Mario Kart DS, abbreviated to MK:DS, is a racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS.[1] It is the fifth installment in the series and the first to use Nintendo's free online service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Released in North America and Europe in November 2005, and in Japan in December 2005,[2][1] it was well received critically, scoring an average of 91% from Metacritic.[3]
Racing in Mario Kart DS involves various Nintendo characters racing each other in go-karts on tracks themed from locations in the Mario series. Less realistic physics, and the use of various weapons and items to achieve victory differentiates kart racing games like MK:DS from racing simulators like Gran Turismo. Multiplayer for eight players is supported via wireless linkup, and online play for up to four players is supported via Nintendo's WiFi connection.
Gameplay
Mario Kart DS is a racing game in which characters from the Mario universe race each other around on Mario-themed tracks. Power-up items, such as homing projectiles, speed boosts, and explosives can be found on each track in Item Boxes. Both skill in driving and use of items is important in Mario Kart DS. While racing, the top screen of the Nintendo DS displays a third-person perspective behind and slightly above the player's vehicle. The bottom screen lists the current race standings, items carried by each player, and a map of the course. The map can be toggled to show an overall view of the entire course, or a close-up view of the racer's immediate vicinity. The close-up view is very detailed, showing nearby racer positions, course hazards, item boxes, and even incoming attacks. As the close-up rotates in orientation to the racer, it is possible to complete an entire race focusing only on the bottom screen.
Mini-Turbos
A feature first introduced in Mario Kart 64, Mini-Turbos are momentary speed boosts that can be obtained while drifting.
Snaking
The execution of several consecutive mini-turbos during races has caused minor controversy in Wi-Fi play in the form of snaking -- players who drift their karts back and forth across a straight stretch to generate repeated mini-Turbos (a movement likened to actual snakes). Because this gives the user a distinct speed advantage over other, "non-snaking" opponents, players regard snaking as anything from legitimate and advanced racing strategy, to an unfair tactic, or even outright cheating. Some players have attempted to form leagues (or "Friends" groups) composed of avowed “non-snakers”, but the distinction between a "snaker" and "non-snaker" is vague, largely depending on whether the player uses Mini-Turbos on straight areas of the track or on curves.
Nintendo Power magazine once responded to a reader mail in its Pulse section, describing snaking as "kind of lame" and that it goes against the original intentions of the game's developers. Others have similarly argued that snaking is an exploitation of game's Mini-Turbo mechanics; on the other hand, some Nintendo officials have described snaking as an intentional part of the game's design[4], considering that the snaking technique could also be performed in Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (which featured similar Mini-Turbo mechanics). All of the Time Trial records in Mario Kart DS were accomplished using this technique.
Drafting
Featured in Mario Kart DS is the ability to draft behind an opponent's kart. If the player is close enough, blue streaks will start flying by their kart, and their speed will begin to increase. If the player maintains this position (without hitting the opponent, an obstacle, or otherwise losing speed) long enough, they will receive a noticeable speed boost, allowing them to easily overtake and pass the opponent. This was also possible in Mario Kart 64.[citation needed]
Emblems
New to this game are 'emblems', or player icons. Using a simple drawing program interface, a player can select from (and modify) a variety of pre-made shapes, or create a customized emblem from scratch. During the race, each player's emblem appears as a decal on their kart, and in multi-player matches, opponents can see the player's name and emblem prominently overlaid above their kart's position on the opponent's screen (as a way to identify and discern one opponent from another). The player's emblem is also, on Wi-Fi play, shown to their opponents once the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection has found opponents and initiated a match. Some players add certain symbols in their emblems to signify their belonging to a group.
Characters
There are 12 characters from the Mario World which race in the game, some of which must be unlocked. At the start of a file, the player can choose between Mario, Luigi, Wario, Yoshi, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Princess Peach and Toad. The other four characters are Princess Daisy, Dry Bones, Waluigi and R.O.B..
Items
As in previous Mario Kart games, each course features numerous item boxes that players can drive through to receive a randomly-selected item. Whichever item the player receives is generally dependent upon their current position in the race (and, to a lesser extent, their kart's Items stat); players near the front will tend to receive rear-attack items (such as Bananas or Green Shells), while players trailing in the back of the race will tend to receive more powerful and forward-attack items like the Spiny Shell or Thunderbolt. As in previous Mario Kart games, most but not all attack items (e.g., spiny shells) can be targeted forwards or backwards by holding the appropriate direction on the D-pad when using the item against other players.
