Mario Kart Ds Preview

Mario Kart has been a very successful game since its debut with the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). The series continued on with improvements in many aspects with the highly acclaimed N64 version. Then Nintendo combined the gameplay, controls, and maps for the Game Boy Advance game, Mario Kart: Circuit. Finally, Nintendo released the highly anticipated Mario Kart: Double Dash for the Gamecube in 2003. This Mario Kart sadly was the first game not to be as good as it could. Although the addition of two racers and different karts was unique, for such a highly esteemed franchise it was not enough. This is where the DS game comes in. With the features of the DS, gamers have the chance to experience the best game of the series.

Of course, becoming the best game in the series is no easy task. At the moment from screenshots and information revealed by Nintendo, it appears as if being the best game of the franchise is a long shot. Nintendo did develop the DS though so they should hopefully be able to make good of Mario Kart. At the moment, the touch screen will be a basic map that will show the racers moving around. Meanwhile, the top screen will display the game along with a speedometer and the top four racers. Although this display of the two screens does make the game more efficient, the DS was not made for these type of simple uses.

The gameplay on the top screen is very similar to what the Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64 version offered. At the moment we will be seeing the usual cast of Toad, Peach, Yoshi, Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, Wario, and Bowser. Hopefully Nintendo will double this and add eight more racers. There is also nothing new with the game either. I hope that we will be seeing some new features with the game.

The last major update for Mario Kart DS was back during e3 2004 so we expect Nintendo to use the time they had to build up the game. The touch screen could definitely be used at a much greater extent. Mario Kart is losing its touch and really needs new ideas to come back and show what a top game should be like. Adding easy to use menus should be no problem for the developers. On the other hand, more exciting improvements like a possible garage section in where you can give your kart a paint job, or tune up your kart. Now this I mean in a simple way, nothing like what Gran Turismo offers, but maybe being allowed to buy upgrades for speed, durability, control, and more