Mario Kart
Double Dash
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Game Information
Release Date: November 17, 2003
Developers: Nintendo EAD
Publishers: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Gamecube
Genre: Racing
Players: 1-4, Multiplayer 2-16

Synopsis
The Mushroom Kingdom just got a whole lot more hectic as Mario and friends double up for furious kart racing. This time around, each kart holds two racers that can switch places at any time, so choose from a huge cast of favorites 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. Get ready for some intense multiplayer mayhem with your favorite characters, including Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, Peach, Bowser, and Koopa.

Gameplay
The gameplay in Mario Kart Double Dash is twice as fun since you have an extra partner to aid you in coming out on top amongst 7 duo racers. Players will be able to control both characters at the same time but for some players would probably want an AI to have control of the character that uses the item at their own disposal. The game features 16 different race tracks to race in. Players will select a championship cup to participate in which features 4 different tracks to race in. Players will be able to collect items that will aid them to reaching the best finishing place possible. Upon selecting characters, each character duo have their own unique special ability to use only for themselves. Players that have played older versions of Mario Kart will see some old tracks that are playable in Mario Kart Double Dash. Each character has their own unique vehicle that is available to any other character that is within the same weight class. The vehicles are divided into 3 different categories, light, medium, and heavy. Players will also notice that on some tracks, there are shortcuts that can be reached only by using a speed boost of some sort to get there. Upon winning a championship, the players are rewarded with unlockable characters, race tracks, and other features hidden within the game. Mario Kart Double Dash features 4 different difficulties that players can play. The difficulties alter how the AI racers will use their boost, effectiveness of items, and even take shortcuts to increase he difficulty for players.

Graphics
The graphics on Mario Kart Double Dash have been greatly improved since the beginning of the Mario Kart series. By looking at returning race tracks from the old Mario Kart games and comparing them to Double Dash's version, you can see clearly how remarkable the textures and details that have been implemented into Double Dash have changed from the older Mario Kart games. The way the tires of the vehicle screech on the road and grass shows the smoke and small debris of grass shredding from the tires is a really cool feature that isn't featured on the older series. The details on the structures, and billboards are very smooth and very legible to read and identify from afar.

Controls
The controls may prove some difficulty since it is on a newer gaming system. For any player thats a fan of racing games in particular should get the hang of the controls real fast. The controls are yet simple also. About half the controls serve only 1 function while others aren't needed since a different button can be used depending on the player's preference and comfortability. But the controls could get confusing when player with another player as their partner since when one player wants to perform an action, the other player as well has to perform the action at the time in order to perform it which could prove troublesome.

Ratings
Gameplay: 9.8/10
Graphics: 9.7/10
Controls: 9.5/10
Overall: 10/10