Mario Kart DS
2005
- racing
- arcade
- kids
- party
- single player
- multiplayer
The story
Mario Kart DS is the continuation of the long running racing game series that began on the Super Nintendo. It features 16 new tracks as well as 16 tracks from the previous 4 games, with each set split up into the Nitro and Retro Grand Prix respectively. Eight racers are initially available, each with two go-karts to choose from. A number of characters and additional karts are also available to unlock. New items have been added to the arsenal, including a Blooper squid that squirts ink onto the screens of other players and a Bullet Bill power up that transforms the player into a giant, fast-travelling bullet on autopilot.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated cartoon colour on the DS's small top and bottom screens, with the 3D tracks rendered in chunky, clean shapes: sunlit beach boardwalks, snowy mountain passes, haunted mansion corridors lit by candle glow and glowing ghosts, and a neon-lit city course full of pulsing signs. The camera hangs just behind each kart, so the world rushes past in a steady, readable rhythm, and the drift sparks and item boxes stay easy to spot. The soundtrack is a bouncy run of chiptune-leaning orchestral loops and quick jingles that spike with each lap or power-up, and the engine whine and squeal of drifting make the whole thing feel tactile in the hands. Vibe: cheerful, energetic, mischievous, with a light competitive sting. It suits a rainy afternoon with a friend, a quick sitting on a long-haul flight, or a wind-down session when you want something playful rather than tense. Violence is purely cartoonish: shells, bananas and lightning knock karts into spins and spills with no blood or gore, and the stakes are a few lost places rather than anything lasting. It is for people who want quick, sociable fun, bright colour, and the satisfying chaos of a race that can turn on one well-timed item.
More games like Mario Kart DS
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Mario Kart DSand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
