Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS is starting to become one of the biggest titles of 2005, and not just in America. Japanese fans are getting set for the game, and Japanese gaming magazines are already providing weekly updates. Famitsu scored an interview with Mario Kart DS producer Hideki Konno.

Konno first discusses some of the basics of the game. This first DS Mario Kart follows up on the Game Boy Advance version instead of the recent GameCube Double Dash. Double Dash lacked the series' jump element, but it's back for DS. Konno states that the game's control is meant to be similar to Mario Kart 64, and even though you use the D-pad, Nintendo has been able to achieve control that is almost as great as usingan analouge stick.

Karts are included in greater variety with this title. When racing, a kart's stats are judged in terms of handling, drift, driver weight and even the unique ability of some karts to obtain better items. It's all a balancing act, which is what you expect from your typical Mario Kart game, and Nintendo is currently in the 'finishing touches' process. While you can have a heavy kart/character combination, making collisions a bit easier, you end up moving slowly. Similarly, if you go for a kart that grabs better items, you'll find that its top speed is limited. You'll actually find that certain karts can move faster over certain courses.

Drift mechanics take their expected role in Mario Kart's DS racing system. You can view stats for your kart prior to starting a race, and if the kart's drift parameter is low, it will take time for your car to recover grip following a turn, making it easy to steer. Previous Mario Kart games let you know that you were in a drift by changing the color of smoke coming from your kart, but with MKDS, sparks and flames emerge from below your tires.

In addition to drift, you'll also need to use opponent slip streams in order to win the fastest time. This was featured in previous titles, and makes it easy to turn the race around even without the use of items.

A few new details are also revealed on the game's Online mode. The game will allow players to use a decal editor to design their own 32x32 decal and show it off to opponents. On the topic of friend lists, Konno reveals that the DS will store up to 60 people in this list. Once you've played someone in a local WiFi match, he's automatically entered into your friend list, although you can exchange friend codes with distant players in order to manually build up your list as well.

Multiplayer play includes classic modes such as time attack and balloon battle, with the game allowing you to have five balloons to your car. New for MKDS is the "Atsumete Shine" (Collect Shine) mode of play where players race to collect the most Shine Sprites. By hitting your opponent, you can reduce his or her Shine count.

But Mario Kart DS isn't just about multiplayer play. The game will feature a new Mission Run mode where players are given a specific kart and asked to perform tasks on the raceway. Missions include making your kart move through tire-shaped gates in order and using items to take out crabs in a free-roaming battle stage. Your goal is to beat pre-set times, and doing so earns you new karts.

Nintendo is packing the game with new elements. In addition to a reappearance of all old items, you'll have access to new items. One item splashes an opponent's screen with black ink. Players who've been struck with this item are encouraged to drive by looking at the bottom screen, which shows the race from an overhead perspective. Another item turns you temporarily into a Bullet Bill. In this form, you lose control of your kart, but automatically strike opponents.

As for courses, in addition to a retro cup featuring classic courses that were selected by the developers, the game includes the Nitro Cup, featuring a set of new, challenging courses: Puku Puku Beach (filled with crabs that, if touched, make you spin out), Luigi's Mansion, Eight Cross Circuit (shaped like an 8) and Yoshi Falls (which is banked to make falling off the course easy).

The wait is almost over! Mario Kart DS is set for Japanese release on December 8, and the American release is on November 14. Sorry, Japan: America gets this game first.