This DS game is good for every type of gamer, but if you're looking for a real racing game then Nintendo probably isn't for you. As for everyone else, driving around in crazy karts and firing turtle shells at other drivers is a real treat.
When I first bought this game, I thought it would be just a copy of the Mario Kart 64 game but put on DS, just like Mario 64 DS, but I was mistaken. This game really blew my expectations, it includes levels from all the old games including the Snes Mario Kart, Double Dash and Mario Kart 64, as well as the majority build of new levels and karts.
The character choices are Mario, Luigi, Peach, Donkey Kong, Bowser, Wario, Yoshi and Toad, along with some hidden un-lockable favorites. They each start off with a single go kart, but you eventually un-lock everyones two other "modified" karts, then eventually all karts.
The single player is brilliant, you have to finish every course on every class to un-lock characters and karts, along with a new title page once you complete everything. That's just racing though, there is also Missions for you to complete, along with ghost trails and time trails as per usual.
Along with all of this, the game also provides some fun features like emblem and name. This has to do with when your icon and name show up during races so players can recognise you from a distance so they know when their catching up, etc. Although it's hard to notice these things when racing as you're concentrating on speed, turning and shooting, it's still a fun feature and the drawing program is quite good compared to other games.
Now one of the favoured things about all Mario Kart games is the multi-player. This DS game allows 8 players rather than 4 so it's a good game for large groups. Multi-card play provides all features, given that all players have them un-locked, where as Single-card play only gives limited options and players who do not have the game in their DS when connecting will have to play as a Shy-guy, which is actually a VERY fast racer due to Acceleration.
The final good thing about Mario Kart DS is the wi-fi, you can't go wrong with online racing. It can get laggy depending on the distance but so do all DS games, the wi-fi wasn't really perfected. Still, if you're stuck at home and you're bored, why not wi-fi Mario kart?
Anywho, it's a really good buy and it's worth every cent, but it can't compete with Double Dash. Although, Double Dash isn't portable. Mario Kart anywhere, any time? You bet!
