At the onset of the game you can choose from eight characters; four more can be unlocked. Each character starts with two karts, but many more are unlocked as you progress though the single player portion of the game. Once you achieve a low enough time in Time Trials mode, developer ghost characters are unlocked, pushing you even more to beat the best time.
Other then Time Trials, single player Mario Kart DS has four additional modes: Grand Prix, Vs, Battle, and Missions.
Online via Wi-Fi only has Grand Prix. No real “lobby” system exists either. You just have the choice of what type of opponents to face: regional, worldwide, friends, or rivals. Picking rivals will pair you with players of similar skill level.
Where Mario Kart: Double Dash!! strayed into unknown territory, Mario Kart DS returns to its roots with driving mechanics from a couple titles in the series. What you get is classic Mario Kart game play that looks similar to the N64 version.
Mario Kart DS introduces three new weapons that add to the strategy and fun factor. Bloopers spray black ink all over opponent's screens that are in front of you. Bullet Bill will briefly transform you into a Bullet Bill that plows through everyone, but also runs on autopilot. Lastly there are Bob-ombs that explode on contact or after a brief pause and cause damage to all opponents in the blast radius. All are great editions but my favorite is Blooper.
The weapon effects in Mario Kart DS look amazing. Animation is crisp and detailed, from the characters to the karts. The stereo effects sound great on the DS speakers. Mario Kart DS has that same up-beat music we have come to expect from the series. With this fifth release, the tunes border on memorable, if not only because of nostalgia.
Mario Kart has always been an easy and fun game to pick up and play. You don’t even have to be a “gamer” to have a blast. This is part of the reason it has been so successful for more then a decade. Local and Wi-Fi multiplayer on the DS is no different. You will be online throwing banana peels at someone from across the room to across the globe in no time.
Article comments
1 - Sterfish
I loved the SNES and N64 versions of this game and I wish I had a DS so I could enjoy this one too. Great review.
2 - Ken Edwards
Thank you. To be honest it took me so long to get it written because the game is so good. I had problems putting it down long enough for the review!
3 - Bobert
Hey i know its a couple of years on :D but do u guys think i should get this game?
4 - Ken Edwards
Um, yea!