Mario Kart DS

If there is a single reason people still keep a working Nintendo DS around for just one game, it is most likely Mario Kart DS. This 2005 racing installment was the first in the series' history to let you compete against real opponents from around the world over an internet connection, turning a casual session in front of the screen into a global racing phenomenon.

The gameplay foundation stays true to the proven recipe: cartoon tracks full of bends, the sliding technique called drifting that gradually charges up a turbo boost, and an arsenal of destructive items ranging from shells to the dreaded blue shell that homes in on the lead racer. The DS version's big addition was a wealth of retro content that brought in remastered tracks from every previous game in the series, so nostalgia went hand in hand with the new stuff.

Development was handled by the internal division Nintendo EAD. The Nintendo DS gave racing two screens: the top one let the driver watch the track from behind the vehicle, while the bottom one displayed the map and the positions of rivals. The game also made use of local wireless play, letting several DS owners race together, with a single cartridge being enough for a mode with a limited roster of characters.

The cultural footprint is unmistakable. Online multiplayer via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service was, for most players, their very first experience of internet gaming on a handheld, and an incredibly devoted community grew up around the game. Mario Kart DS became one of the console's best-selling titles and to this day is regarded by many fans as one of the most balanced entries in the entire series.

Beyond the classic races, the game offers a mission mode where you complete short tasks of increasing difficulty, as well as an elaborate system of battle arenas. It is precisely this variety that makes Mario Kart DS a title you come back to again and again, whether for five minutes or a whole evening.

Why play: Masterfully tuned kart racing that was the first to bring Mario to the starting grid of a worldwide online contest.