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{{Short description|Video game series by Nintendo}}
{{Unreferenced|date=April 2008}}
{{for|the first game in the series|Super Mario Kart{{!}}''Super Mario Kart''}}
{{Infobox VG series
{{Use American English|date=October 2020}}
| width =
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
| title = Mario Kart
{{Infobox video game series
| collapsible =
| state = | width =
| title = Mario Kart
| show image =
| collapsible = no
| image = ]
| state = expanded
| caption = A screenshot from an early version of '']''.
| image = Mario Kart logo.png
| developer = ]
| caption = Logo since 2014
| publisher = ]
| platforms = {{Hlist
| genre = ]
| ]
| original = August 27, 1992
| ]
| spinoffs =
| ]
| website =
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
}}
| developer = {{Unbulleted list
| ] (1992–2014)
| ] (2017–present)
| ] ('']'')
| ] ('']'')
| ]/] ('']'')
| ] ('']'')
}}
| publisher = ]
| genre = ]
| spinoffs = {{Unbulleted list|'']''|'']''}}
| creator = {{Unbulleted list
| ]
| ]
| ]
}}
| producer =
| artist =
| writer =
| composer =
| first release version = '']''
| first release date = {{Start date|1992|08|27}}
| latest release version = '']''
| latest release date = {{Start date|2020|10|16}}
}} }}
<!--This article is in Us English-->
'''''Mario Kart''''' is a series of ]-style ] ]s developed by ] as a series of ]s from its trademark '']'' series of ] adventure-style video games. The series debuted in ] with critical and commercial success.


{{nihongo foot|'''''Mario Kart'''''|マリオカート|Mario Kāto|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a series of ]s based on the '']'' franchise developed and published by ]. Players compete in ] races while using various power-up ]s. It features characters and courses mostly from the ] series as well as other gaming franchises<!-- Not just Nintendo; also includes Namco IPs --> such as '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.
To date, there have been four ''Mario Kart'' games for home consoles, two portable games, and two arcade games. The eighth and latest installment, '']'', was released in Japan on April 10, 2008, in Europe on 11 April 2008, in Australia on 24 April 2008 and in North America on April 27, 2008.

The series was launched in 1992 with '']'' on the ] (SNES), to critical and commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=February 26, 2009 |title=Super Mario Kart: Most Influential Video Game in History |url=https://kotaku.com/super-mario-kart-most-influential-video-game-in-histor-5160745 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228050332/http://kotaku.com/5160745/super-mario-kart-most-influential-video-game-in-history |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2012 |website=Kotaku}}</ref> The ''Mario Kart'' series totals fifteen games, with seven on home consoles, three on handheld consoles, four arcade games co-developed with ], and one for mobile phones. The latest game in the series, '']'', was released on the ] in October 2020. Over 178.19 million copies in the series have been sold worldwide.


==Gameplay== ==Gameplay==
In the ''Mario Kart'' series, players compete in ], controlling one of a selection of characters, mainly from the ''Mario'' franchise. Up to twelve characters can compete in each race (varying per game). Players can perform driving techniques during the race such as rocket starts, ], ], and mini-turbos.
''Mario Kart'', the characters from the '']'' series of video games get together and race ] around an variety of tracks. Players can obtain items by driving through (or over in ''Super Mario Kart'') item boxes or coins, which can be used for either defense, offense or by powering up the engine for a short amount of time (boost). Each ''Mario Kart'' game features several gameplay modes, which can be played in both single player and multiplayer.
In Time Trial or Time Attack the goal is to achieve the fastest time in the selected track. Players are usually given up to three mushrooms (speed boosts) which they can use any time during the race against time. Once a record is set, the game saves a "ghost," a replay of the set record, to compete against. In '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']'', the developers put in their own "Staff Ghosts" for the player to race against. They must be unlocked by achieving a certain time which differs on each track. In ''Mario Kart Super Circuit'' and ''Mario Kart DS'', it is also possible to download a ghost from friends. In ''Mario Kart DS'', two ghosts (the player's own and a friend's) can be saved. In Mario Kart Wii, ghosts can be downloaded from across the world via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. There are two sets of staff Ghosts in-game—one available at the start and a faster ghost that is unlocked after the player achieves a certain time in the Time Trial or Time Attack.
In Grand Prix, the characters compete against each other in a themed cup. There are usually four cups: Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup and Special Cup.
*''''']''''' features the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, and Star Cup in the three engine classes (50cc, 100cc, 150cc) and Special Cup in the 100cc and 150cc. 150cc mode must be unlocked by beating the 100cc cups first, while the player must clear each of the other cups to unlock the Special Cup. Each cup in this game holds five tracks for a total of 20 tracks in the game.
*''''']''''' has the Mushroom, Flower, Star, and Special cups available in all three (50cc, 100cc, and 150cc) classes. This game adds a Mirror Mode to the series (called "EXTRA" in this game), which is unlockable by beating the 150cc cups. It also features four tracks to a cup, which has been repeated in each game since.
*''''']''''' adds in a fifth cup (the Lightning Cup), which is between the Flower and Star cups. The player must beat the four cups (Mushroom, Flower, Lightning and Star) to unlock the Special Cup in that particular class. It also includes an "extra" version of each cup that features all the tracks from ''Super Mario Kart''. There is no Mirror Mode in this game.
*''''']''''' starts with Mushroom, Flower and Star cups, with the Special Cup unlockable. This game features an "All-Cup Tour" that has all 16 tracks, which always starts with Luigi Circuit and ends with Rainbow Road, and the 14 other tracks are mixed up in a ] order. Like its console predecessor, it also features the unlockable Mirror Mode. It is also the first game in the series to feature unlockable characters and the first to allow multiple kart selection.
*''''']''''' has its cups that start with the names of the characters (Mario Cup, Luigi Cup, Wario Cup, Pac-Man Cup, Bowser Cup, Rainbow Cup). It does not have engine classes (cc), but its ] is called ]. Many of its items and tracks are not found in the console games. Ex. of items baisin, thumb tacks, oil, tornado.
*''''']''''' has two Grand Prix modes: The Nitro Cups (all-new tracks) and the Retro Cups (all classic remade tracks). Nitro Grand Prix features the four standard cups, Mushroom, Flower, Star and Special, while Retro Grand Prix features the return of the Lightning Cup from ''Super Circuit'', this time as the Retro equivalent of the Special Cup. Also featured in the Retro Grand Prix are the Shell, Banana and Leaf Cups acting as the counterparts of the first three Nitro cups. The Retro mode features four tracks each from all four previous ''Mario Kart'' games. This game features 50cc, 100cc, 150cc and an unlockable 150cc Mirror Mode. Players can also play mission mode, as for the first time in the series' history can race online using the ].
*''''']''''' has, like in ], its cups that start with the names of the characters, its ] is called ]. Features include: an extra challenge at the end of each cup, increased difficulty, Mario coins, and more characters.
*''''']''''' also has cups with all-new tracks and cups with all classic remade tracks. Like ''Mario Kart DS'' there are four cups featuring new tracks (Mushroom, Flower, Star and Special), while four other cups (Shell, Banana, Leaf and Lightning) offer four tracks each from the previous five games, with the exception of ''Super'' and ''Super Circuit'', which have two each. This game features 50cc, 100cc and 150cc modes and an unlockable Mirror Mode, as well as 13 unlockable characters and online racing using the ]. The game also comes with the ] peripheral, which attaches itself to the ].


Gameplay is enhanced by ] items obtained by driving into item boxes laid out on the course. These power-ups vary across games in the series, but generally include ] to give players a speed boost, Red and Green Shells to be thrown at opponents, Banana Peels, and hazards such as Fake Item Boxes. The game selects an item based on the player's current position in the race, utilising a mechanism known as ]. For example, players lagging far behind may receive more powerful items such as ], which give the player invincibility while auto-piloting them forward at great speed, while the leader of a race may only receive small defensive items, such as Shells or Bananas. This gameplay mechanism allows other racers a realistic chance to catch up to the leading racer.
The player wins the cup by receiving the most points throughout the Grand Prix. Points are allocated based on the position the player finishes in. The most a player can get is 60 points, comprising 15 points in each of the four courses in ''Mario Kart Wii''. This increased score is due to the higher number of racers in the Wii game (12 compared to the previous games' eight). A maximum of 40 points (10 per race) is available in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' and ''Mario Kart DS''. In ''Super Mario Kart'', ''Mario Kart 64'', and ''Mario Kart Super Circuit'', there is a maximum of nine points for each race. In addition, ''Mario Kart Super Circuit'', ''Mario Kart DS'' and ''Mario Kart Wii'' feature a rating system, which, from lowest to highest, is E, D, C, B, A, *, ** and ***.


In the original game, ''Super Mario Kart'', the player takes control of one of eight Mario series characters, each with differing capabilities. In single player mode, players can race against computer-controlled characters in 4 multi-race cups consisting of 20 tracks (5 in each cup) over three difficulty levels (50cc, 100cc and 150cc). Alternatively, players can race against the clock in a Time Trial mode. In multiplayer mode, two players can simultaneously take part in the cups or can race against each other one-on-one in Match Race mode. In a third multiplayer mode – Battle Mode – the aim is to defeat the other players by attacking them with power-ups, destroying balloons which surround each kart.
In ''Super Mario Kart'' and ''Mario Kart Super Circuit'', while racing on a track players are to pick up coins. Once ten or more coins have been obtained a player's car can reach maximum speed. However, if a kart is hit by any items, bumps into another car, or falls of the track, coins will be lost. These coins can also determine a player's rating (3 stars, 2 stars, 1 star, A, B, C, D, E) and unlock other tracks.


