Mario Kart DS is a racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS.^[1] It is the fifth installment in the series and the first to use Nintendo's free online service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The game was released in the North America, Australia, and Europe in November 2005, and in Japan in December 2005,^{[2][dead link][1]} and in South Korea in which it is the very first Wi-Fi Connection game launched in April 2007. It was well received critically, scoring an average of 91% from Metacritic.^[3] Image File history File links MKDSbox. ... A video game developer is a software developer (a business or an individual) that creates video games. ... Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development (or EAD; formerly Research & Development Team 4) is the largest division inside Nintendo of Japan, under the management of Shigeru Miyamoto. ... For the video game system, see Nintendo Entertainment System. ... A screenshot from Mario Kart Wii. ... In computing, a platform describes some sort of framework, either in hardware or software, which allows software to run. ... The Nintendo DS (sometimes abbreviated NDS or more commonly DS) is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. ... North American redirects here. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Australasia Australasia is a term variably used to describe a region of Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. ... 17 November is also the name of a Marxist group in Greece, coinciding with the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the country in East Asia. ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Further information: Game classification Video games are categorized into genres based on their gameplay interaction. ... Many board games can be said to be racing games, such as Snakes and Ladders, Cribbage, or Formula Dé. (see race game) There are also toys made for racing, like slot cars and radio controlled cars. ... In computer games and video games, single-player refers to the variant of a particular game where input from only one player is expected throughout the course of the gaming session. ... Online gaming redirects here. ... An online multiplayer game (OMG) is a video game that can be played over the Internet against other players. ... A video game content rating system is a system used for the classification of video games into suitability-related groups. ... This article or section is incomplete and may require expansion and/or cleanup. ... The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a self-regulatory organization that applies and enforces ratings, advertising guidelines, and online privacy principles for computer and video games and other entertainment software in North America (Quebec in 2004 and 2005). ... The Office of Film and Literature Classification is a statutory censorship and classification body which provides day to day administrative support for the Classification Board which classified films, video games and publications in Australia, and the Classification Review Board which reviews films, computer games and publications when a valid application... PEGIs logo Pan European Game Information (PEGI) is a European video game content rating system. ... The Nintendo DS Game Card (Metroid Prime Hunters Demo on the picture. ... The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ... A game controller is an input device used to control a video game. ... -1... Microphones redirects here. ... Many board games can be said to be racing games, such as Snakes and Ladders, Cribbage, or Formula Dé. (see race game) There are also toys made for racing, like slot cars and radio controlled cars. ... For the video game system, see Nintendo Entertainment System. ... The Nintendo DS (sometimes abbreviated NDS or more commonly DS) is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. ... Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (Abbreviated WFC) is an online service run by Nintendo to facilitate free Internet play in compatible Nintendo DS and Wii games. ... Metacritic is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows, DVDs and books. ...

Like other games in the Mario Kart series, Mario Kart DS involves various characters from various Mario games racing each other in go-karts on tracks themed from locations in the Mario series. Less realistic physics, and the use of various weapons and or items to achieve victory differentiates kart racing games like Mario Kart DS from more realistic racing games. A screenshot from Mario Kart Wii. ... A kart racer takes a turn on an indoor track Kart racing (as the word is so spelled by enthusiasts) or karting is a variant of open-wheeler motor sport with simple, small four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. ... This is a list of licensed games in which Mario has appeared, in chronological order. ...

Game modes

In Grand Prix mode, the player competes against seven computer-controlled racers. There are two Grand Prix in Mario Kart DS, each consisting of four cups, and each cup consisting of four race tracks. Nitro GP contains sixteen brand new tracks while Retro GP contains sixteen tracks converted from previous entries in the Mario Kart series. There are three engine classes which serve as difficulty levels for the Grand Prix mode: 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. The higher the engine class, the faster all the karts go. A 150cc Mirror Mode is also an unlockable, in which all the 150cc tracks are flipped horizontally, as if seeing the game in a mirror. Look up ai in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Another staple of past Mario Kart games, Battle Mode, also makes a return. Mario Kart DS is the first Mario Kart game to feature 1 Player Battle. Battle modes include the classic Balloon Battle, in which you try to pop everyone else's balloons by attacking them or steal them with mushrooms and eliminate them, or Shine Runners, in which you try to collect the most Shine Sprites. Eventually, players with the least amount of Shine Sprites will be eliminated from the game.

