Take the following steps to unlock each of the 4 secret Mario Kart DS characters. This page also includes Mario Kart DS cheats guide, which tells you how to perform the “Snaking” technique, earn Turbo Boosts, as well as how to unlock additional cups and much more.
SECRET CHARACTERS
How to unlock Daisy
Get a Gold Trophy on every cup in Retro Grand Prix on 50cc.
How to unlock Dry Bones
Get a Gold Trophy on every cup in Nitro Grand Prix on 50cc.
How to unlock Waluigi
Get a Gold Trophy on every cup in Retro Grand Prix on 100cc.
How to unlock R.O.B. (Robot Operating Buddy)
Finish either 150cc Mirror Mode Class with Gold Trophies on all cups.
Mario Kart DS Cheats
But there’s much more to be unlocked in Mario Kart DS. The following tips & tricks, lists and gameplay videos show the rest of the unlockables:
Tutorial on how to perform the “Snaking” technique
How to unlock Additional Courses/Cups
Each of the unlockable cups are only unlocked in one engine class at a time. For example, if you unlock Star Cup in 50cc you will still have to unlock it in 150cc.
Leaf Cup
Get Gold on Shell Cup and Banana Cup.
Lightning Cup
Get Gold on Leaf Cup.
Special Cup
Get Gold on Star Cup.
Star Cup
Get Gold on Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup.
Level shortcuts guide video (crappy quality but it works) [Thx to Drybones195]
Tutorial on how to dodge the lethal Blue Shell item [thx to jmmydude]
How to earn a Turbo Boost at race countdown
To get a turbo boost at the start of a race, do not hold the acceleration button down prior to the race starting. Wait until just after the number 2 in the countdown disappears, then hold A. If done right, you will receive a turbo boost as soon as the race starts.
How to get a speed boost after falling off the track
Lakitu comes to save the day when you fly off the track or get stuck in water. This is a detrimental thing, although there is at least a way to earn a speedboost if you do have to be saved by Lakitu. When he picks you up, wait until you’re dropped onto the track again, then press the acceleration at that exact moment. You’ll get a turbo boost if you timed it correctly.
How to unlock 150cc Mirror Mode
Finish 150cc Retro Class with Gold trophies on every cup.
How to unlock the third item for every character
Get a Gold Trophy on every cup in Nitro Grand Prix on 100cc.
How to unlock all 7 karts for every character
Get a gold trophy in every cup in Nitro Grand Prix on 150cc.
How to be able to use any kart with any character
Get a gold trophy in every cup in the Grand Prix on 150cc mirror that you didn’t use to unlock R.O.B.
How to unlock “Mission 7” in Mission Mode
Get at least a 1-star ranking on all levels of every mission in Mission Levels 1-6
Staff Ghost Times in Time Trial mode for Nitro Cups:
Staff Ghosts are unlocked by beating a Staff Ghost by a few to 10 seconds. You first need to get within a few seconds of them to be able to race them.
Unlockable: Time to beat
Airship Fortress: 2:07:748
Bowser Castle: 2:19:661
Cheep Cheep Beach: 1:43:654
Delfino Square: 1:54:601
Desert Hills: 1:31:262
DK Pass: 2:14:607
Figure-8 Circuit: 1:36:481
Luigi’s Mansion: 1:59:357
Mario Circuit: 1:56:533
Peach Gardens: 1:52:989
Rainbow Road: 2:16:246
Mushroom Ridge: 2:05:123
Tick-Tock Clock: 1:54:903
Walugi Pinball: 2:23:288
Wario Stadium: 2:14:868
Yoshi Falls: 0:57:677