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Walkthrough

by KoritheMan

 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Mario Kart DS FAQ/Walkthrough (DS)
 Time I Started This Guide: 12/25/05
 Version: 1.2
 Author: KoritheMan
 E-Mail: verykoolguy2002[at]gmail[dot]com
 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=








                                   ------------------------------------
                                   |    Table of Contents             |
                                   ------------------------------------
                                   | 1. Introduction                  |
                                   | 2. Version History               |
                                   | 3. Characters                    |
                                   | 4. Storyline                     |
                                   | 5. Controls                      |
                                   | 6. Game Basics                   |
                                   | 7. Walkthrough                   |
                                   | 8. Items                         |
                                   | 9. Karts                         |
                                   | 10. Techniques                   |
                                   | 11. Unlockables                  |
                                   | 12. Game Modes                   |
                                   | 13. Online Mode                  |
                                   | 14. FAQs                         |
                                   | 15. Codes n' Secrets             |
                                   | 16. Copyright                    |
                                   | 17. Contact Info                 |
                                   | 18. Credits                      |
                                   |__________________________________|


 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 1. Introduction                                                      |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 Nintendo has released a few of these Mario Kart games in the past, and they
 have become quite popular. The Nintendo 64 version, Mario Kart 64,
 revolutionized the gaming industry, and it sold very well, as well. Nintendo
 has released yet another Mario Kart game, which is, obviously, this one, Mario
 Kart DS. This game is overall fun, as the other ones have been, and if you are
 looking for a good racing game, then Mario Kart DS is definitely for you!
 Also, the online play on this game is what really prompted me to get this
 game, as communicating with users from across the globe is just fantastic! The
 game everything you'd expect from a Mario Kart game, and even more, because of
 the online play! I suggest you try this game out as soon as possible!


 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 2. Version History                                                   |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 Version 1.0 / Completed the guide.

 Version 1.1 / Added a FAQ to the FAQs section, thanks to Brett Williams. He
               also gave me information on five shortcuts. Finally, he gave
               me added information to the description of the Spiny Shell
               item. Thanks!

 Version 1.2 / Added a website to the Copyrights section.


 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 3. Characters                                                        |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 There are several different characters in this game, as you already know. I
 will list all the information about them below. Note that some characters are
 hidden characters, so see the Unlockables section for more information on
 that. Also, note that the stats I put for each kart may not be 100% accurate,
 but I tried to get the stats on the karts as accurate as possible.

 Mario: The famous plumber is back in this all new Mario Kart game (hence the
        title of the game)!
 Information On Mario:

 Stats In B Dasher
 Speed: Average To Decent
 Acceleration: Decent To Semi High
 Weight: Decent To Semi High
 Handling: Below Average To Average
 Drift: Average To Decent
 Items: Extremely High

 Stats In Shooting Star
 Speed: Semi High To High
 Acceleration: Semi High To High
 Weight: Average To Decent
 Handling: Decent To Semi High
 Drift: Decent To Semi High
 Items: Low To Average

 Stats In Standard MR
 Speed: Decent To Semi High
 Acceleration: Semi High To High
 Weight: Decent To Semi High
 Handling: Decent To Semi High
 Drift: Average To Decent
 Items: Semi High To High

 Type: Medium-Weight

 Luigi: Mario's brother who is often overlooked, is back in this Mario Kart
        game to prove he's more worthy than most people think he is!
 Information On Luigi:

 Stats In Poltergust 4000
 Speed: High To Very High
 Acceleration: High To Very High
 Weight: Average To Decent
 Handling: High To Very High
 Drift: Semi Low To Average
 Items: Semi Low To Average

 Stats In Standard LG
 Speed: Semi High To High
 Acceleration: High To Very High
 Weight: Decent To Semi High
 Handling: High To Very High
 Drift: Semi Low To Average
 Items: Decent To Semi High

 Stats In Streamliner
 Speed: Semi High To High
 Acceleration: Semi High To High
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Semi High To High
 Drift: Low To Average
 Items: Extremely High

 Type: Medium-Weight

 Peach: The girlfriend of Mario, and the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom is
        here in this all new Mario Kart game, and she means business!
 Information On Peach:

 Stats In Light Tripper
 Speed: Decent To Semi High
 Acceleration: Semi High To High
 Weight: Average To Decent
 Handling: Decent To Semi High
 Drift: Extremely High
 Items: Low To Average

 Stats In Royale
 Speed: Average To Decent
 Acceleration: Semi High To High
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Average To Decent
 Drift: Very High To Extremely High
 Items: Extremely High

 Stats In Standard PC
 Speed: Average To Decent
 Acceleration: High To Very High
 Weight: Decent To Semi High
 Handling: Average To Decent
 Drift: Very High To Extremely High
 Items: Semi High To High

 Type: Light-Weight

 Yoshi: The cute green dinosaur is back in this new Mario Kart game. This
        little dinosaur may look harmless, but believe me, he isn't!
 Information On Yoshi:

 Stats In Cucumber
 Speed: Decent To Semi High
 Acceleration: Very High To Extremely High
 Weight: Decent To Semi High
 Handling: High To Very High
 Drift: Low To Average
 Items: Extremely High

 Stats In Egg 1
 Speed: Decent To Semi High
 Acceleration: Very High To Extremely High
 Weight: Semi Low To Average
 Handling: Very High To Extremely High
 Drift: Average To Decent
 Items: Semi Low To Average

 Stats In Standard YS
 Speed: Decent To Semi High
 Acceleration: Very High To Extremely High
 Weight: Decent To Semi High
 Handling: High To Very High
 Drift: Average To Decent
 Items: Semi High To High

 Type: Light-Weight

 Toad: This little mushroom kid is back in this all new Mario Kart game, and he
       is more than ready to race!
 Information On Toad:

 4-Wheel Cradle
 Speed: Low To Average
 Acceleration: High To Very High
 Weight: Decent To Semi High
 Handling: Decent To Semi High
 Drift: Semi High To High
 Items: Extremely High

 Stats In Mushmellow
 Speed: Average To Decent
 Acceleration: Very High To Extremely High
 Weight: Semi Low To Average
 Handling: Semi High To High
 Drift: Semi High To High
 Items: Semi Low To Average

 Stats In Standard TD
 Speed: Average To Decent
 Acceleration: High To Very High
 Weight: Average To Decent
 Handling: Decent To Semi High
 Drift: Decent To Semi High
 Items: Decent To Semi High

 Type: Light-Weight

 Donkey Kong: The legendary hero of Kongo Jungle, Donkey Kong, is back in this
              new Mario Kart game, and is ready for some action!
 Information On Donkey Kong:

 Stats In Rambi Rider
 Speed: Semi High To High
 Acceleration: Average To Decent
 Weight: Very High To Extremely High
 Handling: Semi Low To Average
 Drift: Semi High To High
 Items: Extremely High

 Stats In Standard DK
 Speed: High To Very High
 Acceleration: Average To Decent
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Semi Low To Average
 Drift: Semi High To High
 Items: Decent To Semi High

 Stats In Wildife
 Speed: High To Very High
 Acceleration: Decent To Semi High
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Average To Decent
 Drift: Semi High To High
 Items: Low To Average

 Type: Heavy-Weight

 Wario: Mario's evil rival is back in this game, and he's not to be taken
        lightly!
 Information On Wario:

 Stats In Brute
 Speed: Very High To Extremely High
 Acceleration: Average To Decent
 Weight: Decent To Semi High
 Handling: Average To Decent
 Drift: Average To Decent
 Items: Semi Low To Average

 Stats In Dragonfly
 Speed: High To Very High
 Acceleration: Average To Decent
 Weight: Very High To Extremely High
 Handling: Average To Decent
 Drift: Average To Decent
 Items: Extremely High

 Stats In Standard WR
 Speed: Very High To Extremely High
 Acceleration: Average To Decent
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Average To Decent
 Drift: Average To Decent
 Items: Decent To Semi High

 Type: Heavy-Weight

 Bowser: Mario's mortal enemy has returned in this game to prove what a tough
         opponent he can be!
 Information On Bowser:

 Stats In Hurricane
 Speed: Extremely High
 Acceleration: Average To Decent
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Average To Decent
 Drift: Semi High To High
 Items: Average To Decent

 Stats In Tyrant
 Speed: Very High To Extremely High
 Acceleration: Low To Semi Low
 Weight: Extremely High
 Handling: Semi Low To Average
 Drift: Decent To Semi High
 Items: Extremely High

 Stats In Standard BW
 Speed: Very High To Extremely High
 Acceleration: Semi Low To Average
 Weight: High To Very High
 Handling: Semi Low To Average
 Drift: Decent To Semi High
 Items: Decent To Semi High

 Type: Heavy-Weight

 Daisy: The rival of Princess Peach is back in this game to try and claim 1st
        place!
 Information On Daisy:

 Stats In Light Dancer
 Speed: Semi High To High
 Acceleration: Semi High To High
 Weight: Average To Decent
 Handling: Average To Decent
 Drift: Very High To Extremely High
 Items: Low To Semi Low

 Stats In Power Flower
 Speed: Decent To Semi High
 Acceleration: Semi High To High
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Average To Decent
 Drift: Very High To Extremely High
 Items: Extremely High

 Stats In Standard DS
 Speed: Semi High To High
 Acceleration: Semi High To High
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Average To Decent
 Drift: Very High To Extremely High
 Items: Semi High To High

 Type: Medium-Weight

 Dry Bones: Dry Bones, one of Bowser's most loyal followers, who has faced
            Mario many times before, is back in Mario Kart DS.
 Information on Dry Bones:

 Stats In Banisher
 Speed: Low To Semi Low
 Acceleration: Extremely High
 Weight: Average To Decent
 Handling: Very High To Extremely High
 Drift: Average To Decent
 Items: Extremely High

 Stats In Dry Bomber
 Speed: Semi Low To Average
 Acceleration: Extremely High
 Weight: Average To Decent
 Handling: Extremely High
 Drift: Average To Decent
 Items: Semi Low To Average

 Stats In Standard DB
 Speed: Low To Semi Low
 Acceleration: Extremely High
 Weight: Average To Decent
 Handling: Extremely High
 Drift: Average To Decent
 Items: Semi High To High

 Type: Light-Weight

 Waluigi: Luigi's rival seeks to beat Luigi by claiming 1st place in this new
          Mario Kart game!
 Information On Waluigi:

 Stats In Gold Mantis
 Speed: High To Very High
 Acceleration: Semi High To High
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Semi High To High
 Drift: Semi High To High
 Items: Semi Low To Average

 Stats In Standard WL
 Speed: Semi High To High
 Acceleration: Semi High To High
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Decent To Semi High
 Drift: Decent To Semi High
 Items: Semi High To High

 Stats In Zipper
 Speed: Semi High To High
 Acceleration: Decent To Semi High
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Decent To Semi High
 Drift: Decent To Semi High
 Items: Extremely High

 Type: Medium-Weight

 R.O.B.: R.O.B. was an add-on for the NES, but he has appeared in this new
         Mario Kart game as a playable character. Go figure.
 Information On R.O.B.:

 Stats In ROB-BLS
 Speed: Extremely High
 Acceleration: Decent To Semi High
 Weight: Semi High To High
 Handling: Semi High To High
 Drift: Low To Semi Low
 Items: Semi Low To Average

 Stats In ROB-LGS
 Speed: Very High To Extremely High
 Acceleration: Decent To Semi High
 Weight: Very High To Extremely High
 Handling: Decent To Semi High
 Drift: Low To Semi Low
 Items: Extremely High

 Stats In Standard RB
 Speed: Very High To Extremely High
 Acceleration: Decent To Semi High
 Weight: High To Very High
 Handling: Semi High To High
 Drift: Semi Low To Average
 Items: Semi High To High

 Type: Heavy Weight


 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 4. Storyline                                                         |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 There is no story to this game, as it is merely a racing game, hence the title
 of the game. Basically, you race to see who reaches the finish line first.
 That's it.


 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 5. Controls                                                          |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|


 Out of Race Controls
 --------------------

 A Button: Confirm selected actions

 B Button: Cancel selected actions

 X Button: Does nothing

 Y Button: Does nothing

 L Button: Does nothing

 R Button: Does nothing

 Start: Does nothing

 Select: Does nothing

 D-Pad: Moves cursor


 In-Race Controls
 ----------------

 A Button: Hold this button to make your kart race

 B Button: Hold this button to use the brakes (while steering only), also hold
           the button while you aren't steering to drive backwards

 Y Button: Changes the map view

 X Button: Fire an item

 L Button: Fire an item, hold this button when you have an item that can be
           thrown (excluding the Spiked Shell), such as a Red Shell, a Banana,
           a Green Shell, etc.

 R Button: Jump, and if you jump and hold Left or Right on the D-Pad, depending
           on the direction of the turn you are making, you can perform a Drift
           technique, as well as a Power Slide (see the Techniques section of
           this FAQ for more information)

 Start: Pauses the game

 Select: Does nothing

 D-Pad: Use this to steer your kart

 Touch Screen: Tap this to display toggle between the two different maps

 
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 6. Game Basics                                                       |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 Items: In each race in Grand Prix mode, as well as Balloon Battle mode, Shine
        Runners mode, and even Vs mode, you'll find "?" blocks. ? blocks house
        items, but what you get from them is random. To make the item shuffle
        go faster after hitting a ? block, tap the L button. Some items are
        extremely rare, some are not, it all depends on the item. I'll list all
        of the items in the game and how rare they are in the Items section of
        this FAQ. Also, do not be deceived by blocks that do not have ? marks
        on them, as this block is actually an item, and if you hit against it,
        you will be stunned for quite a few seconds. To fire an item straight,
        press L. To fire an item backwards, press Down on the D-Pad, then press
        L. Finally, to hold an item on your kart and not fire it, simply get
        the item, then hold L to keep it in your kart. If you keep an item such
        as a Red Shell or Green Shell, any opponent who bumps into it will be
        hit! This also works for blocks without ? marks, as well as Bananas.

 Speed Tiles: Speed tiles are colorful tiles, which you will find in Shine
              Runners, Grand Prix, Vs, and even Time Trial. When you find one
              of these colorful tiles, ride them to get a boost of speed. These
              tiles are very useful, so use them to your advantage.

 Item Box: At the top left corner of the screen during a race, you should see a
           black box with a white outlining on it. This is what I call an item
           box, because if you collect an item, the item you collect will
           appear in the item box. When you use an item, the item will
           disappear from the item box.

 Accelerating: This isn't really a game basic, but I'll list it here anyway. To
               accelerate, before you start a race, wait until the timer almost
               gets off of 2. When it is almost off of 2, hold A and when the
               timer lifts and the race starts, you will gain a boost of speed.
               Make sure, however, that you hold A RIGHT before, and I do mean
               right before the 2 on the timer goes off. If you do it too
               early, your kart will spin out of control and smoke for a couple
               of seconds, and that's always bad.

 Records: This appears just below the Single Player, Multiplayer, and Nintendo
          WFC icons after the title screen. This option allows you to check
          your Vs win/loss ratio, your Battle win/loss ratio, and your online
          mode win/loss ratio. Also, it allows you to check your Grand Prix and
          Time Trial records. Finally, this option allows you to check your
          friends' win/loss ratio, when they last played, etc. At any time by
          pressing X after selecting Grand Prix or any other option, you can
          erase your records.

 Options: This also appears below the Single Player, Multiplayer, and Nintendo
          WFC options that appear after the title screen. Here you can edit
          your Settings (You can edit the sound so it could be Stereo or Mono,
          whichever you perfer. Also, you can edit whether or not the function
          to allow you to search for an online friend is on or off). Secondly,
          you can edit your nickname (this'll appear in Multiplayer and online)
          and emblem here (this'll appear in Multiplayer and online). Finally,
          you can erase all of your data on MKDS (this includes missions, or
          anything else you've completed). Don't see why you would wanna do
          that, but you can.

 
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 7. Walkthrough                                                       |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 Here is a complete walkthrough for all the cups in Grand Prix, as well as all
 of the missions in Mission mode. Note that the Grand Prix walkthrough covers
 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc, as nothing is changed in the courses in the modes,
 except for how fast the karts go. Also note that the courses in the Retro
 Grand Prix mode are courses from the previous Mario Kart games, whereas the
 courses in the Nitro Grand Prix are MKDS exclusives. I also find that the
 computer opponents use items on you a lot more in 100cc and 150cc, so just be
 aware of that. Finally, after you beat Flower Cup, you unlock the Star Cup,
 but only if you get rank C or better. After beating the Star Cup with rank C
 or better, you unlock the Special Cup, and so on. Also, there are several
 ranks, which are namely: *, meaning the best rank you can get, even better
 than A. Rank A is another rank, which is near perfect, but still not as good
 as * is. Then there's B, which is ok, but not the best. Then comes C, which is
 not that good at all, but still worthy of unlocking the next cup if you finish
 the cup at that rank. Then there's rank D, which is pretty bad, but it can
 still unlock another cup or unlock Mirror Mode.

 Finally, there is rank E, which is the worst rank you can possibly get. Now we
 know that this rank isn't worthy of unlocking another cup. Seriously, if you
 get rank E, you desperately need to improve yourself.


 Grand Prix Walkthrough
 ----------------------


 Nitro Grand Prix Walkthrough
 ----------------------------


 Mushroom Cup Walkthrough
 ------------------------


 Course #1 - Figure-8 Circuit
 ----------------------------

 This an extremely straight-foward course with some straightaways. There are no
 obstacles in this course, except the grass on the side of the road, but who
 would intentionally drive on the side of the road, anyway? As long as you do
 not drive on the side of the road, then you are pretty much okay. Also,
 Drifting/Power Sliding on the turns isn't a bad idea, either.


 Course #2 - Yoshi Falls
 -----------------------

 This course is nothing major, just like Figure-8 Circuit. Use the speed tiles
 you come across in the course to your advantage, and be careful not to fall
 off, as it is a possibility if you aren't careful. If you decide to drive on
 the waterfall, then there's a better chance than normal that you'll fall off,
 so please don't try and drive on the waterfall, as it might cost you. There
 are also some turns in this course that you'll have to make, but nothing
 significant.


 Course #3 - Cheep Cheep Beach
 -----------------------------

 This is also another very straight-foward course. Nothing much to note here,
 except when you reach the part in the course where the water goes out and
 comes back in, try not to get caught in that water, and also try and avoid the
 crawfish's walking along the beach on that part, as well. When you reach the
 brown tiles with the "^" arrows on them, drive over them to use them to your
 advantage.


 Course #4 - Luigi's Mansion
 ---------------------------

 Nothing too terrible to look out for in this course. There are some trees in a
 muddy area that you'll come across later on in the course, as well as some
 sharp turns every now and then. Aside from the trees and the muddy area (Which
 you must drive through), there isn't much to worry about at all.


 Flower Cup Walkthrough
 ----------------------


 Course #1 - Desert Hills
 ------------------------

 Avoid the fireballs that the sun fires at you, as well as the Pokeys that you
 will come across. Also, stay off the sides of the road, as the sand there can
 really slow you down.


 Course #2 - Delfino Square
 --------------------------

 Nothing much you need to watch out for here. This course is all about turning
 curves, so just be aware of that and try and Drift. There is a shortcut,
 however, that I've seen some people use online. To reach that shortcut, go
 through the course until you come across some wooden crates. In that area,
 drive slightly west, then north and through the muddy tunnel there (Look at
 the map if you don't get what I'm saying). This tunnel, if you go straight
 after going through it, will take you to the huge speed boosting tile near the
 finish line. Sure, you can get here normally, but this is still useful.


