Mario Kart DS

 DS
Mario Kart DS Image
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 64 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 878 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Race and battle with up to eight karts at once, regardless of whether or not everyone has a Game Card. The all–star cast includes Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario, Bowser, and Toad. With courses drawn from every Mario Kart game - Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart:Race and battle with up to eight karts at once, regardless of whether or not everyone has a Game Card. The all–star cast includes Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario, Bowser, and Toad. With courses drawn from every Mario Kart game - Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart: Double Dash - players may tour many of their favorites as well as all-new tracks and battle arenas. The game has a new dimension of fun, since players can battle others around the world by connecting to Nintendo's new wireless gaming service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, via Wi-Fi. With over 30 courses and all the crazy items and frantic speed players would expect, this game is a Mario Kart fan's dream. [Nintendo]… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
Mario Kart DS Gameplay Movie 4

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 64
  3. Negative: 0 out of 64
  1. GameSpy
    100
    The online shortcomings are annoying, yes, but very minor, and they are more than made up for by the amazing single-player content and local WiFi gameplay.
  2. Gamenikki
    100
    Mario Kart DS takes the best of all of the Mario Kart games and puts them together in a game people will still be playing when the next generation of Gameboy comes out.
  3. Play Magazine
    95
    Probably the best Mario Kart game since the original. [Dec 2005, p.75]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Adrenaline Vault
    90
    It is refreshing to see the DS stand up and do some things that can't be done on the GBA, allowing it to stand out as its own system rather than being used to play GBA titles on.
  5. GamePro
    90
    With a veritable buffet of racers, courses, modes, and multiplayer options, Mario Kart DS is a must play for any Nintendo fan and a requisite for any DS owner.
  6. N-Europe
    90
    I’m not giving this game the full score because of the little WiFi errors I experienced and the availability of only one online mode. But don’t get me wrong. Apart from this, Mario Kart is one hell of a game. It’s the best Mario Kart of all-time and an essential DS purchase. You shouldn’t be allowed to own a DS without it.
  7. games(TM)
    70
    Mario Kart DS is a polishing of the Mario Kart concept and little else. [Christmas 2005, p.99]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 64 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 212 out of 245
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 245
  3. Negative: 10 out of 245
  1. mrcritic
    Sep 24, 2010
    10
    No question, one of the best video games I've ever played. I've played this game for nearly 5 years, and I'm still hooked on Mario Kart DS. I love it!
  2. MartinN.
    Jan 3, 2008
    10
    Nice graphics, great gameplay and multiplayer, loads of content - a must buy game!
  4. Maxttvd
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    Um clássico de NDS, melhor jogo de Kart já feito que marcou minha infância.
  5. Zilcell
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    I wouldn't call it the best in the series, but other than having its moments, it has fantastic gameplay that captures the feeling similarly toI wouldn't call it the best in the series, but other than having its moments, it has fantastic gameplay that captures the feeling similarly to Mario Kart 64 and Super Mario Kart.… Expand
  6. nintendofan721
    Apr 27, 2022
    9
    I used to feel that this game hadn’t aged very well, until I properly played through it again. There are some excellent tracks featuredI used to feel that this game hadn’t aged very well, until I properly played through it again. There are some excellent tracks featured including Tick Tock Clock, Delfino Square, Luigi’s Mansion, Airship Fortress and the best of them all, Waluigi Pinball! This was the first Mario Kart to introduce retro tracks (not including Super Circuit) and while I wasn’t a fan of a lot of the choices and a few of them (the GCN ones) were downgrades, it was a huge step forward for the franchise. The character roster is a downgrade from the previous entry due to it being a handheld, but there were a couple unique additions being Dry Bones and the bizzare choice of R.O.B. The core gameplay is fun and it controls well. While some people hate snaking, you gotta admit it’s awesome to be able to control your drift! My favourite thing about this game is the missions with so many different tasks like collecting coins, driving through tires and boss fights! I hope this mode comes back one day. The graphics are a bit pixelated but the game looked good for the DS at the time. There are some memorable tunes from this game especially one in particular (Waluigi Pinball). It was the first game to introduce online even though the Wii’s was the first to gain popularity. There is a cool extra feature where you can customize your emblem on your car which is unique to this game. The new items are a mixed bag, with the blooper which is completely useless and I have no idea why they kept it around, and the bullet bill which was epic and the best item of all time! The battle mode is great and you can finally play it in single player mode against computers! There are some fun new stages and a couple of retro ones including Pipe Plaza. This might be one of the better Mario Kart games in the series, and it’s jam packed with fun!… Expand
  7. yangfanhong
    May 3, 2023
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a fun game and it is amzing to achieve such wonderful graphics on the DS hardware.… Expand
  8. AnonymousMC
    Nov 24, 2006
    0
    DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks PSP Rocks PSP Rocks PSP RocksDS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks PSP Rocks PSP Rocks PSP Rocks PSP Rocks PSP Rucks DS SUCKS PSP ROCKS… Expand

See all 245 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. Best of the Decade, Games

    The All-Time Best Games on Every Platform

    The All-Time Best Games on Every Platform Image
    Published: March 28, 2017
    Find the highest-scoring games exclusive to every platform, from the new Nintendo Switch all the way back to the Sega Genesis.
    More »
  2. Games

    Ranked: Mario and Super Mario Games

    Ranked: Mario and Super Mario Games Image
    Published: May 20, 2010
    This weekend, Nintendo releases Mario's latest adventure, "Super Mario Galaxy 2" (Wii). It seems like the perfect time to explore the history of the Mario series, and rank the previous titles from best to worst.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best DS Game of 2005
1
#1 Most Discussed DS Game of 2005
1
#1 Most Shared DS Game of 2005