Mario Kart DS uses the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to support multiplayer matches with 2 to 4 players. Karts and characters you've unlocked via the single player mode are selectable on an online match. In a multiplayer game you can race against your friends (if you have exchanged friend codes), but the most common way is to be matched up against random opponents from arround the world.
When you select Nintendo WFC you have 3 options:
Nintendo WFC Match
When you choose this option it will ask if you want to connect to Nintendo WFC. If you have setup your Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, then go ahead and choose Yes.
Starting a game
You now need to select what type of opponents to be matched with; there are 4 options:
- Friends - If you choose this option, the game will pick opponents only from the list of friends whose friend codes you have registered. This should only be done if you have arranged to race against someone and you know they will be online to race you. Otherwise there is very little chance of you actually finding anyone to race.
- Rivals - If you choose Rivals, the game will select people with similar abilty to you (based on how many races they have won and lost). This option is good if you are a beginner and you don't want to be racing against experts with hundreds of wins under their belts.
- Continental - If you choose this option you will be matched against any available players from your continent (e.g. Europe or North America), regardless of how good or bad they are.
- Worldwide - If you choose this option, you will be matched against any available players from around the world. This is the best chance of finding opponents at quiet times.
Stars
As an incentive for players whom have done well in the single player mode, a maximum of three stars will appear next to your name before and during an online match. This star rating is based your performance in Grand Prix mode. If you have completed every cup with at least a one-star rating, your overall rating will be one star. Likewise, if you have completed every cup with the maximum three-star rating then your overall rating here will be three stars. Getting a three-star rating takes a lot of practice so it is a good indication of how good someone is at the game.
Friend Code
- Register Friend Code - This is where you enter the friend code of someone you want to race against.
- Confirm Friend Code - Use this option to display your Mario Kart DS friend code. This is the code you give to other people so that you can race them in a multiplayer game.
Nintendo WFC Settings
This takes you into the advanced setup options for the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection.