Mario Kart DS expands and introduces mechanics that would later become the standard in the future games, with the most standout and notable being the Retro Grand Prix, and the advent of retro courses in general, that revamps tracks from all the previous games from the Mario Kart series. It is the first handheld Mario Kart game to use live-rendered 3D graphics for most of the objects in the game, including characters, vehicles, and race-tracks.
Unlike its predecessor, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, it retains the traditional single-driver kart racing elements in the Mario Kart series, where players race against seven competitors in obstacle tracks, using item-based weaponry to gain further advantages over their opponents. It was released first in North America, in November 14, 2005, being the first and only mainstream Mario Kart game to be released first in North America. Released in November 2005 for the Nintendo DS, this was the first game that used the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Romaji: Mario Kāto DS) (also called MKDS and known as Mario Racing DS in China) is a racing game and the fifth installment in the Mario Kart series and the second game for a handheld console.