 Course #3 - Waluigi Pinball
 ---------------------------

 Use the three speed tiles in the beginning of the course to gain some speed.
 Avoid the black balls, and the other obstacles in this course. Also, this
 course, like Delfino Square, also requires a lot of turning curves, so try
 Drifting/Power Sliding a lot in this course.


 Course #4 - Shroom Ridge
 ------------------------

 This course can be a bit rough if you aren't careful. There are tons of cars
 and trucks driving about the level, so please, by all means, don't bump into
 them if you want 1st place. Also, don't fall off into nowhere, as near the
 finish line, there is a place you can fall down, which will make you get out
 of that 1st place spot real fast.


 Star Cup Walkthrough
 --------------------


 Course #1 - DK Pass
 -------------------

 This course is actually a bit difficult. Be careful not to fall off, and avoid
 the snowballs, as well as the snowmen, as they can really slow you down. Also,
 like in all courses almost, except the ones like Delfino Square, avoid driving
 on the side of the road.


 Course #2 - Tick-Tock Clock
 ---------------------------

 This course is not that hard or annoying. In fact, I find it quite fun. Use
 the speed tiles in the beginning to give you a boost, be careful of the long
 and spinning red poles there. Look out for the pendulum, as well as the other
 black pole with the long red pole that spins, which you'll eventually come to
 (You'll come across two of these). Also, try and avoid the other obstacles
 that you'll encounter, as they can really slow you down if you hit them.
 Overall, this level is fun, but it is the course with the most obstacles in
 the game, by far. Finally, be careful not to fall off.


 Course #3 - Mario Circuit
 -------------------------

 Avoid bumping into the Goombas in the course, and also avoid driving on the
 side of the road, as that will really slow you down on this course. Also, you
 will have to Drift a lot in this course, and I do mean a lot,  because there
 are a lot of curves (They had to make something hard for such a short and
 straight-foward course). That's pretty much all you need to know here.


 Course #4 - Airship Fortress
 ----------------------------

 I'll tell you now, this is not the best of levels, it is kind of annoying. It
 resembles Bowser's Doomship from Super Mario Bros 3, if you've ever played it
 and/or watched the show. In the beginning of the course, when you are beside
 the ship, avoid the Bullet Bills that are fired from the ship. Later on, you
 will come to two spinning fires, so just ride through them at the right time
 to avoid being hit. Eventually, you'll come to a speed tile, which carries you
 to a hole. Note that the computer opponents can knock you off so that you
 won't get into the hole, thus easily knocking you out of 1st place. That's
 pretty much all there is to know about this course!


 Special Cup Walkthrough
 -----------------------


 Course #1 - Wario Stadium
 -------------------------

 Use the speed tiles you come across in the course for some speed. Also, don't
 drive in the mud when you reach it. Also, you should try and get an item from
 one of the ? blocks in the middle of the circle of fire you come across, but
 in order to even reach the items, you'll need to use the speed tiles. Finally,
 avoid the spinning fire (There is more than one of these) that you come
 across, otherwise you'll be slowed down greatly.


 Course #2 - Peach Gardens
 -------------------------

 Avoid the Chain Chomps at the beginning of the course, and don't fall into the
 water, either, which is also at the beginning of the course. Do not bump into
 the fences in this course, either. Avoid driving in the flower beds, as that
 will slow you down. Also, don't drive on the sides of the road, as I'm sure
 you already know. Try and avoid the moles as best you can, as well, as hitting
 one of them slows you down a good bit. When you come across bushes, try not to
 bump into them, as you'll be slowed down, and we don't want or need that.


 Course #3 - Bowser Castle
 -------------------------

 This course is actually pretty hard, and I find that everytime you are on the
 moving log, the computer opponents use a Red Shell, a Green Shell, or a Blue
 Blue Spiked Shell on you. Anyway, the actual course itself has many areas
 where there's no railing, thus it's easy to fall off into the lava, so please
 drive carefully to avoid that at all costs. When you come to a spinning
 platform shortly after you meet the Thwomps, try and work your way to the
 other side, while fighting against the moving platform. Also, when you come to
 the moving log, be warned about the computer opponents using Shell items on
 you, as I mentioned above, as they ALWAYS do it to me, and that can get
 EXTREMELY annoying. Also, please try and avoid falling off of the moving
 log, because if you do, and it's 2nd or 3rd lap, you don't have a very good
 chance of getting 1st place, and you'll be knocked to 2nd or 3rd place.
 Finally, avoid the Thwomps in this course, as well, as being squashed can
 really slow you down. One more thing: Drive very carefully after you cross the
 moving log, as you will come across three moving platforms, and it's easy to
 fall in the lava there if you aren't careful.


 Course #4 - Rainbow Road
 ------------------------

 Use the speed tiles in course to your advantage. Note that in this course you
 can fall off EXTREMELY easy, and the computer opponents always knock you off,
 back onto 5th place or worse, it seems. There is no doubt that this course and
 Bowser's Castle are the hardest ones in the game. Aside from the speed tiles,
 there's not too much to note in this course, except by all means, drive very
 carefully, and use the brakes on areas where you can fall off.


 Retro Grand Prix Walkthrough
 ----------------------------


 Shell Cup Walkthrough
 ---------------------


 Course #1 - Mario Circuit 1
 ---------------------------

 This is an extremely straight-foward course, with a lot of curves and some
 straightaways. This course is trying to familiarize you with the controls. In
 other words, this course is a beginners course. Aside from you having to make
 lots of turns (Be sure to Drift, so see the Techniques section of the guide
 for that information), this course is easy, just don't drive in the dirt on
 the side of the roads, and you should be fine. NOTE: The straightaways are
 good for Drafting (See the Techniques section for that information as well).


 Course #2 - Moo Moo Farm
 ------------------------

 This is another very straight-foward course. There are some turns, like in
 Mario Circuit, that you'll have to make, but Drifting/Power Sliding doesn't
 come in handy on these turns, as the turns are on hill terrain. Also, watch
 out for the Monty Moles on the east side of the course, as they will slow you
 down if you hit one of them.


 Course #3 - Peach Circuit
 -------------------------

 Like you'd expect from the Shell Cup, this course is another straight-foward
 course. In this course, however, you'll have to make some pretty sharp turns,
 so I hope you are getting used to Drifting/Power Sliding at this point, or you
 are really good at turning curves, because that's what is required here. Aside
 from that, there's nothing else worth mentioning, except that there are some
 straightaways you'll come across, which are good for Drafting.


 Course #4 - Luigi Circuit
 -------------------------

 This is yet another straight-foward course with some straightaways, as well as
 some turns, but it's nothing beyond what you've experienced in the previous
 courses, except the fact that there are speed tiles in this course on the east
 side towards the finish line. Use those speed tiles to gain some boosts of
 speed, but be careful; the computer opponents seem to throw Bananas up there a
 lot, so just watch out for that, and you should be okay.


 Banana Cup Walkthrough
 ----------------------


 Course #1 - Donut Plains 1
 --------------------------

 Nothing much to note here. This course is pretty straight-foward. Don't drive
 into the mud or the grass. That's all you need to know here.


 Course #2 - Frappe Snowland
 ---------------------------

 This course can actually be a bit tough. Avoid driving in the snow on the side
 of the road, and also avoid the snowmen you come across. Eventually, you will
 come across a huge pack of snowmen, so drive through that area very carefully
 when you come to it. You will also have to make a lot of turns in this course,
 so be prepared to Drift/Power Slide.


 Course #3 - Bowser Castle 2
 ---------------------------

 This level is extremely difficult, and you have a really good chance of
 falling into the lava, so be extremely careful throughout the course, and
 maneuver your kart very carefully and cautiously. Also, use the speed tiles in
 the course to get you some boosts, but you can even fall in the lava then, so
 be very very careful, and don't get on the speed tiles that have a huge hole
 of fire below them, or it's a good chance you'll fall in.


 Course #4 - Baby Park
 ---------------------

 This course is extremely straight-foward, though I find that the computer
 opponents use a Blue Spiked Shell very often in this course, so be careful, as
 that can get frusterating really quick. Also, this is a turning course, so
 perform Drfits/Power Slides to get around the sharp turns. Other than that,
 this is, like I said, a very straight-foward course with straightaways and a
 few sharp turns.


 Leaf Cup Walkthrough
 --------------------


 Course #1 - Koopa Beach 2
 -------------------------

 This is a fairly straight-foward course, but you are required to make some
 occasional turns here and there, but they don't really require extreme tactics
 to get around, as they aren't that sharp of turns. Also, try your best to
 avoid falling into those dark blue puddles that you see in the lighter blue
 water, as falling in those puddles can be very annoying, and make you lose the
 race easily. Aside from this, there's nothing much to note in this course,
 except don't drive on the side of the road where the lily pads are.


 Course #2 - Choco Mountain
 --------------------------

 This is a foggy mountain, and it is a hilly and bumpy course, so be prepared
 to bounce up and down a lot. There are some turns that you'll have to make in
 this course, but they are nothing too incredibly difficult, unlike in some
 other courses, such as Baby Park. About half way through the first lap, you'll
 come to an area with rolling boulders and a huge pool of water to the left, so
 when you come to that area, try and avoid the rolling boulders, and don't
 drive to the left by all means. Also, I don't recommend Drifting/Power Sliding
 in that area, as that can knock you into the pool of water. Other than that,
 this course is fairly simple, except with a few bumps here and there.


 Course #3 - Luigi Circuit
 -------------------------

 It's raining in this course, and there are puddles on the road. Don't drive in
 the puddles, by all means, as it will produce the same effect as a Banana.
 Also, avoid driving in the dirt on either side of the road, as that will slow
 your kart down considerably. Other than that, there are a few turns you'll
 have to make in this course, but that's it, just Drift/Power Slide around them
 and you should be fine.


 Course #4 - Mushroom Bridge
 ---------------------------

 This is a pretty straight-foward course with some trucks and cars driving
 about. If you hit one of the cars, you will spin out of control for a few
 seconds, so try and avoid that at all costs. Also, there are some turns that
 you'll have to make in this course, but nothing too terribly sharp, but as
 always, Drifting/Power Sliding comes in handy around the turns. Aside from
 this, there's really nothing worth mentioning about this course.


 Lightning Cup Walkthrough
 -------------------------


 Course #1 - Choco Island 2
 ---------------------------

 This is a fairly straightfoward course, with a few turns here and there where
 you will have to Drift. Also, when you are driving in the chocolate river,
 your kart will slow down, but you basically have to drive through the
 chocolate river. Also, stay off the side of the road, as the chocolate there
 will really slow you down. Finally, don't bump into any of the Piranhas if you
 somehow get onto the side of the road unintentionally.


 Course #2 - Banshee Boardwalk
 -----------------------------

 This course is extremely difficult, so be warned. In the beginning on the
 boardwalk, there will be fishes that come out of the water, as well as Boos,
 but they never did me any harm, so I doubt they even harm period. Try and
 avoid falling off the boardwalk, and when you reach the room with the coffin
 of bats, as well as a cage with bats coming out of it, try and avoid them (It
 shouldn't be hard at all), as if they hit you, they will slow you down a bit.
 Finally, be warned: I find that the computer opponents throw items at you a
 lot on this course.


 Course #3 - Sky Garden
 ----------------------
 Be careful not to fall off here, as it is sort of easy to, but not near about
 as easy as it is on say Bowser's Castle. Also, use the speed tiles for some
 speed, but be careful, as one of those tiles can cause you to have to Drift
 immediately, as you'll need to turn after using that certain speed tile. Other
 than this, there's not much to note about the Sky Garden.


 Course #4 - Yoshi Circuit
 -------------------------

 This course is straight-foward. Just avoid driving on the side of the road,
 like in all courses. Seriously, that is pretty much all there is to note here.


 Mission Walkthrough
 -------------------

 There are seven levels of missions, with 8 trials in each mission. In order to
 unlock another level in missions, you have to complete all 8 trials in one
 level. Also, to unlock the seventh level mission, which is the final one, you
 must complete all of the trials in the other six levels, and get a 1-Star rank
 on all of the trials in each level. There is also a boss stage that you must
 complete after completing the eight trials in each level before you can move
 onto the next level of missions.


 Level 1 Walkthrough
 -------------------


 Mission 1-1
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 5 numbered gates in order!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Mario in his Standard MR kart for this mission.

 To do this first mission, it's very simple; all you have to do is drive
 through the numbered gates in order, which means drive through the first one,
 which is number 1, then through the second one, which is number 2, and so on
 until you complete the mission. Also, there are, after the first gate, four
 Mushrooms beside each gate except number 5 (number 5 has 5 Mushrooms), which
 will speed you up, so be sure to use those Mushrooms. Note that I suggest you
 use the closest Mushroom to the gate, depending on your current position. You
 should also try and accelerate at the beginning of the race to gain a boost of
 speed. Overall, this mission is very easy, and you should have no problems
 with it, and it's also easy to get a good rank on this mission.


 Mission 1-2
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 15 coins!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Peach in her Standard PC kart for this mission.

 This is a bit harder than the previous mission, but it still shouldn't be that
 hard, though it might be hard to get a 2 or 3 star rank, but once you get
 accustomed to the game and get good at it, it shouldn't be hard at all. The
 object of this mission to collect all 15 coins in the course. When you start
 the race, you'll come to a straightaway, so collect those two coins, then
 quickly Drift to the right and collect the next two coins you encounter. Now,
 you'll come to another straightaway (a long one at that), so collect the coins
 there. Eventually, there will be some more turns that you'll encounter, just
 like in the beginning, so Drift accurately across those turns to get the
 coins. Then, after the turns, you'll come to two signs that say "STOP!", and
 if you collected all 15 coins, you'll have completed the mission.


 Mission 1-3
 -----------

 Game Description: Destroy all 10 item boxes!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Yoshi in his Standard YS kart for this mission.

 This is a very easy mission. Simply drive into the item boxes (? blocks) that
 you come across and you will complete this mission if you drive into all 10 of
 the item boxes. The first two are simple to get, as it's just a straight drive
 to get them, but on the third one, you have to go down to a hill and collect
 that one. After that, the other item boxes should be fairly easy to get. Note
 that each item box contains a Mushroom, so use them wisely.


 Mission 1-4
 -----------

 Game Description: Get the Star and use it to hit 5 Cheep Cheeps!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Wario in his Standard WR kart for this mission.

 This is a very easy mission to complete, just don't drive too fast, because of
 how much speed the Star item gives you. Each item box houses a Star, so keep
 that in mind. If you're fast enough, you can complete this mission using only
 one Star. You have to hit each Cheep Cheep in this mission in order to
 complete. Like the game's description says, there are 5 Cheep Cheeps that you
 must hit while the Star item has an effect on you.


 Mission 1-5
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 6 numbered gates in order!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Toad in his Standard TD kart for this mission.

 This is a fairly easy mission to complete, just don't fall off. Your objective
 here is to drive through all six gates in order. You start from the east side
 of the course, then gradually make your way to the other side of where you
 started in this course while going through the gates. Unlike in the first
 mission, there are no Mushrooms by the gates, so keep that in mind. Note that
 you shouldn't be extremely careless in this mission, meaning like don't drive
 so fast and all over the place, just drive smoothly enough to where you can
 get at least a 1-Star rank.


 Mission 1-6
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive out of the mansion... backward!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Luigi in his Standard LG kart for this mission.

 This is yet another fairly simple mission, though if you bump into too many
 walls and obstacles, you might not get even a 1-Star rank, so just be careful
 and be aware of that. Anyway, to complete the mission, hold B to drive
 backwards (you'll have to drive like this throughout the entire mission, as
 the game description I listed above says), just be careful not to bump into a
 wall or any obstacles and you should be fine. After all, you only have to go
 through three rooms and then go outside and the mission is complete once you
 get outside.


 Mission 1-7
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 20 coins!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Donkey Kong in his Standard DK kart for this
       mission.

 This is an extremely easy mission. In fact, I find it to be easier than the
 second mission in Level 1. Anyway, the coins are fairly simple to collect, and
 there are no sharp turns like there were in the second mission. Most of the
 coins are collected by generally going straight. The only thing there is to
 worry about is bumping into the walls while going up the hilly terrain on the
 right side of the course where the Monty Moles are (don't bump into the Monty
 Moles, either, as it hurts the rank you get at the end of the mission). Other
 than that, there's not really much to note here.


 Mission 1-8
 -----------

 Game Description: Perform 4 power-slide turbo boosts in 1 lap!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Mario in his standard MR kart for this mission.

 Another very easy mission. All you have to do is perform a Power Slide up to
 where your kart emits red sparks. When your kart emits red sparks, let go of R
 and you will get a boost of speed from the Power Slide. Do this four times and
 reach the finish line to complete this mission. The things you need to worry
 about are the pipes scattered throughout the course, as those can slow you
 down considerably. Also, try and maintain control when you do a Power Slide,
 as it took me awhile before I stopped losing control when I did them and going
 into the dirt on the side of the road. Remember, if you bump into any of the
 pipes or lose control and manage to get on the side of the road, both these
 things will slow you down considerably.


 Boss #1
 -------

 Game Description: Use Mushrooms to crash into the big bully and knock him off
                   the stage!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Yoshi in his standard YS kart for this mission.

 This is a pretty easy boss to beat, but that's expected, as it's the first
 boss in Mission mode. Anyway, to beat Big Bully, use the item box in the
 middle of the room to get three Mushrooms (the box regenerates, so don't worry
 if you don't knock him off on your first batch of Mushrooms). Once you have
 the three Mushrooms from the item box, use them when you are directly in front
 of the Big Bully and each time you use one, it'll knock him back more and
 more. If you don't knock him off the first time you try, get the Mushrooms
 from the item box in the center of the stage, then repeat until you get the
 Big Bully into the water. Mission complete.


 Level 2
 -------


 Mission 2-1
 -----------

 Game Description: Crash into all 10 wooden crates and destroy every one!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Wario in his Standard WR kart for this mission.

 This mission is actually quite tough to complete, and even harder to get a
 good rank on. There a total of 10 wooden crates in this mission that you must
 run your kart through at high speeds to break. For example, if you are right
 next to a crate and attempt to break it, it won't break, because you are too
 close, thus your kart won't have enough speed to break that specific crate if
 you're too close. Anyway, the first crate is located right in front of you, so
 just run through it, because you should already be at high speed by the time
 you reach the crate. For the second and third crate, just drive into them like
 you did the first one, as you shouldn't have too much trouble with those.
 After you have broken three wooden crates, go straight and get on the dock for
 the fourth one. Once you break the fourth crate and are on the dock, drive
 directly west of where the fourth wooden crate was before you broke it, and
 you should be going down a hill to a lower part of the dock. On that lower
 part is another wooden crate, so break it, then make your way back up the dock
 to where the fourth crate was, but along the way, break the sixth wooden crate
 to the north of where the fifth one was. Make your way off the dock
 completely, just be careful not to fall into the water on your way back up.

 When you are back up on the main course rather than the dock, break the next
 three wooden crates via a Power Slide along the fence on the east side of the
 course (the Power Slide enables you to break the next three crates in a
 straight line without losing speed like you normally do). After you collect
 those three wooden crates, Cross the bridge, then about two seconds before you
 reach the gap to the east of the "STOP!" sign at the end, quickly Power Slide
 and use the boost from the Power Slide (may take a couple of tries) to break
 the last crate and complete the mission. IMPORTANT NOTE: It is excessively
 hard and excessively tedious to get rank ** or higher on this mission, so just
 be content with a * rank when you get it, to save you some time and
 frusteration.


