Mario is Back to Help Launch New Nintendo

Maybe it was just deja vu, but this week’s launch of Nintendo’s 64-bit game rig felt mighty familiar. Although Nintendo 64 bears not even a passing resemblance to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, its 16-bit cousin, the two were born under similar circumstances.

First, the SNES jumped into the 16-bit era late, following the release of Sega Genesis. Likewise, the cartridge-based N64 is a full year behind rivals Sega and Sony, whose 32-bit disc-based machines hit shelves in the summer of 1995 to mixed reviews.

Second, the launch titles for the $200 N64 are a blast from the past: Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64, both of which helped launch the SNES in 1991. But to say that these are even close to being the same games would wipe out whatever small amount of credibility I have as a game reviewer.

Both titles rock.

I was skeptical that Nintendo could pull off a cartridge-based system because of the high cost of producing carts and their relatively small storage capacity. But Mario and Pilotwings erase any doubts, and the trickle of releases over the next three months promise to get only better.

Mario 64 is the same old story played in a whole new way. Princess Toadstool has again been kidnapped by Bowser and his minions and it’s up to Mario to rescue her. Unlike the old side-scrolling Marios, though, this one allows players to wander freely through environments.

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Nintendo makes a big deal out of this free range of movement, but it can be a little deceptive. While it’s true that the range of motion is spectacular, players still have to follow courses to get where they need to go. Those spots that do allow free movement are relatively small.

Control is tough to get used to. The Nintendo 64’s new controller features a built-in thumbstick, which is a great improvement over the old joypad, but a little awkward at first. Complicating the problem is the ever-changing camera perspective. Unfortunately, as the camera angle changes so do the directional controls, which makes it difficult to maintain refined control in some situations.

That aside, this is one of the coolest games I’ve played in a long time. In terms of speed and appearance, nothing else comes close. In terms of skill, strategy and long-term playability, it also scores well. Mario 64 is the kind of game players can come back to day after day and not feel bored.

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Pilotwings 64 offers less variety than Mario 64, but it’s the kind of game parents might dig as much as kids. Players must master piloting hang gliders, gyrocopters and rocket belts over some beautiful terrain.

The flying itself is simply fantastic. Although the point of the game is to collect points by completing ever more difficult maneuvers, I had quite a bit of fun just cruising around looking at everything.

Pilotwings shows off how well cartridge-based games can pull off quick draws of mountains and terrain. The game never slowed down. But since all of the flying machines featured in Pilotwings are fairly slow, it gets a little tedious after a few hours.

As a break between Mario worlds, though, Pilotwings is a nice complement. Pity that more games had not passed Nintendo’s rigorous screening procedures prior to the launch of N64. These two games are cool enough, but a wider selection would have been nice.

Staff writer Aaron Curtiss reviews video games every Thursday. To comment on a column or to suggest games for review, send letters to The Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, CA 91311. Or send e-mail to Aaron.Curtiss@latimes.com.