Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

The Good
It is very hard not to have fun with this game, the shear depth and variety of the courses and multiplayer modes is huge. You have VS or Co-Op multiplayer, with the option of having 8 Gamecubes connected together using the LAN system. Then the combinations of the racers you can have (2 per Kart, 16 to choose from, then you choose the kart ), allows for rather vast tactical selection. The characters you choose effect the weapons you can get, and the kart effects your speed and handling.

You can then pick your multplayer arena, and battle mode, or any single track race you have unlocked, or choose to do a multiplayer grandprix (co-op or vs).

Bo-bomb mode is probably the most fun "battle mode", consisting of chucking bombs at the other kart, or laying them down for the other kart to hit. Shallow fun maybe, but fun none the less.

There is also a capture the flag style mode, and the "classic" balloon pop game featured in the previous games.

The co-op race mode is the main strength though, particularly in 4 player mode. It takes awhile to get used to the advanced skid-boast technique, as it requires precise timing and co-operation from both players.

The single player, predictable, is not as fun as the multiplayer. However, the course's are interesting with lots of interactive elements, and there's plenty to unlock and discover.

For those with PC's and Broadband connections the www.warppipe.com site shows you how to play this game online.

The Bad
The multiplayer battle arenas, although fun, are too small and too bland. Bo-bomb mode deserves to have a much bigger, better arena. Or, at the very least, the ability to use any track as an arena.

I also found the music selection not as good as the last games....there should be more tunes!

The Bottom Line
An excellent action racing game, suitable for 1 to 4 players on its own, or a strong reason to get BB adapters and have upto 4 players per cube.

A mix of racing and over the top weapons, its an essential part of any social gaming session.