 Mission 2-2
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 10 coins!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Yoshi in his Standard YS kart for this mission.

 This mission is very easy, except there's one thing that you probably won't
 expect; there is a coin directly behind where you start the mission, so just
 backup by holding B to get it, then progress through the course like normal,
 collecting each coin along the way, because it's not hard. Drifting and/or
 Power Sliding will come in handy along the slight turns and get you a better
 rank, but I got rank *** without Drifting or Power Sliding, but it certainly
 helps if your a newbie.


 Mission 2-3
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 5 numbered gates in order!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Donkey Kong in his Standard DK kart for this
       mission.

 Another fairly simple mission. The first gate is in front of you, and there
 are no Mushrooms beside it, so just drive through it. The second one is on the
 left side of the course in the grass, so drive onto that grass and use the
 nearby Mushroom to go through the gate on the grass without losing speed like
 you normally would. The third gate comes shortly after the second gate and
 there are no Mushrooms beside this gate, either, so just go through it, and
 eventually, you'll come across a Mushroom beside the fourth gate, so use it to
 go through the fourth gate with speed. Finally, you'll come across two
 Mushrooms, one shortly after another after you go through the fourth gate, so
 be sure to use those Mushrooms so that you can speed through the fifth gate
 with speed. Mission complete after that.


 Mission 2-4
 -----------

 Game Description: Destroy all 5 item boxes!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Luigi in his Standard LG kart for this mission.

 Like in the previous item box mission, each item box contains a Mushroom,
 which you should use when you are directly behind another item box so that you
 can get a boost of speed, thus making it easier to get the box that you are
 behind. Take note that the boxes this mission move fast, so use the Mushrooms
 wisely, because you only get one per box. Anyway, collect the first item box
 by driving straight. Then, collect the other ones the same way you did the
 first one, being sure to use each Mushroom wisely. This mission is VERY easy,
 and you should have no problems at all, unless you drive in the grass in the
 outside area of the mansion.


 Mission 2-5
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 20 coins!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Peach in her Standard PC kart for this mission.

 The object in this mission is to collect all 20 coins, hence the game
 description. The first few coins are straight-foward and easy to get until you
 reach the speed tile. When you reach the speed tile, be careful not to go all
 over the place, and be sure to collect the rest of the coins on your first try
 after coming off the speed tile, otherwise you'll get a lower rank. This
 mission is pretty easy, except its kind of slippery I noticed.


 Mission 2-6
 -----------

 Game Description: Use Bob-ombs to destroy all 5 Pokeys!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Wario in his Standard WR kart for this mission.

 This mission is another easy one, but it takes a lot longer than the previous
 missions you've played. The best way I found to complete this mission was to
 grab a Bob-omb from an item box (each item box contains a Bob-omb), aim
 straight at a Pokey, and throw it. After you kill the first Pokey, repeat this
 until you complete the mission; it shouldn't be too hard to complete, but it
 may take some practice before you can execute this strategy flawlessly.


 Mission 2-7
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 10 numbered gates in order!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Toad in his Standard TD kart for this mission.

 This mission actually might be a bit tough. The first gate is right in front
 of you, so just go through it, then get on the speed tile. When you get off of
 the speed tile, go left, rather than straight, as this mission is trickier
 than you might have expected. You see, the second gate is to the left and not
 north of the speed tile like you probably expected it to be (the second gate
 is the leftmost of gate of the two gates that you'll come across when you go
 left). When you go through the second gate, quickly grab a Mushroom from one
 of the item boxes, then use it to get a boost. Then, keep on the path you're
 on and you will eventually come to two more gates. This time, the rightmost
 gate is the third gate, so drive through it. After you drive through the third
 gate, the fourth one is very nearby, so go through that one, then ride along
 the speed tiles on the hill to the east, going through the fifth gate along
 the way. After you go through the fifth gate, there will be two more speed
 tiles for you to ride along, so do that and when you get off, use the next
 speed tile, then collect the sixth gate (you'll be able to tell it's the sixth
 gate because it won't appear to be red, like the previous gates that you've
 already went through).

 After collecting the sixth gate, quickly grab a Mushroom from one of the item
 boxes and use it to gain a boost of speed. Go through the eighth gate to your
 left, but be careful not to miss it because of your boost of speed. Then, keep
 going and go through the ninth gate. After you go through the ninth gate, ride
 along the first speed tile, then instead of riding along the other ones, go up
 and onto the platform above the speed tiles, and there's the tenth gate. After
 you go through it, mission complete.


 Mission 2-8
 -----------

 Game Description: Peform 6 power-slide turbo boosts in 3 laps!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Peach in her Standard PC kart for this mission.

 Getting a * rank or higher is pretty tough on this mission, but the mission
 itself isn't that tough. You have to perform six Power Slide boosts on Baby
 Park in three laps. Each of the item boxes give you a Star, so it gives you a
 little edge because of the speed, to execute Power Slides. Just don't let your
 speed control you to where you bump into everything, but instead, control your
 speed to where you execute your Power Slides flawlessly around each of the
 many sharp turns in this course. If you can manage to perform six Power Slide
 boosts before three laps are completed and reach the finish line, you complete
 the mission.


 Boss #2
 -------

 Game Description: Hit the Eyerok's eyeball 3 times with shells!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Mario in his Standard MR kart for this mission.

 This creature is from Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS, and has two hands;
 each with an eye on them. Your object here is to grab an item box in the room
 (don't worry, they regenerate), and throw a Green Shell at the eye on one of
 the hands. You'll have to aim precise and straight in order to do this, as
 Green Shells don't do like the Red Shells do and act as a homing missile. Do
 this three times to complete the mission. This creature usually has a fist on
 one hand, and his hand open on the other hand. Also, when you hit this
 creature twice, on the final hit, it'll have both its hand in a fist and it
 will try and squash you and if you get hit, you lose a balloon. Keep in mind
 that you only have three balloons, so try not to get too often. If you mess up
 too much, you won't get a good rank at the end. Another thing I forgot to
 mention was that on the last hit, both hands will be open after the creature
 jumps around and tries to squash you. This is your chance to hit him, but be
 careful, as the creature will trick you by moving his hand when you throw the
 Green Shell.


 Level 3
 -------


 Mission 3-1
 -----------

 Game Description: Destroy all 5 item boxes!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Wario in his Standard WR kart for this mission.

 The object of this mission is to drive through all 5 item boxes, just like the
 previous missions that you had to complete regarding these. This mission is a
 bit harder than the previous item box missions you've done, because this is
 played in Waluigi Pinball, and it's a small area. Also, there are bumpers and
 if you bump into them, they'll bounce you around, so just try and avoid
 driving into them. That's easier said than done, though, so my strategy for
 you here is just to destroy them when they are in range, rather than just
 going all out and trying to get them in one run. Also, each item box contains
 a Star. This mission is also fairly easy to get a high rank on.


 Mission 3-2
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 5 numbered gates in order... backward!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Bowser in his Standard BW kart for this mission.

 This isn't too hard of a mission to complete, although if you aren't used to
 driving backward. To start off, just go backwards by holding B and go through
 the first gate. Make your way through the first area where the first gate was,
 then you'll come to the second gate so when you come to it, go through it. For
 the next gate, just keep going straight and you'll find it. Be sure to ignore
 the left path you come across before the third gate, as that path is a trap.
 When you find the third gate, go through it, then keep going straight and
 eventually, you'll come across the fourth gate so when you do, go through that
 one. Once you go through the fourth gate, keep going and you'll eventually
 come across two "STOP!" signs, so when you do, drive left of those signs and
 you'll come to some stairs; drive up them, and voila! There is your fifth
 gate, so go through it to complete the mission.


 Mission 3-3
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 15 coins while avoiding the Chain Chomp!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Luigi in his Standard LG kart for this mission.

 This is an extremely easy mission to complete. Accelerate before the timer
 stops and the race starts when you start the mission, then go straight and go
 into the circle of coins, where the Chain Chomp is. All I did to complete it
 was drive straight into the first coin, then hold Left and collect all of the
 other coins. Note that even I got hit by the Chain Chomp, so don't get too
 slap happy and think that you can just rush through this, because even I did
 not do this in less than 8 seconds.


 Mission 3-4
 -----------

 Game Description: Reach the finish before Yoshi!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Peach in her Standard PC kart for this mission.

 This is a fairly simple mission to complete, but it is a bit tough to get a
 *** rank on this mission. Anyway, you are racing against Yoshi in this mission
 to see who can reach the finish line first. First off, follow Yoshi to the
 waterfall to the east. Once you are on the waterfall, try and grab an item box
 (each item box contains either a Mushroom or a Star) so that you can get an
 item and try and get ahead. If you get a Star from the item box, that's great.
 If not, a Mushroom is still good. Also, Drafting is useful on this mission as
 well, but it's kind of hard to execute but if you can manage to execute it, it
 will give you a boost of speed, which helps a lot. After the two waterfalls
 you come to, be sure to stay on the left side of the course, as the east side
 will have black obstacles in your way and if you get lost in them, that's
 definitely not a good thing.


 Mission 3-5
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 8 numbered gates in order!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Yoshi in his Standard YS kart for this mission.

 This mission is a VERY tricky mission to complete, especially considering that
 the gates are scattered about, rather than blatantly obvious like they usually
 are in the previous gate missions. Also, this mission is played on Pipe Plaza,
 which makes it easy to fall off when you are on the high platform directly
 above where you start. Anyway, the first gate is directly in front of you, so
 go through it. After you go through the first gate, go north through gate
 number 5, then continue going straight, and go through the rightmost pipe with
 a hole in it. When you go through that rightmost pipe, you'll appear on the
 upper platform I spoke of earlier in this mission. On that platform is the
 second gate right in front of you, so go through it, then after going through
 the second gate, continue going straight, then go east when the path splits,
 then go through the third gate. After that, go east and go through the fourth
 gate, then go north and through the pipe, and you'll come out of the bottom
 right pipe that you went through earlier to get the second, third, and fourth
 gate. Anyway, after you emerge from the bottom right pipe, go through the
 nearby fifth gate, then go slightly east of the fifth gate, but not too far
 east to where you're going towards the wall, just slightly east.

 After going slightly east from the fifth gate, go straight and then turn left
 and go through the sixth gate. After you go through the sixth gate, head left
 and go up the ramp onto the platform there, then on that platform, go left and
 go through the seventh gate near where the fourth one was. Upon going through
 the seventh gate, drop down to ground level again, then turn east and go
 through the eigth gate. Mission complete. Take note that this mission is VERY
 hard to get a ** or even a *** rank on unless you are really really good.
 IMPORTANT NOTE: Something I forgot to mention is another method for getting
 the final gate. This method is to jump left towards where the sixth gate is,
 rather than jumping down to the north of the seventh gate and going east. When
 you jump down to where the sixth gate is, go left and then go through the
 final gate.


 Mission 3-6
 -----------

 Game Description: Hit Monty Moles with shells 5 times!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Luigi in his Standard LG kart for this mission.

 This mission is kind of hard. You have to throw a Green Shell at any of the
 Monty Moles and get up to five hits altogether (you don't have to hit one
 Monty Mole five times, mind you, but if you hit five Monty Moles each one time
 with a Green Shell, then you'll score 5 hits, thus completing the mission) to
 complete the mission. This is harder than it sounds, however. The Monty Moles
 will stick their head up; this is how you know when they are about to jump out
 of the hole they're in. The best way I've found to complete this mission is to
 get a Green Shell from an item box, position your kart directly in front of a
 hole where the Monty Moles come out of (I mean like where the Monty Moles are
 behind you when they pop back up) and then hold the Green Shell there without
 releasing it until the Monty Mole comes out and gets hit (don't stand directly
 on top of the hole or you'll be hit when one comes out). When it gets hit,
 backup and get another Green Shell from the item box, then repeat until you
 win. Note that this mission is a bit tough to get a *** ranking on, just keep
 trying if you wish to achieve one.


 Mission 3-7
 -----------

 Game Description: Perform 10 power-slide turbo boosts in 1 lap!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Donkey Kong in his Standard DK kart for this
       mission.

 Actually, this mission is a bit tough at first, but it gradually gets easier
 once you get used to it. Try your best not bump into the walls, and also try
 your best not to run into any of the cars and trucks driving about the track.
 I know I'm making this sound easier than it really is, but once you get used
 to the mission, it shouldn't be that hard. Power Slide along the sharp turns
 and places that are good to Power Slide in. Careful, though, you don't want to
 fall off the track or drive into the grass or be hit by a car/truck. Again,
 this mission gets easier once you get the hang of it, but it is still quite
 difficult when you first start. If you avoid the walls/obstacles in this
 mission, you should be more than fine.


 Mission 3-8
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 20 coins!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Mario in his Standard MR kart for this mission.

 Your goal here is to collect all 20 coins in the course, hence the game
 description. To start off, collect the first coin right in front of you. Then,
 continue north into the next room and in that room, go left and collect the
 next coin there. After that, go left and into the outside area of the course.
 Once there, drive straight and collect the next coin straight ahead, which
 leads to another room of the course. When you reach that room, turn east into
 the room that has "STOP!" signs in it and once there, grab the next coin. Now,
 backup out of this room, then drive to the outside area directly left of the
 area you got your previous coin in. Once you reach the outside area, collect
 the nearby coin, then continue going straight, while trying to avoid the
 Banana on the ground in front of the entrance to the next room (your goal here
 is to get into that room). When you reach the room east of the Banana, take
 the next coin, then head left and into the next room. In that room, take the
 next coin, then left and out of this room, into the outside walkway. Once you
 are there, drive straight and collect the coin on the small platform there,
 while trying your best not to fall off. Once you have collected the eighth
 coin, turn around and drive straight, while you are avoiding the Banana, and
 grab the next coin just north of the Banana.

 Once you have that coin, go into the nearby room directly east of the Banana
 you just passed. In this "STOP!" sign filled area, take the nearby coin, then
 head west and northeast, collecting the eleventh coin as you move in a
 clockwise fashion. Once you have collected the eleventh coin, exit this room,
 and you'll be back on the outside walkway. Once there, drive straight and
 collect the next two coins, while trying your best to avoid getting hit by the
 Bananas. Once you have collected those next two coins, turn around and head
 straight and east, into the next room. In this room, collect the next coin.
 Then, go straight into the next room and drive in a circle either in a
 clockwise or a counter-clockwise fashion, collecting the last six coins. Be
 careful not to bump into the wall here, however, as that can subtract from the
 good rank you might have at the end of the mission. Driving insanely fast can
 and will make you bump into the walls here, so just avoid driving at extreme
 speeds while in that final room.


 Boss #3
 -------

 Game Description: Reach the finish before Goomboss!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Toad in his Standard TD kart for this mission.

 This boss mission is sort of hard, because Goomboss is faster than you. When
 you are behind Goomboss, he will throw out some Goombas, so don't bump into
 them, as they'll slow you down. Also, he will throw out some Mushrooms
 sometimes, so you should use them for speed, just avoiding hitting the walls
 when you get their speed. Since this mission is played on Baby Park, not
 hitting the walls is easier said than done, considering how many sharp turns
 there are in Baby Park. My strategy is to Power Slide around the sharp turns,
 but try and Power Slide with control, rather than just speeding through the
 park with the Power Slides. Also, when you receive the boost from the Power
 Slide, try and not hit a wall or anything, as Goomboss can get ahead very
 easily, due to his high speed. Goomboss will throw more than one Goomba out at
 one time, so keep that in mind (he throws about 3-6 Goombas sometimes). Just
 be careful, as Goomboss can easily get ahead of you even if you make the
 slightest mistake. If you don't bump into any walls and use the Mushrooms and
 Power Slide boosts correctly, you should fare pretty well here.

 Getting a *** rank may be hard, however, just keep practicing, should you wish
 to get a *** rank. NOTE: Something I did forget to mention in the strategy for
 this mission is that after each lap, Goomboss gets bigger and faster. Also,
 you have three balloons and three balloons only in this mission, and bumping
 into a Goomba makes you lose one balloon, so take note of that. Like in the
 previous boss mission, if you lose three of your balloons, it's over.


 Level 4
 -------


 Mission 4-1
 -----------

 Game Description: Reach the finish before Donkey Kong!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Wario in his Standard WR kart for this mission.

 First off, turn the curve there and you'll come to a field of snowmen, so if
 you did a Power Slide along the curve and your kart is emitting red sparks, be
 careful not to hit one of the snowmen with that speed boost, as that'll really
 slow you down. After you pass the field of snowmen, you'll drop down to an
 area below with some item boxes, so try and grab an item (each item box
 contains a Star or a Mushroom). After you grab an item, continue progressing
 through the course and the next area you come to will have several snowballs
 falling down (one each time, not multiple ones), which you have to avoid, but
 it's kind of hard to do that, just try and maneuver correctly and you should
 avoid them just fine. After you cross the snowball field, you'll come to an
 icy road, where there will be some small turns to make here and there, just
 Drift (not Power Slide, as that can really mess you up) and you should make it
 past this road just fine. Also, the icy road contains some item boxes while
 you are making your way thruogh it. After that road, you'll come to an icy
 cave, then you'll come to some item boxes, just like on the icy road, then to
 the finish line shortly after.

 If you got a lot of Stars, you are one lucky guy, as those REALLY help a lot
 in this mission.


 Mission 4-2
 -----------

 Game Description: Blast 20 crabs!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Yoshi in his Standard YS kart for this mission.

 The objective here is to blast 20 crabs with shells and Bob-ombs. To start
 off, grab an item from the center platform that you start on (each item box
 contains either three Green Shells, one Green Shell, or a Bob-omb). If you get
 a Green Shell, simply aim it directly in front or behind a crab (depending
 which direction is easier to hit them) to kill one. If you manage to get three
 Green Shells, just keep those shells beside your kart and don't launch one.
 Instead, drive up to one of the crabs and make it where they touch the shell,
 thus knocking one out; do this until you run out of the three shells. If you
 get a Bob-omb, they are pretty much useless in this mission and can rarely
 eliminate more than one crab, just throw it away. Finally, there is one more
 thing you should know about this mission: occasionally, most of the course
 will be flooded out due to the tide (everything except for the middle platform
 that you start this mission on and the upper sand platforms get flooded), so
 just watch out for that, as driving in that water will slow your kart down.
 Overall, this mission is very easy, and should not take you long at all to get
 the hang of, not to mention get a good rank on (I got a *** ranking after
 trying this mission about three or four times).


 Mission 4-3
 -----------

 Game Description: Reach the finish before the red car!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Mario in his Standard MR kart for this mission.

 This is one of the easiest missions in the entire game, though it is a bit
 tough to get a good rank on, because you tend to bump into walls a lot, and
 sometimes, it's possible to hit the cars/trucks driving about the level.
 Anyway, the red car will be ahead of you when you start the mission, but all
 you have to do is grab an item (you'll come to an item box shortly after you
 start the mission) and use a Mushroom/Mushrooms if you get them to gain a
 boost/boosts of speed. Also, Power Sliding around the turns isn't a bad idea,
 either, as that comes in handy a lot. Try your best to avoid the cars/trucks
 driving about the course, also try and avoid bumping into walls (avoiding the
 cars/trucks as well as walls, is essential for getting at least a * rank).
 Finally, there are some points in the course where there will be no walls to
 protect you from falling off, so just avoid driving too out of control when
 you reach those points. When you reach the finish line, you should be way
 ahead of the red car!


