Best games
Best Racing games on Nintendo DS
The 10 best Racing games on Nintendo DS, ranked from 3,894 critic and player ratings.
The best Racing game on Nintendo DS right now is Mario Kart DS, with a critic score of 90/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
- 10 games are listed on this page, carrying 3,894 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 29 September 2026.
Top 10
01
Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart DS is the continuation of the long running racing game series that began on the Super Nintendo. It features 16 new tracks as well as 16 tracks from the previous 4 games, with each set split up into the Nitro and Retro Grand Prix respectively. Eight racers are initially available, each with two go-karts to choose from. A number of characters and additional karts are also available to unlock. New items have been added to the arsenal, including a Blooper squid that squirts ink onto the screens of other players and a Bullet Bill power up that transforms the player into a giant, fast-travelling bullet on autopilot.
90
/100
02
Colin McRae: DiRT 2
As the sequel to the acclaimed racer of 2007, DiRT 2 is set to take off-road racing games to a new level, with benchmark tech, thrilling new race types, big event atmosphere, stunning locations, a new breed of off-roading heroes and a peerless line-up of super-charged speed machines. Promising a thrilling race experience and an extreme sports attitude that borrows from snowboarding and skateboarding culture, DiRT 2 will take players on a World Tour to diverse and challenging real-world environments to compete in contemporary off-road events. Specifically selected to deliver aggressive and fast paced racing, DiRT 2's garage will house a best-in-class collection of officially licensed rally cars and off-road vehicles; covering seven vehicle classes and players will be given the keys to powerful machines right from the off.
88
/100
03
GRID (2008)
87
/100
Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart DS is the continuation of the long running racing game series that began on the Super Nintendo. It features 16 new tracks as well as 16 tracks from the previous 4 games, with each set split up into the Nitro and Retro Grand Prix respectively. Eight racers are initially available, each with two go-karts to choose from. A number of characters and additional karts are also available to unlock. New items have been added to the arsenal, including a Blooper squid that squirts ink onto the screens of other players and a Bullet Bill power up that transforms the player into a giant, fast-travelling bullet on autopilot.
90
/100
02
Colin McRae: DiRT 2
As the sequel to the acclaimed racer of 2007, DiRT 2 is set to take off-road racing games to a new level, with benchmark tech, thrilling new race types, big event atmosphere, stunning locations, a new breed of off-roading heroes and a peerless line-up of super-charged speed machines. Promising a thrilling race experience and an extreme sports attitude that borrows from snowboarding and skateboarding culture, DiRT 2 will take players on a World Tour to diverse and challenging real-world environments to compete in contemporary off-road events. Specifically selected to deliver aggressive and fast paced racing, DiRT 2's garage will house a best-in-class collection of officially licensed rally cars and off-road vehicles; covering seven vehicle classes and players will be given the keys to powerful machines right from the off.
88
/100
03
GRID (2008)
87
/100
04
Need for Speed: Underground 2
Need For Speed Underground 2 takes place in Bayview after the events of Need for Speed: Underground. The prologue begins with the player driving in a Nissan 350Z in Olympic City (though the racing scenes are actually in Bayview), the setting of NFS:UG. He then receives a race challenge from a rather ominous personality who offers him a spot on his crew, but "won't take 'no' for an answer." The player races off — despite Samantha's warnings — only to be ambushed by a mysterious driver in a rage that totals his Skyline. The driver, who has a unique scythe tattoo, makes a call confirming the accident, and the flashback fades out.
78
/100
05
MX vs. ATV Reflex
Think fast and hang on to your ride as you take independent control of the rider and take the ultimate test of mettle. Dual controls let you tear it up with death-defying tricks and high-flying freestyle action. Fight for traction and dig up the track to leave your mark.
76
/100
06
Need for Speed: ProStreet
Compete at the highest level of street racing with Need for Speed ProStreet. It’s no longer good enough to simply rule your local neighborhood; you need to dominate on a global stage. Build the ultimate battle machine, take it to multi-disciplinary showdowns and pit your skills and reputation against the world’s best street racers.
72
/100
07
Need for Speed: Carbon
Need for Speed: Carbon, also known as NFS Carbon or NFSC, is an Electronic Arts video game in the Need for Speed series. It is the tenth installment and was the first game in the series to gain the PEGI rating of 12+. The game is a sequel to 2005's Need for Speed: Most Wanted.
70
/100
08
Need For Speed Undercover
The Need for Speed series got another dose of Hollywood magic with the release of Undercover. Take on jobs and compete in races to prove yourself as you infiltrate and take down an international crime syndicate. As you win each race, you’ll go deeper into the underworld web that rules Tri-City… and then tear it apart right under their noses. You make the calls, but don’t break your cover: inside the car or out of it, one mistake here could be your last.