Each new game has introduced new gameplay elements, such as new circuits, items, modes, and playable characters.
Mission mode is only present in ''Mario Kart DS'' and includes several levels, each of which contain nine challenges (one of which is a boss battle). These challenges range include collecting X number of coins, driving through X number of gates, destroying X number of enemies, etc. The player is given a grade upon completing a mission, with E being the lowest and three stars being the highest. There is only one mission level to start with, but by beating each mission level's boss players can reach level six, and, by achieving a rank of at least one star in all missions, level seven.
* '']'' introduced ], 4-player racing, slipstreaming,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-01 |title=5 Ways Mario Kart 64 Is Timeless (& 5 It Hasn't Aged Well) |url=https://gamerant.com/mario-kart-64-classic-aged-poorly/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320141631/https://gamerant.com/mario-kart-64-classic-aged-poorly/ |url-status=live}}</ref> items dangling (the ability to hold bananas and shells to defend against projectiles) and introduced two new playable characters: ] and ]. It also introduced seven items: the Fake Item Box, Triple Red Shells, Triple Green Shells, Triple Mushrooms, the Banana Bunch, the Golden Mushroom, and the ]. In addition to the three Grand Prix engine classes, Mirror Mode was introduced, in which tracks are flipped laterally.
* '']'' included all 20 ''Super Mario Kart'' tracks as unlockable content, as both games use the ] effect.
* '']'' involves 2-player driving and featured ] ] play and double-manned karts. It also introduced double item boxes. It further added eleven new playable characters: ], ], Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. It introduced a revamped Spiny Shell and character exclusive items, and introduced unlockable characters and karts. Mirror mode is now played on 150cc. It also introduced new alternate battle modes: "Shine Thief", and "Bob-omb Blast".
* '']'' featured ] play to take advantage of the system's capabilities. It introduced custom emblems. It also introduced Online play via the now defunct ], a mission mode, and proper retro tracks. New playable characters included ], ], and ] (who is exclusive to ]). This game also added three new items, the Blooper, the Bullet Bill, and the triple bananas. The Bob-omb is now a normal item, no longer being Wario and Waluigi's special item.
* '']'' introduced motion controls, the ability to perform mid-air tricks, and ]. The racer cap was raised from 8 to 12.<ref name="Mario Kart Wii Details">{{Cite web |last=Sato, Yoshi |date=February 6, 2008 |title=Mario Kart Wii Detailed |url=http://www.1up.com/news/mario-kart-wii-detailed |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192825/http://www.1up.com/news/mario-kart-wii-detailed |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2013 |publisher=1up.com}}</ref> It introduced six new playable characters: Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, ], ], ], and two ] outfits. It introduced three new items: the ], the Thundercloud, and the ], the last two of which are exclusive to this kart game. It also introduced a new battle mode titled "Coin Runners".
* '']'' featured ] and the return of dual screen functionality. It introduced ] and ] karts, a ] perspective, and full kart customization. It introduced four new playable characters: Metal Mario, ], ], and Honey Queen. In addition, Shy Guy is a fully playable character as opposed to being exclusive for Download Play. It also re-introduced Coins for a small speed boost, though they can now be used to unlock kart parts.
* '']'' introduced the 200cc engine class,{{efn|name=fn1|Released April 23rd, 2015}} ] racing, ], uploading highlights to ], up to four local players in ] races, ], ], and fifteen new playable characters: the ] (Iggy Koopa, Roy Koopa, Lemmy Koopa, Larry Koopa, Wendy O. Koopa, Ludwig von Koopa and Morton Koopa Jr.), Baby Rosalina, Pink Gold Peach, Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, ] from '']'', and ] (male and female) and ] from '']'', the last six which are available as downloadable content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farokhmanesh |first=Megan |date=August 26, 2014 |title=Link, F-Zero and Animal Crossing are coming to Mario Kart 8 as DLC |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/26/6071823/mario-kart-8-link-animal-crossing-dlc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827121636/http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/26/6071823/mario-kart-8-link-animal-crossing-dlc |archive-date=August 27, 2014 |access-date=August 26, 2014 |website=]}}</ref>
* '']'' added a revamped battle mode, which included the new "Renegade Roundup", the return of double item boxes, ultra mini-turbo, and added 6 characters that were absent from the original game. These characters include King Boo, Dry Bones, Gold Mario, Bowser Jr, and the male and female ] from '']'', in addition to giving the female Villager her own character slot. From 2022 to the end of 2023, the "Booster Course Pass" DLC expansion pack added new race courses and returning characters to the game.
* '']'' was the ''Mario Kart'' debut on a mobile phone, and introduced a points-based system for certain racing actions. It introduced ], ], ] (and his boomerang, fire, and ice alts), ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and many alternate versions of each character. It introduced Frenzy Mode, and before its removal in late 2022, ] and ] mechanics. It reintroduced character-specific items and the Mega Mushroom. Multiple new tracks were introduced in this game and later added to ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' via the DLC expansion pack.
* '']'' uses a combination of ] (AR), ], and cameras, to create tracks using markers in the physical world, on which onscreen opponents are raced.


===Modes===
In VS. mode, multiple players can compete against each other in a race. The one who crosses the finish line first wins. Depending on the platform, up to eight players can play simultaneously. Racing against CPU opponents was for the first time an available option in ''Mario Kart DS''.
Each game has a variety of modes. The following five modes recur most often in the series:
* ''']''' – Players compete in various "cups" of four courses each (five in ''Super Mario Kart'') with ] based on the size of the engine, larger engines meaning faster speeds. Before ''Mario Kart 8'' there were four difficulties: 50], 100cc, 150cc, and Mirror Mode, where all tracks were flipped horizontally. In ''Mario Kart 8'', a fifth difficulty level: 200cc, was added.{{efn|name=fn1}} Players earn points according to their finishing position in each race and the placement order gets carried over to the next race as the new starting grid. At the end of the cup, the top three players with the most points overall will receive a ] in bronze, silver, and gold. In ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' and every game from ''Mario Kart DS'' onward, players are also ranked based on how well they raced (three to one stars, A, B, C, D, and E). Three stars is the best rank, while E is the worst.
* ''']''' – The player races alone in order to finish any course in the fastest time possible. The best time is then saved as a ], which the player can race against in later trials. ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' introduced Staff Ghosts, which are ghosts set by members of the Nintendo development team.
* '''Match Race''' (or '''VS.''') – Multiple human players race on any course with customized rules such as team racing and item frequency.
* '''Battle''' – Multiple human players use in-game offensive items (shells, etc.) to battle each other in a closed arena. In the most common battle type, balloon battle, each player starts with three ] and loses one per hit; the last player with at least one balloon wins. Various battle types have been added to the series, and single-player battles with CPU controlled players.
* '''Online Multiplayer''' – Players compete in races and battles through online services, such as ], ], and ]. Players can share Time Trial ghosts, and participate in ]s. In races and battles, players are matched by VR (VS Rating) and BR (Battle Rating) respectively, which is a number between 0 and 99,999 (9,999 in ''Mario Kart Wii''). Players gain or lose points based on performance in a race or battle. The game attempts to match players with a similar rating.


==Development==
In Battle Mode, every player is assigned a set of ] that can be popped. The aim of battle mode is to pop the opponent's balloons by attacking him or her with items. Once all balloons are popped, the player loses. In "Mario Kart DS", another mode is shine runners, where the player has to collect the most shines. In ''Mario Kart Wii'', another type of Battle Mode games involves acquiring more coins than an opponent. There have been several types of Battle Mode games, and they can be played in teams or "free for all" mode. Some items do not appear in Battle Mode because of the sheer advantage they give their users. Mushrooms were removed before the stealing of balloons was introduced in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''. ''Mario Kart DS'' and ''Mario Kart Wii''. These are the only games where players can battle against computer-controlled opponents.
]'']]
The debut game in the ''Mario Kart'' series was '']'' released for the ] (SNES) in 1992. Its development was overseen by '']'' creator ], the Japanese designer of many successful Nintendo games including '']'' Darran Jones of ] suggests that the success of ''Super Mario Kart'' resulted from the ''Super Mario'' characters, and being a new type of racing game.<ref name="Now Gamer">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Darran |date=November 28, 2011 |title=Super Mario Kart: The Complete History of Nintendo's Kart Racer |url=http://www.nowgamer.com/features/1148204/super_mario_kart_the_complete_history_of_nintendos_kart_racer.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625232227/http://www.nowgamer.com/features/1148204/super_mario_kart_the_complete_history_of_nintendos_kart_racer.html |archive-date=June 25, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref>


==Series== ==Games==
{{Timeline of release years
#'']'' &mdash; (] (SNES), ]). Also available on Virtual Console, as of 2009
| title =
#'']'' &mdash; (] (N64), ]). Also available on ], as of ].
| subtitle = Main entries in '''bold'''
#'']'' &mdash; (] (GBA), ]).
| align =
#'']'' &mdash; (] (GCN), ]).
| compressempty = y
#'']'' &mdash; (], ]).
| range1 = 1992–
#'']'' &mdash; (], ]).
| 1992 = ''''']'''''
#'']'' &mdash; (], ]).
#'']'' &mdash; (], ]). | 1996 = ''''']'''''
| 2001 = '''''] '''''
| 2003 = ''''']'''''
| 2005a = '']''
| 2005b = ''''']'''''
| 2007b = '']''
| 2008 = ''''']'''''
| 2011 = ''''']'''''
| 2013 = '']''
| 2014 = ''''']'''''
| 2017a = ''''']'''''
| 2017b = '']''
| 2019 = '']''
| 2020 = '']''
}}


===Console===
==Playable characters==
<!-- includes home and handheld; shortened for brevity -->
Characters are listed in alphabetical order. Shaded cells denote unlockable characters.


