Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart DS

Unlockable Karts

Find all unlockable karts in Mario Kart DS. Each character can gain two more karts with unique stats that modify your racing strategy.

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Unlockable Karts

Beyond the initial selection, Mario Kart DS offers several additional karts for each character, providing different stats and aesthetics to fine-tune your racing strategy. Unlocking these karts requires dedication and skill across various Grand Prix difficulties. Each character has three unique karts available, with one always unlocked from the start. The remaining two karts for each character are unlocked by achieving specific milestones.

Unlocking Character-Specific Karts

To unlock the second and third karts for any given character, you must achieve a gold trophy in every cup within a specific engine class. This applies to both the Nitro Grand Prix (new tracks) and the Retro Grand Prix (classic tracks). The difficulty scales, so prepare for a challenge!

Second Kart Unlock Requirements

To unlock a character's second kart, you must successfully earn a gold trophy in all 8 cups (4 Nitro and 4 Retro) on the 100cc engine class. This means:

  • Win gold in Mushroom Cup (100cc)
  • Win gold in Flower Cup (100cc)
  • Win gold in Star Cup (100cc)
  • Win gold in Special Cup (100cc)
  • Win gold in Shell Cup (100cc)
  • Win gold in Banana Cup (100cc)
  • Win gold in Leaf Cup (100cc)
  • Win gold in Lightning Cup (100cc)

Once you've achieved gold in all 100cc cups, the second kart for the character you were playing as will become available in the kart selection screen.

Third Kart Unlock Requirements

The third and final kart for each character demands even greater mastery. To unlock it, you need to secure a gold trophy in all 8 cups (4 Nitro and 4 Retro) on the challenging 150cc engine class. This involves:

  • Win gold in Mushroom Cup (150cc)
  • Win gold in Flower Cup (150cc)
  • Win gold in Star Cup (150cc)
  • Win gold in Special Cup (150cc)
  • Win gold in Shell Cup (150cc)
  • Win gold in Banana Cup (150cc)
  • Win gold in Leaf Cup (150cc)
  • Win gold in Lightning Cup (150cc)

Upon conquering all 150cc cups with a character, their third and most unique kart will be added to your garage, ready for selection.

General Tips for Grand Prix Success

  • Master Drifting: Drifting is crucial for maintaining speed and gaining mini-turbos. Practice the timing for both regular and super mini-turbos.
  • Learn Track Layouts: Knowing shortcuts, item box locations, and dangerous turns will give you a significant edge.
  • use Items Strategically: Don't just fire items blindly. Hold onto defensive items like bananas or red shells for protection, and use offensive items like green shells or red shells to target opponents effectively.
  • Character and Kart Synergy: Experiment with different character and kart combinations. Some karts might suit a character's stats better, or complement your driving style.
  • Restart if Necessary: If you're having a particularly bad race in a cup, don't be afraid to restart the cup from the beginning to ensure you get that gold trophy.

By following these steps and honing your racing skills, you'll soon have access to every kart in Mario Kart DS, allowing you to customize your ride and dominate the competition!