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
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  1. 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
  2. lesiuML
    Jan 27, 2023
    8
    This mario kart have really addictive gameplay! The IA can be very challenging and the courses are versatile with many shortcuts. Visually and content wise of course it us not the best game of all mario kart but handling of the vehicles and fast gameplay is really made this game special. I was surprised how much fun I actually had with this game. Must play for Mario kart fans!
  3. Teaman
    Jun 23, 2020
    8
    A usual mario kart game. It's most fun if ypu play with the other people. Recommended for casual racing game fans.
  4. eeveegms
    Aug 7, 2020
    8
    It is an incredibly fun mario kart game to play with your friends, it has many characters, and many amazing traks.
  5. hector_bcn98
    Nov 7, 2022
    8
    Diversión, amigos, sencillez. Valores que otorgan a este videojuego un puesto históricos dentro de las consolas portátiles.
  6. deycd
    Aug 13, 2021
    8
    Este juego está a la par que Mario Kart 7, puede que tenga peor calidad y menos opcines de juego. Incluso, circuitos un poco peores. Pero lo compensa con los personajes, que son mucho mejores, y con los modos de juego individuales.
  7. ND-Bringer
    Apr 13, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While trying to get into the Crash Team Racing remake for the Nintendo Switch, I was struggling to get into the diverse control scheme, all it did was make miss Mario Kart. It was by knows means a bad game, I just wasn't ready to put the effort in to get better. And I wasn't just missing any old Mario Kart game..I was missing my first Mario Kart game. Another one of those lost gem games from the early 2000's. It's quite a wonderful experience to play through this adventure. After seeing the trailer for Mario Kart 7, I was hyped as hell to play it. But to my surprise, I actually had more fun playing the DS version. While 7 has better looks, DS is underrated brilliance. While returning to this lost treasure I had a new goal of unlocking all of the hidden characters. And this game has a very nice selection, we have Daisy and Waluigi from Double Dash, Dry Bones makes his debut, and this the only Mario Kart game where you can play as ROB. In order to unlock this lineup, you need to clear streams of cups while coming in first. And you won't just be obtaining new characters, you'll also be given new karts to use. See, it's not the characters weight that determines the stats for things like speed and weight, in this game it's just the kart. After clearing a majority of the cups, you can choose whatever kart you want for your character. This isn't a big deal today, but its more vital here. Peach can race in Bowser's car and Bowser can race in Peach's car, you can select your favorite characters with any kind of speed level. That's a pretty nice feature I must say, you can also confuse rookie players through download play and cruise down the road with Toad on Dry Bones' creepy Banisher kart. Their's tons of things you can do to stand out during co-op mode. Create your fun emblem with classic DS pixel art, play as the exclusive character Shy Guy, and play like a ninja assassin in Balloon Battle, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Seriously, everything is just so nice in this game, its like trying great sushi for the first time. You can race along classic and new courses with a Super Mario 64 DS theme. Heck we can even fight bosses from 64 DS in this game in mission mode! All of this great stuff gives the game a sense of identity. Its great stuff worth returning to, that's what makes a truly wonderful game. It's an interesting experience to return to this game with a New Nintendo 2DS control scheme. It isn't perfect, but I think its easier to play games like 64 DS and Kart DS with a circle pad. I'm used to my Wii U game pad control scheme from playing Mario Kart 8 with my sisters. And it just feels more comfortable. In fact returning to classic DS game is just a wonderful feeling. I'm old enough to understand my own generation of nostalgia and back in the day DS games shined with excellent remakes and excellent Pokemon sequels. This game in particular is giving everything its got to be awesome. With every mini turbo, is a sign of hope. Hope telling you that some day you can cross the finish line in first place. I still remember owning a DS with a broken right button and that dream was impossible for a while. But after seeing the collection of credits form clearing all of the cups and the true ending from clearing the mirror cups, its a reminder of how far I've come as a gamer. I also adore that you get a new title screen after clearing the mirror cups. With every loss frustration hits me, but I just kept going and the journey just made me feel alive. God that opening theme song is awesome! During my journey I started off with Bowser power in the 50CC cups. But I've move on to better control and acceleration with Daisy and Dry Bones as things got faster. And I'm really glad that my old favorite character from Mario Party 7 became my best character. With the freedom of performing multiple drifting speed boosts, I wasn't too far away from reaching crazy ultimate speed in the 150CC cup. Things get tricky in the 150CC Cup either I was a slipping up or the drivers are programmed to be faster than you, even though I still hadn't unlocked the fabled ROB...I just kept on trucking. Why? Because this is one of those brilliant tough but fair games. Let's not forget that even after you unlock everything you can challenge Game Designer Ghosts and complete all sorts of missions. And let's not forget earning perfect scores during racing challenges. It's a Mario Kart game, of course it's going to be awesome. What keeps this game from getting a higher score? Well...games like Mario Kart 7 and 8 are superior when it comes to control and graphics. But DS makes up for that with great variety. Someday, both new and old Mario Kart elements will combine and will get one whopper of a game. It's important that with every game purchase comes a box of memories to return too. Even after 100 percenting a game gamers will still return because games are just meant to be replayed, remastered, recreated. This game is a pedal to the metal dream… Expand
  8. nahobino5_
    Jun 26, 2021
    8
    Easily in the top 3 Mario Karts. This is so much fun, especially with friends! The only big minus point are the controls.
  9. GDsReviews
    May 27, 2022
    8
    Mario Kart DS is easily the best Mario Kart game along with Mario Kart Wii, with a great balance of new tracks, retro tracks, battle arenas, character roster, and unique to DS mission mode. It has an excellent soundtrack too, and still holds up well today.
  10. TheDuner13
    Aug 6, 2022
    8
    gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood
  11. 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.
  12. turbo_dweeb
    Aug 24, 2023
    8
    this game is definitely a game and is pretty good............................................................
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. okayokay
    Oct 10, 2018
    7
    rrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllll
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. AlejandroG.
    Aug 10, 2006
    6
    It lacks the necessary variety in the single player mode. Overhandicapped in multiplayer mode.
  30. 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.
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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

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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.
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  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
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