Rainbow Downhill
| Rainbow Downhill | |||
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| Information | |||
| Appears in | Mario Kart Arcade GP (2005) Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (2007) | ||
| Cup(s) | Rainbow Cup | ||
| Based on | Rainbow Road | ||
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Rainbow Downhill is the second and fourth course of the Rainbow Cup in Mario Kart Arcade GP and Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, with a theme similar to and inspired by that of Rainbow Road, from the mainline Mario Kart series. It is the sister course of Rainbow Coaster, and starts off at the same point; however, the teleporter around the middle of the course warps racers to a different section that, as the course name indicaties, goes progressively downwards. Despite the different layout, this second section has the same theme as the second section as Rainbow Coaster, featuring clouds and beanstalks at daylight much like GBA Sky Garden.
In the fourth round of the Rainbow Cup, the cloudy beanstalk environment in the second portion is changed into something completely different: in Mario Kart Arcade GP, the environment is instead underwater, featuring a variety of deep sea creatures; in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, however, this environment is replaced by a sanctuary above the clouds in the night sky.
Layout[edit]
As in Rainbow Coaster, racers begin this course inside a space station. As the race begins, they drive outside onto a rainbow-colored, tiled road, to meet the environment of outer space, with rainbow-colored items floating around. Racers then drive into a tunnel labeled "Rainbow Tunnel", which appears to be narrowed down due to a nearby spire. After exiting the tunnel, they make a hairpin turn around a satellite. Racers the follow a road that's been curved due a low platform making an indent in the layout; drivers can take a shortcut by hopping on the low platform. This platform also has a row of Coins in Mario Kart Arcade GP, but these coins are absent in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2. Afterwards, racers drive up a slope and are instructed to drive into a gate with Dash Panels, warping them into a different area.
Upon exiting the gate, racers find themselves in a cloudy area with many flowers, floating islands and rainbows, while still driving on a rainbow-colored road. This is also where the course differs from Rainbow Coaster, where instead of a hairpin, racers make a regular turn to the right, down a steep slope. They then drive up a bump in the road, to then take a downwards hairpin to the left around a floating island with flowers. They then drive down a straightaway with uneven bumps in the road, only to drive down another turn. They then encounter another bump in the road, followed by a slight turn to the right and another bump and another hairpin turn, with a purple extension on the outer side of the curve. Another road with uneven bump follows, as does two more hairpin turn with a purple outer side, gradually going more downwards. Racers drive one more hairpin turn before they encounter another gate with Dash Panels, which warps them back to the first area, where the layout returns to that of Rainbow Coaster.
Back in space, racers drive forwards while more rainbow-colored items float above the track, encountering another curved road with a low platform. Like the first one, racers can take a shortcut by hopping on the low platform; this one has no Coins, regardless of which game is being played. They then take another hairpin turn and enter the space station, where they will pass through the finish line.
The revisit of this course in Round 4 of the Rainbow Cup in Mario Kart Arcade GP is relatively the same, but changes the environment of the second area completely. Instead of clouds, floating islands and beanstalks in the high sky, the second portion now takes place entirely underwater, featuring coral reefs, underwater cliffs and seaweed. The path appears to be more closely surrounded by underwater cliffs compared to the underwater version of Rainbow Coaster, and does not feature an underwater tunnel or seabed.
Surprisingly, this second area is changed yet again when the course is revisited in Round 4 of the Rainbow Cup in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2. Instead of either a cloudy area with beanstalks or an underwater area, the environment now takes place in a sanctuary above the clouds at night, with various rainbow-colored temples, fountains, and structures. The end of this portion is also surrounded by rib-like structures and a ribcage-like tunnel, much like with Rainbow Coaster.
Gallery[edit]
It has been requested that more images be uploaded for this article. Remove this notice only after the additional images have been added. Specific(s): Screenshots from the first Mario Kart Arcade GP, particularly from the Round 4 version with the underwater environment
The starting line
Going down
The stretch before the boost
A turn approaching
A straight
Bumpy road after the hairpin curve
After driving on a ramp
On a second ramp
A second bumpy road
The last turn of this area
Boost area to the starting point
The final stretch of the course
The last curve
Rainbow Downhill at night
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | レインボーダウンヒル Reinbō Daunhiru |
Rainbow Downhill |
