Mario Kart DS review [ign]

[depward]

Edited to add:  "Mario Kart DS is the greatest Mario Kart game ever, which, in turn, makes it the greatest Kart racer game ever created."

Score rundown:

9.5   Presentation
Incredibly thorough single and multiplayer experience with tons of options to beef up the variety. The online component works simply and elegantly, but it's just a little too restrictive.   

9.0   Graphics
Super fast, super smooth 3D engine drives the action. All the Mario-esque elements are represented here, and even though the characters are low-poly they still look fantastic.   

9.0   Sound
The happy, peppy Mario style of music continues on its happy and peppy direction. Some voice samples are more compressed than others. Stereo effects are outstanding and work well on the DS speakers.   

10   Gameplay
This is the best of the Mario Kart best. Kart and weapon balance is incredibly tight, new track designs are fantastic, and the game has an extraordinary amount of playtime well after   

10   Lasting Appeal
If there's any game you'll continuously come back to, it's this one. Single cart, multiple cart, and online multiplayer, and single player finally has "bots" for practicing Battle Mode!   

9.5    OVERALL - Incredible

GOTM!

Can't wait til next week to be Mario Kartin' it up online!

[Chaz]

I can confirm that the wireless online does indeed work.  After some mostly painless setup (my router was configured for just the wireless g mode, had to switch to b compatibility), I got right online and went through a four player event.  All pretty automatic, and no lag at all.

Graphics are nice for the DS, right on par with MK64.  There's some new powerups, and there's a ton of tracks.

The only negative so far is that there's no online battle mode, which I think kind of sucks, that was always my favorite.  Oh well.

[depward]

I want the game.  How does everyone already have a copy?!

[EddieA]

I wonder why Nintendo puts more content into their handheld titles than their console ones.  The Mario Tennis and Golf games get the RPG treatment on the GBA, but not the consoles, and Mario Kart for the Gamecube was one of the weakest, most half-assed efforts I've seen from them, yet there's a lot more in the DS version.

[Chaz]

Nintendo sent early copies to game store managers, which is how I got mine.  Don't know where everyone else swiped theirs from.

[Belgedin]

::squeels like a little girl::

[PaulBot]

Sounds like this is going to be one to pick up.

Can you pick who you race with online? If so, we should figure out a time to meet!!

[depward]

Ok, you can't pick who you want to race.  I know.  Kinda crappy.

But if you have people on your friends list (either by playing or getting their friend code) . . . and if they're searching for a game at the same time you are . . . you have a "greater chance" of hooking up with them in the same game.  Don't ask me how much of a chance, but I just read about how there IS a greater chance of it.

[PaulBot]

Don't miss the commercial for Mario Kart DS - IGN has it on their web site - it's pretty funny!

http://media.ds.ign.com/articles/666/666262/vids_1.html

[Dafones]

Man, if I had the cash to just throw around with reckless abandon, I'd pick up four DSes and four Mario Kart carts for me and my buddies, get sauced, and play this around the house. I think that'd be hilarious. Too bad we're all broke, and too "old" to have a reason to buy a handheld. More the broke part though.

[The Grue]

Man, if I had the cash to just throw around with reckless abandon, I'd pick up four DSes and four Mario Kart carts for me and my buddies, get sauced, and play this around the house. I think that'd be hilarious. Too bad we're all broke, and too "old" to have a reason to buy a handheld. More the broke part though.

*Checks his age*
32

*Looks over at his DS, GBA SP, and PSP*
*shrugs*

Glad it was mostly the borke part, though.

[warning]

Picked it up today and so far it is sweet!

The only problem is my wireless access point (Linksys WAP11) doesn't connect.  Crap.  I guess I'll be buying the dongle then.

I'll post back with single-player impressions.  So far I've aced the first two 50cc Gran Prix races.  Yay I can compete with 5 year-olds now!

[TheMissingLink]

Very cool - stores'll have it over here on the west side tomorrow.  Looking forward to some more impressions!

[warning]

Loving this!

I'd only ever really played Mario Kart for the GameCube and for the GBA.  I also never "got" Mario Kart.  That said, this game is a blast!  I wiped out the 50cc competition and am ready to move on to 100cc.

The tracks are beautiful and smooth.  Several of them had me giggling with how fun they are to race on.  I love getting shot out of a cannon.

I played a couple of the missions in the Mission Mode and they look fun.  I didn't make it to the first boss battle (yes Boss Battle!) yet but I'm close.

I can't wait to get online.  I ordered the Wifi Dongle thingy from Nintendo's site and I went for 2 day shipping so hopefully by the weekend.

I can't see this leaving my DS for a long, long time.  If I didn't have one before this would have sold me the system if I'd played it.

[depward]

My dongle is shipped and will be here Wednesday.

Good impressions!  Can't wait - it's going to be GREAT!!  Should get it (along with a supposidly in-stores Magna Carta) tomorrow!

[depward]

Gamespot gives Mario Kart DS a 9.2
GOTM?     No no no, but still, some pretty impressive scores.  Mario Kart goodness on the go.  AND ONLINE?!  I LOVE IT.

[Torfish]

I can't wait to pick this up.

Questions! How do I know if I need the extra wireless component?  I have a netgear wireless network at home.  What will I need to do to play on-line?

[Dreamshadow]

I'm with Torfish...I've got a wireless network...but I've WEP secured it like a good little technician.  Does that mean I'll have to use the dongle on my computer to be able to take it online?

