This article has a talk page!This is a sub-page of Mario Kart DS.
Main Menu#
Wi-Fi mode is labeled as "Nintendo WFC" in the international versions and "Wi-Fi" in the Japanese version. The Korean title screen has the copyright year as 2005-2007. This is because Mario Kart DS's Korean release year was 2007 rather than in 2005, like every other version.
R.O.B.#
The most blatant regional differences involve R.O.B., as the original toy's appearance differed between Japan and the rest of the world.
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International |
Japan |
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In the international versions, R.O.B. is colored dark grey (the general color of the NES), while in the Japanese version he is white and red (the colors of the Family Computer). Additionally, he is called HVC-012 in the Japanese version, which is his original Japanese product number; this is notably the only time he has been referred to as such, as most Japanese media (most notably Super Smash Bros. Brawl) opts to simply call him "Robot" (ロボット) instead.
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International |
Japan |
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The ROB-LGS kart was similarly recolored.
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International |
Japan |
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...As were his icons.
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International |
Japan |
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The title screen that appears after you beat the game was also changed.
It's worth noting, however, that these changes aren't actually a direct replacement of any files - viewing a Time Trial ghost replay or playing multiplayer with a different version of the game will allow you to see both R.O.B. and HVC-012 at the same time. This is most apparent when viewing/racing a staff ghost using HVC-012 in the international versions of the game.
VS Screen Computer Names#
International |
Japan |
Korea |
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The names for the computer players in the Japanese and Korean versions as well as the German locale of the international version are COM then a number, whereas the names in the international versions are ORDI then a number for French locale and CPU then a number for other locales.
Pre-Game Note#
North America |
International |
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In the North American version of the game, before showing the title screen, a note will appear saying "ESRB NOTICE: Game Experience May Change During Online Play.", whereas in the other versions (European, Japanese and Korean) the note says, "All Rights, including the copyrights of Game, Scenario, Music and Program, reserved by NINTENDO." (which is also a common notice for credits of Nintendo-published games that are pure Nintendo IPs from 2001-2010). The North American text is in bold, whilst the other text isn't. The international copyright screen also has incorrect grammar.
Course Names#
Some tracks and karts have different names depending on the region. Retro courses keep their original localized names in each region.
English-Speaking Countries |
Japan |
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Figure-8 Circuit |
Eight-Cross Circuit |
Cheep Cheep Beach |
Pukupuku Beach |
Luigi's Mansion |
Luigi Mansion |
Desert Hills |
Sun Sun Desert |
Delfino Square |
Monte Town |
Shroom Ridge |
Kinoko Ridgeway |
DK Pass |
DK Snow Mountain |
Airship Fortress |
Killer Ship |
Peach Gardens |
Peach Garden |
Bowser Castle |
Koopa Castle |
Palm Shore |
Southern Reef |
Tart Top |
Sweet Tart |
Kart Names#
English-Speaking Countries |
Japan |
|---|---|
B Dasher |
B Dash |
Poltergust 4000 |
Ovacuum |
Streamliner |
Steamline |
Royale |
Peerless |
Light Tripper |
Light Step PC |
Mushmellow |
Mush |
Standard TD |
Standard KO |
Rambi Rider |
Jungle Cargo |
Brute |
Brutal |
Standard BW |
Standard KP |
Power Flower |
Flowery |
Light Dancer |
Light Step DS |
Banisher |
Banish |
Standard DB |
Standard KA |
Dry Bomber |
Karon Cannon |
Zipper |
Tripper |
ROB-BLS |
HVC-BLS |
ROB-LGS |
HVC-LGS |
(Source: The Mushroom Kingdom)
Emblem Creator#
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International |
Korea |
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In international releases of the game, pressing Select in the emblem creator brings up a help menu which depicts the original DS 'Phat' model. While this model was available in South Korea, thanks to Daewon, the game didn't get a Korean localization until April of 2007. As a result, the original DS model was replaced with the DS Lite model that was the first to be localized into Korean when it launched there three months prior. This graphical change was likely made to reduce confusion though curiously the Nintendo DS battle stage remains unchanged from the international release. 