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Mario Kart DS - IGN review

PSPwned.

9.5 Presentation
Incredibly thorough single and multiplayer experience with tons of options to beef up the variety. The online component works simply and elegantly, but it's just a little too restrictive.
9.0 Graphics
Super fast, super smooth 3D engine drives the action. All the Mario-esque elements are represented here, and even though the characters are low-poly they still look fantastic.
9.0 Sound
The happy, peppy Mario style of music continues on its happy and peppy direction. Some voice samples are more compressed than others. Stereo effects are outstanding and work well on the DS speakers.
10 Gameplay
This is the best of the Mario Kart best. Kart and weapon balance is incredibly tight, new track designs are fantastic, and the game has an extraordinary amount of playtime well after
10 Lasting Appeal
If there's any game you'll continuously come back to, it's this one. Single cart, multiple cart, and online multiplayer, and single player finally has "bots" for practicing Battle Mode!
9.5
Incredible OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

After experiencing Mario Kart DS, it's hard to imagine how Nintendo's going to improve on what they've done for this stunning portable rendition. There's so much gameplay and depth in this design, moreso than the series has ever had in the past. It's an amazingly addictive racer both in single and multiplayer modes, and even with the limitations of the online functions, it's impossible to avoid becoming addicted to the long distance Mario Kart match-ups. The only way to finish this review is just to say it: this is the best Mario Kart game ever developed, and is without a doubt the best DS game of 2005.
 
What if this was a 'Christian Games Site' review? What makes IGN such an authority?

Not to troll. Honest. I'm very excited about MK and plan to pick it up. I love my DS! Don't hurt me! Noooooooo-*is raped and pillaged by Nintendo fans*

[edit] I'll try and answer my own question. Perhaps because they have a larger readerbase and therefore must put a lot of thought and integrity into their reviews? Because Craig Harris is a respected individual?
 
Sho Nuff said:
Just when I think I've escaped, Nintendo keeps pulling me back into the portable gaming ghetto

godfather3a.jpg


"Touching is Good."
 
Goreomedy said:
godfather3a.jpg


"Touching is Good."

:lol

Im glad IGN didn't sell out saying the online side of things were perfect.
I had a feeling they were going to but now Im happy and hyped as never before.
 
Great news! Great score!

This game is going to cause an insane spike in DS sales this holiday season. I hope it helps in Japan, too. 350k for the month isn't out of the realm of possibility.
 
Socreges said:
What if this was a 'Christian Games Site' review? What makes IGN such an authority?

Not to troll. Honest. I'm very excited about MK and plan to pick it up. I love my DS! Don't hurt me! Noooooooo-*is raped and pillaged by Nintendo fans*

[edit] I'll try and answer my own question. Perhaps because they have a larger readerbase and therefore must put a lot of thought and integrity into their reviews? Because Craig Harris is a respected individual?

Friends don't let friends post drunk. Or stupid.

IGN, love them or hate them, is probably the most widely read voice in gaming. Their reviews are seen or heard of more than any other. Whether or not they're a bunch of retarded asshats is aside the point. I have no idea how this has anything to do with Christians.

Regardless, it's interesting to see MK:DS getting such great reviews. For whatever reason, I'm having trouble seeing this being the game that really lights up the charts for DS in America, but I'm sure it can't hurt.
 
When does the dongle release? I have a wired router, and I'm not going to no McDonald's to shoot Dave Long. :(
 
I would think you can buy any non-Nintendo branded dongle from Linksys or D-Link. The tech is the same.

Brandon F said:
When does the dongle release? I have a wired router, and I'm not going to no McDonald's to shoot Dave Long. :(

I'll go to McDonald's at lunchtime to play you.

1PM my time is 12PM your time, right? :)

I just want to say it over and over again.... dongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongledongle
 
Dave Long said:
I would think you can buy any non-Nintendo branded dongle from Linksys or D-Link. The tech is the same.

I'd buy whatever dongle works, but I fear driver hiccups and compatability. Need more guinea pigs!

Dave Long said:
I'll go to McDonald's at lunchtime to play you.

1PM my time is 12PM your time, right? :)

Eating McDonalds for lunch sounds like a greater challenge than you would bring! ;)
 
Brandon F said:
I'd buy whatever dongle works, but I fear driver hiccups and compatability. Need more guinea pigs!
If you feel insecure about which brand name to get, go with buffalo since they made Nintendo's version of the adapter. The software Nintendo made for the dongle/adapter is on this forum, just search for it and it should work with any normal buffalo USB Wi-Fi adapter.

Nintendo's "dongle" will only be available on their website until Metroid Prime Hunters launches for some reason... so unless you wanna order it online, that is your best bet anyway.

I'd go with something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0003QIFH6/102-6831188-6296161?v=glance&n=172282&v=glance

But I'm lucky to be in Canada where Reggie says the dongle should come out with Mario Kart due to the lack of hotspots up here.
 
Nintendo is being very agressive these days in many ways. They have gotten their develoment act together... it would seem.

Screw that, I'm a little schoolgirl for MK: DS :D
 
Zeo's back?

Anyway, that 9.5 is all the more amazing considering it's coming from Craig Harris, whose reviews are generally so lazy that he never even mentions half the new gameplay features. After the abomination known as his Advance Wars DS review, it's stunning that Battle Mode and Missions were actually even briefly addressed.

But don't mind my bitterness. Go Mario Kart DS!
 
Dave Long said:
I would think you can buy any non-Nintendo branded dongle from Linksys or D-Link. The tech is the same.

I actually emailed Nintendo asking about that. They said only the Nintendo dongle will work, I specifically mentioned the Buffalo as well.
 
Chibbi Brady said:
I actually emailed Nintendo asking about that. They said only the Nintendo dongle will work, I specifically mentioned the Buffalo as well.
They said that because they don't knwo the software was leaked.
 
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