DS Mario Circuit

Mario Circuit is the third race course in the Star Cup in Mario Kart DS. In the course enemies appear acting as obstacles: Goombas appear crossing the road to and from the sides. By shooting a Green Shell or Red Shell at them, or using a Star, Mushrooms spawn from the Goombas. A pair of Fire Piranha Plants spit fireballs onto the course. The victim will spin out of control when touching one. Piranha Plants, as seen in Mario Kart 64, are also present. This track shares its music with Figure-8 Circuit.

Course layout
Characters start out the race near a lake surrounding the Peach's Castle. After going through the first corner, Goombas wandering on the middle of the track will try to block the racers' path. After passing by these enemies, characters run along a piece of the lake. Due to that part having no security fence, players can fall off into water. Continuing the path, two Fire Piranha Plants located in a S bend will spit fireballs to the course that will cause drivers to spin out on impact. Going through a Warp Pipe-modeled bridge, the players reach a dirt road after taking a tight turn. The track's dirt section can cause some karts to go off of course, especially on corners. Crossing over the Pipe bridge, the racers go down on a curly track with Piranha Plants. Past this, characters then continue running over concrete road. After taking a tight S turn, players cross the checked line.

Shortcuts
One can use a Mushroom and go behind one of the Fire Piranha Plants to cut off a turn.

Missions
Missions 5-8 and 7-4 take place on this circuit. During mission 5-8, Luigi has to compete against Mario to reach the finish line in a lap. In mission 7-4, Toad must get rid of every Goomba found in a part of the course, provided with Green Shells from the Item Boxes.

Official descriptions

 * European website: "Constructed in the grounds of Princess Peach's famous castle, Mario Circuit is where red-capped plumbers feel most at home. Negotiate the snaking turns while avoiding waddling Goombas, bouncing flames and snapping Piranha Plants, and you might just make it to Peach's place in time for tea."

Sponsors

 * Mario Kart (Trackside banners, banners)
 * Shoot!! (Trackside banners)
 * Super Mario (Trackside banners)
 * Super Star! (Trackside banners)

Trivia

 * This is one of only two Mario Circuits that has been in the Star Cup, the other being Mario Circuit 4 from Super Mario Kart.
 * This is the only nitro Mario Circuit to be the third course of a cup.
 * This is the only Star Cup course in Mario Kart DS that has yet to become a retro course.

Circuito di Mario (DS) Marios Piste