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Mario Kart DS Preview

Writer: Nick Schaedel » Blog
Posted: 6th Nov, 2005

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Release: TBA

It doesn't feature customisable engines. You can't change tires for different terrains. You definitely don't have to remember to keep your oil tank full. And yet the Mario Kart franchise is arguably the most fun you have playing a racing game. Arguably. Now, when you read what I'm about to tell you, you'll understand why this DS version could be the pinnacle of the franchise so far. Buckle up, you're in for a hell of a ride.

For those of you still wondering, this isn't a Gran Turismo. It's pure fun, with Mushroom Kingdom graphics, crazy items and insane tracks. No customisation required. Basically, you grab a Mario character (you know...Yoshi, Bowser etc.), grab a kart and make your way around the course, using items to attack other opponents along the way. Hopefully, that should all be familiar to you.

There are some awesome adaptations to the game to make it special for the Nintendo DS. Obviously, there's the two screen thing. The top one shows gorgeous, 60fps graphics, while the bottom shows an interactive map. It's a top-down view, and represents karts with the icons of the character driving them. It also shows items headed your way.

If you're still a bit of a klutz with your stylus, then don't fear - the game is D-pad controlled. The A button accelerates, L or Y shoots items, R drifts, B reverses and X...well, we don't know what X does just yet. Maybe it's a horn. Also, by tapping the screen you can change the map from an up-close, top-down view to a full shot of the map (still with character icons). It also shows what items other drivers have.

All your favourite Mario Kart staples return in the game - from items, to techniques. The classic red and green shells (that once again circle around you, and can be held behind you) return, as does the spiny shell (no wings here). Lightning is back too, and just as infuriatingly annoying. If that's all sounding a bit stale - don't fret: there are new items too. Similar in ways to the Chain Chomp in Double Dash!!, the Bullet Bill item transforms you into a fast, powerful, steerable ram that's sure to make racers quiver in their boots.

The Blooper is one of those squid things from Super Mario Sunshine, and it squirts ink all over the unfortunate victim's screen. It's impossible to see through, so you'll have to temporarily steer looking only at the map screen. This has been called your "rear mirror", and apparently checking out what's happening around you will become second nature. Oh, and foraying for the first time into a handheld version is the drift-boost feature. By drifting (with R), and then wiggling the D-pad, you can build up an extra little burst of speed while cornering.

Looking for other new features that use the DS's capabilities? Well, Balloon Battle mode heads down a different route than usual - you get five balloons. You start off with one inflated, and it's up (continued next page)