Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS is a game for the Nintendo DS. It is the fifth installment in the Mario Kart game series. It is the first to use online play. It was released in November 2005 in the United States and Europe. In Japan it was released in December 2005.

The game involves 13 characters from the Super Mario series racing against each other in karts. Players can use items which they pick up in boxes similar to the previous games in the series. Mario Kart DS uses a new logo which will be used in future games in this series, such as Mario Kart Wii.

The characters that are playable in the game are Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Wario, Princess Peach, Dry Bones, Daisy, Waluigi, Donkey Kong, Bowser, R.O.B. and Shy Guy (DS download play only). Each character has a standard kart themed to their character's color, but also have two unique karts as well. Later on in the game, characters can use other character's karts.

The player must primarily complete Grand Prix to progress further in the game. There are three different difficulties for each Grand Prix, 50cc, 100cc and 150cc. A 150cc Mirror mode is unlocked after all other difficulties are completed. In each Grand Prix, there are eight different cups, with four different tracks each, which the player must win. The tracks are themed around different levels of various Mario games.

Included in the game are Missions, Time Trials, VS Modes and multiplayer modes over wireless or Nintendo WFC.

Gameplay
As in previous games, the player can participate in a Grand Prix, each containing four tracks in which points are gained for the player's position at the end of the race. The player must come within the top three players at the end of the Grand Prix to win a trophy.

There are 32 tracks in Mario Kart DS. There are four sets of 'new' tracks, along with four sets of tracks which have appeared in previous titles in the Mario Kart series. Each set contains four tracks, and can be played entirely in Grand Prix mode.

The game supports up to four players in multiplayer modes including Vs. and Battle modes, as in Mario Kart Wii. Players can play against each other or in a team in both modes. It isn't possible to unlock trophies or any other awards in multiplayer mode.

The game also includes DS download play. DS download play lets other players that don't have Mario Kart DS play (they have to play as Shy Guy).

Controls
The controls are not much different in this game than in other Mario Kart games.

A: Accelerate Same as other Mario Kart games

B: Brake/Reverse Same as other Mario Kart games

X: Use Item L: Use Item Same as other Mario Kart games

R: Hop/Drift

Y: Change Map View

Touch Screen: Change Map View

Start: Pause Same as other Mario Kart games

Power sliding
When it comes to difficult curves, being able to power slide is a vital way of not only making it through the curve, but obtaining some additional speed as well. Pressing R immediately before turning will cause dust to fly out of your tires; let go for a split second to press the opposite direction, and you'll receive some blue sparks. Wait a second, then repeat the process. Doing so will result in the blue sparks turning orange; let go of R. You should receive a speed boost.

Rocket start
In previous Mario Kart games, you will have had to press A immediately before the race in order to receive a boost. The same isn't true here. The moment 2 appears, and is as large as it will become, press A and hold it down. Upon the introduction of the race, your kart will take off at a tremendous speed. Don't try it too early, however, as a cloud of smoke will come out of the back of your kart, indicating you've stalled, meaning you're going to take a lot longer to work your way up to that speed.

Slipstream
If, and when you find yourself behind someone else, and you need a boost of speed, take advantage of a slipstream. As a kart goes forward, it breaks through the air that's usually stationary, and it relocates to the side of the kart, allowing the kart through. In the end, this action will cause a slipstream, a V-shaped section where the air has already moved away. At the point of the V is the kart, and the section behind the kart is just where the air's moved away.

You may be asking yourself "what on earth is this banging on about?". If you go behind the other kart, your kart won't have to battle with the air, and will go faster; allowing you to overtake. This is called Drafting. Thank you!

Snaking
Snaking is being able to perform a powerslide whilst going in a straight line. To do so, drift repeatedly, and you'll get faster, and faster and straigher, and straighter. It takes practice, but it has tremendous benefits.

Screen Display

 * Item Box: This displays any items that you are currently carrying. You can only have one item at a time, so be sure to get rid of your current item before attempting to collect a new one.


 * Team Box: If you are playing on a team, your team color will appear here.


 * Lap Indicator: This shows which lap you are on and how many laps there are in the race.


 * Race Screen: The race screen is where all the action takes place. You will spend most of your time looking here.


 * Position: Whether you are in 1st or 8th, your position will appear on the lower left side of the top screen.


 * Wi-Fi Box (When Applicable): This box appears for Wi-Fi races, and it has up to three bars in it. The more bars, the better the wireless connection.


 * Character Positions: When you want to know how your opponents are doing, look here. It has the positions of every opponent, along with the items they are carrying at the time.

time tells you how long you have been racing.
 * Race Time: Displayed in minutes, seconds, and milliseconds, the race


 * Map: To see an overview of the course, look here.

Characters
Mario Kart DS hosts 13 characters; some of them start out as playable characters, others require certain tasks to be completed before they will appear on the character select screen(these characters will be marked with *Unlock). Each character has their individual strengths and weaknesses that will ultimately determine how well they do in a race.

Exclusive to DS Download Play
This character is exclusive to players that use the DS download play function. This character is the only one the player without the game card can use.

Tracks
There are 32 tracks, 2 Cups and 8 different Grand Prix in all.

Battle Courses

 * Nintendo DS (Battle Stage)
 * Twilight House
 * Palm Shore
 * Tart Top
 * Block Fort (N64)
 * Pipe Plaza (GCN)

Missions
These are short missions where you have to perform tasks before the time limit is over. This includes collecting coins, driving through gates, destroying Item Boxes and more. There is also a boss stage at the end of each mission set. In each level are 8 missions and a Boss Stage, with a total of 7 levels (level 7 has to be unlocked by getting at least a * ranking on all the other missions).

Level 1 MKDS Missions

Level 2 MKDS Missions

Level 3 MKDS Missions

Level 4 MKDS Missions

Level 5 MKDS Missions

Level 6 MKDS Missions

Level 7 MKDS Missions

GameRankings
GameRankings gave the game a high rating of 91.19%/100%