{| class="wikitable sortable" {|class="wikitable" style="width: 50em; text-align: center"
! rowspan = "2" | Year !! rowspan="2" | Game !! rowspan="2" | Platform !! colspan="5" |]/<br />] re-release
!Racer!!'']''!!'']''!!'']''!!'']''!!'']''!!'']''!!'']''!!'']
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}
|- |-
! style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | Wii !! style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | Wii U !! style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | 3DS !! style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | New 3DS !! style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | Switch
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}
|- |-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}} | 1992 || '']'' || ] || {{Ya|alt=Yes}} || {{Ya|alt=Yes}} || {{CNone}} || {{Ya|alt=Yes}} || {{Ya|alt=Yes}}
|- |-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}} | 1996 ||'']'' || ] || {{Ya|alt=Yes}} || {{Ya|alt=Yes}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{Ya|alt=Yes}}
|- |-
| 2001 || '']'' || ] || {{CNone}} || {{Ya|alt=Yes}} || {{Partial|<ref group="nb" name="SC3DS">''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' can be played on Nintendo 3DS systems with the Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors program.</ref>}} || {{Partial|<ref group="nb" name="SC3DS"/>}} || {{Ya|alt=Yes}}
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}
|- |-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}} | 2003 || '']'' || ] || {{Partial|{{dagger}}}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}}
|- |-
|]||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}} | 2005 || '']'' || ] || {{CNone}} || {{Ya|alt=Yes}} || {{Partial|{{dagger}}}} || {{Partial|{{dagger}}}} || {{CNone}}
|- |-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}} | 2008 || '']'' || ] || {{Included|{{Double-dagger}}}} || {{Partial|{{dagger}}}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}}
|- |-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}} | 2011 || '']'' || ] || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{Included|{{Double-dagger}}}} || {{Partial|{{dagger}}}} || {{CNone}}
|- |-
|]||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}} | 2014 ||'']'' || ]|| {{CNone}} || {{Included|{{Double-dagger}}}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}}
|- |-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}} | 2017 ||'']'' || ] || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{Included|{{Double-dagger}}}}
|-
|]||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}
|-
|]||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}
|-
|]||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}
|-
|]||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}
|-
|] (Outfit A and B)||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}
|-
|]||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}||{{y}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}||{{n}}||{{n}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||style="background-color: #DCDCDC;"|{{y}}
|-
|]||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{n}}||{{y}}{{Ref|1|1}}||{{n}}||{{n}}
|-
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| 2020 || '']'' || ] || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{CNone}} || {{Included|{{Double-dagger}}}}
|} |}
{{legend|#D2FFD2|text=]|Available on Virtual Console or Nintendo Switch Online}}
{{legend|#FFB|text={{Dagger}}|Available by using backwards compatibility}}
{{legend|#DDFBFF|text={{Double-dagger}}|Available natively on the console}}
{{Reflist|group="nb"|refs=


}}
;Note<nowiki>:</nowiki>
{{Note|1|1}}'']'' only appears in the Simple DS Download play mode and is only controlled by players who do not have the Game Card. Players who use their card to join a simple match can not play as Shy Guy but choose their characters normally.


===Arcade===
===Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection===
]
{{main|Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection}}
* '']'' (2005, developed by ])
This mode was introduced in '']''. Abbreviated as WFC, this mode allows players to use Nintendo's online gaming service to match up against other players elsewhere in the world, nationally, or with comparable skill levels. Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Mode also includes a "friends roster" which allows a player to play with a group of people he or she knows. Wi-Fi gameplay follows the same scoring as multiplayer VS matches, except with a limit of 4 players instead of 8. Also, only half of the courses available in vs matches are available in Wi-fi.'']'' also makes use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, in which up to twelve people can race online via Wi-Fi.
* '']'' (2007, developed by ])
* '']'' (2013, developed by Namco Bandai Games)<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2013 |title=Namco Formally Announces Mario Kart Arcade Grand Prix DX – Arcade Heroes |url=http://arcadeheroes.com/2013/02/05/namco-formally-announces-mario-kart-arcade-grand-prix-dx/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208050253/http://arcadeheroes.com/2013/02/05/namco-formally-announces-mario-kart-arcade-grand-prix-dx/ |archive-date=February 8, 2013 |access-date=February 6, 2013}}</ref>
* '']'' (2017, developed by ])<ref name="VRZone">{{Cite web |title=MARIO KART ARCADE GP VR – VR ZONE SHINJUKU |url=http://vrzone-pic.com/en/activity/mariocart.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625224359/http://vrzone-pic.com/en/activity/mariocart.html |archive-date=June 25, 2017 |access-date=June 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2017 |title=Mario Kart Arcade GP VR announced for Bandai Namco's virtual reality arcade, played with HTC Vive – Nintendo Everything |url=http://www.nintendoeverything.com/mario-kart-arcade-gp-vr-announced-for-bandai-namcos-virtual-reality-arcade-played-with-htc-vive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615190512/http://nintendoeverything.com/mario-kart-arcade-gp-vr-announced-for-bandai-namcos-virtual-reality-arcade-played-with-htc-vive/ |archive-date=June 15, 2017 |access-date=June 22, 2017}}</ref>


===Other appearances=== ===Mobile===
* '']'' (2019)
In '']'', players can find a remote-controlled Kart during walks. There are three different karts, the Mario Kart, the Bowser Kart, and the Peach Kart. Each version of ''Nintendogs'' has only one type of kart. {{Citation needed|date=April 2008}}


===Canceled games===
Several ''Mario Kart''-related items appear in the '']'' series. In '']'', a ] of a kart from the ''Mario Kart'' series is available. In '']'', a new item, Lightning, which is from Mario Kart, was introduced and one of the stages is themed after the series' leading stage, Mario Circuit, with a look based on Figure-8 Circuit from '']''. It features arranged versions of the music that accompanies ''Super Mario Kart's'' Mario Circuit, ''Mario Kart 64's'' Luigi Raceway, ''Mario Kart DS's'' Waluigi Pinball, and the original score of ''Mario Kart Double Dash's'' Rainbow Road.<ref></ref>
* '''''VB Mario Kart''''' was scheduled for the ] in 1995. It was revealed in a 2000 issue of German gaming magazine ''The Big N'', but was canceled early in development prior to its official announcement due to the Virtual Boy's commercial failure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VB Mario Kart |url=http://www.planetvb.com/content/articles/scans/big_n_ger/07-08_00/big_n_ger_07-08_00_2.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105115639/http://www.planetvb.com/content/articles/scans/big_n_ger/07-08_00/big_n_ger_07-08_00_2.jpg |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=November 3, 2013 |website=Big N}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jurkovich |first=Tristan |date=May 22, 2020 |title=10 Canceled Mario Games You Never Knew Existed |url=https://www.thegamer.com/canceled-mario-games-never-knew-existed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927184636/https://www.thegamer.com/canceled-mario-games-never-knew-existed/ |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |access-date=September 27, 2020 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''''Mario Kart XXL''''' is a ] tech demo developed by Denaris Entertainment Software for Nintendo in 2004. It was originally created as a non-Mario demo known as R3D-Demo before being repurposed.<ref>https://www.timeextension.com/news/2022/10/a-demo-of-the-failed-mario-kart-xxl-pitch-is-now-available-online {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816154817/https://www.timeextension.com/news/2022/10/a-demo-of-the-failed-mario-kart-xxl-pitch-is-now-available-online |date=August 16, 2024 }} {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>
* '''''Mario Motors''''' was a planned spin-off of the ''Mario Kart'' series for the ]. It was revealed for the first time at the Reboot Development Conference 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=2018-04-23 |title=Unreleased Mario Racing Game Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/23/unreleased-mario-racing-game-revealed |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610084024/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/23/unreleased-mario-racing-game-revealed |url-status=live}}</ref> The game was going to be co-developed by ]. The concept of the game was to allow players to build their own karts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-21 |title=Yoot Saito worked on Mario Motors, a canceled DS game about building engines |url=https://www.destructoid.com/yoot-saito-worked-on-mario-motors-a-canceled-ds-game-about-building-engines/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213172010/https://www.destructoid.com/yoot-saito-worked-on-mario-motors-a-canceled-ds-game-about-building-engines/ |url-status=live}}</ref>


==Reception==
The ''Mario Kart 64'' version of the ] track makes a cameo in ], also for the ]. The stage is similar, only missing rails on many straightaways. The Special N64 Disk Drive also allowed the F-Zero X Expansion, which added the music that accompanies ''Mario Kart 64's'' Rainbow Road, remixed in F-Zero-style rock.
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
{{Video game series reviews
| updated = June 30, 2023
| sales_title = Units sold<br />{{small|(in millions)}}
| game1 = ]<small> (SNES)</small>
| year1 = 1992
| sales1 = 8.76<ref name="supermariobestselling">{{Cite web |last=O'Malley |first=James |date=September 11, 2015 |title=30 Best-Selling Super Mario Games of All Time on the Plumber's 30th Birthday |url=http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/09/30-best-selling-super-mario-games-of-all-time-on-the-plumbers-30th-birthday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228130418/http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/09/30-best-selling-super-mario-games-of-all-time-on-the-plumbers-30th-birthday/ |archive-date=February 28, 2017 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref>
| gr1 = 94%
| mc1 = 94/100
| game2 = ]<small> (N64)</small>
| year2 = 1996
| sales2 = 9.87<ref name="supermariobestselling" />
| gr2 = 87%
| mc2 = 83/100
| game3 = ]<small> (GBA)</small>
| year3 = 2001
| sales3 = 5.90<ref name="supermariobestselling" />
| gr3 = 92%
| mc3 = 93/100
| game4 = ]<small> (GCN)</small>
| year4 = 2003
| sales4 = 6.96<ref name="supermariobestselling" />
| gr4 = 87%
| mc4 = 87/100
| game5 = ]<small> (NDS)</small>
| year5 = 2005
| sales5 = 23.60<ref name="DSsales">{{Cite web |title=IR Information: Sales Data – Top Selling Software Sales Units – Nintendo DS Software |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/ds.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427092514/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/ds.html |archive-date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
| gr5 = 91%
| mc5 = 91/100
| game6 = ]<small> (Wii)</small>
| year6 = 2008
| sales6 = 37.38<ref name="WiiSales">{{Cite web |title=IR Information: Financial Data Wii |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219181140/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html |archive-date=December 19, 2017 |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=Nintendo |publisher=Nintendo, Co. Ltd.}}</ref>
| gr6 = 82%
| mc6 = 82/100
| game7 = ]<small> (3DS)</small>
| year7 = 2011
| sales7 = 18.98<ref name="3DSSales">{{Cite web |title=Top Selling Title Sales Units (Nintendo 3DS) |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/3ds.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212154014/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/3ds.html |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Nintendo |publisher=Nintendo, Co. Ltd.}}</ref>
| gr7 = 85%
| mc7 = 85/100
| game8 = ]<small> (WiiU)</small>
| year8 = 2014
| sales8 = 8.46<ref name="WiiUSales">{{Cite web |title=IR Information: Financial Data – Top Selling Title Sales Units – Wii U Software |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wiiu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031003753/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wiiu.html |archive-date=October 31, 2017 |access-date=November 4, 2021 |website=Nintendo |publisher=Nintendo, Co. Ltd.}}</ref>
| gr8 = 88%
| mc8 = 88/100
| game9 = ]<small> (NS)</small>
| year9 = 2017
| sales9 = 60.58<ref name="MK8 Deluxe">{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html |title=IR Information : Sales Data – Top Selling Title Sales Units |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 31, 2023 |website=nintendo.co.jp |publisher=] |access-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-date=January 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130072006/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
| gr9 = 92%
| mc9 = 92/100
| game10 = ]<small> (NS)</small>
| year10 = 2020
| sales10 = 1.27<ref name="MK Live">{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2021/210506_3e.pdf |title=Fiscal Year Ended March 2021 Financial Results Explanatory Material |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=March 30, 2021 |website=nintendo.co.jp |publisher=] |access-date=November 4, 2021 |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201072221/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2021/210201_3e.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>|
| mc10 = 75/100
| gr10 = —
}}
The ''Mario Kart'' series is critically acclaimed. '']'' named it one of the greatest multiplayer experiences, citing the diversity in game modes and the entertainment value.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Nintendo Power 250th issue! |publisher=] |year=2010 |location=South San Francisco, California |page=47}}</ref>


'']'' listed six records set by the ''Mario Kart'' series, including "First Console Kart Racing Game", "Best Selling Racing Game", and "Longest Running Kart Racing Franchise". ''Guinness World Records'' ranked ''Super Mario Kart'' number 1 of the top 50 console games of all time based on initial impact and lasting legacy.<ref name="guinness50">{{Cite magazine |last=Ivan |first=Tom |date=February 28, 2009 |title=Guinness ranks top 50 games of all time |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/209385/guinness-ranks-top-50-games-of-all-time/ |magazine=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824051922/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/209385/guinness-ranks-top-50-games-of-all-time/ |archive-date=August 24, 2011 |access-date=March 14, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Super Mario Kart'' was inducted into the ] in 2019.<ref name="karthall">{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |date=May 3, 2019 |title=Wait a minute, the Video Game Hall of Fame inducted ... Solitaire? Yes, and also Mortal Kombat and Super Mario Kart |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/3/18528738/world-video-game-hall-of-fame-solitaire-mortal-kombat-mario-kart |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504011921/https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/3/18528738/world-video-game-hall-of-fame-solitaire-mortal-kombat-mario-kart |archive-date=May 4, 2019 |access-date=May 4, 2019 |website=]}}</ref>
In Mario Hoops 3 on 3 (DS) one of the coin collecters stages is Rainbow Road.


===Sales===
==Recurring tracks==
Like the '']'' series, the ''Mario Kart'' series is a commercial success with 178.19 million copies sold in total.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Futter |first=Mike |date=June 2, 2014 |title=Mario Kart 8 Speeds To Over 1.2 Million Sales In Opening Weekend |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/06/02/mario-kart-8-speeds-to-over-1-2-million-sales-in-opening-weekend.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604084937/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/06/02/mario-kart-8-speeds-to-over-1-2-million-sales-in-opening-weekend.aspx |archive-date=June 4, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2014 |magazine=] |publisher=GameStop}}</ref> It is currently the ] of all time. '']'' is the fourth-best-selling ] game with 8.76 million copies sold.<ref name="supermariobestselling" /> '']'' is the second-best-selling game for the ] (behind '']''), at 9.87 million copies.<ref name="supermariobestselling" /> '']'' is the second-best-selling ] game (next to '']'') with 6.96 million copies sold.<ref name="supermariobestselling" /> '']'' is the second-best-selling in the series and is the second-best-selling ] game (next to '']'') at 37.38 million copies.<ref name="WiiSales" /> '']'' is the best-selling Wii U game at 8.46 million total copies sold.<ref name="WiiUSales" /> It was the fastest-selling ] game with 1.2 million copies shipped in ] and ] combined on its first few days since launch, until '']''.<ref name="nintodaymariokartwiiu">{{Cite news |date=June 2, 2014 |title=Mario Kart 8 ships 1.2 million, fastest selling Wii U title to date |work=Nintendo Today |publisher=Nintendo Today |url=http://nintendotoday.com/mario-kart-8-fastest-selling-title/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503180645/http://nintendotoday.com/mario-kart-8-fastest-selling-title/ |archive-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref><ref name="venture-smash-sales">{{Cite news |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=November 25, 2014 |title=Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is the system's fastest-selling game |work=VentureBeat |publisher=VentureBeat |url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/11/25/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u-is-the-systems-fastest-selling-game/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503181024/https://venturebeat.com/2014/11/25/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u-is-the-systems-fastest-selling-game/ |archive-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref> The enhanced port for the ], ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', is the fastest-selling game in the series with 459,000 units sold in the United States in one day of its launch.<ref name="mariokart8deluxesales">{{Cite news |last=Cowley |first=Ric |date=May 2, 2017 |title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe becomes fastest-selling game of the franchise with 459,000 units sold in the US |work=Pocket Gamer.biz |publisher=Steel Media Ltd. |url=http://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/65635/mario-kart-8-deluxe-first-day-sales/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503180657/http://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/65635/mario-kart-8-deluxe-first-day-sales/ |archive-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref> It is the highest-selling ] game<ref name="SwitchSales">{{Cite web |title=IR Information: Sales Data – Top Selling Title Sales Unit (Switch) |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101014747/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |access-date=January 31, 2019 |website=Nintendo |publisher=Nintendo, Co. Ltd.}}</ref> with a total of 57.01 million copies worldwide, outperforming the Wii U version. Both versions have a combined total of 65.47 million copies sold, making it the best-selling game in the series, and also the best selling ''Mario'' game as a whole.
There are several types of tracks that have been featured in many of the ''Mario Kart'' games.


The handheld games are commercial successes. '']'' is the fourth-best-selling ] game at 5.9 million copies.<ref name="supermariobestselling" /> The second portable game, '']'', is the third-best-selling ] game and the best-selling portable game in the series with a total of 23.6 million copies.<ref name="DSsales" /> '']'' is the best-selling ] game as of March 2023 at 18.98 million copies.<ref name="3DSSales" />
===Circuits===
Every ''Mario Kart'' game to date has included several "circuit" courses, one of which serves as the starting course for the first and easiest cup of the game. Circuit courses are built to resemble actual raceways, with paved track, loose gravel or sand sides, and (in some of the 3D games) grandstands with onlookers, as well as signs and billboards scattered throughout the course advertising various fictional racing products. These tracks range widely in difficulty, from simple turns to complex ] and ]s. In the English version of ''Mario Kart 64'', all circuits are referred to as "raceways".


