Super Mario 64 DS: I'm just not feelin' it...

J

john tv

Member
Surely there are others out there besides me who are finding none of the available control schemes in Super Mario 64 DS to be any good?

I tried playing with the d-pad, but movement is so limited, and it's a pain in the ass to hold down the dash button all the time to run...

I tried playing with the stylus, but... I mean, no. Games like this were not meant to be controlled with a pointing device. It's just not fun.

And finally, I tried using the little thumbstrap thingy, but it's too much work to keep it steady on the bottom screen. I find myself repositioning the strap every two minutes, which is a huge distraction and also a pain in the ass.

I admit I'm still early on but I'm having trouble finding the urge to dig deeper because the controls are so poor. Is anyone else out there feeling like this?
 
John, how do youhave the thumb strap positioned? I like to pull the strap between the two screens, I find that the strap doesn't move and i can get my hand around the system better. Try it out, you may find that with the strap inbetween both screens and the control set to "Dual" mode it works very well!

Edit: I dont think the control is an issue, in fact I can see why Nintendo chose this game as their launch title to exploit the touch screen. As with the analog, Nintendo thought it would be the best way to "teach" people how to use the new control system.
 
I feel like this. I have no idea why they didn't make the Y button walk, and normal controls run. Just poorly developed in that respect. The thumbstrap should have a way to lock the area where you control Mario on the screen so if your thumb moves into a corner, it doesn't mean Mario's still moving. I played it for an hour so far and gave it to my sister who loves it. She never played SM64 so I guess that's part of it (she's a big Sega fan [Genesis, Saturn, and DC]).
 
I have been toying with the idea of picking one of these up for the sole purpose of playing Mario 64 on the 12-hour plane ride back to the USA, but it's sounding like less and less a good idea?
 
Sho Nuff said:
I have been toying with the idea of picking one of these up for the sole purpose of playing Mario 64 on the 12-hour plane ride back to the USA, but it's sounding like less and less a good idea?
Click to expand...
Are you coming out with us 7am Thurs. morning to pick up systems and games and stuff? You're welcome to try mine while we wait in line or whatever if you want... :)
 
Sounding less and less like a good idea??? You do not know how wrong you are! The mini games alone in M64DS are worth the price of admission. Add to that the fact that there are all these great Nintendo staples comming out down the road and you have a formula for FUN! :D

As the thread from alast week said, Mario64 DS Slingshot game <<<<<<< than YOU!
 
john tv said:
Are you coming out with us 7am Thurs. morning to pick up systems and games and stuff? You're welcome to try mine while we wait in line or whatever if you want... :)
Click to expand...

7am!? Oh lord. I think I may pass on that one...

And Jr., I fear your blind advocacy shall not sway me. Minigames alone are not going to make me drop $200 for essentially a portable Mario 64, even if they give me a knob-nibble.
 
I feel the same about the controls. Especially after being 'trained' on the console analog stick with SM64 (with probably almost a hundred hours put in), controlling the DS version seems overcomplicated and clumsy. I'm not about to force myself to adjust if it ain't feelin' right. DS is still great for GBA games, though.
 
Sho Nuff said:
7am!? Oh lord. I think I may pass on that one...

And Jr., I fear your blind advocacy shall not sway me. Minigames alone are not going to make me drop $200 for essentially a portable Mario 64, even if they give me a knob-nibble.
Click to expand...


Uh, I don't think it is necessarily "blind advocacy", I had my doubts too when the system was about to come out, because of all the negative forum stuff hear and at IGN. I was even still a little skeptical after having played Mario 64, but once I got into the Minigames, and I figured out how to comfortably use the touch screen for the regular game, I fell in love!
 
The thumbstrap should have a way to lock the area where you control Mario on the screen so if your thumb moves into a corner, it doesn't mean Mario's still moving.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but if you do that, you'd probably have an even bigger problem of having to actually look at the bottom screen to reposition your thumb every time it strays away from the center (and having no reference point of friction, that would probably happen all the time)

Mario64 DS Slingshot game <<<<<<< than YOU!
Click to expand...
You may want to check your math there sir :P
 
IMO, no they ae just fine. Like I said you just have to find the position which is comfortable for you. If anything sucks its the fact that you have to play as yoshi at first. Once you get passed yoshi the game plays identicle if not a tad bit better than mario 64. People keep saying how it is not Mario 64, they are right it is a lot more, and if you only have played with yoshi then I can understand the dislike.
 
The touchscreen controls took some getting used to, but I remember having difficulty with the analog stick at first too. After about ten stars it was smooth sailing.
 
touch mode is the best, but it does take al ittle getting used to.

(and the mini games make the purchase worthy no matter what your feelings are of the main game)
 
ditch the thumbstrap and go touch mode using your thumb.

I'm on 25 stars, and cleared 2 stars in Bowsers lair using this method.
It works fine, but the difficulty is higher than the N64 version because you need to concentrate more on what your doing.
 
Am I the only one who kinda wishes they just released this game as a budget-priced Gamecube game? It sounds like a really nice remake of a classic game, but forcing you to play it on a portable with a new control setup seems kind of...restricting.
 
