Mario Kart

Mario Kart (stylized as MARIOKART) is a series of racing video games and media franchise, made by Nintendo. It began with Super Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992.[1] To date, there are four Mario Kart games on home consoles, three portable games, and three Namco co-developed arcade games, making a total of twelve. The latest game of the series is Mario Kart Tour.

Mario Kart
Logo used since Mario Kart DS
GenresRacing
Developers
PublishersNintendo
CreatorsShigeru Miyamoto
Platforms
First releaseSuper Mario Kart
August 27, 1992 (1992-08-27)
Latest releaseMario Kart Tour
September 25, 2019 (2019-09-25)

Gameplay

In the Mario Kart series, players compete in go-kart races, controlling one of a selection of characters from the Mario franchise. Up to eight participants can compete in each race, with the exception of Mario Kart Wii, which holds twelve. One of the features of the series is the use of various power-up items obtained by driving into item boxes laid out on the course. These power-ups include mushrooms to give players a speed boost, Koopa Shells to be thrown at opponents, and banana peels that can be laid on the track as hazards. The type of weapon received from an item box is random and often influenced by the player's position in the race.[2] For example, players lagging far behind may receive more powerful items while the leader will only receive small defensive items.[2] This gameplay mechanic–called "rubber banding"– allows other players or computers a realistic chance to eat up the leading player no matter how far ahead they are.[2] As the series has progresses, each new title has introduced new elements in order to keep the gameplay fresh.[2] Changes typically include new items, new stages, and new methods of obtaining speed boosts, but most games have also featured a new play mechanic as well.[2] Changes new titles have brought to the series include: Mario Kart 64 introducing 4-player racing and bringing the series into the third dimension, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'s introducing a partner system and the Double Dash!!, Mario Kart Wii's use of motorbikes and twelve participants per race, and the newest entry into the franchise, Mario Kart 7, featuring hang gliders, submarines and a new first-person perspective as well as customizing karts.[2]

Courses

Many course themes are repeated throughout the series. For example, most games have featured a circuit course, a desert course, a city or highway course with traffic, some form of a beach course, a stadium course, a jungle course, an ice or snow course, Bowser's Castle and Rainbow Road.[2] Each game in the series includes 16 original courses, with the exception of Super Mario Kart and Super Circuit, which holds 20. Most races have three laps, while some games have more or less. There are also three to six original battle arenas in each game, designed exclusively for Battle mode. So far, there are 120 original courses and 30 original arenas spread throughout these seven games. Additionally, there are 48 Retro courses and 10 Retro arenas. These consist of older material recreated for newer games.

Recurring items

Modes of play

Each Mario Kart game features a variety of different modes. The following modes recur most often in the series:

  • Grand Prix – players compete in various "cups," groups of several courses each. Players earn points according to their finishing position in each race, and the player with the most points at the end of the cup wins a trophy. In some games, a ranking system is also included to determine the player's overall performance.
  • Time Trial – (single player) the player attempts to complete any course in the fastest time possible with three mushrooms to be used at anytime during the run. The best time is then saved as a ghost, in which the player can compete against in later runs.
  • VS – multiple human players compete against each other on any course with custom rules. Also playable in single player mode since Mario Kart DS.
  • Battle – players use race items to battle each other in a closed arena. Each player starts the battle with three balloons and loses a balloon with every hit sustained; the last player possessing at least one balloon wins the match. In later installments, other battles have been added including throwing Bob-ombs at opponents, collecting Shine Sprites (an object found in Super Mario Sunshine) and coins. In Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 7, the battles have a time limit. Since Mario Kart DS, battle mode is playable in both single and multiplayer.

List of Mario Kart games

Console games

Arcade games

Mobile games

Other appearances

Several Mario Kart-related items appear in the Super Smash Bros. series, with Super Smash Bros. Brawl in particular featuring a stage based on one of Mario Kart DS's courses.[5] Certain courses from the series have also appeared in F-Zero X, Itadaki Street DS, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, Fortune Street and Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Various items from the series can also be seen in games such as Nintendogs and Animal Crossing.

