Mario Kart DS was released in 2005 and brought back the original Mario Kart experience thanks to the development team working on making it a reality. It is far from realistic gaming, but that was never the focus. It is also surely an iconic one, and you’ll be getting dual-screen benefits. Racing is half the game when it comes to MK DS, and they put such an emphasis on wireless multiplayer that they did it successfully.
Controls
D Pad – Steering
L/X – Use item
R – Drift/Hop
Y/Touch Screen – Change view on bottom screen
B – Brake
A – Acceleration
Start Button – To pause the game
Mario Kart DS Items
Mushroom: Grants the kart user a small speed boost.
Triple Mushroom: Grants the kart user three speed boosts.
Golden Mushroom: For a limited time, grants the kart user an infinite amount of speed boosts.
Banana Peel: It makes a kart spin around and come to a brief halt.
Triple Banana: It summons 3 Banana Peels onto a racer, allowing you to place them anywhere on the course.
Green Shell: A Green Shell works like a missile, it will spin and stop any kart that it hits.
Triple Green Shell: It forms a protective barrier of three Green Shells around the kart user. The shells can be thrown like a regular Green Shell or used as a shield to protect against enemy items.
Red Shell: A Red Shell works in the same way as a Green Shell, but it will home in on an opponent kart and chase them down until they are hit.
Triple Red Shell: It forms a protective barrier of three Red Shells around the kart user. The shells can be thrown like a regular Red Shell or used as a shield to protect against enemy items.
Spiny Shell: This shell hones in on the kart in first place and targets it in particular.
Star: The Star makes the user’s kart completely invulnerable to all damage, while also providing a small speed boost.
Lightning: Except for the user kart, this item shrinks all racers.It will make the other racers vulnerable to getting run over.
Fake Item: Looks similar to a regular item crate. Any kart that runs into it will be launched and brought to a halt.
Bob-omb: Blows up a race car anywhere on the track. It has the same effect as a Spiny Shell, but can be lobbed backwards instead of only forward.
Bullet Bill: This item transforms the user into a Bullet Bill. Increasing speed and making them slam through every opponent on the track for a short period.
Boo: It spawns a ghost that turns the user invisible and invulnerable to all damage for a short period of time. It also steals an opponent’s item.
Mario Kart DS Courses & Cups
1. Mushroom Cup
Figure-8 Circuit
Yoshi Falls
Cheep Cheep Beach
Luigi’s Mansion
2. Flower Cup
Desert Hills
Delfino Square
Waluigi Pinball
Shroom Ridge
3. Star Cup
DK Pass
Tick Tock Clock
Mario Circuit
Airship Fortress
4. Special Cup
Wario Stadium
Peach Gardens
Bowser Castle
Rainbow Road
Retro Grand Prix
1. Shell Cup
SNES Mario Circuit 1
N64 Moo Moo Farm
GBA Peach Circuit
GCN Luigi Circuit
2. Banana Cup
SNES Donut Plains 1
N64 Frappe Snowland
GBA Bowser Castle 2
GCN Baby Park
3. Leaf Cup
SNES Koopa Beach 2
N64 Choco Mountain
GBA Luigi Circuit
GCN Mushroom Bridge
4. Lightning Cup
SNES Choco Island 2
N64 Banshee Boardwalk
GBA Sky Garden
GCN Yoshi Circuit
5. Battle Courses
Nintendo DS
Twilight House
Palm Shore
Tart Top
N64 Block Fort
GCN Pipe Plaza
Mario Kart DS Characters
The following characters/drivers are playable in Mario Kart DS:
Mario
Luigi
Peach
Yoshi
Toad
Donkey Kong
Wario
Bowser
Unlockable Characters
Dry Bones
Daisy
Waluigi
R.O.B
Shy Guy – (DS Download Play Only)
Mario Kart DS Karts
The following karts are available to use in Mario Kart DS:
B Dasher – Mario
Standard MR – Mario
Shooting Star – Mario
Poltergust 4000 – Luigi
Standard LG – Luigi
Streamliner – Luigi
Royale – Peach
Standard PC – Peach
Light Tripper – Peach
Egg 1 – Yoshi
Standard YS – Yoshi
Cucumber – Yoshi
Mushmellow – Toad
Standard TD – Toad
4 Wheel Cradle – Toad
Rambi Rider – Donkey Kong
Standard DK – Donkey Kong
Wildlife – Donkey Kong
Brute – Wario
Standard WR – Wario
Dragonfly – Wario
Tyrant – Bowser
Standard BW – Bowser
Hurricane – Bowser
Power Flower – Daisy
Standard DS – Daisy
Light Dancer – Daisy
Banisher – Dry Bones
Standard DB – Dry Bones
Dry Bomber – Dry Bones
Gold Mantis – Waluigi
Standard WL – Waluigi
Zipper – Waluigi
ROB-BLS – R.O.B
Standard RB – R.O.B
ROB-LGS – R.O.B
Standard SG – Shy Guy
Mario Kart DS Unlockables
Daisy
Get a gold trophy on 50cc Retro Grand Prix Lightning Cup.
Dry Bones
Get a gold trophy on 50cc Nitro Grand Prix Special Cup.
Waluigi
Get a gold trophy on 100cc Retro Grand Prix Lightning Cup.
R.O.B.
Get a gold trophy in the 150cc Mirror Nitro Grand Prix.
Unlockable Karts
Unlock a third kart for each character by placing first in the 100cc Nitro Grand Prix.
Unlock a fourth additional kart for each character by placing first in the 150cc Retro Grand Prix.
Unlock all karts by placing first in the 150cc mirror race of the Retro Grand Prix.
Mission Tier 7
Unlock a 7th set of missions by earning 1 star on every mission available.
Mirror Mode 150cc
Place first overall in the 150cc Retro and Nitro Grand Prix classes to unlock this mode.
Unlockable Cups
You can unlock the Star Cup by completing the Mushroom and Flower Cups on 150cc in Grand Prix.
You can unlock the Special Cup by completing the Star Cup on 150cc in Grand Prix.
You can unlock the Leaf Cup by completing the Shell and Banana Cups on 150cc in Grand Prix.
You can unlock the Lightning Cup by completing the Leaf Cup on 150cc in Grand Prix.
Mario Kart DS Tips
Use The Power Ups Wisely
Using power-ups in a smart way makes you win. You shouldn’t go around pressing random buttons all the time. Instead, make sure to make the most of each power.For example, use Mushrooms to give yourself an advantageous boost.
Navigate Shortcuts
You should always look at your map for shortcuts. If you use shortcuts, you’ll be getting ahead of the competition.
Starting Boost or Rocket Start
At the beginning of a race, when the countdown begins, watch for the “2” to fade and accelerate. This will give you a starting boost.
