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[snaildog]

I've actually never been bothered by (strange) controls, as long as they are responsive and free of bugs. A big part of the experience is learning the new controls in a game; I see it as part of the challenge. I can see that a lot of people like to just sit down and get right into the actual gameplay, not me though. It's probably one of the reasons I don't like FPS games any more - 90% of them have the same controls.

I'm sounding like a defensive fanboy, but Super Mario 64 is the game that I would've thought needed an analog stick the most, so it's impressive that they've found an adequate way around it. Can't see myself having too many problems with other games.

 

[impirius]

I just got my copy of Super Mario 64 DS! Woooo! First impressions:

- The case is very nice, just like a DVD case but 2/3 as tall. There's a slot for a GBA cartridge, and the mechanism for inserting and removing the DS card is well thought-out. Well done, Nintendo.
- The instruction manual is in beautiful full color and, in a very nice touch, it's to be read sideways so that there are top and bottom pages instead of left and right.
- The Health and Safety Precautions Booklet is behind the manual, but disappointingly, the French side was facing toward me; I had to flip it over to see the English side. -0.1 points for that error; hopefully Nintendo will fix this problem in the next batch.
- The game card itself is like a mix between a GBA cart and a SmartMedia card. The contacts are separated by a series of raised plastic ridges.

So far Super Mario 64 DS scores a 9.9 out of 10! AWESOME! More impressions after I get a Nintendo DS

 

[Do The Mario]

I just got my copy of Super Mario 64 DS! Woooo! First impressions:

- The case is very nice, just like a DVD case but 2/3 as tall. There's a slot for a GBA cartridge, and the mechanism for inserting and removing the DS card is well thought-out. Well done, Nintendo.
- The instruction manual is in beautiful full color and, in a very nice touch, it's to be read sideways so that there are top and bottom pages instead of left and right.
- The Health and Safety Precautions Booklet is behind the manual, but disappointingly, the French side was facing toward me; I had to flip it over to see the English side. -0.1 points for that error; hopefully Nintendo will fix this problem in the next batch.
- The game card itself is like a mix between a GBA cart and a SmartMedia card. The contacts are separated by a series of raised plastic ridges.

So far Super Mario 64 DS scores a 9.9 out of 10! AWESOME! More impressions after I get a Nintendo DS

How’s the game carts buoyancy in water?

 

[Mike]

I just got my copy of Super Mario 64 DS! Woooo! First impressions:

- The case is very nice, just like a DVD case but 2/3 as tall. There's a slot for a GBA cartridge, and the mechanism for inserting and removing the DS card is well thought-out. Well done, Nintendo.
- The instruction manual is in beautiful full color and, in a very nice touch, it's to be read sideways so that there are top and bottom pages instead of left and right.
- The Health and Safety Precautions Booklet is behind the manual, but disappointingly, the French side was facing toward me; I had to flip it over to see the English side. -0.1 points for that error; hopefully Nintendo will fix this problem in the next batch.
- The game card itself is like a mix between a GBA cart and a SmartMedia card. The contacts are separated by a series of raised plastic ridges.

So far Super Mario 64 DS scores a 9.9 out of 10! AWESOME! More impressions after I get a Nintendo DS

I love this man.

 

[AirBrian]

I just got my copy of Super Mario 64 DS! Woooo! First impressions:

- The instruction manual is in beautiful full color and, in a very nice touch, it's to be read sideways so that there are top and bottom pages instead of left and right.

:lol Classic.

 

[Vibri]

As someone who's spent a good amount of time with both the DS and the PSP (though the TGS PSP, may change) let me say that neither machine has decent analogue control solutions IMO.

The PSP's analogue nipple is absolute crap. And as I said in the other thread, an hour of playing SM64 DS (with thumb tack or stylus screen control) is enough to give you carpal tunnel for a month. I like the d-pad on the PSP though.

 

[Rlan]

Even though the PSP has an analogue stick, I've never actually seen a video of anyone using it. They're always using the D-Pad.

 

[Unison]

Even though the PSP has an analogue stick, I've never actually seen a video of anyone using it. They're always using the D-Pad.

By all accounts, it's not an analogue stick. It's swivels around, not changing height / tilting like a real analogue stick.

 

[AirBrian]

Many who have had time on the PSP have complained about the analog stub. It's also mentioned at IGN and GameSpot.

Maybe we're just not ready for analog control on a handheld.

 

[borghe]

the problem with analog control on a handheld is, well, the PSP and DS pointed it out.. we don't want "analog control" (which both the DS and PSP gives you). We want an analog STICK. An analog stick on a handheld certainly presents possible ergonomic issues (where you have to hold the "controller" in such a way to still see the screen), placement issues (no clamshell thus possibly sacrificing dual screens AND still possibly needing ready access to a digital dpad), etc.

you can bag on the DS' lack of analog stick all you want, but by all accounts you have to bag on Sony for the exact same lack of analog stick. Both system do include an analog controller, and by many accounts, both analog controllers are woeful replacements for a true analog stick.

end of discussion. :lol

 

[seismologist]

I want Mario 64 now because it sounds like the minigames are the perfect example of how to do touch screen gameplay.