I think the people who don't take the time to adjust to the controls suck. The controls on the other hand, once you take the time to get used to them, are fine.
 
Soul4ger said:
I think the people who don't take the time to adjust to the controls suck. The controls on the other hand, once you take the time to get used to them, are fine.
Click to expand...

You gotta remember, there's alot of weaksauce gamers nowadays.
It's been a while since we've played a good old fasion skill based platformer. (besides maybe Viewtiful Joe). Mario DS is pure skill. There's nothing wrong with the controls.

Not saying JohnTV is one of them, at least he said he's still early on.
 
but I remember having difficulty with the analog stick at first too.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I remember when I first played it on the N64 (man, has it been that long?) that I had the tendency to always push the control stick all the way, causing problems in navigating some of the more intricate platforming sections. After a couple of hours I was used to the new control scheme and found that it worked really well.

As for the DS, I think the interesting part is that people have found different control schemes that suit them just fine. For those complaining about the d-pad-based control scheme, I offer my little brother who has completed the game (150 stars) without using the touch-screen at all.

For those complaining about the touch-screen, I contend that after 10 stars, you'll be fine. I personally am in the minority that uses the stylus instead of the thumb-strap. For some reason, the hook-the-pinky under the system technique works extremely well. :) For others, the thumbstrap will work well (and I do recommend the "put the strap through the middle of the system" technique). Regardless, my point is that if you give it 10 stars, I'm sure most people will be fine. Is it better than an analog stick? Nope. Is it more than adequate? Yes.

~Cris
 
Shoot. This thread is making me want to play this game right now. Are DS' in short-supply around the country right now? I might pick one up.
 
seismologist said:
You gotta remember, there's alot of weaksauce gamers nowadays.
Click to expand...
I don't think it's a matter of people being "weaksauce." I think the dilemma stems from people wanting everything handed to them the way they want it these days. You used to have to work for shit. Now, more of the same suffices, just because it doesn't take people out of their comfort zone. Fuck that shit, yo.
 
Soul4ger said:
I don't think it's a matter of people being "weaksauce." I think the dilemma stems from people wanting everything handed to them the way they want it these days. You used to have to work for shit. Now, more of the same suffices, just because it doesn't take people out of their comfort zone. Fuck that shit, yo.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to figure out whether or not the stylus control is the "Good get used to it" or "Get used to it like getting your leg cut off and then using a prosthetic limb."
 
I just ran around outside the castle with Yoshi for awhile using the stylus and I was fine within about five minutes of doing that. I think it's like any new thing. How you go into it and your willingness to learn something new will affect your enjoyment of it.
 
Soul4ger said:
I think the dilemma stems from people wanting everything handed to them the way they want it these days.
Click to expand...
Isn't the goal of entertainment companies to give people what they want, the way they want it?

That being said, I've only tried Metroid Hunters at Best Buy and I gave up after about a minute. I'm happy with my GBA SP for now.
 
Sho Nuff said:
I'm trying to figure out whether or not the stylus control is the "Good get used to it" or "Get used to it like getting your leg cut off and then using a prosthetic limb."
Click to expand...

I don't use the stylus, I use the thumbstrap. And once you come to terms with the fact that you CAN NOT CONTINUALLY MOVE THE THUMBSTRAP AROUND THE TOUCHSCREEN, but have to keep it in a circular area the size of the N64 analog well, you should be fine. The only level I had trouble in was the island where you can be large or small, and I recall it as one I had trouble with on the N64, just because I can't get a good camera view for jumps as Big Mario on Little Island. Sometimes, you DO have to reset your thumb, but it becomes less and less of a problem as you become more adept. Furthermore, I've found that most of the time I had to set my thumb, it was when I ran as one of the characters, and I discovered that long-jumping before moving my thumb didn't break up the action. You just learn it the way you want to make it work. And it does work.
 
I think it's a good thing to get used to. Once you do you'll be amazed by how much control you have and it makes the game even more fun to play. Playing with the touch screen is like a game in itself.

I still have problems with Metroid.Hunters though.
As much praise as people give the mouselook, I think the analog control in Mario works even better.
 
Soul4ger said:
I don't use the stylus, I use the thumbstrap. And once you come to terms with the fact that you CAN NOT CONTINUALLY MOVE THE THUMBSTRAP AROUND THE TOUCHSCREEN
Click to expand...

That's a lot different from the way I play. When I play, My thumb is all over the touchpad . If I need to run right I'll drop my thumb on the left side so it has plenty of room to drift across.
So your constantly dragging around the target.
After a while it all becomes natural.
 
Jr. said:
As the thread from alast week said, Mario64 DS Slingshot game <<<<<<< than YOU!
Click to expand...

:lol

I still have problems with Metroid.Hunters though.
As much praise as people give the mouselook, I think the analog control in Mario works even better.
Click to expand...

I disagree on this. I think the stylus with hunters works extremely well. I can't wait to see how the finished product turns out.
 
AniHawk said:
I feel like this. I have no idea why they didn't make the Y button walk, and normal controls run. Just poorly developed in that respect.
Click to expand...

