Mario Kart DS Hints & Cheats

Unlockable Characters and items

Unlockable How to Unlock

Character - Daisy	Get a Gold Trophy on every cup in Retro Grand Prix on 50cc
Character - Dry Bones	Get a Gold Trophy on every cup in Nitro Grand Prix on 50cc
Item - 3rd kart for all characters	Get a Gold Trophy on every cup in Nitro Grand Prix on 100cc
Character - Waluigi	Get a Gold Trophy on every cup in Retro Grand Prix on 100cc
Item - Choose from 7 karts for each character	Get a gold trophy in every cup in Nitro Grand Prix on 150cc
150cc Mirror Mode	Finish 150cc Retro Class with Gold trophies on every cup
Unlock R.O.B. as a racer	Finish either 150cc Mirror Mode Class with Gold Trophies on all cups
Unlock "Mission 7" in Mission Mode	Get at least a 1-star ranking on all levels of every mission in Mission Levels 1-6
Item - Choose from any kart for each character	Get a gold trophy in every cup in the Grand Prix on 150cc mirror that you didn't use to unlock R.O.B.

Unlockable Cups

Each of the unlockable cups are only unlocked in one engine class at a time. For example, if you unlock Star Cup in 50cc you will still have to unlock it in 150cc.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Lightning Cup	Get Gold on Leaf Cup
Special Cup	Get Gold on Star Cup
Leaf Cup	Get Gold on Shell Cup and Banana Cup
Star Cup	Get Gold on Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup

Alternate Title Screen

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Alternate Title Screen	Finish all classes with gold trophies on all cups

Staff Ghost Times - Nitro Cups

These ghosts are unlocked in Time Trial mode by obtaining a specific time on each course. The ghosts are those of the staff who made the game, and are all very difficult to overcome. The times given for each track are those of the Staff Ghost; the ability to race the Ghost is acquired by timing a few seconds more than the Staff Ghost on that track. It varies from track to track, though the required time is usually within 5 to 10 seconds of the Staff Ghost's time.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Rainbow Road	2:16:246
Bowser Castle	2:19:661
Wario Stadium	2:14:868
Peach Gardens	1:52:989
Airship Fortress	2:07:748
Mario Circuit	1:56:533
Tick-Tock Clock	1:54:903
DK Pass	2:14:607
Shroom Ridge	2:05:123
Walugi Pinabll	2:23:288
Delfino Square	1:54:601
Desert Hills	1:31:262
Luigi's Mansion	1:59:357
Cheep Cheep Beach	1:43:654
Yoshi Falls	0:57:677
Figure-8 Circuit	1:36:481

Staff Ghost Times - Retro Cups

These ghosts are unlocked in Time Trial mode by obtaining a specific time on each course. The ghosts are those of the staff who made the game, and are all very difficult to overcome. The times given for each track are those of the Staff Ghost; the ability to race the Ghost is acquired by timing a few seconds more than the Staff Ghost on that track. It varies from track to track, though the required time is usually within 5 to 10 seconds of the Staff Ghost's time.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Mario Circuit 1	0:50:688
Moo Moo Farm	1:17:751
Peach Circuit	1:12:011
Luigi Circuit	1:29:759
Donut Plains 1	1:08:027
Frappe Snowland	2:08:781
Bowser Castle 2	1:52:258
Baby Park	0:50:920
Koopa Beach 2	0:54:847
Choco Mountain	2:15:571
Luigi Circuit	1:46:581
Mushroom Bridge	1:30:600
Choco Island 2	1:01:620
Banshee Boardwalk	2:14:403
Sky Garden	1:44:400
Yoshi Circuit	1:48:793

Alternate Ending Screen

Different "Thank you for playing" screen after credits.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Alternate Ending Screen	Finish all classes with gold trophies on all cups (including mirror mode)

Earn a star for your nickname

The staff ghosts have stars next to their nicknames when you see them on tracks. You can earn a star for yourself as well. It is only visible to other players in-game, but the star appears in your Records screen (Records button from the main menu) when you earn it.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Starred nickname	Beat all cups in all modes with 1-star rating or better
Have two stars next to your name on wifi.	Get a two star rating on all prixs.
Have three stars next to your name on wifi.	Get a three star rating on all prixs.

Mario Kart DS Secrets

• Turbo Boost After Lakitu Retrieval

  If you fall off the track or get stuck underwater for more than a couple moments, Lakitu comes to pull you out and place you on the track again. When he picks you up, wait until you're dropped onto the track again, then press the acceleration at that exact moment and you'll get a turbo boost if you timed it correctly.

• Turbo Boost at Start of Race

  To get a turbo boost at the start of a race, do not hold the acceleration button down prior to the race starting. Wait until just after the number 2 in the countdown disappears, then hold A. If done right, you will receive a turbo boost as soon as the race starts.