ROB-BLS

ROB-BLS
Data-rendered model of ROB-BLS in the Japanese version.
Information
Type	Kart, Heavy
First appearance	Mario Kart DS (2005)
Total appearances	Mario Kart DS
Strengths	Speed and Handling
Weaknesses	Drift and Items

The ROB-BLS (HVC-BLS in Japan) is R.O.B's primary kart in Mario Kart DS, while his others are the Standard RB and ROB-LGS.

Description

The ROB-BLS in action on Mirror Desert Hills.

It resembles R.O.B.'s block set used in Stack-Up, with five different colored blocks, one on each tray, with the blocks colored white, green, red, blue and yellow. The international versions of Mario Kart DS have the kart, along with R.O.B. and the ROB-LGS, consists mainly of light and dark shades of gray. However, in the Japanese and Korean regions, they consist of a white and deep red color scheme, which are based of R.O.B.'s Famicom colors.

How to unlock

• Complete all cups in either the Nitro or Retro Grand Prix in 150cc. Since R.O.B. cannot be unlocked yet until Mirror Mode, it is open to both Luigi and Wario.

Completing all cups in Mirror Mode opens the ROB-BLS to all characters.

Statistics

R.O.B.'s ROB-BLS has the highest top speed, tied with Bowser's Hurricane. However, unlike the Hurricane, which has poor stats everywhere else besides weight and drift, this kart has average acceleration, fairly high handling (which is a unique trait for a heavyweight character), and extremely low drift. It also has an abnormally long Mini-Turbo for its weight class, lasting for 0.933 seconds, which is represented by four red arrows in Time Trials.

This kart's unusual stats make it one of the best karts for snaking, along with karts such as the Dry Bomber, Egg 1, and Poltergust 4000. Out of the four, the ROB-BLS is the hardest and most unforgiving to drive by far, due to its comparatively shorter Mini-Turbos, worse offroad capabilities, and extremely low drift. While low drift is not usually a problem in Mario Kart DS as karts can hop tightly around corners, the BLS's drift is so low that it begins to tangibly affect the player's racing lines if they do not begin sliding with perfect timing and spacing, forcing them to go extremely wide if they make even small inaccuracies in their snaking. However, its perfect speed stat makes it by far the most rewarding if used properly, particularly if a player is skilled enough to maintain PRB with it, which can completely circumvent its off-road disadvantages.

At the highest level of Time Trials, the ROB-BLS is the most frequently used kart, holding 19 out of 32 world records compared to the Egg 1's 10, the Dry Bomber's 2, and the Standard LG's 1. It sees much less use at beginner and even intermediate play due to how difficult it is to control. The ROB-BLS is considered by far the optimal choice on courses with little to no off-road, such as Yoshi Falls, or wide open courses where it is trivial for a top player to maintain PRB, such as SNES Mario Circuit 1. However, not even the best players in the world are able to consistently drive this kart to its maximum potential over the course of several tracks. As such, Grand Prix and 32-track VS mode speedrunners often choose the Egg 1 for its greater consistency.

The ROB-BLS also shares its handling with Luigi's Streamliner and Toad's Mushmellow.

The ROB-BLS is also the second lightest kart within the heavyweight class, losing to Donkey Kong's Wildlife and Wario's Brute. It also has the highest acceleration and handling within the heavyweight class.

Stats table

Kart Stats
Stat				Value
Speed			100
Acceleration			55
Weight		​ ​	25 (75)
Handling			69
Drift			28
Items			33
Mini-Turbo			0.933 s.

Staff Ghost use

Course	Time	Player	Character	Kart
Rainbow Road	2:16:246	Ninten★たえこ	R.O.B.	ROB-BLS

Videos

Mario Kart DS (Wii U VC) Mirror Flower Cup - 3 Star Ranking (Luigi Gameplay)

Gallery

Records icon.

R.O.B. in the ROB-BLS in the North American version.

R.O.B. in the ROB-BLS in the Japanese version.

R.O.B racing at Tick-Tock Clock while in his ROB-BLS.