Mario Kart

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Mario Kart
Mario Kart logo.png
Logo used since Mario Kart DS (2005)
Genres Racing video game
Developers Nintendo
Retro Studios
Namco (arcade games)
Publishers Nintendo
Creators Shigeru Miyamoto
First release Super Mario Kart
August 27, 1992 (1992-08-27)
Latest release Mario Kart 7
December 4, 2011 (2011-12-04)


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 Super Mario series of video games. The first in the series, Super Mario Kart, was launched in 1992 on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System with critical and commercial success.[1]

To date, there have been four Mario Kart games for home consoles, three portable games, and two Namco co-developed arcade games. The seventh and most recent game of the Mario Kart series on Nintendo systems is Mario Kart 7.[2]

Contents

[edit] Gameplay

In the Mario Kart series, players compete in go-kart races, controlling one of a selection of characters from the Mario video game series. One of the features of the series is the use of various power-up items obtained by driving into item boxes laid out on the course. These power-ups include mushrooms to give players a speed boost, Koopa Shells to be thrown at opponents, and banana peels that can be laid on the track as hazards. The type of weapon received from an item box is random and often influenced by the player's position in the race.[3] For example, players lagging far behind may receive more powerful items while the leader will only receive small defensive items.[3] This gameplay mechanic–called "rubber banding"– allows other players or computers a realistic chance to catch up to the lead player no matter how far ahead they are.[3]

Recurring items
  • Banana peel: deployed as a hazard to other racers
  • Green/Red Koopa shell: projectile fired at other racers, green shells go straight and bounce off walls whereas red shells home in on other racers, appears either as a single shell or a group of three
  • Spiny shell: indestructible shell that homes in on the player in 1st place
  • Starman: gives temporary invincibility and increase in speed
  • Lightning: strikes all other racers with lightning causing them to become smaller and slow down
  • Mushroom: gives user speed boost
  • Boo: makes user temporarily invisible and invincible, also steals another players item
  • Fake Item: looks similar to a real item box, but is instead used as a hazard to trick other racers

As the series has progressed forward each new title has introduced new elements in order to keep the gameplay fresh.[3] Changes typically include new items, new stages, and new methods of obtaining speed boosts, but most games have also featured a new play mechanic as well.[3] Changes new titles have brought to the series include: Mario Kart 64 introducing 4-player racing and bringing the series into the third dimension, Double Dash's introducing a partner system, Mario Kart Wii's use of motorbikes, and the newest entry into the franchise Mario Kart 7 featuring hang glider and submarines.[3] Many stages also recur throughout the series, in particular most games has featured some form of a beach stage (ex: Koopa Troopa Beach), a stadium stage (ex: Wario Stadium), Bowser's Castle, and Rainbow Road.[3]

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

  • Grand Prix - players compete in various "cups," groups of several courses each. Players earn points according to their finishing position in each race, and the player with the most points at the end of the cup wins.
  • Time Trial - (single player) 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 - multiple human players compete against each other on any course.
  • Battle - players use race items to battle each other in an arena. Each player starts with a set number of balloons and loses a balloon with every hit sustained; the last player possessing at least one balloon wins.

[edit] Series

Logo used up until "Mario Kart: Double Dash!!"

[edit] Console games

[edit] Arcade games

[edit] Future games

Hideki Konno, the Mario Kart producer, has stated that he hopes to release a Mario Kart game for Nintendo's upcoming games console; the Wii U. Konno said that he wanted to create "a new and enjoyable game that uses the unique function of Wii U", He also added that he'd never considered adding other franchise characters into the series. [6]

[edit] Appearances in other games

Question book-new.svg
 This section relies largely or entirely upon a single source. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. Discussion about the problems with the sole source used may be found on the talk page. (August 2011)

Several Mario Kart-related items appear in the Super Smash Bros. series, with Super Smash Bros. Brawl in particular featuring a stage based on one of Mario Kart DS's courses.[7] 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.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Playable drivers

Driver Super Mario Kart Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart: Double Dash‼ Mario Kart Arcade GP Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart 7
Baby Daisy Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Baby Luigi Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Baby Mario Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Baby Peach Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Birdo Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Blinky Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Bowser Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Bowser, Jr. Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Daisy Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY
Diddy Kong Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Donkey Kong Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Donkey Kong, Jr. Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Dry Bones Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Dry Bowser Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Funky Kong Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Honey Queen Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
King Boo Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Paratroopa Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Koopa Troopa Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY
Lakitu Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Luigi Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Mario Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Mametchi Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Metal Mario Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Mii Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY
Pac-Man Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Ms. Pac-Man Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Petey Piranha Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Peach Green tickY[Note 1] Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
R.O.B. Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN
Rosalina Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY
Shy Guy Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY[Note 2] Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Toad Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Toadette Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Waluigi Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN[Note 3]
Wario Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Wiggler Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Yoshi Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Total 8 8 8 20 11 13 13 25 17
Notes
  1. ^ In Super Mario Kart, the character is referred to only as "Princess" in the Western versions.
  2. ^ Shy Guy is only available in Mario Kart DS as a playable character during Download Play races (single-cartridge multiplayer).
  3. ^ This is the first time Waluigi isn't a playable character since Mario Kart: Double Dash, however Waluigi Pinball from Mario Kart DS still returns.

[edit] Supporting characters

[icon] This section requires expansion.

Several characters are featured throughout the Mario Kart series, but are not playable drivers. Lakitu is the referee of these seven games. He aids the racers in various situations like fishing them out of the water, signaling the start of the race with his starting lights, and alerting the players when the next lap will begin. However, in Mario Kart 7, Lakitu is an unlockable, playable character.

[edit] Merchandise

Mario Kart has had a range of merchandise released. This includes a Scalextric style Mario Kart DS Figure-8-Circuit. It comes with Mario and Donkey Kong figures, while a Wario and a Luigi are available separately. 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 is Mario, Donkey Kong and Yoshi. There are three large karts that depict the same trio. These karts are controlled by a GameCube controller shape. Japanese figurines of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Wario, Donkey Kong, and Bowser are also available for purchase as well as for Mario Kart 64, figures of Mario, Luigi, Wario, Bowser, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi were made by Toybiz. There is also a land-line telephone featuring Mario holding a lightning bolt while seated in his Kart. as seen here. K-NEX has released Mario Kart Wii sets, with Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Bowser in karts and bikes.[citation needed]

[edit] Reception

Nintendo Power listed the Mario Kart series as being one of the greatest multi-player experiences, citing the diversity in game modes as well as the entertainment value found.[11]

Guinness World Records awarded the Mario Kart series with five world records in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008, including "First Console Kart Racing Game" and "Best Selling Handheld Racing Game". Guinness World Records ranked the original Super Mario Kart number 1 on the list of top 50 console games of all time based on initial impact and lasting legacy.[12]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Crecente, Brian (2009-26-2). "Mario Kart: Most Influential Video Game in History." Kotaku. Retrieved 2012-1-27.
  2. ^ 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. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Dan. "Mario Kart Franchise Retrospective". WatchMojo.com. http://www.watchmojo.com/video/title/Mario%20Kart%20Franchise%20Retrospective/. Retrieved 5 February 2012. 
  4. ^ "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. 
  5. ^ "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. 
  6. ^ Goldfarb, Andrew (2011-11-10). "Nintendo Considering Wii U Mario Kart." IGN Entertainment, Inc.
  7. ^ Smash Bros. DOJO!!
  8. ^ Nintendo Power 250th issue!. South San Francisco, California: Future US. 2010. p. 47. 
  9. ^ 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. 

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