SNES Rainbow Road

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This article is about the race course originally from Super Mario Kart. For Rainbow Road as a whole and other versions of the track, see Rainbow Road. For the musical composition of the same name, see SNES Rainbow Road (theme).
Rainbow Road
SNES Rainbow Road.
Information
Appears in Super Mario Kart (1992)
Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001)
Mario Kart 7 (2011)
Mario Kart 8 (DLC Pack 1) (2014)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
Mario Kart Tour (2019)
Cup(s) Special Cup (Super Mario Kart)
Extra Special Cup (Super Circuit)
Lightning Cup (7)
Triforce Cup (8, 8 Deluxe)
Tour(s)
Online play Available (3DS and Wii U until April 8, 2024, Switch)
Music sample
Super Mario Kart: Soyo Oka

Mario Kart: Super Circuit: Kenichi Nishimaki, Masanobu Matsunaga, Minako Hamano

Mario Kart 7 / Mario Kart Tour: Kenta Nagata, Satomi Terui

Mario Kart 7 (frontrunning)

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Atsuko Asahi

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (frontrunning)
Course map
Super Mario Kart
The map for Rainbow Road.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Super Circuit SNES Rainbow Road.png
MKSC SNES Rainbow Road Extra Cup Map.pngMKSC SNES Rainbow Road Mini Map.png
Mario Kart 7
SNES Rainbow Road bottom screen mapThe Mini Map for SNES Rainbow Road

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Map of SNES Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8.Map of SNES Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Mario Kart Tour
Map of SNES Rainbow Road from Mario Kart Tour.

Staff ghost(s)
7 Nin★YABUKI
1:34.459 LakituCyan Pipe Frame from Mario Kart 7MK7 Slim.pngLakitu's Super Glider in Mario Kart 7
7 Expert Nin★SRIWtm
1:21.994 LakituCloud 9MK7 Roller.pngParaglider, also known as Parafoil.
8 Nin★Anne
1:46.599 Cat Peach's icon from Mario Kart 8Cat Cruiser body from Mario Kart 8Retro Off-Road tires from Mario Kart 8Thumbnail of Cat Peach's Super Glider (with 8 icon), in Mario Kart 8.
8DX 150cc Nin★Anne
1:40.711 Cat Peach's icon from Mario Kart 8Cat Cruiser body from Mario Kart 8Retro Off-Road tires from Mario Kart 8Thumbnail of Cat Peach's Super Glider (with 8 icon), in Mario Kart 8.
8DX 200cc Nin★Marie
1:12.762 Tanooki Mario's icon from Mario Kart 8GLA icon from Mario Kart 8GLA Tires icon.Parachute glider from Mario Kart 8
8DX 200cc Nin★Marie[1]
1:12.696 Tanooki Mario's icon from Mario Kart 8Thumbnail of an orange Pipe Frame (with 8 icon), in Mario Kart 8.Standard Tires from Mario Kart 8Parachute glider from Mario Kart 8

The original Rainbow Road debuted in Super Mario Kart, as the fifth and last course of the Special Cup, starting the Mario Kart series tradition of having Rainbow Road as the finale of the game. It is the shortest Rainbow Road in the series.

This course is unique in Super Mario Kart in the fact that it is the only track in the game that is not numbered compared to the others, and thus it is the game's only unique track. It is the only track in the Special Cup with normal traction, but lacks rails entirely and has only 90-degree turns. Rainbow-colored tiles and a few jumping bumps cover the track's surface, and the yellow tiles conceal coins. This course features Star Thwomps which can wipe out a racer by touch, unlike regular Thwomps, as well as by crushing, unless the racer uses a Super Star or a Boo.

Rainbow Road reappears in Mario Kart: Super Circuit as the fourth and final course of the Extra Special Cup, in Mario Kart 7 as the fourth and final course of the Lightning Cup, in Mario Kart 8 as the second course of the Triforce Cup as part of the The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 DLC (and in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as part of the base game), and in Mario Kart Tour, debuting in the Tokyo Tour. If one counts Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as two separate games, then Rainbow Road is the most frequently appearing classic course in the series, having appeared six times in different games. In the opposite case, its number of appearances is then tied with Mario Circuit 3, also from Super Mario Kart, the latter course re-appearing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as part of the second wave of the Booster Course Pass DLC.

In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, the Rainbow Road theme rearranges a part of this course's music at its beginning; it is also rearranged in The Super Mario Bros. Movie as part of the song "Buckle Up." Super Mario Kart composer Soyo Oka also considers this course's theme to be one of her favorite compositions.[2]

Super Mario Kart[edit]

Rainbow Road
Donkey Kong Jr. racing on Rainbow Road

Course layout[edit]

The course is composed mostly of straightaways and 90° turns. There are also Super Thwomps as obstacles, which remain airborne on the first lap. The course begins with a right turn followed by a straightaway, with the only set of ? Panels in the middle as well as several jump pads. The first row of four Super Thwomps also lies at the end of this straightaway. There is then two right turns followed by a brief straight with several more jump pads. Racers then take two left turns onto another brief straight with two pairs of Super Thwomps. After another two right turns, the track narrows and racers must go left or right as the path briefly splits; the paths are symmetrical and each contain a pair of Super Thwomps. Once the paths join, the track widens again and there is one more right turn followed by one more straightaway with a row of four Super Thwomps. Racers then reach the finish line.

