Mario Kart DS Hints IX (DS)

The acclaimed Mario Kart series has gone wireless, letting players race and battle with up to eight karts at once, regardless of whether everyone has a game card. An all-star cast that includes Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario, Bowser and Toad will round out a truly all-star lineup of more than 30 courses, drawn from every Mario Kart game. Additionally, these very popular characters have certain advantages and disadvantages, and players need to choose carefully who they want to race with, against all of the different types of competitors.

Players will tour courses from Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Super Circuit and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, not to mention brand-new tracks and arenas. With all the crazy items and frantic speeds players have come to expect, this game is a Mario Kart fan's dream. The title has a new dimension of fun, since competitors can battle others around the world, by connecting to Nintendo's new wireless gaming service, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Although it had different release dates, like November 2005 for North America and Europe as opposed to December 2005 for Japan, the game gained critical acclaim for offering players the same fun adventure found on all of the other titles in the Mario Kart series. Critics praised the title for the individualization of its characters and for the diversity of tracks on which players could race one another. Moreover, the wacky weapons the karts are fitted with provide an even more enjoyable experience.

HINTS

Win 150cc cups easily
Get Gold Cups on all the other cups in the 100 and 50cc classes. The game seems to know when you do not, and will make you lose.

Easy Staff Ghost wins
Learn how to use SSMTS (Snaking). It will improve your time, if done well enough, but it is difficult to master.

Bowser's Castle: Shortcut
When you get to the rotating floor, go around it all the way until you see the small entrance. This will get you a little ahead on the track.

Bowser's Castle 2: Shortcut
At the part where you choose one side or the other to jump, jump on the left slightly to the right so that you will land on the rail. Then, jump, or use a speed boost to get across the lava. This saves time.

Here's a Japanese ad for this game: