Mario Kart it is synonymous with fun, frustration and injustice. Anything is allowed in the Mushroom Kingdom races to claim victory. Since 30 years, Mario racing games have become the spin off most important of the franchise and also of Nintendo. In this post we will review both the origins of this video game as the evolution of their titles over the years.
Super Mario Kart – Super Nintendo
En 1992 he left Super Mario Kart, a title for Super Nintendo that originally It wasn't going to be a Mario game. Originally development started as a generic game, inspired by the F-Zero of 1990, but with the possibility that there was a way multiplayer. After a few months of development, Nintendo decided to take a risk and transform the title into a spin off of the plumber
The video game was very basic, since the circuit and the kart were the sum of two juxtaposed 2D planes, which in the world of Nintendo video games is known as 'Mode 7'. It allowed a total of 8 characters, and already in its beginnings there was the mechanics of small, medium and large characters, with their advantages and disadvantages.
There four glasses that added up to a total of 20 circuits. also had 12 Objects in total that had to be picked up from the ground. Some of them disappeared in different versions of Mario Kart, and others have been recovered over the years. There was multiplayer, as long as we had two controllers for the SNES. And the title also had battle mode, like the ones now.
Nintendo had inadvertently created the crazy kart racing genre. SEGA was quick to replicate the idea with games like sonic drift for Game Gear in 1994. Even so, Nintendo's success was spectacular, so they would soon squeeze the formula.
Mario Kart 64 – Nintendo 64
In just four years, Mario Kart made a significant leap in quality. The Nintendo 64 allowed the chaotic races of Mario and his colleagues to give jump to 3d.
The characters were kept in number, although there were changes: Donkey Kong Jr. was replaced by his adult version and Koopa Troopa by Wario. The cups lost a grand prize, a structure that has been maintained ever since. The game had 16 circuits in total, and the number of objects was increased to 14. The best object that was added in this title was one that you are surely very fond of, the blue shell. They also arose here trios of objects. The battle mode of the title was also kept in this game, and released four new scenarios.
On a mechanical level, the game's AI stopped being so tricky. In the SNES version they could use unlimited items and dodge our attacks. From now on, the machine can only use items if it gets them on the track.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit – Game Boy Advance
Seeing is believing. those who in 2001 they already had one Game Boy Advance They were able to enjoy the first Mario Kart for portable consoles. The graphic style was identical to the SNES, with the same management system. The Nintendo 64 characters were kept in this title. And, for the first time, circuits from previous games appeared, in this case, from Super Mario Kart. Thanks to the retro cups, Super Circuit had 40 different tracks.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! –Nintendo GameCube
We could affirm with almost total emphaticity that this was the best Mario Kart title of all that exist. Unfortunately, it was released for a console that didn't have the commercial success it deserved. double dash had a very notable increase in characters, since karts were driven in pairs. One was driving and the other was in charge of throwing the objects. To the point that two players could control the same car and take turns during the race.
It was also the first Mario Kart that let us choose vehicle. Each driver was assigned several cars with their handling, weight and different design. The objects also had a very remarkable evolution, reaching 20 in total. What's more, they were also linked to the runners. Only the most compatible couples could use special objects. For example, Baby Mario and Baby Luigi could use the Chain Chomp during a pinch. Items were also picked up in pairs, and it was possible to establish a more complex attack and defense strategy.
It also had its own battle mode, with new and tremendously fun courses. Split screen play was possible with four controllers, but with additional accessories, it was possible to play with 4 screens and 8 controllers (two players per kart) and up to 16 players using the LAN connection accessory that could be connected to the console's serial port. .
If we had to highlight a negative point of this game, we could only mention that it only had 16 circuits in 4 cups. Still, he was the first to add mirror mode, which challenged you to take on 150cc racing again, but in the opposite direction. and added the Cup Winners, a very crazy mode where you had to tackle all 16 tracks in one go (in each 50, 100, 150cc and Mirror mode). It was very tedious, but it was still nice. Of course, it was introduced in this game and little else.
Mario Kart DS – Nintendo DS
The bar for Mario Kart was still very high, and a few months after the launch of Nintendo DS, Mario Kart revisited the portable consoles in 2005. It did not reach the level of its predecessor, but the video game gave us hours and hours of fun.
This title knew how to take advantage of the dual screen console capabilities from nintendo. You could see a map on the bottom screen in real time and spy on items other players were getting. New objects such as the blopper, which dirty the screen, were also added. The game had a total of 12 characters, also with their own. This game saw the birth of snake, a technique of skidding and mini-turbos that was born in the previous game, but that now, the most experienced players would use to take great advantage of their rivals. This mechanic has remained in the following games in the saga, although with a slight nerf.
