N64 Kalimari Desert

Kalimari Desert (named Kara Kara Desert on a few occasions) is the fourth and final race of the Mushroom Cup in Mario Kart 64, the first race of the Leaf Cup in Mario Kart 7, and the third race of the Turnip Cup in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The course also appears in Mario Kart Tour, debuting in the Tokyo Tour. In Mario Kart Tour, there exists a rerouted version of this course called Kalimari Desert 2, which takes racers into the tunnel.

The name of the course is an allusion to, a real-life desert in Southern Africa, and likely Mario. In Paper Mario, a train known as the K64 is based on the train in the course, and when the player rides on it, an arrangement of the course's theme plays.

Course layout
The race starts out next to a large cliff formation. Upon the first turn, racers see how empty the desert really is. At the end of the turn, the racers encounter the train for the first time. After passing the tracks, the players race alongside the track of the train (though it is in a cave and not visible), eventually running into it a second time. After this encounter, the racers race along the edge of the map and eventually advance back to the finish line.

If the player drives over the sand, their kart moves slower, and if they enter the darker portion of the sand, Lakitu pulls them out, as it is an out-of-bounds area.

The course's most notable feature is the two trains that go through a mesa. The trains constantly move around the track, often passing through the racers' path. Depending on what mode is being played, the trains may or may not have passenger coaches attached to them: when playing in single-player, the trains each have a coal tender and passenger cars, whereas in two-player mode, the trains' lengths are halved, having a coal tender and only one passenger car each, and in three- or four-player mode, the trains consist only of the engine, with no coal tender or passenger cars present. If the player runs into one of them, they are thrown in the air. CPU drivers pull their brakes and stop at the railroad crossings when a train passes by. It is possible to drive on the train's track; however, this costs the racer time. It is possible, but very difficult, to cross the train track while the train is there by driving through the gap between the coaches. If a player travels through the train tunnel, they typically bypass the finish line, not moving on to the next lap as the other racers.

The railroad crossing sounds are taken from real Japanese National Railway railroad crossing signals with electronic bells. In addition, the railroad crossing signs' lettering appears to be mirrored. The signs in later iterations of the course are unlettered.

Shortcut

 * If the player has a Star and activates it just before entering the tunnel, they move on to the next lap, effectively shortcutting ahead of the others. This trick only works during the first two laps.
 * Although the instruction manual implies that going through the train tunnel is a shortcut, it takes longer to go through the tunnel to the other end of the course than it does to go on the main road, although the manual may be referring to the previous shortcut.

Mario Kart 7
Kalimari Desert makes its classic course debut in Mario Kart 7 as the first course of the Leaf Cup. There are now two shortcut ramps near the end of the first corner and before the third corner of the track to accommodate the new gliding feature, allowing racers to glide over the trains. The players can also use mushrooms to gain easy access to these ramps. Several wooden ramps also litter the inside and outside of the track, and as always, can be tricked to gain a small boost. However, the train tunnel can no longer be entered because it is now an out-of-bounds area, making the lap glitch impossible in this game. The trains are also shorter: they have three wagons while they had five in the original version of the track, and they now seem to travel more slowly.

Much like in Mario Kart 64, two trains are present, but only one train is present when doing online multiplayer races. Unlike in Mario Kart 64, the mini-map of this course does not show the path of the train track. The electric crossing bell sounds are also replaced with more appropriate American-style mechanical crossing bell sounds. Later versions of the course would retain this change.

Mario Kart Tour
Kalimari Desert reappears in Mario Kart Tour, starting with the Tokyo Tour. The course's starting line now features a wooden banner with the classic Mario Kart logo on it and a wooden wagon wheel resting along the right side of the post, rather than taking its appearance from Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart 7. Since racers are always moving forward, colliding into the train causes them to launch over it unharmed while they perform a Jump Boost. The train can also be knocked into the air with a Super Horn, a Mega Mushroom or a Bowser's Shell. This course is a favorite of Ludwig, Morton, Orange Yoshi, Yellow Toad (Pit Crew), Hammer Bro, Green Shy Guy, Birdo (Orange), Peach (Explorer), Yoshi (Kangaroo), Luigi (Vacation), Daisy (Farmer), Cat Mario, Mario (King), Shy Guy (Pastry Chef), and Kamek. It can also be a favorite of Mario (Halloween) and Meowser if they reach level 3, and Waluigi and Lakitu (Party Time) if they reach level 6.

