Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart DS

Unlocking Characters and Karts

Learn how to unlock all characters and karts in Mario Kart DS. Master the conditions to gain unique stats and handling for race dominance.

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Unlocking Characters and Karts

A significant part of the Mario Kart DS experience is unlocking new characters and karts, each offering unique statistics and handling characteristics. This not only enhances replayability but also allows you to discover the perfect combination to suit your individual playstyle and dominate the tracks. Mastering the unlock conditions is key to expanding your roster and garage, providing a fresh challenge and new ways to enjoy the game.

Unlocking Characters and Karts - Mario Kart DS screenshot
Unlocking Characters and Karts

Unlocking Characters

Mario Kart DS features a diverse cast of characters, some of whom are available from the start, while others require specific achievements to join your racing roster. Each character possesses unique stat distributions that influence speed, acceleration, weight, handling, and drift. Understanding these differences can be crucial for tackling different courses and Grand Prix challenges.

  • Dry Bones: To unlock this skeletal speedster, you must Win the 50cc Star Cup. This involves achieving a Gold Trophy in all four races within the Star Cup on the 50cc difficulty setting. Focus on consistent driving and using items effectively to secure first place in each race.
  • Daisy: The princess of Sarasaland joins your team after you successfully Win the 100cc Special Cup. This is a more challenging Grand Prix, featuring some of the game's most intricate tracks. Practice the Special Cup tracks in Time Trials if you're struggling to learn their layouts and find optimal racing lines.
  • Waluigi: Wario's lanky partner in crime is unlocked by Winning the 100cc Mushroom Cup. While the Mushroom Cup tracks are generally simpler, the 100cc speed increases the difficulty. Pay attention to your mini-map for incoming items and try to maintain a lead.
  • R.O.B.: This classic Nintendo robot is arguably the most challenging character to unlock. To add R.O.B. to your roster, you must Achieve at least a 1-star rank on all 7 levels of Mission Mode. This is a significant undertaking that requires precision, speed, and strategic thinking.

    Strategy for Unlocking R.O.B. (Mission Mode)

    Mission Mode presents a series of unique challenges that test various aspects of your racing skill. To earn a 1-star rank, you typically need to complete the mission objectives within a certain time limit or with a specific level of performance. Here's a breakdown of what to expect and tips for success:

    • Understanding Star Ranks: Each mission has a hidden target score or time. Exceeding this target earns you a star. Achieving a 1-star rank is the minimum requirement for R.O.B., but aiming for higher stars (2 or 3) will improve your overall skill.
    • Mission Types: Mission Mode features several objectives:
      • Item Usage: Use specific items to hit targets or opponents. Practice aiming your items, especially green shells and red shells.
      • Coin Collection: Collect a certain number of coins within a time limit. Focus on efficient routes and avoiding obstacles.
      • Driving Through Gates: Pass through a series of numbered gates in order. Precision steering and anticipation are key.
      • Defeating Enemies: Ram into or use items to defeat specific enemies (Goombas, Piranha Plants, etc.). Learn enemy patterns and vulnerabilities.
      • Time Trials: Complete a lap or a full race within a strict time limit. Optimize your racing lines, mini-turbos, and item usage.
      • Boss Battles: These are unique challenges against iconic Mario enemies, often requiring specific strategies.
    • General Tips for Mission Mode:
      • Practice: If you're struggling with a particular mission, don't hesitate to retry it multiple times. Learning the optimal path or strategy is crucial.
      • Mini-Turbos: Master the mini-turbo technique (drifting and wiggling the D-pad/control stick) to gain speed boosts. This is essential for many time-based missions.
      • Item Management: For missions involving items, understand their trajectory and best use cases. For example, a well-aimed Green Shell can save precious seconds.
      • Character and Kart Choice: While missions often dictate your character and kart, if given a choice, select a combination that suits the mission's objective. For speed-focused missions, prioritize high acceleration and speed.
      • Watch for Shortcuts: Some missions have subtle shortcuts that can significantly reduce your time. Experiment with different routes.
      • Boss Battle Strategies:
        • Goomba King: Drive into the Goombas he spawns to send them flying into him. Repeat until defeated.
        • Big Bob-omb: Collect Bob-ombs from item boxes and throw them at him. Aim carefully as he moves.
        • Chief Chilly: Use mushrooms to boost into him, knocking him off the platform. Avoid his ice attacks.
        • Wiggler: Drive into the Wiggler segments to break them off. Be careful not to get hit by his enraged charges.
        • Piranha Plant: Collect Bob-ombs and throw them into its open mouth when it's vulnerable.
        • Eyerok: Drive over the switches to make its eyes vulnerable, then throw shells at them.
        • Bowser: This final boss requires a combination of speed and item usage. Use mushrooms to boost over gaps and throw shells at him when he's vulnerable.

