Mario Kart DS: Difference between revisions

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{{italic title}}
{{italic title}}
{{FA}}
{{UNFASTAT}}
{{game infobox
{{game infobox
|image=[[File:MKDS NA Box Art.png|270px]]
|image=[[File:MKDS NA Box Art.png|270px]]
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|languages={{languages|en_us=y|es_es=y|fr_fr=y|de=y|it=y|jp=y|kr=y}}
|languages={{languages|en_us=y|es_es=y|fr_fr=y|de=y|it=y|jp=y|kr=y}}
|genre=[[Mario Kart (series)|Racing]]
|genre=[[Mario Kart (series)|Racing]]
|modes=Single player<br>Multiplayer: 2–8 players LAN, 2–4 Wi-Fi Connection
|modes=Single player<br>Local Wireless Play: 2–8 players<br>Wi-Fi Connection: 2-4 players
|ratings={{ratings|esrb=E|pegi=3|acb=G|cero=A}}
|ratings={{ratings|esrb=E|pegi=3|acb=G|cero=A|usk=0}}
|platforms=[[Nintendo DS]], [[Virtual Console]] ([[Wii U]])
|platforms=[[Nintendo DS]], [[Virtual Console]] ([[Wii U]])
|media={{media|ds=1|wiiudl=1}}
|media={{media|ds=1|wiiudl=1}}
|input={{input|ds=1|stylus=1|wiiu=1}}
|input={{input|ds=1|stylus=1|dsmicrophone=1|wiiu=1}}
|ids=NTR-AMCE-USA (North America)
}}
}}
'''''Mario Kart DS''''' is a racing game part of the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series for the [[Nintendo DS]], developed and published by [[Nintendo]]. ''Mario Kart DS'' was released first in North America, in November 14, 2005, and is the first and only mainstream ''Mario Kart'' game to be released first in North America. Unlike its predecessor, ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', it retains the traditional single-driver kart racing elements in the ''Mario Kart'' series, where players race against seven competitors in obstacle tracks, using item-based weaponry to gain further advantages over their opponents. It is the first handheld ''Mario Kart'' title to use live-rendered 3D graphics for most of the objects in the game, including characters, vehicles, and racetracks.
'''''Mario Kart DS''''' is a racing game part of the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series for the [[Nintendo DS]], developed and published by [[Nintendo]]. ''Mario Kart DS'' was released first in North America, on November 14, 2005, and is the only mainline ''Mario Kart'' game to be released first in North America. Unlike its predecessor, ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', it retains the traditional single-driver kart racing elements in the ''Mario Kart'' series, where players race against seven competitors in obstacle tracks, using item-based weaponry to gain further advantages over their opponents. It is the first handheld ''Mario Kart'' title to use live-rendered 3D graphics for most of the objects in the game, including characters, vehicles, and racetracks.


''Mario Kart DS'' expands and introduces mechanics that would later become the standard in future titles, most notably the Retro Grand Prix, and the advent of retro courses in general, that revamps tracks from all previous titles from the ''Mario Kart'' series. ''Mario Kart DS'' supports both single pak and multi-pak gameplay via DS Download Play, and is the first ''Mario'' title to support [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]], allowing players to race against opponents by using online services across the world. As of May 2014, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection has been discontinued, making online play no longer possible.
''Mario Kart DS'' expands and introduces mechanics that would later become the standard in future titles, most notably the Retro Grand Prix, and the advent of retro courses in general, that revamps tracks from all previous titles from the ''Mario Kart'' series. ''Mario Kart DS'' supports both single pak and multi-pak gameplay via DS Download Play, and is the first ''Super Mario'' title to support [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]], allowing players to race against opponents by using online services across the world. On May 20, 2014, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection has been discontinued, making online play no longer possible.


''Mario Kart DS'' has its own mechanics that are not available in other ''Mario Kart'' games, such as customizing [[emblem]]s for the vehicles, and the [[Mario Kart DS#Missions|Missions mode]], in which racers are tasked to complete objectives in a short series of events. The game also makes use of the Nintendo DS's features, using the bottom screen to display other HUD elements such as two types of maps, character order, and what items their opponents have.
''Mario Kart DS'' has its own mechanics that are not available in other ''Mario Kart'' games, such as customizing [[emblem]]s for the vehicles, and the [[#Missions|Missions mode]], in which racers are tasked to complete objectives in a short series of events. The game also makes use of the Nintendo DS's features, using the bottom screen to display other HUD elements such as two types of maps, character order, and what items their opponents have.


On April 23, 2015, ''Mario Kart DS'' became available for purchase for the [[Wii U]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service via the [[Nintendo eShop]]. The Virtual Console version is only playable in single-player mode.
On April 23, 2015, ''Mario Kart DS'' became available for purchase for the [[Wii U]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service via the [[Nintendo eShop]] until March 27, 2023 after the service's discontinuation. Players who purchased the title before this date can still play it as long as it is on their Wii U device. The Virtual Console version is only playable in single-player mode.


==Controls==
==Controls==
===Menu controls===
===Menu controls===
* {{button|ds|Pad}} - Scroll
*{{button|ds|Pad}} - Scroll
* {{button|ds|A}} - Select
*{{button|ds|A}} - Select
* {{button|ds|B}} - Back
*{{button|ds|B}} - Back
* {{button|ds|Stylus}} - Tap selection
*{{button|ds|Stylus}} - Tap selection


===Race controls===
===Race controls===
* {{button|ds|A}} - Accelerate/[[Rocket Start]] (hold at 2 during the countdown before the race starts)
*{{button|ds|A}} - Accelerate/[[Rocket Start]] (hold at 2 during the countdown before the race starts)
* {{button|ds|B}} - Brake/reverse
*{{button|ds|B}} - Brake/reverse
* {{button|ds|L}}/{{button|ds|X}} - Use current Item/Stop Item Roulette/Equip Item
*{{button|ds|L}}/{{button|ds|X}} - Use current Item/Stop Item Roulette/Equip Item
* {{Button|Padleftright}} - Steer
*{{Button|Padleftright}} - Steer
* {{button|ds|L}}/{{button|ds|X}} + {{Button|Padupdown}} - Throw items backward or forward.
*{{button|ds|L}}/{{button|ds|X}} + {{Button|Padupdown}} - Throw items backward or forward.
* {{button|ds|R}} - Hop/Powerslide/[[Drift]] (Hold)/[[Mini-Turbo]] (Release)
*{{button|ds|R}} - Hop/Powerslide/[[Drift]] (Hold)/[[Mini-Turbo]] (Release)
* {{button|ds|Stylus}}/{{button|ds|Y}} - Change map view (does not work in Mission Mode)
*{{button|ds|Stylus}}/{{button|ds|Y}} - Change map view (does not work in Mission Mode)
* {{button|ds|start}} - Pause/resume game
*{{button|ds|start}} - Pause/resume game
* {{button|ds|select}} - Blow [[Balloon]] ([[Mario Kart (series)#Balloon Battle|Balloon Battle]]), Toggle arrows/Mushrooms on/off ([[Mario Kart (series)#Modes of play|Time Trial]])
*{{button|ds|select}} - Blow [[Balloon]] ([[Mario Kart (series)#Balloon Battle|Balloon Battle]]), Toggle arrows/Mushrooms on/off ([[Mario Kart (series)#Modes of play|Time Trial]])
* {{button|ds|mic}} - Blow Balloon (Balloon Battle)
*{{button|ds|mic}} - Blow Balloon (Balloon Battle)


===Wii U Menu controls===
===Wii U Menu controls===
* {{button|wiiu|Pad}} - Scroll
*{{button|wiiu|Pad}} - Scroll
* {{button|wiiu|A}} - Select
*{{button|wiiu|A}} - Select
* {{button|wiiu|B}} - Back
*{{button|wiiu|B}} - Back
* {{button|wiiu|Stylus}} - Tap selection
*{{button|wiiu|Stylus}} - Tap selection


===Wii U Race controls===
===Wii U Race controls===
* {{button|wiiu|A}} - Accelerate/Rocket Start (hold at 2 during the countdown before the race starts)
*{{button|wiiu|A}} - Accelerate/Rocket Start (hold at 2 during the countdown before the race starts)
* {{button|wiiu|B}} - Brake/reverse
*{{button|wiiu|B}} - Brake/reverse
* {{button|wiiu|L}}/{{button|wiiu|X}} - Use current Item/Stop Item Roulette/Equip Item
*{{button|wiiu|L}}/{{button|wiiu|X}} - Use current Item/Stop Item Roulette/Equip Item
* {{button|Padleftright}} - Steer
*{{button|Padleftright}} - Steer
* {{button|Padupdown}} - Throw items backward or forward.
*{{button|Padupdown}} - Throw items backward or forward.
* {{button|wiiu|R}} - Hop/Powerslide/Drift (Hold)/Mini-Turbo (Release)
*{{button|wiiu|R}} - Hop/Powerslide/Drift (Hold)/Mini-Turbo (Release)
* {{button|wiiu|Stylus}}/{{button|wiiu|Y}} - Change map view (does not work in Mission Mode)
*{{button|wiiu|Stylus}}/{{button|wiiu|Y}} - Change map view (does not work in Mission Mode)
* {{button|wiiu|Plus}} - Pause/resume game
*{{button|wiiu|Plus}} - Pause/resume game
* {{button|wiiu|Minus}} - Blow Balloon (Balloon Battle), Toggle arrows/Mushrooms on/off (Time Trial)
*{{button|wiiu|Minus}} - Blow Balloon (Balloon Battle), Toggle arrows/Mushrooms on/off (Time Trial)
* {{button|wiiu|mic}} - Blow Balloon (Balloon Battle)
*{{button|wiiu|mic}} - Blow Balloon (Balloon Battle)


==Game modes==
==Game modes==
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In every retro cup, each of the four courses originate from a different ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' game. Every retro cup has their courses ordered in the same way as the release order of the four previous ''Mario Kart'' games. Furthermore, every retro course's name starts with an abbreviation of the game console that their originating game was released for:
In every retro cup, each of the four courses originate from a different ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' game. Every retro cup has their courses ordered in the same way as the release order of the four previous ''Mario Kart'' games. Furthermore, every retro course's name starts with an abbreviation of the game console that their originating game was released for:
*[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]], which represents ''[[Super Mario Kart]]''
*[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]], which represents ''[[Super Mario Kart]]''
*[[Nintendo 64|N64]], which represents ''Mario Kart 64''
*[[Nintendo 64|N64]], which represents ''Mario Kart 64''
*[[Game Boy Advance|GBA]], which represents ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''
*[[Game Boy Advance|GBA]], which represents ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''
*[[Nintendo GameCube|GCN]], which represents ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''
*[[Nintendo GameCube|GCN]], which represents ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''
Starting with the following ''Mario Kart'' game, ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', stages originating from ''Mario Kart DS'' were included as retro courses and were represented by the abbreviation "[[Nintendo DS|DS]]".
Starting with the following ''Mario Kart'' game, ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', stages originating from ''Mario Kart DS'' were included as retro courses and were represented by the abbreviation "[[Nintendo DS|DS]]".
===Grand Prix===
===Grand Prix===
Grand Prix is a single player-exclusive mode. In it, a player competes in each cup in 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, and Mirror 150cc engine classes, with ascending speed and difficulty. The game reuses the point system of ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' by awarding 10/8/6/4/3/2/1/0 points for first to eighth place respectively. A rating of how well a player performed is shown after the trophy presentation, from highest to lowest: ★★★, ★★, ★, A, B, C, D and E. An overall "game ranking" of ★, ★★, or ★★★ is shown in the Records area if the player has earned the designated rating in every cup and class.
Grand Prix is a single player-exclusive mode. In it, a player competes in each cup in 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, and Mirror 150cc engine classes, with ascending speed and difficulty. The game reuses the point system of ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' by awarding 10/8/6/4/3/2/1/0 points for first to eighth place respectively. Similarly to ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'', a rating of how well a player performed is shown after the trophy presentation, from highest to lowest: ★★★, ★★, ★, A, B, C, D and E. An overall "game ranking" of ★, ★★, or ★★★ is shown in the Records area if the player has earned the designated rating in every cup and class.


===Time Trial===
===Time Trial===
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When playing in VS races where players place for a set number of races rather than for a set number of wins, players score points based off their finish position. If the game is being played in teams, the amount of points each player earns for each race is multiplied by about 1.5. The point system is the same as the one used in Wi-Fi when playing with 2-4 players and the one used in Grand Prix when playing with 8 players or with CPU opponents. However, when playing with 5-7 players, the distribution is as follows:
When playing in VS races where players place for a set number of races rather than for a set number of wins, players score points based off their finish position. If the game is being played in teams, the amount of points each player earns for each race is multiplied by about 1.5. The point system is the same as the one used in Wi-Fi when playing with 2-4 players and the one used in Grand Prix when playing with 8 players or with CPU opponents. However, when playing with 5-7 players, the distribution is as follows:
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
!colspan=9 | '''Point spread'''
!colspan=9|'''Point spread'''
|-
|-
! Number of players !! 1st !! 2nd !! 3rd !! 4th !! 5th !! 6th !! 7th !! 8th
!Number of players!!1st!!2nd!!3rd!!4th!!5th!!6th!!7th!!8th
|-
|-
| '''2 players''' || <span style="color:#0000FF">10</span> || 5 || - || - || - || - || - || -
|'''2 players'''||<span style="color:#0000FF">10</span>||5||-||-||-||-||-||-
|-
|-
| '''3 players''' || <span style="color:#0000FF">10</span> || 7 || 4 || - || - || - || - || -
|'''3 players'''||<span style="color:#0000FF">10</span>||7||4||-||-||-||-||-
|-
|-
| '''4 players''' || <span style="color:#0000FF">10</span> || <span style="color:green">7</span> || 4 || 1 || - || - || - || -
|'''4 players'''||<span style="color:#0000FF">10</span>||<span style="color:green">7</span>||4||1||-||-||-||-
|-
|-
| '''5 players'''<ref>[https://youtu.be/z6A0ZIWyouc?t=118 Point System for 5 Players.]</ref> || <span style="color:#0000FF">10</span> || <span style="color:green">8</span> || 5 || 2 || 0 || - || - || -
|'''5 players'''<ref>[https://youtu.be/z6A0ZIWyouc?t=118 Point System for 5 Players.]</ref>||<span style="color:#0000FF">10</span>||<span style="color:green">8</span>||5||2||0||-||-||-
|-
|-
| '''6 players'''<ref>[https://youtu.be/5ULBDigX0MU?t=134 Point System for 6 Players.]</ref> || <span style="color:#0000FF">10</span> || <span style="color:green">8</span> || <span style="color:green">6</span> || 3 || 1 || 0 || - || -
|'''6 players'''<ref>[https://youtu.be/5ULBDigX0MU?t=134 Point System for 6 Players.]</ref>||<span style="color:#0000FF">10</span>||<span style="color:green">8</span>||<span style="color:green">6</span>||3||1||0||-||-
|-
|-
| '''7 players'''<ref>[https://youtu.be/4-GyAdxLfKw?t=245 Point System for 7 Players.]</ref> || <span style="color:#0000FF">10</span> || <span style="color:green">8</span> || <span style="color:green">6</span> || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 || -
|'''7 players'''<ref>[https://youtu.be/4-GyAdxLfKw?t=245 Point System for 7 Players.]</ref>||<span style="color:#0000FF">10</span>||<span style="color:green">8</span>||<span style="color:green">6</span>||4||2||1||0||-
|-
|-
| '''8 players''' || <span style="color:#0000FF">10</span> || <span style="color:green">8</span> || <span style="color:green">6</span> || 4 || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0
|'''8 players'''||<span style="color:#0000FF">10</span>||<span style="color:green">8</span>||<span style="color:green">6</span>||4||3||2||1||0
|}
|}
*'''<span style="color:#0000FF">Blue</span>''' text indicates winning results.
*'''<span style="color:#0000FF">Blue</span>''' text indicates winning results.
*'''<span style="color:green">Green</span>''' text indicates moderate results.
*'''<span style="color:green">Green</span>''' text indicates moderate results.
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===Battle===
===Battle===
In Battle mode, there are six battle stages, four of which are original and two are from an earlier ''Mario Kart'' game:
In Battle mode, there are six battle stages, four of which are original and two of which are from earlier ''Mario Kart'' games:
 
<gallery heights=80>
<gallery>
MKDS Nintendo DS Course Icon.png|[[Nintendo DS (battle course)|Nintendo DS]]
MKDS Nintendo DS Course Icon.png|[[Nintendo DS (battle course)|Nintendo DS]]
MKDS Twilight Shore Course Icon.png|[[DS Twilight House|Twilight House]]{{footnote|main|*}}
MKDS Twilight Shore Course Icon.png|[[DS Twilight House|Twilight House]]{{footnote|main|*}}
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In single player mode, the user faces CPU controlled racers, whose difficulty can be set in the battle's setup menu. All racers drive their respective standard Kart only within this mode (note that all the standard karts have the same stats in battle mode and only the weight will differ, depending on the weight of the character chosen). Additionally, other players can join a battle locally. However, Battle Mode is unavailable on [[#Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode|the Wi-Fi mode]]. Like in versus, battles can also be played in teams, and rounds in team battles end when all of one team's players have been eliminated.
In single player mode, the user faces CPU controlled racers, whose difficulty can be set in the battle's setup menu. All racers drive their respective standard Kart only within this mode (note that all the standard karts have the same stats in battle mode and only the weight will differ, depending on the weight of the character chosen). Additionally, other players can join a battle locally. However, Battle Mode is unavailable on [[#Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode|the Wi-Fi mode]]. Like in versus, battles can also be played in teams, and rounds in team battles end when all of one team's players have been eliminated.


''Mario Kart DS'' is the only ''Mario Kart'' game that have the name of the retro battle courses that do not state the abbreviation of the game console version of the ''Mario Kart'' game they were from; in other words, the game does not list Block Fort and Pipe Plaza as <small>'''N64'''</small> Block Fort and <small>'''GCN'''</small> Pipe Plaza. Additionally, its retro battle courses do not have the same music as in their original appearances. Instead, they have the same music used for nitro battle courses.
''Mario Kart DS'' is the only ''Mario Kart'' game to exclude console abbreviations from the names of its retro battle courses; in other words, the game does not name Block Fort and Pipe Plaza as <small>N64</small> Block Fort and <small>GCN</small> Pipe Plaza respectively. Additionally, the retro battle courses do not retain their music from their original appearances, instead using the same music as the nitro battle courses.


====Balloon Battle====
====Balloon Battle====
[[File:MKDSPalmShore.png|thumb|Mario in a Balloon Battle at [[DS Palm Shore|Palm Shore]].]]
[[File:MKDSPalmShore.png|thumb|Mario in a Balloon Battle at [[DS Palm Shore|Palm Shore]].]]
The classic battle mode seen in all ''Mario Kart'' mainstream, gets a new twist in ''Mario Kart DS''. From previous games, racers begin a match with three balloons. In this game, however, all players begin with a single balloon, though they can get more by blowing up their balloons using the [[Nintendo DS#Microphone|microphone]] feature on the DS, or just holding the {{button|gba|select}} button. Each player has four balloons in stock (five in total) and racers can hold up to three balloons in battle. On the other hand, the less balloons a player has, the more powerful items will obtain from the Item Boxes. Racers may also take possession of a balloon from their opponents if the thief has used a [[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]] and made contact to the opponent's kart. If the player loses all their balloons they are eliminated.
The classic battle mode seen in all ''Mario Kart'' mainstream, gets a new twist in ''Mario Kart DS''. From previous games, racers begin a match with three balloons. In this game, however, all players begin with a single balloon, though they can get more by blowing up their balloons using the [[Nintendo DS#Microphone|microphone]] feature on the DS, or just holding the {{button|gba|select}} button. Each player has four balloons in stock (five in total) and racers can hold up to three balloons in battle. On the other hand, the less balloons a player has, the more powerful items they will obtain from the Item Boxes. Racers may also take possession of a balloon from their opponents if the thief has used a [[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]] and made contact to the opponent's kart. If the player loses all their balloons they are eliminated.


The following is what the game describes this mode as:
The following is what the game describes this mode as:
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[[File:Mario Kart DS Big Bully.png|thumb|[[Yoshi]] battling [[Big Bully]] in Mission Mode.]]
[[File:Mario Kart DS Big Bully.png|thumb|[[Yoshi]] battling [[Big Bully]] in Mission Mode.]]
Missions mode is a new single-player mode for ''Mario Kart DS'' in which the player must complete some tasks and earn a ranking similarly to that in Grand Prix mode. It involves seven levels, each containing eight "missions" and a boss battle, most of which are taken from ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. The ranks almost always depend on how much time is left or taken. There are varying mission types:
Missions mode is a new single-player mode for ''Mario Kart DS'' in which the player must complete some tasks and earn a ranking similarly to that in Grand Prix mode. It involves seven levels, each containing eight "missions" and a boss battle, most of which are taken from ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. The ranks almost always depend on how much time is left or taken. There are varying mission types:
*Driving through gates - driving in between giant half wheels in the ground. Very often the player has to pass these gates in numerical order.
*Driving through gates - driving in between giant half wheels in the ground. Very often the player has to pass these gates in numerical order.
*Collecting coins - Players must pick up all the coins set in the track. Players may lose these coins by some obstacle of such course.
*Collecting coins - Players must pick up all the coins set in the track. Players may lose these coins by some obstacle of such course.
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*Racing a CPU player for one lap - item boxes contain Mushrooms and Stars that the CPU cannot use - the key to win. CPU players will always perform a [[Rocket Start]]. This mission type also includes a race against a Red Car and a [[Chain Chomp]].
*Racing a CPU player for one lap - item boxes contain Mushrooms and Stars that the CPU cannot use - the key to win. CPU players will always perform a [[Rocket Start]]. This mission type also includes a race against a Red Car and a [[Chain Chomp]].
*Boss Battle - Unlocked after completion of the first eight missions in a level. The racer is usually required to use items in boss battles. Every boss is from ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'', and each of them have their own battlefield stage and require a different strategy to defeat.
*Boss Battle - Unlocked after completion of the first eight missions in a level. The racer is usually required to use items in boss battles. Every boss is from ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'', and each of them have their own battlefield stage and require a different strategy to defeat.
There are some one-time isolated missions that are self-explanatory. Each mission takes place on a course, often blocked off in some areas (sometimes even a battle course) and players are given a character in their own standard kart (CPU players are also in standard karts). None of the unlockable characters are playable, and [[Bowser]] and [[Donkey Kong]] do not fight a boss. Sometimes Mushrooms are laid across the track to help the player to complete the mission. When at least a ★ ranking is achieved on all missions and bosses in the first six levels, Level 7 is unlocked. When the boss battles of Level 6 and 7 are completed, the first version of the staff credits is shown.
There are some one-time isolated missions that are self-explanatory. Each mission takes place on a course, often blocked off in some areas (sometimes even a battle course) and players are given a character in their own standard kart (CPU players are also in standard karts). None of the unlockable characters are playable, and [[Bowser]] and [[Donkey Kong]] do not fight a boss. Sometimes Mushrooms are laid across the track to help the player to complete the mission. When at least a ★ ranking is achieved on all missions and bosses in the first six levels, Level 7 is unlocked. When the boss battles of Level 6 and 7 are completed, the first version of the staff credits is shown.


====Missions table====
====Missions table====
The following table includes the mission number, in-game mission description, time limit for the mission (0:00 signifies it is a race, and the mission finishes at 2:00 if the race is not completed), course, character the player plays as, and item distribution used. For a list of the item sets used, see [[Mario Kart DS item probability distributions#Special cases|here]]. CPU opponents always use set 1.
The following table includes the mission number, in-game mission description, time limit for the mission (0:00 signifies it is a race, and the mission finishes at 2:00 if the race is not completed), course, character the player plays as, and item distribution used. For a list of the item sets used, see [[Mario Kart DS item probability distributions#Special cases|here]]. CPU opponents always use set 1.
 
{|class="wikitable"style="width:100%;max-width:100em"
{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;max-width:100em"
|-
|-
|-class=expandable
|-class=expandable
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===Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode===
===Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode===
''Mario Kart DS'' was the first Nintendo game to support online play (which has since been discontinued) though it's worth noting that it's the second ''Mario Kart'' game to support online connectivity, with the Japanese version of ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' being the first (the use of online connectivity for this game was made primarily to exchange ghost data with other players).<ref>http://tcrf.net/Mario_Kart_Super_Circuit#Misc.</ref> Being one of the first Nintendo DS games to feature wireless connection, the game mode required some technical changes in order to avoid connection malfunctions and long time loads during online play.
''Mario Kart DS'' was the first Nintendo game to support online play (which has since been discontinued) though it's worth noting that it's the second ''Mario Kart'' game to support online connectivity, with the Japanese version of ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' being the first (the use of online connectivity for this game was made primarily to exchange ghost data with other players).<ref>[[tcrf:Mario Kart Super Circuit#Misc.|Mario Kart Super Circuit § Misc.]]</ref> Being one of the first Nintendo DS games to feature wireless connection, the game mode required some technical changes in order to avoid connection malfunctions and long time loads during online play.


The following changes and restrictions were applied to prevent excessive lag:
The following changes and restrictions were applied to prevent excessive lag:
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*Item roulette could not be stopped earlier
*Item roulette could not be stopped earlier
*Course obstacles could not be destroyed (e.g. boxes in Delfino Square or snowballs in DK Pass)
*Course obstacles could not be destroyed (e.g. boxes in Delfino Square or snowballs in DK Pass)
 
{|class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;text-align:center;max-width:60em"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;text-align:center;max-width:60em"
|-
|-
!colspan="9" style="background:#e0e0e0"|Point Spread Comparisons
!colspan="9" style="background:#e0e0e0"|Point Spread Comparisons
|-
|-
! style="max-width:20em" | !! style="width:2.5em"| 1st !! style="width:2.5em"| 2nd !! style="width:2.5em"| 3rd !! style="width:2.5em"| 4th !! style="width:2.5em"| 5th !! style="width:2.5em"| 6th !! style="width:2.5em"| 7th !! style="width:2.5em"| 8th  
!style="max-width:20em"| !!style="width:2.5em"|1st!!style="width:2.5em"|2nd!!style="width:2.5em"|3rd!!style="width:2.5em"|4th!!style="width:2.5em"|5th!!style="width:2.5em"|6th!!style="width:2.5em"|7th!!style="width:2.5em"|8th
|-
|-
|'''''Super Mario Kart'' <br> ''Mario Kart 64'' <br> ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''''' ||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"| 9 ||style="background:#CF0"| 6 ||style="background:#CF0"| 3 ||style="background:#CF0"|1||0||0||0||0
|'''''Super Mario Kart'' <br> ''Mario Kart 64'' <br>''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'''''||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"|9||style="background:#CF0"|6||style="background:#CF0"|3||style="background:#CF0"|1||0||0||0||0
|-
|-
|'''''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' <br> ''Mario Kart DS'' Grand Prix''' ||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"| 10 ||style="background:#CF0"| 8 ||style="background:#CF0"|6||4||3||2||1||0
|'''''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''<br>''Mario Kart DS'' Grand Prix'''||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"|10||style="background:#CF0"|8||style="background:#CF0"|6||4||3||2||1||0
|-
|-
|'''''Mario Kart DS'' Teams'''<ref>https://youtu.be/rHS3RQfqxSg?t=835</ref> ||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"| 15 ||style="background:#CF0"| 12 ||style="background:#CF0"| 9 || 6 || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0
|'''''Mario Kart DS'' Teams'''<ref>https://youtu.be/rHS3RQfqxSg?t=835</ref>||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"|15||style="background:#CF0"|12||style="background:#CF0"|9||6||4||2||1||0
|-
|-
|'''''Mario Kart DS'' WFC 4 Players''' ||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"| 10 ||style="background:#CF0"| 7 || 4 || 1 || &mdash;|| &mdash;|| &mdash;|| -
|'''''Mario Kart DS'' WFC 4 Players'''||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"|10||style="background:#CF0"|7||4||1||&mdash;||&mdash;||&mdash;||-
|-
|-
|'''''Mario Kart DS'' WFC 3 Players''' ||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"| 10 || 7 || 4 || &mdash;|| &mdash;|| &mdash;|| &mdash;|| -
|'''''Mario Kart DS'' WFC 3 Players'''||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"|10||7||4||&mdash;||&mdash;||&mdash;||&mdash;||-
|-
|-
|'''''Mario Kart DS'' WFC 2 Players''' ||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"| 10 || 5 || &mdash;|| &mdash;|| &mdash;|| &mdash;|| &mdash;|| -
|'''''Mario Kart DS'' WFC 2 Players'''||style="background:#096;color:white;font-weight:bold"|10||5||&mdash;||&mdash;||&mdash;||&mdash;||&mdash;||-
|-
|-
| colspan=9 style="text-align:justify;font-size:smaller;" | <span style="background:#096;color:white">Grove-green bg signifies victory results (great clapping, character(s) cheering), best after-race music</span><br><span style="background:#CF0">Lime-green bg signifies moderate results (mild clapping, moderate character reaction), same music in Wi-Fi as winner but different in Grand Prix</span><br>Normal bg signifies losing results, losing music (kart engine stops if not in Grand Prix mode if the player placed last). In ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'', ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', the race will be restarted (0 pts) if the racer comes in 5th-8th. If this happens more than three times (except in ''Mario Kart 64''), the [[Grand Prix]] must be started over.<br>&mdash; means not available  
|colspan=9 style="text-align:justify;font-size:smaller;"|<span style="background:#096;color:white">Grove-green bg signifies victory results (great clapping, character(s) cheering), best after-race music</span><br><span style="background:#CF0">Lime-green bg signifies moderate results (mild clapping, moderate character reaction), same music in Wi-Fi as winner but different in Grand Prix</span><br>Normal bg signifies losing results, losing music (kart engine stops if not in Grand Prix mode if the player placed last). In ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'', ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', the race will be restarted (0 pts) if the racer comes in 5th-8th. If this happens more than three times (except in ''Mario Kart 64''), the [[Grand Prix]] must be started over.<br>&mdash; means not available  
|}
|}
====Connection====
====Connection====
Players could connect using a wireless connection or a [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection#Logging in|Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector]] (preferably high-speed.) Racers would choose to search for other players in "Friends" (more info below), "Rivals" (players with a similar record), "Regional" or "Continental" in Non-American versions of the game (players in same country or continent), and "Worldwide", the latter possible to cause long lags. Other racers searching in the same category were randomly grouped. The game tried to find four players, but eventually settled for three or two if necessary. Players chose their characters, karts, and the course they wanted for the first of four races.
Players could connect using a wireless connection or a [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection#Logging in|Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector]] (preferably high-speed.) Racers would choose to search for other players in "Friends" (more info below), "Rivals" (players with a similar record), "Regional" or "Continental" in Non-American versions of the game (players in same country or continent), and "Worldwide", the latter possible to cause long lags. Other racers searching in the same category were randomly grouped. The game tried to find four players, but eventually settled for three or two if necessary. Players chose their characters, karts, and the course they wanted for the first of four races.
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'''Problem:''' Trouble with friend codes
'''Problem:''' Trouble with friend codes
:A) '''Friend Code System'''. Each copy of the game comes with a 12-digit code known as a "friend code". Players could enter codes into each other's "friend roster" to create a friend list, where [[Wi-Fi]] records between the players were stored. When a friend was online at the same time, a symbol would appear above the Wi-Fi strength symbol, whether trying to find racers or during racing. Yet, both (or more) players must have had each (or all) of their friend codes registered and be looking in the friends section at the same time to hook up. If the player were to find a racer to compete against elsewhere online, there was no communication for a friend code swap; the only way to race again is to do it right away by selecting ''continue'' after a match.
:A) '''Friend Code System'''. Each copy of the game comes with a 12-digit code known as a "friend code". Players could enter codes into each other's "friend roster" to create a friend list, where [[Wi-Fi]] records between the players were stored. When a friend was online at the same time, a symbol would appear above the Wi-Fi strength symbol, whether trying to find racers or during racing. Yet, both (or more) players must have had each (or all) of their friend codes registered and be looking in the friends section at the same time to hook up. If the player were to find a racer to compete against elsewhere online, there was no communication for a friend code swap; the only way to race again is to do it right away by selecting ''continue'' after a match.
'''Problem:''' Disconnecting racers change the outcome of the match; it is later reflected in the match records.
'''Problem:''' Disconnecting racers change the outcome of the match; it is later reflected in the match records.
:B) '''Disconnecting'''. Take this scenario into consideration:
:B) '''Disconnecting'''. Take this scenario into consideration:
::''Bob started in a four-player match, but two people have disconnected since, and he is now in a two-player match against a three-star player, and has come second and third in the first two races. It is 20-11. Josh wins the next match, bringing the totals to 25-21. But, in the fourth race, the three-star player is a full half-lap ahead with one lap to go. Josh realizes that he might not win this race; however, Josh has researched about Wi-Fi connections and has learned a trick. He leaves his DS untouched, bringing his kart to a stop, then finds his wireless router, and disconnects it. According to the record-book, Bob has won the match from which he has disconnected.''
::''Bob started in a four-player match, but two people have disconnected since, and he is now in a two-player match against a three-star player, and has come second and third in the first two races. It is 20-11. Josh wins the next match, bringing the totals to 25-21. But, in the fourth race, the three-star player is a full half-lap ahead with one lap to go. Josh realizes that he might not win this race; however, Josh has researched about Wi-Fi connections and has learned a trick. He leaves his DS untouched, bringing his kart to a stop, then finds his wireless router, and disconnects it. According to the record-book, Bob has won the match from which he has disconnected.''
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==Characters==
==Characters==
===Drivers===
===Drivers===
The main game has 12 playable characters, 4 of which are unlockable. The eight starting characters, Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Donkey Kong, Wario and Bowser, were taken from ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''. The other four drivers can be unlocked by winning a gold trophy of certain cups in [[Mario Kart (series)#Modes of play|Grand Prix]] mode. Two of the unlockable characters, Daisy and Waluigi, return from ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', and the other two, Dry Bones and R.O.B., make their first ''Mario Kart'' playable appearance. A 13th racer, [[Shy Guy]], debuts as a playable character, but is only playable to players using DS Download Play.
The main game has 12 playable characters, 4 of which are unlockable. The eight starting characters, [[Mario]], [[Luigi]], [[Peach]], [[Yoshi]], [[Toad]], [[Donkey Kong]], [[Wario]], and [[Bowser]], are the same eight characters available in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''. The other four drivers can be unlocked by winning a gold trophy of certain cups in [[Mario Kart (series)#Modes of play|Grand Prix]] mode. Two of the unlockable characters, [[Daisy]] and [[Waluigi]], return from ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', and the other two, [[Dry Bones]] and [[R.O.B.]], make their first ''Mario Kart'' playable appearances. A 13th racer, [[Shy Guy]], debuts as a playable character, but is only available to players using DS Download Play.
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!class=unsortable style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Artwork
!class=unsortable style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Artwork
!style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Name
!style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Name
Line 379: Line 363:
!class=unsortable style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Description
!class=unsortable style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Description
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Mario Standard Kart Artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS Mario Standard Kart Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbMario.png|link=Mario]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Mario MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Mario]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemMario.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Medium
|style="text-align:center"|32<br>Medium
|Mario is familiar to racers one and all. With a balance of abilities, he is a racer suited to all situations.
|Mario is familiar to racers one and all. With a balance of abilities, he is a racer suited to all situations.
|-
|-
|[[File:Luigi in Standard LG MKDS artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:Luigi in Standard LG MKDS artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbLuigi.png|link=Luigi]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Luigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Luigi]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemLuigi.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Medium
|style="text-align:center"|32<br>Medium
|Mario's younger brother Luigi is ready to race. His superb traction makes it hard for him to spin out.
|Mario's younger brother Luigi is ready to race. His superb traction makes it hard for him to spin out.
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Peach Artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS Peach Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbPeach.png|link=Princess Peach]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Peach MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Princess Peach|Peach]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemPeach.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Light
|style="text-align:center"|23<br>Light
|A generally genteel princess, the heart of a competitor burns deep within her. She is adapt at drifting.
|A generally genteel princess, the heart of a competitor burns deep within her. She is adapt at drifting.
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Yoshi Artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS Yoshi Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbYoshi.png|link=Yoshi]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Yoshi MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Yoshi]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemYoshi.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Light
|style="text-align:center"|20<br>Light
|While Yoshi is usually ridden by Mario, this time he's ready to race. Yoshi's traction is excellent.
|While Yoshi is usually ridden by Mario, this time he's ready to race. Yoshi's traction is excellent.
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Toad Artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS Toad Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbToad.png|link=Toad]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Toad MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Toad]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemToad.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Light
|style="text-align:center"|17<br>Light
|Toad uses his tiny stature to his advantage as he skillfully weaves in and out of traffic on the track.
|Toad uses his tiny stature to his advantage as he skillfully weaves in and out of traffic on the track.
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Donkey Kong Standard Kart Artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS Donkey Kong Standard Kart Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbDK.png|link=Donkey Kong]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:DK MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Donkey Kong]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemDK.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Heavy
|style="text-align:center"|41<br>Heavy
|DK overwhelms his opponnents with his jungle instincts. He drifts through comers like a mad-man...or a mad-ape!
|DK overwhelms his opponents with his jungle instincts. He drifts through comers like a mad-man...or a mad-ape!
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Wario Artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS Wario Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbWario.png|link=Wario]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Wario MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Wario]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemWario.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Heavy
|style="text-align:center"|44<br>Heavy
|As is name implies, he's the anti-hero to Mario's heroism. Other than acceleration, he has no foil.
|As his name implies, he's the anti-hero to Mario's heroism. Other than acceleration, he has no foil.
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Bowser Artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS Bowser Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbBowser.png|link=Bowser]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Bowser MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Bowser]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemBowser.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Heavy
|style="text-align:center"|50<br>Heavy
|Mario's arch-enemy is superb at using his driving skills to race through curves.
|Mario's arch-enemy is superb at using his driving skills to race through curves.
|-style="background-color:#ccc"
|-style="background-color:#ccc"
|[[File:MKDS Dry Bones Artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS Dry Bones Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbDryBones.png|link=Dry Bones]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Dry Bones]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemDryBones.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Light
|style="text-align:center"|14<br>Light
|Dry Bones can be unlocked by obtaining a gold trophy for every 50cc Nitro Grand Prix cup.
|Dry Bones can be unlocked by obtaining a gold trophy for every 50cc Nitro Grand Prix cup.
|-style="background-color:#ccc"
|-style="background-color:#ccc"
|[[File:PrincessDaisyMKDS.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:PrincessDaisyMKDS.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbDaisy.png|link=Princess Daisy]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Daisy MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Princess Daisy|Daisy]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemDaisy.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Medium
|style="text-align:center"|26<br>Medium
|Princess Daisy can be unlocked by obtaining a gold trophy for every 50cc Retro Grand Prix cup.
|Princess Daisy can be unlocked by obtaining a gold trophy for every 50cc Retro Grand Prix cup.
|-style="background-color:#ccc"
|-style="background-color:#ccc"
|[[File:MKDS Waluigi Artwork.png|125px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS Waluigi Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbWaluigi.png|link=Waluigi]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Waluigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Waluigi]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemWaluigi.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Medium
|style="text-align:center"|35<br>Medium
|Waluigi can be unlocked by obtaining a gold trophy for every 100cc Retro Grand Prix cup.
|Waluigi can be unlocked by obtaining a gold trophy for every 100cc Retro Grand Prix cup.
|-style="background-color:#ccc"
|-style="background-color:#ccc"
|[[File:MKDS ROB Artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS ROB Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:EmbROB.png|link=R.O.B.]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:ROB MKDS icon.png]]<br>'''<big>[[R.O.B.]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemROB.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|Heavy
|style="text-align:center"|50<br>Heavy
|R.O.B. can be unlocked by obtaining a gold trophy for either every 150cc Mirror Nitro Grand Prix cup or Retro Grand Prix cup.
|R.O.B. can be unlocked by obtaining a gold trophy for either every 150cc Mirror Nitro Grand Prix cup or Retro Grand Prix cup.
|-style="background-color:lightpink"
|-style="background-color:lightpink"
|[[File:MKDS Shy Guy Artwork.png|150px]]
|height=160px|[[File:MKDS Shy Guy Artwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|'''[[Shy Guy]]'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemShyGuy.png|link=Shy Guy]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDS Red Shy Guy Mugshot.png]]<br>'''<big>[[Shy Guy]]</big>'''<br>[[File:MKDSEmblemShyGuy.png|link=Shy Guy]]
|style="text-align:center"|Light
|style="text-align:center"|20<br>Light
|Shy Guy stares out from behind his mask, his gaze revealing the hidden weaknesses of his opponents. Shy Guy only appears in DS Download Play matches.
|Shy Guy stares out from behind his mask, his gaze revealing the hidden weaknesses of his opponents. Shy Guy only appears in DS Download Play matches.
|}
|}
Line 449: Line 433:
===Other characters===
===Other characters===
These characters are non-playable. They appear as either spectators, hazards, or obstacles of certain courses.
These characters are non-playable. They appear as either spectators, hazards, or obstacles of certain courses.
 
