Don't listen to the haters, the NDS version is probably the third best kart game on DS behind the sonic one and MKDS.

Manages to have a sick gameplay, the drift system is pretty cool ! If the level design was a bit better/less bland and the items made catching up a real thing (don't be silly, these items aren't nearly powerful enough to dethrone a good player), it'd be a really good kart racer.

Think of a wrong design decision, any bad design decision, this game has it. It really is a wonder

I only really modded one game, it was this one, and I dont regret it one bit (Feng Lee you are dogshit at programming)(but the gameplay is immaculate).
If you want to give it a try (and I dont know why/how someone would in the current year), check out the modding community which has overtaken the game support since its creator left many years ago.