Super Mario Kart

The first in the Mario Kart sub-series, Super Mario Kart is a racing battle game for the Super Nintendo. Controls are strong, gameplay is good, and replayability is relatively high.

Koopa Troopa
Koopa Troopa is arguably the most popular driver in the game. He has a high speed, good acceleration, and good steering. He is very easily bumped around due to his low weight. When the computer uses him, he will sometimes throw green or red shells at you. Super Mario Kart is, except Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the only game where your or the CPU can drive with a Koopa Troopa.

Toad
Toad has the same stats as Koopa Troopa. When the computer uses him, he will sometimes throw mushrooms in front of you that will shrink you if you hit them.

Koopa Troopa and Toad
 * Acceleration: Okay
 * Top Speed: Great!
 * Steering: Good
 * Weight: Poor

Princess Peach
Peach has the fastest acceleration in the game. Her top speed is good but she suffers horrible steering. When the computer users her, she will sometimes throw mushrooms at you that shrink you if you hit them.

Yoshi
Yoshi has the same statistics as Peach. When the computer uses him, he will sometimes throw eggs at you.

Princess Peach and Yoshi
 * Acceleration: Great!
 * Top Speed: Good
 * Steering: Poor
 * Weight: Okay

Mario
Mario is a player with good top speed, slow acceleration, and great turning. When the computer uses him, he will sometimes use Star power (invincibility).

Luigi
Luigi has the same stats as his brother. When the computer uses him, he will sometimes use Star power (invincibility).

Mario and Luigi
 * Acceleration: Poor
 * Top Speed: Okay
 * Steering: Great!
 * Weight: Good

Bowser
Bowser has the slowest top-speed of the game and okay acceleration. Be careful not to bump into any walls if you drive with him. His slow top-speed makes him an unwise choice for battle mode. When the computer uses him, he will sometimes throw lava balls at you.

Donkey Kong Jr.
Donkey Kong, Jr. has the same stats as Bowser. When the computer uses him, he will sometimes throw bananas at you.

Bowser and DK Jr.
 * Acceleration: Good
 * Top Speed: Poor
 * Steering: Okay
 * Weight: Great!

Mushroom Cup
Mario Circuit 1 Donut Plains 1 Ghost Valley 1 Bowser Castle 1 Mario Circuit 2

Flower Cup
Choco Island 1 Ghost Valley 2 Donut Plains 2 Bowser Castle 2 Mario Circuit 3

Star Cup
Koopa Beach 1 Choco Island 2 Vanilla Lake 1 Bowser Castle 3 Mario Circuit 4

Special Cup
Donut Plains 3 Koopa Beach 2 Ghost Valley 3 Vanilla Lake 2 Rainbow Road

Trivia

 * Signs in Dry Dry Desert of Mario Kart: Double Dash!! say "Super Mario Kart".