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Fun until you win...

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 14
Date: November 23, 2007
Author: Amazon User

At first, this is a really fun game but my big problem with it is it's WAY TOO EASY. Even on the hard settings, I had no problem. After you unlock everything, it gets very boring and I don't play it now. It would be really good if it had a really hard level or more tracks to race on. It was fun while it lasted but it's just not challenging enough.

I don't understand the appeal ...

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 10 / 36
Date: January 20, 2006
Author: Amazon User

First of all, let me preface this review by saying that I have never been a fan of the Mario Kart series. But back in early December (2005), I bought a Nintendo DS and didn't have any games to play on it. I had subscribed to Gamefly so I could start renting them, but wanted something to play until the games from my Gamefly subscription started rolling in. Even though I'd never been into Mario Kart, I kept seeing rave reviews for this game and people were going nuts over it, so I figured why not? Maybe this game was somehow better than the MK games that came before it. And even though Mario Kart DS apparently combines the best aspects of the versions that came before it, at the end of the day, it's still Mario Kart.
My biggest problem with this game is its sense of speed ... basically, there is none. If you're used to playing racers like F-Zero and Burnout, this thing moves at a snail's pace. I heard that it speeds up once you unlock more cars, but you have to plod through a bunch of races using the crappy cars in order to get to that point, and that's just too much work for me. My next gripe with this game are the weapons. I can deal with the banana and green shell, but some of the weapons (*cough* lightening *cough* blue shell *cough*) are just cheap ... these are the kinds of weapons that you have no chance of avoiding. You'll be in first place and get nailed by a weapon that you had *no chance* of dodging, and suddenly you findyourself in 4th or 5th. This makes the entire game tedious and annoying to play. Another gripe in this game is the audio. Nintendo seems to have a knack for including the *worst* music possible in a video game. I'll be glad when portable gaming progresses to the point where custom soundtracks become possible, because the music in games like this just makes me want to turn the volume all the way down.
So what about the WiFi feature? Well, I don't have a wireless router, so I went to my local McDonalds hotspot to check it out. The setup was extremely easy and I was playing online in less than 2 minutes after starting the game. However, playing against other humans seemed pretty much like playing against the computer, cept that the humans were a lot better. I think I came in last every time. The service itself is great ... it's just too bad they kicked it off with such a shoddy game.
In the end, I just don't understand the draw to this game. To me, it seems like a pretty lame racer with cheap weapons and cartoon characters. I'm still waiting for a DS port of F-Zero. F-Zero is not the be-all/end-all of racing games, but it would certainly be better than this.

Toss up

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 10 / 16
Date: July 27, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I love Mario Kart and have been a fan of the series, but this one didn't impress me as much.

Sure it's fun, but the fact of the matter is in order to unlock characters and cars, you have to race 200 times on the same tracks.
(There are only 8 I may add)

Graphics:
8/10
Still the same MK graphics

Sound:
10/10
Each track has a different tune

Controls:
10/10
VERY easy to master

Multiplayer:
10/10
Unlike other MK games where you could only race on 4 tracks, you can now race on any track or do battle.
Very fun.

Online Play:
0/10
You know, when I saw that it had online play, I got all excited.
I got really good at the game and then tried against others.

I was REALLY disappointed at what I saw.

People where hacking so that they could win in 5 seconds or using the technique "Snaking".

I don't care what you want to call it, it is CHEATING.
I know how to do it, but I don't see the point in doing it. It's just the race to see who can cheat faster.

In the older MK's, you had to win straight up, and not with this stupid snaking stuff.

Playability:
Moderately-High

Overall:
7.5/10
Online Play kills the enjoyment

My Recommendation:
If you don't like repitition, then don't buy the game.

I DO NOT OWN YET!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 32
Date: December 15, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Okay. So, at first when I heard about this game when the DS came out and Nintendo announced this, I didn't think it was going be very interesting. I mean, I liked Mario Kart games, but on a handheld it didn't sound to interesting. The pictures that were released when this was announced weren't very appeling to look at. A year later, this game is shaping up to be quite a worthy addition to the Mario Kart series. When it was announced, I only cared about graphics in games. I can see the error of my ways now. That being said, I didn't care much about it. I just learned a few months ago, that this is some of the best graphics ever for a DS. This has so far been reveared as the best DS game so far. I have been wanting this sever since online play has been announced. I should have a review for this game shortly after Christmas.

average at best

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: January 29, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I've been a loyal nintendo fan for many years!!!!! The first system I ever bought other than nintendo was the Dreamcast. The only reason I bought that p.o.s. was for the on-line capabilities. Well after many years of nintendo ignoring the gaming community and denying on-line play (let's be real fantasy star online is not an enjoyable game) nintendo finally releases the "DS!" Wireless and Wi-fi are it's selling points, right? Well almost a YEAR! after it's release, nintendo finally gets mario kart out. So far I have found that the game play is repetative. As far as the on-line gaming, well...
How should I put this...
Watching paint dry takes less time, and is more fun than waiting for nintendo wifi connect to find THREE! That's right three (3), other players on-line, in order to start a race. Although I am a fan of mario kart and do enoy this game (some what), I think that nintendo has a long way to go in order to keep this customer.