{|class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!style="background-color:red;color:white"|Image
!style="background-color:red;color:white" | Image
!style="background-color:red;color:white"|Name
!style="background-color:red;color:white" | Name
!style="background-color:red;color:white"|Course appearance(s)
!style="background-color:red;color:white" | Course appearance(s)
!style="background-color:red;color:white"|Description
!style="background-color:red;color:white" | Description
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSAngrySun.png|60px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSAngrySun.png|60px]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Angry Sun]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Angry Sun]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[DS Desert Hills|Desert Hills]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[DS Desert Hills|Desert Hills]]
| The Angry Sun shoots out [[Fire Snake]]s onto certain areas of the track when the second lap begins.
|The Angry Sun shoots out [[Fire Snake]]s onto certain areas of the track when the second lap begins.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDS Boo Sprite.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDS Boo Sprite.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Boo]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Boo]]
| style="text-align:center;white-space:nowrap" | [[DS Luigi's Mansion|Luigi's Mansion]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Banshee Boardwalk}}
|style="text-align:center;white-space:nowrap"|[[DS Luigi's Mansion|Luigi's Mansion]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Banshee Boardwalk}}
| In addition to being items in the game, Boos appear at certain parts of the race and make their trademark noises. These Boos are merely there for decoration, and are not hazards nor obstacles.
|In addition to being items in the game, Boos appear at certain parts of the race and make their trademark noises. These Boos are merely there for decoration, and are not hazards nor obstacles.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:BubbaMKDS.png|60px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:BubbaMKDS.png|60px]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Cheep Chomp|Bubba]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Cheep Chomp|Bubba]]
| style="text-align:center" | <small>N64</small> Banshee Boardwalk
|style="text-align:center"|<small>N64</small> Banshee Boardwalk
| Bubba jumps out of the water over the track. It does not hit any of the racers.
|Bubba jumps out of the water over the track. It does not hit any of the racers.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDS Airship Fortress Bullet Bill Screenshot.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDS Airship Fortress Bullet Bill Screenshot.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Bullet Bill]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Bullet Bill]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]]
| Also in addition to being an item in the game, Bullet Bills are shot out of the [[Airship]] towards the starting line, knocking out any racers in their path.
|Also in addition to being an item in the game, Bullet Bills are shot out of the [[Airship]] towards the starting line, knocking out any racers in their path.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSBurner.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSBurner.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Burner]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Burner]]
| style="text-align:center" | Airship Fortress<br>[[Bowser Castle (Mario Kart DS)|Bowser Castle]]
|style="text-align:center"|Airship Fortress<br>[[Bowser Castle (Mario Kart DS)|Bowser Castle]]
| Burners drop out of the ceiling onto the ground for a brief moment, setting the racer on fire if contact is made.
|Burners drop out of the ceiling onto the ground for a brief moment, setting the racer on fire if contact is made.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSChainChomp.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSChainChomp.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Chain Chomp]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Chain Chomp]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[DS Peach Gardens|Peach Gardens]]<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Luigi Circuit}}
|style="text-align:center"|[[DS Peach Gardens|Peach Gardens]]<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Luigi Circuit}}
| In Peach Gardens, chain-less Chain Chomps are all around the path. Some have a tail of [[Item Box]]es. In Luigi Circuit, a Chain Chomp chained to a stake lunges at nearby players.
|In Peach Gardens, chain-less Chain Chomps are all around the path. Some have a tail of [[Item Box]]es. In Luigi Circuit, a Chain Chomp chained to a stake lunges at nearby players.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDS Cheep Cheep Sprite.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDS Cheep Cheep Sprite.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Cheep Cheep]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Cheep Cheep]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[DS Cheep Cheep Beach|Cheep Cheep Beach]]<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Koopa Troopa Beach 2|Koopa Beach 2}}
|style="text-align:center"|[[DS Cheep Cheep Beach|Cheep Cheep Beach]]<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Koopa Troopa Beach 2|Koopa Beach 2}}
| In both courses, Cheep Cheeps bounce on the shoreline and spin racers out of control if driven into them.
|In both courses, Cheep Cheeps bounce on the shoreline and spin racers out of control if driven into them.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSFireBar.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSFireBar.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Fire Bar]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Fire Bar]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[DS Wario Stadium|Wario Stadium]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[DS Wario Stadium|Wario Stadium]]
| Different variations of Fire Bars are abundant on the track. Some spin in circles after a [[Dash Panel]] ramp. Others are in a triangle-like formation. Both set the racers on fire.
|Different variations of Fire Bars are abundant on the track. Some spin in circles after a [[Dash Panel]] ramp. Others are in a triangle-like formation. Both set the racers on fire.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSFirePiranhaPlant.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSFireSnake.png]]
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center" | [[Fire Piranha Plant]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Fire Snake|Firesnake]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Mario Circuit (Mario Kart DS)|Mario Circuit]]
|style="text-align:center"|Desert Hills
| Fire Piranha Plants are stationed in [[Warp Pipe|pipe]]s and spit fire at oncoming racers.
|Fire Snakes are projected from the Angry Sun and bounce around at certain points on the track.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSFireSnake.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSGoomba.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Fire Snake]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Goomba]]
| style="text-align:center" | Desert Hills
|style="text-align:center"|Mario Circuit
| Fire Snakes are projected from the Angry Sun and bounce around at certain points on the track.
|Goombas are situated on the track and spin players out of control. If [[Lightning]] strikes or if they're hit by shells, they get squashed and drop [[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]]s.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSGoomba.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSLavaBubble.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Goomba]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Lava Bubble]]
| style="text-align:center" | Mario Circuit
|style="text-align:center"|{{classic-link|GBA|Bowser's Castle 2|Bowser Castle 2}}
| Goombas are situated on the track and spin players out of control. If [[Lightning]] strikes or if they're hit by shells, they get squashed and drop [[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]]s.
|Lava Bubbles jump out of lava pits at several places around the course. If a racer drives into a Lava Bubble, their kart is briefly set on fire, and they also usually fall into the lava.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSLavaBubble.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MontyMoleMKDS.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Lava Bubble]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Monty Mole]]
| style="text-align:center" | {{classic-link|GBA|Bowser's Castle 2|Bowser Castle 2}}
|style="text-align:center"|Peach Gardens<br>{{classic-link|N64|Moo Moo Farm}}
| Lava Bubbles jump out of lava pits at several places around the course. If a racer drives into a Lava Bubble, their kart is briefly set on fire, and they also usually fall into the lava.
|Monty Moles peak out of holes and then jump, posing as obstacles for the drivers.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MontyMoleMKDS.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSMooMoo.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Monty Mole]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Moo Moo]]
| style="text-align:center" | Peach Gardens<br>{{classic-link|N64|Moo Moo Farm}}
|style="text-align:center"|<small>N64</small> Moo Moo Farm
| Monty Moles peak out of holes and then jump, posing as obstacles for the drivers.
|There are several Moo Moos in the background of the track, only posing as onlookers.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSMooMoo.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Pianta MKDS blue.png]][[File:Pianta MKDS pink.png]][[File:Pianta MKDS yellow.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Moo Moo]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Pianta]]
| style="text-align:center" | <small>N64</small> Moo Moo Farm
|style="text-align:center"|[[DS Delfino Square|Delfino Square]]
| There are several Moo Moos in the background of the track, only posing as onlookers.
|Piantas appear as spectators of the race. Additionally, a Pianta statue is found in the beginning of the track.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:Pianta MKDS blue.png]][[File:Pianta MKDS pink.png]][[File:Pianta MKDS yellow.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Piranha Plant MKDS sprite.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Pianta]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Piranha Plant]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[DS Delfino Square|Delfino Square]]
|style="text-align:center"|Mario Circuit<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Choco Island 2}}<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Yoshi Circuit}}
| Piantas appear as spectators of the race. Additionally, a Pianta statue is found in the beginning of the track.
|Piranha Plants pose as obstacles on the race tracks, spinning drivers out of control for a brief moment.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:Piranha Plant MKDS sprite.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:PokeyMKDS.png|32x110px]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Piranha Plant]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Pokey]]
| style="text-align:center" | Mario Circuit<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Choco Island 2}}<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Yoshi Circuit}}
|style="text-align:center"|Desert Hills
| Piranha Plants pose as obstacles on the race tracks, spinning drivers out of control for a brief moment.
|Many Pokeys appear on the track, creating obstacles for the drivers.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:PokeyMKDS.png|32x110px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDS Rocky Wrench Render.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Pokey]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Rocky Wrench]]
| style="text-align:center" | Desert Hills
|style="text-align:center"|Airship Fortress
| Many Pokeys appear on the track, creating obstacles for the drivers.
|Rocky Wrenches are a stage obstacle. They hide under lids on the track. Their pattern is to briefly peak out before exposing themselves. If a racer drives over a lid which a Rocky Wrench peeks from, their kart jumps slightly into the air. If racers drive into a Rocky Wrench, their kart will be knocked over.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDS Rocky Wrench Render.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:SidestepperMKDS.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Rocky Wrench]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Sidestepper]]
| style="text-align:center" | Airship Fortress
|style="text-align:center"|Cheep Cheep Beach
| Rocky Wrenches are a stage obstacle. They hide under lids on the track. Their pattern is to briefly peak out before exposing themselves. If a racer drives over a lid which a Rocky Wrench peeks from, their kart jumps slightly into the air. If racers drive into a Rocky Wrench, their kart will be knocked over.
|Sidesteppers are stationed on the sand, spinning players out of control if driven into them.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:SidestepperMKDS.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSSnowman.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Sidestepper]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Snowman]]
| style="text-align:center" | Cheep Cheep Beach
|style="text-align:center"|[[DS DK Pass|DK Pass]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Frappe Snowland}}
| Sidesteppers are stationed on the sand, spinning players out of control if driven into them.
|Snowmen are situated on the track, causing the player to be thrown backwards if driven into them.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSSnowman.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDS Swoop.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Snowman]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Swoop]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[DS DK Pass|DK Pass]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Frappe Snowland}}
|style="text-align:center"|<small>N64</small> Banshee Boardwalk
| Snowmen are situated on the track, causing the player to be thrown backwards if driven into them.
|A colony of Swoops fly towards the racers, slowing them down if they drive directly into the swarm.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDS Swoop.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSThwomp.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Swoop]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Thwomp]]
| style="text-align:center" | <small>N64</small> Banshee Boardwalk
|style="text-align:center"|Bowser Castle<br><small>GBA</small> Bowser Castle 2
| A colony of Swoops fly towards the racers, slowing them down if they drive directly into the swarm.
|Thwomps appear as enemies, performing their trademark slam attempt at the drivers below. Additionally, some Thwomps move side to side on the ground.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSThwomp.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSFirePiranhaPlant.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Thwomp]]
|style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center"|[[Fire Piranha Plant|Venus Fire Trap]]
| style="text-align:center" | Bowser Castle<br><small>GBA</small> Bowser Castle 2
|style="text-align:center"|[[DS Mario Circuit|Mario Circuit]]
| Thwomps appear as enemies, performing their trademark slam attempt at the drivers below. Additionally, some Thwomps move side to side on the ground.
|Venus Fire Traps are stationed in [[Warp Pipe|pipe]]s and spit fire at oncoming racers.
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[File:MKDSTree.png]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MKDSTree.png]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Walking Tree]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Walking Tree]]
| style="text-align:center" | Luigi's Mansion
|style="text-align:center"|Luigi's Mansion
| Walking Trees walk in patterns and pose as obstacles for the drivers.
|Walking Trees walk in patterns and pose as obstacles for the drivers.
|}
|}


==Courses==
==Karts==
In addition to the sixteen standard courses, ''Mario Kart DS'' is the first game in the series to include the Retro Grand Prix, which has been carried over into every future installment in the series to date. The Retro Grand Prix consists of sixteen courses from past ''Mario Kart'' games updated and compiled into four additional cups. This makes a total of 8 cups and 32 courses. ''Mario Kart DS'' is the only ''Mario Kart'' game where there is no Mario Circuit in the Flower Cup, unlike other ''Mario Kart'' games.
[[File:Mario in Standard MR MKDS.png|thumb|The kart selection screen in ''Mario Kart DS'' with Mario only.]]
In ''Mario Kart DS'', there are 36 different karts (37 if including the [[Standard SG]]) in total.  


This is the only ''Mario Kart'' game to have three Grand Prix introduction fanfares; one for Figure-8 Circuit, Waluigi Pinball, Mario Circuit, and <small>GCN</small> Luigi Circuit, one for Wario Stadium, and one for the other courses.
Every kart shows six ratings:
 
*'''Speed:''' How high the top speed of the kart is; how fast the kart can go. [[Bowser]] and [[R.O.B.]] have the fastest karts.
===Nitro Grand Prix===
*'''Acceleration:''' The time the kart's top speed is achieved when accelerating (the higher the acceleration, the shorter players wait until they reach their kart's top speed, and the lower it is, the longer they wait). [[Dry Bones|Dry Bones's]] karts can reach their top speed very quickly.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:700px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
*'''Weight:''' When a vehicle is heavy, the driver can knock a lighter kart. Unlike other stats, the character contributes to this stat, with [[Bowser]] and [[R.O.B.]] being very heavy, and the former of which having the heaviest karts. Characters with a higher weight stat, however, will also apply a penalty to the vehicle's '''Off-Road''' stat (which is hidden to the player).
|-  
*'''Handling:''' How tight the kart can normally turn without drifting. [[Dry Bones]] has the best turning curve.
!width="25%" | [[File:MKDS Mushroom Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Mushroom Cup]]
*'''Drift:''' How tight the kart turns while drifting or powersliding. [[Princess Peach|Peach]] has the best drifting curve.
!width="25%" | [[File:MKDS Flower Cup Icon.png]]<br>[[Flower Cup]]
*'''Items:''' The variety of items to use when touching an [[Item Box]] (a high Items rating signifies a higher chance of getting Triple Bananas in first place, Triple Mushrooms in third, fourth, etc).
!width="25%" | [[File:MKDS Star Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Star Cup]]
For all stats, one or more karts will have a rating of one hundred for that stat; for example, the [[Hurricane (kart)|Hurricane]] and [[ROB-BLS]] have speed ratings of one hundred, the [[Dry Bomber]] has both acceleration and handling rates of one hundred, the [[Tyrant]] has a weight rating of one hundred if normally paired with Bowser or R.O.B., the [[Light Tripper]] has a drift rating of one hundred, and each character has an items rating of one hundred for their heavier signature kart, an items rating of sixty-six for their standard kart, and an items rating of thirty-three for their lighter signature kart.
!width="25%" | [[File:MKDS Special Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Special Cup]]
 
Originally, only two karts are available for each character; a signature kart and a standard kart. As the player wins gold trophies in the 100cc Nitro Grand Prix, the player will unlock a second signature kart for each character. When the player wins a gold trophy in either 150cc [[Special Cup]] or [[Lightning Cup]], four signature karts from different characters will become available, bringing the total to seven karts for each character. After winning gold trophies in all eight cups in Mirror Mode, each character can be paired in any of the 36 karts, making 432 combinations (excluding Shy Guy). CPU drivers will only use their characters' respective karts in races and battles.
 
The following ratings are from zero to one hundred, directly obtained from the values used by the game to fill the bar in the kart selection screen.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15fb4tuhafxs3L0u9dKcKkwcB8oNPSgbXVFr9Dwl_gfM/pubhtml A transcription of the in-game statistics of ''Mario Kart DS'']. The values used to fill the bars in the kart selection screen are found in the ''kartmenuparam'' and ''charmenuparam'' sections.</ref> On a side note, it is worth noting that a kart with a high items rating will usually have lower overall stats than the standard karts. Likewise, karts with a low items rating will usually have higher overall stats than the standard karts. Karts with a high items rating tend to be heavier than the karts with a low items rating. Karts with high items rating also receive more Mushroom boosts in Time Trial mode. The player will get one Mushroom boost if the items rating is low, two if the items rating is average, and three if the items rating is high. The weight class of the character does not play an important role in ''Mario Kart DS'', as the weight does not create kart use restrictions.
 
===Displayed statistics===
====Standard karts====
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:1em"
!colspan="8"|<big>Menu values of ''Mario Kart DS''</big>
|-
!width=130px|Kart
!width=105px|Driver
!width=86px|Speed
!width=86px|Acceleration
!width=86px|Weight
!width=86px|Handling
!width=86px|Drift
!width=86px|Items
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Figure 8 Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>[[Figure-8 Circuit]]*
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart MR Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard MR]]
|[[File:MKDS Desert Hills Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Desert Hills|Desert Hills]]*
|rowspan=4|[[File:Mario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Mario]]
|[[File:MKDS DK Pass Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS DK Pass|DK Pass]]*
!colspan=6|Race
|[[File:MKDS Wario Stadium Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Wario Stadium|Wario Stadium]]*
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Yoshi Falls Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Yoshi Falls|Yoshi Falls]]*
|64
|[[File:MKDS Delfino Square Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Delfino Square|Delfino Square]]*
|72
|[[File:MKDS Tick-Tock Clock Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Tick-Tock Clock|Tick-Tock Clock]]
|32
|[[File:MKDS Peach Gardens Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Peach Gardens|Peach Gardens]]
|56
|57
|66
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Cheep Cheep Beach Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Cheep Cheep Beach|Cheep Cheep Beach]]*
!colspan=6|Battle
|[[File:MKDS Waluigi Pinball Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]]
|[[File:MKDS Mario Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>[[Mario Circuit (Mario Kart DS)|Mario Circuit]]*
|[[File:MKDS Bowser Castle Course Icon.png]]<br>[[Bowser Castle (Mario Kart DS)|Bowser Castle]]
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Luigi's Mansion Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Luigi's Mansion|Luigi's Mansion]]*
|50
|[[File:MKDS Shroom Ridge Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Shroom Ridge|Shroom Ridge]]
|54
|[[File:MKDS Airship Fortress Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]]
|32
|[[File:MKDS Rainbow Road Course Icon.png]]<br>[[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart DS)|Rainbow Road]]*
|50
|}
|50
 
|66
===Retro Grand Prix===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:700px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
|-
!width="25%" | [[File:MKDS Shell Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Shell Cup]]
!width="25%" | [[File:MKDS Banana Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Banana Cup]]
!width="25%" | [[File:MKDS Leaf Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Leaf Cup]]
!width="25%" | [[File:MKDS Lightning Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Lightning Cup]]
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS SNES Mario Circuit 1 Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Mario Circuit 1}}*
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart LG Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard LG]]
|[[File:MKDS SNES Donut Plains 1 Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Donut Plains 1}}
|rowspan=4|[[File:Luigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Luigi]]
|[[File:MKDS SNES Koopa Beach 2 Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Koopa Troopa Beach 2|Koopa Beach 2}}
!colspan=6|Race
|[[File:MKDS SNES Choco Island 2 Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Choco Island 2}}*
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS N64 Moo Moo Farm Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Moo Moo Farm}}*
|72
|[[File:MKDS N64 Frappe Snowland Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Frappe Snowland}}*
|74
|[[File:MKDS N64 Choco Mountain Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Choco Mountain}}*
|32
|[[File:MKDS N64 Banshee Boardwalk Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Banshee Boardwalk}}
|73
|32
|66
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS GBA Peach Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GBA|Peach Circuit}}*
!colspan=6|Battle
|[[File:MKDS GBA Bowser Castle 2 Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GBA|Bowser's Castle 2|Bowser Castle 2}}
|[[File:MKDS GBA Luigi Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GBA|Luigi Circuit}}
|[[File:MKDS GBA Sky Garden Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GBA|Sky Garden}}*
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS GCN Luigi Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Luigi Circuit}}*
|56
|[[File:MKDS GCN Baby Park Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Baby Park}}*
|58
|[[File:MKDS GCN Mushroom Bridge Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Mushroom Bridge}}
|32
|[[File:MKDS GCN Yoshi Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Yoshi Circuit}}*
|63
|}
|31
<nowiki>*</nowiki> - <small>Was playable on [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]]</small>
|66
 
