Mario Kart DS Hints VIII (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

Dodging turtle shells

To dodge red and green shells, drop another item trap behind you just as they are about to hit you. To dodge blue shells, turbo boost just before they lands. They will hover and spin above your head, and this is when you boost. It is difficult to do it, but it works.

Use the following trick to dodge blue shells. Occasionally, look at the small bottom boxes with the character and their item on it. If you see a blue shell, pull back very quickly before they shoot it, and let the person in second place go first. Move away so you do not get hit by the explosion. This may take practice, but it is very useful.

After you see another player launch a blue shell, try a power slide. Do not get a boost, just stay with it. At the time that the blue shell appears and is above you, release the power slide to get a boost, and it will miss its target.

To dodge blue shells, keep close to the second kart while you are in first place. When a blue shell appears, slow down and keep a distance away from the first competitor. The moment the explosion ends, go back to first place.

Here's a Japanese ad for this game: