Mario Kart DS Reader Review

I got this early and I've tested more or less everything the games has to cover, and let me just tell you this is arguably one of Mario's best game this year. Mario is arguably the most able game character in all it's glorious history. He has been platforming, sking, painting, playing football, baseball. You name it, he's done it. Along with platforming, his karting experience has been one of his most successful abilities. It doesnt change here it's as good as it's ever been. This game contains a whooping 32 tracks, 16 from the past games and 16 new one's. Some of the old tracks included are moo moo farm, donut plains 1 and baby park. There are fantastic tracks from the past and some stunning new one's especially a track called rainbow road where the music played is breathtaking and rides you along with it.

Mario kart is never short of playable characters in this case it starts with 8 of the usual suspects i.e mario, wario, donkey kong etc. There are more to unlock as you go along. Now thats a nice amount of tracks and charcter choices but what about the actual racing you ask? Now let me bring more good news it keeps to the formula where learning skills like powersliding, and using weapons at your disposal at the right time is essential to the outcome of the races. The game has all the weapons from the previous games but adds a few of its own and they are as destructive as they have ever been. One new weapon of which I took a particular liking to is called bullet bill which makes the kart a bullet speeding through destroying everything on its path. Brilliant.

The racing requires power sliding, weapong using and a lot strategy i.e short cut taking at the right times to be successful. So far I've covered 50cc and 100 cc and it doesnt seem to be too hard, but then again the main purpose is playing friends But theres still 150 CC .Maybe more difficulty levels to unlock. In addition there are battle modes one called ballon battle where you have to burst your ballons with items. If all you inflated ballons burst you lose. Microphone is used here the other is Shine runners. Basically collect more shine than others. over time the characters with less shines are booted.

Brilliant for multiplay and all possible with one cartridge. Theres time trials where ghosts can be sent to other DS so your friends can challenge them. In addition they added an excellent mission mode. Where different tasks are put to the test, which will also improve your gameplay. This includes collecting coins power sliding aiming your weapons and bosss fights. Wonderful. With 1 catrige 8 racers can play on a selected few tracks the non catridge players will automatically be Shy Guy. This is also possible for battle mode too. A brilliant addition by Nintendo.

Online play is seamless and can be done using routers or USB thing or whatever it's called available for around £25. My router was automatically found within a minute and I was playing with three. Options include worldwide play, Rivals against people with similar skill, and regional play. There is 20 tracks available online and upto 4 racers. You amy start with 2-3 though. One problem is users can leave anytime with being penalised and there is no way to contact them. I.e. get there friends code. But still it's another fine addition and something you may comeback to time and again.

Overall this is a wonderful DS game and any console for that matter, and you may keep in your DS for a long time.