I bought this game yesterday at Target. I'll try to run down the list of menu selections as much as possible.
(Doesn't work in CycloDS, original R4, M3i or Acekard, or even No$GBA at this point. Don't know if it's AP or just a save issue. 64meg ROM)
First, IGN has posted a review, go read that to fill in things I skip.
http://ds.ign.com/articles/107/1071582p1.html
OK.....
The game's menu system is set up a lot like Mario Kart DS. Many of the same modes and extras.
3 save slots
Main menu:
Single Player
Multiplayer (single or multi card)
Nintendo WFC.
Shopping (buy racers, courses and music with "miles" gained from playing)
License (challenges, Records, Edit License, Friend Roster, Test Track)
Options: (list)
-Settings: # of Racers, Laps, Difficulty (easy, medium, hard) and items/hazards on/off
-Controls: 3 presets for controls
-Audio: music and effects sliders
Nintendo WFC Setup
Credits
Race modes: Single player
Grand Prix
Single Race
Time Trial
Missions
Race modes: Multiplayer
Single card
Multicard
WiFi online
I never play games online, so I don't know what all specific modes are within.
20 characters total. 24 tracks.
Starting characters (8):
Sonic
Tails
Amy
Dr. Eggman
Shadow
AIAI (monkey ball character, I assume)
Billy Hatcher (not a freakin' clue who that is)
Amigo (looks like a cross between Speedy Gonzales and AIAI, dunno)
The other 12 characters have to be unlocked.
The game is pretty nice, with excellent graphics running at a very smooth framerate. I consider it a sort of mix between the cool track designs of Speed Racer DS (and similar drifting) and the gameplay of Mario Kart DS. I had the sound turned down for the most part, but what I did hear sounded good enough. Drifting around the corners is a little strange because you have to hold a button to continue drifting, if you drift long enough, you get a speed boost. I'm sure there is a way to use that to "snake" with proper timing. Drifting also seems a little strange because of how exaggerated the car's angle is while drifting, like how Speed Racer DS was. You quickly get used to it though.
Some tracks have multiple paths and routes. Careful not to hit the center of a fork in the road. Racing seems challenging enough without the AI seeming too stupid or overly rubberband.
According to the IGN review, online play is hampered by the big giant lag monster....I haven't tried playing online (I'm a single player type of guy), so I can't say for sure if that's true of the final release or not though. Oh, what the heck, I'll try an online match just for you guys.....hang on.....trying the "play with anyone" mode.....one minute, found no one.....2 minutes, no one....3 minutes, no one....5 minutes, no one....OK, so it's too early to find people online with the game yet. I exited out without finding a soul. So I can't give any idea about online play. But I'm having a blast with single player mode for now. So far, only beaten two cups in easy. When I tried for medium straight-away, they kicked my butt pretty hard.....have to get used to the tracks and the drifting for speed boosts I guess, or I just suck or something. But easy IS pretty easy and you can win most of the time, yet if you wreck too often, you's gonna lose.
Hope that is useful to you guys. I'm gonna go play the game some more.