    Unlocking Karts

    While each character starts with three unique karts, there are additional karts that can be unlocked for all characters. These universal karts often provide distinct stat distributions that can be beneficial for specific tracks or racing styles. Unlocking them typically involves achieving gold trophies across various Grand Prix cups and CC levels.

    • Standard Kart (for all characters): This versatile kart becomes available for all characters once you Win all 50cc Grand Prix cups with a Gold Trophy. This means achieving first place overall in the Mushroom, Flower, Star, and Special Cups on the 50cc difficulty. This is a foundational step in your unlocking journey.
    • B Dasher (for all characters): A sleek and speedy kart, the B Dasher is unlocked after you Win all 100cc Grand Prix cups with a Gold Trophy. The increased speed of 100cc requires more precise steering and better item management.
    • Poltergust 4000 (for all characters): Luigi's Mansion-themed kart is yours when you Win all 150cc Grand Prix cups with a Gold Trophy. This difficulty level presents a significant challenge, with faster opponents and more aggressive item usage from the AI. Focus on mastering mini-turbos and defensive driving.
    • Royale (for all characters): This elegant kart is unlocked by Winning all Mirror Grand Prix cups with a Gold Trophy. Mirror Mode flips all tracks horizontally, forcing you to re-learn layouts and adjust your muscle memory. This can be disorienting at first, so take your time to adapt.
    • Gold Standard (for all characters): The ultimate kart, boasting excellent all-around stats, the Gold Standard is unlocked by achieving a high level of mastery. You must Achieve a 1-star rank or higher on all 150cc Grand Prix cups. This means not just winning, but winning decisively. To earn a 1-star rank, you generally need to finish with a significant point lead over the second-place racer (usually 10 points or more) and drive cleanly with minimal off-road time or collisions. Aim for as many first-place finishes as possible across all four races in each cup.

    General Strategies for Unlocking Everything

    To efficiently unlock all characters and karts in Mario Kart DS, a systematic approach is highly recommended:

    1. Start with 50cc: Begin by completing all 50cc Grand Prix cups, aiming for Gold Trophies. This will unlock the Standard Kart and Dry Bones, while familiarizing you with the tracks and game mechanics.
    2. Progress to 100cc: Move on to 100cc, again securing Gold Trophies in all cups. This will unlock Waluigi, Daisy, and the B Dasher.
    3. Tackle 150cc: This is where the challenge significantly ramps up. Focus on winning all 150cc Grand Prix cups with Gold Trophies to unlock the Poltergust 4000. While doing this, strive for 1-star ranks to work towards the Gold Standard simultaneously.
    4. Conquer Mirror Mode: Once you're comfortable with 150cc, switch to Mirror Mode. Winning all cups here with Gold Trophies will grant you the Royale kart.
    5. Master Mission Mode for R.O.B.: This can be done concurrently with Grand Prix modes or as a dedicated effort. As detailed above, achieving at least a 1-star rank on all 7 levels of Mission Mode is crucial for unlocking R.O.B. Don't underestimate the difficulty of some of these challenges.
    6. Aim for 1-Star Ranks on 150cc: If you haven't already, revisit the 150cc Grand Prix cups and focus on achieving at least a 1-star rank in each to unlock the Gold Standard. This often means winning all four races in a cup and driving very cleanly.

    By following these steps, you'll systematically expand your roster of characters and karts, ensuring you experience all that Mario Kart DS has to offer. Good luck on the track!