==Legacy==
Particularly memorable circuit tracks include '''Royal Raceway''' (called "Peach Circuit" in Japan) from ''Mario Kart 64'' and '''Yoshi Circuit''' from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' (revived in ''Mario Kart DS''), which is designed in the shape of Yoshi himself (the circuit resembles him if seen from the air). Though very different from other "]" courses, '''Daisy Circuit''' from ''Mario Kart Wii'' is set in a resort town next to a harbor and features tight turns around two fountains which resemble Luigi and Daisy and their baby counterparts dancing, a lighthouse, as well as in other areas.
===Merchandise===
The ''Mario Kart'' series has had a range of merchandise. This includes a ] series based on ''Mario Kart DS'': one set of which comes with Mario and Donkey Kong figures, with Wario and Luigi available separately. A line of ]led karts are controlled by ]-shaped controllers, and feature Mario, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi. There are additional, larger karts which are radio-controlled by a ]-shape controller. Many racer figurines have been made. Sound Drops were inspired by ''Mario Kart Wii'' with eight sounds including the ] and the race start countdown. A ] features Mario holding a ] while seated in his kart. ] released ''Mario Kart Wii'', ''Mario Kart 7'', and ''Mario Kart 8'' sets. ] released an animated sticker set with 24 stickers based on ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''. Nintendo's customer rewards program, ], released a ''Mario Kart 8'' soundtrack, a ''Mario Kart Wii''-themed ], and three gold trophies modeled after those in ''Mario Kart 7''. Before Club Nintendo, a ''Mario Kart 64'' soundtrack was offered by mail. In 2014, ] released ''Mario Kart 8'' toys with ]s. In 2018, '']'' features a ''Mario Kart'' themed board game with courses from ''Mario Kart 8'' serving as properties, ten playable characters as tokens (Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong, Shy Guy, Metal Mario, Rosalina, Bowser, and Yoshi) and a special die with power-ups. In 2019, ] released ''Mario Kart'' sets of cars and tracks. In commemoration of Mario Day celebrations for March 10, 2021, Hot Wheels also released a ''Mario Kart'' track set based on ] on June 24, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=2021-03-17 |title=Hot Wheels Is Releasing A Mario Kart Rainbow Road Raceway Track |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/03/hot_wheels_is_releasing_a_mario_kart_rainbow_road_raceway_track |url-status=live |access-date=2021-06-21 |website=] |language=en-GB |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202135426/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/03/hot_wheels_is_releasing_a_mario_kart_rainbow_road_raceway_track}}</ref> In 2020, for the ], ] released Mario themed desserts including a Rainbow Road themed ], from September 30 to December 15.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan Gerblick |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Mario gets an official Rainbow Road cake for his 35th birthday |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/mario-gets-an-official-rainbow-road-cake-for-his-35th-birthday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009233019/https://www.gamesradar.com/mario-gets-an-official-rainbow-road-cake-for-his-35th-birthday/ |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |access-date=October 2, 2020 |website=GamesRadar+}}</ref>


===Beaches=== ===Rental go-kart dispute===
], Tokyo]]
In every ''Mario Kart'' game with the exclusion of ''Mario Kart Wii'', there has been at least one beach stage. ''Super Mario Kart'' and ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' have two beach courses. '''Koopa Troopa Beach''' in ''Mario Kart 64'' became popular due to its infamous cave jump which allows players to skip a large portion of the course. ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' has '''Shy Guy Beach''' (revamped in ''Mario Kart Wii''), where players must avoid exploding cannonballs that are fired upon the shores by angry pirates, who appear to be Shy Guys. '''Peach Beach''' from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' (also revamped in ''Mario Kart Wii'') features Cataquacks that roam the beach, based on the Gelato Beach course from '']''. If a kart gets too close, a Cataquack will begin to chase the kart. If caught, the creature will toss the kart into the air, making the kart drop its items in the process. The '''Daisy Cruiser''', the location of another ''Double Dash!!'' course, is docked here. '''Cheep Cheep Beach''' from ''Mario Kart DS'' features crabs, rising and falling tides, and a short dirt road through a tropical forest. ''Mario Kart Wii'' has '''Koopa Cape''', which features a river that flows into an underwater pipe with electric spinners that can shrink your character, in the fashion of the lightning bolt item.
In September 2016, Nintendo filed an objection against the Japanese company MariCar, which rents ]s modified for use on public roads in ] along with costumes resembling Nintendo characters.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Otake |first=Tomoko |date=March 9, 2017 |title=Patent authority rules against Nintendo, lets go-kart firm keep MariCar trademark |language=en-US |work=The Japan Times Online |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/03/09/national/crime-legal/patent-authority-rules-nintendo-lets-go-kart-firm-keep-maricar-trademark/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928121623/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/03/09/national/crime-legal/patent-authority-rules-nintendo-lets-go-kart-firm-keep-maricar-trademark/ |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |issn=0447-5763}}</ref> MariCar's English website warned customers not to throw "banana peels" or "red turtle shells".<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Nintendo wins lawsuit against Tokyo's 'Mario Kart' tour company |work=Polygon |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/27/17910844/mario-kart-tour-japan-nintendo-lawsuit |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927215307/https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/27/17910844/mario-kart-tour-japan-nintendo-lawsuit |archive-date=September 27, 2018}}</ref> The service is popular with tourists.<ref name=":0" />


Nintendo argued that the MariCar name was "intended to be mistaken for or confused with" ''Mario Kart'', citing games commonly known by abbreviations in Japan, such as '']'' (for ''Pocket Monsters'') and Sumabura ('']''). In January 2017, the ] dismissed the objection, ruling that MariCar was not widely recognized as an abbreviation of ''Mario Kart''.<ref name=":0" />
===Public roads===
In all 3D ''Mario Kart'' games, there are tracks that include other traffic to avoid. ''Mario Kart 64'' has '''Toad's Turnpike''', which has huge vehicles that go the same direction as the karts (in the Extra mode, they come toward the karts, making it one of the most unpredictable and most difficult tracks). ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' has '''Mushroom Bridge''', where players can take an alternate route over the bridge, and '''Mushroom City''', where players must choose from multiple paths to take them through the city. They feature different kinds of cars, such as ] vehicles, ] cars and Mushroom trucks (which produce a mushroom when hit). ''Mario Kart DS'' has '''Shroom Ridge''', set on a road that winds around a mountain, and a slightly modified version of '''Mushroom Bridge'''. The vehicles travel on the left side of the road, matching traffic systems in ], ], ] and the ] (though this is reversed in Mirror mode). ''Mario Kart Wii'' features '''Moonview Highway''', which combines elements from both '''Mushroom City''' and '''Shroom Ridge'''. The stage transitions from a winding road to a more urban environment, complete with ] (inhabited by ]s), billboards, and big-city lights. Trucks, Bob-omb cars, minivans, and everyday cars create traffic that moves forward on the left side of the road, and towards the racers on the right side (once again, this is reversed in Mirror Mode).


In February 2017, Nintendo sued MariCar over ] for renting unauthorized costumes of Nintendo characters and using their images to promote its business.<ref name=":0" /> In September 2018, MariCar was ordered to stop using the characters and pay Nintendo ¥10 million in damages.<ref name=":1" />
===Deserts===
There has been a desert track in each ''Mario Kart'' game so far except for ''Super Mario Kart''. Desert tracks usually feature quicksand, hills, and long stretches of bumpy terrain. Other deserts match more of an American Western-style environment, such as '''Sunset Wilds''' in ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' and '''Kalimari Desert''' in ''Mario Kart 64'', in which a train crosses the track in two places. '''Yoshi Desert''' in ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' features Sphinxes that bear the head of ]. '''Dry Dry Desert''' in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' features a ] that makes characters fly into the air, plus an area with a hungry Piranha Plant living at the bottom of a quicksand pit. There are also several ] that bend to the left and right, impeding drivers. ''Mario Kart DS'' features '''Desert Hills''', which includes Pokeys that move from left-to-right and back, the Angry Sun, who rains fireballs down on the track and a '']'' desert level-like theme with pipe structures and huge stone structures in the fore and backgrounds. This course is brought back in ''Mario Kart Wii'', which also features a new course called '''Dry Dry Ruins''' (named after a dungeon in '']'' with the same name). On the course, columns inscribed with hieroglyphics fall onto the track to then be used as ramps. Inside the ruins, a central bowl with Pokeys slowly fills with sand over the course of the race, and the music changes somewhat while inside.


===Farms/Rural Environment=== ===Theme park attraction===
{{main|Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge}}
There has been at least one farm or rural course in each ''Mario Kart'' game except for ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''. ''Super Mario Kart'' has the '''Donut Plains''' courses. ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' has '''Sky Garden''' (revived in ''Mario Kart DS''), which has many off-course paths. ''Mario Kart 64'' has '''Moo Moo Farm''' (also revived in ''Mario Kart DS''), a simple dirt road winding through fenced-off grass fields. ''Mario Kart DS'' has '''Peach Gardens''', which feature tall hedges, flowers beds that slow racers down if they drive through them, several Chain-Chomps running loose among a partial maze of hedges, and a short dirt path infested with Monty Moles. This course is brought back in ''Mario Kart Wii'', which features two new courses called '''Moo Moo Meadows''' and '''Maple Treeway'''. On '''Moo Moo Meadows''', cows begin crossing the track and impeding drivers after the first lap. '''Maple Treeway''' is set in a forest in Autumn, and feautures a cannon, which is similar to the one used in DK Mountain in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' Piles of leaves which release an item when driven through and a Tree Stump where Giant Wigglers block your way are also features of this track. In both '''Moo Moo Farm''' and '''Moo Moo Meadows''', there are certain areas of the course that are infested with Monty Moles.
]' immersive ] areas in ] and ] feature the '']'' ride as their primary "anchor" attraction. Utilizing innovative ] technology and ] set design, guests travel through several environments from ''Mario Kart 8'', including ]. The Japan version of the attraction includes a ''Mario Kart'' themed shop called "Mario Motors", and a nearby "Pit Stop Popcorn" food stand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=June 8, 2017 |title=Super Nintendo World looks like a dream come true in first teaser |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/8/15761360/super-nintendo-world-commercial-nintendo-theme-park |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608130430/https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/8/15761360/super-nintendo-world-commercial-nintendo-theme-park |archive-date=June 8, 2017 |access-date=January 15, 2020 |website=Polygon |language=en}}</ref> The ''Bowser's Challenge'' ride is also expected to be built in ]'s version of Super Nintendo World.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Katrina |date=2021-03-10 |title=Unique Aspects in Each Super Nintendo World Around the Globe |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2021/03/universal-super-nintendo-kj1/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Inside the Magic |language=en-US |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121145934/https://insidethemagic.net/2021/03/universal-super-nintendo-kj1/ |url-status=live}}</ref>


===Jungles=== ===Formula E attack mode===
Starting with its ], ] ] racing series ] added a so-called "attack mode", which allows a driver to gain a temporary speed boost if they take an alternate lane (highlighted on television via ] ]). The concept has been described by members of the press and by series CEO ] as inspired by ''Mario Kart''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/agag-fia-mario-bros-style-race-format-1031037/3068457/ | title = Formula E evaluating "Mario Bros"-style race format | last = Kalinauckas | first = Alex | date = 28 April 2018 | website = motorsport.com | access-date = 10 January 2022 | archive-date = February 14, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234921/https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/agag-fia-mario-bros-style-race-format-1031037/3068457/ | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/formula-es-attack-mode-like-13838166 | title = Formula E's Attack Mode is like real-life Mario Kart – and it's a racing revolution | last = McKenna | first = Laurence | date = 11 January 2019 | website = mirror.co.uk | access-date = 10 January 2022 | archive-date = February 14, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234843/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/formula-es-attack-mode-like-13838166 | url-status = live}}</ref>
All games except for ''Super Mario Kart'' feature at least one jungle course. ''Mario Kart 64'' has '''DK's Jungle Parkway''', set atop a waterfall with a steamboat patrolling the river. ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' has both '''Riverside Park''' and '''Lakeside Park''', the latter featuring volcanoes which shoot out balls of lava that will spin players out when hit. ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' has both '''DK Mountain''' and '''Dino Dino Jungle'''. DK Mountain's centerpiece is a gigantic DK Barrel which shoots players to the top of the mountain, which they then have to drive down, avoiding massive boulders, as well as traversing a swaying bridge over a fast-flowing river. '''Dino Dino Jungle''', as the name suggests, has several dinosaurs stomping and flying around the course. ''Mario Kart DS'' has '''Yoshi Falls''', set in a large valley and circling a lake. ''Mario Kart Wii'' does not have a new jungle track, however, the track '''Mushroom Gorge''' (called "Mushroom Canyon" in Japan) was originally supposed to be called Mushroom Jungle. ''Mario Kart Wii'' brings back '''DK Mountain''', '''DK's Jungle Parkway''', and '''Yoshi Falls''' as Retro courses.


==Notes==
===Haunted tracks===
{{Reflist|group=n}}
Most ''Mario Kart'' games have some courses with a spooky theme. Common themes in these 'haunted' tracks include dark lighting, ]s, or (in the 2D games) railings which break upon impact. '''Boo Lake''', '''Broken Pier''' (both from ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''), and '''Ghost Valley 1, 2 & 3''' from ''Super Mario Kart'', are five tracks which embody all these themes. ''']''' in ''Mario Kart DS'', based on the GameCube game with the same name, includes a muddy swamp in which traction is lessened. While not strictly haunted, '''Airship Fortress''' in ''Mario Kart DS'' takes place in a crumbling castle and on a large, floating battleship, similar to ones found in '']''. ''Mario Kart 64'' has '''Banshee Boardwalk''' (brought back in ''Mario Kart DS''), which consists of a haunted boardwalk and castle. Though ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' has no haunted track, it does feature an unlockable battle course ('''Luigi's Mansion''') that embodies this theme. Though ''Mario Kart Wii'' does not have its own haunted track, it does bring back '''Ghost Valley 2''' from ''Super Mario Kart''.
{{Notelist}}

===Bowser Castles===
'''Bowser Castles''' are particularly well known for their unforgiving 90-degree turns, lava pits, and ]s. ''Super Mario Kart'' features three Bowser Castle tracks, ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' has four; the rest only have one (''Mario Kart DS'' has two and ''Mario Kart Wii'' has three, but the former has one taken from ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' and the latter has one taken from each ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' and ''Mario Kart 64''). They are usually the penultimate tracks of the game, with the only track afterwards being '''Rainbow Road''', with the exceptions of ''Mario Kart 64'', which has its own as the last course in the Star Cup, and ''Super Mario Kart'' and ''Mario Kart Super Circuit'', which have more than one original Bowser Castle course. Due to their stiff turns and obstacles, they are technically demanding. The name has also been spelled as "Bowser's Castle." ''Mario Kart Wii'' is slightly unique as its own Bowser Castle features a large and more lively Bowser statue (different from the one in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'') which spits giant, spinning balls of lava that the player must avoid, as well as fully lava-pitted floors akin to '']''.

===Snow Tracks===
All of the games have at least one snow track included. Common themes of these courses are icy surfaces with little or no grip, water that freezes the racer if fallen into and snow-themed obstacles such as snowmen ('''Frappe Snowland''' from ''Mario Kart 64'', '''Snow Land''' from ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' and '''DK Pass''' from ''Mario Kart DS''), penguins ('''Sherbet Land''' from ''Mario Kart 64'', revamped in ''Mario Kart Wii'', and '''Snow Land''' from ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''), ice-skating Shy Guys, flash-freezing icebergs ('''Sherbet Land''' in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'') and rolling snowballs ('''DK Pass''' from ''Mario Kart DS''). '''DK Summit''' (called "'''DK's Snowboard Cross'''" in the European version or "'''DK Skilane'''" in the Japanese version) in ''Mario Kart Wii'' is set in a ski resort. It features ramps and a half pipe for racers to perform stunts, snowboarding Shy Guys that the player must avoid, and a giant DK Barrel resembling '''DK Mountain''''s DK Barrel from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''.

===Stadiums===
In most of the games, there has been a stadium track, which takes place in a dirt arena surrounded by grandstands, similar to a ] track. Typically associated with ] and ], they contain many jumps, bumps, turns, and (more recently) fire and mud. Stadium tracks are normally around the middle of the game in regards to difficulty. ''Mario Kart 64'' features '''Wario Stadium''', a motocross track which features a few ramps, small dirt hills, and many turns, as well as a tricky shortcut that can cut the player's time in half or possibly more if done successfully. ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' features '''Waluigi Stadium''' (brought back, slightly modified, in ''Mario Kart Wii'') and '''Wario Colosseum''', a long, spiraling course with numerous tight curves and several dash panel jumps. Due to Wario Colosseum's length, there are only two laps required to complete the course, as opposed to the usual three. While not strictly a stadium, '''Waluigi Pinball''' in ''Mario Kart DS'' takes place in a pinball field where players have to avoid rolling pinballs and electrifying flippers. ''Mario Kart DS'' also features its own '''Wario Stadium''', which has many jumps, speed boost panels and tight turns. The Wii version, besides bringing back '''Waluigi Stadium''' from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', also has a battle track called '''Funky Stadium''' which is associated with ] and has many jumps and obstacles.

===Rainbow Road===
<!-- section linked from disambig page ] -->
'''Rainbow Road''' is the name for the final track in the Special Cup of every ''Mario Kart'' game to date. It is one of the toughest tracks to master, as the track is suspended in space (or in the case of ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', suspended in midair over a city) and generally has few or no guard rails to prevent the player from falling off the track during a turn or being knocked off the track by an opposing driver. ''Mario Kart 64'' is an exception where guard rails are present throughout the track, but it is still relatively easy to jump over them, resulting in a massive shortcut if done successfully, but if the player jumps over the wrong section of wall, they might be sent back to the start of the lap.

Other features of the '''Rainbow Road''' tracks include 90-degree turns and flashing Thwomps ('']''), Chain-less Chomps ('']''), steep drops ('']'' and '']''), speed boost panels, jumps, storm clouds ('']''), a transporting pipe ('']''), and a corkscrew and looping elements ('']''). ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Rainbow Road features a set of hairpin turns, and was the only track in the series to feature stars that occasionally landed on the track and became a star power up for anyone who touched them, until Mario Kart Wii's '''Maple Treeway''' featured a similar mechanic.

The ''Mario Kart 64'' Rainbow Road is the longest track in series history at approximately one and a half minutes per lap for expert players when not using the aforementioned shortcut; it is also duplicated in the '']'' track of the same name, only with a remixed version of the background music and the absence of guard rails. (Nor is there any system for rescuing drivers who fall from the track, as is normal for games in the F-Zero series.)

The Rainbow Road in ''Mario Kart Wii'' features several elements from the game '']'', such as star bits floating in the background and dash panels with sling stars around it. Part of the course's soundtrack was taken from ''Good Egg Galaxy'', a galaxy in '']''. Another noticeable feature is a giant Launch Star with a rainbow that transports the player upward, similar to the giant pipe featured in '']''.

Recent ''Mario Kart'' games have included backgrounds to set where Rainbow Road specifically is in the Mario Kart world. In ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', Rainbow Road is located directly above a city. In ''Mario Kart ]'', Rainbow Road is located above the planet, usually showing the ]. If a player is knocked off the track in the ] version, the character will burn up in the ] before being rescued by ], and brought back to the track.

==Merchandise==
''Mario Kart'' has also had a range of merchandise released. This includes a ] style ''Mario Kart DS'' Figure-8-Circuit. It came with Mario and Donkey Kong figures, while a Wario and a Luigi are available separately.