In the new Mission Mode, players control a specific character in that character's standard kart, and must perform eight individual missions, whose objectives range from collecting coins to attacking enemies. Players are then ranked based on their performance, and given either an E, D, C, B, A, or one to three stars if the task is completed by a certain time. In order to advance to the next level, players must complete a "boss" task, which is unlocked after all eight of a level's missions are completed. Completing all missions in level 1 through 6 with at least a 1 star rating on each mission opens up a secret 7th level with more challenging missions to complete. It should be noted that there are no missions where one of the unlockable characters is playable.

In Time Trial Mode, players try to finish a course in as short a time as possible. Like in previous games, the fastest time will be saved as a ghost (a carbon copy of the player's preformance which can be raced against), but, unlike past games, players are now allowed to save ghosts on all 32 tracks. Players can also collect up to 10 ghosts from friends, and, when fast enough, can race against staff ghosts. In many racing sports an athlete (or occasionally a team of athletes) will compete in a time trial against the clock to secure the fastest time. ...

Multiplayer

In Vs. Mode, eight players can race each other using DS Download Play or multi-card wireless LAN. The Nintendo DS (sometimes abbreviated NDS or more commonly DS) is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. ... The notebook is connected to the wireless access point using a PC card wireless card. ...

Mario Kart DS also supports online play via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Up to four players can play with a Wi-Fi connection. When all four races are complete, each player also receives one win for any opponent who disconnected during the match -- though if the match cannot be completed due to disconnecting, no wins are given to the remaining player. Disconnecting for a race is looked down on. Of the 32 playable tracks, only 20 are playable during Wi-Fi mode, unless using an Action Replay cheating device. Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (Abbreviated WFC) is an online service run by Nintendo to facilitate free Internet play in compatible Nintendo DS and Wii games. ...

In Japan, Nintendo used the Japanese comedy duo Ninety-nine, as part of their "Hot Mario Bros." commercial campaign, to advertise the Wi-Fi multiplayer capability of Mario Kart DS. They showed Luigi (in Japan) being beaten by players in France, the United States, and Italy. Ninety-nine ), also commonly known as Nainai ) is a Japanese comedy duo from Osaka working under the entertainment conglomorate Yoshimoto Kogyo. ...

Gameplay

While racing, the top screen of the Nintendo DS displays a third-person perspective behind and slightly above the player's vehicle. The bottom screen lists the current race standings, items carried by each player, and a map of the course. The map can be toggled to show an overall view of the entire course, or a close-up view of the racer's immediate vicinity. The close-up view is very detailed, showing nearby racer positions, course hazards, item boxes, and even incoming attacks. Third-person shooter (TPS or 3PS) is a genre of 3D computer and video games in which the player character is seen at a distance from a number of different possible perspective angles, as opposed to the first-person model in which the player views everything in the game world...

Blooper as an item in the game

Each playable character starts out with two karts: one special kart unique to that character, and a standard kart resembling a real go-kart. These karts have slightly different stats, although their general strengths are the same. As a player progresses through the game, he or she can unlock a third special kart for each character, also with slightly different stats. Ultimately, the player can unlock the ability to use any of the 36 total karts with any character. When a player is selecting their kart for a race, the game lists the kart's max speed, acceleration, weight, handling, drifting ability, and the quality of items the kart is likely to receive. A kart racer takes a turn on an indoor track Kart racing (as the word is so spelled by enthusiasts) or karting is a variant of open-wheeler motor sport with simple, small four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. ...

Each course features numerous item boxes that players can drive through to receive a randomly-selected item. Whichever item the player receives is generally dependent upon their current position in the race and, to a lesser extent, the item stat of the player's kart; Players near the front will tend to receive rear-attack items such as banana peals, while players trailing in the back of the race will tend to receive more powerful items like a spiny blue shell. Most attack items can be targeted forwards or backwards by holding the appropriate direction on the D-pad when using the item against other. New items like Bullet Bill transformation have also been added in the game. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into List of Mario series enemies. ...

Mini-Turbos, a feature first introduced in Mario Kart 64, returns in Mario Kart DS. Mini-Turbos are momentary speed boosts that can be obtained while drifting. Also featured in Mario Kart DS and not to be confused with drifting is the ability to draft behind an opponent's kart. If the player is close enough, light blue streaks will start flying by their kart, and their speed will begin to increase. If the player maintains this position long enough, they will receive a noticeable speed boost, allowing them to easily overtake and pass the opponent. Mario Kart 64 ) is a racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 video game console. ... A Toyota Supra in drifting exhibition in Atlanta in 2005. ... This article is about the racing technique. ...

