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Mario Kart 64

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Mario Kart 64
File:Mario Kart 64box.jpg
North American box art
Developer(s)Nintendo EAD
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Composer(s)Kenta Nagata
SeriesMario Kart
Platform(s)Nintendo 64, Nintendo iQue, Virtual Console
ReleaseNintendo 64
Virtual Console
Genre(s)Racing game
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Template:Nihongo title is a racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It was released in 1996 in Japan and in 1997 in North America and Europe. On January 26, 2007, Mario Kart 64 was released on Nintendo's European Virtual Console service for the Wii. It was also released on the American service on January 29, 2007, and in Japan on January 30, 2007.

Mario Kart 64 is the sequel to Super Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Changes from the original include the move to 3D computer graphics and the inclusion of four-player support. Players take control of characters from the Mario universe, who race around a variety of tracks with items that can either harm opponents or aid the user. The move to three-dimensional graphics allowed for track features not possible with the original game's Mode 7 graphics, such as changes in elevation, bridges, walls, and pits. However, the characters and items remained 2D pre-rendered sprites.

Music for the game was composed by Kenta Nagata. The introduction music for Mario Kart 64, which is loosely based on the original Super Mario Kart theme tune, was remixed and used in the music video game Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix for the Nintendo GameCube. The game was one of the best sellers and has sold millions of copies.

Gameplay

Mario Kart 64 was the first in the series to use 3D computer graphics.

There are four modes, or forms of play, in the game: Grand Prix, Time Trial, Versus, and Battle. There are also eight playable characters: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Princess Peach, Wario, Yoshi, Toad, and Donkey Kong. They vary in weight, speed, and acceleration. There are also 16 tracks that are based on different locations seen in Mario games. Each track has a unique shape, and can contain various obstacles, hazards, and short-cuts. All eight characters participate in each race. Up to four of them can be playable characters, while the rest are computer-controlled for one- or two-player races; three- and four-player races feature no computer-controlled racers. On a track, various actions can be performed to change the flow of a race. Items can be acquired by hitting a tool box. The items' uses include acting as projectiles to impede opponents, speeding up the user, or stopping opponents through the placement of bananas and fake clue boxes. However, AI-controlled racers do not use any kind of shell. One can earn a small turbo boost through obtaining mushrooms, and also by drifting, which one can perform by hopping and tilting the control stick in the direction of the turn, which allows for speedier turns. There is also an advanced drift technique that allows players to turn against the direction of their drift for a speed boost.[1]

In Grand Prix mode, one or two human players compete against computer players in a tournament composed of races on four individual courses, arranged in four-course cups. For each race, points are awarded based on placement, and at the end, the winner is decided based on the number of points accumulated. Difficulty level is measured by engine size: 50, 100, or 150 Extra cc. There is also an unlockable difficulty called 'EXTRA,' allowing players to race on mirrored tracks. Time trial mode allows a player to race around any track in the game, either by themselves or against a 'ghost' of a previous run, attempting to improve their time. The player starts with three mushrooms (speed bursts) and cannot obtain any additional items. If the player is racing with a ghost, this phantom player mimics the motions and time of the last personal record run. Versus mode entails two to four players racing head-to-head in a single all-human race on any course. This mode is identical to Grand Prix, but lacks AI players and has the added obstacles of moving bombs that are placed sporadically around the track. Battle mode pits two to four players against one another in one of four available battle courses. These courses are separate from the race courses, and are suited for more combat-oriented gameplay. Each player begins with three balloons attached to their kart. When damaged, a player will lose one of his or her balloons. When all of the balloons on a kart are gone, the player is eliminated, in the case of a one-on-one match, or turned into a bomb on wheels, able to crash into any living player and cause damage a single time until the match ends. The winner is the last kart to survive the battle.

The game is compatible with the N64 Controller Pak, but only to save track ghosts in the Time Trial mode, which requires 121 pages, almost the entire standard controller pak. All other data is stored in-cartridge.

Playable characters

File:Mk64 magikoopa.jpg
A beta screenshot of Mario Kart 64 from a 1996 issue of Nintendo Power. The character roster is shown including Magikoopa, whom was later replaced with Donkey Kong in the final version.
See also: Mario Kart: Playable characters

In Mario Kart 64, player's can choose any one of eight unique characters to operate their kart. Koopa Troopa and Donkey Kong Junior, both of whom appeared in Super Mario Kart, did not return for Mario Kart 64. They ended up being replaced by Donkey Kong and Wario. In pre-release screenshots, a Magikoopa was playable, but before the game's final release the Magikoopa was replaced by Donkey Kong.

Characters are divided into three categories. The 'light weights' include Peach, Yoshi and Toad, who are favored for their quick acceleration. The 'heavy weights' include Wario, Bowser, and Donkey Kong and are favored for their responsive steering, and the 'middle weights,' Mario and Luigi, are balanced characters.

