Mario Kart DS is a wonderful showcase for the handheld's power and Wi-Fi capabilities.
Also available is a nifty little program to make your own emblem and have it slapped on the kart when you play in single or multi-player. Ah yes, Multi-player... it is one of the most refined thing's about Mario Kart DS. You can play with other people through one cartridge if they happen to be around you. Doing so brings the ability to play against anyone and have the ability to race or battle them. The same options exist for those who have the cartridge on-hand. But Wi-Fi is where Mario Kart DS takes off. Being one of the first games to offer Wi-Fi from Nintendo I was expecting a more lackluster effort. But Wi-Fi just works on the DS and isn't complicated in any manner. Unfortunately however, you can only race against those in Wi-Fi. The inclusion of a battle mode would have been amazing. Graphically, Mario Kart DS is a strong showcase of what the DS can do. And being that this is one of the first games on the DS I an only hope to expect better in later games.
Sound on the DS is more than I expected from a handheld. It can do not only stereo through its built in speakers but it simulates surround sound as well. You hear something and know exactly where it is. Overall Mario kart DS is the greatest Mario kart game to date and somehow has an addictive feel to it. The game ahs also given me a lot of hope for the longevity of Nintendo's little DS against other portable gaming devices.