 Mission 4-4
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 7 numbered gates in order!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Wario in his Standard WR kart for this mission.

 First off, go straight ahead and go through the first gate. After that, Power
 Slide across the curve, grabbing an item from one of the item boxes along the
 way (note that each item box contains three Mushrooms, so that's very good).
 After the item boxes are passed, you'll see a gate straight ahead in the dirt,
 so quickly use a Mushroom (only use one), then go through the second gate,
 then use the second Mushroom, then the third, while going through the third
 gate on the east side of the course (the third gate is also located in a dirty
 and rough surface, rather than the smooth dust the main part of the course
 has). After you have gone through the third gate, get back on the main course
 and go straight and through the fourth gate, while avoiding the Pokey. Once
 you go through the fourth gate, you'll appear in a new area with some item
 boxes, as well as several Pokeys scattered about the center of the area, so
 just avoid them by going to the left. When you go left, eventually go right,
 then Power Slide around the curve (don't use an item if you picked up along
 the way to the fifth gate, which you should've), and through the fifth gate.

 After you go through the fifth gate, you'll come to the sixth gate immediately
 after, so go through it, then you'll have to make a lot of very sharp turns on
 the hilly desert terrain before you reach the seventh gate, so please, by all
 means, avoiding driving into the dirt on the side of the road (Power Sliding
 works extremely well around these sharp turns). When you reach the seventh
 gate, simply go through it to complete the mission.


 Mission 4-5
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 15 coins. If you get squished by a Thwomp, you
                   fail!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Bowser in his Standard BW kart for this mission.

 First off, accelerate (see the Controls section to see how to accelerate) at
 the start to get a speed boost when the mission starts (that way the Thwomps
 won't squash you) and go straight, running through all of the Thwomps (make
 sure you don't drive straight until the Thwomps rise up) and collecting each
 coin as you go run through the Thwomps. After you collect the eight coins that
 were under the Thwomps, slow down and turn around to where you're facing the
 next row of Thwomps. When you are, go straight and run through the Thwomps (be
 sure this time to run through the Thwomps when they are on the ground, rather
 than when they are in the air), collecting the remaining seven coins while you
 run through them. This mission is very easy once you get the hang of it, and
 it is also easy to get a *** ranking here.


 Mission 4-6
 -----------

 Game Description: Break all 10 item boxes while avoiding the Fake Items!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Donkey Kong in his Standard DK kart for this
       mission.

 This is an extremely easy mission to complete, so to speak. This mission is
 played on Choco Mountain, so there are some falling boulders, mind you, so try
 your best to avoid them when you run into them, as they can damage your rank
 at the end of the mission considerably. Anyway, your objective in this mission
 is to run through ten real item boxes, while avoiding the fake ones. To know
 which item boxes are fake and which are not, simply look at the map; the ones
 that are real will appear in their normal color, whereas the fake ones will be
 red. Also, you can know which ones are fake and which ones are not when you
 are close to them, as you'll notice when you are close to the boxes that one
 will be brighter than the other ones, and will have a ? block on it, whereas
 the others don't. Overall, this is an extremely easy mission to complete, and
 it's not hard to avoid running into the wrong item boxes, either. Just watch
 out for the boulders, and you should be fine.


 Mission 4-7
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 10 gates!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Toad in his Standard TD kart for this mission.

 First off, you should know that this mission is played on Waluigi Pinball,
 which means that there are obstacles scattered about the course and if you hit
 one of them, it'll hurt your rank at the end, trust me. To start off, go
 straight and drive through the first two gates, while avoiding the obstacles
 as best you can. Once you drive through the first two gates, turn right or
 left and drive through the next two gates (there are two gates on the right
 side, and two gates on the left side) on the side you choose, then whichever
 side you didn't choose, go to that side after driving through the two gates
 from either the right or left side, then on that other side I just spoke of
 (the side that you didn't choose), drive through the next two gates. After you
 go through the next two gates, drive back to the halfway point of the straight
 line where you went through the first two gates at. Once there, take the left
 side or the right side and go through the next two gates on whichever side you
 go to first. After one side is done, go to the other side and go through the
 last two gates, thus completing the mission.


 Mission 4-8
 -----------

 Game Description: Perform 9 power-slide turbo boosts in 1 lap!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Luigi in his Standard LG kart for this mission.

 This mission is rather simple, actually, and takes place on Luigi Circuit. Due
 to Luigi's very fast speed, however, this mission can be annoying to complete,
 but it's not that hard once you get the hang of it. Anyway, the first two or
 three sharp turns you come to, you should be able to execute a fairly good bit
 of power-slide turbo boosts (you should have about 4-6 after the first few
 sharp turns). Keep your control when you Power Slide, however, as Luigi's
 speed is so fast it can easily make you lose control and bring you into the
 grass on the side of the road, or even make you hit a puddle (if you hit a
 puddle, you'll spin out of control for a couple of seconds, so stay clear of
 the puddles). Keep Power Sliding around the turns while you make your way to
 the finish line, being sure to do your best to maintain control of your kart
 and staying clear of any of the puddles or the grass on the side of the road.
 Basically, the key to this mission is control. You also have to be fairly fast
 in order to complete the mission, not to mention get a good rank.


 Boss #4
 -------

 Game Description: Collect 50 coins while avoiding King Boo!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Peach in her Standard PC kart for this mission.

 You have to collect 50 coins in this mission while doing your best to avoid
 King Boo. King Boo, throughout the mission, will be floating within your
 vicinity, and then after about 30 seconds or so, he will attack you and take
 10 coins from you. If you lose those coins, to get them back, you have to
 charge directly at King Boo. The only real strategy I can give you here is to
 use your map to see where the several circles of coins are throughout the
 mission. I always Drifted around each circle of coins, and then before I had
 collected all of the coins in each circle, I reverted to Power Sliding and
 then once all of the coins within the circle were collected, I would release
 the Power Slide. Going into the lava can stop King Boo from stealing your
 coins, but fall into the lava wisely; you don't want to use up too much time
 here jumping in the wrong spots, and you definitely don't want to use up all
 three of your balloons. Basically, the key here is to be fast and fall in the
 lava when necessary before King Boo takes your coins. Keep practicing, because
 this mission is extremely hard, and will take some time to get a * or higher
 rank on.


 Level 5
 -------


 Mission 5-1
 -----------

 Game Description: Reach the finish before the stray Chain Chomp!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Peach in her Standard PC kart for this mission.

 The object of this mission is to get to the finish line while avoiding the
 lone Chain Chomp that's in the course. Before you can even manage to start,
 the Chain Chomp is already slightly ahead of you. Before you start, be sure to
 get the boost before the timer runs out. Anyway, once you start the mission,
 go through one of the item boxes to get three Mushrooms. Don't use them right
 away (I'll tell you when to use them), but instead keep driving through the
 course until you reach the first hill (Power Sliding across the turn right
 before you reach the hill is a recommendation from me). Be sure to use one of
 your Mushrooms as you're going up the hill. Anyway, when you reach the top of
 the first hill, you'll come to a small area with a flower bed (avoid driving
 into that flower bed, as that will slow you down considerably), then you'll
 come to a bushy area. In that area, nagivate carefully through the bushes,
 doing your best to avoid the other Chain Chomps in the area, and while trying
 to get ahead or stay ahead of the Chain Chomp that's racing against you. At
 the end of the bush area, right before you enter the next area, it's a good
 idea to use another one of your Mushrooms for another boost.

 When you reach the area after the bush area, use your last Mushroom atop the
 last hill, or use the Mushroom in the area you come to after driving down the
 hill. Another place to use your last Mushroom would be in the dirt area where
 the Monty Moles are. When you come to those Monty Moles, be sure to avoid them
 so that they don't subtract from your score when you complete the mission.
 After you pass the Monty Moles in the dirt area, drive across the bridge-like
 area, then head east at the opening (it won't have a fence around it like the
 rest of the bridge-like area does, thus you'll know it's the opening) and go
 through the finish line to complete the mission. Note that this strategy DOES
 NOT net you a *** rank, or maybe not even a ** rank, just a * rank, so if
 anyone has a better strategy to give me to get like a ** or a *** rank, it
 would be greatly appreciated.


 Mission 5-2
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive backward and collect 15 coins! If you hit a snowman,
                   you fail!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Donkey Kong in his Standard DK kart for this
       mission.

 This is a VERY easy mission to complete, but if you aren't used to driving
 backward, it may take a few tries and a few failures before you are used to
 driving backward. In this mission, you have to collect all 15 coins while you
 try your best not to hit a snowman, as if you hit one, hence the game
 description above, you fail the mission. These 15 coins are in a circle, and
 are not hard to collect once you get the hang of driving backwards. Basically,
 you drive backwards in a counter-clockwise fashion around the snowmen, while
 you collect the 15 coins. Overall, this mission is VERY easy, especially once
 you get used to it. I beat it on my fifth try or so and got a *** rank, so do
 not even worry about this mission being difficult, because it's not.


 Mission 5-3
 -----------

 Game Description: Destroy all 5 item boxes!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Toad in his Standard TD kart for this mission.

 In this mission, your objective is to destroy all 5 item boxes before they go
 into an area where you can't get to them no matter what you do. Also note that
 each item box contains a Mushroom. Anyway, to start off, get the boost before
 the timer runs out, then when the race starts, grab the item box on the end of
 the long line of item boxes. Once you destroy the one on the end, you'll get a
 Mushroom, so use that Mushroom to get a boost. When you get your boost via the
 Mushroom, try your best to avoid driving into the dark blue water, which is
 very deep water (avoid the deep water while making your way to the item box
 that is most in front of the others), and you should be very close to the
 front item box. When you reach the first item box, destroy it, then stop your
 kart and don't move, and the other three item boxes will come to you. Mission
 complete.


 Mission 5-4
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 10 numbered gates in order!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Bowser in his Standard BW kart for this mission.

 This mission takes place in Bowser's Castle. Your goal here is to go through
 all ten of the numbered gates in order, like in the previous gate missions
 that you did. Anyway, to start off, go through the nearby first gate, then
 quickly Power Slide across the turn and when you reach the area with the
 second gate, quickly release the Power Slide to get a boost of speed (be sure
 that when you release the Power Slide to also aim for the speed tile on the
 left side of the area). If you landed on the speed tile, which you should've
 been aiming for, you will get another boost of speed, and go through the
 second gate with no slowdowns. After you pass the second gate, Power Slide
 again around the next turn (you'll have to Power Slide in a counter-clockwise
 fashion, mind you) and go through the third gate (be sure to release the Power
 Slide before you reach the third gate and be sure to avoid the Thwomp if it is
 down on the ground, as if you bump into it, it can really subtract from your
 rank at the end of the mission). After you've gone through the third gate, you
 will come to a grated area and in the center of the grating is a hole, with
 lava below it, so avoid falling into that.

 Anyway, in the grated area, try and hit the speed tile on the left side,
 rather than in the center then once you hit it, go right and through the
 fourth gate. Keep in mind that if you aren't able to get the speed tile on the
 left side, it's alright if you got the center one beside the center area with
 the lava pit, it's just father the other way. Anyway, after you pass the
 fourth gate, keep driving and eventually you'll encounter another Thwomp (try
 and hit the speed tile on the right side of the area with the Thwomp when you
 come to it). When you encounter that Thwomp, keep driving until you come to
 another grated area with speed tiles. When you come to the next grated area,
 keep in mind this one has more lava pits around, and bigger speed tiles.
 Anyway, when you reach the next grated area, go straight up the middle of the
 speed tile beside the first lava pit you come to, being sure to go through the
 fifth gate (there is a fireball that comes out of the lava after you use the
 speed tile, so try and not get hit by it as if you do, you'll fall straight
 down into the lava). After you go through the fifth gate, quickly get over to
 the right side, and use those speed tiles to go through the sixth gate, while
 doing your best to avoid falling into the lava below.

 Once you have gone through the sixth gate, keep driving until you come to yet
 another grated area. In that area, ignore the speed tiles you come to and just
 go through the seventh gate. Once you go through it, use the speed tiles on
 the left side of the room, while doing your best to avoid falling to the lava
 below (do not use the speed tile beside the really long rectangular-shaped
 hole in the grating; you'll fall into the lava if you do that). After you go
 through the eigth gate, Power Slide (you have to be very good to pull a Power
 Slide off due to the limited amount of room you have before the ninth gate) or
 Drift across the next turn, going through the ninth gate. After you go through
 the ninth gate, go straight and go through the final gate, while avoiding the
 Thwomps.


 Mission 5-5
 -----------

 Game Description: Complete 1 lap in the opposite direction within the time
                   limit!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Mario in his Standard MR kart for this mission.

 In this mission, you have to complete one whole lap in the Mushroom Bridge
 course, while avoiding the cars/trucks driving about the course. To start off,
 get the boost before the timer runs out, as usual, then go to the far east
 side of the course, then drive straight through the almost fully blocked off
 area, while doing your best to avoid the cars/trucks that are driving in the
 area. Eventually in that area, right before you exit it, you'll come to a item
 box (each item box contains a Mushroom), so be sure to get an item from that
 item box before you exit the narrow area. Once you exit that first area, you
 will come to a tunnel with more vehicles in it (it wouldn't be a bad idea to
 Power Slide along the curve right before you enter the tunnel), so do your
 best to avoid those vehicles. In this tunnel are also some item boxes, so use
 the Mushroom you got earlier (use it wisely, mind you), so that you can grab
 another Mushroom from the item box. Once you exit the tunnel, use the Mushroom
 you just got to get a boost. Once you use the Mushroom, continue driving and
 you will shortly come to an almost completely blocked off part of the road;
 when you come to this blocked off part of the road, the traffic will be VERY
 heavy, so try your best to maneuver around that part. Note that that area has
 some item boxes, so try and grab another Mushroom from one of those item
 boxes.

 Once you pass that part, you'll come to another tunnel, so avoid the traffic
 in that tunnel while making your way out of it. Once you are out of the
 tunnel, use your last Mushroom right before the finish line, while avoiding
 the last bit of traffic.


 Mission 5-6
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 18 coins!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Yoshi in his Standard YS kart for this mission.

 This mission is played on a cake. To start off, get the boost before the timer
 runs out, then go straight and collect the first coin when the mission starts.
 Once you have collected the first coin, go north beside the cream and make a
 turn there to collect the second coin. Once you collect the second coin,
 quickly make a sharp turn to the right to where you align yourself with the
 three coins in a straight line. After you collect those three coins, you
 should be aligned perfectly with the top of the cake in the middle of the
 area. Go straight and up to the top of the cake and if you are lucky you will
 have collected one of the three coins floating above the top of the cake. Once
 you have collected one of the three coins floating above the top of the cake,
 do like you did in the beginning of the mission and go straight and collect
 the lone coin, then make a turn around the cream to get the next coin. Then,
 quickly make a sharp turn so that you are aligned with the center, as well as
 the three coins that form a straight line. Collect those three coins, then go
 up the speed tile at the center, and if you did it correctly, you will have
 gotten another coin.

 Now, for the final six coins, do the same as you did last time and go straight
 to get the lone coin. Then, make a turn around the cream to get the next coin.
 Then, quickly make a sharp turn to align yourself with the center and the
 three coin line. As you go up the center, be sure to collect the three coins
 that form a straight line, then once you reach the top of the center, you
 should have gotten all eighteen coins, thus completing the mission.


 Mission 5-7
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all the 8 numbered gates in order!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Toad in his Standard TD kart for this mission.

 This mission actually isn't that hard, but the fact that you have to avoid
 snowballs is what makes the slightest bit of challenge available in this
 mission. Anyway, to start off, go north and through the first gate (be sure to
 get the boost before the timer runs out, like always). Once you go through the
 first gate, continue going straight and go through the second gate when you
 reach it. Once you go through the second gate, do your best to avoid the
 snowballs that are rolling about the area, while going through the third gate.
 When you have passed the third gate, drive over the hill, into the next area,
 but be sure that in the next area, you are in a left direction so that when
 you get to the fourth gate, you can go through it with no problems. Once you
 have gone through the fourth gate, avoid the large snowball to the right, then
 go through gate five when you reach it. After you go through gate 5, another
 large snowball will be rolling through the area and this time, it's directly
 in front of you, so please do your best to avoid that one. After you pass the
 large snowball, go through gate six, then keep going and you will see gate
 seven shortly, so go through it. After you have gone through the seventh gate,
 there will be a few more snowballs for you to avoid on a very hilly last bit
 of the track. Atop the hilly terrain is the final gate, so go through it.


 Mission 5-8
 -----------

 Game Description: Reach the finish before Mario!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Luigi in his Standard LG kart for this mission.

 In this mission, you are against Mario, and you are Luigi. You must reach the
 finish line before Mario, if you hope to complete the mission. This mission is
 not too terribly tough, so don't worry about extreme difficulty. Get the boost
 before the timer runs out, so that when the mission starts, you'll get a boost
 of speed. Once your boost runs out, you should be right at the curve, so Power
 Slide across that curve, then when you come to the straightaway with Goombas,
 release the Power Slide. In the straightaway, avoid the Goombas as best you
 can, then after you pass the Goombas, you'll come to several item boxes, so be
 sure to grab an item from one of the item boxes and take note that each item
 box contains either three Mushrooms, or a Star. Anyway, once you grab an item
 from the item box, keep going and you'll eventually come to a slightly curvy
 road with some more Goombas, so avoid them as best you can (if you got a Star
 from that item box, you can plow through the Goombas, thus destroying them,
 and you can even make Mario lose control for a couple of seconds if you hit
 him with the Star). After the Goomba segment, you'll come to a very curvy part
 of the road with Pirahna Plants shooting fireballs at you (the Pirahna Plants
 are located atop some pipes on each side of the road), so avoid those
 fireballs as best you can.

 Once you pass the Pirahna Plant segment, keep going and you will come to more
 item boxes, so grab an item from one of them, then you will eventually come to
 two curves, and you'll also encounter a significant amount of Pirahna Plants
 (these don't shoot fireballs, thankfully). If you have a Star, getting through
 that part is a breeze. After the two curves with the significant amount of
 Pirahna Plants, you'll come to the finish line, thus completing the mission.


 Boss #5
 -------

 Game Description: Hit the Big Bob-omb with 3 Bob-ombs!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Wario in his Standard WR kart for this mission.

 This is a VERY easy boss mission to complete. You have to hit this guy with
 three Bob-ombs (each item box in the middle contains a Bob-omb and the boss
 throws some item boxes out, so need to worry about a limited supply). To start
 off, take a Bob-omb from one of the two item boxes in the course. Once you
 have gotten the Bob-omb from one of those item boxes, approach the Big Bob-omb
 (be sure to avoid the Bob-ombs that he himself throws out) and then when you
 reach him, aim straight for him and throw that Bob-omb to hit him. After you
 hit him once, grab another Bob-omb from the item box and hit the Big Bob-omb
 again by aiming straight for him when you reach him, being sure to avoid the
 Bob-ombs he throws out. After you hit him twice, hit him the third time when
 he drops down (Note that the Big Bob-omb will still throw out some Bob-ombs
 like before, but he'll throw them out a little bit differently. This time
 around, he'll drop three Bob-ombs down, and in the midst of those Bob-ombs
 will be an item box, so quickly collect the Bob-omb from that item box, as the
 boss will drop down on the exact spot where the item box is if you don't get
 it fast enough. Also, even after you get the item, he'll still go in the air
 throw three more Bob-ombs down, as well as another item box, but don't bother
 with it, just throw the final Bob-omb at him when he drops down.) and complete
 the mission.


