Get some friends together, coz Mario Kart's back baby

One of the most revered series in gaming is back, and this game is just what the doctor Mario ordered. With the Mario Kart games, Nintendo has a proven track record that keeps them ahead of the pack. The SNES version started the Genre, the N64 outing was an awesome multiplayer game that delivered the game in 3D for the first time. The GBA and GC versions of the game where both great games, but were basically replicas of the SNES game. Mario Kart DS builds on the strengths of all 4 previous MK games, comes with a bunch of cool new tracks, a few classic courses and few cool new features along the way.

Mario Kart needs no explanation; at its very core it’s a game that stars all of Mario’s Friends and enemies in a kart-racing free-for-all. That by itself is awesome fun. What Mario Kart DS injects into this franchise is portability, the chance to take this gem wherever you go, online play and tons of new play modes. Now this should be enough to make any game fan excited, but this game has a certain polish to it that it feels like your playing Mario Kart for the first time all over again.

Like it’s predecessors, Mario Kart DS offers single and multiplayer racing in three classes, 50cc, 100cc and 150cc. Each class has a varying dfference in speed, control and enemy AI. Of the three classes you have four cups to choose to compete in, two new cups and two cups made from classic courses from the old game. From here you can unlock a further 4 cups to compete in. MKDS offers eight different racers each with own attributes and weaknesses, Toad is quick off the mark, while his small size can make him an easy target to shove off the track, while Bowser is fast and handles well but is very slow to pick up the pace. Plus, there are more karts and racers to unlock when you progress through the game.

After playing the game for a few laps, you’ll discover that MKDS has perhaps the best handling in the series so far. The powerslide mechanics are as deep and satisfying as ever, and the mini-turbo boost out of corners has returned. Complementing the refined gameplay mechanics are a great selection of courses. It’s a little annoying that all three cc classes are open when you start the game, because if you’re like me you’ll go straight to the 150cc, meaning you’ll still have to go back and do the 50cc and 100cc to unlock everything. Oh well, the courses have everything you’d expect, as well as some cool new themes.

As you’d expect, the courses take place across a whole host of track surfaces, each requiring its own driving style. I particularly like the motocross style jumps and corners of Wario Stadium, and the unpredictable Waluigi’s Pinball Course. The always trippy Rainbow Road is back aswell, and looks great. A new mode to the game which is a welcome addition is the Wi-Fi option. This allows you to race against people across the world. It’s an awesome addition to the game, although can be troublesome to set up. This game also comes with a new mission mode, which lets you choose from different objectives to do on a specific course. There are plenty of missions to keep you busy for a while.

Setting the tone is a selection of catchy new tunes, and some re-done old tunes. It’s all typical Nintendo midi fare, but I dare you to play this game for a while and not come away with a tune in your head. Sound effects are well done, but nothing over the top. Mario has his easily distinguishable voice, as does Toad with his ‘I been kicked in the nuts’ high-pitched squeal. Graphics look pretty much the same as the N64 version, if not a tad better. Animations in the racers look great and the characters all look full of life. The courses also do look outstanding.

Seasoned Mario Kart fans won’t take too long too unlock all the available courses, characters and karts but even then after that there is still plenty of fun to be had with the multiplayer and online options. One of the best games released to the DS so far!