Mario Kart DS

[Link Antilles]

You know folks, I really wasn’t planning on picking up this game. I was under the impression that this game was going to be a simple rehash of Mario Kart 64. Boy did I realize how wrong I was when I read the raving reviews at IGN, Gamespot, and Gamespy.

So, I broke down a couple of days ago and buy Mario Kart DS. And WOW. This is simply the best handheld racing game I’ve played. It’s just pure and simple fun with a lot of unlockables. Now, all I need to do is pick up one of those Wi-fi adapters…

I easily recommend this game to any Nintendo DS owner.

[mastersquirrel]

I thought the same as you did Link. But it looks like we were wrong. There are a lot of old tracks from previous games, the best from them they say, plus a lot of new ones. Plus if you get a Wi-Fi adapter you can play over the net. It looks pretty awesome.

[Link Antilles]

Speaking of the best courses... it's pretty cool how that's all set up. Each of the retro Grand Prix sets contains (in this order) a SNES, N64, GBA, and GCN. Then, there’s a separate section for the new traces. IMO, I say they did pick the best of the best. -Well, except for the GBA ones... I never cared for the GBA game. Anyways, it's really cool to hear the one SNES Mario Kart themes enhanced by the DS.

[TurkishMonky]

My bro got it first day, and played it solid until his full battery died, and is pretty good. He's called NDS_master in case you ever get put with him.

[Fireproof]

I got it yesterday, and I'm playing online as -PACGUY-

[Myoti]

Mario Kart is the only racing game I actually care for. Perhaps I should pick it up...?

[Fireproof]

Yes. Very yes.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I too am wrong

I must pick this up!

[Nate]

Yes, this game totally rocks. And it's HARD. Either that, or I just suck at it. ^^;;

My favorite tracks are Waluigi Pinball, Tick Tock Clock, and Airship Fortress. I like the loop-de-loop and corkscrew additions to Rainbow Road as well.

The Bowser Castle in this one...failed to impress me. Usually it's one of my favorite tracks, but it was just kinda...meh, in this version (though the piston thingy was neat).

Dry Bones is an interesting addition to the crew too...his acceleration is maxed out, but like no speed whatsoever. I can't see why anyone would ever use him. @.@

[Link Antilles]

Yeah, there is a nice difficulty jump between the Engine classes. I'm managing to get 1st in all the races so far in 100cc by dumb luck.

Anyways, I agree on Dry Bones... personally, I really want the ol' Koopa Trooper back. However, I heard the Shy Guy and R.O.B. are unlockables...

[Nate]

I know R.O.B. is, but good luck...you have to gold trophy all the Nitro Cups in 150cc Mirror Mode.

[Link Antilles]

Dang... I guess online will be good training for that.


Btw, anyone remember how to pull off those power-slide boosts? Man, it's completely slipped my mind, because it's been so long since I last really played Mario Kart on the N64.

[Nate]

Press and hold the R button to start sliding. You have to quickly push in the opposite direction of the slide and back (your exhaust will turn blue), and then do it again and the exhaust will turn orange. Then release the slide and you'll boost.

Also, to get the Power Boost at the beginning of a race, jam down the A button right when 2 appears.

[Link Antilles]

Thanks, now I was finally able to beat the mission before the first "boss".

Speaking of the power boost at the begining of a race, I like how they added the back-fire smoke if you mess it up.

[Nate]

Speaking of Mission Mode, those things are almost insanely impossible at the higher levels... @.@

I think I'm on Level 3 right now.

[CookinLikeSanji]

It's an AMAZING game. I WAS playing this thing to death the day I got it...

Until my R button broke the very next day. Yeah, my R Button, Mr.I'mTheButtonToLetYouPowerSlide decided to stop working all together on me.

Well either way once I get it fixed and am playing again I'll most likely be on under the name Earthbounder or White Spade, so keep an eye out.

[Myoti]

How many characters/karts/tracks/etc.?

[Nate]

There are 16 brand new tracks, same as in every other Mario Kart game.

There are also 16 tracks from the previous four games, four each from each version. I'll go ahead and list them. From:

SNES - Mario Circuit 1, Donut Plains 1, Koopa Beach 2, Choco Island 2
N64 - Moo Moo Farm, Frappe Snowland, Choco Mountain, Banshee Boardwalk
GBA - Peach Circuit, Bowser Castle 2, Luigi Circuit, Sky Garden
GCN - Luigi Circuit, Baby Park, Mushroom Bridge, Yoshi Circuit

As far as characters, there are 12 characters, though only 8 are initially available. The initial 8 are Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, DK, Bowser, and Wario. The four unlockables are Dry Bones, Daisy, Waluigi, and R.O.B.

Initially only 2 karts are selectable for each character. Earning gold on every race in the Nitro Cup on 100cc will unlock a third kart for each character. Getting gold on every race in the Nitro Cup on 150cc will unlock 7 (!) karts for each character. And finally, getting gold on every race in Retro Cup on 150cc will allow you to choose any character's kart for any other character (imagine Bowser racing in one of Toad's karts!).

[Myoti]

So basically, a whole bunch of stuff. Maybe I should try it then... >.>