 Level 6
 -------


 Mission 6-1
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive backwards across the spinning bridge! If you fall,
                   you're out!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Bowser in his Standard BW kart for this mission.

 This mission is kind of hard, because you have to balance yourself to avoid
 falling off. First off, drive backward and get on the spinning bridge. When
 you get on the spinning bridge, keep driving backward and when the bridge
 tilts left, move right, and vise versa. Keep doing this while driving backward
 until you get off the bridge successfully. After that, mission complete.


 Mission 6-2
 -----------

 Game Description: Get Stars and run over 15 Rocky Wrenches!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Wario in his Standard WR kart for this mission.

 First off, I must note that you DO NOT just camp by one of the Rocky Wrenches
 and wait for it to come out, because it just won't work that way, so don't
 waste your time trying it. Anyway, this mission is an annoying mission, and
 may take a few tries for you to get used to it. In this mission, you have to
 run over 15 Rocky Wrench enemies, and those enemies come up from the ground
 and if you hit them, you will lose control of your kart for a couple of
 seconds, and that will really hurt your rank at the end. Anyway, there's no
 real strategy to winning here, just when you start, grab an item from one of
 the nearby item boxes in the area (each item box contains a Star) and then use
 it immediately and run over as many of those Rocky Wrenches as you can before
 the invincibility effect wears off. Before you run out of invincibilty power,
 it would be wise to grab another Star from one of the item boxes in the area,
 then go plow through more Rocky Wrench enemies. Also, be sure to Drift and/or
 Power Slide around the corners just north of the four item boxes in the
 beginning, and also behind those four item boxes in the beginning, as in those
 corners are more of those Rocky Wrench enemies.

 Also, the main reason I recommend Drifting/Power Sliding is because you won't
 bump into walls nearly as much as you would driving normally with the
 significant speed of a Star. Just keep Drifting/Power Sliding the corners, and
 when you aren't near those corners, just keep plowing through the enemies and
 be sure to keep grabbing Stars from the item boxes, as you don't want your
 invincibility effect to run out. There is one major thing I didn't mention up
 at the top, and that is you are timed 20 seconds in this mission, so keep that
 in mind. And also keep in mind that moving in reverse can help, too. The main
 key to completeing this mission with at least a * rank is to complete it very
 fast.


 Mission 6-3
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 30 coins!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Yoshi in his Standard YS kart for this mission.

 Your object in this particular mission is to collect all 30 coins in the Choco
 Mountain (SNES) course. Get the boost before the timer runs out, then when you
 start the mission, go straight and collect the three coins in front of you.
 Then, immediately get the nearby Mushroom to gain a boost of speed (with this
 Mushroom, you'll be able to drive through the rocks on the side of the road
 with no problems). After you get the Mushroom, go straight and get the next
 three coins on the rocky terrain. Once you have acquired those three coins,
 Drift when you reach the corner, then collect the three coins on the right
 side after the turn near the side of the road. Once you collect those three
 coins, keep driving until you reach three more coins; collect them. Now, when
 you reach the next corner, Drift and then to the right near the side of the
 road will be three more coins, so collect them. After that, go north and go
 through the chocolate area and collect the next three coins that you come
 across. After that, keep driving and you'll come to an area full of bumps. By
 all means, DO NOT bump into them. In that bumpy area, keep driving and keep
 collecting the rest of the coins while maneuvering through the bumpy area.

 Once you have collected all 30 coins, the mission will be complete.


 Mission 6-4
 -----------

 Game Description: Destroy all 10 item boxes!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Mario in his Standard MR kart for this mission.

 In this mission, you have to destroy all 10 item boxes on the Block Fort
 course. To start off, get the boost before the timer runs out then when the
 mission starts, go straight and follow the first item box that goes around the
 corner (Drifting around that corner is very effective, so do that). After you
 get the first item box (each box contains a Mushroom), go left and up the ramp
 and onto the block. On the block, turn east and then wait for the next block
 to come to you. After you get the second block, go around the corner where the
 second block that you just got was when it came to you. After you turn the
 corner, go straight and cross the bridge to the north, then get the third
 block that's moving across the platform. Once you have the third gate, go up
 the ramp on this block platform to be at the top of the yellow area. At the
 top of the yellow area is the fourth block, so get it (be careful not to fall
 off, mind you). Once you get the fourth block, go on the extemely long bridge
 (the one leading to the green area) and grab the fifth item box when its in
 range (if it's not, just pursue it till you get it, but if it's too far away,
 don't follow it and just restart). After that, don't cross the bridge
 entirely; instead, drop down to the lower platform below the top of the green
 area. Once there, get the next two item boxes.

 Now, head up the nearby and ramp and you'll reach the top of the green area.
 Once you are at the top of the green area, cross the nearby bridge to the blue
 area. Also, I'd recommend using the Mushroom that you've been holding since
 you got the first block, when you cross the bridge. Anyway, when you reach the
 top of the blue area, drop down to the lower part of the blue area and destroy
 block number 8 that fell down to this area when you were at the top of the
 blue area. After destroying the eigth block, destroy the ninth block on that
 lower platform. Once you have destroyed the ninth block, it's time to get the
 tenth block. To get the tenth block, cross the bridges until you reach the top
 of the yellow area. At the top of the yellow area, you should see the tenth
 block nearby (use the map to help you find it easier), so grab it, then this
 very hard mission is complete.

 An alternate strategy to this mission is to just use the touch screen to get
 all of the blocks after getting the 4th block.


 Mission 6-5
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 8 numbered gates in order!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Peach in her Standard PC kart for this mission.

 This mission takes place in Sky Garden. Your objective here is to go through
 all 8 numbered gates in order, just like in all of the other previous gate
 missions you've been through. Anyway, this mission is actually pretty tough
 and annoying, so be ready. First off, get a boost before the timer runs out,
 then when the mission starts, grab a nearby box (each item box contains three
 Mushrooms), then Power Slide around the corner, then go through the first gate
 when you reach it. After going through the first gate, quickly go straight and
 look on the map and you should see a ramp; position yourself to where you are
 facing this ramp, then use a Mushroom to jump over the ramp, and onto the
 platform where the second gate is. After going through the second gate, use
 your next Mushroom to get across the two small platforms without falling off.
 Once you cross those two small platforms, you'll be on an actual road. Power
 Slide around the curve, then keep going straight until you come across the
 third gate; when you come across the third gate, go through it.

 Once you have gone through the third gate, look on the map to find another
 ramp on the right side near the edge. Use your last Mushroom to jump over the
 ramp, and hopefully go through gate four. Once that is done, keep driving till
 you find an item box; when you do, grab that item box for three more
 Mushrooms. Once you have those next three Mushrooms, use one and go through
 gate five. After that, Drift around the corner and then when you spot gate six
 on a platform that you can't reach normally, use a Mushroom to speed to that
 platform, and speed through the sixth gate. Once you have gone through the
 sixth gate, Drift or Power Slide across the corner and then go through gate
 seven when you reach it. After that, keep going until you see gate eight in
 the distance. When you spot it, use the speed tile just south of the eighth
 gate that you come to, then after using the speed tile, go through that eighth
 gate.


 Mission 6-6
 -----------

 Game Description: Perform 14 power-slide turbo boosts in 1 lap!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Yoshi in his Standard YS kart for this mission.

 This mission is not that hard, actually. Get a boost before the timer runs
 out. After getting the boost, Power Slide around the first turn, then do the
 same around the second (you can only do one mini-turbo on each of these turns
 that I just spoke of, so keep that in mind). Once you pass the second turn,
 keep in mind that on this next turn, it's very hard to perform a Power Slide
 turbo boost without going into the grass to the left where the billboards are,
 but you still have to try to Power Slide boost on this turn. After you cross
 the third turn, you'll come to a tunnel where you can get at least 3-4 Power
 Slide turbo boosts, so be sure to take advantage of that tunnel, and also be
 careful not to bump into the walls in that tunnel. After you exit the tunnel,
 keep going through the course, Power Sliding around each turn and hopefully,
 when you reach the finish line, you'll have 14 or more Power Slide turbo
 boosts performed. Note that I didn't give a detailed explanation of this
 mission, as it's kind of hard to. Just know that you have to perform a Power
 Slide turbo boost on basically every turn, so do just that.

 Take note also that it may take a bit before you get used to this, but you can
 do it if you keep trying. One more thing is that you "have" to complete the
 mission within 10 seconds remaining on the timer or more than 10 seconds on
 the timer in order to even get rank *, so keep that in mind.


 Mission 6-7
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 40 coins!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Toad in his Standard TD kart for this mission.

 This mission takes place is a clock course full of obstacles. Your goal here
 is to collect 40 coins, hence the game description. Note also that the coins
 form a star, so if you can recognize this pattern and learn how to collect
 each coin, then that's good. The strategy I used was to get a boost before
 the timer runs out, then when the mission starts, go either to the left or to
 the right line of coins and collect them and keep going through that line even
 after you collect them, until you reach the wall. Then, collect the line of
 coins that you didn't collect (if you went right, collect the left line, and
 vise versa), while doing your best to avoid the two red-colored spinning
 hands. After collecting the two lines of coins, collect the rest of the coins
 while you avoid the spinning hands to the best of your ability. If you get hit
 by a spinning hand, you lose five coins, so by all means avoid them. Also,
 there are some speed tiles in this mission that you'll come across, just don't
 let them rush you into a wall or straight into the hands. Just keep trying
 until you complete the mission. Note also that you are timed in this mission
 approximately 1 minute 30 seconds.

 I apologize that I couldn't give a more detailed explanation of how to
 complete the mission, but this is a mission that is very hard to explain in
 perfect detail.


 Mission 6-8
 -----------

 Game Description: Reach the finish before Peach!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Bowser in his Standard BW kart for this mission.

 In this mission, you have to beat Peach to the finish line as Bowser. Starting
 off, as always, get the boost before the timer runs out. When the actual race
 starts, turn left via a Drift (you may also want to Power Slide), then when
 you are on the straight road, when you reach the curve, Power Slide, then when
 you turn the curve, release it to get the boost from the slide. Once that is
 done, make your way through the dirt road with the Monty Moles. Once you pass
 that road, you'll be in a bushy area with some item boxes, so be sure to grab
 an item from one of them. After you pass that bushy area, keep driving until
 you reach a bushy area with a Chain Chomp (along the way, you'll encounter
 some flower beds, so use a Mushroom or a Star to get through that flower bed
 without slowing down, depending on which one you have). When you reach that
 area, get another item from one of the item boxes in the area (if it's a Star
 you got, that's great), and navigate your way through this bushy and obstacle-
 filled area, and you'll reach the next area. Note that the bushy area has some
 "STOP" signs in certain spots, thus blocking your path, so look on the map for
 the precise locations of those signs so that you don't hit them. Also, save
 the item that you get if it's a speed item and don't use it until I say that
 its necessary, as you'll have to have a speed item for the upcoming part.

 Anyway, when you reach the area after the bushy maze area, go up the hill,
 avoid the flower beds, then in the next area, you'll come to a HUGE flower
 bed (this is why I told you to save a speed item, because you absolutely HAVE
 to have one for this part); use the speed item you currently have to cut
 through the flower bed without losing speed, as east of the bed are two "STOP"
 signs that block your path. After you cut through the flower bed, you'll reach
 the final area. In this area, move clockwise across the middle grassy area,
 while doing a Power Slide and avoiding the Chain Chomp. Release the Power
 Slide boost when you see the finish line up ahead. Note that if you have an
 item such as a Mushroom or a Star, then by all means use it in this final area
 of the mission, because it makes things a whole lot easier. If you don't note
 that the last area has several item boxes, so be sure to grab an item from one
 of those boxes if you don't have one.


 Boss #6
 -------

 Game Description: Use Mushroom boosts to hit Chief Chilly and knock him off
                   the stage 3 times!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Luigi in his Standard LG kart for this mission.

 Here, you are pitted against Chief Chilly from Super Mario 64 DS. This mission
 can be quite challenging, actually. There are item boxes scattered around the
 arena, and each of those item boxes contain three Mushrooms, and they respawn,
 just like in other missions after you grab an item from them. Chief Chilly
 will attack you by charging at you (he does this the second you start, so be
 prepared and keep in mind he also does it the rest of the mission if you don't
 charge at him first). Anyway, to start off, grab an item from one of the item
 boxes. Then, make sure you are facing the boss (make sure you are in front of
 him, and perfectly aligned with him is what I mean). When you are aligned with
 Chief Chilly perfectly, unleash all of your Mushrooms on him to knock him into
 the water. If you aren't aligned with Chief Chilly when you use each Mushroom
 (say you go off track while using the Mushrooms), you'll miss him completely
 and fall off the stage, so by all means avoid that at all costs. Anyway, after
 you hit Chief Chilly once, grab another item box and use those three Mushrooms
 after aligning yourself with him, to charge at him and knock him into the
 water again.

 On this final hit against Chief Chilly, he will change his attack pattern
 slightly by jumping when you use your Mushrooms to charge at him. If you can
 manage to charge at him quickly enough, he won't be able to jump, but it may
 take some practice before you really know how to do this mission good, so just
 keep trying and you'll get him if you use this strategy.


 Level 7
 -------


 Mission 7-1
 -----------

 Game Description: Perform 6 power-slide turbo boosts in 1 lap!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Peach in her Standard PC kart for this mission.

 This mission is played on the Rainbow Road course, and it's quite hard to do
 this mission successfully without falling off or hitting the walls. To start
 off, keep driving through the speed tiled road until you reach a pretty sharp
 turn (its in the area with the very small speed tiles). When you reach that
 turn, quickly Power Slide and then release after your kart emits red sparks,
 but be very careful not to fall off, as this part of the course has very
 limited room and no wall to protect you from falling off. After you perform
 the first Power Slide, ignore the small speed tiles you come across, as the
 boosts they give you will slow you down considerably on this next part. Keep
 driving while ignoring the boost pads until you reach the last part of the
 curve right after you pass the boost pads. At that last part of the curve,
 quickly Power Slide across the curve, doing your best to avoid falling off, as
 well as hitting the nearby wall to the east. After performing that Power
 Slide, drive up the very long straightaway until you reach a turn; when you
 reach that turn, Power Slide there as well, while doing your best to try and
 not fall off. After you perform the third Power Slide, keep going until you'll
 find a curvy area where you can make your fourth Power Slide, so do so.

 After that, keep going and you will come across another curve, so perform your
 fifth Power Slide there. Once that is done, ignore the next curve, and just
 use the speed tile you come to and then you'll go up and over a huge loopy
 area. Once you go through that area, Power Slide around the next curve you
 come to, or skip the first one and do a Power Slide at the second and final
 curve of the mission. At any rate, keep your balance before the finish line
 and when you reach it, if you followed this strategy, you should have
 performed 6 Power Slide turbo-boosts.


 Mission 7-2
 -----------

 Game Description: Reach the finish before Bowser!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Mario in his Standard MR kart for this mission.

 This mission is a race against Bowser to the finish line. Get a boost before
 the timer runs out, then when the actual race starts, go straight and into the
 nearby room. In that room, you'll see some "STOP!" signs there, so to the
 right very close to the wall in the room to avoid hitting them. Before you can
 exit the room, there will be Thwomps, so avoid them and on your way out of the
 room, grab an item from one of the item boxes in the room. As usual, each item
 box contains either a Mushroom or a Star, so keep that in mind. Anyway, after
 you exit the room, Drift along the turn there, or maybe even Power Slide. Once
 you pass the turn, keep going and you'll come to a few more turns before you
 reach an actual next room, so Drift/Power Slide around those turns and after
 those turns, you will come to a room where the floor spins. In that room, do
 not go straight, as there's a blocked off area there. Instead, when you enter
 that spinning room, Power Slide to the right, then go north into the next room
 (there will be a flame shooting from the ceiling before that next room, so do
 your best to avoid it). When you reach that next room, avoid the Thwomp moving
 around, then grab another item from one of the item boxes in the area, then
 you will come to a tower-like area; Power Slide across that area, then release
 the slide after you ride up the tower.

 Upon exitting the tower, you'll appear in an outside area with the spinning
 bridge; don't go on it, but rather use the speed item you currently have (Star
 or Mushroom is what I mean), and just drop down to the area below the spinning
 bridge. Once you reach the ground below the spinning bridge, speed through the
 grass up ahead using another speed item, then after that, get onto the grated
 platform there. On your way to the platform, grab another item from one of the
 item boxes you come to. Once you are on that platform, keep going until you
 come across a speed tile; use that speed tile to speed down to a multiple
 platform area below where if you fall off the platforms, you will sink into
 the lava. Anyway, once you reach the multiple platform area, progress through
 it without falling off, then when you pass the multiple platform area, keep
 driving and keep Power Sliding across the turns you come to, then you'll reach
 the finish line. Congratulations on completing this rather tough mission.


 Mission 7-3
 -----------

 Game Description: Complete 2 laps within the time limit!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Donkey Kong in his Standard DK kart for this
       mission.

 This mission takes place in the Tick Tock Clock course. Your goal here is to
 complete two whole laps in the course within 1:30. To start off, as usual, get
 a boost before the timer runs out, then when the mission starts, Power Slide
 across the curve there, then release it and grab an item from the one of the
 nearby item boxes. Also, each item box contains three Mushrooms, so keep that
 in mind. After collecting an item, keep driving and you'll come to a huge area
 with two red-colored spinning arms, as well as speed tiles (gee, this area
 looks strangely familiar, eh?). Enter that area and drive on the left side
 where you see the speed tiles. Once you are on the left side, use the speed
 tiles and while you are using them, go straight, and into the next area after
 you pass the speed tiles. In that area, keep driving until you come across a
 curve; Power Slide across that curve, then release it when you pass the curve.
 Next, you'll come to three pendulums. When you do, either use your Mushrooms,
 or just drive straight through them and if you are lucky, you will make it
 through (I made it through with no boosts). After crossing the pendulums, keep
 going and you'll come across three spinning platforms; each are one after
 another. Nagivate very carefully through those platforms (note also that if
 you have Mushrooms, boosting helps a LOT, so definitely use them if you have
 them), then when you pass them, Drift around the next two curves, then you
 will reach another rotating platform with item boxes, as well as a red-colored
 spinning arm.

 Avoid hitting the spinning arm, as if you hit it, it'll really slow you down.
 Be sure also to grab an item from one of the item boxes in that area if you
 don't have any left. After you get off the rotating platform, go up the hill,
 and Power Slide across the curve if you can, but be careful not to fall off.
 After the curve, go up the next hill and you will reach the finish line.
 Before you reach the finish line, though, you'll probably notice that there
 are two tires on each side right next to the finish line. If you go over one
 of them that's moving in the same direction as the finish line, you'll get a
 boost. Anyway, go through the second lap the exact same way you did the first,
 and if you don't hit any obstacles or fall off, you should get at least a *
 rank here.


 Mission 7-4
 -----------

 Game Description: Use shells to defeat all 30 Goombas within the time limit!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Toad in his Standard TD kart for this mission.