I like milk (almond)

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 31
Date: November 14, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I Bought this game readlng the other revues thinking It was good. It wasent(after i it alot).You should get this game if you like racers.

Innovative is Nintendo's key here.......

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: January 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

For those gamers who's been with Nintendo through thick and thin, there has to be a Mario Kart game for every system; its just a ruital. All the white-knuckle, nostalgia, turtle-hurl your way that satisfied fans for years is back and sticks to its roots with Mario Kart DS for the Nintendo DS.
Hardcore gamers who felt that Mario Kart Double Dash was not the the "true blue" exquiste game that we all known and loved can now celebrate; Nintendo has heard the fans cry. New modes mean new fun in addition to the classic gameplay equals a powerhouse game in Nintendo's DS Line-up.
Mario Kart has everything its predecessor had; the diverse characters, the broad variety of tracks, the weapons such as the banna peel and the star are back, however, there is a difference.Fortunately, change is a good thing is this scenario.
Look at your DS screens, yeah, both of them during the races. (dont crash though!) If you observed the rhetorical, the top screen is for racing and the bottom is the map, thus taking advantage of the system's hardware, so the bottom screen will be essential to gamers to view who's in first and if there are any up-coming gauntlets, which can add a new flavor of competition.
Adding three new items to the Mario Kart family are the Bullet Bill, Blooper, and the Bomb-omb. Bullet Bill is a weapon gamers usually get when they are at the bottom of the totem pole; this item tempoary transforms the racer into the ferocious Bullet Bill, setting gamers onto "auto-pilot",zooming past your fellow racers. The infamous Blooper is an innovative item; when used it tempoary blinds the opponent racers' views by squirting ink onto the racer, thus making it difficult to view the track. Last but certainly not least, the Bomb-omb explodes after a brief period of time, or when another racer comes near it, so gamers do not want to be around the blast radius.
The gameplay remains intact; choose a difficulty level, select a racer, select a car,and choose a cup. All of the courses here are retro and orignal, so expect to be on your guard as you avoid falling rocks in the "throwback" level Choco Mountain or endeavor not to fall of of Tick Tock Clock. Rest assured that there are unlockable cars, cups, and racers as well.
Battle mode is where fun is written all over it. Battle Balloon is where gamers can get the "feel" of old-school and fight against players or CPUS (for those who are can't play with real-stock) by oblierating each other's balloons to the finish. Shrine Runners has gamers collecting Shrine Sprites appearing in stages, which is sort of that 50-yard dash you used to play back in elementary; dashing to get the most sprites.
Mission mode is where you conduct certain tasks such as collecting coins or driving through numbered gates; although it gets repetitive fast, being patient enough rewards you with fighting bosses, yes you heard me. Whether it be attempting to knock off Big Bully or racing against Gomboss, it shows that Nitendo is not scared to stick its neck out and try something new.
Adding a myraid of replay value is the ability to take the race online via wi-fi because everything is online, no more staying up at three in the morning to see who's best. Although some stages and the number of racers that can compete are limited, it adds competiton since with only four racers, gamers will have to scramble and dive for first place.
The only problem Mario Kart DS has is the difficulty of the AI; sometimes during Grand Prix, gamers are almost at the finish line when suddenly a Spike Shell is thrown at them, thus their victory stripped away. Finding "hot spots" for the wi-fi connection isn't bad, but I just wished Nintendo could have offered a free wi-fi usb connector to those less fortunate.
Above all, Nintendo adds more meat and bones to their series of games. Mario Kart DS, no doubt, keeps the series fresh and fun with each bold-new entry.

IS THIS REALLY A RACE?? WHY DOES IT MOVE TOO SLOW?

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 14
Date: January 24, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The cars move 2 miles an hour...and they call this a "racing" game. This game is only for kids, way too easy. I felt like going to sleep because the cars move like turtles. No excitement here. I gave three stars because there are a few things that are not bad. The environment designs are great. And the concept is good. The weapons are nice. The speed is the REAL problem with this game. This would be a great game for kids or for 80 to 90 year old seniors.

Beat it in two days- way too easy!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 06, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I have the same problem with this as with almost every game I've played so far for the DS (Kirby Canvas Curse, New Super Mario Bros). They are supposed to be fantastic, but when I get them, they are fun, sure, but they are way too short and too easy to beat. Now, I am no longer a child, but I didn't think these games were all geared for children only. There should be an age level warning, and basically Super Mario kart would be enjoyable for 17 and under. There are only 32 tracks, all fun and engaging as far as they go,but none are very challenging. It may sound like a lot but very soon after you crack open the package, you will be done and that is no bang for your 40 bucks. I hope Mega Man zx and Phantom Hourglass are better, or I am selling my DS right away.

Kart Racing on the DS

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: October 27, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The best thing about this is the ability to race vs your friends, either online or local wi-fi. If you've played the other Mario Kart games you won't find any surprises here.

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