Super Mario 64 DS (Nintendo DS)

For anyone buying a Nintendo DS, Mario 64 is the most obvious first purchase. The main single player mode is essentially the same as the original Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64, albeit with 30 more stars to collect from the game’s myriad levels. Back in 1997 it was the first truly successful 3D platform game and today its superlative level design still puts most new games to shame.

The most obvious difference with this new DS version is that you can now control Wario, Yoshi and Luigi in the game, as well as just Mario. There are also new and more powerful power-ups, such as the ability to turn Mario into an inflatable balloon, which make some of the hardest sections a little easier.