The Mario Kart series is one fundamentally for the traditionalist gamer. Well, at least it is now. Now being on it’s fifth instalment, every edition of Mario Kart has brought something new into the mix and Mario KartDS is, of course, no different. However, with Nintendo’s policy of attracting new gamers while avoiding distancing the hardcore, does Mario KartDS find the opening for it to slot into snugly?

            Nintendo’s policy for the Mario Kart series is similar to that of the Advance Wars and Super Smash Bros. series; each new edition is just that – a new edition. Avoiding words such as “pinnacle” and “zenith”, each new version of the title is a new vision of the series – and not meant to be taken as “the best Mario Kart ever…”. Tweaking, manipulating and refining the formula – not to make the perfect game through several editions until they hit the nail-on-the-head, but instead to make another version, with differences that will sit alongside the previous editions with no disgrace.

            Mario KartDS fits alongside its predecessors beautifully. Following the typical 50cc, 100cc, 150cc difficulty incline for Grand Prix as well as a whole host of other Single-Player options; the title throws-in Battle Mode Bots and the all-new Missions Mode into the mix to. The Grand Prix’s play as predicted; select a speed, followed by one of two Grand Prix’s; Nitro Grand Prix or Retro Grand Prix. Each Grand Prix contains four Cups (unlockable by successfully obtaining a Gold Cup on the first two, easier Cup’s) each consisting of four races, with the scoring system seen in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! rewarding points for almost every placement. The Missions Mode is an intelligent addition to the series obviously having taken some small amount of inspiration from Diddy Kong Racing on the Nintendo64. In this gameplay mode, the player has an objective to complete tasks from a basic, one-lap race, to ramming the Big Bully from Super Mario64 off the edge of an arena, to collecting a pre-set number of Coins. At first, the new mode appears to be a throw-away addition to the title, much like the recent NintendoDS release Pac’N Roll – adding content through idle revisits of Levels is in no way a substitute for creating an intriguing gameplay option - however Mario KartDS decides to place itself into the category marked “inventive”, alongside the rest of the series, as the feature pans-out into a time-consuming challenge to Rank highly on each stage, similar to the Event Matches in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

            The Ranking System appears akin to that seen in Mario Kart: Super Circuit on the Game Boy Advance, although slightly better versed. For each Cup completed, race or Mission, you will be awarded a Rank based on not only your placement – but also you’re driving ability. There’s a welcoming variety of characters available and, of course, there’s plenty to unlock as you progress, but more intriguing than this seems to be the kart selection. To begin with, each character has but two karts to choose between, but this quantity soon sky-rockets as the selection available becomes almost overwhelming.

            With each new edition of Mario Kart bringing something new to the formula, Mario Kart: Double Dash!! appeared in a slightly disappointing form. Although the idea of sharing karts was a nice addition, the proceedings seemed to be shy of the magic that has made the other three instalments – Super Mario Kart, Super Mario Kart64 and Mario Kart: Super Circuit – such classic titles for both newcomers and series strong-heads. Mario KartDS pledges to rein the series back-in for the traditionalists, but it certainly runs-the-risk of isolating newcomers. Featuring sixteen tracks originally featured in one of the four previous titles, a total of half that on offer (not including Mirror Mode), a selection of new characters, a few new weapons and a new Drifting ability, Mario KartDS offers a totalitarian view of everything that Mario Kart should be without distancing itself from its predecessors.

            The online functionality is basic, but shows certain promise. With very little lag and few problems connecting, Mario KartDS is a reminder that although Nintendo maybe the Johnny-come-lately of the industry, they certainly do things their way. Mario KartDS is a rude awakening to exactly how long it’s taken Nintendo to join the online-play field, but also a reminder that there’s plenty of room still to grow, and Nintendo have plans.

            Graphically, the title is incredibly hard to judge. Far superior to the blurry, angular polygonal effects of the PlayStation yet seemingly not quite the standard seen in the Nintendo64’s sister title – Mario KartDS offers fully-3D character models.  The backgrounds are of an incredible standard, however, with even the tracks originally featured on the GameCube undergoing a small amount of polish – with the exception of Baby Park , which unfortunately now appears quite inactive. The special effects are some of the best seen on the NintendoDS and are finally beginning to parallel those seen on the Nintendo64 – if not excel them – whereas the basic texture mapping is definitely, finally, on par. The sound effects and background music are classic Mario Kart and can’t be faulted. The NintendoDS’s Surround Sound is one of the title’s best used features and, if Metroid Prime: Hunters lives-up to half this standard, it’ll be one of the most involving First-Person-Shooters yet released.

            We all knew Mario KartDS was never going to be anything other than spectacular – it was clear from the title’s first showing that it was Nintendo’s bargaining tool with the hardcore market against SONY’s PSP this Christmas. However, few of us could have predicted such an inventive collection of Mario Kart traditions - especially given that the title is the fifth in a very successful series and would’ve sold in excess of millions with little more than a re-modelling of the Nintendo64 edition. Mario KartDS is not only the greatest Mario Kart title to arrive at our finger-tips, but possibly also the best Kart Racing title to see shop shelves. Those new to Mario Kart should probably play a few wireless matches before deciding on either this or Mario Kart: Super Circuit, due to it’s cack-handed introduction for new players, however, those who’ve even picked up a Control Pad once simply can’t be disappointed, and must pick-up a copy immediately to avoid defiling their NintendoDS system.