65
/100
09
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing
Explore stunning new circuits including Sonic Seaside Hill, Curien Mansion and Blizzard Castle as you zip around medieval castle ramparts, hurtle under lush rain forest canopies and tear through bustling city scapes in a frantic race to the finish line. Jostle against a selection of 20 challengers including Super Monkey Ball’s Ai Ai, Amigo from Samba and the evil Dr. Eggman in your unique character vehicle. Stay ahead of the pack by dodging traps and launching outrageous character moves such as the invincible Super Sonic, Banana Blitz assault of monkey balls or Tails wild Tornado - set to throw any vehicle clean in the air! But if you’ve been battered, beaten and broken, it’s not over yet! Super-charge your vehicle with power-ups to get back in the race and be sure to stay alert for the secret short-cuts that will give you the edge to victory. Party Racing Fun - Battle it out in single player, challenge your friends in 4 player split-screen for the ultimate track racing showdown! All Your Favorite Racers - Choose from 20 different characters from the Sonic & SEGA universe including Sonic, Tails, Aiai and Amigo. High Velocity Vehicles - Every character drives their own unique vehicle including sports cars, bikes, planes and even a giant banana to perform bespoke special man-oeuvres! All-Star Moves - Need to get by a competitor? Can’t overtake a racer? Then take them out with a pick-up weapon (missiles, mines and other obstacles) or one of the 20 unique character moves that allows the recipient to know who just hit them! Stunning Visuals - Race over medieval castle ramparts, under lush rain forest canopies and through bustling city scapes as you battle through 27 challenging tracks from the Sonic and Sega Universe.
65
/100
10
TRON: Evolution - The Video Game
Tron: Evolution is an immersive 3rd person action-adventure game that pulls the player into the unique digital world of Tron. Gamers explore Tron's cities using the free running phenomenon Parkour, navigate among unique rebel factions, and fight an epic battle against a dictator's seemingly unstoppable army in the prequel story to the blockbuster film, Tron: Legacy.
57
/100
Need for Speed: Underground 2
Need For Speed Underground 2 takes place in Bayview after the events of Need for Speed: Underground. The prologue begins with the player driving in a Nissan 350Z in Olympic City (though the racing scenes are actually in Bayview), the setting of NFS:UG. He then receives a race challenge from a rather ominous personality who offers him a spot on his crew, but "won't take 'no' for an answer." The player races off — despite Samantha's warnings — only to be ambushed by a mysterious driver in a rage that totals his Skyline. The driver, who has a unique scythe tattoo, makes a call confirming the accident, and the flashback fades out.
78
/100
05
MX vs. ATV Reflex
Think fast and hang on to your ride as you take independent control of the rider and take the ultimate test of mettle. Dual controls let you tear it up with death-defying tricks and high-flying freestyle action. Fight for traction and dig up the track to leave your mark.
76
/100
06
Need for Speed: ProStreet
Compete at the highest level of street racing with Need for Speed ProStreet. It’s no longer good enough to simply rule your local neighborhood; you need to dominate on a global stage. Build the ultimate battle machine, take it to multi-disciplinary showdowns and pit your skills and reputation against the world’s best street racers.
72
/100
07
Need for Speed: Carbon
Need for Speed: Carbon, also known as NFS Carbon or NFSC, is an Electronic Arts video game in the Need for Speed series. It is the tenth installment and was the first game in the series to gain the PEGI rating of 12+. The game is a sequel to 2005's Need for Speed: Most Wanted.
70
/100
08
Need For Speed Undercover
The Need for Speed series got another dose of Hollywood magic with the release of Undercover. Take on jobs and compete in races to prove yourself as you infiltrate and take down an international crime syndicate. As you win each race, you’ll go deeper into the underworld web that rules Tri-City… and then tear it apart right under their noses. You make the calls, but don’t break your cover: inside the car or out of it, one mistake here could be your last.
65
/100
09
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing
Explore stunning new circuits including Sonic Seaside Hill, Curien Mansion and Blizzard Castle as you zip around medieval castle ramparts, hurtle under lush rain forest canopies and tear through bustling city scapes in a frantic race to the finish line. Jostle against a selection of 20 challengers including Super Monkey Ball’s Ai Ai, Amigo from Samba and the evil Dr. Eggman in your unique character vehicle. Stay ahead of the pack by dodging traps and launching outrageous character moves such as the invincible Super Sonic, Banana Blitz assault of monkey balls or Tails wild Tornado - set to throw any vehicle clean in the air! But if you’ve been battered, beaten and broken, it’s not over yet! Super-charge your vehicle with power-ups to get back in the race and be sure to stay alert for the secret short-cuts that will give you the edge to victory. Party Racing Fun - Battle it out in single player, challenge your friends in 4 player split-screen for the ultimate track racing showdown! All Your Favorite Racers - Choose from 20 different characters from the Sonic & SEGA universe including Sonic, Tails, Aiai and Amigo. High Velocity Vehicles - Every character drives their own unique vehicle including sports cars, bikes, planes and even a giant banana to perform bespoke special man-oeuvres! All-Star Moves - Need to get by a competitor? Can’t overtake a racer? Then take them out with a pick-up weapon (missiles, mines and other obstacles) or one of the 20 unique character moves that allows the recipient to know who just hit them! Stunning Visuals - Race over medieval castle ramparts, under lush rain forest canopies and through bustling city scapes as you battle through 27 challenging tracks from the Sonic and Sega Universe.
65
/100
10
TRON: Evolution - The Video Game
Tron: Evolution is an immersive 3rd person action-adventure game that pulls the player into the unique digital world of Tron. Gamers explore Tron's cities using the free running phenomenon Parkour, navigate among unique rebel factions, and fight an epic battle against a dictator's seemingly unstoppable army in the prequel story to the blockbuster film, Tron: Legacy.
57
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Racing game on Nintendo DS?
Mario Kart DS currently tops the ranking with a score of 90/100 across 406 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.