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How Metascores Are Calculated
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 GAMES: 
Pick a partner and race through wild courses as you compete in tough circuits or duke it out with power-ups and items in battle arenas. Double the fun! Each kart holds two racers who can switch places at any time. Choose from a huge cast of favorites, like: Luigi, Peach, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Wario and many more, and pair them up in any combination. The character in front handles the driving duties, while the character in the rear doles out damage with six different items plus eight special items that only specific characters can use. Reach new levels of frenzy with four-player mayhem, as each player controls two characters as they speed through Mushroom Kingdom courses. Place first in racing circuits to open up progressively more difficult circuits. Of course, you can have multiplayer races on any open courses or battle in arenas. Link the game with eight other players using a broadband adapter and race each other side-by-side using multiple game systems and multiple televisions! [Nintendo]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
GMR Magazine
Yeah, we'll say it: Mario Kart: Double Dash is the most fun you'll have with a game this year. And probably next year. And maybe even the year after that.
 100
G4 TV
Even the most cynical gamers will have a hard time not being won over by its charms. In short, it's the type of game you bought a GameCube for in the first place and, thanks to its excellent multiplayer modes, has a lot of staying power.
100
GameNow
An insanely well-made kart game with tight controls, great tracks, and some sweet multiplayer action...quite possibly GameCube's best game this holiday season. [Grade = A+; Dec 2003, p.72]
100
Nintendo Power
The tracks are big, bold, colorful and widely varied...The graphics are 3-D perfection and the controls and game mechanics rival those of any GCN racing game. [Jan 2004, p.154]
100
Stuff
There are dozens of dazzling tracks, and the play gets fast, manic and difficult, but somehow always retains a magically fun ingredient.
100
Cinescape
A fantastic game that no GameCube owner should be without. I enjoyed it and my girlfriend absolutely loved it.
100
GamePro
The gameplay remains fast and furious, and the simple controls do a masterful job of literally keeping you on track. The interplay between the characters in two-player mode is particularly impressive.
98
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Pure, exhilarating glee will envelop your soul, demanding that you keep playing "just one more game" into the wee hours of the morning. It's that good. [Dec 2003, p.230]
97
GameZone
Its replay value is impervious to boredom – you will never, ever want to part with this game. It is a classic that will go down in gaming history as one of Nintendo's best offerings.
97
Nintendojo
With the excellent visuals, quality Nintendo charm, and hours upon hours of replay value, there’s just nothing to hate about this game... except for Sherbet Land. So much hate!
96
XGP Gaming
For those of you that have sat behind the wheel of your favorite console racing game, STRAP YOURSELF IN! This is not your ordinary race-to-the-finish driving game.
95
1UP
A joy to play, a frantically manic experience with enough depth to satisfy veterans without turning off newcomers and a multiplayer favourite.
95
Nintendophiles
The brand new 'Bob-omb Blast' is likely to be the best multiplayer kart game you will ever play.
95
Electric Playground
The track designs in Double Dash are positively bursting with activity. If you thought Mario Kart was intense on the N64 (with it’s notoriously cheap catch-up AI—which I’m happy to report is noticeably absent this time), you ain’t seen nothing yet!
95
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
We say it's the best Mario Kart ever and if you disagree we'll just have to humble you at battle mode until you cry real tears. [GamesMaster]
95
Armchair Empire
Double-Dash doesn’t stray far from what gamers have come to love about the series -- if it aint' broke, don't fix it -- but the added refinements make it a must-play title, particularly with friends.
94
TotalGames.net
Easily one of the best multiplayer racers ever made.
93
Game Informer
Raises the character-based racing bar yet again. It's also the must-have GameCube title this holiday season. [Dec 2003, p.152]
92
Next Level Gaming
Does an excellent job rekindling the fun and excitement found in previous MarioKart titles. The addition of some new gaming elements and awesome visual and audio presentations make this a quality title.
91
Gamezilla!
I like it so very much and wish there was more to do once I made it through the 16 tracks. Buy this game, enjoy it and then sell it for the latest and greatest from the Big N.
91
Play Magazine
The look, feel, structure and incomparable Nintendo touch have been closely preserved, toyed with just enough to be labeled a substantial sequel. [Nov 2003, p.84]
91
Gaming Age
Nintendo has implemented new play mechanics, added fantastic new character-specific weapons, and thrown in some amazing new tracks to make Mario Kart: Double Dash!! the best multiplayer experience currently available on the GameCube.
90
Gamenikki
As such a strong multiplayer game, Mario Kart: Double Dash!! deserves your money. Ignore those cynical, angry critics; this game might not be a revolution, but it's a hell of an evolution.
90
Village Voice
Between opponents' backseat bombers, traps, and other natural threats (breaking waves, thunderbolts), you'll need much more than a good drift technique to finish first.
90
Weekly Famitsu
9 / 9 / 9 / 9 - 36 platinum [Vol 778]
90
GameReviewer
Mario's shouts of excitement are much more subdued than we're used to, and there doesn't seem to be quite the usual level of ambience in general. Some will prefer this, but I didn't.
90
Gamestyle
Nicely presented (and there are no load times at all), it's packed with pure playability and has enough 'whimsical' substance to last just as long as the others. Fans of the previous games will relish the new challenges on offer, and anyone new to the series will no doubt have a whale of a time in multiplayer alone.
90
GameBiz
The difference between unlocking things in a Mario Kart game compared to a random game, is that the unlockables in Mario Kart games are incredibly rewarding.
