Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart DS

Controls Customization — Mario Kart DS Guide

Customize your controls in Mario Kart DS. Choose between two track schemes to impact performance and master advanced techniques like snaking and drifting.

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Controls Customization

While Mario Kart DS doesn't offer the deep, granular control remapping found in modern titles, it does provide a crucial option to tailor your driving experience: the ability to switch between two distinct control schemes. Understanding and choosing the right scheme can significantly impact your performance, especially when mastering advanced techniques like snaking and drift boosting.

Accessing Control Options

To adjust your control scheme, follow these simple steps:

  1. From the main menu, navigate to the Options section. This is typically represented by a gear or wrench icon.
  2. Within the Options menu, select Controls.
  3. You will then be presented with the two available control types: Type A and Type B.
  4. Highlight your preferred control type and confirm your selection. The changes will be applied immediately.

Control Type Breakdown

Each control type offers a different layout for key actions. Experiment with both to see which feels most natural and allows for the most precise driving.

Type A Controls

  • A Button: Accelerate
  • B Button: Brake/Reverse
  • Y Button: Use Item
  • X Button: Look Behind
  • L Button: Hop/Drift
  • R Button: Hop/Drift
  • Control Pad: Steer

Strategy for Type A: Type A is often considered the default or more traditional layout for many players. The placement of the accelerate and brake buttons on the face buttons (A and B) is intuitive for basic driving. The L and R buttons for hopping and drifting are easily accessible, making this a good choice for players who prioritize quick, responsive drifts. The Y button for item usage is also conveniently located for rapid deployment of Red Shells or Bananas.

Type B Controls

  • A Button: Accelerate
  • B Button: Brake/Reverse
  • Y Button: Look Behind
  • X Button: Use Item
  • L Button: Hop/Drift
  • R Button: Hop/Drift
  • Control Pad: Steer

Strategy for Type B: Type B subtly shifts the item and look-behind functions. While acceleration and braking remain on A and B, the X button now handles item usage, and the Y button is for looking behind. This can be advantageous for players who prefer to keep their thumb closer to the X button for quicker item deployment, perhaps during intense item battles where every millisecond counts. The Y button for looking behind might feel slightly less immediate for some, but it frees up the X button for offensive or defensive item play.

Choosing Your Ideal Setup

Ultimately, the "best" control setup is subjective and depends on your personal playstyle. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Comfort: Which layout feels most natural in your hands? Can you comfortably reach all essential buttons without straining?
  • Advanced Techniques: If you plan to master techniques like "snaking" (rapid, repeated drift boosts), the placement of the drift buttons (L/R) and acceleration (A) is paramount. Both Type A and Type B keep L/R and A in the same positions, so this is less of a factor between the two.
  • Item Usage Frequency: Do you find yourself using items constantly, or do you prefer to hold onto them? If you're an aggressive item user, consider which button placement for "Use Item" allows for the quickest reaction.
  • Looking Behind: How often do you check for incoming threats or track your opponents? If you frequently use the "Look Behind" function, ensure its button placement is comfortable for you.

We highly recommend trying out both control types in a few races, perhaps in Grand Prix or Time Trials, to get a genuine feel for each. Don't be afraid to switch back and forth until you find the configuration that allows you to perform at your peak on the track!