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. TheDuner13
    Aug 6, 2022
    8
    gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood
  2. Derpcat
    Sep 12, 2022
    10
    This game is so good for no reason. I’m not a huge fan of Mario Kart,(My favorite Mario spin-offs are the Paper Marios) but this game got me hooked. The last Mario Kart, Mario Kart for the GBA, wasn’t the greatest. But in 4 years, they went from trash to treasure. How?

    This Mario Kart had a huge graphical update, as the DS could at least try to do 3d, while the GBA couldn’t at all. The    This game is so good for no reason. I’m not a huge fan of Mario Kart,(My favorite Mario spin-offs are the Paper Marios) but this game got me hooked. The last Mario Kart, Mario Kart for the GBA, wasn’t the greatest. But in 4 years, they went from trash to treasure. How?


    This Mario Kart had a huge graphical update, as the DS could at least try to do 3d, while the GBA couldn’t at all. The presentation isn’t the star of the show here, but it’s certainly quite good. This game is oozing with content. There are tons of single player unlockables, all found through racing. My favorite unlockable is Waluigi, but I don’t remember how to get him. You could also play as R.O.B if you tried enough. The single player modes are the greatest in the series. You can complete missions to get unlockables. They all have challenge, and while you could rage at them, they were fun. There were lots of online stuff to do, like share your best times on tracks, battle modes (My favorite) and, actual racing.

    I’m at a loss of words to explain why this game is so good. I think this is the best Mario Kart game. Praise Waluigi Pinball!!    … Expand
  3. landonreviews
    Sep 12, 2022
    9
    A must have DS game even in 2022, if you are a DS connoisseur then this is the game for you.
    This is the first Mario Kart game with tracks from all the past games, but the tracks they picked were terrible, the new tracks are amazing especially the new karts! People today say this game hasn't aged well but mods like Ermii Kart DS and CTGP-Nitro make this game alive again!
  4. Kdog152
    Nov 25, 2022
    10
    Mario Kart 8 deluxe may be a great, but Mario Kart ds is the best in the series. Yes, you read that right, I think this game is better than Mario kart 8 deluxe and the overrated Mario kart Wii. (No, I don't think Wii is bad). This was the first game I ever played back when I was only 5 years old, and I still love it to this day. This game has only 1 flaw, and I'll to that later. TheMario Kart 8 deluxe may be a great, but Mario Kart ds is the best in the series. Yes, you read that right, I think this game is better than Mario kart 8 deluxe and the overrated Mario kart Wii. (No, I don't think Wii is bad). This was the first game I ever played back when I was only 5 years old, and I still love it to this day. This game has only 1 flaw, and I'll to that later. The controls are perfect; the character roster is perfect, the graphics were decent for the ds, and the tracks are great. The Nitro tracks are very creative and have so many references o past games in the series. This was the first game in the series to properly introduce retro tracks, and for a first try, they did pretty well. Yes, they have been stripped down, but they had to so the ds could handle it. I will say though, this game ruined GCN (Game cube Nintendo system) Baby part and made one of the worst tracks in the series. They shortened it from 7 laps to 5 and made it really bland. Thankfully though, it's the only dud in this masterpiece of a kart racer. There's nothing to dislike about this game, it's a must buy. The mission mode is great, and I wonder why they still haven't brought it bad to this day and the battle mode is perfect in this game. The multi-player and single player vs mode is fantastic as well. This game came out when Nintendo actually cared about their mascot and in a time where they weren't lazy. Too bad they got worse as time went along. Overall, this game is a 10/10.… Expand
  5. onlyinohio
    Feb 1, 2023
    10
    This is THE game of my childhood and probably the first video game I have ever played. I just love every single pixel in this game and still play it sometimes today.
  6. ZackH25
    Apr 2, 2023
    9
    An amazing driving game that an iconic maps, iconic characters and very fun challenges. Some of the challenges include even fighting some mythic hands. My favourite map is either bowsers castle or the rainbow map due to its difficulty. Definitely was a must play for all Nintendo players.
  7. Niltrio
    May 5, 2023
    8
    One of the highlights of the DS library and the game which defined the standards for future MK games. Great and memorable tracks, small but solid character roster, sneaking mechanics, and the only appearance of battle mode in MK's history. Despite the years it hasn't aged poorly and can still be great fun to pick up and play.
  8. 3run0
    Aug 22, 2023
    10
    In my opinion, Mario kart DS is the best Mario kart game. It has a lot of fun tracks, characters and karts. Also its pretty awesome that you can play this game on the go. 10/10 recommended to play
  9. TrippieSay5
    Jul 24, 2023
    10
    Gra która dała mi wiele radości mimo swej prostoty. I takie drobne szczegóły jak możliwość ustawienia swojego tagu na carcie
  10. RandomReviwer
    Aug 10, 2023
    10
    I haven't played too many Mario karts yet besides playing 64 before ds and still needing to beat double dash and 7 but even if I do still need to beat those other games I come back to DS. DS has a good amount of modes and online was probably good back then but these are reasons why its worth going back too. 1. Is that all the characters are good even though I will admit Dry bones and robI haven't played too many Mario karts yet besides playing 64 before ds and still needing to beat double dash and 7 but even if I do still need to beat those other games I come back to DS. DS has a good amount of modes and online was probably good back then but these are reasons why its worth going back too. 1. Is that all the characters are good even though I will admit Dry bones and rob are a bit of an odd inclusion but I don't mind (probably because dry bones is the best in my opinion) and the track them self are either the best tracks in the franchise or the worse. Now hear me out figure 8 circuit and shroom ridge and etc. aren't bad by any mean but compared o other tracks in the game and in the entirely of the franchise these tracks are pretty forgettable but when they are good here good like waluigi pinball, Luigi's mansion, Delfino square, etc. and this game introduced retro tracks which have been a stable since and gives more replay value. 2. Battle mode is great though compared to double dash there are less modes and the tracks are fine but really the only one I'm going back to are block fort Tho driving on a DS isn't bad. The mode present are balloon battle and newly added shine runners which are both good on their own right and this entry is the first one being able to play by yourself with coms. 3. A reason why you should come back to this entry is because exclusive to DS is mission mode which are 6 levels all with little challenge in each level and when you finish all the challenge there a boss fight and when you beat them you go onto the next level and it's a great addition to the single player side of Mario kart and surprisingly hasn't been in ant future Mario kart games. 4. A couple little thing left like your able to make an emblem that you may see during a race but its still a nice little edition plus the game did introduce online play to the series which had only some tracks you could play (at least that's what I heard). So at the end of the day even with those couple flaws with the game ill still give it a 10 because of a pretty balanced yet wacky races it has plus some exclusives not even in modern titles and some of the most memorable/least memorable in the entire franchise so either way you should get the game already! Actually wait 9.9 they mad baby park 5 laps (but because I can't do decimals ill round it up to 10)… Expand
  11. turbo_dweeb
    Aug 24, 2023
    8
    this game is definitely a game and is pretty good............................................................
  12. Natanoksi
    Aug 28, 2023
    10
    This is Mariokart at its finest. This is Nintendos best idea at a Mariokart game, despite it decent graphics for the DS, the gameplay is astinoshing, in this game you find some of the best maps in the whole of the Mariokart series also packed with incredible soundtracks and even after you finish the prix you can play missions which is perfect addition to the game. If you just got a DS buy this.
next
Page:

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 »