Mario Kart DS uses the DS well, adds online, and adds the greatest Mario Kart mode ever created, what is it? Well, it is
I cannot stop saying how much I love Mission Mode, it's simply perfect. One thing this series lacked was single player modes and Mission Mode is the exact thing this series needed. It's fun, challenging, and a blast to play. Instead of actually racing, you get to complete unique objectives and there are even bosses. I really like the bosses and overall, this mode is enough reason to buy this game. I really hope to see it in newer installments.
Another wonderful new installment to the series is Retro course. If you missed out on a Mario Kart, you can actually race on some of the old ones, and it is really cool to see some of the old courses return. It's great for Nostalgia too. However, some of the shortcuts from the original courses were cut out which I really hate, but a few were left in, so it's okay.
Of course, Mario Kart DS has what all the other installments have. Races, and races. New items were added: The Blooper (very cool), Boo (old item returning), and the Bullet Bill (better version of star, boring).
Also, what's really cool is that the bottom screen can be used to see where the other racers are and what items they have. This is awesome because it lets you see how far ahead you are and you can see what your opponents are going to use. Not only that but dodging the blue shell is now possible because all you have to do is slow down when you see someone get one! It's a really cool feature and something for "hardcore gamers."
Mario Kart DS also adds online to the Mario mix, but as many of you know, the online isn't that good, and there are multiple hackers, so I don't play it online anymore.
With the added features, Mission Mode, Retro Tracks, and the usual Mario goodness, is there anything wrong with this game? Well, the online for one. The character selection is very poor. Only 12 characters, and 1 of them isn't even a Mario character (O_o). Also I found the Bowsers Castle and Rainbow Road stages to be disappointing, and those are stages I always look forward too.
The multiplayer also works great because it is single pack compatible. The sound is very good too. I like the music for some of them. The graphics are a bit lacking. I didn't like that the items and some hazards were sprites. I would've rather had full 3D models.
To sum things up, Mario Kart DS introduces 2 of the greatest Mario Kart additions ever (Mission Mode and Retro Tracks), it uses the second screen well and makes dodging the blue shell easier, and is just a blast to play. While it has many complaints (online, characters, etc.), with these great new additions that makes the series so much better, it's hard to not like this game. One of the best DS games I've ever played.