===Staff Ghosts===
Staff Ghosts are Time Trial races that were previously done by a [[Nintendo]] staff member. Every course has its unlockable Staff Ghost that the player can race against if their completion time is close to the Staff Ghost's. Most courses require a minimum of completing a course at least 5–10 seconds after the Staff Ghost does.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse;font-family:arial;margin:0 auto;text-align:center" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="50%"
!Course
!Time
!Name
!Character/Kart
|-
|-
|'''Figure-8 Circuit'''
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart PC Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard PC]]
|1:36:481
|rowspan=4|[[File:Peach MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Peach|Peach]]
|Ninten★たなか
!colspan=6|Race
|[[File:Mario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Mario<br>[[File:Standard MR icon.png]]<br>Standard MR
|-
|-
|'''Yoshi Falls'''
|47
|0:57:677
|73
|Ninten★まっは
|32
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Yoshi<br>[[File:Egg 1 icon.png]]<br>Egg 1
|48
|97
|66
|-
|-
|'''Cheep Cheep Beach'''
!colspan=6|Battle
|1:43:654
|Ninten★しんご
|[[File:DK MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Donkey Kong<br>[[File:Standard DK icon.png]]<br>Standard DK
|-
|-
|'''Luigi's Mansion'''
|38
|1:59:357
|55
|Ninten★しんご
|32
|[[File:Luigi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Luigi<br>[[File:Streamliner icon.png]]<br>Streamliner
|44
|75
|66
|-
|-
|'''Desert Hills'''
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart YS Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard YS]]
|1:31:262
|rowspan=4|[[File:Yoshi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Yoshi]]
|Ninten★かつ
!colspan=6|Race
|[[File:ROB MKDS record icon.png]]<br>R.O.B.<br>[[File:ROB-LGS icon.png]]<br>ROB-LGS
|-
|-
|'''Delfino Square'''
|55
|1:54:601
|90
|Ninten★いわ
|32
|[[File:Peach MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Peach<br>[[File:Royale icon.png]]<br>Royale
|84
|39
|66
|-
|-
|'''Waluigi Pinball'''
!colspan=6|Battle
|2:23:288
|Ninten★しんや
|[[File:Waluigi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Waluigi<br>[[File:Gold Mantis icon.png]]<br>Gold Mantis
|-
|-
|'''Shroom Ridge'''
|44
|2:05:123
|71
|Ninten★ジョー
|32
|[[File:Toad MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Toad<br>[[File:Mushmellow icon.png]]<br>Mushmellow
|69
|38
|66
|-
|-
|'''DK Pass'''
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart TD Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard TD]]
|2:14:607
|rowspan=4|[[File:Toad MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Toad]]
|Ninten★™NN
!colspan=6|Race
|[[File:DK MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Donkey Kong<br>[[File:Wildlife icon.png]]<br>Wildlife
|-
|-
|'''Tick-Tock Clock'''
|39
|1:54:903
|85
|Ninten★だい8
|32
|[[File:Daisy MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Daisy<br>[[File:Light Dancer icon.png]]<br>Light Dancer
|65
|67
|66
|-
|-
|'''Mario Circuit'''
!colspan=6|Battle
|1:56:533
|Ninten★モリオ
|[[File:Mario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Mario<br>[[File:Shooting Star MKDS icon.png]]<br>Shooting Star
|-
|-
|'''Airship Fortress'''
|31
|2:07:748
|69
|Ninten★シュン
|32
|[[File:Bowser MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Bowser<br>[[File:Hurricane icon.png]]<br>Hurricane
|56
|-
|56
|'''Wario Stadium'''
|66
|2:14:868
|Ninten★マトゥ
|[[File:Wario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Wario<br>[[File:Brute icon.png]]<br>Brute
|-
|-
|'''Peach Gardens'''
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart DK Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard DK]]
|1:52:989
|rowspan=4|[[File:DK MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Donkey Kong]]
|Ninten★ゆきつ
!colspan=6|Race
|[[File:Peach MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Peach<br>[[File:Royale icon.png]]<br>Royale
|-
|-
|'''Bowser Castle'''
|80
|2:19:661
|47
|Ninten★ひろむ
|32
|[[File:Bowser MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Bowser<br>[[File:Hurricane icon.png]]<br>Hurricane
|34
|77
|66
|-
|-
|'''Rainbow Road'''
!colspan=6|Battle
|2:16:246
|Ninten★たえこ
|[[File:ROB MKDS record icon.png]]<br>R.O.B.<br>[[File:ROB-BLS icon.png]]<br>ROB-BLS
|-
|-
|'''<small>SNES</small> Mario Circuit 1'''
|63
|0:50:688
|32
|Ninten★いわ
|32
|[[File:Mario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Mario<br>[[File:Standard MR icon.png]]<br>Standard MR
|31
|63
|66
|-
|-
|'''<small>N64</small> Moo Moo Farm'''
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart WR Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard WR]]
|1:17:751
|rowspan=4|[[File:Wario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Wario]]
|Ninten★だる®
!colspan=6|Race
|[[File:DK MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Donkey Kong<br>[[File:Wildlife icon.png]]<br>Wildlife
|-
|-
|'''<small>GBA</small> Peach Circuit'''
|88
|1:12:011
|50
|Ninten★だい8
|32
|[[File:Peach MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Peach<br>[[File:Royale icon.png]]<br>Royale
|48
|47
|66
|-
|-
|'''<small>GCN</small> Luigi Circuit'''
!colspan=6|Battle
|1:29:759
|Ninten★おつぼ
|[[File:Luigi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Luigi<br>[[File:Poltergust 4000 icon.png]]<br>Poltergust 4000
|-
|-
|'''<small>SNES</small> Donut Plains 1'''
|69
|1:08:027
|38
|Ninten★しばた
|32
|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Dry Bones<br>[[File:Dry Bomber icon.png]]<br>Dry Bomber
|44
|44
|66
|-
|-
|'''<small>N64</small> Frappe Snowland'''
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart BW Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard BW]]
|2:08:781
|rowspan=4|[[File:Bowser MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Bowser]]
|Ninten★ジョー
!colspan=6|Race
|[[File:Wario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Wario<br>[[File:Brute icon.png]]<br>Brute
|-
|-
|'''<small>GBA</small> Bowser Castle 2'''
|96
|1:52:258
|30
|Ninten★ジョー
|32
|[[File:Bowser MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Bowser<br>[[File:Standard BW icon.png]]<br>Standard BW
|28
|-
|67
|'''<small>GCN</small> Baby Park'''
|66
|0:50:920
|Ninten★ひょう
|[[File:Toad MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Toad<br>[[File:Mushmellow icon.png]]<br>Mushmellow
|-
|-
|'''<small>SNES</small> Koopa Beach 2'''
!colspan=6|Battle
|0:54:847
|Ninten★しんや
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>[[Yoshi]]<br>[[File:Egg 1 icon.png]]<br>Egg 1
|-
|-
|'''<small>N64</small> Choco Mountain'''
|75
|2:15:571
|25
|Ninten★イシビ
|32
|[[File:Wario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Wario<br>[[File:Dragonfly icon.png]]<br>Dragonfly
|25
|56
|66
|-
|-
|'''<small>GBA</small> Luigi Circuit'''
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart DB Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard DB]]
|1:46:581
|rowspan=4|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Dry Bones]]
|Ninten★モリオ
!colspan=6|Race
|[[File:Luigi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Luigi<br>[[File:Poltergust 4000 icon.png]]<br>Poltergust 4000
|-
|-
|'''<small>GCN</small> Mushroom Bridge'''
|31
|1:30:600
|99
|Ninten★ひょう
|32
|[[File:Toad MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Toad<br>[[File:Mushmellow icon.png]]<br>Mushmellow
|96
|47
|66
|-
|-
|'''<small>SNES</small> Choco Island 2'''
!colspan=6|Battle
|1:01:620
|Ninten★おつぼ
|[[File:Waluigi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Waluigi<br>[[File:Zipper icon.png]]<br>Zipper
|-
|-
|'''<small>N64</small> Banshee Boardwalk'''
|25
|2:14:403
|75
|Ninten★まさ
|32
|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Dry Bones<br>[[File:Dry Bomber icon.png]]<br>Dry Bomber
|75
|44
|66
|-
|-
|'''<small>GBA</small> Sky Garden'''
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart DS Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard DS]]
|1:44:400
|rowspan=4|[[File:Daisy MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Daisy]]
|Ninten★ドリー
!colspan=6|Race
|[[File:Daisy MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Daisy<br>[[File:Power Flower icon.png]]<br>Power Flower
|-
|-
|'''<small>GCN</small> Yoshi Circuit'''
|64
|1:48:793
|64
|Ninten★たろう
|32
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Yoshi<br>[[File:Standard YS icon.png]]<br>Standard YS
|40
|}
|87
 
|66
==Items==
:''For information on the probability of obtaining each item from an Item Box, see [[Mario Kart DS item probability distributions]].''
 
As with other ''Mario Kart'' games, a main element of ''Mario Kart DS'' are the pick-up items that allow the racer to take certain advantage over their opponents. An item can be obtained by driving into an [[Item Box]]. This causes the item roulette at the top-left corner of the screen. Racers in higher positions receive less powerful items than racers in lower positions. Some items are unavailable in [[Battle Mode]], and in the mode, similar to normal races, leaders with the most [[Balloon]]s or [[Shine Sprite]]s receive less powerful items.
 
Each kart has an Items stats ratio, which determines the variety of items that a racer can receive; karts with a higher items ratio are more likely to receive rare items. In subsequent games, this stat was removed, making position the only factor that influences items. When the Item Roulette has chosen a normal item, it makes a simple ''plong'' sound, but if the racer receives a more powerful item, it makes a stronger ''plong'' sound.
 
The game introduces two items, [[Bullet Bill]] and [[Blooper]], both of which have since appeared in every subsequent ''Mario Kart'' game. Most of ''Mario Kart DS''{{'}}s item artworks are from ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' except for the Fake Item Box, Triple Bananas, Boo, Bullet Bill and Blooper.
 
{| class="wikitable"
!style="background-color:red;color:white"|Image
!style="background-color:red;color:white"|Name
!style="background-color:red;color:white;text-align:center"|Instruction booklet description
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDDMushroom.png|100px]]
!colspan=6|Battle
|[[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]]
|''Provides a short speed boost.''
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD Triple Mushrooms.png|100px]]
|50
|[[Triple Mushrooms]]
|50
|''Each press of {{button|ds|l}} or {{button|ds|x}} uses up one Mushroom.''
|32
|38
|69
|66
|-
|-
|[[File:Golden Mushroom.png|100px]]
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart WL Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard WL]]
|[[Golden Dash Mushroom|Golden Mushroom]]
|rowspan=4|[[File:Waluigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Waluigi]]
|''Allows you to use Mushroom boosts as many times as you want for a short period of time.''
!colspan=6|Race
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD ItemBox.png|100px]]
|72
|[[Item Box]]
|63
|''Drive through the item boxes on the tracks to get the items contained within. The item inside is determined randomly. {{footnote|main|1}} In Balloon Battle, if the player is eliminated from the game and gets an Item Box, the player only receives an Item Box, as an actual item. This can be placed on the floor, and someone not eliminated can use it, but it only lasts for a short time before disappearing.''
|32
|56
|57
|66
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Fake Item Box Artwork.png|100px]]
!colspan=6|Battle
|[[Fake Item Box]]
|''Looks just like an item box, but when you run into it, it knocks you over.''
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD BananaPeel.png|100px]]
|56
|[[Banana]]
|50
|''Makes karts spin out when run over.''
|32
|50
|50
|66
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Triple Bananas.jpg|100px]]
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart RB Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Standard RB]]
|[[Triple Bananas]]
|rowspan=4|[[File:ROB MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[R.O.B.]]
|''Press {{button|ds|l}} or {{button|ds|x}} to deploy behind the kart. Tap the button again to drop one.''
!colspan=6|Race
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD GreenShell.png|100px]]
|96
|[[Green Shell]]
|53
|''When thrown, this shell travels in a straight line and knocks over the first kart it hits.''
|32
|65
|27
|66
|-
!colspan=6|Battle
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD Triple Green Shells.png|100px]]
|75
|style="white-space:nowrap"|[[Triple Green Shells]]
|49
|''Press {{button|ds|l}} or {{button|ds|x}} to deploy, then press the button again to launch a shell. Each one has the same effect as a single Green or Red Shell.''
|32
|56
|25
|66
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD RedShell.png|100px]]
!rowspan=4 height=150px|[[File:MKDS Standard Kart SG Model.png|120x120px]]<br>{{conjectural|[[Standard SG]]}}
|[[Red Shell]]
|rowspan=4|[[File:MKDS Red Shy Guy Mugshot.png]]<br>[[Shy Guy]]
|''These automatically lock onto and chase after the next kart in front of you. When hit, the kart rolls over.''
!colspan=6|Race
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD Triple Red Shells.png|100px]]
|55
|[[Triple Red Shells]]
|90
|''Press {{button|ds|l}} or {{button|ds|x}} to deploy, then press the button again to launch a shell. Each one has the same effect as a single Red Shell.''
|32
|84
|39
|66
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD SpinyShell.png|100px]]
!colspan=6|Battle
|[[Spiny Shell (blue)|Spiny Shell]]
|''This shell travels and chases after the lead kart and blows up when it reaches its target. Any kart in the blast radius will be knocked over or spun around.''
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD Star.png|100px]]
|44
|[[Super Star|Star]]
|71
|''Makes you invincible for a brief period of time. While invincible, you will knock over any kart you hit.''
|32
|69
|38
|66
|}
 
====Default signature karts====
By collecting all golden trophies in Nitro or Retro 150cc, signature karts are opened to certain other drivers. By collecting all golden trophies in 150cc Mirror Mode, any driver may use any other's signature karts.
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:1em"
!colspan="10"|<big>Menu values of ''Mario Kart DS''</big>
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD Thunderbolt Artwork.png|100px]]
!width=130px|Kart
|[[Lightning]]
!width=105px|Driver
|''Makes all opponents spin out, drop their items, and shrink for a brief period of time.''
!width=86px|Speed
!width=86px|Acceleration
!width=86px|Weight
!width=86px|Handling
!width=86px|Drift
!width=86px|Items
!colspan=2|Secondary drivers
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDD Bob-omb.png|100px]]
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS B Dasher Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[B Dasher]]
|[[Bob-omb]]
|[[File:Mario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Mario]]
|''Explodes after a brief pause or when another kart comes near it. Any kart in the blast radius will be knocked over or spun around.''
|58
|69
|41
|52
|55
|100
|width=105px|[[File:Daisy MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Daisy|Daisy]]
|width=105px|[[File:Waluigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Waluigi]]
|-
|-
|[[File:BlooperMKDS.png|100px]]
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Poltergust 4000 Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Poltergust 4000]]
|[[Blooper]]
|[[File:Luigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Luigi]]
|''Sprays ink on all of the karts in front of you, obscuring those drivers' view of the track.''
|75
|76
|17
|77
|33
|33
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Yoshi]]
|[[File:Waluigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Waluigi]]
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Bullet Bill Artwork.jpg|100px]]
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Royale Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Royale]]
|[[Bullet Bill]]
|[[File:Peach MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Peach|Peach]]
|''Briefly transforms the user into a Bullet Bill that soars through the air along the track, knocking over karts along the way.''
|41
|69
|44
|45
|94
|100
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Yoshi]]
|[[File:Toad MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Toad]]
|-
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Egg 1 Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Egg 1]]
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Yoshi]]
|59
|91
|14
|89
|41
|33
|[[File:Daisy MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Daisy|Daisy]]
|[[File:ROB MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[R.O.B.]]
|-
|-
|[[File:MKDS Boo Artwork.jpg|100px]]
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Mushmellow Model.png|120x100px]]<br>[[Mushmellow]]
|[[Boo]]
|[[File:Toad MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Toad]]
|''Unleashes Boo, who turns you invisible for a brief time, making you impervious to enemy attacks, and steals an opponent's item.''
|43
|}
|87
{{footnote|note|1|The instruction booklet provides this description in page 10}}
|17
 
|69
==Racing techniques==
|69
===Rocket Start===
|33
Throughout the entire series, the [[Rocket Start]] allow drivers to give them an extra speed boost and get a head start when a race begins. To use the technique for this installment, players should stay at the starting line and wait for the countdown to hit two. When it does reach that number and when it starts to fade, players should hold the {{button|ds|A}} button to rev up the kart's engine. When ''START'' appears on the race screen, the kart receives a small boost of speed out from the starting line, which is a very helpful move to get first place early on in a race. But, there is a risk to this move. If players hold the button before the two fades, it may make the player's kart falter, and takes a few seconds to get back up to normal speed. If the player holds the {{button|ds|A}} after the second "ding" sound is heard and end, the player can get a boost that is a little faster than the normal small boost.
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Yoshi]]
 
|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Dry Bones]]
===Drifting and powersliding===
[[File:Powersliding1.png|thumb|[[Yoshi]] powersliding at Figure-8 Circuit.]]
In the entire ''Mario Kart'' series, players [[drift]] by holding the {{button|ds|R}} button on a turn. Gray wisps come out of their kart as they turn around corners, possibly tighter or better than normal turning.
 
The next step up is powersliding. While drifting, players can move the {{button|ds|pad}} Control Pad right and left repeatedly to produce sparks behind the kart. If done correctly, the sparks change their colors and intensity from blue to orange on each alternated move. After the sparks turn orange, the player releases the {{button|ds|R}} button to stop drifting and release a brief [[Mini-Turbo]] after powersliding. This can be used to dodge [[Spiny Shell (blue)|Spiny Shell]] if combined with a [[Hop (move)|hop]] only during 100cc and 150cc races.
 
A player can perform a useful technique known as [[Mini-Turbo#Snaking|snaking]] by performing consecutive mini-turbos in a zigzagged direction, which offers a player the boost they need to get further ahead. This technique is much easier to perform with karts with higher handling, especially with [[Dry Bones]].
 
===Slipstreaming===
Back from ''Mario Kart 64'', [[Slipstream]]ing is simply moving just behind another player. If racers can stay behind their opponent's vehicle for about four seconds, players get a momentary speed boost that is strong enough to pass the other player.
 
==Multiplayer==
The multiplayer mode allows up to eight players to play either by multi-card or by Download Play mode.
 
Players with a copy of ''Mario Kart DS'' can select any default character and kart combination, along with ones they have unlocked. Unlocked courses from any of the game cards can also be selected.
 
In Download Play mode, players can only select courses from the Mushroom Cup and the Shell Cup. Only three of the battle courses are available—[[Nintendo DS (battle course)|Nintendo DS]], [[Tart Top]] and [[Pipe Plaza]]—which are always selected by the game at random. Download Play participants are forced to play as Shy Guy, whose color is selected by the game randomly.
 
==Karts==
[[File:Mario in Standard MR MKDS.png|thumb|The kart selection screen in ''Mario Kart DS'' with Mario only.]]
In ''Mario Kart DS'', there are 36 different karts (37 if including the [[Standard SG]]) in total.
 
Every kart shows six ratings:
*'''Speed:''' How high the top speed of the kart is; how fast the kart can go. [[Bowser]] and [[R.O.B.]] have the fastest karts.
*'''Acceleration:''' The time the kart's top speed is achieved when accelerating (the higher the acceleration, the shorter players wait until they reach their kart's top speed, and the lower it is, the longer they wait). [[Dry Bones|Dry Bones's]] karts can reach their top speed very quickly.
*'''Weight:''' When a vehicle is heavy, the driver can knock a lighter kart. Unlike other stats, the character contributes to this stat, with [[Bowser]] and [[R.O.B.]] being very heavy, and the former of which having the heaviest karts. Characters with a higher weight stat, however, will also apply a penalty to the vehicle's '''Off-Road''' stat (which is hidden to the player).
*'''Handling:''' How tight the kart can normally turn without drifting. [[Dry Bones]] has the best turning curve.
*'''Drift:''' How tight the kart turns while drifting or powersliding. [[Princess Peach|Peach]] has the best drifting curve.
*'''Items:''' The variety of items to use when touching an [[Item Box]] (a high Items rating signifies a higher chance of getting Triple Bananas in first place, Triple Mushrooms in third, fourth, etc).
 
For all stats, one or more karts will have a rating of one hundred for that stat; for example, the [[Hurricane (kart)|Hurricane]] and [[ROB-BLS]] have speed ratings of one hundred, the [[Dry Bomber]] has both acceleration and handling rates of one hundred, the [[Tyrant]] has a weight rating of one hundred if normally paired with Bowser or R.O.B., the [[Light Tripper]] has a drift rating of one hundred, and each character has an items rating of one hundred for their heavier signature kart, an items rating of sixty-six for their standard kart, and an items rating of thirty-three for their lighter signature kart.
 
Originally, only two karts are available for each character; an signature kart and a standard kart. As the player wins gold trophies in the 100cc Nitro Grand Prix, the player will unlock a second signature kart for each character. When the player wins a gold trophy in either 150cc [[Special Cup]] or [[Lightning Cup]], four signature karts from different characters will become available, bringing the total to seven karts for each character. After winning gold trophies in all eight cups in Mirror Mode, each character can be paired in any of the 36 karts, making 432 combinations (excluding Shy Guy). CPU drivers will only use their characters' respective karts in races and battles.
 
