Mario Kart Arcade GP

Mario Kart Arcade GP is an arcade game featuring Mario and Pac-Man characters. Since its release in 2005, it has received much criticism, often concerning the often high costs players would have to pay. There are two types of models: one without the "data card" dispenser and slot, and one with both. These story mode cards were another source of criticism. Despite all the negative feedback, a sequel called Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 was released in 2007.

Controls
All controls are used to select in-game menu options.
 * Steering Wheel (smaller than the average car wheel).
 * Accelerate and Brake pedals.
 * Item Button, at the center of the steering wheel.
 * VS Cancel Button - Used to cancel opponent searching

How to play
To play the game, the player has to insert a certain amount of money or tokens into the game or in some cases, swipe a special card such as a Timezone Powercard. First, they can adjust their seat within the time limit by moving a lever near their feet and sliding to any position on the arcade machine. After that happens, the player can choose a character to play with. Then they have to take a picture of him or her within the time limit: if the player didn't take the picture; a countdown starts to force them to take it. The Photo taken will frame the player's face with Mario's Hat and Moustache. When that is done, the player will pick a mode on the screen; "Grand Prix" or "Time Trial"; again within the time limit.

If the player picks "Grand Prix";, they can pick any cup to play within the time limit. But if they pick "Time Trial", they attempt to beat a race-time record in one of the 24 courses in this game with the Triple Mild Mushrooms. If the player picks a cup, they cannot play a locked course: they have to play the available courses in the cup to unlock the other reversed courses. After that, a roulette of basic items comes up, and if the player stops the roulette, they receive the items in the rows whenever they get an Item Box. When that's over, the item descriptions show up, and the player attempts to learn how to use it.

Then, the racing starts. If the player places first, they will move on to the next course, and if they receive any lower rank, they must redo that same course. Either way, they have to pay the machine in order to race again.

Items
As the game states: "There are more than 100 items!".

Basic Items

 * Basin: A normal tin pan; it locks on to another racer and bashes them in the head.
 * Boo: Causes whoever is hit by it to slow down for a brief period.
 * Needle Bomb: Flattens tires.
 * Square Tires: Makes whoever hits it slow down and lose control.
 * Big and Small Tire: Changes size of tires.
 * Time Bomb: A time bomb, It goes off in 15 seconds. Hit other drivers to transfer the bomb to them.
 * Green Shell: A normal shell, it can be thrown in a straight line to knock over other karts.
 * Tornado: Hits foes and launches them into the air.
 * Banana Peel: Mario Kart's classic item, it is left on the track for other racers to slip on.
 * Tacks: When run on, lets one of the rival's tires get flat temporary.
 * Sticky Oil: Causes wheel to get sticky.
 * Cream Pie: A pie, tossed backwards. The screen of the target is covered in whipped cream, obscuring vision. Similar to the Blooper in Mario Kart DS.
 * Thunder Stick: A rod used for close combat, it does not shrink other drivers like in other Mario Kart games.

Prize Items

 * Rain Cloud: This cloud locks onto another racer, raining on the track and making it harder for the driver to steer. It looks somewhat like Mallow from Super Mario RPG.
 * Thunder Cloud: Stronger than the rain cloud, it causes a massive thunder storm.
 * Snow Cloud: This cloud freezes the unfortunate racer.
 * Off-key Speaker: Plays music.
 * Trash Can: Slows down speed when hit.
 * Laughter Bag: Laugh at opponents as a taunt.
 * Mustache Pen: Scribbles on opponent faces.
 * Banana Shot: Spins out enemies.
 * Tox-Banana Shot: Spins out and shakes wheel.
 * Dash Bazooka: Rival Kart will dash when hit.
 * Jump Seal: Prevents jumping for a time.
 * Item Seal: Prevents item use for a time.
 * Black Shell: A shell that explodes on impact.
 * Fire Cracker: Explodes when hit.
 * Smokescreen: Makes players go blind when they pass the item by.
 * Shield: Makes the player be protected from the rivals attacks.
 * Reflect Shield: Reflects attacks.
 * Absorbing Mushroom: A special item that lets the player get items from rivals.
 * Giant Mushroom: Makes the player grow into enormous size
 * Invisible Mushroom: Turns the player invisible.
 * Slimy Mushroom Turns slimy to dodge easier.
 * Heavy Mushroom: Causes the player to become heavy.
 * Horn: Plays a loud noise.
 * High Beam: Flashes blinding lights.
 * Magic Hand: Steals items.
 * Dizziness Virus: Picture is blurred when hit, can hit other karts to pass on.
 * Wheel Virus: Wheel shakes, hit other karts to pass on.
 * Time Bomb (L): Attaches to foe and goes off in 15 seconds, hit other cars to pass on.
 * Triple Green Shells
 * Triple Basin: Shoots three basins at once.
 * Triple Boo
 * Triple Square
 * Triple Needle
 * Triple Pen
 * Triple Tornado
 * Triple Black
 * Triple Banana
 * Triple Smoke
 * Triple Tack
 * Triple Pie

