Retro Game Walkthroughs for Mario Kart DS (Nintendo DS)
Submitted By: Ghost Killer
Here is a basic guide of the weapons and Nitro Cup showing useful techniques and handy shortcuts on Mario Kart DS. Enjoy!
What character and kart is best to pick?
Well that’s a matter of opinion, but I always look for a few things when it comes to character and karts. Firstly heavier characters like Bowser have higher speed yet worse handling. Lighter characters like Toad are slower in the long run, but have a great acceleration. Somewhere in the middle like Mario will excel in both areas. Depending on whether you prefer handling to slightly better speed or knocking people with you weight to dodging them is up to you.
He kart has many stats and important ones I find are weapons, speed and drift. Handling is something that can be improved upon as you practice. Acceleration only matters at start of races and when you are hit by something and need to move again. And weight is neither here nor there. Speed is useful as on a straight road which most tracks have if your speed is higher you have the advantage. Getting better items is also useful to have too. And finally better drifting can cause bigger boosts and better manoeuvring so that’s important too. Look out for these three things and the kart should give you an advantage to others.
The weapons you’ll come across and when to use them:
Banana Peel
This basic weapon is very useful if ahead of the pack and although you are able to throw them ahead of you too as well as behind, it’s difficult to aim and racers will be too quick to avoid it.
On obtaining three banana peels, use them all at once across the track, that way you higher you chances of someone hitting one.
Green Shell
These are useful for firing ahead given the accuracy but also great for shooting behind too as they move backwards. If a player hits it then you can rest assure a further lead.
Three green shells make for a great shield against over racers and their weapons. Keep them rather than fire them straight away.
Red Shell
Almost guaranteed a hit every time unless you fire on a turn or narrow road. Shoot these as soon as you get them.
Unlike the triple green shells I advise you fire these as soon as you get them, however wait a little before each shot so you can overtake the racer and aim for the next one. Firing too early will hit the same racer three times!
Mushroom
Keep you eye open for shortcuts when you have a single, triple or unlimited mushroom power up. Don’t waste them immediately.
Boo
Keep an eye on your bottom screen and use this when you see someone has a great weapon like red shells, bullet bills or stars. Don’t hold on to them for too long though as you really need to grab other item boxes as well rather than waiting unarmed.
Lightning Bolt
Pretty much use this as soon as you get it. Don’t hesitate in case someone has a Boo.
Star
Like a lightning bolt use this immediately and try to hit as many racers as possible to slow them down.
Bullet Bill
You will usually get this when you are in the final three so use it straight away and plough through the others. The rule is the better your position the less time you will have as a bullet bill so don’t save it for later.
Fake Item Boxes
Perfect to use in a bunch of item boxes as they can easily be confused as normal boxes. Leaving one in the middle of a track on it’s own is hardly going to make a racer go for it.
Blue Shell
Always deploy this as soon as you get it and it will immediately hit the racer in pole position. Gives you a chance to gain on them.
Bomb-omb
Use these on a straight piece of track if you’re firing forward as these shoot very far. If however, you are leaving it behind you then use it when someone is relatively close to you. The explosion may even take three or four racers.
Blooper
If you get one of these try using it on an area of narrow hazardous road so the racers have more to deal with while being blinded by Bloopers ink.
THE GRAND PRIX NITRO CUP
MUSHROOM CUP
Figure-8 Circuit
This is your very basic track. No hazards and no falls or sharp corners. The main aim for this track is to drift as much as possible and possibly stay as close to the inside of the lane as possible. Also on straight areas try to not twist and turn so much as this does allow racers to gain on you. Go straight!
Yoshi Falls
This track pretty much has two lanes. The left one that has item boxes and booster pads but is also the outside lane, and the right lane that shaves off time, but you must also content with a waterfall. Personally I usually take the right lane to grab item boxes but if you do take the right lane, always stay as close to the right of the track as possible. It saves precious time.
