Nerd Mentality

Mario Kart DS Online Impressions

Posted November 28th 2005 by Various Authors.

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John: Mario Kart DS offers an expansive, self-challenging, single-player experience. There are a ton of trophies to win and missions to conquer, but the game can be completed fairly easily, especially if you've been power sliding since Mario Kart 64. The true challenge after finishing the game is achieving the highest rank (three stars) for every grand prix and mission. And if you're done with that (which you won't be), you can always try to beat every staff ghost in time trials. But no computer opponents can offer you the same adrenaline pumping challenge that's found online.

Wi-Fi Connection matches are where it's at. First of all, for most people, the online setup will be brisk and painless. I encountered slight difficulties getting my DS online, but this was only because my wireless router is hella dumb and needed to be made smarter (see: updated). After that, it was smooth driving.

Finding opponents online actually took longer than I anticipated it would – even when I opted to play a Worldwide match against anyone (as opposed to a Rivals match where the servers search for players similar to you in skill). It takes about two solid minutes on average to find three other opponents. That's disappointing, especially considering I have entered numerous contests that started with four karts but ended with just two – me and another racer. Unfortunately, these racers usually quit before completion of the four-race grand prix because they don't have enough points to win. One opponent I faced went even as far as to wait and quit just before I crossed the finish line on the last lap of the last course. Yeah, that's not lame or immature or anything. It should be noted that for every first place finish, you earn a win. You're only marked with a loss if you come in last place or quit.

Overall though, WFC matches are fantastic. Playing against friends on your friends list is even more of a thrill. Yes, I would have liked more than just four karts racing at a time online. Yes, I would have liked a battle mode online. Yes, I would have liked to choose from every course in the game online, but this is Mario Kart online. And this is a great first step Nintendo made into the Wi-Fi world.

James:This is the best Mario Kart game ever in a series that has easily become one of the most successful video game franchises ever. The game is coated with an evident, thick thirteen-year history of polish. It's a cornucopia of all the awesomeness fans adored in each of the previous four Mario Kart titles.

For me, it isn't the online mode that makes Mario Kart DS so special. In fact, the online mode isn't exactly much to brag about considering its rocky, inconsistent service (thus far) and basic infrastructure. I'm more thrilled I can play a video game online almost anywhere I want to (my sofa, my bed, my bathroom) than finally playing Kart online. No, the online mode isn't what makes Kart so special, the game owns because it nailed the much more important elements — the gameplay, specifically the play control and level design. The fluid driving controls and assortment of courses propels this game past any other arcade racer on the market.

Performing power slides through corners is no longer limited to advanced players, thanks to the intuitive, forgiving driving mechanics. If the revamped controls don't make driving more enjoyable, choosing from a dozen characters to race with and custom-fitting each with one of 37 vehicles will. It makes for an even more comfortable and stress free racing experience.

But without genius courses to race on, the excellent driving controls would be a waste. Thankfully the game boasts the widest variety of courses to race on in any video game ever created. Where else are you ever going to race atop a pinball machine, a giant clock, a massive lava pit, a mountain covered in snow, the clouds, a beach, chocolate syrup, or a rainbow? No where. More importantly though, the courses are littered with opportunities that take full advantage of the game's fluid driving mechanics. Mario Kart DS's combination of brilliant course design and intuitive driving controls will leave you feeling like you're a pro within minutes of playing.

This game gets an N-Philes score of B.

Well, that's the scoop, according to these guys. Popular consensus: Mario Kart DS online is awesome and there are no problems with it whatsoever! Or maybe some people said other things, like how it has way too few options and even kind of fails on the level of being as easy as possible. Well, you'd know if you read the article! Bye now!

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