Shortcuts[edit]

There is a notable shortcut near the end of the track. The player can use a Mushroom to go off a jump pad in between the split paths and clear the gap, saving time and avoiding the Super Thwomps.

Mario Kart: Super Circuit[edit]

Luigi racing through the track

This version of Rainbow Road reappears in Mario Kart: Super Circuit as the last track of the Extra Special Cup. The background is from that game's own Rainbow Road, but with only the sparkles, foreground clouds, and moon appearing; like that track, this one is also translucent. The Super Thwomps and jumping bumps are removed. The coins' placement is also changed so that all coins are on blue tiles, making it much easier for players to collect them.

Mario Kart 7[edit]

Overview of the track in Mario Kart 7

This version of Rainbow Road also returns as the fourth and last course of the Lightning Cup in Mario Kart 7, as well as the thirty-second and last course of the game overall. It is the first Rainbow Road to reappear as a classic course in another Mario Kart, even discounting its reappearance in Mario Kart: Super Circuit.

The course uses a similar background to that of DS Waluigi Pinball. Unlike previous incarnations, this new version has the characteristic "glistening" sound effect when drifting on it, a common feature of all Rainbow Roads starting from the GCN rendition. The Super Thwomps (now with an appearance based on the Thwomps from New Super Mario Bros. Wii) return. They are now larger, and their numbers in the track are reduced from sixteen to seven, and now form ripples on the track upon impact, which the player can trick off of. Also, howling noises can be heard near the Super Thwomps.

The tiles' colors are similar to those of Rainbow Road from Mario Kart: Super Circuit, with pink replacing the red tiles and cyan replacing the teal tiles. In first-person view, the player can see through the breaks in the tiles. The widest part of the gap in the forked road is two tiles shorter, but the gap itself is also seven tiles shorter, making the shortcut easier to use. Also, the section of tiles before the fork (from the orange tiles on the narrow part of the straight after turn 7 to the purple tiles before the gap) is wider: the first orange, blue, yellow, and last purple tile rows before the gap are now two tiles wider. The finish line is also two tiles long, removing the red tiles that used to be in front of it.

Ramps replace the yellow bumps, though the first two bumps were removed entirely, the last pair at the fork is now a single taller ramp in front of the gap, and a ramp was added on the inside of the second U-turn, adding a new shortcut (requiring a Mushroom or Mini-Turbo to get across); the ramps are only two tiles wide, rather than three, like the bumps. Like most other SNES and GBA classic courses, a starting banner stylized after the one from Mario Kart 64 is added in this course.

Aside from enhanced percussion, the music remains faithful to the SNES version.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[edit]

SNES Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 8 - The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8.
Overview of the track in Mario Kart 8

This version of Rainbow Road returns in the Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack of Mario Kart 8 and in the base game of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, appearing as the second course of the Triforce Cup. As a result, for the first time, a Rainbow Road course is not the last race of a cup.

The track's layout is similar to its appearance in Mario Kart 7. The tiles revert to their original colors, though their color pattern is reversed, and they are now flashing LED lights, like on N64 Rainbow Road. There are now eight different colors of tiles, instead of seven from its previous appearances (adding cyan between teal and blue), and the tiles the Thwomps land on are now white. The course itself is also larger, wider and banked (namely, the inclined third U-turn). Tiles at the edges of the track now have borders on the outer edges. The forked road is also altered further, with the narrow part of the hole's end filled in, and the ramp in front reverted to the original bumps' height and position. The music is also deeper-pitched and remixed, as with the other classic courses in this game.

The Thwomps work as they do in Mario Kart 7, but they now have sparkles, a mosaic-like appearance, horizontal rainbow lines running from bottom to top of them, and the species' Super Mario Galaxy appearance, like the other Thwomps in Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8, rather than their spiked New Super Mario Bros. Wii design in Mario Kart 7. Additionally, all of the Thwomps are bigger except the last two. Unlike before, when they start to crash down, they will create rainbow waves above them. Also, when they shake before falling, and the moment they land, they make metallic glistening sounds. The waves on the track they create are now bigger, move more quickly, and disappear faster than in Mario Kart 7, making tricks more difficult to perform.

SNES Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 8 - The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8.
The course as seen at the starting line

The course now takes place in a cloudy night sky with the full moon visible, just like in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, but it now has color-changing hills that stick above them. Various Toad Houses litter the landscape below the course, which in itself is similar to SNES Donut Plains 3. The starting banner is now redesigned, with colored blocks with a Star on top of it and the Mario Kart logo's letters now individually colored (red, green, yellow, and blue) instead of having a rainbow gradient through the entire logo; the banner also stands on two walled areas, now making the start the only walled part of the course. Also, when a player approaches a turn, two green arrow holograms will appear behind the turn, and indicate in which direction the player must drive. Once the player has made the turn, the arrows will disappear.

