Mario Kart DS (Nintendo DS) Preview

Now this is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand we have the premise of a handheld conversion of the much-loved N64 Mario Kart title, and then on the other hand we don't have much else. Let us explain, the entire point of the DS' existence: it is the chance to use its unique hardware to create new gaming experiences, whereas all we have seen so far of this game is a port of an old (albeit excellent) game with a map stuck on for good measure on the second screen. Now is it just us, or is this rather a waste? With nothing official announced; the best we can do is brainstorm our own ideas of what would make better use of the hardware, (or in some cases, just a use, full stop.) One rumour that has been spreading like wildfire across the Internet is the possibility that Mario Kart DS will feature some form of online gameplay. Whether this will feature actual races with people from all over the world, or just a simple scoreboard type affair, has yet to be seen. We think that it should be taken further than both of these though; there really is a plethora of options that could be included. Downloadable content for example, new tracks, or even characters and items.

This brings us to our next idea, lots of customisation; track editors would be a more obvious inclusion, but it could get even more involved than that. With the stylus and touch-screen, drawing things into the gaming world will become a far easier process than before when you were forced to use a D-Pad or analogue stick (something Mario Paint owners will know all about)! Imagine being able to draw your own Kart design, then save it and race with it not only in the single player mode, but online, allowing hundreds of gamers across the globe to see YOUR design fly past them as you cross the finish line. If things like this were included, the game would have almost infinite replay value, customising your own tracks, not just the layout but the actual look of it, for example colouring in the roads and scenery, again via the touch screen for ease.

All of these ideas, and we've still barely scratched the surface of the DS' hardware. Moving on to the built-in microphone and combining it with online accessibility again, what do you have? That's right, the ultimate in taunting innovation! Picture the scene if you will; you're gliding along towards the finish of an exhilarating final lap against another DS owner somewhere over in the Middle East. As you pull up to your opponent, and overtake him or her to take the lead, you shout various insults into your handheld console, which relays to your highly frustrated foe. It's that kind of detail that has made playing previous Mario Kart iterations so fun in the past, and now the trend can be continued with entirely new proportions!

What about the touch screen we hear you cry though?! Well that one has us rather stumped, the current map idea still doesn't appeal all that much, especially seeing as the human eye can only look at one of the screens any given time. We feel it will only end up in frustrating crashes, due to lack of concentration. There are other possibilities, such as another camera that follows the opponent around the track, so you can 'spy' on them and see what there doing, this could perhaps be a bonus feature, unlocked via collecting a certain item during the race. Again though this stumbles on the same problem, which the gamer can't physically do two things at once, and the feature would probably remain largely unused, especially in a game such as this, where concentrating on the race in hand is the only way to ensure success.

Use of Dual Screens: 1/5
So far the implementation of a map just seems like something tacked on at the last moment and won't actually benefit the player in any way. Hopefully Nintendo will be able to think of something more imaginative for the final version.

Use of Touch Screen: N/A
Currently not being used in the slightest, we would like to see it used for things such as customising tracks, karts and the like.

Use of Microphone: N/A
Again in the version we've seen this isn't actually being used at all. We think it would be interesting for taunting opponents you're playing over the Wi Fi connection.

Use of Wi Fi: N/A
Yet again, we have a current no show for this feature as well. We're sure Nintendo will include more innovative features in the final version, but from what we've seen so far, it's all looking rather dull...