So lately I have been playing Mario Kart DS so I decided that would be perfect for my first review!
Mario Kart DS is the latest iteration of the Mario Kart Series on the DS. Recently Mario Kart Wii has been released as the sequel to this game.
When you start the game you have your choice of single player modes including Grand Prix, Time Trials, VS, Battle, and Missions. The Grand Prix is the primary mode and is where you will spend most of your time. After selecting this you are given a difficulty level choice. After this you can choose from your choice of karts. Two are available initally but there are alot of unlockables. Finally you get to choose your race. There are eight cups, four are in the Nitro Prix and four are in the Retro Grand Prix. Initally 2 are locked in each. The Nitro Grand Prix is made up of completely new tracks for the game and the Retro Grand Prix, as the name implies, is composed of tracks from classic Mario Karts going all the way at the back to the Super Nintendo.
The real beauty of the game can be seen on the track. Once you start racing the game is quite addictive in its simplicity. Randomly on the tracks there are boxes with weapons in them. The weapons are the real X-factor in the game. The further back you are in the pack, the stronger the weapons are. The gold mushroom gives you a temporary unlimited boost. There are numerous other weapons but the most devastating is the Spiny "Blue" Shell. When used it launches above the track and shoots to the front and explodes on the leader of the race. It is completely unavoidable.
The multiplayer mode is also very good. Using the DS Download Play feature, you can play with any friend that has a DS on a limited number of tracks and if your friend has the game then the tracks and characters are unlimited for play. Once you get to racing it is very similar to the single player in gameplay but with the added fun of going head to head with your friends. Battling to win and trying to avoid banana peels, its hard to pry yourself away from it. With its long pedigree, over 30 tracks, 12 characters, 36 karts...the game is limitless. You can even play against other players over the internet via Nintendo WiFi Connect.
Overall this game is excellent. Mario Kart DS is challenging whilst remaining fun. With added unlockables it has great replay value. The multi-player is really the icing on the cake.
-On a sidenote, My roommate and I have been working on these awesome plastic canvas projects of old video game characters and using their sprites as patterns. They're fun and super cute!
