• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Mario Kart DS interview

SantaC

SantaC

Member
E3 2005: Mario Kart DS Interview
We chat with Hideki Konno, producer on the upcoming Nintendo Mario Kart game.
by Craig Harris

May 19, 2005 - At this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, we had the opportunity to chat with Nintendo Co. LTD game producer Hideki Konno, the man who's worked on both Nintendogs and Mario Kart DS for the Nintendo DS platform.

With the focus on Mario Kart DS at this year's show, we threw a few questions his way regarding the new dual screen, online version coming to the system later this year.



IGN: Which of the past Mario Kart titles have been most influential in the design of Mario Kart DS?

Hideki Konno: All of them are. We've put in "nostalgia" courses from every Mario Kart game, and each of those games were equally influential in the Nintendo DS version.

IGN: How long have you wanted to produce a Mario Kart game that officially plays over the internet?

Hideki Konno: I love online games, and I want as many people to enjoy my games as possible. I'm very excited for the online support on the Nintendo DS. Up until now there have been many obstacles on getting online. And like Halo, they've sold many copies of that game, but only a small portion plays it online...and most of those people are hardcore gamers. With Mario Kart I want everyone to go online, and the technology and time is right for that to happen.

IGN: Every time a new Mario Kart game hits the scene, the game adds a significant gameplay mechanic to the design. Anything new to the design in Mario Kart DS?

Hideki Konno: Yes, with each version of Mario Kart, the gameplay evolves, and that's the same for Mario Kart DS. Super Mario Kart offered two player racing, and Mario Kart 64 had four players. So with the WiFi we can not only get eight players into the race, but with the game sharing function of the system, eight players can get into the race with only one copy of the cartridge.

IGN: We've seen the racing aspect of Mario Kart DS, but nothing on the battle mode. What kind of things can we expect in this mode on the Nintendo DS?

Hideki Konno: Unfortunately we were unable to have battle mode ready for E3, but there will be a battle mode in the final Nintendo DS game. In the past, battle mode has been multiplayer only, but in Mario Kart DS we will have a battle mode that single players will be able to enjoy.

IGN: Did the touch screen function ever come into play during the development of Mario Kart DS beyond the basic map abilities?

Hideki Konno: It could have been possible to put more functions onto the touch screen, but because Mario Kart is a very busy game, it would get too confusing to require players to focus on that screen. But instead of being preoccupied on the best way of doing touch screen, we instead focused on the wireless aspect of the gameplay. We had an idea to let players place their bananas anywhere on the track instead of just behind the kart, and when we put that idea in and tried it out, it was too confusing because the game is already busy enough.

IGN: What aspect of Mario Kart DS are you most proud of?

Hideki Konno: Even though the GameCube game could do eight player using the broadband adapter, the Nintendo DS game is eight player compatible right from the start, it's all ready to go. And not only this, but with four player WiFi, you can play with friends or strangers, and it opens things up for other people.
Click to expand...

http://ds.ign.com/articles/617/617391p1.html


Sounds great. I heard the hop is back too. My only wish was that online would have 8 players also, but I guess 4 players do.
 
Hideki Konno: Unfortunately we were unable to have battle mode ready for E3, but there will be a battle mode in the final Nintendo DS game. In the past, battle mode has been multiplayer only, but in Mario Kart DS we will have a battle mode that single players will be able to enjoy.
Click to expand...

I'm excited about a single player battle mode. Hopefully it could be eight player battle mode. They really need to work on it and not just have it be an after thought because Double Dash's battle mode sucked.
 
It could have been possible to put more functions onto the touch screen, but because Mario Kart is a very busy game, it would get too confusing to require players to focus on that screen.
Click to expand...
But I thought that the touch screen was supposed to simplify all games and put all players on a level playing field. :D

This game will probably get me to buy a DS.
 
Single player battle mode and online sounds hot. They should have pushed him on the nostalgia courses and total number of courses.

Do I recall seeing a SNES track brought back to life in 3d in early screens? Can't remember if it was a Mario course or a ghost house or something but it looked very familiar.
 
radioheadrule83 said:
30 !?!?!?!

God damn it! Please be accurate! :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's accurate. It's from the Nintendo Press Room site:

Time to race...no wires attached. The acclaimed Mario Kart series has gone wireless, letting players race and battle with up to eight karts at once, regardless of whether everyone has a game card. An all-star cast that includes Mario™, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi®, Donkey Kong®, Wario™, Bowser and Toad will round out a truly all-star lineup of more than 30 courses drawn from every Mario Kart game. That's right – players will tour courses from Super Mario Kart®, Mario Kart 64™, Mario Kart™: Super Circuit™ and Mario Kart®: Double Dash!! ™, not to mention brand-new tracks and arenas. With all the crazy items and frantic speed players have come to expect, this game is a Mario Kart fan's dream. The game has a new dimension of fun, since players can battle others around the world by connecting to Nintendo's new wireless gaming service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, via Wi-Fi.
Click to expand...
 
"Hideki Konno: Even though the GameCube game could do eight player using the broadband adapter, the Nintendo DS game is eight player compatible right from the start, it's all ready to go. And not only this, but with four player WiFi, you can play with friends or strangers, and it opens things up for other people."

I hope you can play with more then four people online :\
 
Mrbob said:
Damn.

Rainbow Road SNES in the game? DS get. :/
Click to expand...
I swear nintendo browsed this forum and found the exact combination of things that would get you specifically to buy a DS.

Rainbow Road + Castlevania + ?? :lol
 
Rainbow Road snes is pure greatness. I can't believe how much the other RBR versions has failed compared to that one.
 
Mario Kart Super Circut had all the SNES tracks anyhow :P But these 3D remakes will probably be a lot better, and more lively.
 
I'm pretty excited for this game with all the remade tracks, new tracks, and online play.

It's like my world is crumbling from underneath! :lol

Now I just need to hear Ninja Gaiden is coming out on DS instead of PSP......
 
Mrbob said:
I'm pretty excited for this game with all the remade tracks, new tracks, and online play.

It's like my world is crumbling from underneath! :lol

Now I just need to hear Ninja Gaiden is coming out on DS instead of PSP......
Click to expand...

PSP definitley needs more titles. I am disappointed in its E3 showing. I don't own DS or PSP so far, but now I am leaning DS.
 
Hideki Konno: It could have been possible to put more functions onto the touch screen, but because Mario Kart is a very busy game, it would get too confusing to require players to focus on that screen. But instead of being preoccupied on the best way of doing touch screen, we instead focused on the wireless aspect of the gameplay. We had an idea to let players place their bananas anywhere on the track instead of just behind the kart, and when we put that idea in and tried it out, it was too confusing because the game is already busy enough.
Click to expand...

I'm so happy to hear this sentiment, because it's true. I'm happy they're spending a lot of time on the wireless with Mario Kart, it's suited better for it. With the menus and chatting in Animal Crossing, the touchscreen will be a huge boon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Gamestop - Nintendo Switch Mario Kart World bundle ending production
29
165
Gambit2483 replied
Mario Kart World has sold 9.57 million of copies
2
85
1K
Elginer replied
History of Mario Kart (1992 - 2025) | Documentary | Every Mario Kart Game, Ranked
Opinion Analysis Trailer 
46
2K
Mozza replied
Mario Kart 64 Decompilation Project - "Spaghetti Kart" - A Classic Modernised For PC/Mac!
23
2K
Clear replied
Mario Kart 64 PC Port Is Out
2
71
4K
Unknown? replied
Top Bottom