December 21, 2005

Video Game Bliss

I recently became the owner of a new Nintendo DS, for the sole reason of playing the new Mario Kart, conveniently called Mario Kart DS and sold in a bundle with the system. Longtime readers of the site will recognize my extreme affliction for Mario Kart games after getting hooked in college. The GameCube’s Mario Kart Double Dash was a bit of a let down in certain respects, most notably in kart responsiveness and the shameful battle mode. I am happy to say that this new version is more of a throwback to Mario Kart 64 that I had come to love (block fort is back!). I don’t really buy video games as often anymore, but this was a must once I learned of the Wi-Fi connectivity: you can play with up to 7 other people on a local network or up to 3 others online. Stats, personalized emblems, and many character/kart combinations create severe video game nerdery. Beautimous. If you have a friend code, email me and I will school you.

Lastly, in that video game spirit, the best video game music cover band, the Minibosses, has just released their first full-length album, Brass. Go grab a copy today, and enjoy listening to all your old favorites like Castlevania, Mega Man 2, and Ikari Warriors… perhaps while playing Mario Kart DS! Happy Holidays!

Commentary (26):

1. Benson says… dec 21, 2005 | 7:35 pm

Welcome to the the DS Club! =)

Mario Kart DS is the king of fun racing and multi-player gaming. Might email you a friend code soon.

2. JCRogers says… dec 21, 2005 | 7:38 pm

My friend code is listed on my bloggish, but I can’t seem to connect here at home. I connected successfully from a hotel’s wifi, but own seems incompatible. So you can try to enter it, but you may never see me.

3. Joshua Kendall says… dec 21, 2005 | 7:53 pm

I’m getting a DS for Christmas, and I only want it for Mario Kart.

Now if only they make Super Smash Brothers for it.

I think I will look for my N64 and Mario Kart 64, have some racing fun before Christmas.

4. Steve Cochrane says… dec 21, 2005 | 8:07 pm

I don’t mean to be trollish, but have you heard of The Advantage? They do the rock-band-covering-Nintendo-music thing and I think they’re far more talented than the Minibosses. Then again, I haven’t heard Brass yet but I’m judging from everything up to that. This is my first comment here by the way and I love the site.

5. michael says… dec 22, 2005 | 1:09 am

dont forget about the NESkimos!..they rock that 8-bit audio tough.…

and i also have the DS bundle on my wish list…!

6. Greg says… dec 22, 2005 | 2:29 am

If you have a friend code, email me and I will school you.

Believe me he’ll do it too, I’m still recovering from a back-to-back defeat. I just want to know how do you get that rocket boost jump start at the beginning of each race.

7. Jason Santa Maria says… dec 22, 2005 | 6:39 am

Greg: As the countdown goes at the beginning of the race: 3, 2, nail the gas when the 2 stops spinning and you will get the boost start.

Believe me he’ll do it too, I’m still recovering from a back-to-back defeat.
Anytime :D

I’m going to have to check out the Advantage and the NESkimos. Thanks for the recommendations!

8. John Nick says… dec 22, 2005 | 7:07 am

Why go small when you can go Mario Kart LARGE?

9. Patrick Haney says… dec 22, 2005 | 9:21 am

I got myself a DS when they first were released and found myself not using it much. The game selection then was poor, so I ended up selling it.

Recently I picked up a PSP. I’m finding the game graphics better and the ability to watch movies on it to be awesome, but now I’m jealous. Mario Kart DS is enough of a reason for me to want to sell my PSP and once again return to the DS platform.

If I end up doing so, I’ll have to put you in your place sometime. In college, my dorm room would be full of people playing Mario Kart 64, even when I wasn’t around. I got to be pretty good at it (and not so good at getting to class).

10. Rob Weychert says… dec 22, 2005 | 9:38 am
In college, my dorm room would be full of people playing Mario Kart 64, even when I wasn’t around. I got to be pretty good at it (and not so good at getting to class).

Yeah, that sounds pretty familiar. :D

11. Jason Santa Maria says… dec 22, 2005 | 10:00 am

Patrick: On Mario Kart in college and skipping class, Yup, same here, that’s how Rob and I became friends.

