Reviews for Mario Kart DS

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 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.

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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 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.

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MarioKart DS

Strengths: variety, real time map on second screen

Weakness: small screens (yeah, weak sauce)

Just want to state up front that I’ve never been a big fan of portable racing games. I’ve played various portable versions: Game Gear, original GB, and GBA games. I would much rather play the big screen arcade or TV/console based versions with at least a wheel.

Having said that, out of all of those portable versions I’ve played, this version of MK is the best one so far. I think the bigger, clearer screens and smoother graphics on the DS have to do with it.

The highlight for me are the amount of tracks to play (30 I believe) and the second screen “map” is really handy. You can keep real time track of where others are on the course as well as your own progress. I had also heard online play is good, but I don’t play online.

So if you’re a big fan of racing games or MK in general, this should be a no brainer purchase. I'm enjoying this title so far.

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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 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.

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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.

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Easily the Best Mario Kart Made Thus Far

Strengths: Plenty of variety in choosing tracks, characters, karts, multiplayer games and side misssions. Online mode has arrived.

Weakness: AI has been bumped up significantly and is sometimes cheap. Only 4 people online per race. Some of the retro tracks were toned down in terms of graphics to accomodate the DS hardware.

This is easily the best DS game thus far, and has the most replayability thanks to the wi-fi connection mode. The wi-fi isn't by any means perfect, but at least it's there. Nintendo really hasn't done much to tweak the formula which has made the series popular. As mentioned before, only 4 people per on-line race, and in the 150cc courses and above 1 mistake can be the different in winning the gold and missing out completely. Plenty of challenges to be found here with the GP and the side-missions. Also there are a ton of unlockables. Overall an awesome game.

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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.

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Mario Kart DS

Strengths: WiFi

Weakness: none

This Mario Kart game is the best out of the series. It comes with a few old tracks from SNES, N64, GBA, and GC. It has single cart play, multi cart play, and online mode. You can finally play with bots in battle mode. The new tracks in this game are great. In WiFI, you get to play against many others all over the world. I will recommend this to any race fans especially Mario Kart.

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Best Mario Kart game in the series

Strengths: Excellent controls, great track selection, tons of extra features compared to previous games, Wi-Fi races.

Weakness: Limited multiplayer modes.

This is easily my favorite Mario Kart game in the entire series. The controls are very well done, and the course and kart selection are both excellent. There are lots of great touches, like the customizeable icons and the mission mode, that make this game stand out over previous Mario Kart games. The much-anticipated Wi-Fi mode is also quite well done, although the matchmaking system could have been better.

My biggest complaints are with the multiplayer system. First, online and single-cart races are limited to a few courses, which are generally the less exciting courses. Also, battle mode is only supported in local multiplayer, which is a bit of a disappointment.

Overall, this is a great racer, especially with a few friends. The Wi-Fi mode is also a nice substitute for local multiplayer.

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One of the BEST DS Games-Must Have!

Strengths: Every Possible Way

Weakness: None

This is one of Nintendo DS' best games ever released. Not too much stylus/touching is involved. Basically A for acceleration B for brake and R for shift. Great graphics, sound and music. Extremely fun when play by yourself. Much more fun when you play with friends. No body available to play with you at 3AM? No problem, just connect to internet (wirelessly, of course) and people all over the whole are waiting for you. Everybody should own a copy.

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Perhaps the Greatest Mario Kart of all-time

Strengths: Stellar and classic Mario Kart gameplay, tight controls, good graphics, variety of courses.

Weakness: Wi-fi online play is very limited, computer AI can be very cheap at times.

After playing this game for a few months I'm kind of amazed that a handheld version of this venerable franchise is arguably the best installment from Nintendo. It combines all the best gameplay elements from all the Mario Karts and throws in classic courses from the series past 15-years. I find myself playing this game over and over again because the challenge is pretty good and the courses are so fun to race. I really like the addition of the online play but it is somewhat lacking. Only 4-players can race on a select few courses. The worst part is that people start disconnecting from the race when they start losing - without any repercussions on their record. That flaw aside, this is the most fun I've hand with any game (console or portable) in a very long time.

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Must... play... more....

Strengths: Everything.

Weakness: Nothing.

Mario Kart for the DS is an absolute winner. It does everything right. It plays great, looks great, and sounds great. The inclusion of wireless multiplayer is fantastic. So you can sit around and play with your buddies if you want whether you're in the same room or across the country. If you have a DS you should buy this.

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mario kart ds

Strengths: fun, fast, easy to play

Weakness: no online battle mode

This game is like other mario kart games in that it is absolutely great. The single player mode is awesome. However, the best part is the online mode. Racing against others across the globe is fun. I wish there was a battle mode online though!

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Mario Kart DS

Strengths: gameplay, new modes, classic race tracks, multiplayer wi-fi

Weakness: d-pad control

Mario Kart DS is like all the best aspects of the past mario kart crammed into one. It features all the most memorable tracks from all the past Mario Karts--from the classic SNES to the latest Gamecube version. It also throws in a few new ones--such a Luigi mansion track. In addition to the race courses, Mario Kart DS includes various new multiplayer modes /tracks such as battle arenas. But the best feature is probably multiplayer wi-fi. You and your friends can finally play Mario Kart together without having to share a screen---and you can do it with just one game cartridge. If you are a huge Mario Kart fan or own a DS, this title is a Must Buy.

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Superb

Strengths: Everything

Weakness: Very slightly dated looking graphics

This is the best racing game ever. The controls are easy to use, and have sufficient depth for more advanced players. I found the wireless racing to be very easy, with near perfect set-up. This game offers so many excellent game-play modes that is near endless, my favorite being the random wireless matchups. This is the kind of game that anyone can play and enjoy, at any time, anywhere. Perfection.

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GREAT GAME

Strengths: easy controls, simple

Weakness: none

This is one of my favorite games ever. ITs not one of those racing games where you have to try hard not to crash. its easy and you can focus on the race and not hard turns and stuff

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TOF (TONS OF FUN)

Strengths: Lots of races, Many missions.

Weakness: Battles are hard to understand at first.

Over 30 races including new races and races from other Mario kart games including races from Mario Kart 64 (Nintendo 64), SNES Mario Kart (SNES), Mario Kart Super Circuit (GBA), and Mario Kart Double Dash (Game Cube).
Using the Wi-fi connection, you can race and battle against people all over the world (this can be done anywhere there is a wi-fi connection, including your house!)!!!

THIS GAME IS OGGALS AND OGGALS OF ENTERTAINMENT!!

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Mario Kart DS

Strengths: Fun pick up and play version of Mario Kart for the DS, WiFi and local multiplayer a bonus

Weakness: WiFi matches hampered by "snaking" strategy which sucks all the fun out of the game

The venerable Mario Kart franchise being released on the Nintendo DS was a no-brainer move by Nintendo. This game features a wealth of retro tracks from previous console versions of Mario Kart, as well as several new courses.

There is a nice single-cartridge local multiplayer feature as well as the online Wi-Fi races. The nice thing about this game is that Friend Codes are not required to get online and race other people - matches will be found for you. The bad news is that a hand-cramping technique called "snaking" is common in multiplayer matches and if you want to compete you need to learn this skill, which takes a lot of the fun out of the game. Still, as a single player game and as a multiplayer game among friends (you can still use Friend Codes to match up with people you know over Wi-Fi) Mario Kart is one of the best on the DS.

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Mario Kart classic

Strengths: Same gameplay that has made the series great

Weakness: Sometimes the sense of speed is not really there.

Mario Kart has always been one of the best racing games for the system it's on. This case is no different for now (though Diddy Kong Racing coming up in the fall might try to change that). Mario Kart DS is a great new entry into the series. The touch screen usage is pretty minimal, mostly as a map showing the location of the other racers. The new maps are great, while a lot of the classic maps from previous iterations of the series are also present.