The following ratings are from zero to one hundred, directly obtained from the values used by the game to fill the bar in the kart selection screen.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15fb4tuhafxs3L0u9dKcKkwcB8oNPSgbXVFr9Dwl_gfM/pubhtml A transcription of the in-game statistics of ''Mario Kart DS'']. The values used to fill the bars in the kart selection screen are found in the ''kartmenuparam'' and ''charmenuparam'' sections.</ref> On a side note, it is worth noting that a kart with a high items rating will usually have lower overall stats than the standard karts. Likewise, karts with a low items rating will usually have higher overall stats than the standard karts. Karts with a high items rating tend to be heavier than the karts with a low items rating. Karts with high items rating also receive more Mushroom boosts in Time Trial mode. The player will get one Mushroom boost if the items rating is low, two if the items rating is average, and three if the items rating is high. The weight class of the character does not play an important role in ''Mario Kart DS'', as the weight does not create kart use restrictions.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:1em auto"
!colspan="9"|<big>In-game menu values of ''Mario Kart DS''</big>
|-
|-
!Driver
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Rambi Rider Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Rambi Rider]]
!Driver Weight
|[[File:DK MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Donkey Kong]]
!Kart
|74
!Speed
|44
!Acceleration
|47
!Weight
|31
!Handling
|74
!Drift
|100
!Items
|[[File:Bowser MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Bowser]]
|[[File:Daisy MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Daisy|Daisy]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Mario
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Brute Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Brute]]
|rowspan="3"|32
|[[File:Wario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Wario]]
![[File:MKDS B Dasher Model.png|120px]]<br>[[B Dasher]]
|92
|58
|53
|69
|23
|41
|51
|52
|49
|55
|33
|100
|[[File:Bowser MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Bowser]]
|[[File:Waluigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Waluigi]]
|-
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart MR Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard MR]]
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Tyrant Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Tyrant]]
|[[File:Bowser MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Bowser]]
|90
|25
|50
|25
|64
|64
|72
|100
|32
|[[File:Wario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Wario]]
|56
|[[File:Waluigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Waluigi]]
|57
|66
|-
|-
![[File:MKDS Shooting Star Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Shooting Star (kart)|Shooting Star]]
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Banisher Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Banisher]]
|67
|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Dry Bones]]
|74
|25
|14
|97
|60
|35
|59
|91
|33
|45
|100
|[[File:Mario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Mario]]
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Yoshi]]
|-
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Power Flower Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Power Flower (kart)|Power Flower]]
|[[File:Daisy MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Daisy|Daisy]]
|58
|61
|35
|36
|84
|100
|[[File:Peach MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Peach|Peach]]
|[[File:DK MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Donkey Kong]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Luigi
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Gold Mantis Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Gold Mantis]]
|rowspan="3"|32
|[[File:Waluigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Waluigi]]
![[File:MKDS Poltergust 4000 Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Poltergust 4000]]
|75
|75
|76
|65
|17
|29
|77
|60
|59
|33
|33
|[[File:Mario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Mario]]
|[[File:DK MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Donkey Kong]]
|-
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS ROB-BLS Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[ROB-BLS]]
|[[File:ROB MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[R.O.B.]]
|100
|55
|25
|69
|28
|33
|33
|[[File:Luigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Luigi]]
|[[File:Wario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Wario]]
|}
====Unlockable signature karts====
These karts are unlocked after getting gold trophies on all Nitro cups on 100cc difficulty.
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:1em"
!colspan="10"|<big>Menu values of ''Mario Kart DS''</big>
|-
!width=130px|Kart
!width=105px|Driver
!width=86px|Speed
!width=86px|Acceleration
!width=86px|Weight
!width=86px|Handling
!width=86px|Drift
!width=86px|Items
!colspan=2|Secondary drivers
|-
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart LG Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard LG]]
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Shooting Star Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Shooting Star (kart)|Shooting Star]]
|72
|[[File:Mario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Mario]]
|67
|74
|74
|32
|14
|73
|60
|32
|59
|66
|33
|width=105px|[[File:Toad MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Toad]]
|width=105px|[[File:Wario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Wario]]
|-
|-
![[File:MKDS Streamliner Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Streamliner]]
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Streamliner Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Streamliner]]
|[[File:Luigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Luigi]]
|66
|66
|71
|71
Line 998: Line 1,029:
|30
|30
|100
|100
|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Dry Bones]]
|[[File:ROB MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[R.O.B.]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Peach
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Light Tripper Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Light Tripper]]
|rowspan="3"|23
|[[File:Peach MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Peach|Peach]]
![[File:MKDS Royale Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Royale]]
|41
|69
|44
|45
|94
|100
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart PC Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard PC]]
|47
|73
|32
|48
|97
|66
|-
![[File:MKDS Light Tripper Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Light Tripper]]
|51
|51
|75
|75
Line 1,024: Line 1,040:
|100
|100
|33
|33
|[[File:Daisy MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Daisy|Daisy]]
|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Dry Bones]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Yoshi
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Cucumber Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Cucumber]]
|rowspan="3"|20
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Yoshi]]
![[File:MKDS Egg 1 Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Egg 1]]
|49
|59
|88
|91
|38
|14
|80
|89
|41
|33
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart YS Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard YS]]
|55
|90
|32
|84
|39
|66
|-
![[File:MKDS Cucumber Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Cucumber]]
|49
|88
|38
|80
|37
|37
|100
|100
|[[File:Luigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Luigi]]
|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Dry Bones]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Toad
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS 4-Wheel Cradle Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[4-Wheel Cradle]]
|rowspan="3"|17
|[[File:Toad MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Toad]]
![[File:MKDS Mushmellow Model.png|100px]]<br>[[Mushmellow]]
|43
|87
|17
|69
|69
|33
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart TD Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard TD]]
|39
|85
|32
|65
|67
|66
|-
![[File:MKDS 4-Wheel Cradle Model.png|120px]]<br>[[4-Wheel Cradle]]
|33
|33
|83
|83
Line 1,076: Line 1,062:
|64
|64
|100
|100
|[[File:Mario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Mario]]
|[[File:Peach MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Peach|Peach]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Donkey Kong
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Wildlife Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Wildlife]]
|rowspan="3"|41
|[[File:DK MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Donkey Kong]]
![[File:MKDS Rambi Rider Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Rambi Rider]]
|84
|74
|44
|47
|31
|74
|100
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart DK Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard DK]]
|80
|47
|32
|34
|77
|66
|-
![[File:MKDS Wildlife Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Wildlife]]
|84
|50
|50
|23
|23
Line 1,102: Line 1,073:
|79
|79
|33
|33
|[[File:Luigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Luigi]]
|[[File:Peach MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Peach|Peach]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Wario
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Dragonfly Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Dragonfly]]
|rowspan="3"|44
|[[File:Wario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Wario]]
![[File:MKDS Brute Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Brute]]
|92
|53
|23
|51
|49
|33
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart WR Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard WR]]
|88
|50
|32
|48
|47
|66
|-
![[File:MKDS Dragonfly Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Dragonfly]]
|82
|82
|46
|46
Line 1,128: Line 1,084:
|45
|45
|100
|100
|[[File:Luigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Luigi]]
|[[File:ROB MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[R.O.B.]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Bowser
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Hurricane Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Hurricane (kart)|Hurricane]]
|rowspan="3"|50
|[[File:Bowser MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Bowser]]
![[File:MKDS Tyrant Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Tyrant]]
|100
|90
|25
|50
|25
|64
|100
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart BW Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard BW]]
|96
|30
|32
|28
|67
|66
|-
![[File:MKDS Hurricane Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Hurricane (kart)|Hurricane]]
|100
|34
|34
|29
|29
Line 1,154: Line 1,095:
|69
|69
|33
|33
|[[File:DK MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Donkey Kong]]
|[[File:ROB MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[R.O.B.]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Daisy
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Dry Bomber Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Dry Bomber]]
|rowspan="3"|26
|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Dry Bones]]
![[File:MKDS Power Flower Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Power Flower (kart)|Power Flower]]
|34
|58
|100
|61
|26
|35
|36
|84
|100
|100
|49
|33
|[[File:Peach MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Peach|Peach]]
|[[File:Toad MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Toad]]
|-
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart DS Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard DS]]
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Light Dancer Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Light Dancer]]
|64
|[[File:Daisy MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Princess Daisy|Daisy]]
|64
|67
|32
|40
|87
|66
|-
![[File:MKDS Light Dancer Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Light Dancer]]
|67
|66
|66
|20
|20
Line 1,180: Line 1,117:
|90
|90
|33
|33
|[[File:Mario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Mario]]
|[[File:Bowser MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Bowser]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Dry Bones
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS Zipper Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[Zipper (kart)|Zipper]]
|rowspan="3"|14
|[[File:Waluigi MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Waluigi]]
![[File:MKDS Banisher Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Banisher]]
|66
|25
|59
|97
|35
|35
|91
|52
|45
|55
|100
|100
|[[File:Toad MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Toad]]
|[[File:Wario MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Wario]]
|-
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart DB Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard DB]]
!height=150px|[[File:MKDS ROB-LGS Model.png|120x120px]]<br>[[ROB-LGS]]
|31
|[[File:ROB MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[R.O.B.]]
|99
|90
|32
|48
|96
|38
|47
|61
|66
|25
|-
![[File:MKDS Dry Bomber Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Dry Bomber]]
|34
|100
|100
|26
|[[File:DK MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Donkey Kong]]
|100
|[[File:Bowser MKDS icon.png]]<br>[[Bowser]]
|49
|}
|33
 
===Actual statistics===
''Mario Kart DS'' features several in-game statistics, some of which are not shown in the kart selection menu.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15fb4tuhafxs3L0u9dKcKkwcB8oNPSgbXVFr9Dwl_gfM/pubhtml A transcription of the in-game statistics of ''Mario Kart DS'']. Please note that due to the 16-bit Fixed Point format used by the game, rational numbers are shown as integers that must be divided by 4096.</ref> There are three types of '''Tires''', either Small (''S''), Medium (''M'') or Large (''L''). Just like in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', there is a '''Mini-Turbo''' statistics that corresponds to the length of the Mini-Turbo boost in frames. '''Acceleration''' is determined by three triplets of values, that are presumably related to the acceleration while drifting and the acceleration in all other conditions; there is also a '''deceleration''' value that determines the speed of the next frame as fraction of the current speed when not accelerating (such as when the kart is spinning or the acceleration button is not being held). There are four different types of off-road terrains, and accordingly the karts have four '''off-road''' statistics that are the relative top speed in each type of terrain.
{|class="wikitable center"
!colspan="19"|<big>Actual statistics of ''Mario Kart DS''</big>
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Waluigi
!rowspan="3"|Driver
|rowspan="3"|35
!rowspan="3"|Kart
![[File:MKDS Gold Mantis Model.png|100px]]<br>[[Gold Mantis]]
!rowspan="3"|Tires
|75
!rowspan="3"|Weight
|65
!rowspan="3"|Mini-Turbo
|29
!rowspan="3"|Top Speed
|60
!colspan="6"|Acceleration
|59
!rowspan="3"|Deceleration
|33
!rowspan="3"|Handling
!rowspan="3"|Drift
!rowspan="2" colspan="4"|Off-Road
|-
|-
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart WL Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard WL]]
!colspan="3"|Normal
|72
!colspan="3"|While Drifting
|63
|32
|56
|57
|66
|-
|-
![[File:MKDS Zipper Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Zipper (kart)|Zipper]]
!1st value
|66
!2nd value
|59
!3rd value
|35
!1st value
|52
!2nd value
|55
!3rd value
|100
!Very Light
!Light
!Normal
!Heavy
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|ROB
!rowspan="3"|Mario
|rowspan="3"|50
!Standard MR
![[File:MKDS ROB-BLS Model.png|120px]]<br>[[ROB-BLS]]
|''kart_tire_M''
|100
|0.5
|55
|45
|25
|7.5
|69
|0.0579
|28
|0.0239
|33
|0.7
|-
|0.0649
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart RB Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard RB]]
|0.0239
|96
|0.75
|53
|0.984
|32
|0.0806
|65
|0.0537
|27
|0.9
|66
|0.7
|0.5
|0.3
|-
|-
![[File:MKDS ROB-LGS Model.png|100px]]<br>[[ROB-LGS]]
!Shooting Star
|90
|''kart_tire_S''
|48
|0.2
|38
|51
|61
|7.523
|25
|0.0598
|100
|0.0249
|-
|0.7
!Shy Guy
|0.0669
|20
|0.0249
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart SG Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard SG]]
|0.75
|55
|0.984
|90
|0.0823
|32
|0.0547
|84
|0.9
|39
|0.7
|66
|0.5
|0.3
|-
|-
!colspan="9"|Battle Mode karts
!B Dasher
|''kart_tire_L''
|0.65
|35
|7.463
|0.0549
|0.0229
|0.7
|0.0608
|0.0229
|0.75
|0.984
|0.0789
|0.0527
|0.9
|0.7
|0.5
|0.3
|-
|-
!Driver
!rowspan="3"|Donkey Kong
!Driver Weight
!Standard DK
!Kart
|''kart_tire_M''
!Speed
|0.5
!Acceleration
|30
!Weight
|7.6
!Handling
|0.0449
!Drift
|0.0229
!Items
|0.45
|0.0669
|0.0188
|0.9
|0.978
|0.0708
|0.0635
|0.85
|0.62
|0.4
|0.22
|-
|-
!Mario
!Wildlife
|32
|''kart_tire_S''
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart MR Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard MR]]
|0.35
|50
|34
|54
|7.623
|32
|0.0469
|50
|0.0239
|50
|0.45
|66
|0.0688
|0.0198
|0.9
|0.978
|0.0723
|0.0647
|0.85
|0.62
|0.4
|0.22
|-
|-
!Donkey Kong
!Rambi Rider
|41
|''kart_tire_L''
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart DK Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard DK]]
|0.75
|63
|23
|32
|7.562
|32
|0.043
|31
|0.022
|63
|0.45
|66
|0.063
|-
|0.0178
!Toad
|0.9
|17
|0.978
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart TD Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard TD]]
|0.0693
|31
|0.0623
|69
|0.85
|32
|0.62
|56
|0.4
|56
|0.22
|66
|-
|-
!Bowser
!rowspan="3"|Toad
!Standard TD
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|50
|50
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart BW Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard BW]]
|7.35
|75
|0.085
|25
|0.0269
|32
|0.7
|25
|0.085
|56
|0.0278
|66
|0.75
|0.988
|0.0842
|0.0586
|0.92
|0.74
|0.55
|0.34
|-
|-
!Peach
!Mushmellow
|23
|''kart_tire_S''
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart PC Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard PC]]
|0.25
|38
|56
|55
|7.372
|32
|0.0879
|44
|0.0278
|75
|0.7
|66
|0.0879
|-
|0.0288
!Wario
|0.75
|44
|0.988
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart WR Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard WR]]
|0.0859
|69
|0.0598
|38
|0.92
|32
|0.74
|44
|0.55
|44
|0.34
|66
|-
|-
!Yoshi
!4-Wheel Cradle
|20
|''kart_tire_L''
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart YS Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard YS]]
|0.7
|44
|39
|71
|7.313
|32
|0.0798
|69
|0.0259
|38
|0.7
|66
|0.0798
|-
|0.0259
!Luigi
|0.75
|32
|0.988
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart LG Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard LG]]
|0.0825
|56
|0.0574
|58
|0.92
|32
|0.74
|63
|0.55
|31
|0.34
|66
|-
|-
!Dry Bones
!rowspan="3"|Bowser
|14
!Standard BW
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart DB Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard DB]]
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|25
|25
|75
|7.7
|32
|0.0398
|75
|0.0188
|44
|0.45
|66
|0.0588
|-
|0.0168
!Daisy
|0.9
|26
|0.976
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart DS Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard DS]]
|0.0684
|50
|0.0586
|50
|0.84
|32
|0.6
|38
|0.38
|69
|0.2
|66
|-
|-
!Waluigi
!Hurricane
|35
|''kart_tire_S''
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart WL Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard WL]]
|0.45
|56
|28
|50
|7.723
|32
|0.0408
|50
|0.0198
|50
|0.45
|66
|0.0608
|0.0178
|0.9
|0.976
|0.0698
|0.0598
|0.84
|0.6
|0.38
|0.2
|-
|-
!ROB
!Tyrant
|50
|''kart_tire_L''
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart RB Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard RB]]
|0.8
|75
|19
|49
|7.662
|32
|0.0378
|56
|0.0178
|25
|0.45
|66
|0.0559
|-
|0.0159
!Shy Guy
|0.9
|20
|0.976
![[File:MKDS Standard Kart SG Model.png|120px]]<br>[[Standard SG]]
|0.0669
|44
|0.0574
|71
|0.84
|32
|0.6
|69
|0.38
|38
|0.2
|66
|}
 
==In-game statistics==
''Mario Kart DS'' features several in-game statistics, some of which are not shown in the kart selection menu.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15fb4tuhafxs3L0u9dKcKkwcB8oNPSgbXVFr9Dwl_gfM/pubhtml A transcription of the in-game statistics of ''Mario Kart DS'']. Please note that due to the 16-bit Fixed Point format used by the game, rational numbers are shown as integers that must be divided by 4096.</ref> There are three types of '''Tires''', either Small (''S''), Medium (''M'') or Large (''L''). Just like in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', there is a '''Mini-Turbo''' statistics that corresponds to the length of the Mini-Turbo boost in frames. '''Acceleration''' is determined by three triplets of values, that are presumably related to the acceleration while drifting and the acceleration in all other conditions; there is also a '''deceleration''' value that determines the speed of the next frame as fraction of the current speed when not accelerating (such as when the kart is spinning or the acceleration button is not being held). There are four different types of off-road terrains, and accordingly the karts have four '''off-road''' statistics that are the relative top speed in each type of terrain.
 
