Best Mario Kart that's out there.

Overview:
I've been wanting a racing DS game for a while now, and I figured that the best DS games are usually made by Ninendo themselves. And this one is no surprise, Ninendo has done it again. 32 tracks send repetitive gameplay out the window.

Graphics:
Despite the almost pitiful graphics processing compared to the next-gen consoles, Nintendo made this game look quite impressive. Naturally, if you look long and hard enough, you can see flaws in kart design and character design. But, this is racing, and I'm usually too occupied in getting first to notice these in-game. While racing, they managed to get the kart incredibly sharp, smooth, and clear. Even the wheels on the kart were extremely smooth. The courses themselves were also colorful and kept in that Mario feel. One very good example is the Waluigi Pinball course. In reality, the Graphics are very, very impressive for the DS.

Audio:
The audio in this game really gave it that fun Mario feel. The little noises made by the various creatures reminded me of how fun Mario is. Even the small characters' karts, like Toad's, has a small,whiney engine. While large characters, like Bowser, have low, rumbly engines. The game still has the annoying Mario music that we all know and dearly love. Even the little noise that the Koopa Shell makes gives it a mario feel.

Gameplay:
There isn't much to complain about in terms of gameplay. Even though the DS has no Analog stick, they managed to keep the steering fluid and funtional. On tight curves, a simple press and hold of the "R" button lets you drift and hug those tight corners for the potential win. One aspect which I like or dilike, (depends if I'm winning or not), is that the new items on the DS installment can break even the best of racers. The most defined item is the new Blue Shell, which, when shot, will track the person in first. It is also virtually impossible to stop, unlike the red or green shells that can be easily blocked by a banana. 32 tracks is quite amazing, they took all the favorites from older games, and some newer ones, and shoved it all in one littl game card. I nice array of characters is there too, including the all-stars, like Mario, Luigi, and Bowser. But also new ones, like Waluigi, R.O.B., and Dry Bones. The single player mode is fun, but it can be easily mastered. And I soon was bored even on the hard difficulty. The only real reason for playing Single Player is to unlock all the characters and courses.Noneoftheless, multiplayer comes out where Single player has fallen. Multiplayer is truly where the perfection lies. Nothing is better than yelling at a friend for that Blue Shell he shot right before the finish line to win it. Battle can be very fun and nail-biting if you know how to dodge and hide. Pulling off tricks to stump the red shells and setting traps for unsuspecting victems keeps you on yor toes the whole time. Multiplayer is the reason I play Mario Kart DS everyday on the bus to and from school.

Online:
Online play is fun but could have been much better. The crude search system makes finding any opponent difficult and rare. Only 4 players can race each other in online, I really tink they could have had more. Also, no battle and not all tracks playable make online play very limited. Plus, actually staying connected is a challenge in itself. More than half the time I get an error and have to reconnect all over again. But in defense of Ninendo, On the 1 in 1000 chance I can find an opponent and stay connected, online racing is fun. But they really could have done so much better.

Closing Comments:
Mario Kart DS is a addicting game that can leave you laughing and taunting regardless of how many times you play it. I garauntee that is you put this game down for a couple of months, you will pick it up and have just as much fun as when you first bought it.