E3: Mario Kart DS Hands-On

Kart fans, prepare for network turtle-shelling and a whole lot more! We go hands-on.

Mario Kart DS brings the world's most acclaimed kart racing game to Nintendo's latest greatest portable, and in doing so takes advantage of the machines innovative features to create an unprecedented kart racing experience. Interested?

On a portable for the first time in true 3D, the game looks and plays phenomenally. Running at an ideal 60 fps even when bogged down with network duties and eight characters, the game proves that the DS can handle such daunting tasks.

By a long shot, the biggest feature of the new incarnation is the incorporation of wireless internet gaming over Nintendo's newly announced wireless gaming service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The wireless connection service is available to gamers at no additional charge via existing Wi-Fi hotspots and home wireless networks, and adds a whole new dimension to the Mario Kart experience.

Opponents can also be played locally via the always-accessible built-in DS wireless. Either way, wireless multiplayer karting is the future. There really is no greater thrill than taking out an opponent at the finish line with a turtle shell, knowing that somewhere between your DS and the rest of the world you made someone cry out in disgust. Exciting and addictive, the multiplayer will have you glued for hours.

Another exciting aspect of the game is the incorporation of courses from every Mario Kart game before it, as well as a slew of new ones. That gives Mario Kart DS the prize of having the most courses of any game in the series, more than 30 in all. Beloved courses from the original SNES game are playable in all-new 3D creating an air of familiarity in a world of fresh DS graphics, and how sweet it is on the go.

Use of the actual duel screens is pretty standard fare. The top screen is used for karting action, while the bottom touch screen offers two overhead views of the race zoomed to varying degrees, giving us a little heads-up when an opponent nears or a turtle shell is hurdling our way. Fans of recent versions will be happy to know that the power sliding technique (using the R shoulder button) has made a return as well.

A game that appeals to all ages and demographics, Mario Kart is an important franchise that Nintendo is relying on to maintain strong DS sales. The E3 build is rock solid and all signs point to "killer app" for the two-screened-Nintendo.

Carl Johnson
Staff Writer, Kikizo Games