The course uses the source quality version of the original N64 music track from Mario Kart 7 rather than the original N64 sequenced music track that has the N64's audio compression.

Kalimari Desert also has a reverse variant, a trick variant, and a reverse/trick variant, referred to as Kalimari Desert R, Kalimari Desert T, and Kalimari Desert R/T, respectively. The former two were introduced along with the normal variant in the Tokyo Tour, while the latter was introduced in the 2019 Holiday Tour.

N64 Kalimari Desert 2
Starting from the Wild West Tour, a rerouted version of this track known as Kalimari Desert 2 (N64 Kalimari Desert 2 in-game when selected) is featured. It has two sections: one that starts on the main route but switches to the railroad section at the second intersection, and the other that starts in the tunnel and goes back to the main route again at the second intersection, after which it continues on like normal. The course is the only course in Mario Kart Tour to use both the classic and modern Mario Kart logos, with the starting banner using the classic logo and the banner in the train tunnel using the modern logo. Kalimari Desert 2 is a favorite of Yellow Toad (Pit Crew), Pauline (Party Time), Mario (Sunshine), Peach (Explorer), Luigi (Lederhosen), Cat Peach, Mario (Aviator), Poochy, Dry Bones (Gold), Wario (Cowboy), Bowser Jr. (Pirate), and the Bronze and Brown Mii Racing Suits. This course is also a favorite of Captain Toad, Toadette (Explorer), and Dixie Kong once they reach level 6. The course appears as Kalimari Desert 2R (reverse) and Kalimari Desert 2T (with ramps), as well as Kalimari Desert 2R/T (reverse and with ramps) which was introduced later in the Toad vs. Toadette Tour.

The first section begins from the regular starting line. The course starts out following the same path as the original, with the first glider shortcut still being accessible. However, a wooden ramp has been added shortly before the first railroad crossing, and ramps with Dash Panels appear on both sides of the first intersection allowing racers to jump over the railroad. The course continues and curves to the right toward the tracks, though the glider shortcut normally found in this area is blocked off to prevent racers from skipping the railroad section entirely. At the second railroad crossing, racers are rerouted onto the railroad. The course continues on the tracks, with the second section of the course beginning from the entrance of the railroad tunnel near the starting line, or from the other entrance to the tunnel in the Reverse variant. The train starts out right outside the tunnel near the first intersection in the normal and Reverse variants. Upon reaching the second intersection again, racers are diverted back onto the normal course to continue along the original path. Wooden trick ramps have been added onto the path shortly after this intersection and before the final turn leading to the Finish Line.

In the trick variant, many ramps are added. Rather than jumping over the first intersection, this variant has a ramp bring racers onto the railroad tracks, dropping them onto the tracks shortly after the first crossing. Upon leaving the tunnel, racers are instead diverted back onto the main path either by going up a curved ramp and tricking off of it or by driving through an opening in the ramp. After that, the course is mostly similar to Kalimari Desert T with some differences such as a large ramp being added near the Finish Line. In the reverse and trick variant, the track starts off like the normal reverse variant. When it gets near the crossing, there is a ramp that puts racers on the track. Upon landing on the track, it continues like the trick variant, but with different ramps. Upon leaving the tunnel, racers are then diverted onto the normal track by another ramp and continues like the reverse variant, but with elements from Kalimari Desert T, like a ramp above the first crossing.

Only one train is present on the track in all variations, moving much slower than the original trains since it now shares the tracks with the racers. The train always moves around the tracks in the opposite direction the racers would, and as such, the train travels opposite to its normal direction in the Reverse variant.

Appearances
Combining the totals for the two different iterations together, Kalimari Desert has appeared in forty-six different tours, as of the Night Tour, the most out of any course to date, beating the second most frequent course, DS Waluigi Pinball, by thirty tours.

For this course's tour appearances, see List of N64 Kalimari Desert tour appearances in Mario Kart Tour.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Kalimari Desert reappears in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as part of Wave 2 of the Booster Course Pass. It is the third course of the Turnip Cup. It is based on its Mario Kart Tour design, but has been given a major graphical update. This time, in a similar vein to the city races from Mario Kart Tour, Kalimari Desert combines both the original along with Kalimari Desert 2 from Tour into one race, with the layout changing between laps. This makes it the first course in the game that is not a course from Mario Kart Tour to change its layout between laps/sections and start and end in the same place. This version of Kalimari Desert is also the first course in the series to use both laps and sections, as well as the only course in the game to use both the classic and modern Mario Kart logos for the banners.