{| class="wikitable center"
!colspan="19"|<big>In-game statistics of ''Mario Kart DS''</big>
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Driver
!rowspan="3"|Peach
!rowspan="3"|Kart
!Standard PC
!rowspan="3"|Tires
|''kart_tire_M''
!rowspan="3"|Weight
|0.5
!rowspan="3"|Mini-Turbo
|40
!rowspan="3"|Top Speed
|7.4
!colspan="6"|Acceleration
|0.075
!rowspan="3"|Deceleration
|0.0298
!rowspan="3"|Handling
|0.45
!rowspan="3"|Drift
|0.1099
!rowspan="2" colspan="4"|Off-Road
|0.0249
|0.9
|0.982
|0.0769
|0.0732
|0.88
|0.67
|0.46
|0.27
|-
|-
!colspan="3"|Normal
!Light Tripper
!colspan="3"|While Drifting
|''kart_tire_S''
|-
|0.3
!1st value
|45
!2nd value
|7.422
!3rd value
|0.0779
!1st value
|0.0308
!2nd value
|0.45
!3rd value
|0.1138
!Very Light
|0.0259
!Light
|0.9
!Normal
|0.982
!Heavy
|0.0784
|0.0747
|0.88
|0.67
|0.46
|0.27
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Mario
!Royale
!Standard MR
|''kart_tire_L''
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|45
|7.5
|0.0579
|0.0239
|0.7
|0.7
|0.0649
|31
|7.363
|0.0708
|0.0278
|0.45
|0.1038
|0.0239
|0.0239
|0.75
|0.9
|0.984
|0.982
|0.0806
|0.0754
|0.0537
|0.0718
|0.9
|0.88
|0.7
|0.67
|0.46
|0.27
|-
!rowspan="3"|Wario
!Standard WR
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|0.5
|0.3
|35
|-
|7.65
!Shooting Star
|0.042
|''kart_tire_S''
|0.0188
|0.2
|51
|7.523
|0.0598
|0.0249
|0.7
|0.7
|0.0669
|0.0479
|0.0249
|0.0168
|0.75
|0.75
|0.984
|0.98
|0.0823
|0.0769
|0.0547
|0.0488
|0.9
|0.86
|0.7
|0.64
|0.5
|0.43
|0.3
|0.24
|-
|-
!B Dasher
!Brute
|''kart_tire_L''
|''kart_tire_S''
|0.65
|0.35
|35
|39
|7.463
|7.673
|0.0549
|0.043
|0.0229
|0.0198
|0.7
|0.7
|0.0608
|0.0498
|0.0229
|0.0178
|0.75
|0.98
|0.0784
|0.0498
|0.86
|0.64
|0.43
|0.24
|-
!Dragonfly
|''kart_tire_L''
|0.75
|0.75
|0.984
|27
|0.0789
|7.612
|0.0527
|0.0398
|0.9
|0.0178
|0.7
|0.7
|0.5
|0.3
|-
!rowspan="3"|Donkey Kong
!Standard DK
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|30
|7.6
|0.0449
|0.0449
|0.0229
|0.0159
|0.45
|0.75
|0.0669
|0.98
|0.0188
|0.0754
|0.9
|0.0479
|0.978
|0.86
|0.0708
|0.64
|0.0635
|0.43
|0.24
|-
!rowspan="3"|Yoshi
!Standard YS
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|60
|7.45
|0.095
|0.0178
|0.85
|0.85
|0.62
|0.0618
|0.4
|0.0269
|0.22
|0.6
|-
|0.99
!Wildlife
|0.0928
|''kart_tire_S''
|0.0452
|0.35
|0.95
|34
|0.84
|7.623
|0.68
|0.0469
|0.43
|0.0239
|0.45
|0.0688
|0.0198
|0.9
|0.978
|0.0723
|0.0647
|0.85
|0.62
|0.4
|0.22
|-
|-
!Rambi Rider
!Egg 1
|''kart_tire_L''
|''kart_tire_S''
|0.75
|0.2
|23
|68
|7.562
|7.472
|0.043
|0.0979
|0.022
|0.0188
|0.45
|0.063
|0.0178
|0.9
|0.978
|0.0693
|0.0623
|0.85
|0.85
|0.62
|0.064
|0.4
|0.0278
|0.22
|0.6
|0.99
|0.0947
|0.0461
|0.95
|0.84
|0.68
|0.43
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Toad
!Cucumber
!Standard TD
|''kart_tire_L''
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.6
|0.5
|47
|50
|7.413
|7.35
|0.0898
|0.085
|0.0168
|0.0269
|0.85
|0.7
|0.0588
|0.085
|0.0259
|0.0278
|0.6
|0.75
|0.99
|0.988
|0.0908
|0.0842
|0.0442
|0.0586
|0.95
|0.92
|0.84
|0.74
|0.68
|0.55
|0.43
|0.34
|-
|-
!Mushmellow
!rowspan="3"|Luigi
!Standard LG
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|55
|7.55
|0.063
|0.0149
|0.85
|0.0488
|0.0229
|0.6
|0.988
|0.0879
|0.0415
|0.94
|0.79
|0.61
|0.38
|-
!Poltergust 4000
|''kart_tire_S''
|''kart_tire_S''
|0.25
|0.25
|56
|62
|7.372
|7.573
|0.0879
|0.0649
|0.0278
|0.0159
|0.7
|0.85
|0.0879
|0.0508
|0.0288
|0.0239
|0.75
|0.6
|0.988
|0.988
|0.0859
|0.0896
|0.0598
|0.0422
|0.92
|0.94
|0.74
|0.79
|0.55
|0.61
|0.34
|0.38
|-
|-
!4-Wheel Cradle
!Streamliner
|''kart_tire_L''
|''kart_tire_L''
|0.7
|0.65
|39
|43
|7.313
|7.512
|0.0798
|0.0598
|0.0259
|0.0139
|0.7
|0.85
|0.0798
|0.0459
|0.0259
|0.022
|0.75
|0.6
|0.988
|0.988
|0.0825
|0.0862
|0.0574
|0.0408
|0.92
|0.94
|0.74
|0.79
|0.55
|0.61
|0.34
|0.38
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Bowser
!rowspan="3"|Dry Bones
!Standard BW
!Standard DB
|''kart_tire_M''
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|0.5
|25
|65
|7.7
|7.3
|0.0398
|0.1199
|0.0188
|0.022
|0.45
|0.85
|0.0588
|0.073
|0.0168
|0.0308
|0.6
|0.992
|0.0977
|0.0488
|0.96
|0.9
|0.9
|0.976
|0.75
|0.0684
|0.48
|0.0586
|0.84
|0.6
|0.38
|0.2
|-
|-
!Hurricane
!Dry Bomber
|''kart_tire_S''
|''kart_tire_S''
|0.45
|0.4
|28
|73
|7.723
|7.322
|0.0408
|0.1238
|0.0198
|0.0229
|0.45
|0.85
|0.0608
|0.0759
|0.0178
|0.032
|0.6
|0.992
|0.0996
|0.0498
|0.96
|0.9
|0.9
|0.976
|0.75
|0.0698
|0.48
|0.0598
|0.84
|0.6
|0.38
|0.2
|-
|-
!Tyrant
!Banisher
|''kart_tire_L''
|''kart_tire_L''
|0.8
|0.55
|19
|50
|7.662
|7.264
|0.0378
|0.1128
|0.0178
|0.021
|0.45
|0.85
|0.0559
|0.0688
|0.0159
|0.0288
|0.6
|0.992
|0.0957
|0.0479
|0.96
|0.9
|0.9
|0.976
|0.75
|0.0669
|0.48
|0.0574
|0.84
|0.6
|0.38
|0.2
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Peach
!rowspan="3"|Daisy
!Standard PC
!Standard DS
|''kart_tire_M''
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|0.5
|40
|35
|7.4
|7.5
|0.075
|0.0618
|0.0298
|0.0269
|0.45
|0.45
|0.1099
|0.0898
|0.0249
|0.022
|0.9
|0.9
|0.982
|0.98
|0.0769
|0.0732
|0.0732
|0.88
|0.0684
|0.67
|0.86
|0.46
|0.64
|0.27
|0.43
|0.24
|-
|-
!Light Tripper
!Light Dancer
|''kart_tire_S''
|''kart_tire_S''
|0.3
|0.3
|45
|39
|7.422
|7.523
|0.0779
|0.064
|0.0308
|0.0278
|0.45
|0.45
|0.1138
|0.0928
|0.0259
|0.0229
|0.9
|0.9
|0.982
|0.98
|0.0784
|0.0747
|0.0747
|0.88
|0.0698
|0.67
|0.86
|0.46
|0.64
|0.27
|0.43
|0.24
|-
|-
!Royale
!Power Flower
|''kart_tire_L''
|''kart_tire_L''
|0.7
|0.55
|31
|27
|7.363
|7.463
|0.0708
|0.0588
|0.0278
|0.0259
|0.45
|0.45
|0.1038
|0.085
|0.0239
|0.021
|0.9
|0.9
|0.982
|0.98
|0.0754
|0.0718
|0.0718
|0.88
|0.0669
|0.67
|0.86
|0.46
|0.64
|0.27
|0.43
|0.24
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Wario
!rowspan="3"|Waluigi
!Standard WR
!Standard WL
|''kart_tire_M''
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|0.5
|35
|40
|7.65
|7.55
|0.042
|0.0488
|0.0188
|0.022
|0.7
|0.7
|0.0479
|0.0559
|0.0168
|0.0198
|0.75
|0.75
|0.98
|0.982
|0.0769
|0.0806
|0.0488
|0.0537
|0.86
|0.88
|0.64
|0.67
|0.43
|0.46
|0.24
|0.27
|-
|-
!Brute
!Gold Mantis
|''kart_tire_S''
|''kart_tire_S''
|0.35
|0.45
|39
|45
|7.673
|7.573
|0.043
|0.0508
|0.0198
|0.0229
|0.7
|0.7
|0.0498
|0.0579
|0.0178
|0.021
|0.75
|0.75
|0.98
|0.982
|0.0784
|0.0823
|0.0498
|0.0547
|0.86
|0.88
|0.64
|0.67
|0.43
|0.46
|0.24
|0.27
|-
|-
!Dragonfly
!Zipper
|''kart_tire_L''
|''kart_tire_L''
|0.75
|0.55
|27
|31
|7.612
|7.512
|0.0398
|0.0459
|0.0178
|0.021
|0.7
|0.7
|0.0449
|0.053
|0.0159
|0.0188
|0.75
|0.75
|0.98
|0.982
|0.0754
|0.0789
|0.0479
|0.0527
|0.86
|0.88
|0.64
|0.67
|0.43
|0.46
|0.24
|0.27
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Yoshi
!rowspan="3"|ROB
!Standard YS
!Standard RB
|''kart_tire_M''
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|0.5
|60
|50
|7.45
|7.7
|0.095
|0.0459
|0.0178
|0.012
|0.85
|0.85
|0.0618
|0.043
|0.0269
|0.0198
|0.6
|0.6
|0.99
|0.986
|0.0928
|0.0842
|0.0452
|0.0391
|0.95
|0.92
|0.84
|0.74
|0.68
|0.55
|0.43
|0.34
|-
|-
!Egg 1
!ROB-BLS
|''kart_tire_S''
|''kart_tire_S''
|0.2
|0.38
|68
|56
|7.472
|7.723
|0.0979
|0.0479
|0.0188
|0.012
|0.85
|0.85
|0.064
|0.0449
|0.0278
|0.021
|0.6
|0.6
|0.99
|0.986
|0.0947
|0.0859
|0.0461
|0.0398
|0.95
|0.92
|0.84
|0.74
|0.68
|0.55
|0.43
|0.34
|-
|-
!Cucumber
!ROB-LGS
|''kart_tire_L''
|''kart_tire_L''
|0.6
|0.6
|47
|39
|7.413
|7.662
|0.0898
|0.043
|0.0168
|0.011
|0.85
|0.0408
|0.0188
|0.6
|0.986
|0.0825
|0.0383
|0.92
|0.74
|0.55
|0.34
|-
!Shy Guy
!Standard SG
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|60
|7.45
|0.095
|0.0178
|0.85
|0.85
|0.0588
|0.0618
|0.0259
|0.0269
|0.6
|0.6
|0.99
|0.99
|0.0908
|0.0928
|0.0442
|0.0452
|0.95
|0.95
|0.84
|0.84
Line 1,850: Line 1,890:
|0.43
|0.43
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Luigi
!colspan="19"|Battle Mode karts
!Standard LG
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|55
|7.55
|0.063
|0.0149
|0.85
|0.0488
|0.0229
|0.6
|0.988
|0.0879
|0.0415
|0.94
|0.79
|0.61
|0.38
|-
|-
!Poltergust 4000
!rowspan="3"|Driver
|''kart_tire_S''
!rowspan="3"|Kart
|0.25
!rowspan="3"|Tires
|62
!rowspan="3"|Weight
|7.573
!rowspan="3"|Mini-Turbo
|0.0649
!rowspan="3"|Top Speed
|0.0159
!colspan="6"|Acceleration
|0.85
!rowspan="3"|Deceleration
|0.0508
!rowspan="3"|Handling
|0.0239
!rowspan="3"|Drift
|0.6
!rowspan="2" colspan="4"|Off-Road
|0.988
|-
|0.0896
!colspan="3"|Normal
|0.0422
!colspan="3"|While Drifting
|0.94
|0.79
|0.61
|0.38
|-
|-
!Streamliner
!1st value
|''kart_tire_L''
!2nd value
|0.65
!3rd value
|43
!1st value
|7.512
!2nd value
|0.0598
!3rd value
|0.0139
!Very Light
|0.85
!Light
|0.0459
!Normal
|0.022
!Heavy
|0.6
|0.988
|0.0862
|0.0408
|0.94
|0.79
|0.61
|0.38
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Dry Bones
!Mario
!Standard DB
!Standard MR
|''kart_tire_M''
|
|0.5
|0.5
|65
|35
|7.3
|7.35
|0.1199
|0.0598
|0.022
|0.0149
|0.8
|0.0598
|0.0198
|0.85
|0.85
|0.073
|0.98
|0.0308
|0.0879
|0.6
|0.0635
|0.992
|0.0977
|0.0488
|0.96
|0.9
|0.9
|0.75
|0.7
|0.48
|0.5
|0.3
|-
|-
!Dry Bomber
!Donkey Kong
|''kart_tire_S''
!Standard DK
|0.4
|
|73
|0.5
|7.322
|35
|0.1238
|7.37
|0.0229
|0.0508
|0.85
|0.0139
|0.0759
|0.8
|0.032
|0.063
|0.6
|0.0198
|0.992
|0.85
|0.0996
|0.98
|0.0498
|0.0842
|0.96
|0.0659
|0.9
|0.85
|0.75
|0.62
|0.48
|0.4
|0.22
|-
|-
!Banisher
!Toad
|''kart_tire_L''
!Standard TD
|0.55
|
|50
|7.264
|0.1128
|0.021
|0.85
|0.0688
|0.0288
|0.6
|0.992
|0.0957
|0.0479
|0.96
|0.9
|0.75
|0.48
|-
!rowspan="3"|Daisy
!Standard DS
|''kart_tire_M''
|0.5
|0.5
|35
|35
|7.5
|7.32
|0.0618
|0.0659
|0.0269
|0.0159
|0.45
|0.8
|0.0898
|0.0659
|0.022
|0.021
|0.9
|0.85
|0.98
|0.98
|0.0732
|0.0891
|0.0684
|0.0647
|0.86
|0.92
|0.64
|0.74
|0.43
|0.55
|0.24
|0.34
|-
|-
!Light Dancer
!Bowser
|''kart_tire_S''
!Standard BW
|0.3
|
|39
|0.5
|7.523
|35
|0.064
|7.39
|0.0278
|0.0479
|0.45
|0.0139
|0.0928
|0.8
|0.0229
|0.054
|0.9
|0.0188
|0.85
|0.98
|0.98
|0.0747
|0.083
|0.0698
|0.0647
|0.86
|0.84
|0.64
|0.6
|0.43
|0.38
|0.24
|0.2
|-
|-
!Power Flower
!Peach
|''kart_tire_L''
!Standard PC
|0.55
|
|27
|0.5
|7.463
|35
|0.0588
|7.33
|0.0259
|0.0598
|0.45
|0.0149
|0.085
|0.8
|0.0718
|0.021
|0.021
|0.9
|0.85
|0.98
|0.98
|0.0718
|0.0867
|0.0669
|0.0684
|0.88
|0.67
|0.46
|0.27
|-
!Wario
!Standard WR
|
|0.5
|35
|7.38
|0.054
|0.0139
|0.8
|0.054
|0.0188
|0.85
|0.98
|0.0867
|0.0623
|0.86
|0.86
|0.64
|0.64
Line 2,024: Line 2,038:
|0.24
|0.24
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Waluigi
!Yoshi
!Standard WL
!Standard YS
|''kart_tire_M''
|
|0.5
|0.5
|40
|35
|7.55
|7.34
|0.0488
|0.0688
|0.022
|0.0159
|0.7
|0.8
|0.0559
|0.0569
|0.0198
|0.0198
|0.75
|0.85
|0.982
|0.98
|0.0806
|0.0916
|0.0537
|0.061
|0.88
|0.95
|0.67
|0.84
|0.46
|0.68
|0.27
|0.43
|-
|-
!Gold Mantis
!Luigi
|''kart_tire_S''
!Standard LG
|0.45
|
|45
|0.5
|7.573
|35
|7.36
|0.063
|0.0149
|0.8
|0.0508
|0.0508
|0.0229
|0.0188
|0.7
|0.85
|0.0579
|0.98
|0.021
|0.0903
|0.75
|0.0598
|0.982
|0.94
|0.0823
|0.79
|0.0547
|0.61
|0.88
|0.38
|0.67
|0.46
|0.27
|-
|-
!Zipper
!Dry Bones
|''kart_tire_L''
!Standard DB
|0.55
|
|31
|0.5
|7.512
|35
|0.0459
|7.31
|0.021
|0.0718
|0.7
|0.0159
|0.053
|0.8
|0.0188
|0.0598
|0.0198
|0.85
|0.98
|0.0928
|0.0623
|0.96
|0.9
|0.75
|0.75
|0.982
|0.48
|0.0789
|0.0527
|0.88
|0.67
|0.46
|0.27
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|ROB
!Daisy
!Standard RB
!Standard DS
|''kart_tire_M''
|
|0.5
|0.5
|50
|35
|7.7
|7.35
|0.0459
|0.0569
|0.012
|0.0149
|0.8
|0.0688
|0.021
|0.85
|0.85
|0.043
|0.98
|0.0198
|0.0854
|0.6
|0.0671
|0.986
|0.86
|0.0842
|0.64
|0.0391
|0.43
|0.92
|0.24
|0.74
|-
|0.55
!Waluigi
|0.34
!Standard WL
|
|0.5
|35
|7.36
|0.0569
|0.0149
|0.8
|0.0569
|0.0198
|0.85
|0.98
|0.0879
|0.0635
|0.88
|0.67
|0.46
|0.27
|-
|-
!ROB-BLS
!ROB
|''kart_tire_S''
!Standard RB
|0.38
|
|56
|0.5
|7.723
|35
|0.0479
|7.39
|0.012
|0.0569
|0.85
|0.0149
|0.0449
|0.8
|0.021
|0.0479
|0.6
|0.0188
|0.986
|0.85
|0.0859
|0.98
|0.0398
|0.0891
|0.0586
|0.92
|0.92
|0.74
|0.74
Line 2,121: Line 2,158:
|0.34
|0.34
|-
|-
!ROB-LGS
!Shy Guy
|''kart_tire_L''
!Standard SG
|0.6
|
|39
|0.5
|7.662
|35
|0.043
|7.34
|0.011
|0.0688
|0.0159
|0.8
|0.0569
|0.0198
|0.85
|0.85
|0.0408
|0.98
|0.0188
|0.0916
|0.6
|0.061
|0.986
|0.95
|0.0825
|0.84
|0.0383
|0.68
|0.92
|0.43
|0.74
|}
|0.55
 
|0.34
==Courses==
In addition to the sixteen standard courses, ''Mario Kart DS'' is the first game in the series to include the Retro Grand Prix, which has been carried over into every future installment in the series to date. The Retro Grand Prix consists of sixteen courses from past ''Mario Kart'' games updated and compiled into four additional cups. This makes a total of 8 cups and 32 courses. ''Mario Kart DS'' is the only ''Mario Kart'' game where there is no Mario Circuit in the Flower Cup, unlike other ''Mario Kart'' games.
 
This is the only ''Mario Kart'' game to have three Grand Prix introduction fanfares; one for Figure-8 Circuit, Waluigi Pinball, Mario Circuit, and <small>GCN</small> Luigi Circuit, one for Wario Stadium, and one for the other courses.
===Nitro Grand Prix===
{|class="wikitable"style="width:700px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
|-
!width="25%"|[[File:MKDS Mushroom Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Mushroom Cup]]
!width="25%"|[[File:MKDS Flower Cup Icon.png]]<br>[[Flower Cup]]
!width="25%"|[[File:MKDS Star Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Star Cup]]
!width="25%"|[[File:MKDS Special Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Special Cup]]
|-
|-
!Shy Guy
|[[File:MKDS Figure 8 Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>[[Figure-8 Circuit]]*
!Standard SG
|[[File:MKDS Desert Hills Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Desert Hills|Desert Hills]]*
|''kart_tire_M''
|[[File:MKDS DK Pass Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS DK Pass|DK Pass]]*
|0.5
|[[File:MKDS Wario Stadium Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Wario Stadium|Wario Stadium]]*
|60
|-
|7.45
|[[File:MKDS Yoshi Falls Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Yoshi Falls|Yoshi Falls]]*
|0.095
|[[File:MKDS Delfino Square Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Delfino Square|Delfino Square]]*
|0.0178
|[[File:MKDS Tick-Tock Clock Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Tick-Tock Clock|Tick-Tock Clock]]
|0.85
|[[File:MKDS Peach Gardens Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Peach Gardens|Peach Gardens]]
|0.0618
|0.0269
|0.6
|0.99
|0.0928
|0.0452
|0.95
|0.84
|0.68
|0.43
|-
|-
!colspan="19"|Battle Mode karts
|[[File:MKDS Cheep Cheep Beach Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Cheep Cheep Beach|Cheep Cheep Beach]]*
|[[File:MKDS Waluigi Pinball Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]]
|[[File:MKDS Mario Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Mario Circuit|Mario Circuit]]*
|[[File:MKDS Bowser Castle Course Icon.png]]<br>[[Bowser Castle (Mario Kart DS)|Bowser Castle]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="3"|Driver
|[[File:MKDS Luigi's Mansion Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Luigi's Mansion|Luigi's Mansion]]*
!rowspan="3"|Kart
|[[File:MKDS Shroom Ridge Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Shroom Ridge|Shroom Ridge]]
!rowspan="3"|Tires
|[[File:MKDS Airship Fortress Course Icon.png]]<br>[[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]]
!rowspan="3"|Weight
|[[File:MKDS Rainbow Road Course Icon.png]]<br>[[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart DS)|Rainbow Road]]*
!rowspan="3"|Mini-Turbo
|}
!rowspan="3"|Top Speed
 
!colspan="6"|Acceleration
===Retro Grand Prix===
!rowspan="3"|Deceleration
{|class="wikitable"style="width:700px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
!rowspan="3"|Handling
|-  
!rowspan="3"|Drift
!width="25%"|[[File:MKDS Shell Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Shell Cup]]
!rowspan="2" colspan="4"|Off-Road
!width="25%"|[[File:MKDS Banana Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Banana Cup]]
!width="25%"|[[File:MKDS Leaf Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Leaf Cup]]
!width="25%"|[[File:MKDS Lightning Cup Emblem.png]]<br>[[Lightning Cup]]
|-
|[[File:MKDS SNES Mario Circuit 1 Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Mario Circuit 1}}*
|[[File:MKDS SNES Donut Plains 1 Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Donut Plains 1}}
|[[File:MKDS SNES Koopa Beach 2 Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Koopa Troopa Beach 2|Koopa Beach 2}}
|[[File:MKDS SNES Choco Island 2 Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|SNES|Choco Island 2}}*
|-
|-
!colspan="3"|Normal
|[[File:MKDS N64 Moo Moo Farm Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Moo Moo Farm}}*
!colspan="3"|While Drifting
|[[File:MKDS N64 Frappe Snowland Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Frappe Snowland}}*
|[[File:MKDS N64 Choco Mountain Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Choco Mountain}}*
|[[File:MKDS N64 Banshee Boardwalk Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|N64|Banshee Boardwalk}}
|-
|-
!1st value
|[[File:MKDS GBA Peach Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GBA|Peach Circuit}}*
!2nd value
|[[File:MKDS GBA Bowser Castle 2 Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GBA|Bowser's Castle 2|Bowser Castle 2}}
!3rd value
|[[File:MKDS GBA Luigi Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GBA|Luigi Circuit}}
!1st value
|[[File:MKDS GBA Sky Garden Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GBA|Sky Garden}}*
!2nd value
!3rd value
!Very Light
!Light
!Normal
!Heavy
|-
|-
!Mario
|[[File:MKDS GCN Luigi Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Luigi Circuit}}*
!Standard MR
|[[File:MKDS GCN Baby Park Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Baby Park}}*
|
|[[File:MKDS GCN Mushroom Bridge Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Mushroom Bridge}}
|0.5
|[[File:MKDS GCN Yoshi Circuit Course Icon.png]]<br>{{classic-link|GCN|Yoshi Circuit}}*
|35
|}
|7.35
<nowiki>*</nowiki> - <small>Was playable on [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]]</small>
|0.0598
 
