With every new Nintendo console comes a new Mariokart title. The 1992 Super nintendo version set a high benchmark for this title so will this new version be able to improve on it?
Basics
The aim of the aim of the game is to choose a kart and race around a circuit trying to beat all of your oponents. Firstly you need to choose 1 of the eight available characters all of which have different abilities. For example Mario is a good all rounder but the larger characters such as Bowser have a higher top speed but slower acceleration. I always choose toad who has excellent acceleration, you will need it when you crash or are hit by a shell.
The next thing to do is choose a single race and a track or a grand Prix where you race over different tracks. There are 8 grand Prix's to enter but you need to complete the easy ones first before unlocking the different tracks. Also for fans of the series there is a retro grandprix comprising of classic tracks from the whole series. The early circuits
are easy to beat but later on the speed gets faster and the oponents faster, it's a real challenge.
So that's the basics but what makes Mario kart such a fun racer is the ability to pick up power ups on every lap, for example a mushroom gives you a turbo boost, a green shell that you can fire at enemys, and a red shell is like a homing missile taking out the first racer it locks onto. These power ups add a great dimension to the game, you can be comfortably in first position but get hit by a bomb or squid ink, you can go right back to last place, it's nail biting. Also in this game there are three new power ups to add to the mix a Bob-omb that explodes if it hits you, a squid that covers your wind shield in ink and theres also a power up that turns you into a gaint rocket powered bullett taking out all in your way!Advanced Techniques
Like all the previous games there are techniques you can learn to give you the edge, if you hold down the accelerate at the right time when the race starts it will result in a turbo boost, you can also get a boost by holding the shoulder to drift around the corner and tapping left an right. Finally if you follow a car closely you will notice wind behind it, if you follow this you can slingshot past in a turbo.
Multiplayer.
I have mentioned the single player mode but it's the multiplayer that makes this shine, you can have race against 7 friends. You will need 7 Ds consoles and 1 cartridge. Then all ds's will connect wirelessly and download a scaled down version of the software. There are less tracks than if you all own a copy of the game but it's still amazing fun. And really elevates the game to a new level.
With a wireless internet network in your house and you can compete against the worlds. Just configure your Ds scan your network and away you go. However it only works with a WEP key not WPA. There is more info in the instruction book and online about configuration.
You can choose a local network and race people and worldwide, which is easier to find opponents, the Ds scans for players connect everyone together and away you go! Its amazing. Unless the player thats loosing turns there Ds off and the race terminates.
Also in the multiplayer is shine stars and battle you compete in different arenas to collect stars or battle each other. This is also available in single player but much better against friends.
New For Mario Kart DS
there is a new mission mode a little like the one in crazy Taxi. You have to complete various tasks such as racing around a track in reverse, or completing laps in a certain time. Or collecting coins by going through salalom style gates. There are 54 missions in total. The missions are a nice addition but I haven't completed them all, it's just that the main game is so much better!
Graphics And Sound
The cartoon graphics are excellent in this game, crisp and fresh, everything is beautifully drawn. Backgrounds and tracks are minimal but a joy to look at. There is never any slow down in the game even when all of the Karts are on track, it's just super smooth. The sound is mainly made up of the rev of an engine or characters making comments as they pass each other, again simple but perfect.
Conclusion
The game play of this game is outstanding, the graphics are fantastic, and the game will keep you coming back for more and more and more. Buy this invite your friends around and you wont regret it, the best Ds game by far. And this is even better than the Snes version because of it's online functions.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
It's time to race...with no wires attached! The acclaimed Mario Kart series has gone ... more
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...
Postage & Packaging: £1.94 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Its time to race...with no wires attached! The acclaimed Mario Kart series has gone ... more
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 ...
Postage & Packaging: Free standard delivery on all orders over £30 Availability: In Stock
Advantages: Your fav characters, plenty of weapons, lots of tracks, head 2 head mode Disadvantages: Not recommended for those not seeking light hearted fun
Advantages: Tons of tracks, immensely playable, excellent WiFi multiplayer, down right fun Disadvantages: May be a little easy, cutesy graphic style not to some peoples taste
Advantages: Simplicity of gameplay and a variety of tracks. Multiplayer genius! Disadvantages: Does not make use of dual screen technology.
Shortsharpshock 08.06.2006 (08.06.2006)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Mario Kart DS (Nintendo DS)
Advantages: Racing play is origional, wepon feature is fun Disadvantages: Repetitive, Repetitive, Repetitive, does not use the DS functions well, pointless mini games,
Feb 12th, 2008
very helpful by (100%):
