Mario Kart DS

 DS
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 878 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 767 out of 878
  2. Mixed: 78 out of 878
  3. Negative: 33 out of 878
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Mariofan
    Apr 4, 2015
    7
    This game is decent. Not the best Mario Kart but pretty good. The graphics are okay for DS. The tracks were fine. The character selection is average. The gameplay is good. Mario Kart DS is a good Mario Kart game but there are other Mario Karts better. I would say it's worth getting to add to your MK collection.
  2. Beastprogamer
    Feb 26, 2015
    7
    I find this game okay, The characters were great,the graphics were okay,the gameplay is okay,the challenge mode is fine. I conquered this game 100% and is definitely a must get. The stages and courses are great. Overall, it was awesome.
  3. AlejandroG.
    Aug 10, 2006
    6
    It lacks the necessary variety in the single player mode. Overhandicapped in multiplayer mode.
  4. koolkris200
    Apr 15, 2012
    5
    this game was fun but got tiring after wards and I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo gald they came out with the mario kart 7 game
  5. grandpajoe6191
    Nov 15, 2011
    7
    "Mario Kart" is a great multiplayer game with many characters and fun stuff to do...with friends!!!! Co-op rocks!!! BUT. It gets too repetitive due to the lack of single-player. If your fine with that, you'll live with the game.
  6. AnonymousMC
    Dec 28, 2005
    5
    really i dont understand all the hype there is about this game...the online capabilities are limited, the graphics i think are sloppy even for the ds, and its just the same old mario kart that we've played before only with online play...if this is supposed to be nintendo's best for the ds then...im really disappointed....
  7. RecardoB.
    Feb 17, 2007
    6
    Being the number one fan of the original Mario Kart I found it hard to adopt this game. I do play it , but not with the same fervor as Mario Kart or Mario Kart 64.
  8. RyanA
    Dec 7, 2012
    7
    I seriously don't get how people like this game. The one reason I take away three point three out of ten is because of its horrendous graphics, I know, I'm being cruel, but here's an idea, why don't you make it like the one for gameboy advanced or Super Nintendo, so the graphics would look half decent. One aspect that is a positive would be the variety of character (compared to the minimalI seriously don't get how people like this game. The one reason I take away three point three out of ten is because of its horrendous graphics, I know, I'm being cruel, but here's an idea, why don't you make it like the one for gameboy advanced or Super Nintendo, so the graphics would look half decent. One aspect that is a positive would be the variety of character (compared to the minimal selection in 7). Overall, 6.7/10… Expand
  9. Tyrant719
    Apr 19, 2020
    5
    This game is the epitome of overrated. This is the first Mario Kart I have ever owned and it will also be my last. I hope you like replaying levels over and over, because they make sure you have to by explaining literally NOTHING about the gameplay. You’ll also really need to like figuring things out as you go because that’s literally the only way to win anything. I personally feel likeThis game is the epitome of overrated. This is the first Mario Kart I have ever owned and it will also be my last. I hope you like replaying levels over and over, because they make sure you have to by explaining literally NOTHING about the gameplay. You’ll also really need to like figuring things out as you go because that’s literally the only way to win anything. I personally feel like it’s just a way to make a hollow game seem deep. This game is made for people who hate any sort of progression, story, or semblance of an actual, cohesive goal other than mindlessly racing. I guess it’s for the same people who like battle royale games and Minecraft. It’s not for me, though.… Expand
  10. HunterR.
    Dec 27, 2005
    7
    Mario Kart DS is more a tech demo than a full-fledged game. If you've played any other Mario Kart game, you won't find much here. The graphics are beautiful, the gameplay is fun, but there isn't much variation in gameplay. It isn't hard to play through the game in an hour, and the unlockable features really don't add much replay value. It's a fun ride, and a Mario Kart DS is more a tech demo than a full-fledged game. If you've played any other Mario Kart game, you won't find much here. The graphics are beautiful, the gameplay is fun, but there isn't much variation in gameplay. It isn't hard to play through the game in an hour, and the unlockable features really don't add much replay value. It's a fun ride, and a great gift for the new bundle pack, but it's still just another Mario Kart game.… Expand
  11. BetA
    Apr 2, 2015
    7
    It's easy to see some of the reasons why MKDS is regarded as the best Mario Kart. The gameplay is nearly perfect, the track collection is great (and the largest of its time), it has possibly the best battle mode in the game, the new mission mode is a great addition (that would've been great in later games), AND it's the first online MK. So... why a 7, instead of a 10? The reasons may seemIt's easy to see some of the reasons why MKDS is regarded as the best Mario Kart. The gameplay is nearly perfect, the track collection is great (and the largest of its time), it has possibly the best battle mode in the game, the new mission mode is a great addition (that would've been great in later games), AND it's the first online MK. So... why a 7, instead of a 10? The reasons may seem minor, but they really affect the enjoyableness of the game. First, the AI aren't too smart (or fast in most tracks), making the single player painfully easy. Secondly, getting drift boosts quickly can be very easy, allowing what's called "snaking" in multiplayer. It's possibly the most overpowered exploit I've ever seen. Being in single player and multiplayer races, these problems are very difficult to avoid, unless you only play battle mode or mission mode. Despite these issues, the game itself is still great, and you should be able to have a good time with friends playing this DS classic.… Expand
  12. Tokyochuchu
    May 3, 2012
    7
    Although limited by it's genre, Mario Kart DS is about as good as a karting game can be on the DS. It controls well and has a ton of content. The game also appeals nicely to nostalgia, featuring a 'greatest hits' package of past Mario Kart tracks alongside the brand new ones. Basically, if you're craving a descent cartoon racer for the DS then you need look no further.