The first lap takes the player around the standard Kalimari Desert route, though arrow fields can be seen blocking off the path to the train tracks and train tunnel entrance that's next to the first railroad crossing. When the second lap begins, the route starts following that of Kalimari Desert 2, where a large red ramp commonly seen in Mario Kart Tour's T and R/T courses appears at the second railroad crossing to divert the player onto the tracks (similar to Kalimari Desert 2R/T, but on the opposite side of where that ramp would appear). Like the arrow fields, the ramp is independent to each player in multiplayer, meaning that it only appears for each player on their second lap, while it is invisible to players that are on the first or third lap. The third lap begins after the player enters the tunnel. After exiting the tunnel, the route finishes as normal.

In all three laps, upon reaching the first railroad crossing, the player can choose to either continue going on the main route, or go along the train tracks. However, the Item Box placements do change with each lap, with two Double Item Boxes only being present on the train tracks during the final lap. Regardless of the player's decision though, the two paths meet at the second railroad crossing.

Like Kalimari Desert 2, there is only one train instead of two, though the train moves much faster and once again hurts racers who come in contact with it, like the versions prior to Tour. The fence on the left side of the train tracks has been removed, and the Glide Ramp after the first railroad crossing was moved up and is also closer to the track, presumably to accommodate Kalimari Desert 2's layout (as in Tour, the ramp is blocked off). Inside the tunnel, lights have been added onto the walls. The eagles seen in Shy Guy Falls now fly above the course. The music has been rearranged with more live instruments, as well as trumpets in place of the whistles in the original. The minimap again shows the glider ramp locations on it, as was the case in Mario Kart 7, as well as showing the train track, much like Mario Kart 64 and Kalimari Desert 2's minimap in Mario Kart Tour. Pipes have been added to the tops of some mesas.

Unlike the other tracks in the Booster Course Pass which change routes every lap (aside from ), Kalimari Desert allows racers to drive the whole length of the track in reverse without Lakitu picking them up or any obstructions; if this is done, the game gets confused and load various course elements in advance as racers traverse the course backwards, including arrow fields and the ramp that leads players onto the train tracks during lap 2.

Mario Kart 64

 * Koopa Air (Signs)
 * Luigi's (Signs)
 * Mario Star (Signs)
 * Nintendo (Signs)
 * Shot! (Signs)
 * Yoshi (Signs)

Mario Kart 7

 * KoopaKart (Signs)
 * Luigi Raceway (Signs)
 * Nintendo (Signs)
 * Shoot! (Signs)
 * Super Mario (Signs)
 * Yoshi (Signs)

Mario Kart Tour / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

 * Mario Work Gear (Signs)
 * BaNaNa Boy (Signs)
 * Red Shell Strike Equipment (Signs)
 * Bullet Bill Speed Trial (Signs)
 * 1-Up Fuel (Signs)
 * Green Shell Taxi (Signs)

Mario Kart 64

 * Instruction manual bio: The trick is to time it so that the steam locomotive that crosses the course won't block you. If the train is crossing in front of you, you should temporarily stop. It's very dangerous to enter the train tunnel, even if it is a shortcut...
 * Webpage bio: A desert race with frequent run-ins with a old-fashioned iron horse.

Mario Kart Tour

 * Mario Kart Tour Twitter: It's time for the Wild West Tour! What says "Wild West" more than the N64 Kalimari Desert 2 course? Trek through the tunnel or coast along train tracks. Just ensure the sandstorm doesn't choke your engine!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

 * Nintendo Switch News app (US):
 * This course first appeared in the Mario Kart 64 game.
 * It's an offroad style course that takes place in a wide desert. Be mindful of the train that's steaming on through.
 * Starting with the second lap, the route will place you directly on the train tracks. Yeah, we probably don't need to say, "Watch out!" (But...watch out!)

Trivia

 * Six years prior to Kalimari Desert being added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, in June 2016, the official Nintendo UK Twitter account posted a screenshot of Toad and Wario crashing into the train on the course in Mario Kart 64 captioned "Good things come to those who wait", though it was tagged with the hashtag "#MK8".
 * The original English patch notes for Version 2.3.0 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe erroneously misnamed as , a translation of the course's Japanese name. This was later corrected.
 * The Nintendo Switch News feed for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the United Kingdom never made a post highlighting or, unlike every other course in the first four waves of the Booster Course Pass.
 * This course, Big Blue, and are the only sectioned courses in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to not show its finish line locations on its mini-map other than its main one.