In Mario Kart 8, this Rainbow Road, N64 Rainbow Road, the new Rainbow Road and GCN Baby Park are the only courses in the game to have the map in different colors instead of just blue. Like all other courses except GCN Baby Park, the map was made transparent gray in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Mario Kart Tour[edit]

SNES Rainbow Road
The course in Mario Kart Tour

This version of Rainbow Road reappears in Mario Kart Tour starting with the Tokyo Tour. It mostly takes on the appearance of its Mario Kart 7 iteration, including its starting banner. However, the ramp inside the second U-turn is absent (as in the original and GBA versions), the hole in the road is even smaller than it was before (the narrow part at the end is only one tile long, and the hole in general is 7 tiles shorter), the last two Star Thwomps are further apart, the red tiling on the course and banner returns (in place of the pink ones in Mario Kart 7), the track edges are rounded, the track itself is thicker, and the arrow signs and Star Thwomp designs from the Mario Kart 8 rendition return. Rainbow Road reuses the arrangement heard in Mario Kart 7, while other classic courses retain their original music.

The course also appears as Rainbow Road R (reversed), Rainbow Road T (with ramps), and Rainbow Road R/T (reversed with ramps). The latter was later added in the 2019 Winter Tour. In the R and R/T variants, the first straightaway racers encounter is missing and they instead use a glide ramp to get across. In the T variant, all Star Thwomps are removed and the road is constantly wavy. In the R/T variant, there are star rings as well as a mushroom trampoline.

SNES Rainbow Road received two remixed versions, titled RMX Rainbow Road 1 and RMX Rainbow Road 2, first appearing in the Super Mario Kart Tour and New Year's 2021 Tour, respectively.

If the beta test is included, this course is one of the two courses to appear as a Coin Rush course four separate times, with the other being N64 Royal Raceway.

Appearances[edit]

For this course's tour appearances, see List of SNES Rainbow Road tour appearances in Mario Kart Tour.

Top-tier and middle-tier items[edit]

Select "show" to reveal the drivers, karts, and gliders for which SNES Rainbow Road and its variants are always favored or favorite courses. For instances in which additional drivers, karts, and gliders temporarily had this course and its variants as favored or favorite courses, see List of SNES Rainbow Road tour appearances in Mario Kart Tour.

