Mario Kart DS - Nintendo DS (Good)

Product Overview

• Product Name: Mario Kart DS
• New or Used: Used
• In Case or Loose: In Case
• Overall Condition: Good
• Notes: Mario Kart DS is presented in overall Good condition. The primary factor preventing a higher condition rating is some sun fading along the spine of the case artwork (see photos) and the manual is missing. Otherwise, the case, artwork, and cartridge are in great condition. This copy also includes the Nintendo Power Subscription Form, Nintendo DS Health & Safety Precautions Booklet, and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Booklet. A very nice and complete copy of this classic Nintendo DS racing title.

Photos show actual product for sale — no stock images used.

What's Included

• Nintendo DS Game Cartridge: Yes
• Manual / Instructions: No
• Case Artwork: Yes
• Case Type*: OEM/Original
• Extras: Also included; Nintendo Power Subscription Form, Nintendo DS Health & Safety Precautions Booklet, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Booklet

Game Description

Start your engines, grab a handful of banana peels, and prepare for some of the wildest racing action ever squeezed into a handheld! In Mario Kart DS, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, and an all-star lineup of Nintendo favorites hit the track for an outrageous competition packed with hairpin turns, explosive power-ups, and last-second victories. Race through bustling city streets, haunted mansions, tropical beaches, and the legendary Rainbow Road while dodging incoming shells and battling for first place. This kart racing game for Nintendo DS delivers the irresistible combination of speed, strategy, and chaotic multiplayer fun that made Mario Kart one of Nintendo's most celebrated franchises.

With 32 action-packed race courses spread across eight Grand Prix cups, there's always another challenge waiting around the next corner! Tackle 16 original Nintendo DS tracks, including Delfino Square, Waluigi Pinball, and Tick-Tock Clock, then revisit 16 classic circuits from earlier Mario Kart adventures. Master power-sliding and mini-turbo boosts to maintain speed through sharp corners, unleash Red Shells and Lightning Bolts against rivals, and discover shortcuts that can turn a losing race into a spectacular comeback. Beyond traditional Grand Prix competition, the all-new Mission Mode challenges you to collect coins, drive through numbered gates, defeat enemies, and confront special bosses. This physical Nintendo DS cartridge packs an extraordinary amount of racing variety into one unforgettable handheld experience.

Think you're the fastest racer in the Mushroom Kingdom? It's time to prove it! Compete in Time Trials to perfect your racing lines, challenge computer-controlled opponents in VS Mode, or enter Battle Mode for frantic balloon-popping showdowns and Shine Runners competitions. Best of all, local wireless multiplayer supports up to eight racers, with Single-Card Download Play allowing nearby friends to join the action using just one game cartridge, although some characters and tracks are restricted in that mode. With unlockable racers, additional karts, multiple difficulty classes, and endless opportunities to shave seconds off your best times, Mario Kart DS remains an essential Nintendo handheld experience that rewards both casual players and fiercely competitive racing fans.

Gameplay Features

• Race as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and more across 32 tracks in eight action-packed Grand Prix cups.
• Master power-sliding and mini-turbos to maintain speed, conquer corners, and outrun rival racers.
• Explore 16 new courses and 16 retro tracks inspired by earlier Mario Kart games and Nintendo systems.
• Conquer Mission Mode challenges featuring coin collecting, gate races, enemy battles, and bosses.
• Enjoy Time Trials, VS races, Balloon Battle, and Shine Runners for competitive variety.
• Challenge up to eight players through local wireless, including Single-Card Download Play.

Legacy and Influence

Mario Kart DS helped redefine what a handheld racing game could deliver. Previous portable entries had captured the series' colorful kart-racing action, but this installment brought the excitement of fully 3D tracks, competitive multiplayer, and an expansive collection of courses together in one remarkably polished package. Most importantly, it introduced the Retro Grand Prix, bringing back tracks from earlier Mario Kart games alongside brand-new circuits. That brilliant combination of nostalgic favorites and fresh challenges became a defining feature of later entries, including Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

The game also marked a major turning point for Nintendo's multiplayer ambitions. As the first Mario Kart game to feature online racing, Mario Kart DS helped introduce the franchise to competitive play beyond the living room through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, years before online races became a familiar part of the series. Although that original online service has ended, its impressive local wireless options remain a major attraction. Combined with the debut of Mission Mode, memorable courses like Waluigi Pinball, and a huge collection of unlockable content, Mario Kart DS stands among the defining games of the Nintendo DS era and remains a favorite chapter in the franchise's racing history.

Historical Trivia or Fun Fact

Mario Kart DS launched in North America on November 14, 2005, developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo during the handheld's first year on the market. It was the fifth major installment in the Mario Kart series and introduced R.O.B., Nintendo's famous 1980s Robotic Operating Buddy accessory, as an unlockable racer—one of the franchise's most unexpected character appearances. The game became one of the best-selling Nintendo DS releases, surpassing 23 million copies worldwide and helping establish Mario Kart as an essential part of Nintendo's portable gaming identity.

Additional Details

• Variant: Standard Release
• Genre: Racing
• Year Released: 2005
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Developer: Nintendo EAD
• ESRB Rating: E - Everyone
• UPC: 045496735913
• SKU: 4080
• Format: Nintendo DS Video Game Cartridge (Authentic physical release)
• Platform: Nintendo DS System (DS Handheld Console)
• Region: NTSC (North America, Canada)

Important Information

• Nintendo DS cartridges play on: All Nintendo DS systems, plus all Nintendo 3DS and 2DS systems.
• *Used cases may be replaced with a new aftermarket one if damaged. Listing above indicates if it's "OEM/Original" or "Aftermarket." Aftermarket cases typically differ in color &/or build quality from original Nintendo DS cases. (See photos)
• Any online features (multiplayer, DLC, patches, download codes, etc.) may no longer be supported.
• Photos show the exact item for sale — we never use stock images for used games.
• All used items are cleaned, tested, and 100% guaranteed to work.
• Backed by Retro Game Fan’s 60-day warranty.