In the end, this action causes a slipstream, a V-shaped section where the air has already moved away. As a kart goes forward, it breaks through the air that's usually stationary, and it relocates to the side of the kart, allowing the kart through. When the player finds his/herself behind someone else, he/she can use a slipstream. If not released or done too early, a cloud of smoke comes out of the back of the player's kart, thus a delay in starting the race, or holding the A button when the 2 fades out and before the 1 fades in and don't release it until the race starts. Then, a speed boost is given to the player. Though, the first having to need the A button released at the number one to gain the boost.
When the number three or two appears on-screen, the player must hold the A button to go. In the previous Mario Kart games in the series, the player has to press the A button immediately before the race in order to receive a boost. This can also generate blue and orange sparks. Holding a little longer results the blue sparks to turn orange so that the player can gain a speed boost, or when you start drifting, press both left and right directions on the D-Pad. This allows the player to gain blue sparks coming from the kart. The player must push the R button and the opposing direction the kart is going in. The player must push the R button to drift so the kart may spark. When coming to curves, power sliding is a way of making it through a curve quicker.
There are thirty-two tracks in Mario Kart DS. The player must come within the top three players at the end of the Grand Prix to win a trophy. As in the previous games, the player can participate in a Grand Prix, each containing four tracks in which points are gained for the player's position at the end of the race.