Several of the items can be "trailed" behind a player's kart by holding down the Item button, allowing the user to hold on to the item while being able to collect a second item from an Item Box at the same time. Trailed items can be used to block an incoming attack, but if the player is hit while trailing an item, the item will drop onto the track. Also, if the player gets hit by certain item effects (such as lightning) and they have an item in the item box, it will fall on the track. Touching the item will result in using the item immediately.
Players cannot, however, trail items in this fashion during Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection matches; similarly, Triple Shells and Triple Bananas (which orbit around or trail behind the player's kart automatically) also do not appear during Wi-Fi play. Items (such as mushrooms) will not drop on the track and crates will not break.
Karts
Each playable character starts out with two karts: one special kart unique to that character, and a standard kart resembling a real go-kart. These karts have slightly different stats, although their general strengths are the same. As a player progresses through the game, he or she can unlock a third special kart for each character, also with slightly different stats. Later, the player can also unlock the ability to choose a few karts not normally available to the particular character, and ultimately, the ability to use any of the 36 total karts with that character.
When a player is selecting their kart for a race, the game openly lists all of the kart's racing stats. This is in contrast to previous Mario Kart games, which openly rated only a kart's Speed, Weight, and/or Acceleration.
Gameplay modes
Grand Prix
In Grand Prix mode, the player competes against seven computer-controlled racers. There are two Grands Prix in Mario Kart DS, each consisting of four cups, and each cup consisting of four race tracks. Nitro GP (named after Nintendo Codename NITRO) contains sixteen brand new tracks while Retro GP contains sixteen tracks converted from previous entries in the Mario Kart series. There are three engine classes which serve as difficulty levels for the Grand Prix mode: 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. The higher the engine class, the faster all the karts go. This serves as the difficulty level, because it is often harder to drift and turn. A 150cc Mirror Mode is also an unlockable, in which all the 150cc tracks are flipped horizontally, as if seeing the game in a mirror.
Only twenty of the tracks can be played over Nintendo Wi-Fi connection. Several of the more complex and/or obstacle-ridden courses (such as Bowser's Castle) were disabled from online play due to concerns over potential latency.
A user with the alias "Parasyte" discovered how to unlock single player tracks for use over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, using a PassMe and a Game Boy Advance Flash Cartridge.[citation needed] Since then, tracks such as Airship Fortress, Tick-Tock Clock, Waluigi Pinball, and others have been played online, with few glitches.
Battle Mode
Battle Mode is not available online, and can only be played in single-player and regular multiplayer.
These courses are built like an arena, generally in a symmetric circular or square form with each player starting out at a different ___location, and item boxes scattered throughout the course for players to pick up. Some of the arenas are on flat terrain and surrounded by walls, while others are surrounded by empty space in which a player might fall off.
Balloon Battle
In Balloon Battle mode, players attempt to pop each other's balloons, while keeping their own intact. Each player starts with one inflated balloon, plus four balloons held in reserve, which the player can inflate by holding the Select button or blowing into the DS microphone while the kart is stationary, up to a maximum of three inflated balloons at any time.
A player loses when he or she has no remaining inflated balloons. Balloons belonging to other players may be popped by attacking them with items. Balloons can also be stolen if a player has less than three inflated balloons and runs into another player while using a Mushroom.
Players with fewer balloons inflated receive more powerful items; however, they run a higher risk of losing if their remaining balloon(s) are popped. The last player or team remaining wins the battle. If a player dies in Wireless Play mode, they become invisible and will periodically collect item boxes which can be dropped for other players to pick up.
Shine Runners
A new battle mode called Shine Runners was introduced, in which players have to collect the most Shine Sprites, which are dotted about the level. They lose Shine Sprites if they get hit. When the clock reaches zero, drivers with the fewest Shine Sprites are eliminated. If all remaining drivers have the same number of Shine Sprites, the clock starts again with no racers eliminated. This continues until one player (or several players all on the same team) are remaining. This is the only battle mode with the Thunderbolt enabled. Shine Runners is similar to the battle mode "Shine Thief" in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Shine Sprites first appeared in Super Mario Sunshine.