A line of ] Mario Karts are available in stores. Each kart has a ]-shaped controller, and features forward driving and rotates when put in reverse, instead of steering. The current line-up of karts are Mario, Donkey Kong and Yoshi. There are three large karts that depict the same trio. These karts are controlled by a ] controller shape.

Japanese figurines of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Wario, Donkey Kong, and Bowser exist.

For ], figures of Mario, Luigi, Wario, Bowser, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi were made by Toybiz.

==Awards==
Because of the tremendous success of the Mario Kart franchise, ] awarded the series with 5 world records in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008. These awards include, "First Console Kart Racing Game", "Best Selling Handheld Racing Game", and a mention of Mario Kart Arcade GP as the only Mario Kart game to feature guest appearances by non-Nintendo characters, with ], ], and ] available as playable characters. Guinness World Records also named 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.<ref name="guinness50">{{cite web | last = Ivan | first = Tom | title = Guinness ranks top 50 games of all time | publisher = ] | date = 2009-02-28 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=209385 | accessdate = 2009-03-14}}</ref>

The Mario Kart World Championship was held in Sydney Australia in 2005, where Zie Rad out-raced Shae Ryan to win the title. Shae was declared runner up in this event and Zie was crowned World Champion.


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


{{Mario Kart}}
==External links==
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{{Mario franchise}}
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* at Nintendo of Japan
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{{Mario sports games}} ]
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Latest revision as of 20:50, 2 January 2025

Video game series by Nintendo For the first game in the series, see Super Mario Kart.

Video game series
Mario Kart
Logo since 2014
Genre(s)Kart racing
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Creator(s)
Platform(s)
First releaseSuper Mario Kart
August 27, 1992 (1992-08-27)
Latest releaseMario Kart Live: Home Circuit
October 16, 2020 (2020-10-16)
Spin-offs

Mario Kart is a series of kart racing games based on the Mario franchise developed and published by Nintendo. Players compete in go-kart races while using various power-up items. It features characters and courses mostly from the Mario series as well as other gaming franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, F-Zero, Excitebike, and Splatoon.

The series was launched in 1992 with Super Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), to critical and commercial success. The Mario Kart series totals fifteen games, with seven on home consoles, three on handheld consoles, four arcade games co-developed with Namco, and one for mobile phones. The latest game in the series, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, was released on the Nintendo Switch in October 2020. Over 178.19 million copies in the series have been sold worldwide.

Gameplay

In the Mario Kart series, players compete in go-kart races, controlling one of a selection of characters, mainly from the Mario franchise. Up to twelve characters can compete in each race (varying per game). Players can perform driving techniques during the race such as rocket starts, slipstreaming, drifting, and mini-turbos.

Gameplay is enhanced by power-up items obtained by driving into item boxes laid out on the course. These power-ups vary across games in the series, but generally include Mushrooms to give players a speed boost, Red and Green Shells to be thrown at opponents, Banana Peels, and hazards such as Fake Item Boxes. The game selects an item based on the player's current position in the race, utilising a mechanism known as rubber banding. For example, players lagging far behind may receive more powerful items such as Bullet Bills, which give the player invincibility while auto-piloting them forward at great speed, while the leader of a race may only receive small defensive items, such as Shells or Bananas. This gameplay mechanism allows other racers a realistic chance to catch up to the leading racer.

In the original game, Super Mario Kart, the player takes control of one of eight Mario series characters, each with differing capabilities. In single player mode, players can race against computer-controlled characters in 4 multi-race cups consisting of 20 tracks (5 in each cup) over three difficulty levels (50cc, 100cc and 150cc). Alternatively, players can race against the clock in a Time Trial mode. In multiplayer mode, two players can simultaneously take part in the cups or can race against each other one-on-one in Match Race mode. In a third multiplayer mode – Battle Mode – the aim is to defeat the other players by attacking them with power-ups, destroying balloons which surround each kart.

Each new game has introduced new gameplay elements, such as new circuits, items, modes, and playable characters.

  • Mario Kart 64 introduced 3D graphics, 4-player racing, slipstreaming, items dangling (the ability to hold bananas and shells to defend against projectiles) and introduced two new playable characters: Wario and Donkey Kong. It also introduced seven items: the Fake Item Box, Triple Red Shells, Triple Green Shells, Triple Mushrooms, the Banana Bunch, the Golden Mushroom, and the Spiny Shell. In addition to the three Grand Prix engine classes, Mirror Mode was introduced, in which tracks are flipped laterally.
  • Mario Kart: Super Circuit included all 20 Super Mario Kart tracks as unlockable content, as both games use the mode 7 effect.
  • Mario Kart: Double Dash!! involves 2-player driving and featured co-operative LAN play and double-manned karts. It also introduced double item boxes. It further added eleven new playable characters: Daisy, Birdo, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Paratroopa, Diddy Kong, Bowser Jr., Waluigi, Toadette, Petey Piranha, and King Boo. It introduced a revamped Spiny Shell and character exclusive items, and introduced unlockable characters and karts. Mirror mode is now played on 150cc. It also introduced new alternate battle modes: "Shine Thief", and "Bob-omb Blast".
  • Mario Kart DS featured dual-screen play to take advantage of the system's capabilities. It introduced custom emblems. It also introduced Online play via the now defunct Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, a mission mode, and proper retro tracks. New playable characters included Dry Bones, R.O.B., and Shy Guy (who is exclusive to DS Download Play). This game also added three new items, the Blooper, the Bullet Bill, and the triple bananas. The Bob-omb is now a normal item, no longer being Wario and Waluigi's special item.
  • Mario Kart Wii introduced motion controls, the ability to perform mid-air tricks, and bikes. The racer cap was raised from 8 to 12. It introduced six new playable characters: Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Rosalina, Funky Kong, Dry Bowser, and two Mii outfits. It introduced three new items: the Mega Mushroom, the Thundercloud, and the POW Block, the last two of which are exclusive to this kart game. It also introduced a new battle mode titled "Coin Runners".
  • Mario Kart 7 featured stereoscopic 3D graphics and the return of dual screen functionality. It introduced gliders and submersible karts, a first-person perspective, and full kart customization. It introduced four new playable characters: Metal Mario, Lakitu, Wiggler, and Honey Queen. In addition, Shy Guy is a fully playable character as opposed to being exclusive for Download Play. It also re-introduced Coins for a small speed boost, though they can now be used to unlock kart parts.
  • Mario Kart 8 introduced the 200cc engine class, anti-gravity racing, ATVs, uploading highlights to YouTube, up to four local players in Grand Prix races, downloadable content, HD graphics, and fifteen new playable characters: the Koopalings (Iggy Koopa, Roy Koopa, Lemmy Koopa, Larry Koopa, Wendy O. Koopa, Ludwig von Koopa and Morton Koopa Jr.), Baby Rosalina, Pink Gold Peach, Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link from The Legend of Zelda, and Villager (male and female) and Isabelle from Animal Crossing, the last six which are available as downloadable content.
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe added a revamped battle mode, which included the new "Renegade Roundup", the return of double item boxes, ultra mini-turbo, and added 6 characters that were absent from the original game. These characters include King Boo, Dry Bones, Gold Mario, Bowser Jr, and the male and female Inklings from Splatoon, in addition to giving the female Villager her own character slot. From 2022 to the end of 2023, the "Booster Course Pass" DLC expansion pack added new race courses and returning characters to the game.
  • Mario Kart Tour was the Mario Kart debut on a mobile phone, and introduced a points-based system for certain racing actions. It introduced Peachette, Pauline, Hammer Bro (and his boomerang, fire, and ice alts), Monty Mole, Captain Toad, Dixie Kong, Kamek, Nabbit, King Bob-omb, Chargin' Chuck, Poochy and many alternate versions of each character. It introduced Frenzy Mode, and before its removal in late 2022, gacha and loot box mechanics. It reintroduced character-specific items and the Mega Mushroom. Multiple new tracks were introduced in this game and later added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe via the DLC expansion pack.
  • Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit uses a combination of augmented reality (AR), remote-controlled karts, and cameras, to create tracks using markers in the physical world, on which onscreen opponents are raced.

Modes

Each game has a variety of modes. The following five modes recur most often in the series:

  • Grand Prix – Players compete in various "cups" of four courses each (five in Super Mario Kart) with difficulty levels based on the size of the engine, larger engines meaning faster speeds. Before Mario Kart 8 there were four difficulties: 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, and Mirror Mode, where all tracks were flipped horizontally. In Mario Kart 8, a fifth difficulty level: 200cc, was added. Players earn points according to their finishing position in each race and the placement order gets carried over to the next race as the new starting grid. At the end of the cup, the top three players with the most points overall will receive a trophy in bronze, silver, and gold. In Mario Kart: Super Circuit and every game from Mario Kart DS onward, players are also ranked based on how well they raced (three to one stars, A, B, C, D, and E). Three stars is the best rank, while E is the worst.
  • Time Trials – The player races alone in order to finish any course in the fastest time possible. The best time is then saved as a ghost, which the player can race against in later trials. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! introduced Staff Ghosts, which are ghosts set by members of the Nintendo development team.
  • Match Race (or VS.) – Multiple human players race on any course with customized rules such as team racing and item frequency.
  • Battle – Multiple human players use in-game offensive items (shells, etc.) to battle each other in a closed arena. In the most common battle type, balloon battle, each player starts with three balloons and loses one per hit; the last player with at least one balloon wins. Various battle types have been added to the series, and single-player battles with CPU controlled players.
  • Online Multiplayer – Players compete in races and battles through online services, such as Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo Network, and Nintendo Switch Online. Players can share Time Trial ghosts, and participate in tournaments. In races and battles, players are matched by VR (VS Rating) and BR (Battle Rating) respectively, which is a number between 0 and 99,999 (9,999 in Mario Kart Wii). Players gain or lose points based on performance in a race or battle. The game attempts to match players with a similar rating.

