The much loved Battle Mode from Mario Kart games will not be playable online in Mario Kart DS.

Speaking in an interview with Puissance-Nintendo, Hideki Konno (the game's producer) has revealed that Battle Mode will not be playable online. Battle Mode has always been great fun when played with friends and the hope was that this would make for some great online matches. Unfortunately, this will only be playable via wireless LAN, with online play restricted to straightforward races.

Nintendo's online service will be free and is said to offer friends lists, stat tracking and more. Despite the system's wireless capabilities, a wireless router or access point is needed to take the handheld online. Expect Nintendo to release more information on their online service soon. Mario Kart DS is due later this year, and will be joined by Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, another online compatible game.