Course Three-item drivers Bonus points ×2 karts Combo bonus ×3 gliders Two-item drivers Bonus points ×1.5 karts Combo bonus ×2 gliders
SNES Rainbow Road from Mario Kart Tour
Normal variant
Birdo Mii Racing SuitDaisy Mii Racing SuitIce MarioKoopa Clown Mii Racing SuitLuigi (Gold Knight)Luigi (Painter)Metal Mario's icon from Mario Kart Tour.Pauline (Party Time)Peach (Wedding)Tanooki RosalinaToadette Mii Racing SuitYoshi (Gold Egg) Cheermellow from Mario Kart TourDaikon Rocket from Mario Kart TourDesert Rose Wagon from Mario Kart TourGold Cupid's Arrow from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Monarch Kart from Mario Kart TourGold Paintster from Mario Kart TourGold Wild Slugger from Mario Kart TourGrand Badwagon from Mario Kart TourJukebox Buggy from Mario Kart TourJumbo Jetter from Mario Kart TourKabuki Dasher from Mario Kart TourThe Monarch Kart from Mario Kart TourPaintster from Mario Kart TourThe Pink Speeder from Mario Kart TourPrancer from Mario Kart TourRed B Dasher from Mario Kart TourRed B Dasher Mk. 2 from Mario Kart TourSakura Sports Coupe from Mario Kart TourSilver King from Mario Kart TourSweet Daytripper from Mario Kart Tour Bright Ribbon from Mario Kart TourFlying Easel from Mario Kart TourGlittering Glider from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Chocolate Balloons from Mario Kart TourGold Eggshell Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Toe-Bean Balloons from Mario Kart TourJumping Mario Hanafuda from Mario Kart TourNew Year's Kite from Mario Kart TourThe Rainbow Flappy Wings from Mario Kart TourRed Checkered Glider from Mario Kart TourSilver Bells from Mario Kart TourSilver-and-Gold Hearts from Mario Kart TourSuper Mario Kart Glider from Mario Kart Tour Dry Bones (Gold)*Mario (SNES)Mario Mii Racing SuitPeach (Kimono)**Rosalina (Halloween)Rosalina (Swimwear) 8-Bit Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour**Candy Clown from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Bruiser from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Fish Bone Ferry from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Lunar Cruiser from Mario Kart Tour*Gold Pipe Frame from Mario Kart TourGold Pipes from Mario Kart TourGold Train from Mario Kart Tour*The Goo-Goo Gold from Mario Kart TourHappy Ride from Mario Kart Tour*The Holiday Speeder from Mario Kart TourThe Pineapple 1 from Mario Kart TourPink Comet from Mario Kart TourThe Pink Sneeker from Mario Kart TourPink Wing from Mario Kart TourSakura Quickshaw from Mario Kart TourVampire Flyer from Mario Kart Tour** 8-Bit Star from Mario Kart Tour8-Bit Super Mushroom from Mario Kart TourCrimson Crane from Mario Kart Tour*Gold Bells from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Flappy Wings from Mario Kart TourGold Hard Hat Balloon from Mario Kart TourGold Home-Field Glider from Mario Kart Tour**The Gold Mario's Hat Balloon from Mario Kart TourGolden Glider from Mario Kart TourGolden Wings from Mario Kart Tour*Mario Golf Cap from Mario Kart TourPiranha Plant Hanafuda from Mario Kart Tour*Rainy Balloons from Mario Kart TourThe Silver Candlelight Flight from Mario Kart Tour*
Rosalina's icon from Mario Kart Tour Cloud 9 from Mario Kart Tour Oilpaper Umbrella from Mario Kart Tour Pink Shy GuyPink Toad (Pit Crew)* Daytripper from Mario Kart TourGold Blooper from Mario Kart TourYellow Turbo Birdo from Mario Kart Tour Waluigi Wing from Mario Kart Tour
LemmyLudwigShy Guy's icon from Mario Kart Tour. Bull's-Eye Banzai Parachute**Piranha Plant Parafoil from Mario Kart Tour
SNES Rainbow Road R from Mario Kart Tour
R variant
Baby Peach (Cherub)Dry Bones (Gold)Gold Mario's icon from Mario Kart Tour.Ice MarioKamek from Mario Kart TourMario (Santa)Mario (Satellaview)Mario Mii Racing SuitOrange Mii Racing SuitPauline (Rose)Peach (Wedding)Peach Mii Racing Suit Black Circuit from Mario Kart TourBright Girl from Mario Kart TourCupid's Arrow from Mario Kart TourGold Cheep Charger from Mario Kart TourGold Pumpkin Kart from Mario Kart TourGold Soft Swerve from Mario Kart TourGold Train from Mario Kart TourHappy Ride from Mario Kart TourKamek's Zoom Broom from Mario Kart TourKarp Kart from Mario Kart TourLunar Cruiser from Mario Kart TourPaintster from Mario Kart TourPink Comet from Mario Kart TourRainbow Streetle from Mario Kart TourRed Crawly Kart from Mario Kart TourRed Comet from Mario Kart TourRose Queen from Mario Kart TourSpicy Zucchini from Mario Kart Tour 8-Bit Star from Mario Kart TourBlizzard Parasol from Mario Kart TourThe Bright Glider from Mario Kart TourBullet Bill Parachute from Mario Kart TourCrimson Crane from Mario Kart TourDream Glider from Mario Kart TourGalaxy Glider from Mario Kart TourGlinting Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Bells from Mario Kart TourGold Checkered Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Meteors from Mario Kart TourJolly Bells from Mario Kart TourJumping Mario Hanafuda from Mario Kart TourMario Golf Cap from Mario Kart TourPink Gold Meteors from Mario Kart TourThe Royal Flush from Mario Kart Tour Fire Rosalina**King Boo (Gold)Luigi (Painter)Mario (SNES)Mario (Sunshine)**Metal Mario's icon from Mario Kart Tour.*Pauline (Party Time)Peachette's icon from Mario Kart Tour.Pink Mii Racing SuitPiranha Plant Mii Racing SuitRosalina (Halloween)Wiggler (Gold) 8-Bit Pipe Frame from Mario Kart TourApple Kart from Mario Kart TourThe Blooper Shuttle from Mario Kart Tour*Blue Badwagon from Mario Kart Tour*Combo Cruiser from Mario Kart TourComet Tail from Mario Kart TourFlower Kart from Mario Kart Tour*Gold 8-Bit Pipe Frame from Mario Kart TourGold Bunny from Mario Kart TourGold Cupid's Arrow from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Monarch Kart from Mario Kart TourGold Pipe Frame from Mario Kart TourGold Snow Skimmer from Mario Kart TourGold Wild Slugger from Mario Kart TourHead Honcho from Mario Kart Tour**The Holiday Speeder from Mario Kart TourJukebox Buggy from Mario Kart TourJumbo Jetter from Mario Kart TourPink Wing from Mario Kart Tour*Sweet Daytripper from Mario Kart Tour* Bright Ribbon from Mario Kart TourButterfly Prism from Mario Kart Tour*Full Flight from Mario Kart TourGold Origami Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Toe-Bean Balloons from Mario Kart TourLe Tricolore from Mario Kart TourMosaic Starchute from Mario Kart TourNew Year's 2022 from Mario Kart TourPink Checkered Glider from Mario Kart TourPiranha Plant Hanafuda from Mario Kart Tour**Planet Glider from Mario Kart Tour**The Rainbow Bells from Mario Kart TourSilver-and-Gold Hearts from Mario Kart TourSoaring Jack from Mario Kart TourSuper Mario Kart Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Koopa Clown from Mario Kart Tour Rosalina's icon from Mario Kart Tour* Oilpaper Umbrella from Mario Kart Tour
Lemmy Baby Rosalina's icon from Mario Kart Tour Cheep Charger from Mario Kart Tour BBIA Parafoil from Mario Kart Tour
SNES Rainbow Road T from Mario Kart Tour
T variant
Builder ToadetteLuigi (Painter)Mario (Santa)Mario (SNES)Metal Mario's icon from Mario Kart Tour.Peach (Yukata)Penguin Mario from Mario Kart TourPink Gold Peach from Mario Kart TourPiranha Plant Mii Racing SuitTanooki RosalinaWiggler (Gold) 8-Bit Pipe Frame from Mario Kart TourBlue Badwagon from Mario Kart TourBright Bunny from Mario Kart TourCombo Cruiser from Mario Kart TourFlower Kart from Mario Kart TourGold 8-Bit Pipe Frame from Mario Kart TourGold Bunny from Mario Kart TourGold Hop Rod from Mario Kart TourGold Pipe Frame from Mario Kart TourGold Pipes from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Shielded Speedster from Mario Kart TourGold Zucchini from Mario Kart TourThe Goo-Goo Gold from Mario Kart TourHappy Ride from Mario Kart TourThe Rainbow Taxi from Mario Kart TourRed B Dasher Mk. 2 from Mario Kart TourSakura Quickshaw from Mario Kart Tour 8-Bit Star from Mario Kart Tour8-Bit Super Mushroom from Mario Kart TourThe Bright Glider from Mario Kart TourGold 8-Bit Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Home-Field Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Piranha Plant Balloons from Mario Kart TourGolden Glider from Mario Kart TourJumping Mario Hanafuda from Mario Kart TourLe Tricolore from Mario Kart TourMosaic Starchute from Mario Kart TourPink Checkered Glider from Mario Kart TourThe Rainbow Bells from Mario Kart TourSnow Crystals from Mario Kart TourSuper Mario Kart Glider from Mario Kart Tour ? Block Mii Racing SuitBirdo Mii Racing SuitBowser (Santa)Donkey Kong Jr. (SNES)Gold Mii Racing SuitKing Boo (Gold)**Mario (Hakama)*Mario (Musician)Mario (Satellaview)Mario (Sunshine)Rosalina (Halloween)*Rosalina (Swimwear)Yoshi (Gold Egg) Candy Clown from Mario Kart TourCarrot Kart from Mario Kart Tour*Comet Tail from Mario Kart Tour*Daikon Rocket from Mario Kart Tour**Dreamy Egg from Mario Kart TourThe Gold B Dasher from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Bruiser from Mario Kart TourGold Cheep Charger from Mario Kart Tour***The Gold Driver from Mario Kart TourGold Pumpkin Kart from Mario Kart Tour**Gold Soft Swerve from Mario Kart TourGrand Badwagon from Mario Kart TourLunar Cruiser from Mario Kart TourPaintster from Mario Kart TourPrancer from Mario Kart TourRibbon Rider from Mario Kart TourTaiko Drum Dasher from Mario Kart TourTrickster from Mario Kart Tour*Watermelon Kart from Mario Kart Tour Butterfly Prism from Mario Kart TourGalaxy Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Eggshell Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Manta Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Mario Golf Cap from Mario Kart TourGold Tulips from Mario Kart TourHeart Balloons from Mario Kart Tour*Jolly Bells from Mario Kart Tour**Magic Parasol from Mario Kart Tour*New Year's Kite from Mario Kart TourPiranha Plant Hanafuda from Mario Kart TourThe Rainbow Flappy Wings from Mario Kart TourRed Checkered Glider from Mario Kart TourThe Stealth Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Egg 1 from Mario Kart TourRoyale from Mario Kart Tour MKT Icon Bowser.png Daytripper from Mario Kart Tour**Gold Blooper from Mario Kart TourLight-blue Turbo Yoshi from Mario Kart Tour Lightning Oilpaper from Mario Kart Tour*Oilpaper Umbrella from Mario Kart Tour**Waluigi Wing from Mario Kart Tour
Baby Rosalina's icon from Mario Kart Tour BBIA Parafoil from Mario Kart Tour
SNES Rainbow Road R/T from Mario Kart Tour
R/T variant
? Block Mii Racing SuitChargin' Chuck (Gold)King Boo (Gold)King Boo (Luigi's Mansion)Mario (King)Mario (SNES)Mario (Tuxedo)Peach (Halloween)Pink Gold Peach from Mario Kart TourRosalina (Halloween)Rosalina (Swimwear)Shy Guy (Gold) Bright Bunny from Mario Kart TourBumble V from Mario Kart TourCleanup Hitter from Mario Kart TourComet Tail from Mario Kart TourThe Flaming Speeder from Mario Kart TourThe Gold B Dasher from Mario Kart TourGold Cheep Charger from Mario Kart TourGold Clanky Kart from Mario Kart Tour.The Gold Eagle from Mario Kart TourGold Egg from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Fish Bone Ferry from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Monarch Kart from Mario Kart TourGold Standard from Mario Kart TourGold Zucchini from Mario Kart TourJingle Bells from Mario Kart TourSilver Cupid's Arrow from Mario Kart TourThe Silver Warrior Wagon from Mario Kart TourSports Coupe 2022 from Mario Kart Tour 8-Bit 1-Up Mushroom from Mario Kart Tour8-Bit Fire Flower from Mario Kart TourGold Bells from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Cloud Balloons from Mario Kart TourGold Eggshell Glider from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Flappy Wings from Mario Kart TourGold Mario Golf Cap from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Mario's Hat Balloon from Mario Kart TourGold New Year's Kite from Mario Kart TourHeart Balloons from Mario Kart TourLe Tricolore from Mario Kart TourLuma Parafoil from Mario Kart TourManta Glider from Mario Kart TourThe Mario Bros. Parafoil from Mario Kart TourStarchute from Mario Kart TourSunset Balloons from Mario Kart Tour Baby Peach (Cherub)*Bowser (Santa)Builder ToadDaisy Mii Racing SuitDonkey Kong Jr. (SNES)***Gold Mario's icon from Mario Kart Tour.Mario (Santa)Pauline's icon from Mario Kart Tour.*Peach (Wintertime)Petey Piranha (Gold)*Rosalina (Aurora)Toadette Mii Racing Suit Black Kabuki Dasher from Mario Kart TourBright Girl from Mario Kart TourFestival Girl from Mario Kart TourGold Cupid's Arrow from Mario Kart TourGold Soft Swerve from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Sweet Ride from Mario Kart TourGold Train from Mario Kart Tour*The Gold Trickster from Mario Kart Tour*The Gold Warrior Wagon from Mario Kart TourThe Holiday Speeder from Mario Kart TourKarp Kart from Mario Kart TourMacharon from Mario Kart Tour*Party-Wing from Mario Kart TourThe Pink Sneeker from Mario Kart TourPlatinum Taxi from Mario Kart TourRainbow Streetle from Mario Kart TourRose Taxi from Mario Kart Tour**Snow Skimmer from Mario Kart TourSpicy Zucchini from Mario Kart TourThe Streetle from Mario Kart Tour*Surf Sailer from Mario Kart Tour 8-Bit Star from Mario Kart TourFare Flier from Mario Kart Tour*Glittering Glider from Mario Kart TourGold 8-Bit Glider from Mario Kart TourGold Checkered Glider from Mario Kart TourThe Gold Chocolate Balloons from Mario Kart TourGold Hard Hat Balloon from Mario Kart TourGold Meteors from Mario Kart Tour*Gold Penguin Wingtip from Mario Kart TourGold Piranha Plant Balloons from Mario Kart TourGold Swooper from Mario Kart TourGold Tulips from Mario Kart TourJumping Mario Hanafuda from Mario Kart TourPiranha Plant Hanafuda from Mario Kart TourRainbow Starchute from Mario Kart Tour*The Royal Flush from Mario Kart TourSweetheart Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Pink Toad (Pit Crew)Rosalina's icon from Mario Kart Tour Light-blue Turbo Yoshi from Mario Kart TourPoltergust 4000 from Mario Kart Tour Green Toad (Pit Crew) Cloud 9 from Mario Kart Tour* Blue Flower Glider from Mario Kart Tour**
Baby Rosalina's icon from Mario Kart Tour
* indicates a favored course upgraded to a favorite course after reaching level 3.
** indicates a favored course upgraded to a favorite course after reaching level 6.
*** indicates a favored course upgraded to a favorite course after reaching level 8 for High-End items.

