Mario Kart DS - Nintendo DS (Good, Loose)

Game Description

Burn rubber in one of the most iconic handheld racing titles ever with Mario Kart DS on the Nintendo DS. Featuring the full cast of Mario and friends, this legendary entry in the series delivers fast-paced kart racing across inventive tracks packed with hazards, shortcuts, and item-based chaos. With its blend of accessible controls and deep competitive gameplay, it quickly became one of the system’s defining titles and a must-own for racing fans.

What set Mario Kart DS apart was its introduction of brand-new tracks alongside faithfully recreated retro courses from past Mario Kart games, creating the beloved “Retro Cup” format that remains a franchise staple today. The dual-screen design kept maps and racing data visible at all times, giving players a strategic edge during high-speed races. From drifting around corners to launching shells at rivals, the DS edition captures everything fans love about the series in a portable format.

Widely considered one of the greatest racing games on handhelds, Mario Kart DS continues to stand out for its perfect balance of fun and challenge. Its accessibility made it a hit with casual players, while its refined mechanics and time trial depth kept hardcore racers coming back for years. For collectors and retro enthusiasts, it remains one of the crown jewels of the DS library and a game that shaped the future of Nintendo’s kart-racing legacy.

Gameplay Features

• Race as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and other classic characters
• Introducing the Retro Cup, bringing back classic tracks from previous Mario Kart games
• Use iconic power-ups like Red Shells, Banana Peels, and Lightning Bolts to gain the edge
• Unlock new characters, karts, and secret content as you progress
• Precision drifting and boosting mechanics reward skillful racing
• Dual-screen display keeps the track map and position info visible at all times

Historical Trivia or Fun Fact

Mario Kart DS was the first game in the franchise to introduce the Retro Cup concept, allowing fans to revisit courses from classics like Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64. This innovation became a defining feature of the series and is still present in every Mario Kart release today. It also marked a leap forward in handheld racing design, showing how the DS hardware could deliver console-quality fun in a portable form.

Critically acclaimed and commercially successful, Mario Kart DS sold millions worldwide and earned a reputation as one of the best-selling Nintendo DS games of all time. It is often compared to franchise-defining entries like Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart Wii, making it a top-tier collector’s title. Its legacy endures not only as a beloved game but as a milestone that elevated the entire Mario Kart series to new heights.