Does anyone know if the Wifi dongle is an unsecured access point, or will it only allow DS systems to plug in?  I'm a bit of a security nut, and I'd like to know what I'm installing into my computers.

[warning]

If you go to www.nintendowifi.com they will give you a list of routers that will work with it's Wifi service.  WEP is okay WPA is not.  My router/access point wasn't on their list and I chanced it but I can't get it to work so it's off to the dongle for me.

Nintendo's dongle only works with Nintendo stuff.  I'm not sure how they secure it but that's what they're saying.

[JCC]

I believe there is a little app on your computer (that comes with the dangle) where you have to give permission to allow any DS'es to use your dangle. So, once you've allowed yours once, it will have access. I believe you can allow multiple DSes access to it.

[Dafones]

You know you want one anyway, just to say that you grabbed the dongle and that it's the most fun you've had all month.

[Chaz]

If your router is WEP secured, it gives you the option to input your key, and after that, you're good to go.

Again, for anyone having trouble connecting to their router, make sure it's set for wireless B compatibility mode.  If it's set for G only, the DS will see it, but won't be able to connect to it.

[warning]

I hate this game.  I'm getting no work done today.  Mentally ill patients are being neglected while I try to complete the 100cc Cup.

I just played a balloon battle against "bots".  Jeez that was fun too!

[warning]

And now I can actually work today.  My battery needs charging.

This is the quickest I've had to recharge my DS's battery since I bought the damn thing.

Now I just have to resist the urge to powerslide into coworkers until I can get home and recharge.

[PaulBot]

I hate this game.  I'm getting no work done today.  Mentally ill patients are being neglected while I try to complete the 100cc Cup.

Glad to hear you have your priorities straight. I'm sure the patients will understand, and can wait until tomorrow (or the next day).

[shon]

Just bought the game at lunch and can't put the game down too bad I'm at work also but there are no patients involved so I don't feel so guilty.

The tracks are wonderful along with the music that goes with them.  My fav so far is the Pinball track it is a lot of fun.

Can't wait till I get home and try multi.

PGR3 who needs it when you got Mario.

[warning]

The tracks are wonderful along with the music that goes with them.

I played with the headphones on last night and it sounded great.

1up has a strategy guide which looks pretty helpful.

[Ascendent]

Having a blast playing this, completed 50 cc courses. Finally got Dry Bones I was looking for Koopa from the Snes days, alas Dry Bones ain't Koopa. Instead he's some horrible slow moving abomination *sigh* had high hopes for him to.

Ascendent

[depward]

GAH should have gotten the dongle today but missed the UPS delivery.  That's how it has been going with me lately though.  Crap.

Hopefully I can pick up a copy if they have it in when I get Magna Carta tonight.

[pricecs]

The game rules - WFC is spot on (although the linking of your WFC ID to a Nintendo ID is cumbersome).

I've just started a thread on Multiplayer Gaming for our Friend Codes.
http://www.gamingtrend.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9798

Chris.

[Ascendent]

What's a dongle? Besides the obvious

Ascendent

[Ascendent]

Nevermind I found it so thats how you'll be able to play at home. Ok ordering one.

Ascendent

[Dreamshadow]

Nevermind I found it so thats how you'll be able to play at home. Ok ordering one.

Ascendent

Just remember..you only need the dongle if you don't have Wifi at home already.  (I've got a Linksys WRT54G at home..so I should be okay)

[pricecs]

As long as your wireless is not using WPA, you'll be good.

I'm in a hotel room connected to my travel access point (DLink WRT750G), and I'll be adding the config for my home wifi on Friday.

Chris.

[TheMissingLink]

Damn fine game, DAMN FINE GAME, I'm really enjoying it.  Online is lag-free as well, that's awesome.

Has anyone here been able to 3-star mission 1-8?  It's the 4 power-slide turbo boosts in a lap, which I do, but I can't do it under the amount of time for 3 stars.  I can only get 2.  AND I WANT THREE BEFORE I PLAY THE BOSS...I've had as high as 18:5 seconds left...I'm guessing I need to do it quicker than if 19 were up, but damn, I can't do it!  Any tips!?

[TheMissingLink]

FUCK 1-8 UP IT'S STUPID FUCKING ASSHOLE

^going for *** the whole day isn't smart when you play the same 1/4th of a track over and over and over.

You've gotta pretty much powerslide the whole thing, ya?

[weleavefossils]

just picked this up on the way home, I can't wait to sit down with this.

[depward]

I'm getting a weird error whenever I try to install the Nintendo wi-fi adapter on my computer.  When it prompts me to plug the adapter in, I do so, but then automatically I get an error that says, "Please insert the Nintendo wi-fi adapter into your computer's USB port."  Then it aborts installation.

I've tried all 4 ports I have.  I've dinged around with settings.  I've posted in the Nintendo forums.  I can't for the life of me figure out why the heck it's not installing.

Then I take it over to my brother's computer - same hardware as mine - and it installs perfectly.  What.  The heck.

[Baron Of Hell]

That problem usually happens if you put a usb device in before it is time or another usb device could be messing with it.

[depward]

Nope!  I'll just wait for the prompt then insert it.  And I have all of my other USB devices not connected!  Seriously!  I should have been studying today, but instead, spent hours trying to find a way/posting on Nintendo's forum on how to try and fix it.