The Mushroom Kingdom just got a whole lot more hectic as Mario & Co. double up for furious kart racing! The latest in the acclaimed Mario Kart series is here, and this time, you won't be racing alone! Each kart holds two racers, so choose from Mario, Luigi, Peach, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Yoshi, Birdo, Wario, Waluigi, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Bowser, Bowser Jr., Koopa, and Paratroopa and pair them up any way you see fit. The character in front handles the driving duties, while the character in the rear doles out damage with six normal items and eight special items that only specific characters can use. Racers can swap places at any time, so switch it up on the fly to make the best use of your items as you tear around curves and over huge elevation changes.
It worths the price The simple gameplay doesn't mean the game last short. Even after I completed the game 100%, there are still lots to dig (short cuts and karts) plus the tournaments are never trivial to win.
Great fun for anyone! This game is great, Mario Kart is one of Nintendo's strongest titles, and Double Dash doesnt disappoint. Singleplayer, multiplayer, co-operative, its great for single play or when you have friends over.
IceHawkZero (15) from Germany on 19, Sep. 2004 16:35 (HKT)
One of the best Multiplayer Game for the GameCube The game is very good, the Control of the karts is easy and it makes a lot of fun on partys. My opinien is that Mario Kart DD is a better Multiplayer games than Mario Party 5.
Wow!! Superb Game!! Must Buy!! Mario Kart 64 was, in my opinion, one of the greatest games of all time. I spent countless hours (although it was probably in the hundreds range) playing it. Though there were only 8 characters and 16 tracks, it was still one of the funnest experiences I've ever had. Now, Mario Kart: Double Dash for Gamecube is out, and I love it. You will too.
Graphics: 8/10
Though these graphics aren't bad, they are nothing special. Many other Nintendo games have pushed the Gamecube to its limits, but DD doesn't. The graphics here are bright and colorful, fitting the mood of DD very well. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per section, so the action never slows down. Some of the levels you will come across are bland and boring, while others are magnificent with their detail (I'm talking about YOU, Rainbow Road). Still, don't buy this game for its graphics.
Sound: 7/10
Sound is disappointing. All the characters have their voices from the other games, so you'll recognize who's talking when they say something. However, it get annoying REALLY fast, especially when you're using Mario. Hearing him say ''It's MARIO's time!'' can be hard on your ears. The music is only average at best. Some are remixes of old stages from past games that you'll love listening to (once again, Rainbow Road is an example). Other are rather repetitive and annoying. However, the sound effects in this game are great. The sound of engines revving up, shells bouncing off walls, explosions, as well as other do a great job of making you feel like you're inside the action. Even with the lackluster voices and music, you should still get this game, and here's why:
Gameplay: 10/10
Oh, where do I start? If you've played Mario Kart before, you should know how it works. The formula here has only changed slightly. But if you're new to it, here's how it goes: You pick 2 characters from the Mario universe and race them. This isn't just racing, though. Items are scattered across the track. Those items included bananas (for you to leave behind for opponents to trip on), turtleshells (the green ones bounce off walls and the red home in on your enemies), boost mushrooms (give you a boost), lightning bolts (shrinks the competition temporarily), and the famous blue turtle, which knocks out the guys in first place. You can also slide by holding L or R. While sliding, you can press right and left to gain a boost when the sparks turn blue. Now for the new stuff. Two people are in a kart at a time. One drives, and the other throws items at opponents. You can switch between drivers at any time by pressing Z, and you can hold two items at a time. You throw items by pressing X or Y. Now, this setup allows for moves you couldn't do with previous Mario Kart games. An example: when I was playing the game with my dad, diddy kong (my character) got a blue turtleshell. Since I was already in first, I switched him to driver and let Mario handle the items. When my dad drove into first, I switched back to Diddy and hit him with that shell, when he was just inches away from the finish line. I drove past him for the win. You can't do that in Mario Kart 64.
Fun Factor: 10/10
I don't like racing games, but I like Mario Kart. If you have even the slightest interest in video games in general, buy this (well, if you have a gamecube). Don't worry, it doesn't matter whether you're a beginner or an expert. This game is accessible to everyone SO MUST BUY IT!!
