32 tracks, Wi - Fi compatible, Free Wi - Fi connection, Easy to set up Wi - Fi, beautiful graphics and sound, 12 selectable characters and 36 karts .
Disadvantages:
Characters : missing Kooper Trooper, where did R . O . B come from?, Wi - Fi features are limited .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Update: After some feedback I have decided to simplify the review. It will cater for the non-techheads since I will be removing alot of the technical stuff out of the body of the review. The intricate details will be moved to the end of the review, (i.e Appendix)
In 1992 the world changed as we know it! In case we forgot why that year was so significant Nintendo decided to remind us why with the release of the 5th Mario Kart game. Many companies have unsuccessfully tried to mimic the success of Mario Kart, we've had Wacky Racers and Crash racing just to name a few knock-offs. Its been 13 years since Super Mario Kart graced the Super Nintendo and became a timeless classic. So how can Mario Kart DS possibly compete with such brilliance? Mario Kart DS (MKDS) is easily the best of all of these. I can say this because I own all five of them and finished them all. Mario Kart DS is brings us back to the Mario Kart basics with fresh new graphics and an array of new features. What makes the Nintendo Dual Screen's rendition the best?
--- 32 Racing Tracks ---
The great thing about MKDS is that it comes with 32 playable tracks. Of these 16 are new to the game while the 16 are classic tracks from the 4 previous versions of the Mario Kart franchise.
In my opinion the two classic tracks that are missing are Wario Stadium from SK64 and Kooper Beach from SK64. Otherwise Nintendo have made fantastic choices. The great thing about this mix of old and new is that you get to experience all the great levels from all 5 games in the series in one game! The tracks are not difficult to race on and can be mastered quite quickly.
--- Revamped Modes of Play ---
MKDS offers an unprecedented 5 modes of play which will keep you busy for many hours at a time.
1. Grand Prix - race against 7 other racers to win the gold cup. There are 4 engine classes, 50cc, 100cc, 150cc and Mirror 150cc. As you could imagine as 50cc is the easiest mode and Mirror 150cc is the hardest. You need to complete 8 cups in each class (discussed above). You need to get the most points out of the 8 players to win the gold trophy the point allocation system is as follows: 1st = 10 Points 2nd = 8 Points 3rd = 6 Points 4th = 4 Points 5th = 3 Points 6th = 2 Points 7th = 1 Point 8th = 0 Points Hence the highest score possible in any Cup is 40.
2. Time Trial - this is where you try to beat records for fastest lap and tract times. This feature uses ghosts to show the fastest time and gives you a benchmark to base your performance on, and hopefully beat. You can also send and receive ghosts from other players over the DS's local area network (LAN). If you're quick enough you can unlock the 'staff ghosts' which are ghosts created by Nintendo employees, i.e. very hard to beat.
3. Vs - Play against another player using multiple NDS consoles (using the download play feature requires only one MKDS cartridge and is easy to set up). You have the option to play 1 vs. 1 or 1 vs. 1 vs. 6 computer players. You can also play in teams. Or you can simply play single player against 7 computer players if you don't know anyone with a NDS.
4. Battle - Includes balloon battle (where you have to pop rival's balloons and last one standing wins) and Shine Runners (where you need to collect as many 'shines' as you can and steal your rivals' shines).
5. Missions - this is a new inclusion to the series. It requires you to play as a pre-selected character and complete various small tasks eg. get to the finish line before Mario, collect all the coins or drive through the numbered gates. There are 6 levels each one consisting of 8 levels and a boss. When you complete each mission you get a ranking, the aim is to try to get the highest ranking you can in each race (see below where I explain rankings). This is a very nice added feature and I applaud Nintendo for adding it.
--- 12 Selectable Characters ---- (List in Appendix) There are 12 characters in MKDS, you start off with 8 and then have to unlock the rest. I wont tell you how or when these characters are unlocked so as not to completely spoil the game for you. Each character has 3 unique karts assigned to him/her.
An additional character, Shy Guy (from Mario Bros 2 on NES) is available only in Multiplayer, and can only be selected by the player who is downloading the game to their NDS i.e. the host cannot use him.
My favourite character is Yoshi because he is fast and easy to control, followed by Toad and Mario. The good thing about the smaller characters is that they are fast to take off, but can be push out of the way easily by larger characters like DK or Wario. So as you can imagine Wario, DK and Bowser should be used after you have gained some expecience with the game.