|0.0149
===Staff Ghosts===
|0.8
Staff Ghosts are Time Trial races that were previously done by a [[Nintendo]] staff member. Every course has its unlockable Staff Ghost that the player can race against if their completion time is close to the Staff Ghost's. The player's record must be no more than 108% of the Staff Ghost's completion time to unlock.
|0.0598
{|class="wikitable"style="border-collapse:collapse;font-family:arial;margin:0 auto;text-align:center"border="1"cellspacing="0"cellpadding="2"width="50%"
|0.0198
!Course
|0.85
!Time
|0.98
!Name
|0.0879
!Character
|0.0635
!Kart
|0.9
!Unlock time<ref>https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ekw2H8dZvsBGEOS-MJWkR2hDFflBpWnX3VhxcWhff_8/edit#gid=1195895108{{better source}}</ref>
|0.7
|0.5
|0.3
|-
|-
!Donkey Kong
|'''Figure-8 Circuit'''
!Standard DK
|1:36:481
|
|Ninten★たなか
|0.5
|[[File:Mario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Mario
|35
|[[File:Standard MR icon.png]]<br>Standard MR
|7.37
|1:44:199
|0.0508
|0.0139
|0.8
|0.063
|0.0198
|0.85
|0.98
|0.0842
|0.0659
|0.85
|0.62
|0.4
|0.22
|-
|-
!Toad
|'''Yoshi Falls'''
!Standard TD
|0:57:677
|
|Ninten★まっは
|0.5
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Yoshi
|35
|[[File:Egg 1 icon.png]]<br>Egg 1
|7.32
|1:02:291
|0.0659
|-
|0.0159
|'''Cheep Cheep Beach'''
|0.8
|1:43:654
|0.0659
|Ninten★しんご
|0.021
|[[File:DK MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Donkey Kong
|0.85
|[[File:Standard DK icon.png]]<br>Standard DK
|0.98
|1:51:946
|0.0891
|0.0647
|0.92
|0.74
|0.55
|0.34
|-
|-
!Bowser
|'''Luigi's Mansion'''
!Standard BW
|1:59:357
|
|Ninten★しんご
|0.5
|[[File:Luigi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Luigi
|35
|[[File:Streamliner icon.png]]<br>Streamliner
|7.39
|2:08:905
|0.0479
|-
|0.0139
|'''Desert Hills'''
|0.8
|1:31:262
|0.054
|Ninten★かつ
|0.0188
|[[File:ROB MKDS record icon.png]]<br>R.O.B.
|0.85
|[[File:ROB-LGS icon.png]]<br>ROB-LGS
|0.98
|1:38:562
|0.083
|-
|0.0647
|'''Delfino Square'''
|0.84
|1:54:601
|0.6
|Ninten★いわ
|0.38
|[[File:Peach MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Peach
|0.2
|[[File:Royale icon.png]]<br>Royale
|2:03:769
|-
|-
!Peach
|'''Waluigi Pinball'''
!Standard PC
|2:23:288
|
|Ninten★しんや
|0.5
|[[File:Waluigi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Waluigi
|35
|[[File:Gold Mantis icon.png]]<br>Gold Mantis
|7.33
|2:34:751
|0.0598
|-
|0.0149
|'''Shroom Ridge'''
|0.8
|2:05:123
|0.0718
|Ninten★ジョー
|0.021
|[[File:Toad MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Toad
|0.85
|[[File:Mushmellow icon.png]]<br>Mushmellow
|0.98
|2:15:132
|0.0867
|-
|0.0684
|'''DK Pass'''
|0.88
|2:14:607
|0.67
|Ninten★™NN
|0.46
|[[File:DK MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Donkey Kong
|0.27
|[[File:Wildlife icon.png]]<br>Wildlife
|2:25:375
|-
|-
!Wario
|'''Tick-Tock Clock'''
!Standard WR
|1:54:903
|
|Ninten★だい8
|0.5
|[[File:Daisy MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Daisy
|35
|[[File:Light Dancer icon.png]]<br>Light Dancer
|7.38
|2:04:085
|0.054
|0.0139
|0.8
|0.054
|0.0188
|0.85
|0.98
|0.0867
|0.0623
|0.86
|0.64
|0.43
|0.24
|-
|-
!Yoshi
|'''Mario Circuit'''
!Standard YS
|1:56:533
|
|Ninten★モリオ
|0.5
|[[File:Mario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Mario
|35
|[[File:Shooting Star MKDS icon.png]]<br>Shooting Star
|7.34
|2:05:855
|0.0688
|0.0159
|0.8
|0.0569
|0.0198
|0.85
|0.98
|0.0916
|0.061
|0.95
|0.84
|0.68
|0.43
|-
|-
!Luigi
|'''Airship Fortress'''
!Standard LG
|2:07:748
|
|Ninten★シュン
|0.5
|[[File:Bowser MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Bowser
|35
|[[File:Hurricane icon.png]]<br>Hurricane
|7.36
|2:17:967
|0.063
|-
|0.0149
|'''Wario Stadium'''
|0.8
|2:14:868
|0.0508
|Ninten★マトゥ
|0.0188
|[[File:Wario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Wario
|0.85
|[[File:Brute icon.png]]<br>Brute
|0.98
|2:25:657
|0.0903
|0.0598
|0.94
|0.79
|0.61
|0.38
|-
|-
!Dry Bones
|'''Peach Gardens'''
!Standard DB
|1:52:989
|
|Ninten★ゆきつ
|0.5
|[[File:Peach MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Peach
|35
|[[File:Royale icon.png]]<br>Royale
|7.31
|2:02:028
|0.0718
|-
|0.0159
|'''Bowser Castle'''
|0.8
|2:19:661
|0.0598
|Ninten★ひろむ
|0.0198
|[[File:Bowser MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Bowser
|0.85
|[[File:Hurricane icon.png]]<br>Hurricane
|0.98
|2:30:833
|0.0928
|-
|0.0623
|'''Rainbow Road'''
|0.96
|2:16:246
|0.9
|Ninten★たえこ
|0.75
|[[File:ROB MKDS record icon.png]]<br>R.O.B.
|0.48
|[[File:ROB-BLS icon.png]]<br>ROB-BLS
|2:27:145
|-
|-
!Daisy
|'''<small>SNES</small> Mario Circuit 1'''
!Standard DS
|0:50:688
|
|Ninten★いわ
|0.5
|[[File:Mario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Mario
|35
|[[File:Standard MR icon.png]]<br>Standard MR
|7.35
|0:54:743
|0.0569
|-
|0.0149
|'''<small>N64</small> Moo Moo Farm'''
|0.8
|1:17:751
|0.0688
|Ninten★だる®
|0.021
|[[File:DK MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Donkey Kong
|0.85
|[[File:Wildlife icon.png]]<br>Wildlife
|0.98
|1:23:971
|0.0854
|-
|0.0671
|'''<small>GBA</small> Peach Circuit'''
|0.86
|1:12:011
|0.64
|Ninten★だい8
|0.43
|[[File:Peach MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Peach
|0.24
|[[File:Royale icon.png]]<br>Royale
|1:17:771
|-
|-
!Waluigi
|'''<small>GCN</small> Luigi Circuit'''
!Standard WL
|1:29:759
|
|Ninten★おつぼ
|0.5
|[[File:Luigi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Luigi
|35
|[[File:Poltergust 4000 icon.png]]<br>Poltergust 4000
|7.36
|1:36:939
|0.0569
|-
|0.0149
|'''<small>SNES</small> Donut Plains 1'''
|0.8
|1:08:027
|0.0569
|Ninten★しばた
|0.0198
|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Dry Bones
|0.85
|[[File:Dry Bomber icon.png]]<br>Dry Bomber
|0.98
|1:13:469
|0.0879
|-
|0.0635
|'''<small>N64</small> Frappe Snowland'''
|0.88
|2:08:781
|0.67
|Ninten★ジョー
|0.46
|[[File:Wario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Wario
|0.27
|[[File:Brute icon.png]]<br>Brute
|2:19:083
|-
|-
!ROB
|'''<small>GBA</small> Bowser Castle 2'''
!Standard RB
|1:52:258
|
|Ninten★ジョー
|0.5
|[[File:Bowser MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Bowser
|35
|[[File:Standard BW icon.png]]<br>Standard BW
|7.39
|2:01:238
|0.0569
|-
|0.0149
|'''<small>GCN</small> Baby Park'''
|0.8
|0:50:920
|0.0479
|Ninten★ひょう
|0.0188
|[[File:Toad MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Toad
|0.85
|[[File:Mushmellow icon.png]]<br>Mushmellow
|0.98
|0:54:993
|0.0891
|-
|0.0586
|'''<small>SNES</small> Koopa Beach 2'''
|0.92
|0:54:847
|0.74
|Ninten★しんや
|0.55
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Yoshi
|0.34
|[[File:Egg 1 icon.png]]<br>Egg 1
|0:59:34
|-
|-
!Shy Guy
|'''<small>N64</small> Choco Mountain'''
!Standard SG
|2:15:571
|
|Ninten★イシビ
|0.5
|[[File:Wario MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Wario
|35
|[[File:Dragonfly icon.png]]<br>Dragonfly
|7.34
|2:26:416
|0.0688
|-
|0.0159
|'''<small>GBA</small> Luigi Circuit'''
|0.8
|1:46:581
|0.0569
|Ninten★モリオ
|0.0198
|[[File:Luigi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Luigi
|0.85
|[[File:Poltergust 4000 icon.png]]<br>Poltergust 4000
|0.98
|1:55:107
|0.0916
|-
|0.061
|'''<small>GCN</small> Mushroom Bridge'''
|0.95
|1:30:600
|0.84
|Ninten★ひょう
|0.68
|[[File:Toad MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Toad
|0.43
|[[File:Mushmellow icon.png]]<br>Mushmellow
|1:37:847
|-
|'''<small>SNES</small> Choco Island 2'''
|1:01:620
|Ninten★おつぼ
|[[File:Waluigi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Waluigi
|[[File:Zipper icon.png]]<br>Zipper
|1:06:549
|-
|'''<small>N64</small> Banshee Boardwalk'''
|2:14:403
|Ninten★まさ
|[[File:Dry Bones MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Dry Bones
|[[File:Dry Bomber icon.png]]<br>Dry Bomber
|2:25:155
|-
|'''<small>GBA</small> Sky Garden'''
|1:44:400
|Ninten★ドリー
|[[File:Daisy MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Daisy
|[[File:Power Flower icon.png]]<br>Power Flower
|1:52:752
|-
|'''<small>GCN</small> Yoshi Circuit'''
|1:48:793
|Ninten★たろう
|[[File:Yoshi MKDS record icon.png]]<br>Yoshi
|[[File:Standard YS icon.png]]<br>Standard YS
|1:57:496
|}
|}


==Options==
==Items==
{{multiple image|align=right|direction=horizontal|footer_align=center|footer=The emblem maker can be used to make a variety of designs, for example this picture of Mario.|image1=MKDS Mario Emblem Maker.png|alt1=Emblem maker|width1=100|image2=MKDS Mario Custom Emblem.png|alt2=Emblem with Mario|width2=32|caption2=Result}}
:''For information on the probability of obtaining each item from an Item Box, see [[Mario Kart DS item probability distributions]].''
In the options menu, the player can select "Settings", "Edit", or "Erase Data". Under "Settings", the sound output can be changed between stereo, headphones, and surround and the "Locate Friend" feature can be togged on or off. "Locate Friend" notifies the player about friends who are seeking opponents while connected to the internet. Under "Edit", the player can change their nickname and make their own emblem for racing throughout the game. They also have an option to make the emblem show up on the kart they are driving. Additionally, this emblem shows up next to a player's name while driving in a multiplayer or Nintendo WFC race. "Erase Data" clears all save data.
As with other ''Mario Kart'' games, a main element of ''Mario Kart DS'' are the pick-up items that allow the racer to take certain advantage over their opponents. An item can be obtained by driving into an [[Item Box]]. This causes the item roulette at the top-left corner of the screen. Racers in higher positions receive less powerful items than racers in lower positions. Some items are unavailable in [[Battle Mode]], and in the mode, similar to normal races, leaders with the most [[Balloon]]s or [[Shine Sprite]]s receive less powerful items.
{{br}}


==Gallery==
Each kart has an Items stats ratio, which determines the variety of items that a racer can receive; karts with a higher items ratio are more likely to receive rare items. In subsequent games, this stat was removed, making position the only factor that influences items. When the Item Roulette has chosen a normal item, it makes a simple ''plong'' sound, but if the racer receives a more powerful item, it makes a stronger ''plong'' sound.
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
MKDS Mario and B Dasher Cover Artwork.png|[[Mario]] in his [[B Dasher]]
MKDS Luigi Poltergust 4000 Artwork.png|[[Luigi]] driving his [[Poltergust 4000]]
Princess Peach Spiny Shell Artwork - Mario Kart DS.png|[[Princess Peach|Peach]] driving her [[Royale]] holding a [[Spiny Shell]]
MKDS Donkey Kong Rambi Rider Artwork.png|[[Donkey Kong]] driving his [[Rambi Rider]] with [[Triple Red Shells]]
MKDS Brute Artwork.jpg|[[Wario]] driving his [[Brute]]
LakituMKDD.jpg|[[Lakitu]], holding up the Final Lap sign.
</gallery>


==Media==
The game introduces two items, [[Bullet Bill]] and [[Blooper]], both of which have since appeared in every subsequent ''Mario Kart'' game. Most of ''Mario Kart DS''{{'}}s item artworks are from ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' except for the Fake Item Box, Triple Bananas, Boo, Bullet Bill and Blooper.
{{main-media}}
{|class="wikitable"
{{media table
!style="background-color:red;color:white"|Image
|file1=MKDS-Music-CircuitTheme.oga
!style="background-color:red;color:white"|Name
|title1=Figure 8 Circuit/Mario Circuit
!style="background-color:red;color:white;text-align:center"|Instruction booklet description
|description1=The main circuit theme
|-
|length1=0:30
|[[File:MKDDMushroom.png|100px]]
|file2=MKDS-Music-WaluigiPinball.oga
|[[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]]
|title2=Waluigi Pinball/Wario Stadium
|''Provides a short speed boost.''
|description2=Waluigi Pinball/Wario Stadium theme
|-
|length2=0:29
|[[File:MKDD Triple Mushrooms.png|100px]]
|file3=MKDS-Music-RainbowRoad.oga
|[[Triple Mushrooms]]
|title3=Rainbow Road
|''Each press of {{button|ds|l}} or {{button|ds|x}} uses up one Mushroom.''
|description3=Rainbow Road theme
|-
|length3=0:30
|[[File:Golden Mushroom.png|100px]]
}}
|[[Golden Dash Mushroom|Golden Mushroom]]
 
|''Allows you to use Mushroom boosts as many times as you want for a short period of time.''
==Pre-release and unused content==
|-
{{Main|List of Mario Kart DS pre-release and unused content}}
|[[File:MKDD ItemBox.png|100px]]
There were two unused items: the [[Chain Chomp]] and [[Bowser's Shell]], although the Chain Chomp was the only one found in the item roulette. The Chain Chomp would have likely functioned the same as in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''.
|[[Item Box]]
[[Professor Elvin Gadd]] was planned to be playable and would have had the [[Poltergust 4000]] as his kart. Birdo may have also be planned as a playable character as there is a pink version of the [[Egg 1]] found in the data.
|''Drive through the item boxes on the tracks to get the items contained within. The item inside is determined randomly. {{footnote|main|1}} In Balloon Battle, if the player is eliminated from the game and gets an Item Box, the player only receives an Item Box, as an actual item. This can be placed on the floor, and someone not eliminated can use it, but it only lasts for a short time before disappearing.''
 
|-
==Glitches==
|[[File:MKDS Fake Item Box Artwork.png|100px]]
{{Main|List of Mario Kart DS glitches}}
|[[Fake Item Box]]
===Choco Mountain boulder glitch===
|''Looks just like an item box, but when you run into it, it knocks you over.''
In Choco Mountain, if the player goes to the lake and the water splashes before they fall, the boulder should hit them. If done correctly, they should start flying. The screen will then turn black as if they fell into the water. Lakitu will then pick them up. This glitch rarely works after the first time it's performed.
|-
 
|[[File:MKDD BananaPeel.png|100px]]
===Delfino Square boardwalk glitch===
|[[Banana]]
When the player goes up to the boardwalk that has the one item box, they must press {{button|ds|R}} when they are on the wall. If timed correctly, the player can float on the side of the road. This will work in any mode.
|''Makes karts spin out when run over.''
|-
|[[File:TripleBananasMKDS.png|100px]]
|[[Triple Bananas]]
|''Press {{button|ds|l}} or {{button|ds|x}} to deploy behind the kart. Tap the button again to drop one.''
|-
|[[File:MKDD GreenShell.png|100px]]
|[[Green Shell]]
|''When thrown, this shell travels in a straight line and knocks over the first kart it hits.''
|-
|[[File:MKDD Triple Green Shells.png|100px]]
|style="white-space:nowrap"|[[Triple Green Shells]]
|''Press {{button|ds|l}} or {{button|ds|x}} to deploy, then press the button again to launch a shell. Each one has the same effect as a single Green or Red Shell.''
|-
|[[File:MKDD RedShell.png|100px]]
|[[Red Shell]]
|''These automatically lock onto and chase after the next kart in front of you. When hit, the kart rolls over.''
|-
|[[File:MKDD Triple Red Shells.png|100px]]
|[[Triple Red Shells]]
|''Press {{button|ds|l}} or {{button|ds|x}} to deploy, then press the button again to launch a shell. Each one has the same effect as a single Red Shell.''
|-
|[[File:MKDD SpinyShell.png|100px]]
|[[Spiny Shell (blue)|Spiny Shell]]
|''This shell travels and chases after the lead kart and blows up when it reaches its target. Any kart in the blast radius will be knocked over or spun around.''
|-
|[[File:MKDD Star.png|100px]]
|[[Super Star|Star]]
|''Makes you invincible for a brief period of time. While invincible, you will knock over any kart you hit.''
|-
|[[File:MKDD Thunderbolt Artwork.png|100px]]
|[[Lightning]]
|''Makes all opponents spin out, drop their items, and shrink for a brief period of time.''
|-
|[[File:MKDD Bob-omb.png|100px]]
|[[Bob-omb]]
|''Explodes after a brief pause or when another kart comes near it. Any kart in the blast radius will be knocked over or spun around.''
|-
|[[File:BlooperMKDS.png|100px]]
|[[Blooper]]
|''Sprays ink on all of the karts in front of you, obscuring those drivers' view of the track.''
|-
|[[File:BulletBill-MKDS.png|100px]]
|[[Bullet Bill]]
|''Briefly transforms the user into a Bullet Bill that soars through the air along the track, knocking over karts along the way.''
|-
|[[File:Boo-MKDS.png|100px]]
|[[Boo]]
|''Unleashes Boo, who turns you invisible for a brief time, making you impervious to enemy attacks, and steals an opponent's item.''
|}
{{footnote|note|1|The instruction booklet provides this description in page 10}}
 
==Racing techniques==
===Rocket Start===
Throughout the entire series, the [[Rocket Start]] allow drivers to give them an extra speed boost and get a head start when a race begins. To use the technique for this installment, players should stay at the starting line and wait for the countdown to hit two. When it does reach that number and when it starts to fade, players should hold the {{button|ds|A}} button to rev up the kart's engine. When ''START'' appears on the race screen, the kart receives a small boost of speed out from the starting line, which is a very helpful move to get first place early on in a race. But, there is a risk to this move. If players hold the button before the two fades, it may make the player's kart falter, and takes a few seconds to get back up to normal speed. If the player holds the {{button|ds|A}} after the second "ding" sound is heard and end, the player can get a boost that is a little faster than the normal small boost.
 
===Drifting and powersliding===
[[File:Powersliding1.png|thumb|[[Yoshi]] powersliding at Figure-8 Circuit.]]
In the entire ''Mario Kart'' series, players [[drift]] by holding the {{button|ds|R}} button on a turn. Gray wisps come out of their kart as they turn around corners, possibly tighter or better than normal turning.
 
The next step up is powersliding. While drifting, players can move the {{button|ds|pad}} Control Pad right and left repeatedly to produce sparks behind the kart. If done correctly, the sparks change their colors and intensity from blue to orange on each alternated move. After the sparks turn orange, the player releases the {{button|ds|R}} button to stop drifting and release a brief [[Mini-Turbo]] after powersliding. This can be used to dodge [[Spiny Shell (blue)|Spiny Shell]] if combined with a [[Hop (move)|hop]] only during 100cc and 150cc races.
 
A player can perform a useful technique known as [[Mini-Turbo#Snaking|snaking]] by performing consecutive mini-turbos in a zigzagged direction, which offers a player the boost they need to get further ahead. This technique is much easier to perform with karts with higher handling, especially with [[Dry Bones]].
 
===Slipstreaming===
Back from ''Mario Kart 64'', [[Slipstream]]ing is simply moving just behind another player. If racers can stay behind their opponent's vehicle for about four seconds, players get a momentary speed boost that is strong enough to pass the other player.
 
==Multiplayer==
The multiplayer mode allows up to eight players to play either by multi-card (Normal) or by Download Play (Simple) mode.
 
In Normal mode, players can select any character and kart combination they have unlocked. They can also pick any track that any Game Card has unlocked.
 
In Simple mode, players can only select courses from the Mushroom Cup and the Shell Cup. Only three of the battle courses are available—[[Nintendo DS (battle course)|Nintendo DS]], [[Tart Top]] and [[Pipe Plaza]]—which are always selected by the game at random. Download Play participants are forced to play as Shy Guy, whose color is selected by the game randomly. This applies even if everyone in the room has the game.
 
==Options==
{{multiple image|align=right|direction=horizontal|footer_align=center|footer=The emblem maker can be used to make a variety of designs, for example this picture of Mario.|image1=MKDS Mario Emblem Maker.png|alt1=Emblem maker|width1=100|image2=MKDS Mario Custom Emblem.png|alt2=Emblem with Mario|width2=32|caption2=Result}}
In the options menu, the player can select "Settings", "Edit", or "Erase Data". Under "Settings", the sound output can be changed between stereo, headphones, and surround and the "Locate Friend" feature can be togged on or off. "Locate Friend" notifies the player about friends who are seeking opponents while connected to the internet. Under "Edit", the player can change their nickname and make their own emblem for racing throughout the game. They also have an option to make the emblem show up on the kart they are driving. Additionally, this emblem shows up next to a player's name while driving in a multiplayer or Nintendo WFC race. "Erase Data" clears all save data.
{{br}}
 
==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
MKDS Mario and B Dasher Cover Artwork.png|[[Mario]] in his [[B Dasher]]
MKDS Luigi Poltergust 4000 Artwork.png|[[Luigi]] driving his [[Poltergust 4000]]
Princess Peach Spiny Shell Artwork - Mario Kart DS.png|[[Princess Peach|Peach]] driving her [[Royale]] holding a [[Spiny Shell]]
MKDS Donkey Kong Rambi Rider Artwork.png|[[Donkey Kong]] driving his [[Rambi Rider]] with [[Triple Red Shells]]
MKDS Brute Artwork.jpg|[[Wario]] driving his [[Brute]]
LakituMKDD.jpg|[[Lakitu (Mario Kart referee)|Lakitu]], holding up the Final Lap sign.
</gallery>
 
==Media==
{{main-media}}
{{media table
|file1=MKDS-Music-CircuitTheme.oga
|title1=Figure 8 Circuit/Mario Circuit
|description1=The main circuit theme
|length1=0:30
|file2=MKDS-Music-WaluigiPinball.oga
|title2=Waluigi Pinball/Wario Stadium
|description2=Waluigi Pinball/Wario Stadium theme
|length2=0:29
|file3=MKDS-Music-RainbowRoad.oga
|title3=Rainbow Road
|description3=Rainbow Road theme
|length3=0:30
}}
 
==Pre-release and unused content==
{{Main|List of Mario Kart DS pre-release and unused content}}
There were three unused items: the [[Chain Chomp]], [[Bowser's Shell]], and a purple [[Shell|Koopa Shell]], although the Chain Chomp was the only one found in the item roulette. The Chain Chomp would have likely functioned the same as in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''.
[[Professor Elvin Gadd]] was planned to be playable and would have had the [[Poltergust 4000]] as his kart. Birdo may have also be planned as a playable character as there is a pink version of the [[Egg 1]] found in the data.
 
