The Mario Kart series is currently more successful than ever. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was the best-selling game on the original Switch, and Mario Kart World quickly boosted sales of the Switch 2. The newer games look fantastic, offer large and imaginative courses, and feature track designs that would have been impossible to imagine just twenty years ago. If Mario Kart World receives downloadable content as good as what was released for Mario Kart 8, the series has a very bright future.
Despite all the series’ current polish, some enjoyable features seem to have disappeared. The cooperative play of Double Dash is a clear example, and Mario Kart World offers fewer customization options than Mario Kart 8 (which, surprisingly, I think is a good thing). But in my opinion, Mario Kart DS was the peak of the series, packed with fantastic ideas, and I doubt future installments will ever be quite as innovative.
Mario Kart DS Did So Many Things Right
What More Could You Ask For?
I’m definitely biased when it comes to Mario Kart DS – it was a huge part of my childhood! But I can also see its flaws. With its blocky graphics and challenging drifting, it might not grab players used to modern games right away.
I’ve played several Mario Kart games, and I’ve found more issues with most of them. While Mario Kart Wii‘s bikes and motion controls are enjoyable, the game’s item distribution and tendency to let opponents catch up can make it frustrating to maintain a lead until the very end. I also dislike the gameplay balance in Mario Kart 7 and feel its single-player mode is too limited.
Even for a game released on a handheld console in 2004, Mario Kart DS is remarkably full-featured. Mario Kart was a staple of elementary school gaming in the 2000s, thanks to easy local multiplayer options like connecting consoles and DS Download Play. While many games focus solely on multiplayer, Mario Kart DS also offers a surprisingly deep single-player experience, with a wide variety of missions that provide a genuine challenge alongside the standard races.
Mario Kart DS Is A Masterclass In Track Design
Every Turn A Painting
Look, the newer Mario Kart games – especially 8 Deluxe and World – are pretty solid. They’ve definitely had their good and bad moments over the years (I’m still not thrilled with some of the choices in Mario Kart 7), but they mostly get it right. Honestly though, none of them quite capture the feeling of racing in Mario Kart DS. When the series started letting you drive on land, sea, and in the air, something was lost. It’s a good trade-off for variety, but it really makes you appreciate just how amazing those Mario Kart DS tracks still are.
The tracks in Mario Kart DS are incredibly creative and imaginative. Instead of forcing connections between courses, like in Mario Kart World, Mario Kart DS fully embraces wild and over-the-top ideas. Each race feels unique, whether you’re avoiding swinging pendulums in Tick-Tock Clock or bouncing around the giant bumpers in Waluigi Pinball.
It’s easy for racing games to become chaotic, but Mario Kart‘s tracks are remarkably well-designed. Similar to the carefully crafted levels in Super Mario 64, Mario Kart DS expertly uses space. Every jump and turn feels intentional, making the game satisfying to learn and providing a constant rush of excitement in every race.
New Mario Kart Games Are Incredible In A Different Way
Trading Old Strengths For New Ones
Although recent Mario Kart games still feel accurate and well-controlled, the way that precision is used has changed. Now, the courses flow seamlessly from one section to the next – like winding turns and underwater dives connecting without pause. This is technically impressive, but it doesn’t quite capture the same exciting, fast-paced energy as Mario Kart DS.
I always get excited when I hear a remixed track from Mario Kart DS while playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Mario Kart World. Even though remixed versions of songs like Cheep Cheep Beach and DK Pass aren’t exactly like the originals, they’re still really enjoyable. It’s great to experience these classic tunes with the energy and polish of the newer games.
Even so, I wish the tracks felt more spacious like they did in the original Mario Kart DS. While widening a section or two on a track like Airship Fortress in Mario Kart World might seem minor—and it makes sense with more racers—it shows that the game generally moves away from the close, competitive racing that made some Mario Kart DS tracks so great. The design priorities have simply changed, for better or worse.
I don’t really need to decide if Mario Kart DS is better than Mario Kart World. After all these years, I just think it’s brilliant and deserves recognition for its unique style. As the Mario Kart series keeps getting better, Mario Kart DS still feels like the pinnacle – a high point that might never be matched.
Read More
- A Gucci Movie Without Lady Gaga?
- EUR KRW PREDICTION
- Nuremberg – Official Trailer
- Is Steam down? Loading too long? An error occurred? Valve has some issues with the code right now
- Kingdom Come Deliverance 2’s best side quest transformed the RPG into medieval LA Noire, and now I wish Henry could keep on solving crimes
- Prince William Very Cool and Normal Guy According to Eugene Levy
- Adin Ross claims Megan Thee Stallion’s team used mariachi band to deliver lawsuit
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie’s Keegan-Michael Key Shares Surprise Update That Has Me Stoked
- New Look at ‘Masters of the Universe’ Leaks Online With Plot Details Ahead of Trailer Debut
2025-11-16 19:11