Poorly developed? Hardly. Given how every Mario game up until 64 had to you pushing a button to run, and how most of the Mario games that people have been playing as of late, which have been portable versions of those old titles, I really have to wonder why so many people are have a problem with the controls.

It's different and worth getting used to.
 
I use the mode where the control pad jumps and ducks and you control Mario w/ the stylus. I kick ass w/ this mode. It is perfectly comparable to analog control, as far as performance goes at this point.
 
It just takes a little getting used to. Once you do, you'll be earning stars like a pro.

I too was so put off with it at the start, that I'd keep putting it away thinking why did I buy this? Then I saw my brother tearing through it, tried it again and put a little more effort into it and now I'm steamrolling through it.
 
they need to come up with a rubber/canvas cap to do over your thumb. you'd slip that thing over your thumb to your first knuckly, and there's be the little nub on there so you can control the game.
 
Weak Sauce.
WEAK. SAUCE.

The D-Pad controls work wonderfully. If you cant play it just fine with the D-Pad you are WEAK SAUCE. It's simple and intuitive and if you cant get over it to play an awesome update of an amazing game you are weak sauce.

In fact, I've found some Stars are easier to get with this control setup. Some things just weren't easy with the oddly placed N64 analog.
 
"it's a pain in the ass to hold down the dash button all the time to run..."

yeah, just like every 2D Mario games ...

D-pad controls works just fine
 
Anyone who can't use the 'Touch' control configuration are weaksauce. j/k

It takes a lot of getting used to, but I'm about 20 stars in, using solely the Touch onfiguration and I'm enjoying myself quite a lot. Pretty intituitive with practice. I recommend you keep at it, otherwise you might miss out.
 
I've been using the d-pad fine, and I'm one of the worst gamers I know.
For shame everyone, for shame.
 
I'm up to 12 stars now and I still don't like the touchscreen control. When I'm playing a game I don't want to have to think about keeping my thumb within a miniscule area of the screen, esp. during boss fights or while traversing an area with very tight jumps, etc. At least with an analog stick there was something physical to rest your thumb on. I have big, clumsy, awkward American hands.

The whole control issue nearly made me forget why I even liked Mario 64 to begin with.

The funny thing is, I think people are defending the touchscreen analog because it's Mario 64--a bona fide classic. If it was a no-name, non-Nintendo 3D platformer they'd be railing on it mercilessly.
 
When there is this much arguing over the controls of a game, somethings not right. The touchpad works, but i'm finding it cumbersome as i reach the harder to navigate levels. This is dissapointing that Nintendo couldn't come up with a good way to control this game.
 
I used the touch screen to begin with, but soon found the D-Pad works wonderfully.
It's so much easier to use and It's so much easier to pull of moves than it was on the 64.
The long jump is simple now and the camera control is quick and easy.
 
I like how when there are common complaints about a feature in a game, worshippers of the title will claim that people who are having problems are "weaksauce gamers" instead of acknowledging that their game has flaws. I'm beginning to think this thumbstrap thing wasn't thought out too well
 
Pretend that Olimario is trying to desperately convince himself that he likes the DS in this thread! It's like a GA forum "mini-game."

It's really funny, go ahead read his posts again and envision him screaming that outloud to himself as he dies over and over again due to the inadequate controls. :lol
 
belgurdo said:
I like how when there are common complaints about a feature in a game, worshippers of the title will claim that people who are having problems are "weaksauce gamers" instead of acknowledging that their game has flaws. I'm beginning to think this thumbstrap thing wasn't thought out too well
Click to expand...

But it's the truth. I'm having an easier time with this title than I was with Mario on the 64.
I'm at 70 Stars now without a problem.
I've been able to do the difficult platforming, complete the boss battles, and pull off all of the simple moves without a problem.
 
Yeah, I can't help but think that this is an easier game overall than the N64 version. The added powerups / characters make things a cakewalk at times in comparison.
 
I've been going back and forth between d-pad and touchscreen control. For awhile, I was beginning to come to grips with the touchscreen. I was feeling a little more comfortable and was able to do most things. The turn-around jump (or whatever) was still difficult but overall I was satisfied. Then, I ran into the star where you have to race the penguin down that slide. No matter what I tried, I just could not beat it using the touchscreen...I would always slide off at some point. So, I went back to the d-pad and beat it in one try. Now, I think I prefer it. It isn't perfect and the constant camera movements make it difficult to run in a straight line but it isn't completely terrible. As someone else said, I really wish they would've made it so holding down Y made you walk, not run.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

  • Poll
Blast from the past Super Mario 64 vs Super Mario 64 DS
2
53
2K
kremiso replied
Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64 vs Dreamcast) Real Hardware Comparison
Retro Trailer Platform 
16
447
jshackles replied
Mario Kart 64 PC Port Is Out
2
71
977
Unknown? replied
Super Mario Bros Sequel Movie Titled "Super Mario World"
20
553
E-Cat replied
  • Poll
The Extraction Shooter genre is gamings new "Mario 64 moment", and I'm tired of pretending it's not.
2 3 4
196
15K
Tarnpanzer replied
Top Bottom