Bonus challenges[edit]

Ring Race
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
Thumbnail of the Rosalina Cup challenge from the Mario Bros. Tour; a Ring Race challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road (reused as the Cat Peach Cup's bonus challenge in the 2023 Space Tour) Regular Toad's icon from Mario Kart Tour
Toad
Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour
Pipe Frame
Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Super Glider
  • 10
  • 15
  • 22
Mario Bros. Tour The icon of the Rosalina Cup from Mario Kart Tour.
Rosalina Cup
  • 12
  • 18
  • 22
Space Tour (2023) The Cat Peach Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Cat Peach Cup
Do Jump Boosts
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
Thumbnail of the Toad Cup challenge from the Tokyo Tour; a Do Jump Boosts challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road (reused as the Waluigi Cup's bonus challenge in the Rosalina Tour) Regular Baby Rosalina's icon from Mario Kart Tour
Baby Rosalina
Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour
Pipe Frame
Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Super Glider
  • 5
  • 10
  • 15
Tokyo Tour The icon of the Toad Cup from Mario Kart Tour.
Toad Cup
  • 5
  • 12
  • 15
Rosalina Tour Waluigi Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Waluigi Cup
Big Reverse Race
Icon Course variant Opponents Tour appearances Cup
7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st Extra
Thumbnail of the Bowser Cup challenge from the Valentine's Tour; a Big Reverse Race challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road (reused as the Baby Luigi Cup's bonus challenge in the 2022 Halloween Tour) Regular Driver Peach[3] MKT Icon Bowser.png[3] Koopa Troopa's icon from Mario Kart Tour.[3] Toad's icon from Mario Kart Tour[3] MKT Icon DonkeyKong.png[3] MKT Icon Yoshi.png[3] Luigi's icon from Mario Kart Tour.[3] Mario's icon from Mario Kart Tour.[4] Valentine's Tour The icon of the Bowser Cup from Mario Kart Tour.
Bowser Cup
Kart Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour
Glider Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Goomba Takedown
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Item Box
type found
Number of item slots Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
Thumbnail of the Dry Bones Cup challenge from the 2019 Halloween Tour; a Goomba Takedown challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road (reused as the Wendy Cup's bonus challenge in the Peach Tour and the Mii Cup's bonus challenge in the 2022 Halloween Tour) Regular Baby Rosalina's icon from Mario Kart Tour
Baby Rosalina
Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour
Pipe Frame
Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Super Glider
Bob-omb from Mario Kart Tour.
Bob-omb

