I'm rating this separately. Not around the game qualities, but of the collection overall and their switch iterations.
Mario 64: relatively unchanged as far as I can tell from reading about it. A good game that I wanted to play and never finished, so it scratched a nostalgia itch but the game could've used some improvements, especially if they carried over some of the ones from the DS version which is baffling to not include in some shape. It kind of shows to the overall quality of the collection itself.
Mario Sunshine: again, doesn't seem changed if at all but it's nice to have easy access, and it fits well on the switch. It didn't need much modification but some would've been nice, especially in the camera. Not as bad as 64 needed it. The controls were mapped smartly though, just needed maybe a bonus feature or two.
Mario Galaxy: I will actually praise the way the motion controls converted IF you're on a pro controller. I'm sure detached joycons+TV also worked well in the same way, but I played in handheld or on pro controller. On TV, it works about as well as BOTW's motion controls, which is to say quite well. A few ball rolling minigames, using the R button to activate the fake wii pointer, and then swiping it over what you need to interact with. goes to show it wasn't extremely thoughtful in the OG but that it works fine here is nice. One problem I ran into was trying to use the gyro on the overall switch during the final course pre-bowser fight. It was difficult to watch the action and also tilt the switch appropriately, and the touch screen in handheld ensured I didn't try and get another star bit after cleaning up a couple thousand in earlier levels. Still, could have been a lot worse and it worked pretty satisfactory via TV play.
Mario 64: relatively unchanged as far as I can tell from reading about it. A good game that I wanted to play and never finished, so it scratched a nostalgia itch but the game could've used some improvements, especially if they carried over some of the ones from the DS version which is baffling to not include in some shape. It kind of shows to the overall quality of the collection itself.
Mario Sunshine: again, doesn't seem changed if at all but it's nice to have easy access, and it fits well on the switch. It didn't need much modification but some would've been nice, especially in the camera. Not as bad as 64 needed it. The controls were mapped smartly though, just needed maybe a bonus feature or two.
Mario Galaxy: I will actually praise the way the motion controls converted IF you're on a pro controller. I'm sure detached joycons+TV also worked well in the same way, but I played in handheld or on pro controller. On TV, it works about as well as BOTW's motion controls, which is to say quite well. A few ball rolling minigames, using the R button to activate the fake wii pointer, and then swiping it over what you need to interact with. goes to show it wasn't extremely thoughtful in the OG but that it works fine here is nice. One problem I ran into was trying to use the gyro on the overall switch during the final course pre-bowser fight. It was difficult to watch the action and also tilt the switch appropriately, and the touch screen in handheld ensured I didn't try and get another star bit after cleaning up a couple thousand in earlier levels. Still, could have been a lot worse and it worked pretty satisfactory via TV play.
We all know the games inside are masterpieces. But this as a package is really underwhelming. This was definitely cobbled together in a couple of months, and though it works, it doesn't feel like a celebration of these games or even a celebration of 3D mario. This game is one of the best cases for why emulation matters and why you shouldn't feel bad doing it.
As a technical disappointment it maybe, especially for not having widescreen for SM64 and no 60fps for both 64 and Sunshine and, the most insulting one, no Galaxy 2 whatsoever, it's a handy collection with the most controversial decision Nintendo made: purchasable for a limited-time (on eShop, physical I mean there are plenty since it sold like crazy).
judging this as a package :
as good and important as the games on this collection are, this is just so barebones and kinda lazy. like some of the games on here are given the bare minimum port with a lof of QOL stuff and graphics options missing. also we get barely no bonus content. add the fact this was a "limited-time" product and man this thing stings.
as good and important as the games on this collection are, this is just so barebones and kinda lazy. like some of the games on here are given the bare minimum port with a lof of QOL stuff and graphics options missing. also we get barely no bonus content. add the fact this was a "limited-time" product and man this thing stings.
There's so much missing that makes this collection feel lacking. No widescreen for Mario 64, a dull menu with little to do outside of playing the games, and not to mention no Galaxy 2? Yeah that hurts. Still this is a great way to play these 3D Mario games.