Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS is the first game in the series for the Nintendo DS portable platform. It is also Nintendo's very first attempt at including total, online multiplayer game play. While online play via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is not considered as fleshed out as it could have been, the game itself was well received by critics.

Characters
Mario Kart DS includes a wide variety of characters from the Mario universe. Here is a quick look at all of them:


 * Mario: The hero of the Mushroom Kingdom, he has participated in numerous genres from tennis to golf. Mario is a balanced racer.
 * Luigi: The not so famous brother of Mario. He usually tags along with Mario as more of a sidekick then an equal. Like Mario, Luigi is a balanced racer.
 * Donkey Kong (DK): He's the monkey. Donkey Kong is a big ape who was once rivals with Mario at the start but is now stars in more of his own games separate from Mario. He's a heavy racer who can knock you off the track if given the chance.
 * Bowser: Bowser is the classic villain of the Mario games who repeatedly plots to kidnap Princess Peach. Fortunately, his plans are always foiled by Mario and Luigi. He's a heavy racer who can knock you off the track if given half a chance.
 * Yoshi: Yoshi is everyone's favorite green dinosaur. In the past, Yoshi started as a mount for Mario, though now Yoshi has been given his own series. Yoshi is a light racer with great acceleration and handling.
 * Wario: Childhood friend of Mario, he was oft cast as the bad guy, ultimately leading to his life of crime.  He's a balanced/heavy player with lots of speed and handling, and less of an emphasis on items.
 * Peach: The resident damsel in distress of the Mushroom Kingdom. Countless Mario games focus on Bowser kidnapping her and Mario rescuing her. She'sa very light character with good acceleration.
 * Toad: Toad is an assistant to Princess Peach. He tries to help Peach but fails and then gives Mario helpful advice. Toad is a light character and has great acceleration.
 * Shy Guy: Shy Guy is a standard enemy from the Mario universe. In Mario Kart DS, he becomes playable to those who don't have their own Game Card and are using the single-card DS Download Play feature.
 * Waluigi: His relationship with the Mario Bros. is as of yet unknown, but he is considered by many (if not all) to be Luigi's version of Wario as compared to Mario. Most of his cars are fast with decent handling. Note: Waluigi must be unlocked before you can choose him.
 * Dry Bones: Skeletal foe in many a game, this racer is very light, most likely due to a lack of flesh. Handles great and a popular power sliding character. Note: Dry Bones must be unlocked before you can choose it.
 * Daisy: The "Damsel in Distress" of the Mario Land series, Daisy is another princess from another kingdom. Some believe, like Waluigi, she is Luigi's version of Peach. She's very light, quick, and an excellent drifter. Note: Daisy must be unlocked before you can choose her.
 * R.O.B.: R.O.B. stands for "Robotic Operating Buddy". He was once an actual piece of hardware that Nintendo created to compliment the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). R.O.B. is a fairly heavy racer. Note: R.O.B. must be unlocked before you can choose it.

Items
Mario Kart DS contains 17 different items all hidden in different item boxes scattered around a racing track. When driven through an item box a player will get an item selected by the game. The selection process is not completely random. The item a racer will get depends on the position the racer is in. If the racer is in first place it will get defensive items. If a racer is in a lower position it might get offensive items which help the racer take a higher position in the race. A number of items can be thrown behind or in front of a racer's kart, by holding Down on the control pad while using the item. Some items, like mushrooms, can be used by the racer itself to gain an advantage in the race. Other items can be dragged, by pressing and holding an item button, behind a players kart as a measure of shielding the kart from enemy items. When dragging an item, the racer's item slot becomes empty and can therefor be filled with another item. Dragging items is not possible in Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode.