Multiplayer
The game features 8-player single-card and multi-card LAN play. Single-card play can be played with a mix of players with and without cards. However, players who do not have a copy of the game must play as Shy Guy (Who is not otherwise available) and are not allowed to select their character or kart.
Mission Mode
In the new Mission Mode, players control a specific character in that character's standard kart, and must perform eight individual missions, whose objectives range from collecting coins to attacking enemies. Players are then ranked based on their performance, and given from one to three stars if the task is completed by a certain time. In order to advance to the next level, players must complete a "boss" task, which is unlocked after all eight of a level's missions are completed. Level 7 is only unlocked after the player achieves at least a one-star ranking on levels 1 through 6. However, completing Mission Mode does not unlock anything. Ranks are set from Rank E To three stars.
Time Trials
In this mode, the player is able to race against the clock; the results of a Time Trial run are saved as "Ghost Data", which the player can compete against later (for a faster time), or traded with friends. Also, it is possible to unlock Mario Kart DS "Staff Ghost Data" by completing a circuit within a certain amount of time.
Nintendo of Japan has recently revealed that they will begin holding official time trial tournaments. Times will be validated by an official 16 digit code. The code can be found by viewing the time trials records accessed from the main menu and pressing up, down, L, R, Y, and A in that order. Whether or not Nintendo of America and Nintendo of Europe will hold similar tournaments has not been announced.
Wi-Fi Connection
This mode requires a connection with a wireless router, an access point, or a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector. The American and European versions of the game use servers hosted by Nintendo of America Inc. After connecting to the Nintendo server, players can begin searching for opponents. Up to four players can be matched up for a (100cc) Wi-Fi race (although the server may also initiate a match between only two or three players). Once decided, each player selects their racer and kart, and vote on which track to race. The track chosen is a simple majority vote (or, if no clear majority is present, chosen randomly from the votes) and then the race begins. Players are scored in the same style as a Grand Prix, depending on the position they finish a race in; after a set of four tracks is played, the winners and losers are announced based on the points they earned, and each player receives one win for every opponent they scored higher than, and one loss for every opponent who out-scored them. Their total wins and losses are stored on the player's game card, and the score is shown to other players when opponents are found using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection online service. Also, it is important to note that any player disconnecting (or powering down) from an online race immediately receives one loss per opponent, regardless of how well they were doing up until the disconnect; conversely, after all four races are complete, each player also receives one win for any opponent who disconnected during the match -- though if the match cannot be completed due to disconnecting, no wins are given to the remaining player.
Sales information
On November 21, 2005, Nintendo announced that out of the 112,000 copies of Mario Kart DS sold in the United States during the first week of release, 52,000 (45%) of those buyers had connected to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.[5] Comparatively, 18% of Halo 2 owners connected to Xbox Live within the first three weeks of its release.[citation needed]
Mario Kart DS had a better launch in Japan, where it sold 219,000 copies during its first four days of availability, at the time this was the third best performance for a Nintendo DS title after Animal Crossing: Wild World and Jump Superstars.[citation needed]
On January 2, 2006, Nintendo announced that Mario Kart DS had sold over one million copies in North America alone, joining other million sellers such as Super Mario 64 DS and Nintendogs.
Reaction
Game reviews
- Game Rankings [1]: 93% average
- Metacritic [2]: 91/100
- Joystiq: 9.0 out of 10 (90%)
- GameSpot [3] : 9.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: [4]: 81% (fresh)
- X-Play - 5 out of 5
- Nintendo Power: 9.0/10
- IGN: 9.5/10
- Hyper: 93/100
- Nintendo Official Magazine (UK): 95%
The average of all the above reviews is 91.7%.
Awards
Voice Actors
References
- ^ a b IGN site staff. "Game Details for Mario Kart DS". IGN. Retrieved 22 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Nintendo-europe.com site staff. "Mario Kart DS". Nintendo Europe. Retrieved 22 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Metacritic site staff. "Mario Kart DS Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 22 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Nintendo.com News: I'm a Low-Down, Dirty Snaker and Proud of It".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Nintendo.com site staff. "Nearly Half of Mario Kart DS Owners Play via Wi-Fi in First Week". Nintendo. Retrieved 22 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "IGN Editors' Choice Games".