Hideki Konno, producer of the forthcoming DS Mario Kart, has recently shed more light on what we can expect to see from the fifth game in the series.
As previously reported, Mario Kart DS will be one of the first games to utilize Nintendo's new online wi-fi service. Konno has confirmed that Battle Mode will be available to internet-dwelling gamers, alongside four player head-to-head racing.

Sporting over thirty tracks in total - fifteen new ones, with classic tracks from previous games making up the rest - gamers will, for the first time, all be able to race as the same character. To avoid confusion, each player will be dressed in unique colour schemes, with their names hovering seductively above their heads on-screen (as opposed to "in their living room", obviously).

You'll also be able to design your own decals using the DS's touch-screen then slap them all over your happy-wagon.
The Mario Kart team is also pondering the use of the handheld's other special features - one idea that's been touted includes huffing into the built-in microphone to inflate balloons. Quite why you'd want to do this, we don't know yet - it likely relates to the game's traditionally balloon-tastic Battle Mode though.

All will become clear when the title zips over the finish line some time around Christmas.