Mario Kart DS

Yeah, I agree on pretty much every count. It's stunning how much stuff they can cram into one of those Cheez-It size game carts. But the shape of the DS harkens back to the good-ol' NES days, when console manufacturer's didn't buy into any of this ergonomics crap. Jambing sharp corners into the meat of your palms is part of the challenge!

It's funny, I picked up my old GBA the other day and was amazed at how confortable it was... got used to my hands hurting from jutting edges while playing Trauma Center, I guess.

Picking this game up today or tommorow. Have you guys had any luck with the wifi?

My sentiments exactly. You just know Nintendo is going to "fix" this with a redesign next year.

WiFi was farked the first night the game came out, but after that it's worked fine. Be aware that the online options are very limited, partly due to time issues I'd guess, but also what I would call an.. "interesting" online philosophy for Nintendo. The matchmaking system is literally an opponent-finder and nothing more. You can't talk with anyone, you can't add anyone to your friends list, you don't communicate in any way, you just race. If you want to add someone to your Friends list you need to trade 12-digit Friend codes outside of the game somehow. So they are really trying to keep your Friends list to people you actually know. All of this I think is deliberate and may carry over to Revolution online. It's very simple and, ahem, safe.

The rest of Mario Kart's limited online functionality--grand prix only, fewer tracks, four players max and no way to request two or three-player races--I think are just hurdles they couldn't get past first time out. Lag is definitely not visibly an issue but I've had a situation or two where I appeared to come in first in a close finish but registered as 2nd.

On the whole though, as stated above, the game is just an embarrassment of riches.

So, Friend code trading, anyone?

Yeah, PM for friend code. We should trade a few. I've already experienced too many people who drop out when they do poorly on the first track.

Serious Question:

Do I want to buy a DS with Mario Kart or do I want to buy a 360? I genuinely can't make up my mind. Any input would be welcomed.

Do you have $200 or do you have $500, which is what a 360 with hard drive, a game and Xbox live will cost.

I've got both...the money isn't really the issue. It's more about the level of fun to be expected. I KNOW I love the Mario Kart series. Mario Kart 64 ate up more of my college time than any other game.

I don't know much about the games for the 360...currently, i was planning on getting Madden, PGR, and COD2. But, I'm at an age where my friends that played videogames with me have dispersed all over the country. Also, I'm not much of a single-player guy. I've always enjoyed multiplayer games more. My friends all have Xbox 1s, and are unlikely to upgrade anytime soon.

I know this is really my choice, I guess I was more hoping for someone facing a similar situation who had some thoughts on the issue.

My suggestion is to consider what kinds of games you enjoy most and the types of games that will be available for each system. The 360, from all I've heard, will feature mostly games that can be described as "conventional" and "modern"... meaning you'll find FPS's that play similar to FPS on XBox or the PC, you'll have sports games from the major franchises that play similar to sports games on other consoles, you'll have 3D platformers that refine and expand on gameplay from older platformers, you'll have conventional racers, and so on. This isn't meant to be a slam against the system at all. 360 will provide plenty of games in the genres that are popular on consoles right now (FPS, squad combat, 3D action, sandbox ala GTA, sports, racing, RPG). You won't see many of the less mainstream genres- adventure, puzzle, text-based role playing, on-rail shooters (Panzer Dragoon style), strategy, 2D platforming, etc.

DS, on the other hand, offers games that can be described as "retro" and "quirky". It supplies lots of games out of the mainstream, including turn-based strategy, puzzle, lots of 2D platforming, text-based RPG, and adventure games. It has fewer games in the mainstream genres and the ones it has (like 3D platforming in Super Mario 64) use unconventional gameplay mechanics. There will be a few FPS's but the control scheme will be unusual. And, of course, it will be the home of Nintendo's old and new franchises. DS offers stuff you just can't find anywhere else... a platformer that uses no buttons; a surgery game that has you manually cutting and suturing patients; a game that allows you to role-play as a lawyer, cross-examine witnesses, and collect evidence; a music-box/toy/game... thing that creates electronica music by manipulating images on the screen; etc.

If you're mainly interested in playing the most recent stuff in certain popular genres - FPS, sports, sanbox/GTA - I would recommend the 360. You'll get a lot more enjoyment out of it. On the other hand if you like other genres out of the mainstream - particularly strategy, 2D platforming, and puzzle - go with the DS.

The NINTENDO challenge!

As for the system question LD asked, Sphinx has offered some sage advice. I'd throw in that if your buddies aren't around and you are looking for online play vs. singleplayer experiences it's actually a tough call (unless you're intrigued by the obvious differences in software titles). But the fact remains that Nintendo is only in the early stages of online play, while MS has the best non-PC online experience available. That being the case, and since a fair percentage (so far) of original Xbox titles will work on the 360 (though not some of my favs), you'll be able to play with friends that aren't getting 360s any time soon.

I'm still not sold on one, myself, but I actually really should consider getting a DS.

Yeah, I think I may actually have been talked into the DS by Sphinx...I'm just bored by traditional videogames at this point. It takes something like Shadow of the Colossus or something absurdly fun like Burnout to get me excited anymore. FPSs don't do it for me anymore. Of course, with the moeny I set aside for a 360, I could get the DS with Mario Kart and just cut out a game or two that I might have otherwise purchased. Either way, tonight is the night of the DS for me. Anyone want to start a thread with Mario kart friend codes?

I enjoy my DS so far. Unfortunately I've been hooked on Advance Wars DS since I bught it and have really only played that (and WoW on the PC).

So last night in each of the five series I was winning all the drivers cut out before the last race. This included a couple of drivers with insane 800 win records. Why the fuck race other people if you're too big a baby to take the lose like an adult?

It's a victimless crime!

Except that one victim.

It's the Halo 2 syndrome. A lot of people are assholes, unfortunately.

Anyone else just get into this game now that the Lite is out. If you are still playing it on a regular basis, my friend code is 111741535193. Playing online is fun and all, but I hate the 10 min search for friends (although that is mostly my fault for waiting so long to get the damn game).