Mushroom from Mario Kart Tour.
Mushroom

Mega Mushroom from Mario Kart Tour.
Mega Mushroom

Super Horn from Mario Kart Tour.
Super Horn

Coin from Mario Kart Tour.
Coin
1
  • 15
  • 30
  • 45
Halloween Tour (2019) Dry Bones Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Dry Bones Cup
Peach Tour Wendy Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Wendy Cup
  • 15
  • 30
  • 40
Halloween Tour (2022) Mii Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Mii Cup
Glider Challenge
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star distances Tour appearances Cup
Thumbnail of the Wario Cup challenge from the Tokyo Tour; a Glider Challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road (reused as the Waluigi Cup's bonus challenge in the 2020 Exploration Tour, the Ice Mario Cup's bonus challenge in the Peach vs. Daisy Tour, and the Monty Mole Cup's bonus challenge in the Amsterdam Tour) Regular Rosalina's icon from Mario Kart Tour
Rosalina
Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour
Pipe Frame
Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Super Glider
  • 200
  • 400
  • 500
Tokyo Tour The icon of the Wario Cup from Mario Kart Tour.
Wario Cup
Exploration Tour (2020) Waluigi Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Waluigi Cup
  • 300
  • 450
  • 600
Peach vs. Daisy Tour Ice Mario Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Ice Mario Cup
  • 300
  • 450
  • 580
Amsterdam Tour Monty Mole Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Monty Mole Cup
Steer Clear of Obstacles
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Obstacles Tour appearances Cup
Thumbnail of the King Boo Cup challenge from the 2020 Halloween Tour; a Steer Clear of Obstacles challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road (reused as the Mario Cup's bonus challenge in the 2021 Halloween Tour) Regular Dry Bones's icon from Mario Kart Tour.
Dry Bones
Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour
Pipe Frame
Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Super Glider
A Star Thwomp in Mario Kart Tour
Star Thwomp
Halloween Tour (2020) The icon of the King Boo Cup from Mario Kart Tour.
King Boo Cup
Halloween Tour (2021) The icon of the Mario Cup from Mario Kart Tour.
Mario Cup
vs. Mega Lemmy
Icon Course variant Mega opponent information Tour appearances Cup
Driver Kart Glider Items used
Thumbnail of the Diddy Kong Cup challenge from the Vancouver Tour; a Vs. Mega Lemmy challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road (reused as the Ludwig Cup's bonus challenge in the 2021 Los Angeles Tour) Regular Lemmy Koopa's icon from Mario Kart Tour.
Lemmy
Super Blooper from Mario Kart Tour
Super Blooper
TBD Banana from Mario Kart Tour.
Bananas

Bob-omb from Mario Kart Tour.
Bob-ombs[5]

Mushroom from Mario Kart Tour.
Mushrooms[5]
Vancouver Tour Diddy Kong Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Diddy Kong Cup
Los Angeles Tour (2021) Ludwig Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Ludwig Cup
Smash Small Dry Bones
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
Thumbnail of the Funky Kong Cup challenge from the 2023 Space Tour; a Smash Small Dry Bones challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road Regular Red Yoshi from Mario Kart Tour
Red Yoshi
Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour
Pipe Frame
Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Super Glider
  • 6
  • 9
  • 12
Space Tour (2023) Funky Kong Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Funky Kong Cup
Break Item Boxes
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Item Box
type found
Number of item slots Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
Thumbnail of the Koopa Troopa Cup challenge from the London Tour; a Break Item Boxes challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road (reused as the Baby Rosalina Cup's bonus challenge in the Sunset Tour) Regular Rosalina's icon from Mario Kart Tour
Rosalina
Soda Jet from Mario Kart Tour
Soda Jet
Parachute from Mario Kart Tour
Parachute
Mushroom from Mario Kart Tour.
Mushroom