  13. jakethesnack
    Oct 29, 2013
    7
    This is definitely not the best Mario Kart game out of all 7 it's in 4th, but it's not a bad game at all, but I can't stand some of the character voices ESPECIALLY Daisy.
  14. PedroGamer
    Oct 19, 2014
    5
    I think this is the worst game in the Mario Kart series.While it is´nt that horrible, it has some flaws that I don´t like, the first been ing, that, if do do not have a profile, you get to play as Shy Guy EVERY TIME!!!
  15. gdiego135
    Dec 3, 2015
    7
    It's alright but one of my least favorite of the mario kart franchise, my least being the one for the gamecube.
    It just isn't that fun to me, well you can customize an emblem on your kart and there's new characters, also this challenge mode that;s a bit weird but it's still the same fun competitive game to play with your friends.
  16. MarioGames
    Jul 10, 2017
    6
    Mario Kart DS have a bad quality and the DS stupid Internet test is bad but the ballon battle it's very good. But the sunshine battle are full easy and boring and you can just have 12 player choice
  17. PacMax
    Oct 25, 2018
    7
    This game is fun, and with multiplayer, it is chaos, but at the end of the day, it is good, simple and polished Mario Kart fun.
  18. okayokay
    Oct 10, 2018
    7
    rrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllll
  19. sebastianali
    Jan 4, 2020
    7
    Aunque tengo que admitir que puede volverse repetitivo si solo jugas singleplayer, tiene una respetable cantidad de contenido: Pistas, personajes, modos de juego. Bastante impresionante para la Nintendo DS. Los controles son algo cómodos, y los gráficos y la música no están nada mal, en resumen, Mario Kart DS es uno de mis videojuegos favoritos del fontanero. Si tenes amigos para jugar aAunque tengo que admitir que puede volverse repetitivo si solo jugas singleplayer, tiene una respetable cantidad de contenido: Pistas, personajes, modos de juego. Bastante impresionante para la Nintendo DS. Los controles son algo cómodos, y los gráficos y la música no están nada mal, en resumen, Mario Kart DS es uno de mis videojuegos favoritos del fontanero. Si tenes amigos para jugar a este juegazo... Hazlo! :)… Expand
  20. BellamySacir
    Nov 8, 2020
    7
    Definitely not the best Mario Kart but I can't remember any other game on the DS that I had this much fun with.
  21. funnymystical
    Aug 30, 2022
    7
    pretty good
    review:
    its mariokart nothing else has to be said except for the fact i have to stretch this out so i can upload this review.
  22. Yojimbo2015
    Jun 6, 2023
    7
    Another incarnation of the hugely popular karting game which no doubt appeals to fans, but the simplified tracks and handling of the karting format plus the sheer ease of progress in solo mode means its multiplayer appeal doesn't really transfer over to the single player game. Reasonably good fun but short lived.
  23. bigeli
    Jul 7, 2023
    7
    It has not aged well with its graphics, but what do I expect, its a Nintendo DS game. The tracks are not the best but there are some good ones. The character roster is excellent. The battle mode is amazing. And they should have kept mission mode in future games because it was so good. A good mario kart game but I don't see myself playing it again.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 64 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 64
  3. Negative: 0 out of 64
  1. 1UP
    90
    Everything about MKDS comes together into a surprisingly compelling package, a portable racing game on par with anything ever to appear on a console.
    Read full review
  2. eToychest
    95
    Reason alone to own the DS platform. All of the fun that has been intrinsic to the series is intact, and the much-anticipated online component simply seals the deal. This is best game in the series by far, and perhaps the best kart-style racing game ever to come along.
    Read full review
  3. IGN
    95
    It's hard to imagine how Nintendo's going to improve on what they've done for this stunning portable rendition. There's so much gameplay and depth in this design, moreso than the series has ever had in the past.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »