Mario

Discover the definitive guide to Mario Kart DS. Explore gameplay modes like Grand Prix and Battle, learn about all the Nitro and Retro tracks, and master the items to dominate the competition.

Mario Kart DS, stylized as MARIOKART DS and abbreviated to MKDS, is a racing game for the Nintendo DS developed and published by Nintendo. It is the fifth installment in the Mario Kart series and the first to utilize Nintendo's free online service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (discontinued May 20, 2014). Released in 2005, the game received critical acclaim, with Metacritic giving it an average score of 91%, and many reviewers considering it the best in the series.

Like other Mario Kart titles, Mario Kart DS features characters from the Mario universe racing in go-karts on themed tracks. The game incorporates less realistic physics and utilizes various weapons and items to achieve victory, distinguishing it from more realistic racing games. It was released in November/December 2005 in the US, Europe, Australia, and Japan, with a Korean release on April 5, 2007.

Gameplay:

In Grand Prix mode, players compete against seven AI racers across two types of Grand Prix: Nitro GP (16 new tracks) and Retro GP (16 tracks from previous installments). Each GP consists of four cups, with four tracks per cup. Difficulty is determined by engine classes: 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc, with higher classes resulting in faster kart speeds. An unlockable 150cc Mirror Mode flips all tracks horizontally.

Battle Mode returns, featuring Balloon Battle (pop opponents' balloons) and Shine Runners (collect the most Shine Sprites before elimination).

Mission Mode tasks players with completing eight specific missions per level, ranging from coin collection to enemy attacks, with rankings from E to 3 stars. Completing all missions in levels 1-6 with at least a 1-star rating unlocks a challenging 7th level. No unlockable characters are playable in missions.

Time Trial mode allows players to race against the clock to achieve the fastest times.

The top screen displays a third-person racing view, while the bottom screen shows race standings, items, and a toggleable course map. The map can show an overall view or a close-up of the racer's immediate surroundings, including hazards and incoming attacks.

Players start with two karts per character: a unique special kart and a standard kart. A third special kart can be unlocked, and eventually, any of the 36 total karts can be used with any character. Kart selection displays stats like max speed, acceleration, weight, handling, drifting, and item probability.

Item Boxes scattered on courses grant random items, influenced by the player's race position and kart's item stat. Players in the back receive more powerful items, while those in the front get rear-attack items. Most items can be aimed forward or backward. New items like the Bullet Bill transformation have been added.

Mini-Turbos, obtained through drifting, provide momentary speed boosts. Drafting allows players to gain a speed boost by closely following an opponent. The Rocket Start technique returns, allowing a boost by holding acceleration when the countdown timer shows '2'.

Players can create custom emblems using a drawing interface, which appear as decals on their karts and are displayed to opponents in multiplayer matches.