Tracks

Mushroom Cup

  • Luigi Raceway - Luigi's track features no obstacles and is one of the shorter tracks in the game.
  • Moo Moo Farm - A course set in a rural environment, featuring Monty Moles that flip the player into the air.
  • Koopa Troopa Beach - Based off Super Mario Kart's Koopa Beach tracks, Koopa Troopa Beach features a few shortcuts that can be used to help the player.
  • Kalimari Desert - The track features a train that intersects the course and can slow the player down.

Flower Cup

  • Toad's Turnpike - The first Mario Kart course to feature cars and trucks driving along with the player and acting as obstacles.
  • Frappe Snowland - The first snow-themed track, featuring snowmen that explode when driven into.
  • Choco Mountain - A relatively flat track with a few bumps, and rocks that can knock the player off the track.
  • Mario Raceway - One of the shorter tracks in the game, with few enemies to impede the player.

Star Cup

  • Wario Stadium - A large track set in a stadium with several jumps and a few large shortcuts. The second-longest track in the game.
  • Sherbet Land - Another snow track, with no shortcuts but several gaps that can be jumped over.
  • Royal Raceway - The castle from Super Mario 64 appears here, but driving toward it tends to waste time.
  • Bowser's Castle - One of the harder tracks, it takes place in and around Bowser's castle.

Special Cup

  • DK's Jungle Parkway - Set in the jungle, this track often causes lag due to its length.
  • Yoshi Valley - A Yoshi-themed course that has several branching paths.
  • Banshee Boardwalk - A short track that you can't see. The hardest track in the game.
  • Rainbow Road - The longest track in Mario Kart history at over two minutes per lap.

Development

In production, its original name was Super Mario Kart R, but the title was later changed due to a copyright infringement of Sega's Sonic R.[citation needed]

Music

The soundtrack to Mario Kart 64 was composed by Kenta Nagata.

Re-releases

Almost ten years later, Mario Kart 64 was re-released on the Wii's Virtual Console in Europe on January 26, 2007, and in North America on January 29, 2007, for 1000 Wii Points. Due to the lack of a Controller Pak, it is impossible to save ghost data, as was allowed in the Nintendo 64 version. Nintendo has posted messages advising users about this before they download the game, both when the Wii Shop Channel is first accessed and in the More Details tab on the individual game page. Like Super Mario 64 on the Virtual Console, this version of the game is presented in 480i and can also be run in 480p mode with a suitable television set-up, with the exception of the PAL release which is presented in 576i at 50Hz only, regardless of TV or console set-up. Most 2D graphical elements were not enhanced for the higher resolution, and thus look blurrier. The emulation of this title on Wii Virtual Console has a speed variance from the original title.

Merchandise

Mario Kart 64 included a line of action figures that were released world-wide in 1999 as part as the Video Game Super Stars line, created by Toy Biz. The figures have been called the greatest Mario figures all time, and have also become some of the rarest toys to be listed in the past three years.[original research?] Series 1 included Mario, Bowser, and Yoshi, while Series 2 included Ghost Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, and Wario. These figures have been critically acclaimed as the best Mario Kart figures available, even though it can be negatively pointed out the lack of making Toad and Peach, and that the figures break easily.[citation needed] The value of the figures over the past three years has been very high, with listings on eBay of more than $100.[citation needed]

Reception

Mario Kart 64 received generally positive reviews. The game has an average review ratio of 87% on Game Rankings, including reviews from IGN and GamePro, and magazines such as Electronic Gaming Monthly.[6] IGN stated, "Though the single-player mode is a bit of a step back from the SNES original, Mario Kart 64 still offers one of the best multiplayer experiences to be had on Nintendo 64."[4] GameSpot insisted that though the graphics and sound of the game are impressive, the gameplay is too easy and lacks depth.[3] In GameSpot's re-review of the Virtual Console release the reviewer criticized its sound, lack of ghost-saving, and graphics, saying the latter had "aged rather poorly."[9] The game placed 17th in Official Nintendo Magazine's 100 greatest Nintendo games of all time.[10] Mario Kart 64 sold approximately 5.5 million copies in the United States and 2.24 million in Japan.[11][12]


References

  1. ^ "Mario Kart 64 Translated". IGN.
  2. ^ "Mario Kart 64 N64 Review Index, Mario Kart 64 Reviews:". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  3. ^ a b Ward, Trent (1997-02-06). "Mario Kart 64 for Nintendo 64 Review - Nintendo 64 Mario Kart 64 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  4. ^ a b Schneider, Peer (1997-02-20). "IGN: Mario Kart 64 Review". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  5. ^ Doctor Zombie (2000-11-24). "Review: Mario Kart 64 for N64 on Gamepro.com". GamePro. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  6. ^ a b c "Mario Kart 64 Reviews". Game Rankings. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  7. ^ "Edge Online: Search Results". Edge. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  8. ^ "Mario Kart 64 (n64: 1997): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  9. ^ Mario Kart 64 for Wii Review - Wii Mario Kart 64 Review
  10. ^ "20-11 Official Nintendo Magazine". Official Nintendo Magazine. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
  11. ^ "The Magic Box - US Platinum Chart Games". The Magic Box. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  12. ^ "The Magic Box - Japan Platinum Chart Games". The Magic Box. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
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