 * Banana: The most common item in Mario Kart DS, the banana is thrown either forwards or backwards and lays on the ground wherever it lands. When a character runs into it, the banana makes them spin out and momentarily stop. This item is draggable.
 * Blooper: When thrown, the blooper throws black ink onto the screen of the opponents ahead of you in the current race, effectively blinding them. While good in theory, the blooper's ink patterns are always randomized. As such, it is relatively unreliable in practice because it may or may not cover the majority of your opponents' screens.
 * Blue Shell: The most powerful item in the game. When a player uses the blue shell weapon, they send a powerful bomb shell that seeks out whoever is in first place and then drops it on them. It also creates a small blast which will stop any other players within the radius. The original target and anyone else caught in the after blast will lose any items they currently have. If you are in first place, the only ways to avoid getting hurt by the blue shell are to drop a Bob-Omb right before getting hit, activating a Boo weapon, or activating a star, however, obtaining Bob-Ombs, Boos, or stars are very rare when in first place.
 * Bob-Omb: Similar to the banana, the Bob-Omb can be thrown either forwards or backwards and will stop wherever it lands. However, unlike the banana, the Bob-Omb explodes within a few seconds of being thrown, making it a much more dangerous weapon. Anyone within the blast radius is stopped and loses whatever item they have.
 * Boo: Boo is one of the only weapons in Mario Kart DS that does not hurt other players directly. When used, Boo may randomly steal a weapon from another opponent and give the stolen weapon to the player who summoned Boo. In addition, Boo makes you invisible when used, allowing you to pass through other players, their items, and any course obstacles like Goombas.
 * Bullet Bill: A new addition to the Mario Kart series, Bullet Bill will hook onto the player's kart and then both boost and auto-drive the kart for a few seconds. It will also hit and stop any other players who bump into it. Use caution with Bullet Bill on tracks such as Star Road where you can fall off.  When he finally drops you you will be going straight and may shoot off the track if you are not prepared.
 * Fake Item Box: One of the most basic weapons in Mario Kart, the fake item box impersonates an item box when it is thrown. When hit, the fake item box makes the racer tumble and then stop. Can be distinguished from real item boxes due to the fact that fake ones don't spin. This item is draggable.
 * Golden Mushroom: A rare version of the mushroom in which you are given an infinite number of boosts within a small length of time instead of just getting one boost. Being off-road does not affect mushrooms much, so mushrooms are very useful to use, find, or create shortcuts over grass.
 * Green Shell: When thrown, the green shell will travel in a straight path until it either disappears or hits a player, which will make them tumble and then briefly stop. The green shell can bounce off walls, to a maximum of three times. This item is draggable.
 * Lightning Rod: A rare item during Mario Kart DS races, the lightning rod hits all players (except whoever threw it) with a bolt of lightning, which shrinks the players, slows them down, and makes them drop whatever item they were carrying. Can be avoided by hitting another item at the exact same time the lightning strikes. The effect of the lighting rod depends on your position in the race. The effect is shorter for those who are closer to 8th place and longer for those closer to 1st.
 * Mushroom: Provides a small boost for the player who uses it. Being off-road does not affect mushrooms much, so mushrooms are very useful to use, find, or create shortcuts over grass.
 * Red Shell: Similar to the green shell. The only major difference is that the red shell will lock on to a player and then follow it. Instead of using its classic, straight approach to its target, it now uses a kind of curved approach which makes it more difficult to avoid by dropping an item to intersect it. Red shells will fade upon hitting a wall. This item is draggable.
 * Star: The best and also most rare item in the game, the star provides the player with temporary invincibility and also a speed boost. Also, if a player using the star comes into contact with any other racer, that racer will crash. Use caution when on tracks with edges you can fall off of as the extra speed from the star makes turning more difficult.
 * Triple Banana: Same as the banana, but instead you are given three. This item is draggable. Unlike other draggable items you only have to press the item button instead of holding it down for it to stay dragging. Note that this item is not obtainable during a NWFC match.
 * Triple Green Shell: Same as the green shell, but you are given three green shells instead of one. Can also be used as a shield because the shells rotate your kart until they are fired. This item is also not obtainable through NWFC
 * Triple Mushroom: Same as the mushroom, but you are given three. Being off-road does not affect mushrooms much, so mushrooms are very useful to use, find, or create shortcuts over grass.
 * Triple Red Shell: Same as the red shell, but you are given three. Can also be used as a shield because the shells rotate your kart until they are fired. Once again, this item is not obtainable through NWFC.

Unlockables
Mario Kart DS can be enjoyed without learning the advanced maneuvers. You'll find lots of secret unlockables within the game.

Unlockable Characters

 * Daisy. Get a gold trophy (first place overall) on 50cc Retro Grand Prix Lightning Cup.
 * Dry Bones. Get a gold trophy (first place overall) on 50cc Nitro Grand Prix Special Cup.
 * Waluigi. Get a gold trophy (first place overall) on 100cc Retro Grand Prix Lightning Cup.
 * R.O.B. Get a gold trophy (first place overall) on 150cc Mirror Retro Grand Prix.

Unlockable Karts

 * Earn a third kart for each character by placing first overall in the 100cc Nitro Grand Prix.
 * Earn four additional karts for each character by placing first overall in the 150cc Retro Grand Prix.
 * Unlock all karts for all characters by placing first overall in the 150cc Nitro Grand Prix.

Unlockable 150cc Mirror Mode
Unlock 150cc Mirror Mode by placing first overall in 150cc Retro Grand Prix.

Unlockable Title Screen
You can unlock a new title screen by finshing all classes with gold trophies on all cups.

Unlockable Ending Screen
You can unlock a new ending screen (the 'thank you' screen) by earning gold trophies on all cups and classes.

Unlockable Mission Tier 7
You can unlock a 7th set of missions in 'Mission' mode by earning at least 1 star on every other mission available.

Stars
You can unlock having a star by your name in NWFC matches by completing all Grand Prix cups with 1 star or higher. the number of stars that appear by your name in NWFC matches will be determined by the lowest grade you have on any race in Grand Prix mode. For example: If you have 1 star in any Grand Prix cup, but you have 2 stars or higher on all the other cups, one star will still be displayed by your name. If that one star gets pushed up to 2 stars, 2 stars will then appear by your name in all NWFC match. Although extremely difficult, it is possible to 3 stars by your name by acheiving a 3 star rank on all Grand Prix cups. It is possible albeit very rare.

