WHAT? The immensely popular Mario Kart racing series hits the Nintendo DS with full force.  Mario Kart DS was the first title playable via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection online service, thus cementing its place in history as a title MADE for gaming in libraries.

WHY? Let’s talk about community gaming for a moment.  Perhaps one of the most wonderful features of the Mario Kart series is that its versus mode not only creates competition but also community.  The 8 player Wi-Fi play mode used in conjunction with DS Download Play (players can use only one game card to play multiplayer) will get the crowds together and gaming.  This type of play is also cost effective for libraries that are programming (have a copy of Mario Kart DS handy at your gaming events and encourage participants to bring their own DS systems)

WHO? Most of my reviews on Nintendo games always say the same thing…”these titles are so easy to pick up and play that any age can do so with ease.”  Mario Kart DS is in the same vein.  This title will fly off your library shelves, so I’m gonna recommend extra copies of this game at your library.

(I played this game on the new Nintendo DS-i system, which I will be reviewing here at 8BitLibrary tomorrow.  Stay tuned.)