Mario Kart DS

The Good
The Nintendo DS is built for unique gameplay and design structures using a dual screen/touch screen combo. Now, you'd expect every title to use the touch screen and dual screens effectively to make the most of the DS, but that isn't always true. At least 1/4 of DS titles released over its life won't use the touch screen in its design or will use it as a bonus feature outside of the main game.

That leaves two screens to work with, and most will use the second screen as either a stats collector or perhaps a secondary perspective on the action or, even worse, not at all.

So the question is, if developers only use certain elements of the DS for its design, then why have the DS at all? Why have a touch screen if most won't use it fully? Or the second screen if they won't bother with it? That's what I was worried about when I saw the launch titles for the DS, as most didn't dive deep enough. Over time, I've seen what the DS can really do ... and then there's Mario Kart.

Put aside the fact that there is a touch screen for a moment. Mario Kart DS is, at its core, the Mario Kart we've grown up with and come to love over the years in its many versions on many platforms. Nintendo has kept to that same formula, ignoring the double driver feature used in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and instead reverting back to a Mario Kart 64 style, 3D racer environment.

Let's have a closer look now. Outside of the usual collection of tracks (there are new additions to the fold and returning favourites from all of the previous titles, hyped up using the colourful DS engine), characters and weapons, there are a few unique additions that make use of the DS in a far more appropriate way then, say, controlling your character using a stylus.

A 2D top down rendition of each track appears on the second screen, perhaps not as original as you'd think. But here's the cool catch. Not only do you see the other racers, you also see the traps, such as the green or red shells dancing around, etc. So all of a sudden, you've now got an additional tactic. Gone are the days of racing along, hoping you won't get hit while looking ahead dodging frantically when a banana suddenly appears around a corner. Now, you can see everything up ahead and behind, giving you a greater chance of getting around each track fairly intact.

The second, but most importantly the biggest, addition is Wi-Fi multiplayer. Wireless play with a bunch of mates brings back the fun of the MK64 days, without having to squint as the screen is split in 4. But it's the online Wi-Fi mode that will gain the biggest attention, and being the first title to use Nintendo's free worldwide service, it works a treat. Find a hot spot, connect via a wireless ADSL router or purchase Nintendo's cheap as chips USB connector, and away you go. It couldn't be easier, and for a blast around the track with a few other people the world over (as well as searching out friends using a simple code structure), it's a lot of fun.

Certainly, Mario Kart is better in multiplayer, but finally Nintendo have put some meat onto the single player bones of the game. The 'adventure' mode is essentially a collection of challenges using each character, 8 per level, and then a boss battle at the end. It's a great addition that I'd love to see more of in the future, for sure. Certainly added plenty of added lastability to the game, after all that racing.

Battle mode also returns as always. Along with the usual 'burst the balloons', there's also a second mode in which you must collect the shines from around the track and survive the longest with the most in hand. Another fun addition.

Technically, Mario Kart DS is a well-rounded game. The sound is as clean and fun as the series always has been, with familiar tunes in-between some original scores for each track. Character sounds are there as well.

Visually, Mario Kart doesn't push the DS completely, but it's glitch free and probably a little smoother compared to its Nintendo 64 rendition, but not as detailed as Double Dash. It won't be difficult driving your kart around the track, even without a control stick that the console titles have used well. The D-Pad does a valuable job in its place, just like the old days, so there isn't any complaining from me.

The Bad
There are a few gripes, I must admit. As much as online multiplayer is a blessing for the series, and a long time coming, what's here is barebones. There are no ladders or tournaments, outside of a ranking through Nintendo's online website. Not every character, track or game mode is available online, which is a real shame. And there are a few slowdown problems and glitches here and there, especially if you have a bad net or wireless connection, but most of that should come expected when you consider the technology. It isn't always going to be perfect.

All of the new additions don't hide the fact that it's the same Mario Kart. If it wasn't for online play, this title may have had a lower score in the end. The next lot of MK titles really needs an injection of new additions. There are some new game modes here which is welcome, but I'd like to see Nintendo branch out with the character list into its other franchises. As I've said before, Super Smash Brothers proves how popular a mashing of its characters can be, so there's no reason why Link, Metroid or F-Zero characters can't join in on the fun. It also opens up a slew of new track ideas too, which would be welcome, indeed.

The Bottom Line
Overall, Mario Kart DS keeps the No. 1 Nintendo spin-off franchise going strong. After all these years, it continues to pull in the crowds and, despite a simple online service, it still has much left in it that can be explored. It may not use all of the DS' unique features, but that doesn't hamper it one bit.

I'd personally like to see a second Mario Kart title on the DS before its run comes to and end. The dual screen functions really brings and added element of strategy to the game that I'll miss come the Revolution or the next iteration of the Game Boy.