 In this mission, your objective is to destroy 30 Goombas using Green Shells.
 Each item box contains either one Green Shell, or three Green Shells. Like in
 the previous missions, the Green Shell/Shells are your weapon that you'll be
 using against the Goombas to destroy them. You have approximately two minutes
 to destroy all 30 Goombas and complete the mission. Starting off, get a boost
 before the timer runs out, but be careful that when you boost you don't hit
 the Goombas up ahead. After boosting, grab an item from one of the nearby item
 boxes. Then, destroy as many Goombas as you can (A good way to destroy them is
 if you get three Green Shells, hold them next to your kart, then just drive
 toward the Goombas and let the shells hit them, and repeat. If you get one
 Green Shell, just aim straight for them and throw it), and after you use up
 your Shell/Shells, get more items and keep plowing through the Goombas in the
 area. After destroying all of the Goombas in the first area, you'll encounter
 more Goombas along the way and more item boxes, so keep destroying the Goombas
 you come across (try to be fast), while you keep obtaining more Shells from
 the item boxes throughout the mission. After you destroy all 30 Goombas and if
 the time didn't run out, you'll have completed the mission. Basically, the key
 here is to fast through the mission in order to get a good ranking.


 Mission 7-5
 -----------

 Game Description: Collect all 20 coins!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Wario in his Standard WR kart for this mission.

 This mission is VERY easy, especially considering we're on the final level of
 missions. Anyway, starting off, get a boost before the timer runs out, then
 when the mission starts, Power Slide across the curve, then release it and you
 will come across a coin; collect it. Keep going, and you'll come to a second
 coin; collect it. After that, keep going and keep Drifting along the curves
 and collect the three coins in the line that you come across, then drive up
 the speed boosting tile and collect the sixth coin in the midst of the ring of
 fire. After collecting the sixth coin, Drift or Power Slide across the next
 curve, then you'll come to a small speed boosting tile with a coin on it; get
 that next coin, then keep going and collect the next three coins on the other
 small speed boosting tiles you come across. After you have collected a total
 of ten coins, keep going and when you reach the next curve, quickly Power
 Slide and then release it and then when the curve ends, you'll come to a
 medium-sized speed boosting tile, so drive over it, and collecting the coins
 along the way. Then, drive up the next speed tile and collect the next batch
 of coins there. After that is done, Power Slide across the long curve, then
 release it when you come to an area with two spinning fire obstacles.

 In that area, collect the two coins under each of the spinning fire obstacles
 to get another two coins. Then, keep going and drive up the hill, collecting
 the rest of the coins (be sure you are on the right side after going up that
 last speed tile). If you did this fast enough and didn't hit any of the walls
 and obstacles, you should have definitely gotten at least a ** rank.


 Mission 7-6
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive through all 8 numbered gates in order!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Mario in his Standard MR kart for this mission.

 You don't even have above 10 seconds to complete this mission. What to do, you
 ask? Well, there's a trick to it. First off, get a boost before the timer runs
 out, then when it does run out and the mission starts, go north and approach
 the first gate. Don't go through the gate, but instead be sure you are
 standing on the light part of the touch screen on this DS course. When you are
 on that light piece, jump by pressing R, then immediately Drift, and move
 right, going through each gate that you can, then by coming around again until
 you collect all of the eight gates.

 Devin Morgan let me use the above strategy from his FAQ. Thanks!


 Mission 7-7
 -----------

 Game Description: Drive backward and collect all 12 coins! If you hit a
                   burner, you fail!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Bowser in his Standard BW kart for this mission.

 You are timed approximately 50 seconds in this mission, and you have to
 collect 12 coins before the time runs out, and you have to do it without
 hitting a burner. When the mission starts, drive backward into the first room.
 That room is a room full of boxes and coins. Note that you can break the
 crates in this room if you back into them, so keep that in mind. Also, drive
 slowly and take it easy, as if you drive too fast, you'll hit the crates, thus
 making you lose time, and time is cruicial to getting a good rank at the end.
 Note also that you shouldn't hold B, but instead just use the D-Pad to move in
 a different direction around the turns, then when you move in that different
 direction, you can press B again to start moving. Anyway, when you reach that
 first room, collect the first coin to the left of the entrance to the room (be
 careful not to hit the crates; drive slowly). Once that coin is collected, get
 the next coin by going a very tiny bit north, then east of where the first
 coin was located. Once the second coin is collected, keep going until you come
 across the third coin; collect it. After that, keep maneuvering around the
 crates until you come across the fourth coin. Once you have collected the
 fourth coin, keep going left and grab the fifth coin. After that, just use the
 map to collect the rest of the coins in the crate area.

 Once you have collected all of the coins in the crate room, you'll reach the
 final room of the mission, where there are burners moving about the room. This
 part is a bit tricky, just collect the coins when the burners arent in the
 spot of the coin you're trying to get, and drive quickly, and you should be
 able to complete the mission with at least a * rank. This mission is all about
 going fast, but not too incredibly fast, so that you won't hit the crates in
 the first room, and so you won't hit the burners in the final room.


 Mission 7-8
 -----------

 Game Description: Break all 10 item boxes while avoiding the Fake Items!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Luigi in his Standard LG kart for this mission.

 This final mission takes place on Banshee Boardwalk (N64). Your objective here
 is to collect all 10 item boxes scattered throughout the course, while you
 avoid grabbing the fake item boxes. Like in the other missions, the map is
 your friend; the red colored item boxes are the fake ones, whereas the real
 ones are colored as normal colored item boxes. Anyway, to start off, get a
 boost before the timer runs out, then when the mission starts, Power Slide
 across the turn, then release it after passing the turn. Shortly after you
 release the Power Slide, you'll come across three Bananas; avoid them (it may
 also be a good idea to Power Slide across the curve where the first batch of
 Bananas are). Once you pass the Bananas, keep going straight and you'll reach
 three item boxes; two are fake, but the rightmost one is real, so grab that
 one (You can also look on the map, as I said before. Note also that each item
 box contains a Mushroom, so use those wisely). After you have grabbed the
 first item box, Power Slide across the curve you come to, being careful not to
 fall off. After the curve, keep going straight and you'll come across three
 more boxes; the leftmost one is the real one here. Once you have grabbed the
 second item box, keep going and you'll eventually come across three more
 Bananas; avoid them, then continue straight and you'll come across three more
 item boxes.

 Grab the one on the right, then keep going and you'll come to three more item
 boxes; grab the one on the left. Immediately after you grab the fourth gate,
 you'll come across four more Bananas, so avoid them at all costs. After you
 have gotten past the four Bananas, you'll come to two item boxes; the one on
 the left is the real one, so grab that one. After you have grabbed five item
 boxes, Drift across the turn, then you'll come across five Bananas. Do your
 best to avoid them, while making your way straight (Power Sliding around the
 curve where the Bananas are might be a wise choice). Keep going straight and
 you'll come to a lone item box; do not fret, as this one is a real item box,
 so grab it. Once that is done, you'll see tons of Bananas to the left when you
 enter the huge room. as well as an arrow pointing right; ignore that arrow's
 direction, and instead go left, and across the Bananas without getting hit by
 them. Once you pass the Bananas, you'll reach a huge pit formed by a huge area
 of broken ground. To get around this pit and get the seventh item box, simply
 press R to jump over the pit (be sure to get as close to the edge on the left
 side of the wall as possible where the pit is before you jump, but be careful
 not to fall into the pit).

 Once you jump over the pit, grab the seventh item box. After that, keep going
 through the area until you come across five item boxes in a line. When you
 come across that, don't grab any of those boxes, as they are all fake.
 Instead, go left of those boxes, then slightly north and east and on the map,
 you'll see a lone item box, which is a real item box, so grab that when you
 come to it. After that, exit the room and go across the boardwalk until you
 come across three more item boxes. When you come across those three item
 boxes, note that the rightmost one is the real one, so grab that one. After
 you have gotten the ninth item box, Power Slide across the curve, then keep
 going and you'll reach another curve with several Bananas, as well as the last
 item box, so grab that item box (Power Sliding across the curve where the last
 item box is is NOT a wise choice, so don't do it). Mission complete.


 Boss #7
 -------

 Game Description: Reach the finish before Wiggler!

 NOTE: You are forced to use Mario in his Standard MR kart for this mission.

 This is the final mission of the game. In this mission, you are pitted against
 Wiggler on the Mushroom Bridge (NGC) stage and have to beat him three laps.
 This mission IS actually pretty hard. Note that you should Power Slide across
 most curves, but be careful to avoid the oncoming traffic. Note also that
 Wiggler can knock the cars/trucks driving about the level completely off the
 course, so that's good I guess. Anyway, to start off, get a boost before the
 timer runs out, then when the mission starts, go straight, while avoiding the
 oncoming traffic. When you reach the tunnel, grab the item box moving around
 (each item box contains a Star, so that's good), then use the Star that's
 inside it immediately after getting the item box. When you get a Star, you can
 knock off the cars/trucks driving about the level by just running through them
 (you can't hurt Wiggler even with a Star, so don't try it). Anyway, once you
 use the Star, go north and out of the tunnel, and then hit a truck (hit a
 truck and nothing else), as each truck contains a Mushroom (once you hit a
 truck however, that truck will no longer house the Mushroom, so only one
 Mushroom per truck, unfortunately). Once you have the Mushroom, take the
 rightmost white-colored dirt path for a shortcut to the next tunnel (note that
 you have to have a Star currently in use in order for you to cross the
 shortcut without losing speed).

 When you drop to the lower area after taking the shortcut, go straight and
 into the tunnel. In that tunnel is some more oncoming traffic, so don't Power
 Slide in that tunnel unless you do it the moment you reach the tunnel, as
 you'll hit the truck in there if you do (this usually only happens on the
 first lap, though). After you pass the truck, continue straight and out of the
 tunnel. When you are out of the tunnel, you'll reach a long bridge, where more
 oncoming traffic is present. Grab the item box in the area, then hit the
 trucks you come across with your Star to get a Mushroom, then use those
 Mushrooms to your advantage. You don't have to take the shortcut on the second
 or third lap, and the only difference in each lap is that Wiggler becomes
 angrier, and the oncoming traffic is moved around a bit, as are the item
 boxes, so keep that in mind. Still, even with the minor changes in each lap,
 it shouldn't be too hard once you get the hang of it. The object here is to
 hit each truck and use the Mushrooms to your advantage, Power Slide along the
 curves (except when there's traffic in the way), and finally, ALWAYS have an
 item on hand.
 

 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 8. Items                                                             |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 There are tons of items in this game, which can help you stun the other racers
 during a race. Basically, items help you win. You will find items in "?"
 blocks that you see in each course. Even in modes like Shine Runners or
 Balloon Battle, you can find these ? blocks that contain items. Don't mistake
 the ? blocks with their counterparts, which I would call Blocks. Blocks are
 not ? blocks, but they look the exact same as ? blocks, except they don't have
 a ? in the middle, so that's how you can tell the difference. Anyway, this
 section is intended to help you gain some information about the items in the
 game. Also, one last thing about items: If you have a Green Shell, a Banana,
 or any item that you can hold behind your kart, you can go and grab another
 item from the item box and have two items.

 Banana
 Description: You don't actually throw a banana when you throw these items; you
              throw a banana peeling, which makes your opponents' karts spin
              out of control for a couple of seconds. Bananas are sometimes
              found in ones, and sometimes threes. Bananas are extremely useful
              items, just don't bump into them and you'll be fine.

 Block
 Description: Blocks look the exact same to as the ? blocks that house items,
              except they don't have the ?'s in the middle like the ? blocks
              do. When used, this block will be dropped onto the road, and
              whoever hits it will have their kart flip out of control for a
              couple of seconds. Try not to bump into these blocks, and try not
              to mistake them for their ? block counterparts. Also, on the map
              on the touch screen, these blocks appear red, so that's another
              way you can tell they're fake.

 Blooper
 Description: When you use this item, some spots of black ink will invade the
              top screen of the DS. If this happens to you, look at the touch
              screen and drive like that until the ink wears off. 

 Bob-omb
 Description: These are the famous bomb enemies you've seen in previous Mario
              games (not Mario Kart games). Only this time, they're returning
              to a Mario Kart game! Anyways, these items, when thrown, cause an
              explosion in a small area. If any of the other racers drive into
              the explosion, their karts will flip over for a couple of
              seconds, giving you the upper hand. I find that Bob-ombs are hard
              to place accurately, though.

 Boo
 Description: When you use one of these ghosts, they will temporarily cloak
              you. When you are cloaked, the other races won't be able to see
              you. Not only that, but in your cloaked state, no item can harm
              you, and the other racers can't bump into you to knock you off a
              cliff or make you lose control! This item is overall extremely
              useful. One more thing I forgot to mention about this item is
              that the Boo will steal an item from another racer if another
              racer has an item at that time and give that item to you. One
              more thing about this item is that after you use it and are
              invisible, as long as you are invisible, you can drive on the
              rough terrain and stuff that you can't normally drive through
              without losing speed!

 Bullet Bill
 Description: Bullet Bills are also from previous Mario games, and they are
              back in Mario Kart DS! When you use a Bullet Bill, your character
              that you chose for that race and/or cup will be inside the Bullet
              Bill, and the Bullet Bill will quickly race off towards the other
              racers. This will cause you to get at least, if you aren't too
              far behind, two places ahead. You don't control the Bullet Bill;
              it controls itself, so don't worry about controlling it if you
              are afraid you will control it bad. Bullet Bills can also hit
              other racers in the race. One more thing I forgot to mention
              about this item is that you can't get out of it until you catch
              up to someone.

 Golden Mushroom
 Description: If you use one of these rare items, you can gain unlimited boosts
              for a short period of time. When the item disappears from your
              item box, then that's how you know you can't get anymore boosts,
              and that the item is gone. This item is definitely a good one,
              and a rare one at that.

 Green Shell
 Description: Green Shells sometimes come in ones, and sometimes in threes. If
              you throw one from the front of your kart, it won't act as a
              homing missile like the Red Shell does, it'll just get thrown
              either in a straight line or in another direction. If a kart is
              where the shell gets thrown, it'll get hit. This shell works the
              same way if you fire one from the back of your kart.

 Lightning
 Description: If you get this item and use it, it'll make a huge strike in the
              sky and make all the other racers in the race, except for you,
              tiny. When the racers are tiny, their speed decreases a very good
              bit, and if you run over them while they are tiny, you'll squash
              them. Also, if you or any of the other racers get hit by this
              item, if you or they have an item at the time of the strike, that
              item will be lost.

 Mushroom
 Description: These are fairly common items that you can obtain from ? blocks.
              When you use one, you'll gain a boost of speed. Sometimes
              Mushrooms come in ones, and other times in threes, it just
              depends. If you get this item in threes, you can get three speed
              boosts. After you use the amount of Mushrooms you get, whether it
              be one or three, the item runs out, as does your speed boosts.

 Red Shell
 Description: Red Shells sometimes come in ones, and sometimes come in threes.
              When you throw a Red Shell to the front, it'll hit the racer who
              is a place higher than you and stun their kart for a couple of
              seconds. If you throw a Red Shell to a racer when they have an
              item sitting beside their kart, such as a Banana or a Block, the
              Red Shell will hit that item instead of the racer, so just be
              careful when you throw one of these. If you throw one from the
              back of your kart, it won't act as a homing missile, but like a
              Green Shell.

 Spiny Shell
 Description: When you use one of these blue shells with spikes on them, it
              will hit whoever is in first place and cause a blue explosion in
              a small area. If you drive into the explosion, you will be
              stunned for a couple of seconds, so if it a Spiny Shell is fired
              and you aren't in 1st place, but let's say like 2nd or 3rd, stop
              your kart for a minute or use the brakes so that you don't get
              hit by the explosion. These items can get really annoying really
              fast, and computer opponents tend to get them A LOT when you are
              winning in Grand Prix mode. One last thing: You can avoid these
              items if you are on a paved street when one is fired at you.

              If you have a Bob-omb item and are in 1st place, you can avoid
              the Spiny Shell by putting the Bob-omb behind your kart and then
              dropping it RIGHT before the Spiny Shell goes to hit your kart.
              Thanks to Brett Williams for this information!

 Star
 Description: This star allows you to, when used, become invincible for about
              five seconds. During the time of your invincibility, if you hit a
              racer, you will knock that racers' kart off balance, thus
              stunning that racer for a couple of seconds. Also, Stars make you
              move faster than you normally can without one, but when your
              invicibility wears off, so does your extra speed.


 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 9. Karts                                                             |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 There are tons of karts in this game. You start off with two karts, but as you
 complete cups in Grand Prix mode in 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc, you will unlock
 more karts, until eventually, you can choose up to seven with each character.
 Each kart has its own random stats. For example, some karts have high speed,
 while others have high acceleration, and lower speed, it just depends on the
 kart. This section is intended to help you know how to unlock the karts, but I
 am not going to tell you the stats of them here, as that is listed in the
 Characters section of the FAQ. IMPORTANT NOTE: I don't list the other four
 karts that are useable after you unlock the seven kart feature, as those karts
 are ones that can be used with other characters (e.g. Mario can use Dry Bones'
 Banisher kart, so just look at Dry Bones' kart list to find information on
 that particular kart).


 Mario's Karts:

 B Dasher
 Description: This kart is a white kart with your emblem on it. It also has a
              red line painted on it just to the south of the emblem.

 Shooting Star
 Description: This is a golden kart with your emblem on the part that is
              sticking out. This is also a very small kart.

 Standard MR
 Description: This is Mario's standart kart, hence the title of the kart. It is
              a red painted kart, with your emblem on it. On the side of the
              wheels is a part of the kart that's painted white instead of red.

 Luigi's Karts:

 Poltergust 4000
 Description: This is a dark-red colored kart with a vacuum cleaner type thing
              hanging on the bottom. Finally, there is your emblem on each side
              of the kart.

 Standard LG
 Description: This is Luigi's standard kart that is painted green with your
              emblem. Also, on the side of the wheels is a part of the kart
              that is painted white, rather than green.

 Streamliner
 Description: This is a huge, blue painted kart, with your emblem painted on
              each side, as well as on the front of the kart. There is also, on
              the front and back, some minor white paint here and there.

 Peach's Karts:

 Light Tripper
 Description: This is a yellow colored kart with your emblem on the front of
              the kart. Also, there is some white painting on the kart, too.

 Royale
 Description: This is a pink painted kart with your emblem on each side. Also,
              the kart isn't totally pink; there are some white spots, too.

 Standard PC
 Description: This is Peach's standard kart, and the color is very similar to
              the Royale's color. It is a pink colored kart, with some white
              on the side of the wheels. Also, there is your emblem on the
              front of the kart.

 Yoshi's Karts:

 Cucumber
 Description: This kart is painted green, and it is a long kart that sticks out
              a lot. Also, there is your emblem on the front of the kart, and
              there is some gray painting close to the side of the wheels.

 Egg 1
 Description: This is a white colored, egg-shaped kart with green dots on it.
              Also, it has some dark yellow painting on it where Yoshi sits.
              Finally, there is your emblem on the front of the kart.

 Standard YS
 Description: This is Yoshi's standard kart, which is painted green. There is
              also some white painting on the side of the wheels, and there is
              your emblem on the front of the kart.

 Toad's Karts:

 4-Wheel Cradle
 Description: This is a blue painted kart with huge wheels, and there is also
              some white painting on the side of the wheels. This kart also has
              your emblem on it, like all karts.

 Mushmellow
 Description: This kart looks just like a mushroom from the previous Mario
              games. The mushroom is colored red, and has white dots on it.
              Below the mushroom is a tan colored piece with your emblem.

 Standard TD
 Description: This is a blue painted kart with your emblem on it. Also, there
              is some white painting on the side of the wheels.

 Donkey Kong's Karts:

 Rambi Rider
 Description: This kart looks just like the animal buddy Rambi from the Donkey
              Kong Country games, as well as Donkey Kong 64. The Rambi is
              painted a dark gray color, and it has a horn sticking up below
              the eyes. Also, there are two nostrils below the horn as well.
              Finally, there is your emblem on the very back of the kart, as
              well as some greenish coloring near the side of the wheels.