Rocket Boost
To obtain a rocket boost press and hold 'A' right after the two in the countdown starts to disappear. If done correctly, your kart will receive a powerful boost right from the starting line. The amount of boost varies slightly depending on how precisely timed the 'A' button is pressed and held.

Alt: Hold down 'A' as soon as the count begins, then release it and press it again quickly right before 'Start' appears.

Alt: hold 'A' during each number of countdown. hold while '3' is on screen, release when it disappears, etc... hold after 1 disappears.

Powersliding Basics
To powerslide, simply press the R shoulder button and then either left or right. If done correctly, your kart will swing around in a wide arc. Powersliding is most useful around corners, as it allows you to turn them faster and in a smaller distance.

Powersliding Boosts
Performing Powerboosts is done by pressing R to hop, then holding down the D-Pad in the direction you want your cart to drift, after your Kart starts to drift, immediately begin to press Left & Right quickly and rhythmically.

This will take much practice, both mentally, and physically.

Introduction
This technique is exploiting the powerslide boost function in Mario Kart DS and using it to its fullest advantage.

The simplest form of powersliding is performing it at corners... Advanced Powersliding is performing it as much as possible without being hindered by the course.

Snaking
Snaking seems like a disadvantage at first, but if performed quickly enough, you can gain a significant speed boost over the competition.



One-sided boosts
This is Powerslide boosting from just one side repeatedly. It can be used on smaller straightaways where going in an actual snake-like pattern will only get you into the grass.

To perform, Powerslide boost, making sure you can squeeze enough room to not slide onto the grass. After the boost, perform a hop or two to realign yourself, then boost from that side again.

Best Karts and Characters
The best Karts to use for Advanced Powersliding would be very light characters that have a low drift and high acceleration. The downside is that this limits a large amount of characters that can be useful.

Famous combinations are Yoshi and his Egg One, Dry Bones and his Dry Bomber, and Luigi and the Poltergust 4000.

Nitro Grand Prix
The Nitro Grand Prix is made of all new courses designed for Mario Kart DS. The four different cups are Mushroom, Flower, Star, and Special. Star Cup must be unlocked by getting Golds in the Mushroom and Flower Cups and Special Cup by getting another Gold in Star Cup. You must unlock Star and Special for each difficulty.


 * Mushroom Cup
 * 1) Figure-8 Circuit
 * 2) Yoshi Falls
 * 3) Cheep Cheep Beach
 * 4) Luigi's Mansion
 * Flower Cup
 * 1) Desert Hills
 * 2) Delfino Square
 * 3) Waluigi Pinball
 * 4) Shroom Ridge
 * Star Cup
 * 1) DK Pass
 * 2) Tick-Tock Clock
 * 3) Mario Circuit
 * 4) Airship Fortress
 * Special Cup
 * 1) Wario Stadium
 * 2) Peach Gardens
 * 3) Bowser Castle
 * 4) Rainbow Road

Retro Grand Prix
Retro Grand Prix is a sort of "greatest hits" collection of tracks from all other Mario Kart games. Here you will play on courses that were originally designed for Super Mario Kart (SNES), Mario Kart 64 (N64), Mario Kart Advance (GBA), or Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GCN). The four different cups are Shell, Banana, Leaf, and Lightning. Leaf Cup is unlocked by getting Golds in the Shell and Banana Cups. Lightning Cup is unlocked by then getting a Gold in Leaf Cup. You must unlock Leaf and Lightning for each difficulty.


 * Shell Cup
 * 1) Mario Circuit 1 (SNES)
 * 2) Moo Moo Farm (N64)
 * 3) Peach Circuit (GBA)
 * 4) Luigi Circuit (GCN)
 * Banana Cup
 * 1) Donut Plains 1 (SNES)
 * 2) Frappe Snowland (N64)
 * 3) Bowser Castle 2 (GBA)
 * 4) Baby Park (GCN)
 * Leaf Cup
 * 1) Koopa Beach 2 (SNES)
 * 2) Choco Mountain (N64)
 * 3) Luigi Circuit (GBA)
 * 4) Mushroom Bridge (GCN)
 * Lightning Cup
 * 1) Choco Island 2 (SNES)
 * 2) Banshee Boardwalk (N64)
 * 3) Sky Garden (GBA)
 * 4) Yoshi Circuit (GCN)

Blue Shells
To dodge blue shells(this can only be done in 150CC), first go into a powerslide. Turn yoursparks red by pressing left and right on the d-pad repeatedly. When the blue shell comes, it will hover over you for a split second. Then it will tip downwards. Right when it does this release your power slide and press R. If your timing was correct, you should have successfully dodged a blue shell.

Another way you could dodge a blue shell is by planting a bomb behind you so that it explodes right when the blue shell is flying over it. But the above method is better since your chances of getting a bomb in first place are low.

Links and Resources

 * Official Mario Kart Website (North America)
 * Official Mario Kart DS Website (Europe)
 * Mario Kart DS Decal Maker
 * Mario Kart DS - Wi-Fi Connection Help