A series of art games released for the 64DD. All of the games are interchangable and the information could be shared over the Randnet DD network.
Paint Studio
Similar to Mario Paint, Paint Studio gives you various options with which you can create pictures, including different sized brushes, stamps, cut and paste tools and more. The game even comes loaded with pre-rendered backgrounds that you can use for your artwork.
Also in the game is the 3D paint mode, where you get to alter the textures of the 3D scene, then hit play to watch the movie run with your added textures included. There is also a multiplayer paint mode, where up to four players take to the same canvas to create an image.
Most importantly of all is that this game allows you to export images and import them into other games. This includes textures for Polygon Studio, and even the people in SimCity 64.
Paint Studio was released alongside the 64DD addon, and is compatible with the N64 Mouse.
Talent Studio
The second game released in the Mario Artist series was Talent Maker. In this game the aim is to create your own videos and characters, and set them off on pre-made adventures.
You can create your polygonal character from the ground up using the various editing features. Using a capture device you can take pictures of yourself using a digital camera or even the Pocket Camera and insert your own face into the game. You can change the character's colours and shape at any time, and even give them an outfit to wear (including character costumes).
You can change aspects of each movie that you play in as well. The game also comes packaged with a microphone that lets you record your own voice into the game, allowing for full creative possibilities. Up to four characters can take part in movies, and for a short while they could also be sent to the Randnet DD server, allowing other people to view your film.
Communication Kit
This third game in the Mario Artist series is actually just a modem set. Using it allowed you to upload your pictures, movies, character models, etc. from the other Mario Artist games onto the Randnet DD service. You can also exchange and download various things for different games using the Communication Kit.
Of course the service is closed now due to Randnet DD not taking off.
Polygon Studio
The final game released in the Mario Artist series, in part due to the failings of the 64DD system, Polygon Studio is a 3D modelling package, allowing you to create and design your own 3D masterpieces.
The controls are simple, allowing you to alter and view your 3D work at your own will. While you can't create overly complex 3D models, you can use quite a lot of polygons to create it. When completed you can texture it using images created in Mario Artist: Paint Studio.
Once your model is ready you can take it for a test spin in one of two minigames, allowing you to use your new craft. The game was supposed to utilize this option for a variety of 64DD games, exporting your models to replace others, but unfortunately it never happened.
Cameos
Mario Artist has been poorly documented to date, and the game is filled with Nintendo cameos. If you are able to help, please Contact NinDB.
Stamps
Screenshot Required
Paint Studio contains stamps featuring artwork from various Nintendo games:
One of the music tracks in the Communication Kit is a remix of music from Clu Clu Land (NES 1984).
Kazumi Totaka's Song
Screenshot Required
One of the songs you can play over your creations in Talent Studio is Kazumi Totaka's Song, a short tune that the Nintendo composer has hidden in nearly every game he has worked on.
One of the preloaded videos in the game is a speedy driver hurtling towards an old man crossing the road slowly. In the scenes with the old man, Kazumi Totaka's Song is heard.
