 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mario Kart DS
- Nintendo DS
- Price: $34.99
- Genre: Racing
Common Sense Media says
Fresh, fun go-karting with cartoonish mischief.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this go-kart racing game has cartoonish, mischievous violence as players try to take each other out with various power-ups. Drivers lob turtle shells and balloons at opponents, leave banana peels for them to slide on, jolt them with lightning, leave bombs for them to run over, and squirt ink on windshields. When hit, karts spin out for a few seconds then keep on going. Released in 2005, this is still one of the best multiplayer games around, providing a quick, fun way for friends to compete.
What's it about?
Like its predecessors, MARIO KART DS combines traditional racing mechanics with whimsical course design. A typical example is a course called Waluigi Pinball where you navigate around a giant pinball machine with bumpers, gutters, and giant rolling silver balls. Grand Prix mode offers eight Cup championships with four courses each; Nitro Grand Prix circuit offers 16 new courses, while the Retro Grand Prix offers a blend of classic courses from past Mario Kart games. Players choose from a roster of 11 Mario regulars to drive the kart; each character has a signature kart and a few fun alternatives like an egg, tank, or a tractor.
Is it any good?
Part of what makes this game so good is the plethora of game modes beyond the Grand Prix modes including Time Trials, VS races, Battle and Mission. The game allows up to three other people to compete through an ad hoc network or over WiFi.
One slightly controversial aspect is the effort to try to level the playing field: Power-ups are still a big part of the racing strategy, and karts running at the back of the pack receive better power-ups than those at the front. This is great if players of varying skill levels and ages want to play together, but it can be frustrating for the leaders. Still, the Mario Kart series has always been more about fun and inclusiveness than purely skills-based racing, and Mario Kart DS is no different. The game's stellar course design, top-notch production values, and depth make it the game by which all other DS kart racing titles must measure themselves.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about fairness. Should drivers at the back of the pack get the best power-ups? Why or why not? When in life is it good to give those falling behind an extra boost?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Wonderful! It is so great! Everyone should have it!
Love it! Play it every weekend! Me, My Parents, My 2 Sisters and my brother all have DS Systems! We play in WiFi Battle mode, We all make bets, Yell, and Laugh while playing!
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AGE
best game ever! only 6 and older should play!!
its very easy to play! i enjoyed playing mario kart ds all day long!!
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AGE
Great!
I'm a fan of the Mario Kart series, ia have three Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart64(4 the wii). I used to have Double Dash but I didn't like it. This is a great Mario kart game, second only to Mario Kart Wii!
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AGE
Mario Kart is fun for everybody.
Great game. I've played Mario Kart ever since it's debut on the Super Nintendo (which I still have). If you're going to get your kid a DS for his/her birthday, include this great game with it.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 4, 2010
AGE
5 and up is ppppppperfect!
This is a perfect mix of a mario game and a racing game. Like both, then this the perfect game for you, and me. I rarely play racing games but I love mario games so that's why I got it.
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AGE
Great For The Begining.
I loved this game a few years ago but once you get to a certain point in the game it is really boring because the computer players are way too easy to beat, and there are a limited amount of characters. However, the first month or so you have the game it is a blast, and beating the different courses is so fun!
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AGE
I cried
Well this what I think that every one should get to play any game that want why cause that is not right that we should sign all this stuff and give are important stuff and that we should just get to play any game that we want so can we all just do that but some games yall can take off of there cause we don't need to see that nasty stuff on some games cause some of it is so nasty so that what I think should happen cause it is not far that we have to put are names in this stuff.
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AGE
Bowser Themes
The only bad or offending content is some scary moments with Bowser or Bowser themes. Other than that, the game isn't inappropriate in any way.
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AGE
Best Mario Game on DS yet!
The Mario Kart series is very popular. Cartoonish violence. The steering is hard but the rest is awesome! Lots of Retro levels from older Mario Karts. If you like racing games, play it.
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| Topics: | cars and trucks |
| Platforms: | Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Racing |
| Developer: | Nintendo |
| Release date: | November 14, 2005 |
| Price: | $34.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E |
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