12. michael says… dec 22, 2005 | 12:56 pm

in college i skipped class and made enimies with my friends playing Goldeneye…now if they could only bring that to the DS…!

13. pdxrocket says… dec 22, 2005 | 1:12 pm

Michael, I think someone had that idea.
http://ds.ign.com/objects/697/697519.html

14. monkeyinabox says… dec 22, 2005 | 7:51 pm

Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo was pure bliss for myself. The time trials and the battle modes were the best.

15. Christian Montoya says… dec 23, 2005 | 1:20 am

You guys are making me want to buy Mario Kart DS. If I do, I’ll let you know my ID. Until then, I have to recommend Nintendogs and Animal Crossing to you guys. I can’t promise you’ll like them, but I am crazy about them, probably the best sim games ever.

16. Jason Dowdell says… dec 26, 2005 | 1:54 pm

Man I love this time of year… when the emails are coming in at a much slower rate and I can actually catch my breath. I’m not a huge mario kart fan but I do love GT4 and the logitech steering wheel / pedal combo. I’ll be firing that up tonight on the plazma fo shizzle.

17. L*nchambon says… dec 27, 2005 | 11:46 am

Animal Crossing for DS is where it’s at. I give it credit for keeping me sane at the end of this year! I now have Animal Crossing lunch dates where my equally addicted friends get together or play using the Nintendo WiFi network. We’re starting to get confused during conversations whether we’re talking about real life or in the game.

Ooooohhh, Animal Crossing. You and your addictively cute townspeople and peculiar furnishings!

18. Kevin nocoins says… dec 28, 2005 | 7:39 pm

prepare to be schooled like you have never been schooled before in your life. I am the MARIOCART KING and I have the crown and septar to prove it. You are going DOWN sucka! down down down, jasons going down… down down down… sorry, I was busy singing.

Anyway, you may as well just bury your mariocart DS in the ground to save yourself the pain of me DESTROYING you.

i love you.

19. Jason Santa Maria says… dec 28, 2005 | 7:53 pm

You talk a big game Kevin, but sadly, I doubt you can bring it. I have waited at your house to teach you a lesson in Kart, but you had to cry and help your dumb friend move their dumb stuff… while crying.

20. Ben Young says… jan 3, 2006 | 11:55 am

Mario Kart, how I love thee!

I too received a DS for chrimbo, and was ecstatic to find that Block Fort has returned, as it is by far the best battle mode map ever for MK.

And the wireless mode is just superb, works perfectly every time!

Heeeere we go!

21. Sara Wischnewski says… jan 3, 2006 | 2:39 pm

I still remember playing mario kart four player with you guys at kutztown on the nintendo 64 in your apartment. And I remember being Toad and you, rob and someone else kicking the living crap out of me. ^_^ Ah yes, … Good times, good times.

Congrats on getting a DS though. I only have like two games, but i love mine.

22. Joel says… jan 10, 2006 | 3:14 pm

I guess I will have to make sure to bring my DS and MarioKart to the next Philly film shoot, eh?

23. Jason Santa Maria says… jan 10, 2006 | 7:42 pm

Joel: Only if you want to get stomped ;D

24. dave says… jan 16, 2006 | 2:20 am

I read this post awhile ago and didn’t think too much of it (more in the I don’t have a DS sense of things). A friend of mine is visiting for a couple days with a new red DS and Mario Kart. This is the first time in awhile that I really feel the need to buy a gaming system. As well as a second one for the game-a-holic girlfriend who will likely kick my ass from now to forever.

25. Erik Mallinson says… jan 25, 2006 | 4:13 pm

I too got the Mario Kart DS bundle. It’s great. I would also recommend Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow and Advance Wars: Dual Strike. Castlevania is great for those 5 minute gaming breaks. Advance Wars is great for making me feel smarter after playing instead of like a dufus. Beware though, both are addictive, and I’ve spent DAYS playing just one Advance Wars mission.

26. Erik Mallinson says… jan 25, 2006 | 4:22 pm

Dave, I had to pick one up for my girlfriend as well! She took one look at the one she bought me and was jealous.

Try to find the Nintendogs ones if she likes “girly colors” like teal or pink. Or buy ‘em from Japan. I hear they are interchangeable, but you can only play US games against other US game people (non-web games).