Mario Kart DS Speedrunners Discover New Humanly Possible Shortcuts on Waluigi Pinball Track

Nearly two decades after its original launch, Mario Kart DS continues to make headlines, demonstrating its enduring impact within the Nintendo community and the broader speedrunning scene.

Released in November 2005 for the Nintendo DS, Mario Kart DS is widely regarded as one of the franchise’s most inventive entries, introducing classic tracks and beloved mechanics to a global audience.

The game remains a staple in competitive circuits and frequently appears on the Nintendo eShop’s bestsellers list, cementing its legacy on the handheld platform. A newfound wave of excitement has swept through the Mario Kart DS speedrunning community thanks to the recent discovery of several previously unused shortcuts, particularly on the iconic Waluigi Pinball track.

According to reports, including coverage by Gaming Reinvented, these shortcuts were once believed achievable only through tool-assisted speedruns (TAS).

However, speedrunner iMathII has now demonstrated that at least one major shortcut on Waluigi Pinball is indeed viable in standard, human-controlled gameplay. This shortcut hinges on precise maneuvering, where the player must skillfully guide their kart to collide with a specific section of the spiral track.

When executed correctly, this sends the kart soaring over a vast segment of the circuit, landing near the pinball bumpers at the lap’s end.

The feat was once the domain of frame-perfect computer simulations, making this human accomplishment a significant breakthrough in the game’s speedrunning history. Further evidence from the speedrunning community suggests that similar tricks are possible on additional tracks.

Tool-assisted runners have used comparable methods to skip substantial portions of Luigi’s Mansion, while speedrunner @MK_Dasher has reported that Delfino Square could also benefit from such advanced maneuvers.

Though these particular shortcuts still require the precision of tool-assisted play, recent strides made by dedicated players suggest it may not be long before skilled speedrunners incorporate them into real-time runs. Mario Kart DS’s ability to continue yielding new strategic possibilities underscores its exceptional design and ongoing relevance in the Nintendo ecosystem.

With an active speedrunning scene, robust online forums, and continued player engagement, Mario Kart DS remains a key touchstone for enthusiasts of both Nintendo DS hardware and the genre at large.

As speedrunners around the world experiment with these new discoveries, the boundaries of what’s possible in Mario Kart DS continue to expand, further securing its place in competitive gaming history.

For updates on future developments and more Nintendo speedrunning breakthroughs, stay tuned to our ongoing Nintendo DS and Mario Kart coverage.

Mario Kart Nintendo Mario Xbox Series X|S Mario Kart DS Waluigi Pinball DS Waluigi Kart Nintendo DS