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Multiplayer themed Mario Kart DS advert
Now that Nintendo has committed to online gaming with its Wifi connection service for the DS, it wants to show the world. To this end, Nintendo has released an advert for Mario Kart DS, which highlights the title's multiplayer aspect. The ad demonstrates the game's multiplayer features through several people watching a Nascar race on TV. When one person throws his food in disgust at the screen, he's surprised to see that the hotdog goes straight through the screen. The renegade hotdog disrupts the driver's view, and he swerves to avoid crashing. It's not long before a bunch of other people are throwing pizza, ironing boards and squirting mustard at the cars. It's an entertaining representation of the things you can do to slow down friends in a multiplayer game of Mario Kart DS. [Thanks, Shenzou]
Pros and cons of Mario Kart DS online play
IGN has made a list of the pros and cons of Mario Kart DS online play. Some good points: simple matchups, easy Friends List in local Wi-Fi, 20 tracks online, and up to 4 players in any part of the world. Some bad points: lack of online options, sorry matchmaking, no online battle mode, and only 4 players online. Certain things were revealed in earlier gameplay demonstrations (such as the lack of the "Three Banana" power-up and the ability to trail a shell or peel behind you for protection), but it's nice to see a quick round-up to answer our Kart-ing questions before next week's release. [Thanks, Abhinav]
Mario Kart DS -- leaked ad script hypes WiFi network
Game Insider has gotten its hands on the script for an upcoming Mario Kart DS TV spot. The ad is supposed to be filmed this month and then released a month after that, reaffirming an early November release date. The ad itself is a quirky series of events that hypes the DS's future global WiFi network. If Nintendo can manage to get this network running smoothly and release a killer app like Mario Kart in time for the holiday season, expect to see a serious boost in DS sales. When is Sony gonna get with the program? Ad Script (PDF) [Thanks, bandersnatch]
Mario Kart DS screens and impressions
Striegs writes: Apparently in all the excitement of learning the DS's European launch date, everyone missed the fact that Nintendo demonstrated a playable version of Mario Kart DS at their Paris press conference. CVG has their preliminary impressions for us, as well as 5 screenshots of the the next installment in the venerable Mario Kart series. One of their initial impressions is that it greatly resembles Mario Kart for SNES (in a good way). They also mention that 8-player wireless multiplayer modes will be included (fingers crossed for 8-player battle mode), and that the lower screen will be used to navigate menus and for viewing your stats and the track map. The game is due out around May sometime, so I'm counting on everyone to pester Nintendo to instate online multiplayer within the next three months. We can do it!
Super Mario 64 DS: just a tired port?
What better way to launch the DS than with a Mario title? Heck, what better way to launch the DS than with a proven Mario title? Alright, let's be fair, instead of a port, we'll call it a "remake". And truth be told, Super Mario 64 DS is a remake, featuring its own unique additions and downfalls. So let's just get right to the question we've all been asking: How do you play Mario 64 without an analogue stick? Nintendo's answer to the dilemma, the "thumb strap" (Touch Mode) is more satisfying than the D-pad default setting, but this virtual analogue control will definitely merit some smash-DS-on-ground-and-stomp urges. But begin to master the technique, and you'll find a worthy "killer app", likely the best of the dozen or so DS titles out there. What Super Mario 64 DS does well is show-off some of the capabilities of Nintendo's coveted handheld. Specifically, that this remake outdoes its predecessor in terms of technical achievement-yes, the DS is more powerful than the N64. There's also a lite, but entertaining 4-player wireless mini-game thrown in for good measure; and you'll only need one copy of the game to play. And of course, there's the addition of four playable characters in single-player, will specific goals throughout-Nintendo has added, seamlessly, 30 new stars to collect. It's a great game, granted one that many of us have experienced before, but the new-and-improved DS model is a great way to reassure ourselves that the DS is the next level of handheld evolution rather than a step backwards. Letsago!!!
Super Mario 64 DS, a launch title?
Recently, GameStop sparked a bit of controversy when they displayed box art for the upcoming DS remake of Super Mario 64-the design has since been removed from the retailer's website. Initially, the appearance of the graphic ignited speculation that the Mario game would launch with the DS on November 21. Even though the box art has now be removed, it's still more than likely that the Mario title will launch with the handheld, and how could it not? A Nintendo release without their flagship mascot has bad omen written all over it. The classic remake now features four playable characters (Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, & Wario) and promises a 4-player wireless mode. Itsame, MARIO!
