Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart DS is a 2005 handheld kart racing game developed by Nintendo EAD for the Nintendo DS. Familiar Mushroom Kingdom characters race across colorful themed tracks, hurling items like shells and bananas and drifting through corners to gain the edge.
The game introduced a generous selection of remastered retro tracks drawn from earlier entries alongside all-new courses, letting it span the series' history, and refined power-slide "snaking" mechanics that skilled players exploited to build mini-turbo speed boosts. A single-player mission mode added structured objective-based challenges, and the game's dual screens displayed the track map and item status. Crucially, it was among the first Nintendo games to offer robust online multiplayer over Wi-Fi, letting players compete over long distances.
Mario Kart DS is remembered as a landmark portable entry that helped establish the series' online competitive scene and download-play local multiplayer. It remains available through digital re-release services and stands as a beloved highlight of the DS library.
Where can you play Mario Kart DS today?
Device by device, which of the 2 alternatives below you can play on it.
- PC
- SmashKarts (Free).
- Mac
- SmashKarts (Free).
- Linux
- SmashKarts (Free).
- iPhone
- None of the alternatives to Mario Kart DS runs on iPhone.
- iPad
- None of the alternatives to Mario Kart DS runs on iPad.
- Android phone
- None of the alternatives to Mario Kart DS runs on Android phone.
- Android tablet
- None of the alternatives to Mario Kart DS runs on Android tablet.
- PlayStation
- None of the alternatives to Mario Kart DS runs on PlayStation.
- Xbox
- None of the alternatives to Mario Kart DS runs on Xbox.
- Switch
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (€ 59,99).
- Steam Deck
- None of the alternatives to Mario Kart DS is rated Verified or Playable on the Steam Deck.
Games like Mario Kart DS
Modern alternatives to Mario Kart DS, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
SmashKarts Indie
FreeAn accessible online kart racer for casual multiplayer fun.
SmashKarts runs on PC, Mac, Linux. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
€ 59,99The definitive modern Mario Kart with a huge track roster.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is also an alternative to 1 other classic
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe runs on Switch. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck.
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