Mario Kart (DS) Review

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Mario Kart (DS)
4.3 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.3 out of 5

From 17 ratings and 14 reviews

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SamusAran551's Review of Mario Kart (DS)

9th Dec 2005

Overall Rating

5 stars
  • Value for money
    5 stars
  • Graphics
    4.5 stars
  • Addiction Level
    4.5 stars
  • Multi-player
    Yes
Good Points

Graphics, control, old race courses, multiplayer/online


Bad Points

Lack of some tracks online


General Comments

Mario Kart for the Nintendo DS may finish the beating of the PSP. Not only has the DS sold three times as many units as the PSP, one of Nintendo's best series has finally hit the DS, and it is online! The graphics of Mario Kart DS are fairly good. Probably better looking than the Mario Kart 64. There are more colors and more definition in the models.

The handling in this game is like no other Mario Kart. Nintendo made the powersliding (in which you get a slight boost of speed after holding the R button and turning your kart in the opposite direction two times before releasing) easier to do. In the last games, a powerslide would throw a player out of control slightly for a second or two. In the new installment of Mario Kart, you keep most control of your kart, even after a powerslide.

Something I miss when I play a new version of Mario Kart are my favorite race tracks from the past games. In Mario Kart DS, there are the usual (bust still fun) new 16 race tracks you have to beat on 4 levels of difficulty (50cc, 100cc, 150cc, and mirror mode), but Mario Kart DS also offers 16 of the classic courses! Some of which include: Frappe Snowland, Sky Garden, Koopa Beach, and Yoshi Island. So if you are like me and want the old tracks too, Mario Kart DS will satisfy your hunger for retro-racing fun!

Mario Kart DS is the first Nintendo DS game to go online via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The online set up is very simple, you search for an access point with a wireless router, and you're in. The online gameplay is very similar to that of a regular grand prix. Here are the rules: Best of 4 races win, there are 4 players maximum, and you get to pick which course you want to race on. If all the tracks are picked among the group, the computer randomly selects one track for you. The online play is very smooth; almost like you were playing against a few CPU characters. Even though the online gameplay is fun and all, there is one downside to it: you can't choose from all 32 tracks. There are quite a few to choose from, but some are too much for the DS to handle.

All in all, Mario Kart DS is one of the best games out for the Nintendo DS, if not the best. The online play gives the game a boundless amount of replay value, and the DS hasn't looked better yet!

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