Special Character Items

 * Mario and Luigi
 * Star: Become Invincible.
 * Fireball: Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
 * Hammer: Can hit rival. Gives damage when hit.
 * Chain Chomp: Gives damage to all kart that hits.
 * Donkey Kong
 * Barrel: Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
 * 10T Hammer: Can hit rival. Gives damage when hit.
 * Giant Banana: Giant banana. Spin out when hit.
 * Conga: Dance to conga rhythm.
 * Bowser
 * Shell Body: Become invincible.
 * Bowser Shell: Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
 * Flaming Tender: Can hit rival. Gives damage when hit.
 * Thwomp: Get stomped when the player drives under it.
 * Wario
 * Wario Car: Become invincible.
 * Snot Bomb: Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
 * Stretch Punch: Gives damage when hit.
 * Bob-omb: Explodes when hit.
 * Toad
 * Miracle Mushroom: Become invincible.
 * Poison Mushroom: Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
 * Mushroom Hammer: Can hit rival. Gives damage when hit.
 * Mushroom Powder: One of the mushroom effects appears.
 * Yoshi
 * Egg Body: Become invincible.
 * Rolling Egg: Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
 * Wacking Fan: Can hit rival. Gives damage when hit.
 * Tongue: Steal rival's item with a tongue.
 * Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man
 * Power Ball: Become invincible.
 * Pooka: Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
 * Rally X: Smoke appears. Spin out when hit.
 * Galaga: Galaga appears. Rival will be abducted.
 * Peach
 * Peach's Bird: Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
 * Frying Pan: Can hit rival. Gives damage when hit.
 * Piranha Plant: Eats player's item.
 * Heart: Steals rival's item.
 * Blinky
 * Petit Monster: Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
 * Monster's Hammer: Can hit rival. Gives damage when hit.
 * Flare Ball: Blind enemy with a flash bang.
 * Ghost Morph: Can scrape through rival's kart.

Other

 * Driver Virus: A virus that causes whoever is hit to slow down. The virus can be transferred to other drivers. Looks like the blue virus from the NES game Dr. Mario.
 * Mushroom: Gives the player's kart a small boost.

Grand Prix
Players race in 24 courses in six stages with each stage having four courses; the first two are forward, last two are reverse (not to be confused with Mirror Mode) to win items and use them in other races. After the four courses are completed, a "Challenge Game" comes up, and are just like Missions from Mario Kart DS which they must complete to earn an item and finish the stage. Note: The Rainbow Stage can only be unlocked if the player finishes the first five cups (Like the Special Cup in Mario Kart Super Circuit).

Time Trial
The name says it all. The player races on one of the 24 courses and see if the player is one of the top ten.

Note: The Rainbow Stage is automatically available in Time Trial, regardless of the players Grand Prix stats.

VS
When the player inserts credits, the game starts an opponent search for a limited time (something like Bark Mode in Nintendogs) which, when other players start opponent searching, links the two people together for a VS Match. Up to four people can link together.

Mario Cup

 * Mario Highway
 * Mario Beach

DK Cup

 * Donkey Kong Jungle
 * Bananan Ruins

Wario Cup

 * Diamond City
 * Snow Panic

Pac-Man Cup

 * Pac-Mountain
 * Pac-Labyrinth

Bowser Cup

 * Bowser's Castle
 * Castle Wall

Rainbow Cup
The Rainbow Stage is only unlocked if the player completes the first five stages.
 * Rainbow Coaster
 * Rainbow Downhill

Reception
Although the gameplay was praised, the game was reviewed negatively for its high cost. Critics noted the lack of play from the video game and made it face huge amounts of criticism at its release.

Sequel
Despite suffering from low playing, a sequel entitled Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 was released (also for the arcades). It featured more gameplay elements than its predecessor, including more characters such as Waluigi and Mametchi. Fortunately, it received positive scores and critical acclaim, being unlike the previous game which was criticized for the high amount of pay.

This game mercilessly was given several commendations and was acknowledged, an experience the previous installment failed to show.

Trivia

 * The billboard for this game appeared in Shroom Ridge in Mario Kart DS.