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Best of the Mario Karts

Strengths: Great graphics and gameplay, lots of variety, plenty to do.

Weakness: Stupid blue shell, outdated mechanics

Mario Kart returns on the DS. Fortunately, it is a terrific rendition, taking the best of all the previous Mario Kart games and adding lots of nice touches.

Lots of tracks, including retro tracks, are wonderful. The new tracks feel right at home along with the updated retro tracks. There are time trial and battle modes too.

Also included for the first time is a mission mode, giving you tasks to do instead of races. It doesn't replace the main game, but it is a very nice bonus.

There are only two downsides. The first is the blue shell, introduced in the Gamecube's Mario Kart Double Dash and placed in the mix in this game. It is not an improvement -- it is an abusive mechanism that really doesn't help weak players but does interfere with the ability of otherwise good players to win, or sometimes even place. Very frustrating when used over and over by computer opponents.

The other downside is the general cheapness of the AI and the racing. As with previous Mario Kart titles, increasing difficulty is just a matter of faster, cheaper karts. The blue shell figures into this, but is not the only problem. I wish I could say that this Mario Kart is truly a game of skill -- you do need lots of skill to win the harder classes -- but this Mario Kart, even more than others, seems like a game of chance as well.

But these are minor, albeit frustrating, quibbles. There is so much to do and so much overall enjoyment out of this title that it belongs in everyone's game library.

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One for the Ages

Strengths: Fun gameplay, long lasting challenge and gameplay.

Weakness: WiFi play options are severely limited.

Mario Kart DS is easily the best kart racer since Double Dash. Boasting tighting controls, a variety of tracks and cups, an all-new mission mode, and a few new power-ups, MKDS is an excellent game that improves upon past Mario Kart titles. I particularly enjoy the retro tracks that are culled from past MK games.

However, the WiFi modes are limited in scope with few options and few statistics. In addition, this isn't a complaint with MKDS per se, but using the L and R buttons on my DS causes some serious hand cramping (which hurts my ability to succeed).

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Mario Kart DS

The multiplayer favourite comes on the DS. This game combines many of the tracks, characters and weapons from the past Mario Kart games and introduces new features that take advantage of the DS abilities. The biggest new feature is the addition of online play. Players around the world can battle each other using Nintendo Wi-Fi connection. ... PROS: (1) Good variety of playable characters and...

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Best Nintendo DS Video Game

Bestcovery experts have rated the Nintendo Mario Kart (DS) as the Best Nintendo DS Video Game. Bestcovery's experts recommend the best products and services for a particular need based on extensive research and evaluations. Click below to see Bestcovery's full review of this product.

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Mario Kart DS

Testseek.com has collected 16 expert reviews for Mario Kart DS and the average expert rating is 88 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS rating of 3.73 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #102 game of all time, #1 game of 2005 for the Nintendo DS and #1 Nintendo DS game of all time. The rating and ranking is based on an average of 103 critic scores, awards and other criteria. To see a breakdown of the game ranking, read individual critic reviews, or see how other games ranked, click on the...

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Mario Kart

Is it me or is the new generation of handheld game systems the best thing to happen to the industry since the release of the PSone? Here I am away from my controller, away from my console, and nowhere near a TV screen and yet I am able to steal my friend's star and beat him to the finish line. He is nowhere in the room. There are no free power outlets (they're occupied by my PC), or any wires...

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Mario Kart DS Review

All that said, if Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow hasn't sold you a system yet, this ought to. If you've ever been a fan of the Kart series, you need this title in your collection. We're finally starting to see the real power of the DS at work, and all the promises made at launch are coming true. It's been a long wait for Nintendo fans, but if the quality of games of late says anything, the DS is...

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Mario Kart DS

Even with a few online flaws, this is the best Mario Kart ever. <p>

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Mario Kart DS

Nintendo's decade-old franchise gets the dual-screen treatment. Is this sequel as Super as the original?

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