Mario Kart DS

 DS
Mario Kart DS Image
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 64 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 682 Ratings

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  • Summary: Race and battle with up to eight karts at once, regardless of whether or not everyone has a Game Card. The all–star cast includes Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario, Bowser, and Toad. With courses drawn from every Mario Kart game - Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart:Race and battle with up to eight karts at once, regardless of whether or not everyone has a Game Card. The all–star cast includes Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario, Bowser, and Toad. With courses drawn from every Mario Kart game - Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart: Double Dash - players may tour many of their favorites as well as all-new tracks and battle arenas. The game has a new dimension of fun, since players can battle others around the world by connecting to Nintendo's new wireless gaming service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, via Wi-Fi. With over 30 courses and all the crazy items and frantic speed players would expect, this game is a Mario Kart fan's dream. [Nintendo]… Expand
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Mario Kart DS Gameplay Movie 4

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 64
  3. Negative: 0 out of 64
  1. GameSpy
    100
    The online shortcomings are annoying, yes, but very minor, and they are more than made up for by the amazing single-player content and local WiFi gameplay.
  2. Gamenikki
    100
    Mario Kart DS takes the best of all of the Mario Kart games and puts them together in a game people will still be playing when the next generation of Gameboy comes out.
  3. Play Magazine
    95
    Probably the best Mario Kart game since the original. [Dec 2005, p.75]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Adrenaline Vault
    90
    It is refreshing to see the DS stand up and do some things that can't be done on the GBA, allowing it to stand out as its own system rather than being used to play GBA titles on.
  5. GamePro
    90
    With a veritable buffet of racers, courses, modes, and multiplayer options, Mario Kart DS is a must play for any Nintendo fan and a requisite for any DS owner.
  6. N-Europe
    90
    I’m not giving this game the full score because of the little WiFi errors I experienced and the availability of only one online mode. But don’t get me wrong. Apart from this, Mario Kart is one hell of a game. It’s the best Mario Kart of all-time and an essential DS purchase. You shouldn’t be allowed to own a DS without it.
  7. games(TM)
    70
    Mario Kart DS is a polishing of the Mario Kart concept and little else. [Christmas 2005, p.99]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 64 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 180 out of 210
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 210
  3. Negative: 10 out of 210
  1. mrcritic
    Sep 24, 2010
    10
    No question, one of the best video games I've ever played. I've played this game for nearly 5 years, and I'm still hooked on Mario Kart DS. I love it!
  2. OliverE.
    Aug 31, 2007
    10
    Mario Kart is the best ! I like it because it is really challenging and all the characters are so cool ! I love the item attacks because they Mario Kart is the best ! I like it because it is really challenging and all the characters are so cool ! I love the item attacks because they seem so weird ! I hope this gets into you. It's the best game Nintendo have ever created… Expand
  4. Icantspell
    Jun 7, 2019
    10
    The most competitive Mario Kart game of all time, showing how far the series had been improved upon by the time the DS was released, and howThe most competitive Mario Kart game of all time, showing how far the series had been improved upon by the time the DS was released, and how serious they were when they made it. If you couldn't snake, you couldn't win.… Expand
  5. Zilcell
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    I wouldn't call it the best in the series, but other than having its moments, it has fantastic gameplay that captures the feeling similarly toI wouldn't call it the best in the series, but other than having its moments, it has fantastic gameplay that captures the feeling similarly to Mario Kart 64 and Super Mario Kart.… Expand
  6. RalphcCiurczak
    Mar 2, 2021
    9
    I'll say,this is actually quite good. The gameplay is amazing and so are the controls. The graphics are nice,and there's super cool modes toI'll say,this is actually quite good. The gameplay is amazing and so are the controls. The graphics are nice,and there's super cool modes to play like the mission mode.… Expand
  7. MichaelR.
    Oct 25, 2008
    8
    One word: over-rated. Reading that, you might be wondering why I gave it an 8. Simply put, this is a solid title, and certainly the best game One word: over-rated. Reading that, you might be wondering why I gave it an 8. Simply put, this is a solid title, and certainly the best game in the Mario Kart series, but it simply does not live up to the hype surrounding it. What you have in this title is a simplistic, cute, and engaging racing game. Nothing more, nothing less. There are a number of options, but most do not add anything of substance to the title (the exception is the terrific missions mode, which adds some challenge to this title). This is a fun game that will entertain almost anyone (young and old, racing fans and non-racing fans alike; I personally hate racing games; but this is more skin to Wacky Racers than it is Nascar or Gran Turismo: it has a goofy sense of fun that makes it a joy to play), But do not approach this expecting the greatest title on the DS. At least in my opinion, it isn't. But it is a fun and simple game that has infinite replayability.… Expand
  8. AnonymousMC
    Nov 24, 2006
    0
    DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks PSP Rocks PSP Rocks PSP RocksDS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks DS Sucks PSP Rocks PSP Rocks PSP Rocks PSP Rocks PSP Rucks DS SUCKS PSP ROCKS… Expand

See all 210 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best DS Game of 2005
1
#1 Most Discussed DS Game of 2005
1
#1 Most Shared DS Game of 2005