--- Dual Screen: What is it good for? ---
What makes MKDS so good is the fact that it uses the bottom (touch) screen so well as a map showcasing your position on the track as well as where all your competitors are, their position and what items they have. So you can tell how far in front you are all the time on a big screen, you can use the 'Ghost' when you see somethinge that is worth stealing from someone else etc. If you press 'Y' you can change the detail of the map to show either the entire map on the screen with all players on it, or to show immediately in front and behind you.
--- Items ---
It wouldn't be Mario Kart without wacky items. These items can be used to attack other players to slow them down or try to knock them off the track. Some are non-attack items eg Mushrooms which just make you go faster for a while. Tip: You can use bananas, green and red shells and fake '?'s as shields to block attacks by opponents, with varying success.
--- Tips and Tricks ---
Rocket Start: This is a very important trick if you wish to get high rankings. Its effectively a turbo start from the starting position so that you can take the pole position quickly. What you do is press and hold the A button when the countdown is 2. It might take a while to master this but try until you get it right. What I do is press the A button just as the number '2' fades away from the screen.
Power Slide: This is more important so that you can complete the 'Missions'. What you have to do is press and hold 'R' while you turn so that your kart slides, then tap left, right, left, right until your kart makes blue and then red sparks, then let go of 'R' and your kart will turbo boost around a corner while your competitors have to slow down.
--- What are Rankings? ---
When you complete a Cup or a mission you will be awarded a ranking. The purpose of the rankings is simply for replayability value, as it makes you try and get the highest ranking possible in each cup/mission. Note: rankings do not matter unless you just want to improve your skills, they do not stop you from unlocking all the characters and cups. It can sometimes be quite difficult to get a 3 star ranking (best possible ranking) so the best advise I can give you is never give up. I can just imagine what you're thinking, "gee motoathan, you're so helpful" (sarcasm), muhahaha. See appendix if you want further details.
--- Price and Availability ---
I live in Australia so I'm not entirely sure what the price of MKDS is in the UK. But I can tell you that it is currently available, since 25/11/05. I bought my copy for AU$69.95, which is about 30 GBP. This is cheaper than the average PSP, PS2, XBOX and GCN game. I checked the UK Nintendo website but they had no price information.
Now that all the fundamentals are out of the way, let's discuss the...
NINTENDO WIFI CONNECTION: (read this only if you intend to use the Nintendo WiFI Connection, or are curious as to what it is, it contains some very specific information).
This really does add value to MKDS because it means that you can race against any MKDS owner anywhere in the world. Finally, Mario goes global. Nintendo have always said that online gaming was not important and that they wouldn't be willing to offer any sort of online service for any of their systems anytime soon. They believed that online gaming was not yet profitable and only catered to hardcore gamers. Iwata (the Nintendo President) also believed that services like XBOX Live and Sony online were intimidating to novice players as many online "bullies" would always "kick the butts" of novice players and effectively it would all be one sided. So Nintendo decided to steer clear of online play. However with the announcement of the Nintendo DS, Nintendo also changed its stance on online gaming and have now introduced the Nintendo WiFi Connection. What makes this service different is that it matches up players of similar skills to each other so that everyone has a fighting chance at winning. But most importantly, unlike XBOX Live, its completely free that means no monthly fees or subscriptions needed to play any Nintendo first and second party games, it will be up to 3rd parties if they wish to charge for the service for their games. The great thing about the WiFi connection is that it will also be supported by Nintendo's next generation home console the 'Revolution' due for release sometime in 2006.
What you need in order to connect your DS to the WiFi service is one of 3 things. 1. Access to a WiFi hotspot, these can be places where you can use your laptop to connect to the internet wirelessly. Check the Nintendo WiFi website for the locations of these hotspots. 2. A home WiFi hotspot, i.e. using a wireless router and broadband connection. 3. The Nintendo WiFi USB Adaptor, which can be ordered directly from Nintendo. You will need a broadband connection, Windows XP and a spare USB port so that you can set this adaptor up. What it does is it creates a WiFi hotspot in your home (up to 10 meters).
When you connect to the service you proceed to select the type of game you want to play. This can be friends, rivals, regional or worldwide. A box at the bottom of the screen will turn yellow when it has found a player for you. The number of opponents depends on how many people the service can find; it can reach of maximum of 4 players (including you). Then you need to select your character and your kart, and then select a course you want to race on. There are 20 courses online, each player selects one and the one with the most votes will be chosen. If there is no majority vote, the computer will choose a random track from those selected by the players. You need to realise that when you play online you commit yourself to a 4 tract race, and you must complete this so that you can get your score. One major disadvantage is that many players just turn their DS power button off when they are loosing so that they don't actually lose a race, but what they need to realise is that they are actually penalised for this! If you disconnect from the match you will automatically be awarded last place in all races. So please if you are going to play WiFI MKDS play properly or don't play at all!
