Review: Mario Kart DS

It would be an understatement to say that Nintendo's signature character, the shell-stomping princess-saving Mario, needs no introduction. He's a world-wide phenomenon and has appeared in enough game spin-offs to spawn a genre of his own. The title that just keeps coming back, though, is Mario Kart. The irreverent and addictive combat racing gameplay is just as enjoyable today on Nintendo's Dual-Screen wonderkind as it was on the SNES. Read on for my impressions of another powerhouse title featuring the mustachioed multitalented plumber.

• Title: Mario Kart DS
• Developer: Nintendo
• Publisher: Nintendo
• System: Nintendo DS
• Reviewer: Zonk
• Score: 10/10

Mario Kart's pedigree is long and on the whole entirely successful. The game has been on the SNES, the N64, the GBA, the Gamecube, and now the DS. While the fundamental gameplay hasn't substantially changed, the purity of the design, the simplicity of the controls, and the personable nature of the game's graphical presentation combine to make Mario Kart one of the most enjoyable racing titles videogaming has to offer.

Playing the game is almost unchanged from the experience in Gamecube's Mario Kart Double Dash!!. While you aren't able to ride with a gunner, as you could on that system's Kart offering, Kart DS still offers up the opportunity to bring the blue sparks. Skidding around corners allows you to maintain your momentum, and quickly twitching the D-pad back and forth generates sparks which can give you a much needed boost. As you fly around the tracks, you'll gain access to a bevy of items for use against your opponents. Ranging from a simple banana peel that can slip up foes behind you to a leader-seeking flying blue shell, the items keep the game extremely balanced and the ending always tight. The further back in the pack you find yourself, the more powerful the items you find on the track. Players relegated to the far end of the course may even find themselves transformed into a Bullet Bill, which can rocket down the racetrack at high speed and blast foes out of the way. Even if you're lagging far behind you're never more than an item away from rejoining the pack. The gameplay is designed to be simple to learn, with plenty of depth to unlock through repeated play. Unfrustrating and good-natured fun is the result, a title that can be picked up by novice and expert alike and played with equal enjoyment. In addition to Prix mode there are also 54 missions to try out, each of them more challenging than the last. The trials are designed to improve your racing skills, and range from simple 'go through the numbered posts' slalom-style events to some truly unique boss fights. Each boss requires a different strategy to defeat, and some trials are extremely tough to power through. These battles are well worth it though, and add just that much more replayablity to the title.

The field of battle in Mario Kart DS is the racetrack, and there are 32 tracks to compete in over the course of the single-player mode. There are three racing speeds, from 50cc engines for newcomers to 150cc engines for the more experienced player. Each speed rating has eight cup races, with each cup being made up of four racetracks. Tracks from every previous Kart title are offered here, going all the way back to the SNES version. There are also a number of original tracks available, and the simplicity of the older tracks is almost refreshing compared to the complexity of some of the newer environments. While older tracks are just ovals to navigate, newer tracks offer criss-crossing paths and stupendous leaps. Some of the racetracks have a higher fun factor than others, but the sheer variety of tracks means there is something to offer for every player. There's also something to offer for every Nintendo fan, in the form of over a dozen selectable characters. While you initially start with eight, you unlock new Mario buddies and new carts for the characters as you complete cups. Each character has a definite racing style, and it's refreshing that playing Toad is fundamentally different than driving as Bowser. Who you play is more than just an aesthetic statement: it affects your strategy as well.

Aesthetics are a fine topic for this game, though, because Mario Kart looks just great on the DS. All of the characters are identifiable, and have a lot of personality to their models. Karts are imaginatively designed, and game items have the same quirky looks as their non-racing counterparts. The entire game runs smoothly as silk, with no graphical hiccups or even slowdowns that I could tell. The tracks themselves, besides their enjoyable design, bring the world of Mario to life as you whizz past. Some of the older tracks look a little blocky in comparison to the Gamecube or brand-new offerings, but overall the game is a slick and pleasant world to drive through.

As much fun and challenge as the single-player prix mode offers, the true joy of Kart racing is multiplayer mode. Mario Kart DS makes playing with your fellow gamers brilliantly simple. Locally, multiple DS units can be networked together to run races or engage in one of the entertaining mini-games. Fellow players don't all need the cartridge, either, with one console running the game acting as a hub for up to seven other players. Hopping into this feature is intuitive and only requires a few button presses. Mario Kart DS has also launched as one of the premier titles utilizing Nintendo's WiFi Connection. If you have access to a compatible WAP, or live near a McDonald's, you can compete with fellow Kart players across the country and around the world. My WAP required no tweaking whatsoever to allow the DS to start looking for other players. Up to four players can race together competitively on a series of tracks. The full set of 32 are not available, but there are more than enough options to keep strangers enjoying each other's company. The family-friendly side of Nintendo means that DS multiplayer is as pleasant to play as it is easy to set up. There's no way to interact with other players besides racing, so comments about your mom won't be drifting from your DS speakers. The network appears to be solid as well. Despite disparate geography and connection setups, I've never had even the slightest bit of lag while playing with other Kart racers. Some players do inevitably drop out of the race because of signal strength or petty annoyance, but the race moves forward without interruption. There are also vs. modes, which bring back the balloon-popping fighter and introduces shine runner, a challenge to collect the Mario series ever-present star-shaped rewards.

There are a few minor quibbles I have with the setup. In order to play with specific individuals, you'll need to trade Friend Codes. Friend Codes are unique identifiers pairing the DS and a cartridge, and are the only way you can seek out any one person online. You can't trade Friend Codes online; they have to be traded via some other information channel. There's no way, then, to block racers who constantly drop out if they're in last place or befriend a good sport you bested on the Luigi's Mansion track. Likewise, it can sometimes take a while to find opponents when you're out searching on the Regional or Worldwide screens. If the game can't find four players to put together it will often drop two or three players together into a race just to get them racing, and there are no options governing your preferences here.

Idiosyncrasies with the online setup aside, Mario Kart DS is a drop-dead gorgeous racer with a nearly limitless pot of fun on to boil. The gameplay is addictively fun. There are several options for single-player play, ensuring you'll never get tired of playing by yourself. And, if you do, it's a matter of minutes to be online and racing someone from anywhere in the world. It's not often that I pause to reflect on the real changes that modern developments have made to gaming, but the ease and fluidity with which you can be racing other gamers from the comfort of your cozy WAP is enough to make even the most jaded technology aficionado pause. If you own a DS, there are very few reasons not to consider at least renting this game. It's the latest and greatest in one of Nintendo's most venerable franchises, packing graphical prowess and technical savvy into one impossible-to-put-down package. I highly recommend this game to anyone who likes having fun.

Comments

Sir! With the keyboard!

[katana]

Sir, I need you to put down the thesaurus, and slowly back away. Keep your hands where I can see them!

I love nintendo

[msh104]

the game is really cool. I myself like the nature of nintendo games, some people may call them childish, but they are really enjoyable and funny and keep you playing for many hours. :)

Re:I love nintendo

[Enigma_Man]

One of my favorite DS games is actually a minigame within the Mario64DS game. It's the bomb-omb one where you drag the colored bombs into the appropriate square to diffuse them. I believe my top score is 272 or 273. I don't have my DS with me at the moment to check (I can't gratuitously goof off at work).

-Jesse

Re:I love nintendo

[lowrydr310]

Those 'childish' games are the only ones I like. I don't like the idea of sitting down at a console and devoting 24+ hours to playing a single game.

I still play classic 8-bit Nintendo games (and often wonder why I paid $20 or $30 for some of them when they were first released). My favorite is Contra. Despite beating it thoursands of times, I still play it when my brother visits me and says "hey, let's go beat Contra again." The scary thing is that I'm finally able to beat the game without doing the cheat code. Unfortunately I can't yet beat the game without using a continue.

Mariokart is great, but it's most fun playing vs. mode with a group of friends.

Re:I love nintendo

[DrEldarion]

You'll probably like this then.

Re:I love nintendo

[RabidMoose]

And what do you call talking about Nintendo games on Slashdot?

Re:I love nintendo

[Politburo]

I still play classic 8-bit Nintendo games (and often wonder why I paid $20 or $30 for some of them when they were first released).

Maybe because that's what they cost? In fact, I seem to remember $20-30 as being cheap.

Re:I love nintendo

[SenatorOrrinHatch]

Mario Kart, from Super Nintendo (the first console with built-in 3d capabilities) to N64 and onward, is the best, most fun, multiplayer game ever made.

Re:I love nintendo

[Enigma_Man]

not-quite-so-gratuitously goofing off. At least it kinda-sorta looks like I might possibly be doing something constructive. I'm at my PC typing things, instead of obviously playing a video game :)

-Jesse

Re:I love nintendo

[TheTerrorized]

What's wrong with being childish? The word "game" itself is associated with being childish.

Re:I love nintendo

[mpathetiq]

Mario Kart, from Super Nintendo (the first console with built-in 3d capabilities) to N64 and onward, is the best, most fun, multiplayer game ever made. Don't forget Mario Tennis, which ties as most fun multiplayer game.

Re:I love nintendo

[Prophet of Nixon]

If you have a PS2, you should try Gradius V or Neo Contra, they're both wonderful 2 player games, and good updates of old Nintendo franchises. Gradius V is classic playing Gradius with graphics better than Ikaruga and some awesome new 'option' abilities. Neo Contra is a whole Contra game in the style of the overhead levels from The Alien Wars (SNES).

If you really like the punishingly hard early Contra games, get Super C (NES, much much harder than Contra; I never could beat level 6) or Shattered Soldier (PS2, so hard it hurts, mainly because enemies are always suddenly doing things I don't expect and I can't react in time).

Contra Hard Corps on the Genesis is also great.

Re:I love nintendo

[Evangelion]

Technically, the 3D capabilities weren't "built in" to the SNES -- they came on the chips of the carts that required them. i.e. the StarFox cart had the SuperFX chip on the cartridge, it wasn't internal to the SNES.

If it was the Mode 7 "rotation/scaling" you're talking about, that really isn't 3D in the traditional sense of arbitrary numbers of polygons in 3-space. That was one large flat polygon that could be manipulated in 3-space, and everything else was done with sprites.

Re:I love nintendo

[Anonymous Coward]

The scary thing is that I'm finally able to beat the game without doing the cheat code

Up,Up,Down,Down,Left,Right,Left,Right,B,A,Start

Re:I love nintendo

[SenatorOrrinHatch]

I was referring to Mode 7, which was used for 3-d style games (such as MarioKart and F-zero). The superFX chip was pretty cool, it made the 3D graphics on my SegaCD look like crap. BTW, I don't think there's any 3D accelerators that can model "arbitrary numbers of polygons in 3-space," though the new PS3 and Xbox 360 one can probably get an effect approaching that. Especially after viewing the next Metal Gear demo clip.

Re:I love nintendo

[Fallingcow]

I always did "B,A,B,A" at the end. Did you really only need it once?

Re:I love nintendo

[Anonymous Coward]

Select, Start, you lonely bastard.

Re:I love nintendo

[Anonymous Coward]

Wario Ware ties too. But Monkey Target in Super Monkey Ball 2 pips them all to the post!

Honourable mentions to DDR, Smash Bros Melee, UT2004, Doom, Starcraft, Street Fighter 2, Virtua Tennis, Bust-a-move and Soul Calibur. And probably some stuff I've never even played.

Videogames rock.

Re:I love nintendo

[Evangelion]

"Arbitrary" meant >1. Mode 7 could really just rotate a single polygon in 3-space. F-zero and Mario Kart were one big rotating polygon (the ground) and everything else on the screen was made up of traditional sprites.

In real 3D games, much more than just the (planar, 2-dimensional) ground is constructed out of polygons.

Re:I love nintendo

[SetupWeasel]

Oh yeah, that was a great one. The game I use to demonstrate the DS to others is the trampoline mini-game from the same title. I've burned out my battery multiple times on that one.

Re:I love nintendo

[Parham]

I just want to say that I think that's the best game-related articles I've ever seen, and I couldn't agree more. It was short and nailed what needed to be said. Whether it was meant as a joke or not, it was great. I would have liked to see more examples with happy and sad faces though ;)

Re:I love nintendo

[Cychwyn]

Childish is a negative comment. It implies that you are doing something sub-standard when you should really know better. The word you're looking for is "childlike", which is neutral and implies that the action is normal. Such as playing games no matter what age you are. :-)

  Minor pet-peeve vented, I shall now return to lurking.

Re:I love nintendo

[hattig]

I thought MODE 7 was a neat trick done by the graphics controller. The actual polygon is merely a 2D tiled map. However instead of the graphics controller outputting left-to-right through the map, it could output at any angle through the map (rotation) and you could alter the step as well (distance).

Moving around was achieved by altering the rotation (turning around) and altering the step and change-of-step (angle of view).

Of course, like all hardware, it was abused a lot to create some damn neat effects, MODE 7 games with textured 'hills' and so on. It was a very interesting feature to include.

Re:I love nintendo

[Ry-Dawg]

I wish more of these kinds of games (and game systems) were out there. The rush for highest console specs and most detailed games with the best and newest 3D effects has led to boring, cloned, 'I've-played-this-before' games. After a few hours, the novelty of crazy graphics wears off and you tend to put the game down and forget about it. I'm glad at least one of the current game consoles is still coming out with fun games.

This is one reason I am waiting for the Revolution to come out. With the new controller and all, there is a good possibility for a new genre of games to come out, one that is fun, and appeals to a new demographic. 'Hard core' gamer die-hards might bash it, but Nintendo is taking a risk with the Revolution and new controller, and I respect that. I wish some others would take the hint.

*cough*Microsoft*cough*Sony*cough*EA*cough*

Sorry, I had something in my throat there.

Wish there was internet battle mode

[Icupnimpn2]

I've never had a group of friends to sit around with and play video games, especially not handholds. I was hoping that this time the wireless intenet play would allow me to enjoy battle mode with others. Is there any possibility of an update to functionality, or is the network play pretty much a done deal because the game is printed on a cartridge?

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[2nd Post!]

You mean like the one mentioned in the review?

Mario Kart DS has also launched as one of the premier titles utilizing Nintendo's WiFi Connection. If you have access to a compatible WAP, or live near a McDonald's, you can compete with fellow Kart players across the country and around the world.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[GweeDo]

Only versus mode. No Battle mode.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[confu2000]

He means battle mode which is one of the alternate forms of versus play. The only thing available from WFC is racing.

On local LAN, there is also battle mode and shine runners. In battle mode, you get 5 lives and getting hit with shells, banana peels and other objects takes away a life. In shine runners, you're competing to pick up shines (from Mario Sunshine). You can knock shines loose from other players with shells, etc. Every 20 seconds or so, whoever has the fewest shines gets dropped off until one person is left.

Unfortunately, neither of those modes are available online.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[ill_conditioned]

He was talking about playing battle mode over the internet. Mario Kart DS only offers the regular Grand Prix racing over the net. I seriously doubt there will be any update. Maybe in the sequel.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[solive1]

What the original poster meant was that the only thing you can do online is races. You can't play the MK battle mode, which is basically ride around special tracks and shoot weapons at each other. If someone gets hit three times, they lose, and the last man standing wins.

I don't know if such an update is even possible, but I would enjoy it if it were.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[tepples]

Maybe in the sequel.

When has a Mario Kart game ever had a sequel on the same console? Nintendo's next handheld hasn't even been announced yet.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[blixel]

In shine runners, you're competing to pick up shines (from Mario Sunshine). You can knock shines loose from other players with shells, etc. Every 20 seconds or so, whoever has the fewest shines gets dropped off until one person is left.

Unfortunately, neither of those modes are available online.

I was disappointed when I saw that shine runners wasn't available via WiFi. And I was also wondering if it would be something that might be added to the WiFi network at a later date? The main racing game is tons of fun, but I really like shine runners as well.

Also, I have a non mainstream Wireless Access Point and I had no problem getting online with Mario Kart DS. My WAP is a Soekris net4801 running m0n0wall.

Can't wait for Metroid Prime: Hunters!

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[DaFallus]

Couldn't someone easily design some sort of tunneling software like XBConnect for the Xbox? Halo 1 wasn't made to be played online, but thanks to XBConnect I wasted days of my life doing so.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[Golias]

I've never had a group of friends to sit around with and play video games, especially not handholds. I was hoping that this time the wireless intenet play...

Or you could just go out and make some friends.

Just sayin' is all.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[damiam]

It's not like there's an unbreakable hundred-year tradition of only one Mario Kart game per console. Nintendo will do whatever they want.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[calethix]

I wouldn't hold my breath. It seems that every group that tried tunneling the DS has given up.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[PeelBoy]

Playing against the bots is almost just as fun as playing online. It's quite fun actually.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[Breakfast Pants]

You can already do that on gamecube. That is completely unsatisfactory for the DS. The whole point of the thing is that you can take it all around and hop on to whatever hotspot is available and play a game.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[iamhassi]

"Or you could just go out and make some friends."

yeah, like ur the expert. Remember, ur on slashdot too.

what's next, gonna ask him to get a gf too??

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[Queer Boy]

You can't play internet battles but you can play local wireless battles. Pretty sure the reason why Nintendo would do this is because the network traffic of finding and assembling people to battle for one round isn't worth it. It already takes a minute or so to assemble racers for a full circuit.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[justchris]

An update to what is available for wireless play, as well as to wireless play in general is possible. The DS uses flash ram based cartridges, and, assuming the game doesn't use up the entire space on the cart, upgrades to the programming are possible, but unlikely to occur anytime soon.

Re:Wish there was internet battle mode

[Icupnimpn2]

Thanks justchris! You've somehow done the unthinkable on Slashdot and actually answered my question rather than:

A) Making unrealistic suggestions because you're talking about something you don't actually have experience with

B) Maintaining that there is actually internet battle mode and I obviously didn't read the review

C) Poking fun at my personal life just because I don't have any adult friends with Nintendo DS's

I appreciate your insight :)

Just Waiting

[3CRanch]

No thanks, I've had enough of the cartoon racing...

I'll just wait for Mario to snap and enter "Grand Theft Auto: Mario's Revenge"

Re:Just Waiting

[garcia]

I'll just wait for Mario to snap and enter "Grand Theft Auto: Mario's Revenge"

For some reason I just don't think that tossing turtle shells will suffice in GTA ;) The Princess, naked and not cartoonish, would be a nice addition in one of the expansion packs though ;)

Re:Just Waiting

[Anonymous Coward]

Not to mention the hidden "Peach Tea" mod. ;)

Re:Just Waiting

[dividedsky319]

No thanks, I've had enough of the cartoon racing...

Hmm, these sound like the words of a PS or Xbox fanboy.

Who really cares if it's "cartoon racing"? Does the fact that it looks like a cartoon make it any less fun? Since when does a game have to look real to be enjoyable?

Re:Just Waiting

[antifoidulus]

Not safe for work!there you go!, the wallpaper is just what you wanted!

Re:Just Waiting

[Jammet]

Doesn't mean those games are bad. But I'll play something else that may or may not look realistic and still is fun, thank you very much.

You'll have to accept that it is a matter of taste. That people are going to talk about what they like and what they do not like. Here's what I don't like:

Since the late nineties I've just about had it with lil' Mario. I liked how Nintendo came up with the whole Pokemon scene and was glad that there are virtually unlimited heroes to chose from there.

Simply put: I just can't stand Mario, Luigi and whatever else that belongs to it's environment (like Donkey Kong and other apes) anymore to the point that I will not buy a game like Metal Gear Solid - the Cube remake anymore. And that just because Nintendo's product placement (Mario in Metal Gear Solid, Link in Soul Calibur, others.) is annoying. Link is great and all and it might be okay in SC, but Mario in MGS ... out of place is all I can say, even for that second he's visible.

Re:Just Waiting

[MrRogers2]

This of course would require a peach tea bagging.

Re:Just Waiting

[88NoSoup4U88]

Thank you Mario! But our princess is in another crackhole.

Re:Just Waiting

[KC9EOW]

Yeah, but just think of all those magic mushrooms GTA could "easter egg" into the game....

Re:Just Waiting

[TheLongshot]

In the meantime, you could always play The Simpsons: Road Rage

Re:Just Waiting

[ninjakoala]

I couldn't help myself from smiling when I was racing a pink Team Peach muscle car in Ridge Racer DS, though. A game that by the way happens to be quite good, if you forget all about analogue steering and just play it like you would the Playstation game.

That said... I've got the new Mario Kart DS. And I have to agree that it is insanely good. I wasn't all that happy about the N64 version (liked the SNES one better) and never got around to playing the GameCube Mario Kart. But Mario Kart DS is deceptively simple - deceptive in the sense that it takes about as much training to play this game to the max as it takes to be good at Project Gotham Racing 2. I'm blown away. Believe the hyper. This time.

I can understand why some people are fed up with the classic Nintendo characters, but at the end of the day the games don't sell by the names and characters alone. First and foremost Nintendo makes a great game and puts their characters in there. Mario Tennis, Mario Golf, Donkey Konga, Mario Kart etc. are all really good games that just happen to have a Mario license attached because that makes them sell better. I do think they're overdoing it with the Mario Party games though... a proper milking. Is it 7 games so far since the N64?

Luckily there are visual styles that appeal to various types of gamers. I just like variation.

Re:Just Waiting

[thatguywhoiam]

Hmm, these sound like the words of a PS or Xbox fanboy. Who really cares if it's "cartoon racing"? Does the fact that it looks like a cartoon make it any less fun? Since when does a game have to look real to be enjoyable?

And that sounds like the kneejerk reaction of a Nintendo fanboy, frankly. Of course the style of the game impacts how you perceive it. Myself, I will take Wipeout over Mario Kart. Both are loads of fun but I enjoy the futuristic aesthetic to the cartoony one. Its, you know, an opinion.

Re:Just Waiting

[phritz]

Already been done.

Re:Just Waiting

[PhoenixFlare]

You'll have to accept that it is a matter of taste. That people are going to talk about what they like and what they do not like. Here's what I don't like:

The problem is, the more vocal anti-Nintendo types tend to be those that turn "I don't like Nintendo's games, and that is my personal taste" into "Nintendo's games are only for little kids, and if you like them, you must have the intellect of a small child/be a small child/be an idiot/have no taste/etc."

Re:Just Waiting

[brkello]

Obviously he was kidding. I don't know how you get modded up for misreading something or not having a sense of humor.

Re:Just Waiting

[Anonymous Coward]

Does the fact that it looks like a cartoon make it any less fun?

Jeebus man. Everyone knows that "cartoony" is not "slammin'."

Re:Just Waiting

[Jace of Fuse!]

I'm going to put a silver bullet in this stupid cartoony-no-fun crap right now.

First off, let me say that I'm really old school myself. I like games that ar cartoony, unrealistic, with bright colours, lots of frames of surreal animation and lighting. Unrealistic "Boinky Tink-Tonk" sounds, and very happy japanese corndog music. But that's my taste.

The more realistic games become, the less different they begin to look from each other. Grand Theft Auto could at first glance be mistaken for a few other games out there if viewed by the uninitiated. Some might go as far as to say games like True Crimes almost pass for GTA, though I don't see it being a gamer, and I also don't consider GTA too realistic. (I consider both good games, though).

Esspecially guilty of being too much alike are recent first person military based combat games, none of which have any real personality and the more realistic they all become the harder it becomes to tell any of them apart. The games themselves, to a hardened gamer, aren't really all that great even for what they are, and only a few of them really stand out though you wouldn't know because you have to wade through so many that look and feel just like them that you're not likely to ever give any of them a try unless you play all of them (which unfortunately, I have had to, seeing as how they're given to me).

I do understand that there are dedicated fans of this genre, though. Fans who like them so much that they can tell the minor little differences between them all, and thus the battle ques up over which of them is better.

They have become a group of games all their own, similar to the way sports games have. True hardened gamers, unless diehard sports fans, do not like sports games. They're rarely all that innovative. The same now applies to most combat FPS games. You're either a fan, or you aren't.

Cartoony, Surreal, action titles have a much wider diversity in play styles. The Glowing Lolipop of Ultimate Power is going to be much different from the Red Mushroom or the Magic Running Shoes, in the surreal action cartoon games. The music diversity is going to be original, fun, and catchy, not slow, drab, and generic like you're going to find in a modern FPS. And let's face it, an AK-47 is an AK-47. A grenade is -- well...

Saying one of these styles is "for adults" and the other is "for children" is about as well drawn a conclusion as saying Anime is exclusively for geeky teenage boys. It's clearly not that simple.

Would I say a Lilo and Stitch Action Adventure is for kids? Sure I would. Would that make the game any less fun? I wouldn't know, I've had very little chance to play any of the games, but from my first impressions I would say there is an amazing amount of depth there. And there SHOULD BE! Let's face it, children have a knack for uncovering things in games that many unseasoned adult players would never find.

As an aside, if you're a keen-o-rific l337 ass Halo shooter, there still is a good chance you'd never get more than 40% of item finds in Metroid Prime. Different styles of play, different goals, different types of fun. Maybe you just wnat to shoot shit? That's fine. I personally find that dull. In any and all first person shooter games I've played in the past several years, I can honestly say no joy outshines the pleasure I recieved from aquiring the Wave Blaster in Metroid Prime, or beating Flagra for the first time. Why? Because I knew that a lot of people weren't going to be able to do it without reading Hints or Cheats, and because I it was simply fun.

On that same note, I did enjoy Halo, and to a lesser extent, Halo 2. Liking one style over the other is personal taste. If you ask me, Metroid Prime was more fun. But that's a choice. Mario Sunshine to me was a hell of a lot more fun to me than a lot of other games out at that time. God of War to me was more fun than Jade Empire, though the games are not exactly directly comparable. Maybe a better example would be

Re:Just Waiting

[buffer-overflowed]

Personally, I'd take F-zero over Wipeout. GX was fantastic. But that's me.

Re:Just Waiting

[SetupWeasel]

I would not be able to choose between the original Mario Kart or Wipeout 1 or 3. Then again I like games of many different asthetics. Nintendo makes and Psygnosis made games with a certain care that is too often overlooked.

Re:Just Waiting

[Anonymous Coward]

You must be a hentai fan.

Re:Just Waiting

[raoul666]

Since when does a game have to look real to be enjoyable?

Since the makers of games told us so. Duh.

Re:Just Waiting

[Burpmaster]

Mario in MGS ... out of place is all I can say, even for that second he's visible.

... What?

MGS has already been like that. References to other games from the company (a Policenauts poster, for example), a PSX development kit in the lab, and Psycho Mantis will read your save game files from other Konami games and comment on them. MGS3 has gaming magazines with covers featuring MGS3, even though the game takes place in 1964. MGS has always had a sense of humor that involves breaking the fourth wall and making references outside the game. It's like an inside joke between you and the game that the characters are oblivious to. It's great!

It just makes sense to update those for the system it's on. Have you seen the MGS4 trailer and its mention of the Cell processor? I guess people are more likey to notice that stuff (or they only complain about it) when Nintendo does it because they are already "known for" doing it.

Re:Just Waiting

[Jammet]

You are wrong. Metal Gear Solid was changed for the GameCube to include Mario. And that is not a reference to a game from Konami either. The Mario figurine standing in Otacons lab destroys the athmosphere of an otherwise good cutscene.

It seems you haven't really read or accepted what I've been saying above. If you're still going to play that - that's nice and good for you.

Re:Just Waiting

[Jammet]

Maybe I'll add this to be more clear:

It's not *just* that I can't stand Mario. His figurine is out of place in Metal Gear Solid.

If it was a Metroid figurine for example, that would have been perfectly fine.

Re:Just Waiting

[Burpmaster]

But it was in a lab where nerdy people might place their nerdy possessions. Do you really think that Otacon wouldn't have a Mario figurine? He's Otacon! And MGS has a longstanding pattern of doing unexpected goofy things at otherwise serious moments, anyway.

Re:Just Waiting

[dividedsky319]

Nice post, just wanted to say I agree. I'd mod it up if I could!

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!

[Anonymous Coward]

A 10/10 review! I'm buying this RIGHT NOW.

Good fun game

[l0rdpestilence]

Mario Kart is a fun game. I know I'm enthralled in a game when for some reason I find my self yelling: GO GO GO GO! KFA

nice wi-fi job

[gcnaddict]

The introduction of wi-fi with this game was superbly executed in my opinion...

I mean, come on! Free wi-fi at every mcdonalds!

"...Mario, needs no introduction."

[dextromulous]

He's a world-wide phenomenon and has appeared in enough game spin-offs to spawn a genre of his own.

Well, I guess that sentence was unnecessary then.

Re:"...Mario, needs no introduction."

[OneIsNotPrime]

"spawn a genre of his own"

Which genre would that be? The 2D platformer? The kart racer? How about the 3D platformer or the "party game"?

Mario games spawned all these now overused genres, and probably more that I'm forgetting. That's why I hate it when people troll "Great, another Mario game. How original." There are many types of Mario games, and I'm not even counting the various sports games and licensed games such as DDR: Mario Mix. Just because a game features the same cast of characters doesn't make it a derivative gameplay experience.

But I digress.

Wonderkind?

[mr.newt]

It's wunderkind, you moron.

Re:Wonderkind?

[minus_273]

hey at least he didnt say "wonderkid". I cringe evertime i hear that.

Sends the wrong message?

[Sheetrock]

Like most people, I find video games to be a worthwhile form of entertainment. Even portable games, which although they are used by many as a sort of digital mental cacoon to avoid participating in the world around them can be a great deal of fun.

However I am not the only one who feels that games should carry a positive message as well as offering the opportunity for education. And unfortunately this is not one of them. Although I quite enjoy racing games I noticed this particular title can actually create a bit of tension. It encourages poor sportsmanship by letting players use what are effectively glorified weapons to cheat their way to first place by knocking their competition off the road, and does not adequately represent the sort of technique and caution actual race car drivers use when operating their vehicles (Gran Turismo 3, while not a portable title, does much better in this regard.)

While you could certainly do worse when picking out a game for your child, you would do better to choose a title like Max Trax or Speed Math.

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[dividedsky319]

However I am not the only one who feels that games should carry a positive message as well as offering the opportunity for education. And unfortunately this is not one of them. Although I quite enjoy racing games I noticed this particular title can actually create a bit of tension.

And people say Nintendo makes kiddie systems! I guess this proves them wrong ;-)

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh get a life.

NASCAR has spurned more asshat drivers on the road than anything else. God help me the next time I see some moron with a "I'm not tailgaiting I'm drafting" bumper sticker.

Yeah, that carful and calculated driving by pro racers certianly sent a good message. Why dont we have these racers on TV in psa's saying "people who tailgate are retarted morons that should have things thrown at them."???

because pro racing drivers are NOT careful, they drive just on the edge of out of control.

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[ajdowntown]

I am not sure you understand the point of mario if you have a problem with it's violence. Mario, since the beginning, has been bopping the characters on the head to get them out of the way. Notice, in no Mario game do chrarcters actually die, they just slide off of the screen. This game is no different. The characters do not die, heck, they roll over and get right back on the cart. So, as far as I can tell, your main problem is with competition. Well, all games (yes, even Grand Turismo 3) are built for comptetion. Competition is good. It is what compells us to do better than the status quo.

So really, I am not really seeing how this game sends the wrong message at all. In fact, I think of games out there, this is one I would want my kids to play. Clean, wholesome characters, in clean, but tough, competition...

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[Enigma_Man]

Jeez, not to sound insulting or anything (I don't mean to be) but lighten up. You aren't cheating your way to the front of the race with the weapons, it's an integral part of the game, requiring its own stragegy. It is different than a strict racing game, yes, but I don't see that it creates any more tension than the "catch-up" feature in any of the Gran-Turismo games (it gives a handicap to the people out front). You might also complain that there's no such thing as mean-spirited sentient turtles... But that's just part of the game. If you're trying to teach someone about driving, a simulation style game would be better of course... If you're trying to teach someone about driving by giving them Mario-Kart, then that's just dumb...

-Jesse

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[Anonymous Coward]

Flamebait? Well I thought it was funny. Some of the fanboy mods need to lighten up.

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[pnice]

The things I really dislike about the weapons:
When someone is far ahead in first and second place is trying to catch up, third place will wack them back further and further with the red shell while extending the lead for the 1st place player.

Blue shells only blow if you get tagged by someone in last right at the finish or something and 2nd can zoom around you.

I have been playing this game a ton though and I enjoy the heck out of it. I think I'm sitting at something like 97 wins 56 losses. The rival matching system seems to work really well once you've been playing enough to have a decent sized win/loss record.

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[Enigma_Man]

There's always strategies around stuff like that though... like hang back until near the end, then go at first with the uber-weapons you get when hanging back. I don't think it's ever "unfair" or "cheating"... it's just different strategies that come about because of the different gameplay.

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[Prophet of Nixon]

I dunno, I thought the Goombas in the old ones died, unless by 'slide off of the screen' you meant 'get smashed to a thin layer of grease and seep off the bottom of the screen', in which case I agree.

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[Anonymous Coward]

You do know that effect and affect can both be nouns and verbs right?

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[rdwald]

Maybe you'd prefer a game of Tetris?

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[Queer Boy]

because pro racing drivers are NOT careful, they drive just on the edge of out of control.

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
-Mario Andretti

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[Anonymous Coward]

Dude, he doesn't even know how to spell grammar.

Re:Sends the wrong message?

[80 85 83 83 89 33]

that was pretty funny, but there is something that requires even more of a realistic racing technique than GT3: Grand Prix Legends, from sierra sports. yeah, it came out ages ago, but this damn simulation will have you cussing in no time, as there is no arcade-style bouncing off the walls. good luck trying to get back on course if you go off onto the grass. even the gyroscopic forces of the wheels have been simulated. it is an amazing game, but because it is almost too accurate you really need to feel what is going on, through the seat of your pants and inner ear. not that anyone is going to read this since it is posted a whole day after the MKDS review.

How young to enjoy

[mattnuzum]

How old do you think a kid has to be to have the dexterity and coordination to play this game?

Re:How young to enjoy

[DragonPup]

Not very old. The controls are quite easy to get a hold of.

Re:How young to enjoy

[thetejon]

And you pretty much have to be a kid to be able to use those tiny little buttons.

Re:How young to enjoy

[lpangelrob]

Good question. I was 6 or 7 when the original Legend of Zelda came out, and I didn't do too badly at that game. And 11 when the original Super Mario Kart came out (1992).

I would expect that a 7-8 year old might be able to play this game without being incredibly frustrated due to lack of skill. Of course, proper guidance and probably explanation that it gets easier over time is necessary, before DSs go flying through the room.

Re:How young to enjoy

[Just Some Guy]

How old do you think a kid has to be to have the dexterity and coordination to play this game?

I'd be willing to bet money that my 4-year-old son can wipe the floor with most adults on the GBA version of this one. He uses techniques that simply never occurred to me, like leaping over the inside corners of right-angle turns to get a wider virtual turn radius.

Don't sell little kids short. They can do some pretty amazing things.

Re:How young to enjoy

[ninjakoala]

My hands are so big, that the original Xbox controller was very comfortable, while the dual shock controller isn't. I have absolutely no problems controlling Mario Kart DS.

Re:How young to enjoy

[Anonymous Coward]

my son was 2 when i bought GBA and he's killing the game since then. needless to say, he also finish yoshis island before he was 2.5years old.

Re:How young to enjoy

[Pyrowolf]

I've heard a couple different individuals complain of the button config, making it difficult to be able to accelerate and use the power slide effectively. These are people who are avid "kart" players, and don't even know each other. Coming from two especially kart nutters, I think I'll be steering clear of this one. Too bad too, I really enjoy kart.

Re:How young to enjoy

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah, well my son isn't even born yet and he already beat the damn game.

Re:How young to enjoy

[buck_wild]

I haven't even THOUGHT about having a kid yet and he can already beat your kid.

Ok, so I have two kids already. And they play Spongebob. *sigh*

Re:How young to enjoy

[Anonymous Coward]

"Don't sell little kids short. They can do some pretty amazing things."

That's partly because they haven't learned how they are supposed to behave (play the game in that instance) so they are more likely to try anything when an older person might dismiss it without trying.

Re:How young to enjoy

[SetupWeasel]

I'd get your hands on it yourself before you pass judgement. I've been playing it for a solid week and the buttons config is as comfortable as any racer I've ever played.

Hell, use the single cart multiplayer function.

Re:How young to enjoy

[mrchaotica]

I have a copy of the original Mario Kart, and I don't recall doing too badly at it. Since I was born in '84, I would have been about 8 years old then.

Re:How young to enjoy

[80 85 83 83 89 33]

my friends' kids, at five, have no problems with the N64 version.

The real fun...

[DragonPup]

...is the in person wireless play. Yesterday at work was rather quiet so me and 2 other people in the office spent a few hours just playing Mario Kart. The trashtalking with your opponents is what makes this game the pure gold it is. I highly recommend this game for people with friends with gbaDS's. Best thing is you only need 1 copy of the game thanks to Download Play, but you dont get all the tracks this way(including some of the really nice looking ones!).

Re:The real fun...

[pattokun]

Sorry to nitpick, but it's not a gbaDS or a Game Boy DS. It's the Nintendo DS. Nintendo specifically wanted to create a "third pillar" in their lineup, separate from the GBA.

SSID and 128 bit WEP?

[Rick Richardson]

Does it need SSID and 128bit WEP? How do you put those in? 26 hex digits??

Re:SSID and 128 bit WEP?

[lunarscape]

Yes, you have to put in the 26 hex digits, though it also supports 64bit WEP.

Re:SSID and 128 bit WEP?

[Cyraan]

It does support 128bit WEP, you use the touch screen and an on screen keyboard to type in the hex key, and theres a network browser, so you dont need to know SSID. Its actually quite functional, just wish it supported WPA.

Re:SSID and 128 bit WEP?

[Rude Turnip]

I don't broadcast my SSID...will it let me type it in manually?

Re:SSID and 128 bit WEP?

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't broadcast my SSID...will it let me type it in manually?

Yes, you can enter it manually. Though not broadcasting your SSID is a complete waste of time IMHO. It takes kismet all of 1/10th of a second to find hidden SSID's.

Re:SSID and 128 bit WEP?

[myBotPiko]

Even though it is possible to enter the ssid, for me the ds would not connect to my router (dlink G604T firmware 2.0) for some reason when it was not broadcasting the ssid.

Easiest way to find people to play!

[GweeDo]

WiTendoFi.com provides a fast easy to find "Friends" to play (since Nintendo won't allow friend code sharing on their forums).

If you want to play me Bring it :)

Re:Easiest way to find people to play!

[Anonymous Coward]

Haha, cool : I especially like their 'Please note that WiTendoFi.com is designed to work best in Mozilla Firefox. We highly recommend that you switch from IE if that is what you are running. Use the link at the top of the page to get Firefox today!' : Good to see it the other way around.

Re:Easiest way to find people to play!

[blixel]

If you want to play me Bring it :)

ditto - 240577 799156

Re:Easiest way to find people to play!

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't understand the push online to share friend codes. I add my FRIENDS with friend codes, you know, like people I know. When I want to play others I just enter the worldwide pool and get tagged up with others. Why would people add strangers to their friend pool when it would only muddy the location of your real friends and provide no real advantage to the worldwide pool?

Re:Easiest way to find people to play!

[GweeDo]

Simply, if you find you don't like playing with that person...remove them after the fact. No damage done. But how will you find other good players if you don't try this method?

Re:Easiest way to find people to play!

[Anonymous Coward]

But what if you have no friends? Then you have to hire 4 hookers off the streets! And they can't just stand there, so they'll need a couch to sit in, and also a house to put the couch in! Fuck you, Nintendo!

Or you could share the code online. I don't think I'll ever have 60 friends who all own MKDS, though. So maybe there's some validity. Here's to hoping that after Christmas the matchup system runs faster.

seems like a good time to start ...

[jest3r]

Seems like a good time to start a "Best Racer" of all time ..

I would say:
Super Mario Cart
F-Zero
Pitstop II (C64)
MotoRacer

Any additions?

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[Jammet]

You forgot Lotus Turbo Challenge II on Amiga ;).

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[CastrTroy]

RC Pro AM and Excitebike were nice. Maybe Test Drive would be nice. Although the newer ones kind of suck. I think the NFS series should be on the list. There's probably a tonne of games that I'm forgetting.

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[Stormwatch]

Daytona USA (Dreamcast)
Test Drive Le Mans (Dreamcast)
Al Unser Jr. Arcade Racing (Win95/Mac)
Out Run (Genesis)

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[Anonymous Coward]

What about good old Rock'n'Roll Racing?

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[Anonymous Coward]

Wipeout 2097 on the original Playstation...

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[mattnuzum]

I second RC ProAm. What an awesome game.

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[Anonymous Coward]

Outrun was awesome .. good call

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[Anonymous Coward]

Racing Destruction Set. (c64 - probably ported to apple and atari at some point).

Where else can you race lunar rovers under Jupiter's gravity, while dropping land mines or oil slicks in front of your opponent?

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[damsa]

Rock and Roll Racer
and I third RC pro Am.

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[InvisibleSoul]

Ah, RC Pro Am... memories.

Granted, I was only like 8-9 years old when I was playing it, but I was REALLY damn good at it... I remember overfilling the trophy screen by getting to like level 60 or something. The tracks repeat after 32, I think... and by that time, the opponents are so ridiculously fast that they make that zooming sound the whole race... and once they get past you, it's over... they are like at least 50% faster than your car. The ONLY way to win is to be able to keep at least one computer car behind you by continuously bombing or shooting it with rockets the entire race... pretty damn difficult.

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[Gingernads]

I think that's a K in Cart, as in Kart. Anyway, best driving game - Grand Prix Legends. Super Mario Kart (SNES), brilliant. I still play it today but it is best in company. GPL took years of my life!

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[buck_wild]

I like an old game called Whiplash. Not really customizable, but the first car-racing game I played that had actual jumps, loops, etc.

Screenshots: http://www.gamingbliss.com/whiplashpc.html

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[Anonymous Coward]

Or on Atari ST, damn you!!!

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[anakin876]

Rock and Roll Racing was awesome! I rented that at least a dozen times. I finally got a copy for my old SNES, and I got the GBA version.

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[Anonymous Coward]

ya i used to play it at like 8 FPS ....

Re:seems like a good time to start ...

[buck_wild]

Wow, it ran better than that on my 486 dx2 66 machine... It did have a 4mb video card, though, which was a lot for that time. Or maybe I was just a cheap bastard then, I don't remember. :)

Didn't really like it

[Anonymous Coward]

I bought the game when it came out and I've got to say I haven't been too impressed. Before a phalanx of fanboys swoops down, let me say I spent countless hours playing the original on SNES. While the throwback tracks are welcome (using the same textures was a nice touch) there's nothing really new here.

Like most Nintendo games, it takes an established franchise and runs with it. Unlike most Nintendo games, it has added nothing really to the franchise. Online play? I could do that earlier. That leaves octopusses squirting ink on one screen for "originality".

So while it's a good game, it's not a great game. I'm heading back to Advance Wars DS.

Re:Didn't really like it

[tomstdenis]

Haven't played it but I generally hate racing games [game lengtheners used too much]. I'm waiting for tony hawk though. I like those series mostly because of the freestyle stuff.

Little tip: Put your Advance wars GBA cart in when playing the DS one then head to the shop :-)

Tom -- AW player too ... :-)

Re:Didn't really like it

[Frag-A-Muffin]

Also, what was up with ditching WAP functionality? Why do I need to unsecure my access point to play?


why would you do that? it supports WEP fine.

Re:Didn't really like it

[Anonymous Coward]

Ha, advance wars is more same-again than Mario Kart! But I love them both, when a game is that good paying for nothing but extra levels is worth it. And MK:DS does seem to add more than that.

Re:Didn't really like it

[SilentChris]

WEP isn't secure. At all.

Re:Didn't really like it

[damsa]

It added Mission play, and it also added star ratings to each of the Grand Prix, which means that just winning it isn't good enough for most people. The squid thing is pretty revolutionary in that you can't do that on a multiplayer home console, covering up the entire screen with ink. I think people would've complained if the playing mechanics were changed too much, so adding online play, mission play and star ratings actually gave it more replayability than I would've had on Double Dash which I haven't touched in a while.

Re:Didn't really like it

[Darius Jedburgh]

Littler tip: Try your AW2 cartridge too.

Re:Didn't really like it

[Anonymous Coward]

If you like Mario Kart how can you NOT like this game? It's by far the best Mario Kart ever made.

Sounds to me like you're just plain bored of Mario Kart.

Re:Didn't really like it

[PeelBoy]

You worried that your neighbor is a l33t h4x0r? or that kids drive around your neighborhood h4xing into WI-FI secured with WEP for fun?

Seriously get over it nobody gives a shit about your fucking WI-FI.

WEP is probably more than good enough for you. I promise I won't come h4x into your shit and steal your bandwidth to download my pr0n.

pfft.

Re:Didn't really like it

[Overly Critical Guy]

Congratulations on duping this comment from earlier in the discussion.

Re:Didn't really like it

[Anonymous Coward]

Online play? I could do that earlier. That leaves octopusses squirting ink on one screen for "originality".

I know this is a troll and a dupe, but it got modded up. What Mario Kart were you playing online before this?

Certainly not the Gamecube, that was LAN only, online with a crappy hack (that didn't work properly half the time).

Re:Didn't really like it

[Rosebud128]

Your comment makes no sense to me. Not because you did not like it, but because you are comparing it to the SNES version and saying, "nothing original added except octopus squirting ink".

The only Mario Kart I've played was the SNES version. Anyone who says Mario Kart DS adds nothing over the SNES version must not have played the DS version much.

Mario Kart DS adds in...

-Drafting (which you speed up when directly behind your opponent, passing them by.)
-Sixteen brand new tracks. How one can say that Waluigi Pinball, Tick Tock Clock, or Airfortress are 'similiar' to the SNES (or other mario kart) tracks must be smoking something.
-New twists to battlemode where you blow up your balloons and can steal other people's balloons with speed boost mushrooms.
-Bots so you can play battlemode or vs mode in single player.
-16 Retro tracks so if you are like me and missed the later incarnations of Mario Kart, those tracks will seem new to you.
-More than eight racers to choose from where you can mix and match from many many various karts (once you unlock them).
-Of course, the Wi-fi mode. Mario Kart DS plays very well online.

Whether one likes Mario Kart or not is up for you to decide. But to say that this game has nothing new from the the SNES version is not.

The only reason why one would prefer the SNES version is that you were a GOD playing that game but now, with the game becoming a more complicated racer, you have to re-train yourself. And then you go online and find out that you AREN'T the best racer ever. Alas, childhood.

Re:Didn't really like it

[Queer Boy]

Also, what was up with ditching WAP functionality? Why do I need to unsecure my access point to play? (And don't tell me to buy a Nintendo adapter -- I already have an access point).

You mean WEP. Wireless Encryption Protocol. Nintendo WiFi connection supports WEP. I dunno what you're talking about.

The Nintendo adapter also only costs $20 (if you have WinXP and forthcoming Mac OS X).

Re:Didn't really like it

[SilentChris]

That was my comment. I forgot I hadn't logged in.

Re:Didn't really like it

[SilentChris]

WPA I mean. You know, the secure version. Not WEP -- the horrifically unsecure one.

And $20 is too much to pay if you already have a wi-fi infrastructure around your house. I already have 2 range extenders. Why do I need to buy a 3rd?

Re:Didn't really like it

[HeaththeGreat]

Hey, I saw that you said you played Mario Kart on the SNES. A friend of mine and I are really into SNES mario kart. If you live somewhere in the midwest and consider yourself a real badass, I'd love to get a game sometime if you're not a psycho... :-)

Re:Didn't really like it

[HeaththeGreat]

Hey, I saw that you said you played Mario Kart on the SNES. A friend of mine and I are really into SNES mario kart. If you live somewhere in the midwest and consider yourself a real badass, I'd love to get a game sometime if you're not a psycho. :-)

Re:Didn't really like it

[SilentChris]

Um, ACTUALLY, I've played every Mario Kart that has every existed, because I own all available Nintendo systems.

By far the best was the SNES version because it pretty much revolutionized what you could do with Mode 7. The Gameboy Advance one was fun as well. The N64 and Gamecube ones were pretty lacking.

-Drafting (which you speed up when directly behind your opponent, passing them by.)

The power slide (which wasn't even really intended to be in the original game) far supercedes this).

-Sixteen brand new tracks. How one can say that Waluigi Pinball, Tick Tock Clock, or Airfortress are 'similiar' to the SNES (or other mario kart) tracks must be smoking something.

All the games have new tracks. New tracks a better game.

-New twists to battlemode where you blow up your balloons and can steal other people's balloons with speed boost mushrooms.

I'd still prefer the coin-based system.

-Bots so you can play battlemode or vs mode in single player.

I don't know if you've noticed, but the bots aren't terribly intelligent. A few time I've knocked them into a corner on the pipe level and they've never come out.

-16 Retro tracks so if you are like me and missed the later incarnations of Mario Kart, those tracks will seem new to you.

Which goes to show that you're basing your comments only on the newer (inferior) games.

-More than eight racers to choose from where you can mix and match from many many various karts (once you unlock them).

Actually, it's over a dozen in the DS version.

-Of course, the Wi-fi mode. Mario Kart DS plays very well online.

That's debatable. I'm seeing a ton of warping. The best online Mario Kart experience so far has been on GameCube.

-The only reason why one would prefer the SNES version is that you were a GOD playing that game but now, with the game becoming a more complicated racer, you have to re-train yourself. And then you go online and find out that you AREN'T the best racer ever. Alas, childhood.

Actually, I was never a god at that or any other game (well, maybe Unreal Tournament). The reason I say the SNES version was the best was because it was. It completely broke all boundaries of what a racer could be, had killer graphics (for the time) and was perfectly balances. None of the Mario Kart games have matched this, including the DS version.

The RIAA envies Nintendo

[MobyDisk]

Mario Kart is mostly unchanged from system to system. Yet people will shell-out (pun intended!) money for the same game for each new console they get. The RIAA would love to change formats every 3 years and have people re-purchase their whole collection of cassettes/CDs/DVDs/holo-cubes. Fortunately for consumers, audio technology does not change as quickly as video gaming.

I guess this doesn't apply to the DS, but we really should expect manufacturers to have backward compatibility. It worked great for Sony with the PS2. But people should boycott the XBOX 360 until it supports all the XBOX games in their collection.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[CastrTroy]

The games do change a lot from system to system. If not just for better graphics, then for a whole set of new tracks. I guess that many people wouldn't go out and buy the new mario kart if the old one worked in their new system. But that really depends on the person. I know people who by the EA Sports NHL Game, even when they are on the same system and their game from last year still runs perfectly fine.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[greenplasticyarn]

The DS can play Gameboy Advance games. There was a good Mario Kart GBA game, so if people wanted to they could still play that. This game is simply better.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[Erwos]

"But people should boycott the XBOX 360 until it supports all the XBOX games in their collection."

So you'd advocate doing the same to the PS2, because it most certainly _does not_ support all PS1 games?

Or am I misinterpreting "their" to be Microsoft, when you really mean "the user's"?

-Erwos

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[CastrTroy]

Yeah, The newer version of the PS2 doesn't support 40 PS1 games. There is like a lot of games for PS1, so supporting all but 40 of them is pretty good. The funny part, is that 7 PS2 games are now unsupported. When a system doesn't support its own games, that's pretty bad.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[11223]

But people should boycott the XBOX 360 until it supports all the XBOX games in their collection.

So, um, I can buy it? Good!

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[hackstraw]

The RIAA would love to change formats every 3 years and have people re-purchase their whole collection of cassettes/CDs/DVDs/holo-cubes.

Although the RIAA has nothing to do with formats since the RIAA equalization curve for LPs, lets just take this as a given anyway.

Is there any evidence that the record labels are interested in alternate recordings besides CDs? The only real viable option to obtain an MP3 is through iTunes or possibly things like Wal-mart or whatever Yahoo! has to offer, but iTunes seems to almost be a monopoly in the market by customer preference. Can I go to a music store and buy anything with a significant offering besides a CD? I haven't seen it. Sure there are some SACDs, some DTS disks, some DVD-audio, some DVD-video, but there has not been a market change since 1982 with the advent of the CD.

DATs were a niche market. MP3s are treated that way despite the incredibly high demand (dumbasses). Higher quality and harder to rip and encode, and possibly less desirable due to the loss in quality formats basically do not exist. Even when there are plenty of existing audio systems that are capable of playing other formats (DTS, Dolby Digital, MP3, 24 bit/96 kHz PCM, SACD, DVD-Audio, etc) the media is not there.

There are certain albums that I will buy in almost any format. I've owned Dark Side of the Moon on LP, regular CD, "Audiophile" CD, and a remastered CD. I would like to buy it for SACD or another surround format, but I currently don't have anything more than 2 channel audio at the time.

A better version of Metallica's Black Album, bring it on!

The lack of interest in product diversity kills me about these guys. Maybe the only people they listen to are their lawyers that have a selfish interest in promoting the business model of stagnation and lawsuits. I have never heard of such a large and persistent industry that collectively ignores the market for this long. Phone people can go wireless and data, but the record companies can't do anything different over a 20 year period.

Am I the one who is stupid or crazy here? I dunno.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[poot_rootbeer]

Mario Kart is mostly unchanged from system to system. Yet people will shell-out (pun intended!) money for the same game for each new console they get.

Have you played the games in the series? The true 3-D Kart games (Kart 64, Double Dash, and now DS) are a HUGELY different experience than the lower-tech 2-D + perspective titles (the original SNES Super Mario Kart, and Super Circuit on the Gameboy Advance).

But people should boycott the XBOX 360 until it supports all the XBOX games in their collection.

No. People should buy the 360 if they feel it has value, and refuse to buy it if they think it does not.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[Thrakkerzog]

It's the same as saying that the 2D GTA games are the same thing as the newer GTA games.

It's funny, because a lot of times the people who complain about all of the mario titles "being the same" are the same people who run out to grab every "Need For Speed" title that comes out.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[Andrevan]

iTunes uses AAC format actually, not MP3. Easy mistake to make.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[Anonymous Coward]

Errr... this version adds the shine collection battle mode, mission mode, 8 player multiplayer, 4 player internet play, the touch screen map mode switching, and more. This is most definitely the greatest Mario Kart yet and has come a long way since the SNES version, while still staying true to its greatness.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[Anonymous Coward]

Kind of like GTA 3: 1,2,3 and 4?

How about Tony Hawk?

GT 1234...5?

Metal Gear?

There are just as many rehashes of all of those games.. All just slightly changed.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[NVP_Radical_Dreamer]

This sounds like every sports game ever made, just update the graphics, the player names and throw in a gimmick.

Re:The RIAA envies Nintendo

[Zangief]

Yeah right. Have you even played Super Mario Kart recently? It is a very different dog than Mario Kart: Double Dash.

Play the games first, then criticize if necessary.

Reminds me of...

[vhold]

It was a dark and stormy night, and there was a nearly limitless pot of fun on to boil.

The Bulwer-Lytton fiction contest

Didn't really like it

[SilentChris]

I bought the game when it came out and I've got to say I haven't been too impressed. Before a phalanx of fanboys swoops down, let me say I spent countless hours playing the original on SNES. While the throwback tracks are welcome (using the same textures was a nice touch) there's nothing really new here.

Like most Nintendo games, it takes an established franchise and runs with it. Unlike most Nintendo games, it has added nothing really to the franchise. Online play? I could do that earlier. That leaves octopusses squirting ink on one screen for "originality".

Also, what was up with ditching WAP functionality? Why do I need to unsecure my access point to play? (And don't tell me to buy a Nintendo adapter -- I already have an access point).

So while it's a good game, it's not a great game. I'm heading back to Advance Wars DS.

This game is an absolute blast!!!

[JackAxe]

It was sooo easy to connect through my wireless router here at home and being completey free makes it that much better.

Having to blow up the balloons in the Battle Mode is loads of fun; I'm iust glad I don't have asthma.

Nintendo innovated the kart-racer and always delivers on each new release. I've tried some of the "clones" on other consoles and they were horrid-atrocites that only show that most other developers really don't have a clue about what makes a game fun.

Re:This game is an absolute blast!!!

[PeelBoy]

You can hold the select button to blow up the balloons also, altho it's a bit slower. I find it annoying having to blow up the balloons personally but whatever. The rest of the game rocks so I can't complain too much.

Re:This game is an absolute blast!!!

[JackAxe]

Thanks. :)

CSI: Mario Cart

[JBHarris]

Will CSI have a show now about a couple plumbers driving around throwing turtles at princesses & humanoid fungi?. For Flying Spaghetti Monster's sake, will someone think of the children?

Re:CSI: Mario Cart

[Anonymous Coward]

you're really NOT funny.

MOD PARENT UP - FUNNY

[Anonymous Coward]

Hillarious list. The Gran Turismo series pales in comparison to late-90s MotoRacer on the PC.

note:Super Mario Kart with a "K"

Been thinking..

[NidStyles]

I've been thinking of picking this one up, because I haven't had any luck with finding the emulator to play the original on OS X. I guess this just sold me on it.

Re:Been thinking..

[Anonymous Coward]

If you can't find emulators for Mac OS then you haven't been looking very hard. Let me help
Snes9x
VisualBoyAdvance

You're on your own finding roms.

Decal / Emblem Maker

[pnice]

If you want to have a sweet emblem like me (TIMMY!) or some of the other more detailed ones you can go to this guys page and use his emblem maker. http://www.zsivanys.nl/mkdecal/ It works great but you'll need to try it out with a few different images first. Here is an example image http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/4381/marionds9j k.jpg

Re:Decal / Emblem Maker

[rev063]

This is very cool. If you combine it with an avatar creator you can easily create some nice-looking emblems. I with there was a way to upload an emblem to the DS though.

Re:Decal / Emblem Maker

[patio11]

And these are viewable in-game, by default? I'm flabbergasted that Nintendo would take that risk -- do they just trust their customer base or have they never been on a public Counterstrike server with sprays enabled?

Re:Decal / Emblem Maker

[PSXer]

Not only is it on be default, there's no way to turn it off. In addition, the decal shows above your opponents during the race, so you could be stuck behind a wang or something. Guess it gives you an additional incentive to stay in 1st place. ;)

Also, the game makes no attempt to screen out offensive nicknames.

SVN diff for Slashcode:

[CharAznable]

--- reviews/game_score.pl (revision 1752)
+++ reviews/game_score.pl (working copy)

use constant REVIEW_SCORE => 8;
+use constant MARIO_KART_SCORE => 10;
+if ($the_game=="Mario Kart") {$current_score=MARIO_KART_SCORE}
+ else {$current_score==REVIEW_SCORE}

Re:SVN diff for Slashcode:

[Anonymous Coward]

This is perl for crying out loud, at least do something like

$current_score= ($the_game="Mario Kart"?MARIO_KART_SCORE:REVIEW_SCORE);

I'm sure somebody could do better

Re:SVN diff for Slashcode:

[CharAznable]

How about:

if(^%$^%^$%)(*&*&8$__(*&$()@*&#$()*&#$)@(*&#)$(*&# @)(*$&(*@&%&@#$$%@%@!^!%@$#^#%#;

Minor correction...

[tktk]

You can't trade Friend Codes online; they have to be traded via some other information channel.

The author meant you can't trade Friend Codes online via Mario Kart DS. But there are a number of gaming site/threads where people do trade their Friend Codes online. But...this practice is prohibited on the Nintendo company forums and they specifically tell you never to post codes online.

For the their first online effort, I think MKDS is pretty good. The online component is a more restrictive that I would like and I think Nintendo has a bit of work do to in balancing between online communication and online restriction (to protect the kids).

Re:Minor correction...

[GweeDo]

WiTendoFi.com is a growing community for sharing experiences and friend codes online. Check out my site for my WiFi Tag!

CORRECTION: SVN diff for Slashcode:

[CharAznable]

Forgot the ; at the end of each line! Too much Javascript is making me sloppy.

Re:CORRECTION: SVN diff for Slashcode:

[Anonymous Coward]

And you're using == for assign operators. Bad coder! Bad!

Re:CORRECTION: SVN diff for Slashcode:

[CharAznable]

Yes, I am embarrassed =/

Re:CORRECTION: SVN diff for Slashcode:

[Anonymous Coward]

Wow, you're a goddamn dork.

Re:YEAH!

[Guru84]

I was thinking the exact same thing... It's almost 2006 and we're still playing games from the early 1990's.

I'm confused

[Morgalyn]

I thought it was /. policy to always rate things 8/10?

Re:I'm confused

[Anonymous Coward]

You're close; the actual policy is to rate everything 8/10, unless it's a title for Nintendo DS. Those automatically get a 10/10.

Frappr map to find friend codes near you

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.frappr.com/dsfriendcode

Re:YEAH!

[Anonymous Coward]

Dear 23 yr old gamer who wants something a little more creative,

This game isn't mode 7. The DS is a bit more powerful than the GBA/SNES so it doesn't need to fake 3D in mode 7. Sorry to disappoint.

Sincerely,
A 23 yr old gamer who can do some reasearch.

Re:YEAH!

[JackAxe]

YEAH, shows your ignorance.

Re:Sir! With the keyboard!

[IAmTheDave]

I wonder if he liked it...

Sorry, its a tablet PC

[gcnaddict]

I can just imagine Zonk saying that :P

[boss chimes in via PA]: "New rule: no playing Mario Kart DS during work hours!"

Bah.. back in my day...

[modi123]

We would cluster around the SNES (and later the N64) and play, but required closeness. Everyone had to be with in arms distance so we could enforce the house rules.

Rules you say? You never had house rules with Kart? Well the rule that required us to be in arms distance was juvenilely called "Jump Fa&&try". This is where in the N64 version of Wario's race, at the jump if someone would drop the lightening bolt while people were in the air the game would drop them to the track below, causing them to be massively behind. Yup.. if someone pulled that trick there would be a solid punch in the arm by all who were afflicted. Gawd bless ol' negative reinforcement.

I know if we were playing on handhelds the we would require a fifth person to run down and enforce the rules.

Does anyone else have any home rules for Kart?

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[Anonymous Coward]

We used to call that "Getting Sent to Hell". as in "Ooooh, you got sent to Hell!" and it's the greatest tactic ever.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[CastrTroy]

That's the whole strategy behind the game though. Wait until the right moment to use your weapons, when they will be the most effective. I certainly wish they would change the game, or at least give the option, so that the items were actually random, and the person in last place didn't end up getting all the good weapons, and the person in first stuck using green shells and banana peels.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[Scowler]

In the very same course, Wario's race, one of my housemates (at the time) figured out how to jump over one of the walls in one particular spot, by jumping at the wall at a certain angle (I dunno, maybe it was a game glitch or something), meaning he would easily win the race every time. Probably deserves the same house rules in any case.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[Anonymous Coward]

No way! That's part of the fun of the course! There are actually 3 good places to jump over the wall (but one is just a fall-back in case you miss the harder of the first 2). Sure, you end up with much shorter races, but it's just as fun. Actually, there's a way to get sub-20-second laps on the course, but it's so difficult that we don't even bother for fear that we will mess up and lose the race. :)

The only shortcut we disallow is the shortcut on Frappe Snowland. And the reason for that is because the laps are only 6 seconds long, and it doesn't really require any skill to pull off. We thought about using it, but it's more fun to play out the whole course in that case.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[modi123]

Yea, we found that one by mistake. There is also a glitch on the snow level.. at the start line if you reverse back across the line there is a particular spot were you can hop you kart from the bank to the bridge... the game things you compelete a ciruit and you are on the next lap.. it was funny, but hard to do..

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[modi123]

Haha... yea.. I have a buddy who even to this day refuses to disbelieve that the game gave better items the farther back you were... he claimed he was just that lucky... yea.. five lightening bolts in a row (and he STILL couldn't keep up) is real lucky..

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[FuzzyBad-Mofo]

if someone pulled that trick there would be a solid punch in the arm by all who were afflicted. Gawd bless ol' negative reinforcement.

Not to be pedantic, but the behavior you just described is called punishment. Negative reinforcement would be removing an unwanted stimulus (like your mom nagging you to clean your room until you do it).

Reference: Operant Conditioning

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[b4k3d b34nz]

Mine was "Throw A Tantrum If I Don't Win". I was 8.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[beerman2k]

Yeah, we banned the Wario track because if anyone didn't make the jump they were out of the race. It wasn't a particular fun game for them at that point.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[FrostedWheat]

Actually, there's a way to get sub-20-second laps on the course, but it's so difficult that we don't even bother for fear that we will mess up and lose the race. :)

It's very difficult, but it's possible to complete the lap in about 5 or 6 seconds using those two jumps!

One thing I never liked about MK:DD is that they seemed to fix all that.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[Breakfast Pants]

Not to be realistic, but the "reference" you described should never be called a reference.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[seramar]

Lemme tell you something... green shells and banana peels will keep you in first if you know how to use them. You can throw them forward or backward, and they can protect you from everything except a start, lightning bolt or blue shell. They are the best :)

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[FuzzyBad-Mofo]

Sorry professor. Please don't dock my grade!

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[Anonymous Coward]

You:

Not to be pedantic, but the behavior you just described is called punishment. Negative reinforcement would be removing an unwanted stimulus (like your mom nagging you to clean your room until you do it).
Someone Else:

Not to be realistic, but the "reference" you described should never be called a reference.
You:

Sorry professor. Please don't dock my grade!

Tool;-)

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[focitrixilous P]

You had to remind me of Wario Stadium. That was the one course my little brother could be me at, cause he would fall way behind and get lightning bolts all the time. He figured out that he could win if he pulled that move off, and I'd get it twice a race.

Still, I'll probably wait till Christmas for Mario Kart. I've got finals coming up and don't need Mario Kart taking over my life right now.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[Anonymous Coward]

Taping pieces of paper on the TV to cover your item boxes.

That way you didn't know what weapon you had (we were playing Super Mario Kart) and the game got way crazier.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[MilenCent]

My friends have an annoying one, in MK64, where, when fighting on Block Fort, you're not to go up to the middle level until someone has lost one balloon, and not the top level until someone's on their last hit. They have a similar rule for Double Deck.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[CastrTroy]

Yeah, the best trick was to leave it dangling behind you, so that anything that came up from behind would never hit you. And you should always have one in reserve for when something does hit it. Also, you could easily hit the guy in second by releasing it when they are just behind you, and therefore have no time to dodge.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[CTachyon]

My sister was always the Wario Stadium fanatic, since she could hit the shortcut just after the start line with some consistency. (ObToad: I'm the best!) Usually I got her back with the ol' Lightning Bolt just as she hits the Point-O'-No-Return on the big ramp. *snigger*

I, however, was always partial to Rainbow Road, mostly because I could skip the first 1/4 of the race so long as I had a mushroom (and occasionally using the starting line timed boost). (ObYoshi: *wee-whoo*) If you've never seen that one, you start Rainbow Road on the downslope of a tall hill, and far below and to the left is the track that you're supposed to be on 0:30 seconds into the race or so. Near the start line, use a mushroom or timed boost; cruise near the center of the track, then on a particular rainbow stripe -- can't recall which one, but it's just as the road drops away -- sharply veer left and hit the R-button so you hop over the guardrail. Cross your fingers and hope you didn't over- or undershoot. (Over is better, since you might hit the far guardrail.) Hold the brakes just before you land so you don't bounce right over the far guardrail and waste time with Latiku (although you'll still be ahead). As you land, try to swerve sharply left so that you've made a 180 from your starting direction. If you're on the first lap, there should be a Chain Chomp directly ahead. Dodge him as you get up to speed and you can complete the lap in less than 1:30. (IIRC, my best time trial was something around 4:25 or so for all 3 laps, when the course is normally 6:00.)

If you can hit the shortcut consistently, there's pretty much no way for the rest of the crowd to catch back up. 2nd place will have you just within sights or so as you're hitting the shortcut again. The trickiest part is getting ahold of mushrooms for the boost, which might require deliberately dropping back to 2nd. Makes for a great last-lap surprise if no one else has ever seen the shortcut used.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[Anonymous Coward]

Bah, all the other tricks I see here are amateurish. The best trick is a glitch on the Jungle map in Kart64. You need to do this trick at the cave behind the finish line so you can only do it near the end of the first lap or later. This is easiest with a star, but you can make it work with a mushroom too.

What you do is start up the hill/ramp in the cave that ends at the exit. Right near the mouth is a sharp corner that comes out from the rock wall on the left. If you aim right for the middle of this sharp corner and jump right before you hit it you will fall through the map. If you have a star or other means of extra speed though you will go far enough to pass the finish line and get that lap counted, but the cloud dude drops you off again *behind* the finish line. So then all you have to do is go like 5 feet and get another lap done. Or even better you can back up and just do the trick again and finish the entire track in the time it takes for one lap + 15 seconds or so...

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[Breakfast Pants]

If you didn't get it I was making fun of you acting like you were a professor. Tool.

Re:Bah.. back in my day...

[FuzzyBad-Mofo]

Maybe you should check the site's tagline. News for nerds..

codes

[rayde]

So zonk, what's YOUR friend code??

Re:codes

[Zonk]

000059522506

Re:codes

[GweeDo]

Why Memorize?

Just get an easy link for all your Friend Codes!

Re:codes

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't be suprised if you end up seeing a red turtle shell tailing you with a goatse icon attatched.

Re:codes

[rayde]

awesome, i'm 116023-709194

Re:codes

[MilenCent]

Friend codes don't seem to do much unless both players have entered each other, alas.

Although Nintendo's own forums explicitly prohibit the exchange of friend codes for some reason, many Nintendo-specific fansites have code-related message boards. Remember though, you can only have up to 60 names on your list!

Re:YEAH!

[tomstdenis]

I'll wait till I see hills and other details in the terrain.

Even on the GC the mario lart was fairly limited. F-ZERO has more twists and what not than this game.

Compare ATV offroad to mario kart. Which one has more detailed and involved terrains?

Tom

Younger one's don't care

[OS24Ever]

My daughter is four. I bought the DS for her because she hates dogs in real life but loved the Nintendogs.

At least that is what I tell my wife, I bought it so I could play Metroid and what not.

Anyway, This was one of the titles I was waiting for. However she loves it as well. She doesn't care about racing per se, she just has fun driving around in circles. Every once in a while I'll get tired of hearing the 'wrong way' noise from the little dude on the cloud and turn her around but she'll run around for 30 min the wrong way and be laughing and having a blast.

When she gets older, I'm sure she'll figure it out. But for now she loves the game.

Re:Younger one's don't care

[Jonny_eh]

Kids love to play with boxes too. It doesn't matter what you give them, they'll enjoy almost anything! Heck, as a kid I enjoyed 'playing' arcade games that were still in demo mode (ie no coins inserted).

Re:Younger one's don't care

[Anonymous Coward]

yeah that ruled, and was very affordable too :)

one minor nit with the wireless

[OS24Ever]

My entire network is WPA. Except the DS doesn't support WPA, so to enjoy the wireless feature I'll need to go back to WEP.

not that anyone near me knows enough about computers to crack my network, it's just frustrating that the latest 'secure' stuff isn't supported.

Re:one minor nit with the wireless

[Thrakkerzog]

WPA is definitely undersupported in the market right now. If you have a windows pc, you could use the Nintendo wifi dongle. It's pretty cheap, and it will allow you to use the wifi connection of coffee shops and other places that require you to sign in with a web browser first as well.

Re:one minor nit with the wireless

[damsa]

or get a cheap router/access point, hook it up to your other router, leave that on the DMZ and then enjoy all the unsecured gaming goodness.

Re:one minor nit with the wireless

[eamonman]

I am in the same boat as you; At my home, I have WPA2 set up; I just got the DS and am wondering if I should change the network back to WEP to support it. Yeah, it'd be a loss of security, but the other 11 networks I can see from my computer are unencrypted. :P If only we could flash the DS with WPA support (just like you can with a Wifi router), then I wouldn't be stuck.

Re:one minor nit with the wireless

[batousai]

heck I have just reduced the signal strength and changed the antenna direction so that there is literally no reception beyond the carport...

It gets better

[fondue]

"Mario Kart's pedigree is long and on the whole entirely successful."

Whoa there, not just entirely - on the whole entirely.

Re:It gets better

[fondue]

"The gameplay is addictively fun."

Actually, I'm just causing myself physical pain by reading this, now.

How about a "Super Smash" Kart?

[rubberbando]

That is what I'd really like to see, a racer with all of those different Nintendo characters.

It could add a ton of variety to the gameplay and race types.

Think about it, if you will, a race track where the players fly in spaceships in a starfox kind of setting.

Perhaps a horse race, riding Epona from the Zelda series?

The only thing that I'd worry about creating such a title would be the possibility of it becoming super cheesy like that "Nicktoons Racer" game I see at movie theaters and Chuck E. Cheese type places.

Re:YEAH!

[blork101]

Mode7? Wrong. Mode7 was a way of stretching and scaling 2D sprites to create the illusion of 3D http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_7 used on the SNES and GBA because the hardware was unable to support 3D (without a special chip, like Starfox/Starwing). This new DS game uses *proper* 3D polygons, and is only the 2nd game in the series to have fully modelled characters (this and MK:DD). So it has definatly changed since 1991...plus, now you race on one screen, map on the other - I could never cope with the original's half-screen.

Re:YEAH!

[Zigg]

Hills, heavily banked turns, loops, spirals, cannons that you blast out of... it's all there. Yes, Virginia, the DS is a fully 3D machine, and Mario Kart takes full advantage of it.

wait

[syrinx]

I thought the current Slashdot Groupthink Manual said that Nintendo sucks, every game is only for kids, and we should all support *laugh* Sony and Microsoft.

Don't tell me my SGM is out of date again. Do we like Nintendo now? Can I start hating Microsoft again? Oh, and are "NATALIE PORTMAN + HOT GRITS" posts back in style?

Re:wait

[Anonymous Coward]

The shocking truth is that Slashdot is read by more than one person. Some people don't like Nintendo, and some (like me) do.

Re:YEAH!

[blork101]

Mario Kart DS. Haven't you seen some of the new tracks?

Stunts

[hal2814]

The best racer of all time is without a doubt Stunts. Where else can you choose from a large array of real sports cars, design your own tracks, and perform stunts like jumps and corkscrews? Long live Stunts!

Re:Stunts

[solive1]

I second that. Stunts is incredible. If only they would make an updated version... I made some crazy tracks in Stunts.

Re:Stunts

[jest3r]

stunts was cool .. I always liked the coin op Race Drivin' out around the same time which reminded me of stunts but had better graphics ..

Check out some screens here:
http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=R&game_ id=9226

Re:Stunts

[Jammet]

That's because it is the same game. Back then it was called Hard Drivin' for the home computers (CPC for example).

And yes, Stunts really rules =). I've been swapping new tracks with a friend for years, and I still play that from time to time in DosBox. Furthermore, there IS going to be an updated sequel. Actually there are a few newer commercial games out there that follow the footsteps of Stunts. I wish I knew all the names though.

However there's an Opensource Project called Ultimate Stunts, check it out:
http://www.ultimatestunts.nl/

Re:Stunts

[InvisibleSoul]

You should get a load of my tracks. In fact, I still have Stunts on my computer with all my tracks, and it's still playable. :)

What I did was make a really small "legit" track (maybe just a small oval) but discreetly make a much larger crazy track that you won't even know deviates from the main track (like I'll make the turn off on the real track right after a hill so that you jump right over the gap) and I designed the tracks really well... totally on the extreme limits on what the Porsche/March Indy can do. Hard to get a true feel through words, but it included stunts such as jumping through the loop de loop. ;)

Re:Stunts

[Anonymous Coward]

Trackmania and its sequels brings back a lot of fun I only found on Stunts :
http://www.trackmaniagame.com/

Only one type of car per track, but a lot of fun doing uber crazy maps !!!

One thing every review seems to never mention.....

[lion2]

....is that the default controls are uncomfortable and ther is no way to change them. This alone would drop the score one point. The game is still fun but the controls are always something that keeps nagging me wen I play it. It mind boggling how nintendo won't allow you to customize your controls.

Re:YEAH!

[tomstdenis]

Go ... get ... some ... ATV screen shots....

oooh bends in the road. Also known as "low poly count objects".

The game may be fun for the average 8 yr old. It sure was WHEN I PLAYED IT THE FIRST TIME 15 YEARS AGO.

Point is nintendo has a long track record of cheap equipment and half-ass replay games. That's why they make a profit. They're selling yesterdays technology with yesteryears games.

Let's put some money on a new series?

I think the DS is semi decent but the games so far really lack in terms of quality. Compare GTA for the PSP against say one of the "two" street racing games. There is no fucking comparison.

Compare ATV to kart ... no comparison, etc...

Seriously dude, get yerself a PSP and admire the "this century" feel of the games.

Tom

Friend Code Exchange

[Zonk]

Someone asked me for my friend code below, and I responded there, but the only way to actually play against each other is to exchange codes.

If you're interested in getting a little Slashdot Kart action in, a code exchange would probably be the best way to go.

My code is 000059522506.

What is yours?

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[GammaKitsune]

489685-797221
Screen Name: Wyle

Bring it.

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[damsa]

399491434299

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[nekura]

Added. Here's mine: 098843 723530

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[Blaaguuu]

my code is 116023-598008 ill add everyone else who has replied here.

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[nhaines]

Ooh. Mine's 223397-720046.

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[Trillian_1138]

Mine is 425261-389277, nick Trillian

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[BlastM]

171858-124217

Nick: BlastM

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[Cybercifrado]

Driver Name: DMHotokiri
Friend ID #: 167563-252282

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[Orbruelor]

My friend code is 171858 314937

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[onzfonz]

Such a relief to be able to get people that aren't sore losers on this thing. I don't mind getting my butt kicked, but I don't think I suck either, Here's mine,

408081389915
fellow slashdotters, unite!
I also promise to not leave until the end of a 4 race game

oh yeah, and to everyone who posted before me, I already added you, to anyone who posts after me, I'll check again on fanksgiving

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[MilenCent]

Mine's 189038 099797.

Note that both players must add the other's codes to their system for it to work. Also, note that your friend code collection is tied to both your copy of the game and your DS itself.

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[yanos]

I might be a little late, but here's mine: 365131 751258

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[Oz0ne]

mine is 107434109616

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[smilinggoat]

kinda late, only just got a copy

000059-976960
name: DEAD

Re:Friend Code Exchange

[FrostedWheat]

Hi Zonk, here's another one for you: 021535216410

MOD PARENT UP!

[Anonymous Coward]

+5 Funny! No one laughs these days!

10/10?

[Red Samurai]

I smell a fanboy...

Re:10/10?

[Grey Ninja]

Because of course, no game is ever deserving of a 10/10.

Re:YEAH!

[blork101]

Oh, there is really little question that 'ATV' has superior graphics - all PSP games should have better graphics than the DS. They are *really* aimed at a different market.

Yes, the game has 'bends in the road'. If this impresses you so little, why did you go on about that being the problem with MK? The flat tracks?
And you say "cheap equipment"...I really don't know what you mean. Yes, the prices are generally lower, but it does not mean they dont use cutting edge tech. GCN games are easily comparable to Xbox games, and far surpass the PS2 in most cases. The N64 was played host to some of the best games ever. If you mean build quality, you obviously havent seen the tests that have been done. Drop a PSP = Game Over. Drop a DS = Continue?

You can keep your "street racing" games...I'll stick to Advance Wars DS, Mario Kart, and Nintendogs. 3 of the best games of the year,

Re:YEAH!

[Sappharad]

This IS Mario Kart though, not F-Zero. You shouldn't be expecting insanely fast racing where half the time you aren't even right-side up. Though if you're looking for loops and corkscrews, Rainbow Road in this version of Mario Kart has them, and it the first thing they reminded me of was F-Zero GX.

Re:YEAH, you're truly ignorant.

[JackAxe]

Seriously, you're only showing your ignorance.

You mean you haven't already sold your PSP like so many "previous" owners I know?

Seriously dude, get yerself a DS and admire the "this century" feel of what makes games "fun.

Wie sagt Man "child prodigy" auf Deutsch?

[shinma]

Wunderkind.

If you're going to use a "big word" to make yourself look smart, it's usually a good idea to take the time to spell it correctly.

Re:Wie sagt Man "child prodigy" auf Deutsch?

[shinma]

Troll?

Nitpicky, maybe. Annoying, probably... But Troll?

Re:YEAH, you're truly ignorant.

[tomstdenis]

I own a DS and an SP and a GPA and a PSP and a PS2 and an XBOX, etc...

That said, how does it feel to be an ignorant little nintendo fanboi? Does your ass hurt?

I may like some of the DS games [so far] but I don't blinding sit there and call shit good because they took a previously released game and put polish on it.

At least the PSP port of GTA has a new story line and looks good [a lot better than the average DS game].

Tom

How Many Tracks Really?

[miyako]

One thing that annoys me about racing games- and Mario Kart seems to do this to a lesser extent than a lot of the other racing games, is that they advertise "30 tracks" or whatever, but it's really just the same 10 permutations of the same 3 tracks "oooh look, we'll make this a left turn instead of a right turn!".
*sigh* I wish games would be honest about that sort of thing- or at least that reviews would tell you strait out how many of the tracks are essentially clones of one another.

Re:How Many Tracks Really?

[kannibal_klown]

Yeh, the whole "Mirror" series in Gamecube's Mario Cart double the number of tracks.

But there still are quite a few without taking that into account; I think 25-30.

Re:How Many Tracks Really?

[Ghost_MH]

Mario Kart DS has 32 honest-to-god real tracks...It has 64 if you count mirrored tracks, but that's just cheating. If we get technical, the game really only has 16 original tracks. The other 16 tracks are from other Mario Kart games...Four from each of the four older Mario Kart titles...Those being Super Mario Kart, Mart Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart 64, and Mario Kart: Double Dash.

Re:How Many Tracks Really?

[Anonymous Coward]

I hate your comment!!! It is only permutations of a set of words.

Re:How Many Tracks Really?

[xenocide2]

There's also some battle mode maps. I'm a bit dissapointed they didn't include any classic battle maps from the original. It was always neat to see if you could get a red shell to orbit another player in the first. The biggest map is probably the most appropriate for this. Fortunately that had the insight to bring back block fort, the bestest map ever.

"irreverent"???

[Hao Wu]

Yeah, how radical. This rebellion must appeal to teens...

"... play Mario Cart -- and stick it to the Man!"

Re:YEAH!

[tomstdenis]

I'm not saying the PSP is perfect nor am I saying the DS is a bust.

I'm saying the games that have come out for the DS so far are largely a bust. With a few notable exceptions [AW, Nintendogs and maybe Mario64] they're all fairly lame in the technical department.

I like the DS platform, no moving parts, built in screen cover, longer battery life, interesting dual screen setup, etc. I truly do.

I just hate the games so far.

Tom

One thing I would like to know...

[trogdor8667]

Does Kart DS have the Block Fort vs. track from the N64 version? The GameCube version has the horrid version of it that isn't any fun, and its honestly my favorite track. Can anyone tell me if it is available?

Re:One thing I would like to know...

[cowscows]

It is.

Re:One thing I would like to know...

[nb caffeine]

Indeed it is. It is my favorite as well. 8 player shine runners is real fun on that one, but the baloon battle sets up some interesting fights as well. Good thing i play that one with frends close enough to punch...

Re:One thing I would like to know...

[damsa]

Yes block fort is available. So is pipe plaza which isn't all that great.

Re:One thing I would like to know...

[trogdor8667]

I was so upset that they included the crappy rendition with Double Dash, it ruined Double Dash for me, as I see no real good tracks.

Re:One thing I would like to know...

[PeelBoy]

I agree. I purchased Double Dash and then never played it because of it's crapy tracks in battle mode. I'm sure you can unlock better ones but what ever.

Mario Kart on the DS is so much better I doubt I will EVER play Double Dash again.

The block fort level is AWESOME. They did a perfect job on it. It's fun battling bots on that level also. It's hard for me to find people to play with so I was happy about having bots altho I wish you had more control over them (you always have to have 7 bots you can't change that and when you change the skill level it changes it for all of them you can't decide which ones you want to be high or low skill level.. which kinda sucks)

Also you have to blow up your balloons by blowing into the mic or holding the select button and you can't do it while you're driving so that kinda sucks also.. The bots can do it almost instantly so you end up getting hit while just sitting there trying to blow up your balloons (until you get good at it) this probably won't be so bad against other humans because everybody has to put up with it so it's fair.

How does Advance Wars DS add to the franchise?

[Webapprentice]

Advance Wars DS looks like a refined Advance Wars game. It doesn't add many new elements, but the game runs well.

I don't see why you would think Advance Wars DS is great while Mario Kart DS is not.

Re:How does Advance Wars DS add to the franchise?

[SYSS Mouse]

If you consider pipe runner, "bomb", carrier, stealth fighter, mega tanks as "new elements"

Re:How does Advance Wars DS add to the franchise?

[Webapprentice]

You can say that Bullet Bill and Blooper are new elements for Mario Kart. All those new tihngs you quoted do not fundamentally change the game that much. The GP seem to imply that he/she wanted a more dramatic enhancement, but that might have risked altering the mechanics that the series is known.

Re:YEAH, you're truly ignorant.

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, 3 post ago you were pretending that MK was a mode 7 game.

You are, indeed, ignorant.

Of course the DS is tech lower than the PSP, but it means that games are less costly to develop there, and the machine is cheaper to produce and the battery last longer (and beeing simpler mean I can actually understand the machine and develop for it. pretty cool, imo).

You can keep your GTA crap, I'll keep my Advance Wars, Mario Kart and Mario 64...

who cares?

[Anonymous Coward]

I want to know more about the Xbox 360! Frankly I'm disappointed in the lack of coverage /. is giving the 360. Don't you guys know it's going to be officially released tomorrow? Like god, you'd think the editors would post an article about it or something.

Re:who cares?

[PeelBoy]

WTF are you talking about? The 360 is covered on every damn site on the internet right now. There is no lack of coverage for it..

My roommate won one in the MT Dew thing and we got it Saturday around 11:00. It came with a free copy of Kameo. We purchased PGR and we are waiting for NFS to show up (comes with the system also).

On a regular TV with out HD I can honestly say I'm not impressed. At all. I don't care for the games we have all that much. I spent my weekend playing Mario Kart DS and watching others play the 360 but it wasn't interesting enough to make me want to play. To me it just looks like more of the same except slightly better. Exactly what I was expecting.

I did see madden running on a nice wide screen tv in HD at Bestbuy this weekend though and it did look quite nice, but it was still just madden.

Maybe when more games come out it'll be worth buying but right now if you don't own an HDTV it's not going to be so much better than you XBox that you should spend $600 buying the 360 of Ebay... Seriously wait for more games.

No Stylus/Analogue

[Deliveranc3]

I've played a lot of driving games mostly on the dreamcast and I thought the one genre of game that would really suffer on the DS was driving games.

I guess turning a corner is tap tap tap but could anyone enlighten me about the control scheme?

Re:No Stylus/Analogue

[NidStyles]

I guess you never played driving games before N64 then. I mean I still don't use the joysticks on any system for anything but FPS. I play all driving games with the D-pad. I play Burnout Revenge with the D-pad and rolled through the damn game getting gold on everything the first try.

Re:No Stylus/Analogue

[Anonymous Coward]

There is no analog control for this game -- tapping on the touch screen (or pushing the Y button) switches the bottom screen between an up-close view of the tracks (which also shows items in play, allowing you to differentiate between a bad ? block and a good one, for instance) and a full-track view showing where everybody is.

The rest of the controls are as follows:

D pad Left or Right - Steer
A - Accelerate
B - Brake/reverse
Y - Swap bottom screen view
X - Fire weapon*
Shoulder L - Fire weapon*
Shoulder R - jump/skid (like N64)

*(both X and L can be used to hold a shell behind you a la the N64 version, although this does NOT work in WFC (read: online) play.)

After my first few rounds with friends online, we all agreed that it's a Very Good Thing(tm) that Nintendo did NOT force some sort of 'touching' control for this game. The D-Pad really does work. The menus are even designed in such a way as to be accessible with thumbs, if you ask me.

Someone earlier asked for the number of tracks, 'really'. Well, there are 16 tracks that have not appeared in a Mario Kart game before, although some look familiar (Waluigi's Pinball reminds me of a GCN Kart track). There are 16 tracks from older Mario Kart games (SNES, N64, GBA, GCN). I find every track to have it's own quirks and feels different enough from each of the other tracks. Sure some are variations on older tracks (there's a new Wario Stadium track that is not like the N64 version, and some others) If it's not enough variety for you, well, what do you really want?

This game is /really/ good. The online play is fantastic and the single player keeps itself interesting by unlocking extra karts / racers, culminating in offering ROB the Robot after you beat the first set of Mirror Tracks.

Re:YEAH, you're truly ignorant.

[tomstdenis]

Well, 3 post ago you were pretending that MK was a mode 7 game.

You are, indeed, ignorant.

It's isn't exactly a huge leap up from mode 7 games. You're behind the racer on tracks that are mostly flat with slight bends in them. Whoopy!

And not being a savant on MK doesn't make me ignorant. It makes me bitter and pissed off.

Tom

PS2 games

[tepples]

The funny part, is that 7 PS2 games are now unsupported.

The new silver slim PS2 isn't the only revision to remove support for commercial PS2 games. For example, Linux for PlayStation 2 and Final Fantasy XI don't run on the slim PS2 because the slim PS2 has neither an internal hard drive connector nor a 1394 connector to attach an external hard drive.

already an unfortunate exploit

[Anonymous Coward]

Already there is one, i love the game but this is a bit annoying. apparently the designers didnt realize that after a little bit of practice, players can repeatedly use the speed boost out of a power slide on wide courses like the figure 8. i've had several arguments on other message boards about whether or not this is "cheating" (I don't think it's cheating, but it sure as hell is cheesy). I'll say this much here - this is a RACING game, not a powersliding game. so this is unfortunate, but otherwise it's still fun.

a word of warning - if somebody repeatedly votes for the figure 8 course and beats you be a mile, he's snaking like crazy.

Shitcock (152993)

[Anonymous Coward]

buttsecks?

Re:YEAH!

[tepples]

Seriously dude, get yerself a PSP and admire the "this century" feel of the games.

But seriously dude, how would you play a game like Starcraft or AOE on PSP?

Racing has always been racing

[tepples]

You're behind the racer on tracks that are mostly flat with slight bends in them.

How does real go-cart racing or real stock car racing or real open wheel racing work? You are on a flat track that bends up, down, left, and right. The basic formula for a behind-the-car racing game hasn't changed since Rad Racer on the NES; everything on top of that is just more polish.

Re:Racing has always been racing

[tomstdenis]

Whatever. All I'm saying is the DS has been out for nearly a year now and the best game [technically] is Nintendogs.

That says something about the platform: LOSER.

Sure AW is fun [I have a copy] and so is mario64 but big deal. AW on the DS looks like AW on the GBA with the only diff being better multiplayer and the DS battles [which are not really that fun]. Mario64 is just a "get started game" and isn't really that much fun [I bought it so I'd have something to run on my DS].

Now look at the titles for the PSP. We have GTA, Grand Tourismo, Tony Hawk, a few FPSes, a puzzle game or two, NHL2k5, etc. See the difference?

The sad thing is if Nintendo licensed out developer kits more reasonably you'd probably see a lot more titles out there from people who can't afford to start a 1,000 person company with millions in the bank [as Nintendo requires]. A port of Quake would certainly be a welcome title for instance :-)

Tom

Re:Racing has always been racing

[Anonymous Coward]

Heh, Anonymous Coward.

Hahah oh man I laughed when I saw this. You, good sir, are an idiot.

Did you know the DS is outselling the PSP? Did you know that the most popular games right now are on DS?

All right there buddy, lets see that list of games you provided:
Grand Tourismo (And you bitch about rehashing?)
Tony Hawk (again, rehashing. Also, port.)
A few FPSes (that, with PSP hardware, are tough to control)
a puzzle game or two (I'll give you that. Mercury and Lumines are quite good)
NHL2k5 (coughcoughportlikeamotherfuckercoughcough)
GTA (Now this is a good game, definitely. It hasn't significantly increased PSP sales, but oh well. It looks really well done, as per Rockstar's methods)

" All I'm saying is the DS has been out for nearly a year now and the best game [technically] is Nintendogs.

That says something about the platform: LOSER."

Uh, that the best game is a puppy game? No, it says that broad-reaching games sell well, you uneducated bastard. I've had at least half-a-dozen friends buy PSPs in the past. Now? They're selling them. No games are coming out for the system. The games that do, suck, or are ports of much better games out there.

You are obviously a Sony fanboy, good sir, and for that, you don't get an opinion.

Frankly, I don't own any handheld systems. I'm content with a good book. But I read the news, and the numbers. You apparently don't. So please, just...stop. Your ignorance is showing.

Re:Racing has always been racing

[Matt Gleeson]

Meteos and Mario Kart are system sellers for the DS in my opinion.

Metroid Pinball and the Kirby game are pretty good too, but not as outstanding as the first two.

I didn't care for Nintendogs, but I have real dogs.

Re:Racing has always been racing

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't follow you.

The DS is a 66+33MhZ machine with 4Mb RAM and a 120K poly/s, 30Mpixel/s 3D engine.

The PSP is a 2x222MHz machine with 16+4Mb RAM and a 33M poly/s, 600Mpixels/s 3D engine.

(Of course, we all know that poly count are shitty specs, but the truth is that PSP's 3D is at least an order of magnitude better than DS's)

So what ? Is the PSP a more advanced tech than the DS ? Of course, nobody will pretend the opposite.

Why should games be more technically advanced than Nintendogs ? Have "technically" advanced a positive impact on the fun factor of a game ?

