Mario Kart

Mario Kart
Logo used since 2005
Genres	Racing game
Developers	Nintendo Namco (Arcade games)
Publishers	Nintendo
Creators	Shigeru Miyamoto
Original release	August 27, 1992 (1992-08-27)

Mario Kart (マリオカート, Mario Kāto^?) is a series of go-kart-style racing video games developed by Nintendo as a series of spin-offs from its trademark Mario series of platformer adventure-style video games. The series debuted in 1992 on the Super NES with critical and commercial success.

To date, there have been four Mario Kart games for home consoles, two portable games, and two Namco co-developed arcade games. The seventh game of the Mario Kart series on Nintendo systems will be Mario Kart 7.^[1]

Gameplay

The primary gameplay in the Mario Kart series sees players control one of a selection of characters from the Mario series competing in a go-kart race. One of the most notable features of the series is the use of various power-up items that can be found by driving into item boxes laid out on the course. These range from Super Mushrooms that can give the player a speed boost and Koopa Shells that can be fired at opponents to Banana Peels that can be laid on the track and Lightning that can shrink all other players. The type of weapons that can be earned often depends on the player's current position in the race. Players running at the back of the race may receive more powerful items whilst the leader will only receive small defensive items.

Each game slightly differs in its game play mechanics including the variety of items that can be obtained, as well as methods of obtaining speed boosts. There are also some mechanics unique to certain games, such as Double Dash's partner system and Mario Kart Wii's use of motorbikes.

Each game features a variety of modes, the most recurring modes in the series being Grand Prix, Time Trial, Vs. and Battle. Grand Prix is the main mode in which players compete in various grand prix cups of several consecutive courses each with three difficulties. By ranking highly in each race, players earn points with the goal to have the most points at the end of the cup. Time Trial is a single player mode in which the player attempts to complete any course in the fastest time possible with three speed boost items to be used at the player's discretion. Vs. mode allows multiple players (the number of which varies depending on the system) to compete against each other on any course. Battle mode is a multiplayer mode in which players are placed in an arena with a set number of balloons, the goal being to use items to attack opponents and make them lose all their balloons before the player loses theirs.

Series

• Super Mario Kart (1992, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Virtual Console)^[2][3]
• Mario Kart 64 (1996, Nintendo 64, Virtual Console)
• Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001, Game Boy Advance)
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003, Nintendo GameCube)
• Mario Kart Arcade GP (2005, Arcade) (Co-developed by Namco)
• Mario Kart DS (2005, Nintendo DS)
• Mario Kart Arcade GP2 (2007, Arcade) (Co-developed by Namco)
• Mario Kart Wii (2008, Wii)
• Mario Kart 7 (2011, Nintendo 3DS)

Appearances in other games

Several Mario Kart-related items appear in the Super Smash Bros. series, with Super Smash Bros. Brawl in particular featuring a stage based on one ofMario Kart DS's courses.^[4] Certain courses from the series have also appeared in F-Zero X and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. Various items from the series can also be seen in games such as Nintendogs and Animal Crossing.

Merchandise

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

Reception

Nintendo Power listed it as being one of the greatest multi-player experiences, citing the diversity in game modes as well as the entertainment value found.^[5]

Because of the tremendous success of the Mario Kart franchise, Guinness World Records 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". 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.^[6]

References

1. ^ Harris, Craig (2010-06-15). "E3 2010: Mario Kart 3DS is Looking Slick". IGN Entertainment, Inc.. http://ds.ign.com/articles/109/1098453p1.html. Retrieved 2010-06-21. 
2. ^ "Virtual Console バーチャルコンソール" (in Japanese). Nintendo. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_mk/index.html. Retrieved 2008-07-14. 
3. ^ "Download New BIT.TRIP Kicks, Speeding Karts, Magic Castles and More". Nintendo of America. 23 November 2009. http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/O-6Hu5sS3KndAbl1v6fJElEIDoveAwhn. Retrieved 23 November 2009. 
4. ^ Smash Bros. DOJO!!
5. ^ Nintendo Power 250th issue!. South San Francisco, California: Future US. 2010. p. 47. 
6. ^ Ivan, Tom (2009-02-28). "Guinness ranks top 50 games of all time". Computer and Video Games. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=209385. Retrieved 2009-03-14. 

External links

• Official Nintendo sites:
  • American Mario Kart Wii site
  • Japanese Mario Kart Wii site
  • UK Mario Kart DS site
• Mario Kart Wiki