Development

The series logo until Mario Kart Arcade GP 2

The debut game in the Mario Kart series was Super Mario Kart released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992. Its development was overseen by Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, the Japanese designer of many successful Nintendo games including Super Mario Bros. Darran Jones of NowGamer suggests that the success of Super Mario Kart resulted from the Super Mario characters, and being a new type of racing game.

Games

Release timelineMain entries in bold
1992Super Mario Kart
1993–1995
1996Mario Kart 64
1997–2000
2001Mario Kart: Super Circuit
2002
2003Mario Kart: Double Dash
2004
2005Mario Kart Arcade GP
Mario Kart DS
2006
2007Mario Kart Arcade GP 2
2008Mario Kart Wii
2009–2010
2011Mario Kart 7
2012
2013Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
2014Mario Kart 8
2015–2016
2017Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart Arcade GP VR
2018
2019Mario Kart Tour
2020Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

Console

Year Game Platform Virtual Console/
Nintendo Switch Online re-release
Wii Wii U 3DS New 3DS Switch
1992 Super Mario Kart SNES Yes Yes Does not appear Yes Yes
1996 Mario Kart 64 Nintendo 64 Yes Yes Does not appear Does not appear Yes
2001 Mario Kart: Super Circuit Game Boy Advance Does not appear Yes Yes
2003 Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Nintendo GameCube † Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
2005 Mario Kart DS Nintendo DS Does not appear Yes † † Does not appear
2008 Mario Kart Wii Wii ‡ † Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
2011 Mario Kart 7 Nintendo 3DS Does not appear Does not appear ‡ † Does not appear
2014 Mario Kart 8 Wii U Does not appear ‡ Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
2017 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear ‡
2020 Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Nintendo Switch Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear ‡
 Available on Virtual Console or Nintendo Switch Online † Available by using backwards compatibility ‡ Available natively on the console
  1. ^ Mario Kart: Super Circuit can be played on Nintendo 3DS systems with the Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors program.

Arcade

Seats for Mario Kart games (left) in a Japanese arcade
Seats for Mario Kart games (left) in a Japanese arcade

Mobile

Canceled games

  • VB Mario Kart was scheduled for the Virtual Boy in 1995. It was revealed in a 2000 issue of German gaming magazine The Big N, but was canceled early in development prior to its official announcement due to the Virtual Boy's commercial failure.
  • Mario Kart XXL is a Game Boy Advance tech demo developed by Denaris Entertainment Software for Nintendo in 2004. It was originally created as a non-Mario demo known as R3D-Demo before being repurposed.
  • Mario Motors was a planned spin-off of the Mario Kart series for the Nintendo DS. It was revealed for the first time at the Reboot Development Conference 2018. The game was going to be co-developed by Yoot Saito. The concept of the game was to allow players to build their own karts.

Reception

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008)
Sales and aggregate review scores
As of June 30, 2023.
Game Year Units sold
(in millions) 		GameRankings Metacritic
Super Mario Kart (SNES) 1992 8.76 94% 94/100
Mario Kart 64 (N64) 1996 9.87 87% 83/100
Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA) 2001 5.90 92% 93/100
Mario Kart: Double Dash (GCN) 2003 6.96 87% 87/100
Mario Kart DS (NDS) 2005 23.60 91% 91/100
Mario Kart Wii (Wii) 2008 37.38 82% 82/100
Mario Kart 7 (3DS) 2011 18.98 85% 85/100
Mario Kart 8 (WiiU) 2014 8.46 88% 88/100
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (NS) 2017 60.58 92% 92/100
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (NS) 2020 1.27 — 75/100

The Mario Kart series is critically acclaimed. Nintendo Power named it one of the greatest multiplayer experiences, citing the diversity in game modes and the entertainment value.

Guinness World Records listed six records set by the Mario Kart series, including "First Console Kart Racing Game", "Best Selling Racing Game", and "Longest Running Kart Racing Franchise". Guinness World Records ranked Super Mario Kart number 1 of the top 50 console games of all time based on initial impact and lasting legacy. Super Mario Kart was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2019.

Sales

Like the Super Mario series, the Mario Kart series is a commercial success with 178.19 million copies sold in total. It is currently the most successful racing game franchise of all time. Super Mario Kart is the fourth-best-selling Super Nintendo Entertainment System game with 8.76 million copies sold. Mario Kart 64 is the second-best-selling game for the Nintendo 64 (behind Super Mario 64), at 9.87 million copies. Mario Kart: Double Dash is the second-best-selling GameCube game (next to Super Smash Bros. Melee) with 6.96 million copies sold. Mario Kart Wii is the second-best-selling in the series and is the second-best-selling Wii game (next to Wii Sports) at 37.38 million copies. Mario Kart 8 is the best-selling Wii U game at 8.46 million total copies sold. It was the fastest-selling Wii U game with 1.2 million copies shipped in North America and Europe combined on its first few days since launch, until Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. The enhanced port for the Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, is the fastest-selling game in the series with 459,000 units sold in the United States in one day of its launch. It is the highest-selling Nintendo Switch game with a total of 57.01 million copies worldwide, outperforming the Wii U version. Both versions have a combined total of 65.47 million copies sold, making it the best-selling game in the series, and also the best selling Mario game as a whole.

The handheld games are commercial successes. Mario Kart: Super Circuit is the fourth-best-selling Game Boy Advance game at 5.9 million copies. The second portable game, Mario Kart DS, is the third-best-selling Nintendo DS game and the best-selling portable game in the series with a total of 23.6 million copies. Mario Kart 7 is the best-selling Nintendo 3DS game as of March 2023 at 18.98 million copies.

Legacy

Merchandise

The Mario Kart series has had a range of merchandise. This includes a slot car racer series based on Mario Kart DS: one set of which comes with Mario and Donkey Kong figures, with Wario and Luigi available separately. A line of radio-controlled karts are controlled by Game Boy Advance-shaped controllers, and feature Mario, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi. There are additional, larger karts which are radio-controlled by a GameCube-shape controller. Many racer figurines have been made. Sound Drops were inspired by Mario Kart Wii with eight sounds including the Spiny Shell and the race start countdown. A landline telephone features Mario holding a lightning bolt while seated in his kart. K'Nex released Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, and Mario Kart 8 sets. Line released an animated sticker set with 24 stickers based on Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Nintendo's customer rewards program, Club Nintendo, released a Mario Kart 8 soundtrack, a Mario Kart Wii-themed stopwatch, and three gold trophies modeled after those in Mario Kart 7. Before Club Nintendo, a Mario Kart 64 soundtrack was offered by mail. In 2014, McDonald's released Mario Kart 8 toys with Happy Meals. In 2018, Monopoly Gamer features a Mario Kart themed board game with courses from Mario Kart 8 serving as properties, ten playable characters as tokens (Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong, Shy Guy, Metal Mario, Rosalina, Bowser, and Yoshi) and a special die with power-ups. In 2019, Hot Wheels released Mario Kart sets of cars and tracks. In commemoration of Mario Day celebrations for March 10, 2021, Hot Wheels also released a Mario Kart track set based on Rainbow Road on June 24, 2021. In 2020, for the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary, Cold Stone Creamery released Mario themed desserts including a Rainbow Road themed ice cream cake, from September 30 to December 15.

Rental go-kart dispute

Go-karters dressed as Nintendo characters in Harajuku, Tokyo

In September 2016, Nintendo filed an objection against the Japanese company MariCar, which rents go-karts modified for use on public roads in Tokyo along with costumes resembling Nintendo characters. MariCar's English website warned customers not to throw "banana peels" or "red turtle shells". The service is popular with tourists.

Nintendo argued that the MariCar name was "intended to be mistaken for or confused with" Mario Kart, citing games commonly known by abbreviations in Japan, such as Pokémon (for Pocket Monsters) and Sumabura (Super Smash Bros.). In January 2017, the Japan Patent Office dismissed the objection, ruling that MariCar was not widely recognized as an abbreviation of Mario Kart.

In February 2017, Nintendo sued MariCar over copyright infringement for renting unauthorized costumes of Nintendo characters and using their images to promote its business. In September 2018, MariCar was ordered to stop using the characters and pay Nintendo ¥10 million in damages.

Theme park attraction

Main article: Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge

Universal Destinations & Experiences' immersive Super Nintendo World areas in Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood feature the Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge ride as their primary "anchor" attraction. Utilizing innovative augmented reality technology and dark ride set design, guests travel through several environments from Mario Kart 8, including Rainbow Road. The Japan version of the attraction includes a Mario Kart themed shop called "Mario Motors", and a nearby "Pit Stop Popcorn" food stand. The Bowser's Challenge ride is also expected to be built in Epic Universe's version of Super Nintendo World.

Formula E attack mode

Starting with its 2018–19 season, electric open wheel racing series Formula E added a so-called "attack mode", which allows a driver to gain a temporary speed boost if they take an alternate lane (highlighted on television via augmented reality computer graphics). The concept has been described by members of the press and by series CEO Alejandro Agag as inspired by Mario Kart.

Notes

  1. Japanese: マリオカート, Hepburn: Mario Kāto
  2. ^ Released April 23rd, 2015

References

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