Cameos & References
In Mario Kart DS there are many cameos from other games. Here is a list of several:- Donkey Kong's Rambi
- Bowser's Hurricane
- Drybones Drybomber
- Luigi's Poltergust 4000
- Iconic Karts
- R.O.B
- Super Mario Icon
- Retro Courses
Donkey Kong's Rambi
Donkey Kong Country
In various Donkey Kong games such as Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong 64, a rhino called Rambi has appeared. In DK Country, Rambi was a character that could be riden on. In DK64 Donkey Kong transforms into Rambi after jumping into a special ablity "Rambi" crate provided by Cranky Kong.
Bowser's Hurricane
Super Mario World
In Mario Kart DS, Bowser has a kart called the Hurricane, which has the same design as the hovercraft he uses in the final battle of Super Mario World on the Super Nintendo. In the final battle Mario must use Bowser's enemies against him to save Princess Peach and the eggs.
Drybone's Drybomber
Super Mario Bros. 3
Drybone's Drybomber has a design similar to the tanks that appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3. This probably influenced the tank design.
Luigi's Poltergust
Luigi's Mansion
The Poltergust 4000 kart is influenced by the poltergust in Luigi's Mansion created by Professor E. Gadd. In Luigi's Mansion Elvin Gadd gives his Poltergust 3000 to Luigi to save Mario from the ghosts. This invention is a ghost vacuum cleaner, and in Mario Kart DS a Poltergust 4000 kart is a selectable kart.
Iconic Karts
Super Mario Series
There are various karts such as the Yoshi Egg or Toad's Mushroom Kart, that resemble the characteristics of the characters. I.e. Yoshi can lay and throw eggs in various games (e.g. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island; Super Mario 64 DS) and Toads Mushroom can be referenced to any Mario game that has a mushroom in it.
Robotic Operating Buddy
Nintendo Entertainment System
Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B) was a peripheral used for the NES. This robot was compabatible with two games on the NES. Gyromite and Stack-up. It was released in 1984 as the 'Famicom Robot' and as 'R.O.B in North America in 1985'. R.O.B the Robot has no real relation to Mario and this is his first appearance in a Mario game. R.O.B is red and white in the Japanese Mario Kart; to resemble the his original Japanese colours.
Super Mario Icon
Super Mario Bros. 3
On the Title Screen next to the 1-Player Mode, there is an image of Mario's Head, which is a familar icon used in Super Mario Bros 3. for the NES.
Retro Courses
Previous Mario Kart Installments
In total there are 16 courses from previous Mario Kart games. There are four courses from each game: Super Mario Kart; Mario Kart 64; Mario Kart Super Circuit; Mario Kart Double Dash!!. In each cup in the Retro Grand-Prix they have 1 course from each game.