I'm surprised that I haven't seen some mentions for this game...

Back in February, Nintendo released a Nintendo DS version of the N64 classic Diddy Kong Racing. While the core of the game is a port, several new features have been added: vehicle customization, track editor, new gameplay modes, new tracks... Some will say that there's a bit too much of touch screen gimmick, but I would say that the Rare team hasn't gone overboard. It could have been much worse, after all!

I only started playing it two weeks ago, and I'm slowly getting through the Adventure mode. I'd say so far that it was well worth the purchase: there are enough new elements even if you played through the original one several times, including the new Wi-Fi mode. The online component allows you to race up to six people in the normal races, and up to four people in the Battle arenas. I only played a game or two to test it out (I want to practice first), but it's definitely looking fun!

I added my Friend's Code to the rotating display below. Does anyone else have the game, or plans to buy it? I'll be looking forward to race you online!

The stylus controls mostly apply to two things: the race start boost, and the second race mode.

At the beginning of each race, instead of pressing the A button with the proper timing to get a speed boost, you have to do a specific action depending of the vehicle you're using. The car and plane have you rubbing an icon to make it spin as fast as possible, while the hovercraft has you blowing into the microphone to boost it's engine's speed. Once the initial move is done, the racing is done using standard button controls.

The second important element is the second race for each track in Adventure mode. If you remember, the original game had you racing against all opponents, while trying to get 8 silver coins and finishing in first place. That was completely replaced with a new touch screen mode. You're now flying on Taj's magic carpet, which goes around the track automatically. Your task is to pop balloons scattered around the track by touching them. You also have to move the camera around by dragging the stylus across the screen. While it might sound complicated at first, it's quite easy to get a passing grade (such as, say, getting 35 of the 50 balloons on a track). On average, I find that part easier than the actual racing.

There are some bonus things to control with the touch screen, too, but none of them are forced on the player. Some people will probably find it a bit too "gimmicky", but on my end, I don't mind. It adds a lot of new elements over the original game, so it doesn't feel like a mere repeat with nothing added.