--- Limitations of MKDS --- In the WFC mode (WiFi multiplayer) a lot of the features are scaled back so that the game can run smoothly. For example you can't play all 32 tracks - only 20 tracks are playable, you can't use items as shield against shells either. This is very disappointing but I guess no game is perfect. In VS download play multiplayer not all the tracks are available either, but item can still be used as shields. Battle is not available on WiFi, which is disappointing since its a lot of fun!
--- Conclusion --- After the lack-lustre Mario Kart: Double Dash on the Nintendo GameCube I was really worried that Nintendo would stuff up the DS version. My fears were not realised. Nintendo has gone back to its roots to make perhaps the greatest game of the series that will keep you entertained for many many years!!! not just days or weeks!!!!! Trust me if you are a Mario Kart fan (and every gamer should be because its the greatest most fun franchise out!) you will absolutely adore this game! I think its pretty obvious that I absolutely love this game and will be giving it a high score. Given all its fantastic features, the brilliant graphics and sound (given that it is on the NDS which isn't as technically capable as the PSP - but runs rings around it in terms of gameplay since the PSP has no AAA games, and Nintendo has MKDS, Nintendogs, Advance Wars Dual Strike and Mario and Luigi: Partners in Crime which have all scored 90+% with many online review sites), its fantastic online capabilities (even though this is new territory for Nintendo they have done it brilliantly), and the massive potential for replayability the score I will be awarding MKDS with is...
9.5 out of 10 - Absolutely brilliant game, only let downs are the limitations in online and multiplayer modes.
I recommend this game for ages 7 and up. The game can be as complicated as you want it to be. It depends on how far you want to get with it. This game is a must have for every single DS owner with no exceptions! If you don't have a DS and want a reason to buy one, this is it! I have friends who have bought a DS solely for this game!
Review End here: If you want to know more about the games features read on.
Appendix: Techno-Babble
--- Control Scheme ---
A - accelerate B - brake/reverse X - use weapons Y - change the camera view on the touch screen L - use weapon R - hop (tap once) and drift (hold down while turning)
--- Tracks ---
New Tracks:
Mushroom Cup: 1. Figure - 8 Circuit, 2. Yoshi Falls, 3. Cheep Cheep Beach, 4. Luigi's Mansion
Ranks: (best to worst) 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Stars A B C D E
--- Items ---
The usual suspects are back: - 1 Banana or 3 Bananas - leave them on the track and if you run over them they make you spin out - Bob-omb - use it to blow up other characters - Boo - makes you temporarily invincible and you also steal an item from someone else - Fake ? Mark - leave this behind to confuse other players, if they try collect it they will spin out. - 1 and 3 Green Kooper Shells - throw them at your opponents - 1 and 3 Red Shells - like the Green sheels but they lock onto your opponents - 1 Blue Shell - Flies and blows up the player coming first, without fail. If you are coming first try throwing back a bob-omb just before the blue shell hits you. - 1 and 3 Red Mushrooms - turbo boosts - 1 Golden Mushroom - turbo boost for several seconds - Star - temporary invincibility, nothing can hit you, but you can hit other players by driving into them and they will go off course etc.
The 2 new items are: - Squid Ink - temporary blindness for all opponents (can be removed by using a mushroom or a zip lane). - Bullet - turns you into a bullet and makes you go super fast while knocking out any players you happen to be in your way.
More details
Originality
Good
Sound
Excellent - makes full use of my speakers
Longevity/Expected Longevity
ongoing
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
wireless, letting you race and battle locally with up to eight karts at once, regardless of whether everyone has a Game Card. Plus, play with up to three people around...
wireless, letting you race and battle locally with up to eight karts at once, regardless of whether everyone has a Game Card. Plus, play with up to three people around...
Mario Kart DS Nintendo DS
Time to race... no wires attached. The acclaimed Mario Kart series has gone wireless
... more
letting players race and battle with up to eight karts at once regardless of whether everyone has a game card. An all-star cast that includes Mario Luigi Peach Yoshi D...
Nintendo DS™ Mario Kart Game
5 single player modes - grand prix, time trial, VS, battles and missions 8 player wireless
... more
racing and battle modes More than 30 tracks Design your own custom cart emblems Nintendo wi-fi connection support Save your best times and send to friends Suitab...
very helpful
very helpful
very helpful
helpful