 Standard DK
 Description: This is Donkey Kong's standard kart, and it is colored yellow. On
              the front of the kart is your emblem. Also, there is some white
              painting on the side of the wheels.

 Wildlife
 Description: This kart is colored a dark green color, and looks very similar
              to a Jeep. Also, it is colored silver in certain areas, and has
              your emblem in the middle on the front of the kart, just south of
              the window.

 Wario's Karts:

 Brute
 Description: This is a black colored kart with with your emblem. Also, there
              is some minor white and silver painting, and close to the front
              of the kart on the side, you'll notice that the kart is checkered
              (e.g. black and white colored squares are painted on the kart).

 Dragonfly
 Description: This is a tall kart, as well as a huge kart that is painted a red
              orange type color. There is also a silver piece that looks sort
              of like a cannon or something sticking up on the left side of the
              kart. Also, there is some black painting close to the side of the
              wheels. This kart also contains your emblem.

 Standard WR
 Description: This is Wario's standard kart, which is colored purple. It also
              has some white painting on the side of the wheels, and it also
              has your emblem on the front of the kart.

 Bowser's Karts:

 Hurricane
 Description: This kart is colored white, and looks like Bowser's Koopa Kopter
              from Super Mario World on the SNES. Also, it does have some gray
              lines colored on the wings, as well as some orange coloring and
              brown coloring on the horns that stick out on the bottom of the
              wings. Also, there is some green coloring on this kart where
              Bowser sits, and also, there is some blue coloring on top of the
              face thing. The eyes of the face thing are colored black, and it
              has four red dots on each side of its eyes; one on one side of
              one eye, and one on the other side of that same eye, and the same
              goes for the other eye. The face also has huge orange lips.
              Finally, the kart has your emblem, and I'm sure you can find it.

 Standard BW
 Description: This is Bowser's standard kart, which is colored orange. Also,
              there is some off white coloring on the side of the wheels. There
              is your emblem in the center on the front of this kart.

 Tyrant
 Description: This is a huge kart with a giant claw in front. Also, the kart is
              colored gold, and has some sporadic white painting. Also, there
              your emblem on the front of the kart.

 Daisy's Karts:

 Light Dancer
 Description: This a red colored kart with your emblem in the center on the
              front of the kart, as well as some white coloring on the side of
              that blue tile. Also, the two tailpipes in the back are colored
              silver. Finally, there is some gray coloring below the front of
              the kart.

 Power Flower
 Description: This is a golden colored kart, with some orange coloring on the
              side of the wheels, as well as your emblem in the center on the
              front of the kart. There is also some white coloring below the
              front and back of the kart, as well.

 Standard DS
 Description: This is an orange colored kart, and it has some off white
              coloring on the side of the wheels, as well as your emblem in the
              center on the front of the kart.

 Dry Bones' Karts:

 Banisher
 Description: This kart looks just like Dry Bones himself. This kart is colored
              white, just like Dry Bones, and looks like a skeleton. Also, on
              the side of the wheels are three claw-like things sticking down.
              Also, there are bones on the back of the kart, rather than a
              tailpipe. Also, there is your emblem in the center on each side
              of the kart.

 Dry Bomber
 Description: This is a tank-like kart, which is colored with a mixture of
              white and gray. Also, there is a very small white rectangle on
              each side of the kart below the cannon. Finally, as always, your
              emblem is on this kart; one on each side of the kart.

 Standard DB
 Description: This kart is a brownish color, with some white on the side of the
              wheels. Also, there is your emblem in the middle of it on the
              front of the kart.

 Waluigi's Karts:

 Gold Mantis
 Description: This is a huge kart that looks identical to a crane. The kart
              itself is colored gold, except for the wheels and the crane
              itself (the crane is black). Also, there are two places where
              your emblem appears on this kart; one on the front, and one on
              the right side of the kart.

 Standard WL
 Description: This is Waluigi's standard kart, which is colored a royal blue
              color. Also, there is your emblem in the center on the front of
              the kart. Also, there is some white painting on the side of the
              wheels.

 Zipper
 Description: This kart is a black colored kart, with some white coloring on
              the side of the wheels. Also, there is your emblem in the middle
              on the front of this kart. Also, there are some sporadic white
              and silver colors on this kart, as well.

 R.O.B.'s Karts:

 ROB-BLS
 Description: The ROB-BLS kart is a grayish-colored kart with five buttons
              sticking out from the side. Each button is a different color (the
              color of each is white, green, yellow, blue, and red). On top of
              those buttons is your emblem.

 ROB-LGS
 Description: This is a grayish-colored kart with a huge wheel sticking out in
              the very back of the kart. Also, it is a very tall kart, and in
              the center of the kart is your emblem.

 Standard RB
 Description: This kart is white-colored on the side of the wheels. Also, the
              front of the kart has some white painting as well, and on the
              front of the kart is your emblem.


 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 10. Techniques                                                       |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 There a total of four techniques in this game (well, four advanced tricks,
 that is), so I will list them all here, as well as the information about them.

 Drafting
 Description: Drafting is where you gain a sudden boost of speed when you are a
              short distance behind another racer.
 How To Do It: When you are a short distance behind another racer, you can
               sometimes see some air behind your kart. If you maintain this
               air for a few seconds, you will see a shield-like thing appear
               behind your kart, and after that, you'll gain a boost of speed.
               This boost of speed is identical to the boosts the Star item
               gives you, and you will have this boost for as long as your
               shield-like thing is still up.

 Drifting
 Description: Drifting enables you to turn curves more faster, simply put.
 How To Do It: To drift, hold R while you are accelerating and while moving
               Right or Left. If you keep one direction on the D-Pad held down
               for a long time, you will have a tighter turn.

 Power Sliding
 Description: Power Sliding enables your kart to emit blue sparks, then red
              sparks, thus enabling you to gain a boost of speed.
 How To Do It: To perform a Power Slide, hold R while accelerating to perform a
               Drift. While Drifting, keep R held down and alternate between
               pressing Left and Right on the D-Pad and you should see blue
               sparks come from your kart. If you keep R held down and if you
               keep alternating between the Left and Right buttons, you'll
               eventually see red sparks coming from your kart. When you see
               the red sparks, release R and you'll receive a boost of speed.
               This is a Power Slide, and this technique is very useful, just
               be careful not to bump into anything while performing it.

 Snaking
 Description: Snaking allows you to move in a snake-like pattern, and it gives
              you a HUGE advantage when facing other players online.
 How To Do It: Snaking is performed on long straightaways, and is similar to a
               Power Slide. To Snake, position yourself in the middle of the
               straightaway, then move to the left a bit, then before you move
               off track (the side of the road), quickly Power Slide to the
               right. Then, drive to the right side of the straightaway, then
               go back to the left.


 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 11. Unlockables                                                      |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 There are several unlockables in this game besides unlockable characters. I'll
 list them all below here, as well as information about how to unlock them,
 etc.

 Character Unlockables:

 Daisy
 How To Unlock: Complete every cup in the Retro Grand Prix on 50cc, and get a
                gold trophy in each cup.

 Dry Bones
 How To Unlock: Complete every cup in the Nitro Grand Prix on 50cc, and get a
                gold trophy in each cup.

 R.O.B.
 How To Unlock: Complete every cup in the Nitro Grand Prix on 150cc Mirror, and
                get a gold trophy in each cup.

 Waluigi
 How To Unlock: Complete every cup in the Retro Grand Prix on 100cc, and get a
                gold trophy in each cup.

 Cup Unlockables:

 Leaf Cup
 How To Unlock: Complete the Shell Cup and the Banana Cup, and get a gold
                trophy in both of them.

 Lightning Cup
 How To Unlock: Complete the Leaf Cup, and get a gold trophy in it.

 Special Cup
 How To Unlock: Complete the Star Cup, and get a gold trophy in it.

 Star Cup
 How To Unlock: Complete the Mushroom Cup and the Flower Cup, and get a gold
                trophy in both of them.

 Kart Unlockables:

 Third Kart For Each Character
 How To Unlock: Complete every cup in the Nitro Grand Prix on 100cc, and get a
                gold trophy in each cup.

 Seven Karts For Each Character
 How To Unlock: Complete every cup in the Nitro Grand Prix on 150cc, and get a
                gold trophy in each cup.

 NOTE: The seven kart unlockable doesn't take away from the original karts that
       come with each character (e.g. the Shooting Star comes with Mario, and
       is one of his specific karts), but it gives you four more random karts.

 All Karts For Each Character
 How To Unlock: Complete every cup in the Retro Grand Prix on 150cc Mirror, and
                get a gold trophy in each cup.

 NOTE: The all kart unlockable doesn't take away from the original karts that
       come with each character (e.g. the Shooting Star comes with Mario, and
       is one of his specific karts), but it gives you all the karts in the
       game, and gives those karts to every character in the game, thus you
       have all karts in the game with each character, not just their specific
       karts.

 Staff Ghosts (Time Trial mode only):

 Staff Ghosts, as I said above, are only found in Time Trial mode. The times of
 the ghosts, which are the times you can try and beat (the ghosts are actually
 in the course racing against you), are actual staff members from Nintendo, and
 those staff members got these times. To unlock a Staff Ghost, you must
 complete a course within 10 seconds of the time of the ghost (e.g. on Yoshi
 Falls, the time of the Staff Ghost is 0:57:677, so you'd have to complete the
 courses within 10 seconds of that time). Below is a list of all of the times
 that the staff members got. One more thing; if you are wondering what kind of
 reward you get for beating the times of the Staff Ghosts, you don't get any
 kind of reward, so don't do this if you don't like challenges.


 Nitro Grand Prix
 ----------------

 Airship Fortress
 Time: 2:07:748

 Bowser Castle
 Time: 2:19:661

 Cheep Cheep Beach
 Time: 1:43:654

 Delfino Plaza
 Time: 1:54:601

 Desert Hills
 Time: 1:31:262

 DK Pass
 Time: 2:14:607

 Figure-8 Circuit
 Time: 1:36:481

 Luigi's Mansion
 Time: 1:59:357

 Mario Circuit
 Time: 1:56:533

 Peach Gardens
 Time: 1:52:989

 Rainbow Road
 Time: 2:16:246

 Shroom Ridge
 Time: 2:05:123

 Tick-Tock Clock
 Time: 1:54:903

 Waluigi Pinball
 Time: 2:23:288

 Wario Stadium
 Time: 2:14:868

 Yoshi Falls
 Time: 0:57:677


 Retro Grand Prix
 ----------------

 Baby Park
 Time: 0:50:920

 Banshee Boardwalk
 Time: 2:14:403

 Bowser Castle 2
 Time: 1:52:258

 Choco Island 2
 Time: 1:01:620

 Choco Mountain
 Time: 2:15:571

 Donut Plains 1
 Time: 1:08:027

 Frappe Snowland
 Time: 2:08:781

 Koopa Beach 2
 Time: 0:54:847
 Luigi Circuit (GBA)
 Time: 1:29:759

 Luigi Circuit (GCN)
 Time: 1:46:581

 Mario Circuit 1
 Time: 0:50:688

 Moo Moo Farm
 Time: 1:17:751

 Mushroom Bridge
 Time: 1:30:600

 Peach Circuit
 Time: 1:12:011

 Sky Garden
 Time: 1:44:400

 Yoshi Circuit
 Time: 1:48:793

 Unlock 150cc Mirror Mode:

 To unlock 150cc Mirror Mode, complete each cup in the Retro Grand Prix on
 150cc, and get a gold trophy in each cup.

 Unlock Mission Level 7:

 To unlock Mission Level 7, complete Mission Levels 1-6, and get a 1-Star rank
 in each of those missons.
 

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 | 12. Game Modes                                                       |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 Single Player: This is the first option you'll see at the title screen. When
                you select this icon, you will go to another screen, in which
                you will be able to select a total of five things: Grand Prix,
                which is where you compete against the computer to try and get
                to the finish line the fastest on each race until you finish
                four courses. The better place you come in when you finish a
                Grand Prix, the more hidden cups you will unlock! You can also
                unlock prizes, such as new karts. Now, the second thing you
                will be able to go to after selecting the Single Player icon is
                Time Trials. In Time Trials, you finish a course to try and get
                a good time on that specific course. The more you practice, the
                better your time will become! The third option you can choose
                from after selecting the Single Player icon is VS mode. In VS
                mode, you play against 8 computers and try and get to the
                finish line faster than they do. The fourth option that you can
                select by selecting the Single Player icon is Battle. The
                object of Battle mode is knocking out the balloons of the
                computer opponents if you are playing Balloon Battle. You can
                knock off the balloons of the computer with items. Now, if you
                aren't playing Balloon Battle, but rather Shine Runners, the
                object is for you to collect as many Shine Sprites as possible,
                while trying to avoid the computer opponents' items that they
                throw at you.

                Also, you have one whole minute to get more Shines than the
                other computer players and if you can manage to do this, you'll
                win after the one minute is up! Use items to hit the computer
                opponents, which will knock their Shine Sprites out of their
                possession, giving you the upper hand. Also, if the computer
                opponents hit you with an item, you'll also lose a Shine
                Sprite, so keep that in mind! Also, there is something I forgot
                to mention about the Shine Runners and the Balloon Battle
                modes; they have courses, so I'll list them below. Note that
                the courses are the same in both Balloon Battle, and Shine
                Runners.

 Balloon Battle/Shine Runners Courses

 Course #1 - Nintendo DS
 Description: The level is actually pretty fun. This is without a doubt, one of
              my favorite levels in Balloon Battle! Basically, you ride on a
              Nintendo DS, while battling the computer opponents. Be careful
              not to fall off, though, as it's easy to, just drive carefully
              and make sure you don't go insanely fast.

 Course #2 - Twilight House
 Description: This is my least favorite level in Balloon Battle. You start off
              in a room, and this room that you start in is connected to lots
              of other rooms with the same layout and everything. Each of these
              rooms contain some ? mark blocks, which house items (More on that
              below). Also, there is a path that you can follow outside the
              connecting rooms. Note, however, that this path is very easy to
              fall off on, so be very aware of that; backing up helps if you
              speed too much and get close to falling off the cliff.

 Course #3 - Palm Shore
 Description: You can't drive through the water in this course, so wait until
              all the water is gone before you try and drive in the areas that
              are normally flooded. Keep in mind that you only have a few
              seconds before the ocean brings more water in, because then your
              kart might slow down if you are in an area that can be flooded!
              Also, use the sandy islands for a non-watery surface when the
              water invades the course; the water never touches the islands!

 Course #4 - Tart Top
 Description: This is, without a doubt, my least favorite course in Balloon
              Battle, and quite possibly the entire game. Basically, you ride
              on one big cake, while trying to beat the computer opponents. And
              if you hit one of the cake decorations in the course, such as a
              strawberry, then you will bounce back, and some icing will get on
              your top screen, blocking a bit of your view. The items are way
              up in the air, and to reach them, get on the speed booster (The
              colored tile) on the middle platform in the course, then you will
              see while in the air, all of the ? blocks that house the items.

 Course #5 - Block Fort
 Description: If you've ever played Mario Kart 64, you'll notice that this is
              the exact same course that was in Battle mode in multiplayer.
              Anyway, this course is the exact same way it was in MK64. The
              course consists of block platforms that you get onto, and also
              bridges that can carry you up to an even higher area of the block
              platforms! You start in the lowest area of the course, but there
              are, as I mentioned above, higher areas you can access. This is a
              pretty difficult course to win on, and I would consider it a
              course for people with some pretty good skill.

 Course #6 - Pipe Plaza
 Description: This course is from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. The course itself
              consists of a ground level area, as well as an upper platform,
              which is a grated platform. The items in the course are very easy
              to find, so don't worry about a huge search to find the items.
              Finally, the pipes in the course transport you instantly to the
              top grating platform. That about wraps it up for the explanation
              on this course.

              That's it for the courses. An important tip, though: If you have
              a speed Mushroom item, use that right when you are next to a
              computer opponent, and try and ram into their kart immediately
              after using the item. If done correctly, you will take a balloon
              from the computer! Pretty neat!

              Also, something that I forgot to mention about the Balloon Battle
              mode is that if you stop racing and lightly blow into your
              microphone, you will be able to blow up another balloon! You can
              hold up to a maximum of three balloons, and if the enemies hit
              you with items, you will lose a balloon. You also have only four
              balloons that you can blow up, so use them wisely! Finally, the
              last option you can choose on the Single Player option is
              Missions. In Mission mode, you have 7 levels to play. Each level
              has 8 trials, and each level gets harder, so you better be really
              good! I will list below the information about this section more
              in-depth. If you want to see how to complete each mission, see
              the Walkthrough section of the FAQ.

 Multiplayer: If you select this icon at the title screen, you can play with a
              minimum of 1 human player, and a maximum of 4 human players! This
              mode is REALLY fun, in my opinion, just like online mode. To try
              and get someone to join so that you can start a game, go to
              "Create Group" at the bottom of the screen. After you hit select
              Create Group, you'll be prompted to select two options, which
              are: One, Normal, and two Simple. Simply put, Normal is where you
              connect with people only that have a separate copy of MKDS, aside
              from the one you are using. Normal still lets you play the exact
              same way Simple does. Simple on the other hand, is where you
              wirelessly link up with players that do not own MKDS, but you
              still play the exact same way you do with the Normal option.
              After you select one of these options, if you have a player that
              joins, you will have to press A to start the waiting process
              before the game starts. Note that this is an annoying part (The
              waiting process), so please be patient; it only takes about one
              minute, but Nintendo could have made it faster. Anyway, after the
              loading process, you can select either Vs, Balloon Battle, or
              Shine Runners to play with the player that joined. Vs is where
              you race on a course that is in Grand Prix mode against one to
              seven human opponents.

              Whoever reaches the finish line first wins the race! Balloon
              Battle and Shine Runners are the same thing as they are on Single
              Player in Battle mode. The courses are the same as well on
              Balloon Battle and Shine Runners, and the courses in Vs mode are
              the same courses that are in Grand Prix. I am not sure how to
              unlock more courses in Vs mode, though.

              NOTE: Incase you did not read above what I said Grand Prix was,
                    here it is in more detail. I'll also explain Time Trials,
                    and the other modes more in-depth below, as well. Also, I
                    forgot to mention that in Balloon Battle, you can steal a
                    balloon from your opponent (see the Codes n' Secrets
                    section of the FAQ for more info).

 Nintendo WFC: This is under the Multiplayer option after the title screen, and
               this is where you can play online with MKDS players from around
               the world. I will list more on this in the Online Mode section,
               so look there.

 Grand Prix
 Description: A mode in which you try and get into the top three at the end of
              all of the four courses. You play on a cup, and four courses are
              included in each of the cups. Each cup gets harder, as do the
              courses. There are also three types of kart speeds you can play
              on in Grand Prix: 50cc, which is easy, 100cc, which is a bit
              harder. Finally, 150cc is the hardest speed, and requires you to
              maneuver your vehicle very carefully and skillfully, as well as
              do advanced techniques (See the Techniques section) to win. Grand
              Prix is overall my favorite mode to play on, next to online mode.

