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System:
Nintendo DS
Genre:
Racing
ESRB Rating:
RP
Release Date:
1- 2005
Racing
ESRB Rating:
RP
Release Date:
1- 2005
Publisher:
Nintendo
Developer:
Nintendo
Nintendo
Developer:
Nintendo
CUBE128
Published:1- 2005
User Views: 5173
User Replies: 0
Mario Kart DS, as you may have read by now, packs so much depth for a single player, but a lot of the game's appreciation lies within the epic multiplayer and online modes. Playing Mario Kart DS with up to eight players is just ridiculous; and even though this is possible with single-card play, all players who don’t have the game must play as Shy Guy. That in no way is a bad obligation. Shy Guy is a great driver and using him doesn’t take away from the fun. As well as limiting all players, aside from the host, with Shy Guy, all players are also limited to two cups to play from and only a select few levels to choose from in Battle mode and Shine Runners modes. Since load times are quick and the single-card play is just as smooth as the single-player affair, I don’t see why anyone would complain about being able to play as a great character in eight different levels without buying the game. Racing friends who do have their own copy offers a much greater experience; choose from any character and level you have unlocked.
Nintendo has entered the online gaming world with a bang; that’s right; Mario Kart DS is the first Nintendo game to go online. Online play is one of the most challenging but fun aspects Mario Kart DS has to offer. Going online at a hotspot or using your home’s wireless router, you can take Mario Kart action online with players from all over the world. It's very simple; online play is split up into four categories, Worldwide, Rivals, Friends, and Regional. In Worldwide, you race anyone who’s currently online disregarding skill level and location. On the Rival setting, you race players who have a similar skill level as you only; skill levels are determined by one's username's recoded wins and losses. Friends allow you to only play with racers whose friend codes you have successfully added to your friend roster. Lastly, Regional allows for you to play with only players in your country.
Online play is a bit limited though, unlike Xbox Live and other online services. You cannot locate racers or chat. Adding to the limitation is that you cannot race with more than four people at once; you can only race other players online (no Balloon Battling or Shine Runners), and the course selection isn't as expansive as the game's off-line play allows. You can play online with only a selection of twenty courses.
I must stress though, that in the mayhem of four racers at once, you will not really mind these limitations. More so because the online service is quick, smooth, easy to use, and free. It’s so convenient to pick any seat at McDonalds now and begin a race with little Joe Schmoe from Australia.
In the end, had it not been for the blocky characters and the limited online play, Mario Kart DS would have gotten a perfect score. I believed that Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow and Nintendogs were worthy choices for best DS title, but after playing Mario Kart DS, its all clear. Not only is it the best DS game, but it passes the finish line in first with flying colors; and Super Mario Kart has finally been dethroned.
| Depth |
10
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| An extension of the Mario Kart series in every way, it's the perfect Mario Kart title. This game has it all. |
| Gameplay |
9.5
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| Absolutely fabulous: the imaginative levels, devastating items, and different kart attributes work together perfectly. The easier power slide boost and the revival of the hop build upon already great mechanics. |
| Graphics |
9.5
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| Beautiful, colorful, and gorgeous--Aside from the somewhat blocky characters, everything captures your imagination and almost makes you feel like you’re in the kart itself. |
| Replay Value |
10
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| Unbelievable: among the Grand Prix, Wi-Fi online, single-player Balloon Battles, Vs. mode, Shine Runners, Mission mode, and single-card wireless multi-player, I don’t know how long it will take for me to put this game down. |
| Sound |
10
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| Outstanding and memorable music and sounds--I can already hear myself quoting Mario every time he drops a banana peel. I'll definitely be humming the title theme on the way home from school. |
| Overall |
9.8
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| The limited online play and few blocky characters took away from the overall score, but as you can see Mario Kart DS excels almost perfectly in every aspect. If you own a DS, you must purchase this title now. For those of you who don't have a DS, this is another reason to buy the system. |
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