynamics offered by the characters (Yoshi egg-throwing ftw) and power-ups (balloon Mario!) are fun as well. All in all the DS version is the better game, but despite all my glowing praise I'd probably recommend trying the $10 Virtual Console version first. Play it with a Wavebird and experience it the way it originally came out, with controls that are far more accessible (the thumbstrap has a steep learning curve).

That's my two cents.
 
N64 > Virtual Console >>> DS

N64 wins out because of the N64 pad -- it was made for Mario 64. Virtual Console Mario 64 is identical to the N64 game with one crucial difference: the squishy shoulder buttons on the GC and CC pads don't register a press until they are all the way down, which is annoying. If you have a controller digital shoulder buttons, then the VC version is the best. DS Mario 64 has some nice extra content but no analog stick. D-pad and touch screen are poor substitutes.
 
The ds version was brilliant. Nintendo spent millions in RD to come up with a control scheme to make me relive being 10 and playing a 3d game for the first time.

Seriously though, the ds controls aren't that bad. On a ds fat. Just moving around in animal crossing on a DSL is awful, so I can imagine that Mario 64 would be unplayable. The DS version also has a LOT of new content, and the obvious advantage of playing it on the go.
 
loosus said:
The Virtual Console version is next, because the GameCube and Classic Controller are just not made for this game.
Click to expand...

Got the game a few months back and played it with the CC, it worked a lot better than I thought it would. No complaints there, game is still beyond excellent, and its very convenient to not have to dig out my N64 (if I knew where it was....).
 
are there any N64 controller for VC yet like the SNES one ? or N64 to GC adapter or something ?

George said:
Get the Japanese N64 version that supports the Rumble Pak
Click to expand...

Shindou Super Mario 64
 
Super Mario 64 DS would have been so rad if they didn't go and make Mario's cap powers spread between the 4 characters and if it didn't suffer from the DS' blurriness. The rankings go SM64 classic > VC> DS for that.
 
Virtual Console all the way...

Unless played on a DS Lite the palette appears way less colorful than the original game, but then the worse D-Pad on the DS Lite hurts the playability of the game which was not as fluid and enjoyable as the original which pioneered the analog stick in 3D enabled consoles, and on both handhelds the graphics do take a hit... while some objects seems to have been beefed up (some say Mario's model has taken a hit while looking better than the old model... in such case the artist doing the new model has been Polyphony Digital-like good at his job ;)) I cannot stand the lack of texture filtering (N64's mantra, which both SM64 and Zelda: TOoT demonstrated quite well, was prettier polygons > more polygons) in the game.
 
DS version is my favourite because I had no issues with the controls and it was nicer looking with extra content to boot.

That said, I'd recommend the N64 version because it's safer.
 
There REALLY is that many people putting the N64 version before the VC one?

Do you have adaptive problems? Christ it's not hard at all to play with the Classic Controller at least.

I can't fancy the controller a problem as much as the original game's visual fidelity. It looks so much better on the VC I simply can't stand my N64 in general.

.
 
Ranger X said:
There REALLY is that many people putting the N64 version before the VC one?

Do you have adaptive problems? Christ it's not hard at all to play with the Classic Controller at least.

I can't fancy the controller a problem as much as the original game's visual fidelity. It looks so much better on the VC I simply can't stand my N64 in general.

.
Click to expand...

even with Classic Controller , it's still not right , thing is Mario 64 designed for the N64 controller , Classic controller shoulder buttons are just off with M64 and ruined the game , the Gamecube one is even worse , Nintendo need to make N64 controller for WiiVC .
 
TouchMyBox said:
I think I'm the only person on the planet who thought that the controls on the DS version were fine.
Click to expand...


I thought they were fine too (dpad) but they'd have been much better if running was default and there was a walk/slow button (as opposed to having to press a button to sprint).
 
Totobeni said:
even with Classic Controller , it's still not right , thing is Mario 64 designed for the N64 controller , Classic controller shoulder buttons are just off with M64 and ruined the game , the Gamecube one is even worse , Nintendo need to make N64 controller for WiiVC .
Click to expand...

What are the moves/controls you have a hard time with? I don't want to get back at you after that, i'm just honestly curious.

.
 
I've played Mario 64 using the following controllers

N64
Classic
Wavebird
PS2 (emulator)
Xbox 360 (emulator)

and I have no problem with any of them.

I prefer using the GC controller with the N64 games. I've had no problem playing Zelda (CE), Starfox, or Mario using it.
 
Ranger X said:
What are the moves/controls you have a hard time with? I don't want to get back at you after that, i'm just honestly curious.

.
Click to expand...

..some stuff like super jump ( run , quick Z + jump ) slide kick ( run , Z + Kick ) and Butt Stomp (Press Z while in the air ) all are hard and wrong with classic controller
 
Ranger X said:
What are the moves/controls you have a hard time with? I don't want to get back at you after that, i'm just honestly curious.

.
Click to expand...

...none of them are hard

FYI the N64 control SUCKS
 
Christopher said:
...none of them are hard

FYI the N64 control SUCKS
Click to expand...

My control stick would wear out in a matter of weeks until it was reduced to a piece of flaccid plastic that hung slightly to the left. I still managed to play it somehow, though.
 
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