Mario Kart DS

- Reviewed on 3DS -

Mario Kart DS released on November 14th, 2005.

All these years later, and Mario Kart DS still holds a special place in the Kart Racing Hall of Fame.

This was the first Mario Kart I ever owned on a handheld, and honestly? It set the bar really high for portable racing games.

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

Mario Kart DS might not be the flashiest title in the series these days, but back in 2005? This was the definitive way to kart on the go.

It packed in robust content, a full Grand Prix mode with 8 cups (yes, 8!), great character variety, and the introduction of something I still wish they’d bring back in full force: Mission Mode.

Oh, and this was also the first Mario Kart to feature online play via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (RIP), which was a massive deal at the time.

You start with the usual suspects: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario, and Bowser.

But you can unlock some cool surprises too (SPOILER: Dry Bones and R.O.B., the robotic legend himself).

Each racer has their own stats — top speed, acceleration, weight, and drift — and each gets multiple kart options that actually matter. You’re not just picking your favorite color; the stats change how each one plays.

I remember spending way too long picking the perfect combo in Grand Prix just to shave off a second or two.

The controls are tight. Even on 3DS, everything responds exactly how it should — drifting feels crisp, item tossing is smooth, and snaking (yes, that old trick) is still possible if you really want to break your thumb doing it.

This is classic Mario Kart through and through. Red shells, Bullet Bills, Star Power, and yes, the eternal pain of a Blue Shell right before the finish line.

What’s wild is how fast the game feels, even without 200cc. It’s quick, fluid, and surprisingly intense — especially on Mirror Mode.

Mario Kart DS introduced the now-staple Retro Cups — bringing back old tracks from SNES, N64, GBA, and GameCube.

And the best part? The selection absolutely slaps.

Favorites like Waluigi Pinball (still top 3 all-time), Airship Fortress, Delfino Square, and Tick-Tock Clock all made their debut here.

The design is tight, varied, and full of shortcuts to master. I replayed Peach Gardens so many times I can still draw the layout from memory.

This deserves its own section.

Mission Mode was one of the best parts of Mario Kart DS and, weirdly, one of the least talked about. 

You play through dozens of short stages with unique goals such as Collecting all coins, Hitting item boxes, Defeating enemies, and Winning Boss battles. 

Yes, boss battles in a Mario Kart game. Who thought of that? Give them a raise.

It gave solo players something more to chew on, and honestly, it made me better at the game. Bring it back, Nintendo.

While the Wi-Fi servers are long gone, back in the day this was the first time you could race your friends online.

Lag? Sure. Limited track selection online? Yep.

But it worked, and it changed everything. Local wireless play still holds up, especially if you’ve got a buddy with a DS or 3DS nearby. Even Download Play was offered — letting friends without the game still race using Shy Guy.

Iconic move, honestly.

The visuals are charmingly low-res by today’s standards, but it still works. Characters are pixelated, but tracks are clear, colorful, and always moving. It feels fast, which is what matters.

The soundtrack is full of energetic tracks and catchy little tunes. Waluigi Pinball’s theme? A banger. Same for the Airship Fortress music. Even the menu music has that classic Mario whimsy.

Presentation-wise, it’s aged, but not poorly.

Alright, let’s get real for a second.

The rubberbanding AI in this game is no joke. You could be crushing the competition, only to get triple red-shelled and zapped on the final lap.

Also, while the touch screen map was a great addition, it doesn't really do much outside of showing you item locations and letting you honk (which is... mildly amusing, I guess?).

And finally, the online mode is gone now. That’s not the game’s fault, but it still stings.

Pros: 

    - Great Track Selection (Including Retro Cups)

    - Tight Controls and Drifting

    - Loads of Unlockables

    - Mission Mode

    - Fun Local Multiplayer

Cons:

    - Aggressive Rubberband AI

    - Touch Screen Mostly a Gimmick

    - Visuals Have Aged (Expected for DS)

My Rating for Mario Kart DS (on 3DS):

4 / 5

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Disclaimer

All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.