Review: Diddy Kong Racing DS

You can't keep a good racing game down, and Diddy Kong and pals are back jostling for pole position as the N64 favourite returns in a fully enhanced version. The action looks better and brighter than ever, but this game has been given more than just a fresh lick of paint. The engine has been completely overhauled to give a new generation of handheld racers a souped-up classic to take for a spin.

Diddy Kong Racing DS is much more than a mere racing game, combining high-octane competition with a gripping Adventure Mode. There's trouble in paradise as the idyllic Timber's Island falls prey to a devious intergalactic pig. Only Diddy and his friends can defeat the evil Wizpig, but it's going to take nerves of steel and all your driving skills. And don't forget that pilot's licence...

That's right. As if the excitement of hanging on for dear life as you skid round a tight corner in a go-kart wasn't enough, Diddy Kong Racing DS gives you two other vehicles to test drive. The sky's the limit as you get behind the cockpit, fasten your seatbelt and take off in an aeroplane. Grab those aerial items and fly rings around your opponents. Or what better way could there be of dealing with watery hazards than taking control of a zippy hovercraft?

The three modes of transport are fully upgradeable, and each has its own strong points. It gets no better than the go-kart for handling those tight bends, but when it comes to shaving off seconds by skating over a pool of water, the hovercraft can't be beaten. See which one suits your style, and remember that once you've completed a course in one vehicle, you can still give it a try with the others for a whole new experience.

With all those vehicles to master on 24 thrill-packed tracks, 12 playable characters and heaps of cool features to unlock not to mention pigs from outer space to deal with - there are more than enough challenges to keep solo players happily engrossed. Still, that's really just the tip of the iceberg. Diddy Kong Racing is a game which is made to be enjoyed with friends or other players from around the globe via a wealth of multiplayer options. You can share the fun with up to 7 other racers with local wireless Single or Multi-Card Play or take your skills global by taking on up to five players from anywhere in the world in racing or battle modes using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Multiplayer mode is given an extra dimension by allowing you to show off your creative talents to a worldwide audience: Diddy Kong Racing DS allows you to design your own tracks using the Touch Screen and stylus. You'll use the stylus to draw all the twists and turns you desire, then see your course brought to life for everyone to enjoy. In multiplayer mode, players can go head to head after each designing their own track. Who can come up with the most fun and challenging one?

If designing your own track whets your appetite, this game has plenty more opportunity for that personal touch. In Diddy Kong Racing DS, individuality is encouraged. You can use the Touch Screen to design your own insignia, so will it be racing stripes or something more original? Bring out your inner artist and really express yourself! Add to the effect by recording your voice to use in the sound effects. What do you want those slow coaches to hear when you overtake them and they're left eating your dust?

With all of this and tons more fun, those new to the game will have a blast getting to know the high-speed world of Diddy Kong, while fans of the original will love rediscovering old favourites and unlocking hidden classic modes. The go-kart, hovercraft and aeroplane are just waiting for you to rev them up!

Diddy Kong Racing DS races into shops on April 20, only on Nintendo DS.