Fans Refuse To Let Mario Kart DS Cross The Finish Line

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Today, November 14, 2025, marks the 20th anniversary of Mario Kart DS. This article looks at how dedicated fans have continued to play and enjoy the game online, even after the official online servers were shut down.

Mario Kart DS, released in 2005, felt revolutionary. It was the first time players could race against each other online, connecting gamers worldwide in real-time. This online feature was a bold move for handheld games at the time.

Although Nintendo’s official online service for Mario Kart DS shut down twenty years ago, the game hasn’t faded away. Thanks to dedicated fans who’ve created their own tools, servers, and emulation options, a thriving community still enjoys racing today, keeping the spirit of the game alive.

When Nintendo first released the DS, they described it as a new direction for the company—a unique handheld with two screens, meant to complement their existing GameCube and Game Boy Advance systems. However, the popular game Mario Kart DS didn’t really utilize the touch screen much. Instead, it refined the series’ simple and fun gameplay, pushing Mario Kart forward in innovative ways. Reviewers at TopMob were big fans of the game when it came out in 2005.

According to TopMob, Mario Kart DS is easily one of the best games available for the Nintendo DS. It plays just as well as previous Mario Kart games, but includes enough new features to make it worth playing, even if you already enjoy those older titles. The online multiplayer is a fantastic addition, but even without it, the game is still incredibly enjoyable.

Nintendo’s Wi-Fi Connection allowed players to race online using local Wi-Fi hotspots or their home internet. While the online features weren’t flawless – it only offered a few tracks for matchmaking and connecting with friends involved complicated codes – it opened up a whole new level of competition. Players could suddenly race against people from all over the world, and for many, it was their very first experience with online console gaming.

Mario Kart DS wasn’t just great online – it also redefined handheld racing games. It brought back classic tracks in new ‘retro’ cups and introduced a technique called ‘snaking,’ where players could rapidly drift to gain speed. This added a surprising amount of skill and competition to the game.

When Nintendo turned off the online servers for older games back in 2014, it was a huge bummer. Suddenly, playing Mario Kart DS online – and a ton of other classic games – just wasn’t possible anymore. But gamers aren’t quitters, and we found a way around it! We basically created our own shortcuts to keep the fun going.

One Mario Kart DS player shared in 2024 that they’d discovered a way to play the game online again. While not as popular as playing on the Wii, they said it’s surprisingly simple to find opponents.

Thanks to the dedication of fans and projects like Wiimmfi and AltWFC, the game’s online racing remained possible even after official support ended. It wasn’t always straightforward – sometimes requiring players to download patches or change their internet settings – but it allowed them to continue racing with others.

Even now, fans actively create their own Mario Kart DS competitions and tournaments. When players discover new ways to play online, and struggle to find others to join them, the Mario Kart DS community often directs them to busy Discord servers where they can connect with other players.

A strong sense of community and a desire to preserve gaming history are the main reasons these projects succeed. In a world where online games can vanish quickly when servers are shut down, Mario Kart DS is a prime example of how fans can keep a game going. It shows that players, fueled by their love of the game, technical know-how, and persistence, can maintain a game even after the company stops supporting it.

Even now, Mario Kart DS feels incredibly polished and well-designed. The tracks, items, and controls work together perfectly, offering a great mix of strategy and unpredictable fun. Many players love it because it sticks to the core elements of the series – it doesn’t include newer additions like anti-gravity or motion controls, offering a truly classic Mario Kart experience.

One reason the original Mario Kart DS remains popular is its simplicity. While newer versions like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart World are impressive and expansive, DS offers a more streamlined experience – quick, fun races that are ideal for playing on the go. The races are fast-paced, the items are balanced, and the game features a memorable cast of 12 racers, including Mario and his closest allies and competitors.

Mario Kart DS is a game that truly shines when you get good at it. What seemed like a simple, fun racing game actually has a lot of depth, thanks to skillful techniques like drifting and managing speed boosts. Top players could chain boosts together for incredibly fast laps. While later Mario Kart games made this a bit easier, many dedicated fans still consider Mario Kart DS the most technically demanding – the one where real skill made the biggest difference.

Even after 20 years, the Mario Kart DS community remains dedicated and active. While not huge, they’re still introducing new players to its online world. For many, continuing to play isn’t just about fond memories—it’s a way of advocating for accessible gaming in today’s digital landscape.

Mario Kart is always changing, and we’ve seen that with games like Mario Kart World and Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. However, Mario Kart DS was a real turning point. It showed that playing online worked well on a portable system, and that solid game design remains popular for a reason.

Even after twenty years, it feels like the competition is never truly over. The race continues endlessly, with drivers still speeding around iconic courses like Delfino Square and Waluigi Pinball, constantly pushing the limits.

Image Credit: XCageGame on YouTube

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2025-11-14 18:10