4.5/5 ★ – DarrensTrashBag's review of Mario Kart DS.

Mario Kart DS is a game that whenever I played it for the first time in years, I feel like the quality has decreased. It is still a very good game, however I think that what its downfall comes from is the maps. The maps range from one or two classic courses, to mediocrity. What makes this Mario Kart different from the others is the mission mode. Please bring back mission mode it was the best part of this game. Driving is not as smooth as double dash but it was still way more manageable than the first 3 games. They uniquely designed the karts in this one compared to other games, which I really like. Also, having Rob as a playable character was nice too. Multiplayer is pretty good on this game, I just wish that everyone did not need their own copy to play all the tracks. Thoughts on each track: Figure-8 Circuit: Just a figure eight. Nothing else that is special. Yoshi Falls: I like the aesthetic, but driving through the waterfalls can be to off-putting. Cheep Cheep Beach: Really like this one, probably the best beach themed course in the series. Luigi's Mansion: incredible amount of detail. Love how this track looks. The problems come at the end with the mud and the trees; not that fun to go through that. Desert Hills: This track sucks, the worst in the game. Too many turns and you can get stunlocked by the pokeys. The Mario 3 sun was cool, but the fire that it launches can get too in the way. Delfino Square: fine, just fine. The shortcut sucks and is not satisfying to do and does not help you at all. Waluigi Pinball: obviously the best track in the game, the song, the environment, the obstacles, even the detail of the item block sound being a slot machine is incredible. Shroom Ridge: It is just a highway, pretty forgettable. Sometimes cars can get too close together, making it very difficult to pass through without getting hit. DK Pass: The snowmen suck but other than that, very good. Tick-Tock Clock: The hands of the clocks suck getting around but this course is very cool because it is that Mario 64 level. Mario Circuit: This one is not that good. It is forgettable and the obstacles suck. Worst Mario Circuit. Airship Fortress: This one is very good. I really like the song and all the airships circling around. Wario Stadium: I think this is an improvement on 64's but there are still a lot of rough edges. It is fine. Peach Gardens: second worst track, the turns are awkward and the overall smoothness of going through the track is just not there. Bowser's Castle: The only thing that really sucks is the Monkey Ball level near the end. Every item in the game seems to target me while I am there. Otherwise, this is a pretty good bowser's castle. Rainbow Road: This one is similar to double dash's, but worse. It does not have the spectacle and there are really like four turns throughout the whole thing. The loop and corkscrew were the best part, though. All the Super Mario Kart, 64, and Super Circuit tracks are better than the originals. I prefer the 7 laps on Baby Park compared to the 5 in this game. Why would they bring back Frappe Snowland, Choco Island 2, and Bowser's Castle 2? Other picks were good. TL; DR: Not as good as Double Dash, plain maps, good gameplay, bring back mission mode. 87/100