90
EuroGamer
With more battle tracks, a few more actual racetracks and four-player Grand Prix mode - and let us not forget Internet play, for those of us who will never have all the equipment to make use that tantalising LAN mode - Double Dash would almost certainly qualify for the top score. As it is, at times it's a hair's breadth away, and you're doing yourself a massive disservice if you don't race out and buy this the second it's available.
90
GameSpy
It's not the most original game this year, but it's one of the best you'll play on GameCube.
90
GameCube Europe
If you’ve already played a Mario Kart game, Double Dash is still worth days of your time. However, it might lose its appeal sooner than other versions did, because for ninety percent it’s just more of the same.
90
Gamer.tv
Utterly addictive stuff... this is a Nintendo product that can be embraced by those who don't worship at the shrine of Mario.
90
GamerFeed
Double Dash!!'s multiplayer craziness is unrivaled and one of the most fun games on the GameCube.
90
Total Video Games
Although the game is slightly disappointing on a couple of levels, the truth is its Mario Kart, who couldn’t love it. The actual races are absolutely brilliant particularly in multiplayer, however the Battle Mode is surprisingly weak.
88
GamingTrend
A great game. Because of the differences from previous iterations it may be a little disappointing to die hard Mario Kart purists. But for anyone who likes the series in general, the decision to get this game is a no-brainer.
88
Gamer's Pulse
The multiplayer is outstanding and there are tons of unlockables.
86
RealGamer
Although Multiplay is probably the largest part of the appeal, single play also works well and races are kept fun and varied if not a little easy to win.
85
netjak
The unlockables really make this a sound purchase.
85
NintendoWorldReport
The ultimate refinement of the Mario Kart concept; if you love that concept, you’ll love the things Double Dash adds and enhances. If you were tired of the formula or never liked it to begin with, this game is not going to convert you.
83
Entertainment Weekly
The game really shines in multiplayer competition. [19 Dec 2003, p.L2T 20]
82
GamingWorld X
Does little to improve on the franchise, but remains a highly enjoyable multiplayer title.
80
games(TM)
As enjoyable as anything you'll play this year. The mechanics and weapons can leave something to be desired at times, but 'one more go' syndrome is seldom this acute and this is by far the game's biggest strength. [Christmas 2003, p.90]
80
NTSC-uk
If there is one thing Nintendo can be relied upon for delivering, it is the quality of track design and there is no disappointment within Mario Kart DD. Right from the start on Luigi Circuit, there is an air of simplicity and yet a multitude of hidden complexity, choice, racing line and shortcuts to choose from on the fly becomes evident over time.
80
Games Radar
By using the broadband adapter (yes, one does exist) you can connect some GameCubes together for an 8-player, tag-team match.
80
Nintendorks
Wonderfully balanced.
80
Yahoo! Games
Crustier, more seasoned gamers may grumble a tad at the general lack of progress, but we'll bet they'll be up at ungodly hours playing Shine Thief, just like the rest of us.
80
GameShark
Fellas think about it, this might be a great way to get those non-gaming girlfriends to share in yet another one of your obsessions.
80
Worth Playing
While its sad to say that the two character carts in Double Dash is more of a gimmick than a significant gameplay enhancement to the Mario Kart franchise, the game is certainly entertaining in its own right, though a little more polish and refinement could have lead to a spectacular game, instead of a pretty good one.
80
Deeko
The single player mode is a joke, in terms of difficulty and while it was fun at first, the simple fact that you will have no difficulty winning later races makes the game boring.
80
Ferrago
The visuals and sharp and well animated but unlike many games aimed at the mass market the characters don't seem very cool or quirky. The Mario cast has been thrown into too many products for their appearance to hold much sway with this gamer.
80
Inside Gamer Online
More characters, amazingly detailed courses, the Double Dash idea, unlockable vehicles, and other secrets prove that Mario Kart: Double Dash is a huge improvement over previous games in the series.
79
IGN
It's good, clean multiplayer fun but it doesn't progress far beyond the N64 version other than in the visual department...I expected so much more than this mediocre effort.
79
GameSpot
The game looks and moves great, the controls are responsive, and there's a nice variety of gameplay modes available. Still, considering the seven-year gap since "Mario Kart 64" was released, it's hard not to be a little disappointed with the limited scope of the game.
75
Game Revolution
Recaptures the simple magic that made the original a hit, but doesn’t make much of an effort beyond that. The inclusion of two-seater karts is a nice touch and the multiplayer game continues to shine, but the single-player lacks substance and the track design is generally pretty bland.
75
PALGN
This is one of the most fun games I've played all year and for me it's definitely better than "Mario Kart 64," especially in the overall track design department, so if you loved that then you need this.
60
Cheat Code Central
Like almost every other home made first party release for the GameCube with a few exceptions, MKDD feels like the same old thing with updated graphics and a few new innovations that unfortunately come up short.
60
Maxim Online
And once you learn to handle swapping positions at the tap of a button, you’ll realize that beneath the cuddly, kiddie veneer lurks a fiercely competitive game that’s all about spanking the baby powder off your opponents.
50
Edge Magazine
Mario Kart isn't a racing game any more. It is a party game, and anyone buying it for anything more than frantic, foolish, social fun will grow tired of being cheated very quickly indeed. [Christmas 2003, p.98]
Jonathan Q. gave it a4: Mario Luigi gave it a10: LT B. gave it a9: Andrew C. gave it a0: Al C. gave it a0: Karl N. gave it a10: Mike A. gave it a10: |
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