Building comparison
head to head
Super Castlevania IVvsSuper Mario 64 DS
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.
Super Castlevania IV
Execution · Practiced Mastery
Simon Belmont's SNES remake-quest with a multidirectional whip and a moody trek to Dracula.
Super Mario 64 DS
Execution · Practiced Mastery
A 3D platformer where precise movement and camera mastery unlock its many challenges.
Super Castlevania IV leans Execution (Practiced Mastery); Super Mario 64 DS leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
Super Castlevania IVSuper Mario 64 DS
Axis by axis
Execution7 vs 7
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Super Castlevania IV
Eight-way whip control and stair commitment test precision
Super Mario 64 DS
precise 3D platforming and camera control
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Super Castlevania IV
Classic scripted monster patterns
Super Mario 64 DS
scripted enemies, no adaptation
Variance1 vs 1
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Super Castlevania IV
Hidden wall meat, fixed locations
Super Mario 64 DS
minimal randomness
Optimization5 vs 5
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Super Castlevania IV
Subweapon choice and boss pattern study
Super Mario 64 DS
star routes and speedrun tech solvable
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.