Mario Kart DS Hints XVIII (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

Blue shockwave
When a Blue Shell hits first, try to get a Blue Shell slipstream and shoot it. If the item strikes at the same time, it will create a shockwave that will last three to five seconds.

Lighting bolt
On the Wario Stadium, Royal Raceway, or DK Jungle Parkway tracks, use a lightning bolt just before someone reaches the jump. They should fall off it, which will cost them time. Do not use the item when they are on the turbo pads, because it will not affect them.

Character effects
Characters only affect weight. You can tell roughly how much weight they add by their appearance. For example, Bowser is heavy, while Dry Bones is light.

Here's a Japanese ad for this game: