Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS is a Nintendo DS game developed and published by Nintendo. It is the fifth main installment of the Mario Kart series (sixth overall) and the second game for a handheld console. It is the first Mario Kart title to include various standard features of future installments, such as the concept of Retro Cups, online play, and single-player Battle Mode, as well as the revamped driving mechanics that become standard for subsequent installments. It also includes unique modes and features, such as a mission mode and the ability to create custom icons for karts. It also features a map that displays the objects and characters present throughout the courses, making use of the DS's bottom screen. This is the first and only mainstream Mario Kart game to be released first in North America.

Mario Kart DS has been generally well received by critics. As such, Mario Kart DS has earned various awards and acknowledgments.

On April 23rd, 2015, the game became available to purchase on the Virtual Console service for the Wii U, via the eShop, coinciding with the near 10th anniversary of the game's initial release, and the 2nd DLC pack for Mario Kart 8. However, the Virtual Console version of the game is only playable in single player mode.