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 792 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 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
Buy Now
Buy on

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
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: 203 out of 234
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 234
  3. Negative: 10 out of 234
  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. DJT
    Dec 15, 2007
    10
    It's mario kart. Nuff said! You get a simple pickup and play game with great addictive multiplayer action on or off the Wifi. Nonstop It's mario kart. Nuff said! You get a simple pickup and play game with great addictive multiplayer action on or off the Wifi. Nonstop action - an instant DS classic.… Expand
  4. PatPlayer64
    Dec 28, 2019
    10
    The best Mario kart with great courses, characters, versus mode, battle mode and a mission mode. Great game
  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. ronkers
    Apr 10, 2022
    9
    extremely fun game, its my first and currently only mario kart game. pulling off a mini turbo always feels satisfying. it has amazing tracksextremely fun game, its my first and currently only mario kart game. pulling off a mini turbo always feels satisfying. it has amazing tracks but also some bland ones that i can excuse. i felt as if there wasn't enough variety in the missions which just seems like wasted potential to me. there's WAY too much blue shells up your ass at all time i like the idea of a blue shell but sometimes I'm at the end of the match and i get blueshelled causing me to come 3rd or something. racing on rainbow road was very annoying cause it's a very pretty and iconic track but every time i bump into anyone i get sent flying behind into the void. tick tock clock makes me cream everytime i play on it. Overall love love love!… Expand
  7. hector_bcn98
    Nov 7, 2022
    8
    Diversión, amigos, sencillez. Valores que otorgan a este videojuego un puesto históricos dentro de las consolas portátiles.
  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 234 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. Best of the Decade, Games

    The All-Time Best Games on Every Platform

    The All-Time Best Games on Every Platform Image
    Published: March 28, 2017
    Find the highest-scoring games exclusive to every platform, from the new Nintendo Switch all the way back to the Sega Genesis.
    More »
  2. Games

    Ranked: Mario and Super Mario Games

    Ranked: Mario and Super Mario Games Image
    Published: May 20, 2010
    This weekend, Nintendo releases Mario's latest adventure, "Super Mario Galaxy 2" (Wii). It seems like the perfect time to explore the history of the Mario series, and rank the previous titles from best to worst.
    More »

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