Mario Kart DS Review

Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS uses only a few of the unique features of the DS, but why mess with perfection? The top screen holds all the action, while the bottom screen displays a map and rankings/items of all the racers. Glance down when you need to know what the other racers have in store for you. Controlling your kart is handled with the d-pad (the touch screen is rarely used in the game), while A accelerates, B brakes, R hops, and L/X use items. No surprises here.

This title borrows the best elements from the previous four Mario Kart games and adds some great new bits. Gamers familiar with the series will find a lot of favorites: banana peels, turtle shells, mushrooms, and the famous "bunches of three" items from Mario Kart 64.

A few tweaks to the game mechanics are evident as well. It's more difficult to avoid turtle shells fired from your opponents. Suck it up and take it like a real man/woman. If you're in first place, get ready to be bombarded from behind. The other racers are a little more cut-throat in Mario Kart DS. You have been warned.

There are over 35 tracks you can play (see below for the list). Half of these are retro tracks from the previous Mario Kart games, but half are brand spanking new and a lot of fun to play. Next to the new ones, the old tracks can look dated and rather bland. But the original musical score and every inch of the original course is preserved, so you'll already be an expert when you pick up and play.

Single Player

Even if you're a hermit living in the forest far from a wireless internet connection, Mario Kart DS will still tickle your fancy. The single player mode is more robust than previous Kart incarnations. There are four main modes to choose from:

• Grand Prix
• VS
• Time Trial
• Battle
• Mission

Grand Prix is the usual mode where you race against a full deck of computer-controlled opponents. VS is essentially the same, only you choose a single track and a single opponent. Time Trial is just you, the open road, and your previous high score.

Finding opponents to battle against is easier than ever with the online service, and Mario Kart DS offers single-cart wireless multiplayer within a radius of 100 feet. If you can't find another DS owner and can't use the online service, the single player Battle mode is just what you need. Choose any of the arenas and your opponents AI level and you can battle against computer-controlled racers to hone your skills for human competition.

Mission mode is several levels, each with nine tasks, followed by a boss fight. Each challenge puts you on a section of track with a specific goal. Collect 20 coins before time runs out, drive through the gates in order, drive in reverse through an area, collect a Starman and hit all the cheep-cheeps, etc. They're interesting, they're fun, and some are pretty tough. They'll definitely keep you entertained when screaming across the finish line isn't enough. And the boss battles are quite unique...

Multiplayer

Online Mario Kart DS is easy, free, and fun. Using Nintendo's free service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, karters can play against anyone in the world. You'll spend a fair amount of time waiting for an opponent, but it's worth it in the end. That is, if you win.

Track Listing

Retro Mode

Shell Cup:

• Mario Circuit 1 - Super Nintendo
• Moo Moo Farm - N64
• Peach Circuit - Game Boy Advance
• Luigi Circuit - GameCube

Banana Cup:

• Donut Plains 1 - Super Nintendo
• Frappe Snowland - N64
• Bowser Castle 2 - Game Boy Advance
• Baby Park - GameCube

Leaf Cup:

• Koopa Beach 2 - Super Nintendo
• Choco Mountain - N64
• Luigi Circuit - Game Boy Advance
• Mushroom Bridge - GameCube

Lightning Cup:

• Choco Island 2 - Super Nintendo
• Banshee Boardwalk - N64
• Sky Garden - Game Boy Advance
• Yoshi Circuit - GameCube

Nitro Mode

Mushroom Cup:

• Figure-8 Circuit
• Yoshi Falls
• Cheep Cheep Beach
• Luigi’s Mansion

Flower Cup:

• Desert Hills
• Delfino Square
• Waluigi Pinball
• Shroom Ridge

Star Cup:

• DK Pass
• Tick-Tock Clock
• Mario Circuit
• Airship Fortress

Special Cup:

• Wario Stadium
• Peach Gardens
• Bowser Castle
• Rainbow Road

Yea or Nay?

A definite thumbs up to Nintendo's latest Mario Kart game. Mario Kart DS piles everything classic from the Mario Kart series into one postage-sized DS game. Splay the game out on two screens, puff up the single player and sprinkle with a sweet pinch of free online play and you've got a mega hit for the DS. Grab this game for a great gaming experience.