Reviewed by Brandy Shaul
Mario Kart DS has changed my life. Seriously, for it was only after it was bundled with the red, limited edition DS that I felt the unit was worth my hard earned cash. And only after I bought the DS did I begin to appreciate all the finer things about handheld gaming. Apparently, numerous others felt the same way, as finding said unit was a real pain. However, after playing through the first few minutes of Mario Kart DS, I knew the struggle and the search were definitely worth it.
Mario Kart (MK) is a staple in Nintendo’s lineup, no matter what console we’re discussing. All the way back to the Super Nintendo, players have loved the simple idea of racing as and against their favorite characters, such as Yoshi, Princess Peach, and of course, Mario. The formula has changed little over the years: the same addictive gameplay remains in all MK outings, with the DS version being no exception.
There are 32 tracks this time around, 16 of which are a compilation of past favorites, with the other half being brand-spanking new! New tracks include racing around a pinball machine, as well as the inner workings of a clock. There are 12 characters at your disposal, four of which are unlockable, which keep the game flowing forward.
Gameplay is in the classic MK style – lots of action, fast paced racing, and great opportunities for revenge. There is the option for single race play, or you can try your luck at some four-race cups. If you earn a gold trophy in every cup (i.e. if you win every cup) every character can then choose from any of the 31 karts that until then will be characters specific. Each kart is placed in a different category, and each comes with its own pros and cons. Some may have lightning speed, but be very hard to handle, and vice versa. Getting to choose the style of kart adds a touch of customization to the game, and also allows for different levels of difficulty, depending on your own personal skill level.
In addition to karts, the old power-ups that we have come to know and love are back, with the addition of some new offerings, such as Blooper, which squirts black ink in the opponents’ faces, causing them to have difficulty seeing for a short period of time.
Speaking of seeing, everything you see in the game is fun and original. Great graphics mixed with catchy tunes make this a great one to play with the noise on or off. Handheld titles are usually the poorest, graphically speaking, but MKDS is one of the best in that department.
With all of the MK titles out there, it is understandable that someone might be a bit weary about spending over $30 on yet another game. But I assure you, it is different in enough ways to keep its independence, yet harkens back to the games of years past just enough to keep the nostalgia alive.
One of the great ways that Mario Kart DS sets itself apart is the new Wi-Fi capability. That’s right, for the first time ever, you can play Mario Kart against players online, all over the world. By simply using a friend code, you can challenge opponents to races and really test your skills on the various tracks.
Another new touch is the interactivity in the “versus” modes of the game. In Shine Runners, you choose from one of six fields and try to collect more shines than all of the other players. These can be CPU or otherwise. The real fun though comes from Balloon Battles.
In Balloon Battles, you use the DS’s mic to literally blow up the balloons that are connected to the back of your kart. You then try to blast, bomb and otherwise destroy all five of your opponents’ balloons, all the while protecting yours from being popped. Both battle modes are extremely addictive and fun, and easily justify the purchase price.
As if all this didn’t make you want the game already, two more modes are also available for play: Mission and Time Trial. Time Trial is self-explanatory being that you are simply trying to beat the clock to the finish. Mission is more complex, and in my opinion, more fun. You are given specific tasks, which get harder as you progress. These can range from mini-races to defeating a certain number of enemies in a set time. Just another great aspect to an already fantastic game.
Mario Kart is an established franchise, no one can argue with that fact. Being that it is so hugely popular, it becomes more and more difficult to add new and exciting features to this seemingly “money-hungry” genre, yet Nintendo is not one to disappoint. Newbies to the MK world, as well as die-hard fans will quickly find something to love about MKDS. Whether you’re nine or ninety, my recommendation stays the same: this is easily the first must-have title for the DS.