==Glitches==
{{Main|List of Mario Kart DS glitches}}
===Choco Mountain boulder glitch===
In Choco Mountain, if the player goes to the lake and the water splashes before they fall, the boulder should hit them. If done correctly, they should start flying. The screen will then turn black as if they fell into the water. Lakitu will then pick them up. This glitch rarely works after the first time it is performed.
 
===Mini-Spin turn item glitch===
To perform this glitch, the player must drive towards an item box in any mode (battle mode is preferred) and sit themselves right in the center where it appears so that they continuously break it open when it appears again. Then, the player should hold either left or right on {{button|ds|Pad}}. When the item box appears again, it will break as usual, and the player will turn a very small amount in the direction pressed. Given time, so long as the player doesn't move, the player can turn all the way round in the direction pressed.


===Pipe Plaza Bob-omb glitch===
===Pipe Plaza Bob-omb glitch===
In Pipe Plaza, if the player has a [[Bob-omb]] and drops it near one of the pipe holes, another player or a CPU should hit the Bob-omb. If done correctly, the player should go through the pipe hole and he/she will fall. Lakitu will pick the player up as usual. This can also be done with a [[Super Star|Star]], but is harder to pull off.
In Pipe Plaza, if the player has a [[Bob-omb]] and drops it near one of the pipe holes, another player or a CPU should hit the Bob-omb. If done correctly, the player should go through the pipe hole and they will fall. Lakitu will pick the player up as usual. This can also be done with a [[Super Star|Star]], but is harder to pull off.
 
===Luigi's Mansion Freeze glitch===
To perform this glitch the player must pick the [[DS Luigi's Mansion|Luigi's Mansion]] track in any mode with any character and kart. Once the race starts, the player must then park their character on the stairs at the entrance of the mansion. After that, hold down both {{button|ds|A}} and {{button|ds|B}} to drift in place. If the player tries to turn, the game will sometimes freeze. This glitch was fixed on the Wii U Virtual Console release.
 
===Mini-Spin turn item glitch===
To perform this glitch, the player must drive towards an item box in any mode (battle mode is preferred) and sit themselves right in the center where it appears so that they continuously break it open when it appears again. Then, the player should hold either left or right on {{button|ds|Pad}}. When the item box appears again, it will break as usual, and the player will turn a very small amount in the direction pressed. Given time, so long as the player doesn't move, the player can turn all the way round in the direction pressed.


==Staff==
==Staff==
{{main|List of Mario Kart DS staff}}
{{main|List of Mario Kart DS staff}}
A few staff members from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' returned to work on this game, including Hirotake Ohtsubo and Yoshihisa Morimoto as course designers and Yasuyuki Oyagi as one of the directors. Hiromu Takemura, who also worked as a course designer and map designer for ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', led as the course director. [[Hideki Konno]] returns as a producer after being absent from ''Double Dash!!''{{'}}s development. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] served as the general producer and [[Satoru Iwata]] served as the general producer.
A few staff members from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' returned to work on this game, including Hirotake Ohtsubo and Yoshihisa Morimoto as course designers and Yasuyuki Oyagi as one of the directors. Hiromu Takemura, who also worked as a course designer for ''Double Dash!!'' and a map designer for ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', led as the course director. [[Hideki Konno]] returns as a producer after being absent from ''Double Dash!!''{{'}}s development. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] served as the general producer and [[Satoru Iwata]] served as the general producer.


==Reception==
==Reception==
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[http://www.gamespot.com/ds/driving/mariokartds/review.html GameSpot] reviewer Justin Calvert had similar quips with the online feature: "Whether these opponents were leaving voluntarily or because of network problems is anybody's guess, but it's equally irritating either way." He finished up similarly by saying "''Mario Kart DS'' is without a doubt one of the best games to hit the Nintendo DS to date." ''Mario Kart DS'' received a score of 9.2 out of 10 and was regarded as GameSpot's Editor's Choice and DS game of the year.
[http://www.gamespot.com/ds/driving/mariokartds/review.html GameSpot] reviewer Justin Calvert had similar quips with the online feature: "Whether these opponents were leaving voluntarily or because of network problems is anybody's guess, but it's equally irritating either way." He finished up similarly by saying "''Mario Kart DS'' is without a doubt one of the best games to hit the Nintendo DS to date." ''Mario Kart DS'' received a score of 9.2 out of 10 and was regarded as GameSpot's Editor's Choice and DS game of the year.


[http://ds.ign.com/articles/666/666125p1.html IGN] has given an overall score of 9.5 out of 10, granting the game the IGN Editor's Choice Award and DS game of the year. Reviewer Craig Harris commented that "it's just hard to ignore just how limited the online presentation is.", but ended the review with this: "The only way to finish this review is just to say it: this is the greatest Mario Kart game ever developed, and is without a doubt the best DS game of 2005."
[http://ds.ign.com/articles/666/666125p1.html IGN] gave an overall score of 9.5 out of 10, granting the game the IGN Editor's Choice Award and DS game of the year. Reviewer Craig Harris commented that "it's just hard to ignore just how limited the online presentation is.", but ended the review with this: "The only way to finish this review is just to say it: this is the greatest Mario Kart game ever developed, and is without a doubt the best DS game of 2005."
 
{| class="wikitable reviews"
{|class="wikitable review_template" style="border:2px solid black; width:100%; font-size:100%; text-align:center; margin-bottom:5px;" cellpadding="4"
!colspan="4"style="font-size:120%; text-align:center; background-color:silver;"|Reviews
!colspan="4" style="font-size:120%; text-align:center; background-color:silver;"|Reviews
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|Release
|Release
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|Bryn Williams, [http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/mario-kart-ds/667164p1.html Gamespy]
|Bryn Williams, [http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/mario-kart-ds/667164p1.html Gamespy]
|5/5
|5/5
|''"In the end, it really boils down to this. If you're a fan of Nintendo, racing games, and want some of the best digital excitement 2005 has to offer, you need to get Mario Kart DS. The online shortcomings are annoying, yes, but very minor, and they are more than made up for by the amazing single-player content and local WiFi gameplay. If you absolutely hate, hate, hate karting games, then fair enough. Just be sure to book that next appointment with your shrink to figure out why that is."''
|"''In the end, it really boils down to this. If you're a fan of Nintendo, racing games, and want some of the best digital excitement 2005 has to offer, you need to get Mario Kart DS. The online shortcomings are annoying, yes, but very minor, and they are more than made up for by the amazing single-player content and local WiFi gameplay. If you absolutely hate, hate, hate karting games, then fair enough. Just be sure to book that next appointment with your shrink to figure out why that is.''"
|-
|-
|[[Nintendo DS]]
|[[Nintendo DS]]
|Justin Calvert , [https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-kart-ds-review/1900-6139765/ GameSpot]
|Justin Calvert, [https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-kart-ds-review/1900-6139765/ GameSpot]
|9.2/10
|9.2/10
|''"Mario Kart DS is without a doubt one of the best games to hit the Nintendo DS to date. The game plays every bit as well as any of its predecessors, and adds just enough new features to the mix to make it worthy of your attention, even if you're still playing any of those games on a regular basis. The online play is undoubtedly the icing on an especially yummy cake, and even if you're not in a position to sample said icing, a yummy cake without icing is still a yummy cake."''
|"''Mario Kart DS is without a doubt one of the best games to hit the Nintendo DS to date. The game plays every bit as well as any of its predecessors, and adds just enough new features to the mix to make it worthy of your attention, even if you're still playing any of those games on a regular basis. The online play is undoubtedly the icing on an especially yummy cake, and even if you're not in a position to sample said icing, a yummy cake without icing is still a yummy cake.''"
|-
|-
|[[Nintendo DS]]
|[[Nintendo DS]]
|Craig Harris, [http://ds.ign.com/articles/666/666125p1.html IGN]
|Craig Harris, [http://ds.ign.com/articles/666/666125p1.html IGN]
|9.5/10
|9.5/10
|''"After experiencing Mario Kart DS, it's hard to imagine how Nintendo's going to improve on what they've done for this stunning portable rendition. There's so much gameplay and depth in this design, moreso than the series has ever had in the past. It's an amazingly addictive racer both in single and multiplayer modes, and even with the limitations of the online functions, it's impossible to avoid becoming addicted to the long distance Mario Kart match-ups. The only way to finish this review is just to say it: this is the greatest Mario Kart game ever developed, and is without a doubt the best DS game of 2005."''
|"''After experiencing Mario Kart DS, it's hard to imagine how Nintendo's going to improve on what they've done for this stunning portable rendition. There's so much gameplay and depth in this design, moreso than the series has ever had in the past. It's an amazingly addictive racer both in single and multiplayer modes, and even with the limitations of the online functions, it's impossible to avoid becoming addicted to the long distance Mario Kart match-ups. The only way to finish this review is just to say it: this is the greatest Mario Kart game ever developed, and is without a doubt the best DS game of 2005.''"
|-
|-
|[[Nintendo DS]]
|[[Nintendo DS]]
|Jeremy Parish, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060216140611/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3145630&did=1 1UP]
|Jeremy Parish, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060216140611/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3145630&did=1 1UP]
|8.7/10
|8.7/10
|''"Everything about MKDS comes together into a surprisingly compelling package, a portable racing game on par with anything ever to appear on a console. Even for a skeptic like me. Like the victor of a tough kart race, MKDS has come from behind against steep odds to snatch the gold from the clutches of cynicism."''
|"''Everything about MKDS comes together into a surprisingly compelling package, a portable racing game on par with anything ever to appear on a console. Even for a skeptic like me. Like the victor of a tough kart race, MKDS has come from behind against steep odds to snatch the gold from the clutches of cynicism.''"
|-
|-
!colspan="4" style="font-size:120%; text-align:center; background-color:silver;"|Aggregators
!colspan="4"style="font-size:120%; text-align:center; background-color:silver;"|Aggregators
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|colspan=2|Compiler
|colspan=2|Compiler
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===Sales===
===Sales===
''Mario Kart DS'' is the 3rd best selling game for the [[Nintendo DS]], selling 23.56 million copies worldwide.
''Mario Kart DS'' is the 3rd best selling game for the [[Nintendo DS]], selling 23.60 million copies worldwide.
 
==Notable mistakes and errors==
*The instruction booklet for earlier versions of this game makes an error in page 9. "Perform" is misspelled as "perfprm". This was fixed in later releases of the booklet.
*On page 12, the text of Blooper states, "Sprays ink on the all of the karts in front of you,...", where there is an extra "the" in between "on" and "all". This was not fixed in later releases of the booklet, however.


==References to other games==
==References to other games==
*''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'': The course [[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]] is based of the many airship based levels in this game. [[DS Desert Hills|Desert Hills]] is based on World 2 of this game, even featuring the [[Angry Sun]], [[Lava Bubble|Podoboo]]s, [[Fire Snake]]s, the pyramid, and two pipe formations taken from a level in this world. [[List_of_boss_arenas_in_Mario_Kart_DS#Water Arena|Water Arena]] and [[List_of_boss_arenas_in_Mario_Kart_DS#Sand Arena|Sand Arena]] use various objects from this game. A sprite of Mario and Luigi's heads appear on the Single Player and VS. mode bars.
*''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'': The course [[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]] is based of the many airship based levels in this game. [[DS Desert Hills|Desert Hills]] is based on World 2 of this game, even featuring the [[Angry Sun]], [[Lava Bubble|Podoboo]]s, [[Fire Snake|Firesnake]]s, the pyramid, and two pipe formations taken from a level in this world. [[List_of_boss_arenas_in_Mario_Kart_DS#Water Arena|Water Arena]] and [[List_of_boss_arenas_in_Mario_Kart_DS#Sand Arena|Sand Arena]] use various objects from this game. A sprite of Mario and Luigi's heads appear on the Single Player and VS. mode bars.
*''[[Super Mario Kart]]'': [[SNES Mario Circuit 1|Mario Circuit 1]], [[SNES Donut Plains 1|Donut Plains 1]], [[SNES Koopa Troopa Beach 2|Koopa Beach 2]], and [[SNES Choco Island 2|Choco Island 2]] return as retro courses.
*''[[Super Mario Kart]]'': [[SNES Mario Circuit 1|Mario Circuit 1]], [[SNES Donut Plains 1|Donut Plains 1]], [[SNES Koopa Troopa Beach 2|Koopa Beach 2]], and [[SNES Choco Island 2|Choco Island 2]] return as retro courses.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'': The Rambi Rider is based off [[Rambi]] from this game.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'': The Rambi Rider is based off [[Rambi]] from this game.
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==References in later games==
==References in later games==
*''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'': The [[Blooper]]'s design and the [[Dash Mushroom|Dash]]/[[Super Mushroom]]'s menu design return for the first time in this game and become their standard designs in subsequent games.
*[[Nintendo Monopoly]]: The kart design on the space Mario Kart, the [[? Block]] card "Take a spin in the Kart", and on the [[Brick Block]] card "Renew kart license" is the same from this game.
*[[Nintendo Monopoly]]: The kart design on the space Mario Kart, the [[? Block]] card "Take a spin in the Kart", and on the [[Brick Block]] card "Renew kart license" is the same from this game.
*''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'': [[DS Yoshi Falls|Yoshi Falls]], [[DS Delfino Square|Delfino Square]], [[DS Desert Hills|Desert Hills]], and [[DS Peach Gardens|Peach Gardens]] appear as classic race courses. [[DS Twilight House|Twilight House]] is a classic battle course. This is also Dry Bones' second ''Mario Kart'' appearance. The item roulette and countdown chimes were reused in this game. The opening portion of Rainbow Road's music is used in the music for [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart Wii)|Rainbow Road]] in this game.
*''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'': Waluigi Pinball's theme is used as a song arrangement.
*''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'': [[DS Yoshi Falls|Yoshi Falls]], [[DS Delfino Square|Delfino Square]], [[DS Desert Hills|Desert Hills]], and [[DS Peach Gardens|Peach Gardens]] appear as classic race courses. [[DS Twilight House|Twilight House]] is a classic battle course. The item roulette and countdown chimes were reused in this game.
*''[[Mario Sports Mix]]'': Waluigi owns a pinball-themed course in this game, [[Waluigi Pinball (court)|Waluigi Pinball]].
*''[[Mario Sports Mix]]'': Waluigi owns a pinball-themed course in this game, [[Waluigi Pinball (court)|Waluigi Pinball]].
*''[[Mario Kart 7]]'': [[DS Luigi's Mansion|Luigi's Mansion]], [[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]], [[DS DK Pass|DK Pass]], and [[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]] appear as classic race courses. [[DS Palm Shore|Palm Shore]] is a classic battle course. Also the design of the standard kart is similar but has a rounder appearance. Also, part of the credits theme is similar to that in ''Mario Kart DS'', the karts B Dasher and Egg 1 re-appear too. The item roulette and countdown chimes were reused in this game once again.
*''[[Mario Kart 7]]'': [[DS Luigi's Mansion|Luigi's Mansion]], [[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]], [[DS DK Pass|DK Pass]], and [[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]] appear as classic race courses. [[DS Palm Shore|Palm Shore]] is a classic battle course. Also the design of the standard kart is similar but has a rounder appearance. Also, part of the credits theme is similar to that in ''Mario Kart DS'', the karts B Dasher and Egg 1 re-appear too. The item roulette and countdown chimes were reused in this game once again.
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*''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]'': Some of the character-exclusive karts present in ''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2'' return in this game.
*''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]'': Some of the character-exclusive karts present in ''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2'' return in this game.
*''[[Mario Kart 8]]'': [[DS Cheep Cheep Beach|Cheep Cheep Beach]], [[DS Wario Stadium|Wario Stadium]], and [[DS Tick-Tock Clock|Tick-Tock Clock]] return as classic race courses. The [[B Dasher]] returns as one of the four karts included in the [[The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8|first DLC pack]].
*''[[Mario Kart 8]]'': [[DS Cheep Cheep Beach|Cheep Cheep Beach]], [[DS Wario Stadium|Wario Stadium]], and [[DS Tick-Tock Clock|Tick-Tock Clock]] return as classic race courses. The [[B Dasher]] returns as one of the four karts included in the [[The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8|first DLC pack]].
**''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'': An arrangement of the music for Luigi's Mansion is used in {{classic-link|GCN|Luigi's Mansion}}. [[DS Shroom Ridge|Shroom Ridge]], [[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]] and [[DS Peach Gardens|Peach Gardens]] reappear as classic courses in the [[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]].
*''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]'': Rainbow Road's theme is used in the "Rainbow Road Medley" arrangement.
*''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'': [[DS Luigi's Mansion|Luigi's Mansion]], [[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]], [[DS DK Pass|DK Pass]] and [[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]] return as classic race courses. [[DS Twilight House|Twilight House]] returns as a classic battle course. The [[B Dasher]], [[Poltergust 4000]], [[Streamliner]], [[Royale]], [[Egg 1]], [[Mushmellow]], [[Rambi Rider]] and [[Dragonfly]] return as karts. Challenges with unique objectives return as the fourth and final race in every cup.
*''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'': An arrangement of the music for Luigi's Mansion is used in {{classic-link|GCN|Luigi's Mansion}}. [[DS Shroom Ridge|Shroom Ridge]], [[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]], [[DS Peach Gardens|Peach Gardens]], and [[DS Mario Circuit|Mario Circuit]] reappear as classic courses in the ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]]''.
*''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'': The [[B Dasher]] appears as a spirit.
*''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'': [[DS Luigi's Mansion|Luigi's Mansion]], [[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]], [[DS Shroom Ridge|Shroom Ridge]], [[DS DK Pass|DK Pass]], [[DS Mario Circuit|Mario Circuit]], [[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]] and [[DS Peach Gardens|Peach Gardens]] return as classic race courses. All of this game's [[classic course]]s also return except for {{classic-link|N64|Moo Moo Farm}}, {{classic-link|GCN|Luigi Circuit}} and {{classic-link|N64|Banshee Boardwalk}}. [[DS Twilight House|Twilight House]] returns as a classic battle course. The [[B Dasher]], [[Poltergust 4000]], [[Streamliner]], [[Royale]], [[Egg 1]], [[Mushmellow]], [[Rambi Rider]] and [[Dragonfly]] return as karts. Challenges with unique objectives return as the fourth and final race in every cup.


==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*This and ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' are the only ''Mario Kart'' games where Lakitu does not start the matches off as a referee.
*This and ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' are the only ''Mario Kart'' games in which [[Lakitu (Mario Kart referee)|Lakitu]] does not start the races.
*If the game is played on the original DS, Mario says, "Yahoo!" on the Nintendo logo screen but if it is played on the DS Lite, DSi, 3DS, or Wii U, he says, "Here we go!"<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQGiv60MopE Mario Kart DS (Wii U) - 150cc - Grand Prix: All Cups & End Credits (1080p60fps)] ''YouTube''. Retrieved October 11, 2015</ref><ref>For comparison, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB1QP8Zun7g here] is the game on a normal DS.</ref>
*If the game is played on the original Nintendo DS, Mario says "Yahoo!" on the Nintendo logo screen, but if it is played on the DS Lite, DSi, 3DS, or Wii U, he instead says "Here we go!"<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQGiv60MopE Mario Kart DS (Wii U) - 150cc - Grand Prix: All Cups & End Credits (1080p60fps)] ''YouTube''. Retrieved October 11, 2015</ref><ref>For comparison, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB1QP8Zun7g here] is the game on a normal DS.</ref>
*''Mario Kart DS'' is one of the few Nintendo DS games with a "Language Block", meaning that the in-game language (except Japanese) is the same as the Nintendo DS system's. Japanese is the only language available for ''Mario Kart DS'' releases in Japan.
*''Mario Kart DS'' is one of the few Nintendo DS games with a "Language Block", meaning that the in-game language (except Japanese) is the same as that of the Nintendo DS system. Japanese is the only language available for ''Mario Kart DS'' releases in Japan.
*On page 12 of the ''Mario Kart DS'' instruction booklet, the text for the [[Blooper]] reads, "Sprays ink on the all of the karts in front of you", where there is an erroneous "the" between "on" and "all". Earlier versions of the instruction booklet also featured a misspelling of "perform" as "perfprm" on page 9, but this was fixed in later releases of the booklet.


==References==
==References==
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{{NIWA|StrategyWiki=1}}
{{NIWA|StrategyWiki=1}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051125012938/http://www.mariokart.com/mkds/launch/index.html Official ''Mario Kart DS'' website (North America)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051125012938/http://www.mariokart.com/mkds/launch/index.html Official ''Mario Kart DS'' website (North America)]
*[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/amcj/ Official ''Mario Kart DS'' website (Japan)]
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/amcj/ Official ''Mario Kart DS'' website (Japan)]
 
{{MKDS}}
{{MKDS}}
{{Mario games}}
{{Super Mario games}}
{{DS}}
{{DS}}
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[[de:Mario Kart DS]]
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