 Time Trials
 Description: Time Trials is a mode where you try and get a better time on all
              of the courses in the game. In Time Trial, you will be able to
              select from only one course in the cup you choose. Also, there
              are Staff Ghosts, which are the staff members of Nintendo's best
              times, that you can beat just for the heck of it (see the
              Unlockables section for more information on Staff Ghosts). Keep
              in mind you don't have to race the Staff Ghosts if you don't want
              to. Also, Drifting, Power Sliding, and Drafting are really the
              only tricks that come in handy on Time Trials, as Snaking takes a
              bit too long to do, and is not worth it, in my opinion. Time
              Trials is also a good place to try and learn how to Drift, Power
              Slide, and even Snake.

 VS
 Description: Vs mode is where you can communicate wirelessly through two DS's,
              as long as one player owns a cartridge of Mario Kart DS. You can
              communicate with up to three other racers aside from yourself,
              and try and see who can reach the finish line first. Vs mode is
              very fun, and something I'd suggest trying if you have a friend
              or a sibling that has another DS. If you want to know how to
              communicate with another player or three other players
              wirelessly, then look above in the Multiplayer part of this
              section of the FAQ.

 Battle
 Description: Battle mode is available in Single Player and Multiplayer. In
              Battle mode, you play against several computer opponents on
              Balloon Battle, or on Shine Runners (you are forced to play
              against seven computers). The object of Battle is to beat your
              opponents using items, without losing all of your balloons. You
              start off with only one balloon, but if you stop your kart and
              blow into your microphone, you can create up to three balloons!
              You have a maximum of four balloons that you can blow up, and if
              you lose all of your balloons, you are out of the race. Balloon
              Battle works the same in way in Multiplayer as it does in Single
              Player, but you aren't forced to play with more than one human;
              you can play with one other racer aside from yourself, or you can
              play with up to three other racers aside from yourself. Finally,
              we come to Shine Runners. In Shine Runners, you have to collect
              Shine Sprites while trying to keep your own Shine Sprites. You
              don't start off with Shine Sprites (this isn't like Balloon
              Battle, after all), and they don't appear above your kart like
              the balloons in Balloon Battle do. You can use items to hit the
              other racers to knock one of their Shine Sprites out. Also, if
              you get hit yourself, you will lose a Shine Sprite, so keep that
              in mind.

              Whichever racer is the one with the most Shine Sprites at the end
              of the race wins. Also, like in Balloon Battle, if you play
              Single Player in Shine Runners, you are forced to play with seven
              computer opponents, whereas if you are playing Multiplayer, you
              can play with one other racer aside from yourself, or even three
              racers aside from yourself! NOTE: I forgot to mention that before
              you start a race in either Balloon Battle or Shine Runners, you
              can edit how hard the computer opponents' karts are, as well as
              choose the course settings. Also, you can change the rules of the
              battle (you can even change it to no rules!). Finally, you can
              change the battle to where its a team battle or a melee battle.
              Note that you are timed approximately one minute in Shine Runners
              both in Single Player and in Multiplayer, but you aren't timed at
              all in Balloon Battle.

 Missions
 Description: Missions are divided up into seven different levels. Each level
              has 8 trials (challenges) that you must overcome in order to
              reach the next level in missions. Keep completing each trial in
              each level to unlock the next level. Also note that after you
              complete the eight trials in each level, that there is a boss
              level that you must complete before you can get to the next level
              in missions. To unlock level 7, the final level, you must
              complete all of the trials in the other six levels, and get at
              least a 1-Star rank in each of the trials. Also, the eigth trial
              in each of the missions are boss stages, so see the Walkthrough
              section of the FAQ for information on how to beat each mission.


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 | 13. Online Mode                                                      |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 IMPORTANT NOTE: Dial-up doesn't work well for Wi-Fi, so keep that in mind.
                 Also, you MUST have the Nintendo Wi-Fi Adapter or wireless
                 router (one of these is required to play online) installed and
                 plugged in before you can even connect to Wi-Fi, except for in
                 hotspots, as there are already routers there.

 In this game, you can play online mode via a Nintendo Wi-Fi Adapter, which is
 available at http://www.nintendostore.com, so look there if you're seeking to
 buy one, because Nintendo Wi-Fi Adapters aren't available in stores or any
 other place except for http://www.nintendostore.com. Anyway, in online mode,
 you can play with users from all across the world who own MKDS. You can play
 against your friends, people you don't know, anyone. To connect to Wi-Fi, you
 will need either, as I said at the top, a Nintendo Wi-Fi Adapter (Nintendo USB
 Connector), or a wireless router (I did not mention that at the top). If you
 do not have a wireless router or a Nintendo Wi-Fi Adapter, you can still
 connect to Wi-Fi via a hotspot. There are certain hotspots that you can bring
 your DS in to play Wi-Fi. One of these hotspots is McDonalds, so as long as
 you are there, you can play Wi-Fi. If you want more information on hotspots,
 please visit http://www.nintendowifi.com.

 You are probably wondering how to load up Wi-Fi, and where it is located in
 the game. Well, the screen immediately after the title screen, where the
 Single Player and Multiplayer icons are, is the Nintendo WFC icon. When you
 have the requirements for Wi-Fi (a wireless router or a Nintendo Wi-Fi
 Adapter), press this icon and then there will be three options that you can
 choose from. The first option is the Nintendo WFC Match option. The second is
 the Friend Code option. Finally, the final option you can choose from is the
 Nintendo WFC Settings option. I'll start off by explaining Nintendo WFC Match
 first. After you select it, you will be asked if you wish to connect to
 Nintendo WFC; select yes if you wish to or no if you don't. Once you connect,
 a message on the top screen of the DS will appear and say "Connecting to
 Nintendo WFC... Please wait a moment...". After that message disappears, you
 will be connected to Wi-Fi successfully and will be able to play against other
 players online from that point.

 Before you play, though, you must select either Rivals, Regional, Worldwide,
 or Friends on the touch screen. After you select one of those four options,
 press "Ok" on the touch screen, then you will have to sit through a searching
 process while Wi-Fi tries to find you an opponent or some opponents. If you
 can't manage to get three opponents to connect, then you will start the match
 with one or two opponents. Also, keep in mind that you CANNOT play Battle mode
 in online mode, so that's a major disappointment there, but online mode still
 remains fun and worth playing. You can play Vs mode only (like Single Player,
 except no cups or prizes, and no computers; you are strictly against human
 opponents). Now, the second option that I spoke of earlier is Friend Code. A
 friend code is a number that both you and your friends have. If you enter in
 a friend code of one of your friends, if it is a valid friend code, you can
 add that friend to your friends list, and be able to check his or her stats,
 and things like that. Anyway, after selecting the Friend Code option, you can
 either select "Register Friend Code" or "Confirm Friend Code". I'll start by
 explaining Register Friend Code.

 After selecting Register Friend Code, you'll be on a screen where you can add
 another player's friend code, and have him or her on your friends list. Also,
 note that friend codes do apply do every other game that is compatible with
 Wi-Fi, such as Animal Crossing: Wild World. After you have entered the friend
 code, press "Ok" at the bottom just left of Cancel, or press Cancel if you
 wish to go back to the previous screen. The second option in the "Friend Code"
 option is "Confirm Friend Code". This option does nothing more than let you
 know what your own friend code is. Finally, the third option on the Nintendo
 WFC option is Nintendo WFC Settings. After selecting it, you can either choose
 to go straight to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Settings option, or you can go
 to the Options icon. As usual, I'll start by explaining the first option,
 which is of course, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Settings. After selecting that
 option, you'll see three squares on the touch screen of the DS that say
 "Connection 1", "Connection 2", and "Connection 3". What these squares mean
 are areas where you can connect your router to Wi-Fi. If you don't have a
 router but instead a Nintendo Wi-Fi Adapter, then select the "Connect to your
 Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector" option below those squares to connect your Wi-Fi
 Adapter so that you can get online with the Adapter.

 There's more to this screen, below I'll get to it below, after this next part.
 Now, the Options icon where the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection settings menu is.
 After selecting Options, you'll be able to select either System Information,
 Erase Nintendo WFC Configuration, or Transfer Nintendo WFC Configuration. I'll
 start by explaining the first, as usual. The System Information icon displays
 your MAC Address and your Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ID. The second option,
 Erase Nintendo WFC Configuration, is where you can erase your Nintendo WFC ID,
 as well as your connection settings. Finally, the last option, Transfer
 Nintendo WFC Configuration, is where you can transfer all of your connection
 settings and your your Nintendo WFC ID to another DS. The last couple things
 about Wi-Fi that I didn't mention earlier are located on the Nintendo Wi-Fi
 Connection Settings menu. You know those three squares I told you about? Well,
 with those squares (doesn't matter which) you can not only connect your router
 to play Wi-Fi, but this is also how you search for access points, which are
 potential hotspots. First off, start by selecting one of the three squares.
 At the top screen of your DS, you'll see it say Step 2, and on the touch
 screen, you'll see three options. They are:

 "Search for an Access Point", use "AOSS", or "Manual Setup". I'll start off
 by explaining searching an access point. Press the icon "Search for an Access
 Point", then your DS will start searching for an access point. You will then
 be given routers to choose from (note that access points are only accessible
 if you're in range of them); each router will have a lock beside it. If the
 lock is blue, you can go ahead and enter that particular router and start
 playing. If the lock is red, then you connect after inputting your WEP Key. If
 the lock is gray, you cannot get in. Enter your WEP Key if you know what it is
 into the red lock router, then you can play. If you do not know what your WEP
 Key is but want to know, go to a browser (e.g. Firefox or Internet Explorer)
 and type in 192.168.1.1. , and you'll have to enter a password in order to
 display your router's information page. The password is admin, so type it in,
 then your router's information will be displayed, and that's where your WEP
 Key is. For the AOSS icon, some routers come equipped with an AOSS feature, so
 if you happen to have an AOSS-compatible router, you will be able to make use
 of the AOSS option. Anyway, after selecting AOSS, if the AOSS light on your
 router is flashing, that's good news, because you'll probably be able to get
 your DS to play then.

 If it isn't flashing, well, that's bad news, because you probably won't be
 able to play then. If it does flash, get ready to play, because after one
 minute of waiting, and you'll have to go through a connection test. If this
 test is successful, you can play online with your AOSS-compatible your router.
 If not, you're out of luck. Finally, the final option on the Nintendo WFC icon
 period; Manual Setup. After selecting Manual Setup, you'll see a list of
 things for that particular Connection Setting (if you selected the middle or
 the last connection square under the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Settings icon,
 you'll just be under Connection 2 or Connection 3 information after selecting
 Manual Setup). This list is basically information, which you can edit. If you
 are wondering what that list means, then I'll tell you. SSID means your
 router's name or the name of your access point. The WEP Key I'm not so
 knowledgable about, unfortunately. The third option, Auto-obtain IP Address,
 should be marked in "Yes" if you already have an IP Address that was
 automatically given to you, and it should be marked in "No" otherwise. Only by
 selecting "No", can you edit the IP Address below the Auto-obtain IP Address
 option, as well as the options, which are: Subnet Mask, Gateway, Auto-obtain
 DNS, Primary DNS, and finally Secondary DNS.

 After you have configured everything successfully, select the Test Connection
 option at the top to get a connection going. If the connection manages to be
 successful, then you go online. If not, then you can't go online. If you wish
 to connect via a Nintendo Wi-Fi Adapter, you'll have to install it on your PC
 via the CD that came with it (If you do not have Windows XP, you can't install
 it. Note also that a Nintendo Wi-Fi Adapter is a substitute for an access
 point. Basically, it is an access point in your home). After installing it,
 plug the adapter into a USB port on your computer's tower (make sure that the
 USB port you are attempting to plug into isn't occupied by something else,
 such as a mouse). After plugging the adapter into your USB port, select the
 "Connect to your Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector" option on the touch screen.
 After that, you have to connect your PC to your DS, so get on your PC, then
 at the bottom right corner of the screen on your PC, on the taskbar (where the
 current time in real life is displayed), click the blue circle that says
 "Wi-Fi". Upon doing that, a window opens, so on the touch screen of your DS,
 select the "Grant Permission To Connect" icon to connect your PC to your DS.
 After this, your DS will undergo connection tests, then after that, you are
 ready to play online!

 One more thing: You cannot play all of the courses in the game online, nor can
 you play Balloon Battle or Shine Runners. The servers are pretty much free of
 any type of lag, so that's good. Everything from this point on doesn't really
 need explanation, I'm sure you can figure it out on your own. Well, that about
 wraps it up for this section.


 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|
 | 14. FAQs                                                             |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 Here are some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) for Mario Kart DS, and the
 answers to them.

 Q: Is Snaking considered cheating?

 A: No, it's just a tactic often used by people so that they can gain the
    advantage over their opponent, but it is in no way considered "cheating".
    Play online at your own risk, because there will be people that Snake. Get
    used to it.

 Q: Why do people keep disconnecting in the middle of the races online?

 A: Either their connection is horrible (like 56k horrible), or they are doing
    it on purpose to annoy you because they are losing, simply put.

 Q: Is Balloon Battle and Shine Runners accessible through online mode?

 A: Nope.

 Q: How do I unlock more courses in Vs mode on Multiplayer?

 A: If you play with somebody who has Mario Kart DS (and if you yourself have
    it), all the courses are unlocked! If you play with somebody who doesn't
    have Mario Kart DS, you will only be able to play on a few tracks. Also,
    the player that doesn't have Mario Kart DS will have to play as a Shy Guy
    lookalike.

 Thanks to Brett Williams for the above Frequently Asked Question.

 Q: How many Mario Kart games have been released thus far?

 A: As far as I can remember (I'm putting this in order, now), Super Mario Kart
    for the SNES, Then Mario Kart 64, then Mario Kart Advance, then Mario Kart:
    Double Dash!!, then finally Mario Kart DS.

 Q: Has Snaking/Power Sliding been available in the other Mario Kart games?

 A: Only in Mario Kart 64 and Double Dash!!.

 Q: Does it matter about my emblem?

 A: Not unless you are in a clan. They just make your kart look cool and have a
    feel to it; that's their purpose.


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 | 15. Codes n' Secrets                                                 |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 Get Other Title Screens And Ending Screens
 ------------------------------------------

 Code n' Secret #1
 How To Do It: To unlock other title screens and ending screens, complete every
               cup on 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, and 150cc Mirror Mode, and get a gold
               trophy in each.
 ---------
 Shortcuts
 ---------

 Code n' Secret #2
 How To Do It: There are several shortcuts in this game in some of the courses.
               However, I do not know the whereabouts of all of these
               shortucts, so if someone could give me the locations of all of
               them, I would be most grateful. I do have some shortcuts in this
               section, though, and all of them have been given to me by Brett
               Williams. Thanks!
           

 Bowser Castle Shortcuts
 -----------------------

 Shortcut #1
 Description: In the rotating room, look to your left and you'll see another
              exit other than the one you'd normally go through (the one on the
              right). Go through that left exit, and eventually you'll end up
              in the area that the right exit would've took you to.


 Delfino Square Shortcuts
 ------------------------

 Shortcut #2
 Description: Near the finish line (just south of the huge colored tile that
              gives you a boost), after you go around the curve, look to the
              right and you should see an opening. Ride your kart through the
              mud to emerge on the other side. Note that this shortcut is
              located along the left wall of the square (see the map after you
              go through the mud to see for yourself) if you don't take the
              shortcut near the finish line. In fact, this shortcut is only
              useful if you take it via the left wall, rather than the right
              wall near the finish line, as by going through it when it is on
              the left side, you'll be very close to the finish line after you
              emerge on the other side.


 Peach Gardens Shortcuts
 -----------------------

 Shortcut #3
 Description: In the area just after the beginning area where the Chain Chomp
              circling around the circle of flowers in the center of the area,
              you'll come to some flowers, which you'll have to go around if
              you don't have a Mushroom. If you do have a Mushroom, however,
              you can use to speed right through the flowers, and you can get
              to the top of the hill faster.


 Choco Island 2 Shortcuts
 ------------------------

 Shortcut #4
 Description: After the finish line, go straight into the chocolate. There, you
              should see an opening in the wall. If you have a Mushroom, use it
              (use it right when you hit the chocolate or right before it), and
              then go straight through the opening in the wall to the north in
              the chocolate. This allows you to save a few extra seconds, and
              that is especially useful in Time Trial mode.


 Mushroom Bridge Shortcuts
 -------------------------

 Shortcut #5
 Description: After the first tunnel, look to your right as you are driving and
              eventually you'll come across a sand path. Follow the path to be
              dropped down to an area below, which would normally take longer
              to reach without this shortcut.


 Stealing A Balloon In Balloon
 -----------------------------

 Code n' Secret #3
 How To Do It: If the racer is your enemy in Balloon Battle (this doesn't work
               if you are on teams with the person you want to steal from), you
               can steal a balloon from that person (this even works against a
               computer opponent) by ramming into their kart with a Mushroom.
               Note that Stars DO NOT work, so don't try using one to steal.


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 | 16. Copyright                                                        |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 This guide is copyrighted � 2005-2008, Kori Winstead. All rights reserved. All
 trademarks and copyrights contained in this guide are owned by their
 respective trademark and copyright holders. This FAQ is NOT to be reproduced
 on ANY website except for the ones I list below:

 GameFAQs.com
 ign.com
 neoseeker.com
 gameplayworld.com
 gamespot.com
 absolutcheats.com
 supercheats.com
 gamerhelp.com
 1up.com
 gamerdatabase.com

 If you would like this FAQ or any of my other FAQs to be on your site, then
 e-mail me at [email protected]. 99.9% of the time I will say yes, so
 go ahead and e-mail me. The one website that CANNOT use my FAQ without my
 permission is www.cheatcc.com. They have ripped me off in the past, and they
 will never EVER be able to post ANY of my work. Also, they never kept up with
 my most recent versions on one of my FAQs, so I will not allow them to use any
 of my FAQs anymore.


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 | 17. Contact Info                                                     |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 To contact me, e-mail me at verykoolguy2002[at]gmail[dot]com. Keep in mind that
 I will not bother to respond to hate mails, threats, or anything of that sort,
 just so you know (though common sense tells you that anyway, but I will remind
 you, just so that you are 100% sure what not to send me). I will not respond
 to spam, either. Only e-mails pertaining to this FAQ or any other FAQ I may
 have that is not marked version Final will be accepted and responded to. But
 please, read the FAQ before sending in a question.

 It gets very annoying after a while to have to sit here and respond to e-mails
 about things that are already blatantly answered in this FAQ. So the bottom
 line is to read my FAQ first and if it doesn't contain the information you are
 looking for, then go ahead and e-mail me and I'll gladly respond (though I'll
 usually respond to question already answered in this FAQ anyway, just the way
 I am, but that doesn't mean I like those e-mails).


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 | 18. Credits                                                          |
 |=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|

 Jesus Christ: The Son of God who loves me and died for me. He died for me, so
               that I may have eternal life and not be condemned. Thanks. :)

 Nintendo: For making such a fun game.

 CJayC: For hosting this FAQ on GameFAQs.com, such an awesome gaming site!

 Myself: For taking the time to write this guide.

 My Brother: He gave me some information here and there. Thanks!

 Devin Morgan: Let me use his strategy for Mission 7-6, thanks! Also, I used
               his FAQ as a reference when I couldn't get through some of the
               missions.

 Brett Williams: Provided me information on the five shortcuts listed in the
                 FAQ. Also gave me information on the Spiny Shell description
                 (added information), as well as an answer to a FAQ in the FAQs
                 section.

 Crazyreyn: Used his FAQ as a reference also just incase I got stuck.

 A I e x: A I e x was my last reference, I did use his FAQ for some of the
          missions when I got lost, as usual.