Whilst I was on a much-needed vacation a promising title came out and to not write about it would certainly be a crime. That is why I?m going to be dedicating this week?s rant to Mario Kart DS.

For the most part, Nintendo DS has been lagging behind its archrival, the PSP. From the beginning, PSP has been providing owners with a solid title nearly every other month, such as X-men Legends II, Star Wars Battlefront II and even a Grand Theft Auto?s popped up already. And let?s not forget all of these titles and many more have had online playability. Thus, Nintendo has needed something to turn the tide, something to even the odds, something to launch the DS?s online capability with a bang and yes, Mario Kart DS demands satisfaction.

For the most part, I?d say this game plays similar to the N64 and Super NES versions. The two-player-per-kart system that came into fruition with the Gamecube version has been abandoned and the classic one player-per-kart system is back. The graphics are what we?ve come to expect from the DS so far, clean but nothing too spectacular. There are more than thirty tracks and this number doubles when mirror mode is unlocked. Also, the DS version has taken the liberty of plugging in retro tracks, meaning a selection of tracks from all the previous Mario Kart versions, which is good or bad depending on where you stand. Me personally, I thought this was the only downer simply because Nintendo seems to love brining back old games and commonly elements of old games and does so too often. I personally would have preferred to have more new tracks as it allows developers to get inventive. Again, that?s just me and I?m confident that plenty will get a kick out of being familiar with these tracks or simply relish the idea of enjoying the old-school factor.

Mario Kart DS had me really appreciating one of the huge differences between PSP and DS, namely loading time. I was standing in line at the bookstore and was able to whip the DS out of my bag, switch it on and was burning rubber in seconds ? by the time I had to pay for my books I know my PSP would have been at a game?s loading screen. A second strength the DS can chalk up is how it plays online, whereas you?ll be lucky to play a single body online with the PSP. DS on the other hand connects fast, searches for a maximum of three players in this particular title, and while a load-up screen warns of gameplay changing during online play, I found that this was seldom the case.

I was somewhat concerned that Nintendo might choose to do something overly ambitious with its touch screen but fear not, you don?t have to worry about sliding your thumb around to steer or anything awkward. On the contrary, the bottom screen has become a crucial part of the game?s strategic experience as it provides a sort of action map, providing offensive and defensive possibilities with any projectile item. With green shells for example, you can perfectly align yourself with a player in front of, or behind you, with a quick glance at the bottom screen, thus guaranteeing deadly precision. Evidently, this same rule will apply when on the defence, as you?re now able to see green shells coming from behind.

Those who have been playing the Mario Kart series from the beginning until now will notice that the DS version has reverted to the sliding system used in the N64. I say this because victory in the Gamecube version came with luck of the items, while with the N64 version skilled handling established the true champion. At any rate, this is definitely a good thing as the 150 CC modes and mirror modes demand that players handle corners with flawless execution and developing these skills gives the game a general longevity boost.

The tracks are in a word, nuts. And I definitely mean this in a good way. Walugi?s pinball for example is just as the name suggests: a course running through a pinball arcade machine. Warping through tunnels, bouncing off gigantic flippers and dodging 8-ton pinballs proves that this game is fun and shines with creativity.

So there you have it, Mario Kart DS truly rejuvenates the DS and proves that Nintendo will always be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to portable gaming. If you were disappointed with the Gamecube version, as I was, you?ll be pleased with this one. I would even go so far as to say not to worry about renting this before buying it. With regards to the games the DS has released so far ? I?m tempted to say PSP as well ? Mario Kart DS rules with dominant supremacy.






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