 

[Teddman]

I am pretty indifferent to the PSP and NDS, but I have to say I thought that the PSP's analog nub or whatever felt OK at E3. Not great, but seems a little bit better of a solution than the DS's touchscreen substitution for analog control, at least in regards to a 3D platformer game like Mario 64 DS. It has a decent grip to its surface and a satisfying amount of resistance for analog applications.

At least with the analog nub you can give it varying degrees of pressure and the game would respond accordingly. I.E., if Mario 64 was controlled with that pad, you could gently push on it to sneak him past the Piranah plants, swing Bowser around by the tail in a circular motion, etc. And when you reach the outer limits of its radius, the character continues to move--something tougher to get around when your thumb hits the edge of the touchscreen on the DS. The analog pad of the PSP is not nearly as good as a real "analog stick," but it's better than just a d-pad and in some ways better than the touchscreen for analog movement.

Also, I hereby dub it the ANALOG NUB, if you didn't notice. There, that's my contribution to forum for the day. Analog nub.

 

[ge-man]

the problem with analog control on a handheld is, well, the PSP and DS pointed it out.. we don't want "analog control" (which both the DS and PSP gives you). We want an analog STICK. An analog stick on a handheld certainly presents possible ergonomic issues (where you have to hold the "controller" in such a way to still see the screen), placement issues (no clamshell thus possibly sacrificing dual screens AND still possibly needing ready access to a digital dpad), etc.

you can bag on the DS' lack of analog stick all you want, but by all accounts you have to bag on Sony for the exact same lack of analog stick. Both system do include an analog controller, and by many accounts, both analog controllers are woeful replacements for a true analog stick.

end of discussion. :lol

Good point. Shit, the directional pad was practical invented because analog sticks on a portable present too much of an issue (I'm refering to the Game & Watch's final design).

The only solid solution to this problem is to design games that will work better with portables. After a generation or two of software, there will either be a near complete rejection of 3D platform or adventure games, or designers will start restricting full 3D movement so that a d-pad will make sense.

 

[ohamsie]

I think the controls will be fine for the majority of levels, but I am a little worried about some later levels like the clock and the level where you ride magic carpets on rainbows. Those levels were instant death city back in the day. Although I suppose Yoshi's new flutter jump will probably balance things out.

Great impressions from all, thanks!

 

[seismologist]

yeah I agree. The new moves should balance out lack of analog sensitivity. You just have to find new ways to pass certain parts.

 

[SteveMeister]

This is ridiculous. The PSP has an analog controller -- it provides exactly the same functionality that an analog stick does, with the only difference being it doesn't tilt underneath your thumb.

 

[borghe]

This is ridiculous. The PSP has an analog controller -- it provides exactly the same functionality that an analog stick does, with the only difference being it doesn't tilt underneath your thumb.

this is factually wrong. it doesn't provide the same tension, same travel, same sensation of balance to the touch (main problem being talked about with touch screen) as a true analog stick. arguably it is the same as the touch screen only with a return to center and some tension though it has much less travel than the touchscreen.

both are quite illequipped when compred to a real analog stick.

 

[SuperPac]

Nintendo needs to resurrect the NES Max directional and make it analog.

 

[krypt0nian]

What's this I hear about catching rabbits to unlock more multi-player games?

<Jack McFarland>Loving it!</Jack Mcfarland>

 

[SFA_AOK]

Completely forgot I posted in this thread!

Just one game? Doesn't Metroid do the same thing? Granted, there are games that do use the touch screen in good ways but I guess I just expect a few games to use the touchscreen as a replacement for the analogue stick. 3D games with a analogue stick >>>> 3D games with a D-Pad. (As for Dpad+Touchscreen+Analogue person - you could drop the Dpad if you have a analoge stick).

It all depends what type of games end up on the DS I guess. If it has a good mix of touchscreen games and analogue games, I guess it's not so bad.

Sorry, I didn't get to read most of the thread, gotta get home!

 

[GaimeGuy]

Completely forgot I posted in this thread!

Just one game? Doesn't Metroid do the same thing? Granted, there are games that do use the touch screen in good ways but I guess I just expect a few games to use the touchscreen as a replacement for the analogue stick. 3D games with a analogue stick >>>> 3D games with a D-Pad. (As for Dpad+Touchscreen+Analogue person - you could drop the Dpad if you have a analoge stick).

It all depends what type of games end up on the DS I guess. If it has a good mix of touchscreen games and analogue games, I guess it's not so bad.

Sorry, I didn't get to read most of the thread, gotta get home!

No, in Metroid, you AIM with the touchscreen, and move with the DPAD (although in morph ball mode, you CAN move with the touch screen)