If you think so, then get a PSP.
If you like high poly count 3D games, then get a PSP.
If you want the higher-powered gadget, then get a PSP.

But, IMHO:
1/ The games are more fun on the DS
2/ The dual screen, stylus and mirophone gimmick gives some interesting games
3/ The DS is *much* more solid
4/ Battery last longer
5/ Games are less expensive
6/ The DS runs the 1000's of existing GBA games (minus the link feature)
7/ There is no moving parts in the DS
8/ I can write code for my DS using a passme and GBA cart
9/ The DS is cheaper

So, MK is a low-poly racing game. But MK is fun, and get stellar reviews everywhere.

Maybe that says something for the platform...

How is it different from Lumines?

[tepples]

With a few notable exceptions [AW, Nintendogs and maybe Mario64] they're all fairly lame in the technical department.

So is Bandai's Lumines, according to some critics. What others call the PSP's killer app amounts to just a Tetris style puzzle game with a music video running in the background. Lumines could have easily been made on the GBA (and in fact it has).

Re:How is it different from Lumines?

[tomstdenis]

Granted, but GTA, GT, Tony Hawk and ATV are much more fun [and less insulting] games already out for the PSP.

Where are the games for the DS that aren't 13 minutes long [*I'm looking at you Episode III*] or really childish [*cough*The Urbz*cough*]. Where are the good shooters or quality driving games?

Speaking of which where is the Zelda and Final Fantasy ports? A nice 3d RPG for the DS would be a WELCOMED addition to the title lineup.

See the frustration? Good platform, crap games.

By time the good games come out I'll be going to buy a replacement DS since this one would have worn out from all the fun I'm having with Mario64!!!!

Tom

Re:How is it different from Lumines?

[Tezkah]

You sir, are worse than Hitler.

Re:How is it different from Lumines?

[kerrle]

Oh, please. The DS is getting a 3D Final Fantasy game in a few months; screenshots can be found here:

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/final-fantasy-iii-ds/ final-fantasy-iii-ds-screens-132333.php

Mario Kart is truly good if you'd give it a chance; the terrain in the Desert Hills track would definitely meet your needs, and it's not alone.

Metroid coming in a few months looks great, Castlevania was great, Zelda is coming, and Tony Hawk is also fantastic. Not to mention the release of Animal Crossing next month, or the various games like Kirby, Nintendogs, and Trauma Center which aren't even really possible on any other system.

I really don't see your argument - by my experience, the DS by FAR a better selection of games than the PSP, and I really don't even see how you could argue otherwise unless you were just a huge GTA fan.

Re:How is it different from Lumines?

[Anonymous Coward]

Lumines could have easily been made on the GBA (and in fact it has).

Why do you plug your shitty game so much? It's nothing like Lumines - the graphics are ugly, the music is shit, the GBA screen is too small to be effective. Why can't you admit that the PSP has a great puzzle game, one thats better than Meteos?

Cripes, you Nintendo fanboys are so irritating. Shouldn't you posting something about how Chrono Trigger is the greatest game of all time?

Re:How is it different from Lumines?

[kerrle]

His game is completely skinnable, and you can use your own music.

Don't judge it by the default, but look at the skins that have been created, like at: http://headkaze.webpal.info/lumines.htm

Re:YEAH!

[damsa]

We play games from the 1800s but that doesn't make it any less fun. Millions of people enjoy Scrabble, Chess, Checkers, Texas Hold'em, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit 80s edition. It's like when Chess goes online, is it revolutionary, in someways it is. Before if you lived in a small town, or have friends who are either not great chess players, there really isn't a way to get chess action. With the internet now you can, you can play players similar to your level of experience and skill. So chess players can now gain skill and experience that normal players could. Is it pretty much the same game, yes, and that's what's so great about it, it is like taking a classic and giving it a new life.

Re:YEAH!

[PeelBoy]

Oooooooooooooooooooooh 23 you're a BIG BOY NOW? Fresh out of college I bet? You're the very definition of MATURE ADULT!!! Too old to play video games or watch cartoons. It's time to get a real job and start living a real life you mature adult you.

8 is the new 10

[SuperKendall]

And as you can see, 10 is also the new 8!

Re:YEAH!

[PeelBoy]

Don't forget Football, Basketball and Baseball. Those go back over 100 years also. Even as Video games they go back 20++ years yet Madden is still one of the best selling video games.

*LOL*

[JackAxe]

Thanks for the laugh. :)

Re:YEAH!

[PeelBoy]

WHOA That's it! You figured it out!!!! Hills are what makes games fun! Holy crap we're going to be rich off this new discovery. Quick, file a patent!

Wait... Mario Kart has TONS of hills, twists, details in the terrain... WTF are you talking about? Have you ever even played the game?

Why is this modded down as "Troll?"

[Overly Critical Guy]

Such moderations prove what a sheepish place the comments section of Slashdot has become. "OMG HE DIDN'T LIKE MARIO KART, -1 FOR U!!!!"

Re:YEAH, you're truly ignorant.

[Anonymous Coward]

LOL Ignorant fanboi now that's a laugh you act like you're STILL 15. You're the one who thinks better GFX makes a game more fun. Let's compare average ratings of MKDS and ATV Offroad.. Oh wait MKDS wins hands down, but HOW?!?!?! THE GFX ARE SO INFERIOR!! ONLY 8 YEAR OLDS PLAY MKDS WAAAAAAAAAAAH WAAAAAAAAAAAAH WAAAAAAH.. ATLEAST MY PSP HAS GTA3: 4: Another REHASH OF THE SAME FUCKING GAME EXCEPT NOT AS FUN. Whoopty fucking do. I was bored of that game after the FIRST GTA3 SEVERAL YEARS AGO and it hasn't changed AT ALL. (Go ahead and repeat what I just said except turn it around and put MKDS in GTA's place.. see if I care..because I don't.. I'm just having fun laughing at your retard ass.)

Nice to see that you could think of ONE good game for the PSP lol. Just one. PATHETIC. One fucking game haha..

You think MK is Mode 7 and then you say that it's not a huge leap over Mode 7 LOL it's full fucking 3D how is that not a huge leap? You're basically saying GTA3 is not a huge leap over Mode 7 either.... Oh but the GFX aren't cartoony so there for it's MUCH l33ter than Mode 7 LOL get a load of you.

Do you know anything.. Seriously.. Anything at all?

Fucking moron. People like you give Playstation fanboys a bad name.

Re:YEAH, you're willingly naive!!!

[JackAxe]

At least this that... Blah blah blah. Well my this is better than that!!! Do you always question another man's ass when talking about games? Or is this part of your everyday discussion with guys in general?

How convienct that you own so many game machines, but yet you know so "little."

Big difference between GTA PSP and Mario Kart DS, MK DS is a hit and has massive replay value. Ge, A) would I rather go around killing the same guy over and over, or B) play up to eight of my friends... Well, I'll have to go with choice B.

Speaking of "old" shit, how many times will you pay to play the same GTA formula? If MK is shit, than the same can easilly be stated about GTA PSP, when in reality they both have their strengths and are good games. I prefer MK to GTA. I've played GTA and had fun, but it's not what I like to play with friends, so does that make me wrong? According to your naive-logic, it does. You're not only ignorant, but you're also a hypocrite.

You obviously haven't played MK since SNES and it shows. So wear your ignorant title with pride, or go out and gain some real experience about MK, not just what you assume as being the case. Oh, you'll need friends if you truly want to enjoy it, so hopefully you know other peeps with DSs.

Re:YEAH!

[astrosmash]

Yup, the current state of the industry is pretty pathetic. It's just the same old crap rehashed over and over again.

On the other hand, some games are classics and are as enjoyable now as they were 15 years ago. I think that says a lot about what passes for state of the art gaming these days.

Re:YEAH!

[buck_wild]

You have a point, but the marketeers don't make a shiny new board (Now in stores: Checkers 2.0. Get your's today!*) that often won't be compatible with an older version, or that requires you spend months-worth of allowance (refering to younger players) to upgrade. Plus, the games you mention don't rely much on technology, and when they do, people expect the game to utilize technology...better.

That said, I don't mind the whole 'breathing new life in an old game' way of thinking, but would prefer not to have to purchase a whole new game system in order to enjoy it. If this continues, I would think it would drive folks to simply plug in their old consoles and play the game there, rather than purchasing something new for the same-old gameplay.

*Not campatible with Checkers 1.0, 1.1 or 1.9. New pieces required. Pieces sold seperately.

Mustachioed plumber

[Anonymous Coward]

...another powerhouse title featuring the mustachioed multitalented plumber.

Is it just me, or does that line sound like it ought to be from a review of a dodgy '70s porn flick?

Review -- Slightly Misleading

[Spaceman Spiff II]

The balloon-popping battles can not be played online, but have to be done locally.

That said, I think it's an amazing game, too, and highly recommend it. I was just disappointed to find that you can't do the versus battles online, so I thought I'd point it out here so others don't get that impression.

Above post is not off topic

[Anonymous Coward]

sure this one is, but parent post isnt mod parent poster up.

there IS an internet battle mode

[nan0]

use kai - http://www.teamxlink.co.uk/

it's free, and is genius -

works with DC, Xbox, ps2, 360, DS, PSP

it's like a meta-gaming LAN

can totally play with anyone, anywhere - it basically tunnels so everyone appears to be on your LAN.

woot!

Re:there IS an internet battle mode

[BillPosters]

Are you sure?

I see no mention of the DS anywhere on that site.

Re:there IS an internet battle mode

[nan0]

whOA

you're right - sorry for the misinformation!

i don't have a DS - have used xlink w/ xbox, gc, psp, and ps2 - assumed they had DS support, too.

sadly, not the case!

Re:YEAH!

[damsa]

Sure they do, marketers sell gold plated Scrabble pieces, Simpsons Clue, Upgraded Monopoly, Star Wars monopoly, my travel Scrabble is not backwards compatible with the regular scrabble and so on. They also make new versions of Monopoly, anyone remember Free Parking? I think this is the reason I think Nintendo does so well in franchise making and to another extent Sega was, as they were a game company first and electronics company second. They know how to exploit a franchise for better or worse. I agree that buying a DS just to play old SNES games may for a lot of people may not be the best use of their funds, but I look at it this way, the PSP costs so much more. The DS is a bargain at 150. I remember when I was a kid I saved enough money to buy a gameboy and that cost like 90 dollars back in 1989. So if you take into account inflation, kids today have it a lot better, back then it was black and green graphics on a little screen, today you have twice and many screens for only 50% more.

Too bad the DS's networking hardware sucks

[assassinator42]

First and foremost, no WPA support. Second, the router compatability is bad. Mine doesn't work right unless I set the TX rate to 2 mbps. And I use my laptop on the network, so I want something a bit faster. I ended up using my wireless card as a softap, and using Windows XP ICS to share the connection.

In related news....

[Rydia]

In related news, Snowboard Kids DS is also out. The Kart racing gods have surely smiled upon us and our DSs.

whatever

[eamonman]

If you think the early 90's are bad, you would be offended by how much I play MAME.

Re:whatever

[Guru84]

Umm.. I didn't say they were bad, but I do think any game of today should have graphics BETTER than early 90's graphics. I enjoy my ZSNES just as much as my old Super Nintendo, and when I want to play a game made in 2005 I'd expect it to look like it was made in 2005... unless they were just going for the retro graphics, somehow, I don't think so.

DS isn't the only system with touch

[tepples]

or the various games like Kirby, Nintendogs, and Trauma Center which aren't even really possible on any other system.

Palm?

Re:DS isn't the only system with touch

[kerrle]

It takes more than a stylus to make something a viable gaming platform, and you know it.

I've written for the palm before, and I don't think I ever will again - though I've heard it has gotten better since I last worked with it.

Re:DS isn't the only system with touch

[tepples]

It takes more than a stylus to make something a viable gaming platform

Specifically, what "more" is required to make a gaming platform on top of Palm or Pocket PC platform? Better development tools? An advertising blitz promoting the device to end users?

and you know it.

If I knew it, I wouldn't be making a comment that you seem to consider so off-the-wall.

Re:Sir! With the keyboard!

[Gridpoet]

Sir, I need you to put down the thesaurus, and slowly back away. Keep your hands where I can see them!

*hands him a novel*

here its called LITERATURE...you should try it...and no, choose your own adventures do not count.

Re:YEAH!

[Anonymous Coward]

Dude, got a PSP. you know what? I play mostly SNES games on it. Just bought GTA:LCS and have to say it looks and feels like what it is, a console game crowbarred into a handheld.

I buy pretty much any game I want and rent those I'm not sure about, wanna know the handheld games I've been playing recently?

1) Phoenix Wright
2) Meteos
3) Wario Ware (GBA)
4) Nintendogs
5) Advance Wars DS

Games I own for PSP:
GTA LCS
Lumines
Virtua Tennis
Tony Hawkes
Mercury
Everybodys Golf
Pursuit Force

Says something really doesn't it. Oh and as I notice you have a penchant for naming systems you own to prove you're a Real Gamer: Atari 2600; NES; SNES; N64; GC; MasterSystem; MegaDrive; Saturn; Dreamcast; PS1; PS2; DS; PSP; GameBoy Pocket; Virtua Boy; Amiga CD-32. I think that little lot should stop any nintendo fanboy comments.

Re:YEAH!

[buck_wild]

Very true. I hadn't thought it through that far.

I agree with the kids hving it better today, too, at least with technology-related stuff. Damn, I grew up an an old Apple IIe, and my first PC was an 8088 with no hard drive.

Of course now I overcomensate and have damn near every toy under the sun. Hahaha!