Cheap Cheap Beach
This track is a little more difficult than the past two. Staring off the race, you will head over some docks and face a 90 degree turn. Try drifting around this and you’ll be fine. You should also notice on the beach ahead there are many jumps. Try pressing the R-button to jump just before you drive off the ramp to gain some extra distance which is very handy. After a few cave tunnels and the two jumps you should see ahead the sand makes a zig zag shape. The idea now is to try and take a shortcut along the shore when the tide is out. If it s in you can always use a mushroom. This is a great little time save. After this it’s a matter of small jumps and drifting you way through a small jungle area.
Luigi’s Mansion
On starting this track basically head straight ahead and through the mansion’s entrance. Then inside you will face a 180 degree turn. Drift around this to gain speed for the slope ahead. In the basement stay away from the middle as this has a some sort of table in the way.
After leaving the mansion you’ll face the graveyard which is basically a series of quite sharp turns that should be navigated pretty easily.
Next you will need to avoid the moving trees before entering the swamp. Now the best idea is to stay out of the muck as much as possible as driving through it makes you go slower and lowers your turning control. Go from island to island and you should be fine.
FLOWER CUP
Desert Hills
This track is full of obstacles and sharp turns but with practice you should be fine. Staring the track, you will take a smooth right turn until you see a pyramid on your left. If you have a mushroom or star, then go to the left of this pyramid to cut out a corner saving you time.
After this you will come across a straight road with small bumps and a final jump. Avoid the pokeys and remember the tip on jumps? Try to press the R-button just before you take off to gain speed. After this area, you will come across the weaving part of the race. Basically try drifting back and forth along each corner to gain enough maintainable speed after each sharp turn. Another method if you have a mushroom or star is to simple bomb it down the middle and avoid the turns altogether. After this it’s simply a race to the finish.
However the sun above will become angry at points and shoot jumping fire onto the track which you need to avoid unless you want to spin uncontrollably.
Delfino Square
This track is the hardest yet so keep your wits about you. Firstly go up the slope before taking a right turn around the water fountain. Now you will be driving down the streets. These are thin, narrow roads that split at one point. Now it doesn’t really matter which way you take, just go for which ever one feels most comfortable.
As soon as you come out of the housing area, you must cross a bridge and then take a left. Now here is a neat shortcut that can be taken if you have a star or mushroom. On your right hand side you’ll notice a small nook. Turn into and boost before taking a very hard turn right again so as not to fall into the water. This should give you the edge over the other racers.
Finally go over the bridge and go around the twisting road ahead and you’re done.
Waluigi Pinball
This is a fun-filled track, that is full of dangers so beware. You begin by being shot to the top of the table so sit back for this bit. When you land, you are faced with a series of turns and jumps leading to the bottom of the table. One major thing to watch out for is the giant pinball that takes up a fair amount of the track so it’s best to stay to the sides when near it. When you reach a big jump you’ll then land on a metal runway which has a major turn that goes around 360 degrees. Slide all the way around and you’ll be fine.
The final area is a giant open table with bumpers and several pinballs to dodge. The best method I found was to stick to the middle usually and you should be fine.
Shroom Ridge
This track is similar to Toad’s Turnpike on the Nintendo 64 apart from less traffic and edges to fall off of. The whole race is simply a road with cars running back and forth. (Left hand side of the road, cars are driving in with you, right hand side in the opposite direction.)
After you have gone through the tunnel keep your wits about you as you make sharp turns as there is no wall to stop you plummeting downward.
STAR CUP
DK Pass
This track is similar in Waluigi Pinball but instead of being shot up to the top of the mountain, you have to drive yourself. Begin by driving through the tunnel and grabbing an item box. Then as you come out of the tunnel you will see a cliff. Take a left here and follow the waving road to the top avoiding snowmen and grabbing more boxes. When you reach a full snowy area you will drop down jumps whilst avoiding rolling snowballs (again like Waluigi Pinball) until you reach a final drop. Grab the last item box just before and avoid the snowmen that litter the bottom to win the race.
Tick Tock Clock
This is a difficult track as there are really no walls to much of it and you have to avoid so much. Begin by driving until you meet a 90 degree turn left. Then you will come across a clock face with hands. Take the left route and only use the booster in the middle if the long hand isn’t heading your way.
After this exciting area you will driving along meeting sharp turns until you see a pendulum. Try to judge when it will hit the bottom and drive past it when you reach some turning platforms. Try to drive in the motion they are going as this will increase speed. The pattern will either be clockwise, anti-clockwise, clockwise, anti-clockwise or the other way around (For example if the first one is rotating anti-clockwise then drive on the right side then switch on the next one to left as this will be turning clockwise, then right again and finally left.)
After beating this then continue to follow the route until you meet another clock face. Stay to the left edge and avoid the hand taking one final left turn where you will see two turning cogs. Take the one which is rotating in the direction you are going to gain speed.
Mario Circuit
Not much to say about this track other than it’s a basic Mario themed course with spitting Piranha Plants, goombas and such to avoid. Basically follow the road and you will be fine. To find a small shortcut, take the road up until you see sand and two Piranha Plant pipes. On the right you can clearly see it would be quicker to boost to the right side of the right plant. So if you have a mushroom or star handy use it.
Airship Fortress
You begin by racing down a straight brick road dodging bullet bills that speed at you. After this you actually board the ship but sadly it’s littered with Mole holes. They aren’t a problem when down, but when the rise up if you hit one it will knock you down. Personally I think it’s best not to risk driving over the holes and just steer clear of them.
Next you will drive round a 180 degree turn leading onto a room with crates to dodge and then flame throwers moving back and forth across the floor. To get past the fire time the drive just right to get past them. This usually involves bombing it down the middle.
After this you will be shot into a castle via cannon where you must turn right down the steeple using your drifting. After this it’s a matter of staying to the right hand side avoiding the cracked road and then you will finish.
SPECIAL CUP
Wario Stadium
Much like the Nintendo 64 version of this track, it’s full of jumps. First off, drive around a series of twists and turns trying to drift where possible before you come to a big jump. Remember to press the R-button before launching. After this you’ll come across some islands in the middle of some dark brown mud with boosters on that should get you across whilst maintaining a high speed. Miss one and you’ll waste precious seconds.
After the next corner you’ll see two ramps. Try to drive just in the centre of the booster to get through the rings of fire in the air. Next three spinning flames will try to get you as ahead lies a road full of small turns. However you can simply drive straight ahead across it instead of turning. Simply drive down the banks in the middle and you should dodge the fire. Next are more bigger jumps, a series of tiny bumps and some turns before you reach the finish line.
Peach Gardens
You begin, by following the sign that leads you right, around the statue and over a bridge. After this you will come across some flowers on your right. Don’t drive over these as they will seriously slow you down. Drive around them unless you have a star or mushroom in which case boost over them. Round some corners and again more flowers only this time you can go to the right and take a small bare patch past the flowers cutting more time off.
Up a hill you will find ahead is the view of the hedge maze which consists of square hedges and chain chomps. Drive around keeping you eye on the map to see the route the chain chomps are taking.
Finally head up a hill past more flowers which you can boost over down a slope past three rounded hedges and then lastly drive by Monty Moles avoiding them as they will send you flying.
Bowser’s Castle
These levels have always been about sheer difficulty and this is no exception. First enter Bowser’s mouth and drive past thwomps. Try not to drive directly under them as there is a chance they may fall on you crushing you. Next drive around some corners and up slopes until you reach a circular conveyor belt. Drift around it but instead of driving off the first turn off keep going past some fire until you reach another one. This is a great shortcut that will give you a major lead ahead of the others.
Drive up the turning hill trying to drift if possible but don’t do it if you aren’t confident as the road is narrow. Up top is a rolling log. Drive over it keeping note of it’s spinning direction until you reach the end.
Lastly drive up to a large jump and onto moving platforms. Make sure not to drop onto one that has moved away or else you’ll land in the lava. After this make some sharp turns and you’re done.
Rainbow Road
Start off by driving along the straight road until you reach boosts and a slowly tuning route. You may not need to drift around these turns as there are boosters scattered around the road. After this you will go through a loop. Now here is a nice tip. Place some items here such as fake boxes or green shells as if another racer hits it, they fall off the track slowing them down a lot.
After this there will be some harsh turns that will require great drifting or if not you can even let go of the acceleration a little. Keep going until you see a corkscrew. Again dropping items here is a good idea.
After this it’s just one large turn to the right that stands between you and finishing Nitro Cup on Mario Kart DS!
What character and kart is best to pick?
Well that’s a matter of opinion, but I always look for a few things when it comes to character and karts. Firstly heavier characters like Bowser have higher speed yet worse handling. Lighter characters like Toad are slower in the long run, but have a great acceleration. Somewhere in the middle like Mario will excel in both areas. Depending on whether you prefer handling to slightly better speed or knocking people with you weight to dodging them is up to you.
He kart has many stats and important ones I find are weapons, speed and drift. Handling is something that can be improved upon as you practice. Acceleration only matters at start of races and when you are hit by something and need to move again. And weight is neither here nor there. Speed is useful as on a straight road which most tracks have if your speed is higher you have the advantage. Getting better items is also useful to have too. And finally better drifting can cause bigger boosts and better manoeuvring so that’s important too. Look out for these three things and the kart should give you an advantage to others.
The weapons you’ll come across and when to use them:
Banana Peel
This basic weapon is very useful if ahead of the pack and although you are able to throw them ahead of you too as well as behind, it’s difficult to aim and racers will be too quick to avoid it.
On obtaining three banana peels, use them all at once across the track, that way you higher you chances of someone hitting one.
Green Shell
These are useful for firing ahead given the accuracy but also great for shooting behind too as they move backwards. If a player hits it then you can rest assure a further lead.
Three green shells make for a great shield against over racers and their weapons. Keep them rather than fire them straight away.
Red Shell
Almost guaranteed a hit every time unless you fire on a turn or narrow road. Shoot these as soon as you get them.
Unlike the triple green shells I advise you fire these as soon as you get them, however wait a little before each shot so you can overtake the racer and aim for the next one. Firing too early will hit the same racer three times!
Mushroom
Keep you eye open for shortcuts when you have a single, triple or unlimited mushroom power up. Don’t waste them immediately.
Boo
Keep an eye on your bottom screen and use this when you see someone has a great weapon like red shells, bullet bills or stars. Don’t hold on to them for too long though as you really need to grab other item boxes as well rather than waiting unarmed.
Lightning Bolt
Pretty much use this as soon as you get it. Don’t hesitate in case someone has a Boo.
Star
Like a lightning bolt use this immediately and try to hit as many racers as possible to slow them down.
Bullet Bill
You will usually get this when you are in the final three so use it straight away and plough through the others. The rule is the better your position the less time you will have as a bullet bill so don’t save it for later.
Fake Item Boxes
Perfect to use in a bunch of item boxes as they can easily be confused as normal boxes. Leaving one in the middle of a track on it’s own is hardly going to make a racer go for it.
Blue Shell
Always deploy this as soon as you get it and it will immediately hit the racer in pole position. Gives you a chance to gain on them.
Bomb-omb
Use these on a straight piece of track if you’re firing forward as these shoot very far. If however, you are leaving it behind you then use it when someone is relatively close to you. The explosion may even take three or four racers.
Blooper
If you get one of these try using it on an area of narrow hazardous road so the racers have more to deal with while being blinded by Bloopers ink.
THE GRAND PRIX NITRO CUP
MUSHROOM CUP
Figure-8 Circuit
This is your very basic track. No hazards and no falls or sharp corners. The main aim for this track is to drift as much as possible and possibly stay as close to the inside of the lane as possible. Also on straight areas try to not twist and turn so much as this does allow racers to gain on you. Go straight!
Yoshi Falls
This track pretty much has two lanes. The left one that has item boxes and booster pads but is also the outside lane, and the right lane that shaves off time, but you must also content with a waterfall. Personally I usually take the right lane to grab item boxes but if you do take the right lane, always stay as close to the right of the track as possible. It saves precious time.
Cheap Cheap Beach
This track is a little more difficult than the past two. Staring off the race, you will head over some docks and face a 90 degree turn. Try drifting around this and you’ll be fine. You should also notice on the beach ahead there are many jumps. Try pressing the R-button to jump just before you drive off the ramp to gain some extra distance which is very handy. After a few cave tunnels and the two jumps you should see ahead the sand makes a zig zag shape. The idea now is to try and take a shortcut along the shore when the tide is out. If it s in you can always use a mushroom. This is a great little time save. After this it’s a matter of small jumps and drifting you way through a small jungle area.
Luigi’s Mansion
On starting this track basically head straight ahead and through the mansion’s entrance. Then inside you will face a 180 degree turn. Drift around this to gain speed for the slope ahead. In the basement stay away from the middle as this has a some sort of table in the way.
After leaving the mansion you’ll face the graveyard which is basically a series of quite sharp turns that should be navigated pretty easily.
Next you will need to avoid the moving trees before entering the swamp. Now the best idea is to stay out of the muck as much as possible as driving through it makes you go slower and lowers your turning control. Go from island to island and you should be fine.
FLOWER CUP
Desert Hills
This track is full of obstacles and sharp turns but with practice you should be fine. Staring the track, you will take a smooth right turn until you see a pyramid on your left. If you have a mushroom or star, then go to the left of this pyramid to cut out a corner saving you time.
After this you will come across a straight road with small bumps and a final jump. Avoid the pokeys and remember the tip on jumps? Try to press the R-button just before you take off to gain speed. After this area, you will come across the weaving part of the race. Basically try drifting back and forth along each corner to gain enough maintainable speed after each sharp turn. Another method if you have a mushroom or star is to simple bomb it down the middle and avoid the turns altogether. After this it’s simply a race to the finish.
However the sun above will become angry at points and shoot jumping fire onto the track which you need to avoid unless you want to spin uncontrollably.
Delfino Square
This track is the hardest yet so keep your wits about you. Firstly go up the slope before taking a right turn around the water fountain. Now you will be driving down the streets. These are thin, narrow roads that split at one point. Now it doesn’t really matter which way you take, just go for which ever one feels most comfortable.
As soon as you come out of the housing area, you must cross a bridge and then take a left. Now here is a neat shortcut that can be taken if you have a star or mushroom. On your right hand side you’ll notice a small nook. Turn into and boost before taking a very hard turn right again so as not to fall into the water. This should give you the edge over the other racers.
Finally go over the bridge and go around the twisting road ahead and you’re done.
Waluigi Pinball
This is a fun-filled track, that is full of dangers so beware. You begin by being shot to the top of the table so sit back for this bit. When you land, you are faced with a series of turns and jumps leading to the bottom of the table. One major thing to watch out for is the giant pinball that takes up a fair amount of the track so it’s best to stay to the sides when near it. When you reach a big jump you’ll then land on a metal runway which has a major turn that goes around 360 degrees. Slide all the way around and you’ll be fine.
The final area is a giant open table with bumpers and several pinballs to dodge. The best method I found was to stick to the middle usually and you should be fine.
Shroom Ridge
This track is similar to Toad’s Turnpike on the Nintendo 64 apart from less traffic and edges to fall off of. The whole race is simply a road with cars running back and forth. (Left hand side of the road, cars are driving in with you, right hand side in the opposite direction.)
After you have gone through the tunnel keep your wits about you as you make sharp turns as there is no wall to stop you plummeting downward.
STAR CUP
DK Pass
This track is similar in Waluigi Pinball but instead of being shot up to the top of the mountain, you have to drive yourself. Begin by driving through the tunnel and grabbing an item box. Then as you come out of the tunnel you will see a cliff. Take a left here and follow the waving road to the top avoiding snowmen and grabbing more boxes. When you reach a full snowy area you will drop down jumps whilst avoiding rolling snowballs (again like Waluigi Pinball) until you reach a final drop. Grab the last item box just before and avoid the snowmen that litter the bottom to win the race.
Tick Tock Clock
This is a difficult track as there are really no walls to much of it and you have to avoid so much. Begin by driving until you meet a 90 degree turn left. Then you will come across a clock face with hands. Take the left route and only use the booster in the middle if the long hand isn’t heading your way.
After this exciting area you will driving along meeting sharp turns until you see a pendulum. Try to judge when it will hit the bottom and drive past it when you reach some turning platforms. Try to drive in the motion they are going as this will increase speed. The pattern will either be clockwise, anti-clockwise, clockwise, anti-clockwise or the other way around (For example if the first one is rotating anti-clockwise then drive on the right side then switch on the next one to left as this will be turning clockwise, then right again and finally left.)
After beating this then continue to follow the route until you meet another clock face. Stay to the left edge and avoid the hand taking one final left turn where you will see two turning cogs. Take the one which is rotating in the direction you are going to gain speed.
Mario Circuit
Not much to say about this track other than it’s a basic Mario themed course with spitting Piranha Plants, goombas and such to avoid. Basically follow the road and you will be fine. To find a small shortcut, take the road up until you see sand and two Piranha Plant pipes. On the right you can clearly see it would be quicker to boost to the right side of the right plant. So if you have a mushroom or star handy use it.
Airship Fortress
You begin by racing down a straight brick road dodging bullet bills that speed at you. After this you actually board the ship but sadly it’s littered with Mole holes. They aren’t a problem when down, but when the rise up if you hit one it will knock you down. Personally I think it’s best not to risk driving over the holes and just steer clear of them.
Next you will drive round a 180 degree turn leading onto a room with crates to dodge and then flame throwers moving back and forth across the floor. To get past the fire time the drive just right to get past them. This usually involves bombing it down the middle.
After this you will be shot into a castle via cannon where you must turn right down the steeple using your drifting. After this it’s a matter of staying to the right hand side avoiding the cracked road and then you will finish.
SPECIAL CUP
Wario Stadium
Much like the Nintendo 64 version of this track, it’s full of jumps. First off, drive around a series of twists and turns trying to drift where possible before you come to a big jump. Remember to press the R-button before launching. After this you’ll come across some islands in the middle of some dark brown mud with boosters on that should get you across whilst maintaining a high speed. Miss one and you’ll waste precious seconds.
After the next corner you’ll see two ramps. Try to drive just in the centre of the booster to get through the rings of fire in the air. Next three spinning flames will try to get you as ahead lies a road full of small turns. However you can simply drive straight ahead across it instead of turning. Simply drive down the banks in the middle and you should dodge the fire. Next are more bigger jumps, a series of tiny bumps and some turns before you reach the finish line.
Peach Gardens
You begin, by following the sign that leads you right, around the statue and over a bridge. After this you will come across some flowers on your right. Don’t drive over these as they will seriously slow you down. Drive around them unless you have a star or mushroom in which case boost over them. Round some corners and again more flowers only this time you can go to the right and take a small bare patch past the flowers cutting more time off.
Up a hill you will find ahead is the view of the hedge maze which consists of square hedges and chain chomps. Drive around keeping you eye on the map to see the route the chain chomps are taking.
Finally head up a hill past more flowers which you can boost over down a slope past three rounded hedges and then lastly drive by Monty Moles avoiding them as they will send you flying.
Bowser’s Castle
These levels have always been about sheer difficulty and this is no exception. First enter Bowser’s mouth and drive past thwomps. Try not to drive directly under them as there is a chance they may fall on you crushing you. Next drive around some corners and up slopes until you reach a circular conveyor belt. Drift around it but instead of driving off the first turn off keep going past some fire until you reach another one. This is a great shortcut that will give you a major lead ahead of the others.
Drive up the turning hill trying to drift if possible but don’t do it if you aren’t confident as the road is narrow. Up top is a rolling log. Drive over it keeping note of it’s spinning direction until you reach the end.
Lastly drive up to a large jump and onto moving platforms. Make sure not to drop onto one that has moved away or else you’ll land in the lava. After this make some sharp turns and you’re done.
Rainbow Road
Start off by driving along the straight road until you reach boosts and a slowly tuning route. You may not need to drift around these turns as there are boosters scattered around the road. After this you will go through a loop. Now here is a nice tip. Place some items here such as fake boxes or green shells as if another racer hits it, they fall off the track slowing them down a lot.
After this there will be some harsh turns that will require great drifting or if not you can even let go of the acceleration a little. Keep going until you see a corkscrew. Again dropping items here is a good idea.
After this it’s just one large turn to the right that stands between you and finishing Nitro Cup on Mario Kart DS!
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