Mario Kart bundles up with the DS @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on October 13, 2005

News: Another DS bundle for the holidays. And new Mario Kart DS multiplayer info too.

Nintendo has revealed they will be rolling out a second DS bundle this holiday season with the announcement that the Mario Kart DS bundle will ship on November 28.

The Mario Kart DS bundle will come with a Hot Rod Red DS system, a copy of Mario Kart DS, a checkered flag wrist strap and racing decals for your DS.

Before that, players will be able to snatch up Mario Kart DS in stores on November 14. And to celebrate we have the multiplayer details for your perusal:

DS Download Play
As with all DS Download multiplayer games, the DS Download Play in Mario Kart DS requires that only one player has a copy of the game. Unlike past DS games, however, DS Download Play in Mario Kart DS allows multiple players who have the game card to play with multiple players who do not have the game card. DS Download Play offers the following features:

2-8 player simultaneous wireless game play

Choice of multiplayer racing, Balloon Battle, or Shine Thief modes

Players who own Mario Kart DS can choose their own characters and use personalized icons

Players who do not own Mario Kart DS must play as Shy Guy; they cannot use personalized player icons

Track selection is limited to eight tracks for racing and three arenas for Balloon Battle and Shine Runner modes

DS Download Play is limited to the 100 cc engine class

Multi-Card Play
Multi-Card Play requires all players to have their own copies of Mario Kart DS, giving players more options, modes and tracks to choose from. Multi-Card Play offers the following features:

2-8 player simultaneous wireless game play

Choice of multiplayer racing, Balloon Battle or Shine Thief modes

Players can choose from different engine classes

No limits on character choice

No limits on track choice

Player's win/loss ratio is saved and tracked

Players who race locally are automatically added to each other's friend roster and then can race via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

Players can trade ghost data wirelessly, allowing them to race against each others' best times.

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is a free online game-play service provided by Nintendo to Nintendo DS owners. It offers seamless access to online game play and an environment that is welcoming to gamers of all skill levels. Features include:

2-4 Players racing simultaneously

Choice of playing with:
o Friends Only (players registered as Friends)
o Rivals (players with similar skills)
o Recent Opponents
o Regional Racers (players in their country)
o World Racers (players anywhere in the world)

No limit on course choice, but each player votes for a course and the course with the most votes wins (in case of a tie, the course is chosen randomly)

No limit on character choice

Players can create and use personalized player icons