Characters
Driver Super 64 Super Circuit Double Dash‼ Arcade GP DS Arcade GP 2 Wii 7 Arcade GP DX 8 Total appearances
Baby DaisyRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XNGreen tickY2
Baby LuigiRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XNGreen tickY3
Baby MarioRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNGreen tickY3
Baby PeachRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNGreen tickY2
Baby RosalinaRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]1
BirdoRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XNRed XN2
Black Shy GuyRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY2
Black YoshiRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
BlinkyRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XN2
Blue Shy GuyRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNGreen tickY3
Blue YoshiRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
BowserGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY11
Bowser Jr.Red XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XN3
Cat PeachRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
Diddy KongRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XNRed XN2
Don-chanRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XN1
Donkey KongRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY10
Donkey Kong Jr.Green tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XN1
Dry BonesRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XNRed XN2
Dry BowserRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNGreen tickYGreen tickY3
Fire MarioRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XN1
Funky KongRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XNRed XN1
Honey QueenRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XN1
Ice LuigiRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XN1
Iggy KoopaRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]1
IsabelleRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
King BooRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XNRed XN2
Knight Don-chanRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XN1
Koopa TroopaGreen tickYRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickY5
LakituRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNGreen tickY[Note 1]2
Larry KoopaRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]1
Lemmy KoopaRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]1
Light Blue Shy GuyRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY2
Light Blue YoshiRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY2
LinkRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
Ludwig von KoopaRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]1
LuigiGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY11
MametchiRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XN1
MarioGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY11
Metal MarioRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Green tickYGreen tickY[Note 1]3
MiiRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNGreen tickY[Note 1]3
Morton Koopa Jr.Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]1
Ms. Pac-ManRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XN2
Orange Shy GuyRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
Orange YoshiRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
Pac-ManRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XN3
ParatroopaRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XN1
Petey PiranhaRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XN1
Pink Gold PeachRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]1
Pink Shy GuyRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY2
Pink YoshiRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
Princess DaisyRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Green tickY[Note 1]Red XNGreen tickY5
Princess PeachGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY11
Red YoshiRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickY3
R.O.B.Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XN1
RosalinaRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]Green tickY[Note 1]Green tickYGreen tickY[Note 1]4
Roy KoopaRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 1]1
Shy GuyRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickY3
Strawberry Don-chanRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XN1
Tanooki MarioRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
ToadGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY11
ToadetteRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XNGreen tickY3
VillagerRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
WaluigiRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickY6
WarioRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY10
Wendy O. KoopaRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
White Shy GuyRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY2
White YoshiRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY1
WigglerRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYRed XNRed XN1
Yellow Shy GuyRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNGreen tickY3
Yellow YoshiRed XNRed XNGreen tickY[Note 2]Red XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickY2
YoshiGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY11
Total 8 8 11 20 11 19 13 25 19 20 51 --
Notes
  1. This character is unlockable.
  2. This character is only playable in VS Mode or Nintendo DS/3DS Download Play.

Merchandise

Mario Kart has had a range of merchandise released. This includes a Scalextric style Mario Kart DS Figure-8-Circuit. It comes with Mario and Donkey Kong figures, while a Wario and a Luigi are available separately. It also includes CD soundtracks. A line of remote-controlled karts are available in stores. Each kart has a Game Boy Advance-shaped controller. It features forward driving and rotates when put in reverse, instead of steering. The current line-up of karts is Mario, Donkey Kong and Yoshi. There are three large karts that depict the same trio. These karts are controlled by a GameCube controller shape. Japanese figurines of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Wario, Donkey Kong, and Bowser are also available for purchase as well as for Mario Kart 64, figures of Mario, Luigi, Wario, Bowser, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi were made by Toybiz. There is also a land-line telephone featuring Mario holding a lightning bolt while seated in his Kart, as seen here. K'Nex has released Mario Kart Wii sets, with Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Bowser in karts and bikes.[6] Club Nintendo also released merchandise with a platinum soundtrack from Mario Kart Wii and three gold trophies from Mario Kart 7.

Reception

Nintendo Power listed the Mario Kart series as being one of the greatest multi-player experiences, citing the diversity in game modes as well as the entertainment value found.[7]

Guinness World Records awarded the Mario Kart series with five world records in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008, including "First Console Kart Racing Game" and "Best Selling Handheld Racing Game." Guinness World Records ranked the original Super Mario Kart number 1 on the list of top 50 console games of all time based on initial impact and lasting legacy.[8]

References
  1. Crecente, Brian (2009-26-2). "Mario Kart: Most Influential Video Game in History." Kotaku. Retrieved 2012-1-27.
  2. Dan. "Mario Kart Franchise Retrospective". WatchMojo.com. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  3. "Virtual Console バーチャルコンソール" (in Japanese). Nintendo. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  4. "Download New BIT.TRIP Kicks, Speeding Karts, Magic Castles and More". Nintendo of America. November 23, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  5. "Smash Bros. DOJO!!". Smashbros.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  6. "K'NEX Mario Kart Wii Building Sets". Knex.com. 2011-10-20. Archived from the original on 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  7. Nintendo Power 250th issue!. South San Francisco, California: Future US. 2010. p. 47.
  8. Ivan, Tom (2009-02-28). "Guinness ranks top 50 games of all time". Computer and Video Games. Retrieved 2009-03-14.

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