Mario Kart DS

Fantastic Karting Action

Strengths: +Some of the best Mario Kart Tracks ever +Lots of racers +Online Play! +Nice graphics (considering the DS hardware limitations)

Weakness: -The friends code system is a little wonky -Too many people snake online

Nintendo strikes with yet another great title for the DS. The latest in the ever present Mario Kart series brings few innovations, but lots of refinement. In fact, it just might be the pinacle of the series. With online play, the replay value only skyrockets. Aside from some minor issues with the online system, Nintendo has another fine notch to add to its belt.

By AAnimedude - Jun 11, 2006

Best Mario Kart Title in the Series

Strengths: Candy coated fun, a variety of modes, plenty to keep you busy while you're on the go.

Weakness: Not much of a downside with this game, but some may tire quickly of racing games

I'm confused as to why I had such a good time with this game. I think I let myself get caught up in the hype. Everyone has hailed this the ultimate in kart. Being the first online enabled DS game gives it a lot of attention as well. But the fact that lurked in my subconscious is that I'm bored with racers. Getting smoked in thousands of Gran Turismo races by my 8 year old did the trick (you don't...
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I'm confused as to why I had such a good time with this game. I think I let myself get caught up in the hype. Everyone has hailed this the ultimate in kart. Being the first online enabled DS game gives it a lot of attention as well. But the fact that lurked in my subconscious is that I'm bored with racers. Getting smoked in thousands of Gran Turismo races by my 8 year old did the trick (you don't understand humiliation until your son proclaims "I can't believe I won, my car was so much slower!") *Achem*

So why the hell was I so keen on Mario Kart DS? Whatever the reason, the good news is that it held up to my expectations. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something inherently fun about the series. Most of the charm is in the delicious, candy-coated Mario motif, which is always a spoonful of sugar, even when it is helping some medicine go down. The kart handling mechanics make play enjoyable without dumbing it down completely (no Ridge Racer 1 flashbacks). For my money, the sweetest part of the whole game is the way Yoshi yells "Yoshi!" at people as you pass them. It's really not all that clever, but I can't help but chuckle to myself when the cute little dino mocks his enemies by being so darn adorable.

My melancholy associated with racing usually resurfaces each time I pickup the DS, but I plod through, and by the time I huck a shell at somebody my reservations vanish. Having so many modes of play really keeps gameplay fresh. Battle and Mission modes keep things fresh. The variety of racers, karts, and unlockables also keeps you coming back for more, and I love that they included classic tracks. Internet play is simple to setup and darn fun. The biggest problem I see with the Nintendo Wifi Connection is that it’s difficult meeting up with friends, and you can’t choose who you’d like to race from those who are available online. Overall, it’s a pretty good first stab at online gameplay.

This latest installment in the Kart series is a lot of fun, and definitely shields me from the harsh realities of my 40 minute commute. Fans of the series have plenty of reason to rejoice.

By freshone - May 31, 2006

Mario Kart (DS)

Strengths: fun, good range of difficulty levels

For single player there are several different modes: grand prix, verse mode, battle mode, missions. I am most familiar with grand prix - you chose a circuit and race 4 courses - the best score after 4 races wins. You get to choose your Mario character (Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Bowzer, Donkey Kong and others). [And you can unlock other characters.] You get to choose your car depending...
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For single player there are several different modes: grand prix, verse mode, battle mode, missions.

I am most familiar with grand prix - you chose a circuit and race 4 courses - the best score after 4 races wins. You get to choose your Mario character (Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Bowzer, Donkey Kong and others). [And you can unlock other characters.] You get to choose your car depending upon the character chosen - each character starts with 2 unique cars. You collect power ups during the race that gives you special abilities.
There's 3 different difficulty levels. As you complete races, additional courses are opened up.

For multiplayer, you can play multi-player with only one game cartridge but the person without a cartridge cannot choose their character. Up to 8 people can play. The multi-player modes are verse mode, balloon battle and shrine runner.

Mario Kart is a fun game. There's plenty of stuff to unlock and lots of replay-ability because of the number of characters, cars and courses. I not a huge racing game fan, so I found other games interested me more than Mario Kart.

By cheapfrag - Jun 24, 2006

A Must -Have

Strengths: Loads of Fun, easy controls.

Weakness: Highly addictive

Another instant classic in the Mario Kart series. This game takes a few of your favorite courses from the previous Mario Kart games and combines them with some new ones in this wonderful game fit for all ages young and old. You will not regret buying this game.

By mikejudge2k1 - May 31, 2006

Mario Kart DS

Strengths: Wireless multiplayer, excellent use of the dual screen, varied gameplay, customizable icons, unlockables.

I have to say that I am not a racing game fan, but I love Mario Kart DS. I haven't played any of the other games in the franchise, but I love the courses they chose to include in this game. Mario Kart DS also makes excellent use of the dual screen: showing you a third person view on one screen and an overhead 'icon' view of the track on the other (which allows people who can multitask well to...
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I have to say that I am not a racing game fan, but I love Mario Kart DS. I haven't played any of the other games in the franchise, but I love the courses they chose to include in this game. Mario Kart DS also makes excellent use of the dual screen: showing you a third person view on one screen and an overhead 'icon' view of the track on the other (which allows people who can multitask well to metagame).


I did not like the 'battle' aspect of the game but I do like the missions (although they are frustrating at times). Completing missions, completing the game, and doing well in the various races are the ways to unlock extra characters, extra tracks, and eventually a 'three star' symbol on your icon.


In my opinion probably the best feature is the wireless play. My room mates and I can sit around for hours racing each other. Hand in hand with the wireless play is the built-in win/loss tracker so you can see how you stack up to your friends over time.


The customizable icon feature is also pretty swank.


Even if you don't like racing games I recommend giving Marko Kart DS a try. Especially if you have friends with a DS or the game who can play along with you.

By GreySector - Jun 26, 2006