Mario Kart DS it had its own circuits and also its 16 retro races, where even some circuits from the Game Cube game were added. Some tracks were really well crafted and overflowing with creativity, like Waluigi Pinball, Air Fortress, or Tick-Tock Clock.
As if that were not enough, you could compete with other players using the wireless connection (even if they didn't have the game card). There was also online mode. And to this we had to add a great challenge mode, which disappeared in the following installments of the saga and some very well elaborated battle scenarios (you even had to blow into the console's microphone to fill the balloons).
Mario Kart Wii – Nintendo Wii
In 2008, Nintendo would attack again with a desktop title. Mario Kart Wii brought a huge catalog of characters, cars and also motorcycles. The distribution of 16 new circuits and 16 retro in a total of eight different cups. It was a fairly continuous video game, and somewhat disappointing compared to the Game Cube title, among other things because handling the kart was somewhat complicated with the WiiMote.
Also added new objects, although they did not reach the following titles. He sold more than 37 million units, only surpassed by the sum of Mario barth 8 y Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Mario Kart 7 - Nintendo 3DS
It was released at the end of 2011. The great novelty of Mario barth 7 it was that of customize your vehicle. Now you could unlock parts for the cars, creating really interesting kart, glider and wheel combinations. The structure of 16 new and 16 old circuits was religiously maintained in this edition.
Still, we could say that Mario Kart 7 took a step back from Mario Kart DS. The circuits they did not become as showy and creative as those of that other title, feeling quite repetitive. The challenges that we have mentioned before also disappeared.
Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Wii U / Nintendo Switch
Although it hurts Nintendo a bit, let's remember that Mario barth 8 It came out for the Nintendo Wii U in 2014.. Yes, the Wii U existed, and it was a flop. Mario barth 8 It was the best-selling video game for that console. It was also the first to have a DLC, which led Mario Kart to open its horizons and accept characters from other Nintendo franchises, such as Link or the Animal Crossing villagers – and circuits based on their worlds.
Mario barth 8 kept the mechanics of Mario barth 7, allowing to make a car by pieces. were also created gravitational surfaces and circuits that can be traced through two different areas. As a knockback, you can now not acquire a new item while using one to block back, modifying a metagame established since Mario Kart: Double Dash.
In 2017, Nintendo decided to break the historical tradition of releasing a Mario Kart on the console. Nintendo Switch would once again have mario kart 8, only, this time, in its Deluxe version —that is, with the DLC content integrated into the base game for Switch. Thanks to this move, this title has become the best selling Mario Kart of all time -He has also been the one who has been on the front line the longest without a substitute.
At the beginning of the year 2022, Nintendo presented a new DLC system What would I add? 48 new clues to the game progressively until the end of 2023. All these circuits are remasters of old tracks, and the DLC can be purchased directly or accessed through Nintendo Switch Online. Expansion Pack.
Other versions of Mario Kart
Mario Kart is a franchise exclusive to Nintendo consoles, but there are two exceptions to this rule: a mobile game and one for recreational. Finally, we must highlight the game for Switch from mario kart live that allows you to play with a system of augmented reality.
Mario Kart Tour
It arrived in September 2019 for iOS and Android. Following the same strategy of Mario Run y Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, the game is designed to interact vertically, although later the mode would win landscape after Update.
The mechanics of this title are adapted to be a game free-to-play, although it retains most of the elements of the games of a lifetime. The first hours of the game Mario Kart Tour They are fantastic, but things get a bit uphill as you progress, the only way to advance being to go through their system micropayments and loot boxes.
Arcade Versions
Since 2005, Nintendo and Namco collaborate to bring the plumber's car game to the recreational machines. There have been three such titles in total:
- Mario Kart ArcadeGP (2005)
- Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (2007)
- Mario Kart Arcade GP DX (2013)
All these games are entirely programmed by Namco. They have characters and items that go beyond those of the Mushroom Kingdom and have different game modes. The 2013 game allows two players race in one car, replicating the style of Mario Kart: Double Dash. If you find one of these machines, don't hesitate for a second to play a game. The feeling is somewhat strange, because it has its differences with respect to console games. However, the experience is really interesting.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit - Nintendo Switch
Released at the end of 2020, this curious title turns your house into a racetrack. It works with a royal kart which is equipped with sensors, cameras and a card system augmented reality. With them, we will design our circuit through the rooms of our house, putting the obstacles that we want. You can limit yourself to putting chairs or give freedom to your imagination. If you have a cat, it will surely claw you out of the race like Bowser. And if you are more of a dog person, surely your circuit does not need a pipe with a Piranha Plant.