One of the much better games for the DS, even if you dont like mario all that much. Buy it. NOW
Gameplay: 9.5
My first impression of this game was that it if it wasnt fun, then it would be a complete waste of my time. As soon as the race started I soon learnt that this game is very hard to put down! After learning about drifting and powersliding to get boosts around corners, I was instantly hooked to honing my poor skills. The levels of difficulty are pretty standard. You have your 50cc, 100cc and 150cc engine class's. 50cc was extremely easy to win with Yoshie, but it slowly got harder as I got into the fast engine class's. There are lots of racers to play with, including all your old Mario Kart favourites plus a few new ones added like the Bones guy and Daisy. There are a few karts to choose for each racer, including the standard and unique kart. The fluid gameplay has to be Mario Karts main hook in playing this game. It is easy to just pick up and have a go, but it will take a long time to master the aspects of your character. It will also take you a while to master playing against those japanese guys on WiFi...
Graphics: 8
The graphics are on par with almost every 3D DS game out there, but because of the expansive level designs they sometimes lack in detail around the edges, But of course you can only really tell if you are looking hard enough. Which you probobly arent when you are zooming around trying to dodge massive metal balls on chains while trying to get the perfect powerslide. They are very similar to N64's Mario Kart and do look great on the little portable DS. The framerate never skips which keeps your eyes on the game for every split second. The level design is very good with ports from every Mario Kart game made. The snes levels are nice and flat, they manage to capture all of the N64's glory and the GCN levels are great fun to play on, plus the new courses which are just as good as every course ever made. They keep things interesting with shortcuts and little things here and there that you can use to your advantage or disadvantage.
Sound: 8
The usual sound of kart engines burring away, small taunts here and there of passing opponents and the sound effects of items whizzing past you. Typical mario Kart sounds and music that has a happy appeal to it and keeps the overall experience nice and friendly. How Nintendolike :P
Overall Value: 9
You will keep going back and back to play this game. There are heaps of game modes to have a go at. There is the normal Grand prix single player, where you battle it out against 7 opponents to win the trophy, and of course something unlocked in the game. There are the Time Trials which are a must in any driving game, The battle comes back with the usual 3 balloons but this time you can make teams of you and other racers. There is the VS mode where you can just free race against opponents on the set conditions that you define at the start, Plus the new mission mode. There are 6 levels of missions, each with 8 missions and 1 boss mission. They are made to improve your skills wether it be powersliding, cornering or using items effectively. They are great fun and definately worth playing a few times.
Extras \ Online Play: N/A \ 9.5
Mario Kart DS is the first DS game to include internet WiFi to play against opponents from all over the world. It is compatible with a range of wireless routers or you could buy the DS WiFi adapter from the shops or ebay. It plugs into your computer via USB and lets you play with the DS WiFi with limited range from the adapter. Setting it up is easy enough, pretty self explanitory. Joining games are easy, with you connecting to the internet and then waiting for people who are availible to your settings. You dont host games though, you just wait for players who are free and off you go. You can select to find players who are Regional (in your country), Rivals (people with the same skill level as you), Worldwide and Friends. You register friends with unique "Friend Codes" that each gamecart has. The only bad thing about that is that the only way to get friends codes is to tell people exactly what code you have. You cant see them in the game at all. So if you meet someone who you want to play again, you have no way of getting their friend codes. That and not being able to select game modes are the only turn offs with playing around with WiFi. They are small problems though which dont distract that it is extremely fun to play with your DS in your living room against anyone in the world! It has great replayability.
Overall this is an awesome game. I reccomend anyone with a DS to get it. Even if your not a mario fan, this game appeals to anyone with a DS and WiFi. Great Fun.