Coin from Mario Kart Tour.
Coin

Star from Mario Kart Tour
Super Star
3 15 Beta Test The icon of the Rosalina Cup from Mario Kart Tour.
Rosalina Cup
2
  • 5
  • 10
  • 22
London Tour The icon of the Koopa Troopa Cup from Mario Kart Tour.
Koopa Troopa Cup
Sunset Tour Baby Rosalina Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Baby Rosalina Cup
Time Trial
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
Thumbnail of the Rosalina Cup challenge from the Vancouver Tour; a Time Trial challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road (reused as the Larry Cup's bonus challenge in the Ninja Tour) Regular Lemmy Koopa's icon from Mario Kart Tour.
Lemmy
Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour
Pipe Frame
Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Super Glider
  • 1:50.00
  • 1:28.00
  • 1:16.00
Vancouver Tour The icon of the Rosalina Cup from Mario Kart Tour.
Mario Cup
  • 1:35.00
  • 1:20.00
  • 1:14.00
Ninja Tour (2021) Larry Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Larry Cup
Thumbnail of the Baby Mario Cup challenge from the Mario Bros. Tour; a Time Trial challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road R (reused as the Lemmy Cup's bonus challenge in the Kamek Tour) R MKT Icon Waluigi.png
Waluigi
Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour
Pipe Frame
Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Super Glider
  • 1:50.00
  • 1:28.00
  • 1:09.00
Mario Bros. Tour Baby Mario Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Baby Mario Cup
  • 1:35.00
  • 1:23.00
  • 1:13.00
Kamek Tour Lemmy Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Lemmy Cup
Combo Attack
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Highest combo counts Tour appearances Cup
Thumbnail of the Waluigi Cup challenge from the 2020 Halloween Tour; a Combo Attack challenge set on SNES Rainbow Road T T MKT Icon DonkeyKong.png
Donkey Kong
Pipe Frame from Mario Kart Tour
Pipe Frame
Super Glider from Mario Kart Tour
Super Glider
  • 8
  • 18
  • 28
Halloween Tour (2020) Waluigi Cup from Mario Kart Tour
Waluigi Cup

Other appearances[edit]

The Super Mario Kart microgame

In WarioWare Gold, Rainbow Road appears as the setting of the Super Mario Kart microgame.

While the course does not appear in the film itself, a rendition of its music plays in The Super Mario Bros. Movie when Mario, Princess Peach, Toad and the Kongs land on a Rainbow Road during their drive to Bowser's Castle.

Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack liner notes[edit]

"I love this tune, so I was really nervous when rearranging, as I didn't want to spoil it. This is the third time this has appeared as a classic course, so I wanted to make it as bright and sparkly as possible. I went all-out and used a cutting edge digital synth sound."

Gallery[edit]

Mario Kart 7[edit]

Mario Kart 8[edit]

Mario Kart Tour[edit]

Course icons[edit]

Screenshots[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese レインボーロード
Reinbō Rōdo
Rainbow Road

Chinese (simplified) 彩虹之路
Cǎihóng zhī Lù
彩虹桥 (Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart: Super Circuit prototype)
Cǎihóng Qiáo

Rainbow Road

Rainbow Bridge

Chinese (traditional) 彩虹之路
Cǎihóng zhī Lù
Rainbow Road

Dutch Regenboogbaan
Rainbow Track
French (NOA) Route arc-en-ciel
Rainbow Road
French (NOE) Route Arc-en-ciel
Rainbow Road
German Regenbogen-Boulevard
Regenbogen-Blvd. (Mario Kart 7)
Rainbow Boulevard
Italian Pista Arcobaleno
Rainbow Track
Korean 무지개 로드
Mujigae Rodeu
Raindow Road

Portuguese (NOA) Avenida Arco-íris
Rainbow Avenue
Portuguese (NOE) Estrada Arco-Íris
Rainbow Road
Russian Трасса Радуга
Trassa Raduga
Rainbow Track

Spanish Senda Arco Iris
Rainbow Path

Trivia[edit]

  • SNES Rainbow Road is the only course in Mario Kart 7 not to have a Dash Panel/ramp, and one of four courses not to have a Glide Ramp; the others are N64 Luigi Raceway, GCN Daisy Cruiser, and Rosalina's Ice World.
    • Also, in Mario Kart 8, it is one of the two only courses that do not have any Dash Panels, Glide Ramps, underwater sections, or anti-gravity sections, with the other being GCN Yoshi Circuit, another course from DLC Pack 1.
    • Also, in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it is the only one of the five Rainbow Roads present in the game to not have anti-gravity.
  • The track's location has alternated between each of its appearances. In Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 7, and Mario Kart Tour, it is in space, but in Mario Kart: Super Circuit and Mario Kart 8, it is in the night sky.
  • In Mario Kart 8, the body of water underneath the course is shaped identically to the one in SNES Donut Plains 3, with all course elements, the walls, and the fortress being removed. The reason for this is unclear.

References[edit]

  1. ^ @zachruff (May 22, 2022). "So it turns out that there are 4 staff ghosts in the Tencent Chinese version of MK8D that are actually different to the global version. It seems that they really did not like the Mercedes car parts so any ghost that used them had to be redone." Twitter. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  2. ^ Interview between Rocketbaby and Soyo Oka. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g TheMadWeazel (January 29, 2020). Valentines Tour “Bowser Cup” - Mario Kart Tour. YouTube. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  4. ^ Dutch Mayo (February 23, 2020). MARIO KART TOUR - Valentine's Tour - Bowser Cup - Big Reverse Race. YouTube. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Andruidus (February 25, 2020). Mario Kart Tour - Vancouver Tour: Diddy Kong Cup. YouTube. Retrieved December 21, 2020.