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 743 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: 192 out of 222
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 222
  3. Negative: 10 out of 222
  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. Samuele
    Nov 2, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. (IT) Il miglior Mario kart di sempre. Ha dettato gli standard dei moderni Mario Kart e ha introdotto numerose nuove modalità; in particolare mi piace la modalità missioni, mai tornata nei nuovi Mario Kart.… 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. sosuke1121
    Dec 13, 2021
    9
    This game first introduced the drift controls that we have now, and it is good. There's new items like Blooper and Bullet Bill.
    However, I    This game first introduced the drift controls that we have now, and it is good. There's new items like Blooper and Bullet Bill.
    However, I have to applaud Mario Kart DS for its numbers of content. It remade lots of old tracks, from GC to SNES. The game is birth to Waluigi Pinball, Delfino Square, and Wario Stadium. It has a good range of characters, and the kart selection is decent.
    The Bosses and Challenges are fun, and for me I think this is the most interesting Mario Kart game.    … Expand
  7. guitarguy001
    Jan 9, 2014
    8
    The best racer on the DS. Even though it's not my favorite Mario Kart game, this game is great for the DS. I had a lot of fun with this game,The best racer on the DS. Even though it's not my favorite Mario Kart game, this game is great for the DS. I had a lot of fun with this game, it's one of the best games on the DS.… 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 222 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