Mario Kart DS has a smaller custom track community than Mario Kart Wii but a dedicated one, centred on the CTR-Tools suite of editors. The MKDS Custom Track Distribution collects the best community-built courses into a single ROM patch, currently including over 100 custom tracks replacing the original 32 race courses.
Custom courses for MKDS have to account for DS hardware limitations: the engine renders two viewports simultaneously and the geometry budget per course is tighter than home console Mario Kart entries. Designers have worked within these constraints creatively, producing tracks with functioning overpasses, cave sections, and multi-path forks.
The distribution patches to any MKDS ROM and can be played in DeSmuME, MelonDS, or on DS hardware via flashcart. Online play via WiFi Connection emulation services works with compatible builds.