The Emblem Maker allows players to draw a decal for their karts. After the player is satisfied with his new emblem, he may pick a car to see how his emblem looks.

New to the game are "emblems", or player icons. Using a simple drawing program interface, a player can create a customized emblem. During the race, each player's emblem appears as a decal on their kart, and in multi-player matches, opponents can see the player's name and emblem prominently overlaid above their kart's position on the opponent's screen. The player's emblem is also, on Wi-Fi play, shown to their opponents once the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection has found opponents and initiated a match. Image File history File links Mariokartdsemblem. ... Image File history File links Mariokartdsemblem. ... Look up Decal in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Snaking

The execution of several consecutive mini-turbos, by drifting back and forth across a straightaway is a technique known as "snaking", but is officially called a "Mini-Turbo".^[4] Snaking was originally known as performing "Straight-Stretch Mini-Turbos" in the Mario Kart 64 era.^{[citation needed]}

A Nintendo of America official has personally described snaking as an intentional part of the game's design, considering that a similar technique could also be performed in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.^[4] Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is a video game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube video game console. ...

Characters

See also: Mario Kart: Playable characters

There are 13 characters in Mario Kart DS; ten are from previous Mario Kart games and three of them are new to the series. The new ones are Dry Bones, Shy Guy, and R.O.B. However, Shy Guy was not directly playable, and players could play as the character by doing a single cartridge multiplayer match, and downloading via DS Download Play. It is also possible to play as him with the Action Replay device. Shy Guy is also the only CPU player in the Mario Kart Nintendo DS Download Kiosk demo, available from version 1 of the USA kiosk; however the player will race against 7 differently colored Shy Guys at once in the single player mode. A screenshot from Mario Kart Wii. ... A screenshot from Mario Kart Wii. ... The Kart selection screen for Dry Bones in Mario Kart DS In the fictional world of the Super Mario Bros. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into List of Mario series enemies. ... For other uses of R.O.B., see Rob. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Tracks

There are eight cups in the game, with four tracks each. The first four cups are the Mushroom Cup, the Flower Cup, the Star Cup, and the Special, and they contain new tracks, such as Delfino Square, DK Pass, and a new remake of Rainbow Road. The other four cups have courses that are taken from all the other Mario Kart games in the Retro Grand Prix, for a total of 32 tracks to race on. Along with that there are six battle courses two of which return from previous games. While playing on Wi-Fi, some of these tracks, such as Waluigi Pinball, are not playable.

Reception

Mario Kart DS received high critical acclaim. IGN called Mario Kart DS the "best of the Mario Kart best" and went on to praise the game's responsive controls and bottom-screen map.^[6] GameSpot noted that Mario Kart DS was "one of the best games to hit the Nintendo DS to date."^[5] Electronic Gaming Monthly (often abbreviated to EGM) is an American video game magazine. ... X-Play logo X-Play (previously Gamespot TV and Extended Play) is a video game review television show hosted by Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb. ... Cover art for Issue 1 of Famitsū magazine, June 1986, then known as Famicom Tsūshin Famitsū abbreviated ファミ Fami) is a Japanese video game magazine published by Enterbrain, Inc. ... Game Informer (often abbreviated to GI) is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. ... GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. ... IGN - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Nintendo Official Magazine (aka NOM) was published by EMAP for 12 years. ... Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo. ... Game Rankings is a website which keeps track of video game reviews from other sites, and combines them to present an average rating for each game. ... Metacritic is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows, DVDs and books. ... G-phoria is a annual video game awards show by the G4 television network. ... X-Play logo X-Play (previously Gamespot TV and Extended Play) is a video game review television show hosted by Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb. ... IGN - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. ...

Sales information

On November 21, 2005, Nintendo announced that out of the 112,000 copies of Mario Kart DS sold in the United States during the first week of release, 52,000 (45%) of those buyers had connected to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.^[8] is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Mario Kart DS had a better launch in Japan, where it sold 219,000 copies during its first four days of availability, at the time this was the third best performance for a Nintendo DS game.^{[citation needed]}

As of December 31, 2007, Mario Kart DS has sold 9.67 million copies worldwide.^[9] is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

References

IGN - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Metacritic is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows, DVDs and books. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... IGN - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Game Rankings is a website which keeps track of video game reviews from other sites, and combines them to present an average rating for each game. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the video game system, see Nintendo Entertainment System. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Official Mario Kart DS website (North America)
• Official Mario Kart DS website (Europe)
• Official Mario Kart DS website (Australia)
• Mario Kart DS at the Open Directory Project